A Damp November Day

Our good old British weather hasn’t been up to much lately.  It’s been damp mostly.  The picture below just about sums it up.

Taken from the car while we were driving over Blackstone Edge yesterday it shows the low lying cloud obscuring the moors from view.  And really the weather doesn’t bother me too much.  As long as I’m dressed appropriately the weather can please itself what it throws my way.  Maybe not too much rain.  And, let’s not forget, we are in November so damp weather is only to be expected.

On our agenda yesterday was grocery shopping and because Charlie was with us a visit to the park in Hebden Bridge with a cup of tea in our favourite cafe thrown into the mix.

As we walked down the main street we could hear the sound of happy folk  music filling the air.  Playing his fiddle with a cute/weird marionette dancing in front of him this busker was one of the happiest buskers I’ve ever come across.  He smiled from ear to ear all the while he sang.  I could have listened to him all day but we had promised Charlie a play in the park and that’s where we were headed.  Charlie dropped some change in the basket.

You wouldn’t believe it from the expression on their faces but they were having fun!

Charlie had brought a little gun with him and thought he’d try a little target practice.  

Unfortunately he missed the target and the bullet got lost in the bushes.  We spent about an hour and a half, okay ten minutes at least, searching for that thing!  Happily I eventually located it and play resumed.

Play time over we sauntered back to the car.  Charlie reading as he went along.

This is the publication Charlie was so engrossed in.  The Playmobile toy catalogue.  It kept him entertained all the way round the supermarket too.

I snapped a picture just before we crossed the bridge over the canal.  Pretty as a picture even on a damp day in November.

Until next time,

Blackberrying With Charlie

Saturday before last was a lovely sunny September day.  I’m loving this mild and sunny September weather we’re having and now there’s a crispness in the air heralding autumn is on its way (tomorrow to be exact).  Which is good.  What’s not to love about autumn?

So what better way to pass the time than get out in that sunny weather and fresh air and collect some blackberries.  I must confess blackberrying is not something that I’ve ever done more than a handful of times but I knew that Charlie would want to do it.  He and his mummy went out collecting some last year and he loved it.

I had asked Victoria and her crew to come with us but they were all engaged in other activities.  Caroline and Trev were working.

So grandad, Charlie and I headed for the lake where we knew the blackberries were ripe for the taking and we all three got stuck in.

Charlie took it very seriously and worked hard filling his tub.

After a little while he took a breather…

  … and took in the view.

He also took great delight in pinching my tub of berries when I put them down to snap a picture and poured them into his tub!  He thought that was hilarious – the little  monkey!

It’s a lot of fun but it’s hard work too.

All that bending and stretching.

So after quite some time we called  it a day and decided we’d got enough and had had enough!  It’s difficult to know when to stop though.  Every time you think that’s the last one you stand up straight, stretch your back, then spy another big fat juicy blackberry that you can’t possibly ignore and that one finds its way into your tub.  Stand up straight and again same thing - another big fat juicy one is calling out ”don’t leave me"!” 

Eventually we made the break and set off for home at a leisurely pace.

Via the park.

Down the path.

Alongside the stream, through Ealees.

I couldn’t wait to weigh our haul of nature’s bounty.  4lbs! – and every ounce packed with carefree fun and happy memories!

Apple and blackberry crumble never tasted so good!

August Bundled Up.

September is well and truly here and I still haven’t posted all of August’s family doings.  So here is the rest of August in one bundle.

Over the last few weeks now William has been doing a fair bit of painting and decorating at Caroline’s house. Being retired is a hectic business for some and that’s the way William likes it. So decorating at Caroline’s house has been his choice and, what’s more, fun for him! To show their appreciation Caroline and Trev took us out for a meal to The Shepherd's Rest.

My beautiful daughter, sweet Caroline.  (Remember that song?).

After the meal I snapped this lovely picture of Caroline and the men in her life.

And a fun pic with the other man in Caroline’s life. 

We had a lovely time and the meal was excellent too.  Will definitely eat there again and when my American sister and her husband next come home for a visit The Shepherd’s Rest will certainly be on the list of places to take them.

Nicholas and Charlie stayed overnight with us just before school started back.  They made their own “breakfast”.

The weekend before last Caroline, Charlie and I took Nicholas up to Bay View.  Once again the weather was good and the boys played out a lot.

Climbed some.  Yes, Nicholas.  That is a long way down. 

Built a dam.  Getting wet feet is just par for the course.

And making a bridge over a ditch?  All under the umbrella of fun for little boys.

Beautiful twilight over the Kent Estuary as we walked back to the caravan.

And a magnificent sunset!

The day after a visit to Gibraltar Farm for an ice cream. 

With this view stretched out before us.  I have recently upgraded to an iPhone 5 and have discovered the joy of using the pano function.  What joy!  I’m now hooked on panoramic photos.

Loss is Eternal

This poignant, sorrowful World War I  commemorative sand sculpture is in the grounds of Hebden Bridge Town Hall.  It’s an amazing work of art and larger than life size.  Follow this link to find out more about it.

I think that just about wraps August up and already I have memories stacked up waiting to be preserved as we roll into September with an Indian Summer.  How lucky are we? Very!

A Look Back Over June and July

Weather wise June and July were very good months.  I know I spent lots of time outside enjoying glorious sunshine.

In June World Cup fever took hold for a while.  William raised the England flag in the garden in support of our national football team.  Until they were knocked out that is.  Then sadly the flag came down.  Charlie was there to help and gave it a twirl or two.

A walk through Ealees with Caroline is always a pleasure but sunshine can double the pleasure for sure.  

Summer sunshine equals water fun and paddling pools in the garden.

A break from the water and Gary cuts George’s fingernails for  him. 

A drink of hot chocolate always goes down well.  It puts life back into chilled hands and feet.  Yep, even on a sunny day!

Looks like Charlie’s was a little too hot!

At the very end of June we had a fun weekend in the caravan with Caroline and Charlie.  Here we’re enjoying a drink outside the bar on the caravan site.

A leisurely stroll down by the salt marshes brings us to Bay View Garden Centre which is now under new management and much improved.   It almost has the feel of a cottage garden now.  Very nice!

An early evening walk down that same path ..

.. and the light was stunning.  Very pretty!

 

NOW INTO JULY

Of course, the sun didn’t shine everyday and the one day when it would’ve been really welcome was George and Nicholas’s school Sports Day.

Instead it was an umbrella day.  Last year I needed my umbrella to shelter from the sun’s rays.  Not this year. It was a very cold, wet and dreary day.   The kids didn’t seem to notice.  They all just got on with the races and had fun regardless.  Eventually though rain stopped play and the remaining races were abandoned.

On the 5th my lovely cousin and one of my favourite people, Sylvia, had one of those big birthdays with a zero on the end and celebrated with a ceilidh for family and friends.  It was so much fun!  It seemed like everybody there got up and danced their hearts out.  Not one of us was expert at this kind of dance but it didn’t matter one little bit.  It was plain and simple, honest to goodness fun all night!

Le Tour de France fever took over our neck of the woods in a big way!  The race hurtled its way over Blackstone Edge, just up the road from us.  Yellow bikes and bunting were everywhere.

The owners of this cottage on Blackstone Edge even painted the outside of their home in Le Tour colours!  Billy and I loved Le Tour de France and must’ve watched the TV highlights every evening.   As much as I enjoy the racing I also like to watch the Tour for the scenery the riders passes through.  The brilliant weather in England for the first three stages really showed our beautiful countryside at its best!  And the crowds that turned out all along the route were phenomenal!

On the day the tour came through our area our local park held a party complete with large screen TV for everyone to enjoy the race while enjoying the party atmosphere. My girls and their crews went along to the park but William and I stayed at home and watched it happen on the television. 

After the fun in the park the kids all came to our house where we had a barbecue in the brilliant sunshine.

Followed by a game of boules.

Gary and the boys played…

.. while Grandad watched and gave advice.

William and I have been taking advantage of the sunny summer and more than a few times have enjoyed an early morning trip to Hebden Bridge for breakfast at our favourite cafe.

A tree festooned with dinosaurs in the town centre.  Strange I know, but pretty all the same!

Another lovely weather day Caroline invited me to go walking with her and Harley.  This time to Dove Stone Reservoir.  (Shame Harley’s head is cut off in this pic)

Caroline’s dog is never happier than when he is chasing the stones she throws into the water for him.

Here’s cheeky chops Charlie.  As soon as I pointed the camera at him this particular afternoon he pulled these cheeky faces.  He thought he was hilarious.  Little monkey!

Nicholas had a sleepover with us recently.  This little boy loves to sleep with his cuddly toys.  Note, James Bond, his birthday present Build a Bear, is still a firm favourite and is properly attired in his pyjamas!  Go Fish! is Nicholas’s favourite card game just now.  We played it a lot!

During these last two  months I have spent time in the garden shaded by our sun umbrella and crocheted away while listening to the BBC iPlayer.  Not a bad way to while away an hour or two.

Phew!  This post has taken me ages to put together.  I must stop being a lazy blogger and post more regularly, it’s much easier that way.  I’m sure there are more photos to post but if there are they’ll have to wait for next time.  I’m off to put the kettle on now.

TTFN,