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Saturday, 21 August 2010

Jilly and I woke at 04:20 this morning and packed the car ready for waking Evelyn to leave the house. Obviously trying to let Evelyn sleep until we left, we tried to make as little noise as possible, but we must have disturbed her. As I was taking the last of the bags downstairs, I heard strange noises coming from Evelyn's room.

To the untrained ear, what Evelyn was doing would have made no sense at all.

"Nerrr, neeerrr, neeerrrrrrrrr", Evelyn 'nerrred' as she slept. She was obviously dreaming about the Big Babies episode, 'The Race', in which the babies (Rocco and Brooks) use ner-power to boost the speed of their buggy to beat 'The Gonch' in a race around the park.

Anyway, having waited until Evelyn had finished her race, I woke her as gently as possible and bundled her into the car, and we were on our way at 04.50.

Almost literally as we walked through the door on our return from YHA Whitby at the end of April, Jim Harris (the Wassock-meister himself) was on the phone to us telling us about a fantastic money-saving dealee at YHA Wastwater. Reputedly one of the most beautiful of 'the lakes', Wastwater hosts a lovely Youth Hostel Association building on it's shores. Jim had received an e-mail about reduced rates for the hostel in July and thought that Jilly and I might like to go during our summer holidays; and he was correct to think that.

We made several stops on the drive to Wastwater, including one at Fell Foot Park, where we stopped for a little lunch and a run around the grounds. We also stopped at the Roman Bath House in Ravenglass. Jilly and I agreed that it would be a shame to miss seeing what's left of the building, as we were in the neighborhood, and it made a very pleasant detour away from the drive.

As we walked around the remains, it struck me as absolutely astonishing that they were still there after nearly 1900 years and, as they were, just at the side of a country lane. As we left the Bath House, we stopped in at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Station for well deserved cuppa and a cake...deeee-lish!

During our stay at the hostel, we didn't take on any of the Wainwrights around Wastwater as I might have liked ('tuts', and looks to the ceiling), but we did have a wander through Low Wood at the southern end of the water and enjoyed a game a Pooh Sticks off Lund Bridge. As I was never going to keep Jilly and Evelyn away from the seaside (as we were so close to the coast), we drove to St. Bees for a walk on the beach and a fly of the kite, before driving on to Whitehaven (an altogether more picturesque harbour town than it's name has ever suggested to me).

Evelyn made friends with a lovely girl - Molly - a few years older than her, and I made friends with many of the staff (most notably those responsible for preparing the lovely food we ate).

I will be recommending YHA Wastwater to the friends of Gingatopia, especially those likely to want to go Wainwright-bagging in the area.

The first part of our luxurious three centre summer holiday was spent at Reighton Sands this weekend. As I've recorded - many times - in my Gingatopian Chronicles, Jilly and Evelyn love caravan holidays and (in the absence of a MASSIVE Lotto win) I'm beginning to see the benefits of them.

We drove to Reighton Sands after work on Friday afternoon, calling in at Flamborough Head on the way as the weather was lovely.

Jilly was thrilled - on our arrival at the Haven site - to discover that our accommodation had been upgraded (which was nice). The caravans are always well equipment and nice and clean, but this one seemed much bigger than the caravans we'd stayed in previously, had a view of the sea, and even had a king size bed and an en-suite toilet (if you don't mind!)

We made our way into Scarborough on Saturday, where Evelyn nagged me to take her on The Twister again. Fortunately, I left the ride with all my internal organs occupying the same space they were in when I got on the ride (this time). Astonishingly, while I spent most of my time on the ride absolutely petrified, Evelyn spent her time with both her hands above her head, screaming to go faster...I despair!

The weather was lovely most of the time we were in Reighton. Not exactly 'cracking the flags', the sun stayed out long enough for Evelyn to get in the sea (where she seems most content). Evie spent long enough in the sea to convince Jilly and I that we need to buy her a new wetsuit as she's grown out of the one that she had in May.

In celebration of Julie's 40th birthday, Jilly and Julie spent the weekend sightseeing in Glasgow, taking special care to take in as much Charles Rennie Mackintosh art and architecture as humanely possible.

Julie and Jilly had a fantastic time in Glasgow, and as I managed to keep Evie and I from harm over the weekend, we're all winners.

Jilly and I never really recovered from not going away for Evelyn's birthday (as we've done for all Evelyn's previous birthdays), so Jilly arranged this weekend away at Reighton Sands, Evelyn's favourite.

Unlike last weekend, the weather wasn't great, but the rain did stay away long enough for us to spend time on the beach, and eat a picnic lunch, on Saturday.

Of course, my liddle beaudees were happy so long as they were able to spend time in their sparkly shoes and dresses, dancing and drinking pink drinks, and who was I to deny them that?

What a fantastic weekend break!

Some time ago, seven families agreed to meet for a weekend in Whitby (just for the children, you understand). Moving into Whitby's Youth Hostel (a lovely building neighbouring the Abbey) with six other couples and their children, we seemed to have taken over the hostel, apart from a rather boisterous Essex ladies' rugby team staying in the hostel; many of them in the room next to ours!

It was Steph's birthday on Friday (which the ladies celebrated in Whitby on Friday night (Happy Birthday Steph!)), and the boys spent an evening drinking fine beers in the 'Duke of York' on Saturday night! We spent Friday and Saturday on the beaches around Whitby, and Sunday we spent on Sandsend beach; and everyone seemed to have a thoroughly good time. I'm only sorry that we couldn't have convinced one or two other families to join us...next time, maybe?

Unfortunately, we don't seem to have any photographs of either night out, but we have got a few of the rest of the weekend. You never know, someone might create a Whitby YHA group that we can all contribute to?

Friday, 31 July 2009

In order for us to get to Cornwall while avoiding the Saturday morning rush (bottleneck), we sat started our journey today. Leaving Huddersfield at 09:30, we stopped for lunch having passed Birmingham at 12:30, and finally arrived at the Exeter M5 Travelodge at 16:10, 275 miles and 5 hours and twenty minutes of driving later. Fortunately, the driving conditions had been fair for most of the motorway drive (unlike the return from Keswick two days earlier).

After the long journey, Jilly and I were thrilled (for my part, at least, the use of the word thrilled isn't a exaggeration!) to discover a Harry Ramsden's restaurant attached to the Travelodge...oh yes!

After a very satisfying, and rather large, haddock and chips (with mushy peas and onion rings, of course), we returned to our room to watch Adam Sandler in Bedtime Stories, before collapsing into bed.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

We drove home, today, through torrential rain (moderately terrifying torrential rain, that is, actually!), and, worried that Helen might have to drive through similar conditions at the weekend, I sent Jim and Helen a text letting them know that we'd we'd returned safely, and how the weather had been.

"Home safely after extremely harrowing motorway drive through driving rain and thick spray. Hope the weather improves for you guys. Thanks for an XLNT weekend.

Jim's reply?

"Walked Seatoller to camp via Castle Crags in T-shirts! Not a drop fallen since you left... H x".

Bloody charmin'

Jilly, Evelyn and I enjoyed an absolutely glorious weekend in Whitby this weekend. Jilly was e-mailed with an offer of what turned out to be a beautiful apartmenton the River Esk in Whitby. The accommodation was excellent and the weather fantastic...

Thursday 28/05/2009
Hoping to arrive in Whitby by lunch-time, we left Huddersfield at 10:30 this morning. Unfortunately, we were forced to take a detour via Helmsley - on the way past York - as the A64 was extremely busy near Flaxton road works. We had a wander around Helmsley (where I bought a couple of very good pork pies) then continued on to Whitby via Pickering.

We arrived in Whitby at 14:30 and were able to get straight into the accommodation which was lovely, (the Riverside Apartment) and is just a twenty minute walk along the river Esk from Whitby. After a quick cup of tea, Evelyn badgered us into leaving the flat so that she could go outside and practice her skipping in the sunshine. Typically, that didn't last long, as Evie soon discovered that there is a lovely children's playground just outside the flat.

Eventually, we managed to tear Evelyn away from the playground and walked into Whitby via 'The Middle Earth Tavern'. A little disappointed NOT to be served by a surly hobbit, I ordered a very refreshing (and well deserved - given the drive I'd just endured) pint of Black Sheep Best (with a pint of lager shandy for Jilly - she couldn't be convinced of the virtues of the cider shandy) and a 'pink drink' for Evelyn. As always, when we got into the town centre, 'The Magpie' was heaving, so we ate at 'The Quayside' restaurant, (practically) next door, where the food was lovely. Evelyn was shattered when we'd eaten, so I (struggled, as I) carried her home on my shoulders.

Jilly and I plan to weigh her on our return home, as she most have grown loads recently...

Friday 29/05/2009
As we were confident that the east coast was going to bask in glorious sunshine today, Jilly, Evelyn and I made our way to the beach at 10:30. Jilly talked me into hiring deckchairs (even though we had the beach tent and carpet), and it was money well spent. We spent over five hours on the beach (something Jilly tells me is a record) and, during that time, Evelyn made friends with a beautiful little girl called 'Phoebe'. We had a dinner in another of Whitby's many fish and chip restaurants as the Italian of choice (Moutrey's) was fully booked all night.

Of course, after a busy day on the beach, Evie's little legs soon became very tired on the walk home, so I was roped into carrying her again. My shoulders seem to be getting used to the extra burden now...but don't tell Evie.

Watching the weather forecast for Saturday, we're expecting more sunshire and temperatures of around 16 degrees C tomorrow.

Saturday 30/05/2009
As Evelyn is becoming more and more reliant upon me carrying her home from Whitby (it is quite a long way, and she does have little legs!), we drove to Whitby's 'West Beach', today, via the Coop (for extra provisions) where I was almost tempted to buy a £25.00 red and black shorty wet-suit - size XXL. Before making our way to the beach, Evelyn had a dip in the paddling pool where she, very quickly, becmae friends with another little girl - Maddie - who just so happened to have the biggest inflatable 'otter' (in fact, it was a seal!) imaginable. We all enjoyed another lovely day on the beach. As 'Deckchair Dad', I relaxed nicely with my book, while Jilly and Evelyn hunted for fossils, as they discussed the young "gifelaurds" (all of whom, incidentally, were young men!).

Tonight we managed to get a table at Moutrey's where I enjoyed the seafoodiest seafood pizza EVER which included five tiny octopii (Jilly was visibly disturbed by the tenticles, and the waitress claimed that the seafood pizzas are regularly sent back as customers aren't prepared for the variety of seafood in the topping and couldn't bring themselves to eat octopus.

Sunday 31/05/2009
We were all VERY upset to be leaving Whitby, this morning, after such a lovely break...Evelyn especially. We left the flat at 10:00 as required, and as Evie started boo-ing. We drove up to Saltburn, where we parked at the top of the hill and rode the tram lift down to the beach. We had another beautiful day on the beach in astonishing May sunshine (though, without Deckchairs, today!). Fantastically, Evie made another friend, with whom she played all day. We left Saltburn at 14.10, stopped at the roadside for some lunch, and still managed to get home for 16:15, as we drove via the A19 and A1(M).

Brilliant!

Jilly, Evelyn and I shared a lovely weekend at Haven's Flookburgh, near Grange-over-Sands, for the Easter weekend.

Once again, we were very lucky with the weather and Jilly and I even managed to catch the sun (though only incidentally, in my case).

On Saturday morning we drove to the National Trust's Fell Foot Park where Evelyn was encouraged to exhaust herself by taking advantage of the lovely recreation park, and where we all enjoyed an ice cream in the sun. Even though Evelyn was clearly very tired after her charge around Fell Foot, she insisted on going to 'the club', to see 'all the people'. As always, on these occasions, I'm not sure who enjoyed the occasion more as, after a few beers, Jilly joined a host of 'enthusiastic' parents on the dance floor and won a prize for being the best dancing mum (she does have an 'O' level in Modern Educational Dance, don't-ya-know!)

Like the doting parents we are, we made absolutely sure that we packed all the Easter eggs Evelyn had been given, so that she could have an Easter egg hunt around the caravan on Easter Sunday morning.

In an attempt to impress Jilly and Evelyn with my newly acquired (comparitive) fitness, I agreed to our hiring a family 'go-cart', with which we could drive around the site. Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that half of the pedals were broken so one of us had to pedal alone! We were refunded the difference of the cost of a single pedal go-cart with which I treated myself to a very well deserved pint of cider...aaarrggggh!

We returned home today, via Skipton, where we stopped for a lovely lunch, excellent pork pie, and where I bought a Jilly a beautiful gold ring for her birthday in October (though I think I'd like her to have it for Evie's birthday).