Embracing change...

Sometimes the best way to cope with the changing seasons is simply to get out amongst them and embrace the change. And with autumn well and truly upon us, we headed south to Northumberland for a half term week of fresh air, family adventures and an opportunity to crunch in the leaves. 

Our base was a lovely lodge in the grounds of Slaley Hall, near Hexham, which provided all the comforts of home, and away from the jobs that normally come at this time of year which we'd been conveniently ignoring. We started in Hexham itself, exploring the farmers' market and stocking up on some delicious local produce. There were also visits to pretty Corbridge, with its independent shops and cafés, and plenty of opportunities to eat well. Well we did do quite a bit of walking which requires some serious refuelling.

And walk we did! We followed in Roman footsteps along Hadrian's Wall, tackling the spectacular ups and downs around Steel Rigg. Nearly 2,000 years after the Romans built it, the Wall is still standing. I was really impressed even if the rest of the family were not quite so enthusiastic by ancient history. The rejuvenation happening in Sycamore Gap did spark more interest though. And there were further wonderful autumn walks through Chopwell Wood, the beautiful Allen Banks and Staward Gorge (my favourite), along the Tyne plus Slaley's grounds itself. We embraced the golden leaves and frosty mornings, with a Labrador who at 10 months is determined to investigate every last smell and taste they can find. I even squeezed in a couple of runs, just in case the walking wasn't quite enough.

We also tried our hands at clay pigeon shooting and quad biking. Niomi took to the quad bike with great enthusiasm, although at a pace that suggested she was carefully observing the countryside rather than racing through it (but she did it!). Naturally, I felt obliged to have another go with Emily, purely for comparative research purposes. A sacrifice, but someone had to do it.

Niomi particularly enjoyed the freedom of exploring the lodge grounds with Rowan, who was having the time of his life. So much to sniff, so little time. Although her independent wildlife patrol did lead to an unexpected telephone call from the police after she dialled 999 to report a dead bird. Clearly, no creature was going to go unaccounted for on her watch!

Rowan also provided the week's biggest drama when he suddenly developed an allergic reaction, complete with hives and a rapidly expanding face. One emergency trip to the vet, an antihistamine injection and a few anxious hours later, he was thankfully back to his usual handsome self. For a while though the poor boy really didn't look like himself.

And in between all the adventures there was plenty of time for books, good food, family games and simply being together. Nothing particularly exotic. No grand expedition. Just fresh air, muddy boots, Roman history, a few adrenaline-fuelled moments, one overenthusiastic emergency caller and a dog who briefly changed shape. Good, wholesome autumn fun.

We started in Hexham

Unimpressed by Hadrian's Wall

I thought it pretty amazing though

And there's life!

Everyday was a cake (or two) day

Quad bikers

Girl and bike

A rare pic of me with the family

Poor boy with hives coming up

Face swelling and eye closing 😟

Tree climbers

Autumns finest colours

When I was young...

When I was 21 the family managed to put cine footage of our early years onto what was then a video cassette. Over the years that original video cassette became redundant and I think was lost, or at least unable to be located. But during our recent trip to Switzerland (see post here) my brother and I were discussing the 'lost footage' and lo, thanks to him with a little help from AI, it has magically reappeared. It's rather blobby and fuzzy, but then it is 50ish year old footage of when I was young, so probably to be expected really. 

You can see my early love of gardening and how I loved to cut the grass next to my dad. He even used to sneak some of his grass clippings into my mower basket so I believed I really was cutting the grass and could empty mine alongside his. There's also some indication of early footballing skills, and some good reasons why I still don't really like ice cream cones clearly having had it shoved in my face by my sister and her pal. And then there was the footage on the beach, bringing back notorious memories of dam building competitions by the sea. Although, as history evolved, it's been discovered the competitions were rigged by my wonderful brother who was judge, jury and prize giver. Hence why I never graduated beyond bronze award whilst he had his silver, gold and honours awards. Oh the childhood scarring that lives on into adulthood 😂.

And for the techies amongst you who always wondered why cine footage made everyone look like they walked fast it's because cine filmed at fewer frames per second than it was played back on, hence looking like it was speeded up. But then if you're techie enough to wonder this then you're probably techie enough to already know the answer.

Anyway, if you want you can watch the video and see for yourself what a dude I was aged 2. Unless you live in Russia, where apparently its been banned for some bizarre copyright reasons.

Videoclip: When I was young...

Or you can watch the video here

A very special lady...

Sometimes she's Cathy, sometimes she's Mum, but generally we all like to call her Nana (she's actually Tanya's Mum), and she's a very special lady who turned 80 last weekend.

And what an 80 year old she is. Fit as a fiddle, full of life, joy and happiness, Nana is one of the kindest and most helpful people you could ever meet. She’s always busy, always doing something, generally something for someone else, and somehow still finds time for a crossword, Wordle or whatever other puzzle needs solving.

She is loved enormously by her children, in-laws and grandkids, as well as by the many, many friends she has gathered over the years. More than anything, though, when I think of Nana I think of her zest for life. She enjoys it, embraces it and brings that sense of fun and happiness to everyone around her.

So it felt only right to mark 80 years properly. The family all got together and we spent the weekend at the wonderful Fettykil Lodge near Glenrothes - eating far too much good food, playing games, laughing a lot, enjoying the hot tub, sauna and BBQ pit, and even managing a bit of a walk.

A brilliant weekend for a truly wonderful woman.

Happy 80th Birthday, Nana. Very much loved - and very, very special. ❤️

The birthday girl

All the crew

"We (do indeed) Love Nana"

All the girls

Cake for the birthday girl - made by Emily

Videoclip: Nana's 80th

Or you can watch the video here

Outside Fettykil Lodge with Baba

Happy Birthday Nana!

The most beautiful place in the world...

My big brother, David, was 60 at the end of last year. Since then he has been milking the decade-birthday thing quite successfully - and why not. My present to him was a trip to Switzerland, Grindelwald to be precise. It was also a nod to Mum and Dad, as it was one of their favourite places to go, so we also took a little of them to scatter.

Now I'm lucky enough to have been to many beautiful places and I thought I knew what I as letting myself in for but really, any expectation I had was surpassed quite quickly. It simply is the most beautiful place in the world.

Anyway, I'm slightly jumping ahead - first things first. Getting there was more epic than planned. Up at 3am for a 6am flight from Glasgow which, for a variety of reasons saw me missing my connecting flight in Schipol and whilst it could have been worse, after 7 hours in the airport I decided that Schipol really wasn't the most beautiful place in the world.

So then on to Swiss transport - many, many leagues apart from the UK. Everything works seamlessly - wherever you are going there's something every half an hour and if you're connecting then you never wait more than 5 minutes. This seems to cross transport modes as well - train, bus, boat all the same. I'm sure someone will find examples where this isn't the case but the complexity and attention to detail here just blew me away. Imagine designing a train station with bus/taxi stops on one side and a port on the other and then ensuring that the trains all pulled in to the nearest platform to meet any connections needed. Insane levels of thought has gone into this. And it didn't stop there, everything in Switzerland just seemed so well thought out and top quality. Massive investment all round I guess.

Anyway - I arrived late at night and we were up early the next day to do the Eiger Trail which descends down at the foot of the North Face of the Eiger - about 1,800m of sheer rock face (which is higher than Ben Nevis!). Its hard to get any sense of scale but when you stand at its base it just blows you away. Then after winding our way down, the evening saw us attend part of the inaugural national youth yodelling festival - an incredible way to be introduced to Swiss culture courtesy of some resident experts sitting opposite us. And yes, yodelling really did originate to communicate across the valleys.

Next day and we got the lift up First, walked to Bachalspee (arguably the best view I have ever seen), then back down to descend the mountain via Mountain Cart and Trottibike. A truly amazing experience. Then a little more youth yodelling before a top quality meal out.

Day Three was the biggest in terms of walking. Lift up to Mannlichen, then the Royal Walk for views into the neighbouring valley overlooking Murren, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. Then it was the Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheindigg looking on to the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau and back over Grindelwald. It was on the trail we scattered some ashes. Then the final descent all the way back to Grindelwald. We ended a little weary, but energy was restored with a traditional fondue.

Our final day before return evening flights saw us explore Lake Brienz, take a dip at Iseltwald and a boat across the lake. A quick stop in Bern and then it was Zurich airport.

The whole thing was action packed but without too much intensity, and I loved Switzerland overall - partly because everything seemed very 'high-end' and worked well. However what I really loved was the setting. It's hard to describe. Cradled in the mountains, the North Face towering over you, crystal clear aquamarine lakes, snow capped peaks, fairytale mountain chalets, alpine meadows...you kind of get the picture. I mean it helped we had amazing weather, but honestly, it probably is the most beautiful place in the world.

And it was great spending time with my brother, Back in the day, we did many trips together, often skiing but other things too. It was great to rekindle that sense of brotherhood. A real bonding and a whole heap of fun to boot. Here's to many more (although we haven't mentioned those yet)...

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Videoclip: Switzerland...

Or you can watch the video here

Bachalspee. The most beautiful view in the world?

Or was it this from Mannlichen?

Or even this on Lake Brienz?

Land, sea and loch...

Sometimes it's easy to forget what's on your doorstep. Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK - and as the school holidays ended there's still been a window of decent-ish weather to explore the 'nearest' big loch, Loch Lomond, do a spot of fishing off Dunbar and some vanvenuturing to Argyle, Loch Fyne and Loch Long.

First up was Ella's final week with us, and after passing her English exam we celebrated with exploration to the Dumpling and RSPB Loch Lomond. Then Niomi, T, Rowan and myself trailed Loch Ard whilst Emily and Ella did some gorge walking before we said a final farewell to Ella. She'll be missed as she made such a positive impact on our summer.

Then I donned my sea legs for a spot of sea-fishing off Dunbar with my friend Kenny. I am certainly no fisherman but after a nervy start I was soon hauling in some fish - returning with 6 mackerel, 2 cod, 1 pollock and 1 ling. A great catch for the freezer and a thoroughly different and enjoyable day out. It was all topped off with greedy seal who kept trying to steal our catch and a pod of dolphins.

Then it was into the van with my pal Liam and Rowan for a weekend of vanventures taking in Ardgarten, West Loch Tarbert, Campbeltown, Saddell, Carradale, Skipness, Tarbert and Crinan. It was a stunning weekend exploring about 100 miles west of Glasgow on the Kintyre peninsula (but due to geography its a very out your way 3 hour drive or a lot of ferry hopping).

Scotland is stunning. Watching the sun set over the Isle of Gigha or gazing over Arran with a fire has got to be the highlight. The calm beauty of it all is really good for your soul (as is a little whisky to top off the mood).

Looking over Loch Lomond from the Dumpling

The same view from ground level at Loch Lomond

The ever stunning Trossachs

Boy and Girl

Loch Ard

Sending Ella off with the taste of Smore's

Fishermen Three

Rowan enjoying Loch Long

DooDoo enjoying the view over Gigha

And so did we all

Happy Boy

And then there was Arran

Arran

The view from Skipness Castle

The lovely town of Tarbert

Videoclip: The view above Crinan...

Or you can watch the video here

Keeping the numbers up...

Every summer Tanya gets everyone to write a summer bucket list. Things we want to do, goals we'd like to achieve, experiences to be had and so on. Not everything happens but it is a great way to make sure you get out there and squeeze the last drops of juice out of summer life.

This summer we had another special addition to our family to keep the numbers up - Ella. 18yo Ella arrived from Switzerland at the end of July to stay for a month. She is the daughter of a friend of a friend (don't ask how we get ourselves into these things), and she brought with her a lovely spirit and genuine ease that has been nothing but a wonderful addition to our summer. 

Ella coming wasn't listed on the bucket list, but if there is one thing that has been a fabulous experience this summer, it's been having her come to stay. She's been a real pleasure to have in the house, great company for us all, and has just, well, fitted right in. She'll be truly missed when she goes.

Anyway back to the bucket list.... I wanted a van trip away with each of the girls individually - tick. Ella being here meant we wanted to show some of Scotland's best - tick. There's been stunning trips out, picnics galore, music, dance, beach trips, water fun - tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. It's been full on but what a great time we've had. Our ticking of numbers on the bucket list just kept going up.

Vanventures to the Trossachs, wild water swimming, dog walks galore, cycling crazy, Commonwealth Games, trips to the big smokes of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick (a whole week of festival in itself - music, dance, comedy, drama, beach adventure and family fun), Loch Lubnaig, Conic Hill, loads of time with really lovely people and great food eaten mainly outdoors which has all been amazing. T and I both agree its been a really 'healthy' and holistic summer. Not healthy in the boot camp way (although its not been bad for that) but healthy in the well rounded, good for the mind, body and soul kind of way. A real joyful blessing. And I'm brown as a Scottish berry to boot.

And looking into the diary for the next few months there is much more to come, with not much pause before November! Phew, I need to retire from retirement.

The Bucket List

Vanventure with Emzo

Emzo in Loch Ard

Videoclip: Pool jumping....

Or you can watch the video here

Pool jumpers

Welcome Ella

Taking in the Games

Gold medals for them all

Dog meets Dog

At the Athletics

Dogzo's first trip to Glasgow

Belles of the Beach

They're out there somewhere

Return leg

Carnival spirit

Summiting the Law

Was a tad breezy though

Sunset on the beach

Out there somewhere on Loch Lubnaig

Eclipse viewing

Rowan's taken to the van

Lochan Spling

Vanventures with the Niomster

And the now Famous Six enjoying Conic Hill