Mount Snowden

Up very early, 4.30am, last minute cleaning and then jumped in the van and drove the 45mins to Snowden. Lovely drive although was quite dark and couldn’t appreciate all the scenery.

Got to the pre-booked carpark, luckily we had booked it because there was an attendant there even at that time.

Got sorted, worked out our starting path and set off. After about 25mins it started raining and got heavier and with the wind it was horizontal so I went to get my waterproof trousers and they weren’t in my rucksack! It was then I’d remembered that I’d thrown them away after Kili climb…bugger. With the amount of rain my hiking trousers didn’t have a chance, onwards we went and it was quite tough.

Enjoyed it but sadly the weather was nothing like the bright sunshine and clear skies we’d had the previous 2 days, it was windy, raining and very low cloud cover. As we got higher the less we saw and the wetter we got and the windier it became.

Anyway, we got to the summit and visibility was about 5 yards, utterly pointless two and a half hours walk!! So we made our way down and my clothing was sodden, as was Tasha’s, the waterproofs couldn’t cope with this amount of rain. Made our way down and started to see people making their way up, when asked what it was like we didn’t sugarcoat our answers!!

Walking around the lakes was nice but Tash had had enough and was Miss Grumpy Pants! We got to the van and it was still pissing it down so we grabbed our dry clothes and went to the public toilets to change. Got back in the van and set off for our 4hr journey home.

Stopped at MacDonald’s which was good and listened to Jon Wards podcast which we enjoyed.

An end to a lovely weekend, really enjoyed it with the kids, shame it felt like it went by so quickly and we didn’t have more time. Lovely place hidden away.

Hopefully, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike will be kinder weather.

Jacks Birthday present - house cleaning!

Woke up quite early and got ready and sorted and at 8.00am we set off for Jacks house. He wasn’t going to be in but that was the surprise!

Made good time and arrived at 10.40am and got straight to cleaning his house. 

I worked mainly in the kitchen and Tash did the rest of the house. 

Hard work!! It wasn’t “student filthy” and wasn’t too desperate but it was a mess and needed a deep clean which I think we more or less achieved for them. 

To cut a long story short we were there for 4 hours until 3.00pm. Knackered but we did make a good dent in things and cleaned it quite well. I hope both Jack and Noah are pleased with our effort. I really don’t know many parents that would do the same to be honest. 

We then made our way over to Lewis and Emily’s house and went for a nice walk. Lovely to catch up with them. Only stayed about 2 hours and when we got back from the walk we left straight away so we could get sorted at the campsite. 

And what a campsite!! We’re in the grounds of a manor house. It’s lovely. I’m typing this listening to music, Tash asleep, having drunk loads of gin and tonic and now almost a bottle of wine to myself. Back in the camping scene, gotta love it. So easy and convenient. Hopefully we will make good use of the van this summer. 

Jack sent mum a message thanking her for her work today. He and Jodie had gone to a spa locally and spoilt themselves which is great. 

Have had a nice day. Missed out on an Oxford City ex players day today though so sad about that. I’m sure I’d have enjoyed it. Ah well. Family comes first and all that!!

Early morning golf

Set the alarm early for this morning and woke up before it around 5.45am and was on the way in the van 30mins later!

Had the course to myself and did okay. Slow start because I was stiff and hadn’t warmed up. I tried a couple of things I’d watched on YouTube last night and it helped.  I lost a few balls, what a surprise, and only managed 9 holes. When leaving a lot more people had arrived and I was gone by 8.15am. 

A decent start to the morning and it’s the first of the year where I’ve been able to get down and practice nice and early. Need to make a habit of that and get my score down. 

Back home and the guy to fit the water meter turned up and that was sorted in 20mins so that was that. I’d cancelled my blood donation appointment because I thought I needed to be in all morning so was a bit pissed off about that. 

Worked the rest of the day, nothing much exciting to tell about that. It’s a little bit quiet because of Easter Half term and we’ve got up to date but it won’t last sadly. 

Mum came over in the evening and we had a really good spag bol and a good catch up. Trifle for pudding!! Yum. 

Watched a bit of tv in the evening but I wasn’t in the mood and the wifi connection is shit so gave up. 

Off to the office tomorrow for a company day and was planning to play golf in the morning but it’s a bit too much so I’ll do it Friday morning instead. 

A decent day all told. 

Jack Birthday celebrations

Nice weekend as it was an early celebration for Jack's birthday which is obviously next week but he will be in Manchester.

Sunday we had family round in the afternoon and before that Tash and I went to Jodie's mum's (Helen) house to meet their dog - Coco - who is a dalmation puppy, 13 weeks and brown. Daft and excitable, Coco, not Helen, and was good fun to go round there. Only there for half an hour but it's a nice house and all things seem to be good

Got back in good time and sorted for all the family coming round and it was a really nice afternoon. Weather was too windy to go outside

Nothing else to report - will still post this anyway