Cnorwall 14

Blogged 2 years after the event, in fact, but these are the (incomplete) notes I took. Could do with being cross-referenced with Flickr.

Horrible journey down obvs. Just tons of traffic. A bit depressed on arrival as the weather broke as per on the way down and then the cottage is on the main route through st Ives. Not a good night sleep first night and we were both toired and a bit depressed the next day. Surfing on Porthmeor in the morning and then Gartul in the afternoon for family gathering. Good to see everyone but as usual not much time to catch up. No vv and rick as they're in France. Mum was ok but complainy and not herself. 

Better night Sunday night then Tate in the morning and Porthmeor cafe for lunch and an abortive rainy trip to the beach in the afternoon. Not tempted to go in. Pasties on the harbour wall for tea, fighting off seagulls.

Thursday. Bad weather forecast so we decided to go for a walk. Drove down the coast (much complaining) and walked up to men an tol and the nine maidens from Carn Galver mine. I've never been there, the weather was unexpectedly good - especially when sheltered from the north westerly breeze - and the children enjoyed it after initial whining. Dinner in Pizza Express on the harbour side. Middle class bunfight.

Friday. Some stress in the AM as C in bad mood. Headed off to the island via Penwith gallery but drizzle started so the others went souvenir shopping while I did the island walk. Got wet when the heavy rain came in but we met up amicably at lunchtime. Kids stayed in for a bit while me C and Sam went to some galleries. Bought a Martin Perryman seascape for £880. An indulgence I suppose but surely not a waste of money..? Actually did the island circuit in the afternoon with kidz. Sammy no longer happy in buggy (doww! doww!) and trying very hard to walk. Did most of our move packing in the evening so self- impressed with organisation. 

Saturday. Changeover. Godolphin house. 

Sunday. Praa Sands. Sunny. Grumpy. Dow. Rock pooling with Jim in the afternoon. Abortive look at Rinsey but no sand, and they have tarmaced the bumpy lane. 

Monday. Crabbing on the fish slab in the morning. Surfing at Perranuthnoe with Jim in the afternoon. In doghouse for getting back late. We were supposed to have a barbecue at Gartul but didn't. Shame.  

Tuesday. 9 mile walk from Mullion to Porthleven. Amy in black mood but Sam biggest complainer. Probably last time I do such a long walk with him in the backpack. Told Jim he was full member of the bell clan after doing the walk. A bit of rainy crabbing afterwards. 

BH weekend

I went to collect Jim on Friday after he got back from a trip to Norfolk with James and Hannah. He was in good spirits. Saturday it was just him and Minnie because Amy was in London with the cousins, a situation he approved of because “Minnie doesn’t bully me when Amy isn’t around”. It’s Monday now and I can’t even remember what we did on Saturday so what on earth is the point? Oh, except swimming at CC. C was out in the evening so I babysat, and Jim camped out in Min’s room. They were happy. Sunday C went to London to pick up Amy, leaving me with everybody. Was fine. We got out to the Jesus Green park in the afternoon and were at the Fort St George having a J2O when they arrived back at the house. Felt good about looking after the boy. Ian and Ruth came round in the eve and I did curries. Ian v relaxed for a change. BH Monday we went bowling in the morning with a couple of C’s friends, then a game of pool and air hockey at the bowling place. Jim and I had fun, Amy anti-social and horrible, Sammy unsure about the whole thing. Then lunch and Frankie and Benny’s, which I liked but which was a bit of a bunfight. Lots of time trying to persuade Sammy that he wasn’t going to destroy everything within reach. Afternoon as stressful as usual, but great to have Jim around. 

Lakes 2014

Saturday: apocalyptically bad journey in the rain to Gunpowder Cottage. Nice but a little scruffy for the price and not particularly well cleaned. Tucked away behind the pub, which is excellent, and has a good green the kids played on. Had food there the first night. No wifi or phone coverage in the cottage!! Jim and Min sharing, Sammy in the dark room and us as far away as possible...

Sunday: climbed Loughrigg. Kids did really well, weather was ok but spots of rain and chilly in the breeze on top. Had to give Jim a clip around the ear for heading off with Amy in a rebellious way and felt bad about it for a while. Amy whining incessantly on the way down.

Monday: big long walk down to Skelwith and up into Little Langdale. Best day of the holiday weather-wise.

Tuesday: Windermere ferry trip. Got the steamer down to Lakeside and walked up to the bobbin mill, which was closed of course. C stressed by the narrow roads. Walked up to the High Dam car park, where Amy, Sam and C declined the walk up to the dam but I managed to persuade Min and Jim. Again there was a bit of complaining from Jim and (unusually) Minnie, who is usually a trooper on the hills. I was glad I'd done it and it was good to reacquaint myself with the place for the first time since 1987. Then the aquarium at Lakeside and back.

Wednesday: miserable weather - pissed down all day but we still went over to Grasmere and climbed Helm Crag anyway. Go us. Poor Sammy didn't enjoy it that much I think. He cried pitifully at the top as we were being lashed by the wind and rain, but I think it was a combination of tiredness and maybe cold. He was dry in his puddle suit but we put an extra layer on him and he settled and slept on the way down. A bit of complaining at the top from Jim, and he frightened himself by following Amy along a craggy bit, but he was fine afterwards. We were all fortified by Grasmere gingerbread yum. Was good to get in to the dry afterwards.

Thursday: rest day. Went to Coniston and hired an electric motorboat and took off down the lake, an hour there and an hour back. Kids enjoyed pointing the boat. Then went to the Ruskin museum which turned out to be more interesting than expected. They are going to get the rebuilt Bluebird there when she is finished.

Friday: last day hike. Did Lingmoor Fell, our highest yet. Whining from Amy and some from Jim, none from Minnie. Good hill, and a great day I'm retrospect. Drink in the Old Dungeon Ghyll afterwards hurrah, and the day was warm though not sunny. Not looking forward to trip home. Kids happy, and I have got used to Amy's whining.

Senility (early onset)

Saturday I can't even remember what we did in the morning. Jim arrived after seeing musical with his mum on Friday. Sat afternoon we went to Dave and Malu's house cooling party. Sunday I put the stair gate up, Minnie went off treehouse building, and the rest of us went into town and bought denim jackets.