Malham

Hi.
Just have a fantastic weekend. Bit of a spur of the moment thing. Both me and John were off so decided to go out for the day. Was going to go to Norfolk on the coast but it was a bit cool so went inland.
First we was going to Harrogate but there was a lot of traffic heading that way. We stopped at Otley which was lovely. Then headed to Malham. I have been there before but it is stunning enough to go again. We had happened to pack the tent just in case. Found a campsite in Malham with a wonderful of the cove. We then went to the Tor and wandered into Settle for Tea.
On Sunday we visited Gordale Scar. It to is very impressive. I climbed CLIMBED up to scar. I was really pleased with myself because I was originally going to stop at the bottom as I didn't think I could make it up to the top or down again. But I did it. My legs did go all wobbly though.
Then we headed to Sedburgh the book town in England. Apparently it is the equivalent to Hay on Wye in Wales. It was lovely I found a nice sheltered garden and while John was running all over the place looking in all the book shops I was quite happy in sit and read. I even caught the sun a little. Then we headed home. It was a bit dej-vu because it was only three weeks ago we were coming back that way from Scotland.
Anyway a super weekend.
Sam X

Working.

Hi.
I've got two weeks full time in school. In two different schools. I have started a one day a week job in a local village school and as well as that I've got two weeks supply either where. Both school are really nice, the kids and the teachers.
Started to make Grapefruit wine yesterday. Managed to grate a finger in it

Have got everyone at our house tonight. Dad, Alice, Me, John, Colleen, Peter and Grandma and Whisky. going to play games and chill out with a few bottles.
Me and John have been together seven years today. How weird it that!!! Hopefully we are going to go away tomorrow.

Going to go now.
Sam X

Scotland.

Hi. This will be the last time I mention Scotland.
After walking up THE BEN. I was as stiff as a board the next day so we decided as it was such I lovely day we would go to Dunkeld and paint a pot. I have done this before and love doing it. I painted a large bowl. Katie did a plate, Nick a letter holder and Vic a pot. They all look great. Really enjoyed doing it. I is so chilled out. Though the place was full of kids. While we wait for everyone to finish we sat in the pub beer garden which was next to the river. It was lovely. A perfect last day to an excellent holiday. Who needs to go abroad?
Sam x

Is it me or are are thing going Crazy?

We have got told off because our dustbin lid wouldn't close and therefore the council wouldn't empty it. Bare in mind our rubbish is now only taken away every two weeks. We do recycle. We would have to take it all it the tip. Dad rings up the county council to voice his views. They said they would sent someone round to pick up the rubbish. They arrived next day with two men and a dustbin lorry. Is this saving the environment? How much extra did this cost? Crazy.

Ben Nevis

I have been to the highest point in the UK. Ben Nevis or as us climbers like to call it The Ben.
I wasn't originally going but was more pushed in to it. Took us 10:30 hours!!!! I wonder if we get the record for being the slowest people to walk it.
The only way I managed it was to walk to the nearest comfy looking rock and sit on it, then aim for the next one.
The views were pretty impressive though. We went on an clear day and there was little cloud went we finally arrived at the top. It was definitely worth all the effort of the walk up. Though it did take me three days of stiffness and pain to appreciate that fact I went to the top.

As there was no pub near to where we stopped we have to make our own entertainment. This included poker, pit, reading and games. It was all quite relaxing, we also had two BBQ's. There was no telly but Holly have to good sense to take a DAB radio.

I got Seagull slapped with moisturiser and we discovered you can't do a Mexican wave around the room with only three people and a bottle of Homemade orange Vodka. There was also a coal fire to keep us amused and the lads went to collect and chop firewood with a big axe. So they were happy.

Even more Scotland

Hi.

My wine is still busy popping away in my cupboard. I tasted it yesterday. The fruit on is really dry and the nettle just smells wrong.

I'm still going to tell you about Scotland I have got as far as Tuesday. So on Wednesday everyone apart from John and I went white water rafting on the river Tay. It raft only could hold 8 and John didn't want to do it and I wasn't overly bothered. So we opted out and decided we would go for a drive. (The picture is of Katie falling in.)We went to Aberfeldy which is on the river Tay. We did see them all canoing but couldn't stop as we were driving. We looked around the loch then drove and looked around the area. It was really pretty. On the way back we stopped and looked at the oldest living thing in Europe. A yew tree which was 5000 years old and was situated at Fortingall, in a church yard. It was all fenced off you couldn't even touch it.

Then we had a look round Aberfeldy, which I liked. It was very picturesque.

Sam x

More Scotland.

Hi. Was up really early this morning. Was at Colleen last night and John had to be at work for 6:10. Nipped into a car boot on the way home. Managed to find two demijohns for wime making. They were 20p each bargin. Will have to try a different wine now. Have already got apricot and nettle on the go.



Anyway for another chapter of Scotland. On Monday every bar me, John and Katie decided they were going to do a 12 mile walk to Spittle of Glenshee. The lads hired mountain bikes and the girls walked it. The lazy one had a lie in and then we decided to meet them at the pub. Then travel to see a HEDGE. I know it sound dull and we didn't even get out of the car to touch it. I was driving and knew about the HEDGE. The other thought I was joking when I said we are going to look at a big HEDGE. But it was huge. It is in the Guinness book of records for being the tallest.
Apparently Scotland isn't very well know for big things. (Not including Ben Nevis and the tallest tree in the uk.) so they make a great deal of a HEDGE.

Apart form the HEDGE we also looked around Blariegrowie, which was quite quaint and small. It was quite nice just driving around and looking at things.

Tuesday was a lot more exciting five of us went to a forest adventure park. It was really meant for kids. But It was great. There was a water side and a high rope thing which you were harnessed onto then you have to tackle swing logs, steps and wire. There was aften little more than a rope to hang onto. A made my arms ache because I was clinging on for dear life. We also saw a red squirel and ran a race around a crazy maze (I won). A really pleasent day and the weather was wonderful.

Sam X

Scotland again.

Hi. I'm still on about Scotland. You are all in for a day by day account of what I did there. SORRY!

Anyway, on Sunday me and John got up ridiculously early and went for a four mile walk. Considering I don't walk anywhere, this was quite a feat for me. In fact getting up early is also quite a feat for me. We walked to a small loch, it was lovely, nobody was about, the sun was shining etc.

We then decided to go into Pitlochry. It is quite small and for some odd reason all the outdoor shops had sales and balloons?? We looked at the fish ladder. Katie was quite confused as to what a fish ladder was, I think she was expecting a wooden upright ladder with fish climbing it!!! There was a water power station which had a dam, because that was there the fish couldn't go upstream. so they made a series of steps for the fish to jump up. We didn't see any I think it was the wrong time of year. We did see a group of fishermen in boats waiting for the fish to climb the ladder then catch them.

That night we player poker. I loved it. Had a great night. I wasn't first out, I didn't win either. Ben and Phil were telling us how to play. going to get a set.

Anyway got to go. Sam.

Went I get sorted I have a great video of Vic and Katie rolling down hills. But alas I have left my laptop at Nicks. Will post later.

Sam X

Scotland Again

Why does everything seem such an effort when you get back from holiday. I have heaps of washing to do and the house to tidy before Dad gets back.

I want to go away again. I loved Scotland it was a fantastic place. On the way down we stopped at Lindisfarne or Holy island. You have to go across on a causeway which can covered up by the tide. It is a lovely place. Though quite full of tourists. We walked to the castle.

Then had a look at the Abbey, followed by a trip to the pub and as it was a lovely day we sat in the beer garden. Vic got some Mead, which was surprising nice, considering I don't normally like it. Katie when for a paddle in the sea, she was dead excited that she was paddling in the North sea. She didn't realise that it was the same sea we have in Skeg. I banged my head on a seafood hut. We got to Scotland about 7:30 and everyone was there and tea was already cooked which was great because I can't stand cooking.

Will tell you more about it soon. Have to go and check on my yeast. No I haven't got a weird disease but I'm making wine. It is my new hobby.

Sam X

Holidays are over.

I had a fantastic Holiday.
We went to the Scottish highlands near Pitlochry. Had an ace time. Saw a really large hedge, an old tree and a fish ladder. We also walked up to the top of Ben Nevis. I wasn't planning on going only Katie, John and Vic were but I thought I would give it a go as they are I could always turn round. But I went all the way. And even though it was a sunny day there was six foot of snow at the top. It was heck of a walk and it did take us 10.5 hours. We were one of the first on it in the morning and the last to leave. And it isn't like Snowdon there is no cafe halfway up or a restaurant at the top, not a tacky souvenir in sight. I ached for days afterwards. These pictures are from there. Also did some high wire stuff which wasn't really very high scared me and my arms hurt from clinging on for dear life.
Worst part is coming home. I want to go back. Already planning where we are going next.
Sam x

Quite mildly grumpy

There I am happy as anything looking forward to going away. Then blow me down something goes and spoils it. Typical!

THE JOB CENTRE. I'm still arguing with them about money they owe me from Christmas. When I go today I'm told that they have been paying me too much. Instead of waiting for me to give me pay slips to them they have paid me instead. So I think I have to pay it all back. £400!!!! Feeling quite annoyed. And slightly stupid because I didn't notice anything different in my bank statements. Someone is looking into it for me and I shoudl find out how much I pay back in a few weeks. It is a complete mess. So instead of enjoying myself in Scotland I'm going to be thinking about and watching how I spend my money. GRRRRRRR.

Sam X

Busy Busy Busy

ONLY FOUR DAYS TO GO!!!!!

I love this part where you are now organising to get ready working out what clothes to take and thinking Are 6 pairs of shoes really too many? and Is there any likelihood of going clubbing even though it is in the middle of nowhere? Should I take my going out shoes? Should I take my make up? How many pairs of trousers should I take? At the moment I'm up to seven and considering I'm only going for seven (No make that eight pairs) days will I wear them all. I tend to find when I'm on holiday I'm live in the same comfy pair anyway.

I have looking it up on the map we are in fact in the middle of nowhere this is not an exaggeration. We are four (FOUR) miles from the nearest pub and this is as the crow flies, it is cross country and through forests to get there. Don't get me wrong I love to drink in pubs but I'm not sure four miles is worth it.. I have brought a hip flask to keep me going during the walk but it only holds about two mouth fulls Think I will have to take the bottle with me. Vic has brought two florescent jackets one for the person in front and one behind. I have a pantomine image that we are going to get scare off one by one until there is me left. I don't like walking in the dark, in fact I'm not a great fan of walking at all. But in the dark I imagine thing which are not there and people hiding ready the get me. I always hope they will get someone else instead. I'm one of these people who sees dead people (not like the TV programme or sixth sense) but I always think that if it is dark and thing are creepyer in the dark I think I am going to come across a dead person (as in a corpse).
Anyway enought of me ranting.
Sam X