Derbyshire Heather Walk

At about this time of year, the Dark Peak in Derbyshire covers in purple heather, and the good people of Loughborough head for the hills to enjoy the sites. Last weekend, Mike, Dad, Emily and I joined a small group of people from our ward for the traditional annual heather walk, which ended up in a cafe in Castleton. It was a bit windy but on the whole we had nice weather and as the photo's will show, it was B.E.A. utiful out there.

Much to mum's dismay, dad likes to get out on to ledges and outcrops to proove how brave he is. On a windy day I can't watch him do this - you should have seen the drop behind him, I was convinced he was going over the edge.

Mike convinced me to go out there, and I crawled over the rock with my eyes closed - I can't do heights! Maybe not the safest place to close your eyes, but still.

Kate Winslett? Leo? Mike!!!

The wind made Mike's hair into an 80's boufant. I'm hearing power ballads as I look at this photo!

But by the end of the walk I can't say I looked much better!! Hehehehe!

Bananas, Beams and Mr Armani

When people ask what sort of week we've had I sometimes find it hard to recall and it makes me wonder whether our lives are really a little bit dull at the moment. Don't get me wrong I like my life, but it's hardly headline material. But then as I look back at what's been captured in pictures I realise, we have a pretty funny time of things. Here's how it happened in July:



Mike's dad, Craig, sent us an amazing gift a few months ago, a dehydrator. Craig is Mr. Scout Supreme, and makes all sorts of stuff to take hiking or just for storage. We however are pretty much stuck on fruit right now. Banana chips in particular. Family home evening, when our bananas are yet again starting to turn over ripe often looks like this:

We also celebrated the release of the much anticipated Harry Potter film. Emily is the ring leader of our particular Harry fan club and took her wand and little Harry to the viewing. I know opinons were mixed but as a film I liked it. I know I know they added stuff and left stuff out but didn't it feel good to just be back in that world again?

Also in other recent Emily news she and I took a trip to look at Warwick University. She's trying to decide where to apply athe the moment . I think the current favourite is definately Cambridge ( Newnham College which is an all girls college). She is a . . .

Mike has as always been grafting away. He worked on his own project in July which involved replacing a rotten beam underneath the Toon's living room. This is the not quite so finished project, but there are pictures of the finished room which look amazing. He's so good at making and doing.

Whilst Mike was at the Toon's I was running events here there and everywhere. The month ended at Fasken Martineau in London, where excitement filled the air as we realised we were to be graced by a special guest - Mr. Armani!


We wondered whether he would bring us some free handbags, what he would look like and whether he would turn up with a hot lady on his arm. However when he arrived the only thing that identified him was when he signed in. I pretended my camera had broken so I could take a picture of him. He was wearing a bit of a rubbish suit and some comfy fit shoes, but he was definately Italian. Maybe we thought, he is the Armani brother, or cousin of the more glamourous Mr Armani. Ah well.

The King of the Caption Competitions

I have to say thanks to Chris England for this one. He posted it on Facebook and I sat at my desk laughing out loud! I don't care who you are, that's fuuuunnnny!

Picture this . . .

I have been thinking about taking a photography class for a while. Mike is really good at photography, although he doesn't have much time for it at the moment. I thought - hey, there's a pretty nice hobby for us both to get into. It will get us out and about. It will make us look for interest in the world around us. I could get into it.

Then my mum spotted a competition in the local paper to capture a local scene. The prize was a £500 camera. Right, my first project I thought to myself, I will win, I am determined!

In the weeks that followed Mike and I took a few trips out and about snapping and having a laugh, trying to be artistic.

Today the results were reported in the local paper. Drumrollllllll . . .

So I didn't win. No surprises there. But one of my pictures was shortlisted amongst the 8 finalists. Not bad for my first try. Here's the picture in question. It was taken on a fairly cloudy day at Mount St Bernhard's Abbey, one of my favourite local spots.

Our new house

Yes, this is our new home. Ahem. We now have room for guests. Actually, it's Chatsworth House. If it looks a little bit familiar that may be because you are a fan of period dramas. Most recently the newer version of Pride and Prejudice. Why, Mr. Darcey!

We met up with my friend Phil and his lovely girlfriend, Marika. I won't do what I did last time and post millions of pictures, but here are a couple of snapshots - for more see Facebook!

We competed to see who could get to the centre of the maze quickest - the losers buy the winners icecream. Totally thanks to the help of a chinese tourist we made it to the middle first. Thanks Chinese guy - we should have shared our winnings with you! This is me trying to escape! Claustraphobia!

Holiday Magic

All strapped in and ready to go? Here are just a few of our holiday snaps from a recent trip with a few family members to Filey and Scarborough. Believe me there were over 300 - so you have the potted version here, but do not proceed unless you have a few minutes to burn!!


Anticipation was high as we set out from Coalville. Sophie sat next to me and held my hand for about the first 30 miles! Awww.

Sophie and Leon sat patiently waiting to go down to the beach at Filey. It had been a 2 and a half hour drive but she was still smiling - now that's what I call holiday magic!

What can you see Sophie - woah . . .

. . . it's Grandad's toenails! Sick! Now I know what to get him for his birthday!!

He doesn't look too comfortable does he?


Sophie and the boys hanging out a Flamingo Land. A theme park with a zoo. It was a weekday so we got to just about walk on all the rides, and while we did that . . .

Sophie took Mikey Baby on some of her rides! She didn't seem to want to go on anything without him. They are BFFs

They were both well and truely ready for bed at the end of the day!

When Leon and Mike first got into the sea they turned a few heads . . .

Grandma and Sophie had so much fun spending time together. They had a sleepover and chatted away until about 11pm! They still managed to get up and pack the picnic together the next day.

Grandma Cath has given Sophie one of her favorite hobbies - collecting stones on the beach. Here she is with her mummy looking for some good ones.

James hung out in his little beach tent trying to stay out of the heat whilst the rest of us got as bear as decency would allow trying to get a tan.

The lighthouse in Scarborough.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair - yes, we are. We all had a go on the big wheel and dad treated himself to some cockles and muscles.

Back to the beach - it's the only place to be when the weather is so good. Grandpa bought Sophie a little dingy because she was afraid to stand in the water.

Were were going to take the boat out to look for seals and puffins, but when mum and dad dropped out to stay on the beach with the kids, we had no choice. The speed boat was the only way to go.

On the last night we took an evening stroll down to the beach below the campsite which we had all to ourselves. It was so lovely.

The expressions probably tell you water the water temperature was like. But we got used to it.

The final day and the weather finally turned. We went out to the Sealife centre in Scarborough to stay out of the sea mist and rain.

Waiting in the queue Leon noticed an enticing offer . . .

It was true! He did feel the pure energy of the gemstones!

Glow in the dark James enjoyed the jellyfish.

Claire was the first to brave the 'petting pool'. The little crab was very cute - but not to be out done - Jim showed what he was made of!

Mike got a little claustaphobic in the penguin enclosure.

By the end of the week Grandad Jim and Leon had had about enough. It was time to go home, although fun had been had by one and all!