March 2012

18th: There were 3 in the bed...

Bedtime stories with Grandad while Mummy & Daddy get ready for a night out watching The Civil Wars live in concert.

25th: Family walk round the Longshaw estate Easter geocaching trail.

26th: Venus, the moon, and Jupiter 

Jan-Feb 2012

7th Jan: Ring-o-roses in the kitchen

8th Jan: Emily got a 'make-your-own' gingerbread house for Christmas

 ... and we all enjoyed eating it!

14th Jan: Annie at the West Yorkshire Playhouse

Followed by birthday tea for Grandma, Grandad & Dan.

4th Feb: Something about snow makes children want to play outside.

5th Feb: More than a dusting fell overnight, so the whole of Crookes turned out for sledging on the Bolehills.

11th Feb: an icy trip to the park.

14th Feb: Bolsover castle

16th Feb: Lyme Regis picnic.

Paddling in the sea in February!

Some photos by Emily:

New Year 2011-2012

Explorers New Year meet, at Monkhouse Hill near Penrith

Dec 29: A short walk from Caldbeck turned into a bit of an epic, when the forest track we were following turned into a mudbath.

...but at least we made it to the pub before it closed.

Once we'd recovered back at the cottage, we returned to Caldbeck for a meal out.

...but don't worry, we didn't leave the children behind!  They get their own table these days.

Dec 30th:  We spent the morning making use of the Spa facilities included in the cottage rental.  Then Emily and Katie went to see the Up-front puppet theatre.

31st Dec:  Pete & Dave had an adventurous (& very wet) cycle ride to Skiddaw House.

The New Year's Eve celebrations started with a party tea for the youngsters,

then some fun with glow sticks,

pass the parcel,

and musical bumps.

Jan 1st 2012:  As well as membership at the North Lakes Spa, the cottage had its own hot-tub,

steam tub,

spa bath,

and sauna!