Aug 2024

 28th July - 2nd August: Alnmouth

More cycling up hills...

Lindisfarne Castle

Alnmouth Castle

Farne Islands boat trip to see the puffins. There weren't many left at this time of year, but enough for an exciting trip.

Also seals

Beach day, with the Olympics on the radio

Alnmouth's famous bookshop

Dunstanburgh Castle

Last day milkshakes

Cragside

4th - 6th August: Solo trip down south for a tour of cycling climbs

Stopped off in Bluntisham on the way home, for some family history. 

Unexpectedly found a (quite new-looking) memorial stone for my great-grandparents, John William Laud and Frances (nee Smith, daughter of James Smith who I visited in Wiltshire in April)

and the patch of grass next to the chapel, where Grandad Frank Laud is buried

Childhood memories of 4-leafed clover hunting on the village green outside Nana's bungalow

From a contact on Ancestry, I had tracked down the house where John & Frances lived

The village weather station

Back home, climbing with Megan

10th - 12th Aug. Long weekend in the Lakes, staying at Ullswater campsite, then Sykeside camping barn. Starting with a short walk up Hartsop above How in our trainers, then a drive to Penrith to buy some more suitable footwear, having left the bag of walking boots at home!

11th: Big 20km walk from Martindale including 10 Wainwrights 

Well-deserved ice-creams in Glenridding

Sheffield Pike

Emily & Hattie on their way to see Taylor in London

A walk from Hathersage, followed by a pub meal

23rd - 29th: Camping at Brandy Brook in Pembrokeshire with Explorers

Birthday pint

After we'd had enough of sleeping in a tent, I spent 3 days cycling home

Ironbridge