weekend miscellany

I haven't written a weekend post for a while but this one has been a whopper of a weekend and I ought to do it justice. The weather was amazing, which was greatly appreciated by all. 

We've all been busy with different things.

Richard was up North on the Applecross peninsula to participate in the Bealach na Ba cycling challenge, an annual fixture in his cycling calendar. This year was the first in many when the weather was not dreadful. He had a great time with the customary steak pie for main course and apple pie for pudding, no doubt washed down with a bottle of beer. He looks happy and I am happy for him. 

Sam did his qualifying Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition on the Isle of Arran. How lucky they have been with the weather, it couldn't have been much better! Sam got up at 5:30 on Saturday. It seemed a little early for a 7am departure time, particularly since his hiking pack was ready since Thursday... he did bring me a coffee at 6:45, which was very nice. In fact, he has been a very nice teenager lately. Long may it last. Sam was a very happy young man when he came home. He said the whole team enjoyed each other's company, the walking and camping in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. He is relaxing with his feet in a plastic bucket full of warm water. 

Annie, Alistair, James and I were holding the fort.

The early start meant that I had done two loads of washing and the weekly shop by 11am, leaving the rest of the day for leisurely activities. The little boys and I took Jack for a long walk along the canal and the Kelvin walkway to the Botanics and back. James and Alistair were cycling, I was walking. Jack was mostly running. It was really lovely. The photos were taken on this walk. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden, playing and knitting. I did briefly look at my box of bulbs but couldn't bring up the motivation to start gardening. 

After a dinner of macharoni and cheese we went to a camping planning meeting. Regular readers will know that we usually go camping with friends at the end of September. A successful camping trip needs to be planned carefully. Anything really as an excuse for a fun get together. The planning meeting was excellent, a campsite was selected and many options for camping entertainment were discussed, including a group onesie, a Nerf battle, a petanque tournament with fake French moustaches and more. Not all will be realised (I hope). The group onesie came up because last year, we saw a family sporting all similar fluffy onesies, which they seemed to wear for the duration of the camping weekend. Sometimes with even fluffier dressing gowns on top. It was quite funny to see them file past our tents.... We left the party planning meeting well after midnight, with the little boys declaring they were not tired at all. 

Richard's absence was very convenient because we were also able to plan for his 50th Birthday. I can't divulge any details as he is a regular reader but be sure to check back in in a few weeks to see what we did. 

Sunday was another good day. I didn't sleep so well and got up quite early. I am blaming a self-filling glass of Prosecco. James got up early, too but Alistair and Annie slept until 10am. After breakfast we took Jack for a walk in the woods and then got ready for the fortnightly community club. I had a lot of paperwork to prepare and print because I somehow managed to get myself more involved in the club than I had planned but I suppose my kids enjoy the activities (sports, craft, books and games) and it is only fair that I should volunteer. It was the beginning of the new club year and we had nearly 40 people renewing their memberships, and quite a few came to find out more. It is going to be a good club year. I like the community spirit in this neighbourhood of ours. Do you have anything like this were you live?

By the time the club was finished, I was utterly exhausted. Dinner was pasta for the littlest ones, a marrow bone for Jack, fish & chips or chips with curry sauce for the big ones. I do love chips with curry sauce! I'll eat an apple tomorrow. I promise.

It is only 9pm but I am off to bed to listen to my favourite Sunday night podcast. 

I hope you all had a nice weekend. Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you all a good week. Cxx