Magical Marthrown of Mabie

Back to back weekends of camping? Yes.
Back to back weekends of riding? Yes.
Back to back weekends of sunshine? Yes.
Marthrown was a magical campsite, right in the middle of one of the 7 mountain biking stanes, Mabie, with trails of all levels. Mega mastered the orange loop. Orange? Yes. For those who are tired of black diamond and double black diamond. This includes a full north shore circuit with 10cm wide skinnies and a massive massive massive gap jump. A nappy change was needed, but he completed with honours. He stuck to my red loop the next day:)


Our lovely campsite. No cars allowed, but wheelbarrows provided for the hike in.

Mac holds down the fort while the others play frisbee golf.

Dob riding up to our site. Check out the tee pee in the background - we're coming back for a shot of that one and its wood burning stove in the winter. Meant to be well cosy.

Hopscotch with sticks. The rules keep changing mid game and Savvy keeps winning. Hmmmm.

The site features a very cool adventure park.

Post ride lunch at the bike shop.

A Refreshing Dunk

Our campsite featured an amazing outdoor hot tub, heated by a wood burning stove. It was very cool. I mean hot. So hot that even at 7pm after a post ride soak, Sav and I opted for the old refreshing-bucket-of-cold-water-over-the-head trick. Lovely.

Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho...

...it's back to work I go. But all was made easy with the help of Amy who began at the start of July, taking care of Mac and Sav. Welcome to the Team, Amy!

Peebles: Jumping

We were only camping for a few nights, but it felt like a really good getaway, so forgive all the pics. Weather was great and so was the riding. A bit tricky juggling Mac - getting caught out on the hill without any milk and using the last drop of water from the camelback to make up a few ounces ...which we knew Mac wouldn't drink anyway, because

A - it's not breast milk &
B - it's not at 22.3474 degrees - the only temperature he will consider drinking it at.

Alas, we're all fine - stiff muscles and in need of showers, but all good.

Peebles: Some with Dob

Peebles: Savvy

Peebles - Savvy and Mac

Peebles: Mac

Not totally untrue...

(Read Montezuma box)

When Rambo is Wronged

If you have been reading the blog, you will know that Sav is charming and lovely, quick and sharp, and...
very very challenging (although apparently not for Aunties and Uncles...just Mom and Dad).

But Sav is no more Savage than when you think she's done something offside, and she actually hasn't.

You suggest she hasn't actually washed her hands, but she has.
You hint that maybe she did take the toy off the boy after all, but she didn't.
You enforce a "consequence" which she feels is out of proportion with the crime committed, and on reflection, it is.
In any case:
She will sumo charge you and knock you down like a waif.
Dish out inescapable multiple kicks to the shin (right in the soft spot).
And her nails will come out rapid fire like a machine gun.

Glen calls it When Rambo is Wronged.

Washable Markers

Covered in toddler tats. But you should have seen her Dad. Good idea with the washable markers, Nana!