North Third

A lovely January ride at North Third, Stirling's local water reservoir.
Three cliffs, three descents and a race back to retrieve the little one.

"Arrested Development" fans will understand

George Senior: "I wine 'em and dine 'em, but I don't let them tell me what to do".

Rocking Out at Soft Play

Spring on its Way?

Mine Woods-Dunblane Golf Course

En route to Dunblane Golf Course. Mush! Mush! MegaDob.

A big hike through Mine Woods to the top of the world (local world).

Sav at the top, heading for Mom in the bunker. Couldn't get her off the sledge. Also, not the first time Sav and I have had the pleasure of riding the trails home on the sledge - a few tight corners and a bit of pulling from Dob needed, but pretty much door to door (or door to cafe).

Back at base camp. No carrots but loads of fun.

More Winter Snaps

Apologies to all who live in snow filled lands and find these pics very dull indeed. It's just the snow has stayed long enough to be enjoyed for several weeks now, and it's so rare that we're taking proper advantage.

A morning sledge session at loch cockburn followed by an afternoon ride on loch cockburn. Very fun.

Brinner

Delighted that Sav enjoys lounging in PJs and Brinner (breakfast for dinner) as much as mom and dad.

Lake of Monteith

Glen took Sav to the frozen Lake of Monteith wher hundreds have been gathering to curl and play. A small bit about the Lake and its glorious curling history below. Sadly, H&S curses a Bonspiel rematch for this week

The Loch is not particularly deep and can freeze over completely in exceptionally cold winters. If the ice becomes thick enough (10 inches (25 cm)) an outdoor curling
rink is made.
Curling is a team game with similarities to bowls and shuffleboard, played by two teams of four players each on a rectangular sheet of carefully prepared ice. Teams take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones down the ice towards the target...

The Bonspiel
A bonspiel is a curling tournament, traditionally held outdoors on a frozen freshwater loch. The word comes from the Scots language and means league match...

The Grand Match, also called The Bonspiel, is an outdoor curling tournament, or bonspiel, held most recently on the Lake of Menteith in Perthshire, Scotland when the weather is cold enough. Traditionally it is a match between the north and south of Scotland.The last tournament was held in 1979. The event can attract thousands of curlers despite its rarity.

Still Cold. Still Snowy.

Christmas in Kendal 2009

First there was snow. And ice.

Then there was a lovely surprise visit from Mr and Mrs Barney.

At last work was done and we had a safe drive to Kendal.

Christmas morning at Cedar Grove was great, cept Savvy pumped,

And Auntie Andrea threw her out. Brrrr.

Presents and presents and more presents. Thank you Santa!

Next there was sledging. First Sav was against sledging.

Then she was for it. Really [mad] for it.

Dinner at Kirkstone Close was a hit, cept Uncle Rick ate Savvy’s nose.

After a chilly cycle home, Sav stole Jess’ bunk bed and slept at last.

Days of eating and sledging followed.

A family swim.

Then a freezer to empty and a family gathering at Benson Hall, Scalthwaiterigg.

Lastly, we were Stanley House bound.

Since home, we have sifted through stockings and bags and boxes.

And rolled about in chocolate and snow.

Thank you everyone for a great Christmas.