Mull Follow Up Pics from S&T

Sha Sha and Ty - Mull, Iona, and the Bridge

The May trip started with Sha Sha and Ty in the bridge - the weather and the biking were amazing. Dob got in a little bit of extra training as he had Gloria, his beast of a bike, and one day he had Savvy too.

Then we were on the Caledonian MaBrayne Hebridean Ferry, off to the Isle of Mull, and had the good fortune to travel and set up camp in the sun before the "Scottish mist" settled in.

During our trip, Shark and Ty managed a few mini runs to keep up their legs post Prague marathon and pre Edinburgh half. Dob and Sav roamed the coast looking for adventure. I larfed about. And other than that, not a ton to do, which could explain why there are drinks and marshmellows in hand in most pics.
Breathtaking views.
Jack Cousteau lounging by the sea.
A bit grizzly in the mornings, but gorgeous calm during the evenings. Sav joined in until the end... in fact outlasted us all one night.
Morning yoga.
Sav's very own fishing net...will she catch one or will her Dad's bad fishing fortune end up a family trait!?

Marshmellows by the fire. Shark can tell the pink from the white...allegedly.A mystery creature visited our site in the night...otter?
A day trip to Iona - a lovely island off the coast of Mull.
A trip to the local in Fionnaphort - the town near our site on Fidden Farm.

We'll do anything to help Savvy drop her night time nappy...

Back to the Bridge - the sun had returned to help dry out our gear and prepare us for the next leg of our journey.

Listening Ears

A Savvy story on listening ears:

- Sav behaves like a cm (cheeky monkey)

- cm behaviour continues despite several requests for change

- Mom asks: Savannah Skye - where are your listening ears?

- Sav: On holiday

- Mom: Can you please ask them to return

- Sav whispers over shoulder, turns back to me and then says as if I am really in good luck: Ok, one has returned

- Mom: Which one? I'd like to have a word

- Sav pauses, looks genuinely apologetic: Sorry Mommy, it's gone away again

- cm behaviour resumes

AE Forest Supporters' Blog

Being one of Mega's Groupies was a pleasure - despite the cold cold cold. Lovely site by the river and some great meals on the fire. We missed Dob in the day, but found plenty to do, cycling and hiking, and a trip to Dumfries for a great swim.
SIDE NOTE: HAPPY CANADIAN MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!

Sav with the race bug.

AE Forest Avalanche Enduro 2010 - 43rd for Dobbo!

Savvy and I were the proud supporters this weekend of MegaDob at a 6 stage race in the AE Forest, one of Scotland's beautiful 7 Stanes. Mega had a great race and we were delighted to catch him at the big finish, just in time as I misread Sav's speed on the 2.5km single track from the campsite.

Dob in preparation - Saturday after the morning recce and before the qualifiers. He placed 65th out of the 300 sell out race. But read on to see what he did in his final...

Dob at the finish line on Sunday. Against a qualifying spot of 65, Dob upped the ante on the big day and finished an amazing 43rd amongst some of the world's best champions. Both rider (Mega) and bike (Snow White) survived, despite many others being ambulanced out with punctures and broken bones/frames.

Dob in recovery.

Steam Train to Dalegarth

We enjoyed a lovely steam train journey from Ravenglass to Dalegarth, return. The views were fantastic and we managed to stay dry. The steam adventure seemed to pull people in far and wide - from "in it for the ice cream at the other end" to light touch train enthusiasts to full blown grown men train nerds.

Couldn't Resist a Few More Pics

Harry Potter Meets Dora?

Check out the names in this journey:
We left Bridge of Allan. We went past signs for Cockermouth, St Bees and Whitehaven and we ended up in Ravenglass.
We didn't see any trolls or sorcerers along the way, unless you count Bennie and Tilley at our destination.

Mom, Savvy and "sister" enjoying the May warmth - like summer when the sun was out, and like winter when it wasn't. Thank goodness for Team Tipping's carpeted and heated tent, not to mention Nonno and Nonna's bbq (see blog entry on Dob's kettle).

Dad and Savvy kite flying.

Savvy getting better and better on her wheels. Jess supervises.

The whole team in the zone on the beach. Crabs, fishing, castles...hours of fun.

A Man and his Kettle

This blog is for Barney and his travelling hard boiled egg van.

Dob saw this "kelley kettle" and just had to get it (infomercial?!).

When it arrived, he was straight to the backyard to give it a test. Sure enough, it produces almost instantly 3l of boiling water with only a scrap of kindling in the base, and some twigs in its core.

"Now, what can I use boiling water for?" he asked as the kettle steamed away.

We had a great camping weekend just gone, and Glen boiled many a kettle. The review?

I enjoyed a nice steaming face wash at the end of the day. But we don't drink tea or coffee and we take our hot choc with milk (naturally). Dob managed some instant couscous one night. And we might pack a hot water bottle in the future just cause we can now. When we free camp, the water will help with dishes. But now we're on the hunt for hot water friendly items. Suggestions?

In any case poor MegaDob isn't perturbed. He seems as keen as ever on his new kettle.