Sunday, December 27, 2009
A rocking Christmas
Amongst the snow and ice we went to Grandmas at Kirkby Lonsdale for a terrific lunch - a few piccies here including Matt with his new guitar, Helen with her pink boots and Angus and his new lorry. The previous 'Eve we had been treated to a number of spontaneous house calls from Andy Hancock, the Critchlows and the Bardgetts (pics from Christmas Eve here). Merry Chistmas!
Boxing Day - Dave, Kate and family visit
Friday, December 25, 2009
A snowy ascent of Ingleborough on Christmas Eve
Accompanied by Dave and Andy from the village, a brisk 3h walk from Ingleton setting tracks in heavy virgin snow; very memorable, terrific. A few 'over white' pics here.....
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....
A good pre Christmas dump of snow in the Lune Valley this morning has us all primed for Christmas... Click here for some pics of sledging in the Village today plus an exciting trip to Grandma's. Lovely day.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
A walk up Gummers How
Last Saturday we took advantage on the fine weather to brave an ascent of one of the smaller - but non less beautiful - lakeland peaks. All the children walked all the way with zero moaning and the view at the top was utterly stunning. Happy day. Lots a piccies if you click here including some great views of the Coniston and Langdale fells.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Short Video: Matt speaks at the Carol service and Grandma fizzes with pride
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Grandma in the Magnificat chorus
This week Grandma was in the Casterton Choir performances of Michael Haydn's Requiem and John Rutter's Magnificat, conductred by David Chapman in St Mary's Church in Kirkby Lonsdale. It was a sublime and terrific experience - especially the latter. Anne and I went alone seperately (cause of baby sitting logistics) - on Sunday and Monday nights respectively. Can't stop listening to it on Spotify now - great stuff. Well done Grandma and all; If you click ion the picture and hover the mouse over you can see Grandma highlighted.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Helen and Angus met Santa
On Saturday we went to the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas parade, watched Santa arrive in a horse and carriage escorted by a piped band. Matt and Angus went on the fair and later Helen and Angus met Santa. Helen was quite overwhelmed about meeting the old man, sorry I have no images but the camera was playing up. She was so cute and could hardly speak but managed to say here name and age! In contrast Angus was a bit braver than on previous occasions and was almost passe about the whole experience. Matt was happy to stand out. A few crummy images from the phone here......
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Haygarths in Deepdale - making the best of a wet day
Today the rugby was cancelled because of the wet weather so we changed plans and picked up Grandma at short notice and drove a circuit of Barbondale, Dentdale and Deepdale in the rain and sleet. I forgot how beautiful Deepdale was, one of my favorite spots I think rediscovered It was a joy to have fun in the torrents and turn the potential misery into a day of fun - we stopped and witnessed waterfalls and went for a jump atround in the muddy puddles. Whernside in the snow looked particulatrly awesome. More pics here - and great fun to have Gran and Grandma together.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
3 cousins bike racing
Today Helen and I took Matt and Angus to join their cousin Lily in a cyclo cross race organized by Uncle Dave at Helmshore. It was a cold November morning but all 3 of them 'got their fingers out' and had some muddy fun (click here for loads of piccies). After we took cousin Lils to Tesco for a 4-cousinly lunch whilst Mum and Dad organized the bike race. Anne is away this weekend on a girlie weekend in Stratford.
Helen's "sore joke"?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Uncle Dave pops in...
On Saturday we benefitted from the new close poximity to my brother as he, Lily and Elsie suprisingly popped in for a late breakfast, much to the delight of us all. Here is the moment captured.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Matt scores against Skipton
We travelled to Skipton this morning and both our sons proudly scored tries in the autumn sunshine. Particularly noteworthy was Matt's performance, really getting stuck in and tackling some big scary lads with no fear, narrowly missing one try and scoring another. Angus was on typically firey form and scored twice - click here to link to the picks including a great one of Angus with his tongue out! Rich and Jill came for a meal last night, good fun.
A belated note about bonfire night....
A belated note about bonfire night; poor Matt was a tad ill on the day so I took Helen and Angus along with Grandma to the Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby club. It was great to see Helen's face light up as she saw fireworks for the first time. We brought some sparklers back home so Matt could catch up on the fun....
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Wheels within wheels, a lovely moment captured
Here we see my brother proudly photographing my niece Lily (7) today in a cyclo cross race in the Lake District National Park HQ at Brockhole, next to lake Windermere. It was a stuningly lovely Autumn moment with the Langdales pikes the background; our boy Angus (7) also took part and delivered the goods and more, much to his and our fizzing pride (Matt would like to have done it, but is recovering from a tummy bug (next time!)). The day ended watching 'semi-pro' Uncle Dave ride to what we think was second place in the grown-ups race. It was a a sporting day for all with much Haygarth pride all around, but first an foremost it was family moment. Well done Lily, Angus and Dave and stalwart supporters Matt, Helen and Anne and especially the two riders under 8. Another weekend of parental pride. Wheels within wheels. Lots of piccies here.......
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Hubble bubble.....
Helen gets into the spirit of the season - see here for lots of other pics of Halloween antics in the Haygarth household last night......
Richard and Wendy visit
This weekend our friends Richard and Wend from Devon popped up for the weekend, creating much excitement for us all. The highlight was a day out to the Yorkshire Dales, watching the dramatic Great Whernside Fell race start and finish in Kettlewell. This morning Anne and Wend went to the pool and gym whilst Rich and I cooked a roast. Lovely weekend - thanks for making the journey you too! Loads of piccies from the Kettlewell and Gt Whernside Fell race here.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Ebners visit - and a trip on the Eskdale railway
Last weekend we hosted our friends from Devon the Ebner family - Roger, Marielle & the 3 boys. Amongst much fun, the highlight was a trip to the Lakes with a ride on the Ravensglass and Eskdale railway (about 40 years since I did that last!). Great fun - lots of pictures of the day out here and I also uploaded some pictures of our Matt and Sebastian Ebner in the school sports day earlier this June here.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Video of Angus's try
See this short clip if Angus running rings around North Ribblesdale Under 7s on Sunday! Well done son!
Matthew Haygarth - Kirkby Lonsdale Player of the Week
We are flushed with pride to show this latest development from our household - Matt got this today in recognition of his outstanding commitment and try scoring. See the pride etched on his face just after he received this today - we cannot believe he got this just two weeks after his brother got the same. Well done Matt!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Happy 7th Birthday Angus John
Today our lovely son turned 7 and work up to his dream - a 'drop handlebar bike' that has been the subject of his obsession for months. He was blown away. After school Grandma and Gran joined us for a walk through the village and the boys had a mini bike ride, followed by our second birthday cake in 2 days! A few piccies from this evening here....
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Angus Haygarth's 7th Birthday Party
Yesterday we celebrated Angus's birthday by taking a bunch of new friends to the soft play area and farm at Tewitfield. It was a great bonus to have Aunty Kate and Uncles Dave and Campbell also in attendance, plus Grandma and Gran too. Cousins Lily and Elsie also joined the fun. A great day and a special spectacle watching the farmers catching the runaway pig! Lots of pictures here..... and here from Uncle Dave.....
Angus - Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club Player of the Week
On his first outing with his new club, 5 tries later, the picture tell it all. Chufffed all round in this house.
Helen's first day at school
Two days after arriving in Arkholme Helen started school, an emotionally poignant time for Anne and I for a many reasons. Since, she has settled in and is doing really well, but the first couple of weeks she was very tired. Here are some pictures of the cake on last days of Matt and Angus at South Tawton school and the first days at the new school - looking smart in the new uniform. The boys are doing fine.
Three peaks 2009
On the first morning of our life in Arkholme we supported my brother in the 3 peaks bike race. It was a great way to forget about the stresses of the move, with Matt making a video and Angus focussed on being Uncle Dave's chief pit stop bike swapper. Uncle Dave revwarded up well with his best ever position - 9th overall - utterly amazing - and we had fun at the finish, cousins playing. Loads of pictures of Uncle Dave and the associated support crew - click here......
Thanks to all
Thanks to all our friends who helped us during the final few days of leaving Devon, an emotionally difficult time, but made easier by the support of may of our friends. This set of pictures(click here) shows us staying with Richard and Wendy in the last hours before driving north.
Farewell party
The Beavers and Cubs arranged a farewell party for Anne, Matt and Angus in the Scout Hut in South Tawton and click here for some pictures....
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Angus the lorry driver
Angus was blown away recently when he helped Dad to move house, aided by Richard. As a 'lorry lover' he was hyper for the entire 700 mile trip between Devon and Lancs. Here are some snaps of the weekend, including some inevitable Yorkie bar eating....
Friday, October 16, 2009
After 25 years...
After 25 years as a district Nurse in West Devon, Anne said goodbye to here colleagues recently. Here are some images of the leaving do at the Tors Inn in Belstone.....
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tour of Britain passes by......
Last month my lot were super thrilled to see the Tour pass through Okehampton. Even though I am somewhat biased as a biking fan, the spectacle was quite exciting and gave everyone a chance to take time off school and get all goosey as the pros passed by..... Some pics by Anne here...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Angus - no top teeth!
Plus a few pictures of late september sunsine including Helen feeding the Alpacas click here
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Stitched up
Poor Helen had a nasty accident yesterday and a narrow escape. We were having a bank holiday walk on the moor with Charlie and Juliette and family above Belstone - a lovely morning - and as we descended to the car the children ran ahead and swang on the gate , with Helen head planing over it and landing on her head on granite. After a panic and a lot of bood we ended up on Exeter A+E and Helen was admitted and had a minor operation late last night by the plastic surgeons to put her 4 cm deep wound back together. She is home and all safe today, but it is a 24 hours we would rather forget...bless her she was sooo brave. Pictures of the walk and the homecoming are here.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sticklepath Horseshoe 'Fell' Race 2009
Last weekend I handed over organization of the Dartmoor 'fell' race event that I founded ca 15 years ago to a team led by my good friend Wendy Manfield. It was a great success with a record entry of over 60 runners from all over the country. Taking a lower profile away from the event HQ in Sticklepath, the family and I 'marshalled' a check point on Belstone Tor. It was an enjoyable experience and congratulations to Wendy and the team for such a great job at the sharp end. I took some pictures here and the race report is here. Next year I plan to return as a visitor and competitor. Long live the Sticklepath Horsheshoe!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Summer Holiday in Western France
We just had 19 nights away - a family holiday record for us that I thoroughly recommend. 1 week to come down, 1 week to enjoy and 1 to regroup. We had the first 7 nights in a Eurocamp tent in our fave site 'Interlude' on Il de Re (Plage de Gros Jonc). After that we had two 'independent' nights with our campervan and awning at the same site, before heading south, via a day in lovely la Rochelle, to Sequoi Park near Marennes, where we had a further 10 nights in the luxery of a Eurocamp campervan. Some of the highlights were:
- Holiday birthday celebrations for myself and Anne
- Meeting new friends Issy, Rosie, Harry, Chris and Rachel at Interlude
- Sea Kayaking together
- A day out at La Rochelle
- The great 4 pools at Seqoia Park and the chutes
- Fun Zone 'club' for the children - Helen especially took to it
- Playing football with Matt
- Playing draughts with Angus (and a trip to the Dentist with an absess)
- Helen on her scooter - all over the camp sites
- Coincidentally remeeting a family we had met 3 years before in the Dordogne - the Paines - making for great last night celebrations for us all
All the pics here (sorry loads - but if too many you can pic and mix the links above). Roll on next year......
Sunday, July 19, 2009
On the festival stage
Yesterday I was lucky enough to play on the stage of our local 'Chagstock' music festival with my friends in the blues rock band 'The Lost Mules'. It was great fun and jolly exciting. The family also camped over and we had loads of fun with the Hannafords and the Curnows, coming home this morning quite all funned out! Credit to Anne plus Clare, Richard and Liz Hannaford & Phil Le Grice for the photos - and a few I took from the stage.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Helen's 4th Birthday
This weekend Helen turned a delightful 4. We celebrated with lots of pink presents, a princess and pirates party and lots of happiness. See the pictures here.....
Sunday, June 28, 2009
A night out with The Mules
Last night Anne and I arranged a 'do' in the village hall to raise cash for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and it have me a jolly good excuse to indulge myself with my friends 'The Lost Mules'. A great night for all and Tom Bell took some corking shots here (thanks Tom).....
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Happy 9th Birthday Matt
Today Matt turned 9 and we had a laid back morning at home, with Richard Hannaford also staying. Highlights include a CD player and a football net. The party was held last weekend and we must say it was the best yet - a trip to the climbing centre at Chudleigh with four mates and Angus to try abseiling, climbing and zipp wires. A great success. Lots of pictures here - where did those 9 years go? We have certainly moved on since the pirates party 5 years ago!
Friday, June 26, 2009
May and June highlights
Life seems to be getting busier and busier as our 3 grow up and we get ready for moving hopefully later this year. My frequency of updating this site has inevitably slipped (I notice blogging expert brother Dave has also had a lapse lately) and in part not helped by some computer problems - now overcome. So by means of a catch up here is a dump of a load of pictures from May and June in one set. Highlights include camping in Cornwall, a visit of Gran (first since last year), a week in the Lakes with visits from Uncle Campbell (see pic), seeing Sue and John Fox on Morecambe bay, Elisie's birthday (no pics sorry but Dave hhas blogged this), Silverdale and the Pepperpot, a visit to Grandma (no pics sorry) and an exciting visit to Louise and Alsitair's farm. Enjoy!
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Tenth wedding celebrations in Paris
Last weekend Anne and I celebrated 10 years of marriage with two nights alone in Paris. It was amazing to be together alone and we had a great laugh and lots of romance. We walked and walked around and visited the Louvre and other iconic spots and had two fine meals out. The highlight was this moment, with a half carafe of white wine on a street corner. Lovely lovely. Thanks to my Mum and Dierdre and Isobel for babysitting the young ones - this is the first time we have been without them for more than one night! Lots of photographs here.....
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Middle C - Angus starts the piano
On Thursday at 5.30 pm Angus had his first Piano lesson. I specified the time exactly because he was very excited and could not wait. After he proudly demonstrated middle C. We have not pushed him here, he is completely motivated by it and even came home to practice! Long may it last!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Easter Holidays
We have had a great Easter week, mainly at home peppered with Grandma's visit, trips to the beach at Crackington Haven (Good Friday with Rich, Wend, Ellie, Sally and Simon), lots of bike rides especially Dad and Angus (occasionally Helen and Matt) around the 5 mile Taw Green circuit, a day trip to Crealy and the highlight being Elsie's first visit to South Zeal. A video of the latter is above and some pictures are here.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Angus & Breakfast in Bed.....
Lately Angus has taken to bringing Anne and I breakfast in bed. This illustration shows dried cereal with yogurt we received recently. This easter Monday we had cornflakes and toast with peanut butter. Once we nearly had toast and mustard. Bless him....
Good news from my answer phone.....
Grandma came to stay
The week prior to Easter Grandma came down, the first visit since last Autumn. Highlights were a trip to Penzance and Marazion and a sunny day at Matt's Rugby tournament in Exeter. The best of days......
Friday, April 10, 2009
Matt as Joseph
Last week Matt played the role of Joseph in the school musical of 'Joseph's Coat of Many Colours'. It was a very proud moment for Anne, Grandma and I and we all admitted to a few damp eyes on some occasions! Micheal Jecks has kindly shared some pictures with us which I have posted but I am only able to share these with family and friends (see the link here). Also, Grandma took a great video of the main song which can be viewed by family and friends at the link here. If you consider yourself family or friend and are not on the list of eligible viewers let me know and I will put you on!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
12 gold stars for Angus!
Angus recently completed his gold star chart so chose a Man U training top for his treat. Well done Angus! Other pictures of Angus playing with his brother and sister throughout March can be seen here.....
Matt's first fell race
Last week Matt was picked to represent his school in the cross country. This was no mean achievement because he was one of a small select group chosen to compete against a number of schools and he was two school years below some of the other competitors . Nonetheless he came 30th out of 100 and we are dead proud of him. Well done Matt! More pics here.
Happy mothers day
I am a bit behind on blogging stuff but must tell you of our great mothers day weekend recently. Taking advantage of the top weather we popped down to near Newquay and camped the night (impromptu-like) in the Bongo. At first we struggled to find a place that was open! We could have done worse for sleep - all 5 of us tucked up inside - but it was jolly fun being away and in the morning we drove up to Padstow for a walk around in the brilliant sunshine and capped it with an ice cream and a Mothers day lunch at Ric Stein chippy. Lovely day, (see piccies here), spoiled only by missing of old Faithfull.....