Last week we had Grandma to stay, exitement for us all, especially the four of them (ie. the 3 youngest and the oldest)! Here is a moment captured of Grandma (complete with broken leg in plaster, now removed) having a chorkle at the three of them playing in the garden. Happy days, the stuff of life.....
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
A wet day out
On Sunday I took part in the first ever Dartmoor classic, route of just over 100 miles circulating and crossing the moor. Long term friend from school days Richard Hannaford was adown from London doing the event, so we met on Saturday afternoon at check-in with Liz and Isobel, followed by a play in the park at Bovey for the children. Sunday morning was simply slashing with rain, stair rods is no exaggeration. It reminded my of the weather when I started the End to End 11 years ago to the day, riding from Stickepath to Cheltenham with Tim Legg. Richard set off in the ‘7h’ group about 5 mins ahead of my ‘7.5h’ group, but we were soon together and plodding up the Teign valley chatting about old Little Boogie Machine tunes and other rock and roll memories (we used to play in a band together – our other life). Richard, (being a relative butterfly) left me (being a relative buffalo) behind on the first climb to Docombe, but he had the misfortune to drop his specs on the descent and we got separated until the first check point at North Tawton, after 30 odd miles, averaging about 17 mph. Anne and the children were there to greet us and I took advantage and changed in to some dry clothes. I paid the price for my over exuberant start and suffered for the next 35 miles to Tavistock, digging in and spinning smaller gears whilst the Butterfly nursed me up the climbs. A tonic to see Tony and other Okehampton CC club mates at Bridestowe – thanks chaps. Devon bread pudding sorted me out at Walkhampton, before we started the climb to Pincetown. I told Richard to ‘float’ on ahead, wishing him well, not expecting not to see him again. I felt good over the moor, there was no wind and I had my legs back, at least until the climb from Postbridge to the Warren House Inn. For some reason at this point my legs decided to jam to a stop with cramp and I lurched off the bike and rolled around like a dying fly. Others were also doing the dying fly on the side of the road at this point, seemed to be the norm to suffer the indignity, as Sunday drivers purred past staring in wry amusement. After a brief walk I recovered and was soon retracing back towards the Docombe climb, having picked up some water from Colin Lewis at Moreton cross roads (thanks). The last climb was good and steady and I exchanged a few pleasant words with a chap on a Dawes who owns the furniture shop in the Aracade in Okehampton and used to race in the 60s, then picking up the wonderful 3 mile descent down to the Teign. On the descent I caught up with Richard who had unfortunately suffered a puncture, poor soul, such cruelty within a shout of home. The ride down the Teign Valley I averaged 24 mph into the finish at Kingsteinghton, where Liz and Isobel were there to greet us. I reckon my official time was about 7 hours 5 mins or so, but my time on the bike was 6 hours 25, with an average speed of 15.5 mph and a maximum of 50 mph. Not bad for a buffalo! Great day Richard, thanks for your company and helping me up the climbs! Thanks also to Mid Devon Cycle club for some excellent organization.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Castles
Last weekend (April 28th) we had a trip to meet Adrian Dee and Issy at Sherbourne castle (poor Sophie was at home revising for GCSEs). It was an 'apple pie' day in the sunshine and blossom and as I left my camera at home I egged Adrian on to take some great piccies (embedded here). More recently, this bank holiday weekend we visited North Wales and, after a staying in a Travel Inn (play parks etc.), played Knights and princesses at Conwy Castle.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Matthew scores!
I had a proud parental moment today at the Ivybridge U7s rugby tournament whan Matthew scored a try conveniently in front of me so I could snap the moment! Well done Matthew! More pictures are available and below I paste in the report that I sent off to the Okehampton Times today. Dad.
Okehampton go out on a high
Okehampton rugby team ended their season with panache after dominating their group in the end-of-season under 7s all-Devon tournament on Sunday. The team, who are ending their first year in rugby, played five gruelling matches against Sidmouth, Plymstock, Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Dartmouth, winning three games, drawing one and losing only one by a narrow margin. Notable performances came from Leon Horn who scored nine tries, Cory Holiday, George Ogbourne, Greg Daniels and Joseph Stratton both scoring two tries and Matthew Haygarth scoring one. However, what was so pleasing the way they played as a team, patiently passing and wearing out the opposition by selfless teamwork from Daniel Turney, Imogen Ogborne and Jack Ogborne. This marks the end of the season for a team that shows considerable promise for the future of Okehampton rugby and the team and parents would like to thank the coaches Graham Horn and Tina Adams for excellent mentoring and coaching through the season.
RESULTS
Okehampton 6 (L Horn 4, J. Stratton 1, G Ogbourne 1) v Sidmouth B 4
Okehampton 2 (G Daniels 1, L. Horn 1) v Plymstock 2
Okehampton 5 (G. Ogbourne 1, C. Holiday 1, L. Horn 2, J. Stratton 1) v Kingsbridge B 0
Okehampton 3 (L. Horn 2, G Daniels 1) v Tavistock 2
Okehampton 2(M. Haygarth 1, C. Holiday 1) v Dartmouth 3
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Easter Holidays
This Easter we had a tour north to visit family and enjoyed perfect day-to-day blue sky and great company. First we stayed with David Katie and Lily in Helmshore and had fun in the garden and walks, plus I did some road cycling with Dave. Then we went to Gran's in Milngavie and walked in the town and the garden plus had a trip into Glasgow on the bus and the train (excited-Angus!). We spent Saturday with Campbell Tracy, Greig and baby Laura - this was the first time me and the boys have seen Laura since she was born last June. We had an 'ice-cream' day in David Marshall Park. Finally, we stayed with Grandma in Kirkby Lonsdale, who had unfortunately just broken her lower leg whilst out on a walking trip (or walking-trip?). Poor Grandma. On one day Dave, Katie and Lily joined us again as well as Aunty Cindi and Uncle Keith and loads of dogs. Apart from the waeather, the great thing about this holiday is how the children 'grew' on it. Helen thrived on all the new experiences and is becoming quite self-contained now, and has found the joys of dressing up as a princess. Angus is settling into a happy, loving and calm little boy and Matthew is growing up fast - a real big brother. The car journeys were easy and became little rest periods between otherwsie full-on fun. Great time - if you can be bothered there are loads of pictures to browse.
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