If you go down to the woods today ....

Han & Dan escaped last weekend to attend a family party, leaving Lynn and I with two little darlings to entertain.  So, if you go down to the woods today (last Saturday) be sure for a big surprise!  From blackberry picking and trail-blazing to den making and wild animal trapping (well, stroking dogs), these two explorers finally relaxed in Granddad's van with very dirty faces.  

Castle Drogo

Julia was back to school, well 6th form college today and with Lydia working, Lynn and I decided to enjoy the continuing sunshine and visit one of the National Trust's properties: Castle Drogo.  This castle was only build just over 100 years ago, but since day one has suffered from a leaking roof.  So, the NT are spending £11 million pounds on putting it right!  It is a very interesting building, built of local granite and the picture shows Lynn in the gardens.

The DBC Ramblers once again took to the hills, this time on the SW coastal path from Dartmouth to Brixham. We were reduced in numbers due to healing injuries and other family matters, but Chris and I set out on what I knew was to be a tough walk.  The weather was kind, and the tea and cake at the Berry Head Cafe was a fitting reward!

Dan's & Sara's new Land Rover

Dan's dream to own a Land Rover was brought to reality this week.  We received this photo yesterday - a right meaty machine!  Enjoy Dan and Sara, Deefer and Spooky!

Sophia & Isaac visit the Aunties!

Yesterday we had a visit from our grand-children: Sophia and Isaac who wanted to come and visit their aunties who both happened to be home on that day.  The heat wave dictated an el-cheapo paddling pool that reacted poorly to our sloping garden, but did the trick.  A bbq was on the menu and all was fine and dandy!  The grand-squoinks also brought their mum.

The Great Perambulation of 1240

Changed plans gave me an opportunity to walk The Great Perambulation of 1240, when Knights laid out the boundary stones to mark the Dartmoor Forest.  This is an interested 45 mile walk, best done in 3 or 4 days, not two!

Hannah - 26 years old!

'Twas lovely to have the Durdins' with us for a weekend to celebrate Hannah's birthday.  An afternoon on the boat was followed by the feast!

Dartmouth to Brixham on a sunny, breezy day

Half term, and suddenly Lynn and I have a day together.  So we packed a sarnie and set off on the coastal path to Brixham.  "Only 10 miles, but a bit up-and-downy," I said.  However, the promise of a mug of tea and bit of cake in the Berry Head Visitor Centre was lure enough.  Lovely day out!

DBC Ramblers in April

The famous Five, together with dog set out on a quest to discover Kitty Tor.  After days of slogging up the side of a summit-less mountain, we reached the plateau and set off into uncharted territory.  Dog was particularly interested in finding Kitty Tor, which was maybe a disappointment to him.  But to the intrepid five, it was indeed a moment to be savoured with marmite sandwiches and a swig of soup.  The Dartmouth Baptist Ramblers had done it again!

Snowdonia Oddessy

Lynn and I took advantage of having no daughter around for a week to travel through snow drifts a-plenty up to the delightful town of Beddgelert, just south of the Snowdon massif.  We stayed in a converted cow house, very cosy and supplying all our needs.  The plan was to climb the high mountains, but the unseasonal snow created unstable conditions on the high crags, so we went on some superb low level walks with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.