Silverado

A few days home after the wedding, then dad came to visit. Took advantage of our National Trust Membership and had a day at Beningborough Hall.

A slightly splendid country pile, if you like portraits of blokes in wigs.



 On Saturday it was Thomas's 18th Birthday, al fresco round at Sally-Ann's for a megga fuddle.

Monday 16th August was the day of the Silverado itself.  Celebrated with a walk in Coverdale, some lunch at the Blue Lion, then a topless ride round the country in the bomber on the never ending table quest.  Bubbly and snacks back home.  Twenty Five Years - tick!

Time to get back to the gym.......

Barn Stormer

Friday August 6th was a big day for the Flooks.  Formal links now established with the MacDonalds via the matrimonials of Anne and Alex.


The happy couple

Another happy couple

Fabulous day - one for the textbooks, vibes, company, speeches, food, boogie all tops.

The two best men, Will and Adam, did a memorable double act.





We enjoyed a relaxing two nights at Down Hall - doubling as a Siver Wedding treat for the two of us.

Long train running

First on line post from this year's big trip. 
Darlo     tick
St Panc  tick
Gare du Nord   tick
Gare Austerlitz   tick
Madrid    tick
Seville    tick

All stations in the bag  now soaking up the heat - keeping continous flow of lubricafication to mitigate fluid loss,,,,

some early images






Hotel train

Palace Real Madrid

On the riverside in Seville

In the Alcazar Palace

Fantastic hotel in Seville - Hotel Casas de la Judeira, labyrinthine, luxurious

Managed to get a last minute booking to fill the three dog nights - Isla la Christina on the Portuguese border - great spot next to the beach.  Tripped around the town, took a boat over the water for an afternoon in Portugal.

Hothouse flower

Had a great fishialty at the Ciringuita on the beach











Last 6 days at the pre-booked villa in Barossa, trips to Conil, Cadiz, Veja la Frontera, Tarifa and Chiclana.  Finished off with flight from Gibraltaaargh!

In Veja La Frontera

In Conil

Vikki and Margaret in Tarifa

More pictures at Long train running

Big stuff in Borrowdale

Tuesday 22nd June.  A day up on Raven Crag in Combe Ghyll.  After a good walk in hung about for a couple of short routes, then met the chaps high up with a bit of porterage.

Pedestal wall - short clip  here

BP high on lake rock

"For the Record" MVS 4b

Mellow Yellow

Sunday 20th, a short five miles up in farthest Arkengarthv dale.  Meadows in bloom.

Lovely

In and around the river.

Red Lion in Langthwaite for a cleansing beer

No doubt? It's Wrynose

High pressure building - so out west with high hopes of a good day - destination Black Crag up on Pike O'Blisco.

Somewhat surprised to find the crag festooned with top rope type folks from clubs out of Manchester and Aberdeen, otherwise there was just us S-types and another pair of E-types.

The chaps knocked seven good routes off 

whilst I pottered up to the summit of P O'B at 700m.

Looked across from Gimmer many times but never been up there for the opposite view.

Some climbing cuts here; movie

It ain't nothing but a party

Word went out there was a party ban.

But there was a rumour about a rumble, and when Vikki and Pete arrived on Thursday, then Roger and Sue lunchtime on Friday, Mags thinks what's the rumpus?  But the fix was in, and by Saturday lunchtime the righteous hordes arrived in a mass demonstration of their right to party.

The good people at the Bridgewater did their bit with lunch - and got straight in the mood hurling beer all over Nancy's party(sic) dress (oops!).

Some folks blatantly and with no little sange froide relocated the unfinished wine bottles back to the West House Whoopitup unparty.

Party free cakes courtesy Robineau, de-partied bubbly from Lindauer, partylessly perfect weather gifted from God (thanks your almightiness), a garden full of natter, banter and bunting.  Speeches unfortunately(?) remained verboten..

But nonetheless welcomed the Lanagan Ladies, the Southern Contingent, also a bunch of Oakland Girls, the Dukes Retainer (GFMO and Bar); The Brighton Rockers, the Norwegian Hordes, the East Yorkshire Ever Presents, the Stillington Gang, the Four (Soft) Tops, the Birmingham Barn Stormers, The Raby Road Ravers; the Newcastle Sun Glass Mob, also with Phil Pentangeli, Ann the Hat Addy and Don Ron Tommsoni himself.  Assorted Rope Holders, Runners and Riders rocked up a bit later; and finally some fellow Winstonians.  Fantastic do!  (if not actually a party......!)

Can't beat a long slow drizzle on a hot summer day.

More pics at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/andrew.thompson21/Mags60?authkey=Gv1sRgCPuZ6-3218Ovbg#