Blessington Lakeshore

Spent the day at the house. In the morning we went for a cayak on the lake. Went for just an hour but amazing how tiring it can be out on the water, We played tennis in the afternoon with Max and Hannah gaining a nail biting 8-6 victory over Colin. In the evening we went out for dinner at the Hollywood Inn. Hannah through dogged persistence got a special treat of a bar of chocolate from the restaurant staff.

Glendalough

Drove through the Gap of Wicklow and on to Glendalough which was a very scenic valley where Saint Kevin had lived in the 6^th Century. We saw the monastic village and other old ruins and two lovely lakes. Spotted heron, grasshopper and dragonfly. Very nice walk.

Irish National Stud

Went to the National Stud by Kildare. Didn't see very many horses but the gardens were very beautiful. There as a Japanese garden and a more Irish themed garden with wonderful limestone rock around several small lakes.

Went into Kildare for a look at the cathedral and tower. Not a very impressive town although Hannah enjoyed the playground.

Back at the house we played a short game of tennis and then went for a swim.

Football

Spent an energetic morning playing football with Michaelangelo at Maxwell and Rosemary's house. WE WON! (By Max ) before heading off on the long drive to Blessington. We stopped at Banville House on the way down for a nice lunch.There were very bad traffic jams all around Dublin with lots of roadwoks being carried out. The house was fairly comfortable but suffered from being somewhere that no-one had actually lived in and fixed all the little things which make a house a home. The estate was quite nice with a tennis court and boating area beside the lake. Went into Blessington for a pizza for tea.

Castle Espie

While Colin was in London for the day Cherry, Max and Hannah went to see the wildfowl at Castle Espie.

Visit to W5

Had a good day out at W5.

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER HOLIDAY 2007

Started the holiday very early with a drive to Troon to catch the ferry to Larne. Poor Hannah was sick on the boat. We arrived in Bangor just after lunchtime went down to the shore at Pickie.

Carn Gorm

Max and Colin drove north through Aberfeldy and Fortingall to Glen Lyon to climb Carn Gorm. Weather stayed pretty good throughout. Reached the summit in aboy 2 hrs 30 minutes. Max was on poor form - legs were sore after the rock climbing of the previous day. Total time out 4 hrs 45 minutes.

Max's 13th munro and Colin's 28th.

Ratho Climbing Centre

As a birthday treat for Hannah we went to the climbing centre at Ratho. Uncle Les joined us and went on the sky ride.

Hannah's Birthday Party

Hannah held her Party at the Logie Gym in Loanhead. Much bouncing and fun had by all.

Romano Bridge

Colin was out in the hills in torrential rain in the Borders for the 4th Carnethy handicap race of the summer. A very long course with lots of challenging navigation. Came a very respectable 5th place. I suspect quite a few of the early starters must have got lost along the way.

The Golden Compass

Looking forward to the film

Orienteering at Cammo

Went to a come and try it orienteering at Cammo on Saturday. We managed to get Hannah out again and she made it round the yellow course. Colin raced round the Orange (4th of 30) whilst Max was slow but sure on the same course.

When to Hopetoun garden centre afterwards and bought some new plants for the front garden.

Colin, Max and Hannah played tennis on Sunday morning and Colin went for a nice long run in the Pentlands in the afternoon.

Carnethy Hill Race

A family outing to the Pentlands on a lovely evening. Max and Hannah ran in a tough junior race which took them up a small hill and back. Best of all there was a small river to run through! Max came third and Hannah 4th. Colin ran OK but with a tougher than usual competition came in 20th of 28 runners. Great views from the peak of Carnethy across the Lothians.

Pentland Walk

We all went out for a short walk around Harlaw and Threpmuir lakes at the edge of the Pentlands. The sun came out for part of the time and we almost had a picnic before running to the car for shelter. Went to Malleny gardens after lunch.

Pictures & Caches

Headed out on a rainy Sunday to Aberfeldy to buy a picture. We did some geocaching en-route stopping at Bankfoot and then in Aberfeldy to find two micro caches. Then bought a Jim Wylie painting "Sma Glen" at the gallery.

On the way back we stopped at Loch of Lowes to look at the osprey. They were two well with two healthy chicks. Saw the adults in flight and standing guard at the nest. Lots of siskin and woodpecker at the "window".

Very slow journey on the way back thanks to roadworks and flooding.