White Rose

Max and Colin drove off to Yorkshire for the weekend for a holiday weekend of orienteering (although we don't get a holiday monday in Scotland !). We tried out the new micro mountain marathon tent which worked fine although it was by far the smallest tent in the field. The sun shone all weekend and the campsite was very pleasant. Max did well on his orienteering courses. Colin is in need of practice! Had fun at the Night O with fabulous views across some fine Yorkshire ridges and cliffs. Pickering was also very nice - with a great steam railway and old world railway station.

CATI Orienteering - Blackford

Max and Colin went out orienteering for the first time in quite a while. Max got round the Orange course in 30 minutes coming 4th of 11. Colin did the untimed training course.

Marble Arch Caves

A long drive back from Kerry to the boat. On the way we stopped at the Marble Arch Caves. The recent rains meant that we didn't get to go on the boat journey through the caves but still enjoyed an interesting guided tour.

We got some real Irish weather for our last day with constant rainfall all day. We travelled to Muckross just outside Killarney and went round the gardens but not the house and then did a tour outdoor agricultural museum. Hannah fell in love with the two 6 week old kittens, Socks and Tabby

The weather broke with a vengeance on thursday with visibility down to yards on the drive to Glebgariff. It finally cleared up after lunch and we took a boat to Garanish Island to see some wonderful gardens that had been created on the island. A highlight of the holiday was when a pod of dolphins swam by the boat and treated us to some fantastic leaps just metres from us. On the way back we stopped at a hand-made chocolate factory and shop and bought some absolutely wonderful chocs.

Eyries

Stuck close to home for a walk along the coastline at a little village called Eyries. It was quite pleasant although I do prefer a walk with some hilltops on the route. A few stops to play at pebbly beaches.

Valentia Island

Went for a long long drive round part of the Ring of Kerry from Kenmare round to Valentia Island. We tried to to a trip to the Skellig islands but found that the boats were all booked out days in advance. Spent some time on the beach at Waterville and stopped at Sweem in both directions for food. The scenery was absolutely stunning and the weather fabulous.

Killarney

Headed off the Kenmare in the morning and had a stroll around the very pretty town. As the weather was starting to turn we decided to head for Killarney where we spent the day around town and walking in the park. In the evening we went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the cinema.

Views from the House

Glen Inchiquin

After the long journey the previous day we stayed close to home touring the local area in the morning. We visited Dereen gardens with its lush sub-tropical vegetation. Enjoyed mussels and chips in the local pub for lunch. In the afternoon we went to Glen Inchiquin which had a fantastic waterfall. Colin and Max did a walk that took us up to the top of the falls with views of the valley beyond. Cherry and Hannah stayed on the low ground and enjoyed the river walk and watching the local kids throw themselves down the canyon.

Arrival at Kerry

We got up for the long drive to Kerry. The first couple of hours to Limerick went quickly with little traffic on the road. After a snack and some shopping we headed onwards but the traffic the rest of the journey was absolutely dreadful with long tailbacks into almost every town the main road passed through. We made it to the house by about 6 pm. The cottage was lovely, sitting perched above the Kenmare estuary with grand views across the sea and the mountains beyond. The interior was nicely furnished and unlike the previous house was a lived in property where a little care and attention had been taken to ensure everything work just right.

Russborough House

Went to Russborough house for a very interesting and informative guided tour which the children really enjoyed. They loved finding out about where all the furniture came from and who made it. They were really disappointed when the tour ended as they would have liked to have gone to every room in the house...

NOT!!!!

Dublin

We got up early for a bus ride into central Dublin. We went on a long walk round the main sites of the city. We started at O'Connell street and the General Post Office and the new spire that has been built at the centre of the street. We walked through the Temple Bar area after crossing the Ha'Penny Bridge. We then went past Christ Church Cathedral and to the Dublinia exhibition about Dublin in Medieval and Viking times. We then went to Dublin Castle, Poiwerscourt shopping centre and on for a rest at St Stephens Green. We went to the National Gallery and then through Trinity College before making it back to the bus stop at around 5 pm for the trip home.

Great Sugar Loaf Mountain

We started the day at the Great Sugar Loaf mountain which involved around 40 minutes climb to the summit. It was a rocky and challenging little climb that Hannah managed very well. We then went to Powerscourt House and enjoyed a nice walk round the majestic gardens.

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.