London Calling

What with all the building work and things going on, we took a brief "staycation" with Pat & John in Essex. We did the usual pottering around Saffron Walden, Louis got hot and bothered playing cricket with his pal Jed, Holy rowed us around the lake at Hatfield Forest, but the main event was the Ride London Freecycle. This is an annual event where they close the roads to make an 8-mile loop around central London, taking in many of the main tourist sites. Something like 70,000 people rode it this year, and it felt like it. It's a good vibe though, very easy going and every corner you turn there's another London landmark. We topped off the last day with the final iteration of my 50th birthday, a track taster session at the Olympic Velodrome. What a cracking thing it was too, highly recommended if you ever get the chance!

Camping Recce

We had long-standing plan for me to take Louis and a pal wild camping up the Pentlands. I took a wee spin up there on the bike to look for likely spots, this was near Bonaly Reservoir (where I saw people swimming - brrrrr) but I think there are better spots around Harlaw.

Building Works July 20

Getting close now. Holly gives us the tour.

Foxlake Again

Another visit to Foxlake in honour of Holly's birthday, and a beautiful day for it.

Building Works July 12

It's all about the doors.

Berry Ride

We rode to Craigie's, picked raspberries, and made jam.

Building Works July 7

Cedar cladding is going in under the roof, and the roughcasting (aka harling) is done on the dormer.

Pedal in the Park

Another day with the children, this time we rode all the way over Corstorphine Hill so that Holly could spend the Pets At Home voucher she got for her birthday. Then we went and hung out in Gyle Park and played on the exercise machines. Louis had a go on *everyone's* bike. It's really time for them both to go up a size.

Goodbye Buckie

We don't use the greenhouse. It's overgrown and suffering from having footballs kicked at it all the time. I can't be bothered taking it down so it's going on Gumtree.

Bread and Bangers at the Beach

A few days into the summer holidays, and time for Dad's Wildlife Club. We did the usual trip to our now familiar haunt at Dalmeny, and cooked bread (courtesy of Holly) and sausages on an open fire. Nothing better.

Building Works July 5

A new window, more plasterboard, and plastering begins!

Wet and Wild

It's the summer holidays! Kiddies were dully booked into Earth Calling's summer Wildlife Clubs. True to form for the Scottish summer, the heavens opened and they got cold, wet and filthy. Mission accomplished!

Burning July

I guess we must have had a garden barbecue in honour of Holly and Grandma's birthdays...