Oscar's Marathon Cycle

Ever since his elder brother completed his marathon challenge on the back of the London Olympics a couple of years ago, son number 2 has been keen to show he can do it as well. He's been pestering me all summer, and with the Coast to Coast taking a lot of family focus, it seemed only right and fair to make sure we had a crack at this before he turns 7 next month.

 

We didn't really do much in the way of specific training for this one. He's a fairly active boy, we've climbed a big old hill lately (amongst other things) and I also had a lot of confidence in the speed of his legs.

 

Before we set off, we stopped for the obligatory photo for mum. It was a dry day, but rain was forecast for the afternoon. Whereas a couple of years ago it took over 6 hours to do this with his brother, I was confident we could get this done in 4.

 



 

Sure enough, we stopped for lunch after 16 miles, and could fell the weather changing. Boyo didn't miss a beat though and despite a light shower, the completed it in three and a half hours of cycling, even managing to race me up the drive at the end.

 

O did this one without the fuss of fund raising, local support, or any other such hype. He just wanted to do a marathon cycle because his brother did. He's already looking forward to a coast to coast when he's 8. I have to admit, after enjoying one with my eldest son, I can only look forward to doing it again with O.

Surprise Trip Down Under

Ok, so maybe it's 4 months late in coming, but finally I've gotten around to sorting the pictures from our trip to Oz. I'm perhaps drawn to thinking about our holiday (which now seems sooooo long ago) as all our friends seems to be disappearing left, right and centre on their summer holidays now.

 

Ours were a wee bit different. As it was MPLST's "special" birthday this year, I decided to organise a trip to visit one of her old friends who emigrated to Australia a few years back. Let me tell you, it's remarkably difficult to spend that kind of cash and keep it a secret - but I have proved myself a proper devious sod.

 

As it was so long ago, I've selected a few pics from the hundreds we took, and I think they are in order of our travels. One or two may be out - I'll get over that.

 

Despite all our worries that the length of the journey would make travelling difficult, the kids did remarkably well, despite not having electronic gadgetry to play with. Books rock - though it has to be said, the long haul interactive option on the TV was like their own little piece of travel heaven.

 

Excited to get there...



 

Mum did a bit of star spotting (as she does) as we went through Heathrow. Fortunately, dad was a bit in front so missed it. Apparently, Will was kind enough to hold the camera high enough to get the most flattering angle for the aging star struck mum.

 



 

We made it to our first stop in high spirits. Not bad after travelling for 35 hours or so.

 



 

Our quiet country mouse wasn't overly keen on the big city noises in Sydney. He still has an aversion to hand dryers in public toilets, and adopted his standard pose for dealing with loud noises.

 



 

He kept it up on the open top bus tour. It didn't detract from his enjoyment though as he adopted his Michael McIntyre Lovechild Impression.

 



 

We spoiled mum with a bit of luxury in our apartment choice in Sydney. We had 3 nights with amazing views over the city. I hope my kids don't think all holidays are like this! Later, we grounded them with a couple of nights in what can only be described as a "trailer trash" caravan park, but I don't have pictures that do that particular bit justice.

 



 

So off around the sights we ventured. Later mum and dad managed a trip up the harbour bridge.

 



 

 

After spending ages looking for somewhere to stop for lunch, I got the mother of all burgers. Ozzie's can really do burgers....

 



 

Bondi Beach baby...

Sydney offered lots to do. Amongst the many museums, sights and trips we stumbled on a circus exhibition at one of the museums. Magic mirrors is always a winner with kids - young and old.

 

 

 

Ok, this pic was taken before the big birthday, so technically she was still young, but hell yeah, that's my wife. I would!

 



 

We flew over to Perth for the rest of our trip. We were lucky enough to not see any rain at all. Our host was kind enough to offer us her car and we took off to Margaret River for a few days. On the way we stopped by Busselton and decided it was such a great beach, we'd make a day of it on the way back. The jetty behind is the longest in the southern hemisphere, which all of us walked right to the very end of.

 



Pam and the boys had this great Aussie version of 51 things to do before you're 12. Her eldest had made a good dent in most of it, but they had no idea what geocaching. MPLST was in the know (isn't she always), so we did our first few searches Down Under.

 

C showing off his find in a local park....

 



Some random pics of us in Perth....

Having done Australia before, and being a big fan of quokkas, MPLST made sure a trip to Rottness Island was included in our action packed itinerary. It was a roasting hot day, but we managed a 10K cycle around half the island, with everybody except the wee man doing it under their own steam. We managed to avoid all poisonous snakes, but did find some quokkas much to everybody's delight.

We may be in our forties, but we're still childish at heart...

Trips out of Perth took us to Margaret River, Dunsborough, Freemantle and beyond. We saw spectacular caves, climbed lighthouses, played in a maze and visited a vineyard. In Freemantle we visited the prison and the Maritime Museum. This boat is pitched at the very angle the single crew member faced a 50 meter wave rounding Cape Horn (he's the poor sod in the yellow) as he clung onto the mast for dear life. Here was me thinking the North Sea was rough...

Our Little White Boy was ok in the sunshine, but needed a wee bit extra watching than his brothers.

We fed wallabies and kangaroos. We ate the latter too...

And those that wanted got up close and personal with koalas...

 

Remembering that we were there for Her Ladyship's "special" birthday, the day before we came home she got treated to what can only (in this family anyway) be called a one off birthday treat. That smile still hasn't worn off...

 



Our last lunch out before the mammoth journey home. 42 hours door to door on the way back was tough, but I was proud of the lads as they all hacked the pace all the way back, and with less interactive TV than on the way to Perth as well.

That was months ago. For us, the trip of a lifetime. If we are fortunate enough to have the chance to do it again, no doubt we most certainly will!

Coast to Coast

I still haven't got around to posting the pictures of our trip Down Under, but I must mark the achievement of son number 1 and I completing a coast to coast cycle from Oban to Montrose, totalling 149 miles over 4 days.

The wee man was tremendous throughout. He had his challenges, but overcame each and every one. Like his mother, he doesn't do mornings. Like his father, he can only take time with his parents in very short doses. Pairing him with me for 4 days on a 1-2-1 basis carried its share of pros and cons. For both of us!

I plan on detailing the trip separately for him, so this will be a very brief, "well done us" post. I'll add a picture once I overcome the IT issues.

Starting out in Oban...

 

Along side Loch Awe on Day 1...

 



 

 

First lunch stop in Lochawe, first 20 miles done!

 





 Day 2 along the north side of Loch Tay...

 

Day 3 was much less pleasant, more of that later.

Jumping straight to the end of day 4 at Montrose. One very chuffed young man...

 



Overdue Catch Up Post

No, I've not got to a point where either the novelty of the blog is lost on me, or it's just run its course - more a case of there really aren't enough hours in the day any more. I can't believe I've not posted anything since out summer holiday last year. I looked out this selection of pictures from autumn/winter back in January, but never got them loaded onto the blog. Now's the time....

 

 

Lexi has no established herself as one of the family. I made the final shortlist for a local photography compition (in which Mrs W finished second, and one the peoples choice (I better add!!)) and R also made it to the final as well, so we were well represented. There's no competitive edge in this house. Honest.

 



 



 There were a couple of birthdays along the way as well. R turned 8, you can tell that mum and not dad was home for that birthday.

The big two boys and I had a lads weekend away in Edinburgh. We visited Dynamic Earth, climbed the Scott Monument and took in a game at Murrayfield where the boys formed part of the guard of honour.

There were a few random pics I found on Her Ladyship's camera after some time at work, here are a few...

I made the end of year family fun session with the kids for a change as well. We managed a quick pose before taking up on opposing teams.

C had his first dance show, stepping right up front & centre and loving the attention. O has done a few, but still a little shy underneath that one. Maybe it was the outfit though...?

O also had a birthday, you can tell mum was offshore and dad improvised with a leftover chicken and leek pie. not just any pie though, pie with the personal birthday touch.

Just larking around...

Number 3 also mastered the bike riding not long after we returned from holiday. Here he is on his way to nursery.

 

I had the pleasure of maintaining the countries energy needs over the festive period. Mum and boys went out looking dapper.