03.04.10 - In which Evelyn and I go exploring...and take the boys and the dog too....

We were all off on Friday, but with one thing and another, we didn't get out as planned. So on Saturday - despite the promised foul weather - we jumped into the bicycle laden car and headed off to Glasson Dock for a bike ride on the cycleways (converted from disused railway tracks)

Himself Just open the road atlas, I'm not too sure which junction off the motor way we need..
Me err, where is it?
Himself - ho ho! I've left it in the landrover, not to worry, use the OS map...
Me err, where is that?
Himself, Ho ho (bugger) um, left that on the table, never mind, I sort of know where were are going....


45 minutes later, several turns, changes of direction and scenic routes through nameless villages we found the road we needed and turned on to it, when the heavens opened. Great big lashing down wet rain.

Grumbles began to eminate from the back.

Youngest Move up - you are on my side
Eldest Nowhere near you
Youngest Mu-u-uuu-u-um he's leaning on me
Eldest Not..... Are we there yet?
Youngest You are...Mu-uu-uum he is, are we there yet?
Me Stop it both of you, we're nearly there.
Silence.....rain....more turns, more lanes, rain, rain......subversive grumbles from the back.

Me (to Himself) Are we nearly there yet?

Himself (more to himself than to me) Nearly there - Ah here it is!

We damply drove through a soggy grey miserable litte village, peering through a drenched windscreen for parking.

Himself ( brightly)  I think we find parking first, then have our lunch in the car and see if it picks up

More subversive grumbles in the back with the occasional clear word... hungry, starving...

Me Ok ok! we get the message, Just park there!

Himself  Oh, missed it, will try this one...

Me ok

Himself Oh, can't, won't fit under the barrier with the bikes on the carrier, will stop at the next one

Me - sigh

EVENTUALLY!

We parked.

AND THE SUN CAME OUT!

What a difference it makes when THE SUN COMES OUT. The sad little grey seaside village suddenly had colours and charm, it suddenly had appeal and charisma.


We rode down to the cycleway and stopped to breathe the sea air.

We trundled down the cycleway......

We stopped for picnics and basked in the sun, whilst just absorbing the view and leaving behind all the stress and all the grumbles and we suddenly remembered that life is good (but it's even better when the sun shines!)

Evelyn

Mud

More mud

Then it was time to leave and get back in time for a family meal with my Mom and Dad, only, we still didn't have a map, we still had very muddy children and had to get them clean and presentable and we had less than an hour to do it!!

Sorry Mum! Dinner still tasted delicious - despite it having to be kept :)