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Nostell Again
Nostell Again

The end of November saw Lyns and I have a long awaiting catch up with our friends Lydia and Nigel. The girls had planned to head to the Christmas Fair at the York Race Course, however, I did not fancy this so we had to make other plans. First things first though, dinner and a few drinks. After the little ones had run off all their energy in the house we put them to bed. Apart from a couple of trips to calm them down, they settled very well. This meant that us adults could get on with dinner and a few glasses of wine.

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasNostell Priory, Friends, Playpark, WinterComment
Week Two in the Hebrides
Week Two in the Hebrides

Week two of our holiday saw us heading to a very small Island in the Outer Hebrides, namely the Isle of Eriskay. Situated at the very southern tip of South Uist and only joined to Uist by a causeway in 2001 it is an absolutely stunning Island. The cottage we had booked was right on the beach, by the ferry port to Barra. We had several rush hours during the day, sometimes even seeing a dozen cars in one go! Other than that and one coach trip, we more or less had the place to ourselves.

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HolidayPaul ThomasHoliday, Beach, Outer Hebrides, Eriskay, Mountains, RainComment
The Outer Hebrides Week One
The Outer Hebrides Week One

We were getting the ferry at 9am on the Saturday morning from Skye which meant leaving home around 11pm the night before. Lyns drove the first couple of hours and then I took over and drove through the night. It was an epic drive through the dark of night in the rain, especially once we arrived in Loch Lomond and it became single track roads. Luckily, by the time the sun was coming up we were driving into beautiful weather, such a shame that was one of the few days we got sunshine throughout the holiday. Not that it mattered.

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HolidayPaul ThomasHarris, Outer Hebrides, Holiday, Family, ScotlandComment
A Playpark by the Lake
A Playpark by the Lake

A couple of weeks ago Lyns and I finally made our way to Castle Howard. Having lived in York for about fifteen years, it is one place we have never been. We had been told that the adventure playground had been redone so even more reason to visit. We had friends to stay the night before and had a few drinks so it was a leisurely start to the day. We got the Castle Howard about midday and of course first things first, lunch.

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasCastle Howard, Friends, Summer, LunchComment
A Hall with Friends
A Hall with Friends

So a bit of a belated post today. At the start of May we went on an adventure to East Riddlesden Hall, a National Trust property near Keighley. We had chosen what looked to be a lovely day to go and the weather certainly held up as we drove across. We arrived a little before our friends so we did a little bit of exploring and James hit the play park. Even Lyns was having a play before anyone else arrived. It was not long before Dominique and Gav arrived and chaos ensued in the play park. Even little Elliot was zooming down the slide.

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasNational Trust, East Riddlesden Hall, Friends, PlayparkComment
A Tiny Adventure
A Tiny Adventure

Highlight was the moment I step onto a clear bit of ground and put my foot about six inches away from an adder. Luckily the snake shoot off, not without leaving me some what shocked. Once it had disappeared I launched myself to the nearest bit of clear ground and stood there adrenaline pumping. I realised that I was surrounded my a sea of tall grass to wade through to get out. Definitely a man up and get on with it moment!

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OtherPaul ThomasMacro, Butterfly, Bumblebee, Strensall Common, Early Morning, Flowers, InsectsComment
Stillingfleet Wildlife Day
Stillingfleet Wildlife Day

With the weather being as lovely as it has been, today was certainly a day for spending out in the sunshine. One quick google later to see what was going on near us and we headed out to the RHS gardens in Stillingfleet for their wildlife day. Here they had loads of stalls on, teaching about bumblebees, spiders, bats and so on. There was even one on composting.

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasRHS Garden, Stillingfleet House Gardens, Summer, sunshine, Bumblebee, Bat, Newt, Pond Dipping, SnakeComment
A Wee Trip into Town
A Wee Trip into Town

For a last day treat, we all headed into York for breakfast at Brew and Brownie, followed by a walk around town.   James was in nursery so it was an adults treat.   The breakfast was a great start to the day, everyone had pancakes, except me who had a sausage and bacon sandwich.   If you have not been before, be warned, it is pricey, but very nice. 

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LifePaul ThomasComment
Waterfalls and Hills
Waterfalls and Hills

This weekend has seen Lyns’ not so little sister Lauren and her boyfriend Thomas come to visit us for a few days.  We decided to head over to the Yorkshire Dales for the day to make the most of, what looked like it could be, good weather.    We were worried driving over as the rain came down but, as it turned out, there was no rain for us!

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasCountryside, Yorkshire Dales, Malham, Gordale Scar, Malham Cove, River, Family VisitComment
A Day on the Farm
A Day on the Farm

We got there relatively early but yet the car park was already full.   That had to be a good sign.   We entered the Farm and there is loads to do.   Of course though, the play park and a sand pit took priority and James made a beeline for them.   No problem, meant I could sit down and relax in the sun whilst he played.    Now.... how to stop myself falling asleep?

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasComment
Nursery Funday and a Party
Nursery Funday and a Party

James started off with the animals.   He even stroked the cow which was lovely to see.   After that, we went to see the reptiles and the spider.   James was full of tales from when we went to the conservation centre at Askham Bryan.   Much to Lyns’ delight, James enlightened her with all sorts of stories that put her mind at rest whilst staring into the eyes of a python.

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasSnail, Nursery, Birthday Party, Snake, Askham Bryan Conservation Centre, Miniature Railway, Animals, Steam TrainComment
Fifty Years and Still Going Strong
Fifty Years and Still Going Strong

By the Saturday, the glorious weather from the week before had blown away and we were met with a wall of fog blowing in from the sea.   I started the day with a ten mile run, running along the cliff top path to the next bay, Runswick Bay.   It was a bitterly cold run but worth while as it was very scenic.   Once I had got back and showered we headed off to Whitby.

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Days out with JamesPaul ThomasWeekend Away, Beach, Whitby, Sandsend, Seaside, FamilyComment