A few weeks ago we decided to go for a walk around Askham Bog as we had not been in years. Unfortunately, when we got there it is was closed as they were repairing the boardwalks. Not to waste the time, one quick google later, we had found Staverley Nature Reserve. There is a lovely three(ish) mile loop around the reserve with several bird hides.

2021 saw us move house, out from York to Easingwold. In the November, we have not been there long and were still exploring the surrounding area. One Saturday morning we got up to be greeted by bitterly cold temperatures but brilliant sunshine.

After a sit down and a bite to eat, it was time to get exploring. James was in his element as there was mud everywhere!!

A lovely day out to Castle Howard with good friends. Despite the weather being wet and windy we had a fab time. Nothing can slow down this crazy lot!

We arrived early and sat down and had a coffee. I am so glad we did get their early as, although apparently the site was operating on ‘reduced numbers’, by the end of the day, it was as busy as we had ever seen it.

With the lock down being lifted a little and good weather being forecasted, we decided to head to the coast to let us all run off a little steam. We expected the coast to be busy so we got there for just before 8am and were on our way home by 10. Just as well really as the cars were streaming in by this point and social distancing was, well, non existent.

It is amazing what a difference seven days makes. On two consecutive weekends wee had gone to Fountains Abbey. The circumstances could not have been any different. The first weekend was the same as any other weekend, with a distant background rumbling of this illness coming fast from the other side of the world. Seven days later strict social distancing was in place, a day after that, the country was in lock down, something none of us had seen coming a week earlier.

We jumped off the bus and right in front of us was Sponge Bob Square Pants, much to the little man’s delight. We were in early but already the hoards were massing so we prepared ourselves for what would be a busy day!

For the second time in two weeks, James decided he wanted to go to the railway museum, albeit, this time with mummy as well.

This allowed James to get really close to the cows, eye level in fact, without being in any danger from them. He was a little apprehensive at first, but once he realised he was safe, he was intrigued by being able to get so close to them.

2021 saw us head further north than I had ever been before. We loaded, probably overloaded, the car full of camping gear and drove north through the night to get to Scrabster to sail across to Orkney.

Summer of 2022 found us in the Outer Hebrides with my mum and dad. An amazing two weeks spent in one of our favourite places.

Far too quickly our holiday in Bamburgh came to end. Having barely moved the car for a week, it was right we finished our holiday on the beach!

The people sat round the pond ended up being the cheering crowd. It was like what I imagine the Colosseum would have been like. Ok, Ok, maybe not quite, but you get the idea.

Having filled our faces with sausages, bacon, black pudding and the trimmings, we headed out for a walk on the beach. It was such an eerie walk, with people appearing out of, and disappearing into, the mist, as if from nowhere. Lyns’ nose however did not fail as she managed to sniff out a coffee shack in the gloom.

So here we are, another summer and another summer holiday, although what a difference to any other year. Covid is still gripping the country, although no where near as badly has it had done so we booked a last minute trip to Northumberland to get a break away and spend some time on the beach. As it turned out, we only moved the car once and come rain or shine, we went to the beach, much to James’ delight.