Glamping

 The kids are camping out tonight, in true Famous Five style with no grown ups and a dog to keep guard.  James and Christopher are in the boy tent, which quite frankly was not worth a photograph - it's just a tent, with two therma rests, and two sleeping bags. 

Emma and Jennifer on the other hand, really went to town!   

Happy Hever Birthday to me..!

Today has been the first total washout day so far this summer.  But we defied the weather and visited Hever Castle, where we saw King Henry and Queen Anne, and their brave knights giving a spectacular jousting display.

James and Jenny decided they weren't quite wet enough so we headed to the water maze where they both got a thorough drenching.  This was followed by an archery lesson, where they both gave a splendid performance. 

James saved us from a bear and Jenny brought home the bacon.  Unfortunately the hog was made of polystyrene so we had to pop into Waitrose on the way home for the tastier version.  A splendid but soggy day out.

Cumbrian adventures

Mab, James and Jenny spent the last few days with the Northern Burgi, catching up on some valuable cousin time before school starts again.  They climbed Reston Scar, Gummers How, one or two trees and the Ambleside indoor climbing wall.  Happy days.

Canada

Our first day trip was to Niagara.  After admiring the falls, we headed to the butterfly conservatory, where the girls were in their element, having butterflies land on them sometimes three at a time.

Day two, a lovely warm day at Crystal Beach, Lake Erie.  You could be forgiven for thinking you were at the seaside...

A 10k cycle ride, not bad for only having learnt to ride six weeks before!

At Crawford Lake Indian Village...

... to see how the native Canadians used to live hundreds of years ago.

And then the much looked forward to canoe trip to Algonquin.  This year we paddled to Little Eagle Lake, where we pitched camp on a beautiful peninsular, the only campsite on the lake with no one else around for miles. 

Relaxing in the camp

 Enjoying marshmallows toasted on the camp fire.

Exploring the other campsites in neigbouring Magnetawan Lake

 Enjoying the sunshine, the views and the call of the loon from our hot rock

No bear or moose sightings this year.  Hardly surprising with four excited children yelling the place down.  But the greedy chipmunks hoovering up our crumbs and the sound of the wolves howling all around us at night quite satisfied our wildlife apetites.  A great trip and one which I hope James and Jenny will remember for some time to come. 

And finally a trip to the zoo for special lick from a giraffe before we head back home to Blighty.

The Heatwave

After six miserable summers and cold winters, the jet stream finally returns to its rightful place.  We are finally enjoying a hot summer, with plentiful walks and dips in the stream.

The Barley Man of Longbarn.