Mild Peril

Sunset

Originally uploaded by Paul Freeman.

Victoria

We visited the Linlithgow Union Canal Society who run "Victoria" a replica of a 19th century steam packet.  Victoria has been running since 1978 shortly after the Union Canal was reopened.

We took a short canal trip up and down around Linlithgow.  When the kids are older, we’ll go for the 2 hour trip which should be really interesting.

Originally uploaded by Paul Freeman.

… a letter from Reading ?

In a plan that has fermented from Easter last year, we are uprooting our family and heading out of the country. Not too far (like one friend we have who emigrated to New Zealand and make us rather jealous) but only to the next country up, Scotland.

For reasons many and plenty, although anyone suggesting it is for sporting purposes is very much mistaken, we had an idea, formed a plan, sorted out the house, located a general area to move to (West Lothian, near Edinburgh) and put our house on the market.

Of course, this is possibly the worst time to be trying to sell a house and nothing much is happening. Still we have a Plan B and we aren’t worried about it.

It’s a bold move, but click on the image below to see some photos from a recent trip to the area.

We’re at my cousins wedding tomorrow. Here is a route plan from Google of the mad route we’ll have to take through old London town. Of interest only to myself and my parents probably.

View Larger Map

Gabby was back to her normal self on Friday, as if nothing had happened. Then the evening came and her temperature came back. She has been up and down ever since. The other two children are getting “end of term” syndrome and need the break I think. Petty arguments and fights break the peace on occasion.

Is it possible to get a curry hangover? We had a takeaway Friday night, a lovely Malaysian curry with just a single bottle of beer. Next morning, I felt like I’d had 5 bottles of beer. Mind you, I felt equally bad Monday morning as well, so maybe it is a bug.

We were going to go to Legoland on Saturday but a “fun day” put us off. It would have been packed and one of the “attractions” was Barney. I’d have gone if I been allowed to take Hiro’s sword and sort him out once and for all. Barney is not a Hero. Plenty more days this summer to go. We nearly went Sunday but the weather wasn’t very good. Instead we went on a bike ride after Jeannie had her Mock RAD exam. She did well and passed to go to the real exam in November. Again, I think Gina was more nervous than Jeannie. But, apparently she really knew her stuff on this one.

On the bike ride (well Ryan went on his scooter and Gabby was in the pushchair and I was pushing her and Gina walked so really Jeannie went on the bike ride on her own!) Ryan managed to find the nettles and sting himself again. If he had a hero power it would be the ability to find nettles when no one else can.