And they all lived happily ever after... until the rugby world cup final '07
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Sunday, 21 October 07 - 06:22 PM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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Firstly, for those of you who know the whole long story of how Roger and I met, you will be pleased to know that the story isn't finished...
My clever Bridesmaid Jeanne and her handsome hubby Gareth were doing some more plotting of their own around the time of the wedding and are now expecting their first bambino. The scans reflect that it might have superhuman powers of an alien nature, but with two superhuman parents, what could we expect:)
Secondly, after getting rid of "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" before finishing chapter two, Roger and I managed to survive the most tense night of our relationship ever - with the help of some Badgers from Dorset... Only ever entering into a minor debate about a certain try (what try?) Roger is now my slave for the next four years, until Webb Ellis changes hands (or doesn't change hands - I hope).
Back to business
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Thursday, 16 August 07 - 10:50 AM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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I did a very foolish thing yesterday... that is, some might call it so, but others might consider it heroic. Now that I have partially recovered, I shall relay the tale in a heroic style, as my head has stopped pounding and my tongue no longer sticks to the roof of my mouth.
Since my last entry, Roger and I set off for a little cycling holiday with Simmy (a man of Arthurian proportions) and the Preston Harriers. Nigel was our able route planner and navigator; Dave B was our accountant ensuring that all waiters and waitresses were amply tipped; Barry took on the role of Devil's advocate; Roy shielded us from the wind; John was motivator cheering us up with chirpy helloes as he passed us going up hill; Mick entertained us with odd shoes and tartan evening attire; George was our (mine anyway) mechanic, screwing on heads and such like; and Joe our resident local, who seemed to have spent lots of time everywhere we went and told us interesting things about everywhere. Phil2 conducted studies on how beer enhanced the cycling performances of Preston Harriers but had to leave for work on Tuesday; Roger cycled back to work from Stainforth on Sunday and Mali, Ann and Kath had to leave all too soon after the Saturday leg for dates back in the buzzing city of Preston.
Without going into too much detail, we covered between 270 and 300 miles over our 5 day cycle, stopping overnight at the Youth Hostels in Stainforth, Dufton, Grasmere and Ingleton. We usually set off from the YHA each morning between 09h00 and 09h30, stopping at about 11h00 for coffee and tea along the way, with a sandwich, chip and beer stop at about 12h30. During these lunch breaks, we conducted our own little survey of who produces the best chips and sandwiches. The hospitatlity prize must however go to Anton in Great Strickland, landlord of The Strickland Arms, who despite the unsocialble hour on Monday morning, welcomed us with open arms, throwing down his vacuum cleaner to make us coffee, tea and biscuits.
Depending on the length of the day's cycle (anywhere between 40 and 66 miles), we would end up for supper by 19h00 at the designated YHA, followed by, more beer.
By the time Wednesday arrived, knees were beginning to feel creaky and muscles stiff (we had ascended Buttertubs, Kirkstone Pass, and the climb out of Dent to name but a few struggles), so the last lunchtime stop at The Fleece Inn at Dolphinholme was taken as a right of passage and the Copper Dragon flowed freely. It flowed and flowed and flowed, and this is where I made my heroic but possibly foolish mistake.
After four pints of Golden Pippin and a good feed, we remounted our bicycles for the final push back to Preston, where all sensible, wise and experienced members of the tour retired home. The less experienced and over enthusiastic member of the group elected to travel with her newly wed husband to Helmshore later that evening, for the 6.5 mile fell race, hoping that her nemesis, Karen, might still be on holiday and that the first place 20 points would be for the taking...
On arriving at the start, we met with Harriers Mic, John C, John G, Pete, Brian, Bob... and Karen (Saint Roy elected to arrive late for the race and rescue children off the fells when he went for his own little jog). Soon afterwards, my hangover started kicking in, by which time it was too late to pull out. Only getting a little lost along the 6.5 mile way, I finally made it back over the line, with a Copper Dragon's breath and alcholic sweat.
Back in the pub after the race, I sanctimoniously sipped on my lime and soda, trying not to draw too much attention to my sorry feeling self having run on top of a 270 mile cycle and 4 pints for lunch. Lesson learnt? For now, anyway.
Recovered
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Thursday, 09 August 07 - 10:25 AM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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I think that all the excitement must have taken more out of me than I realised... I fell asleep last night at 21h00 having forgotten about our interclub race earlier in the evening, and woke up with a start at 07h40 - 20 minutes late for my scheduled morning run with our neighbours Lucy on one side and Stacey on the other (as we are on school holiday at the moment, we have made our appontment later in the day!).
I now feel in a better and more energetic position to relay the last couple of weeks events to those who missed them (especially for our neighbours, Preston Harriers, Julia, Judes, Jimmy, cousins Galanis and the Flemings who couldn't make it).
After Roger and my luxuriant experiences in the spas and salons of King Williams Town and East London, we (Rob, Roger and I) set off for Port Elizabeth on Wednesday 25th July to meet up with my bridesmaid and loyal, longstanding friend Jeanne; her talented and handsome husband Gareth and last but not least the well travelled and entertaining Big John (fellow mutineer onboard the ill fated Ice Maiden).
The last time we were all together was over a curry, so we headed for a restaurant on the beachfront called Up the Khyber - a place that could supply us with both Indian food and beer, a winning combination. We quickly fell into animated conversation ending the evening with Gareth convincing our efficient waiter to supply us with Jagermeisters on the house before going back to the Humewood B&B to continue the party.Carol-Ann, a school friend who has loyally kept in contact over the past 17 years, had left a bottle of wine and a card in our room, which we enjoyed thoroughly as we tried to make the evening (which was now morning) last as long as possible. We were able to thank her for this the following morning at breakfast when she popped in, as beautiful as ever, on her way to work. What a happy reunion.
When I arrived at my room (which was HUGE and luxuriant without being pretentious and had direct access to the veranda), Rosanne brought my attention to an attractive ginormous arrangement of flowers. She asked me to guess who they were from, giving me a clue that the senders were in Preston (UK) and were two gentlemen. I made a number of incorrect guesses, but finally arrived at the correct answer when she said they were doing work for us at home... Mark and Dave, our concientious neat and kind loft converters. We couldn't have ever hoped to meet two such wonderful builders.
Everyone was scheduled to arrive at the Amakhala Game Reserve on Thursday morning. Roger and his family (including Jane, Foggy, Carol, Lee and Rob) were to stay at the Safari Lodge whilst my family including Jeanne, Gareth and Big John were to stay at Leeuwenbosh and Shearers Lodge (the chapel is located on this lodge). More happy reunions and a long awaited introduction to my niece, Elizabeth (aka Tutu aka Liz).
Later in the afternoon, we set off on a game drive (Amakhala are home to the big five and stunning scenery) and sundowners before heading for a Boma in the bush for dinner. Here, the guests at all the lodges (Safari, Leeuwenbosch & Shearers, Carnarvon Dale, Reed Valley and Woodbury) came together to reaquaint. We were entertained by the Leeuwenbosch choir who danced and sang beautifully for us, bringing Roger's bestman, Rob, close to joyful tears. It was a very special performance.
Afer a stunning feast next to a huge open fire, everyone retired to the vehicles for the journeys home to the lodges - cramming as many bodies as close together as possible to combine body heat. It was one of thsoe moments where the discomfort of the cold added to the commaraderie and excitement of the evening. A very happy and warm memory despite the temperature.Arriving home, the Leeuwenbosch lot headed for the pub... a wonderful end to a perfect day.
On Friday, after breakfast, we set off for our scehduled River Cruise, meeting up with Hans, Pat, Ricki and Ros from the other lodges. While it was a little too cold for the animals, everyone chatted and caught up, renewing old bonds, so that when it came to an end, despite not having seen much, some of us requested that we set off for another round, just to continue the fellowship.
Back on our Landrover, we managed to convince our ranger Andries to take us to find the baby elephant that had just been born. Eager to please and putting us first despite his strict instructions to have us back at the lodge by 12h00 for coffee and lunch, we set off into the bush and were rewarded with a magnificent sighting of the family of elephants. Andries is a talented ranger (as all of our rangers were) who never approached animals too closely, allowing them to be at ease and allowing us to watch them interact and continue business as usual without scaring them off.
Back at the lodge, we lunched. All this time, my gifted cousin Clare Byrnes, worked hard at preparing the flowers for Saturday. She worked relentlessly, forsaking game drives and pleasure to ensure that everything was perfect, which it was. I really enjoyed just sitting, watching her work and chatting - it had been a very long time since we spent time together, the last time being (other than our brief day visit to Cape St Francis) was when Nikki her sister married Marcos Galanis over 20 years ago when she was bridesmaid and I was flowergirl. Geordi, Clare and Rus' daughter was my flowergirl.
In the afternoon, we set off for what was to be my final game drive before the wedding. Andries found us the pride of lions which had two gorgeous cubs. Again, keeping distance between us to make sure the lions felt comfortable, we were able to see them emerge from their hiding, play with one another, "go to the loo" and feed off a recent kill. This was followed by a magnificent and educational sighting of a family of giraffe displaying what initially appeared to be homosexual behaviour but later explained by Andries as a terratorial battle. We ended off the drive with sundowners.
All too soon Friday was over and Saturday dawned. Not having been for a run for a few days, I woke up a little earlier and set off for a 45 minute jog, during which I stopped to watch the dassies sunning themselves on some roadside rocks under the watchful and hungry eye of a rock kestrel. After breakfast and a shower, we started to prepare for the day's event. Jeanne proceeded to blow up every socket she could lay her hands on in an attempt to steam my dress and managed to lure the tall and dark Roche into our dressing room under the auspices of fixing the plug.
Then came the make up and hair. Brenda and Amelia were so patient and gentle, looking after everyone with careful attention. Pat, Roger's mum, joined us to have her hair and make up done - this was a treat to see and she looked really lovely. Whilst Aunty Ann, Jeanne, my mom, Ann, Marielle, Clare and Geordi either wandered about in curlers or arranged flowers, the boys sat and chatted - my boets, Gareth and John went over to Safari lodge for a beer, to keep Roger company and to keep out of the way.
Friends began arriving at 14h00 for fresh lemonade and sweet Thai chicken, smoked beef & pickle and salmon & cream cheese canapes and were treated to a ebullient performance by my old school's, Kingsridge High School for Girls, steel band. They have done exceedinlgy well, led by family friend Sandy who also played the organ in the chapel, winning numerous gold medals and accolades at various Eistedfords. Thanks for the music girls.
Just before 15h00, Heidi, who produced the whole successful event with apparent ease and pleasure, rang the chapel bell for Reecha (Roger's cousin) and JJ to usher friends and family to their seats before leading Jeanne, Geordi, my dad and I to the Chapel. I did not feel at all nervous (despite vowing never to get married for fear of being looked at by so many people), and instead felt jubilant. Geordi kept the pace for us, reminding us as we walked down the aisle to take "LONG STEPS" while I tried to catch as many eyes in the congregation as possible to smile "hello" to.
At the front, Mickey and Anaida proceeded with the ceremony. Ceremony is the wrong word all together. Ceremony has the connotation of being very formal, slightly intimidating and not at all joyous. Ours was a gladsome, relaxed and sincere celebration. Ann, my sister (in-law) and Jean (Roger's sister) both read our chosen scripts beautifully. Both have great meaning for Roger and I and give a true essence of our lives and relationship.
Roger and I, feeling elated, walked back down the aisle together, stopping just inside of the entrance to greet our friends and family. The Leeuwenbosch Choir singing "Mama Tembas Wedding" provided the recessional music and led everyone outside to form an aisle into which Roger and I emerged after greeting everyone, into a shower of rose petals and to the sound of drums and African song - the best sound for an Eastern Cape girl.
Whilst we were having photos, the choir kept dancing and singing continually whilst family and friends enjoyed the musci dance and drinks, until joined by Roger and me.
Gradually everyone moved into the marquee which was decorated with fairy lights and complete with chandelier. On the tables were arrangements of proteas, done by Clare. Murray, my big brother did the MC duties in an entertaining and confident manner, welcoming everyone and giving the order of events before the starter was served, an Exotic Tower of Kudu Carpaccio Marinated in Wild Berrie infused Balsamic Vinegar on an African Spiced Polento Cake & a Parmesan Wafer with Goats Milk Cheese, Sundried Tomato & Bazil Jam with Caramelized Onions Garnished with African Garden herbs & Baby Beetroot on a Porcupine Quill.
This was followed by an eloquent speech made by my De and answered by an entertaining speech by Roger. My De and Roger made me so proud - what a privilege to have such fine, handsome and intelligent gentleman (including my boets and cousins) in a family.
Then came the delcious main course, Roast Karoo Lamb slow cooked in Cape Cabernet on crushed Potatoes with Black Pepper & Rosemary (Finished with a Cabernet Reduction) Bundles of Butter Baked Batons of Turnip, Sweet Potato. Butternut. Pumpkin. Leek & Carrot (Falling out of little greaseproof packets on the plate) finished with Spngs of Fresh Thyme. Fat Cat's Catering did a mangnificent job indeed.
Rob then made a lengthly best man's speech, time lining his and Roger's aquaintance, after which I insisted on having a final word, toasting absent friends and family who could not make it and were missed - impromptly shortening what should have been a 3 minute chat in order to spare everyone itching to dance and get stuck into the delicious dessert platters served to each table.
As many know, I love dancing - starting off with waltzing from an early age perched on my dad's feet to my matric dance, jiving and two stepping the night away, so I was really looking forward to Roger and my dance. Despite me making a mess of it (I dropped my grip of the dress by mistake and kept stepping on the hem and tripping up), Roger and I enjoyed every step. Unfortunately, Fernando the DJ cut us short by welcoming everyone onto the dance floor before we finished with our little flurry, but all was well.
After this, the cake was cut, and I changed into a better dance rokkie. Fernando didn't use much of the playlist we supplied and instead catered for the older tastes of music.
My little brother is a dance machine - and after he flung me around in the jive, my dad and I enjoyed a waltz to Foster and Allen's "When you're in love it's the loveliest night" - the song which he and my mom opened their wedding dance floor to exactly 44 years and 51 weeks before to the day.
As Murray had announced earlier in the evening, when guests staying at Safari Lodge wanted to return home, they just had to ask Heidi and she would arrange for them to be chaffeured en masse or individually back hoome. Nobody had to even think or plan - only enjoy the evening, which everyone did. Near the end of the evenibng, Geoff, Roger's dad, arranged that the Safari Lodge group go home together at 24h00ish. Roger and I thought this was way to early for the party to end, so along with Pierre & Marielle (who win the prize for the most energy), Big John, Jeanne, Gareth, Rob, my mom & de, Phyll & Gray, Bill, Roche, JJ, Murray, Fernando and Jim we returned to the Leeuwenbosch pub, where we made merry music and danced the night away till a very patient, gentle and tired Roche (who had the garter as his prize) drove Roger, Rob and me to bed at 04h30.
Umtu ngumtu ngabantu, a person is a person because of another person, is a theme common to African communities and is sorely lacking in the western world. It is because of the people that I had around me whilst growing up that I am the person who I am today (both the good and the bad), and I would like to thank them for their continued contribution to my and Roger's lives that enriches us from day to day.
Now, I think I have made up for my shortened speech at the wedding by remincing the event at length in script... I shall have to have another lie in tomorrow to build up energy for "The Honeymoon" and our Preston Harriers 5 day cycling event led by Simmy through the Lancashire and Yorkshire countryside.
Back Home
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Tuesday, 07 August 07 - 11:33 AM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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Roger and I are now home. To try and catch up in diary style of the last two weeks would be a mammoth task. so I have tried to organise the photo gallery into chronological categories that should narrate the events.
The wedding was such a wonderfully happy and special time with friends and family where the only tears shed were when we had to take leave of one another.
Dubai and hello
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Tuesday, 24 July 07 - 01:46 PM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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!!!!!!!!!! If exclamations were rain, that's what England looked like on Friday...Friday night and we were officially on holiday and spending our last night in our little house as a single couple - so time to break out the champagne, a good way to start off our jollies, so we thought. But, a couple of hours later we were laughing and mopping up water, emptying buckets and ringing out towels as the water poured down the back wall in our spare bedroom. One of many sleepless nights. Bloody English summer!
Never mind, Mark and Dave (our fantastic builders) came to the rescue the following morning and patched up the leaky spots as we threw in last minute bits and bobs into our kitbags before setting out on a mammoth journey, starting off with a 15h30 departure from Preston; a 20h10 take off from Manchester; a sleepless 7 hour journey in cattle class watching Casino Royale to the sounds of a screaming baby. This was followed by a 3 hour wait in Dubai; another 8 hour flight (watching Happy Feet) to Johannesburg and finishing off with a pleasant little 90 minute domestic trip to East London where we were reunited with my family and Rob. Whew... I am still recovering.
Waking up on Monday morning was difficult, but rewarding, as the sun shone relentlessy all day building up to a respectable 37 degrees centrigrade (yes, it is winter here) resulting in the usual question "what are we doing in Preston?" to spring to mind. But then we thought of evenings spent in the hills stumbling through muddy bogs, shiny silver running shorts, good ales and running mates, and it made sense.
My mom lined up two indulgent days of pampering for Roger and I which we have enjoyed so much, that we have set the divorce date so that we can get married again and be pampered once more! With the exception of the eyebrow waxing (don't laugh, I am actually quite sore about this as I have grown quite attached to my eyebrows over the 34 years), everything has been quite fun. The facial lady waited till she had lulled me into a false sense of security with a head and face massage before applying what I thought was a sensible smelling, warm cream (never having had a wax before so I didn't know what it was), then whoosh! It was too late to say stop, or I would have looked extremely foolish with only one eyebrow. Roger says Iook like I come from Asia now, except my eyes are more puffy. Everyone is being very sweet and polite, but I know Roger is telling the truth...
While it looks really sophisticated and beautiful (despite my underwater hockey knuckles) I don't think I'll have the nail tip things done again, as it makes it very difficult to type (so the typing errors are NOT my fault, this time anyway).
Roger, Rob and me are off to PE this morning to meet up with Jeanne and John, for a night of beer and insensibility before we all meet up at Amakhala for the celebrations.
The weather has in the mean time been awesome, which means the cold front should arrive just in time for the wedding... But we're not bothered, it's just so good to see friends and family again that even if it pours, spirits will still be high, even if there isn't any bitter
(Look, smileys don't have any eyebrows either!)
9 days to go...
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Wednesday, 18 July 07 - 12:42 PM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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Roger and I have come down with sore thoats and snotty noses which will hopefully have cleared up by the time we have to fly out on Saturday. But besides that...
We had a cracking run at the Kentmere Horseshoe Fell Race last Sunday. 11 Miles and 3300 feet of ascent in what started off as a sunny day and ended up as a drizzly grey day - no surprises there then. I did however have the mother of all falls whilst descending Kentmere Pike which saw me skidding downhill fast over a grassy path that had become flattened and covered with mud. I did my best basking shark impression and ended up with a mouth full of sheep poo (no, I don't know why I didn't close my mouth, probably 'cos I was trying to breath and had a blocked nose), and coated from head to toe in mud that I'm sure posh ladies would pay a fortune for in selective salons. A kind passerby extricated a couple of bracken fronds that had become attached to the back of my head, but everyone else just laughed.
Roger, on the other hand, did a personal best in the race thereby overcoming all his psychological hangups about this particulair event. Previously, he had run it in the middle of winter when numerous contestants had to be rescued and one poor lass died. The other time was in blistering heat when everyone was lolling about in the stream before the race began and many ended up resigning or being rescued through dehydration or heat exhaustion.
Mmm, time for another Lemsip. I don't think falling into muddy hole during our training run last night did much for the cold. And it stank... A sheep had died in it and all that was left was the skeleton. If I had seen the skeleton on time I might have guessed that it was a very deep hole - instead of trying to leap over it and landing chest high in putrifying mud.
I wonder if you can catch any nasty diseases off dead sheep?
School's out
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Saturday, 14 July 07 - 11:28 AM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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Yee haa, summer holidays are here. Only problem is, somebody forgot to tell the sun (you know, the big yellow thing that hangs about in the sky, last seen in May).
My handy little wedding emailling list tells me that we only have 13 days left. I don't know why I don't click on the 'unsubscribe' button... It's a bit like the wobbly tooth thing, pleasurable pain... Wiggle away at the tooth, although it is ticklish sore, just for the tingle of it. Apologies to those of you who can't remember what losing teeth is like.
Roger is flying at the Fairford International Airshow today and I have taken the opportunity to do two loads of washing and a whole lot of school work in preparation for next term. The builders have put the ceiling onto the loft area and the rain is lashing down onto it. I really need to get out the house to do the shopping, but I am concerned that as soon as I go out, the ceiling will begin leaking and I shall return to a sodden house.
Tomorrow we are running the Kentmere Horseshoe, probably in the rain and wind. Well, at least it means I shan't be getting a running vest tan that will stand out oddly in 13 days time.
19 days left...
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Sunday, 08 July 07 - 08:07 PM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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The weekend started off as a bit of a muddle. After having seen all the parents I needed to see at school in a record time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, I managed to get home for just after 18h00 on Friday. Roger (for the first time since we had our kitchen fixed in 2005) had made some supper - lasagne and garlic bread, so we settled down to swallow it quickly so that I could be at the pick up point for the Harrier bus at 18h30.
Three and a half bites into my food, the phone rang. Steve B on the other end wondering where I was for the 18h15 pick up! So Roger rushed me off to Poachers (where Gordan and Mick had decided to have a pint while they all waited for me), and a fast farewell was said wishing Roger best for the Saunders Mountain Mararthon that he was about to set off for.
To cut a long story a little shorter, we all had a great time, despite the iffy beer at Robin Park. Many many pints were later had at Robin Hood in Billinge before setting off for home in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
John G was fab, driving around 15 livelybodies and he even dropped me home right on The Drive... Where I suddenly realised that I didn't have any house keys and Roger away till Sunday evening.
The lads and Eileen were nervous about leaving me, but I knew that my neighbours would be more than happy to look after me for the night, and, true to form, I stumbled into Stacey on her way back from fetching more wine to take to some other neighbours (by this time it must have been about 02h00). We ended up having even more beer before finally falling asleep, me in next doors loft, tired but happy.
The followiong morning I got up earlier than I wanted to so that I wouldn't miss my other neighbours, who I knew had a spare key to our house. Once home, I phoned Bob, who wasn't in, to ask him to give me a shout when he wanted to go motorbike shopping. Fortunately he never got the message, and I went back to sleep till 14h30, too scared to move my pounding head in case my brains exploded.
The rest of the weekend took on a more sensible and sober stance. I went over to Carol's at about 16h30 for a braai where I only drank Innocent Smoothies and felt positively puritanical watching the beer come and go in everyone elses glasses.
Later that evening when everyone decided to set off for a club in Preston, I retired home, to G.K. Chesteron's Father Ted and a mug of Green Tea.
As a result, I woke up feeling considerably better than I had the previous morning and set off on my bicycle to help Joe marshal the Run Preston road races. I met up with Bob who was marshalling the point next to mine, so we had a chance to catch up between directing traffic and cheering runners on.
It rained, of course. We have come to expect little else of the weather. But, later in the afternoon, by the time I had become resigned to being drenched and muddy in the garden, the sun did come out. Just enough to dry me out and make weeding and backfilling the trench in the front a more pleasant task.
Roger and Pete came back from the Lakes looking tanned and happy (it didn't rain there...) despite not having beaten Karen and Rowena (even though I did try gain them some advantage by breaking Karen's ribs a few weeks earlier)!
I think I might have finally caught up on all my lost sleep of the previous weeks with Saturday morning's mammoth lie in. Tomorrow is due to be less rainy and there might even be a spot of sun and I only have 5 more sleeps till school breaks up for the "summer".
23 more days...
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Tuesday, 03 July 07 - 10:19 PM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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Twenty three more days till the wedding and:
1) Roger is running off with another man this weekend - but that's okay, as it is in the Saunders Race with Pete, my team mate and able rower in the Gummers How Race. This also means I can have a night out with the boys and Eileen on Friday to watch Wigan Warriors in my first ever Rugby League game, and go shopping for motorbikes with Bob on Saturday...
2) I keep getting emails about what I should be doing to prepare my skin/hair/nails/teeth/shape for the big day, and all I am eating at the moment is bacon butties, crisps, jelly babies and meat (lots of, especially over thelast weekend) washed down with dangerours amounts of caffiene and not so dangerous amounts of bitter.
I don't feel stressed about any of this. The only thing I feel stressed about is a little lamb we saw on this evenings run. It was in a small paddock. When it saw us running past, it came up to the fence, so I stuck my hand through and it had a good lick. Then we noticed that its brother/sister/mum/dad, the only other occupier of the paddock, was lying dead in a corner. The little lamb then scampered over to it, gave it a nudge, and then came back to the fence where we stood, bleating pleadingingly all the while.
Malcolm and I ran to the nearest farm house to tell the farmer that the little lamb was lonely, cold and scared, but no one was in.
I know that I am prone to a little anthropomorphism, but I think even the lads felt a little sorry for the lamb - even though there was talk of things curried when Malcolm and I rejoined the group...
Oh yes, I almost forgot, I also feel stressed about the school reports that still have to be written and are due in tomorrow (but not really, as I wouldn't have forgotten).
Coniston
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Sunday, 01 July 07 - 09:22 PM (GMT) By Robyn Claire-Louise Anderson in General |
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Roger's work colleagues couldn't make it to Ambleside last weekend, so arranged instead to go camping in Coniston.
Dave managed to find a magnificent site at Coniston Hall that had a 'Private Group area', which meant that we could be out of sight and earshot of the very full (despite the dismal forecast) main campsite.
Paul W, Mark, Mike L, Jill, Carolyn, Dave along with Roger and I, met up for supper at The Sun Inn in Coniston. Everyone was pleased with what they had ordered and the bitter flowed easily. When poor Mark had to leave in order to be at Warton for a flight briefing the following morning, we decided to head back to the campsite, and set off for The Ship enroute and closer to our tents, where more beer was had before retiring for the night.
True to the weather report, the next morning never really dawned, but progressed from one grey state to another. Undaunted, we set off for the classic route up Wetherlam, across to Swirl How and summiting The Old Man before descending. This was never to be...
Soon after setting off, we met up with Paul T and Carol who joined our group. Soon we were all pretty wet, but not yet soaked through. Along the way, we met with a number of walkers who seemed to be heading in the opposite direction to us. The dismal weather inspired a jolly comaraderie between strangers and we cheerfully greeted fellow walkers with the sense of shared pain.
This shared pain never relly eased off and in fact grew more painful as we got wetter and colder the higher we walked. By the time we summitted Wetherlam, it had been decided to return to Coniston by descending Swirl How instead of summitting Old Man.
Soon we were all in The Black Bull sipping bitter (except for me trying to warm up, and gulping down rum and hot chocolate by the mugful). Mike B had joined us by this time - a noble effort coming all the way from Chorley on a miserable day. Mark too had made it back from work in Warton.
Mile L did a magnificent job shopping and catering for the braai (BBQ) later on Saturday night and had the foresight to bring along his garden gazebo, which saved us from getting very wet and miserable. While the weather continued to try and dampen our spirits, if not clothes and everything else we wore, we had a great time. The food was second to none, gourmet braaing at its finest accompanied by entertaining company and conversation.
Once all tucked away for the night, dreams were steered towards weddings, saving wildlife from domestic felines and flooding tents - inspired by the din of a torrential downfall.
On waking the next morning, we discovered from campers on the main site, that no one there had had a proper night's sleep, with children wailing that they were wet and car doors slamming in indignation at the poor show of summer. Where we were had been perfectly quiet (except for the rain of course).
After a strong cup of coffee, we all set off of for the lake so that Rog, Mike L and I could swim across its width and back, guided and guarded by Carolyn and Dave on their paddleski ( a good move that saved us from being run down by a motorboat and gondola).
On returning from the swim, we set about making a hearty brunch and decamping. We enjoyed a spell of actual sunshine for about 15 minutes, before we were again huddled under the gazebo shielding ourselves from the rain.
Whilst Rog and I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend (planning on making another visit and challenging everyone with a bi or triathlon consisting of a swim in Coniston, a run up Old Man and a cycle somewhere), I am sure that the lake was fuller when we left!
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