Half term on the North Wales coast.

Skiing!

Claire tried ski school, but wasn’t feeling well, so had gondola rides and sliding with daddy.

Jess went to ski school and learned to snowplough with style.

Parents managed a good number of mornings off piste, a day touring and lots of afternoon messing around on blues.

Grandparents did some (or a lot) of walking in the snow.

Mummy was let out for a weekend and got lucky with the weather. Saturday morning run to Llyn Idwal, exploring an old slate mine, and a fantastic Sunday on the Carneddau horseshoe. First visit to Eryri for absolutely ages – shouldn’t leave it so long next time.

After the unexpected adventures of our previous weekend trip to the Lakes, we risked another one to attend the CUHWC 35th anniversary dinner and associated fun at Derwentwater Independent Hostel. Having organised the 25th anniversary event, we now very much enjoy turning up with no event-related responsibilities, and catching up with friends of all club generations. And it’s always interesting to watch the older generations of dufflings and wonder how much of a glimpse we’re getting into our future…

Despite ill kids, it was a good weekend with Borrowdale at its damp February best. Although Jess had fun walking up Castle Crag, table tennis was the biggest hit. Meanwhile Dave and Jo enjoyed staying up till 2.30am drinking whisky!

The New Year in Ballachulish. Involving a trip to the sea side, some runs, a few Munros, a couple of unexpected climbs, and family trips up Ben Lora and round Glencoe Lochan. Though the ground was very wet, the weather was often better than forecast and we pooled childcare resources with our friends to make the most of it!

Christmas in Bearsden, including a train trip into Glasgow, walking up Conic Hill on a glorious day, and a visit to the Riverside (Transport) museum on a day when it didn’t stop raining.

A weekend (back in November) where we stayed with friends, did a buggy run, had a very snowy walk, were given an amazing hospitality experience in Ambleside and eventually escaped the snow 20 hours later than expected.

We got stuck in traffic near Ambleside and managed the abandon car in Ambleside itself, then were given tea and bubbles by uni students, then plentiful food, blankets and more tea at the parish centre.

We slept in the church, with the luxury of heated floors, kneelers, duvets and a single sleeping bag and camp bed.

Thee next morning, breakfast and pastries were provided, before we heard the road was passable and we made our slow exit from the Lakes.

Well, as good as. Last few days in Brittany back on the coast near Plouescat.

We moved inland to Gouarec for the second leg of our Brittany trip. Situated on a canal, river and intersection of several cycling routes, it was ideal for self-powered exploration.

Starting, naturally, in Devon, followed by a overnight ferry to Roscoff and a few days pootling around the north coast beaches.