Ashes Hollow

When Briton actually gave way to a truly rare bit of sunshine earlier in the summer, a lads and boys camping trip was in order


Half way up Ashes Hollow


The rolling hills nearing the top

There is a glider station at the summit and many were out to play

Ashley sporting his rather fab optical instrument with a lens for each eye, for viewing distant objects


Not ANOTHER rest?


Rich skillfully building a bridge to find a Geocache at the top


Luke (AKA Runtus Minimus) on the precarious planks to the cache



Eew Max - "Who fell ohhhver... who fell ohhhver!"



Harry giving Max a sound beating with a large stick, much to their Dad's despair!

How to clean your child that has slipped over in the mud on his bum...
Big Rich styleee!!!
:0)


Once back at camp, it was Andy's pancake time...


Followed by a late night cheese and red wine sesh.


The red wine was courtesy of Mike, seen here proudly showing off the rather delicate bottle of Merlot he kindly blessed us with :]
He even served it to us in coffee mugs - Pure class


Today, I'm Most Angry About: Drivers who do not give enough room when passing cyclists and think it's OK to just squeeze past - GRRR
arseholes!!!
Grrr-O-Meter Rating: 8/10

Today's Top Tip: Motor Bikers and Sports Car Drivers: Remember to give two or three hearty blips of your throttle before switching your engine off, when stopping at the pub. This will kindly remind patrons on the patio that you master a beast, likely to burst into life at any moment, of its own volition!

"I Do"

This summer saw a trip to Weymouth to witness the lovely Kees and the Silver Fox tie the knot!

Great photo! [Shame I didn't take it:]
The wedding was very cool and took place in Portland Castle

Andy, Luke and some dapper geezer drinking manly pink champagne

I think I sit here? :)

The rest of the evening consisted of drinking far too much champagne, white wine and beer

***

The next day was spent site seeing


Chisel Beach

What trip to the seaside would be complete without a go on a pedlo?

A trip to Portland Bill was also in order.
A great little place and so scenic on a nice day.

Does anyone remember the old Portland Bill animation series?

Portland Bill lighthouse.

The lighthouse lens

Amazingly, the ever rotating lens floats on 3/4 of a ton of Mercury!!!

View from the top

It was also veteran's awareness week

I managed to capture this moving shot of a young boy reading the names on a WWI/WWII memorial.


Today, I'm Most Angry About: Being itchy all day!?!
Grrr-O-Meter Rating: 4/10

Today's Top Tip: Stained clothes? White wine dabbed onto a red wine stain will clean it up quickly. Similarly, fat splashes
on clothes can be easily removed by rubbing salad onto the affected area!

Over The Hill

Four of us electric bike aficionados (including one of Pink Floyd, almost*) took to the roads of Wales and cycled out to the coast with two full batteries each and very little else.


First port of call... The Tregaron pass


The last thing you want to see is a 25% hill!


One of the most unforgiving hills I've ever seen, but the descent down the other side was much more fun, although my disk breaks got so hot they actually started to warp and distort! Scary :[]

After the pass and hills, the country roads were just great

Pondering over directions.
We had many a direction dispute :0)

We passed many entertaining place names too like Ffffffffffffarmers


YAY!!! Our half-way stop and battery top-up point.


Erm Pete. I know you like biking, but come on now, give it a rest! :]


After 45 miles we finally reached the coast - New Quay.


We had quite a sense of achievement.
From left to right...
Phil - Bike: Ezee Forza
Nicola - Bike: Ezee Sprint
Pete - Bike: Ezee Cadence
Andy - Bike: Kalkhoff Agattu


We pulled up outside the first pub we came across.
It was like the Hell's Angels had arrived in town, except our bikes don't roar, they only quietly hum :]


On the way back we stumbled upon a rather impressive dam


The second most remote pub I've ever visited.
No one believed the 'Public House' logo on the map, but there it was AND it was open.


It would have been rude not to!
A swift half for me and tea for the others.


The final leg of the tour - one amazing, long and twisty downhill.
No batteries needed for this one.



After completing the 55 mile return journey home, we were all ready for a sit down, a drink and some good food.

[*Nicola is the cousin of one of Pink Floyd]

Today, I'm Most Angry About: Only getting 4 hours sleep, as I didn't fall asleep until 1am and then my darling of a neighbour woke me at 5:05am with his big bore exhaust! GRRRzzz

Top Tip: Save electricity by shortening the cables to all your household electrical appliances.
Also, never leave an empty socket switched on; you'll leak precious electricity into the air, costing a small fortune over time!

Volcanoes

Last month, a group of us decided to go on a lil' drive...
Well actually, a 12 hour 750 mile drive down the middle of France for a few days.

First port of call: the Euro Tunnel, to get us from England into France.

Look! A train you can drive into... a train you drive into!
How cool is that.

A slightly knackered looking me 20,000 leagues under the sea.

We then had a looooooong drive straight down the middle of France with very few navigational errors... remarkable!

We passed some interesting places along the way like the Somme, for any of you interested in World War 1 like me.
I was quite impressed anyhow :]

Eventually we reach the Auvergne region.

Our home for a week was a lovely traditional French town called La Bourboule.

The centre of La Bourboule.

The architecture was fab.


An old ornate bridge.


A little boulevard running up town.


All the buildings had so much character and history.
It was like looking at a movie set at times.


In an Abby Road stylee, my fab four companions! :]
Andy, Dave, John and Roy... NOT the Beatles


THIS, my friends, is the municipal campsite's toilets!
They were something to be desired, shall we say.
It took a bit of getting used to using these 'squatters' or 'stoopers'!!!


On the subject of none-desirable things, a few menu items raised an eye brow or two, like this tripe and chips! Mmm yummy.

One evening we spotted a fish restaurant, so went in and gave it a go, only to discover there wasn't much fish on the menu... The sign outside said "piscine" meaning swimming pool and not fish at all!


I found this hound at a cafe.
Could this dog look anymore French? :0)


First expedition was to see this local waterfall.


You could even walk behind it
...and there's only one thing to do on a warm day of course...

Now that was refreshing!
It felt like I was being beaten with cold stones, but it cooled me off :]


At the top of the falls, we looked over the next days adventure.


***

On the way back down from the falls we spotted a dry luge run, so we just had to give it a go.



Come with me on a virtual luge run!


Later on in town we spotted this most amusing 'Fanny Feeling' sign on a shop window!
Now what service were they offering here exactly?
Yes, I did enquired about any job vacancies :]


***


So the next day was to ascend France's highest mountain
(that's not part of the Alps)
The Puy de Sancy


The last snow-capped slog up to the 6,188 feet peak!


Once I got my breath back, the view was stunning


Our walk started out from the car at point A.
Some of us (not me) got a cable car up to the peak [see blue line] while others walked up.
We then followed a track along many other peaks and eventually back into town at point B, where some of us (not me) went to the bar instead leaving me and Andy to walk several miles back up to the car. Pffft :0]


***


The next day was out and about and looking for some of the old volcanoes

A few morning press-ups :]

Looking into the first volcano we found.
Currently inactive, but still worrying!



Andy's panorama clip from inside the volcano!!!


When we sat to eat lunch, a rather bright green spider was spotted climbing onto our bags.
I have no idea whether it's dangerous, but I stayed well clear :[]


Our second volcano to ascend

Looking out into another old volcano


A little lizard


The area's largest volcano, the Puy de Dome


Storms started to build quickly so we headed back to the car... Just in time too, as one of the most violent thunderstorms I've ever witnessed erupted soon after.


The last day was spent sight seeing some more local villages.


Driving back was a long haul and we drove between two storms and some evil looking clouds.


Fin


Today, I'm Most Angry About: Hayfever Grrr *snuffle*
Grrr-O-Meter Rating: 6.7/10

Today's Top Tip: Daily Mail editors: Underline important words in your headlines just to make sure that your readers are clear about what it is you want them to think!!!