Weekend at my brothers. We headed off at 16:00 and had a good journey up the M1 and got there before 20:00.
On Saturday the weather was showers and grey skies, we pottered about the house, had some lunch then headed off to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) to have a look at the latest exhibition. On the way there we stopped at Go Outdoors where a purchased a couple of tops to replace the one I lost walking to work.
The YSP was good as usual, I can’t remeber the artists name but heads of various sorts figured a lot, mapny of them made fro welded characters. There was one room with some very big gongs to bash, we felt like the man off the rank signature clip. The weather held out for the rest of the after noon. We had pizzas for tea.
Sunday weather was worse, we went for a swim then had lunch, follwed by a quick walk. Helen and I headed off at 16:30 and got back in good time despite the traffic. We saw a couple park their 4×4 on the two lane contraflow to let their kid have a pee!
We got back in time for a pint and something to eat at the pub that is set up in Buckland Village Hall every year on the may bank holiday. We sat with the Reverend and other church goers who had popped in after even-song.
Flooded footpathOff to Holmfirth for the weekend. The M1 was unexpectedly kind and it only took us 3 hours, in spite of wild winds and rain. The roadworks near Nottingham are now complete and the extra lane makes a big difference. I tested out my netbook and dongle, and that whiled away the journey very nicely, although I should apologise for the excessive number of Facebook comments. Neil was able to enjoy the news quiz and the Archers in relative peace. Lots of warning signs about the high winds and the Sheffield bridge stretch was restricted to 40mph. Got up Norf at 7.30pm and K cooked some lovely tomato n spinach pasta.
The “interesting” weather continued on Saturday. The smalls went to drama and afterwards the menfolk went hunter gathering in Holmfirth. In the afternoon we braved the weather and went for a walk on the Dearne Valley Way. It rained and rained but it was a lovely spot, with towering beech trees. To reach the woods, we had to traverse a set of what were normally stone steps but the continual rain had turned into a small waterfall. The woods were a popular spot for the birds, we saw several treecreepers and a nuthatch. Many of the sloping paths had temporarily turned into streams. We had hoped to cross the river to get to an impressive rope swing, however the stepping stones had disappeared under the deluge and we could not find a safe place to ford it, although the smalls took some convincing. Swollen riverBack home to de damp and hot drinks all round. Then we watched Toy Story 3 in front of the fire. K had cannily prepared chilli in the morning and left it slow cook. With wraps, home made salsa and guacamole, grated cheese and sour cream, it made a delicious dinner. Followed by some lovely Co-op yogurt and strawberry ice cream. When the smalls went off to bed, we tried out Rummikub, a number game which seems to be based on cards and enjoyed several rounds. Us wimmin stayed up to put the world to rights, although I am glad I said no to the slow gin.
Still very windy on Sunday although thankfully the rain had stopped. We did some cottage research for Bath, for a rather delayed birthday celebration. It will be lovely to do it in the Spring, with the lighter days and plants waking up again. We have found a fantastic looking house in central Bath, which fulfills our detailed requirements list and even has a couple of parking spaces! We had an early lunch of beans/cheese on toast and then headed off down the M1, which is where I am currently typing this. 16 miles to Northampton so have passed the half way point.
