Family, Photography and other misc news
Family related posts; generally only of interest to fellow members of the Brown Clan and relations by Marriage into this mad house.
Very little has happened this month compared to the excitement of the last few months. We have been getting back into the swing of work, Caroline has been horse riding but due to the weather Richard has not managed to go flying this month.
We did manage a quick day trip to Whitby and a couple of days at Southwold at the very end of last month but nothing this month except a few photo opportunities around town in our lunch hour and enjoying the last of the good weather.
Caroline’s horse riding is progressing well, as is Richard’s flying but the main event for this month was a holiday to Slovenia.
Alan’s dropped us off at the airport and we caught the little Embraer ERJ-145 a small regional jet. We took off from East Midlands and landed a little later at Llubjana the capital of Slovenia. From here we took the coach which went via lake Bled to our hotel on the shore of lake Bohinj in the middle of the national park.
We were booked into the lovely hotel Zkatorog. One week of rest and relaxation, nothing to do but enjoy the scenery, go for walks round the lake and enjoy the local food and wine. We arrived just in time for the evening meal, and after that it was time for an early night in preparation for our first full day.
Breakfast was great, I skipped the fresh pancakes but did have the cooked meats and fresh breads and fruit. We certainly would not be needing lunch anytime soon! After breakfast we had a meeting with the local holiday rep and they showed us what was in the area and the trips that were available. We decided to book there and then on the wine trip and also the cave and boat trip.
After booking our trips we decided we would take a trip to the source of the lake, the waterfall Slap Sabica. We started with a gentle walk round the east of the lake until we came to the small wooden bridge, which took us over the small river which was fed from the waterfall, then we followed the river up to the base of the mountain. After a short while we came to another bridge and to a road and small car park. The road ended here. One road into the area, where it finished here at the foot of the mountain. What followed was a steep climb, until we came to a small observation hut. From here we could view the waterfall, tumbling down the mountain to fill a small pool which then became the river we had followed up from the lake.
We had been continually surprised at the river and the lake. The water was so clear and you could see very large fish, wherever we went in the week, we found clear rivers and no litter. A gentle walk back and we retired back to the hotel to rest and laze around for the rest of the day.
The next day we decided we would walk the north shore of the lake to the village. Breakfast was the same varied selection and this time I did indulge and had the chef make me some fresh crepes. Fully fueled up we started our walk.
The views round the lake were spectacular, but one view we had not expected as we rounded the first corner of lake was a couple of large naked german men, swimming in the lake! They and there party on the shore looked like they were having fun. For us it looked far to cold in the water to swim, though we did indulge later in the heated pool of the hotel.
Along this part of the lake they were the only people we met. At least we had not met the bears, snakes or wolfs that still live in Slovenia! Once we had reached the 3/4 mark we joined a proper footpath and started to meet more people on the route, but no litter which was pleasing.
As we reached the far end of the lake we spotted some brave souls jumping off the top of the ridge above us, luckly they had parachutes. As we approached the village we spotted the landing area. We stopped for a while and watched brave or foolish men jump from the top of the ridge and parachute down to the spot before us. We then wondered into the village and had a bite to eat and drink.
After a fine lunch and cold beer we decided to catch the boat back to the other side of the lake. We were surprised to discover that the boat was electric. Only electric or hand rowed boats are allowed on the lake.
On the remaining days were walked the south lake route, visited the top of mount Vogel, visited the wine region and went into some caves. All in all a wonderful holiday.
For more pictures check out our Slovenia Gallery
This month was birthdays, holidays, flying and horse riding. First was Hannah’s Birthday.
A trip to Chesterfield in the new car, and we took the tent and camped in the back garden.
This was also the month when we both got to indulge in our hobbies, Caroline progressed with her horse riding and started jumping, memories of ‘Only fools on Horses’ come to mind. Richard got in more solo time and ventured away from the airport on his own for the first time.
Lastly we booked a holiday to Slovenia.
Work was very busy, but we still managed to fit in a few new things. First was a visit to Brandy Wharf. Not much to look at but a great little pub. Sells lots and lots of different types of cider and if you have a meal you must try the sausages, they’re very very good. With the weather being so hot we had a bike trip to the coast and made the most of the garden.
The main events of this month was that Caroline finally started horse riding. She had been saying for the last few years that she was going to start, hopefully there will be some news and pictures appearing soon.
Lastly we finally bought a new car. The old Polo 
that Caroline had from new was now 13 years old, so we finally said goodbye to it and bought a shiny two and half year old Skoda (no jokes), a nice little Fabia Estate.
I finally started to get over a series of colds this month. We had also booked a day off work. We went off for a Yoga course. The yoga course was based on animal forms and as before it was a great day.
Later in the month we started to get worried about nan. She had got a cold and had stopped eating. Nan was very much a lady who did what she wanted and she told the doctor in no uncertain terms that she was not going to hospital.
The Friday before we were due to go on holiday we got the news that she was very ill. The Saturday, and the first day of our holiday in Wales we got the sad news. Nan had been admitted to hospital and had died that morning. We headed back that Monday helped my mother sort out the details.
Thanks to all the family and friends who helped and came to the funeral.
The BMF show had seemed so far away and we had done no planning at all, but suddenly it was Friday and the start of the BMF camping weekend. We had booked for the whole weekend and so the morning was spent having a final sort and check, getting all the camping gear together and strapping it all to the bikes.
First off was the Deauville (Honda NT650V), top box and panniers for Caroline and the airbed, and the sleeping bags strapped to the pillion seat, not forgetting the camping stove and fuel also in the left hand pannier.
Then we loaded up the ‘S’ (BMW R1100S), panniers with Richard’s stuff and cooking pots, miscellaneous camping bits, and lastly the tent strapped to the pillion seat.
After a practice load, we then wrapped everything in carrier bags and bin liners and strapped it all down. All that was left was the tank bags which would hold waterproofs, spare gloves and of course the radios. We had bike to bike radios to help us out. Always nice to have a natter while you ride.
It was now time for the off, a gentle ride down the A15, stopping at a tea shop in Folkingham.
As we pulled into Folkingham it had just started to rain, so we were glad to stop for a very nice late lunch. While finishing our lunch the rain clouds blew away and we carried on to Peterborough in the dry, once there it was just a matter of following the signs to the BMF show. That at least was the theory, we missed the first turn but still managed to get there in the end.
We soon found a good spot on the campsite, unloaded the bikes and setup the tent. We were then ready for the evenings entertainment.
As usual there was stalls for food, a large marque for the bands and a bar. The bar was a bit disappointing, only your common beer and lager – nothing interesting. There used to be a large bar with loads of different beers, this was something they should re-introduce. Also there was no bonfire this year. The fair proved popular despite the showers of rain. After Beer, Bands and Pasties it was time for bed.
Come morning and a camp fire breakfast, its was time for the show proper. High on the list was the Honda, Moto-guzzi, and Triumph stands. The Pan European still did not fit Richard much better then the old one but the new Deauville was nice, but he feels that he has out grown it. Too much weight and not enough power.
Both of us have had soft spots for Moto-guzzi’s for many years and ever since Caroline saw the Moto-guzzi Breva 750 at the NEC show she has wanted one. Richard prefers the 1100cc Breva but both are good looking bikes.
The Triumph ST was also a good looking bike with the three under seat exhausts but the Rocket was simply stunning! They also had a Rocket trike!
The entertainment was great, but the highlights were the short track racing and the stunt team, see below!
Tuesday was Caroline’s birthday, this month was also Robert’s, Angela and Martin’s birthdays, and it had just been Alan’s. On the Sunday before Caroline’s birthday we headed off to Angela’s place and had a party!
Saturday was Nan’s 90th Birthday. There were 5 generations present. Two of Nan’s daughters, Three Grandchildren, One Great Grandchild and One Great, Great Grandchild.
A lovely evening was had and some had travelled hundreds of miles to be there.
Thanks to everyone and the staff of the Nursing Home for making it a great occasion.
Update – 02/01/2007
This was the last birthday that nan saw, she died shortly after.
A whole week booked off but where to go. A favorite place for us is Whitby. This time we decided to stay in a little village called Hutton-le-Hole, we had stayed there before in a lovely Bed and Breakfast called Burnley House.
Off we set on Sunday morning. Normally I drag Caroline via every B road going, taking all day to get to our destination, but the car is getting a little elderly now. Caroline bought a VW Polo from new, over ten years ago, and its given her reliable service for all those years. This last two years we have broken down three times and we are going to have to face facts that we will have to go car shopping.
We left via Durham bridge, paying our 25 pence toll and headed for the A1. Straight up the A1 then we swung right onto the Thirsk to Scarborough Road. The difficulty was Sutton bank. It was a slow climb up the escarpment in first gear but we made it! Once we had got to the top we stopped at the National Trust Visitors centre for soup and coffee. Excellent soup! The entrance hall contains a rather interesting wood sculpture as can be seen here:
Arriving at Hutton-le-Hole we were welcomed at Burnley House by Caroline the owner. She made us feel welcome with tea, coffee and two slices of victoria sponge. We rested in our room then went to the local village pub for an evening meal.
For our first full day in North Yorkshire we decided to have a short walk through through the village taking pictures of the church and village centre, giving our new digital compact a good try out.
We then headed off to Whitby and took some photographs before visiting our favorite coffee shop, Mulberrys. As we had both had a huge cooked breakfast at Burnley House I thought I would just order a latte with cinnnamon, and some olives and bread. I was somewhat surprised when a huge plate of different breads and an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip arrived, with the coffee and olives. This was far more then I expected for the price.
After this wonderful meal, we wondered around Whitby some more. If you are ever in Whitby on the north side. Head on up to the Whitby Sutcliffe Gallery. He was a photographer at the turn of the century who took some wonderful shots of the people and the local area. I went around Whitby taking lots of shots and as you can see here I have tried to replicate one of his photographs. Yes I am sad, I took an Apple G4 12″ Powerbook to do some digital darkroom work in the evenings!
That evening the local pup was closed so we headed out to the next village Lastingham and their local pub the Blacksmiths Arms, very good food and good ale. We might be heading back that way on the bikes as they also do accommodation, looks good for a weekend break.
Tuesday saw us getting ready for our first walk of the holiday. A short circular walk based at Hutton-le-Hole and with the half way point at Lastingham.
The weather was fine and a gentle but cold wind was whisking the clouds over, causing the light to change moment by moment. One moment clear blue skies and bright sunlight, then overcast and dull. There has been a fair bit of rain during the night so we made sure we were ready for all the weather cold throw at us. Together with walking poles and gaiters we would easily cope with anything we might meet.
We left the car park of the bed and breakfast and headed past the road. We passed the lovely church and then turned right to start the walk proper. Through the fields over a small bridge and then into the trees, we went up and down until we emerged from trees beside the road to Lastingham. We followed this for a short distance then turned off into the moors. Once again, up and down we went, at one point we had a small stream we had to ford, walking poles defiantly help in this type of situation.
Eventually we came to the sign on the moors for Lastinghamwe turned and went down hill into the village. Here we took a break, visited the church and crypt before heading out over the fields to make our way back to Hutton-le-Hole. All in all a wonderful walk.
Well we will not bore you any more, suffice to to say we enjoyed the holiday immensely, visited lots of lovely villages in the area, walked part of the Cleveland Way and had many fine meals in local pubs.
Mum Brown’s birthday went well and we went out for an Indian meal in
her local town. Â Yummy.