Awesome Adventure 2016: Leeds and Ardeche

Not only was Will's cricket cancelled on Monday but also on Wednesday, due to rain. He was quite disappointed after being picked for the 6-a-side team and then not being able to play. John and I continued our walk, to the highest point before the coast. On Thursday, we went across to Leeds. I wandered around Trinity Shopping Centre and John went to a military museum (the highlight being a full suit of armour for an elephant). We are now trying to fit in a last few visits to surrounding towns before leaving the UK in 3 weeks time.

I had a wonderful catch up with Katie for coffee at Sheriff Hutton on Friday morning, John had a hair cut around lunchtime, then we went to the Headmaster's Year 7 parent's drinks on Friday night. I took Sophie and Will home before 9 pm and John stayed on for a chat. On Saturday, I did a bolt down to Monk's Cross to pick up some last excursion supplies for Sophie - an extra pair of shorts, sunscreen lip balm, a strap to tie up her camping mat, etc... While I was away, approx. 2000 cyclists came through the village, right past our house to a lunch stop on their way from Wetherby to Filey. The road is normally very quiet with a couple of dozen cars and a few horses going past each day - so, 2000 cyclists was a huge event. We then went to Vanessa's for a fantastic dinner. She invited two other families who are 'part Australian', so there was plenty to chat about. Sophie and Will had a great time playing with the other kids.

We arrived home around 11pm and set the alarm for 4.30am to get Sophie to school by 5am for her Ardeche excursion! She hasn't had much sleep - and with all of the excitement, I'm not sure that she will sleep much on the bus or plane. Living so far north, it is daylight from about 4am at this time of year. We saw the sun rising over the tennis courts up at school this morning. I came home for a few hours doze. Sophie was a little nervous about the trip a few days ago but this morning was very happy and excited about going to France and leaving us behind! Will and I picked up Seth from the boarding house late morning and I took the boys down to Energi (trampoline park) for Alexander and Zac's combined birthday party. We then had Seth over for the afternoon before the boarders came back from their Sunday excursion.

With Sophie on the Ardeche excursion and Will wanting to board this week, we are planning a trip down to stay with Jackie and Tony - and into London. Nerida and I have lunch planned for Tuesday in London. We will come back mid week to see how Will is going!