Eight Months Later

It's been a long eight months since Ric and I crashed a scooter and mangled his leg up in India, but I'm pleased to announce that after two operations on two different continents, three months of bed rest and five months of physiotherapy Ric Stopher is officially mended!

We tested his newly repaired tendons out last week with a 12 mile hike in the lake district in torrential rain and Ric proved that his fitness levels are far superior to mine even after his injury by dragging me up and down various hills for almost six hours!

We're incredibly lucky to be able to finish off our trip more or less where we left off and are looking forward to flying out to Thailand in just under two weeks. I've been planning our return trip to Thailand since we went there two Christmases ago as I absolutely loved it. Inspired by our trip to the lakes, we've bought a tent to take with us in the hope of doing some camping on a remote Thai island.

In the meantime I'm enjoying the British summer in Huddersfield and spending time with my lovely little nephew.

Lake Windermere

Camping at Low Wray campsite, Ambleside

View over Windermere from our rainy hike.

Nice spot for a picnic in the sun, Marsden, Huddersfield

"Hello I'm Jake and I love mud!"

A Proper British Day Out to Southport

The beach at Southport, considering it is a seaside resort, is probably the town's least attractive feature.

Today, Ric and I went on a proper British summer day out. We got up early, packed our picnic in our cool-bag, and got the train to the seaside.

Now don't get me wrong, I have been to Southport before, I did not expect white sandy beaches, nor did I expect to see the sea, but still I managed to be slightly appalled at the state of the beach. After the considerable walk from the train station to the beach, we finally sat down and unpacked out chicken butties, sausage rolls and pork pies - just like I used to with my grandparents when I was younger. The food was nice in spite of the group of teenage boys that decided to play rugby right over our heads, the stale fishy smell that came off the sand, and the smoking, drinking, swearing pregnant Mum's parading up and down the sea front. It wasn't quite  the way I remembered it as a child.

Enjoying my picnic

The Gardens

Abandoning our plans for a chilled day on the beach we walked out to the sea (yes, it is possible), got an ice cream, and went to the gardens just behind the beach. The gardens are much nicer. A big pond, well-kept lawns, lots of greenery and places to sit - it was no wonder all the pensioners had set up camp on the grass instead of on the beach - there was even a Tom Jones tribute playing in a nearby fish and chip shop!

We did all the standard 'Day at the Beach' activities: fish and chips, arcades, souvenir shops - and had a very lovely day. Even Southport town centre is pleasant to walk around - its quaint and has a good range of shops.

 Proof that there is sea at Southport

To top off the British summer day out we even got sunburnt, even though I took suncream in my handbag! I don't know what it is about English people in the sun, as soon as it comes out we're out lapping it up, but we never take care of our skin the way we would abroad. So now I look like an over-cooked gammon.