Down hill from here

 The day couldn't have got off to a better start

 with a quick ascent of the bonsai mountain

 in perfect conditions with the most boisterous of clan members

 with time taken to take arty farty shots.

 But once paid work intervened a phone call alerted me to the fact that Ruby had left my beautiful and oh so patient wife down and both were stranded in a lay by far far away.

 Mounting my trusty charger, or rather getting into my knackered old Disco I set off to rescue my damsel in distress and having ascertained that Ruby had in fact died yours truly set about second breakfast provided by a very handy mobile food emporium

and awaited a recovery vehicle to take Ruby to the menders. As of now the menders have not been able to stop laughing long enough to tell me how much Ruby needs to put her right.

The luck of country life`

 Severe weather over the last 24 hours was magically replaced by a fantastic clear spell

 which meant that this mornings patrol with the clan was glorious.

 So good in fact that we spent a while just sitting and thinking how lucky we were

 and talking of luck yours truly and Gerry had a close encounter with some local flora that lost its grip on the planet in the wind.

 Gerry being built like a tank brushed off the trees attempt to cadge a lift

 and after changing his shorts yours truly was able to see the one day looking back this will be funny side.

In the meantime it presented a fab photo opportunity.

They grow in their sleep

 Heres Noel

and brother Sven.
Growing!

Summit special

 With cycling taking the precedent over everything the chances for taking the clan around or over the Bonsai Mountain are reduced slightly but this morning after last nights 24 mile night ride yours truly took a leg stretcher up the hill to find strangers had moved in.

 There on the summit awaiting bad weather (see snow above) was a teepee.

 Not that this concerned the clan who were busy making their own fun and games, but yours truly decided that a chat with out new no matter how temporary neighbours was in order and after working out the complexities of knocking on the front door of a tent

 had a very worthwhile chat with the three inhabitants plus spaniel who were from Cardiff University and thought it was a good idea to camp in my back yard.

 Well given the views I tend to agree so we chatted some more and they spoke of leaving their car in a lane next to a farm in the dark somewhere over there, middle of top pic abouts and asked how to get to it. Ever helpful I explained the direct and scenic route, the latter taking in the ridge to the right and descending to the car via dark green tree line almost centre.

This was almost due east. So later on that morning as I headed to work, due west and passed a parked car in our lane blocking the militias gate I put two and two together and managed to work out that they were not only cold but confused when we spoke.

Happy Mother's Day

 After a mighty breakfast of "casseroles" as the two youngest bipeds at Rock HQ insisted on calling the croissants they helped craft (although the one in rug rat MkII's jam smeared mit is distinctly un crescent shaped) we headed off to the beach

 as the weather forecast was only for light snow flurries which makes ideal picnic weather!

 The apprentice came over all Sherpa Tensing and headed off the near vertical slope of the worlds biggest sand dune.

 Closely followed by his little brother and intrepid mother.

 Rocky decided to join in and watched with interest as the rest

 were less than successful at gaining sufficient altitude.

 But as Berner he has bags of patience and waited

 and raced up and down just because he could. The apprentice eventually reached the top and as is required by law rolled to the bottom.

 Down at sea level the pleasures of spring day picnics were apparent to all, here we conserve body heart whilst sharing pringles.

 One of us is very handsome in this selfie.

 After a long trek through the dunes we made it back to Ruby before hypothermia took hold and revived ourselves with fish and chips. In all a brilliant trip and a very happy mother at the end of it.

So happy in fact that she didn't raise an eyebrow when I set off on another 25 mile night ride once the smalls were safely tucked up in bed.

Get ready!

Here are two very excited little boys ready to surprise their mother on Mothers Day. Did I mention it was 06.17 am?

Thats a big one!

Reuben our monster sized Berner next to Mr Bear a normal sized one. Bot lounging around on my new floors!

No brakes

I rode my old racer yesterday as my newer one was elsewhere to yours truly and the consequence of its long lay off was to try and kill its pilot at the first junction. As I enthusiastically tugged the brake levers to apprehend forward motion the bike had other ideas leading to a very close encounter with a lorry load of tarmac. As it did not kill me the bike then sulked and refused to change gear which made for a tough ride considering the local terrain.