Good Friday 2009

Most years we try to do the traditional walk up Rivington Pike on Good Friday. In 2005, Hayley and I completed the hike, even though Hayley was 5 months pregnant with Oliver. Last year's trip started and ended well but had a stressful middle section.

This year, with Lucy big enough to need the carrier, but with little chance that Oliver would happily walk the whole way, we decided that only Oliver and I would go. Lucy and Hayley stayed home for the last morning with Hayley's sister before she headed back down south.

The Good Friday walk is an important trip for me, not just because it is a tradition from my own youth, but because I got my love of outdoor pursuits from trips as a boy in the cubs, scouts or just with my family into the countryside. The chance to bond with my son like this, even so young, might perhaps give him a taste for the same.

Once parked up at the nearest car park to the summit, I carried the little man on my shoulders for the first few hundred yards, then when we reached a fork in the path he (not I) chose the steeper option, got down from my shoulders and proceeded to run as much as possible. I filmed this short clip on that section. (It gets interrupted by a dog at one point, hence the chaotic shots after you hear Oliver scream and I pick him up for a few paces).



Once back on the flat, I carried him again (filming another conversation along the way).

When we approached the final climb, once again the little man opted for his own steam and climbed all the steps up to the summit. I then filmed him touching all four sides, which is said to bring luck for the coming 12 months (not that you need to believe such superstitions to make them fun to do).



On the way down I bought him candy floss from one of the mobile retailers who were there for today's annual fair. A new experience for him, he had great fun with it once back in the car.



All in all a great morning. Despite worrying weather forecasts it was even perfect walking weather.

Looking at the little man as I took this picture of him leaning against the Pike, what I saw was my little boy growing up quickly. And how I felt was more than a little proud.



I'm already looking forward to next year when I hope all four of us might make it to the top.

Easter round-up

Good Friday



We opted for the traditional walk up Rivington Pike. The skies were blue and although it was cold we were well wrapped up.



Unfortunately the wind was strong once we were near the top and both children's attitude turned from cheery contentment to tears by the time we reached the summit. However, Oliver was somewhat appeased by me taking him to my friend Paul's house where he got to play on a large, electric ride-on Thomas the Tank Engine.



Saturday
We went to my Mum's annual Easter Egg hunt. The weather was still cold and now raining/snowing, so we were relieved when she had put a good number of the clues inside the house, specifically for Oliver and Lucy so they wouldn't have to go outside.

Lucy took the opportunity to improve her piano playing, while Oliver had anyone who would be lead by the hand join him at the "'puter" to play games on the Thomas and Friends website.

I also spent a fairly fruitless hour up at my sister's house trying to get a USB-wireless key to see a wireless router 3 feet away from it instead of the next door neighbour's router.

Easter Sunday
Hayley and I managed to go to see Man Utd vs Liverpool at Old Trafford (3-0 to Utd for the record). It was nice to finally get to a game and have some time to ourselves without the kids. We don't get much, but when we do it reminds us of who we were when we met and who we still are given half the chance!


Easter Monday
I took Lucy for a walk in the afternoon to try to get her to have an afternoon nap and to get me some fresh air. It was a sunny, clear, crisp and cold day. But by the time she had fallen asleep and I was at my furthest point from home, the clouds raced
in and it snowed on us, quite heavily. She was well wrapped up and under a rain cover so your truly was the only one with snow in his hair. Then it was off to another Easter Egg hunt, this time at the house of Oliver's friend Cara. Good fun. And rather nice Quorn sausage rolls too!

And that was it. Nothing spectacular but good fun nonetheless.