Clare's visit

Longniddry Beach

Afternoon tea at the Dome

 

Scarborough

On the second day of our York trip we took the train out to Scarborough for a day by the sea. The train station is at the top of the hill so there views on the way down over the bay were lovely.

After a quick fish and chip lunch (at the beach you have to), we hit the beach.

Hiding from the sun

We took it in turns taking the kids to the sea which was quite some distance away. The kids had great fun splashing in the sea and made me wish I had brought my swim suit. On the way back to the tent, we found some jelly fish on the beach, so decided to the stay on the beach after that. So the kids buried each other and then Clare. So good time had by all.

We had an early dinner on the train and then the kids were ready for bed when we got back. We had more S'mores while watching a film. Best way to spend an evening.

On the Monday morning, Clare and I both had trains at midday so we all went for a really good (and large) breakfast before Matt, El and the kids headed to the transport and Science Museum to wear them out before going home. My train was amazingly on time and not packed. So lovely weekend all round.

York

In August I meet up with Clare, Matt El and the kids in York. Clare and I spent Friday night at a lovely B&B, catching up over a bottle of wine before the meet up with the others on Saturday morning. The weather was gorgeous so we wondered around York a bit, got some lunch and found the York Gardens to have a picnic.

York Cathedral

View for our picnic.

In the gardens, they had a couple of birds of prey on display which you could hold briefly for a few pounds. I held the giant European Owl and Livvy held the little Digger owl. I think she picked the right one. The European owl was quite heavy.

European owl (looking quite small here)

In the gardens, there is the York museum which had a dinosaur trail so we spent the rest of the afternoon in there.

Livvy practicing her spelling.

Getting the trail info

Something Roman

Matt playing dress-up

Little dragon attaching daddy dragon

Sword

Dino

We dared Matt.

Real dino bones

 After getting our luggage, we headed to the AirBnB on the outskirts of the city. We spent the rest of the night chilling and making the most swamping S'mores. 

Lauriston Castle

Clare's flight back to London wasn't until about 6 that evening so after a lazy morning we drove over to Lauriston Castle which is on the airport side of Edinburgh. You can't actually go into the castle but the grounds are lovely. They are small but worth a walk around and there is a very nice tea shop (with cake!).

Nice little country house.

View from the bottom of the garden over the forth of firth.

The sun came out. Finally!

Cake

Cake with a view

They have a small japanese garden which is very peaceful. Though it was a Monday which helped.

On the Japanese pond bridge

Beautiful maple

 we spend a few hours wondering and enjoying cake before I had to drop Clare off at the airport. :( Looking forward to her next trip.