Jam Packed

Those that follow my Instagram will know (cheers Jamie)

Half term week proved mighty fine on the adventure front. It's always nice being away from work. Each day was filled with fun!

Moo, Doo, Spoon and SJ

The week started with a short run followed by a scramble with the wife and kids to get to the airport. We flew from Birmingham to Edinburgh for some Scottish adventure. The flight only took about an hour before we reached our destination.

Edinburgh was really pretty and it was lovely to show our kids this city. Despite the many steps and the Royal Mile being over distance, everything was easy to get to. I'd be happy to visit again.

Each morning in Scotland, we would start our day with a pool swim before we went in search of breakfast. The kids became acquainted to Irn Bru on our first breakfast and loved this orange nectar. This liquid provided ample energy to look around the beautiful Edinburgh Castle.

Later, same day, we went to visit a nearby museum. This was really impressive and was free to enter. The museum contained loads of weird and wonderful things and had like 7 floors to explore.

Each evening in Scotland, we would go out scouting for somewhere nice to eat. We found this lovely Vietnamese restaurant, which was so nice, we visited 2 nights in a row! Great sights, great food, great fun!

Whilst in Scotland, we also visited the Royal Yacht Britannia. This was dubbed as the UK's best attraction. I thought the free museum was much better to be honest and this visit to the 'Queens boat' cost us £50 just in entry fee's. 

It was interesting to see how small the Queens bed was and how compact all the soldiers and crew would have been - triple bunks in some cases. I think the Royal's must love their alcohol - there was a lot of bars on this vessel. Felt quite posh eating scones in the tea room.

Really enjoyed my mini break in Scotland with my family. Already looking forward to the next family adventure - whatever that may be. Despite the Scottish adventure coming to an end, my adventuring continued. On the same day we arrived back home, I decided to go for a solo wild camp in the Uppy-Downey woods.

Despite this being a solo camp, I had a lot of visitors. My visitors included several bats, deer, a phantom, a strange unidentified dog looking thing, and various birds. This was a relatively sleepless night in the Uppy-Downey woods. On my cycle home in the morning, I spotted what looked like a Tregaron mountain toad. 

Snowdrops (pic taken by Phil B)

Clive, Michiel, Rob, Carina, Doo, Meekon, Phantom, Jamie and K

The week was not over and more adventuring was to be had. Saturday saw me complete the Snowdrop Express Audax for the umpteenth time (am guessing something like my 17th?). This was the first audax event that I ever completed and the event that I have completed most times. This annual event is 'the' event that I feel compelled to complete each year. Loads of my buddies cycled this time around too and these included Clive, Michiel, Rob, Phantom, Meekon, Red, Jamie, K, Phil B, John Glover, Andy P and Carina. Mitchum was due to join us all but was unable to rise from his bed due to being intoxicated the night before. Had hoped Mr Odge could join too - he had more valid reasons for not rocking up!

Clive, Kim, Ma, Aunty Chris, Janine, Andy, Doo and Pa

Was nice to see my parents, Kim and other family members at the second control and introduce Clive. Am pleased Clive was able to complete this event and meet my wife and kids following. Clive's cycle was screeching like crazy as his bottom bracket had some major issues. About 5k from the finish, we celebrated with a little drinky-poo before completing proper! 

Ben, Spoon, SJ, Moo, Doo, Linda, Rod dog, Ma (and a bit of Kim and Aunty Chris)

Talking of celebrations... Well, it wasn't a celebration as such but we had a little get together  on Saturday night at my parents to say 'goodbye' to my nephew Ben. Ben's off to Estonia for 6 months with the army. Well wishes Ben!

After a jam packed week of adventuring, Sunday was a day of rest. My get up and go had got up and gone...