Author: Dave Haygarth

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Mum’s 70th birthday

My mum reached a very respectable 3 score and ten yesterday and we went up to Kirkby Lonsdale today to enjoy some lovely weather, cakes, food, and company. It seemed very strange but incredibly rewarding to meet a few people from mum’s life that I haven’t seen for many many years. At least three people I enjoyed chatting to today are people I haven’t seen since I was younger than ten years old.

Obviously a lot of water under the bridge but it’s amazing to feel an instant connection to some people because of a shared past. I’m pretty sure mum enjoyed herself but hardly had a moment to pass the time with her on a busy day. We get some better quality time together in a couple of weeks… To be savoured.

Some photos here… On Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnellium/archives/date-posted/2011/07/10/?view=md

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Planes drew kisses

I love this when it happens for some reason.

Inspired to snap this whilst out on my bike on Scout Moor last night and it always makes me think of the Cinerama lyrics from the song ‘Airborne’

“I was watching you from the observation deck
Until your plane became a shiny speck
And if I wanted to sentimentalise
I’d say the planes drew kisses across the sky“

Very simple almost inconsequential lyric that always triggers something in me.

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Formby Dunes: Recommended

Fantastic trip with Katie and the girls to Formby Sand Dunes / Red Squirrel woodland on Monday – it was chucking it down all morning and we took the risk… it paid off and cleared up minutes after we got there. Brilliant, very non-Northern feeling environment. It felt more like France or the low countries. Gorgeous coniferous sandy rolling woods and really big dunes. Just an utter playground for the youg and the young-at-heart and their dogs. Continue reading “Formby Dunes: Recommended”

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Elsie – Three as a bird

They all grow up fast, don’t they. Elsie’s third birthday last week seemed to mark a bit more ‘moving on’ in the household and confirmed any suspicion that time goes by ridiculously fast in life. It fell on a ‘normal’ work day for Katie, a school day for Lily and hence a nursery day for Elsie, but the mini party we enjoyed after was a lovely little celebration and what it lacked in length it made up for in intensity. Elsie basically was cooked by 6pm and had to retire to bed (on her own request!)
Continue reading “Elsie – Three as a bird”

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Cake Day

At the risk of this turning into a cake-themed blog as it seems to have been doing of late, I won’t go on, but I just had some very lovely photos to share with you. Katie was treated by Matthew and Holly to a day out as a birthday present to learn the finer details of how to make lovely looking fairy cakes. Continue reading “Cake Day”

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Let Them Eat Cobbles

Marie Antoinette is reported to have said “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” (‘Let Them Eat Cake‘), showing her oblivious ignorance to the famine of the breadless poor. Something in this I can relate to in my current lifestyle as stupidly-busy dad / web developer / husband. There was a time many years ago when I went out to ride socially with a bunch of mates nearly every Saturday morning. We’d have little tussles to the top of the climbs, love the views, stop and have a bit of cake every now and again… basically immersed in café racing culture. Continue reading “Let Them Eat Cobbles”

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Liver Hill Fell Race 2011

Was revved up for tonight’s Liver Hill race in Rawtenstall – the local ‘my oh my the clocks have just gone forward and we can do something in the evening‘ event.  Having races here last year in pretty nasty boggy conditions, I was looking forward to going over the course on a lovely dry evening, but it wasn’t to be.  I wanted Lily to run (again, for the third year) but despite good planning, couldn’t get any childcare to cover the gaps (she’s only eight and couldn’t be left to hang about waiting for me to finish!).

Anyway – managed to make the best of a bad lot – and use the evening to take a few photos of the race.  Got me away from my desk for a spell too, which seems a rarity in the evenings at the moment.

Lily put in lots of effort which was really lovely to watch – and what it’s all about.  Gushing with pride for the simple things… what a great smile a good race effort produces in a young person.  Wish I could bottle it.