With the snow melting all around us it was clear that we would be able to return home on Friday as planned, but we still had time for one last walk up to Solomon’s Temple and the opportunity for me to borrow Tracy’s camera and try and get a few shots of the stunning scenery. So whilst she stayed behind to prepare dinner, Konnor and I kitted up once more and headed up the hillside to the temple. What a contrast this walk was to the 2 previous ones! First we’d all had a cold wind and rain showers to content with, then Konnor and I had braved a blizzard to get necessary supplies, and here we were faced with blue skies and sunshine (it was still cold, though). Just beautiful…
Once again we climbed the temple steps and admired the view, before climbing back down and looking out over Buxton from the big arched doorway.
As we made our way back to the caravan site, Konnor couldn’t resist the few remaining snow drifts, launching himself into the deep snow, clearly full of the joys of Spring…
After our final night in Polly we made our way home again, unpacked Polly and returned her to the farm where she lives in between adventures. With Konnor starting school again after Easter, and me now working most weekends, we wonder when we’ll be able to take her out to play again…
The following day, Saturday, Tracy had to drive down to Haverhill to meet Sean who was returning from his school trip to the USA that afternoon, whilst I went to work leaving Carlie (who had come home from Uni for a break whilst we were away) looked after Konnor. Work was interesting to say the least, with 4 new riders to take through their CBTs, none of whom had any experience of riding bikes at all. It was a fun day, though, as once again I got to see big smiles emerge on their faces as they got to terms with controlling the bikes. Not only were they new to riding, but 3 of them didn’t even drive! By the end of the day they were all riding the bikes under control, but I felt only 2 of them were ready for the mandatory road ride (the 2 riding the automatic scooters and so not having to worry about clutch control). The road ride then highlighted their lack of experience and road-sense, and after an hour I had to call it a day as they were worn-out and no longer improving. Whilst I hadn’t been able to get any of the 4 to the required safe standard to issue them with their CBT certificates, they’d all had a full day and enjoyed the experience, and all had learnt a lot. A few more hours each and they’ll be out on the roads on their own, equipped with the basic skills to enable them to at least be safe whilst they gain experience.
By the time I’d got home Tracy had picked up Sean and was already making her way back, opting to return home in one day so we could all have Easter Sunday together. Unfortunately Carlie and Mike had to go home as they had their own plans before Tracy returned. When she finally got home, Sean was suffering from serious jet-lag and barely able to speak!
On Easter Sunday he was a little better and Katie, Brian and Niamh came round for a slap-up roast lamb dinner, before I settled down to watch the first MotoGP race of the season.
How nice to be home again!