Do you know how much babysitters are? £6 an hour round these parts!! I tend to pay them when there's something I have to go to but love it when we get invited to a laid back supper with mates. Special treat for the kids to hook up with friends they don't see often, these occasions and their memories stay with them.

I think if you're all close friends and this has always gone on then it's great socially for all concerned, kids, parents and yourselves. If they are close, good friends then just say, they should respect your wishes for your choice of DP.

Not sure if Neilson and Crystal hols do summer stuff, certainly do winter stuff. Skiied with Crystal few times and the childcare has been fine, mostly staffed by gap yearers.

My chum did PGCE last year, second career and hardest course in demands terms she's ever done. Now can't find a (primary school) job, and only had 1 days supply this term. Very few jobs at the mo' and supply not available everywhere as many schools use TA's.
Good luck tho' 🙂

St Ives, Cornwall of course! In Winter preferably, the light, sea, beaches, alley ways, artists, pasties……..

Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Sennen,St Ives, Whitby, Marsden, Hebden Bridge, Hostel on Berneray, Manchester (for shopping) to name only a few.

Dalbettie, lots of possibilities to lengthen/shorten. Can anyone tell me why you menfolk have to carry your bikes over the long plank near the end of the red tho'? 😆

I had letter from HSBC this morning confirming the good news that they have assessed by useage of overdraught facilities set up, ooh, 7yrs ago and they are happy to continue with no amendments. However, they will start this 'new' arrangement on 1/12/09 and they will be charging me £25! I think not, any advice on which bank to go to? Co-op perhaps, ethical blah, blah….

Few years ago went road riding round those parts and it's fabulous road riding country. We did a tour that took in the Henry Moore Sculptures and Moniave back down to near Kirkudbright. Plenty of good opps for on and off-road.

Convert, my selflessness stems from bringing up my children, giving up my time, energy and finances to bring on the next generation. Watching them grow is priceless, encouraging them to understand how the world and it's inhabitants work, see and accept differing perspectives, make the right decisions, hoping their education is well-balanced.

It's my 8yr olds birthday today, it's been a joy watching him and his siblings making a Lego Star-Wars landing craft. Sadly I'll have to give up this entertainment and put them all to bed………..

From, Rose tinted glasses,grey matter left in delivery suite. 😉

Having children has, and is, the most selfless thing we've ever done in life.

My

just don't come into it! My biking has to fit into my families life, still, my lack of osteoporosis won't be a drain on the NHS! 😀

And when you are being stitched up in A and E after a headplant off your bike will you protest that someones kids are treating you?

Hang on, isn't going out biking a rather selfish indulgence?

Why, thanks, Ton 🙂

I've found that middle-aged people that haven't had kids stemming from a philosophical, religious, environmental, economic standpoint really regret it! But that's in my experience.

Breeding is a normal biological function. Selfishness doesn't come into it. Are you anti-kid people, vegetarian, animal rights activists, animals will reclaim the planet types? Animals don't think about how selfish they are in having how many off-spring.

Still at least the people who think that the breeders are selfish aren't adding to the gene pool!

Pub in Moniave is good and lovely cafe there too. Not really very near 7Stanes tho' but scenic area. Plenty on offer round Dumfries area tho, no shortage.

The Sweet Centre on Lumb lane, Manningham, used to be good when we went out b4 kids. Mumtaz isn't fancy tho,good food by the 1/4 or 1/2lb, Aagraa (sp?) also to be depended on and Nawaab is a good one.

Sounds interesting Mastiles but the choice of adhesive may be problematic. But then time lapse photography may make an interesting (tho' done before) project?

got seeds in them and they'd look fab on a pic! Artistic licence.

Gogi berries or dried chillies?

Blowin' a hoolie near Skipton but remarkably the suns put in an appearance! Glad I did Mastiles yeasterday 😀

How can you get good and horrible weather in Glasgow at the same time?

The Bike Shop, Skipton. They'll put them on too.

I get mine to buy any fangs they require and make them costumes if they need. Can't get away from it as much as I tried so had to go with the flow so long as it only costs me sweets for the door-knockers. I don't go along with it personally but having parents that didn't take me to a bonfire and wouldn't entertain Halloween I felt left out so keep it low key. Last year my eldest (11) was taken to the cinema, my daughter (9) went out with friends and my 7 yr old went to knock on 3 friend houses with me. This year they've gone to wilds of Wales so I'm holing up, closing curtains and turning the lights off! 😉

I heard kids using this 'can I get' at Latitude this year. I was horrified and hope I've dragged me own kids up better than that! It's awful!

Same as the Captain! Sealskins just don't fit my feet properly and bulk out my shoes.

He was recording only 2 days ago, lovely actor, felt I knew him as been Archers addict for 25years. Fond memories especially the kitchen exploits.

Hope they don't do what they normally do in these sad situations, write a horrid end. Some respect please script writers.

Noggin The Nog

I've been doing Pilates for 3 years and found that most of the core strengthening exercises, altho' difficult, have been brilliant for stability on bikes and the leg ones (skiing legs warm up) are awesome and make you think your legs are going to drop off! And the exercises for the trapezius are great for prevention of aches and pains post ride. You gotta go to classes for at least 6 months tho, it's no quick fix.

I've 2 dogs, a flat-coat retriever (rescued) and an elderly golden retriever (14) and could offer a really good home. If you don't find anyone more local then keep me in mind. Live near Skipton and walk 3 miles each day with the flat-coat. My dogs have to enjoy camping and bike trails! Email me if you need more info.

That looks wonderful, I've got ride envy, must make effort to follow in your footsteps – but next year! Note to self…

Get a pattern off the net and knit one in merino wool, my kids and spouse love theirs. Take about 1-2 evenings, takes less than one ball of wool and you'll feel soo proud when he's got it on. 🙂

I used 'terrys' with liners on all mine in past 12 years. Worked well and had a couple of the shaped velcro ones too. Didn't give myself a difficult time tho when away and used Huggies then. Nothing more lovely than a lineful of nappies blowing in the breeze……….and they made great bike cleaning rags when continence was achieved!

I'd buy 2, one for you and one for me!

Will be thinking of you both. Best wishes,
Claire and the Skipton Girls That Bike

Ikea are doing a solar powered lamp at about £17 and lasts a couple of hours in the dark(at least). I bought one for my sun lounge as the electrician 'forget' to wire it in the massive rewiring recently. Nice bright reading lamp with flexi-arm.

I get my cycle sox from here, they last, are comfy and cost is reasonable.

http://www.dalesox.co.uk/category.asp?catid=9

Yep, did the Deadwater trail at Kielder on Saturday in storm force winds. That was scary on the top huddling by the transmitter buildings after bike being lifted away!

Contact the energy efficiency people, 0800 512012 they'll sort you out with contractor and it's rockwool insulation they fire into the cavity, not the dodgy chemical stuff of a few years ago. I'm waiting for mine to be done b4 Xmas, under £200! Toastie 🙂

Kielder (extended) and Cheviots on Sunday.

Dare I put my opinion in, he's triffic! Saw him at Latitude this year, the tent was never as packed and bouncing in the 3 days, ok it was full of kids so it must be an age thing. Honest, he was fab. Keep up people!

Have you asked Bob Wright at Wright Wines in Skipton, he knows his stuff.

My husband gets visual disturbances rather than headaches and was diagnosed with migraine. Migraine has a range of manifestations. He wasn't given any treatment/medication for it. Best get it checked out tho' with your GP.