Whitsun with the Whites

The first of four camping trips planned for this year (yes two, plus another two) is done and, well, it wasn't too bad. OK, it was actually really good.  This might have something to do with the fact that we didn't have to erect (or dismantle) the structure you see above you.  It even had a heater, a fridge, a cooker and a kettle.

Oh, and a sofa. 

The Scarborough weather disappointed to begin with.

But the sun eventually came out, along with the disposable barbecue. 

The most bizarre element of the trip was a visit to the Alpamare water park, the like of which I'd not seen before. 

Below is a picture of one of its two outdoor pools. Yes, outdoors.  In Scarborough.  In North Yorkshire.  And it's open all year round.   

Vanessa sold the visit idea to me on the basis that the pools are heated.  I confess that I was not in any way a believer before sliding in with the air temperature already close to freezing.  But, for possibly the first time ever, I was wrong.  Both pools were genuinely like entering a bath.

Then it was back inside to try all four water slides on offer.  Loads of times.  I'm a sucker for that sort of thing.  Prior to the kids' arrival in our lives, I lost count of the number of small children who gave me dirty looks as I stood in front of them in a water slide queue waiting impatiently for my turn. And the Scarborough slides were as good if not better than any I'd been on before.   

Do yourself a favour and go if you can. 

And so on to Monday and a visit to Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington to allow Jamie to indulge in a spot of bird watching. 

Unfortunately because we are the Whites, the fog rolled in and sightings were limited.  

With some exceptions, such as these gannets.  

Jamie also managed to spy seven puffins, bringing the grand total of real puffins he's seen in his lifetime to, er, seven.

So that was our half-term treat.  I hope you enjoyed yours if you had one, or are having fun if still on location.

Our next trip?  Camping.  In a little tent.  Which I have to put up myself as Vanessa is arriving late.  And after that?  Oh yes, camping.  Sometimes I wonder why we even bothered to buy an actual house.  

Sun, son and daughter

Greeting Pop Pickers where you join me in our back garden nursing my burns (and listening to Pick of the Pops.  They're doing Harry and Meghan's birth years, driving home how much younger both of them are compared to me. That's why I've also got beer). 

I haven't "spoken" to you in a while so I thought I'd better put that right.

First, my burns. I was back on the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland last week for the North West 200 motorbike races.  And for once we got some decent weather.

No one could believe it, least of all me who refused to don sun cream because I was cold - possibly because I wore shorts.  The result was an incinerated head and fried knees.  Still, all riders came home safe which is the important part of the story.

My trip back meant that I couldn't also justify travelling across for the Irish Cup Final earlier in the month (plus I'd already promised to decorate our living room).  But the Bannsiders lifted the trophy so at least I didn't jinx them which, again, is all that matters.
   

In other news, Charlotte entered the World of The Brownies after making her promise.  I'm not a Freemason myself but I suspect the respective initiation ceremonies may bear some similarities.   

Jamie rocked as Leyton in the Year 5 school play. (I thought he should've played the part in a thick Ulster accent but he chose to be English.  I can't believe he still got the girl).

Charlotte continues to enjoy the never-ending media coverage of the Royal wedding and wonders if she may be next in line.  (I've explained that it's Charles followed by William, but she doesn't really understand).

And last night Jamie met the Harlem Globetrotters after an exhibition game at the Leeds Arena. Here he is with Cheese, his favourite player.   

Young Master Cheese looked even more lacking in years up close, which made my middle-aged high-five seem all the more inappropriate.  

So that's what we've been up to and, with the Bank Holiday weekend rapidly approaching, hopefully there's a bit more fun in the sun to be had.

It might help my thick coating of calamine lotion to finally dry out.