And then there were two . . .

Sam left for Australia tonight just before 8pm from Manchester airport. It's going to be quiet around here now he's gone. Stef and I have enjoyed having him here so much for the last couple of years. Tussock is already baffled as to why Sam's room is empty (and why we were lay on his bed earlier this evening with glum faces). Have fun Sam and stay safe!

Fraisthorpe beach

Sam is going to Australia on Thursday for the foreseeable future so we've spent as much time as we can with him for the last week or two. On Sunday we all went to Fraisthorpe to the beach with Tussock and Sophie. We avoided the ran, walked around six miles and called in Wetwang for fish and chips on the way home

Wintery walk on the Dales Way

Sam and I took Tussock out for a walk on the Dales Way to Ilkley this morning. We'd been to the Agraah and Flying Duck last night and I left my car in town. It was cold with the odd snow flurry but we all enjoyed the walking. There were some good birds around including heron and goosander on the river, and good numbers of goldfinch and redwing in the fields. We also spotted little owl apparently being mobbed by a blackbird. I think they are very territorial so it'll be worthwhile looking out again next time we're in that area

Promises

I played Sam the singles going steady compilation album yesterday. Buzzcocks were the first band I ever really loved. I think he got it. Next stop King Tubbys or James Brown?

Tweed, brogues and a decent haircut

Sam in his new jacket, a pair of brogues and sporting a decent haircut now after an unfortunate visit last month to the barber we'll forever call the Ilkley Slasher! 

Hill reps

I went over to Ilkley Moor to do a couple of my old BG hill-reps last night while Sam was at the rugby club getting physio for a shoulder injury he picked up last Saturday. Two weeks ago I had a go at the reps, but struggled like hell if I'm honest! Last night I felt a bit better thankfully

It was a mild, breezy but slightly damp night and I tried out my new Alpkit Manta head-torch. The light level is good but it appeared heavy and awkward to stabilise on the head. I think it'd be fine for walking, camping, general outdoor activity but it just felt "clumsy" even at my (very) moderate pace

Family

Sam is with us for a few days; mainly for his open-day intro at college yesterday, but also to see if we can all fit in the house. I picked him up in the West Country on Tuesday evening from his dad's, and we did well getting home an hour or so before midnight after a better than expected drive up the M5 and M6

Yesterday I took Sam to college and asked him on arrival if he wanted me to come into reception with him. "No, it'll be fine" he said, and he was right; it was fine

Last night we had a BBQ. It was fun manning the charcoal and tongs, plus sorting out drinks. The fact Stef and Sam finished their food sitting under golf umbrellas didn't put too much of a dampener on things

I've never felt part of a family (I know only seven people with my surname and two of them are a couple who will be divorced soon), and it's a very long time since I've felt as content as I do this morning. I think we'll be okay