Thursday, May 17, 2012

RIP Rocco




I thought something was wrong last night when we got back from Amsterdam and only one cat came to meet us. Normally both appear, stretching and trying to look neglected and hungry, but failing miserably. Then Stuart saw the answer phone light blinking, and we listened to a message from the City Council asking us if we could phone them back as they had some news about our cat, and "it wasn't good". Rocco didn't appear all night, so I knew what I was going to be told, and sure enough, a very lovely lady from Streetforce told me this morning that Rocco had been found dead on the road on Monday morning, just at the back of where we live. Luckily he was tagged, so they could identify him and us.

Normally I'm a bit of a tough old boot, but this has really upset me. Rocco was definitely my cat, had a real personality, and was really affectionate. I even had him as the wallpaper on my iPhone, and had been known to blog about him!




So, now the difficult decision of do we get another? I've had at least one cat, (and up to 5), for as long as I can remember. Always rescue cats, and they have nearly all died of old age. Just recently though we've not had good luck with them, losing 4 cats in the last few years. Lucy of kidney failure, Ollie of cancer, Neo unexplained found dead in our neighbours garden, and now Rocco run over. Not sure what to do now. But, give me a while, and I can see myself off to the cat shelter.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Cold weekend in Goathland

This weekend we went to Goathland with a group of friends and family for a weekend camping, and to a day of traditional sword dancing.

Friday - set off mid afternoon, in rain. Got to campsite in Goathland which was down a mile long lane, full of potholes which were full of water so you couldn't see them.  The camping field was very muddy, but we got to our spot eventually. Didn't think we'd get out again if it carried on raining all weekend, but owner of site offered to pull us out if we got stuck! Got very cold putting tent up which had wet, steel poles - my fingers were so cold I couldn't hold anything, and when I tried to warm them they hurt even more. I used to call it "Hotaches" as a kid and haven't had it for ages.  So, we had to have a glass of whiskey mac before we carried on.

Eventually tent was up, all indoor stuff erected (I camp with a lot of home comforts - wardrobe, fridge, electric light, huge airbed), and we sat down for another whiskey mac. Purely for medicinal purposes.

Then it was a trek down the lane to the pub - The Goathland Hotel - or the Aidensfield Arms if you watch Heartbeat. Everything in Goathland is targeted at the Heartbeat market...

A good meal, and a few drinks, and we came back again to sit in our friends awning of their newly acquired VW camper van. It had stopped raining, and wasn't too cold. But worse was to come...

Saturday was sword dancing day, organised by the local team, the Goathland Plough Stots. It was raining when we woke up, so I got up late. Then it hailed while we were having breakfast. Not a good start. Eventually made it into the village where we saw the Plough Stots, together with their young team.


Then up to the shops where a rare treat was in store - the Papa Stour Sword dancers, from Shetland, who had never danced in England before.


 Our local team and friends Handworth were also dancing.


Then down to the station which was Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film, and some steam trains - it was a special steam weekend.



 A sandwich on the platform, and back to the pub for a drink before we set off to walk to Beck Hole. Lovely walk, and the pub when you get there  - the Birch Hall Inn - is worth it. Tiny, old fashioned, good beer, and a favourite with word dancers.


Gradually all of the dancers arrived from their various locations, and it was great to see so many traditional teams together- our two Sheffield ones, Grenoside


 and Handsworth.

 Goathland Plough Stots the local team and of course Papa Stour. Even Snark, the tea total rapper team were there.

Quite a crowd had gathered - great atmosphere.


About an hours walk back to the campsite, and as the sun was out we had a BBQ - lovely to sit in the sun. But of course, the sun gradually went, and it got colder. Sitting in the awning later wrapped in blankets, it was very cold. So, lots of sleepy juice, (Spanish Brandy", and off to bed. in the night I got up to see that we were camped in a winter wonderland where everything was white with frost - even the tent was covered in ice! Luckily inside the tent and our bed was warm and cosy.


Next morning we were up early to catch a steam train to Whitby, but were slightly delayed making the bacon butties as the olive oil had set solid.


Steam train to Whitby,where the first thing we saw was that the Scoresby Monument was no more - blown down a few weeks earlier.

Off to Sanders yard for coffee and cake, then a mooch round the lovely shops on the East Side whilst the kids went off to play indoor crazy golf and bowling.  I found a dolls house shop - bonus!


Lunch was Fish and Chips (of course) in Mr Chips - very civilised. Then a wander over the west side - Whitby is definitely one of my favourite places


 - then up to West Cliff for a game of outdoor crazy golf.







Pint in the Elsinore, and back to the station for the train back. Dinner in the Goathland Hotel, and back to the campsite. This time, as we knew it would be cold again, we got sealed in the the tent with the heater on early - much better, even though there was another frost.


Lovely sunny Monday morning, and a communal breakfast - everyone cooking something, and a slow pack up. Great to see steam trains so close to the campsite


Home via the crooked Billet at Towton for lunch.  A great weekend, despite the weather. We heard when we got back it ad been colder than at Christmas, yet nothing would persuade us to camp in December!