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Taking timeout with family and friends.

We planned a trip over to the Isle of Man for the British Round of the World Trials Championship

.We went by ferry from Heysham and parked the bus behind the TT grandstand and went out riding around the green lanes. Some we had first ridden at the ISDE in 1975 when we were travelling marshals at the event.

Then we took a ride on the horse drawn tram along the promenade at Douglas-just as we had been doing since way back when we were young!

How many times had we crossed the Irish Sea to visit this island steeped in motorcycling legend?

After visiting Laxey Wheel in the sunshine the weather changed and the wind and rain blew in across the Irish Sea..

We met all our old friends from the trials scene including the Lampkin family and we were persuaded to join the team of observers and spent two days perched on the cold wet cliffs at Onchan watching the skill and daring of the best riders in the World.

At Pickering in North Yorkshire we met up with Bob and Wendy Room. Bob was competing in the Ryedale Rally but we managed to do some sightseeing.

At Scaborough we enjoyed a crab salad and watch the parade of bikers along the prom.

The setting at Castle Howard designed by Vanburgh was impressive and we enjoyed the guided tour inside where all the treasures are on display.

The house is set in magnificent landscape gardens.

(This is where Brideshead was filmed)

In the walled garden the delphiniums displayed a wide range of colours.

The air in the rose garden was full of perfume.

Mid June and we were at Llandridod Wells for the Welsh Two Day Enduro.

The cam chain on Jims KTM had snapped at the Powys enduro two weeks earlier so he was riding my Yamaha-under threat not to damage it nor ride too fast!

We took granddaughters Zoe and Chloe to Llanidleos in Mid Wales for the annual air show at the high school. They were amazed to see helicopters and watch the flying display from the playground.

They had to have their faces painted.

Then down the valley came the famous Red Arrows who put on a super display which everyone enjoyed.

This unique air show is a thank you form the RAF to all the local residents who have to live with the low flying training aircraft.

Moelfre villagers got together in July at the deer farm for a BBQ. The home produced venison steaks and sausages were delicious.

Then we enjoyed a guitar recital and sing along around the bonfire.

As guests of Bob and Wendy Room we sailed along the Thames to Hampton Court Palace.

The RHS garden show was full of impressive displays and gardens.

Dot loved this garden of conifers and came back to Wales full of ideas for our small patio garden.

Jim would have to build a retaining wall which was going to be painted lilac!

Back at Penyfedwen Jim learned quickly how to manoeuvre his new toy.

He was clearing the new space for the shed, parking area and patio.

Once again Dot was mixing mortar as Jim laid bricks to build the new curved retaining wall.

After all the hard work the new patio area of the garden looked great.

Now we would be able to enjoy a holiday BBQ in the sunshine or rain!

--------Off along the castle route to Prague September-October2002 -------

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