Wales

A few weeks back, we spent some time at Bala Lake in Wales, putting in a sail or two when the weather was good. It was rather cold, but still lots of fun.

The site.

First morning. Note the texture of the water's edge: it's ice. And no, there was no central heating in the tent.

Cute lambs.

The calm lake.

When wind is needed, use your brains.

Kelsey on the way into Bala town, for Welsh cakes and coffee.

Two is company.

More Sailing and Family Visits

After sailing our boat in Scotland, we've since joined the Cam Sailing Club on the River Cam about five miles from our house. It's a small friendly club that is very low key. We store our boat there and have sailed a few times during the "leisure sails" where the more experienced members offer help and advice to newbies like us. Eventually we hope to get good enough to take part in the races that they hold weekly during spring and summer.

Uncle Dave, Aunt Patti and cousin Mark visited us in Cambridge during their UK/Holland/Germany tour. We celebrated Richard's birthday while they were here on a morning punting cruise complete with birthday mimosas.

Birthday cake at Patisserie Valerie

Birthday mimosas

A few weeks later, Richard's sister Sophie visited from Frankfurt.

Sailing in Scotland

We drove to Scotland over the bank holiday weekend to pick up our newly acquired 14 foot dinghy sailboat. On the way we stopped in Durham then stayed overnight just outside of Edinburgh with the couple we bought the boat from. We then camped at St. Mary's Loch in the middle of nowhere in Scotland. We camped at Tibbie Shiels campground, located loch-side and also conveniently next to a pub and sailing club. Aside from that, there was nothing else for miles around. I camped only a few nights until I had to go back to work, but Richard stayed on in Scotland for more fun and sailing.

Durham cathedral

Entering Scotland

Trailing the boat to St Mary's Loch

Campsite at Tibbie Shiels

Our first sail - we just managed to put it all together,
with some help from the friendly sailers at the club

It floats! Success.

I even managed to skipper for a little bit