tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77326195328249392752024-03-13T05:59:32.409+00:00Four Beans on Tour :)Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-6356218193934738332011-09-01T11:06:00.000+01:002011-09-01T11:06:00.935+01:00Beamish continued...<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> 30 August</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Beamish was brilliant! We went into an old fashioned Barclays, a sweet shop and a Co-op! At Barclays I signed with and old fashioned quill, and at the sweet shop I got an old styled chocolate bar! It was the most delicious chocolate I have ever tasted! </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> 31 August</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Yesterday we went to a massive shopping centre called The Trafford Centre. I didn't enjoy that as much as I did the evening! Until it came we didn't know what we were doing, but for dinner we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe! And at 7.30pm we went to see Arcade Fire live, supported by Noah and the Whale! They were amazing! One of them threw out their tambourine and someone down the front caught it!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> Today</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Now we're about to drive to End of the Road! </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Will blog again soon!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Talia xx</b></span></span><br />
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Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-83355030745692511182011-08-30T12:19:00.000+01:002011-08-30T12:19:47.654+01:00Beamish!<div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>We're sitting in the van making our lunch to bring in to the open air museum, Beamish! It's set in the 19th century and should be very good. Will blog after we've been in,</b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><b style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Talia</span></b>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-62342161455925667602011-08-29T12:29:00.001+01:002011-08-29T18:37:20.576+01:00Some pix<div class="mobile-photo">Tali and Tom posing in Fort William</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646238777620401058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9VMLwbUFMfwXF5cZKHSgPTbWi1oKMZlX1BWALcJRpE8twQOZBePZqL8zF-9mAP7-qtmqiF4c7FSvD8VNRHbeeoSUa12FiMVSrf2SwZapfoYXLyz1XpGop1lksp3s0lnzAvb9zy0Nnb0/s320/image-707802.jpeg" /></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Jess and Pip have a fish foot spa in Fort William</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646238774237414034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV91ItwSz_O4aiD1P0Xx0pQbjO6ESJSmdAkEWPpog5sr9waHAaWIEVMc_V15U6SKuD2lBrMPOzb1lWH0d0jbw2siglEg1aIIlKQ5AB_jaN9z0bgGnlYbOajK0p5B6XILL3GFO0Hh9t-eI/s320/image-708780.jpeg" /></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Me and Tom having a very tickly fish foot spa in Fort William!!</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646238781155189250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSaLqw_Nx3uZzOCmTpLpe2HvJ4-qqyA2TOQVlwCGH8qcxL9cVJLfZoGkfG9tkwCYpiP7b9zu55hbGYQhEaIQbhxexNe6TIbtTk3LYHvt4FjGmvjIcIAL268ZGgAYvNw1P5jDkZyHD0zA/s320/image-709370.jpeg" /></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Ardtoe Campsite, perfect location</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646238783415246690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfDEA5H6s9UQQSUqOgHFQl-KuTnEhFtiunC993wGEgi3vR8BZicRRRsjLNtfNzbtEIDyagszIbCFxm9Md5HlNP94SStAPKe9R5RygtVypiRl1SgYXSeeogS1G4OADyias2Is5sBLOk1A/s320/image-710340.jpeg" /></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Us lot and Velma at the westernmost point of the mainland Britain (after some roads that were worse than Croatia last year)</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646238788078980898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2OSsESOys5NJ4QZ6KVI7PmW2S7Fgpuq-SAHC0OhM5UBKhOliB6_UzUaHFTT3N6d2Sq-JoNGhmuWLFeHiLaKCxptTkBw6t9BO-ZAqa1tFCbJxTgBd0rBkN8VaT_3WKb84ytFQs6MkZco/s320/image-711114.jpeg" /> </div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
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</div>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-28335509110872004422011-08-28T23:51:00.000+01:002011-08-28T23:51:08.892+01:00Videos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-qSBv4QtxlFVZ5qgcirb07VAIrmcQyAzhYdteC6MgySAgvw_VWAD4FwhJ8WR57KU-jp9ifsom6dQrVOknnhkhGElCF9yvOoxMFcFBxBe5O1aR5uI2-4nbv9dYR53d9zKd6poC5KxY0c/s1600/Balamory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-qSBv4QtxlFVZ5qgcirb07VAIrmcQyAzhYdteC6MgySAgvw_VWAD4FwhJ8WR57KU-jp9ifsom6dQrVOknnhkhGElCF9yvOoxMFcFBxBe5O1aR5uI2-4nbv9dYR53d9zKd6poC5KxY0c/s320/Balamory.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>When we get a good enough connection, videos will soon be going on the blog for all to see! But for now we have to stick with photos. So here's one of Tobermory, this is where they filmed Balamory:</b></span></span>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-51007263925190260982011-08-28T23:24:00.002+01:002011-08-28T23:25:04.737+01:00Shells! :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8FGGD546t8_n4zOLYjmyIOtbqUdywuicxWCu6gmWyhyssFSr4NzWkyATH2URc7GZsilWT3LPiINDVEgjxBzAQIPkf1kz40RokmNjmEUEYLtux7IuW65ZLaUDzQu35QQBtNUXYpDKkVs/s1600/Tide+line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8FGGD546t8_n4zOLYjmyIOtbqUdywuicxWCu6gmWyhyssFSr4NzWkyATH2URc7GZsilWT3LPiINDVEgjxBzAQIPkf1kz40RokmNjmEUEYLtux7IuW65ZLaUDzQu35QQBtNUXYpDKkVs/s320/Tide+line.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The shells marking the tide-line on our beach in Ardtoe! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PiPs photography btw.</span> </span></b> </span></div><br />
Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-18354443701357046942011-08-28T21:45:00.000+01:002011-08-28T21:45:01.433+01:00Itinerary updateWell Scotlands gale force winds are driving us south a bit earlier than planned, have updated the itinerary page. We are hoping to get to Hadrians Wall tomorrow en route down country.<br />
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Mull was beautiful, we got to the island via a small open ferry to Tobermory. We spent a couple of hours mooching around Tobermory then drove round the whole island as when we got to Calgary Bay the campsite was full and was also not welcoming to "large camper vans". Turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it meant we saw the whole island in evening sunshine, had a lovely Italian meal and then got to the Shielings Camp Site in Craignure at about 2230 where we have stayed for 2 nights. The gale force winds started literally as we parked up and have been unrelenting since. We got out and about today though, a ride on a tiny train to a castle, then a drive to a second castle, and out trying to spot stags in a minute.<br />
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Talia will no doubt blog further minutae later.....ChrisFourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-43547012946068338532011-08-28T12:31:00.000+01:002011-08-28T12:31:47.792+01:00Signal at last!<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Wahoo! Finally we have internet and mobile signal! The last campsite we went to was in Ardtoe it was amazing! We had our own private mini Kynance Cove! Golden sand and great climbing rocks:) Later on Pip and me will post some photos and videos!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Talia :D </b></span></span>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-57256815566198453242011-08-25T16:07:00.001+01:002011-08-25T16:17:20.636+01:00<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Finally a supermarket! Now we're at Ben Nevis, and soon heading for Ardtoe.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Talia xx </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>PS Ardtoe is "off grid", so no blogging for a bit :) </b></span></span>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-5665064903606541682011-08-25T13:34:00.000+01:002011-08-25T13:34:02.243+01:00Canoing!<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>This morning Jess,Tom and me got on the canoes and started paddling towards and island that looked fairly close to where we were. It wasn't long before we realised that it was much further away than we thought. But still, we paddled on! It was when we got the 'one island' that we realised it wasn't one island there were quite a few. But because the tide was low it wasn't possible to go on to the islands :( So we turned round and went back to shore humming the 'Spongebob Squarepants' theme tune as we went! I will post later how far we actually canoed once we've checked google earth.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Postcards will be going out soon!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Talia xx</b></span></span>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-45976308585368927052011-08-24T20:39:00.000+01:002011-08-24T20:39:59.257+01:00Glen Coe!<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>We are now in Glen Coe on a campsite called Invercoe. Where we have pitched, you have a beautiful view of the Loch Leven. Pip,Me,Daddy and Tom have already been canoeing in the cold Scottish waters! We are, literally, in the middle of nowhere!! Pip's wondering where the nearist Hollister is! Mummy's wondering where the nearest supermarket is! And Jess' wondering where the nearest Domino's Pizza is! As beautiful as this is, I think we're all feeling a little out of reach of civilisation, which is strange as we've come from Cornwall! </b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Talia xx </span></b><br />
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Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-7505803687318980092011-08-24T14:34:00.000+01:002011-08-24T14:34:07.665+01:00<div style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>Now passing Glasgow (just another city!). Headed instead for Glen Coe!!:)</b></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc;"> <b><br />
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Talia xx</b>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-53045556354695940592011-08-24T09:32:00.001+01:002011-08-24T20:50:26.087+01:00J38 M6 campsite<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaNkzXZ7ORldVJygF6UiWMjisUddo9zkK2fQJW7VMnBdNCdDYNna1JtBRX7WC6PAO5oIRp8HJfMd2EdHRDd_Fwvm6ewnMi49jGh1YTOzNfCJUfWW301Zgx3dlIlXK3z3p6pr1aGPu8c0/s1600/24082011169-713734.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644337850753977010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaNkzXZ7ORldVJygF6UiWMjisUddo9zkK2fQJW7VMnBdNCdDYNna1JtBRX7WC6PAO5oIRp8HJfMd2EdHRDd_Fwvm6ewnMi49jGh1YTOzNfCJUfWW301Zgx3dlIlXK3z3p6pr1aGPu8c0/s320/24082011169-713734.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Penrith, at a caravan site behind Tebay Services at J38 M6. You may have stopped here, it is a family run motorway service station, wins awards, etc. It has a great farm shop and butchers/deli. I am off to grab bread, etc., for b'fast. No sign of life from the rest of them. Aiming For Glasgow by lunchtime, apparently only 2hrs 20m even at warp factor V :)<br />
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Chris<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-29989910184340747582011-08-22T17:01:00.000+01:002011-08-22T17:01:38.255+01:00Over the Barrier!<div style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>22nd August Beautiful Days!</b></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Sitting on a rug in the middle of a field full of spotty drunk adults, Jenna Whitehouse (my friend 10yrs) shouts over the noise " Should we go down the front?" I reply with an eager nod. So we crambled and crawled through the cramp crowd, to the barrier blocking you any closer to the stage.We jumped and clapped to the beat of Flogging Molly's songs. But as soon as the security men beyond the barrier noticed we were there they rushed over and asked us if we wanted to be lifted over, we said no thankyou! When Flogging Molly finished their session they threw out things to the audience Jenna and I got a signed plectrum each, and Jenna also got a songlist!</b></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>We waited for 1/2 an hour with the other 400 'eager beavers' on the barrier, include in those were some very nice girls who stood round us to stop us getting squished! Finally the Levellers begun their performance with a video, then they appeared and went straight into 'One Way'. They had done about 6 songs when Jenna got lifted over the barrier to safety, then 2 songs later she was back. When they came back on for the enchore we both had to go over the barrier so we didn't go splat! For the enchore songs we had 'front row, beyond the bar seats'. They ended with their signature song 'Beautiful Day', We applauded until our hands were raw, after the firework show then Jenna ran and got me the lead singers songlist!!!! Overall it was an amazing experience!</b></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By Talia </span></b><br />
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Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-21685590724918811412011-08-22T15:56:00.000+01:002011-08-22T15:56:48.944+01:00Beautiful Days - a sunny one at last!!This was our 4th Beautiful Days, and our second in Velma. In fact arrival day at BDs was exactly 2 years to the day that we bought Velma. For the first time in our 4 visits we had good weather throughout, with just a couple of hours of rain on Saturday morning. When the rain started we all thought "here we go again", but the site swallowed the rain, didn't get at all muddy and it was sunshine all the way from there.<br />
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Music....well we really were spoiled this time. Sometimes BDs can seem a bit "old school", but we had some real treats this weekend, including some surprises from the "old school" end of the spectrum.<br />
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Friday evening we listened to the Levellers Acoustic whilst lazing on the grass outside the Big Top, and then had a run of great bands, all of whom we were able to watch from the rail or thereabouts, I Am Kloot were amazing on the main stage, good banter from the lead singer including "this is so nice, but we are going to pay for it as we are at V with all the chavs for the rest of the weekend!!". After I am Kloot we moved to the Big Top for a great John Grant set and then waited for The Low Anthem, who were one of the highlights of the weekend, finishing with a totally acapella (sp?) Bird on a Wire (which improved once I stopped singing along). They had been nearly half an hour late coming on, so the set didn't include 737 or Ticket Taker, but it wasn't until we were talking about it later that we realised they were missing, the rest was so great.<br />
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Saturday started slowly, not exactly a first night runaway but a fireside chat back at camp meant a 230 bedtime for some of us. Anyway, the rain meant a slow start was in order, so once everyone had showered and had a good brunch it was off for a wander and a couple of hours listening to bands outside the Bimble Inn. Then across to the Big Top for Ade Edmundsen and the Bad Shepherds. The old songs were great, but the 5 or so new ones just aren't as much fun in my opinion. He has managed to choose my least favourite Specials & Stranglers songs to cover. Anyway, it was fun but losing its novelty for me. We lazed in the sun and listened to a bit of Eddi Reader then to the main stage for Afro Celt Sound System who got everyone jigging about. Tired people then retired and a few of us stayed out for Carter USM who were a real surprise. I had intended to see Roddy Woomble and the Oysterband, but Carter were really great. Incredible lights and energy, catchy half familiar tunes and an amazing atmosphere.<br />
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Sunday we camped in front of the main stage and made foray's off in different directions. After Wolf People and the start of the Beat I went to the Bimble Inn to see Ahab, then crossed to the Big Top to meet up with Gin, Pip and Jess for Tim Minchin "only a ginger can call another ginger ginger!", who was very very funny. Tent was completely packed and roasting, so we were grateful for some air when we came out and caught Stereo MCs, Flogging Molly and the Levellers, with a dash back for evening clothes while the MCs finished and Floggin Molly started. Talia has a tale to tell about Sunday evening, which I will leave for her!! The Levellers played easily my favourite Levellers set, which given that we must have seen them a dozen times in the last 7 years, is saying something. It was Levelling the Land end to end, plus Devil Went Down to Georgia, Cholera Well, Carry Me and Beautiful Days, plus a couple of tracks I didn't know as well, and the fireworks at the end were superb, even choreographing with the last 2 minutes of Beautiful Day, then at least 5 minutes more after it finished.<br />
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And now heading up the M5 to Shropshire, Talia will post her story up a bit later and we will add some photo's.<br />
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ChrisFourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-34520398452778937192011-08-18T00:00:00.000+01:002011-08-18T00:00:39.784+01:00Velma loaded and ready for the offManaged to get the kayak and surfski and paddles secured to the roof and six bikes on the back, with no (out loud) swearing. Fill up with water and fridge stuff in the morning then off to Beautiful Days for the beginning of our summer holiday. We will stop in Helston to check our various external loads remain secure, don't want that kayak exiting on the A30 or we will be on the traffic news!<br />
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Usually it is me that wants to leave at midnight and park half way, but today it was Pip, Talia and Tom that wanted to head off. In the end there is just too much to finish off here, and the site doesn't open until 2pm, so we will leave late morning tomorrow and get to Escot House mid afternoon ready for a BBQ in the campervan field :)<br />
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It was dark when I finished loading, will add a picture of the laden Velma later.Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-40981805071395623882011-08-07T18:40:00.001+01:002011-08-07T18:45:23.085+01:00Happy Birthday Pip!!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zZ7m2zE9nL8vM0HuaiGdNTJ32FaVKGhVsxqtD8BPJ5TEl64E5468s7poZmJ_a-f35DeAu64XB8gFO4dzy4-RDrjFh8npjOSFqGJFYG0qswWb9bt3oQyJtJKDvZ8gDDenAQrPgr1RIZg/s1600/photo-770066.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zZ7m2zE9nL8vM0HuaiGdNTJ32FaVKGhVsxqtD8BPJ5TEl64E5468s7poZmJ_a-f35DeAu64XB8gFO4dzy4-RDrjFh8npjOSFqGJFYG0qswWb9bt3oQyJtJKDvZ8gDDenAQrPgr1RIZg/s320/photo-770066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638170515461800914" /></a></p>An exhausting few days "up country" culminated in 24 hours in Bartonshire. When you are about to be 14 sleep is for wimps, sorry Shirley, but after swimming, trampolining, riding and quad biking, plus 3am UNO & Cluedo eventually it catches up with you.<br />
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Thanks to Bob & Sherry for putting us up Thursday and Friday and to Nicki & Clive for Saturday and today, just passing Swindon, should be home by 11 :)Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-52789184384740122502011-08-05T18:48:00.001+01:002011-08-05T18:48:14.498+01:00Mini dig site<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXotwcig2Fj-gqd-PJTQn0dF7l4YEZb-4Gia0MafdGtEkn15QvL20bEUNJ7kO1Okl8CXDjZDUkBDWi5TNUNF-xHBDDqSDjizzAHn8QDST2s92ta8w3WVeAyuSVqzgdno7a87iZKDw879E/s1600/photo-794498.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXotwcig2Fj-gqd-PJTQn0dF7l4YEZb-4Gia0MafdGtEkn15QvL20bEUNJ7kO1Okl8CXDjZDUkBDWi5TNUNF-xHBDDqSDjizzAHn8QDST2s92ta8w3WVeAyuSVqzgdno7a87iZKDw879E/s320/photo-794498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637430167464942098" /></a></p>Especially for the Gossips, this dig was at Bekonscot model village :)Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-83356928251008959322011-07-29T17:17:00.001+01:002011-07-29T17:22:05.337+01:00test e-mail blog post<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhPOBNWpJnlbVDjij9tP-shs15VngIr46kzReRhvvKu6RHEtQMG6FnMyCLyPRCthAc_sFKJzkERXecX_VTqtw83IXLCni02UNDB7XFVZH4RBYM35itWPd_GAsS6mWT87LCPBpqAHLwSk/s1600/chris+photo-725066.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634809516926747842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhPOBNWpJnlbVDjij9tP-shs15VngIr46kzReRhvvKu6RHEtQMG6FnMyCLyPRCthAc_sFKJzkERXecX_VTqtw83IXLCni02UNDB7XFVZH4RBYM35itWPd_GAsS6mWT87LCPBpqAHLwSk/s320/chris+photo-725066.JPG" /></a></div><div dir="ltr"><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really should be working</span></span><span lang="en-gb"> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">J</span></span><span lang="en-gb"></span><span lang="en-gb"></span><span lang="en-gb"></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let</span></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s try a photo....</span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span lang="en-gb"></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span lang="en-gb"></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><<chris photo.JPG>> </span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow, that was taken two years ago, and I wore that shirt yesterday. Desk layout slightly modified, different laptop and phone, that Green magazine is</span></span><span lang="en-gb"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Healthcare Market News</span></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, a copy on my desk now! All looks exactly the same, is that good or bad?</span></span></div>Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-84897786224811145132011-07-29T12:29:00.002+01:002011-07-29T12:29:48.125+01:002010 mini-fourbeans tour countdown :)Testing whether the blog is still working, trying to get the Google location thingy to work. Off to Scotland and back in a couple of weeks :)Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-88407306905914282362010-08-31T15:33:00.000+01:002010-08-31T15:33:40.643+01:00Center Parcs, Devon and back to earth ....Center Parcs was great, various people had said it was great, and we now know they were definitely right! Action packed, with Zip Wires, Aerial Adventures (ask Pip!), Mini-Fencing, and of course loads of time going down the Rapids (Rabids!!) in the swimming pool. Really good to catch up with all the family, and never enough just chatting time, but a great three days to nearly finish our trip.<br />
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Yesterday we travelled an hour and forty minutes to a fantastic little camp site in Devon from Cairo's "Cool Camping Kids" book (I thought I had all their books already!!), with both Hymers parked up we had a great little camp with a beautiful sea view. Sergo set out a very impressive Badminton court (taped lines, proper net) and we played appalling badminton and used our Boules set for the first time on tour. Last night we had a blazing campfire (marshmallows), a fantastic risotto for the grown ups (thanks Sergio) and Carbonara for the kids (thanks Pip) and a really nice last night camping in Velma.<br />
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Back down to earth....Tom and I are sitting in Velma in a side street in Exeter waiting for Gin and the girls to come back from the shops where school shoes, skirts, trousers, etc., are being panic bought. We bailed after M&S which looked like it had been hit by a typhoon. Looking around the van thinking "all this has to be unpacked, cleaned up, etc.". After very nearly 6 weeks on the road it is going to be difficult getting "back to normal".Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-84611712107522604512010-08-26T23:03:00.000+01:002010-08-26T23:03:42.992+01:00Rainy Kent...Just got off the Chunnel to the welcome of constant drizzle, Croatias heat and dust seems a very long way away :(. At least we get a pleasant "re-entry" with a few days at Center Parcs. Tonights luxury accommodation is to be Fleet Services!!<br />
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Spent the day visiting Gins great grandfathers grave in the Ypres Cemetary Extension and then on to Tyne Cot cemetary, the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery. Very moving and incredible to read the stories in the Visitor Centre at Tyne Cot. Also incredible how many cemetaries there are in the area and to think about the scale of the destruction and loss of life. Will leave it to Gin to put it more eruditely!!Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-15248980152795986432010-08-25T23:31:00.000+01:002010-08-25T23:31:33.168+01:00Ypres, Rain, Mud and PizzaThe Menin Gate in Ypres is not the aloof, isolated memorial I expected. A road runs through it, leading to a street of shops and restaurants. Cars, buses and lorries drive along this road at a fair speed, people walk through, some shelter under it in the rain, waiting for their lift to arrive - it is part of everyday life. And every day at 8pm, since 2 July 1928*, a short and simple ceremony has been conducted under the arch - initiated and continued by the people of Ypres, to show their gratitude for those that gave their lives.<br />
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Today's ceremony went like this ....<br />
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At 7.50pm, three men in immaculate uniform including cap and white gloves and each carrying a highly-polished bugle, linger on the side of the bridge that crosses the river Yser, just short outside the Menin Gate. They chat quietly amongst themselves and two or three official looking folk greet them and shake their hands in welcome. There is a surprisingly large crowd gathered, given that is an unimportant Thursday evening in August - all ages including small children, young adults, middle-aged and the elderly, mobile and wheelchair bound, nearly filling the pavements underneath the arch. Just before 8pm the buglers move from the bridge to a discreet position inside the arch, on the pavement. The traffic is stopped on either side of the arch at 8pm and the crowd falls silent. The three buglers move in formation to the centre of the east entrance to the arch and without looking at each other they play in perfect unison - the familiar notes ring out, the acoustics of the arch amplifying the sound and giving it an unexpected richness of tone. At the end a two minute silence and then the Ode of Remembrance is recited. Two groups then lay wreaths - the first a number of men and women in every day clothes and the second a school party in uniform. The wreaths join 20 or 30 others left by organisations and individuals, all with handwritten messages.<br />
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The buglers play once more and then march back to their earlier waiting position under the arch. Although one feels like clapping to honour their skill it does not feel appropriate. The ceremony is finished and the burble of the crowd starts up again. As it dissipates, some are dabbing eyes, others are smiling and talking, by particular names poppies are pushed into the crack between each slab, and photographs are taken. The buglers talk to the officials and those that wish to offer thanks. After the crowd has wandered off, the buglers are still there and only when one or two stragglers remain do they leave.<br />
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Could witter on for ages but will finish on the walk back from our evening meal to the campsite - some 900m down a cobbled street before turning off on to a footpath through fields. Pitch dark and pouring rain that some of us are ill-equipped for. The footpath is full of ankle-deep puddles and pale mud, with the occasional stretch of duck boards to traverse the more boggy bits of the field. At one point we were single file through a small wood, with Chris and the torch at the front and me at the rear ..... the gap between the last child and I grew larger .... the dark and the rain and the mud and the location was more than a little unsettling and I hurried to catch up with the others. <br />
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One is never too sure how much the children have taken on board but no-one complained about being soggy when we got back to Velma.<br />
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Night ....<br />
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* during the German occupation in WWII, the ceremony was conducted at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey.<br />
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For a good bit of background info read the Wikipedia entry on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menin_Gate">Menin Gate</a>.Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-33141864444646152812010-08-25T16:11:00.003+01:002010-08-25T16:11:38.619+01:00Disneyland again :)an exhausting three days at Disney was great fun. Really good to catch up with the Higsons, who we first visited Disney with in August 95, yes, before either family involved kids! All the kids and adults had a great time, and there was a whole new area open since we were there a month ago - Toy Story Playland, which was great.<br />
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We are now en route to Belgium, hoping to make it to the Menin Gate to here The Last Post at 2000 . Sat nav says we will make it with 30 mins to spare.Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-27989058722027471952010-08-22T22:34:00.005+01:002010-08-22T22:34:51.884+01:00weekend in BeauneA very nice weekend in Beaune. A great value Municipal Campsite, 5 mins cycle to cheap outdoor pool and 2 mins cycle to the 'Caves' where we picked up some nice local wine. The guy even drove me back to the camp as I couldn't balance 30 bottles on my bike :). Done all our washing as we will probably be on 'aires' between now and Center Parcs. <br />
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Thunder and lightning this evening so all packed up ready for early start to get to Disney by lunchtime tomorrow , much excitement about meeting up with the Higsons!Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7732619532824939275.post-28781993916829771002010-08-21T07:48:00.000+01:002010-08-21T07:48:50.434+01:00Breakfast in Frejus, pre-Aqualand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelhwLXBURzCGYP8ZVKBGllWbpT-8O2YZVbdFmND4VmZbXVOyiv6VnhwmhURpx5z3IfDOfxQimLG4_F_wLNHIMV4C6T_vVffNOepGvdT-wKV4Smia4pbiCEoXBuK92iP89R-UBqHXDeHA/s1600/DSCF0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelhwLXBURzCGYP8ZVKBGllWbpT-8O2YZVbdFmND4VmZbXVOyiv6VnhwmhURpx5z3IfDOfxQimLG4_F_wLNHIMV4C6T_vVffNOepGvdT-wKV4Smia4pbiCEoXBuK92iP89R-UBqHXDeHA/s320/DSCF0612.jpg" /></a></div>Motorway "Aires" are pretty good, the one by Frejus we stayed in twice and we had fresh bread for our breakfast and a nice camp spot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJZVDunK9yoMCdoQim2ZzIBXYAZEnDN9JRY9AIcgeQTpE0s7vXb2gsWpMBO170YyWqyi4wEIZIuEJzZP62AWV2McupY1VtKN41zONo4ztHfpogA6b_g6K4byuoc-E3NUQKwbF39TYHNc/s1600/DSCF0613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJZVDunK9yoMCdoQim2ZzIBXYAZEnDN9JRY9AIcgeQTpE0s7vXb2gsWpMBO170YyWqyi4wEIZIuEJzZP62AWV2McupY1VtKN41zONo4ztHfpogA6b_g6K4byuoc-E3NUQKwbF39TYHNc/s320/DSCF0613.jpg" /></a></div>This "crockery"was a 21st present for Ginny from Anna and Claire!!!Fourbeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05528065431470932497noreply@blogger.com0