an early new year @ beaver lake
the gang requested a 'proper walk' so we headed off to beaver lake
***
for the benefit of "ken", that's beaver lake, approx. 3km east (aka right) of Pine Lake, or Lat:=37.0625, Long:=-95.677068
see also
Wikipedia
|
Google
|
TerraServer
***
definitely a wide variety in the quality of beaver impressions
(ranked roughly from left to right in this observation)
poorer quality impressions were rewarded by walking the plank
(or in this case, half a fir tree)
then a quick ride back to the clarkes for a luvly tea/supper where I was sequentially thrashed at WII tennis, ping pong and trickster hand shaking (yes, I'm talking to you Miss. H!)
thanks all!
Rattlesnake Hike
The plan was to hike up to rattlesnake ledge , but the weather was worse than expected and the snowline had dropped since the excursion to twin falls so instead we walked along the lake.
The rock mountain crew will be please to hear that the new tea thermos performed well.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-19 to fix broken links
Some Christmas Grub
Santa and the reindeers got mince pies, carrots and Red Hook ESB, complete with tomato ketchup (at F's insistence!)
Mum made real and choco-holic Christmas puds. Both most excellent, and with Brov's brandy butter, they slide down very easily.
Proper walking at Christmas
You know the score .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-22 to fix broken links.
Christmas Eve in Seattle - Part II
...then off to golden gardens (via some lunch at Ray's) for a walk on the beach.
Proper Walk Series
Another proper walk . And another pattern is starting to emerge. Do you need to be wearing shorts for it to be a really proper walk.
As Graeme & Jo now say … "Proper Job".
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-22 to fix broken links.
National Park Monopoly
Result! REI had US National Park monopoly... a different twist on the game, plus a nice list of more places to visit.
Brov won :-(
Twin Falls Expedition
This time we did the waterfall hike frontwards .
Finn @ 4
Yikes! Finn was four last week, so we had his special celebration breakfast: pancakes with chicken stew.
Jump Planet provided the entertainment - and we didn't loose anyone on the slides.
Big thanks to Victoria & Harriet for the cake!
Proper Walk Series
Another proper walk, so another piccy in the series.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-28 to fix broken links
Windy lake Washington
A bit of a blow down at lake Washington and a mini-fetch was up, not enough to surf, but enough to get you wet if you stood too close to the drift wood.
competition time!
does fay take a better picture than aiddy?
vote now with your fav pic:
comment with either
"top fav" or "bottom fav"
Context: lots of rain == flooding == interesting bike rides
wind swept
fay at ecola state park where the wind blows in from the pacific and bends trees like a pint of stella
cannon from ecola
A little south of seaside is Ecola State Park with rather oar-somme views of Cannon beach
quite a spot for a spot of lunch
followed up with a mini-hike along the cliff...
...to Indian beach and another amazing sunset
giving thanks on the beach in Oregon
the drag down I5 to seaside for an extended thanksgiving break was well worth it. loads of beach time — not bad for November, especially as this time last year we were throwing snow balls
oh, and the turkey went down well too (with yorkshires !)
big thanks to katie & martin
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
family snap
quick snap before granddad headed off to seatac
the run down to the airport can be a bit dodgy — hence the profusion of camo gear
Water break
A small hike with granddad and Rachel to the falls at Olallie State Park. We did the hike backwards, because dad missed the exit.
Note: _This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to remove broken links_
Out with the boys
After showing us how to: balance in a capula; sketch sculptures; colour in menus; and eat ice cream, the boys left for the Boeing IMAX theatre so the girls could take granddad shopping.
Who got the better deal?
Art, what is art then?
We need to tread carefully around the subject for this post since lovely Fay studied at London's
Central St. Martin's College of Art & Design
, but we're not too sure what's sculpture and what's park at the
Olympic Sculpture Park
.
Can you help sort which is which?
Girls go to Orcas
The girls bravely left Les and I in charge, and nipped up to Orcas for a couple of days at Fawlty Towers . We think they had fun, but every time they try and talk about it they descend into giggles...
The case of the strange man on a tractor
A mystery for the neighbours: we had another strange man riding around on the tractor! This one also claiming to be 'the granddad'.
pleasure & pain
Pleasure: Getting out into the mountains and to places like this
Pain: The payment in blisters of 4,000 feet up followed by 4,000 down
Rock (hard) mountain
Saturday fun: A little spot of very fresh air on Rock Mountain Trail (
map
).
4,000 ft elevation gain to 6,880-ish and a jaw dropping view.
Another funny day
Wednesday = ride the bus to work day and an amazing sunrise which, by the time I got off the bus and up onto the car park roof, had degenerated to this.
As Prof. Ken Close used to say, "you've missed the best bit".
For those that are beginning to think I've gone potty on clouds: http://www.cloudappreciationsociety.org/
By popular request
Come on, you must have seen this one
coming
?
By
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
Today's Coffee Table Thought
"People buy expensive machines to do garden chores — cut grass, blow leaves — to save time and to save work . But because the lack of work makes them unfit, they then buy expensive gym memberships so they can use other machines that make them work . Just as well they saved all that time on garden chores, otherwise there'd be no time to go to the gym."
Coffee table, not thought, from Seattle Marriott Waterfront .
some cloud
H thought 25 piccy's of cloud was a tad excessive — "you and mum went away and took pictures of clouds?" just about said it all.
Thought I might get away with sharing three of them — you're a more discerning audience.
Matt's in the market
Fantastic food (thank you Robbie for the recommendations, the patter & the lamb burger napkin) at a great place — Matt's in the Market — highly recommended if you're out and about around Pike Place. If the only space is at the bar, grab it (and grab it even if it isn't the only space).
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
hole in the head(s)
The problem with taking funny pictures of Fay; is that she retaliates.
Actually, that's the problem with digital camera's that have an instant piccy-preview...in the 'good old days' of film she'd wouldn't have known a retaliation was needed until a week later.
thank you victoria & james
The boys had a sleep over and we escaped for a day in the big city & a little (slightly early) celebration — thanks guys!
Funny Day
This morning the sun was trying to creep between the Cascades and the Cloud
By this afternoon, the sun had given up, and the clouds were dropping wet stuff on us.
Campus Walks
Walking between buildings on campus to get from meeting to meeting is great, and usually quicker than the shuttle — but this time of year the colours are wonderful, even for those of us with dodgy eyes.
The down & up of 14 - 9
A very generous James, Victoria and Brian invited me over for a spot of world cup rugby, live from France to PNW via various boxes of electronics.
A very satisfying outcome said Brian...
unless you're supporting France. It appears that Bart's facial hair theories have something to them [ cached ]!
dad to son: it was this big
Dad with [autumn | fall] colo(u)r at cottage lake park
Piccy by H with a Canon SD1000 (which is nearly as small as he is)
more fountain
A trip to the Seattle center is now no longer complete without a stop at the international fountain, this time with the Kirkland Posse. One day someone will update the sequence, and we'll have a [car | bus] full of wet children. Fun in July, not so fun in December.
NWBrickCon
FAB day out in Seattle at NW Brick Con ( read all about it ) with D, F & Co. Top marks to the little people & the mindstorm extravaganza. H found another titanic ; this one took 6 months, at 6 hours a day, to build.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
Joy killers
Given all the unsavoury things that kids can get up to these days, I'd have thought the last thing society would want to do is blight bits of architectural concrete with 'skateboard prevention brackets'.
Of course, we could always ban skateboarding completely, and while we're at it wrap <18 year olds up in bubble wrap (cotton wool being so 1970). If we did that, we also wouldn't need advice like this .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
Bagel Technique
Friday morning == team bagels, thanks to Marcio, seen above demonstrating optimal toasting technique , for yesterday's batch, fresh from Noah's .
Note: _This post was updated on 2020-12-01 to fix broken links_
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you (+ 1 week rat-at-ta)
Happy Birthday to you (+ 1 week rat-at-ta)
Happy Birthday Dear H
Happy Birthday to you (+ 1 week rat-at-ta)
Sorry H, manic week, so piccy delay. We had a fab time, hope you did toooo!
Boys will be... star wars characters?
For no reason in particular, a piccy of H...
...and a piccy of, err, well, ah, um, Jango Fett ?
Salmon in the fish ladder
H & F intently studying some kind of Salmon at the viewing gallery at the Hiram M. Chittenden locks in Seattle.
People were less than amused when we broke out the fishing rod...
Weekend Rainier Hike
A little 4+ mile hike with the gang from Sunrise to Frozen Lake
along Sourdough Ridge and the odd scree slope
great views and great company
and two very good little hikers to boot!
More for family on flickr .
Clouds
After a long stretch of amazing weather, we awoke yesterday to cloudy skies, not a patch of blueness in sight. The obvious remedy was to drive up to Sunrise for a little clear air and a small 4+ mile hike with the boys (more of that later). This was the view north from Sourdough Ridge — Mount Baker is just visible on the horizon line to the right (that's about 130 miles north), and we live over to the left, underneath all that cloudy stuff.
[ TerraServer ]
Hotel Splendide
We've had just a few visitors, and thanks to Emma the house is now suitably sign posted!
Seattle Steam Orca
The Seattle Steam company brightens up the parking lot with a couple of big Orca paintings.
A September Saturday
A morning ride with Daniel, from Redmond Watershed and along the Tolt trail (and back)
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
quality control interruption
'F' goes bump in Victoria
'F' at Canadian base camp on long beach
'F' plays air guitar while waiting for the kayakers to do whatever kayakers do
These messages brought to you in the interests of restoring an equitable 'F' to 'H' ratio. Normal service will be resumed soon(ish).
note to self #0x5d
Put gear into boot (trunk) before adding bikes to rack; it makes life a lot easier.
Lego does Chess
H getting to grips with Lego Chess after some fun and games with the installer. The practice is needed for challenging granddad when he's back from Canada.
MV Chelan to Sidney
Taking the early morning ferry from Anacortes to Sidney on MV Chelan — the same ferry we went to San Juan on last year .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-3 to fix broken links
sunset beach
MacKenize beach, Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (the country where the queen's head is on the dollars).
kayaking at 6
H saw some kayakers out and wanted to try it
so with some help from the local experts , we did.
A little paddle over to Meares Island to see some very old trees — this one is estimated to be over 1000 years old.
one year in pnw
one year ago today we arrived in the pacific north west via BA049
don't we look
good
grayer
fatter
smarter
cute
republican
cooler
older now?
oar-soome!
wet morning in victoria
The morning after both boys fell asleep in the old spaghetti factory was wet, so we headed into the Royal BC Museum to get out of the rain and into the Titanic Exhibition.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-3 and again on 2023-08-16 to fix broken links
The art of sand
The boys on Tofino's MacKenzie beach , having been inspired by the sand sculptures at Parksville beachfest .
We have a long way to go. In the people's choice awards...
F voted for Bear Necessities...
H voted for Pirates...
Dad voted for Polar Espress(o)...
... and mum doesn't like her piccy; so that one got vetoed ;-)
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-3 to fix broken links
Run away
Time to run away, again ! Of all the places to run into a bear, this one sprang out on us while on Vancouver Island.
The boys did great, remembering all the instructions from the Rangers: stand tall and make yourself look big, walk away slowly and don't look into their eyes (else they might want to fight)…
…the guide at the Royal British Columbia Museum thought the whole thing very strange ;-)
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-22 to fix broken links
Another Bandera Piccy
The excuse for this one is to point out the elevation gain: 3,200 feet (without the leg down to Mason lake and back)...
...and Scafell Pike is only 3,210 above sea level ;-)
Bandera
Fay & the boys are away so Martin & I took the opportunity for another 'not child friendly hike' . This time we did Bandera Mountain and Mason lake; the guide thought the views were worth the steep ascent — and it was right.
More pictures on flickr .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-11-30 to fix broken links
Another example of a proper walk
Proper walks can be short. There's nothing in the definition that say's they have to be long (or for that matter, that you have to wear shorts).
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-22 to fix broken links
Mount Shuksan
Mount Shuksan from Washington State Highway 542 with an interesting altocumulus forming above.
Mountains
We made up for me being in the UK while friends from the UK were here in the US with a little weekend trip to the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest .
Fay, Molly, Fin and Harvey made it to the top of Artists Point, with Mount Shuksan (9,127 feet or 2,782 metres) behind.
That is snow on the ground in July; the road up had only been cleared and opened the previous day.
Honiton Market Celebration
The charter for the market in Honiton is 750 years old this year — hence people doing odd things like dancing in the street and throwing penny coins about.
Amelie
Baby Amelie at near enough one month old; exhausted after a stroll along the promenade at Sidmouth.
More on flickr .
Getting About
Getting about was easy thanks to Hilton's Private Car Service (thanks Paul) and the odd train or two.
Travel Again
It's been a year (over a year) since I last traveled for work!
So to celebrate, compare and contrast the towels of Cambridge (above) and Boise .
Good behavior means...
...that's not all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
I thought it rather odd to see a six year old leaving notes for himself; I still send myself emails.
Weekend Away
A great weekend away at the North Cascades Institute Learning Center at Diablo Lake in the North Cascades National Park .
Much thanks to the crew: Jeff, Jeff, Cara, Adam, Ranger Paula, Ranger Lilly & the rest…
More on flickr .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-22 to fix broken links
Long hours = tired kids
Last Friday was 'bring your kids to work day'. H & F suffered that, the "store", and a quick scoot into REI for supplies for the weekend on the way home.
Priceless moment while checking them in at reception:
Dad, pointing to illuminated Internet Explorer 'e' sign above the entrance: "do you know what that is?"
H: "No"
Dad: "What to do you use when you go to the cbeebies site?"
H: "Firefox"
Much laughter from people various gathered in reception :-)
Golden
So, while some of us sat in meetings in 10/2269, kids+chums hit the beach at Golden Gardens park.
That's _almost_ the pacific in the background!
Independence Day
Under-cover dessert police checking out the suitably decorated cheese cake at Wednesday's independence day bar-b.
Bug protection
Not to be outdone by Victoria, Fay was prepared for a quick nap outdoors, safe in the knowledge that no mossie was going to give her West Nile virus .
Barby
BBQ'd home made burgers and chicken for tea.
looks like we did something similar last year only Aunty is tightening up on the stuff that's available to expats overseas :-(
Canoeing
Kayaking is out with a 6 and 3 year old, and grade 4 white water is definitely a no go. So, after the rafting trip, our next water adventure was a little paddle on Lake Washington, in around union bay by the Arboretum .
Very relaxing, in fact too relaxing. Guess who had a little sleep in the bottom of the boat?
If you're visiting, boat hire was from the University of Washington's water activities center .
More for family and friends on flickr .
Summer is here
The summer evening sun streams into the family room
Sometimes it gets so sunny that F has to wear his shades.
Star Wars: Return of the Xbox
Lego star wars is back!
Ironic: collecting the Xbox from the UPS depot opposite campus-xbox :-)
More Lego
More lego. That's hours of work that is.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Hot tub
Emptied, cleaned and refilled the hot tub this weekend having decided that we really should give it a try
It was at this point that I realised I should have paid much more attention to Mr. Jefferson's chemistry lessons.
Having defective colour vision doesn't help much either, which might explain why we all came out "splotchy" ;-)
More for family on flickr .
Kart-ing
H was very taken by the Kart-King , and thanks to Dawn he's now practicing hand break turns down the drive. Watch out Hamilton !
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Back to Leavenworth
Look into my eyes
Look into my eyes, look into my eyes. Not around the eyes. Look into my eyes. You're under.
Whispering Pines Lodge
A very relaxing weekend with the Clarke's east of the cascades at Whispering Pines Lodge , in Plain , North of Leavenworth.
I loved the grates, they had a full 6 feet of space beneath for snow that is knocked off boots!
Duck Restored
A bit of surgery and the Honiton duck is back in shape and out on the deck with her friends. Even better, the weather was right for it!
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Wet Juanita Bay
We had a little walk at Juanita Bay Park . 'F' was so exhausted from yesterday's tiny treks and a sleepover with D and F that he had a little 'moment' and then crashed out.
Mum and H returned from seeking the turtles to find Dad and F asleep in a nice dry spot under a tree.
More on flickr .
Wet Day
After some really great weather, today was/is a wet day. MTB ride canceled :-(
Still, it keeps the place green...
Most Serene
2500ft altitude gain in 3.6 miles (oh, that's not including the quick jaunt up to Bridal Veil Falls and back) so this was a hike sans-kids.
Dinner
Joseph treated us to a fish supper treat; Mediterranean style. Yum.
It went down well with the kids too!
Our favourite park
We took the gang to our favourite park — sorry Angus, we didn't get to the bakery — to fly kites, admire the view and
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Wet day in Seattle
Crossing the 520 floating bridge on ST545 was depressing, mid span both sides of the lake were hidden by low cloud.
fortunately, the weather cleared quick smart,
but the kids weren't as cooperative when it came to grabbing a picture of all four of them!
Rule of thirds...
Rule of thirds? What rule of thirds ?
Expensive education? What expensive education?
Bucket & Spade
Note to self: before promising afternoon excursion with bucket and spade to build sand castles, ensure "beach" includes "sand".
Deception Pass
Our grand circular tour included Deception pass on the north end of Whidbey Island...
Granny I and Granny II
Two grannies came to visit, they had a great time even though many things were closed
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Tug tug
Inspired by the class B tug boat race...
... F made his own, with a little help from the center for wooden boats - thanks!
More on flickr .
Ships Ahoy
Checking out the action at Seattle Maritime Festival .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Garden in May
Another year, another May, a different garden , but just as beau-de-ful.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
For Jekko
The deer came and visited us this morning
but they heard that Jekko had missed them, so they came back again this evening!
Start them young
All those late night conference calls on distributed applications with CORBA when H was 6 months old and not sleeping appear to have rubbed off, and not least because I discovered that CORBA was good for something…
Today email via sneaker-net; tomorrow kernel hacker?
Related link: bed time story for under five insomniacs .
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to remove a broken link to http://www.acmqueue.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=printer_friendly&pid=396&page=1. I've no idea what that was, so now it just hits the acmqueue homepage. Bitrot.
Litter bug advertising
It might only be second growth forest, but I'm sure this isn't the kind of advertising emerald city smoothie had in mind.
Four dry
Lake Washington is higher than usual ( check it out ) which meant the beach was under water and instead of playing around the rocks we had to balance on them.
Luckily we had no wet feet!
Flat chin
A last minute dive to stop H from scoring an equaliser resulted in a slight flattening of F's chin. It's alright, most people don't notice, especially in dim lighting.
Party
H had a dinosaur party - we think it went well (thanks to loads of help!)
We're not sure what the pirates were doing.
more for family on flickr.
15 minutes of fame
James gets fifteen minutes in the silverlight . Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links and on 2022-04-03 to remove broken links
Spring
It's that time of year again, but our first spring in the PNW.
Everything is the same, but different. Bigger.
Pit stop
Following the excitement of kart racing, we decided to go for a more scenic pitstop on the drive south from Vancouver. This is Larrabee State Park , about 15mins from I-5, looking across the sound to the San Juan Islands . Lovely.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Kart-king
Harold drove us out of the Vancouver suburbs to see Owen practicing for today's race at the Chilliwack track.
H was a key part of the practice session preparations.
Good luck Owen!
Capilano Lake
Upstream from the bridge is Capilano lake . The lake was formed by Cleveland Dam , to store drinking water for Vancouver.
A Capilano Bridge too far
Just north of downtown Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
It's in a heavily wooded area, so you need to watch out for the bears.
It turns out that H&F aren't scared of heights, so we had to go across...
...next time their mum can take them ;-)
Vancouver @ Night
It was easy to see why Vancouver rates as one of the world's most liveable cities . This was the view north-ish from the Century Plaza in downtown.
Culture Shock
A hotel room with a kettle, tea pot and a coffee machine! Where in the world are we?
It could only be Canada.
Run Away
BEDEMIR: Oh.... Um, l-look, if we built this large wooden badger-- [twong]
ALL: Run away! Run away! Run away! Run away! Run away!
[ Monty Python ]
International Fountain
We'd heard good reports of the international fountain at the Seattle Center - F&H had done a scouting mission earlier in the year.
You can get very close when the jets shut down between each cycle
Sometimes too close!
Second attempt
Our second attempt on Rattlesnake Ledge was much more successful.
Guest room ready
The guest room is ready. I wonder who's coming to visit. Can you guess?
The chart (that's chart, not map) above the bed is from Antigua. Did you know that most experienced yachtspeople consider that the north-east coast of Antigua from Indian Town Point to Horse Shoe Reef is the most dangerous area in the whole Eastern Caribbean?
Welcome web-visitors from Saint John, and welcome physical visitors from ......... ?
Clearing Squall
Clearing squall at Rattlesnake Lake after our little adventure on the path to the ledge.
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-24 to fix broken links
Wet feet
On the appearance of wet footprints do you:
a) assume the kids have spilt something
b) assume that heavy rainfall has flooded the garage
c) realise that the water heater is leaking
That'll be the water heater then, a 50 gallon monster of a water heater.
and that'll be the hole in the wall needed to replace it. Good job they're built to last, they reckon that the new one will be good for all of, er, 9 or 10 years...
Rattlesnake Ledge
We did a walk this afternoon, from Rattlesnake Lake...
Since the white slippery stuff was starting to settle, we thought the prudent thing was to turn round and hightail it down again...
Another trip to add to the list of one's to try again — along with Wallace Falls (started too late in the day), Twin Falls (trail washed out), and getting to the top of Rainier (er, a little on the high side for young Finn).
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-28 to fix broken links
April Fool
Beware the April fool in our house. Spiders and sea creatures appeared in drinks and breakfast cereals.
Best 'April fool' of the day? "Is it April 1st today?", answer: "No"
Spring in the garden
It's not quite the same as our garden in the UK last year, but spring has arrived and we're making an effort (we'll, Fay's making the effort ;-)
Grass
So having had the same office for six years, I'm now on my second in six months!
I've also swapped the mature woodland surroundings of the last building for some newer landscaping on another part of the campus.
Vin Rouge?
Vin Rouge or Camion Rouge? Either way, it went down rather well...
...rather too well for some (although that piccy's been censored).
House for Alice
Because they're stuck on a tiny boat, with no refreshing rain (just hours of sunshine), and no noisy engines (just the soothing sound of a breeze in the sails and gentle waves on the bow), down in the Caribbean (how jealous am I, how not is Fay!) A & G asked to see the house.
Seeing as they've just crossed the Atlantic, I don't see the issue with popping through the Panama Canal and up the west coast, but Fay thought some pic's would be appreciated.
And look - not a jug in sight !
Real Football
Tomorrow is soccer practice, so we need to make sure everything is ready the night before.
Or, as 'H' describes it: "look dad, I've made a person!"
Suitable Clothing
Another in the there's no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing series...
...even better: the combination of rain, much wetness, puddles and waterproofs makes for super-speedy slides at the park.
St Patrick's Day Biking!
Daniel and I headed down to South SeaTac park - between SeaTac airport and Des Moines - for a spot of fresh air and some exercise. Much fun, although I wimped out of the second ' big drop ' ;-)
Also, apologies to James for forgetting to forward the S+.
Pineapple Express
Been a bit wet over the weekend. It must have been the pineapple express . 'F' demonstrates the perfect head covering for such weather systems.
Adventures
While 'R' admired the fantastic mirror feature of the standard-issue hobbit detector, the spiders shimmed up his jacket and knicked the One Ring from his pocket, therefore preventing 'R' from making it available to one Bilbo Baggins and thence becoming available for the battle of Mirkwood...
Small, meet tall
Finn demonstrates the relative size of trees in Farrel McWhirter Park. Yesterday, we learnt from teacher Ann that most of the area was clear-cut about 100 years ago - that's a lot of tree rings to count!
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-28 to fix broken links
Globalization & Enlightenment
Exhibit A
-
One watering can; location: Redmond, Washington State, USA; picture taken: March 2007
Exhibit B
-
One watering can; location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK, picture taken: March 2004
I leapt to the conclusion that exhibit A had been shipped from Berkhamsted to Redmond by the owners of said exhibit. Wrong. It was in the garden of the house when they moved in. Perhaps the previous owners also purchased it from Woods of Berkhamsted? Perhaps there's only one watering can factory left in the world?
Ah, perhaps they're just both based on the same classic design from John Haws …
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-28 to fix broken links
Summer Time Starting Early
Summer time is starting early this year. We're told it's to save energy (lighter evenings = less energy consumption) except there doesn't appear to be any supporting data. In fact, there's some evidence [pdf] to suggest daylight saving time doesn't save energy - at least not in societies that tend to drive more when evenings are lighter...
Anyway, from tomorrow we'll be on summer time here in the Pacific North West.
Walking
[note to readers: there are no piccy's from the last bit of off-road fun :-( ]
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-28 to fix broken links
Two cheeky cats in hats
It was Dr. Suess' birthday yesterday, and the library had a special celebration this morning. Great fun!
George
How does George stop the horses getting snow balls in their shoes?
The horses don't have shoes.
Weekend Trip
We did a little trip over the mountains to Leavenworth for that authentic Bavarian experience...
...so much excitement on the sleigh ride that the boys flaked out.
Gotcha!
News of the heist had spread.
Our hero was making a last ditch dash for the open sea when the coast guard caught up with him.
Racing
Saturday lunch stroll in Kirkland along the shore of Lake Washington ended up with a race with a load of bronze children. We lost.
Are they your children?
The sculpture at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks was straight until the kids got to work...
Gas Works Park
Hey guys - look what happens when I turn this...
...all the water in that lake starts to drain away!
Lost
Last seen leaving Interstate 405 at the junction with West Valley Highway (Lat 47.467 Long -122.218). Reward offered for safe return.
St Edwards
We did a walk in St Edwards State Park this afternoon.
The boys walked all the way down to the lake…
At some point we should take them to visit the other St Edwards — and I'd link to that if only I could find a web site for it. I thought everywhere had a web presence now?
**Update: 2020-12-28** Except I now realise that it's Saint Edward State Park. Discovered when fixing an external link to BitRott™
Complaints
Fay's been commenting on the lack of people-pictures on c r o s s o a k.
"There's too much abstract [censored] " she said "that Berko lot will be complaining, again"
"...and they all do complain, that's the thing" she continued (digging the hole deeper)
So please enjoy the following — normal service will be resumed shortly
Mowing
Two consecutive days of sunshine and warmth means... time to get the mower out.
Actually, it was more of a chance to catch up on some [autumn | fall] jobs left unfinished, rather than rampant winter grass growth.
Too nice for the science center
We'd planned to go to the Pacific Science Center but it was just too nice to spend the day indoors
Now, if only we'd thought to bring a couple of these for the trip back...
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-28 to fix broken links
Found it!
*** Found ***
One Nintendo DS case (er, pink) plus assorted games and video footage of exclusive interview with Major Nelson Jr
*** Conclusion ***
either (a) Aiddy is blind or (b) we don't Dyson under the bed often enough
Apologies
Big 'sorry' to not-so-little H in Redmond...
Visitors Beware!
H is getting rather too good at Monopoly...
...so if you're visiting, get some training games in before hand ;-)
Tracking
Whilst on the phone Fay spotted tracks in the garden (yard)...
That's either a big dog, or small feet
Heist!
We figured out why the garden looked like it was covered in diamonds this morning. Harvey took the field testing of his new (on sale in REI ) balaclava a tad too seriously. But the choice of sled (sledge) as a get-away vehicle was inspired!
Snow 1 Seahawks 0
A great day with Dawn, Mark & Rachel although the Seahawks did loose to the Chicago Bears following a field goal in extra time: boooooooooo!
Still Snowy
The new maximum — minimum thermometer (thank you!) shows why the snow is still here, we even had a little top-up yesterday afternoon
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Sledding (or sledging) in Cottage Lake Park. H took top honors (honours).
At the top of sled (sledge) hill was a growing collection of lost+found (would be generally useful for finding stuff provided (a) there were more than 90 odd people in the group & (b) the pictures of 'found' stuff were geotagged)
Kool! neve erom wons
Snow means wrap up warm and have fun - and no need to keep a watchful eye of the mountain passes . Talking of watchful eyes , has Ken never read 1984?
Ekk! sorry, that last bit just sorta slipped out, normal programming has now been restored, and we return you, dear viewer, to some pictures of the snow and wintry conditions hear in western Washington...
More in the snow set on flickr.
One for Granddad
Some snow resulted in abandoned cars all over the shop, but that didn't stop DHL getting through (although whether they got back again is another matter).
Note: This post was updated on 2020-12-28 to fix broken links
Snow Again
Yup, it's snowing again. This is the current view across to the Cafeteria...
...and this is the path down to the car park (no, I didn't cycle today!).
I'm adopting the "wait for the madness to die down a bit" policy of getting home. Other appear to have adopted the "leave early but abandon car" policy.
