Wednesday

With Cade housebound, Jo and I took the opportunity to take Lucy's car for a spin. We headed towards Medford and stopped off at Central Point to look at a Creamery that Jo had noticed in one of the guide books. We sampled the cheeses and bought some bread as well and went to check out. The girl there had studied in London in the '70's and her sister had lived in Kintore for a while so she knew Aberdeen City and Shire pretty well - small world!

Then it was off to Barnes & Noble for Jo to top up her book collection - of course, obligatory Starbucks first of all. We spent ages getting books for Jo (and Cade) and by the time we had finished lunch time hunger pangs were calling. I thought we should try downtown Medford - we'd only ever seen the malls there - and I had used my Blackberry to find a place I thought might be interesting, but when we got there, it had been converted to an Irish theme bar - ugh!

On the way from Central Point in to Medford itself, we'd noticed a Wild River place - it's the same as the Grants Pass brewpub we usually go to and as we hadn't been yet this holiday, we thought it might be worth trying it. Of course the sampler tray was ordered first, then the peel and eat shrimp - excellent! One of my favourite things to do in USA - and this was the first time we'd done this this year.


Then it was just back to Lucy's - reading, pool, sunbathing then steaks for BBQ, preceded by more shrimp that we'd bought at Fred Meyer's yesterday.

Tuesday

Not much to report - another quiet day - Jo and I finished reading our books - and it was Jo's last one - we may have to go back to Barnes & Noble in Medford and buy more. I topped up last week and bought 3 more - the one I read first was Barack Obama's latest, The Audacity of Hope - as he has a good chance of being the most powerful man on the planet in just a few months, I thought it might be useful to find out something about him. It was pretty interesting - he came over pretty well. Anyway it's now back to Grisham - Playing for Pizza - pretty short - should rattle through this one, leaving me just Geoff Emerick's book. Who he, you say? Well, he was the engineer at Abbey Road in the '60's and worked closely with George Martin on much of that era's music.

We shopped for piñatas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinata) for Cade's double birthday celebrations this weekend - we leave on his actual birthday on Sunday so we're having an early party on Saturday - and then he gets another one on Sunday! Cade got a skateboard and a football as his 2 piñatas. He went to football conditioning again at 5:30 - Scott took him there whilst Jo and Lucy took some of the huge volume of surplus toys off to a church sale and I babysat Braeden - boy, does he talk! We played on the slide, then went in the pool, hot tub and then played Wii golf - he never stopped!

Lucy made curry for tea and she and Jo were in their element - note "relaxed" hairstyle of our new retiree - don't you think it looks better this way?:

Cade ran a temperature overnight so Lucy and he are going nowhere today - perhaps Jo and I will take a trip out?

Plan B for Monday didn't amount to much - we just stayed home and read whilst Lucy set up Cade's Wii. I nipped out at lunch time to look for golf shoes and to top up our dwindling gin supplies - liver transplant required soon - and when I got back, Scott was home - nothing for him to do at work so he set about putting up a couple of trestles to plant more honeysuckle on and create a more dense barrier between them and their (rental) neighbours.

We ate early and set off to Rogue River for the start of (American) football training for Cade. He had to do laps then refresh himself at the water fountain:


He received his cleats (top) - as above. This week is all about "conditioning" - they worked the kids pretty hard in the heat. After 5 days of this, they get put in to teams and handed their helmets, which they practice in next week, with full contact not taking place until the following week.

It's all very well organised - just like the BMX - and it's in a beautiful setting - parents can just sit and watch and take in the scenery:

They moved around the field to different coaches and differing sets of exercises - this was one of them:

He did OK at that one and wasn't too bad with the ball in his hand:

By the end, however, he was on his last legs and the bear crawl proved a bridge too far for him:

When we got home, Cade just about had enough strength left to play Wii golf with his brother - albeit sitting down!:

Sunday in Ashland

Sunday morning dawned and Jo and Lucy went to early mass again, which allowed us a relatively early start to the day. We had originally planned to go to the Oregon Caves, but we checked the web site and noticed there was a height requirement of 42". Braeden was quickly sized up - just 41" - even a phone call to them couldn't get them to bend - I guess insurance is the main reason. Scott commented on the absurdity of Braeden being allowed on the Tower of Terror a week ago, but not the Oregon Caves!

Our next option was to take a day trip down to Ashland and visit some wineries on the way back. We parked the truck and walked through Lithia park, where the boys climbed on the metal "tree":


Strolling towards the shops we passed the Shakespeare stage - it's laid out just like the Globe in London. There were stand-ups outside and the boys had to pose

Cade insisted on role reversal for another photo when he realised he was the one wearing a dress! They were offering free brass rubbings that day and Cade did one, which he's now got at home - not sure where it's going to hang yet.

On to the shops - Lucy got a new pair of ear-rings:

After much discussion, we finally plumped for the tried and tested Standing Stones brewpub for lunch, where Braeden demonstrated several uses for his hot dog, including this one:

Back to the park and the boys stripped off and walked in the stream:

I eventually went in after them:

We had such a nice time in Ashland that we didn't have any time to take in wineries as the ribs were waiting to be BBQ'd. I cooled down in the pool and Lucy made mango smoothies. Jo enjoyed hers whilst the fountain entertained the boys:

Today's (Monday) original plan was for Lucy to get up at the crack of dawn and go in to work to finish off her notes from last week (she's on holiday again this week) - then we were going to head north to the safari park which is very close to Myrtle Creek GC - I would play there whilst they did the park.

Best laid plans etc - Lucy didn't get up in time, and, at the time of writing (8:30 am), Cade is still sleeping. He has football training starting at 5:30 tonight so I guess we'll have to develop a Plan B for today.

Britt Fest

On Saturday morning, Scott took Cade down to Medford to get his (American) football gear - practice starts Monday - so he's got the skull cap and chin protector and some boots. We went to the mall in GP and bought a couple of low slung beach chairs for the lawn at Britt Fest in the evening.

On the way down to Jacksonville, we took a detour in to Medford and sought out the new Southern Oregon Brewery - the tap room is open at the weekends only. We got a tour of the brewery - just the two of us - and had some samplers and a pint:



Britt Fest in Jacksonville is a great event and the concert setting is superb:


Buddy Guy was great but George Thorogood and the Destroyers? - they describe themselves as the best bar band in the world - and that's just what they are - there was definitely a touch of Spinal Tap about them - still, it gave us a chance to leave early and beat the crowds!

Friday in Medford

Lucy was off so we all drove down to Medford to look for a Wii for Cade's birthday next week - and I nipped away for 9 holes at Quail Point - a very pretty little course in the middle of a retirement resort. You could tell it was mostly played by Seniors as, although it was only a 9 hole course, there were additional rest rooms at the 4th green and 7th tee!

I had a beer on the deck and waited to be picked up - and then we went to Kaleidoscope for lunch. Described as a pizzeria and bar, we've been there every year and never been disappointed - good choice of ales and good food and nice surroundings - that is, if you ignore the Grateful Dead sculptures outside! Waiting for lunch:


It was Scott and Lucy's 7th anniversary and they went out for sushi in the evening - via Medford again - they discovered a store that had a Wii and they would only hold it for them for one hour!

A couple from Thursday - Braeden fell off the stand seats and gave himself a fat lip - here's the close up on Friday morning:

and Cade showing off his 2nd place ribbon at BMX:

This morning (Saturday), Scott and Cade have gone off to Medford to get a tyre - sorry, tire - for the 4 wheeler. The rest of us are heading in to GP - might look for a pair of sandals and maybe a larger suitcase - bought some clothes at Costco yesterday.

Tonight Jo and I are heading to Jacksonville for the Britt Fest - it's Buddy Guy on first then George Thorogood and the Destroyers. We may take a picnic and possibly a detour via a new brewery I discovered yesterday - Southern Oregon Brewery - they have a Tap Room that opens at the weekend 4-10.

Thursday

Apart from a brief trip out to get some bread for lunch, the daytime hours were spent at Delsie Drive again yesterday. In the evening we had Cade's BMX again and this time he managed an overall 2nd place in his category:

Braeden and I watched from the stand:

Braeden had fun on his swings and slide at home:

Off to Medford this morning - Jo and Lucy shopping - me having 9 holes of golf at Quail Point - never played there before.

Wednesday week 1 GP

Finished the EC autobiography yesterday morning - now started on Ronnie Wood's. For lunch we went to Summer Jo's - a farm/restaurant - everything grown locally and organic of course. It's a really nice spot - and Jo adored her lunch.


Braeden climbed a tree in the garden - doesn't he look happy?


Of course, there's always a before and after with Braeden!


We then headed off to Wildlife Images - a wild animal rescue centre - bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks, owls, raccoons, wolves, brown and grizzly bears and mountain lions. Entry and tours are free - donations accepted. Here's a tender moment at the start as we waited for our guide:

Jo conjured up one of her specials, using chicken, for dinner.

Today (Thursday) we're sitting the boys again - nothing planned - we'll play it by ear.

More video and photos

Bailey had fun rolling around whilst the others were in the pool at the weekend:

Braeden had to get in on the action as Cade finished off his BMX last night:

BMX night

The answer to yesterday's riddle was a Nutria - which we know better as a Coypu (ref http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coypu).

Anyway, the diary next - what did we do on Tuesday? Not a lot - but that's OK. Jo and I were sitting the kids - I ran Lucy to work and she cycled home again. We did a grocery shop at Fred Meyer - and I took 10 minutes out to look for new shorts (did I tell you that the ones I brought here were irreperably ripped in the butt when Lucy put them in the washing machine in Florida?) - and new sandals. In the end, I got neither - need more time - or for Jo to be with me to help out - another time perhaps. I did pick up a belt however - but that's all.

Late afternoon it was the pool again, then, in the evening, Cade had his BMX practice/races. It's a great set-up - and well supported. Cade got his gear on and wound himself up by practising jumps (without bike) over Braeden in the house:

Cade was just a little disconcerted when he saw that they had slightly changed the layout of the track since he was last there a couple of weeks ago and he went very quiet - perhaps he needed his Dad's encouragement - Scott had hurt his neck and had a headache so had to stay at home. Lucy and I tried hard to encourage Cade and he got through the evening OK with a 3rd place in his final race. They line-up in age/ability categories before they walk up the hill to the starting gates:

In his first race, he came 4th:

Later on, they were allowed to use the track for practice runs. Some of the older/more experienced kids (and adults!) have the skill and confidence to balance on 2 wheels with the front wheel resting against the gate before it falls, but Cade has still to learn this, so tends to be a bit slower at the start:

Lucy, Jo and Braeden watched from the stands:

The temperature dropped dramatically - it fell down to just 70 degrees F by the time we left at 8:30 pm!

Lucy's not working today but I don't know if there are any plans - I'll probably get the Eric Clapton autobiography finished (thanks, Kelly - I know it's been a long time since you bought me it, but you know the only chance I get to read is when we're on vacation!). I've already finished another Rebus (Black Book) plus Peter Alliss' autobiography - Ronnie Wood next! Going to have to visit the book store to top up. Nearly bought a stack of John Grishams at the airport - perhaps I should have - Scott has just finished reading The Brethren, which Jo and I listened to in audiobook format.

Myrtle Creek

Today's riddle - I've seen these animals many times before at Myrtle Creek GC and always believed them to be Muskrats, but yesterday my playing partners told me they were, in fact ?????? - I can't remember the name! I think the word begins with A - they were apparently imported about a hundred years ago as a potential substitute to the beaver, whose population was on the wane, but their pelts aren't as good as the beaver's. No amount of web-trawling has revealed the name yet - can anyone help? This was a baby one - maybe 2-3 feet long - Daddy would be more like 4-5 feet:

Myrtle Creek is beautiful and full of wild life - swooping turkey vultures, wild turkeys, but thankfully yesterday, no whiff of skunk! A very tame doe strolled out beside us at the 4th green, complete with fawn - and there was another one lurking in the woods. This shot was taken from just a few yards away:

Lucy cycled home yesterday - I had dropped her off at work in the morning with her bike, on my way north to Myrtle Creek. We just hung around in the afternoon and eventually got in the pool - Jo's 3rd visit - amazing!

Jo made soup - and we also had a delicious pud straight from the recipe book - can't remember what it was called - by then all the brain cells were dead - I had somewhat overdone the gin content in our evening G & T's!

Dropped Lucy off again this morning so I've got her car - may go shopping later - we'll see how the kids are.

Sleepy Sunday

Scott got back quickly with the dogs - his Dad drove over half way to meet him. Bailey was active:

but poor old Ryan just lay there:

We didn't go anywhere so just spent time reading, snoozing, listening to music (downloaded new Beck album plus two new audiobooks) and eventually the pool:

Scott cooked salmon on the BBQ and Jo made up noodles - Lucy mixed an alcoholic smoothie and I did the G & T's! It was pretty hot yesterday - well in to the mid 90's I suspect.

We're all up this morning - Scott and Lucy are going to work and I'm taking advantage of half price Monday at Myrtle Creek GC - should be back early afternoon.

Saturday

Well, the Lesinas finally got home safe and sound yesterday - I picked them up at the airport early afternoon. A very quiet and slow day - although we did manage a dip in the pool and hot tub.

Dinner was preceded by the usual G & T and Lucy went to Alberston's to get some chicken and she made up a Caesar salad - very nice.

Watching the final round of the Open this morning - and I'm babysitting - Jo and Lucy have gone to church and Scott has driven to the Coast to get the dogs.

Friday travel

First of all, a photo from our trip to Pleasure Island on Thursday evening. The boys had a great time - especially at the Lego store where there's lots of things to play with - and, of course, they got gifts to bring home too - just as well Scott and Lucy packed an extra suitcase!

We dined at the Italian Portobello restaurant.


On Friday morning, Lucy drove us to the airport - no problems - everything went smoothly. We had a couple of hours in Salt Lake City - time for a couple of beers in Finnigan's and it gave me a chance to see a bit of the Open.

We picked up Lucy's car at Medford and drove back to Delsie Drive (via Albertson's to stock up). Had a dip in the pool and waited - eventually Lucy phoned to say their plane had technical problems and had been delayed. After some to-ing and fro-ing, they eventually got put up at the Hyatt right in the centre of Orlando airport - and past security - just a 5 minute stroll to their gate in the morning.

This was a great outcome for them - far better than arriving in Las Vegas in the early hours of the morning and having to look for somewhere to stay there. This way, they'll arrive here refreshed and well on Saturday afternoon - via Phoenix - and it saved me having to go and pick them up at Medford at 2 or 3 am this morning!

Thursday

Our last full day - what to do? In the end, Jo and I stayed at the ranch whilst the rest headed off to Typhoon Lagoon, where they stayed until the usual mid afternoon klaxons (remember them all those years ago?). The bonus was that they got back here quite early - armed with Key Lime Pie - Jo's favourite!

Probably go Downtown Disney tonight for something to eat - then it's an early rise - Lucy will drive us to the airport. In return, I have to drive from Grants Pass to Medford airport at about 3 am to pick them up!

Tuesday

It was theme park time again yesterday (Tuesday) - this time Epcot. Another tropical downpour late afternoon meant donning the ponchos again and we were back at the ranch not long after 6pm.


Stars of stage and screen yesterday were Braeden, Cade and Lucy. The video clip shows Lucy and Cade on stage at the Velcro show - yes, Velcro - everything is sponsored here - even at Disney.

Imagination was popular - Jo may have retired but she was still in her element showing the kids what to do:

- and that was Tuesday. Wednesday was, for once, a slightly earlier start - we'd promised ourselves that we would be up and out by 8:30 latest every day to get the best of the weather and beat the crowds - but have failed miserably so far. Today was better, however, but we still managed to spend all day at the Animal Kingdom and not do anything else - but that was fine with us all.

Cade voted Animal Kingdom 2nd best park - just behind the Magic Kingdom. The boys enjoyed the greeting when they arrived:

Braeden was too small for the Everest ride, but we took a photo anyway:

Pizza, Bombay gin and beers in the evening - and off to bed by 10 - hopefully!

Monday

Yesterday was a quiet day as Jo wasn't feeling well - she slept most of the day, but she's fine again this morning.

Scott and I took the opportunity to nip down to Ginn Reunion, which is the location for our golf trip in November. It looks very nice indeed - Scott took this photo of me in front of the driving range:

Scott, Cade, Lucy and Braeden went to the pool in the afternoon - it was a lovely day. In the evening, we went to Red Lobster - excellent shrimp, scallops and lobster - and a really nice place.

Epcot is on the agenda for today - if the boys ever get up! Perhaps a water park later if the usual afternoon storms don't materialise.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Day 2 was spent at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). My ankle was still sore and I was going to have to hobble around. I tried at the start but it was obvious I would just be making my ankle worse - Jo suggested we get a wheelchair - it was the best $10 we ever spent - at least for me - pity about Jo, Lucy and Scott having to push me around! The good side for everyone, however, was that we all got to go in the disabled entrances and bypass the lines! What a fraud I felt!:



This park is primarily for adults and teenagers - not as good as the Magic Kingdom for younger kids. It does, however, have two of the very best rides going - the Tower of Terror and Aerosmith's Rock 'n Roller Coaster. We couldn't get Jo to go on either and Braeden was too small for the latter. On the Tower of Terror, all I could hear was Braeden asking his Mummy to get them to stop it! It's pretty awesome when they take you up in the lift and then just let it drop - and then again and again.

The acceleration on the Rock 'n Roller Coaster is fantastic and Cade bawled all the way through it - I thought he would have wet himself - but he held on OK! He was fine afterwards and happily posed for photos with his brother:

More rain yesterday but it didn't really affect us. We went back to our complex and freshened up in the pool:

We had planned to go out for seafood in the evening but then another storm broke and Scott went for a nap before we got pizza delivered to our rooms. Don't know if this was natural or whether Mickey was "planted"!:

Beautiful morning today (Tuesday) - but Jo's not feeling well, so I guess I'll hang around here - not sure what the Lesinas are doing - the boys are still asleep.

Magic Kingdom

Jo and I decided to go for a stroll round the site whilst we waited for the Lesinas to awake:

One of Lucy's patients had made up Disney t-shirts for the boys - and ones for Lucy and Jo too:

Boo - hoo - Scott and I felt left out!

Well, they did eventually get up, and, despite the forecasts, Cade insisted we went to Disney - so the Magic Kingdom it was. By the time we got there, parked, got transport to the ticketing centre, bought tickets, got the ferry over and entered the park, it was almost noon.

On the round the park train for a stop then got fast passes for Great Thunder Mountain Railway - that was great - even Jo enjoyed it - but then the heavens opened and all the outdoor rides were stopped as there was lightning in the vicinity. We didn't really mind the rain at first but eventually thought it might be prudent to buy rain ponchos. The rain did stop eventually and we did most of the rides - including Jo's favourite Pirates of the Caribbean, which had temporarily broken down earlier. Splash Mountain was great, as was Buzz Lightyear - and the new Monsters Inc laughter show featured me on screen and Cade's joke read out! The only ride to avoid is the old Carousel of the Future - nostalgia only!

Echoing our first family visit to Disney in 1989, we posed in front of Cinderella's Castle:

We didn't get out of Disney and over to TGI Friday's until 10 pm! Back to the apartment at 11 pm - large Bombay Sapphires to heal my aching ankle and off to bed, with the intention of making an early start this morning (Sunday) to avoid any storms.

The adults are now up (8 am Sunday) but no sign of the tired kids yet - patience is a virtue!

A neat little clip of Braeden, who spontaneously broke in to dance yesterday when he heard the Riverdance troupe performing:

Florida travel

Crack of dawn start and potentially awkward schedule - but all went well. Even our transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick was smooth and quick. We had ample time to enjoy the lounge facilities at Gatwick before heading for our slightly dleayed Virgin flight.

We were in the upstairs section of the plane and the space, food and service were all excellent. They made up most of the time lost on departure and were just 15 mins off schedule in Orlando. There was a huge storm and the roads were awash. Lucy met us (eventually) and we headed back to our accommodation in Kissimmee - except we got lost and it took forever!

Cade was in good form but travelling through the night had thrown Braeden off balance, so we nipped out to TGI Friday's and just got a takeaway and some beer and wine. Off to bed about 10:30 pm Florida time - about 3:30 am in our body clocks!

Up at 6 am this morning - all quiet - Jo got up about an hour later but still no sign of the Lesinas. Weather forecast for the week is pretty bad - storms are normal at this time of year, but not usually until late afternoon. Today the rain is forecast to start about 11 am, so not sure if Disney is such a good idea?

Another quick update

I know, I know - been slipping again! Just haven't had time recently. Golf Wednesday then Friday (Kemnay - football group - won again - 3rd year in a row!) - popped in to Inverurie, then off at the crack of dawn on Saturday to Cornwall. Horrid weather for golf but OK on Monday afternoon when Kelly, Jo and I did our little tours round Mousehole, St Michael's Mount etc then went out for dinner with Craig.

Jo was back at school yesterday tidying up - but that's her finished now - at last, the pain is over! Just preparing now for another very early departure tomorrow to Florida. Spoke to Lucy last night - they're leaving just before midnight their time tonight and will be there well before us tomorrow, so will pick up the hired vehicle - and maybe do some store shopping to stock up our villa?

A couple of quick snaps from last weekend - first Jo and Kelly in front of St Michael's Mount, then Jo and I at Mousehole harbour:

Belated update

Been so busy flying around everywhere, I haven't had time to update my blog. What have I been doing since last Thursday? Friday was just work then a quick foursomes tie with Jas in the evening - early to bed before dawn alarm to catch the early flight to London.

I met up with Dave at our hotel just after 10:00 am on Saturday and we headed off to Lord's for the cricket. We had a good time, but left just before the finish (foregone conclusion anyway). We stopped off for a beer at the Warwick Castle in Maida Vale:

Dinner in the evening was at a noisy tapas bar in Soho, and we had a leisurely breakfast before jumping on the Tube on Sunday morning to head for our respective flights - Dave to Houston and me home. I still managed to fit an my postponed tie against young Ross Gray then nipped home to pack my bags for an early start on Monday morning.

I had been invited to play golf at the new Carrick course at Loch Lomond but had not fully appreciated what a star-studded event it was. The accommodation was terrific and my room was packed with goody bags:


All the sporting stars were there and each team was drawn to play with one of them - we got Frank Hadden, Scotland's rugby coach/manager - a really nice, down to earth guy:


We had a quick beer after golf and I thought I'd better ask what the dress code for the evening dinner was? Black tie! Horror of horrors - I only had a sports jacket! Frantic phone call to Barry and he rushed down with his kilt and all the gear - saved! The only things that didn't fit were his shoes, but I had a pair of black ones anyway.

The dinner was excellent - hosts were Andy Cameron and Ian Robertson and entertainment included Eddi Reader & Fairground Attraction (remember "Perfect"?).

On Tuesday, Barry and I attended Dad's one month assessment at Erskine and it went pretty well - he looks relaxed, clean and happy, and the staff say he is absolutely no problem and joins in most of the activities. We took him outside for a very brief stroll (round the car park!) and he was laughing away as he posed for this picture:

Wednesday was just up and down to Fraserburgh then golf in the evening (won again!). Jo was out for her school end of term dinner - almost there now - just 2 days to go!

Tomorrow, it's briefly over to Gary's after work then home to pack for weekend trip to Cornwall - it's all go!