Back to school tomorrow...

Well the summer is over... it's back to school tomorrow - I'm not gonna lie and say that it sucks because I'm mega excited about starting work tomorrow :)  I'm weird I know, but I'd be boring if I was normal!  I don't think we can complain anyway - the summer seems to have crawled by at a nice pace, I seem to have done loads (and seriously neglected this blog - I could have posted every week!) Now I have to fit it all into one blog to sum up August :)  I hope you're sitting comfortably!

I think the beginning is a good place to start - and I believe it started with some random road trips... what a way to live life in the sun!  

While Tara was getting in some last minute practice fr her driving test, we ended up out in the middle of the Peak District without a clue where we were... we did come across this place though.  At the time we assumed it was somewhere around Hope Valley, though after some debating, some attempts at googling, and my keen eye for the sign in the car park that told us exactly where we were - it tuned out to be Burbage Valley!  Whilst there we battled Tara's fear of heights and I went to play on the rocks while she sat at the top!  After we were done rock climbing we drove a while longer and ended up at Ladybower Reservoir!  We made wishes into the massive well area and hiked up and down the hill on the other side to find out there was nothing at the bottom!   

All that and home in time for tea!!







A few days later (and one passed driving test - Congrats to my girl!)our randomness found us laid in the sun in Clifton Park with Maxie, Jamie and Jenna.  We had a laugh, caught some rays and took some pictures... 

I love this photo!

Now I'm uploading photos I'm realising just how much time I have spent with Tara this summer!  She must be sick of the sight of me :p 

 Our next adventure started out as a trip to Cleethorpes to go play at the beach - however, when the road was closed and we followed the diversion  miles out of our way, we found ourselves closer to Bridlington.  So, in my wisdom, I decided to show her my favourite place in the world - Thornwick Bay.  I'm not gonna lie, I don't think she appreciated it quite as much as I do, after I'd made her scramble down the cliffs and then over them when she doesn't like being up high - but she still couldn't deny the beauty once she was down there.  We paddled in the sea and everything!  
And of course, Vernon was there too.  

If you follow Vernon's adventures on Instagram at #vernonsadventure then you will know that he has been most places with me this summer ad has had lots of fun and adventures in the sun!  

My next adventure was when my girl got all cute, and having heard how disappointed I was about not getting to go on the school trip to Alton Towers, decided that she'd take me instead!  We got some good photos and rode some of the big roller coasters.  We even found the castle and got some photos in the afternoon sunshine!

All that and spent most of the time lost! 

As well as spending lots of time with Tara, I have caught up with some friends too.  I went to the cinema with Adam to see Guardians of the Galaxy - awesome film; highly recommended! I met Claudia in Meadowhall for Starbucks, and I went to Nando's with Jemma to hear all about her Vegas wedding - she even bought me a lucky chip back for luck in my new job :)  Sammy, Vicky and I did a movie day too, aimed for three movies in a day, only managed two and pizza... Was a laugh though, with some random photo opportunities in the middle of the day!

It was around here that I updated you with my last post... I had said goodbye to my little pile of scrap metal, and had a new car sat waiting on the drive for me.  Well, she is now all fixed and running!  I had to seriously clean her, inside and out, as she was absolutely filthy.  But now she is all sparkly and clean and mine!  She's a tad noisy and I have a bad habit of over revving to compensate for her being petrol when I'm used to driving diesel cars, but she's mine and she is going to get me to work and back every day! :)

Anyway, back to summer antics - Lincoln!  Tara and I decided to go back to Lincoln and go for a trip down Memory Lane and go visiting some of the places we'd been years ago!  We took a trip down Steep Hill and remembered why we avoided it, went to Goodies for sweeties, visited the Castle and took lots of pictures, and went to see the Cathedral before we left!  Talk about bring back lots of memories!  This is our then and now picture!!  <<<

We had a great day, took lots of photos, had fun messing around in the sunshine, made some wishes in the well and even played on the cannon.  We even  managed to luck out with some decent weather!!  

 Friday night - night out?  Why not?!  After this strange selfie attempt before we left, we headed to Twist and Fuel in town and got drunk!  Strangely, I did not take many photos that night - unheard of I know... I'm not sure what happened if I'm honest!  I did get a nice one of me, Sammy and Fiona.  Managed to get none of me and Tara, and only a few blurry dance shots!

More randomness - I got invited out on the yard ride.  Eight of us and our horses set out riding across the countryside of Rotherham!  Oh my days!!  I have never been so sore from riding, ever!  We were out hours, at a decent pace, and covered some serious mileage.  I'm not even kidding when I say my ass was sore when we gt back!  I did have an awesome time though.  It's the first time I've ever ridden out in a group and done that kind of ride, with lots of different surfaces and speeds!  Safe to say though, that both me and Rosie were knackered by the time we got back!

 
<<< our view in front


Ingrid, Vicky and Sarah behind :) >>>

My next adventure with Tara found us out in the middle of nowhere again.  We were heading for the English Heritage site of Hob Hurst's House... and after following the satnav and ending up on an unmarked road out in the middle of nothing, we gave it up as a bad job and started to head back.  On the way back we found something better anyway!  Tara saw the signs for a country park, and assuming it was something like Ulley or Rother Valley, we headed in for a nosey round.  How wrong we we - this place was like a little woodland paradise!  Turned out to be a holiday village with cute little wooden cabins and forest walks and a bar and restaurant and fitness suite with a swimming pool!  Talk about the perfect place for a weekend away!  

We went for a walk on the woodland trail and I took lots of photos.  I love this one with us and Vernon ^^^  And of course Tara had a go on all the trail challenges... wore her little self out hehe!

To round off the holiday, Sammy and I went to the cinema, and when we were at my Grandad's on Sunday, we totally stole my little cousin's masks and sat on the sofa in our dragon masks!!  'Cos we're that cool!!  

In other news, I completely and utterly failed in my month of giving up take away!  I blame Jude for the pizza, that's where it started, and after that I clearly thought 'What the heck?' because I have had several since!  
Vernon has been out and about loads, and thanks to Tara we even found a road name with his name on!
It doesn't take much to keep him happy :)  He has been most places with me and has had photos uploaded to Instagram (which you can find a link to in my bio, or search #vernonsadventure)
Other than that, I am till happy, incredibly happy in fact, living life for the moment as well as being able to make more long term plans now that I have my job secure... and I am still enjoying living life spontaneously and having fun at every opportuity!  

And to leave you with - as had to happen - I did the ALS Ice bucket challenge!  My dear mother and Jude nominated me (thanks for that by the way!) and Tara took great pleasure in throwing cold water all over me and my phone!!  
So enjoy this!!
Louby xx