Unexpected Birthday Pressie

I've been away the last week visiting friends and family.

Played football and tennis with my two young nephews, which was great fun, though I did turn my ankle...

Fortunately, the ankle seemed to survive the next day with the help of a bandage, hiking boots for ankle support and a borrowed walking pole.  This was a good thing, because my sister, auntygillian, and I had decided to celebrate our respective birthdays by climbing a mountain.

I'm not sure if it fits the technical description of a mountain or not, but we climbed Kerridge Ridge to White Nancy.   The view from the top was absolutely wonderful (see the links at the bottom of the White Nancy page for photos).

The next day, Gillian had a real surprise for me.  Possibly my best birthday present ever!  A one day narrowboat hire with the family.  My parents, Gillian, her husband, my brother-in-law David and my two nephews, Toby and Alex. 

Wonderful!

I had a fabulous time.  I love being on the canals and limited finances have made it impossible for us to afford a proper canal holiday for several years now.  Teaching my nephews how to steer the boat was the icing on the cake.  (Well, Toby thought he was steering.  My hand was coincidentally on the tiller all the time as well as his)  Alex, a few years older (but still needing to stand on a crate to see over the cabin), pretty much got the hang of it, but still needed a hand to navigate bridges successfully.  His dad managed it instantly - he's been sailing even if narrowboats were new to him.

All in all, a great two days, not lessened by the occasional shower and cold weather.