A family weekend in McKinleyville

August 3rd to 6th

I drove to Santa Rosa Friday morning while Leah and Jon were flying up from L.A.  Lynea got off work at 12:30 and the four of us drove up to McKinleyville together.  James was off work that day so when we arrived in Arcata, he was ready to join us to begin our weekend together.  We had dinner in Arcata before squeezing in to my now fully stuffed car and traveled down the road to our home for the weekend.  The house was wonderful and accommodated us perfectly from kitchen to hot tub!

the view from the deck was a perfect view of the ocean across the road from us.  It was a quick drive down the hill with our beach stuff to Clam Beach.

 Breakfast was fun with James preparing the potatoes and bacon followed by each of us making our own eggs just the way we like it.

...

... a little music.

...and a little hot tub.

 We had a lot of fun at the beach.  Playing, napping, and searching for that special shell and rock.

I am hoping this will be the first of many yearly weekends with my children and those they love.

My family and I had a fantastic time.  I look forward to the next time.

Back in California, U.S.A.  July 20 thru 25.
I went on a camping trip with my parents, sister Judy, niece Lyndsey, nephew Taylor and Friend Mark, my sister Joan and dogs: Casey, Rorie, and Sierra.  The campsite is at Lake of the Springs park in the mountains north east of Sacramento, California.

It was very hot, our third day being 106 degrees F.
Here are a few photos to share our week with you. The water level was lower than usual due to the lack of snow this last Winter.
Niece Lyndsey at the dog beach.

 Taylor's dog Casey loves the water.

 Lyndsey's dog Rorie won't get in unless Lyndsey does.  Sierra wasn't interested at all.

 This is the roped off area for campers to swim, no dogs allowed.

 My sister Judy and daughter Lyndsey at the camp.

 This is the trailer we stayed in.

 Here is my dad cooking potatoes for breakfast Sunday morning.

 My sister Joan is in the hat standing.  Seated are Lyndsey, Mark, and Taylor.

 My mom sitting with Lyndsey, Mark, and Taylor.

 Joan didn't stay past Monday, so her partner Jean came up to pick her up and take her home.

 Here is another view of the swimming area of the lake.

 This is the boat dock where you can rent a boat; canoe, kayak, slow motor boat or just fish off the dock.

We had very warm weather and a lot of fun.  We played shuffle board every evening and got very good at it.  I couldn't take photos of that because it was too dark.
I hope you enjoy my camping trip photos.

Monday, July 16th
Today Hilary and I drove over and picked up Sue then we met Jane for lunch.  Hilary chose The Cock Inn because of its fascinating history.

This Inn is a pub and one section of it was a mortuary built in the 17th century.  It is also supposed to be haunted by the mortition of the day.  During the terrible plague they had so many bodies that they had to bury them down the hill behind this Inn.  Well the name actually refers to the horse that pulled the cart carrying the coffin and the horse had a plume on top of its head so they called it the Cock Horse. 

 Sue, Jane, and Hilary.

As you can see the interior is fantastic.
Across the road from this Inn is the Church built in the 13th century surrounded by a cemetery.  Even though the weather was not cooperating we found the church unlocked so we could venture inside.  In each row were beautiful cross stitched cushions for people to kneel on.

It was a great last day in England.  Tomorrow morning I board a bus at 7:15 and head to the airport.

Saturday, July 14th

Hilary and I took the train into London today.  We walked to Trafalgar Square, It was blocked off getting ready for the Olympics but I managed to get a photo near one of the Lion Statues.

There are many more flowers up on buildings along with the Union Jack Flag in preparation for the many visitors coming to London for the Olympics..

It was another rainy day so we went into the National Gallery and enjoyed Van Gough, Monet, Renoir, and many other famous artists.

We then went to the St. Martins in the Fields Cathedral and had lunch in The Crypt restaurant under the church.  It was a wonderful selection of food.

We headed back to Hemel and enjoyed a lovely visit with Rita who came to Hilary's in the evening.

Sunday, July 15th
We went to Howard and Jill's today in Berkhamsted.  Howard drove Hilary, George, and I over to the Tring Reservoirs near the canal for a walk before lunch.  The reservoirs collect water to supplement the canal.  The canal is a transportation route.  Today was my lucky day because two narrow boats were using the locks to travel through the canal.  The canal is different levels with the reservoirs at the highest level so it is easy to release water into the canals.  It was facinating to watch the boats move into the lock and then  it would fill up with water raising the boat to the new level like a mini Panama canal. Nothing is motorized so someone has to get out of the boat go up and open the first lock gate so the boat can enter then close it behind the boat.  Then, go to the next gate and slowly push it open and it starts filling the lock and lifting the boat.

After our walk we enjoyed a fantastically delicious meal potatoes, a crumble of carrot, leeks, and nuts, chicken, and salad.  Then an apricot tart with custard and passion fruit mousse.  Yum!!  Aren't you hungry now?  We had a lovely visit. " I wish we lived closer" is an understatement.

Here are Hilary, Jill, and Howard in their back garden.

and George.

Another perfect day.