(The Other) Beacon Hill

Today the whole family went on a little adventure to a park called Beacon Hill on the outskirts of Charnwood Forest. Beacon Hill has two main claims to fame: 1. remains of a bronze age hill fort, and 2. sweeping views of the whole Leicestershire county. There is a whole lot more to love at Beacon Hill than that though as you'll see:

Whimsical wood carvings at every turn. This one we saw on our trek up to the top of the hill.

Craig and Maya half-way up the hill. It looks like Maya is headless, but she actually is fast asleep and resting her head on Craig (I swear!). The hill fort is in the distance were that clump of green trees are.

The views, as promised, were pretty amazing from the top. The sky just looks bigger from up there.

I can see why Beacon Hill was used for a hill fort. Not only can you see for miles around, but you can also be seen from there for miles. I'm not sure if it's the highest point in the county, but someone we met along the way called it "Our Everest." The distant hill in this picture is Bradgate Park where we went when my mother visited last month.

Craig and Maya checking out the compass at the top.

More view.

Pete and me at the top.

The rocks were also pretty amazing. Charnwood Forest is a well-known spot for fossil hunters as it has some of the oldest rocks in England.

The cows, humans, and dogs were sharing this bit of sunshine at the top of Beacon Hill. We were actually closer to the cows that this picture makes us out to be. Luckily the cows were more interested in grazing than they were in us.

Eek! Look at the horns on that bull. I was holding my breath and waiting for him to charge us. 

More cows. They had beautiful white markings down their backs like reverse skunks.

The countryside looks like a patchwork quilt these days.

Cow patties. Pete was prepared to stuff his face into each and every one of these we met along the way!

Good fences make good neighbors.

Thistle is the Ferguson family flower. It's very beautiful in its natural habitat.

Cows at the top of the hill fort.

The other Old Man in the Mountain. It makes me a little homesick for the Granite State!

Pete found out that these were some of the oldest rocks in England and decided he needed to mark his territory on one of them. Personal best: Oldest rock ever peed on.

What English country park is complete without a fairy trail labyrinth through a grove of old rhododendrons?

Olympic Torch Relay

The London olympics begin in just a few weeks. In the meantime the olympic torch is snaking its way all around the country. Yesterday the torch came to Leicester and we were lucky enough to go out to see the relay run through our neighborhood.

Time to break out the flags. 

Maya popped on her union jack hat to get into the olympic spirit. 

Not a bad way to celebrate making it through her first month.

Here it comes. The official relay welcome float.

Now to lift up the raincoat so Maya can see..

Look at this cute kid who made his own little torch for the relay.

I see a flicker of flame in there somewhere....

...and then there she goes in a blur.

Off to London!

Adventures with Anne

Here are a few pictures from my mother's visit in June. We had such a good time having her here and we were more than a little sad to see her go.

Father's Day at Foxton Locks

Our first big outing as a new family. Proud Dad.

When we visited Foxton Locks the first time, I knew that it was a place my mother would love. Here she is in front of one of the ponds that feeds the canal staircase.

Craig and Maya in front of the locks.

Jubilee Fun

Here's Maya showing off the hat my cousin Charlotte knitted for her. Check out that union jack!

It's the Queen at my kitchen table. Oh, wait, that's just my mom!

Here she is waving to all her subjects.

Hanging Around

My mother and Pete playing fetch in Knighton Park.

Knighton Park.

Maya and my Mom got the memo almost every day and dressed in the exact same color scheme. This day they were both sporting their pastel yellow ensembles.

Proud Grama.