Tiger On A Motorcycle

I'm trying to see my family more regularly these days - I'm aiming for once every three months rather than once a year. We have never been particularly close but they only live about 80 miles away and with grandparents getting older, now is the time to make more of an effort.

My second visit in 2014 was last weekend. I headed up in Friday evening when my dad picked me up at the station and we went to the Beeswing in East Cowton, a country pub in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside and one I had struggled to find here for my American friends. I only wanted something light but the smallest thing on the menu was a burger so I opted for that, with home cut chips of course. The plate was massive but it was exceptionally tasty - you can't beat good pub food for value for money I find - and we left before open mic night got serious and the pub started to fill with locals who looked at us a little strangely.

On Saturday, I went to visit my mother who as usual cooked a huge three-course meal (well I say cooked, the final course was a cheeseboard, featuring nutty Italian cheeses). We also shared two bottles of wine and chatted about stuff, watching the Grand National in the process, where my horses in the office sweepstake failed to finish let alone challenge. After this, I went to my grandparents' place as it was my grandfather's 85th birthday. My uncle and aunt were there, whose recent holiday to Australia tended to dominate proceedings, but as I hadn't seen them since 2009 and only talked at Christmas on the phone since then, I let them talk (I said we are not a close family). My grandfather didn't speak much, which was a shame as it was his birthday, but it was great seeing everyone and yet more wine was had. The sly alcoholic digs from my uncle were not unnoticed.

Sunday we went to Newcastle for the furmeet as already described, with my father needing to meet me at Northallerton station on the way home to deliver my work laptop which I had to bring on Friday night due to unfinished business. Sunday was a great day - Wolfie and my anniversary too - and I've already recounted this. I'm hoping my next trip to my parents will be around July time, it depends how busy I get.