Scutt Pics

Three loverly weeks off over Xmas, spent on the West side of the US. Trix & I went back to Seattle, catching the Cascades train down from there to Portland. Still suffering from the aftermath of terrible ice storms, the journey took a lot longer than planned, but we still met up with our pal Geoff who had come over via San Francisco. Together with Trix's Mum (Caroline) we all squeezed in at Ren's place for the "Holidays", with a trip down to Bend to check on progress with the cabin. It became clear that the orriginal plan to spend a few nights there was not possible due to somewhat slow progress with the build, but at least we got the garage doors installed whilst there. New Years day, Trix & I went on down to Las Vegas - which also looks like a construction site at present with several building sites along the strip.

Off to Holland for Caroline's birthday. We spent a lazy weekend (27th - 30th July) at her flat in Vlissinger, enjoying the sun, beach and of course a little shopping ! The view from the balcony and the newly extended Prison Tower restaurant. A celebratory birthday dinner nearly came to a sticky end when the bill arrived and we discovered they don't take credit or charge cards ! The manager arrived and offered to escort Caro to the kitchen to wash up. Luckily we just managed to scrape together enough cash to cover it and save the day (she would never have lived it down). This odd event is something of a Dutch tradition. Farmers would ride thier working horses, using a short pointed lance to "tilt" at suspended rings. Starting with rings some 30 or so cm's across, as the day wears on they get smaller until those not eliminated compete to lance a ring only 2cm's wide.

An overnight trip to a favourite restaurant in France, the Chateau de Cocove. Through the tunnel and south from Calais for a day by the sea at Wimereux (location for another favourite venue, the Hotel L'Atlantic). From there, a half hour (well, ok, 45 mins as Trix was driving and Eva navigating) to the Chateau, near Ardres. A fantastic dinner, with no driving home after. The next day into St.Omer for shopping and lunch in the shade (it was very hot & with all that wieght, poor Sean does sweat !)

The son of old friends (Alan & Sue) from the Reading music festival days got married on 3rd June in a quaint little church in Surrey. A great wedding, a great day out & a nice way to catch up with a few old friends. Trix ? oh, she was in the States, checking on progress with the cabin (not to mention Ren's latest relationship) Remind me to post a few pics of the Rock & Roll times at the Reading festivals. 21st June and a day at the races. Ascot in style, where with a few fellow clients and freinds we were treated to a great days hospitalityby Alan and June. I managed to keep my shirt, but only just ! 9th July and more hospitality - lucky me. This time a trip to Leeds Castle for another fantastic meal and Tom Jones on concert (yep, Tom jones, still going strong & putting on a grat show). Trix came too, courtesy of Andrew & his (newly engaged) partner, Jules.

July, and with the liggers (clients) gone, Cliff and the boys can get down to serious work. With temperatures in the high 20's, the foundations (slab) goes off quickly for the main house and garage and work starts on stacking the logs (building the walls).

Hmm, Blogs are sometimes tempremental, so we'll try a new posting for the rest of the photos. Meanwhile, back at Snow Goose Court ... those tree roots are still causing trouble. So, its back home & toss another cow on the bar-b-q.

This May, Trix & Caroline went back to Oregon to see Ren, the land at Bend and of course to check out Ren's new friend Laurie. They went "cattle class", with a nightmare flight change in Chicago (again), which took 2 days to get over. (Hmm, no need to explain why I didn't go with them !) They recovered, Laurie & her daughter Chloe were lovely, the weather turned out ok & the logs arrived at Bend. Whilst a nieghbour stops by to check out a stubbon tree root, Ren & the girls are invited to check out a nearby cabin project that Cliff (out general contractor) started earlier ... Like an old style barn raising, there are no spectators & Ren was soon hard at work on construction while Trix & Caro lent a hand with the refreshments.