Mike (Mini)

Martin

Looking back on 2006

January trip to Dave's 50th birthday. Here is Dave, aged 50 plus 1 day, at a cafe in Sidmouth, Devon, where he lives with Hazel and Charlotte
















In February 2006 I went with my mate Malcolm to Aviemore, Scotland. He went scottish skiing (which is nothing like Alpine skiing) whilst I went out in the Rothiemurchus Estate on a hired mountain bike. The photo is of Loch Morlich













Prior to Easter the four M's went to St Foy in the Alps and visited La Rosiere (see pic), Les Arcs and Val d'Isere for "surfing" days out.


















During the Easter break we also slipped in a trip to Dolgellau which has to be one of the best locations nationwide for Mountain biking. Apart from the dedicated centres like Coed y Brennin you can also access some really good "natural" trails like this one overlooking Cader Idris








This pic shows Martin, Geoff and Steve on the tee at Moortown for the Trans Penning Golf Challenge meeting on the last weekend in April.










We sneaked in a bank holiday trip to Appletreewick for more mountain biking on the may day weekend. This time it was Martin, Michele and I who made the trip. We had some great rides and some brill beers at the Craven Arms - highly recommended!















The weekend after my little sister got married! She married some Herbert called Vince who had some tough looking mates so we did not dare to argue!










Back on the mountain bikes just 2 weeks later! This time we stayed in Conway and took in some of the local scenery. It also included a trip to the Marin Trail at Llanwrst - exausting!















In June I was lucky enough to be invited on a 4 day golf trip to Northern Ireland. Awesome company and great fun. Course included Castlerock (see pic), Royal Portrush (a fab golf course) and Portstewart.















In July, Greg, Michele and I went to Ravenglass to stay for a week. This included a walk from Shap all the way across the lakes to Ravenglass calling in to stay at the Kirkstone Pass and Woolpack Inns.

The pic shows Greg up on Red Screes early on our second day of this challenging walk.

We also had a day out to St Bees and one to Boot on the "Ratty" railway









Our secondweek was sent at Rhandirmwyn for a week of mountain biking. Really cool location with some of the best natural trails around. Also, great beers and hospitality to be had in the Royal Oak Inn









August bank Holiday trip to Lynton and Lynmouth including visit to Croyde for surfing (on waves this time!).

















More golf, this time at Caldy Golf Club in September 2006 as the second of our trans pennine matches












Carrog visit in September including visit to Penmachno to the new mountain bike trail there and some sentimenal haunts such as this one which shows the bridge where had had hours of fun when we were kids















We also had numerous other mountain bike trips including October half term trip to Cumbria for mountain biking (also day out to Llandegla) and also in the Peak District.

For the record, here's a picture of me!

Looking towards 2007

This time of year the weather tends to become a bit oppressive, especially if you are in rainy Manchester. Indeed, watching the Tolkein trilogy recently on Channel 4 reminded me that we could actually by living in Mordaw!

So I spend my time trying to work out where my life is going and especially what i hope to be doing with my spare time next year. I love the outdoors and have interests which include winter sports, mountain biking, walking, golfing, well, just about anything that gets me out of the house actually!

Alas, I also have to take into account my job, or rather jobs , one as a HR manager in a University and the other as a warden in a halls of residence. This keeps me very busy especially during term time when I have hundreds of other people's kids to look after!

So during next year I need to find a way of exploiting my toys which include a mirror sailing dinghy, a Yamaha motorcycle and bikes by on-one, marin and kona and my Rusty snowboard. To help with access I have a small campervan and also a wee caravan to cater for all of the people I like to take with me.

There are also people in my life who have a considerable bearing on what might emerge.

First, there is Michele. She is my girlfriend and companion. she is still trying to get used to me cos i can be difficult to keep up with. She is now more fanatical about mountain biking than I am and is wondereing why I am having doubts about whether a snowboarding trip might be in order in 2007.

Then there is Martin. he is my son aged 20 and presently a computer science student in Manchester but undertaking his indusrial placement in Fleet Street with an investment bank. He is clever, also loves the outdoors and is a massive music fan but of the intellectual variety!

Then there is Mike, my namesake, who is 17 and studying for his A levels presently. He plays the drums like Animal and the likeness does not end there. I am guessing he will want to go to University in 2007 but for him his love of mountain biking, surfing and boarding (and his considerable aptitude for sports) might take him in a diferent direction (at least until he gets this out of his system!)