"OLD STOKIE'S WEBSITE"

This is a page relating the events of sunday morning walks with my 5 grandchildren over Barlaston Downs throughout the year 2006. I'm adding this 'foreword' now the year has ended. As you'll see, we've had some wonderful times in all weathers. No matter how bad the weather is, if 'the guys' miss their sunday morning walk at Barlaston with 'Grandad', they're all disappointed - me too! It helps to keep me reasonably fit and I enjoy their company immensely. However, before you start to read this page, let me introduce you to the 'stars' in this page.

Katie, 8 years old, sister of Matt and Scott.

Sam, 6 years old, and brother of Tom.

Matt, 4 years old. Identical twin brother of Scott.

Scott, 4 years old, identical twin brother of Matt.

Tom, 3 years old, brother of Sam.

So, enjoy our adventures on the Downs - I have.

Sunday morning, May 7th 2006. It was a dismal morning but as three of the grandkids had stayed over saturday night ( Sam and the twins, Matthew and Scott), we decided to venture to Barlaston Downs for a picnic. The lads were well up for it and so we collected Sam's brother, young Thomas, and set out for the walk at 10 am. We were soon there and the kids had a ball. They spent two and a half hours roaming the Downs and getting into all sorts of mischief (honest mischief) and generally making a nuisance of themselves (to me) but all in good fun of course. Here are some pics of our trip. They arrived back home soaked to the skin and generally worn out - but very happy. This was our first trip to the Downs in 2006 which is another milestone in the life of Old Stokie. Enjoy!

Click on a picture to enlarge it.

We've arrived! "Wait for me guys!"  

"I need this stick" says Tom.  

"Hurry up Tom" say Sam and Matt while Scott shoots me.   

"I'm coming" says Tom. The boys arrive at the top.....  

...and settle down for their tucker. Munch, munch.  

They find a 'rocket ship'!

The older boys are soon away and Tom is after them

...but he falls in the bluebells and his hands are covered in mud.

He's getting left behind again but Matt waits for him and then gets fed up so...  

Tom finds the path empty.....except for grandad.  

"Never mind" says Tom, "I like this water".

He catches up at the stepping stones and they need bricks to throw

This is great fun and grandad has not brought the wellies.

A 'friend' has joined the gang.

Water time over and they're off to find more trouble.

Sam finds a log on a grassy bank and rolls it onto the path.  

He had an accomplice in Scott! Both guilty!

"Run boys, grandad's coming!" Lickle buggers!!!!

Tom arrives and discovers the blockage. Is he going to move it?

He tries but.... ...it's too heavy.

So, we arrive back at the car and we've all had a great time and there's always next week!

We're all tired so......seeya.

Sunday 14th May.

Today, I took all five of my grandkids to Barlaston. Katie (who is 7) joined the boys for this trip. Unfortunately, she had a chest illness so wasn't her normal bubbly self. She enjoyed it even though it was a dull day outdoors. Here is an account of this trip.

Ready for the off and.......they're off!

  A rest halfway up.

At the top, they play around the monument.

....and have some tucker.

Katie poses for me on the way down the hill.

We reach the stream and the fun begins!

Water sports over, I dry them all and we set off back for the car. We're late!

Very funny you lot!!!!  "Hee hee grandad."

Katie poses under a tree I planted in 1991 as a momento of my old dog, Trudy.

28th May.

A wonderful sunny, summer day. Far too nice to be sitting in front of the tv. And so it was.

30th July. The weather was wonderful for this 'military adventure'. The boys decided they were going to be combat soldiers. Tom joined in but left the heavy work of lugging a 'tank buster gun' to the three eldest boys, Sam, Matt and Scott. How they managed to lug that great lump of wood all the way from the bottom to the top is a mystery to me...but they managed it! Well done boys.

They deserved a snack by the Milenium Monument at the top....and....

....some tree climbing....and....

  ....a dip in the brook. It's fun stuffing stones down their pants.

  Job done and the 4 desperados wait by the car for me. Another successful trip.

Autumn 2006.

The summer was a long one this year. Eventually, Autumn arrived but we still had some nice sundays to explore the Downs. Here are a few pics of the guys donning their wellies and adapting to the conditions. They are not best pleased when their sunday adventures are rained off!

Sunday, November 19th.

Katie joined us on this one, cool but nice.

Sunday 17th December.

It was a lovely day but very windy and cold.

In this view, Tittensor lies in the valley and Hanchurch hills are clearly seen.

A view back towards Stoke which lies hidden in the valley.

A view to the west. The Wrekin can just be seen in the distance.

A view to Meir Heath.

And finally......31st December 2006.

The weather was overcast and a few degrees above freezing. It wasn't raining though, which was important.

The 'guys' set out......

and reach a gate. They love gates!

....and then off to the monument at the top of the hill.....

....and back down the other side to have tucker.

and then a little play....

and off to the water....

....a bit of climbing next...

...and then they decided to do some 'roly poly'.....

..and so we made our way back to the car....

...and that was it for our final trip of the year 2006....

We had all been to see 'Aladdin' at the theatre on Christmas Eve so Katie had us all singing a pantomime version of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' on our way back in the car. That was hilarious and memorable. A truly wonderful trip out to finish off a memorable year. Thanks 'guys' and lots of special love from Grandad. XXXX