The long and winding road...

We set off from Ashbourne in glorious sunshine and the promise of a summer day. As we crossed the border into Scotland 3 hours later, rain sheeted across the windscreen and I started to regret my choice of shorts and sandals. "It's atmospheric," said Jason, gesturing at the heather topped hills. By which I understood that it was bleak, cold and unremittingly gloomy.

After a night at the Keating's enormous Scottish home, overlooking Loch Long just north of Glasgow, we all set off on a road trip to the Mull of Kintyre. A three hour journey along the famous 'long and winding road', with stunning views of atmospheric mountains at a place aptly named Rest and Be Thankful, and a coastal drive that could rival the Great Ocean Road.

Three adults and six kids - we grown-ups were seriously outnumbered. The children were excited to run amok in Brian's most recent acquisition, the slightly decaying Royal Hotel on the waterfront at Campbeltown. As the only occupants of the 40 room hotel (due to actually re-open after renovations in 2008), there were plenty of good opportunities for hide and seek.

Dylan developed his golf game at Macrahanish, one of the worlds best links courses. He preferred the putting green, where he could avoid sudden squalls. Then we all walked along the sand dunes that flank Brian's own golf course development.

That night we were entertained lavishly at an amazing manor house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was filled with antiques and artwork, and (thankfully) the tribe of kids behaved impeccably. Our hostess had thought Brian was joking when he suggested he turn up with all of us, but she managed to put together a fabulous dinner at a moments notice! Driving back to Glasgow through Inverary, we stopped to check out the castle, home of the Argyll family, which was only slightly grander.

Dylan loved Scotland - he seemed to show a real affinity to the accent, the climate and the golf. Perhaps it is the "Douglas" of his middle name emerging. But when I asked him what he liked best about it, he answered "the sweetshop at Campbeltown..."

Birthday Bliss

Dylan's birthday couldn't have been more perfect. A glorious English summer day greeted us as we rose with two over-excited boys at 6am to start the present opening. Early morning sunlight over horse field and hills has made a rather special back drop for birthday celebrations this year, it won't be quite the same in our Annandale living room.

The lucky birthday boy was thrilled with his pile of presents, including a Lego aeroplane, Playmobil boat, Meccano Concorde and racing car, mini cars and a Lazytown lunch pack and DVD. Jason was unable to resist spending the next few hours constructing the lego plane with him.

Jason spontaneously then took the day off to join us at Dylan's special picnic at Chatsworth. We met Dylan's friends from school, Callum and Sam, and their sisters and mums, at the gates to the farmyard/adventure playground. We could have spent all day just there - the farmyard is like a mini-easter show, complete with tractor rides, and the playground is one of the best I have ever seen. It includes a huge sandpit, waterplay driven by the brook and waterfall nearby, trampolines and a flying fox.

After our picnic lunch, candle-blowing out, and tractor ride around the vast 1000 acre estate (where we spotted a herd of young deer), we walked over to the main house and gardens. The house dates back to the early 16th century, and is quite stunning. But the main attraction for us was the long fountain, which flowed down steps from a grotto house towards the main house. All the childrem splashed about in the fountain's chilly shallow water while we ate ice-cream (made on the estate by Chatsworth cows) and admired the views.

On the way home we all stopped for a pub dinner at the Grouse and Claret in Rowsley, perfect for kids with a playground in the sunny back garden. Dylan has never looked happier as he did that day, basking in the glory of grown-up-five-year-old status with his best friends. It will be a hard birthday to beat next year, when he will be at school on a wintery Thursday.

Back to the Great British Summer...

We spent an almost-sunny afternoon at one of our favourite local country pubs, the Okeover Arms at Mapleton. They were hosting their annual beer festival, which turned out to be a great way to try local ales, listen to some folk and jazz musicians and check out the resident medieval enthusiast's archery and sword-fighting displays.

Like train anoraks, these enthusiasts seem to be a feature of most English rural leisure activities. Whether it is pirates re-enacting legends, or knights re-enacting historic battles, so many people are willing to share their passion for history (or train engine numbers) with others. I wonder if a pub beer festival in Australia would have much more than beer, and maybe cricket on the telly?

In any case, Dylan loved trying his hand at archery, and we learned about the history of hunting falcons from a man dressed in tights and a cape. He had set up a tent camp in the pub grounds in the period style of 1450-1510 (quite specific), had 3 tame falcons on display, and was at the time roasting a pig on a spit. Jason and I enjoyed a few pints of really good local ales while the kids played on the playground equipment (we do love pubs that cater so well for children!)

Now that the weather has improved, we have enjoyed lots of summer holiday adventures locally. One of the highlights was the National Tramway Museum at Crich (about 20 minutes drive), which had beautifully restored double-decker trams to ride up and down and old quarry line, and a lovely village setting. Again, the tram enthusiasts were in full force, with volunteers acting as conductors and useful sources of endless tramway knowledge.

Dylan is counting down the days to his fifth birthday (4 sleeps to go now...) and is already using his "birthday boy" status to as much advantage as he can get away with. The anticipation of the event tends to be excruciating for him. He is becoming quite a serious boy, with a strong sense of moral justice - he likes everyone to stick to the rules, and woe betide the friend who falsely accuses him of some wrong-doing. He is currently obsessed with all things scientific (dangerous animals, maps & geography, space, and how things work generally). He also loves pokemon, lazytown, superman and football.

He had a football holiday camp during the week, and was so reluctant to go I thought he had actually gone off the sport altogether. But the interest was renewed when he was awarded a special trophy during the last day presentation, for winning the penalty shoot-out. It was the first time a Bendall descendant in 4 generations had received a sporting award, so it was quite a proud moment for me. Obviously the Howard genes have something to do with that one.

After the football triumph, I took both the boys swimming at the local pool. I watched Sam admire his big brothers swimming style, then he took his armbands off and within minutes had plunged headfirst into the toddler pool, arms flailing madly. He must have forgotten that, unlike Dylan, he can't actually swim. I raced towards him but Dylan got there first (prompted by my screaming) and pulled him out to safety. The first time (and possibly not the last) he has saved his brother. He swings between love and adoration of Sam ("he's so cute") to brotherly disgust ("he's a rubbish little brother"). Luckily it was a loving moment that time.

Ah, brothers... when they play together it is just gorgeous. But it usually ends in tears and fighting pretty quickly. I guess that's just how it will be from now on.