Saturday, the Fourth of July:  I suppose this is better…

After we finally got up, I figured I would shower.  Jess announced that the boys would be getting in with me, one at a time.  Showers in Europe are pretty sketchy.  This one was no different.  I am not sure why people insist on the open tub and showerhead that you can take off and maneuver all around you.  Why don’t people have shower curtains?  Do you really like cleaning water off the floor every time you use the shower.  This one sucks too because you basically have to sit in order to shower, or bath or showerbath whatever the hell you want to call it.  It makes no goddamn sense.

It would have been nice if Jess mentioned that she left the showerhead pointing out.  I turned it on and it shot right out at me – hitting me and soaking my shorts. 

Fucking great start to day two.

Jess' room was a decent size for her and Malcolm's travel crib.

I wash the boys in record time because it is pretty difficult to keep a hold on them and keep the showerhead tucked under your ass so it doesn’t shoot all over the bathroom. 

While Neil and I finished up, Jess and Malcolm went to the bakery to get some meat pies and sweets.  Neil ate cold pizza for breakfast, like a good American.  Jess started the car and it jumped forward - almost ending the trip early.

We got it together and headed on a long ride to the town of Castleton and Peveril Castle. 

The view from Peveril is below.

Peveril was a good reintroduction for Neil.  It was ruined, had a tower and great views.  We had him hike up to the castle, which he did like a champ.  All he wanted to do was climb on the ruins because all the other kids were.  So we did and we got some good pics.  

He also was using my camera.  He stopped some old couple and asked to take their picture.

Here's a few more from the castle:

We headed down and as we walked towards the car park, saw a place that had ice cream.  Neil got the raspberry and I got the chocolate.  We traded a few times.  We released the Kraken (Malcolm) and he immediately tried to eat Neil’s ice cream.  

This went on for a few minutes and we tried to take a little bit of a walk while we ate  - that didn’t work so we headed back to the car.

Traveling with two this age is far more difficult than with one.  When there is one and they are small, they get strapped to someone’s back (by someone, I mean Jess) and they are pretty easy to keep track of.  Now, with one tied up, Neil is on the loose.  He’s not a wanderer, so that is good but he’s always right behind you.  So I look left and then right and he’s not there – I  start to get nervous and then there he is, right behind me, up my butt.

We got to the car and rode back and stopped at Tesco for groceries.  Thankfully, this was a good stop – it could have been a shit show but it wasn’t.  We have leared to become very thankful for small miracles.

We headed home and ate dinner.  We got everyone ready for sleep and I got to drink some beer.  Happy Fourth of July!!!!