is there poodle in my noodle

(Believe it or not) we are back on the blog by popular demand! AND we have special guests this week!

As the next few months see us roaming about in our van we have been tasked with keeping family – and the most dedicated of friends – up to date on our exploits. 

The last couple of weeks in the Philippines went by without much incident; some surfing and running action, with a fireworks display for New Year. 

We visited an underground cave that navigated right under the main road; had I known we would be swimming through it in the dark with nibbling fish I may have thought twice before entering.

The immersive excursion culminated in a plunge pool where Jem showed the kids how it is done.

Biblical rain for the last couple of days inspired us to craft a raft to get from our bed to the bathroom after the ceiling gave way, and then we found a toad in Jem’s shoe the size of small pig. We spent the last day in the tattoo parlour to get commemorative designs for our trip. Jem spent about six hours getting violated by the tattoo gun which was nothing short of heroic.

It was by some small miracle we made our four flights home without incident, arriving back into rainy -2 degrees Manchester with flip flops on.

A whistle stop tour of Sheffield, Cambridge and the Dales has been an awesome reacclimatisation, with belated Christmas celebrations and merriment.

So, was there Poodle in the Noodle? – I know everyone is desperate to know. One backstreet restaurant in Yangshuo, China rose to the challenge, where Jem ordered an unidentified and highly suspicious meat that wagged its tail on arrival 🫣

Philippines was great fun, though we found it to be a bit low-octane, with surfing being the main activity. Our favourite destinations were by far China and Thailand – both such welcoming and friendly countries, but also with the ease of travel, mod cons, climbing, and so much to do.

So – to the future. An MOT, timing belt change and service, and Frankie looks good as new for the next part of our adventure. Next week will see a trip to the Lakes to continue training for our upcoming race, before heading down south for work.

For now, we chill in the Dales, where sideways rain and frozen bogs help us to grow hairs on our chests.