Rocky road

Today had the only clear forecast for the week - no clouds, no rain - so the Man took a day off and we piled into the car and drove south for a couple of hours to a spot by the Hudson, just beyond Beacon.

The Girl had been dubious about the prospect of a "boring hike" along a level path - maybe because we hadn't told her that our destination was called Breakneck Ridge. When she took in the rocky trail and near-vertical inclines there was no stopping her. The Boy also rose enthusiastically to the challenge, and they took off up the slopes like a couple of mountain goats.

There was no question of the hike being too difficult for the children - just some occasional doubts about whether it was all too much for the grown-ups.

We hiked for about three hours. The going was tough and the sun was hot, but the views more than rewarded the effort.

We all agreed we'd had a great adventure.