Joe's Football Fun

Here is Joe with his school mates at football training after school. The organisers were taking team photos to try to get into the Melton Times (I'm sure you've heard of it). I thought I would take advantage of the moment.

Let's squeeze in another house!

Well it's finally started - on Sunday, minutes before Cathryn (Rich), Chris, Ruby, George and Charlie (the whippet) arrived for a barbecue! Thankfully it wasn't quite warm enough to eat outside so we didn't have to blame the noise of the JCB for eating indoors. I took this pic this afternoon (that's the shed in the trailer). I think it will be interesting to publish a series over the coming months as our view is first opened up (through the removal of the conifer, shed, etc) and then blocked off as the house is built.

Oh well.

More pics from my Drivers Day

Some of these photos were taken by Elaine and some by a professional - can you tell which is which. One common factor is the perma-grin (thanks, Mike!) attached to my face. I think the wind changed.

Ultimate Supercar Experience

Not sure I really need to write anything - the pictures say it all! Today I finally enjoyed my 40th birthday present from Elaine, Ma & Pa, and Ken and Dorothy. It was absolutely fab - I started out on a go-kart, then a Ferrari 360 (!), a Subaru Impreza, a Porsche Carrera 2 and finally a Lotus Elise. There were 19 of us in total in 5 teams and the instructors marked us as we went round (3 laps of the 3 mile course in each). I came second with 37 out of 40! Obviously missed my vocation.

Foxton Locks

Elaine, Joe and Luke went to Foxton Locks today with Grandma Margaret (or Nan as Joe calls her!) They had lots of fun opening and closing lock gates for the exhausted bargers as you can see.

Dad was at home doing a crash course on Employment Tribunal procedure in readiness for playing the part of the Tribunal Chairman at a mock Tribunal (rehearsal on Monday).

Bristol Funderland

This is a clip of Mike, Katie, Freddie, Luke and Joe on the Magic Mouse - a rollercoaster which spins as it goes round! Glad I didn't go on it.

The pic is of the intrepid quintet on the water ride - Luke ended up with a soaking back and Mike with wet pants (not sure if that was the water though!)

Koala Joe

Couldn't resist putting this one on. Another one from our walk by the Eye. This is Joe doing his koala impression inside my fleece!

Rock Hopping along the River Eye

On Sunday we went for a walk along the River Eye and bumped into our friend, Kevin (last seen as Buster Gutts the strongman) and his three boys. We found this rocky area just past Rhubarb Island (yes it is covered in wild rhubarb!) which kept everyone entertained for some time. The rocks formed a sort of weir and had replaced some old locks - both Kevin and Elaine remembered them from their youth! Luke and Joe are playing on the remnants of the lock gates in the photo.

Murder Mystery!

Last night Elaine organised a murder mystery evening for us and some friends in the characters of (from left to right): Sven Garlic (and Bennie), the ventriloquist; Buster Gutts, the strongman; Anna Conda, the bearded lady (and snake-charmer); Raisa Legova, the Russian gypsy fortune-teller; Roger the ringmaster; and Wanda Lust, the escape-artists assistant.

As you can see, our friends certainly got into the spirit of things, particularly Kevin (Buster) who no doubt provided the entertainment to our neighbours when he arrived. Raisa (Shirley) was the only one to deduce correctly who the murderer was (herself). I thought I had done it! It was lots of fun and we had lots of good food and wine which made it even better.