Good to meet some familiar faces amongst all the ghosts and ghouls...
Well, these are some of the photos from our Cornish trip this Summer. Many thanks to Rowly and George for putting us up and Anna and Dan for putting up with us. Plus Jason for the firewood. Lucy, Alex and Cathy were all stars in camping with us through some really crap weather. However, the photos do show some occasional sun, so it cant have all been bad.
What else would you expect me to do with some good weather, a kayak and a trip to Pembrokeshire. Mike and I went round Caldey on a lovely calm day and caught a few. That continued all week til Yens and I went out from Abercastle in heavy seas and didn't catch a thing. Thats the problem in a kayak; there are too many things to think about as well as catching fish. Like staying alive...
It's difficult to put words to how beautiful Pembrokeshire is on a sunny day. You could think you're in the Bahamas. Don't take my word for it, have a look at these video clips of us playing around at Barfundle. It makes up for all the crap weather we had last Summer on our camping trip. I'm not one to complain generally, but that was grim.
OK, so there was only 1 pub and we didn't crawl, but it was fun. We took the kids by bike to the Hoxne swan and had a lovely time today. The roads were quiet and we cycled along the river that Dom and I paddled yesterday. Had to pop in for a swim with Morwenna at Syleham wier too. What a great weekend! Mum, I know you will like this photo of Bryn .
Morwenna is getting good in the pool now. I seem to remember learning to swim in a converted cow feeder, so things have improved in the last generation. Tell that to the yoof of today and they wont believe you.
Morwenna has started to take pics now. With these compact cameras, it really is child's play. This 1st one she has the camera the wrong way round, but she would never let me get this close up.
than 2 weeks ago but didn't seem to mind our intrusion last weekend. As is traditional in our family, any excuse must be made for drinking, so we wet Jesiicas head over a few hours in the sweltering July heat on Saturday. 
d to eat.
The birth went well, though it seems these days that you don't get much chance for recovery ofter the birth. A measly 2 hours in hospital is all that you get nowadays. Still, alls well that ends well. Now the fun can really begin. Morwenna screaming downstairs reminds me that a parents work is never done...
The day started with Anna and Christa on dawn patrol for flowers up in the woods where we were staying. Here you can see the result as modelled on the groom. Im afraid you ladies have missed your chance now he's married, but Dan is also available for children's parties and Bar mitzvahs.
If you cant beat 'em, join 'em. We joined the maddening crowds in the Canaries and introduced the cosmopolitan Italian and German families to the bucket and spade brigade, Britstyle. They were far too busy smoking cigarettes and making sure they were being noticed to enjoy themselves. Fingers were pointed at our poor children who were...covered in sand! Oh no. Call the social services. The Euro zone really has become intolerant of outsiders. Turkey beware.
Yes, a truly fine moment. Another great moment is interrupting his footy watching to take a photo of this lounge lizard in his favourite environment- being waited on hand and foot whilst he contemplates his navel. Can't imagine where he learnt that kind of behaviour. Note to folks; this is the same nursing chair that I developed my bad posture with as a child.
I know these are a little late in making it onto the blog, but better late than never. Christa went down with the kids (muggins was working) and had a good week.
Hello Alfie! Cousin Mark just sent these lovely photos of Morwenna and Bryn's cousin. I think Alfie is about Bryn age (8 months?) but i don't know when the pics were taken.
A week in the land of my fathers was in order. The new twist on a familiar week away- Dan, Anna and the kids (plus uncle Rowan, Nik, Jenny et al) came with us to camp near St. Davids. August in Wales, what could possibly go wrong.
Not to be outdone, the Karlsson side of the family have this fine specimen of a lady. Correct me if I'm wrong mum, but I think this is Morwennas great, great, great grandmother. The headscarf was a permanent fixture in an effort to prevent forehead from meeting cow flank when milking.
Many of our friends seem to have migrated to the North of the county, much as we did before leaving for pastures green. Whether paddling round Cardigan island with Beany and Lara, surfing til dark at Abereiddy with Johnboy or watching the barn owls hunting around the farm with Yens, you really can't escape the feeling that this is Gods own country.
Why go abroad when the U.K is so beautiful at this time of year. Plenty to add to the blog , but just a little something to whet your whistle. Went up to see our 98 year old nan and show her the great grandchildren. 
Someone upstairs is smiling at us. Got to Dan and Anna house on Thursday afternoon, just in time for the start of some great swell. Took Dan out for only his 2nd surf ever. Conditions were overhead and clean on a windless day on the North coast. Nothing can describe the joy of a perfect session in good company with happy locals. Totally blissed out. 
Yes, life really does begin at 40. Or was it 50? Either way, Domfest was a rollicking success. 
I simply meant that when you get a good bunch of people together, you will naturally have a good time. 
It really must be tough at this stage of the game. 
Bryn of course takes all this in his stride. He is desperate to be up and about, got his teeth early and is keen to be trying new foods. The baby food I tried this evening was grim; bean and sweat potato goulash. No wonder he's looking for better stuff.
With all this frenetic activity comes
You may well be wondering why no blogs for the last month or so. Well, apart from having our hands full at home, we have taken on an allotment at the edge of town. What once was a field is now, well...a field with some holes in. We share our allotment with Dom and Heather, leaving us plenty of space to grow and some company when the going gets tough. The shed has gone up so when the weather comes in, we can sit in comfort with a cup of tea and complain about the rabbits.
Its a family affair, even this early in the process. The kids want to get involved...(off picture I am threatening Morwenna with a bull whip). Besides, I have always maintained that the re-introduction of child labour into Britain would make the UK more competitive and solve our energy crisis at the same time. And save my aching back. Genius eh?
My mum and dad were over for a few days. They would write me out of the will if I didn't put up a few of the photos taken last week. So, if you're out there fa-fa and fa-mor, these ones are just for you. Good to see you again. 
As you can imagine, this was a magical Christmas for family Bowling. A proper tree, fairy lights and more presents for the kids than we knew what to do with. Morwenna even made some of the decorations herself. I don't think she really knew what was going on this year, but she is well primed for Christmas the next time around.
Born on the 10th of December at 8.21 AM, weighing in at a respectable 7 pounds 9 oz, Bryn shot into my hands unassisted. He was born at home in our birthing pool, with Rachel at hand in our front room in front of the fire. More about Rachel later. 
I shouldn't get on my high horse, but all the statistics show that childbirth is the most dangerous times in a young woman's life, and that home births are statistically safer than hospital births, therefore, due to the cost of intervention, cheaper too. Ironically, there was an infection (C difficile) at the Norfolk & Norwich, closing many wards, so we couldn't take him in for a check up. Our family G.P came out and checked him over instead. Whats wrong with the old way of doing things?
Morwenna was amazed to find a baby brother when she came home and has been brilliant with him. Look at her face when she 1st sees him. She is bringing him all her old toys , holding his hand and making sure he is wrapped up in lots of blankets. 
Ouch! 1 hour and 48 minutes later, I finished. The start of the run was delayed since the weather was so bad people were crashing their cars getting to the Norfolk showground. 
That meant that we had to wait in the wind and rain for things to start. Conditions were so wet I'm sure most of ended up blistering in unusual places. Thanks for the "vaseline your nips" advise Susie.Spoken like a lady who truly understands the trials of long distance running...Morwenna allowed me no rest when I got home. Sensing vulnerability, she paid me back for all the times I splashed her.
"Some parents are afraid of letting children play unsupervised. Youngsters are missing out on their childhood because we over-protect them, a child play expert claims." Thus says Tim Gill on the beeb today. Well all a can say is Tim, Morwennas no-fear attitude is giving me a heart attack. 
Morwenna had her second birthday yesterday. Thanks to all of you sent cards and presents. Whilst she was aware that a special day was coming, the presents were still a suprise. All post through the door was apparently for her (including the bills) and since christa's birthday is this weekend lots of parcels addressed for her may well have Morwennas grubby little hands opening them on Sunday. 
The logs are in, the smell of woodsmoke and simmering fruit floats around the house. Small jobs that have been neglected take on levels of importance that cannot be dismissed. I even Spring clean arse about tit! Anyway, in an effort to stop our front step from wobbling, I took it up and this is what I found. I'm told that this is a common use for tombstones with typos by a stone smith patient. He could be telling me this so I dont get the willies. Anyone else heard this? Still, as a mark of respect we have left the stone face up. Most people don't seem notice it anyway.
Here is Morwenna's 1st video contribution to the blog. Turn up the speakers; I bet even George Formby couldnt play the ukulele so sweetly at this age. Only problem is as soon as she sees the camera, she wants to see the image. "I look daddy, I look." Honestly, the vanity.
Another Cornish holiday. We were certainly spoilt with the weather. No real floods this time! We went down via Lewes for Susie and Robs Cooke's wedding- more on that to come soon. Also managed a quick stop off in Bournemouth and Taunton to see Joe and Sam.
As always, its heaven to be way out West, but life always pulls us back to reality. Thankfully reality is just as much fun our holidays. Autumn has reached East Anglia. The fruit trees are ready early year due to the damp muggy conditions. Time for some jamming...
Stayed with Pete and Jenny in Bristol before spending the morning pulling veggies at the allotment and trying to get a decent note out of Pete's trombone. The kids did a better job than the rest of us.
Stayed just outside Falmouth with the Broadley tribe for the rest of the week and had a great time exploring Cornwall. Cycled, walked, swam, surfed, kayaked and fished ourselves into a west country frenzy. Seals and dolphins were spotted aplenty, but alas no fish.
Of course the real reason we were there was for Franky and Artur's wedding. Trevarno gardens proved to be the right kind of venue for the special day. All was very relaxed as we Brits welcomed Arturs family and the Brazilian contingent. Soon enough we were grooving to the Latin beats put out by the DJ's. Vicky looked after all the children that night and gave us all the opportunity to let our hair down sans kids. Thanks goes to all those who helped us out over the week. It was a great trip and we wont forget it.
Yes folks, the festival season is upon us again. Not that we're regular festival goers, but with a family size tent from ebay and some grotty Australian lager, we were ready for anything. The pretext for the visit to Eastern Haze was that Dom was fronting "Tribe of Cro." Between downpours, the band gave us reason enough to jump around and stamp our wellies. 
I hate to rub it in when half the country is under 3 ft of water, but East Anglia has to be one of the driest places I have ever lived in the U.K.
Here comes another baby! The 20 week scan was done today. All fingers and toes were recounted, and all limbs were where they should be. Morwenna seems to understand that there is a baby brother or sister in mummy's tummy, and appears to be very happy about the idea.
I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time...
Lots of people have come across to our place recently; Yens, Freiderika, Hans and Nina after a trip to the fatherland, Kate, Steve, Milo and Ruby for the bank holida weekend, and last but not least, Mum, Dad and uncle Josepeppi on returning from a bereak in italy.
Morwenna at her best The Schroeder tribe
Its good to escape old blighty sometimes, particularly when the days are short and the constant drizzle has somehow worked its way into your soul. Where else than the Canaries to feel the sun on your back and hope that Spring has started by the time you get home?
Anyone who has taken small children on holiday will know that it doesnt always feel like a holiday. Morwenna was unhappy in new environment, and we were always on the look out for new and inventive ways she could kill, maim or drown herself whilst we soaked up some rays. Thats where the grandparents step in. Mum, dad and Uncle Jossepi were all on hand to distract Morwenna when she was at her most fractious.
The Spanish lessons we have been taking since living in Harleston were great fun to practise on holiday. These family holidays are also a good time to catch up with family that live on the other side of the country. We also bumped into fellow lifeguard turned paramedic Nigel and Holly whilst walking along the beachfront. We spent a couple of nights on the town in 
Great ceremony, bad speeches and cheep bubbly were the order of the day. Many of the Norwegians had travelled for days to get to Bournemouth for the occasion. Glad you could make it from the arctic circle Peer! 
It was great fun to find out how everyone was enjoying the work (or not). About 10% of our cohort had already quit their jobs in search of nirvana. Makes me feel all the more pleased to be in pancake land with a great job. Good luck to all of you still searching. Keep your chins high guys, everyone needs the skills you have.
A voyage of discovery round Cornwall by kayak.
Not Mr. Marley, but a whole lot of fruit in buckets at this time of year. A long dry summer with a wet August has led to a bumper crop of fruit all across Norfolk.
Long, slow weekends exploring the upper reaches of the Waveney (the river that divides Norfolk and Suffolk) has brought home the fetility of the soil here, in contrast to stark West coasts that Christa and I come from.
July was a busy month for us. Peer and Stalle came with us for the move, and helped load/unload the 7.5 ton van I hired for moving day. A tiring but otherwise pleasantly uneventeful move left Morwenna and Christa in Norfolk as I went back to Bournemouth for a week to tie up loose ends. This involved finding a buyer for our flat, seeing my last few patients in the AECC clinic and and finally finding out whether I would qualify this year!
Someone above must have been smiling on us, since everything went well and by Friday I had graduated, registered with the chiropractic governing bodies, sold our flat and driven back to my two lovely ladies ready for work on Monday. Phew! That only left us the job of tidying up the new house, which was previously owned by two old bachelors in their 80's. Yes, its was as bad as it sounds...
Work is going very well, with more new patients in one month than I had in the college clinic in one year. Its harvest time here in Norfolk and there are plenty of back problems to testament to the hard work it involves getting the harvest in on time. Mandy (the principal) and all the other staff at the clinic in Diss have been very supportive. We couldn't ask for more.
The weather has been glorious for the last 6 weeks or so. Its been hard work getting the flat on the market, chasing paperwork as well as finding a new place to live and work. Saying that, there is always time for a bbq and a wakeboard session. Cheers to Mark and Adrian for that. Here are a couple of photos taken in Bournemouth on the beach or in the garden. Wake boarding photos will be posted as soon as I find one where Im not falling over...
You have to love Mo with a mohawk
Anyone who says having a baby isnt tough is lying. For me, the breast feeding is very draining
Toby, Beany and Mike. Christa is the the one without the hat, umbrella or suit rolled up at the elbows.
At enormous expense, our plans for a truly international extraveganza ended with us squarely in the Scillies. The windows of the registry office were sand blasted, and the only 3 other people to come weren't even invited (cheers boys!) The 9th of September will remain a special date; If not, I'm in the doghouse.
This scan was taken at 20 weeks. You may see the 
classic profile of the Bowling button nose and Sinclair chin already in the making! God help her
As you would expect, after letting the dust settle lots of friends and family crowded round to see the new line of Bowling's Reproductions.
Cosy toes. Thanks for the socks Merle
