Life Begins @ 2

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.

Happy birthday tune on her new organ...what else would you expect?

You have to listen hard though-this isnt the Monroe version mr. President

Home sweet Home

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.

Morwenna has taken to pulling faces. Most of the time its someone else's face she is pulling (ouch), but this picture shows she thinks its quite fun pulling her own occasionally.

Mum and Dad came over after a trip to Italy. This picture at least shows she can still pull the cute-little-grand-daughter out of the bag when she needs to.

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.

Naughty but Nice

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.

Fishing, swimming, the occasional coastal kayak trip and lots of time with the Brawdley family was the sum of the weeks activities. There is always a nature moment to be had in Cornwall. This time it was whilst swimming out to the islands off Portreath towing my fishing gear. A yearling seal was very surprised to see me and took many passes past me to see I wasn't either food or a mate. Still, she followed me back to the mainland after an unsuccessful hour fishing. No doubt a curious seal spoiled my chances of any bass that afternoon. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...

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...

Cornish holiday

Had a great week off at the end of June. Drove madly after work to get to see fatfreddysdrop/ in Bournemouth with Marc and Vern. Great night lads. Then on to see a very pleased Lucy in Bath. She was diagnosed cancer-free the morning we arrived. She took the news in the same down to earth manner that she had when finding she had cancer in the 1st place. Big respect.

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.

Tis the season to be jolly

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.

As always, these events attract their fair share of loonies. Most memorably, an bald old fat man dressed in a ballerinas tutu and tiara spend the whole festival busily engaged in a phone call on a banana. It was always a conversation starter wherever he went, which I suppose was the whole idea.

Other conversation pieces on show was the MI5 whistle blower who went on record with David Shaller in the 90's. She gave a fascinating talk on false flag terrorism and the world trade centre attack. Find out more at; http://www.911truth.org/

Getting ribbed during the rainstorms were the save water people. Cant imagine they have had a very productive year of spreading the word in the U.K this year. Good costumes though...

Summer Sun

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.

Don't get me wrong, our high street has become a river more than once in the last month, but overall the weather has been very clement. Relaxing in the fast growing garden has been my weekend passion. Morwenna seems to enjoy the hammock nearly as much as me.

Brothers and Sisters

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.

We agreed that we wouldn't find out if it will be a boy or girl on this scan. Of course, I wanted to find out, but you don't argue when the missus is pregnant. Fathers to be watch out and learn from my mistakes- in the face of this many hormones, a sensible debate what colour to paint the new bedroom is really never going to happen, so don't even try.

A good day for saddle sores...

Well, the deed is done. 100 miles from Norwich, onto the North Norfolk coast and back again in 5hrs 47mins. I have no intention of ever getting on a bike again, but I'm sure that's a natural response to friction burns...

The day started with toad in the hole and a bowl of porridge before driving up to the start at 6.15 a.m. Mist shrouded the city and what was chilly before the race became blissfully cold as we all developed a head of steam. People dropped by the wayside for early pees and punctures as the 2000 strong group of us passed by. Mark, Martin and I were pulled along in a whirlwind of slip streams and enthusiasm up past Acle and toward the coast

We did the first 50 miles in a blistering 2hrs 41 mins. From there things went a little slowly. Anyone who tells you that Norfolk is flat hasn't been up onto the North coast. The mist burned off by 11.00 and it turned uncomfortably hot as the hills rolled on and on. Sean was there in support at the water stops to provide us with a barrage of good natured abuse, which distracted us from the job at hand. Good job too. Somebody had to distract Mark; he was ready to give away his bike and walk home after 3 hours!

An hour after him, I was in the doldrums. Sure as eggs is eggs, that's when Mark perked up. I sat on his rear wheel whilst he shouted encouragement. I like to think I would have done the same.

We limped the last 25 miles back into Norwich. Descending the hill into the centre of town at over 30mph, blew away the cobwebs and the knee pain was forgotten. We were at the finish line in no time, shaking hands and drinking chilled beer. Magazines detailing future organised rides were being distributed by zealous cyclinsts. Needless to say, we weren't interested.

Mercury award winner!

I almost forgot, I won the (Diss) Mercury photography award last week. One of the photos I took in Borneo 2 years ago won. The prize was a lovely printed version of the photo on canvas. Cant be bad eh?

Addition number 2

Who would have guessed it? Well, quite a few of you so it would seem. Christa's swelling belly, a passion for odd foods and mild memory loss; all sure signs that a change is gonna come. We are, of course, ecstatic.



The house warming went down well, and provided us with the opportunity to tell all and sundry about the important day in December. Lots of folk from work and around the village came to cheer up our rainy day. Special thanks goes out to those who came from afar to turn our weekend inside out. Cheers Toby, Brita, Luna, Will and Nags. Our drinks cabinet overfloweth!

Norwich 100

I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time...
As you can see from the previous posts, I try and take part in or organise a charity event every year. This year is no exeption. Whilst here in pankake land, cycling has seemed to be a sensible sport to get involved in.

The gauntlet was thrown last year by my pricipal for this 100 mile event in North Norfolk. Like a fool I said yes, not knowing how saddle sores would affect my everyday life. Sadly, Mandy has had to drop out due to skiing injuries, but William (chiropodist), Mark (patient) and myself have been on an extensive training programme. The routine has involved 60 miles per week and as much fish and chips as you can throw at me. I have always thought nutrition is key. My legs havent stopped aching for 7 weeks now. Not kidding.

Last weekend we were unbeaten in the Beccles cycle for Life. 50 miles in a respectable 2hrs 57mins. Thinking that we would still have another 50 miles to go on the Norwich 100 is a little daunting. Nevertheless, the training has gone well. Training from now on will be fish and chips every day and our house warming next weekend, where protien shakes will be swapped for cocktails. Wish me luck.

Friends and family

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.

Great to have you all over. Here are some of the photos that are the resuly of these trips. More coming shortly..

Morwenna at her best The Schroeder tribe

Morwenna and Milo sharing a harmonica

Morwenna pretending Nina is a little sister?

A well deserved rest

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?

It has been a hectic year and God knows, we all needed a rest...

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.

There was enough time for surfing some of the powerful point breaks of Feurteventura and some snorkelling in the lagoons of Isla del Lobos. Underwater photos will be posted soon.

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

their company watching local gigs with very large gin and tonics whilst Morwenna was keeping the grandparents (and everyone else) entertained at the kids disco. She thought it very funny to stand on stage clapping at the audience and stop the acts getting on with the show.

The island itself has an amazingly arid and mountain covered interior. Sand blown across from the nearby sahara desert is the reminder that Africa is only 60 miles away.

In the years before the island was infested with tourists, Fuerteventura was described as "a desert in a sea of civilisation." Having now been part of the U.K bucket and spade brigade (minus the England t-shirts and stella fuelled sunburn) you cant help but wonder if that old quote still rings true. Nevertheless, we can all imagine return visits to what is really a fascinating little island.

Home sweet home

The newbies of Norfolk are setting down roots! we have just bought this beautiful 450 year old town house in Harleston and moved in 2 days before Christmas. Nothing like a deadline to get things happening! Left everything in boxes and went back to Wales for a few days with the family. Will have to put a blog up for xmas just to show you all the look on Morwennas face when it came to unwrapping presents.

There are lots of interesting features in the house, with previous renovation covering a number of period from regency to farm house original. Added to this confused character is the fact that it has only recently returned to residential use, having been the the local G.P surgery for the last 20 years.

The previous owner has done a fine job of undoing much of the damage done over the last decade and the wheelchair wide hallways and semi open-plan ground floor that you can see are all that is left of its use as a surgery.

Now that the paintings are up, the rugs are down and the woodburner's in, we can settle into our new home and see what comes our way...

Tallulah's birthday trip

Tallulah's 2nd birthday gave Morwenna and Christa theexcuse to set off on their first girls only road trip. It was great to spend some quality time with the cousins. December was the firsat month that we stopped counting how many stepa Morwenna could take.

Also saw Grandad Pete and Kate with a big bump of a belly.

Pathology 101

For all those Chiros out there. A strange thing happened in my office the other day...A patient brought in this specimen.

Fingers on buzzers ladies and gents;

1. What Spinal pathology is being shown below?
2. For bonus marks, can anyone tell me the Species. Answers in latin please

The human spine nearby is for size comparison only.

C'mon, its a classic. Post your answers below. A gold star to the 1st correct answer.

Graduation

Great to see everyone togged up in ridiculous costumes for our day in the sun. As you can see from the photos below, the graduates families all got to dress up in their Sunday best and outshined those of us suited, booted and robed.

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.

Sponsored swim

3 chiropractors, 3Kms, 1 lunch hour. All for Children in Need. Thanks to those of you who sponsored us. We raised over £240 for the charity, and managed to get fit in the process. Cheers.

Paddling the pointy bit

A voyage of discovery round Cornwall by kayak.

"Every year I endeavour to fund raise for local charities by short kayaking trips here in the U.K. This summer was no exception, but with our first child on the way, this may be the last time in the near future that I could take this length of time away from home without filling my hatches with nappy bags and baby clothes! "

To read more, please open the link at the side of the page. All donations Im sure will be greatly received by Naomi's House, the childrens hospice that I was raising money for.

We're jamming

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.

Apples, pears, plums, blackberries, sloes and damsens become jam, chutney, great desserts and gin (I couldn't help myself).