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.
Christa's pregnancy had been uncomplicated and the birth was too. At about 4 AM things started to get going, so we set up the pool and made some calls. I got Morwenna ready and took her down to the childminder at 8 AM. By the time I got home, he was crowning. With no sign of a midwife, Bryn was born. When I lifted him to the surface, he was already checking his new surroundings and clocked mummy before he had even drawn his 1st breath. Everyone safe and well.
Rachel is a Doula, a group of unqualified women with lots of birth experience. As always , the Greeks had a word for it; to Doula is to 'mother the mother.' As a group, they are becoming increasing popular as NHS midwifes are increasingly under strain. Having requested that we sign a document stating that we understood that the NHS couldn't guarantee provision of a midwife, we looked for alternatives to the
paramedics that the NHS would provide for us taxpayers.
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.
It's a dream come true and all down to Christa being an astonishing woman and mother. Those readers who missed their children being born have truly missed out. Those men who have yet to have the honour will see a courage and determination in their partners to be proud of. As I have.
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?
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.
