Saturday 12 September 2009

Surfing

Today we went to Boscombe (near the surf reef) with a Stake Youth activity. As the youth were not that interested in surfing, Matt Ambrose let me have a go. I got up on my feet (for about 2 seconds) on my first wave, wave two was a nose dive, and after much waiting for waves, my third attempt saw me standing up for well over 2 seconds, and I saw standing well.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Summer Holiday 2009

We planned to stay at home for the week as the weather had been bad and it was going to cost £300 just to go camping for the week. We had planned a schedule for the week so we could fix up babysitting and have some quality time together.

On Saturday Steve had Jenna so we could go shopping for a kayak (our treat instead of going on holiday) and we met up at Durley Chine. The weather changed from overcast in the morning to lovely sunshine and we had lots of fun on the kayak. Jenna wouldn't go on but both the other girls had a go and Steve and Alan went on too. There was also the air show and the red arrows so that was nice to watch. That night we dashed home from the beach and ate pasta before Alan and I cycled extremely quickly down to the pavillion to see Blood Brothers. We had a lovely time although I was extremely hot after the cycle ride, the show was great and got a standing ovation. The actors were very good. We cycled home a bit slower!

On Sunday we went to Mudeford and took the girls crabbing. We managed to not have anyone fall in, although Amber was a close call in her excitement of catching a crab! It was lovely and sunny and got to see a few planes from the air show at Bournemouth.

Monday was Alan and my first outing out. We dropped the girls at nan and grampi's and took our bikes over to sandbanks. We cycled to the ferry and went over to Studland. We had a map which we tried to follow, although we did miss the very first turning:) It was hard going at first but we had the wind against us. We turned right off the main road and went cross country. Some of it was a bit bumpy but it was lovely to be in the countryside alone where we could chat as we cycled. We ended up going all the way to Corfe Castle as we could see it from where we'd cimbed up a big hill.
I let Alan push my bike up the last bit:) By this time it was about 12:30 and we were due back at 2 so we didn't stop for lunch but tried to head back to the ferry taking the main roads. I went whizzing down the main road which unfortunately was not the one we thought and I couldn't hear Alan behind me calling! We made it to a water works place and the guy directed us back to the ferry which wasn't too far, although we actually went astray again, we did end up on our original path and made it back really quickly up the main road to the ferry. It took about 2 hours to get to Corfe Castle and about 40 mins to get back. We then headed to Studland beach to have a quick lunch. It was lovely and warm after quite a cool morning, perfect weather! (Movie of the decent to Corfe)

We picked up the girls and headed home for a nap for Jenna. In the evening, Alan took the girls to splash down which they absolutely loved. I chilled out in front of the TV.

Tuesday was a family day, we went down to the beach again with the kayak. It was really windy but we sheltered behind the kayak and in tent when it started spitting. It was a bit sunny and turned out to be the best day for the beach so that was good. We all had a go in the kayak again, it was a bit scary because it was windy. In the evening the girls went for a sleepover at nans. Alan and I went to Nando's. We had a nice meal in a little booth. We then went to Tesco, ironic but we always seem to do that wen we have babysitters. We don't usually get chance to shop in a relaxed way though so that was nice. we bought the DVD "Bedtime" stories, some face creams for me, some ice cream and choccies for the cinema and other little bits. We went to see Time Travellers Wife which was good and had the girl in from the Notebook which I love.

Wednesday was mine and Alan's next day out, we went for a row this time. Again the weather worked out perfectly because it was awful but a good day for going on the river because it was wet anway. We drove down to Christchurch Priory and got onto the river at Wick Ferry, a little point at the river where you can get on with boats etc. It was quite cold but you didn't notice when you were rowing. We rowed down as far as we could go before hitting a weir. We were eying up all the houses backing onto the river, but they didn't have very big gardens. I sit in the front when we row together and Alan sits behind me, he is generally in charge of steering! We stopped on the way back when we found a little point we could moor up and have some lunch. It started to rain during lunch but luckily we were quite sheltered from the trees above us. On our way back it was still raining and the wind was against us and it was just funny. We started singing songs like Bohemian Rhapsody and We will rock you! We had a great laugh, and on the way out some kids playing on the side of the river called Alan an old man! We dashed home for a shower and then Alan went to get the girls.

In the evening it was still awful weather so we didn't go to do the candles as planned. We did go ice skating though and Uncle Steve came to meet us and help us look after Jenna. Leah went around by herself for the first time so she was really pleased. They let Jenna on the ice with the baby skates and she loved it and loved to wave to us as we went around. Amber is very independent ice skating and doesn't like to hold hands:) I liked holding hands as it was very slippery. We went home and Steve stayed with the girls while Alan and I went out for dinner to Harvester. I had the Combine Harvester and Alan had Original combo, we were very stuffed afterwards. (it was a rare ocassion for Alan to ask for a doggie bag).

Thursday was another family day out. We went to Lulworth Cove. We were hoping to go for a boat ride but it was too windy. We had lunch down in the cove and then walked up to the top of the hill to see Durdle Door. By this point I was a bit fed up because Leah was whingeing and the girls kept walking near the edge despite me asking them not to. Jenna was also a bit of a nightmare as she wanted to walk and it was quite dangerous. We answered a questionnaire to get free kids tickets to Lulworth Castle so that was good. We went home and got the house ready for our friends coming for the weekend and I did lots of baking - banana bread, flapjack and brownies, yummy! Michael and Jo arrived about 9pm and once the kids were settled, we stayed up and chatted.

On Friday we took them to Lulworth Castle and had a lovely day out. The only dampner was a shower which turned into a downpour during the jousting. We had our umbrella but it just poured so we all got a bit wet. We had a quick look around the castle, mainly the lower floor and then went outside for lunch. We had a tractor ride down to the animals and had great fun feeding the goats etc. I loved the fluffy one. We found a little park on the way back and then went and looked at the chapel and a last look at the castle. Rather than go home and have the kids fall asleep on the way without dinner, we went down to Lulworth Cove and had chips for the kids - which were really nice so we knicked a few:) We had a walk down to show them the cove and then headed home.

In the evening us adults enjoyed a lovely Chinese together, nice and peaceful!

On Saturday we headed down to the beach, it was quite sunny but unfortunately very windy which kept us all quite chilly. We enjoyed taking the kayak again and I went out by myself before it got really choppy. Michael and Alan took the kids out but unfortunately they got tipped out with Sophie with them. I was quite worried because they were out of the boat for a long time. Poor Sophie was frozen when she got back in. It was a lovely day though, time to chat and play and hide behind the wind break for me and Jo :) Anna and Rich finally made it around 4, the poor things had been stuck in traffic. The kids loved being at the beach and all had a lovely play. Alan also got his kite out.

We had a Bar B Q at home for tea which worked out well and was yummy even though it was a bit chilly still. It was fun just being together and chatting and laughing.

Sunday was church as usual followed by spaghetti bollognaise and more chatting. Once Anna and Rich left we played some games with the kids before having tea. Michael and Jo left at bed time.

For our last day's holiday on the Monday Bank Holiday, I had a catch up day and started getting my childminding stuff ready in the morning, doing washing etc. The afternoon turned out lovely so after Jenna's sleep we went down to the beach for one last time. Steve met us and we had a lovely time out on the kayak, it was much calmer. we stayed until 7 and had chips on the beach. It was nice to have a warm day on the beach to end our holiday.


Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Boat


Poole harbour

Church

Cycle ride to Swanage


9:30-2pm

Beach kayak

Row down stour


9:30-2pm

Lulworth cove/ equiv.

Get house ready for guests


Shop

Beach


Air show

Mudeford crabbing, walk


Quiet time




Splash down £32

Beach,



Crazy golf,




Quiet time



Ice skating 5:30pm – 7pm £7.50 each =£30 for family

Boat trip / walk etc.

Beach


/ dinosaur BIC



Restaurant?

Fresh pasta, tomato sauce garlic bread

Tortillas

Girls eat at nans


Us restaurant

Restaurant


(KFC for girls prior to skating)

Restaurant with girls or Potato salad, pizza etc.

Spaghetti bollognaise

Blood brothers

Games night

FHE


Game

Cinema, time traveller

Candles girls


Dinner date, walk on beach



9pm Proposal Tower Park

Dancing Pavillion

Fireworks ?

Friday 20 March 2009

My Young Wife (my Queen)

Katie & I have made an effort to have more dates together. The foundation of any family should be built on the relationship between husband and wife. So thanks to all who have helped us have time together over 8 years of or marriage. And this is why we have needed help:
  • May 2009 will be our 100th Month of Marriage
  • Katie has been pregnant and very Ill for 18% of our marriage.
  • 70% of our married has involved either a bump or baby under 2 years old.
  • Only 15% of married life with no kids under the age of 3.

So on Wednesday we enjoyed getting ready to go out, choosing some nice clothes to wear, etc. We have lots of dates recently where we have been dancing, but this time we were going for a relaxing meal and a movie. The food and atmosphere at Nando's was a lot of fun. I love to see Katie when she is laughing, her eyes light up and her smile is infectious.

We stepped out of the restaurant and up the steps to the cinema. We had wisely purchased our Orange Wednesday tickets before we ate so that we didn't have to queue for the movie. We sat through around 40 min. of adverts (while I depleted our stash of malteasers/minstrals) and then watched The Young Victoria. It was a well made and interesting film - I think that both Katie and I avoid history questions in quizzes because we don't know much, but we both enjoy learning. The film portrayed some good examples of what to do and not do in a relationship. At one point Prince Albert said that his wife (the queen) was 'Irreplaceable', and that was lovely, I couldn't replace Katie in my life she is unique and I love her.

I'm so glad that Katie & I are equally yoked - but also that we have different strengths.

  • I'm quite good on getting by with reduced sleep, and have been able to look after the children in the night while Katie gets the sleep that her body needs.
  • Katie is able to make good decisions and get on with things, if not for Katie's passion & drive we may well have been still living in our first small flat - with the old tied flowery wallpaper to boot.

Another thing that differentiates us is the ability to spot a face. I will often know the name of some actor/actress and know other films that they are in, but Katie can spot a face. For example I as sure that the actor playing Sir John Conroy was Jason Issacs, but Katie said that it saw the same actor that played Septimus in the film Stardust (Mark Strong) - and after a quick look on IMDB.com I can say with certainty that she was right. She also said that she recognized the actor playing Prince Albert (Rupert Friend), she remembered him in a military uniform, and what do you know - she was right again. He played Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice.

I have learned a lesson - that not only is my wife my equal she is also my superior in many, many ways: Charm, Charisma, Capacity for loving and learning, etc. But when we have a differing of opinions she is almost always right, and when she has ever been 'out righted' by me, it is of little importance.

Wow. What a lucky guy I am!

Sunday 8 February 2009

Thursday 15 January 2009

BoardGameGeek : Pride Cycle

I have been using BoardGameGeek ("BGG") for quite a while, as it a huge database about board games.  Well back at Christmas 2007 Katie & I decided that we would design and build a game which could give to family members as a Christmas present, I have now added this game (Pride Cycle) to the BGG database... it is game number 40482!

If you want to see my collection or rating of various board games you can find me under the pseudonym of GeekGamerAlan.