Rite of Passage

I performed another rite of passage today, I laid my own concrete foundations for our new porch. Dug the ditch last week, using a big 14lb hammer to break up the concrete, and switching to a hired pneumatic drill. Today I mixed (by hand), poured, and leveled the concrete.

It's not a completely new experience I've helped my dad and my father in law before, but today is the first time I've flown solo. 6 hours of hard labour. I've feeling ridiculously proud of myself.

My birthday surprise

Hannah took me to the ballet, last night. We saw the Moscow Ballet perform Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.

It's definitely not the sort of present I was expecting or would ever did of my own volition. So I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The dancers were amazingly good.

Would I go again? Yes. And that surprises me too.

Thank You, Hannah.

North Korea

Just watching NK's anti-imperialism celebrations. Maybe we should get them to manage the 2012 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. Way more impressive than anything we'll manage.

The first Parent's evening

Tonight is our first parent's evening at Beth's school.

It's nearly half-term, and tonight we'll get the first outsider's view on Beth and learn how she is coping in the big wide world.

It's a scary thought. As a parent I hope that I have given her the love and confidence to cope.

Vanity

I am not a vain person; no really.
But as another year passes, and the Big 40 is edging ever nearer, you find yourself seeing changes in the mirror...and today's horror...the beginnings of the dreaded Dennis Healy eyebrows.

They aren't exactly bushy, but there are a few creepers edging out.

William Wallace plaque

William Wallace plaque
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

This plaque commemorating the execution of William Wallace is at Bart's Hospital opposite Smithfields meat market.

At the airport

At the airport
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

My brother Sandy's Son Ross

St. Paul's

St. Paul's
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Just for Roy

Triumph Rocket III

Triumph Rocket III
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

I've had enough of sports bikes. They are a pain, mostly in the back and the

wrists. This is what I want next.... maybe next year... or the year after.

Camping

We spent the weekend camping at the Rendlehsam forest Centre with our neighbours.

And apart from Hannah being the source of food for every mosquito in a 10 mile radius, everybody loved it.

Beth's Joke

Beth has a joke:

Knock Knock
Who's There?
Doctor
Doctor Who???

much laughter.... It's an old one but still funny.

Ross and the T-Rex

Ross and the T-Rex
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Ross got a little close and personal with a model of a T-Rex head.

Natural History Museum

Dad and the kids
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

The day before Sandy and Ross had to fly home, we took all the kids to the NHM. I was slightly worried that they might find it a bit dry and boring, but they loved it, really really loved it, and didn't want to leave.

Ross Goes Rafting

Click to Play

All aboard

All aboard
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

My nephew Ross went along to a raft building course, and after much work, he and his crewmates finally take to the open water.

Ross's Volcano

Click to Play

Lovely come on it... brr

Lovely come on it... brr
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

And in last place...

And in last place...
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

look there was something wrong with the engine, that's why it was so slow... nothing to do with the weight of the driver, no definately not.

Stirling who?

Stirling who?
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

The Young Girl and the Sea

The Young Girl and the Sea
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

We took a day trip to Southend. Not quite swimming weather.