Ali and the Essex Countryside Bike ride

In our monumental year, we decided to go one step further and do some challenges. Today Ali completed the Essex countryside bike ride, 25km. She only bought a bike 2 months ago! So, at 6am on a Sunday, we were up and on our way to Chelmsford with Sailor. When we got to the startline, it was a sea of lycra and people with all the kit. Ali's face dropped but then off she went. Sailor and I explored Chelsmford. We found the Marconi building, N92 , Dame Nellie Melba sang the first entertainment radio broadcast from Marconi's factory, home of wireless. We continued on and found Chelsmford Cathedral, walked through the city centre (at 8am, there was just us). We finally found Central Park eventually, you really have to know where you are going, under the underpass but it was worth it. It has a lake, with lots of chicks, including coot chicks which have red heads. We were stopped a few times on route as we usually are when people see a greyhound. It's like owning a ferrari, everyone turns their head when he walks by! Back to the university to watch Ali finish the race. I'm not sure she quite expected the hills but Sailor and I are very proud.

Greville Smyth park, Bristol

A trip down memory, a visit to Greville Smyth park, aka Ashton Park in Bristol and where mum used to take Hayden and I often. I have fond memories of driving there in mum's old escort with Sylv, Chris and Sarah. Playing in the park, mum and Sylv chatting on the bench while watching us in the park. What's quite sad is that all that remains is 4 swings, the original swings and broken up tarmac, while next to it, a sparkling new playground, 10 times the size of the original and with contraptions I wouldn't have a clue what to do with! Sailor and I walked up the steps we used to play on, pass the tree we used to wee behind! and then onto the top of the slop. It's one of those things, like Cadbury's creme eggs, where everything is bigger when you are little, creme eggs and Ashton Park. Before going in the park, we always used to get chips, try and eat them as quick as possible, 5 minutes and then play. A lovely trip down memory lane on a sunny morning.

Proud to be British - Diamond Jubilee

I do love it when Britain goes crazily patriotic, and the second only diamond jubilee in history was a great excuse for parties in an amazing year. The bunting industry have done especially well. As we were in London last year for the Royal wedding and missed out on the street party experience, we decided to do the street party thing this year, however, the weather had other ideas so it was an indoor street party at Ali's dad's. All guests wore red, white and blue, we had our flags and we watched the pagent on the TV. The diamond jubilee took over every channel with the history of the queen, the palaces, how to paint a portrait of the queen, the jubilee concert, the procession nd you can't help but to be proud to be British.