Happy Daffodil!

Yesterday morning Anne woke up and said to me that for the first time in as far as she can remember she did not feel like she needed more sleep. We have led a life of utter sleep-deprevation since before Helen was born...perhaps we are turning the corner? Plus spring has sprung. Things are looking up - happy Daffodil to you all! Phil

Photo taken by my brother Dave

"My new tree-house!"

Click here to to reveal more related photos
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

I am nearing the end of two weeks off-work and it has been a great and much-needed break for me. Anne is settling into her 3 mornings-a-week working and it is the school holidays, so I have spent a lot of time with Matthew, Angus and Helen. One accomplishment for me and Matthew in particular was building a 'tree-house', really a climbing frame with a slide attached, made from old tree stumps left over after the tree-felling last Autumn. Some of the photos attached (click on the middle of the photo to reveal the full set from this week ) show Matthew playing in the tree house with his long term 'best friend' Max Ford. Jules his Mum and Jodie his sister also popped around one afternoon with their new puppy-dog Archie, the latter of which provided much fascination for Angus. Speaking of which, Angus had a bout of illness mid week, he went down for 24 hours and then bounced back (yes, more vomit again!). Both the boys have been on great form though. I seem to have had a lot of time with Matt making the tree house and chatting in general, he seems to be blooming, asking questions about everything, the holiday has been positive for him. Similarly Angus seems to have come up in a jump, last night I was reading his standard 'Usborne Book of Tractors' (a must for boys aged 3) and he was really keen to learn the logic behind all the different trailers and tools and machinery that could be attached to them. Anne seems to be doing well having returned to work. Yesterday I took Matthew to the bank and opened a savings account for him, he was chuffed to have his 'own bank'. Personally, I have been trying to up the miles on my bike on preperation for the 3 Peaks this Autumn, my target is to do 300 miles a month this year as opposed to the 200 mules I achieved last year. The step up will be a challenge amongst family life. Anyhow, so far this week I did 60 miles and plan to do at least another 40 by the end of the week. A final note, a thought for my Aunty Sylvia (my late Dad's sister) who last week suffered a stroke and is recovering in hospital in Walsall. Wishing you a speedy recovery Aunty Syl.

Easter weekend at Cousin Lily's

The two Haygarth families, Easter Sunday 2006
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Easter this year was spent staying at Helmshore in the newly-rennovated Southfield home of cousin Lily and her Mum and Dad Dave (my brother) and Katie. We stayed for three days and nights and my Mum joined us on the middle day - easter Saturday. On the first day we relaxed, walked around Helmshore, including a thirst-inducing play on the swings. On Saturday we took the train to Ramsbottom from Irwell Vale, plus sampling some famous black peas and a couple of pints, and we saw a great steam engine. On Sunday we stuffed our faces with eggs and walked it off around the reservoir. Anne and I found it extremely relaxing and healing after a tiring few weeks and thanks to David and Kate for looking after us so well. Along with the obvious family joys, some personal highs were a 20 mile ride with Dave which included a slightly hung-over ascent of the upper portion of Ramsbottom Rake, plus some great fun taking photos and video and listening to Rush and ZZ-Top (private joke ha ha Anne and Kate!). See some great results on Flickr if you click on the photo (photos taken by me and Dave).
Phil

Helen Starts Crawling

Helen Starts Crawling
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

On the 11th April, just after tea, Helen crawled for the first time! Great stuff! Click on the photo to see more and other family pictures taken around this time.

A week of Geosciences - in Vienna

Vienna City Centre 2
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

One of the great positives of my job is that I get to travel and work with some terrific people. Here are some snaps from my recent visit last week to the European Geosciences Union General Assembly, in Vienna. The photos were taken by me and Gary Bilotta and thanks also to Gary for letting me use his camera. Click on the photo to reveal the full set of photos from the trip.
Phil

Photos onto 'Flickr' - late March

Watching the flames
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

I have started loading my favorite pictures onto Flickr. If you click on the photo you can have a look at high resolution and download and print if you wish. Here are a few from late March.

A major disadvantage of bunk beds

We have had an eventfull night. Poor Matthew woke at midnight vomiting, his bug had got worse. He had vomited all over poor Angus's head, whilst in deep sleep in the bunk below. This is a major disadvantage of bunk beds, if you sleep in the lower bunk. That said, Angus's hair had extra body this morning, better than any conditioner could have done.

Anne starts work today. What a start.

Sunday night

It's been a strange weekend, there has been a bug around that knocked Matthew for 6 this afternoon, he had a fever and felt sick. Anne and I are also under the weather but our symptoms are (so far) more modest. At the moment we are still tired and Gran is staying which is a great help. Angus and I completed moving the logs from the front garden today, progress on domestic things such as this is slow at the moment. Helen is a bit 'moanie' but actually plain frustrated, she is on the verge of crawling but cannot quite do it, she is sharp as button. Today I found a new way to make her giggle uncontrolably - I put her upside down with her tummy on top of my head and shake my head from side to side as I walk around, it is such a joy when she laughs. I finished reading 'Five Fall into Adventure' to Matthew, an exciting end - we all listened into the last chapter, happy tales. Last night Anne and I had a night out in the village - supper with friends in the village followed by a bop to a live band in the village hall, it was a good night, but it wiped us out today. I watched the Tour of Flanders bike race on TV in and around other things, the highlight of my cycle-sport-following year, what an awesome event. I must take the famliy to it when they are older, spine tingling. Tommorow is a busy day with some milestones, Anne starts back to work and I know she is anxious about the added complexity this will bring. I am going to Vienna for 3 days with work, but from next weekend I am off work for 2 weeks. Roll on! Dad

We won £333,568 on the lottery!

Ha ha - April fool!