Today I did a 10-mile cycle time trial and Matthew, Angus and Anne came to support me (always great to have them there at the turn!). It took me 24 mins and 35 seconds (or thereabouts), not brill but not terrible either considering what else I have going on at the moment. It was baking hot. The pre-amble at tea-time generated some interesting piccies with Helen too - have a look by clicking on the photo.
PS. The next morning. I just found out that I was the fastest Okehampton Club member in a time of 24.33 - I think that means I win the annual club trophy which is a delight for me and a surprise - It seems life does indeed begin at 40!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
In Grandma's car
Grandma has a new camera and has taken some great shots - click on the photo to reveal the set
Phil
Phil
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
He's off!
Click on the image to see pictures of Angus riding his bike on my brithday in Okehampton park, as well as Helen's first use of a straw - amongst other things. First shots with the new camera too! Dad
Monday, July 17, 2006
Moving on...
Yesterday Angus rode his bike across Okehampton Park without stabilisers and since Tuesday Helen has been boob-free in her feeding. Well done to all involved! Dad
Saturday, July 15, 2006
The Herdsmen of Glencoe....
Click on the image to reveal all the photos
The recent opening of a convenient and low-cost flight connection from Exeter to Glasgow meant that I was able to spend a cheeky 40 hours in the Highlands with my good-friend Richard Bardgett, and fulfil a mini long-term ambition and ascend the majestic ‘Herdsman’ of Glencoe. Richard picked me up around 9 pm on Wednesday night and we drove to the Bein Glas camp ground close to the Drovers Inn, just north of Loch Lomand. Perhaps inevitably we felt a little sluggish the next morning (one-too-many ‘plastic’ pints in the campsite bar). We drove via Glen Orchy and the Inbhiroran Hotel (memories of another late night with Mark Holmes and Peter Simpson and a manic piper ca. 10 years ago) and my sluggishness partly evaporated when the majestic herdsman emerged as we approached across Rannoch Moor. We parked the car at Altnafeadh, just past the Kings Hotel at the high point of Glencoe and started the climb after crossing the Coupall river up the obvious steep Coire na Tulaich, Richard in full-on blabber – botanising mode, enthusing about the similarities to the Alpine environment, whilst I grappled in part with regrets over the fifth pint and also with the rude shock at how the hills are bigger and steeper than Dartmoor (I seem to have gone soft since I moved south). Emerging on the summit of the main hill, Stob Dearg (1022 m), more-than fulfilled my expectations, a majestic panorama across Rannoch moor to the east was perhaps most impressive, but the west towards the coast and Ballachulish was also quite clear. After a bit of rehydration we staggered westward, bumbling along the entire Buachaille Etive Mor ridge over Stob na Doire (1011 m), Stob Coire Altrium (939 m) and eventually to the end at Stob na Brioge (955 m) . The view over Glen Eitve and, further west towards the Loch, was for me the best of the day and at this point we finished our tuna sandwiches and dozed for a while in the afternoon sun. Eventually, we returned a little way along the ridge before descending to Lairig valley (where I twanged my knackered-knee and Richard sprained his ageing-ankle), staggering happily towards the car across the peat, returning over 6 hours after the start. We drove to Glencoe Village for some fuel and some flapjack and had a cheeky pint of Heather Ale in the Clachaig Inn. By coincidence, Richard bumped into an old colleague - Erica and her partner Matt – and we shared an amusing hour talking about maglite torches and other similar phallic objects. Eventually, we pitched the tent outside the Kings Bar at the top of Glencoe and had a more modest few beers and a meal, whilst listening to a couple on playing an auto-harp and a squeeze box. The following morning we emerged amongst the midges and returned to the airport via a much-needed breakfast at Crainlarich railway station (a classic café I last enjoyed around 1992 with cousin Mark Holmes, my brother Dave, Bill Chew and Paul Turner – Ben Nevis Hill-race trip), A wonderful time and some great company (thanks Rich) - it seems my 40th birthday celebrations are starting early…..
Click on the image to reveal all the photos
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Helen's birthday pictures
Pictrures from Helen's first birthday party on Tuesday are now loaded. Click on the picture to see them, Dad
Happy birthday Mum
Today is my Mum's birthday. Happy birthday CMH!. She has gone to Court Number 1 at Wimbledon with Margaret Wastie. Have a great day ladies!
love Phil
love Phil
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Happy 1st Birthday Helen
This morning Helen was up early (5.15!) to celebrate her birthday, so we thought we would come down and get on with it. Here is an early piccie, sorry it's are a bit blurred ... but so am I! More anon...
Dad
Saturday, July 01, 2006
School sports day!
It was Matthew's school sports day yesterday, he did ever-so-well with two second places and a 3rd. Anne and Angus also managed 2nd in the parents and toddlers races too. Baking hot! Have a look at more piccies by clicking on the picture,
Phil
Phil
A gentleman retires
After 36 years in science, my colleague and mentor for the last 14 years, Steve Jarvis, retired from IGER last night. He was an unnassuming, modest, hardworking and high achieving gentleman who will be much missed. Thank you Steve. More photos of the party by clicking on the photo...
Phil
Phil
Rock and roll reunion
This week 'The Lost Mules' regathered after a few years off. A little older, a little balder, but the groove and the banter were still top-drawer. Good times, this is it! 
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