First shoes

Size 3 1/2 G, purchased on 20th August 2006 in Clarks in Exeter & sponsored by Grandma. One chuffed little girl! Dad 

Ben's new boy

Father and son
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Just back from a trip to meet Ben Turner, passing through the UK on a trip from his base in Panama. Ben and Christy were showing-off baby Luke to the family in Sutton Bonington, and I used it as an opp. to meet the little chap and also, as ever, fizz and plot about organic phosphorus with my long-term mate Ben. Thanks for the lovely stew Sue and for the chicken sarnie picnic on the train Christy - if you click on the photo you will see some more piccies. Great trip.

Summer social festival comes to an end....

Issy and Adrian
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Late last week Adrian and family visited us. Issy and Sophie spent the day with us on Friday whilst Adrian and Dee when to a wedding nearby. As ever, a great time, social and photographic frenzy and loads of excellent, especially dog-related amusement (see my earlier dog blog - and for the record it wasn't really Adrian's dog - we were looking after Jules' Westie called Archie and he's a pretty good-egg actually). Steve Riley and family also called in to add cream to a great social weekend that marked the end of over 3 weeks of continuous visitors to the Haygarth house, since before my party. Aunt Chrissy and Gran departed on Thursday and drove home safely to Scotland - impressive driving distance Gran and thanks for making the long trip! More piccies of the weekend if you click on the photos, Phil

Helen's first steps

Helen's first steps
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

It is official - she's off. After a few false starts over the weekend, Helen is now a walker. She is a most relentless, resilient and determined trier, who adores the applause from her brothers and partents on every step! As soon as she falls she is up again - pure delight to watch! This is what it's all about - click on the image for more....Dad

What Adrian's dog did

Adrian has a new dog. Look what it did to our garden trough.
 

A train trip to see Grandma plus an evening cycling with friends

Showing Grandma the train we travelled on!
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

On Tuesday Angus and Matt joined me on a work-journey north to Lancaster University on the train. They were both very excited; Angus (having hardly slept the night before)looked out of the window for the entire 5 hours, whilst Matthew mastered my ipod. Overnight we seperated with Grandma and the boys staying at Kirkby Lonsdale (including a trip to Kirkby show) and me working at the University. In the evening I had a great hilly 2-hour ride around Caton moor with Trev, Leanne and Jim and later Paul S joined us for a take-away at Jim and Trev's house. Click on the picture to reveal the mug-shots, Phil

Two-years on

Tim and Jimmy Legg
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Yesterday we met up with me old-friend Tim Legg and his two-year-old son Jimmy. Tim now lives in France and was on a fast-track through West Devon, so we met at the playground at Bren-Tor. The children became acquainted for the first time. Click on the picture to reveal more pictures, which includes some snaps of Matt and Angus swimming in our neighbour's pool yesterday to stave-off the humidity!.
Phil

Happy Birthday Anne

Today is my lovely wife's birthday - Happy Birthday Anne xxx

PS For a photo of the party-tea with Gran and Aunt Chrissie see http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/211165308/

Family trip to Crackington Haven

Helen's first beach trip with her Gran and Grandma
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

A great trip to Crackington Haven last Monday with Gran, Grandma, Uncle Dave and Aunty Katie and Lily. Click on the photo for more pictures.

Aftermath

On the bridge
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

The day after the party had that 'day after party' feel (funnily enough), everybody was a little slow and a little mellow. There was a gathering at home in the morning, a walk over the moor to the Taw River for roast lunch, and some blooming good chilling and sleeping! Click on the photo to reveal the full set. Phil

My 40th Birthday Party

Haygarth cluster
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

My 40th birthday party was on Saturday, an overwhelmingly brilliant day, all-too-difficult to capture adequately in photographs and words. My basic premise is that 'life is to celebrate so let's have a party' and many of my long-lost and not so long and lost friends and family showed up, for a festival of Phil-fun. Thank you all for your presents and most of all your presence. This is what it is all about! Phil (click on the picture to reveal the full set of piccies)

'It's exciting Dad'

'It's exciting Dad'
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Thursday - Saturday last week saw the exciting build-up to my 40th party weekend, with the erection of the marquee thanks to David Chadwick, Richard Johnson and the legendary Stan 'no way' the-Man ('No way' because of his indignant exclamation when measuring-up the garden for the afore-mentioned erection - history and the pictures says he was wrong). Also the arrival of David, Katie and Lily and a first time-ever visit of Aunty Cindi, Uncle Keith and Robert, my cousin. Have a click on the pictures to see some classic moments captured including Angus doing a blues trio sound-check wth his two Uncles. Click on the picture for more pictures. Thank-you all for some pre-party help! Phil