Video: Setting out for the Halloween party

Setting out for the Halloween party, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Setting out for great night in the village hall - Angus and Matt play to the camera while Helen is more reluctant - some additional pictures and vids here

Seville

Seville, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to visit this beauatiful city on business and took the time out to take some pictures. Phil

Angus with England Rugby star Jason Robinson

Angus with England Rugby star Jason Robinson, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

It doesn't get better than this?

, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

My family indulged me today, accompanying me on the long and windy drive (with car sickness) to Wasdale to do the Screes Fell Race. "This is a fell race, no spitting, biting scratching, hitting or kicking, 321 go" joked the organizer and we ran off up Whin Rigg. I love fell running, absolutely, I am totally rubbish at it but that is not the point. Somehow because of carefull training, good foot insoles and shoes I have managed to scratch together the abilty to run again at last after really 15 years out of it. There is no better joy than cresting a hill with your tongue out and your chest rasping, life to the full. I finished respectably, way off the last place, and got my heart beating like its never beaten before for a long time. And to cap it all I ran into the finish to be greeted by my wife and children running beside, me, tears welling in my eyes. The day ended with a Cumberland ale and a Cumberland sausage - now how much more does one want? It doesn't get better than this. Some snaps from Anne's phone here....

Angus got the school achievement award

Angus got the school achievement award, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

This is a big deal - only given out once every half term and is one only to the whole school. He got it for trying hard at everything, selttling into his new class and being good at maths and said that he felt like crying when it was announced in assembly - he was not expecting it. Well done Angus.

Some photos....

Angus 8th birthday, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Angus's birthday today but includes others that were on the camera from Lily's visit this weekend, some good ones of Gran and Aunt Chrissie recently in the garden, plus other visits this summer from Evie Cunningham, Dave's family and Grandma - click here

Happy 8th Birthday Angus

Happy 8th Birthday Angus, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Cubs and Dads Weekend - by Matt

Cubs and Dads Weekend, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Cub camp last weekend was a great weekend where Dad came with Andus and I to Silverhelme, near Silverdale. It included: lots of games delicious breakfasts, mars bars and cooking our own meal... outdoors! For me the highlight of the weekend was definately cooking the meal. The meal was corn beef hash and it was delicous (not expected)! For afters we had cake mixture cooked in oranges, but me being me decided I would just put cake mix in my tin foil and it turned out to be really good. All in all, we had a very good weekend which I think everyone one that went, would all agree, it was something you would want to do again.

Lots of pictures here

Three peaks bike race 2010

Phil Haygarth's 3 Peaks 2010, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

On Sept 26th I returned to the classic 3 peaks bike race after a year off due to it clashing with the home move. It was great to be back and now living in a house where every day I can see Ingleborugh taunting me from my kitchen window, it was extra special. It was a sunny day, and supported by Anne and the children and I managed to do it in 4 h 33 minutes - only a few minutes off my personal best of 1999. This year I had a Garmin device on my wrist that captured all the geeky stats. It was unusually social event this year, finding myself around lots of old 'mates' - one classic moment there was a line of myself, Matthew Bardgett, Sam Clarke & Carl Nelson all riding in a line across the top of Whernside - I quipped 'if we see a pub we must stop for a pint'. But the closeness of the chaps meant for a harder effort as we forced each other to raise our game somewhat. Sam and I had a great neck and neck tussle down the last hill laughing all the way at the risks taken, and after a chase along the road agreed to cross the line together - just in time for that pint with brother Dave and Andrew 'Tolly' Talbot. Great day.

A load of motorwind pics here from Anne and the children - thanks for your support. Also thanks to my brother Dave from loads of support with bike gear and advice (the Cannondale CX9 was a dream), and some coaching too.

My official race stats here

Summary of my event times over the years:
2010 - 4:33:16
2008 - 4:41:29
2006 - 4.48.09
2005 - 4.31.14
2004 - 5.17.07
2000 - 4.46.32
1999 - 4.25.45
1998 - 5.09.31
1996 DNF injury
1995 DNF mechanical failure
1994 - 4.54.46 (mechanical delays)

Matt's holiday diary

DSCF3816, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

My holiday....

The day I broke up from school Max (my best friend) came round to our new house. While Max was here we had good fun and the highlight of my best friend coming round was going to Laser Adventure in Morecambe. In the first round I came first, Max second and Angus last (He went into minus points). In the second round it was closer but still the same positions. After four fun days Max had to go home and we had to go to France.

On the way to France we visited our Dad's cousin to see our second cousins: Issy and Sophie. We had a fun night and the Barbeque was delicious (apart from the ribs which were inedible with blackness) and it was funny when Uncle Adrian showed us the Barbeque stance (Whisky in one hand spatula in the other and your knees slightly bent). But the next morning we left for France...

The Ferry ride was slow and boring but we got there in the end. It was about a two hour journey in the car from the ferry port to our first campsite. This one we had been to once before when I was six Angus was three and Helen was one, so none of us remembered much. This one had the best pool out of all three campsites we were going to. It had six slides, a Jacuzzi and a pool with lots of bridges over it.

After two days at Britney we had to set off to our next campsite. Interlude. On Ile de re. We had been to Interlude annually since 2006. So this was our fourth time on the campsite and we knew it well. The only change on the campsite that I remember was where the shop was located. It used to be in the centre of the campsite but now it is slightly further away next to the beach (about 400 metres down the road).

After about four hours we arrived. As soon as we got there I was just about to go and play football when I realized that we didn’t have one! So I made my mind up that I would go to the astro-turf first thing tomorrow morning.

When I got to the astro-turf the next morning I found a group of boys playing there. Only two of them weren’t going home later that day. Those two were called Woody and Finn. Later that day Finn, Woody and I headed down to the volley-ball pitch. We had a game. Over the time we were there, about five people joined us! I knew two of them from my previous holiday on Ile de re. These two were called Ewan and Fraser. They were Scottish. I also met a boy named Jack. Over the Holiday we turned out to be good friends.

Over the Holiday we had a relaxed time including Swimming, the beach, long hours Of England Vs France football and fabulous French food. But for me the highlight of the Holiday was the leaving feast. We had food from Chocolate biscuits to gummy bears. Coke to crisps (Which by the way didn’t taste good together!). But we had a great time when I shook the 2L coke bottle and sprayed it everywhere! And then Fraser decided to drink the rest! But the next morning I waved goodbye to my friends as they left for home...

In three days time it was our turn go home too. The ferry we were supposed to be going on had broken down so we had to move to another campsite for one night. The next campsite was fantastic though we only got to experience the bouncy castles and Ice rink. The next morning we went on the ferry and Waited for time to finally bring us back to England. This ferry ride was shorter though because we went to the cinema and watched Shrek 4. It was really good.

Back in England the traffic was terrible. Though we got to Devon in the end. In devon we watched the Sticklepath horseshoe the fell race that Dad had founded. And I went off to play with my Friends. But after two days we had to go home and I can’t say I didn’t want to. I did. Maybe it was seeing all my friends that made me want to stay.

The next day I awoke in my bed. My bed at home...

By Matt Haygarth