Andy and Bethan Fraser's Wedding

On Friday night the boys went for a sleep-over at Lesley's whilst Anne, Helen and I travelled to Bridgend to celebrate the wedding of Andy Fraser and Bethan. Andy and I were work-colleagues in the 90s and also played together in 'The Lost Mules' and had not seen one-another for a few years, it was great to catch-up. After a freshen-up at the local Travel-Inn, we went to join the evening-do, most notably sharing time Tim and Sue Harrod (you MUST write that book Sue!), also Matt Clark. Helen loved being the centre of attention without having to compete for it with her brothers, and enjoyed staying-up late for a boogie, having a bite to eat before falling asleep in her pushchair (see the pic above!). The next morning we did not awake until after 8 (note Angus) and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before driving home around the estuary in the September sun via a shopping trip in Cardiff's M&S. It seems that the boys enjoyed themselves too so almost a win win for all - thanks Lesley! 

Above - with Tim and Sue Harrod and Andy
Above - Helen stares at the man in the skirt
Above - With Tim and Andy - A-haa!

Above - Andy Fraser - a clever man.

Above - the girls get their night gear on in the hotel room.
Above - Andy and Bethan
Above - with Andy
Above - Helen, with saucer-wide tired eyes, steps onto the dance floor.

Brief get-together

Last Sunday I had a rapid trip north and met with Mum, Dave and Kate. Dave and I did a long bike event (see Dave's Blog for more on this at http://minnellium.blogspot.com/2006/09/good-days-work-in-north-pennines.html) as part of some shock-training for the 3-Peaks later this month. I took a late Saturday train and saw Dave and Kate's new kitchen, whilst Lily slept like a pink princess in her new bedroom (unfortunately I arrived late and departed early so never got to speak to her). On the way back to Preston station, rain, wind and sun battered, Dave and I met briefly with Mum and Toby at Crooklands. In true only-Mum style she brought me a mobile & well-welcome Sunday-dinner wrapped in foil that I subsequently absorbed in the train home. I arrived back at Exeter Station at 2320 Sunday night and my undercarriage and limbs have been sore ever since. Some pics are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/tags/cumberland/

Thanks Mum, Dave and Kate.

Phil

Family Holiday in the Dordogne

On Friday we returned from a week’s camping in the Dordogne area of France. It was a ‘Canvas’ holiday where you rent the tent already erected and drive yourself there. We booked it only a couple of weeks ago and we were slightly fearful that the driving and the camping would be too much for the wee-ones. It turned out to be one of the best holidays we have had and especially ideal for the families. After an early morning drive to Dover on 25th August we had time for a play on the sea-front in the sunshine. The boys were thrilled to go on the ferry and latterly we drove onwards to a campsite ca. 50 miles NE of Paris at Touquin. On this stop over (same as the return) we had a luxury caravan and were thrilled on the first night to find ourselves with a complimentary bottle of wine (Mum and Dad) and the play area (the 3 smaller ones) next to the abode. Next day was a long day in the car broken with a lunch stop in Orleans. The children were fantastic at travelling, Matthew absorbed himself in my ipod watching movies (mostly repetitions of ‘The Incredibles’), Angus listened to music (notably AC/DC's ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, primarily because of the chanting of his name at the introduction) and looked out of the window for tractors and Helen looked at the boys and thought ‘well if they aren’t complaining why should I’ – and clapped her hands to the music. We eventually arrived in Camping Les Hauts de Ratebout, a few km from Belves – a wonderful hill top quality site amongst trees and grassland (http://www.hauts-ratebout.fr/uk/frame.htm) in the heart of Perigord Noir. The tent was even better than the caravan as it gave us more space. Most of the week was centred around the swimming pool and both the boys lifted their swimming considerably – Matthew can now dive into deep water and Angus can ‘swim’ confidently with armbands in deep water too. He has a cute style of swimming in which his body and legs remain vertical in the water, yet make lateral progress! We enjoyed the company of another family whilst Angus and Matt made friend with another Matthew and his younger sister Samantha Paine from Guernsey. The weather was mostly good but for 2 days it was overcast so we went out viewing castles and caves – the boys seem fascinated especially by the knight’s armour and the dungeons! I enjoyed myself taking pictures with my new camera see http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/sets/72157594268183824/ for the full set from the holiday. The only downer of the week was that Helen got a bug towards the end of the holiday so the journey home was not as peaceful as the outward one, but we still all agreed a great holiday, lovely part of the world and something we would do again. Here’s to next year! Dad

Helen pulls her first wheelie

Helen pulls her first wheelie
Originally uploaded by Dave Haygarth.

Thanks to some excellent photography from Uncle Dave!