Helen, Andrew, Ethan and Finlay Pay a Visit

The Darlington gang arrived for a couple days visit.

We had a great time especially re-learning (badly) how to play Cluedo. The two boys spend as much time as they could get away with playing Minecraft on the XBox.

Unfortunately Jean had a mild AF attack which meant a run to A&E for 5 hours but she was back home at 4am!!!

Other photos of the 2 days are HERE

Christmas Day

An old Katherine  family tradition has been resurrected - the silly slippers.

Katherine and Rhys's footwear

Here is the regular family shot

Other photos can be found HERE

Our Anniversary and Katherine's Birthday

Today is our 39th Wedding Anniversary and Katherine's birthday.

We went to Saffy's last night for a meal (Christmas menu) but today everyone gathered for a brunch. Big helpings of bacon, sausage, pancakes and fruit. I had some beautiful perked Costa ground coffee. A gale was blowing outside so it was comforting being indoors having a good time watching the trees dancing at the bottom of the garden followed by sprays of rain against the windows.

Rhys's 9th Birthday

We all gathered at Katherine's for Rhys's 9th Birthday.

Later in the afternoon Katherine, Helen, Erin an Rhys headed up to Glasgow for the final JLS Concert at the Hydro.

Further party photos can be found HERE

Xmas Dinner With My Old Work Mates

Had a very enjoyable time with my old work mates on Friday at the Carrick Lodge.

Fiona provided the organisation of the Secret Santa and the hilarious quiz after our meal.

The full list of photos of the Secret Santa can be found HERE

Ethan and Finlay

We stopped at Helen's and Andrews for a few days for our visit to Durham for the Lumiere.

Finlay Learns to laugh

Ethan prepared for battle

Ann and Geoff dropped in for a visit on the way to Sheffield to see their new grandson.

Further photos can be found HERE

Durham City Lumiere

We had two evenings at the Lumiere in Durham City. Ann and Geoff joined us on Thursday and on Friday Helen, Andrew, Ethan and Finlay also came.

The Elephant Hologram

Cathedral Projections

Further photos can be found on my Google+ Album HERE

Maggie and Mary's Retirement Night Out

We had a very enjoyable night out at Cecchinis  for Mary and Maggie's retirement.

Good to be in my old workmates company. The banter was sharp as ever and a few of us are of the age where we can swap grandkids photos.

Maggie and Mary  live nearby so we are starting a Forehill/Castlehill retirement club. Hopefully we can get together once a quarter for a lunch. The rest of the group are invited when WORK allows!!!

Other photos can be found HERE

Ethan's 8th Birthday

Ethan and Eric on their birthday

We were in Darlington with Katherine, Erin and Rhys for Ethan's birthday. A crowded house but some good times.

I could not miss all 4 grandkids being together.

Ethan, his cousins and a large gang of friends spent the afternoon bowling and "killing" each other at Laser Quest. Andrew and another father joined in the war games.

More photos can be found HERE

Cruising the Baltic 2013

Approaching Stockholm harbour

This is our retirement treat. I for one have always wanted to see the Scandinavian capitals.

The complete album is at this LINK

We had one night in Copenhagen before boarding the Vision of the Seas the next day. We visited Tallinn, Estonia, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm returning to Copenhagen. There were two extra nights back in Denmark.

The weather was poor as we arrived and for the first day at sea. The remainder was above average for the time of year at +20C.

I had not appreciated that there was 3 time zones involved in the tour which meant reducing days until Russia and then a more relaxing schedule as the shipped sailed back west.

The Scandinavian's look to have a great, if expensive, life style. Whole families on bikes. Every size and design of 2 wheeled transport. Expensive bikes which have minimum security. Left in the open obviously with no risk of theft. All the streets are litter free and buildings well maintained. Painted in bright uplifting colours. The only drawn back was the eye watering price of beer!!!

I read recently that Scotland has the most obese population in Europe and I could well believe that watching the typical Swede or Finn.

The stop at Tallinn in Estonia was enlightening.  I knew nothing about the country. The tour guide was the one of best. She showed passion and enthusiasm for her country. Using references to her life and here grandmothers during the German and Russian occupation of the country. How Estonia secured independence. 40% of the population have a university degree and the company which invented Skype is Estonian.

First Formal Dinner on Board

Finlay Leaves Hospital

Katherine and I arrived just before Helen and Finlay were brought home from the maternity hospital.  Jean had travelled by train earlier in the week.

The highlights are HERE.

More to come in the next few days.

Robert and I's Retirement Bash at the Taj

Robert and I had a celebration for our retirement at the Taj in Prestwick.

A great group of friends joined us for a simple meal and a few drinks. I could control my emotions today unlike my last day at work. I could enjoy the company. I was please to see several from Glasgow made the trip.

Due to my infection and the antibiotics there was little drinking on my part. It looked like Robert stepped into the breach! Jean picked me up at 11pm while a small group headed to the bars in Prestwick.

Robert my co-host

Fiona and Robert took a number of group photos so I decided that I want individual portraits of my friends. I'm quite please with the results. A few are not well lit but I could to little about that.

The portraits can be found HERE

ExtremeLive Ayr Racecourse

Tonight Erin, Rhys and I were at the Racecourse to see Extreme Live. A stunt motor show with motor bikes, cars, quad bike, a monster truck and BMX cycles.

One really dangerous stunt was the walking human torch.

The Human Torch

More photos can be seen HERE

Retirement: Day 1

A stressful couple of weeks with the emotional goodbyes at work and a few out of work problems. After Jean and I's dinner and overnight stay at the Carrick Lodge my body decided to implode on Saturday and Sunday, sore throat and dog tired.

Today I started to recover but I have made the decision to completely relax for as long as it takes to de-stress. I need a mental shift to appreciate zero commitments and ability to just do as you please.  So it was feet up thinking and doing nothing in particular. There will be no pounding away in the gym or attacking dozens of jobs at home.

We ventured out and had an evening stroll along the sea front.

The ultimate seagull deterrent

The Start of My Retirement

Well I thought this day was a few months away but luck dictated that it came quicker than that. My working days are gone.

As a wee treat Jean and I booked into the Carrick Lodge for the night. Starting with a succulent fillet steak with pepper sauce for me. Salmon salad for Jean. Beaujolais to accompany.

Other photos can be found HERE

Work Retirement Presentation

My final day at work.

Robert and I had a joint presentation from the SCIT group. Very generous presents and kinds words with a good sprinkling of fun.

I had to chicken out on the speech and I let my previous mail do the talking. Robert was not so emotional and spoke beautifully.

Lisa and Iain's Wedding

The hottest day of the year in Towcester and the third family wedding in 12 months. Having battled against the British Grand Prix the wedding was moved to this weekend.

My photos of the day can be found HERE. There are a few photos included which are below par but were requested.

Erin's End Of Primary Disco

Tomorrow is Erin's last day at Forehill Primary School. Tonight is the P7 leaving disco.

Here is Erin ready to set off looking beyond here 11 years.

Overnight Visit From Erin and Rhys

Kathie was off to a Robbie Williams concert so we had Erin and Rhys for the night.

Erin arrived from school with her shirt signed by the majority of her year. Even a good portion of her arms. These pen marks very difficult to remove. Jean ended up using toothpaste!

Meanwhile I cut the grass and played footie in the back garden with Rhys.  My legs are still heavy from  my 10K run at the weekend. I had found 3 tennis balls the other day and ended by trying to teach Rhys how to juggle.

Gateshead 10K Weekend at Helen and Andrew's

This weekend was my second running of the Gateshead 10K. Due to Helen's pregnancy this was a solo run -- well apart from 3999 others lining up.

At the start with Helen

Due to illness earlier I had not done anything like the training of last year. This run would be to finish without walking. I managed that but was very tired at the end. No spring in my gait this time as I entered the Gateshead Stadium.  During the event weather conditions were good for distance running - slightly cool. The downpour happened as we walked back to the car.

My finishers medal 

Helen's baby is due in August. She is looking well.

While I was trundling around Gateshead, Andrew and Ethan were caravaning by Captain Cooks Monument. They planned to have a boys weekend biking with Eric but also to test out the new caravan.  Next weekend will be with Helen at a more family friendly site.

Eric keeps the trottle going

Unfortunately due to mechanical problems not much biking was undertaken but the caravan is up and running.

More photos from the weekend can be found HERE