Family Weekend

We have started a new tradition. Every six months or so Charlotte, Gayle and I get together for a weekend to have a catch up. An attempt to make up for not seeing so much of each other since Charlotte and I moved away from Stevenage twelve years ago. Around this time last year Gayle and I went to visit Charlotte in Colchester. Earlier this year we stayed in Stevenage with Gayle and now finally it was my turn. They both came to stay with me in Emsworth. We started with a quick lunch then made our way out onto the water, the best way to see the real Emsworth.

Kayaking

James was kind enough to take us out on his families tin dingy, Tinnie. The tide was high in the early afternoon so we launched Tinnie from the end of James' old road. Charlotte and I started off in the Kayaks whilst Gayle and James motored to Fowley island. The island is a doughnut shape with a center containing calm and wind shielded water good for first Kayak attempts. Charlotte swapped with Gayle and James also had a go before Gayle and I pirouetted back to the shore.



Later on that evening we made our way to Portsmouth for dinner and drinks where we continued to exercise our voices. I woke the next morning croaky from all the talking... not like me at all. After a lazy afternoon wandering around the village and watching a DVD the weekend was over. Its Charlottes turn next time.

Susie and Ed's Wedding

Congratulations to Susie and Ed who got married on 27th June at a lovely picturesque church in Cuckfield Sussex. They were lucky enough to choose one of the only hot sunny days we have had this year, perfect for the pictures outside the church. It was good to see friends who haven't been seen since around the time of our graduation. Whilst the families of the newly weds ate their wedding breakfast we made for a local pub for a good catch up before making our way to a party in a marquee for the evening.

For more pictures click here.

A great band made the night with lively music that ensured everyone was up and dancing the night away. There were also hot dogs to be washed down with glasses of Pimms whilst we watched a huge firework display behind the marquee.

New Home

Lots of new things are happening at the moment. A new car, a new home and soon a new job. I have been lucky enough to take all of my holiday for my current job in July. Along with compensatory leave after nights and days in Leu from bank holidays worked I am only working a total of nine days in july. Perfect opportunity to move out of the grotty hospital accommodation a month early and move into a bright and spaceous, three storey town house in the center of Emsworth with James.

Its great to have spare space to have people come and visit. It is also in a great location. Less than 20 seconds from the nearest shops and local pub, its also about 100m from the sea and the same from the mill pond. When showing Mum around one evening she said 'I feel I'm on holiday'. A great contrast from living in the city of London for eight years. I'm loving it already. No more comuting, Yeah.

New Car

After surviving years of living in the east end of London and being broken into on several occasions, my nine year old Punto was nearing the twilight of its life. The final straw, after months of threatening it with a replacement, was when the brakes started to fail on the way home from London. I had already booked test drives for the following morning but didn't realise I would also be buying the same weekend.

I test drove four cars to make my decision but settled on a one year old Seat Leon 1.4 sport. Larger than my last car but still small enough to park. It is far more fun to drive than my last car and even accelerates when going up hill, and with passengers in the back seat. No more leaning forward to help when overaking. Very exciting.

There does appear to be a trend starting with my cars though. My first had four gears, my Punto had five. This has six. Will they make a car with seven for my next upgrade?