don't know
don't care
all I know is you can take me there
A day of beer and food with Matthews and the boy led me to an evening of tv on th esofa as H was out with the gals tonight. I watched a Noel Gallagher concert and he played Slide Away. I've not heard or sung this for ten years but it sounded great and took me back to my flat in Shoreham with Alex (he's the only person reading this so i'll dispense with surnames).
Slide away
give it all you got
sliide away
fell in from the top
slide in baby show me a sign

halcyon days of beers, no worries "great" music and being young dumb and full of cum

glad i'm old in some regards, my son is wonderful my wife isgorgeous, and life is sweet, but they were great times.....

Slide away - and give it all youve got
My today - fell in from the top
I dream of you - and all the things you say
I wonder where you are now?

Hold me down - all the worlds asleep
I need you now - youve knocked me off my feet
I dream of you - we talk of growing old
But you said please dont !

Slide in baby - together well fly
Ive tried praying - and I know just what youre saying to me

Now that youre mine
Ill find a way
Of chasing the sun
Let me be the one that shines with you
In the morning when you dont know what to do
Two of a kind
Well find a way
To do what weve done

Let me be the one that shines with you
And we can slide away.

Slide away - and give it all youve got
My today - fell in from the top
I dream of you - and all the things you say
I wonder where you are now?

Slide in baby - together well fly
Ive tried praying - and I know just what youre saying to me

Now that youre mine
Ill find a way
Of chasing the sun
Let me be the one that shines with you
In the morning when you dont know what to do
Two of a kind
Well find a way
To do what weve done

oh god! the "he hasn't moved for twenty seconds and therefore may be "cot dead" so for fuck's sake panic" alarm went off earlier. We booted up the stairs, in fact my legs got there miles bfore body and I hauled myself around the bannister. §I turned the light on full, and prodded henry as hard as i felt reasonable. he screwed up his eyes and seemed disgruntled.... like he knew what that really meant.
He was fine, and i disappeared off to puke. Which i did.
No-one tells you that the depth at which you love your baby is such that you can droip astone into the well and never hear th esplash.
It;'s by some distance the scariest thing that's ever happened to me and has ultimatelt ruined m night

oh god! the "he hasn't moved for twenty seconds and therefore may be "cot dead" so for fuck's sake panic" alarm went off earlier. We booted up the stairs, in fact my legs got there miles bfore body and I hauled myself around the bannister. §I turned the light on full, and prodded henry as hard as i felt reasonable. he screwed up his eyes and seemed disgruntled.... like he knew what that really meant.
He was fine, and i disappeared off to puke. Which i did.
No-one tells you that the depth at which you love your baby is such that you can droip astone into the well and never hear th esplash.
It;'s by some distance the scariest thing that's ever happened to me and has ultimatelt ruined m night

oh god! the "he hasn't moved for twenty seconds and therefore may be "cot dead" so for fuck's sake panic" alarm went off earlier. We booted up the stairs, in fact my legs got there miles bfore body and I hauled myself around the bannister. §I turned the light on full, and prodded henry as hard as i felt reasonable. he screwed up his eyes and seemed disgruntled.... like he knew what that really meant.
He was fine, and i disappeared off to puke. Which i did.
No-one tells you that the depth at which you love your baby is such that you can droip astone into the well and never hear th esplash.
It;'s by some distance the scariest thing that's ever happened to me and has ultimatelt ruined m night

i realise i'm a nerd - a windsurfing nerd - i've justr posted this
Never hhad to do the walk of shame although it nearly led to the inshore lifeboat being sent for me. Rigged my ne 6.2 simmer and didn't get it right, fely really powered, so came back again downwind to put more dow2nhaul on. Went out again and was seriously under and could only plane on a broad reach whgich took me downwind to gmac who goaded me into a bottom turn which was neither lanky angular or short and crouched but certainly offered no joy in terms of off the lip.\
The current was now running and Ferry road was beckoning. were it not for Danny being on the beach I may have asked for a lift from the " really [is an] excellent shop!!"
I re-rigged, and got a break from about two miles out and steamed upwind and home.
APOLOGIES FOR ANY CONCERN I CAUSED.
Yes I know sailing that far out is silly but by god I was not going to be beat - does anyone have any tips for rigging Simmer crossovers?
yeah baby - lifestyle change might mean less wanking oon about windsurfing

I have made a dreadful mistake. I've been looking at old photos of when I was young and significantly thinner. Fuck that's harsh. IF I HAD A VOICE I'D SHOUT!

It's a real shitter that when you're in your teens and twenties you don't realise that that is as good as it gets and that you're only gonna bloat out and get wrinkly so make the bloody most of it. Instead one is wracked with insecurities and falabilities instead of strutting about like the god you are (although arguably I did a bit of strutting inbetween passing out) and making hay.
I commit to shifting some poundage in the new year mind, it's absurd - Helen and I have been together 3 years and I have increased my waist girth by three inches, my weight by three stone and my age by three years. Two of this axis of evil are avoidable and are part of a trend that must be crushed. If we're together for another ten years I'll be close to 28 stone and eight miles across. I'll need planning permission to go for a walk!
Here's to gorgeing over the next couple of weeks (in silence initially and latterly with sound) and then a lifestyle change leading to fabulouds weight loss!!

Well i have succumbed to winter ills. My voice has gone to nothing, just a squeaky rasp, and it hurts like hell. I cough uncontrollably and I don't like it. Henry looks at me quizzically since I look like Daddy, but sound like Cartman.
I just want to be well again :-(
I can't reALLY work since that involves me going to hospitals and spreading my germs to the carers of seriously ill patients, but equally I don't really want to take any time off - wierd and odd catholic work ethic going on there......?

I worked from home today, whilst waiting fro DHL to collect a parcel which they collected 6 minutes after their window of 9-5 had closed!!!!! I missed a tremendously windy day, not that I could sail, but I could have watched. In fact we had a tornado today

I did however spend the day with my boy, and he has been a joy. Apparently he was a little difficult yesterday for his Nanny (H's mum) but he was dream for his Daddy today :-) It is worth noting how smug that makes me :-) he he

It's also fair to say that I have no interest in Cricket at all. Whatsoever. Stupid game. No interest at all!

MY lurgy is lifting, although not quickly enough for me. I have to go back to work tomorrow and have spent two whole days inside. Which is always odd - leaves one feeling marginally institutionalised - kinda like living with Dan Tipper.

It's also Helen's first day away from home so Hnery is with Grandma tomorrow - I feel pretty mean since it's the first long period we've left him for - mean Daddy!!!

i have the lurgy - I woke with a sore throat and that horrid sensation that you know means you're sick - kind of a nasty metallic taste. I've spent all day in my dressing gown whinging and feeling rubbish.

Helen now has symptoms and Henry's been crying a bit too so we're all coming down. Since I slept all day, ii now can't sleep and we no longer have the sports channels so even the Ashes series is beyond me. Piss.

To cap it all it's really windy and not only can i not go windsurfing for my illness may overcome me, but i also keep hearing odd noises like the bogey man trying to get in - which of course is just the wind....... i hope
\
BUGGER

i have the lurgy - I woke with a sore throat and that horrid sensation that you know means you're sick - kind of a nasty metallic taste. I've spent all day in my dressing gown whinging and feeling rubbish.

Helen now has symptoms and Henry's been crying a bit too so we're all coming down. Since I slept all day, ii now can't sleep and we no longer have the sports channels so even the Ashes series is beyond me. Piss.

To cap it all it's really windy and not only can i not go windsurfing for my illness may overcome me, but i also keep hearing odd noises like the bogey man trying to get in - which of course is just the wind....... i hope
\
BUGGER

i have the lurgy - I woke with a sore throat and that horrid sensation that you know means you're sick - kind of a nasty metallic taste. I've spent all day in my dressing gown whinging and feeling rubbish.

Helen now has symptoms and Henry's been crying a bit too so we're all coming down. Since I slept all day, ii now can't sleep and we no longer have the sports channels so even the Ashes series is beyond me. Piss.

To cap it all it's really windy and not only can i not go windsurfing for my illness may overcome me, but i also keep hearing odd noises like the bogey man trying to get in - which of course is just the wind....... i hope
\
BUGGER

Christmas seems to be nearly upon us, and I'm learning Slade's merry christmas on th eguitar. It's not going terrribly well.
For the first time ever (well quite a few years) I'm actually looking forward to it. Granted I won't be in Oz or anywhere exotic, but as a Dad I can enjoy Christmas in a completely new way. The boy won't remember it this year of course, but I will! It's only three and a half weeks to go!!!!!

This is all new to me, usually I'm Mr Humbug!!!

Today started quite terribly. I spent Monday in Plymouth and didn't get back till late, 600 miles of driving and I had to get back on the road at 8am this morning. I woke about 6.30, half an hour before the alarm. I let the dogs out, boiled a kettle and checked on the boy (who is now sleeping till 7.30 am :-)) I went upstairs and started running a bath. I then made a terrible mistake.

I started running a bath and went back to bed "till the alarm went off". 40 minutes later I woke to the sound of water dripping, sorry no, pouring over the side of the bath, and through the ceiling into the utility room via the light. The dog's were drenched and confused at the apparent rain indoors, but failed to raise the alarm in the style of Lassie or even Skippy - "what's that Skippy? The dogs are drowning in bed?"

Fortunately Pete (my father-in-law) saved thye lights, dried them out and reconnecyted them and we caught the leak early enough to save the ceiling plaster. However I am a bit of a divvy and spent all day feeling thick!
Henry had a variety of jabs to dayso we're apparently in for a rough night and for once, I don't mind. IIt provides me with the opportunity to stay up late/early and listen to the ashes! COme on Freddie!

oh this is harsh!
I woke up an hour ago, it's now 3am, and I can't get back to sleep. I have to drive to cornwall for work tomorrow, at 6am. Thhis is the downside to Henry, just doesn't understand when it's appropriate to wake me up and when it's not! He ought to be drop his night feed soon........unless he hangs on to it till he's seven! If so I'm joining Shell and working on an oil rig!!!!

My Dad leaves tomorrow for Oz. I keep reminding myself I love him and that a fall down the stairs would indeed stop him going somewhere warm and lovely but would probably also stop me going to heaven!
I have to take him to the Airport at 6am which seems early but represents a normal wake up time for me - I feel quite smug about. That's how exciting my life is!!! Having baby around means that 10pm, is a late one but the joy he brings is unspeakable. I was holding him today before he went to bbed and I just wanted to squeeze him and squeeze him and eat him up he's lovely!
I'm also having a stressful nightmare with my wireless network. the WDS seems to fall over every week and need setting up from scratch and my connection between powermac and imac is very one sided. My imac recognises the lap top but the relationship is not reciprocated by the lap top which means a one way flow of traffic. I think my Powermac is jealous because the imac has Tiger while iit only has Panther. Jealously is a terrible thing.

yeah, sure my vow to update this regularly haS SOMEWHAT FALLEN FLAT, however it's stunning how much time a Henry takes up. The thing is, when you work full time, and spend at least a chunk of the night awake feeding him, you find that blogging is really not right up there in priority terms. I mean I pulled my camera out of the bag and realised that the last time I used it was 2.5 weeks ago; usually it's out a couple of times a week minimum.
Anyhow, excuses aside, as GARY GLITTER once said, "shall we get a DVD, how about Alladine?" er...... sorry I mean it's good to be back hello hello!
Well Henry is growing up and into a lovely baby boy, and in the last couple of weeks, he's started smiling and smiling and smiling. I challenge you to find a more heart warming thing than your own son smiling at you when you walk in through the door in the evening. It genuinely brings tears to your eyes. In fact this is a recurring theme. Helen sent me a picture message of him grinning last week, when I was away for a couple of days, and I left my hotel room in floods!
Sleep wise, well it's getting better but hey, losing two hours of your sleep at any time is rough, but it's seven days a week and it does drain you. He sleeps from 7pm till about 2/3am and is awake again at seven so we're really close but not quite there yet.
I'm sure I'll remember more things to add but suffice to say HELLO HELLO etc

It's 7am here, still dark and the leaves are being blown off the trees by an equinoxal gale. Autumn is here alright! It's terribly depressing, I've submitted to the fact that I will essentially be a weekend warrier as far as windsurfing goes because it's dark by 6 and that menas no apres work sailing.
I guess I should just wait for SAD to kick in........

other than macs, all our DVD players are kaput - so inevitably the question is....
Blu-ray or Hi-def?
I'm inclined towards blu-ray but is that purely the Apple connection? Which one will be the 21st Century Beta-max?

I'm on a diet
I went to bed at 20.55 this evening and it still felt 25 minutes too late
I'm planning a weekend in the NEW FOREST which in spite of being labelled "weekend of photography" is obstensibly a walking holiday.






I'm very old.

My 50mm 1.8f lens broke today - for some reason when taking it off the camera it imploded! I think the camera is okay but the lens is knackered.
Jedssops told me it was my fault and that I must have done it on purpose - twats
I'll never shop there again. I buy a large proportion of prints and accesories from Jessops and this just confirms their inept and casual attitude.

Being at work sucks when you have a new born. I'd give my eye teeth to retire.
You miss things, mundane unimportant things but things nonetheless that you'd like to see. Worse though is that you wind up on the nightshift even when you have work the next day. Helen has told me tyo nudge her so that i don't have to get up and yet I can't do it! I feel compelled to stay awake and help - only when I'm very drunk can I sleep through it - which explains the high rates of alcoholism amongst fathers!!

The midwife came round to weigh Henry, and he's up to 6lbs 7oz - an increase of 1lb 2oz on his birth weight! Hurrah!
This is great news as his clothes are no starting to fit, he is strong enogh to let us know when he's hungry and and he's now eating 120ml of milk at a time. It seems a far cry from two weeks ago when we were struggling to get a syringe of formula down his neck!!

firstly i am a little drunk. next i love my boy, after that my wife is ace and next I can't find the capital letter button
xxxxx

the horror the horror
http://www.mauiwindcam.com/ropetree/

A day of housework and socialising!
Steve, Helen's ex-pat brother is over from Perth and he popped round. Really nice to see him and his young lady Corrie - the joy of being incredibly proud and showing off can never be beaten!
My Dad and Marion came by. He's as proud as I can remember. His excitment is palpable and he looks fit to burst. I got a photo developed in 10x8 for his frame (the frame originally had Helen and I at our wedding which latterly usurped by Mitsie and Pete and now by Henry!) which sat on his stand all weekend while he bored people with tales of being a Grandad. We've insisted that Marion is Grandma. While she's not my mum, she is very close to us now, and it will make much more sense to Henry rather than try and work through the complexities of adult relationships whilst he's a kid. But she seems stoked as well.

I've had a day of baby fluid being unleashed upon me. Henry has systematically peed, shat, puked and sneezed all over me - now, usually I wouldn't have a dot of this type of behaviour but somehow, when you become a father this all seems pretty reasonable. It's a swift and quite incredible transformation!

It seems like ages since I posted; it is an odd thing bloggin. I was chatting to Nathaniel about it and I was really enthused about my blog but unsure of my motives for doing it - strange really, but seem to have been mentally blocked! No change there i guess you'd say. :-)
This weekend was rather lovely, the weather was decent, Henry was pretty well behaved and I got to spend more quality time with the missus. Friday was spent mostly in bed with the boy. Apparently skin on skin contact is the best way to help bond with the baby, although I struggled to bond with a wee man who simply pulled my chest hair out and dribbled Helen's milk on me - that's just way too wierd.
He's putting on weight brilliantly. By Friday he'd put on 5oz since birth, which was great since usually babies lose weight through passing merconium - the famous first black dump. This is the hair, wax and "stuff" that babies ingest inutero and it weighs quite a lot!!! That didn't stop the mighty Henry though, and today when he was weighed he was 6lbs 1 oz which means he's pie meating ~Horton all right.±
I even managed to squeeze in half a game of rugby on Saturday!!!! Life is sweet!!!!!! I even neglected to mention that I had a cold of mammoth proportions. 12 days of baby Henry sneezing into my face whilst being winded. Hospitals are filthy places...

Looks like my angel has left and been replaced by my real son, who unless has a bottle in his mouth is screaming blue murder or passed out! Now comes the tactical parenting. I plan to waked Satan, sorry I mean Henry around midnight (which these days means staying up late) and feeding him tons of milk, before keeping my fingers crossed that he sleeps till maybe 5 or ideally 6.... watch this space

Well so far so good - the sleeplesss nights are not so bad - he needs feeding last thing and usually has a little feed about 5 hours later - so providing you can get his feed in around midnight, you have a full five hour stretch, in fact this morning was six! Not ideal when you've been used to 8 hours a night but nonetheless a good start!
He is so beautiful it is silly! He just glugs his milk now, and has gone from 100ml a day on Saturday to ripping through 450ml yesterday - it won't be long till he's a bloater too! :-) The midwife came yesterday and it looks like she screwed up - she should have sent Helen for a scan to check on his size but failed to pick up on the various factors- I get the impression we were luck to have got a decisive SHO in hospital or this blog could have been significantly more melancholy!
The level of people wanting to come and see him is ridiculous! I accept that family want to see him and that friends ARE keen to get involved but some (mostly family) seem to forget that we're knackered! They come over en masse and then sit tight for hours! and wait for a cuppa! At one point I chose shitty nappies over shitty small talk. Hopefully we've addressed this and it won't happen too much!
Being a faather is the best thing ever by the way, and clearly my son is the best boy in the world ... ever. I just get the squishiest feeling! Night before last, I was doing the night shift so yesterday Helen was more than accomodating in letting me go windsurfing! Sadly I sailed like an idiot since I could not concentrate on the job in hand, but simply couldn't stop thinking about my lovely son - ought to avoid driving, using heavy machinery etc!

we're home - and it's wonderful! We had a feed last night at 1.30am and then he slept through till 7am!!!!! This fatherhood thing is a breeze!
It was a terrible struggle getting him out of hospital, the rules kept changing and at one point we were going to have to kill everyone! Nwo he's back everything seems less traumatic and pretty easy - although I didn't give birth to him in fairness!!!

Well he's here! Delivered by CAESEREAN section at 09.39 14th September 06 weighing 5lbs 5oz, or 2.4kg Henry Horton arrived into this world. Much to my surprise, Alex was right, Thunder and Lightening hearlded his arrival after the most traumatic emotional and terrifying night of my life.
My feet haven't touched the ground so this is just a quick note to say he's well but small and needs to beef up a bit - one wonders if there's a skinny couple somewhere with a fat baby wondering what deal the stork had dealt them! Helen is recovering well and once he's stabilised his blood sugar, and temperature and also started feeding a little more he'll be coming home!
I'm a Daddy now!

they say that kids change your perspective, i just hope it affects my photography positively

what a fraught day! all morning and a chunk of the afternoon at the hospital where they decided that Helen had blood pressure that was too high and a couple of other bits and bobs that suggested that inducing labour is the way forward. That means a pessiary of chemicals that cause the body to go into labour automatically. H will go in tomorrow all being well at 7, i'll have to go home and wait for the call that says green light go go go!
The problem is... it could take up to 3 days and be a little painful, for Helen rather then me!
I took the dog for a walk and had a beer with my dad; he handed the Horton baton over to me. One last beer as just Father and son before I became Dad and he Grandad. He said he was proud. I cried!
I wish my mum could see this happening to us and share in our happiness.
So onwards and up wards........

I've just watched another 9/11 documentary, and began to think of all the people I know, and have known. It seems that as one grows older, one grows apart from old friends, colleagues and family. I have people i know well, like, and on the whole enjoy time wiith that I'll never see again for one reason and another; distance, apathy and simply growing apart to name but a few.

It makes me feel quite sad so maybe i'll leave that Scotch alone and go to bed!

Another day of waiying and so the worry starts to set in! We made another visit to the hospital and Helen spent 45 minutes attached to a monitor - the ambiguity is the issue here. In medicine there are no definites, so everything becomes a shade of grey. Which in turn dilutes all the reassurance medical staff offer. We head back again tomorrow morning to see what's what.

It looks as if we'll only have a week to waiit either way as they plan to induce by the 12th day overdue. 5 down and 7 to go as the old adage a watched kettle never boils seems increasingly apt.

Another day of waiying and so the worry starts to set in! We made another visit to the hospital and Helen spent 45 minutes attached to a monitor - the ambiguity is the issue here. In medicine there are no definites, so everything becomes a shade of grey. Which in turn dilutes all the reassurance medical staff offer. We head back again tomorrow morning to see what's what.

It looks as if we'll only have a week to waiit either way as they plan to induce by the 12th day overdue. 5 down and 7 to go as the old adage a watched kettle never boils seems increasingly apt.

Another day of waiying and so the worry starts to set in! We made another visit to the hospital and Helen spent 45 minutes attached to a monitor - the ambiguity is the issue here. In medicine there are no definites, so everything becomes a shade of grey. Which in turn dilutes all the reassurance medical staff offer. We head back again tomorrow morning to see what's what.

It looks as if we'll only have a week to waiit either way as they plan to induce by the 12th day overdue. 5 down and 7 to go as the old adage a watched kettle never boils seems increasingly apt.

We spent the day cruising around having realised that last night's fun and games were mini contraction and a forerunner to the real deal and Helen and Gareth would become Mum and Dad pretty soon. It was a beautiful day so we began with a walk on the beach with the dogs, a hearty breakfast, followed by some housework (hanging up the giant Nemo I bought whilst hypnotised by the shiny things in the disney shop) and a couple of hours cruising in Charlie our Beetle. I meant to take some pictures of her outside but forgot my camera - the attached are just in the garage but she's very cool.

We both think that the birth will be this week. Last night was pretty scary but one great thing was how calm we both were - maybe like the swan analogy but above the water we were cool!! Hopefully this week will see Henry born and the pair of us remain calm........yeah right!!

you know when the internet has taken over your life when she says I think I'm in Labour and you start wondering whether you should blog it immediately!!!

Well that was arelief - we discovered that Helen is now within the normal blood pressure range and baby is fine! It was just so worrying for virtually no apparent reason!

Suffice to say we are all good and about to tick another day off the calendar. Apparently, most babies are born 11 days after they are due so in that respect statisticvall he should be born next Sunday!!!!

In the words of the late great Steve Irwin - CRIKEY!!!

now one day late - only 13 to go max! it's quite stressfull really, we have to go to hospital tomorrow since H's blood pressure is up and they take no chances these days - the waiting has become ridiculously emotional, and the next person to ask either "Have you had it yet?" or "when you going to 'ave it" Will be sworn at copiously


on the plus side i'm enjoying the macro lens!

Oh and I have twoi new lenses courtesy of ebay!

A 20mm-40mm 2.8f EX Sigma lens AND a 105mm 2.8f EX Macro lens - both a quite sweet!

so just one day before Henry is due to arrive and the silence is deafening!!! Helen is desperate for him to arrive as she's fed up now and frankly I CAN'T BLAME HER!
It's really tough now since he's cooked she's ready and no amount of Bombay bad boy - http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1909392.html?menu= can save us.

I think it may be getting to the neuro side of things - Helen asked me a bit earlier whether i could "do" a disabled person if i was a prostitute. go figure.......

I nice weekend - no baby yet but a 50-nil win at RUGBY, as well as a joint man of the match award made for a good day yesterday and today was just awesome windusrfing.
Stayed local in an effort to stay close to Mrs G who is three days away from dropping. As part of the deal I could only sail for three hours without causing major upset (Pregnant women shouldn't be upset. It hurts and I have the bruises to prove it)
However I had my best sail of the year by some distance - 5.2 and 85 litre Tabou followed by *board Kombat wave. Stayed re;atively clear of jumps since my shoulder and back were still sore from playing rugby the day before. The waves were head to logo at times, and the wind was perfect cross shore. I was rigged for the inside so gybes were close to the ski bouys and then I could ride waves right into the shore with no fear of stalling. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I took 5-6 turns on some waves - not bad for an 17 stoner!!!!! [:s]
I easily had the best riding I have ever had in sHoreham, not as scary as Hove but nevertheless pretty amazing. I'm still glowing now and going through one particular lip smack o ver and over again.
As BB said not going clew first makes a big difference and today was sweet. No longshore drift, not tooooo crowded and sunny - If Snow Patrol were at Hove, Lou Reed was at Shoreham, it's just a perfect day.........

Well it's the first Rugby match of the year today! It's absurd, but i always dread it like the dentist, but this year especially since I HAVE to sacrifice an epic weekend windsurfing for the match!!

As social sec I agreed to organise a BBQ and get some beer, which is proving to be a bit of a mare since it's due to piss down all day, and frankly, I don't want to be there. That aside it'll no doubt be great.........

I played my first full contact Rugby fot four months and I hurt.... a lot. I think I may be too old for all this - perhaps Golf iis something more appropriate. Next week is proper game whilst today was just training so christ knows how i'll be feeling next week.

We took the dogs for a wander whilst "waiting for Henry" - Henry being our unborn son - and ended up having pub dinner in the country...which was nice.

I have a new ebay lens, a Sigma 20mm 40mm 2.8f EX DG for £40, which a tried out today and the results are really nice i thought!

Well finally it seems that I might get round to having a blog - I've told my wife the passwords and maybe, just maybe, I MIGHT REMEMBER them.

I'm 32, married to Helen, and have two dogs, Mitsie a chubby elderly dalmation with a penchant for fingers, and Pete, a nearly year old Retriever with a fondness for Pot Noodle pots and my Rugby socks!!! I've popped a picture of them here. Oh, and we're pregnant. HOPEFULLY I CAN KEEP THIS UP AND COMPLETE IT DAILY!!

So here we are, just 12 days away from Helen's due date and two become three or what ever the Spice girls song was. We're having a boy. Called Henry. I have the squeaky bum syndrome, which is to say that I am very excited, overwhelmed even; but at the same time I am seriously nervous about silly things like "when I pick him up, will he cry AT me" or "will he just take a general dislike to me"? All daft and silly but nonetheless it preys.

I've been trying lose weight in the kind of way that only I can - eating curry (Helen's pregnancy food) and fretting! I've started training a couple of times a week for the new Rugby season, and today embarked on two laps of Bucking ham park which I am reliably informed is 2 and a bit miles. My time today was 14 minutes, which I reckon I can improve upon - hopefully I'll be able to shift some pounds in the coming weeks.

This evening we're watching the clock tick whilst watching "Jack and Sarah" which in fairness isn't great at any time but at a time like this probably isn't ideal! Not much to report but I guess as I get the hang of it things will pick up!