France Holiday

This year we chose to re-live our youth, and go back to an area of France we've been to 3 times before, with the Holdsworths. This is always a dangerous thing to do, the world moves on, and the fond memories you had (of drinking giraffes of beer and eating takeaway pizza from a particular vendor) are not always fulfilled (or in this case dismally dashed) when you return years later. However, despite these setbacks we were somehow able to find ways of having fun with a pool, a load of sunshine, a couple of small people and a number local delicacies (beers).

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Elliot's first month

I can't believe a month has gone by already. Elliot has put on some good weight (precisely average on the growth chart) and has settled into a bit of a routine (when it suits him).

Sadly my time off work has come to an end, so It's back to the office on Monday.

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Elliot Astbury

Elliot was born at 9:54AM on Sunday 1st February 2009 at Ipswich Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds and had a normal(ish) delivery. Mum and Baby are doing very well and are now back at home after spending the night in the Hospital.

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GRIM 2008

After completing the GRIM challenge last year, I talked my brother-in-law Joe into doing it this year. Accompanied by Heather's personal trainer (Nik) we ran round the 8 mile course of mud and deep ice covered lakes with the 1900 other mad people. It was fun, and I beat last year's time (1 hour 19 minutes 47 seconds). What's next? A 20k race in Rendlesham forest where teams of two have to share one bike, but you have to stay within 10m of each other. Dan and I are tackling it in March 2009. Can't wait.

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Sri Lanka

Clare and I just got back from an awesome two weeks in Sri Lanka (via Dubai). We stayed with Jan and Lesley (who arranged most of our trip, and really looked after us - thank you!). Also, a big thanks to Mr B.C. who drove us around the country and acted as our guide, utilising many of his special 'BC shortcuts'. We stayed on a tea plantation, watched 70 elephants bathing in a river, went to a turtle sanctuary, stayed in a 'eco hotel' in the jungle, chilled on the beach, body-boarded and drank a lot of tea.

All in all (despite some illness) we had a great time, and can't wait to go back. Didn't think all that much of Dubai though...

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Graduation

Clare became a member of the elite group of Warwick University graduates last week, she also swore the Declaration of Geneva, making her a proper doctor. Since she started studying for medicine almost diectly after we got married, we never got the chance to have a honeymoon, so we're off to Sri Lanka for a much needed break, 4 years late.

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France

We just got back from a week long break in the Loire Valley with Mum & Dad and the Tal-bots (Astburys in Disguise). It was to celebrate my father's 60th birthday this year, so we stayed in a huge chateau as a treat. We had a great time, and it was thoroughly relaxing. The highlights of the week were a great meal out on the last night, and the polar bears in the local zoo.

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Doctor doctor...

My medically minded wife (pictured) has successfully passed her final exams and is now, albeit short of saying the Geneva declaration, a doctor! Well done to Clare, she's worked hard for 4 years, and passing came as a great relief. To celebrate the end of this era we went to an excellent medical ball, and had a surprise barbecue at our house on Saturday.

Sadly its not all good news, as the health of my camera has deteriorated. Now all my photos look like the above image. Although many would argue that the artistic quality of the shots have improved, the subject matter I feel is slightly obscured. However, a new Ixus has just arrived, so you'll all be enjoying 7 megapixel masterpieces shortly.

Raiders of the Lost Bungalow

On Friday we went up to Manchester to Great Uncle Arthur's (GUA) bungalow. GUA is eccentric, and definitely a favourite great uncle, but sadly he's moving into a retirement home - so many of the family heirlooms (and much else) have to go. With Great Auntie Astrid (GAA) we went through many of the memories, and photos of past Astburys. GUA is a great collector, and has assembled a museum's worth of ornaments. Who knows if there is something priceless amongst the collection of unidentifiable relics? We took away a few artefacts which have been passed down the family, including a 200 year old solid oak dining table, and a rather dodgy statue of the Duke of Wellington.

Stepping into GUA's bungalow was like teleporting back in time 50 years. With the exception of a kettle and microwave, there was nothing modern. I kind of liked the place, from the ornament-lined windows you could see rolling hills of peaceful countryside. It must have been an inspiration to the enormous amount of writing he did over the years. I aspire to one day be just as eccentric. All I need are some great nephews and nieces.

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Disney, Daytona and Dunkin Donuts

I spent last week in meetings in Orlando, so Clare came along to catch some winter sun, revise and eat steak. We spent our first day in the Magic Kingdom, where it was drummed into us that if we believe, our dreams will come true. If my dreams came true, Earth would be invaded by giant warmongering robots from another planet, so let's hope there are some exceptions to Disney's claim.

On the last day we (along with my work colleagues) took our 3.5 litre monster SUV up to Daytona Beach, just in time to catch 'Bike Week'. This was an interesting assortment of large beardy men riding high-powered choppers and Harleys up and down 'Main Street' with scantily clad young women trying to sell them beer. Needless to say, fun was had by all.

Thanks goes to my parents for looking after young Morris for the week we were away. I think he misses his doting grandparents already.

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Board stupid

Long time, no posts - I've been too busy snowboarding with Al and EJ (as pictured above).

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GRIM Challenge 2007

On Saturday I successfully completed the GRIM Challenge, an 8 mile off-road race over a vehicle testing ground used by the British Army. It was wet, really wet, and on several occasions I was waist deep in cold muddy water. Surprisingly though - it was really fun - and I can't wait to do it again - well I can wait until my joints have stopped hurting. There were 1560 people running on the same day, I came 705th, with a time of 1 hour 21 minutes - which I was very pleased with. Many thanks to all of my supporters (including those who couldn't make it). I'm trying to decide what to do next, a marathon or Mont Blanc?

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6 Months Left...

There are now only 6 months left until Clare sits her final medical exams, so the long slog of revising started today with the creation of the 'revision plan'. This mass of paperwork has been stuck to the wall to assist in the planning of time, and to record the coverage of each topic. I'm not sure I quite understand it, but hopefully Clare will by the end of May.

Richard is doing his part by cooking and baking some delicious food. Sadly yesterday's apple pie was not a shining example - bit too much butter in the pastry :¬[

Holidays

Clare and I had a two-stage holiday this year, starting with 5 days by Lake Garda in northern Italy.



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We then spent a week by the Coast in Wales, with Heather, Joe, Steve and Kim. The holiday involved the usual rounds of 'Ring of Fire', with a vocal accompaniment on the Sing-Star (my singing skills, whilst very entertaining, do not seem to score many points - I need to have a word with Sony about their customer acceptance testing). We also did some walking, went into a dragon infested cave and sat on the beach. Awesome.



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Whilst in Wales, Heather and Joe treated Clare and I to an afternoon of mountain boarding, as part of a 30th birthday present. It was excellent, and surprisingly easy to pick up. Sadly confidence got the better of me and it didn't take me long to sprain an ankle. It didn't stop me though - can't wait to have another go. Here's a video montage of our boarding skills:

Draycote to Rugby

To celebrate the only sunny day of the year (well that's what it feels like anyway) Clare and I cycled from Draycote Water to Rugby, stopping in at the walkabout pub for a much needed Australian beer.

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Warwick castle with the Laughlins

Richard, Claire and the girls came to visit for the day, so we went to Warwick castle to take in some medieval action including dungeons, sword fighting, a giant trebuchet and ice creams. For certain younger members of our party, the main attraction was a giant mirror into which funny faces could be displayed at great amusement.

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Drayton Manor Park

Yesterday we decided to make ourselves feel dizzy and sick by going to Drayton Manor Park. The highlight of the day was 'shockwave', the UK's only 'stand up' roller coaster. It was one of those strange experiences where you think: 'why on earth did I agree to go on this ride' whilst you're slowly climbing up the first slope. For the rest of the ride you realise it was in-fact the most stupid mistake of your life. But by the time you get off, you think its brilliant and can't wait to get on again.

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30 years old, and still looking good.

What an excellent birthday! Clare took me on a mystery journey, which involved driving, walking, the train and the tube, and ended up at the London Eye (I've never been on it before!). As soon as we arrived we bumped into my Mum and Dad, Clare's Mum and Dad, Kev, Suzanne, Rich, Claire and the girls (amazing coincidence?). So we took a trip on the big wheel, saw lots of good views, and had a great time.

We then stopped by the Tate Modern, and wandered up to Belgo's in Covent Garden for a bite to eat. When being shown to our table I recognised Josh sitting on the end of it. It then slowly dawned on me that the whole table was filled with 26 of my friends, some of which I've not seen in years. I was overcome! We had some excellent muscles and Belgian beer, and continued the party later at the Porter House.

Thanks to everyone who came along, and most of all to Clare, who has been scheming and plotting behind my back for months! I should really change my gmail password...

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Castle run video

Josh shot some video while I was doing the castle run, and compiled it into this excellent movie.

There are also some photos here.

Thanks Josh.

Australia

Clare flew out to Australia in March to do her medical elective. For those of you unfamiliar with medicine, it seems that part of the course involves jetting off to some exotic location to relax on a beach, drink a few cocktails, and occasionally pop into the local hospital.

I joined Clare at the start of April, and we spent three weeks working our way down the east coast, from Cape Tribulation to Sydney, with a few stops in-between. I was amazed out how diverse Australia is. Having been educated in the culture by watching 'Crocdile Dundee' and 'Neighbours' I had always assumed that the country was a dusty, arid place with a housing estate in one corner. In fact we found rain forests, miles of beach, coral reefs, modern cities, extremely friendly people, perfect weather, and abundent wildlife. I highly recommend a visit, and I can't wait to go back.

We took 850 photos in total, there are a small selection in the following web albums:

Newcastle
The Blue Mountains
Port Stephens
Armidale
Melbourne
Cairns
Cape Tribulation
Magentic Island
Fraser Island
Noosa
Sydney