Back online

After a few months of upheaval (new jobs, house move, imminent baby) we are finally settled (well almost). We're sitting out the credit crunch in a rented house, which is a stone's throw from both sets of parents in Woodbridge. Perfect.

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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Bun in Oven

Cooking for 9 months at 200 degrees, it should be ready by Feb 2009.

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.

Nice new house on the the market

Let's hope it sells...

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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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Grandpa

On Thursday it was Grandpa's funeral, a very sad occasion, we'll all miss him. He filled his 90 years of life with learning, engineering, humour, interesting anecdotes, and giving his grandson rides on his back (when I was small anyway). I hope by the time I die, I can achieve just a handful of the things he did.