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.

View the album

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.

View the album

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...

View the album

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.

View the album

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.

View the Album

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...

View the details

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.

View the Album