A Week In France

Just returned from a magnificent week staying at St Simeon, about 90 minutes east of Paris.
We had some superb walks in perfect walking weather, visited an excellent world war one museum, went into Paris and some local sightseeing including the medieval town of  Provins.
Back to earth on my return with dog collection, dog bathing, Christmas tree collection and walking down to the village for its Christmas night when all the shops stay open late and traders set up stalls.

A Good Day at the Office

Dionne Matthews, my PhD student, defended her thesis successfully and the examiners decided to award her degree without any changes - something that I have never experienced in a scientific higher degree before!  She has also been recommended for Coventry University's Best Research Student Prize.
The evening was spent being the MC and bluffer for a Call My (Wine) Bluff evening to raise money for the charity SchoolAid which sends children's books to schools in Africa.  The Rotary Club of Jordan's and District raised about £700 and everyone seemed to enjoy the eight different wines we tasted over the evening.

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Sunday October 6th 2013 was the day that we celebrated Jo's 40th birthday by Jo, Luke, Tom and me all running a half marathon to raise money for Scope, a charity that gives mentally disabled people a better life.  Jo had an amazing time for her first half marathon of 2.08 which included two pit stops and a stop to talk to Megan, Lou and Ella.  Tom did a great time of 1.48.04 and I came in just 40 seconds later, which is pretty good for someone of my vintage.  To recover we felt the need to fly to Spain and spend 12 days with Tom, Lou and Ella, and to date the weather has been just great.

Activity Day - June 2nd 2013

Started the day by walking the dog.
Then after a drive to Marlow, I ran the Marlow Radio 10k starting at 09.30.
Running conditions were good and I turned in a very satisfactory time of 51.40.
Not bad as it included styles and kissing gates.
Then on to the boathouse for a 75 minute row with the boys.
After that it was lunch at Jo's and on to play cricket against a Sunday league side at Knotty Green Cricket Club for four hours.
Following a cricket tea to celebrate coming second, I then went home to play bridge with friends until 
10.30 pm.
After a quiet day like this, I hope I can get a little busier tomorrow!

Holiday of a lifetime

Have recently returned from a most amazing holiday which involved visiting Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. People ask us to name the highlights and it is just impossible as the whole trip was a blast. We spent three weeks driving a campervan in New Zealand which was great, seeing all the sights, including whales and walking on glaciers.  I even caught an elephant fish off the shore near Pancake Rocks in the South Island.  Angor Wok lived up to its must see classification as did Milford Sound

Christmas in Norway

Enjoyed a a very different Christmas experience in Norway withTom and Lou.
White Christmas was guaranteed and we enjoyed walking in the snow locally and around the peninsular.  The house renovations in Sandefiord are complete and all seems ready for an exciting 2013