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The boy’s great Aunt and Uncle are in town so we met them at their hotel and then went for lunch in Darling Harbour. Whilst we were waiting for our food JFGP decided to try out the new video camera. Many apologies for the speedy pans, you have been warned, but his Mum says that he is a natural and will be turning out ninety minute feature films before you can say “Alfred Hitchcock”. I’ll leave it to you to decide on the quality of his work, which you will find here.

For our second video this month JFGP explains what he is doing. Why am I sharing video with you? Because it is the first one from my new camcorder. Special thanks to Grandad Perry for posting it on to us. Expect much more moving picture goodness in the near future as the whole family seems rather taken with it. SWMBO thinks that it so easy to use she is planning on taking it to work tomorrow. Keep an eye on YouTube for the fruits of her labours.

Today was JFGP’s first day at school. For those not paying attention he is now a student at Manly West. When I got home from work I was keen to find out how he had fared. You can find the results here.

I’ve been doing a little tidying up hereabouts, there will be points awarded if anyone can spot what I’ve changed. Meanwhile I rediscovered an old gem. Have you seen this page?

Happy turn of the year everyone. I thought I would get in early this year with a shot of the family sitting on Manly harbour beach watching the ‘family’ fireworks this evening. This year we didn’t plan so much as just wander down there and see what was going on. The ankle biters got to go on a bouncy castle and we managed to nab a spot on the beach to watch the fireworks. When they were all over (I counted 7 “the big finale is just coming up” from SWMBO) we simply walked up the hill and put the tin lids to bed. Sadly by that time it was over two hours after their normal bedtime. I suspect that we will have a couple of tired, grumpy munchkins tomorrow (and we will notice the difference how …)

We have just returned from our ‘Summer’ holiday on the Gold Coast. A swell time was had by all, despite the fact that the roads were in turmoil due to the impending motor race. We were there to relax, kick back and to scare small people witless at the various adventure parks. We managed to achieve this quite successfully I feel. We went to Dreamworld (twice) and spent a very nice day at Sea World. We did manage a day of ‘rest’ at our luxurious holiday accommodation but given the level of activity I wouldn’t classify it as restful.

After a quick weekend trip to the Blue Mountains (where SWMBO only tried to kill me to death by hypothermia) this weekend we celebrated MIGO’s 3rd birthday in the traditional fashion with cake and fire. If you look closely you can see that the birthday boy is wearing his present from his grandparents. He hasn’t taken off the superman suit since unwrapping it on Tuesday. Which is frankly a bit worrying and will soon be a little too smelly. I shall have to start a psychological campaign to convince him to take it off.

We’ve just returned from a long weekend away. Partly to celebrate SWMBO’s birthday but also just to enjoy ourselves in the Hunter Valley. Good food, good wine and good company, what more could you ask? We finished with lunch at the Margan Wines cellar door in Broke (about three minutes from where we were staying) and naturally the wines were tasted whilst we waited for our food to be cooked. I declined because I was driving but that enabled me to shoot a few photos. Here we have Mark showing our youngest how to appreciate a wine. I fear the lesson was lost on the little fellow though.

We had a company picnic last Saturday and I took the boys along. The venue was KMYC so as well as the usual attractions - nice weather, sausage sizzle - there were a couple of boats to play on. Needless to say JFGP and MIGO were in the thick of the action and spent a fair amount of town piloting my Boss’ boat around Pittwater. A fun time had by all I think.

This last weekend was our annual escape to Jervis Bay with associated ex-school friends of SWMBO. A lovely time was had by all, with sun (and rather a lot of wind) on Friday and Saturday enabling some quality beach time and associated salt water swallowing. We appear to be setting some traditions on this trip already, and we managed a full set this time. Ben flew his kite, everyone had chinese take away on Friday night (except SWMBO and I who tucked into a Mexican), we went to the beach on Saturday and in the evening the essential meat burning skills of Mr Reeve and I brought about a fine repast. At least I think it was, because by then I had consumed a glass or two of wine.

<br style=“clear: both”;/> Photographic proof that it was cold and wet on Sunday morning at our weekend away. There are a couple of people missing, only because they refused to get out of their cars. Please enter your guesses in the comments box of who they were.

A correspondent has written to inform me that my photo a day project is falling somewhat behind. It would appear that I haven’t posted a picture since October last year. I’d like to apologise for my slackness. Perhaps I should rename the feature to ‘Somewhat occasional photos’. What do you think? To start to make amends here is MIGO in full flow during our festive season break in Port Stephens. As you can tell from the photo he had a terrible time.

There have been a couple of good games of rugger recently. JFGP and MIGO decided that they need to show their true colours. Altogether now - “Swing low, sweet chariot”

We’ve had some visitors to Sydney recently. Whilst I’m sure they had a lovely time it is nice to see the back of them, and their fence. I just wonder if the extraordinary police powers are going to disappear quite so quickly. In other news, I’ve lost my job. Fear not, gentle reader, for that simply means that I get to go to the UK for slightly longer next month. If you would like to catch up with us whilst we are shivering in the northern Autumn you can find our movements on this page.

It’s taken over two years but finally we have a nickname for the youngest member of the team. Unlike JFGP and his Mum this one took a little bit of bedding down. May I introduce you to MIGO Todd. This one isn’t an acronym so if you hover your cursor over the word there is no magic explanation. It’s just what he says. Usually when you are holding something he wants. Sometimes it even relates to food as you can see in the accompanying photograph.

We were out and about at Balmoral Beach on Saturday morning. During some of the worst weather seen in these parts for some years. The swell was so bad that people (well, lunatics) were surfing off Rocky Point Island which is adjacent to the beach. Of course the smaller members of the party were oblivious to conditions when there were parts of the local flora available to clamber all over. Meanwhile the adults were searching for the smallest bit of shelter to get out of the bitterly cold wind.

Some photographic proof that I am taking care of the children. This is the results of Olly’s second haircut (and the first one that didn’t get cut short by his screaming). SWMBO would like me to apologise for the side parting, but what can I say, our local barber is a traditionalist. On the positive side he has a large jar full of lollipops and these are largely to thank for the youngest member of the team enduring a sit in the barber’s chair.

We took the opportunity of a public holiday on Wednesday for a day out. We took the boys, along with Emma and Elli, to Sydney Wildlife World to look at the animals and stroke some koalas. The weather was suitably Australian and luckily we remembered to pack rain wear for everyone. Of course the smaller members of the team love this kind of weather because it presents plenty of opportunities for jumping in puddles.

We just got back from a rather nice holiday in Jervis Bay. We took Aunties Ju-Ju and Nor-Nor as well as cousins Phoebe and Maddie. The weather was gorgeous and we made it to the beach every day. I even took the shark biscuit for a spin. I did spend most of my time in the kitchen though, when I wasn’t snoozing. Sadly I’m banned from publishing any photos of the last two on “that there internet” so you’ll have to make do with a snap of the littlest ankle biter in a rare quiet moment. He was either waiting for us to put Shrek on the DVD player or about to demand another game of Snakes and Ladders.

I have been remiss. A bad parent even. JFGP started pre-school nearly a month ago and I haven’t mentioned it here. To make up here is a photo I took of number one son on the morning of his first day at Ivanhoe Park Pre-School. Complete with TtTE backpack chock full of healthy snacks and a cheesy grin. Please feel free to leave a suitable gushing comment below …