Almost spring...

Blogging is pretty much a dying art (not that my blog was ever an 'art') but as always, we're all very much here. Little Zee and the Weedude are now at the same school and are both doing well in their own little ways. 

I did get to hit the lake towards the end of last summer and we're planning to head to Woolly in a couple of weeks for a spot of family time and surfing. 

In the grown-up realm, we're hoping to get some building work done this year and with any luck, both boys could end up with their own bedrooms and we should create enough space to have a proper kitchen/diningroom.......fingers crossed it all works out and in budget.

In world news, Trump is creating absolute global chaos and is causing some enormous geopolitical rifts and changes in the world order - none of it to America's advantage but he's f**king with everyone's lives (both in and out of Northern America). He's had his arm twisted by Israel and he's just bombed the hell out Iran but his little brain doesn't quite understand the political and cultural dynamics of the place and he was expecting them to roll-over and hand over the keys to their domain. Anyway, it's f**ked up the global supply chains again and fuel companies are gouging the hell out of the consumer (we're already at 177ppl again in the UK - been a while since that last happened). Hopefully things will be ok enough for us to blast down to Woolly in a week or so.

Anyway.....tempted to try and keep this place a little more alive but not really using Google Photos any more, it makes it a wee bit clunky.

Here's a quick little image of the new addition to the family that we accidentally picked up back last summer - SCOUT!

Ouch...

Life still continues but we're plodding on. Loads of things keep getting in the way - death of my mum, general kids stuff, health stuff - and then the highlight of the last few weeks has me breaking most of my left-hand-side ribs. After 4-weeks, I have just returned to the gym. I could feel my waist expanding and my sanity shrinking and so today I had a gentle 45m in the gym. A little sore at times but I think I actually feel a little better for it.

Still, we're doing ok. I don't think I've wakeboarded in over a year now (think it was either last summer or I might have had a long set at the start of the year but I fear that was spring 2023 and not 24.

The boys are growing up and both are doing well at school. The Dude is creative and characterful, while Zee is crazy but with a love for reading and writing.

Xmas is a matter of days away now. I have to admit to not really looking forward to it. It'll be the first Xmas without any parents and I think it's going to feel strange and a tad sad. Still, I'm sure the boys will brighten things up.

Catch you in 2025.

 

Growing up & getting older....

Life is good but it's definitely having its ups and downs this year. Mentally, things are good but my body is taking a bloody good beating. Sport, motorbike crashes and possibly age are taking their toll.

Outside of our little family unit, it was a very sad day when Jojo (possibly Ls closest friend) lost her battle with cancer. We all know cancer can be a right ol' fucker. My mum, dad and now little sis have all had it or still have it and are taking the fight to the c*nt but you losing Jojo the other month was a proper kick in the metaphorical nuts for L. 

As friends we don't see enough of one another. Growing up gets in the way and we just don't have the time to make those important physical contacts. Then, when you lose someone (as I still feel about my dad), you feel guilty for not spending enough time with them and only then realising you had so many more questions for them.

Jojo and L taking their foamies down to the surf.....neither of them were any good but they had a blast trying, only eventually to leave them on the sand and just splash about like kids.

In Between injuries, I have actually made some progress with my wakeboarding. A ripped rotator-cuff and then a motorbike crash have taken their toll.

Can't even pop to the shops now, without the Weedude wanting to 'help'.

Playgroup (or whatever it's called) is now a thing and the boy loves it.

One Easter Egg hunt and he was addicted. Every time friends came around, we had to recycle and hide the same eggs - at least it reduced the amount of chocolate he consumed. 

Bumble-bee is no more. Took a spill and killed off the poor machine. With grown-up things getting in the way, I think it'll be a few years until I'm allowed to buy a replacement.

Visiting a Didcot Steam Day was very exciting by all accounts.

Pizza time.

He always needs friends (dinosaurs on this occasion) to share his bathtime.

Getting a new mountain bike and so was checking my kit. I forgot how hard I have hit the ground on occasions.

Syncing-up for the Blenheim Tri.

Kiddies weren't technically allowed in the transition area but the Weedude was oddly allowed in on my shoulders. He gave my bike a quick once-over.

My my best time (slowest for a while) but considering I'd written-off my motorbike a week earlier, I'm ok with it.

It's all about the adventure with the boy at the moment. Either on his own, with Ted (the dog) or with friends.

After a tiring day, a snuggle and a read on my Voit blanket.

She might be old and a tad tatty but already she's been a great little alternative to camping. Unfolding and setting her up takes a couple of minutes - even in the midst of a storm. The Weedude loves 'Kitty' as if she was a member of the family. Explaining to him that it's not his own play-house is sometimes a problem.