Nyewood School Fair

At the end of term, George's school had a summer fete. I manned the money tree.

Grandad Michael discovers why the loudspeaker wasn't working. "I think we might need to plug it in."

Michelle had a craft stall.

But I didn't (fortunately) win the tombola.

National Association of Care Catering

I've just found some photos from the National Association of Care Catering Conference (2010) which I spoke at. It was truly one of the most fun conferences I've ever been to. The evening entertainment featured a tram ride to see the illuminations (with kiss me quick hats and beer handed around), fairground stalls, dancing, awards and food.

Bognor Carnival

Bognor Carnival was on 8th July. The day started off very sunny.

But in a matter of minutes it was very wet.

Who knew there were so many clubs in Bognor?

Gamesmaker 2012: The food

Photos of food is what amateur blogs are for. So I thought I would oblige. As part of my London 2012 gamesmaker experience I benefited from free lunch in the workforce rest area.

These were huge tents serving canteen food and unlimited tea and coffee. We normally got a drink (coke), a Nature Valley bar, a banana and some hot food. Do you think it looks tasty? Some meals were better than others.

When I worked in the LOCOG office I also got lunch. Looks yummy no?

And here is one of the workforce rest areas. This one is at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Bognor and the jubilee

Nanny Nette visited over the Jubilee weekend. We popped to Hotham Park to watch a boat going down the Thames. No I'm not sure why either.

 But it was an excuse for Nanny Nette to have a Pimms.

There were stalls a plenty.

 And Bognor Town Centre got all flagged out.

2km Run

In April 2011, we ran our first family fun (2km). George complained the whole way round. At one point he refused to move any more. Then he fell over and had to visit the first aid tent for a plaster. All in all, a success.

Bleu at the Borderline

In October 2010, I was lucky enough to see Bleu play at the Borderline. Bleu is a fantastically talented singer/songwriter. Check out his wikipedia page.

Next time Bleu comes over to the UK I really want to get him to do a house concert at our house. And perhaps someone would commission him to write a birthday song for me.

This is Bleu and Jim Boggia performing together at the end of the gig.

And do take a look at some of the music from the night.

There's no such thing as love - Bleu

What Kind of Man - Bleu

  Human Nature - Bleu and Jim Boggia

Blackberry Wood

In February 2011, we went camping at Blackberry Wood. It was very cold, windy and wet. The wind was perfect for kite flying. The cold and rain, less so.

We stayed in a red Routemaster bus. Blackberry Wood is quite a nice site and books out a long time in advance - partly because there aren't many nice sites close to London which allow people to have a fire. And also I suspect because you can book online.

Staying in the bus was a nice novelty. But it was a pity it wasn't plumbed. There was a promise on the website of free wifi - but it wasn't working.

There are chickens walking around. Even in February there were people on site staying in tents.

I managed to light a fire in the rain. Michelle and George watched from inside the bus. 

 

The Eiffel Tower Sparkles

Earlier this year (May) I went to Paris with work. Our hotel was just next to the Eiffel Tower. It sparkles.

 

Bognor win promotion

Towards the end of the last football season I started going to watch Bognor (Rocks) play. Over the 5 or 6 games I saw, I didn't see them lose. And they played some pretty good football.

And at the end of the season, they made the play-offs. I managed to go to both games. There was a pretty big crowd for non-league. They won the play-offs and were promoted. The new season starts this week.  It will be tough but I hope they do well.

I'll be heading to see them whenever I can. Not least because of the lovely bread pudding.

Excitement as Bognor qualify for the play of final.

And... The Play Off Final. There are some people on the pitch. They think it is all over..

It is now.

Speaking at the European Economic and Social Committee

A few weeks ago I got to speak at an ILC-UK event at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. A colleague was kind enough to take a photograph.

A Gold Medal

During my Gamesmaker time at London 2012, this was the closest I got to a Gold Medal. I spent three days at the Royal Artillery Barracks and got to see quite a bit of shooting. I watched Kim Rhode become the first American Olympian to win individual medals at 5 games in a row. You can watch Kim Rhode here.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach 2011

This time last year, we visited Blackpool Pleasure Beach. George loved staying in the Big Blue Hotel. With the view of the roller-coaster out of the window.

Stroll around Arundel

Arundel is quite a pretty little town. We took Sarah there when she came to visit.