The Journey

New House

We've moved in together!!! Years of bachelor life have come to an end.

Jan, the girls and I moved to Ickenham in April. Everything is great and it feels very comfortable. We've had a moving in party for friends and sorted ourselves out very quickly. The girls are round the corner from school and their friends and Jan's are calling round all the time. We are right by the park and pond and Jan can cycle into the village on her new bike. 

Major nesting has been going on with fish for the pond and stuff for the house.

Were planning a party for Jan's and my family to meet. Happy Families ... but what to cook?

HOUSE RULES

 

 

 

Here are our HOUSE RULES. We all signed in blood.

 

 

 

Great evening with friends, Julie and Paul. Jan was very worried about what to do, there were cook books everywhere! Thank god for Jamie Oliver! Nearly ruined the whole thing barbequeing the trout under an umbrella during a thunder storm. Not to worry as the food was fantastic. Well done baby. We all got very, very ... drunk. 

CHICKENS

I'd like to keep a few chickens but need to find out much more about them before convincing Jan. We have an old potting shed that would be ideal. Main problem is how to look after them when were away. we could get rescued battery  chickens from a local farm. I think it would be good for the girls and a good hobby. Thanks for all the advice David, Pete, Chad and Stuart. It must be right that it is the fastest growing hobby in the U.K..

I will let you know how we get on ...  

August Update

My chickens look very much like a cat

Susie

Raft Racing at the Abrook Arms

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER

 

August Bank Holiday 2009 ... another Raft Race at the Abrook Arms. The family gathers to give support to the girls 'Welease Wodger' team. Defending champions and a cup to retain ... Tension builds to the first of the heats at 15:30. No need to worry, the new ultra-fast polystyrene design wins the day. Its very cold for the grandparents. and especially me being in the river all day, but we manage to launch the 300 ducks for their race. 

 

The Abrook Arms Gutteridge Cup

2008. Another Abrook Arms August Bank Holiday Festival. Another Raft Racing Day. Good fun had by everyone. The weather cleared. All the jobs got done (even with some extreme hangovers). The rafts floated and the crowds turned up. Well done to the 'Welease Wodger' team. Victory after last years second place. Its not cheating if the team captain is going out with the judge.

Paula & Simons 25th Wedding Anniversary

A great celebration of Paula and Simon's 25 years of married bliss. Simon also received canonisation from the Pope for 'this lifetime achievement. Andy can be seen drinking heavily, realising he's next.

I still haven't got over the previous two months helping Jan with her difficult decisions on what to wear. 

Egypt - Summer 2008

Joel and Des on tour again. Cairo for the pyramids, Saqqara and the Cairo Museum. Night train to Aswan. Abu Simbel on Lake Nassar, and Philae at Aswan. Nile cruise and Kom Ombo and Idfu Temples. Arrive at Luxor for Karnak and Luxor temples. West bank for the Valley of the Kings and Ramesses II, III, IV and IV Tombs. Hatshepsut and Habu temples. Night train back to Cairo and home. Great trip to show Joel the country. The pyramids and Abu Simbel always mind blowing. Such fine tomb paintings and statues. The beautiful Nile and Egyptian daily life. Bril

liant!!  

Joel

Festival Boy

July 2010 Update: Joel's had a busy year with his first year in 6th form doing History Drama and English. I saw his drama evaluation piece which was just fantastic. I'm so proud of him and how he handles himself. He's got himself a job working at Legoland and doesn't complain about the hard work and traveling he has to do to get to school and work in Windsor. Summer is going to busy. He's just done his second festival of the year and is off to Costa Rica for a family wedding. Then its back-packing in Australia. Fantastic!

August 2009 Update: Joel's just passed his GCSE's and is off to Windsor Boys for the next two years. Well done son. We are all very proud of you

 

Joel at El Jem

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This is my son Joel, my best mate and the best son anyone could want. Love you son. I need to update with a picture of his latest hairstyle.

Well done on finishing your GCSEs and all the hard work you put into them. I know youll get the results you are looking for.

Polperro

Spring 2009.

Another year down to Polperro. This time with all the Heritage family. Pierinn House and Studio. Highlights, lads trip down in the landie, including Stonehenge in the mist picnic breakfast, honorary membership to the East Coker Skittles Team. Polperro highlights included meeting the girls on Dartmoor, Jamie's Fruits de Mer, Jan's icy dip in the rock pool, Cotehele House,  the picnic at Talland Bay, spending time together and ... goes without saying, the Blue Peter Inn.

Spring 2008.

Jan, Mimi, Lucy, Joel and Ryan had a holiday in Polperro, Cornwall. One of my favorite places in the world. Beautiful fishing village, stunning cliff walks and of course, my Mecca, The Blue Peter Inn. Great time had by all. Higlights were Joel and Ryan missing the Liskaerd stop on the way down, West Cottage at the top of Talland Hill, the Monkey Sanctuary, the walk to Llansellos, the music quizz & fancy dress, the mixed weather and waking up each morning to the view down into the harbour and out to sea.

*  I HAVE TO ADD THE OLD FAMILY PHOTOS SCANNED FROM DAD'S OLD SLIDES.

    

Jan & Da Girls

 

<  Some photos from the Ickenham Festival 

 

 

<  These are my friends, Mimi, Lucy and Jan (Lucy's mustache is not real, although the two dead guinea pigs on her shoulders are)!

Welease Woger Team Raft Racing 2nd Place

 

 

The infamous 'Welease Wodger' team ... don't ask!

 

 

 

Raft_race_2008 067

This is Ted Heritage > Jan's Dad. A very nice man. Heritage sounds a bit like Gutteridge (so thats alright then).

 

Jamies 40th - Bath

Thanks Jamie and Ali for great weekend in Bath. Champagne on  the train, Belvedere Wine Vaults to stay, the Baths, Cathedral, the rugby, fashion museum, great food and company.

 

  

ORFORD 2007

Thanks Paula and Simon for a great week in Orford. Joel had a wonderful time with Matt. Loved Sutton Hoo and the 'Oysterage' restaurant with the best fish. Walking on the sea wall with Kirun. Having a beer with Andy. The cinema in Aldbrough. Watching the boys dinghy racing.