Our
Times in Leicestershire
Shepshed Edition December
02
Home See
also the
Photo Review for
2002
Smokey the Hamster
In February we had a new addition to the
family – Smokey the hamster.
Otherwise known as Smokey Bacon Crisp, much to Ceri’s
annoyance. Mind you after a few months
even Ceri started to call it Smokey Bacon.
Digital Camera
We got a digital camera at the end of
February. This has revolutionised photo
taking. So far I have taken over 4000
photos. As film cost nothing and you get
instant results you can afford to take many shots and then only keep the
best. The largest subject has been the
new
Ceri Walks the streets of Nottingham
Ceri and I went on the Tandem Club’s
Gear Box
Centre Parcs
Ceri Joins up
End of June we went to Market Bosworth visitor centre checking up on
details for our family camping weekend.
Whilst there they had a War of the Roses Living History Camp. When volunteers were requested Ceri was a bit
slow in taking a step back so she then had to go on
parade and learn
her drill.
Family Tandem Weekend
We held our 3rd Family Tandem
Camping Weekend
event at the start of July. Weather this
time apart from lunch time Friday was the best yet. We had 37 families from all over who all
enjoyed themselves.
Proper
Ceri misses her dad in Amsterdam
Ceri does hand washing
As we were cycle camping we had to wash clothes as we went. Whilst at the
Ceri Completes 10K
Whilst in the Netherlands Ceri completed a major Km stone in her cycling
career. She completed
10 000 Km pushing
me on a tandem. The problem is she now
wants to ride half bike rather then tandem.
Work
With a change of role at work this year, I got a trip to France and
Eire, and in January I am going to St Paul for a week or so. Based upon comments from our Canadian cousins
in Winnipeg about how cold it gets, I’ve asked if I would get a special
“long john” allowance.
Wall Climbing
Ceri has continued with
wall climbing
following a long summer break. She
enjoys it even more now that the tutor for the course is now her form teacher.
Ceri is now in year 8 and is doing very well. She surprised herself when she got an A for
PE this term as she hates PE. She was
involved with the school magazine until the of last summer term. Although in true editorial fashion, the most
recent Christmas edition contains some of her efforts.
Music
Ceri is still very active musically with the piano and flute. She has lessons for both and also is
continuing with the Shepshed Community Band.
Ceri took her first flute grade this year, getting a pass at grade
3. She has just brought a harmonica so
will be able to follow in Uncle Len’s footsteps.
Ceri Waits a bit longer
Ceri has been looking forward to that modern fashion accessory:- the
brace for years. Her treatment under the
consultant orthodontist started this month.
However as her teeth are moderately overcrowded her treatment is
starting with a head brace, which is worn at night only. She will not get the fashion accessory until
sometime next year.
Ann’s Bit
Ann has not been very well this year.
At the end of last year she caught flu and as a result of that she lost
coordination between her eyes and ears which made her loose balance. She has been off work all year and has been
undergoing physiotherapy which has just finished. Hopefully next year will be a better year for
Ann. As a consequence we have had a
quiet year. Ann has felt very frustrated
in being limited in what she can do. She
has relinquished day to day running of Brownies, but she still does the
organising.
Romway Close Bakery
The Romway Close bakery has progressed with my making my own dough from
scratch. I was inspired watching Jamie
Oliver and his students and somebody at work who also makes their own
bread. Ann has also got adventurous, she
still uses the breadmaker to make dough, but she is the making loaves shaped by
hand. We have found Ceri loves the bread
made that way.
Broadband
We have just gone over to broadband with NTL. Our email address does not change. A big benefit is the ability to listen to
radio programmes such as the Archers a week after their original
broadcast. This is very important with
the Archers at the moment as I don’t want to miss the time when Jennifer finds
about Brian and his lovechild. Ceri
loves Broadband as she can play decent games on the internet, no waiting ages
for them to load.
Outside Painting
Progress was made on painting the garage. I finished painting the rear garage door
which I started by stripping part of the paint 2 years ago. I got carried away and completed the rear and
the side of garage and part of the front.
Perhaps next year I will finish off the garage.
Photo from the past
Philip found the Stanley
Tech Old Boys web site and forwarded me the details. Apparently Philip and I were at Stanley at
the same time as Captain Sensible from the Dammed. On the Dammed web site there is a link to a full school photo from
our first year. See our web site for
details.
Internet Publishing
Via an enews group on trams of Europe I made contact with a Hungarian
who is tram mad. I scanned some slides I
took in 1982 when I went to Budapest.
Some of these photos has been published on his web site on the
Trams
of Hungary. I also had an “April Fool” feature (the one on Capacity Enhancements)
and a news item published on the unofficial Croydon Tramlink web
site.
Ann Shrinks
Ceri achieved the great stature of being taller then Ann at the start of
the year. She keeps on growing.
Some Quotes from Ceri
Daddy is tram mad.
He won’t stop taking fotos.HELP!!!
Hopefully Mummy will catch a cold which will wash the vertigo out of her
system.
Page
updated 15h January 2003