Spent a lovely weekend in Rammers with Parkes, Beth and Justine. We took Jus to the beach on Saturday where we enjoyed ice creams and a bit of a paddle. The sea was freezing but it is only April I guess. On Sunday we walked upon the Westcliff and got rained on. On Sunday night I broke the World Record for the most mashed potato crammed into a Shepherd's Pie.

Went to the Monty last night to celebrate St Rod's Day with Ali. I had 4.5 pints of Gadd's Dragon's Blood and feel a little tired and delicate today. It really is a nice brew but I would like it renamed to Gadd's Emu's Beak for next year.

Beth has tooth number 5 on it's way but seems to be coping with the arrival. I am looking forward to seeing it at the weekend.

St Rod's Day

Today is St George's Day! St George was a noble and brave dude who fronted-up against a large dragon-like monster and won on a contreversial points decision. However I find it difficult to get excited about a saint who has absolutely nothing to do with England. At least St Patrick visited Ireland and had a dingdong with some snakes.

I would be much happier if our patron saint was one of the following (beatification pending);

1. Rod Hull

Rod Hull contributed to many happy childhoods and I have very fond memories of Rod on television, especially when Emu took on Michael Parkinson. A wonderful man who was cruelly robbed of his life.

2. David Beckham

If it is bravery you are after look no further than David Beckham. Firstly he has scored many crucial goals for his country and secondly he decided to marry the dragon rather than fight it.

3. Russ Abbot

Russ was ahead of his time and blazed a comedy trail in the eighties. He is definitely a reason to go to the pub and have a drink.

Hit & Run

Spent a lovely weekend with Parkes and Beth. It was a mixture of DIY, shopping and playing with Beth. Beth and I have a new game whereby I lay on the lounge floor and Beth crashes into me in her baby-walker. Sometimes this makes her laugh and sometimes it looks likes she really means it.

I'm gonna take this rabbit and make it my wife.

Rampant Rabbits

My train journey everyday is long and sometimes quite boring. However I do pass by some nice scenery including Whitstable Bay and the rolling Kent Downs. The fields, at the moment, are full of rabbits. Thousands of the floppy-eared, carrot munching, marble-like poo-producing creatures. They're fab and tend to run around as the train disturbs them making their fluffy tails ping up and down. There are also a few hares about but they tend to ignore the rabbits and talk amongst themselves.

A Herring Gull in flight. Probably looking for a chimey or on it's way to the Monty.

Frisky Birds

Whilst I was walking to Ramsgate station this morning the noise coming from the birds was amazing. The Herring Gulls were laughing away collecting moss and twigs for their nests. The Song Thrush was singing the sweetest of songs from a chimney. A woodpecker was bashing the crap out out of a tree trunk. Yes guys, bird love is in the air!!

Quite a lot of Ramsgate's residents find the Herring Gulls a nuisance but I think they are beautiful birds and they were in Thanet long before we were! Give a gull a break!

Time Flies...

Tomorrow Beth is 9 months old. Parkes went back to work today. It's amazing how time flies however the day Beth was born does seem like years ago. She is still sleeping from 7pm until 7am which is amazing and we are not taking this for granted. She is not crawling yet nor has she uttered her first word. However she does like chattering to her prune at teatime whilst she eats it. Talking to prunes is cool.

Wedding: The cake-cutting bit. It was a delicious sponge with a jammy filling. Absolutely beautiful!

Wedding: Dad and daughter.

Wedding: Barbara completes her move to Scott Parker Rovers for 15 million.

Wedding: Beth sitting on Sideshow Bob's lap.

Wedding: Beth enjoying the hospitality.

Wedding: Confetti time.

Wedding: Sam, Ella and Dan looking very smart.

Wedding: Parkes, Scott and Beth

Wedding: Scott and Barbara with Carmel and Albert.

Wedding Bells

Parkes, Beth and I attended Parkes' brother's wedding on Saturday. Scott and Barbara cemented their alliance in Ramsgate and the wedding breakfast and party were held at Churchill's. It was a lovely day and we all wish Scott and Barbara a long and very happy marriage. The ales in Churchill's flowed very nicely and I must thank Nicole who babysat for Beth whilst Parkes and I got a little hazy. I will download the photos and whack them onto the Blog this week.

Ribadesella: Strings and Beth

Ribadesella: Beth and Parkes.

Infiesto: Parkes looking chic by the river which runs through the centre of Infiesto. A pretty town in a pretty area that is a mecca for walkers in the summer months.

Ribadesella: Family shot taken with one hand!! Only managed to get half of Parkes but it is a nice half.

Ribadesella: Parkes and Beth under grey skies. The weather was mild but the waters were dark and foreboding.

Ribadesella: Frogs ahoy! Strings doing his bit for amphibian relations.