Our year through my lens (Sep 21 to July 22)

It's been an interesting year; lots of pictures, very few words and no video's! 

September 21, our youngest starts High School at Wymondham College and loving the whole experience. The first couple of weeks were challenging as he struggled with the enormity of both the school and the people. He is so proud to part of this organisation, thriving in the ethos of working hard to achieve.

The year 7 lads all communicating with their electronics at the bus stop.

Celebrating an ancient friends (ancient as in known for soooo many years) significant birthday (60!!), nobody quite like Geoff Brown, we were really touched to be included in their family BBQ. I love this family, we have been friends pre their adult children so a joy to be part of a family grow into grandchildren. Happy Birthday Geoffrey!

                    

The lovely Simon & Samantha, great to see them together, the young uns!

Wymondham College is a boarding school so all children go to school on Saturday's, impressive how quickly they adapt to this time table. This was their first weekend of no schooling, Henry joined us for the weekend in September, the boys together had a great time at West Runton.

Nothing like an end of summer sunset.

October is the month of birthday's in the wider family but most importantly mine and I had a fabulous time, spent in West Runton, inviting those that could join me to a Sunday lunch at our local hotel, family delight.

The day of my birthday, we enjoyed the beach searching for fossils with an evening in Cromer at  'Lily Mae's'. Found an echinoid topped a perfect day!

Birthday celebrating just carried on through out the month with friends; Libby and Maz when we next met at the caravans which always means an evening out, then with Angie. Angie and I caught up at a Heaton & Abbot (was Beautiful South!) concert for keyworkers. Such a fun affair as the band so obviously enjoyed the experience of sharing a thank you with the NHS.

Birthday treat theme continued although slightly different as the long awaited 'Cliff Richard 80th birthday tour' took place, 2 years late. A treat for my dear ole Ma; we were booked onto the CR Fan Club Bus to the Royal Albert Hall and it was an absolute treat. I was one of the youngest there in a room of very much grey hair, but what a show from an ancient oldie, quality voice with some impressive dance moves. 

Then a 'blast from the very distant past' came into play with a 40year school union, the '76 to 81' High School group came together. A delightful moment in time, with some folks who were who I remembered and others names were familiar but the faces did not fit! A really great occasion.

December was lots of fun as we enjoyed a panto show at London Palladium, being panto sketches led by Julian Cleary, Nigel Havers, joined by Donny Osmond and the Tiller Girls. A belly-laugh occasion.

Gathered with the Steggles for a Christmas breakfast celebration.

Dylan beavered away making gifts for everyone, becoming proficient on the sewing machine making bags which were then stuffed with home grown lavender.

Christmas was lovely with a house full with Milo & Rebecca, and both sets of grand-parents, an impressive meal (even if I say so myself) followed with 'chuck-a-brush' (throw a loo brush into its holder as described on Radio 2!)

Dylan's cherished Daisy Dog picture redesigned into a beautiful colourful portrait.

Presented with my Ladyship from my Lord; blimey that was a surprise!

December always ends with Ma n Pa's wedding anniversary, this year we invited them to breakfast at our local before they enjoyed a coastal Granny run to the beach. 

Our Christmas gift to us and our family was an early January trip to Centre Parcs; been going for years and love it even in the pouring rain with foot-golf, crazy-golf, winners of Geocache, swimming for kids whilst we relished the peace, steam room and wildlife at our patio-doors.

Frog, shark & fish socks 

With a later January trip to London to see Connor & Emily (Vanessa & Steven's youngest); taking a gander at where they live with lunch. Beverages started on the train!

February is our month, celebrating!

This picture Vanessa shared which was a surprise, at this point we were engaged. Loved this Laura Ashley dress!

We took a day out together to Mundsley beach as we could not get to Trimingham beach, cold and generally unsuccessful in finding fossils or treasures, ended with a good meal out in the evening.

Dylan's half term undertook a couple of historical orientated trips. First to the streets under Norwich near the castle.

Second trip to Tower of London by train.

I enjoyed this perspective of anciently old cottages within the Tower of London and the shiny new 'Shard', with HMS Belfast straddled beneath.

The opportunity to also say hello to baby Arlen, Callum & Hannah's young son (Sara's son), with a lovely Christmas pic to share of Arlen with his elder sister Ada too.

Mothering Sunday, we took our respective 'Mum's' out for lunch together and had a really pleasing time, lots of reminiscing.

Then Dylan 'blow our socks off' as he was noticed at school for an act of kindness he displayed outside of school towards a homeless lady. He was awarded a 'Headteachers Award' and felt very proud, then was noticed by the headteacher for his keyboard practising at school in house.

End of term brings a function to celebrate, organised by the older years of the 'House', just before Easter Dylan savoured a taste of the Caribbean dressing for the occasion.

A Spring birthday at the caravan for our 12year old Dylan, Milo & Rebecca joined us to celebrate with gifts, cake, a bit of crazy golf before an evening meal at a favourite of Dylan's in Cromer. Fabulous 'photo bombing' of our cheeky chap, not sure his brother feels the same. Hilarious!!

I remember when Dylan was first born, Milo's 10-11yrs school friends were asking Milo why on earth did he want a baby brother '...they are a pain...'. I think Milo might have reached that moment!

Easter was a bit of a disaster for me, after all the dodging of covid-19 for two years and in locations where I was in the depths of it; I caught covid-19. The greater tragedy was to miss the mega big Easter-Egg Hunt held by Vanessa & Steven with all big & small children in the family. We had our own egg hunt which is always fun to watch big kids hunt for a bit of chocolate.

Not sure why but Dylan has got himself in a regular Saturday afternoon activity of making jam tarts.

As the pandemic restrictions relax Dylan's school formal event usually planned for Christmas took place in the Spring. The expectation all children are in suits and posh dresses; he thoroughly enjoyed wearing his first tuxedo, a gentleman in the making!

Curry night out at West Runton with train ride home; Libby, Maz & Rashaid with a boy who doesn't like to take off his tux.

Yet more birthdays is May. Always starts with Nanny Pat, this being her 83rd, spent at West Runton with us Roger & Rachel in our caravan. A beach wander looking at stones, fish & chips followed by birthday cake. Perfect.

I had given myself a challenge, training since December, joining an event for EACH to walk from Cromer Pier to Gt Yarmouth Pier at the end of June. This is 32 miles along the Norfolk Coastal Pathway, when you can find it, to be completed by 12 hrs being 8pm; some of my training experiences.

At Bacon Terminal, I lost the path as the fencing is hanging off the cliff. 

Mundesley memorial! 

Such a beautiful Hawthorn on Deopham Airfield & glorious buttery scented Gorse through Cromer golf course with the light house just peeping over, forgotten that scent!

Then, of course, it was Jerry's major numbered birthday. He wanted a low key family celebrations so we did the best we could for a Monday; started on Sunday and made our way through the whole of Monday. Started Sunday with his birthday badge present before lunch out together, then a wonderful birthday  of pampering and lunch with an added bonus of bumping into Geoff, then home for a 'bonfire' homemade carrot cake. And a gift for the winter months, a guide through the night sky with a professional astronomer.

Watched Geoff work whilst enjoying our coffee!!!!

Yep 60 candles on that cake, took 3 of us to light them!!

June for everyone was all about celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee, no surprises we did our celebrating at our caravan with the added bonus, Ma'n'Pa joined us for the week with Finley (Sara's youngest) coming along too. Uniting with Libby & Maz and their friends we had a tremendous time together, a BBQ with jubilee hats/crowns.

Lighting the beacon for West Runton, bonfire on the cliff edge.

The boys (Finley & Dylan) did a spot of surfing together; cool surfing cousins!

We have found ourselves amidst Dylan's desire to support his community with litter-picking and taking responsibility for the local fire stations flower garden.

Fathers day; apparently the most comfortable socks ever with a pair donated to homeless persons.

The other part of Dylan's birthday present with Car Chaser's at Wattisham Airfield; driving experience as a passenger with a professional driver in a Maclaren 720S, Aston Martin DB9 Volante & Ferrari California. In all pictures you can just see his head grinning through.

New contract, new place to be and discover; Lincoln.

Lastly the most important event for me in June, the most gruelling experience I have put myself through was the 32 mile walk from Cromer pier to Gt Yarmouth pier, achieved in 10hours and 10mins. There were more people behind me than in front whilst I had a determined focus, I was over taking younger men. Smiling moment. Raised £500+ for EACH.

DONE IT!!!!!!!!!

The start at 7am.

My feet suffered for a bit with blisters and swelling, exhaustion took a bit to get over too. Fine now, scares and bruised toenails so paint over them

My June garden, more appealing then more tired battered feet as the close of this year long view of our mostly happy family life.

Well done if you have got to the end of my posting and thank-you for taking the time really hope you have enjoyed perusing as I have putting it together.

I seem to have lost my way with my blog which is such a shame as this has been thoroughly enjoyable to construct, having had the time whilst on holiday. 

If you have enjoyed my few words and pictures, then please do let me know by replying to my email message or leave a comment on the blog if you can. 

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