Please use new blog

A few days ago I started to get messages telling me I had run out of space for files which left me with two options - delete older files or pay to go pro - neither of which appealed.

So I have moved my blog to one I set up on my own site a few months ago - so if you want to know what I'm up to please feel free to pop over and see me.

Fronting Vocals are Sarah's brothers band - check them out

Happy little day, Kevin went away
Met his little Sarah on a public holiday
A happy pair they made, so decorously laid
'Neath the gay illuminations all along the promenade

We went to Brighton for the weekend leaving the kids with Sarah's mum. Actually it wasn't a whole weekend - just one night. It was a wedding present from work which was nice. We couldn't stay in the hotel we stayed at last time we went down there because they would only accept bookings for two nights so we had booked into the King's Hotel on the seafront.

Considering how much it cost us the room was very pokey and although we had a window that faced the sea there was only a seaview if you opened the window and bent down to squint through the open four inches. The main window was so dirty that you couldn't see through it. It was also a good job we didn't take the moggie because there wasn't enough room to swing it. It was a shame really because it was a nice little hotel otherwise - I'm sure I'd stayed there before with work.

We ate in the little Italian restaurant we ate in last time and although we thought about going on to a club afterwards we were knackered and it was cold so we just headed back to the hotel for an early night

Sunday we went for a walk along the seafront and I took some photographs before we headed into town and looked round the shops in the Lanes. I bought a t-shirt with the logo "My IQ test came back negative" written on it and some postcards. We had lunch and then headed back to pick up the kids.

We were lucky because the choir Sarah's mum is involved in were on a TV show called "When will I be famous" and had won the previous week which meant they had to go back and compete again on Saturday. However Sarah's mum had told them that she couldn't let us down. We were just about to leave when an emergency phone call came through saying that they had left the lucky moose behind and Sarah's mum had to do a mercy dash from Croydon to Norbury with it's twin brother. Although the moose made it - as mentioned by Graham Norton on the show - Libera lost to a man dressed as a tie-dyed slinky!!

Self Portrait

I've been driving the same route to work every day for nearly five years and every day I pass this Churchyard. It's just as I go round a roundabout and next to the road are three Celtic crosses in a row. There are plants that climb and encircle the crosses and everyday they look different - especially with the passing seasons.

For some time now I have been meaning to stop and take pictures and today I finally did. I was quite pleased with the results. I think I will take some more when spring puts leaves on the trees.

See more pictures here

It was the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chatham today

More of my pictures at at Flickr

but this week I haven't been able to!!!

We went to Sunderland last weekend to show my gran our wedding photos, marriage certificate (She's so pleased we're married now!) etc. I left Sarah and the kids there and set off home about 4:30. I managed to get about 22 miles before the car spluttered to a halt in a layby on the A19.

After an hours wait the RAC turned up, had a bit of a look and got me to drive 5 miles down the road to a diner. he said he thought it was either the thermostat or the water pump and that he didn't think I should drive any further and arranged recovery for me. As luck would have it we were right outside the recovery firms office but it still took them an hour and a half to come and get me. This was because they had to repair the recovery vehicle first!!!!

It took about 6 hours to get me home driving non stop so when I arrived back at 12:45 I ached all over from sitting in that cab. He dropped me off and I went to bed. The next morning I should have been able to have a bit of a lie in and then head up to town for the conference I was doing except I had two video tapes which needed to go to the office. I looked up train times on the net and every journey involved either a bus or walking between stations. Eventually I settled on a train to Bromley South, then another to Beckenham Junction before finally catching a bus to Elmers End.

When I got on the bus I handed the driver a tenner and he said can't change that!! I said sorry but if I'd known I was going to breakdown I'd have made sure I had some change. So he drove to the next bus stop where I got off and went into a shop for change while he waited for me!! What a nice bloke!!! The next time I caught this bus was Thursday and again he was the driver! He looked at me and smiled as I presented him with the correct change. I said I bet you've got change of a tenner today as well - he did!!!

I got the same train two days running - the 6:18 from Gillingham. Something happened that hasn't happened for years (1984 to be precise when I was commuting from Sunderland to Newcastle Poly every day). I got on to the train on the second day, sat in the same seat as the previous day and the same guy was sitting next to me - on both sides!!!!

I had been told in no uncertain terms by the missus that the car was not going back to the garage that had pissed us about last year. I set her the challange of asking around for recommendations and eventually she found one. She rang up and it was arranged for me to drop the car off on my way to work at 6 the following morning!!

So three days, £235 and much commuting by public transport later I finally picked the car back up this morning. It's much better now that the water pump has been replaced. The car doesn't overheat anymore. The heater actually works and it seems to have got it's oomph back again!!

That Sarah and I had our first "date"!!

Doesn't time fly?

Who'd have thought it eh?

It snowed!!!!

Some people weren't too sure though!!!

I bought this from ebay last week

One of the things I realised in Australia was how much I wanted a decent digital camera. My little Kodak was ok but it was quite limited. It takes nice pictures in daylight but struggles inside. It didn't have a zoom or any control over aperture or shutter speed.

I've had a few cameras over the years - my first proper camera was a Zenith E. I loved that camera and I took some great shots with it. I took it to concerts and all over Europe but it started to wear out and needed replacing - I still have it somewhere though!

Then after a trip to America I bought myself a Nikon 301. It was a good camera but it was fully automatic - no manual wind. I then bought myself a Nikon FE second hand. I went into a camera shop to buy a roll of film and came out with it!!

In amongst these I also had a couple of Olympus XAII's to use as a point and shoot camera. When my second one died I bought the Kodak digital. I like digital photography because you can take as many pictures as you like without having to worry about processing costs. I also like the options it gives you to manipulate the images you take.

So when I came back from OZ I kept a look out for the Fuji S602 on ebay - a friend had one and he said they were really good so I decided to go for one. Ideally I would like a Nikon SLR digital but hey I can't afford one!!

I finally won one for £62 and when it arrived I was really pleased with it - except I couldn't get it to recognise a compact flash card. Eventually I e-mailed the seller and he gave me a partial refund. However the smartmedia slot also packed up rendering it useless and I got a full refund.

So I bought another one!!

This one was £60 and it should arrive tomorrow (Snow permitting) - looking forward to it.

Here is one of the pictures I took using it while it worked!!

Elmers End?

See more of my photographs at Flickr

A bold Hippopotamus was standing one day
On the banks of the cool Shalimar
He gazed at the bottom as it peacefully lay
By the light of the evening star.
Away on a hilltop, sat combing her hair
Was a fair Hippopotami maid;
The Hippopotamus was no ignoramus
And sang her this sweet serenade:

'Mud, Mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood!
So follow me, follow
Down to the hollow
And there let us wallow
In glorious mud'

I gave blood today for the first time in about 3 years. In a lorry in Tesco's carpark. It was my 37th donation.

This got the response Ew! from Sarah who doesn't do blood or needles!!

And anyway I like being asked if I have had unprotected oral or anal sex with another man in the last 12 months!!!

Spotted on a wall in Sydney Central Station

I have no idea what they mean!!

By Deed Poll

I've gone all hyphenated!!!

So me and the missus were thinking for going to Brighton for a night out this weekend. We had planned a meal and a nice hotel but I suggested to her indoors that we go clubbing!!!!

So she asked a gay friend if he knew any clubs and he said Revenge. At work today I asked a Lesbian colleague and she suggested the same club. So I went to look it up on the internet but our firewall came up with a message saying the category "Gay and Lesbian" was blocked.

I pointed it out to my colleague and told her she should complain so she did!!

She shouted across the office to the manager "'ere Kevin was looking for a gay club in Brighton and the firewall won't let him view it"

Thanks!!

Sadly it now looks unlikely that we will be able to go this weekend

Sitting at the dinner table last night with Benny in his high chair eating bangers and mash. Well we?re eating Ben doesn?t like the look of his.

"Dad-dee, Dad-dee?"

"Yes Ben?"

"narner" he said pointing in the general direction of the kitchen

"No Ben, eat your dinner first!"

Pause

"Mum-mee, Mum-mee"

"Yes Ben?"

"narner"

"No Ben, eat your dinner first!"

Pause

"Bex, Bex"

"Yes Ben?"

"narner"

"No Ben, eat your dinner first!"

Longer Pause

"Sis, Sis"

"Yes Ben?"

"narner"

"No Ben, eat your dinner first!"

Kids! - don't you love their optimism!

Happy Birthday Sarah/Sassywas

x x

Driving into work this morning I look down and suddenly I spot my wedding ring is no longer on my finger

Panic suddenly sets in - where the f*ck is it!!!!

Thankfully for my sanity (and indeed my testicles) it's in the first place I look for it. It had fallen off in my bag as I rummaged around for my mp3 player.

Ok heart you can stop beating so fast now!

I just found out today that my mum's brother died on November 7th aged 77. My Dad found out just before Christmas after he had sent them a Christmas card.

I don't think I'd seen him for over 10 years. The last time I remember seeing him was at my Nans funeral at the end of 1990. My mum and her mum both died that year and after that I lost contact with that side of my family - in fact the only contact I've had was on here a few weeks ago from a cousin.

My uncle died of throat cancer joining his two sisters who also died of cancer. The last sister lived in Luton and I haven't seen her since the late 80's - don't even know if she is still alive.

Families eh?

Thankfully the missing suitcase has apparently been found and is on a plane between Kuala Lumpur and Heathrow - it should touch down at about 5:30 tomorrow morning. I was beginning to get worried about ever seeing it again as it had been so long without any word.

Here is a list of the stuff that was in that case

The four Bridesmaid dresses from our wedding
Two Bridesmaid dresses from Sarah's sisters wedding
All the wedding shoes - 5 pairs
Benny's suit and waistcoat from our wedding
The album of pictures from Sarah's hen night that one of her friends had made for her
All yougest daughters homework she had done on holiday
Sarah's feather Boa and other souvenirs from our Priscilla trip
- including the infamous pingpong balls
Presents for friends and family
About three quarters of Sarah's clothes including a brand new pair of trainers
A load of Benny's clothes including stuff Sarah had borrowed from friends
Christmas prezzies
and much more

So glad it's turned up again

This is the spider I had to remove from one of the bedrooms one night!!!

Anyone know what type it is?

Just like my Dad

Luna Park Melbourne 29/12/06

Some more pictures of our holiday

The cottage where we spent our wedding night

See some wedding pictures here

The Priscilla Bar at the Lyric Theatre Star City

Melbourne

Luna Park, Melbourne

Santa Claus - Geelong Style

New Years Eve on the beach

Darling Harbour, Sydney

and at night

We found him!!!

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Buskers at Circular Quay

Emu man - don't ask!!

The Opera House

We overslept this morning - the alarm went off but I switched it off and promptly fell back to sleep again. Thankfully Ben woke us up as we had to get youngest daughter off to a local school to sit her 11+ exam. So it was a bit of chaos to get her out of the door but at least she didn't have time to stress about it!!

In the middle of all of this I found a text letting us know that our friend Hanna had had her baby at 1:46 this morning - I blogged about it back in July. It was a baby girl Lillie Gwen and was 7lb 3oz - aw!

So when I dropped her off I had all these things I wanted to say to her - good luck, do the best you can etc but when it came to saying it I was a blubbering mess - typical! I'm sure she'll do well though.

Here are some pictures from our Holidays

This is Barwon Heads where we stayed

And this is the house (with one of the cars and the mini-bus) we rented

A wombat....

A koala....

And me with a snake at the animal refuge near the house

The Great Ocean Road

The twelve Apostles

The girls have surf lessons

This is Suma Park where we got married

More pictures later

We got back about 9:30 last night (minus one suitcase - more later)and were picked up from the station by some work friends of Sarah's. When we got back to the house we found that the house had been tidied up by the friends who were keeping an eye on it and there were "Just married" posters and balloons all over.

We are currently sitting downstairs with a small boy who thinks it's time to get up and play and can't understand why CBeebies isn't on at this time of morning. We've also been joined by Sarah's youngest daughter who also can't sleep. Jetlag is marvelous isn't it!!!

When we arrived at Heathrow after 36 hours of travelling one of our suitcases was missing. It's the one with all the Bridesmaid dresses and Benny's little suit in it. Just what we needed!! It was the third time this holiday that I've had to fill out a missing luggage form. Until we unpack the other three cases we won't know what else is missing. Hopefully it'll turn up soon.

Anyway more later - pictures too hopefully!!

We flew from Sydney to Melbourne yesterday (or today for you) to catch the flight home - Benny had to sit on my knee all the way.

We arrived in KL at 6am this morning (or tomorrow morning for you)

Only 5 hours to wait for the next flight

Benny fell asleep as we taxied to the runway in Melbourne and woke up just after we landed here!!!

We're in Sydney now and it's our last night - we fly back to Melbourne tomorrow and then on to London. We've had a great time and we don't want to come home.

I'll tell you all about it when i get back but here is a picture of me at the Ashes last week to be going on with (yes I know we got thumped)

What a busy few days I've had!

Firstly there was the wedding - and what a wonderful day it was. It was probably the hottest day we've had since we arrived in Oz. I had stayed at Sarah's sisters the night before and spent a quiet day there while Sarah dashed around like a mad woman back in Barwon Heads and the hairdressers in Queenscliff.

We drove down to the venue in the air conditioned car and when we got out it was like a furnace. They set up the seats in the garden and it looked lovely. We had the Mistress's cottage in the grounds of the venue and I waited in there with a bottle of the wine that the venue produces.

And boy did I wait!! She was over half an hour late - not thankfully because she was having second thoughts but because her sister got lost on the way to the venue! Oh well the best things in life are always worth waiting for!

So there you are we're married!!

Good things about the day

The beautiful lady in the ivory dress

Toberlone cheesecake

Sarah's youngest daughter cracking a huge grin and saying "Hello Daddy"

Many other things too numerous to mention

Bad things - just the bloody flies.

So after staying the night in the cottage at Suma Park we flew up to Sydney on our mini honeymoon. The reason for going was to see the stage production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Lyric Theatre.

It's long been one of Sarah's favorite movies so I was looking forward to taking her and it was well worth it. I'd bought a VIP package which meant we got a goody bag with feather boa, bottle of fizz etc and included a free coctail in the Priscilla lounge - Sarah had Sex on the bus while I went for Cock in a Frock!

"A bus full of drag queens lost in the desert! Yes I know it sounds like a movie!"

The show was really good and followed the movie with a few changes - kylie replaced ABBA for example. The ping pong ball scene was there and at the end hundreds of them fell on the audience. Some of them had the logo "for external use only" on them.

No sooner had we got back from Sydney then I was out at Pauls Bucks night. I'd missed the barbie and golf but arrived in time for the meal at a German restaurant. It was an "authentic" German beer cellar but the band had an odd idea of German music as I spotted the birdie song. Una Paloma Blanca and the Loch Lomand song in there.

We had to pay $25 (£10) for unlimited beer so it got a bit messy. Sarah's brother was sick - a fact that was announced with the words "Hey the Poms spewing" I got back at 2:45 a bit the worse for wear!!

Last night we went to a carol service in a park in Geelong - carols by candlelight. It was a bit chilly and the candles kept blowing out. There was Santa and a brass band and suddenly it felt like Christmas.

Today it's Christmas and guess what we had sleet and hail this morning - just like being at home!! Coldest Christmas day in Melbourne in 150 years apparently!

Merry Christmas everyone x x