I’m half way through shaving.., originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

… I’ve got to start Movember (the month formally known as November), clean shaven. Ready to grow a big ol’ Mo (moustache) for charity.

thanks for all the people who’ve sponsored me – and thanks to all the people who have vouched.. please, could you click the sponsor page if you have – and part with some of your hard earned! (it’s an up-front sponsership sketch, rahter like sponsoring a donkey at your local donkey sanctuary.)

Been a busy while (work wise) since I last blogged – Felix is now a 9 year old. Great fun birthday weekend / week.

During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I’ll be growin’ a Mo (Moustache) to raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

That’s right, I’m bringing the Mo back because I’m passionate about men’s health and the fight against prostate cancer. I’d love it, dear reader of DragonDrop if you would give a little back (or a lot) sponsor me* or join my team and grow a tash. Currently trying to decide if I should go for the Hulk Hogan or the Ned Flanders.

*the money goes directly to the charity pot but I get a notification of who sent what.

Day 26 – New Bridge, Birstwith, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

Apparently, this is a Pack Horse Bridge and it is the bridge which the monks used to cross whilst walking from Fountains Abbey to Bolton Abbey and vice versa. ‘Discovering’ this was the highlight of my weekend I think. Breathtakingly good day, set out for a short local walk near a village close to harrogate (Birstwith – map) . Lovely company and we were all in such good spirits. Came across this beautiful old pack bridge. Stunning. Quite happy with this photo – taken on my new camera phone – a Nokia N95. It’s ace.

After this we went round to some friends who’s youngest was celebrating his 7th birthday. Cake, wine, chattage, pass the parcel etc. Nice!

So yesterday we went to Monks Cross, water world for Felix’s birthday treat (it’s on Wednesday). Yesterday evening, I went out with a mate, ‘wetting the babies head’. It was carnage. A fair few Timmy Taylor’s landlords from 5pm onwards – by the time the Rugby was on in the pub, we were quite… well anyway!

One of those weekends that I wish was longer. It seemed to fly by.

Classrooms at Grove Road School, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

Went to parents evening this evening. All very glowing feedback. The boys done good. It’s such a nice school there. The staff are all so.. caring about each and every kid. They all seem so positive and enthused. Just the kind of place I want my kids to spend their formative years in really.

Amazing sunset on the way home. We got a Chinese meal in to celebrate. Watched Planet Earth “desserts” fascinating.

Day 19 – TROLLERS GILL, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

Before I describe the Trollers Gill bit, a bit about what the weekend has shaped itself into..
Friday – I did a ‘Dinner Party’ (I was calling it having some friends over for dinner, one of said friends called it a Dinner Party so I called it that as well) I did Beef Wellington (slightly cheated there – got them in from Jamie Pitt Butchers in Earby – top top quality) with Potato Dauphinois and steamed green beans & asparagus with a very rich red wine gravy. Top tucker.
Saturday, I played a couple of rounds of disk golf, equaled my personal best of 34 so quite a good result. Eirene went out with a frend for the afternoon and evening so I got to play the part of Han Solo dad. Lovely afternoon – an old friend came over and we played backgammon and drank ale. A great evening.
So yea – today – a cool walk round Trollers Gill – home of the trolls (as legend would have it) and… the black dog.
A stunning bit of scenery, topped off with a heavenly sunset as we got back to the cars. Lovely bunch of friends came round with us, all had good time. Topped that lot of with a bit pile of fish and chips and the episode about caves from David Attenborough’s ‘Planet Earth’. A rather splendid weekend all round!

It must be hard being as consistently original and cool as Radiohead are. Their new album, called ‘In Rainbows‘ released today, is the latest in a line of very unique pop. It’s a classic of tomorrow in the true sense of the word. Radiohead could, on the back of their huge, loyal yet fiercely underground fan base release an album without any hype and it would sell. Sales do not seem to be the driver here at all, so much so that you can’t buy it in the shops. It all seems very ‘anti sales’ in it’s pitch to market. The website is the only place you can get it (yea, you and millions of myspacers I hear you cry) but they’ve gone about it in a very considered poke in the eye to the music manufacturing industry kind of way, by offering it at a value of the lister’s discretion. For a download, you could put zero pounds. I put a tenner.
They seem to be actively encouraging the download by making it a commercial ‘no brainer’ as the hard copy is 40 pounds sterling and you have to wait another few weeks to get it. Will the box version have all the CDi vanden plas extras on it? you know, DVD’s, picture booklet, interviews, hidden tracks and the such..? who knows. It’s way more of a statement if it didn’t.
After my first listen through (on laptop speakers unfortunately) I like. 4 stars with room for growth. It seems to come together in the last 3 tracks. I’m now looking forward to listening to it on decent headphones for the one on one intimate experience. I’m especially looking forward to listening out for the subtle nuances of the production – which is another one of those unique edges to Radiohead that I’ve always loved.

Ordinance Survey map detail, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

Had a great weekend. Friday saw a very traditional ‘early doors’ with some old friends (ended up in the Tap and Spile – how old school is that?)
On Saturday we went to see this place (featured in pic) – John of Gaunts Castle (site of) that I’d seen on an O.S. map just outside Harrogate (just off Penny Pot) Great walk – got a few nice snaps. Lovely weather. A great discovery – really nice short walk.
On Sunday, we went up to Harlow Carr Gardens to see a mushroom exhibition type thing. Quite interesting. I cooked – got my pork crackling about spot on. All in all a really nice Autumnal weekend.

Packed away summer, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

I packed away my summer gear last night. How very organized of me. Sad to see it go, but will look forward to getting it out next year.

First steps!, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

Sophie took her first steps today!

A weekend packed with physical activity. On Saturday Felix and I hiked up Simon’s Seat in Wharfedale with some of Felix’s cub scout friends. Most of the hiking we’ve done recently, I’ve had Sophie on my back in her backpack. She’s getting quite heavy now, and it’s been good training – because I’ve got used to the weight, so going somewhere without her was easy! The weather was perfect – just cool enough so that we didn’t boil up, but clear so we got the views and no rain or wind made it a really plesent day. Got home, hot bath and Harry Potter DVD.
Sunday – I took part in a disk golf tornament (pic below). This was fun. After this we popped into town for “a quick one” which turned into a quick few before heading up to a friends house where all our troups were for some lovely food and a play with the kids. Got told off for playing cricket in the street with a tennis ball! This wound us all up. The fellas argument was “tennis balls can pick up bits of grit, if these hit a car the car might get a scratch”. I’d tried to suggest to said fella that perhaps living in the suberbs was a silly place to live if he didn’t like kids playing outside his house. Anyway.. some people! Apart from that slight marr, we had a top day.
Now at work, feeling quite stiff and sore from the weekends activity!