Popped down to London for the weekend with Felix. Got the train down last night and so far today have had a Simon Spesh fry up that’s set us up nicely for a day of fun and activity. Going to the Science Museum – a fantastic place. Looking forward to a re-visit. Also hoping to go to Hamleys, the worlds biggest toy shop. It’s quite cold and foggy looking out there (out there being near Tooting Beck) Righty.

Third time lucky. Sometimes I’m not quite sure how to start a blog and (like just now) started, deleted, started again, deleted. It happens.

The space between the first paragraph and the second paragraph here involved a meeting that I’d forgotten about.

This third sentence I may actually get round to typing something that I was originally inspired to do so.. if I could remember what it was.

Went camping in sub zero temperatures last weekend. That was fun. Merino base layer, as read about on various how to stay warm websites was indeed a fantastic idea and kept me rather warm indeed. It was at an old friends house out in the sticks (ish). big tent, bands, DJ, a fire.. lots of old friends and food and drink and fun. Kids had a lovely time playing in the woods.

Last night went out with an old amigo ‘the gaffer’ from Bar Med. We had curry, beers and good laughs whilst reminiscing.

Anyway – this post has no wind in it’s sails. I’ll leave the waxing for another day.

We’re so proud of our Felix. Yesterday was Harrogate’s 50th Annual Mowgli Cup – and Felix’s team WON!

If you’ve seen a fella dragging a tractor tyre round Harrogate recently – it’s probably a fella called Tim Ralph, an ex Fireman who’s just set off to Antarctica in his bid to climb Mount Vinson – the continents highest peak. He’ll be dragging all his kit with him (hence the tractor tyre training).

Hats off to this chap – best of luck. He’s doing it in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind People. : Donate

Tribunal, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

.. I do like the Swedish sauna look they’ve gone for at the Harrogate Magistrate Courtrooms.

I was invited to take photos at the Harrogate Magistrates Court Open Day. Normally, photography is strictly forbidden inside the building. I was granted special clearance for the day to take photos of everywhere apart from the cells and of everyone apart from the Prison Officers (fair enough)

A fascinating day where we got to see the mock trial of Phil Wills MP presided over by the mock Magistrate Councillor John Fox – the Mayor of Harrogate. Phill was brought up from the cells in handcuffs whilst shouting “it’s a disgrace”. Phill pleaded guilty and was given a 4 year ban from driving for his (mock!) offence of drink driving. Brilliant. Learned so much about the courts and the way they work. All sorts of other things like the Fire Brigade doing a demo of cutting open a drink drivers car, a scale mockup of a prison cell (scary!) and some drunk simulation glasses (quite fun!).

After that I came home and made a huge indian meal of beef curry, nan breads and baji’s from scratch before heading out t’ Tap & Spile with my best chum Simon.

One of these was made by a blind person, originally uploaded by DragonDrop.

Fun packed weekend and a half. I was streaming with a cold, which I tried to combat with pro fun. Managed until Monday.

Friday – we chucked a Halloween fancy dress party. Got turntables and a PA, DJ’s beers, people, a FIRE outside. all really good fun. There’s a bunch of photos here. The picture above is of some fantastic lanterns that Ali brought round. the bottom one was made by a blind person which I found a rather wonderful thing to behold.

Saturday – the long awaited Standford t20 cricket match. $20m for for winners. Which weren’t England. But we don’t like to talk about that.

Sunday – full on duvet day – a family lock-in. Lovely. Watched ‘Elf’ – a surprisingly enjoyable family film.

Last night watched the first 3 episodes of Lost season 4. Still loving it despite what people say! Quality drama. There now.