CURTAIN UP ON ANOTHER YEAR

irthdays are usually a personal affair—a time for others to celebrate you. Things are a bit different in our house, however, with Morticia’s birthday falling the day after mine. The beginning of May is entirely about "us": first me, then her. This year, there are no milestone birthdays to celebrate, and the plans are staying quite low-key.

PENBLWYDD HAPUS MIKE - WELSH LEGEND

enblwydd Hapus to a man who holds a truly unique place in not just our lives, Mike is truly a Welsh legend. He's not just a friend, but family in every sense of the word. It was an absolute honour to be invited to join his nearest and dearest for this special celebration. With our bags unpacked at our familiar caravan park, just a stone's throw from their house, the stage was set. Let the festivities commence!

RITUALS AND ROTATIONS

treus, our grandson, celebrated his first birthday this past weekend. It's truly incredible how quickly time has flown, and how much the little lad has grown and developed in just one year.

We marked this special milestone with a joyous gathering of family and friends, combining his birthday celebration with his naming ceremony.

CAR DREAD & 8-BIT DREAMS

ust recently, a heavy cloud has hung over me, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down with a relentless force. As I mentioned before, the looming prospect of a significant car repair bill has felt like a constant threat. Well, this week that anxiety finally materialised.

THE CAPTAIN'S YULETIDE MESSAGE

ule is a special time, a moment of peace and reflection that transcends beliefs and means so much to so many. The world continues with its wars and the disasters continue it’s important to cherish the simple joys of life whilst the rich still seem bent on destruction for their own benefit.

So whilst the King is waffling on on the telly I get to deliver my message to the world.

2406.02 ATREUS

I'm a week behind in announcing this, but if you follow my social media you'll already know what's coming...

2405.06 SHE'S FIFTY

The most important person in my life hits a milestone birthday this week and we celebrate with a special trip to our special place.

2311.27 WINTER POSTCARD

Everyone knows where I go every year. In fact I was there a couple of months ago. So it may surprise people to learn that we are back so soon.

2306.11 KIND HEARTS AND CORONATIONS

This blog post is a bit of a mis-mish of different stuff since I haven't had the chance to write anything, or maybe I just couldn't be arsed? Anyway, I'll try and recap what's been going on and hopefully do better in the future.

2210.04 HAPPY 21ST RAGS

I can't believe this day has come. My youngest daughter turns 21 on this day and she is officially a grown up! For me it's very emotional, I've done my job as a father and She is free to find her own path now.

2205.12 PLUS ONE

Last week it was my birthday, the day after its my wife, Morticia's birthday. As you may be able to tell, this story involves snooker.

2110.07 HAPPY PLACE

I don't blog enough. I know this, I feel a little overwhelmed at the moment. Work is really been getting me down, the pandemic is still bubbling around as well as all the usual life worries we carry. To eleviate the stress I'd planned a trip with my beloved Morticia to our favourite place.

2105.05 FIVE-O

I think most people go through their lives thinking that the grand old age of fifty is just out of reach... Until it finally arrives.

Today is the day.

2005.05 LOCKED DOWN BIRTHDAY

Like many others I celebrate a birthday in the Coronavirus lockdown.

1910.04 DUN PARENTING... RAGS IS 18

My youngest daughter is 18 years old today. I've managed to deliver my two daughters to adulthood without killing them or them killing anyone else.

1810.06 LICENCE TO... DRIVE

Having kids is an ever changing adventure. Every year with every birthday there's something new. On Thursday it was my youngest daughter's 17th birthday.

1805.07 ANOTHER YEAR CLOSER TO DEATH

So my birthday has come around again. As I get older they seem to get closer together. It's been fortunate that my birthday has fallen on the May Day bank holiday weekend this year. So what have I been up to?

1710.04 SWEET SIXTEEN

Being a parent is a job for life. Sure the sleepless nights are over pretty quick, in fact the whole childhood part is over pretty quick so if you've got little ones make sure you're savouring it all.

1707.12 FIRST BORN - TWENTY ONE

Now I know what you're all going to say, "he doesn't look old enough" but it's true. From today my eldest daughter is 21 years old. It's her birthday! 

1610.04 XV

My youngest daughter was born fifteen years ago this day.

Everything changed. Even though I had been a father for 5 years previous to that point I wasn't prepared for the difference Rags would make to my life.

Baby Rags with her big sister

She is wise beyond her years, she has a sense of fun than rivals anyone I know. She has intelligence and wit with a grounding that I envy.

Rags

She has grown into a beautiful young woman and I am immensely proud of her. Happy 15th birthday Rags. I love you with all my heart.