Today I recorded my best ever position in an orienteering event. I got 3rd !

I have been running light green level now for a few months and finally getting a bit more confident with the map reading. I will never be great at it, as I am not fit or fast enough. I am a reasonable map reader though, which is half the battle, and also means I can beat Jordan still from time to time (as I did today !)

I have run a couple of green standard courses. It is quite a step up for me, mainly on distance, so if I can step up my fitness…. who knows ?

Welcome to the “Blog”. This is my first post, hope you like it!

2004 : 2005 : 2006: 2007

The New Year started with quite a treat for Dad and Charlotte, with a trip to see Kylie Minogue in Manchester, which was spectacular. At the same time the boys took up a long time ambition, to learn street dancing. Oh, and how much harder did it prove to do than it looked !!

After almost a year doing Kumon, and making remarkable improvement in his numeracy skills, Tom finally got expelled from the class following an unfortunate incident involving him setting fire to the local Methodist Church.

Jordan, speculatively took the entrance exam for Nottingham High School, in January, and surprised, or should I say shocked us all by being selected for interview, and following that was offered a place. We were all so proud, how could we turn it down ?

February half term saw a family trip to Mablethorpe. Our first time, and whilst it was cold, it was fantastic as we spent time walking along the promenade and enjoying the delights of Skegness (and the bus ride between the two), and the culinary extravagances on offer.

Mum had an achievement this year too. She trained and qualified as a Myerrs Briggs MBTI assessor. That means she can assess personality types. Great fun, useful and interesting for work !

A surprise invitation to a British Rail reunion was also a treat for Mum in March. Over 70 old faces turned up at the Crewe Arms for a lovely afternoon of memories and reminiscences.

After much deliberating and almost giving up hope, we finally managed to book a skiing holiday for Easter, with the Harmers. Our second trip to Chamonix, this time in a much more ‘luxurious’ accommodation, with a pool and a spa (mum had the best facial ever !). Everyone had a great time skiing, and standards vastly improved with a few lessons for children. The après ski was also good fun with a larger group.

May saw mum’s luxury work freebie to St Tropez – enough said !

This was the year of the first school residential trips. At least it was for Jordan and Charlotte, as once more Tom’s behaviour precluded him from going on his class trip.

Jordan went first with a week at PGL. It was a fantastic experience, and although he tried hard to get himself sent home, he experienced a wide range of new and exciting outdoor activities: trapeze, Jacob’s ladder, rock climbing and kayaking.

Charlotte’s trip, a few weeks later was a little shorter, but just as much fun. Can’t wait for next year eh ?

As the end of the school term drew near and Jordan’s final few weeks at Seely, the school rehearsed a contemporary production of Oliver. Jordan was the Artful Dodger, or AD as he was known in this production, and truly stole the show with his wide boy style. Perhaps a budding actor in the making ?

It was the bi annual Chester get-together this year, with once again the Horrocks Websters and Carters getting together. Ashley is now taller than most of the ladies and the boys are becoming young men. It didn’t stop the regular games of football and rounders though.

The summer holiday saw another summer of fun at Roosters, with our summer holiday to the Lake District. We had a terrible summer weather-wise but surprisingly our week in the Lake District was fantastic. We did lots of walking and climbing, with the highlight being our conquest of Helvellyn, a proud achievement for all.

September saw the start of a new school for Jordan and new classes for Tom and Charlotte. Most of our energies were spent getting Jordan organised and used to his new routine, but he soon got into the swing, made some new friends and got involved in the Cross Country and Orienteering teams.

October half term saw Jordan off to Butlins with a junior school friend and his family. Peace at last after a hectic first few weeks.

In October, dad finally decided to call it a day with Experian, after 20 years service. He left on November 9^th, mum’s birthday and there was a very memorable leaving do with many, many people spanning the full 20 years. This was topped off (for dad anyway), with ‘The Other Smiths’ gig at a local venue. Dad embarrassed himself in the mosh pit. Remember your age dad eh ?!

The run in to Christmas was again exciting and eventful with parties, running, Xmas dinners galore for the whole family. Xmas itself was spent with Grandma and Tony with a lovely visit from Andy, Tarn, Olivia and Lois, to try out all the new recently purchased beds.

2004 : 2005 : 2006: 2007

We already knew that 2006 would be a difficult year for us, both Grandad Pearson and Grandad Webster were in poor health and were not expected to last the year. This was to prove the case. We started the year therefore with lots of uncertainty and few firm plans.

Mark and Julie went to their first gig in years in February, to see Oasis at the Arena. It was fantastic and began a further interest in live music, and also the beginnings of great interest in music for the kids.

Tom’s 9^th birthday was celebrated fairly quietly, with family, but then we went off to Portugal for half term at HPB. It was cold and fairly unpleasant, weatherwise, but we found plenty to entertain as ever, and even managed a day or two at the beach.

We booked our first skiing holiday for Easter, so began some intensive training during Feb/March at Sheffield dry ski slope. The kids took to it brilliantly. Mum was still a little nervous.

With granddad Pearson’s health deteriorating by the day, the ski trip was unclear, as was any other plans we made. Finally however, after a short stay in Compton Hospice, he died peacefully on 30^th March, Grandma’s birthday. It was a terribly sad day, also happening to be the day Tom Lloyd also passed away on the pavement outside Lyndale Drive, in the arms of Julie and Andrew.

The funeral, on 7^th April was a lovely celebration of his life and the love and support of the neighbours and friends was magnificent and very reassuring. Grandma has not been lonely or lacking in friendship since that day.

So the skiing trip went ahead, to Chamonix, in the French Alps. It was Easter, and the end of the season, but plenty of snow on the higher slopes. We also took a trip up to almost the top of Mont Blanc. Boy was it cold ? I think the kids now are hooked on skiing and it may be a regular thing now.

After Easter we enrolled Tom to Kumon, to help him develop confidence in his numeracy skills. It has certainly made a big difference already. Also nights out for the boys to WWE and for us all to the Chuckle Brothers were fun-packed for all.

By May, the Rugby League season was well underway and Tom and Mark were now regulars at Spotland to see Rochdale Hornets. Even the odd  away game too. It was also a chance to see Grandad Webster more regularly in what were to be his last few weeks.

Early June saw mum and Charlotte doing the Race for Life again, and following that a visit from Jackie for a weekend, which was much overdue, and great fun. By this time Julie and Jordan were starting to look at potential secondary schools for Jordan, with trips to Arnold Hill and Redhill.

July 5^th finally saw the passing away of Grandad Webster, peacefully. With funeral again a lovely celebration of his life on 13^th July.

July was one of mixed emotions, one day the country was celebrating as London, unexpectedly won the bid to host the Olympics in 2012, made even sweeter as it was won against our arch rivals, the French, with their bid for Paris.

We came down to earth with a bump though, as the next day, London was hit by bombs on the underground with several people killed, and our confidence shaken of the security in the capital and the country as a whole.

It didn’t deter our celebrations for Charlotte’s 7^th birthday though, which we held at Southglade Sports Centre, a rather boisterous affair.

The summer holidays took us to Tigh Mor Trossachs, in Scotland, with Grandma. We stayed at the magnificent HPB property there. The weather was generally good and managed an active and interesting week, with trips to local attractions such as the Safari Park, Stirling Castle, and the Highland Games.

August Bank Holiday took us for a long weekend in London to see the Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham. Not a great spectacle with St Helens, as expected, thrashing Huddersfield, but a great experience and our first trip to Twickenham. We were back in the area again a few days later as we visited Sarah and Charles in their new house in Thames Ditton.

The Robin Hood marathon again got the active family members running the fun run, and enjoying a great day out, with the usual corporate hospitality.

Jordan joined Greenwood Meadows football team and stated playing regularly on Sunday mornings, as well as training on Wednesday evenings. They aren’t too successful yet, but they are a new team and need to keep at it.

Jordan’s 11^th birthday was celebrated with a group of friends going for a pizza and a lovely game of football in the park.

October saw a small Birmingham University Reunion that Julie went to with Nora in Birmingham. It was a short visit so didn’t meet the whole gang, but it was interesting to meet up with a few old faces again. No less than 3 Halloween parties completed the month for us.

November started the run up to Christmas and Mark’s small operation to remove a testicular cyst. All went well.

Mark took in two Morrissey gigs in December, starting a passionate interest, for the time being anyway.

Christmas was busy, with us entertaining Grandma, Tony and nephew Patrick from South Africa. Also a visit from Sarah, Charles and the girls was lovely. We then went off to Ludlow to finally see Andy and Tarn’s house and spend a few days with  them. It was lovely. A great end to the year for us all.

2004 : 2005 : 2006: 2007

We started the year by celebrating Mark’s 40^th birthday. We saw the New Year in on a remote Canary Island – La Gomera. It was quiet, perfect temperature, although the pools were a bit cool, and we had a great time. It was shortly after the Tsunami in Asia that occupied the minds of the world at that time.

Tom’s 8^th birthday was celebrated with a boisterous party, at home with lots of his friends. The last one according to mum ! The first time in a while we did not go on holiday for Tom’s birthday, but thanks to Roosters, lots of fun was still had.

Easter was full of mixed emotions. Grandad was told that he had liver cancer and given up to 14 months to live, which was a big shock to us all. Meanwhile two good friends of Julie, Sue Beck and Jackie Sheen, married within days of each other, to become Mrs Wright and Mrs Bradley respectively. The parties were great; a fitting celebration in both cases, and a chance to catch up with some old friends from Julie’s days in Crewe (Alison & Stewart and family, Jane & Patrick, Jane and Bruce and family).

After Easter we had a turning point at school for Tom. His behaviour improved dramatically, and he started to make great progress with his studies. He was rewarded with his first Honours assembly and rosette.

The summer saw our bi-annual visit to Chester, to meet up with the ‘Birmingham gang’. As ever, the weather was kind to us and the Websters’, Horrocks’, Lewis’ and Howicks’ had a fantastic time.

July was one of mixed emotions, one day the country was celebrating as London, unexpectedly won the bid to host the Olympics in 2012, made even sweeter as it was won against our arch rivals, the French, with their bid for Paris.

We came down to earth with a bump though, as the next day, London was hit by bombs on the underground with several people killed, and our confidence shaken of the security in the capital and the country as a whole.

It didn’t deter our celebrations for Charlotte’s 6^th birthday though, which we held at home, with Ruby Ragdoll again.

The summer holidays took us to Anglesey with Grandma and Grandad. We stayed at the HPB property that was magnificent; surely one of the best we have stayed in. The weather was beautiful and in spite of Grandad’s failing energy levels we managed an active and interesting week, with trips to the beach and many local places of interest. Mark, Jordan and Tom climbed Snowden, a magnificent achievement of which we are all very proud.

August Bank Holiday took us for a long weekend in Paris. Another hot spell saw us having a fantastic time; the kids enjoyed the sites; climbing the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, boating on the Seine etc. We even fitted in a day at Euro Disney; always a treat.

Our month of treats saw us then celebrating Jordan’s 10^th birthday in Manchester of all places, with a trip to Old Trafford to see England play Poland in their attempt to reach the World Cup finals. It wasn’t much of a match, although we did enjoy it. Most memorable was David Beckham being sent off. The match ended in a draw leaving us needing to beat Austria the following week to qualify (which we did of course).

Next saw us off to Dublin for Brian Hamilton’s wedding to Jen, and our first chance to meet all their kids; Ciara, Declan and Erin. Ciara took quite a shine to Tom (she is from the same mould), and they still regularly write and call each other. It was great to see them all, and we were made extremely welcome by the family, even though they see them very infrequently themselves.

In response to Jordan’s excellent running abilities, he joined Notts AC this year and attends weekly to try out all his athletics skills, keep fit and have fun.

Julie won a competition at work in September, with a prize of £1000 to spend on a holiday. We therefore spent half term in London. It was great (in spite of a dreadful hotel). We got to go to watch Chelsea play Charlton (and lose – when do they ever lose !?). We went to Greenwich; saw the Cutty Sark, the observatory and rode on the Thames, and even had time to take in a show – Scrooge, with Tommy Steele, which was excellent. The ghosts were a treat for the kids and very well done. Bradley Walsh thought so too !

The run up to Christmas was as frantic as usual with the run of plays, Xmas fairs and parties for all. Grandma and Grandad came to us for Christmas, which was a quiet affair, but peaceful and very enjoyable.

2004 : 2005 : 2006: 2007

Good news started the year. Granddad Pearson was told he was in remission with his cancer – fantastic – no more chemo- or radiotherapy.

As mum approached 40, she made use of her Christmas money to go on two great treat days out. Firstly a colour analysis day, where she learnt that autumn colours suited best, and what colours these are. Secondly, a style and image day – a bit of a Trinny and Suzannah experience. This was fantastic, enabling mum to understand she is a ‘natural romantic’, ie. natural styles but with frills and feminine cut.

Tom’s 7^th birthday saw him getting a treat from Nottingham Forest. As for all 7 year olds in the city, Tom was invited (with the family) for an evening at the City Ground where he received a Forest shirt, and tickets to a home game. It was a lovely evening and the shirt has seen some regular wear !

February half term saw our first weekend away of the year. We went with the Turners (Gill, Mike, Anne, Beth and Daniel), and the Hallsworths (Cathie, Peter, Katrina and Dillon), to the YHA at Ilam Hall in Derbyshire. It was cold, but very enjoyable, although a mega bike ride led by the Hallsworths did nearly finish us all off !!

Jill, Neil, Sophie and Matthew visited us in March. We had a great time, with lots of opportunities for walks and trips out. The kids really got on well, and it was great to have chance for a real catch up with the adults too.

Mum’s Grandma died in March, aged 100. She had lived to a fantastic age, although suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for many years before her death. Her death, when it came, was generally believed to be a release from her lonely world.

At Easter, we paid our second visit to Orlando. This time we spent a fantastic 2 weeks on I-drive, enjoying the thrills of the Univeral Studios, Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens, Seaworld and Wet and Wild. Once again a wonderful holiday for kids of all ages.

June saw the European Championships, held this year in Portugal. England did quite well, but lost out in the end to Portugal on penalties (again !), due to the infamous Beckham divot !

June 25^th was mum and dad’s 10^th Wedding Anniversary. A low key affair, but they did get a posh meal out while the kids ran amok with the babysitter.

Another long (and very wet) weekend was spent at Lodge Yard in the Yorkshire Dales, with granddad Webster and uncle Tony. We travelled the Settle-Carlisle railway and finally saw the real Ribblesdale !

In July Charlotte was 5 and had a great party at Tumble Town. This was one of many similar parties as her friends all share birthdays during the same month.

Following our earlier YHA success, we tried again. This time Boggle Hole, at Robin Hoods Bay. The weather was decidedly warmer and we had lots of time on the beach and exploring local places. A definite for a return visit.

Our summer holiday this year was to an HPB place in Kent, Sibton Park. It was a spectacular place, and with excellent weather we were really able to explore the locality, enjoying beaches, Monster trucks and parks galore.

Jordan’s 9^th birthday was celebrated at the bowling alley with his friends. Later in September, mum had the opportunity to go to Argentina and Brazil. Albeit for work, she had a great time seeing how life is down there.

Finally, the dreaded day, and mum hit 40 ! Following a great weekend of reminiscences in Birmingham, including a trip to Disney’s Toy Story on Ice at the NIA, joined by grandma, granddad, Andy, Tarn, Olivia and Lois. Mum celebrated the day itself on her own, pampering and shopping, with the family joining her for a fabulous Chinese in the evening. Memorable, and enjoyable.

The build up to Christmas was as hectic as ever, and Christmas itself was enjoyed again with grandma and granddad. New Year (and of course dad’s 40^th birthday) was spent in La Gomera, with warmth and relaxation.