Phil's catch up October

 Well, its such a long time since my last blog, mainly because I have been up to my ears in getting ready for this new MSc course at Cranfield University.  I havent had time to do one since our July holiday.  Anyway, Harriet and Billy finally got the keys for their new house in Newport after it seemed like it never would exchange.  Here is Billy just after picking up the keys and entering for the first time.

 We all lent them a little hand here and there and they now just about have it sorted out and it looks really nice.  We also had another weekend in the caravan when the air show was on with the red arrows.

 It was quite a nice display but they are so fast its hard to catch them on film.  We have hardly had time to stay at the caravan this year.

 Sue and Ian stopped for the weekend as well.  In fact Sue and Ian liked it so much they have bought another caravan near the lake and intend to live there full time when its done up.  Here is Claire in the morning talking to a bear.

 Sue put on a special party at her house for Ian’s birthday.  They had a local group on called Bedazzled.

 They had a great big marquee tent in the garden and three BBQ’s which Ian and myself tended.  Usual trick of cooking twice as much meat as was required.  A great night though and on Ian’s actual Birthday, Sue gave him another present every hour throughout the day.

 I even managed to squeeze in my graduation ceremony which was held at MK Theatre.  Lots of queuing and waiting around, I enjoyed it but wont bother again if I get any more degrees.

 Sue and Ian finally got their new caravan and the work was finished.  We all stayed for the weekend in the old caravans then they moved into their new one when we headed home.

 It was great as they had Madness on at the club house.

 They had a groupie that was really boogeying on down.

 Time for our holiday in La Manga where Claire’s step Dad, John and Marie are for the next 6 months.  We stopped at the Barge for Sunday lunch on the way as we had a nice meal there with Jim and Shirley after my graduation.

 First night there, we cooked for the crowds.  It was a very nice two bed apartment.

 Unfortunately we got the single beds without aircon so I didn't sleep very well all week.

 We had a very nice balcony and spent most of our evenings there.  This time we were determined not to be driven by the others taking us everywhere all the time.

They also had an indoor pool which opened when we left.

 It was a big apartment block that the locals call Taliban towers.  You can see Sue and Ian on our balcony that overlooked the pool.

 Its a very nice spot with a long 17km peninsular forming an inland sea within the Mediterranean. 

 Ian, a retired beach bum had to come out of retirement.

 It was very hot the first half of the week so the others spent time sunbathing by the pool which gave me chance for revision on the balcony.  Everybody was happy.

We had a car for the week and one day we drove to the end of the peninsular which is swamp land with gaps through to the Med.  Its lovely as most of the time you can see the sea on both sides as you drive down.

To get to the end you have to drive over a really severe hump back bridge.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

We drove with John and Marie up to the National Park.  Very pretty everywhere but dreadful roads.

We had another trip out to a town where they have a battle reenactment every year celebrating a battle between local tribes and the Romans where 2000 people in costume play it out.  We went via the pretty route and had another two cars following us.

 Its an old walled town of Cartehagen with a Bull ring thats being renovated at the moment.

 Unfortunately, although it started out fine the heavens opened up and the whole thing was cancelled.  I was soaked to my underpants.  I have never been caught out in the rain as bad in my entire life.  It was raining so hard you couldn't see to drive and rivers ran across the road.  Strangely when we got back they had had no rain at all and it was still sunny there.

 Sues son Mat and Nic got married yesterday and we went to the reception.  What a shame about the weather, its been nice for so long and changed on the day.

This little one had the same made to measure suit as the groom.

 The bride and groom sat on their own table which I haven't seen before.  They have a modern mixed up family so it was a good decision otherwise fights may have broken out.

 There were a lot of children at this wedding all about the same age so they thought it was their party.  I love this picture but you have to read the sign to appreciate it.

 Here we are having started my course at Cranfield University this week with our double screen lectures.  It is so intense I cant explain, they expect the vast majority of the work to be done at home.  For every 30 hours of lectures they expect 70 hours in your own time.  Its also very front heavy with the first 5 weeks being solid lectures followed by two exams.  That means before the exams we have to somehow fit in 350 hours into our own time.  Impossible if you sleep.