In the thick of the market action at Portobello Road markets. 

One of the stalls selling cakes and pastries. 

Nicholas, Jessica and Phillipa at the top of Portobello Road, Notting Hill. 

A fun family shot looking into the mirror. 

Nicholas amongst the tulips, at the restaurant. 

Me squeezing lime into my coke - why was I doing that? 

Jessica - didn't mummy tell you not lick the knife? 

Contract renewed

My contract was renewed today at Elsevier.

It's been very interesting work on a Clinical Decision Support system.

--Ian

Portobello Road, Notting Hill

Today we went to Portobello Road markets in Notting Hill (W London).

Very crowded, even with the weather (drizzle, drizzle).

We had lunch at a small restaurant amongst the antique street stalls.

The weather was very crumby so I went on home with Jes. Nice to spend the afternoon with her. Phillipa and Nic stayed on at the market and saw a lot more....


Nicholas at the start of Portobello Road markets 

--Ian

Timsbury trip

We all had a fantastic time in Timsbury - a whole weekend with Mark (my cousin), Kerrie, Ben and Libby.

My Auntie Elaine was also there on Saturday; she got to see Jessica for the first time!! They enjoyed some time together do make-up.

It was also the first time for our families to get together. Ben is 2 and Libby is 3 months old. We had a great day on Saturday, stayed in mostly, had great Lasagna dinner and then played Cranium board game. Drunk lots of wine and felt the effects tthe next morning ;-))

On Sunday we got organised eventually and went Horseworld just outside Bristol, so between Bath and Bristol. As the name suggests it's play where you can see lots of horses, and alos lots of other animals. The best attraction was a kids indoor playground where there are slides; the kids loved it - well and the adults!!

We had lunch at Horseworld and then went on a tractor trailer ride around Horseworld. Damn cold, ouch!!! My face went numb.

Drove back to Mark's place, got organised then set off back to London. Not a pleasant trip on the M4, but hey we're in the big smoke of London.

--Ian

Phillipa visited Wendy's place

Phillipa visited Wendy's place in Islington today. She took Jes and Nic, even though Jes still has a bad cold. Islington info here.

I also went to the Merton council to apply for a parking permit. We should be able to park the car outside our front door soon...

--Ian

Boogie Nights

Today was Valentines Day and Phillipa surprised me with a night out at the local theatre in Wimbledon, to see Boogie Nights - a show all about the 80s, old music etc. Very entertaining. http://www.theambassadors.com/newwimbledon/index.html

The kids are on holiday this week, it's called Half Term break or something. Excuse for the teachers to have another holiday if you ask me!

--Ian

Kids got colds and cough

Both Nic and Jes are down with a cold/cough. I really want them to get well for next weekend when we are going to Bath to see my cousin.

--Ian

Fockers

Phillipa and I went to see "Meet the Fockers" tonight. Funny but not brilliant, too predictable.

Nic and Jes went to school today although still they still have a cold, each.

The registration for the car has finaly arrived after 2 weeks wait !!! Now we can get a parking permit so we can park the car in our street instead of 2 blocks away.

My boss, Daniel is in Philadelphia today for a sales meeting then off to Dallas for the HIMMS conference where the product iCONSULT will be demonstrated. I am the Senior Developer for this product.

-- Ian

Nic was sick today with a cold

Nic was very sick today with a cold. Of course he stayed home from school. He has a bad temperature and sniffly nose, poor boy.

Phillipa still took Jes to school.

For me, Daniel Pollock (my boss) flew off to Philadelphia today then later onto Texas for the HIMMS conference. I also had a lunch with Lydia from VOLT, my agent.

Prince Charles proposed to Camilla today.

-- Ian.