Sister Daphne's 60th

14 May 2011: It was Daphne's 60th birthday, so there was an Evans family barbecue in the garden of Natasha's house, in Hill Crest Rd, Poole. All had a good time.
  We picked up Desmond from Birmingham on the way down, to save fuel for the drive down to Poole.
  We're planning to return in August for Natasha's wedding.

Desmond, Daphne and DNC






Jo is alert for any camera, Tasha and Phil in the background take it easy.

DNC, Daphne and Des	Daphne decides it's time for cake: we all enjoy!

Sally, Carol, Phil and Jane's David

A life passes on...

26 April '11: my dear Tabby cat Becks, who in this picture is taking an interest in the datalogging process for my Sunboxes (in case we dropped some food nearby) has passed away... and I have to bury him in the garden.
  He was about fifteen, and had difficulty breathing and eating, so we had to do the right thing for him.
  Long live the memory of Becks! He will live on in my chargingtheearth blog, for certain!

Birthday meet at Owlers April'11

25 April 2013: We took a trip up the M1 to join Rose for Sally's 61st birthday celebration, at Owlers in Hebden Bridge. 

The weather was excellent and we all ate outside.

It has been an amazingly sunny April and it's lucky that Rose and Paul installed their solar panels beforehand. The new extension is great, blending in well with the existing house.

Despite the rainless April, the 6000 litre garden water tank is continually replenished from the spring on the hill behind, and keeps the Owlers garden growing well.

Nicholson-Cole family relaxing under the modern staircase in Owlers



The Wheelers, Stewarts and N-Coles. Dan+Fran and Phil+Rachel joined us later in the day. Sorry, not to forget Lucian, Dan+Fran's young son!



Sophie and Barney drove the whole way here in her Picanto

Becks the Cat April'11

12 April 2011: Becks, our cat is elderly now. He loves to take part in the family activity, so if you are reading the paper, he has to lie on it. Same with your attempts to write in the diary. 

Placid old gent!



If he was four times as big he might want to eat us. But he is happy to be the size he is and eat what we give him!

DNC in NYC for a week

10 April '11: DNC just got back from a week in New York City, with 17 students of the Nottingham Uni. Here's a picture of most of us in front of the Apple store in Fifth Avenue, at the south end of Central Park. We flew out American airlines, and lived in a small hostel on 337 55th St, very near to Broadway and Times Square... an easy walk to MOMA and Central Park.  I have posted a LOT of photos on Facebook!
First day was a Columbus Circle, Lincoln Ctr, Dakota, Central Park, Guggenheim, then south again to Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller ctr finishing at the Empire State.
Second was to the south end of Manhattan - Woolworth, World Trade Ctr, Battery Park, Skyscraper museum, Statue of Liberty, and finishing at Pier 17.
Third day was Midtown - MOMA, Park Avenue, Chrysler, Bryant Park, a seminar with KPF, and then off to do out own things. This was all a punishing schedule for the poor old feet.
Fourth day was to Chelsea and then Greenwich village. After that I took myself up to the Planetarium and then further north to Harlem. Finished the day with a good look round the Metropolitan museum.
Fifth day, I took an excursion to Washington DC with Thao on a chinese bus company. We only managed to see bits of Washington by taking a rather frantic taxi ride around the sights, as the tour company seemed to think we would be happy seeing nothing but the Jefferson Monument.
Sixth day was our last, and I did a bit of shopping at MOMA, then it was time to get the Subway to the airport... my feet were very relieved!

Auntie Sheila Birthday

20 March 2011: Our neighbour opposite is 80 and we organised a little party for her. We call her Auntie Sheila. She has family all over the world, but two of her daughters were able to join us on the day.

Day out on the Nottingham Eye

13.3.2011: Lovely March day in Nottingham, and Henry and Carol have been staying. We made a trip into the City centre, and the Nottingham Eye was the peak of our visit.



This is usually set up in the Spring months, and you can see it from our house, miles away!



There is a special ramp up into it, we were surprised to discover.



Carol smiling as we admire her architectural hat!

I enjoy pointing the camera through complex structures



Great view towards Trent University and the North West

The Council House, and it is enjoyable to see it from this perspective



Safely back on the ground.