Who, What, Where, When, & How

No rugby today for Calum or Rory as we had temperatures of -7 last night. This has left the pitches frozen and dangerous to play on so it’s training for both.

Rory played football for his school team today in the schools cup semi-final. It was a very close game with the teams 1-1 at full time. Rory scored in extra time to make the score 2-1 but the opposition equalised late in the game. It was finally decided on penalties with rory’s team winning and going through to the final!

Who would believe it! After a great day and evening on Saturday with a fabulous coaching session from Leicester Tigers, we awoke on Sunday ready for two matches against local teams - only to open the curtains and see 3″ of snow. Matches cancelled so ten pin bowling hastily arranged…we had taken two coaches and were just getting our bags together when…one coach wouldn’t start, flat battery, then…second coach drove onto a grass area covered with snow thinking it was concrete! Coach sunk 2′ into the mud and couldn’t be moved.

Two hours later and after a visit from a massive tow truck we were on our way…too late for bowling but time enough for hospitality from Leicester Lions.

Boys very disappointed that they didn’t get to play a game but a good, and memorable, time had by all.

Rory and I wearing our tour shirts ready for dinner on Saturday night. After dinner there was a rugby court which was great fun and a first for the boys! Rory was very disappointed not to have been accused of anything…

As part of the Leicester experience the boys paraded around the Leicester pitch at half time. Chris, the coach, posed the boys under the posts.

We spotted Bryan Redpath, ex-Scotland player on the pitch at Leicester and I called him over to us. We had a good chat with him and he kindly posed for this photo with Rory.

Calum on rugby tour this weekend with the crewe and nantwich under 14s. Aftr getting to bath they watch bath v sale -lots of tries but bath won. They then went to their hotel to watch the six nations then out for a quick game of ten pin bowling. After dinner there was a quiz then a rugby court.
The following day they play two matches against strong local teams and won both - Calum playing at Outside Centre & Wing.

Following the maxim ‘What goes on tour, stays on tour’ - there are no photos!

In liverpool and found myself driving past Penny Lane. Had to stop and take a photo.

Snow overnight here so no rugby for the boys today. All watching Andy Murray…not going well so far. Going for a walk later - will post some photos.

Busy day today in heath cottage. Calum went to the school disco last night and stayed at a friends. This morning he got an invite by another friend to go to Old Trafford to watch Man Utd v Hull. So quickly back home to change and collect some more cash from dad!

Rory has his first training session as one of the ‘excellence standard’ junior cricketers in cheshire.

First match of the new year and Rory’s Under 11s team were away to Whitchurch. There was one match of 3 twenty minute periods during which Rory started as blind side winger, moved to Inside Centre and then finished at Full Back. Rory played really well, making masses of strong tackles, some try making breaks and showing total commitment throughout. He was recognised for this by the coaches by being awarded Man of the Match. This hastily taken picture shows him receiving the award.

Rory is back into Harry Potter in a big way. Reading the books now and watching the movies in order.

View from the end of the garden across the South Cheshire fields towards the Shropshire Union Canal looking north west. Note the bird box made by Calum (a few years ago) on left.

A Happy New Year to all our family, friends and readers! We wish you all a peaceful 2010. See you Next Year.
Peter, Christine, Calum & Rory xxx

-7 degrees in dollar! Boys sledging on the hills. This is a quick photo taken with the iPhone of calum walking back up to the top for another go!

Left to right: Ranald, Euan, Calum, Carolyn. Rory in front.

Up in Dollar for a few days from Boxing Day. Lots and lots of snow here. Boys built a giant snowman in Mags & Neils back garden.

Christmas shopping this morning at cheshire oaks near chester. Arrived an hour before shops opened! Bloody freezing -5 degrees. Left the rest of the family in bed asleep. The picture is of the biggest christmas tree in britain - alledgedly!

+++STOP PRESS+++ Rory wins Wrenbury’s Got Talent competition at school today!

Rory played blind side winger today as the Crewe & Nantwich U11 team thrashed Winnington Park 33-14. The win was all the better because it was away from home and because Winnington Park were a very dirty team. Pictures, video and report to follow.

Chris started her new role today - she’s at the same company but is now the PA to the Chief Operating Officer. Fully equipped with a laptop and mobile first day went well.

The boys did a lovely card to wish their mum luck.

I’m heading north for a couple of days working in edinburgh. Going to be staying in Dollar with Mags and Neil.

Calum playing away at Wilmslow, rory training.

Rory won player of the match this week for his performance at Fly Half against Sandbach. As you can see, it was quite muddy!

Group photo of the family at Jill’s 50th birthday party weekend. Slideshow to follow.

Calum off to a firework display at Audlem with his friends and then Rory to a swimming birthday party for one of his rugby friends at Nantwich pool.

Just about to set off on the taxi run. Home > Audlem > Nantwich > Home. Not raining at present. Now in middle of pick up time negotiations!

Calum gone to alton towers today with three friends for the halloween scare fest. Another day took them, me picking up!

Rory played football for the school team today in driving rain. They won 3-0, their third victory on the run!

Calum was captain of the school rugby team this afternoon when his school played Malbank, their local rivals. They won 39-7 and Calum scored a try. What made it even better was that they won without their best player who was injured!

Calum playing full back for Crewe & Nantwich rugby away to Shrewsbury today. (He’s never played in that position before)Will be a very tough match.
It was as tough as we feared - they lost 52-0. As it turns out, Shrewsbury haven’t conceded a try since last christmas!

Calum getting ready to go to the school disco.

Rory played football for the school team today. Won 2-1 at home.
Update: He played on friday as well, this time away to Highfields School and won again 2-1!

Went to an Apple Final Cut Studio event this evening to launch the new product. It was held underneath a Concorde at Manchester Airport. After the presentations I got to take a tour around the aircraft.

Grafitti on ‘the news steps’ near Lawnmarket in Edinburgh.

Taken the train from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh so I can travel across the magnificent Forth Bridge. Very bad photo taken from the train.