Flooding in Evesham

In contrast to the exceptionally dry winter we had last year, we've had plenty of rain this time. It rained almost everyday for a couple of weeks at the end of February, and then more heavy downpours at the beginning of March brought the worst flooding in Evesham since 1998. The park behind our house became a lake, and the river almost got over the wall into the courtyard of Monks Walk. That danger has now passed after a virtually rainless week, but the forecast is for more rain in the next few weeks. Anybody know how to build an ark?

Faces of Ben

Re-enter the dragon?
Is this Bruce Lee's younger brother, Sil?
Unfortunately Ben seems to have retired from his Tae
Kwando club, but he's still interested in martial arts.


Yes, he's got some good muscles, but he's still not very
sure on his feet sometimes; especially going downhill!

And he's pretty heavy these days: 85 kilograms at the last count!
Mary-Jane can testify to the fact that he seems even heavier.


However, he can be very nice and gentle with everyone, and especially with his little nephew, Romeo.

Happy 007 from Bonds!

As Mary-Jane pointed out 2-007 should be a good year for anyone with the name Bond. After a fairly quiet New Year's Eve eating Japanese buckwheat noodles (そば) and watching fireworks from our window in Evesham , we went to Batsford Arboretum (about 20 minutes drive away) to see the Buddha statue they have there, and offer up our thanks for 2006 and prayers for a happy, prosperous and peaceful 2007; this was our version of a very important Japanese custom known as 初詣で - pronounced hatsu mow de.
After that we went home and, in very English style, had fish and chips for lunch followed by a Spanish-style siesta! Nice start to the year.

Holiday in Crete

Thanks to the generosity of Geraint Davies and Pure Crete, Ben and his parents enjoyed a fabulous late-birthday treat when they spent a week in Crete with the Davies family at the end of October. We were lucky with the weather, enjoying a week of fine warm weather, although there was a tremendous thunderstorm on the last night, and we boarded the plane home in torrential rain!

Ben's 18th birthday

Ben celebrated his 18th birthday on Saturday 14th October with a party at The Blue Maze in Evesham. A terrific turn out of relatives, neighbours, and friends of the family, many of whom travelled from afar, made it a very special evening for everyone involved.
Many thanks for all your cards, generous gifts and your presence at the party!