Welcome, Michael Craig...

Let's have a big Condronfamily blog welcome to our newest arrival Michael Craig. How lovely it was to make your acquaintance. People may have marvelled at you big hands and feet (they are tiny and lovely, like you), using them as indicators to what a strapping lad you will become in much the same way as they would a lively young labrador pup. But what is truly memorable at this time is the pride and love with which your dad has welcomed your arrival into the world. May you have a good life.

Congratulations to Helen, Chris, Leah and Daniella.

Click for photos

The Twins enjoy their birthday..

Birthday girl Maria with a substitute 'John' (McCarthy)

It was all down to Maria's to have a few drinks in celebration of the twins' birthday. Naturally it would be ungallant of me to tell you Maria's age, her being a lady, of course. So I will just tell you that John was 59 - and doesn't he look well on it? Not that you'll find much evidence on our photos, since photographer-in-chief, his daughter Margaret, didn't take any of her dad. But you can enjoy her other photos by clicking here.

Graduation - 17th July 2008

Blimey! They're letting me be a teacher! Scary or what?

Well, he may have done half of the work, but there is no way he is getting his hands on that scroll! (the inner tube of a roll of tin foil with a ribbon on, by the way, just a prop!)

Your turn next year!

Arthur, for whom nothing was ever too much trouble in this turbulent year and Jan who has been with me on this journey since day 1 (I mean the aborted PGCE mission in 2001-2)

Sara and Laura who were with me in Sevilla and the 'loca' but lovely Maria.

Emma, who was also in Seville with us.

Me and Kirsty.

Lost in the crowd on the steps of the Anglican Cathedral.

A perfect end to a perfect day! Dinner at the Jabula Restaurant.

Silverdale the Movie - Coming soon to a blog near you!

Sorrow

Maggie, our beloved matriarch
left this life on January 27th 2008

Our Angel

Our Hearts ache with pride from the love that we share,
Your spirit forever lives on in our care.
Like the brightest star, a wonderful sight,
You light up our hearts as you wish us goodnight.

You lived for your family, and at your life's end,
A gift so special God helped you to send,
A beautiful smile for your loved ones to see,
A glimpse of happiness, your eyes held the key.

Back in the arms of the man that you love,
He will care for you always in heaven above.
We thank God for your life,
Happy times shared together,
God bless, rest in peace,
Our Angel forever

Lorraine Jones 5th February 2008.

Saludos de Sevilla

Well, I find myself in Seville as part of my teacher training course. Living modestly in a splendiferous residence. The weather was actually quite cold last week but it is beautiful now - what we would consider to be a pleasant summer's day, sunny and warm but not too hot. Seville is a beautiful and elegant city and I would recommend a visit if you haven't already been here. The down side of all of this is that I have to teach Spanish children. Not just English, but Spanish language, Maths and another subject of my choice. I am dreading it. I can barely understand them as they speak Andaluz - a bit like the Scouse of Spanish! And they speak it at a hundred miles an hour! We haven't even ventured into the shortcomings of my rusty Spanish, yet!

Adios amigos!

Seville pictures.

Silverdale posting...at last

From the sublime:

to the ridiculous:

Well I'm finally getting around to posting some photos from the Silverdale trip. Yeah, I know it's like 3 months after the event but I have been up to my eyes in muck and bullets since then. That said, it has been a productive time for me in terms of my course. Isn't the sunset fabulous? Who would dream that it was early autumn in Morecambe Bay? As for the feet, no they didn't belong to a stray hobbit - they belong to Chis who was displaying them after a brief excursion into the Irish Sea. Click here to see more photos on Flickr.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year and may 2008 be full of good things for you. As for me, I am off to Seville as part of my course on Friday. I will be there for 4 weeks so I will try to post something from there. Wish me luck!