Tag Archives: Family

Ellis and Amara

I don’t know about you girls, but I remember very well getting my ears pierced. There were the negotiations over the earliest possible age with my parents, then the anticipation as I awaited my 13th birthday. I was lucky enough to go with a very dear friend of many years (Louise Ross) which made it even more special.

So when Ellis started asking about when she could pierce her ears it conjured up many memories of all the above. My initial reaction to the ‘when’ question was double figures. It seemed a reasonably poignant time in a life to have it done, old enough to look after them without having to wait until early teens. I then began to think, what’s the big deal? They are only holes in ears afterall and not tattoos! So after much deliberation Denise (Amara’s mum) and I had a chat. I was keen for Ellis to be able to go with a friend like I did as that was such a big part of it for me. Luckily Denise and I were able to come to agreement and so, just before The Ford’s headed to Singapore for Christmas, Ellis and Amara went off excitedly to Essential Beauty to get stabbed in the ears.

Dave and Tom came too purely to take the mickey and crack bad jokes. I mean they came to support and encourage their little girls. Amara and Ellis were not put off at all by comments like “ah, that tissue must be to mop up all the blood” and “so you’ve really never done this before” to the piercer. Ellis and Amara smiled through it all and mentioned only a slight sting when the earrings went in. Brave little things are now very happy with their new ears. If they are anything like their mummies these will be the first of many piercings 😜.

Before

Cape to Cape 2017

Back around again after missing last year’s event (due to Freddy’s precarious in utero situation we were unable to go further than 20 mins from the maternity hospital) we were back again with most of the usual rabble to watch the boys beast themselves for 4 days.

Dave, Andy, Tom, Simon and Rhys were the contenders this year and it was Kate’s turn to be pregnant while supporting!

The boys all put in a very good effort but of course Tom came out top of our lot and I think 12th overall which, out of 1500 riders, is rather good going.

It was the C2C 10 year anniversary so it was very well subscribed by weekend warriors and pros alike.

Us girls and kids took up the roll of race support and watched starts and most finishes.

My turn next year!

Dwellingup 60

Off to Dwellingup we go!
This time not only did Rach come too but we camped in the main Dwellingup campsite which boasts flushing loos and showers!

Unfortunately I had a cold so was bad company for the Fords who were spending the weekend with us too. Tom managed a great result with 1st in his category in the 100km and Dave did brilliantly with 4th in his category for the 60km (he did the 100 before and says it is too dull to do the full 100).

We went to visit the old POW camp for the first time and unfortunately there was not too much to see but some interesting info nonetheless.

Of course there was a fire and toasted marshmallows to go with it.

I'm looking forward to giving the 100km a go next year despite the potential boredom.

Nanga Challenge 2017

Inspired by Rich Bannister’s efforts in the UTMB, Dave decided he ought to get off his bottom and do the Nanga Challenge. Rhys was already entered so the Marshalls, Jameses and Smiths headed to Nanga Mill Friday afternoon in time to set up camp before the race on Saturday morning. For some reason Andy was not racing and was team mascot instead.

We camped at Nanga Mill in Dwellingup which is fast becoming a regular spot. There is a creek at the bottom (where the kids love to build dams and get as many clothes wet as possible), Turner Hill is not far for a 10km MTB loop and there is plenty of dirt for the babies to eat.

The race on Saturday morning consisted of a 15km river paddle (7.5 downstream then back up again), 30km MTB and a 12km run. From what the boys said it will probably not be redone as the courses were less than exciting, but at least the Murray has now been paddled.

We had a jaffle contest for dinner Saturday night. Rhys, as usual, went all out and produced a beef Wellington jaffle! It was excellent though I was very happy with my rather less labour intensive Camembert and bacon. Ellis of course went cheeseless and had beans and mushrooms.

There were dessert jaffles too with apples, cinnamon, raisin toast and rhubarb etc. the kids were happy toasting marshmallows over the 2 fires we had going.

Sunday morning Sara and I went for a bike at Turner Hill. Andy and Dave had bets going that we would not find it. What a fuss over nothing; we found it with no difficulty at all and there was only one comedy stack by Sara thanks to some pea gravel and a black boy!

JP and Helen arrived Saturday morning with Roman and Byron to add to the feral kid count. Only one (Paw Patrol) toy lost to the river and only one Freddy brick eaten by Alfie the dog!

Thanks everyone for a great weekend.