Stu, Kate and Al's Leaving and a goodbye to the mighty 'diff- 21st July 2007

Stu is off to Melbourne to do contaminy type stuff with Golders, Kate is coming to Akld to make people better and Al is off to Alaska to top up her tan. No wait thats wrong, get frost bite doing more contaminy type stuff.

The classic Miss Thomas pose

To celebrate the off a small gathering was had at O'Neills in Cardiff. I was fortunate enough to attend having extended my stay in UK. There was booze and boogying and the three couldn't possibly leave without the traditional dirty pint.... Nothing to do with me I promise!

It was touch and go as to whether I would get there though. Flood mayhem had gripped the south west of the UK. The M5 was flooded and I reckon I made it through with 20 minutes to spare before it was inpassable. And the M50, I could have actually paddled down it!!!! It took me just shy of 5 hours to get from my good friends Matt and Kates house in Brum to Cardiff. It is normally easily doable in 2 hours. Anyway...

Back to the dirty pint topic, it needs to be noted and put on record that Stu was beaten by his Mrs (Kate) - hahahaha, will he ever live it down I wonder? Saying that though Kate was passed out on the table at the end of the night and Stu was still standing!!! Following O'Neills we headed to Lloyds bar.

Stu and his magic flaming beard

It was to be my last big night in the UK for a while too. Although thankfully I had already had my goodbye filth two years previous. It was a fine way to see them off, especially Stu and Al who, over my Cardiff career I have shared houses with. An experience Al will forever have etched (burned) in her memory i'm sure - haha.

I think a good night was had by all, and for me it was almost perfect. I heard on the radio once that those that don't love Cardiff have never been. Too true innit butt. Fablass. It was with a lump in the throat and a tear in the eye that I drove through Cathays and onto the A48 and headed north.

In the words of Arnie - I'll be back. When though - thats the question...

Royal Engineers Regimental Summer Ball - 13th July 2007

It was that time of year again for Cacketts summer ball. This time the event was to be held in Monmouth where James is based. The barracks are at Monmouth Castle. Each year the ball acts as a get sort of reunion of the old gang from earth sciences at uni. And more often than not they are somewhat of a drunkard affair.

Pi and Sian where up from London and Stu from Cardiff (via brum). We met at James' and Nats flat in downtown Monmouth, then headed to the barracks to get ready. Sadly the weather didn't make the ball feel particularly summery - it was a bit damp to say the least (probably the fact it was Friday 13th had something to do with it). It did hold off enough to enable a quick dash across the parade ground the dodgems though. After all what would an army ball be without the dodgems.

Stu is expecting the call from McClaren any day now...Lewis is bricking it.

Dinner was served followed by a ceili in the officers mess and a disco in the squaddies mess. Irish jigging didn't really appeal so to the bar it was. Then to the dodgems, then to the bar, then the the dodgems - you get the picture.

This man defends the Empire - worrying

Come 3am breakfast was served, so G&T in hand we headed off for a fry up before passing out.

Saturday dawnwed and hangovers were cleared with (another) fry up at Weatherspoons in Monmouth. Then it was off to the Gower via Cardiff for a nights camping at Llangennydd. There was a slight worry that people may not find the campsite due to none of us really being locals to the Gower. But it was ok because after superb directions form myself and Stu confidence was high amongst the troops that we would all make it.

Well everyone else made it apart from Stu and I. One missed turn, and a lot of 'I don't remember this bit' we arrived a couple of hours after everyone else who made it first time! Ah well.

Whilst the others in the party (some of James' other mates) sat round drinking tea and eating scones, Stu and myself set to work in getting trollied. Out came the beer. Then it was off to the beach to play frisbee and fly a kite. The wind was too light for the kite and after we lost the frisbee in the water we headed back to camp and on to the pub for food and beer. At closing it was back to the dunes, beer coat on to put the world to rights.

In a bold time saving iniciative Stu and myself had decided to for go the tent pitching when we arrived in the day light to allow maximum beer and beach time (and to make the most of the sun - which was rare this summer). It was now 2.30am and we were drunk, with no torch trying to pitch our tent in the dark. Classic. Midly entertaining. Thankfully being camping (and drinking pros) we managed it and collapsed into a coma. Then it rained. And rained some more. And that was it for the rest of the weekend really - wet.

All things considered I had a good weekend. It was what I needed at the time. Thanks to James for the invite, and to Sian, Pi and Stu for making it another classic.

Claires Wedding - 6th July Knowle Church

It was time for another wedding. This time it was Claires tuen. She was marrying Ian. They have been together since Uni so guess it was about bloody time they tied the knot!!! The ceremony was in in Knowle Church with the reception just up the road at Hogarths.

Claire and Ian

Everyone was a bit nervous about the weather seeing as it had been shocking for the past few days (read weeks). But when the time was right it came good with just the occasional shower to dampen things.

After a warm up pint in the Red Lion we went to the church. The ceremony was nice. Then it was back to the pub for another warm up pint. Then we hit the reception. We were greeted by Champagne. Nice. Then some more champagne, then a free bar. Well it would be rude not to really....

Rumours were circulating that the bar was only free until dinner at 5pm. So we had to make the most of it. However in the beery haze we made a slight error of judgement. Rather than stacking the pints on our table it seemed double parking was not allowed - so down the hatch it went. I for one was pretty battered by dinner!!! Nice.

The drinking was combined with a game of croquet on the lawn. Fabulous. Such fun - although I did shockingly badly. Although I am sure there was some dodgy tactics going on and it had nothing to do with the beer and champagne!!! I came last!!!

The croquet battle

They had a quiz on each dinner table to get the cogs whirring. Mentally Challenged as we were known (back to the old pub quiz days) played a blinder and won!!! Ok so we had a little help from Jenna and my folks on the end of a few txts but hey - we just saw it as using all available resources!!! The prize - more champagne!!! Just what we (didn't) need!!!

The gang

Food came, and went, then it was disco time!!! Cheese-o-rama into the small hours. Fire works at night fall too. Fantastic day topped off with a late night curry on the way home!!! Hehe. Oh and there seemed to be some discussion amongst the 'older' members of the group about approaching the big three-O. Something epic has to be done to celebrate. Well Daves suggestion of the 30 highest mountains in the world before we are 30 is errr, an interesting one - we'll put it down to the booze I think. But we settled on Kilimanjaro. The highest peak in Africa. There we go - its on record!!! I'm game.

errr, yes.. ROCK AND ROLL!!!

Granny

My Gran passed away just before Christmas. I couldn't make it to the funeral because I was in New Zealand. We decided to delay the spreading of the ashes until i was back in the UK. My Gran wanted her ashes spread by the rocks at the summit of Caer Caradoc near the Shropshire/Welsh borders.

The view was stunning. It was a nice day and a nice way to say goodbye...

Hannahs Wedding - 16th June 2007

It was Hannahs wedding to her man Steve, so the venture lot all got together to attend. Cracking day in Bishops Tachbrook for the ceremony - the weather came good just at the right time. Then it was on to the Glebe Hotel in Barford to celebrate into the wee small hours.

Hannah and Steve - the happy couple

The venture lot

Steve Clews clearly happy at the vast mount of single girls Hannah had invited to the wedding

Claire - all class this girl