Captain Calum

Calum in his specially designed t-shirt

Calum in the 1500m race

Captain Calum!

It was Sports Day today and as Vice Captain of Peter's House, Calum helped organise the teams to take part in all the events.

But he didn't stop there.

He also designed a special Peter's logo, based on the 'Superman' logo, which he got printed on t-shirts, together with each Captain's name in special a Blade Runner typeface.

The effect was very cool. Everything went smoothly, which is a major feat with several hundred children taking part, and the events were really exciting.

It was great standing on the sidelines shouting support for all the athletes.

My favourite bit was seeing Calum overtake three other runners in the 1,500 metres to come in a creditable fourth. He hadn't done any training so it was a great performance.

He also came 3rd in the 200 metres, again with no training at all and won his leg of the 100m relay which his team then went on to win.

Sadly his house didn't win this year (they took the cup last year) but everyone had a really good time and the team spirit was fantastic.

I went with my Mum and we both enjoyed being part of a really special day.

Go Calum!

Calum's Art

Calum's Art

We went to the Art Show at Calum's school on Friday.

As always, there was an amazing array of work from the students, many of whom are very talented.

Calum's AS exam work was on display and I was really impressed at his creativity.

Well done Calum!

Big Hair Day

Big Hair!

I had my hair cut today, but you wouldn't think so to look at it.

People ask me all the time why I always wear my hair tied back - well here's the reason!

It's hard to take someone seriously when they're sporting a huge fro.

At least I made Joe and the children laugh.

Back to the pony tail tomorrow ...

Happy Father's Day!

Joe in his Father's Day Darth Vader t-shirt

Father's Day cards from Lola and Calum

Yesterday was Father's Day and we took the opportunity to really spoil Joe.

The children gave him some very funky cards and cool presents.

From Calum he got the soundtrack to Blade Runner (his favourite film) and from Lola a Darth Vader t-shirt from Star Wars (probably his second favourite film).

He spent the day chilling which is something he doesn't get to do very often.

I cooked him a huge Greek meal - the stifado was fab - which we washed down with plenty of red wine.

In the evening we all watched Sweeney Todd which was brilliant but bloody (for me anyway).

All in all, it was a perfect Father's Day - for a perfect father.

A Furry Car

Furry car at the East of England Show

Joe went to the East of England show with his school on Friday.

The children all had a great time.

They fed animals, went on quad bikes and sat in a very smart Alpha Romeo.

There were lots of interesting things on display, but the weirdest has to be this furry car!

Old Friends

Rose

This is my friend Rose.

We were at university together and both studied German.

We recently met for lunch in Cambridge.

The amazing thing was that we hadn't seen each other for 26 years!

Yet we simply picked up where we left off.

It seems that many similar things have happened in our lives - uncannily so.

Even our children are similar ages and we both have a boy and a girl.

So, in spite of the years in between, we got on like a house of fire.

Now that's the sign of a real friend.

A Good Week

The sign at Wagamamas

This week has been a very good one.

I've actually been able to be sociable after weeks of locking myself away to study.

My final MA assignment has been handed in - at last - and I can relax again.

I've put off my my dissertation for a few months so that I can enjoy the summer and I intend to enjoy it in full!

So what made it such a good week?

The Salisbury Arms
On Tuesday I went out for drinks with my friends Hilly and Nick at the Salisbury Arms in Cambridge. I haven't been there for over 20 years.

Nick and Hilly are both language lecturers so we can talk about linguistics in minute detail and not bore each other to death.

They're also fantastic fun and we always have a very good laugh.

It poured with rain and, yes, in hindsight I probably shouldn't have worn my non-waterproof silver pumps.

But they did look nice and I felt it was worth getting squelchy feet for.

Two glasses of red wine and I found it hard to walk back to the station in a straight line - I really am out of practice.

Just as well I was wearing flat shoes!

Lunch at Wagamamas
On Thursday Calum came over to Cambridge to go to the Fitzwilliam Museum and we went to Wagamamas for lunch.

The food there is fab and, importantly for Calum, you get loads of it!

We stuffed our faces and had a good chat, then went to John Lewis for coffee.

While we were in the cafe there Calum received a phone call saying, ironically, that he'd got a weekend job at John Lewis - so that was excellent news.

Calum and I travelled home together on the train and it was nice to have company.

Most importantly, he had a great day and was very pleased with his purchases of an Iron Man figure and 25 comics - all from Forbidden Planet!

Lunch with the Girls
On Friday it was off the The Snug with my girlfriends from uni - Nic, Maggie and Rachel.

We hadn't seen each other for months so there was loads to catch up on. We've known each other forever and between us we have 9 children ranging in age from 4 to 21!

A lunch hour (even a long one) is never enough and, as usual, I was the first to leave as I had to get back to work. Next time I'll have to take the afternoon off.

It was great to see them, though and we've agreed we should try and get together more often. It's amazing how quickly time flies.

So, this week has been a very good week, catching up with friends and spending time with Calum - and no studying!

Weeks like that are definitely to be savoured.