Above: We tucked into some rather expensive chocolates, that I had for my birthday. Bradley didn't like them, they looked so nice, he'd bite them and put them back. Esme on the other hand kept taking two, just in case the box disappeared. Left: Some pix from the little park. We've got special names for all the local parks and parks in Aberdare. Parks are Esme's speciality, she should be on Mastermind...
	I look a bit Russian here. One of those glorious, dramatic line drawings you'd find on stamps or posters.

937 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:20:36 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: A few more kid mugshots

I've been looking at the UK sensus from 1901 and found my Great, Great Grand father, George Hooker, coal hewer aged 35 in 1901, and his son George Hooker, my Great Grand father, 9 years old in 1901 who later became a prizer fighter. My Dad says, "he was a nasty, nasty man. A terrible man."

I also see that my Great, Great Grandmother was Irish. While the rest of the family spoke English and Welsh, she only spoke English. They also lived in Cardiff Road, about a mile from where my Dad now lives. I'd really like to get more into this family history. I asked my Mam about her side, but she couldn't remember, and there are simply too many Thomases in Aberdare - since Thomas is a Welsh name.

Apparently he pushed a policeman into the canal during a strike in the 30's and fled to Derby. Last my Dad heard of him, he had beaten up a man in his sixties, while he too was also in his sixties, and this was circa 1955.

934 Also posted to: Home page . At: 2:44:24 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Great, Great Grandfather

Ah, back in the land of the living, or at least connected. Damn BT, if I could get broadband, I think I'd move back down to Wales in a shot. I've signed up my parents on the BT register for Aberdare, but fear that they live too far away from the exchange anyway, let alone awaiting the rest of the 400 to sign up.

After spending my first 18 years there, I know the town so well. The countryside, I know every tree. All of the old ladies in the street have died now, and some who have moved there I still refer to as 'new.' Even as my mam points out that they've been there 20 years.

Nice to be back on broadband. Pity I'm still in the wrong country.

928 Also posted to: Home page . At: 10:03:43 AM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: In the wrong country

If anybody asks, we've gone to Aberdare. Also going to Porthcawl. All weekend, back Monday evening.

Just zoom out of this Multimap aerial image... Loads-a-countryside.

And nice sunny beaches in Porthcawl? Yes sir, everytime.

927 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:23:25 AM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Away aberdare

"Traditional beer brewed at Park Brewery since 1875" I've loved this beer since moving up from Wales, 21 years ago, well nearly, 20 and 5 months. Here's the spec. All the old fogies used to drink it in the pubs, this or if they were really poor and old, the mild. Which is nice too. Not all the slopps as they say it is.

926 Also posted to: Home page . At: 10:51:18 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Banks's Bitter

So, We had a party! Well, it's for the kids in-it. 40! I had some Simpson's socks, a track suit, so I can get fit, and a 64meg card for my camera. Brilliant, now I can do more videos.

We played in the garden, chase and football mainly, me throwing the ball up on the roof, and generally following Esme's orders, so I can stay out of trouble. We ended up playing musical statues in the lounge, with fights breaking out because Bradley wanted to be first as we danced around in circles.

Now to get shitfaced, and hope 40 and one day will be better the other side. No millions, no lesbo combo, as Mac quoted me as saying on the phone this afternoon.

925 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:57:07 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Wrap 40 and pix

whooo-hooo another test to everywhere. More 40 year old congrats coming in...

924 Also posted to: Home page . At: 4:37:06 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: more 40

Happy birthday to me, Mac already picked up on the message about my birthday... How'd he do that then? It only took an hour, less than.

Another test post to all my categories. We will have clean rss! Or else, before I die and being 40 today, it's getting closer.

923 Also posted to: Home page . At: 2:10:56 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Test post

40 years old today. And what am I doing? Cleaning up my rss files, that's what! This is a test post across all my categories.

922 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:39:34 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: My 40th birthday

We went on everything, and if it wasn't for my camera's battery screwing the disc, I'd have a shot of every ride they took. Best though was the roller coaster! Bradley didn't like it much, screamed a few times and hid his head, nevertheless when he got off, he raised his arms in the air in the customary, "I did it!"

	Then we fed the fish, where Bradley fell head first through a fence and somersaulted onto his back. Esme wanted, "some bluebells for Mommy."

Onto the slide, where Bradley kicked a little girl while trying to force his way into the queue. He doesn't understand queues. Then into the sandpits. Off then for Esme to have a pee in the shop, and Bradley was run over by a bike! Whack just a few feet in front of me. Slammed into and dragged a few feet by a speeding 9 year old.

912 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:46:26 AM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Sunday and the fair, park...

Aa-aaa-Tishooooo! Says I. "Esss-U, Daddy'" shouts Bradley back at me. "Thank you, Bradley."

This is a new trick learnt over the past few days.

906 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:59:03 AM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Polite Bradley

I saw them! Fairies! Pink ones! Actually, these are from 6 months ago. Maybe I didn't put them up, because nobody would have believed me.

Some of these I'm printing out in A4 size. I love the grainy quality, the jpeggedness. Like a dream. Gentle fairy music and you'll believe it too.

903 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:01:16 AM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Fairies in my living room

Started off me wanting to visit my old mate in Walsall. His mum's suffering from dementia, and it's taking a toll on him. She's been in hospital for 4 months, awaiting a bed, and 'there aren't any.' Every day his visits, and everyday she gets worse. But, on the motorway across, Esme insist that we visit the park first. I try calling but no answer, suspect he's not wanting a visit from me and the kids. He's 50, a bachelor, no kids and though he pretends they're OK, he doesn't really enjoy them

So we visit the park and we're there for 3 hours. Walsall Park's pretty good except for the bullies and 4 year old sociopaths. Bradley picks up a weird one. Starts off friendly enough, but he pushes Bradley so Bradley says, "no, no." Which the little boy apes and pushes Bradley. This goes on too many times and I pull Bradley away, but the boy has learnt Bradley's name and follows us around, now he has a stick too. I spy his parent, saying something about the stick, but it is to no avail, we move to another part of the park, and eventually lose him - weirdo

[PS] I forgot to add how this little episode started. The little boy, about four, started on Esme first, Bradley spotted this and marched over and told him, "no, no, no!" He protected his big sister. This confused the little boy at first, but Bradley didn't follow through. Gonna have to get him into boxing lessons ";->" I'll give him the tools for his bravery. We head back to Telford, and end up at a travelling fair next to the small park, Amanda arrives too, I call he, she really shouldn't miss these two on the rides, this is the first time Esme has really taken to the rides, and Bradley just follows her on. They had a fantastic time, and ride on nearly everything. Soon, Amanda and I are skinted. We have to go home, and to these two this isn't good news. Esme twigs straight away, and starts weeping, Bradley doesn't get it till we're at the car, "fair, park, fair." He points and cries. "Tomorrow, Bradley, we'll come back then." A sad end to a glorious day.

901 Also posted to: Home page . At: 8:15:08 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Walsall Park and Telford Fair

I've got the kids all day while Amanda's out working. Already, they've worn me out. And Esme maybe coming down with something, so she needs extra care.

I think we'll go over to Walsall. Maybe to the town park in Telford, maybe somewhere else. Need for them to be occupied, better to do that out of the house.

900 Also posted to: Home page . At: 11:41:02 AM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: I'm in charge. No! I'm in charge!

late, late nights and early mornings. I need a lie in soon. So busy at the moment.

883 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:34:41 AM  . .
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