Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Two Happy Conference Attendees

The very positive, upbeat and stimulating content of the Conference is captured in this photo of Garry from Blachere UK and Alan mulling over some the days more serious points.

Post Workshop Reflection Time

Following the Saturday sessions at the Conference, Chris and Alan reflect over a glass of wine in the Philharmonic (which has Grade II listed toilets).

The Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant on Victoria Street

Post meal conversation, from left to right Dave, Chalky, Marianne, Alan, Nat, Jonathan, Elaine, Lesley, Lynda and Chris. I'm taking the picture again!

A Workshop Session

Richard Wilson from INVOLVE shares some thoughts about participation.

NALC Conference Begins















The Minister for Local Government, Phil Woolas MP addresses the NALC Conference at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

The NALC posse in 60 Hope Street


From left to right Laura, Justin seat empty as taking photo as always, Nat, Steve, Katie K, Meera, John, Sam, Kate, Marianne, Alan and Lisa.

Nearly there!


I reckon a seven iron from Liverpool Lime Street Station and I'm on the fringe of the green.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Another good shot!


A well struck 3 wood and a challenging lie at Leicester station.

An amazing shot!


Having searched high and low I finally found my lost ball from yesterday. Would you believe it on a meeting room table at the Department for Communities and Local Government! And who said parish councils don't aim high?! Not a bad lie I guess. Greenwich to Victoria not a bad shot. No idea how many strokes to the hole at Lee Park Golf Club in Liverpool, a bogey on the cards me thinks.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Not a great shot!


My golf clubs on the train. Slight shank at greenwich and i think my ball got nestled on the 8.21 to london cannon street. Just hope it's a good lie.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Xav's new colleague


Introducing Xav's new colleague at The Local Channel. Brad got bumped off attending NALC conference this weekend. Just sexist I say!

Spooks review


The review of the first episode of the Spooks new series. Xav from The Local Channel pops up in the second episode as armed police, stops the car Harry is in to detain him. Quality acting.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Katie and Mark's wedding


The happy couple.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Lga rural conference


Oh dear.

The Chester Town Crier


He's no Dave Murphy mind. Good work Hythe Town Council.

The trip to Chester


Nice.

Liam and.....


......his new moped. 5CC. Nice.

Liam's first birthday


'Can't believe i didn't get cheryl tweedy from girls aloud!'

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Who said....


......birthdays never come early?! And Liam isn't even 1 until Tuesday.

Curry club


Having not eaten all week in wales (!) a curry at Jaipur in Market Drayton was very welcome. From left to right Ginny, Jude's dad, Jude, Rob, Bethan, Jude's mum, Paul. I'm taking the photo obviously. X

Llangollen


The journey back from wales to Staffs broken up by a quick stop at the Mill in Llangollen for a lager shandy by the river.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Ice creams in Porthmadog



Caravan park 2



The caravan park



Paper folding


The summer spent teaching at playschemes has uncovered a new skill for Jude, paper folding. I coloured in this football shirt. Answers by email for the football club and year of this football strip.

The Mitre pub quiz


The fateful score sheet. 29 out of 50. Shocking.

The Mitre pub quiz


JB and Jude at the pub quiz at the Mitre in Pwllheli which is held every Thursday. Our team name was The Pwllheli Plodders Running Club and Supporters Club. Just rolls off the tongue. Anyway we thought it was funny. We came second from bottom. Oh dear.

JB, Deryll and Jude


Spent nearly an hour in the Snowdon honey farm shop tasting the wines and meads, with expert help and advice from Deryll. This man really knows his stuff and is such a lovely, funny and charming chap. He always has plenty of time to help and offer his top tasting tips. Hats off sir.

X Factor....


......here we come.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Snowdon honey farm shop


Jude and JB in front of the wide selection of wines and meads.

Llanberis


One of my favourite shops in the world. Snowdon honey farm shop. Great wines, meads and chutneys.

Snowdon 7


The venue for afternoon tea. Very nice.

Afternoon tea anyone?


Just what the doctor ordered after walking up Snowdon. Afternoon tea and scones. Yum Yum.

Snowdon 5


The descent.

Snowdon 4


The summit at last. Very windy though! And packed with people. And the cafe was closed!

Snowdon 3


Taken from the 3/4 point.

Snowdon 2


Cups of tea at halfway house.

Snowdon


The ascent.

The drive to llanberis


Off to llanberis today to walk up snowdon. Nice weather so hoping quite clear at the top. Was very foggy last time and visibility very poor.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Jude and JB


Another kicking night at the caravan after dinner. Lively as anything. Come on!

Tonight's bbq


Roquefort burgers, trout fillets in foil, vegetable kebabs, asparagus, cod in cream with chives in foil. Nice.

Sundown in Pyllheli



Sunset at Pyllheli harbour



Pubs of Pyllheli


The mitre. Good guinness, limited selection of wine. Decent food menu. Digital jukebox. Quiz night on thursdays.

Tea room in Criccieth


After a walk around the village, afternoon tea was in order. Nice.

Criccieth lifeboat station


This is the lifeboat station at Criccieth. As well as being a member and supporter of RNLI, popped in to shop to buy some postcards etc. Last launch was a few days ago for a kite surfer. I think all was okay. Hopefully.

Criccieth castle



Criccieth castle



Justin the chimney sweep!


Apparently i like like a chimney sweep in this picture. Comments please. Chim chim charoo.

Pubs of Pyllheli


No idea what this pub is called. Something in welsh. Although i call it mtv pub as it's always on the tv. Except yest which was the tennis. Pub is next door to indian restaurant which is always handy. Not bad guinness. Had no slimline tonic yesterday.