Good news and bad

Aloise is close to solids... she took a crisp from me today and started eating it - screaming with laughter the whole time. She sits in her little "podracer" playing with the toys on it and absolutely loves it!

If I could get myself together - I'd send these pics to the makers of the toy - gotta be a great advert!! Naturally, Molly wanted to get in on the action.

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On a much sadder note, a friend of mine - Andy "Bitchin" Marshall was killed on the roads here in New Zealand this week and I'm heading to his funeral tomorrow. He was one of the first good people I met here - he used to sponge the odd cigarette from me because he either (i) didn't want to buy them or (ii) was trying to give up or (iii) preferred my UK smokes - the reason varied!

On about the 5th occasion I met him - he specifically brought a pack of smokes with him and gave them to me, he was just that kind of a thoughtful guy. I could go on about the laughs I shared with him and others but for some reason the smokes story makes me feel best and says what I want to say succinctly.

Miss you mate, God bless.

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In far happier news............................................................

Dan and Lou have gotten engaged! We all knew it was coming (eventually) but Clare and I are over the moon for them both - Clare for Lou and me more for Dan, we were talking about them the other night and the subject of marriage didn't come up for a change - which was exactly what Dan was waiting for.

No hurry for the wedding, which suits us because we'd dearly love to be there - I was really disappointed I couldn't get to Quills but at least we'll have time to save. Of course, I'd sell my dangly bits to get to Vics wedding...