Soon Be Christmas

Piccies ... Becca trying hard not to look guilty taking things from the tree ... Best bib and tucker for the ball ... drunk blokes holding up a drunk Gemma at the ball ... Spike in the finished kitchen with "Princess and Boo" ... and speaking of Boo, Becka shows Alanna where to put the proceeds of the latest quest to find brains

Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Well thats the seasonal bit done anyway ... Apologies if we haven't got around to sending you a Christmas card ... its nothing personal, its just our lack of organisation! Wherever you are in the world, please have a good holiday (for those of you fortunate enough to be off) and a good New Year (not too much alcohol eh!). I will be donning my seasonal attire for work on Xmas and Boxing day (start days Xmas day and finish on lates on New Years eve, yippee), the chickens are getting a bit twitchy in case our bird identification is lacking on Christmas Eve, Tortoises are happy cause they are asleep (hopefully alive) and Kaz is happy as he's alive!

Yes, for a change it was Kaz's turn to have surgery, he wasn't looking too well and I ended up biting the bullet and taking him to the vets at midnight for an emergency operation for a twisted gut, £702.69 later he was returned looking sorry for himself and regretting things every night for the next two weeks due to the fact he had to wear one of those big plastic collars, resulting in him banging into the radiator every time he moved. I don't think he appreciated the fact he would have been brown bread otherwise ... can't please some of them! Still waiting for the insurance to pay up ...

The eye surgery went OK, as you might have gathered by the fact that I can write this (unless I got someone else to do it of course!), didn't have the "wow" factor that everyone else had, but things have improved steadily and I can now see the TV and the sun, so I guess its about right. There were two other positives to come out of it ... I didn't conk out this time and break anything and Tamisa got caught out as she had gone shopping and sized things up for going back to buy, but I was in and out within two hours so she didn't get to spend as much as she had hoped.

Mum and dad popped down to babysit at the back end of November, despite having only just moved house 4 days earlier. Tamisa and I took advantage and went out to the annual police ball, this time in Weymouth. One or two drinks were consumed and a great time was had by all ... apart from mum and dad, who were up with the kids between midnight and two when we got in, what are the chances eh?

About the same time we were recovering from that, Spike finished off the kitchen fitting (new doors etc and tiles) and last night I finally finished the paintwork (apart from the 2 doors of course - maybe by next year). He claims to have only just had the mail re-directed since the last time he worked here ... only the garage to finish off before its time to move and start again.

Speaking of garages, my beloved Golf will be going in soon, after a late finish from nights due to a firearms job, some ar#e of a delivery driver reversed into it whilst it was parked in the pet food place and buggered off, fortunately we were able to track him down. Suddenly there are doubts that £702.69 for Kaz's op was a good investment (only joking boy).

Anyway, sleep beckons at some stage soon as its my last early tomorrow and its my PNC (police national computer) operators last day tomorrow and muggins has to do his speech - so long Clive and thanks for everything!

One last thing, congratulations to Will and Paula on the birth of Elijah, your text finally make sense!

Happy Chrimbo and New Year!

I think I missed October!

The Girls dressing up ... yes I was playing around with the photo editor and couldn't get it back! Alanna, Tamisa and Rebecca enjoying halloween, unaware of the vast quantities of soup I had made from the pumpkin

Hello again,

Nothing personal, but I was feeling a bit tender during October ... a week or so after conference I was booked in for the "snip", a truely toe curling experience, that went as well as these things can. Good time was made (as opposed to having a good time) and I was in and out within 45 minutes, including all the pre and post op talking. I went outside hoping to find my beloved, whom it turns out was yet to re-appear from taking the kids to the play park. I was a tad disappointed when I felt a bit sicky ... I can remember thinking I would go for a sit down on a low wall, the next thing I remember was thinking how comfortable the block paving was. This was followed by the nurse having a bit of a shock when she came out to get something from her car to find muggins blocking the path. I heard the the familiar thudding of the car, followed by the most unfamiliar sound ever ... concern from Tamisa. It would be safe to say that the pain from my facial injuries assisted in my nether regions recovery, in the short term anyway! A week or so later I thought I had better go back to work and lasted a full 6 hours before calling it quits and heading home, having picked up some kind of flu type virus, so my 4 years without any sickness has ended in style! I bent my newest specs beyond repair during my fall, ironic as I am booked in for laser eye surgery this thursday, so wouldn't have needed them if I'd have done things the other way around. I doubt that even the third world countries that they have the spec collection bins for would have anyone with a face that my bent specs would have fitted!
Despite a huge list of things I intended to do whilst off post snip, I achieved very little (for a change eh!).

The tortoises stopped moving around during early October, despite valiant efforts to keep them going, so I should get around to boxing them up for the winter I suppose! The chucks have been doing OK in terms of production until today, presumably due to the large amount of fireworks provided by grotsville at the back of our house, best get your skates on girls, or it might be Chucky, not Turkey at Chrimbo.

Brief praisee of other bits and bobs ... M-C and Kev were unaffected by the huge fires in California, despite being some distance away, they still had smoke issues as a result.
Mum and dad have finally taken possession of their new house up on the outskirts of Telford, looks like a nice area according to google earth. Hope they will be happy. They are next down at the end of November, when Tamisa and I are finally going out together to the Police Ball, no alcohol will be consumed, honest!

My squad is somewhat dessimated with sickness at the moment, Geoff P is likely to be off for some time following an operation. the op got the required outcome, but his wounds have been infected twice now, requiring additional surgery, poor sod. Sue P (not related to Geoff) fell off her push bike causing the biggest lump and black eye I have seen for years and Donna is off with bronchitus, glad to be back really!

That will do for now, Kaz is still cowering under my chair with the fireworks that are going off and an early night beckons as Bournemouth are playing Leeds United tomorrow, which promises to make for a very, very busy shift.
TTFN

Farewell Gordon and thanks for the food!

Well the Prime Minister was back in County again last week (No surprise visits to the in-laws! - See previous posts). Whoever would have thought the Government of the day, given all thats going on in the world, could have had such a boring conference. Apart from a couple of security "scares", including two males who were invited back to the station after causing concern to officers (turns out they were "mentally undressing the officers", in their words), absolutely zilch happened. The biggest march was only 1,500 (ironically on the Sunday, before the main conference started), out of the remaining organised marches, the biggest, estimated at approx 200, could only muster 21 .. literally more officers than protestors, as the national press picked up on. At least we had the protests in Burma to keep us entertained on Sky News ... bet they wouldn't have taken the Shaolin Monks on! (Going to see them in November with Noel if he's bought the tickets http://www.wheeloflife.co.uk/ ). Bring back the 16,000 plus that showed up for the Countryside Alliance march in '99 (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/459328.stm ) or the samller but more entertaining "Kill the Bill" march of a few years previous! All the same, it was nice to get up on the Monday morning to hear the rain pelting aginst the window and think, "thank goodness I'm not stood out on a point this year", been there, done that! The great thing about conference is that its the only time that officers and staff actually get fed for free whilst at work. As we were trialling the new Special Events Conrol room at HQ (Government funded for the 2012 Olympic Sailing ... lets hope it still works), we headed up to the Countryman pub for breakfast each day, and the night turn went there for evening meals ... anything off the menu apparently, kerching! So thank you Gordon for centrally funding breakfast for a week!
Upon return, Tamisa has headed off to work to catch up on her shifts (Weymouth last night, Swanage for tonight and tomorrow). By some strange coincidence, Rebecca decided to vomit once or twice during the night ... how I was wishing she had a number one crew cut last night ... so much easier for getting it out of the hair at 0130 in the morning. So far so good tonight!
Other than conference not a vast amount has changed. I finally got the kitchen tiles and the B and Q order for kitchen doors and end panels arrived ... well everything except the doors, 15 of them. Spike has been contacted and will be working his magic in the next few weeks ... that will be the last room finished, must be time to sell!
Mum and Dad popped down for a visit a few weeks ago and chose a decent week for weather, other than that very little has changed, chucks are still laying, but the tortoises appear to be slowing for the winter already ... can't blame them.
Must catch up on some kip so no photos this time!

Thanks for reading ...catch up soon

Its stopped raining!

Piccies ... The team set off on their adventure from Lulworth ... the view from the top looking towards Durdle Door (note the war time landing craft ... they still practice here!) ... Noel with Alanna and Ted (Alanna was kind enough to take a bald baby to help Noel's hair ego) ... Spot the police drivers leaving the pits ... the four budding Formula One drivers, Gary, Ian, me and Rob!

It's been a funny old few weeks ... probably due to the fact that its been dry ... albeit cloudy. Good times were had by all, including the chickens, who were glad that they could see their feet again through the mud and mire!
Lots of catching up has been achieved, now there's a first!

Tamisa's Uncle Patrick managed a quick pop in before his long trip back to Oz (yes Mary - Jo did make it back, and we assume Patrick has done the same), Alanna keeps asking if we can go to see him (and MC in the States), but the prospect of, "Are we nearly there yet", for several thousand miles just doesn't appeal. We could try drugging the kids but look what happened to the 2007 Portugese hide and seek champion, Madeline McCann, when her parents tried it!

Our good friends Noel and Sarah and their boy Edward were down our way for a few days last week based at a camp site near the Cerne Giant (which now has a Purple appendage( http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/image_galleries/cerne_giant_vandalism_gallery.shtml)... and a friend in the form of a giant Homer Simpson in the field next to it (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6901543.stm). They did give in and spend a night at our place (inside, they didn't bring their tent!) to allow us to consume copious amonts of alcohol, including the long overdue Champers to celebrate the boy's promotions. They have started looking at houses down this part, and can afford three fifths of sod all based on their house value in Plymouth ... best you get saving boy!

We managed a few outings with them ... Putlake Farm, near Swanage was a big hit with the kids until Alanna managed to run into some vaguely innocent child and whack her face on the said childs head. We also met me old mate Clives friend Alfie, who runs it and has promised some black on Clive at some stage. (Have a look at http://www.putlakefarm.co.uk/). Following this outing we shoved the girls and older kids on the Swanage Railway steam train on a one way ticket and Noel and I met them at the other end to allow Becca bit of a sleep in the car.

The following day we all went for a bit of a light walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door over the soding great hill. In fairness to Alanna she walked the whole way there and most of the way back. Becca coped quite well in the back pack and Ted managed to walk a reasonable way before demanding a ride on Noels shoulders. After all that effort we had a picnic on the beach at Lulworth Cove. Dry, but windy and cold ... come on its England!

The following day I invited myself along to Monkey World (yes twice in 16 years) with Noel, Sarah and Ted, whilst Tamisa slept having worked the previous night. The monkeys seemed to have fun, but Ted ran out of steam just after lunch and never got to go on the big play area!

That night we were treated to camp cooking (and not the sort you would find in Brighton) and a show of Ted's Italian footballing skills, which consisted of him throwing himself on the floor, whenever Alanna was running faster than him. In fairness to him Noel didn't need to get the magic sponge out to make him better. A great evening to round off their stay.

Saturday saw us head East to Moors Valley country park, which was great apart from the traffic ... caught all the grockels (holiday makers) heading home in the morning on the A31, and then my beloved colleagues had closed it on the way home due to a fatal accident ... so selfish crashing on a Saturday! Moors Valley was a big hit with Alanna, lots of play areas, a miniture steam train ride and lots of cycling (had to take the new bike out for a spin ... Alanna on the cross bar ... Becca hoping for the best in the rear seat ... and Tamisa bimbling alongside with a small backpack on! We will definately head back when the roads are a bit quieter. (http://www.moors-valley.co.uk/)

Sunday was a bit quieter as Tamisa was working 12-midnight, so I took the girls on a cycle around the "play parks of Dorchester", and even let them off to play now and then ... and yes, it was still dry!

Monday (today) saw the long awaited fathers day carting experience! 4 out of 5 made it (which we take as meaning the four attendees will have to go back to keep Mark company at some stage). Surprisingly there was little testosterone on the track ... there was lots, and it made the boys carts go spinning! Ian was the clear winner in the first race after I sent some kid flying onto the grass (teach him to try and overtake a novice!) and Rob and Gary were trying to find their feet. The second race found myself as the clear winner, pursued by Rob. In fairness this was due to Ian spinning on the first corner and Gary assuming the carts performed like the amazing Dorset Police response diesels ... although his late response to the biggest and most obvious corner on the track, leaving him spinning, left it open for me to pick my way through the carnage with a huge smile on my face and allowed me to chuckle my way around the course in pole position. I think it would be fair to say that Lewis Hamilton as nothing to fear from our efforts, but some of the 10-12 year olds who were flying past us might make an impact (if people like me stopped pushing them onto the grass and into the crash barriers anyway)

Tomorrow is catch up in the garden day ... and the fireplace people are coming to replace part of the limestone, which has cracked (come on, it only taken them a year!) I am cringing at the potential mess already (a Tamisa earache related moan I suppose). Alanna is back at school on Thursday, for four mornings a week, and all the usual activities start back up again, yippee! My folks are down again for four days from Thursday, so looking forward to that. At some stage I guess I will have to head back to work (yes I have been back since my last post!) ... in time for conference ... yippee again!

Thanks for reading ... don't forget you can post a comment!

Erm ... On leave again!

Alanna enjoying the sun at Longleat
Becca being a cheeky mare on the lake at Longleat
Farewell P.C. Nash (the other one wearing a tie)
Patrick and Mary-Jo keeping the kids amused


Well, to be honest I'm back for 2 days covering shortages that they have known about for 8 months, I'm sure there is a logic there somewhere, I treated myself to a ride in on the motorbike today to try and beat the grand total of 503 miles that I did in the year between MOT's (road worthiness certificates for those of you from across the pond) and tomorrow I will treat myself to a drive in the car ... as heavy rain is forecast ... again.


We managed to get our annual trip to Longleat (http://www.longleat.co.uk/) in last week. The girls were generally well behaved, including Tamisa, who slept through the back end of the lions and all through the wolves enclosure, fortunately they weren't disturbed by her snoring! Thought Becca was going to throw herself into the sealions in the lake, she certainly isn't afraid to have a go ... at anything.


The week prior we had chance to catch up with Tamisa's Uncle, Patrick and his significant other, Mary-Jo, prior to Mary-Jo heading back to Oz to prepare for the new school term (don't be alarmed, you will see from the above photo that she is a teacher, not a pupil!). the weather just about held off (at least until the above photo was taken) and we all enjoyed a good old english curry in the evening. in the absence of any other information, we trust she made it back safely.


That moody old Prime Minister paid us (Dorset, not us specifically) a flying visit a couple of weeks ago for his "family holiday" with the in-laws. Operation Cover My Backside went into full swing. Good news though (unless you are a cow I suppose) is that the PM had a good excuse to sod off back to London with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease ... strangely enough we didn't see him again. I think the grand total was 17 hours in county ... byeeee!


The last few weeks have also seen the retirement of PC Dave Nash, a true gentleman of an officer, who due to owning children, will be taking a break from retirement on the 1st September and returning to the squad as a "bleedin civvy" ... missing him already! Other squad updates ... Wendy appears to be fully recovered from her nagging shoulder injury and has returned to just nagging, and Geoff is back on a structured return, complete with his limp wrist, and we haven't even mentioned it!


Thanks to MC for still being the only person to post a reply, go on ... you know you want to ... its easy!

A time for catching up

Photos above - MC with the girls (yes she is a dwarf) - and Philips with Becca - troughing as normal - Becca that is ...

Well it seems a life time ago that I was just about to swear at the misses for continually phoning me whilst I was at work (although my mobile is set on "stun", it is still potentially a "donutable offence" for your phone to go of in the Control Room). When I finally got out to the back office to answer a call, I held back long enough to recognise the voice as being that of Marie-Clare (MC), who as far as I knew was still in California with Kev (Philips - named after the company he was working for at the time of initial interactions!). MC was spared my, "which bit of, "I'll phone you back when I get a chance" dont you understand" spiel and instead I went for the, "I'll be back as soon as I can as long as no-one pegs it in the next half hour or so" routine instead.
On arrival, the kids were happily playing with MC and Philips, the girls had (presumably) done sufficient non-stop chin wagging to placate themsleves by the time I arrived and it was great to catch up. In fairness they hadn't come over to see us (as if!) but had planned to come over for a wedding of one of Philip's friends, who in true style (having assured everyone it would be going ahead) had been kicked out of home and an engagement ring shoved where the sun doesn't shine. Just to add insult to injury, this "mate" had decided to go away to Spain or somewhere else hot in order to escape (not sure if it was to escape Philips or the devil woman). Who needs friends eh?

We managed to catch up with MC again before she left, thanks guys (is that American enough for you?) for coming to see us.

On Saturday just gone (14th July) we headed down to Plymouth to see my old mate Noel, (who continues to argue that the yobs down his end of things just don't like to be thrown around like they do in Dorset) his good lady Sarah and their ever growing son Teddy/Ted/Edward - depending on how much trouble he is in. Apart from Rebecca being a complete mare for all but the last 20 minutes of the trip (both ways)- and being an hour or so late setting off (no kidding Tamisa was involved!) it was a great day and a much needed catching up opportunity.

After a much needed tea and food opportunity (ies) we headed off to the National Marine Aquarium in the heart of Plymouth to see some bloody great fish in some bloody great tanks, followed by the all important ice cream (now an established part of Alanna's diet). Then back for a lads (and children I conceed) trip to the play park on the grounds that Becca needed some more sleep. after a swift return to get pizza and the kids sorted it was time to head home to the hazy sound of the radio and Becca's screams ... nice. Oh, by the way Noel, well done on getting through the Sergeants boards, I told you Devon and Cornwall could perform miracles.

We had been offered ... and considered an overnighter to allow for copious amounts of alcohol to be consumed (including champers for impending promotion/recent promotion), but boring old me decided to head home on the grounds that I had a TaeKwonDo grading on Sunday morning (yes I've taken it up again). Despite a lack of sleep due to several things, notably a decent film on the box for a change, I went and did my best, spending quite a while stretching my hamstrings to avoid any of them snapping again. It must have gone quite well as the head poncho called me back and said I could jump a few grades if I could do the patterns. I would have taken things more seriously if the instructor hadn't come out a few minutes prior, shouting about keeping the noise down as Master Bate wanted the gradings to be completed in silence ... funny how the child in you is always there when things get serious! My extra stretchy hamstrings are not behaving today and even complained when I tried to put my socks on ... they said I should wear shorter ones.

Anyway, thats about it for now ... I am on leave (again), looking forward to Tamisa doing a catch up on shifts, what to do with the kids on a wet July day?

Forgot to tell you the good news ... the six chickens are now living in harmony and a fifth egg appeared in the nest box this morning ... only one to go in the pot then!

Fathers day

Pictures above - Alex (with his heels on), Taya, Gem, Iain (also with heels on) and Chris at Taya's naming ceremony
Muggins with Alanna and Rebecca at the worlds biggest spelling centre

The best thing about being a dad is fathers day, I don't know if it has "roots" or was invented by Hallmark to increase sales, but having presents bought by your wife on behalf of the kids with your own money is great, especially great this year as I somehow managed to wangle quite a few pressies, including a Go-cart session at the Clay Pigeon circuit (15 minutes away - and on the national carting circuit) a clay pigeon shooting lesson (yes you've guessed it, at the Clay Pigeon (Southern Counties) shooting ground next door, and a copy of "Hot Fuzz", which for those of you across the pond is a British Police related comedy film, although good, it didn't quite match up to the hype and contained words I will never understand for the swear box!
The other good thing about fathers day is that you get to share it (to a greater or lesser degree) with other fathers, and this year was particularly special as Gemma and Iain had their daughter's (Taya) naming ceremony on fathers day (still came out of it called Taya). Tamisa was embarrassed when Gem presented her with a bunch of flowers as a thank you for her help and friendship ... and the several thousand ruppee's worth of clothes we have handed down over the last few months. Good news for me, I could take the ones I had bouhgt back to Tesco! After the food (post event), it was back to theirs for a BBQ under hastily erected Gazebos, and to while away a few hours chasing after the kids... and eating ... and having the odd beer ... and eating again, and waiting for the rain to arrive (which it did of course).
Outside of fathers day, life has been fairly mundane. Two new chickens have arrived and have been bullied ever since, if it carries on I'll pluck them and give them tattoo's to make them look as tough as they would taste! Life is hard here on the farm, but I finally gave in and have sectioned off part of the run for them to use for a couple of weeks until they can look after themselves ... women eh!

Work has been OK, Operation Knee Jerk Reaction/Over Reaction is in full swing at the moment following the recent bomb issues in London and Glasgow (in a country called Scotland for those of you not from round these parts!). As Controller at the time of instigation, I quickly responded to the heightened security state by, erm, closing the HQ gates. Thats about it. Needless to say HQ over the weekend was full of bosses and Special Branch ("you haven't seen me, alright!) and I have more armed officers at my indirect disposal than ever before (yes its even more than 6 for the county - or less than one shift on a detachment at any individual station in Canada or the US I suppose). Lets hope you aren't unfortunate enough to crash and your car catch fire on your way home from the hardware shop with the BBQ gas cannister in the back! Given the success rate of the terrorists over the last week, I'm beginning to wonder whether the new breed of Irish are involved.

Thats about it for now ... too many early turns and chicken issues are catching up on me. Take it easy!

I finally get some leave

1- Rebecca has a healthy appetite and can't understand why she isn't allowed to eat the Tortoises and their food
2- Alanna with the family tree at Monkey world
3- Which one is the monkey?


Well, It had to happen eventually. I had two weeks off and, erm, nothing to show for it worth mentioning! Tamisa worked six nights and one day shift during the two weeks, so lots of time spent with the girls (Alanna and Rebecca as opposed to the chickens, before anyone asks).
We managed to get a long promised visit to Monkey World sorted. I recall going there about 16 years ago when it was not exactly exciting, but I have to admit to being impressed with the size of the place now, the facilities and the number of monkeys they have rescued ... I think I must be getting old! Needless to say there were occasions when Alanna's concentration span was stretched but that was mainly when it came to chosing an ice cream.
Mum and Dad were down for most of the second week, so it was great to catch up and eat lots (do I really need an excuse?). They then travelled down to Cornwall for a second week doing a tour of garden type stuff, such as the Eden Project, and unlike us, they have enjoyed a mostly dry week.


The only planned thing that we didn't achieve was a meeting with some friends I made following the untimely death of a family member at Kimmeridge when a car went over a cliff. Due to family illness they had to cancel our meeting (at a pub in the New Forest for those who thought I might be getting all formal!), so Richard and Carol, if you are ever bored enough to read this, our thoughts are with you and hope things are going OK. As an after thought for those of you who think we haven't been around for a while, the accident was in July '99 (I think) and I last saw Richard and Carol at the inquest the following year ... so wind your necks in!


I was glad to hear upon my return to work that I had missed some absolute nightmares with the Communication systems that my squad and others had worked through. It always brings a smile to my face to think that it could have been me in the mire! I have however decided that I have a squad dedicated to getting themselves off sick in bizarre ways ... Wendy my right hand woman has been off sick for a good while after the most bizarre wheelbarrow incident I have ever heard of ... a flat tyre on her barrow threw her into a fence causing a dislocated shoulder ... and then Geoff (not me!) managed to damage the tendons and ligaments one of his hands playing golf, when he hit a tree instead/as well as the ball. Personally I think it was just an excuse for a limp wrist when he went to see George Michael at Wembley Stadium ... lots of blokes in pink hats apparently, way to go Geoff - are you really in your forties?


Anyway, best wrap it up for now, busy weekend ahead, Tamisa is on nights (just spoken to her - watching the drunken idiots in Weymouth), Alanna has dancing tomorrow and a party, and we will be going to a friends baby's naming ceremony on Sunday ... which happens to be fathers day! Will update after that. Thanks for reading, feel free to post a comment - I think you have to log into a google account to do so - It costs nothing and saves me wondering whether I am just doing this for mental health reasons!

Rebecca's First Birthday

Well, it doesn't seem like a year ago that we were all squashed into what is now Alanna's room waiting for the builders to get their backsides in gear ... how time flies!

It was Rebecca's first birthday last Friday (18th) and needless to say Rebecca asked for a birthday bash, and Tamisa was keen to make it happen. The weather forecast was bleak so I got in trouble for telling her to keep numbers down as we wouldn't have enough space inside.

Needless to say it turned out nice and I go in trouble for that. Thanks to Susan, Bernard and Gemma for their help in the food prep. I would have loved to help, but I was forced to work an early turn and eat a full english breakfast (probably the best thing england has to offer from an eating perspective, which is sad) in order to prepare me for the afternoon.

Greetings blogspotters!

I thought it was about time that I got around to making up for not contacting our many friends around the world ... or even in our own town for that matter, What can I give as my excuses, only work, kids and sleep (coupled with finishing the house off of course - nearly there).

A brief resume to start with I suppose -

I am currently working in the Control Room at Dorset Police HQ as a Controller (finally made it to the Inspector rank) with various responsibilities including authorising firearms incidents, overseeing major incidents and making tea. I work a 24/7 shift pattern and seem to do more nights than anything else. Outside work I spend my time running around after the kids/wife/dog/chickens/tortoises (more on the latter two later). Life is good, if not tiring!

Tamisa is working 24 hours a week (2 shifts) as a Paramedic, usually out of Weymouth or Dorchester, but sometimes further afield. She somehow manages to work her shifts around mine, famous last words, but I don't think she has killed many recently! Outside work, she spends her life running around after the kids ... and me .. and fits in aerobics twice a week if she can! You will all be pleased to hear that she is still late for everything!

Alanna is growing up fast and enjoying all the things that 3 year olds do ... gym, dance, swimming (occasionally), pre-school, playing and waking up at various times during the night. She had a recent fall where she whacked her chin and has recovered well after a few hours in a couple of different hospitals, spoon feeding for a couple of weeks and lots of TLC. The only down side os that she has discovered ice cream and forces Tamisa and I to have some too!

Rebecca is just about to celebrate her first birthday by sleeping, crawling, trying to walk (gets about as far as her mother after a couple of glasses of vino) crying and creating her own presents for mum and dad. She is very different from Alanna and no doubt she will be running a protection racket in a couple of years at the pre-school.

Kaz is doing fine, wishing he went out more, wishing he could eat more, wishing he didn't get told off so much. he is great with the kids and more interested in the chickens and tortoises. He can be brave as they are all behind wire!

We decided to try our hands at keeping chickens, given that we have room in the garden and my girls are now producing one egg each per day. We have four in all at the moment and as long as they keep laying they are welcome to stay. We don't intend to eat them (as far as I know) and at the moment they are called Korma, Chasseur(sp?), Passanda and Tonight.

We also have two tortoises, currently named Charlie and Emily by Alanna. Apparently they are 4-5 years old, single, with a good sense of humour. They don't do a lot (especially in the rain) but do enjoy strawberries and break dancing.