Had a load of fun with the lads eating, drinking, watching rugby, skateboarding and surfing (for the mad ones! Chris, Andrew & I very sensibly didn't go in, it was too damned cold but Daz, Ant & Jason did, fools......

 and

 and

 

Just had great fun on dartmoor with Mary and a couple of good friends called Dean & Jane!

And another one:

In future I'm just going to buy gold with my money!

Fresh food

Just had a fabulous weekend on dartmoor with our friends Dean & Jane, walking from the Two Bridges Hotel near Princetown. Fabulous weather after the winter we've been having and as usual at the hotel, fantastic food and wine. just love taht place!

Picked Liam up in Bridport on the way back and had to go to Dorchester to talk to some hotels in the evening, all back home ok and an early night to get over the weekend.

Had a really busy weekend last weekend and another busy one coming up.

On Friday last weekend we went out in the evening with Dean & Jane doing a bit of celebrating as they'd had some good news, we went to a restaurant on Portland that does Tappas on a Friday night which basically means that we spent a huge amount of money of lots of starters and still went home hungry, we'll need some online counselling after that!

Then on Saturday I played hockey, we lost 6-5 away to Gosport in a really close match, I was voted joint man of the match but the Captain has the deciding vote and gave it to a young lad called Luke who deserved it, he played very well in his first match for our team.

Then on Sunday we had roast duck over at Lee & Sarah's in Bridport which we all enjoyed thouroughly.

Next weekend we're off to an activity hotel to do a spot of walking on Dartmoor, can't wait as long as we don't get snowed in!

This is me in Turkey on the slide.

 

Not many people want their wills writing in December, I suppose they've all got better things to spend their money on but the website business has been quite busy so swings and roundabouts eh?

Wills website has been steady and we've introduced a new Protective Property Trust website as well which is really good.

I've been cutting my teeth on the Eype site from an ftp point of view, some work that I haven't done for many years (about 10 I think) since the old Snarling Jelly Fish days.

Been a funny old week this one, I've been up to Moreton where the ChristmasTreeMan keeps his trees, great little farm there and he's on CountryFile this coming Sunday, the website's going to go nuts so we've had to use load balancing on it to help it cope with the influx.

Been working on Swanage too and off up to Kay's for the weekend in Cwmbran, looking forward to it because we're hoping to go down the Big Pit which I haven't done for about 10 years. I think it might be free now which is cool.

Had a great time over in Turkey, met a few really god folks, Liam had a load of fun with his friends, Georgia, Liam and a few others, some are even from Wales!

Mary & I had a few laughs with a couple from Yeovil, there's a big hello going out to Joy & David from Mary & Mike (he couldn't remember my name for half the week but hey ho).

Flying from Exeter was brilliant but the timing of coming home could have been better, by the time we got home at 5am UK time we'd been awake since about the same time the day before, trouble was I couldn't sleep then because I knew I had to get back to work.

I worked all day Friday catching up, played hockey (fat & knackered) on saturday, we drew 1-1 in a hard match with me playing sweeper because I was too slow to keep up with their rightwinger! Then had a family day sunday, I did the usual asda shop in the morning and thenwatched liam playing footy in the afternoon, he was very tired and not really involved as much as he shouldhave been but he did manage to score 2 goals, the first one after being 2-0 down, then he set up a second for Jacky Leggs and the game ended at 2-2 but it was a cup match so there was extra time and Liam scored the winner in extra time so we all went home very happy.

Busy in the office today and I'm blogging now whilst Mary & Liam are watching the X-Factor that they recorded from Saturday.

Mary's been busy getting everything ironed and packed so we can go off tomorrow on Honeymoon for a week, Mary's Dad is house-sitting for us, we'll be sunning it in Turkey, can't wait although I had a little fit when Mary read out this morning that the resort we're going to wants me to wear long trowsers for dinner, I didn't wear long trowsers to get married!

Anyway, over that now and looking forward to it, booked the car a holiday in the Exeter Airport car park, that was more expensive than I thought it would be but hey-ho, everyone likes getting ripped off in Britain, why do I do everything for everyone else at rock bottom prices? I dunno.

WOL is getting on with things today, it's great when Julian's at home, the websites benefit alot from the work he does but I understand why he can't be available for me all the time at the moment, if you need to know look at his son Luke's blog and try not to cry!

As I was saying though, he's done some great work on one of our main sites today www.e-jurassic.co.uk which is going to serve as a sort of central hub, directing people to the other sites that we have that are more relevant to their enquiries. Eventually the network is going to be huge, the rest of the world just haven't spotted us yet.

Talking to a Solicitor friend of mine about taking over all of our Legal Services website work, he's going to give us a decent commission and he'll get all the work/enquiries from our sites such as www.Divorces.co.uk and www.DeedofVariation.org.uk etc. I'm going to have a meeting with him when I get back from holidays to sort out the contract, if it works well we might expand it all further. I'll keep all the work from www.Wills.org.uk for myself for the time being though and everything will have to stop if we sell Freehit.

Going into the house now to socialise with mum & dad, they're coming over to say goodbye to us, I think Liam wants me to go to the chippy for fish & chips too so might as well close the office now, a little earlier than usual but i'm in holiday mode so you'll all have to live with that! Byeeeeeeee.

Saturday was a long drive for a game of hockey, all the way to Hamble, just outside Southampton. Weymouth 2nd XI were fielding quite a few players who haven't been picked for the team previously so was quite inexperienced at that level, in the car on the way up we were discussing tactics to keep the goal count low as we thought we were in for a bit of a thrashing. Hamble game is always a bit physical and, in general, they're older, more experienced players so up against our young lads we thought they'd be quite a force to be reckoned with.

However, 10 minutes into the match it became apparent that our youngsters were gelling very well and it wasn't long until we had a goal to show for our efforts. we won 3-1 in the end and we were very pleased with ourselves for such a good and unexpected result/performance.

Yesterday was Liam's birthday, he's 13 now, we got him an iPod Nano which he loves, dead cool bit of kit. I'm busy trying to get all his music on it whilst he's in school. I took him and a couple of friends out for Pizza last night, they were all surprisingly good and a fun night was had by all.

On the work front, I went down to Exmouth for a meeting with a few members of the local Business community on Tuesday morning, that was a worthwhile trip and have come back with a new client or two. Must do some e-mailing this morning. On the way back took some photos in Budleigh Salterton, pretty little place. Also been working on our online Wills website and promoting it on Twitter, see how that goes.

Managed to keep myself busy this week, Julian's done a good bit of work on a couple of sites for WOL and I've been adding the finishing touches, watch this space for our assualt on the Jurassic Coast brand, here we come!

This weeks work was mainly on two sites though, one for the Isle of Purbeck in general and one specifically to do with Swanage.

Our new sales lady, Vivky has brought in a few good orders this week but I think I out-sold her on my telesales attack of Exmouth accommodation places. Our Exmouth site is building gradually and will be a force to be reckoned with by next summer.

Played my first league game of the season on Saturday, started off up front but I was just too rusty to score so after 20 mins I was put in Left back position and stayed there quite happily. We won 3-2 at home, easy start for us, not so for next week, Hamble away is always a tough one. I hope Simon is ok to play.

Liam did well on Sunday, his team played with only 10 men and won 8-2 after going 0-1 down. Before that though Liam had a goal disallowed, bad linesman decision but I knew they'd be ok in the end as the defence couldn't keep up with Liam. He managed to score 5 of the team's 8 and won Man of the Match which was good of Andy, even though he scores plenty he rarely wins that so Liam was chuffed.

The whole team played well though, particulary, Jacky Legs, Max, James, Tom & Dylan so Andy's decision can't have been an easy one.

Mary & I are still a little ill, doc says her results have come back with food poisoning and she's had a letter from the council about not spreading the germs in the workplace! I've got to give her 2 weeks off work or something, however, my results, same symptoms etc. as Mary, have come back ok, not ill! I can tell you I'm not well either!!!! waiting to hear from the doc when he's got a minute to call as that just can't be right.

Working on a few things today but all is a little too quiet for my liking, I might try to get a few campsites on Weymouth site.

Friday went off really well, have a look at my photo album.

OMG, only 3 days before the big day and Mary & I both are struck down by food poisoning! The only thing we ate together on Tuesday was a platter to share at the Nook, usually ok but we think this is what set it off, by the evening we were both severely crippled by cramps! Urgh!

Done a couple of Wills this morning, had a panic overnight about a broken light switch but Dad's been over and sorted that out. Got to meet Mary's Dad, John in town later and make sure all our stuff gets to the boat. Other than that I can't bring myself to concentrate on work today, been a poor week from that point of view.

Been busy here at Walkden central! Mary's slightly more relaxed now as she's been out and bought a dress, then she came home and made me buy her another one on the internet so she's got two! We've also got pretty much everything booked and sorted for the day too so just got to sit back and let it all happen around me.

Work is steady but a little slower than usual, fine with me, loads of other stuff to do anyway, I hope Julz & Julia's little baby Luke is ok, he's been in intensive care for about 3 months which can't be any fun for any of them. They've said they're coming over to the wedding bash on sat week but I wont blame them if they dont. Numbers are doing fine anyway, hope there's enough food for all.

Been working on a few websites recently, the Christmas Tree Man is obviously a priority as it has a definate deadline. Also, I'm trying to get my own website higher up in searches for Will Writers in Dorchester.

Still waiting to hear back from the people who want to buy the main online will writing website www.Wills.org.uk, I think they're just dotting i's and crossing t's. I'll keep you informed on that one.

My first hockey match of the season coming up, Weymouth Hockey Club v West Dorset Hockey Club (my old Bridport club renamed!), playing for the seconds as is usual these days and hoping to score a few goals against my old mates, again, watch this space!

Back to work now, talking to artists and galleries about being on www.JurassicArt.co.uk and doing ok at it even though I hate sales!

One other thing worth mentioning whilst rambling on, I'm being a business advisor/mentor for a Young Enterprise company based at liam's school, Budmouth but not for his year, it's a competition/project for the sixth form as I used to call it, year 12 these days, they're about 17 yr olds I think, should be fun, gotto start a company, develop a product and sell it for profit in 8 months!

Wessex Dragons won the Spirit of the Event award on Sunday's Dragon Boat racing on Weymouth beach. Congratulations go to them as the beach saw 15 cold crews compete all day through rain and a chilly wind.

One of the other contestants there on the day was Martin Cake of Chris Evans' Show on Radio 2 fame more commonly know as the Christmas Tree Man, he deliveres sustainable christmas trees all over the UK and collects them again after Christmas to be nurtured all year and re-used again the next year.

It goes past too quick, there's the last event of the summer coming up on Sunday, always fun, Dragon Boat racing off Weymouth Beach and yet before that on Saturday is my first Hockey Match of the season, I thought the football season was too long and it appears the Hockey season is only a couple of weeks behind it!

Training this Wednesday evening and a match on Sat, then dragon boating on sunday, I'll need bank holiday Monday to recover! before you know it it'll be xmas and we'll all be out buying Christmas Trees!

Working hard in this lovely recession, managed to take a week off and drag the family camping in Seatown which was great fun, amazingly enough, I got a phone call from the BBC whilst sat on the beach at Seatown saying that he was on our Seatown.org.uk website and needed to know something before he came down to film "Escape to the Country" there thuis week! Whata  coincidence!

Back in the office now and quite a bit on this week so must trot on as they say. My friend Eric wanted some info on getting divorced and I found some really interesting info on Divorce.org.uk

 

That's right, after 7 or so years of engagement Mary & I are getting married in sunny Weymouth on Friday Sept 25th, we're having a parent's only wedding followed by a trip on a huge Cat called "Songbird of Weymouth" then an evening meal for parents and siblings.

On the Saturday afternoon we're having a larger but still small reception for a larger group of friends at Lanes Restaurant in Weymouth overlooking Town Bridge.

In the evening we'll probably still be out and either downstairs in Lanes or in the Kings Arms next door!

Sunday was an early start and an exhausting day. We gathered at the Kings Arms in Weymouth to do a charity walk in aid of MV Freedom which is based in Weymouth and helps disabled people get to sea.

We were bussed to Lulworth Cove and set off once MV Freedom had visited us in the cove, the beginning of a gruelling 5 hour walk up and down steep hills following the cliffs on the coastal path.

On our return to Weymouth, the Chatsworth Hotel gave us nibbles and Pims which we really needed, that was followed by an evening of entertainment put on by the Kings Arms. This, as you can imagine, was enjoyed by all.

 

Liam was delivered back to us on the quayside and we stayed for an hour then made our way home all in  all a good day out.

Sadly, on Thursday last week, I had to go to Liverpool for the funeral of my Godfather, Uncle Tom.

He was a big part of my early life, as a family, we spent almost every holiday with him and his wife, my Aunty Brenda and we all enjoyed every minute of these holidays.

Tom taught me about many things but a few points have made a deeper impression with me such as caring for animals and nature in general, Tom was a great naturalist and loved being outside walking the coastal paths.

Another thing that has lodged in my head from Tom's teachings is that when two traffic queues are merging then you are fair with the other drivers, let one in then move ahead, if everybody did that then both queues would reduce at the same speed and there would be less road rage.

It was excellent to see the whole family together again, we hadn't done that for years but very sad to say goodbye to such a quiet gentle loved Godfather.

Having a Lazy Wednesday, the forcast is poor for Thursday and Friday in Weymouth although, knowing Weymouth, it's probably going to be sunny.

I took an easy day, this morning I had a coffee at a beach front cafe, then walked home and, yes, did some work which I can prove if you look at the local news, then walked into town again for lunch and a swim at the beach hut.

Mum and Dad were at the beach hut so had a couple of hours talking with them and a lovely swim in warm water, I kid you not!

Now I'm just closing up my office, Mary & Amanda & Ihave been sitting in the back garden discussing our latest venture....Lazy Guide, which is simple short walk guides to Weymouth and Portland, watch this space!

Busy day today, started early with an excellent business breakfast with the Cheif Executive of the Portland Harbour Authority, a chap called Steve who actually lives in Lisvane, Cardiff! Where I was brought up!

I found this out by accident because he was telling us of a fabulous bit of local news....Hilton Hotels are going to build a floating Hotel in Portland Harbour and he's having a bit of a battle with W&PBC over planning issues. He's in charge of anything that floats so he should be in charge but the Planning dept are challenging that because they don't enjoy progress. With this info I suggested that he gets the whole planning dept on a bus and took them to Cardiff to see the docks. At that point he told me he lived there!

Lets hope W&PBC wake up to positive progress!

Oh yeah, what a great time as usual, plenty of hockey and far too much to drink with the rest of my team and our regular set of friends who we see there every year, same time, same place!

We did well on Saturday, I scored 5 goals, which put us in the top league for Sunday but after our Harvey Wallbanger Extravaganza on Saturday night we didn't do so well on Sunday. Lost every match but still managed to get the tournament fair play award which we were quite happy about.

Back at the grind stone now here in sunny Weymouth, Dorset doing my Will Writer bit and working hard I think although some doubt that I do!

Off to Cardiff at the weekend, parents looking after the house/cats/kid etc. so all is well with the world.

 

Fab news, my partner Julian and his wife Julia have had a Baby boy called Luke 7.5lb over the weekend (Sunday 26th I think) and we're all very happy for them both.

Had a fantastic weekend over easter with the Weymouth Easter Hockey Festival being very busy and a resounding success largely due to the marquee that was provided by Weymouth College.

I spent some time talking to the Mayor and got an interview in the paper, all to the good of the club I hope.

The Hockey Club Annual Dinner and Dance is on Friday 8th May but I can't go (bad Chairman) as I've already booked and paid for a trip to Cardiff that weekend. Oooops.

Today we're off for a walk from Portisham to Hardy's Monument, going on the bus, not as far as West Bay, if you stay on the bus then it goes all the way to Exmouth in Devon I think.

I haven't written in 2 weeks but here's a quicky, last weekend we lost 4-1 but I got the one and on a selfish note (which all centre forwards have to be!) I was happy with that!

This weekend was a closer game, it ended up 6-5 to Hamble, they'd brought a few of their first team with them as, for them, it was a relegation battle, win and they stay up, lose and they go down, so they were very keen to win. For us it made no difference. I was happy to score a last 2 goals of the league season. bringing my total for this seasons to around 30 I think, I'll do a proper count later on.

Had a great couple of days in Exmouth the other week, I was amazed at how nice the Exmouth Accommodation was!

Had a great weekend, weather was fantastic!

We had an away game in Winchester again, we hired a minibus which I had to drive and arrived there just in timefor the game, it was hot and I was knackered after the warm up!

We got off to a good start, at one point we were 5-1 up but by the half time whistle it was 5-3, I'd got a good deflection goal in the first five.

As usual in the second half we managed to colapse a little and the oposition took control to a great degree. I got our 6th goal with my back to goal and keeper at my back I turned away from the goal and shot behind the keeper at a narrow angle but slotted it in.We lost the second half 2-1 but we ran out overall winners with a 6-5 result and or us, away from home that's a good result!

On mothers day Liam had a football match in Ringwood, they all played really well but were beaten by a better team. The score was 5-2 and Liam scored both of our goals so he was pretty happy.

Today I'll be working on our divorce website.

A tough game against the Southampton Uni students, all much fitter than me, I had loads of shots on target, should have scored 3 and made 3 for Simon but their goal keeper was outstanding.

It turned out that we lost 5-1 but I scored the 1, I've lost count for the season but the tally's not looking bad!

Working hard on my fossils sites today I think.

We had a great time, it was good to get together and relax in  nice surroundings for the weekend, Liam had loads of fun too in the pool and on the putting green.

Mum, Jonathan and Anya above, Dad and Emma below, no photos of the elusive Amy or me a I was behind the camera.

Have a look at the photo album, there's a few more shots there!