An Easy October

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Our walk this month was the easiest so far - from Richmond to Boston Manor via Isleworth (really beautiful) lasting only 4 miles. Syon Park is great, although all the planes flying over....

I carried on with my 'community care' - this time helping with (amongst other things) an exercise programme. I also helped a little bit more with designing dad's new office.

I went to the Battle of Hastings (seriously!). We met one of my godfather's there - and saw a full re-enactment at Battle Castle. While I was there, I did some archery - and it was a beautiful day! Also, while we were in Southwold for half-term I did some rowing (and more kayaking and crabbing).

There's still nearly four more months to go - and I'm looking forward to the clay-pigeon shooting, karting day at Hoddesdon and a secret project with mum - while carrying on with the regulars.

Don't worry, it will be party time soon!

September....

We certainly got back into the swing of things. We did a family trip to Portobello Road Market and Notting Hill - can't see what all the fuss is about.

We did our 11th Walk (out of 15) from Wimbledon Common to Richmond Park. On the way, we passed this golf club where every golfer has to wear a red top. Cool. In spite of that, it was probably the 'prettiest' walk so far although it was 8 and a half miles all-in.

Two other interesting projects were also started. I am helping in a regular 'Community Care' project at our synagogue - this basically involves talking to and helping older people who have various mental / physical problems. It was a good experience (my Dad says).

Also, Dad (on mum's 'suggestion') is moving his office to an outdoor garden building (yet to be built) and I have drawn two possible designs for him - one internal and one external. I'm not sure whether I should put a bed in there!

October looks even busier!

August adventures

A funny month because although I was away a lot we got quite a few projects done.

We did our 'monthly' walk from Streatham to Wimbledon Park - which was very unexciting (apart from the above sign outside Wandsworth Cemetry) and which Dad felt was our 'marathon' wall (whatever that is). It might be something to do with the picture of me outside Wordsworth!

I also went to see the Cezanne Exhibition at the Courtaulds Institute - and took the chance to see Somerset House at the same time.

However, the highlight of the month was the Scouts Camp in Portugal which was probably the best thing I've ever done - and also gave me the chance to do SO MANY new sports including catamaran, kayaking and windsurfing - as well as a 40 kilometre walk with army-weight backpacks. It was all fantastic.

Dad says we're now going to get more serious and intensive. Oh dear.

That's more like it...

I'm really getting the hang of this now! Highlight of the month was my 'Roots' trip (or rather Dad revisiting his youth!).

We - together with Julius - went to Stamford Hill, Clapton, Hackney and Whitechapel (and even had time to check on the progress of the Olympic build!). We saw his old schools, home, workplaces and even a school he taught at for 6 months - it was, I suppose, quite interesting but perked up when we found a Macdonalds.

I saw Romeo & Juliet at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre - lots of kissing, violence and Dad drinking wine! - and did another walk, this time from Crystal Palace to Streatham (a mere 4 miles) .

Now, I'm told it really hots up! After August, when we're away a lot, we get into more 'stuff' - including my Community Care project, training for a 5km run with Mum and, possibly, some clay pigeon shooting! Pip Pip.

Mid-summer hiatus!

It's been a funny month! We did the longest walk of the Capital Ring, over 8 miles, to Crystal Palace with two of my Godfathers (John and Libs) - but not much else apart from lots of planning. Let's call it a mid-term hiatus!

Mum is now orgainising a 5k run for us to do together (for which we'll have to do training!), while Dad has promised we'll actually do the East End / Roots day in July.

He's also quite hot on getting some culture - and while he's given up on making me read HG Wells, we're going to see Romeo and Juliet at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Also, our trip to France is taking shape and he's now thinking of taking me to where he and Mum met - near Perpignan - and combining it with a walk across the Pyrennes

A Funny Month

It's been a funny month because a lot of my time has been taken up with appearing in School's 150th Anniversary production - in which one of my roles was as Mrs Thatcher - and getting a Merit in Grade 1 Oboe!

However, we did manage to do three walks!. The first - which turned into a family day - included going under the flight path at London City Airport (very noisy), walking under the Thames and catching the River Cruiser back to Charing Cross. The second had us visiting Charlton and Woolwich - meeting the same bus inspector twice at different locations - and then me 'collapsing' at Shooters Hill due to acting fatigue!

Finally, we did a mammoth 7 miles by completing the second walk - and then seeing beautiful Eltham Palace and Grove Park's 'interesting' neighbourhood. We were both shattered!

I also explored some new parts of London - including South Kensington. While I could take or leave the Royal College of Art, I thought Harrods was great - what donuts and plasma tv's! We also went to Chelsea - and saw Sloane Square, the Royal Army Hospital and the pagoda in Battersea Park.

I haven't quite made the East End yet, but have arranged to do some community work with old people in September, go sea-fishing on our holiday in France and sailing in Salcombe with one of my godfathers - and have been struggling through HG Wells 'The First Men on the Moon'.

Dad's so tired, he's gone for a lie-down!

A busy week-end

This month I've had two activities in one week-end!

The first was my Dinner Party for friends of my parents - John & Marilyn and Libs and Carol. I invited them round some time ago and decided on a menu. After some discussion with Mum, I settled on a starter of an unusual salad, salmon with stirfry vegetables and a desert of double layer chocolate cake with fresh summer fruit. It went really well and I was complemented on my cooking!

Then Sunday, we did stage 4 of the Walk - from Hackney Wick to Beckton. We walked past the Olympic building site - it was fascinating - and then had a really nice 5 mile stroll on some sewage pipes during which I told Dad the Facts of Life. Surprising how little he knows! The only drawback was that when we got to the end, we discovered that Royal Albert DLR Station (and the whole DLR network) was closed and so we ended up in East Ham.

I'm now thinking about May - and on top of another walk, may try to explore the East End and start a 'Care in The Community' project

We're On Our Way

Dad and I have already walked two stages of 'The Capital Ring' - our walk around London.

The first was from Hendon Park to Highgate on a beautiful sunny day - while we did the second last week from Highgate Station to Stoke Newington. The weather wasn't brilliant but Dad was still getting quite emotional towards the end. Something to do with his old stomping ground - whatever that is! Lord help us on Stage 3 which goes through Springfield Park.

I've also started on my 'London Football Grounds Tour' and have been to Wembley (Great win Spurs!) and Barnet (to see Rory as a mascot).

I've finished 'Lord of the Flies' and also read 'Animal Farm' - and failed to get past page 7 of 'Of Mice and Men' (Steinbeck).

Getting Started....

My first adventure was an operation on my ear - but I'm not sure that counts as it wasn't much fun!

After that I arranged a dinner party for some of my Godparents for April! They're coming round on a Saturday night and I (poosibly with my friend Oz) will be picking the menu, buying the food and cooking it! I'll probably get my younger siblings to do the menial tasks like laying the table and washing up(!) - but I hope I don't get too drunk!

Also, I've started reading 'Lord of the Flies' - which is very good - and I had my first golf lesson from Grandpa and managed to hit a ball 125 yards!

The other thing I've done is a bit cultural!!! I went with Dad to Borough Market (very crowded and very cheesy!), The Globe Theatre, Tate Modern (what a crack in the floor!) and over the Millennium - wobbly - bridge. I was shattered at the end of the day

My first blog

I am starting a 'Year of Adventure' (instead of a barmitzvah!) - and will be doing some really exciting things. And I've just learned that I've got the Jack Petchey Award from the scouts - so that's a good start! (I've no idea what it is, but Mum and Dad seem pleased),

These include learning to play golf, walking around London, going fishing, holding a dinner party (which I've already arranged!) and visiting all the football grounds in London! I'll give you more detail as we go along.

It will take me a year to do all these - and I'll keep you posted with my progress reports and pictures!