Ordinary fool

On Friday I finished my final day contracting to Teachers' TV. I'd worked for three months on version 1.0 of the website back in 2004, but then I came back for more; this time as 'Technical Manager'. The result? Teachers' TV 2.0, this time in Drupal. Lots of highs, a few lows, and as always, plenty to learn from. My huge thanks go to the Teachers' TV team—who now inherit all my mistakes. Good luck! Thanks too, to the Drupal community for enabling a small and dedicated team to build a much larger website than could ever have been built by us alone.

We passed the second milestone only today. Nicola now has 'indefinite leave to remain' in the UK. I wouldn't recommend the Croydon Public Enquiry Office experience to anyone. Aptly named, Lunar House is an alien landscape a long way from home, complete with aliens. Anyhow, congratulations Nicola, you may now settle permanently. To celebrate we're off up to Edinburgh for a few nights.

Lunar House, Croydon

The 20 week abnormality scan says all is well (heart, kidneys, kicking legs etc.), but we're no wiser about gender. Apparently baby has his/her legs crossed. Bashful baby. On the other hand, the home made old wives/witches pendulum test (constructed in this case by Granddad to be, Nigel) says boy. We'll see. Unisex toys until further notified.

Oh, and Happy New Year! :)

A couple of years ago, someone I hadn't seen in a long time stumbled across this site. She took one look at Lula's scans and sent a message of congratulations... to me on my becoming a father! Hmmm. At the time I thought she was mad, but it turns out she was just a couple of years early.

Since Lula's time the Whittington has upgraded to some impressive new Philips ultrasound gear - a nice piece of kit - but let's not talk about that now. Here's one look at baby at nine weeks, and three at twelve. (Oh, and sorry about the long absence, I've been busy!)

Nine weeks

Twelve weeks

Today, I woke up singing this. I'm not sure why.

Warwick and Jo's first night out in two years, but more importantly, we got to babysit.

Father Geoffrey, Lula, Warwick, Dora and I around the font of St Mary with St George, the Parish Church of Hornsey.

Parents and godparents, the Church receives Lula with joy. Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith. Will you pray for them, draw the by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
With the help of God, we will

In baptism Lula begins her journey in faith. You speak for them today. Will you care for her, and help her take her place within the life and worship of Christ's Church?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
With the help of God, we will

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask; Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
I reject them

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
I renounce them

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
I repent them

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
I turn to Christ

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
I submit to Christ

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?

Mark, Dora, Warwick and Jo say;
I come to Christ

On the way home from New Zealand we spent three nights in Hong Kong. A fantastic experience that I can't believe I put off this long.

In the middle of a frantic couple of weeks of socialising and conferencing back home in Wellington, Nicola and I took two days out out at Cape Palliser, the southernmost tip of the North Island.

We took a week on the Isle of Wight, in Portsmouth, Southampton and the New Forest for Nicola's birthday. Osbourne House and three castles later, we're finally making on our English Heritage membership.

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps where territories are re-sized on each map according to a particular statistic, e.g. population, net emigration, dairy exports. Fascinating, with more maps to come.