Ipswich Feb 2002

1. Here I was sitting on the back step of the house. Behind me is the kitchen, and to the left is the patio doors to the dining room. The two dogs are named Bailey (on the left), and Freddy at the right. I was just waiting for the washing machine to finish before hanging out the washing!! Life can be so exhilarating at times!	2. Here I am at the bottom of our back garden, doing my really 'unfavourite' chores! The tree to the left is just beginning to sprout buds and will soon begin to grow leaves which will last until autumn... about October time. The small building behind me is a garden shed. To the left is an oversized garage and workshop. In the distance can be seen the houses of similar design in an adjacent road . The grass is looking rather tatty after it's first spring cut, but will now begin to look better as the summer approaches.
3. This photo is me waiting at the kitchen door for Alex while she is feeding her dogs. Behind me is the hallway leading to the front door of the house. To the left, and behind me are two doors one leading into the dining room and the other to the lounge. Behind me and to the right is a staircase leading to the upper floor, to bedrooms, bathroom and 'Aladins cave'.	4.This picture is of me leaving by the front door. To the right is a bay window which is at the front of the lounge. In the top of the picture can been seen the window sills of the upper bedroom windows.
5. I have arrived at St Luke's Church and making my way into the office to print up the church prayer diary and news letters for April 2002 . The red car is my Vauxhall Carlton 2.00L CDxi, and the silver car is a Vauxhall Astra belonging to our Ministers wife Hope. To the right are the windows to the church hall. Note the unusual glass spire on top of the church lobby.	6.This is a view inside St Luke's looking towards the pulpit. The ceiling is made from wood and is shaped like an 'upside down ship'. It is barrel vaulted, being narrower at the alter end than from the rear. To the right can be seen sliding partition doors which open up to extend the church, and also lead to the hall and recreation areas. St Luke's was built in the 1950's, and is a relatively modern church compared to the many neighbouring Medieval churches in the town of Ipswich.
7. I came back from St Luke's and played a little guitar to settle down, relax and sing about Jesus. I was playing Amazing Grace, and by the look on my face, it must have sounded like agony! However, I liked it and it relaxed my nerves after a busy aftrenoon.	8. The picture on the right was snapped while I was sitting in the garden, one cup of tea downed to my satisfaction, and then became engrossed in some really interesting article. It must have been an unforgettable story, and I can't remember just now what it was all about... Oh well...
9. Well, I tried to escape to the quiet of my bedroom, and to my utter surprise, there stood Alex again saying 'smile for the camera Dad!' To my right the curtains lead into a bay window where I often sit looking out into the trees that line the slip road to my house. Squirrels can be seen during the year jumping around the trees foraging for nuts and seeds to store for their winter hibernation. Many different types of birds also land in the trees during their migration seasons and ducks from our local park often waddle around in the grassy areas below the trees.	10.My computer equipment is located in a wardrobe facility of a spare bedroom. Note how I place myself right next to a hot water radiator, and it is nice to sit there in the winter time. Now, with the possibility of escaping Alex and her camera, I will just spend an hour or two writing, or updating a website or answering some emails, but.... Glory be... here she is again. I just can't escape!!
Saturday 16th February 2002 was Alex's 18th birthday, and we had a party in the house for her on Sunday the 17th February 2002. Some of the many guest who attended were caught on camera by my brother Archie, and they appear here. Most of the people in the photographs had 'red-eye' effect, and Archie had to 'touch' them all up. He also had to touch-up the photographs!!	11.This photo is of Lorraine, who is Alex's mother.
12. To the left is a photo of Teresa, Rinis and Bradley. Wow ... hey ... dig that hair cut Brad!! Co...ool stuff... and where is your sister Tayler hiding? Ok Tayler, we'll give you a look in too!	13. Ok, someone has to be photograph number thirteen, and guess who drew the short straw! It was lights out time, and Alex was about to do that BIG job and blow out her 18 birthday candles. Seems like she was a bit embarrassed, and yours truly came to assist... and also sneak another cuddle from the birthday girl. Hey watch my sunglasses.. those candles are dazzling me!! Gosh, I don't know who looked more embarrassed at the thought of pulling silly faces as the candles needed blowing, and... Robert, I did say not to make the balloons look rude!! Ok, Al, lets blow together babe...
14. Now, that certainly looks better Alex, all the candles blown out, and just take a look at those big strong muscles cutting through three inches of concrete... erhm... sorry I meant three inches of delicious iced birthday cake. Is that someone standing behind you, or just a T-shirt hanging on a lamp-post?	15: Alex, Lorraine and Phil. Ok then, parties over kiddo...and Mum said she is not going to let go of you ... She's trying to take you home again... Fat chance of that now though... what?

So, it's happy birthday Alex, and don't eat all that cake... Robert will need some packed lunches this week!