2008 - Bristol - the view from Sky Bunker, Cosy Castle

June. This shows the sleeping giant of Dundry hill. Once again it is the Balloon Season. It conjures memories. Around this time, last year (well, August), when Freddy and Rafa were in Bristol... and my life was still so uncertain. Ten years ago, I'm living in the Happy Flat, one year into working at the Agency, one year into Dante's Fool (Heist) and in the middle of 5 weeks holiday after renegotiating my contract: a long trip to Amsterdam; starting my early morning writing routine for the first time; building a website; falling asleep to a tape of the rain every night; meeting Kelvin and Russell; coming out of an intense clubbing phase; Zed.

Twenty years ago I'm living in Jesus Mound; just finishing my A'Levels, just met a Norwegian girl called Annelin... I'm planning a trip to Norway.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - AKR

June. A big rendezvous is planned in Newcastle. My sister arranges for major family figures to sneak across the North Sea, deposit themselves in a Jesmond hotel and await a time to come down to the house. Mum kept saying how strange it was she hadn't recieved any word from her brother, or sisters. When she opened the front door and saw them all standing there, singing traditional Norske songs... she howled with joy and emotion.

My sister prooves herself as an exceptional cook.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday

June. My sister made all this.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Uncle Rune

June. This is my mum's brother, and a lovely bloke.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Mum, Oj

June. This is mum during her period of chemotherapy, and I have to say she looks amazing for it.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Lisa

June. Originally one of my sister's friends, Lisa is now well and truly a part of the family set. Utterly gorgeous and a great character.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday

June. My sister made this incredible dessert, out of sponge soaked in Amereto, cream and oodles of strawberries. Simply divine. I think I actually said, "This is the best dessert I have EVER tasted."

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Carys

June. The gang from next door were a part of the celebration, also being classed as part of the family set.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Pete W

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Penny aka Monster

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Rosie

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Rachael

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - AKR, Mum

June. My sister stepped over to my mum and swooped her round and started dancing to the Glen Miller band music that was playing.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Harry

June. I've known Harry all my life; the husband of the late Avis, a woman I also knew by my Dad's nickname for her: Chopper. Anyway, I've not seen Harry in 20 years... not since I moved to Bristol so I was really pleased to see him here.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Beverley

June. Bev is the daughter of Harry and Avis, another person I've known my entire life. She's taken after her mother, larger than life character, flamboyant and a massive laugh.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Uncle Erling

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Aunt Edle

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Uncle Ole, and Aunt Marie

June.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - AKR, Nk

June. My sister and Ms N.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Mum

June. I suggested going out for a big Cantonese meal...like we used to, during the 70s and early 80s. Mum was feeling well enough after her recent chemotherapy and said "yes". It was a fantastic evening, the restaurant made a huge effort to ensure we had a good time. Jo and I walked back from Stowell Street to Jesus Mound on our own, in the rain... smiling and happy.

2008 - Jesus Mound - Mum's Birthday - Erling, Edle, Rune, Ole, Mum

June. Having mum's family there really made the whole event special, more than words can convey... memories have been formed that will linger fondly for a long time to come.

2008 - Bath - Hagen

June. I'm back from Newcastle, back in Bristol and working in Bath, loving it. Hagen's permanent contract came abruptly to an end when the company he'd only recently joined decided to relocate to London: so he had some time on his hands, after meeting freelance clients in Bath, to join me for some food and coffee one sunny lunchtime.

2008 - Bristol - Boca Bar - Oj

June. Summer finally arrives. Jo and I start making regular visits to Boca Bar again, usually coinciding with a cinema visit. So too does Ben C, a lad from work who is becoming a proper friend beyond the workspace... Bath based, I've been driving him to Bristol after work for drinks and films...then he crashes in the spare room and gets a ride into work with me in the morning.

2008 - Bristol

June. Jo and I were driving back from Boca Bar when I looked up to see a familiar sight for Bristol summer... a hot air balloon, except... there was no basket, just a solitary bloke with a jet pack strapped to his back.

2008 - Bristol - Upton Cheyney - Alt.Dave

June. I hooked a response to my request for new players: Mark the goth needs to be replaced. So, after much arranging and re-arranging (stomach bug, wisdom teeth) we finally met up at the Upon Cheyney Inn (my new local). Rolled up a character and now just waiting for some space to slot him in... although Mark's no longer leaving as I thought he was, creating a squeeze at the game table. We'll see how things pan out.

2008 - Bath - Ed N

June. One of the Digital Design guys. Ed's a good bloke to spend time with.

2008 - Bristol - Random

June. I walked into work one day (in Bath) to find a film crew I'd commisioned just sitting there. Why aren't you on location, I asked? The presenter's dad died this morning, they responded. Shit. So, a mad dash to find a new presenter. Then a frenetic journey to Bristol to reach the first location before our permit expired. Then another three locations after that. It was a long but imensely enjoyable day. We saw this kid near Castle Park. I ran down to him and asked my by now familiar question "do you want to be in a commercial for a new camera?"

2008 - Bristol - Random + film crew

June.

2008 - Bath - Alvaro

June. This is the freelance cameraman we went with for the digital camera commercial. He was amaaaazingly good. He was also amazingly popular with all the ladies on our floor... very amusing watching head's turn and keep turning as he walked into to finish edits. Lovely bloke, too.