|
Timothy Owens, 20 Braytoft Close, Holbrooks, Coventry, CV6 4ED 01203 680670 (or 024 76680670, I think) 10/7/1999 |
Phthrrt 109
Dear all,
Hmm. High time for another letter.
Started collecting tokens for the Daily Mail half price air ticket offer. Thought we might try visiting Madeira, but worked out that even a half price air ticket plus accommodation was more expensive than a standard package deal. So we decided to make the most of the half price, and headed for New Zealand. It was a bit of a shock when we phoned to tell them - we only gave them two weeks' notice!
Spent a busy fortnight seeing the in-laws; saw volcanoes, post thumpers, the film crew for Xena and an extremely large chocolate dessert. Yum. I was the first to finish, and I helped some of the others finish too. The steak house was another highlight. Pick your own lump of cow and they cook it for you. You didn't have to finish off the entire animal if you didn't want to. ( You could take what you couldn't eat home in a 'doggy bag'.)
Spent another busy fortnight with the in-laws here in England. Took them to see my parents, and grandparents, and then we spent two hectic days in London and one in Paris. They're on their way back now, hoping to find the house in one piece and most of the animals in reasonable health.
Decided to postpone the kitchen rebuild. Done enough this summer already, and Bronwyn wanted to get her summer job out of the way. She still hasn't got her certificate through yet for the nursery diploma, but it might be here by Christmas...
Two things:- Firstly an appeal for old Postgrad material, particularly copies of the sketches and songs. Geoff is digging up his archive of black and white photos for reprinting, and some of these will be published in due course. It's the tenth anniversary of the majority of Phthrrt!! graduations, and we thought we might gather a database so that people around the world might see, marvel, commiserate and section us under the Mental Health Act. Please send any interesting items to the above address, and the Cov and Warwicks health authority promise total amnesty. Moray's old Amstrad disks will be revived in due course - anyone able to read a 3.25" Amstrad disk?
Secondly, myself and Bronwyn are making plans to visit Snowdonia on 27-30 August. We gave up organising a proper Postgrad do due to various people's busy schedules, and Esther Ruth Owens's recent arrival in Essex. We will be inviting a few people from the church, namely Matty and Steve, and if any of you want to come too, then let us know. Might stay at Jesse James's again. Will definitely try getting up Snowdon, but probably in the train.
Planning a proper Postgrad do at the beginning of October, either in Coventry or Burnham. Will announce details later.
Phthrrt!!,
Tim (& Bronwyn)
(Ps. Bronny here. Had a fab time back home, and then Mum & Dad came over here and had another fab few weeks. That trip was planned in advance unlike ours. During the last 2.5 weeks while they have been over here, we have eaten out lots, been to France for a a day trip and spent several days in London and walked our feet off!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that I'm trying to loose weight, but oh my poor feet!!!!! I am really enjoying this very unbritish weather. I have even dug my old NZ summer clothes out. WOW. Any way, that's all from me. Bronny)
Hmm. What next. Ah yes - the epistles of Nick:-
Date: 16 April 1999 0:38
Phthrrrt
The news has leaked out here and there, but it's time I sat and told you all!
We have a daughter, Esther Ruth Owens, born 11/4/99 6.56pm, 6lb6oz, baby sized. Rebekah went with her mum to the cinema on Saturday night, and leaked on the way home on the car seat. She got me out of bed (I'd literally just switched the light off) and we went to the hospital. She was checked over and I left her for the night. On Sunday at 1pm I got there, gave her a relaxing back rub, and off she went. By 3.30pm she needed gas and air, by 4 she was in the labour ward 70% dilated. By 5.50 she was ready to push, and at 7 the baby escaped with a little help from a pair of scissors. It took an hour to sew up and tidy up, then she was ready to pick up the bags and climb the stairs; this is utterly different to the caesarean last time! Ladies please note: a few hours of agony are worth six weeks unable to move. Esther seems OK, is feeding better than Daniel did, and Rebekah's entered for the London Marathon. My mum's here now, Daniel's pining for his mum, but it's nice having a quiet house again before the 24 hour shifts start (though Esther seems more organised and quieter than Daniel was!)
A natural birth is easier to watch than a Caesarean, although I tend to look at the nude calendars at work with tired contempt after watching a baby's head distend an anus (Isn't that the wrong hole?). Finish your tea, dears.
love NickO
Subject: Thanks
Date: 24 May 1999 13:01
Finally got round to thanking you for the book, bib and Rebekah sanity support chocolates!
Thankyou for the book, bib and Rebekah sanity support chocolates!
The book is lovely; it'll be on the shelf until they can manage convoluted stories, but it's very nice. The bib is funny! Needs to be 3 metres square for Esther though; she's getting to the rubber tummy stage. Rub rub rub burp eyes open wide whoosh whoosh. The chocolates are nearly gone; please can you find some that taste foul as Rebekah wants to give them up?
Lots of love,
RN
Date: 23 June 1999 13:37
Hello, Hello, Hiya, Gurgle
Esther slept through last night, for the first time! We define 'sleeping through' as being asleep when one wishes to go to bed, and still being asleep when one finally realises one has to get up. It won't be consistent for a while yet, but it's earlier than Daniel. He's just recovering from croup, which is a bit like having your lungs decorated with three coats of black treacle. He's now got a runny nose, and Esther's snuffling.
Tonight, I'm leaving the house for a couple of hours; the first time since Esther came home! If that works, Rebekah will get a night out each week as well. Daniel's easy; you go through the shutdown procedure and switch off. Esther needs a full tank and total exhaustion before giving in. Last night she didn't have colic; I actually played with her! Mind you, she'd had many feeds yesterday and consequently very little sleep.
Love
Nick, Rebekah, Daniel and Esther (Bye, Bye, Bubye, Gurgle)