Thanksgiving

We just spent a lovely weekend with the whole Van De Laak family for thanksgiving, a very traditional affair consisting of turkey, Cranberry Jelly, mashed potatoes, cheesy leeks, ham and even pumpkin pie! We stayed with Katie, Russel, Noah(1 ish) and Caden (3 ish). It was a real eye opener to see a married couple with young kids at close quarters for the first time, and made us realise how much we'll be missing of Becca and Steve's adventures with Baby Besford over this year. The boys seemed to be a real blessing to the whole family and lit up the house around them, but they sure are hard work. They demand total attention and become your number one
priority (or they should if you're doing it right). I always knew this, but seeing in action just how happy and complete they make a family, as well as how much sacrifice they need has given me a fresh point of view on parenthood. Overall, I think I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait to be a part of little BB's life.

Beer night was fun on Friday night at the Tin Palace AKA Lance and Paula's House. Lance is a man on a mission to convert the heathen. To Beer! We gathered for a blind tasting of different local and imported beer, rendering judgment on taste free of the shackles of brand image or expectation. An interesting exercise in which we dismissed Coors Light and Kokanee as weak, thin, fizzy pop (no surprise there) and also Dos Equis, which we suspected of being alcohol free! I always order this in Mexican Restaurants and I thought I liked it. Turns out to be gnats p***. SHOCKER! Corona for me next time. I found some Black Sheep to take and was unsurprised to see Yorkshires finest streaks ahead of the competition even in an international field including Hoegarden and Innis and Gunn. Well done those fine boys in Masham!

School continues well. Students here still seem to be polite and friendly, hardworking and responsible. They are trusted to work hard and succeed on their own merits and tend to rise to the challenge. Most take part in extra curricular activities, many in more than one. The sports teams practice for an hour or two every day. The serious commitment the pupils, their parents and the staff bring to this has impressed me no end. Still, the fact that I have the same lessons everyday is a little wearing. I used to look forward to Thursday as much as I disliked Wednesday, but now I barely know what day it is! Just part of school culture for me to adapt to.


Oh, and I sank a 70 foot putt on the golf course this Saturday! If only I could play off the fairway! Thanks for the game, Roger and Leyton. We'll do it again when the course reopens in Spring.