I love his ‘shocked’ expression :)

Alfie Clarke with curlers in his hair!

Alfie standing on his own two feet - with his own car keys? God they start early these days!

Jack in the Green is a May Day festival celebrated around the UK, but the best one happens in Hastings. This year was the 25th anniversary, and now Pete and I were in Sambalanco, we were to take part in the procession through the streets of the old town, dressed up in our purple and yellow “uniform”.

Sam-ba-lan-co!

We have joined a Samba music band called Sambalanco. It has about 20-25 fantastic, friendly members and is a great way to make some noise!

Samba is a loud, proud, rhythmic style of music that is made with a variety of instruments that include the Cowbells, Shakers, Tambourine and a variety of snare drums, small contra drums and the larger base drums.

Pete plays the Number 1 Serdu drum whilst I have the more delicate but just as noisy Tambourine and at least I can dance with mine!

Once I have been more, I will learn all their correct names of the instruments. We have even been practicing in Hastings Town Centre in preparation for Jack in the Green on 5th May 2008.

Pete on the Serdu

Kim on the Tambourine

We often go for a drink at The Street after practice

The Gang

See our MySpace Sambalanco page.

We were due to see Derren Browns new show, Mindreader at the White Rock Theatre the weekend of Pete’s birthday party.

Sadly Mr Brown lost his voice and had to cancel the show, luckily we managed to get him back a few weeks later in April.

We went with Lucy, Andy, Zoey and Russell and had a brilliant time. The show was amazing and Derren was an amazing performer.

I love Derren Brown. Visit his excellent website, and check out his artistic side.

www.derrenbrown.co.uk

Snow? In April I hear your cry!

Yes the weekend that it snowed. Pete and I had gone to visit Bexhill-on-Sea for a couple of hours to see an art exhibition at the De La Warr Pavillion.

Despite it being cold, wet and snowy it looked very picturesque and we had a lovely hot curry to warm us up afterwards.

Hastings Train Station

De La Warr Pavillion

I know I am very naughty. Despite my New Year statement about keeping this site updated - I have failed to yet again.

Well now I am back hopefully and my fist job is to tell you about the great achievement of myself and my beloved Pete.

On a wet and slightly windy day on Sunday 16th March 2008, Kim and Pete set off at 10.30am and set off on their rather hilly journey through the town of Hastings.

After 2 miles, Pete decided he was ready to race off and get a record running time in the bag - I would catch up with him more than 2 hours later once I had crossed the finish line.

Luckily I had a) my iPod with me and b) our good friend Jeremy on his bike to keep me company and egg me on, despite a slight blip where he disappeared for 6 miles to repair his flat tyre. I found the crowds lining the route did a sterling job in cheering the runners on and providing cold drinks and orange segments half way round the course.

I was amazed how much I actually enjoyed myself, but found by the 10th mile I was getting pretty exhausted which left the final 3.1 miles along the seafront a very hard trog - Pete found the same too.

Pete and Kim at the start of the Hastings Half

I saw Pete swigging a large glass of red wine just as I came to the 12th mile (he had finished it in 2 hrs and 5 mins). 2 hours and 54 minutes later I crossed the finish line with a smile and a wave to the crowd.

Jeremy saved the day by handing me a vodka and tonic (medicinal purposes) and a chocolate bar to revive my energy levels, before we disappeared to the pub for a Sunday roast.

We raised a cracking £172 for my friends charity the Tree of Life for Animals.

Despite the nipple rash, tendonitis and general muscular stiffness it was well worth it.

Our final word - “Can we do it again next year?”

Pete finally caught up with me in March this year and turned the grand age of 30!

We had a mini celebration on the day but held off anything bigger until after the Hastings Half Marathon.

Oh dear, Pete turns 30 and realises he cannot take his drink anymore

We had a house party to celebrate (2 weeks after his actual birthday )courtesy of our friends Lucy and Andy who loaned us their larger house to contain all our friends.

Chris Cootes did a brilliant disco and we all had a great time. Take a gander at some of the results a bit of alcohol can have!

View the entire album here: Pete’s 30th Party Album

Had a fabulous girly weekend at Butlins in Bognor with Ellie, Katie and Zoey.

Lots of dressing up, drinking and dancing, not much sleep but great fun. It was Skool Reunion weekend so adults only!

Katie even got to meet her hero, Pat Sharp the DJ with long hair who used to present Funhouse - remember!

Katie as Cowgirl

Meow!

We took our annual trip with Pete’s family to France in February 2008 this year to visit my parents.

Enjoying a meal at our favourite restaurant in St Romaine

A day tip to visit La Rochelle on the coast,

Cool Grafitti at La Rochelle

I got a chance to cuddle my cat Big. This is one of his favourite spots.

Big

and play on a seesaw by the River Charente

Ouch!

Finally Pete and I enjoyed a few hours in Paris before our journey back home, so we enjoyed a lovely picnic under the Eiffel Tower.

Gay Paris!

Red wine, cheese and a crusty baguette - what more could you want!

Pete and I by the Eiffel Tower

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this beautiful sunset - it was almost as if the sky was on fire.

Sunset in France, February 2008