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Our annual invasion of the Isle of Wight (IOW) is always renowned for a fun, party atmosphere and this year’s camp would be just the same as we set off to take over the island for another 5 days over Easter.  I’d somehow been volunteered to drive the minibus – either someone picked me the short straw or I was drunk when I volunteered – so after picking it up in Boston at 7am we loaded up the main stack of camp kit and loaded the first batch of people into the van (Me, Daizy, Jack, Cat and Ben).  A few hours later we stopped to collect Jenny, followed by the last batch of people at Hatfield – Beaker, Claire and another Claire!

After 5 hours on the road we arrived at Southampton ferry terminal to find loads of other friends about to board the same ferry to the island – The invasion had begun!

Arriving at about 4pm to the campsite – right in the middle of the speedway stadium! – We found that, even though it was sunny, the site was already very muddy from the rain over the last week.  So, after carefully setting up camp, we headed off to Tesco’s to stock up on the all essential supplies!

The first party of the weekend was 80’s hip-hop, and as we had just arrived, we thought we would break ourselves in slowly to the fancy dress!

After a late night, Friday brought the rain and wind…obviously we had to get out and enjoy it so we headed off to the solent for a fast rib ride around the defensive WWII towers!  After getting extremely wet it was time for some archery, a drum workshop and then a massive dance mat competition!  Not a bad list of activities to start the camp off with!

Friday night was when we really started to dress up with a massive contingent of mime artists!

Saturday was a time to get out in the solent again and have a go at surfing, followed by an adventurous bike ride and then some climbing.  With the wet weather and the mud at the campsite we thought it best to head off to the heights for a Spa session!

Probably our best fancy dress was saved for Saturday as we all painted ourselves up for an 80’s UV party!  We had white paper suits that we could decorate with UV paint!

Sunday morning was a bit of a blur after the previous party but we headed off around lunchtime to the far side of the needles and a 9hole golf course.  Comedy value came from a 3 balls being lost on the first shot and a fantastic shot that saw the ball remain where it was but the turf make it to the hole!  The final activity of the camp is always the best – Headhunters!  Outdoor laser quest in a massive field with about 30 a side!  Obviously we took it seriously being the older people there – we dressed up in our UV white suits and marched up to the other base!

The last night’s party was a space disco with the team dressing up as ‘Men in Black’.

The camp was another fantastic event!  Thanks to all the management for inviting us down again!  See you in 2011!

Jo and Nat celebrated their birthday in style with a masquerade party at Tilt in Nottingham.  The evening of cocktails and even more cocktails went well with the girls really enjoying their party!

Finally completed the bathroom the other day!  It was the major job I had to do to the house since buying it (I’m not a fan of ‘old lady’ style bathrooms!!)

The original Bathroom:

Taking my anger out on the walls:

Finished Bathroom!!

New Year in London with a good group of friends…luckily the camera wasn’t around as the evening wore on!

Christmas Eve with the boys!

After a little shopping around I finally decided on what mountain bike I wanted.  Jo had kindly offered to get me one for my birthday so I combined her present with mum’s to get a good hardtail mountain bike.

I was after an off road bike with some capability to ride to work so opted for the GT Aggressor XC3

I was told to that to keep Saturday 31st October free by my girlfriend as it was the only free date since my 30th we could really get together and go out to celebrate.  I assumed we’d have a quiet weekend away…how wrong I was!

After being told I’d be heading to Whitby for a party with some secret guests we set off at about 8am with Jo, Natalie and James.  A long drive through the mist and fog of the north saw us arrive in Scarborough at about 11am.  The obligatory playing on the amusement arcades had to take place first though!

After a short break in Scarborough we then drove a little further to our accommodation.  Jo had booked Worfolk Cottage which was an very modern 14bed cottage in a quiet, rural setting – perfect for a party!

After a short look around the cottage we hit the road again to explore Whitby.  Within about 5minutes though we soon realised it was probably a bad idea to come into town…Due to Halloween the town was full of goths celebrating, and to top this off there was a TVR car show on as well!  Driving anywhere was a problem so we duly abandoned plans for Whitby and returned to the cottage.

As Jo and Natalie started the preparations the first lot of surprise guests arrived with Paul, Alice, Richard, Steph, Jonny and Katie making a welcome appearance.

Over the next couple of hours, as we un-wound over a game of frisbee, Steve, Carly, Simon, Ria and Tony turned up to join the party.  After finding Jo and Natalie dressed up I was soon informed it was a murder mystery party in a Halloween style!

Jo and Natalie had slaved away for hours the previous day preparing an amazing meal for us all which we ate in between rounds of the murder mystery (Basically accusing Steve that the count was about to be ‘bumped off’!).

The next entertainment came in the form of a carrot and a toilet roll! Who would have thought something so simple could have provided so much entertainment!!

After relaxing with a couple of beers the next surprise appeared!  Jo and Mae (who sadly couldn’t make the party) had produced an amazing birthday cake in the shape of our Kiwi campervan the Bongo!

A few beers more and we headed out in the early hours to play with some sparklers and the slow montion camera settings.

It was a fantastic surprise 30th birthday party!  Jo and Natalie (and Mae!) put so much effort into it and everyone turning up made it an amazing night….its just a shame the morning was a little subdued!!!  Cheers all!

More photos available in the gallery HERE

After a couple of weeks of waiting for my solicitor to finalise the contracts I finally completed on my new house today!

Time to head down and collect the keys from the estate agents!

Not moving till Saturday but it will give me chance to give the place a good clean!

Back to the UK, broke from spending a year travelling, literally just bought a new car 2 hours ago…and now I’ve just had an offer accepted on a house in Oakham!  I must be mad!

So, back in the UK and need to get around!  Time to buy a car but with the need to buy a house I’ve had to downgrade on my usual specification!  Managed to find a good spec Fiat Bravo which should do the job though!