New Years Eve

Well, I've done it. 366 photos. One taken every day for the last year. Its not been as easy as I thought, making the effort to find something to capture. Not every picture is perfect (very few of them are if I'm honest) But there is one for every day of 2012. I've learnt a bit more about taking photos, bought a new camera and tried some new techniques and ideas. For the last photo of the project I've chosen my family. My wonderful wife who puts up with me through thick and thin, humours me, hugs me and keeps me sane and my gorgeous daughter who is my world and has provided so many of the views this year.

Christmas Day part four

For some people Christmas Day is just the 25th. For us it seems to stretch out forever. After the full day of celebrating, we have had two further family get togethers. Today was the turn of our old neighbour. Presents and a sunday lunch at a nearby pub and a chance to natter filled the afternoon nicely and Lily pigged out on bangers and mash with peas. A pleasant sight after a sore tongue meant she was off her food for a bit. Just one more day of fun to come and we're all done.

When is a five minute job not a five minute job?

Kim bought me a shiny new steering wheel for the Camper as a Christmas present. As she was out this morning I thought I'd tackle this quick and simple job. Disconnect horn, remove push button, undo 24mm nut, lift old wheel off, reverse the process with the new wheel. I got to the "lift old wheel bit" and thats where I stayed for almost four hours. Four decades of grime and grit and seized the splines together and none of the usual tricks was working. Boiling water hadn't loosened the grip. WD40 hadn't freed it. A hammer and block of wood and just cracked the rim even more. I even purchased a puller tool, which failed miserably. So I broke out the hacksaw and chopped through the boss before bashing the remains off the column. Once cleaned the new wheel looks great. Not a five minute job though!

Duplo

Still in her PJs, Lily was busy constructing things from her new Duplo set. Hopefully this will stop her playing with my LEGO now!

Regal graffiti

Another day, another refreshing walk. In between showers we ventured out to ASDA, some supplies and treats were needed. On route we spotted an underpass, the walls of which are normally daubed in tags and obscenities. This time a Jubilee themed scene greeted us. Painted by a local workshop it brightened up the otherwise dark and dank path.

Boxing Day fun

Having kicked out the last of the family late last night, then crashed on the sofa to unwind, it was almost midnight before we hit the sack for bed. Boxing Day always used to be a day to go out in the car for a long drive then a walk, but we didn't have the energy for that and the weather was rubbish. Finding a dry window in the morning we went for a walk. The three of us all holding hands with Lily swinging between us. Destination, the park. She ran round, swung, jumped and then clambered aboard as my co-pilot for a flight of fantasy.

The big day

I was hoping to put some wonderful arty photo of the festivities up. Bad sadly the camera was only used for a few snaps in the evening. The rest of the day was taken up with shredding wrapping paper, eating, drinking and relaxing with our families. Lily was spoilt rotten and as good as gold all day (well most of it!)