A 1970s theme, involving spandex, lots of boogying, and getting incredibly miraculously drunk. Photos get a bit blurry later on thanks to Ben's fingers on the lens.

A visit to the NMM (formerly known as the National Museum of Film, Photography and Television), the new TV gallery had opened.

The family Christmas trip to KWVR, this year with Matt, Dad Wade and Nicky's brother Stuart. Lots of lovely beer, fish and chips, and a walk up into Haworth.

Our friend Ben dropped in for a night, so another spread was put out. Poor Sarah was feeling a bit unwell though after the 14 bottles of wine last night...

Boxing Day brought our usual trip to the pantomime - this time to see Cinderella at Wakefield - followed by a late tea and way too much wine to be sensible. A lovely evening with the Rowbottom side of the family, finally turning in after lots of bottles of wine at 3:30am.

Cooking a Christmas Dinner for 10 with a centrepiece of a Yorkshire Goose stuffed with a pheasant stuffed with a chicken, Ben and Ellie ripping open lots of prezzies (including a Barbie Scooter), and then drinking large amounts of wine. Hurrah!

Ellie is moving to full-time big school after Christmas, and got a certificate presentation in the final assembly. Plus the usual pre-school herding of cats.

Another trip to buy wine and beer, but this time we got chance to stop off for mussels in Bruges.

As she's joined Foundation Year, Ellie got a part in the school nativity play as a star in the night sky.

After the alcoholic night previously, Joel cooked a full 4-course Sunday lunch for the 14 friends left to set everyone on their way - and much port was consumed.

The annual excuse to get ratarsed, this time at Cowshed in Wakefield. We had a good showing of Fotopic staff and moderators, including Sam who came up from Tenby, and some of the London folks; finally got to bed at 3:30am full of beer and dreading the following day's hangover.

An evening with the gang from I-to-I.com, at Café Noor in Leeds. Features a cast of thousands and lots of sparkle!

Pulling up ivy, redecorating, and babysitting a stall at St Anne's Christmas Fair, Wrenthorpe.

Almost 100 bottles of wine, and not a lot of places to store them...

First stop was Lille, where the Christmas market was a bit of a dead loss. Then onto Carrefour in the Euralille complex and back up to Zeebrugge via Vanuxeem beer and wine warehouse at Ploegsteert. Finally on the boat we enjoyed the company of the ship's bar pianist, a pleasant chap called Charles who was quite happy to let me practice my photography on him.

The first leg of the booze cruise to France and Belgium, on the line formerly known as North Sea Ferries.

A rare opportunity for a list meet with other geeks, friends and colleagues including people I hadn't seen since I left Mailbox. Nicky arrived for the event as well and sat on Richard's knee.

Wandering through Docklands, taking some long exposure pics.

Pics left on the camera memory cards, and Ellie sending her first ever email.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November: gunpowder, treason, and roast lamb.

Fire, sweets and the kids watching fireworks. Wahey!

Christmas is almost upon us - and the rush has begun!

Collages of friends and family, framed and put up in the hallway.

A trip to London to the Mac Expo, with the original intention of buying a Mac Mini. We were in Olympia for probably 15 minutes when we decided that boredom had set in and went to the pub instead.

Proof that our son really can resist the temptation to wear a dress sometimes - even when all the other kids are dressed as princesses and fairies!

A random assortment of stuff left over from memory cards including Ben, an igloo, some pie and Saddleworth Moor.

I'd had such a good day on Saturday we all went back to the Worth Valley Railway for more beer. There wasn't much left, but the kids enjoyed the music and dancing provided by Hebden Bridge Millies and Spen Valley Longsword.

Another beer festival, this time at Worth Valley where we spent pretty much all our time in the Oxenhope shed drinking ale and listening to 'Guitarbillies' and 'Sarah & Therese'.

Rod, Dave, Martin and Ryan (with guest appearance by Alice) at O'Donoghues, Wakefield. A thoroughly enjoyable night stood by the bar with a Guinness, listening to good music