15th December 2008

Oops! 1 month since last update! Yvette and her Boyfriend, Luke have gone to The Gambia to catch some sun before Christmas! it has been a quite month for the Cooks but hopefully there will soon be more to add!

15th November 2008

Happy Birthday Daniel!!! Daniel had his 7th Birthday and had a great time (the only time he stopped talking was when he was eating cake!)

Luc has decided to help manage the website now so (hopefully) it will get updated more often!

2nd November 2008

Chris ran yet another half marathon at Barns Green and finished with a time of 1 hour 57 minutes on a tough course in heavy rain so he was not too disappointed considering the conditions! After that the whole family visited Yvette and got a taste of Uni life.

28th September 2008

Some photos taken during the past month at North Mymms and Kenwood.

Yvette is now ensconced at Sussex University.

31st May 2008.

Luc took his first two wickets in senior cricket in a 20 - 20 match at Knebworth Park. His victims came in his third over which was a double wicket maiden. The first was caught by Rhys Wynne and the second was bowled. He might have had a third victim caught and bowled but was a little slow to see the chance. He then got a painful cramp whilst chasing after the ball. Figures 3 - 1 - 22 -2.

8th May 2008

Chris and Luc are set to play their first cricket match together at North Mymms.

22nd October

After always saying he would never run a marathon, Chris has entered the Paris Marathon next April. Six months of training starts now!

15th October

Chris ran from home to Stamford Bridge a distance of 20 miles in just over three hours.

1st October

Chris ran in the Blenheim 10K with about 1,500 other runners. Time was a shade over 45 minutes. This meant we set off home before the rain came!

24th September

Luc took part in his first Aquathlon (Swim and Run). We travelled all the way to Norwich for 12 minutes of competition. Still we enjoyed ourselves and Luc finished 4th out of six.

3rd September

Chris achieved an objective by running from home to the SwissRe building (otherwise known as 'The Gherkin'). I've seen it so many times from a distance that I knew I had to try and run there. The distance is about 15 miles and took ages.

31st August

For Chris's birthday we went to Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze. The weather was warm enough for the boys to paddle and play on the sand.

30th August

Our 26th wedding anniversary. We spent the afternoon at Epping Forest with the boys. Here is a selection of photos including a rare photo of the Bear.

28th August

Chris and Luc took part in the Potters Bar Olympics with the chess club. Luc and Chris both won gold in the chess, Luc won bronze in swimming and Chris won silver in rowing and bronze in the quarter marathon. The club finished fourth with several other medals. Full details on club site.

26th August

Chris travelled to Yeovil for Mike and Alison's wedding where he took several photos and some video.

Chris is in the jacket! Top with the new Wilcox family - Emily, James, Emilene, Mike, Alison and Laura

24th August

Yvette has received her GCSE results:-

ICT A*

Maths A*

Statistics A*

French A

Business Studies A

English A

English Literature A

History A

Science (Double Award) AA

German B

20th August

Chris with his usual support team travelled to Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire for a half marathon. It rained just before the race but was dry throughout. He finished in 1:48 which is par for this year.

30th July

Luc competed in his second triathlon. He seems to be getting the hang of transitions now. He finished around half way in what seemed like a strong event. More shopping on the way home in Charlton and a trip to the Thames Barrier as well.

2nd July

Chris and Luc travelled to Crawley for Luc's first ever triathlon. Although we had received good advice it was a learning curve for both of us. Lesson 1 - don't cycle with mountain bike tyres - it is hard work. Lesson 2 - work on the transitions. Lesson 3 - don't stop for people in your swimming lane. Overall, we had a great time even though we had to wait some time to recover the bike. The time was spent to good effect shopping in Crawley. It was hot!

29th May

The family minus Yvette went to Suffolk for a couple of days R&R. Dan took his new bike and rode fantastically. From the DV footage Yvette created this video (Windows Media) or (Real Player) - both should look fine in full screen.  Chris ran in the Brandon Forest Half Marathon today in 1 hours 46:40 which was a PB! It was very dry up there at least until it rained! 

21st May

Chris ran in the Wheathampstead 10K. Not a great time mainly due to the large amount of mud following the recent downpours. Shirley and Charles came along. Bit of Ford Financial day out with Kevin and David also running. 

28th April

Luc and Dan had their own mini marathons at school. Luc apparently conserved his energy in his race while Dan did plenty of circuits back at school. 

27th April

Work has started on a vegetable patch for Dan the Gardener. Will be fun to have some homegrown produce!

23rd April

Dan and Chris went to watch the London Marathon. There was a replacement bus service from Potters Bar to Alexandra Palace which added to the fun for Dan. On the way back, we went to HMV and picked up some DVDS (Balamory, Bob and Classical Music.

19th April 2006

Whoops, this site is horribly out of date!

Chris has run three half-marathons so far this year - Blackmore Vale, Eastbourne (very cold) and Brentwood. All were under two hours which is a real improvement on last year. He has also run the Thames Towpath 10 , again faster than last year.

We have to see Chelsea play several times. Daniel, Yvette and Luc have all be to two cup matches. Osy is a confirmed fan.

Chris has started to watch opera DVDs - the price of admission to live opera is outrageous!

The extension is built and well used.

Ruth has changed jobs but is still with the same firm. Yvette is about to take her GCSE exams. 

1st May 2005

Chris and Luc went to the Middlesex v Worcestershire match one day game at Lord's. Luc has been asked to be team mascot at Middlesex v Notts at Southgate next month.

30th April 2005

Chelsea are champions! After years of supporting the Blues we finally have a league championship. The children have known FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners Cup wins but now the ultimate! Well done Chelsea.

12th April 2005

Just three days to Osy's first birthday. It's amazing (and a little frightening) where the time has gone. He is not yet walking but is fairly close. Must try to take some photos at the weekend.

10th April 2005

Luc and Chris travelled to Oxford for the Herts Under 14 match. Normally this level would be well above Luc but we struggled for a team. We had a pleasant walk around the town which has whetted our appetite for another visit. The team lost heavily but the travelling was good.

4th April 2005

Work starts today on our extension which will give much needed extra living space. The project will last for at least three months with plenty of disruption expected.

3rd April 2005

Chris took part in his fourth long distance race so far this year competing in the Thames Towpath 10 (miles) finishing in a reasonable 82:56. This involved a long stretch of the Thames from Chiswick to Kew, passing two rugby grounds and Kew Gardens before rejoining the towpath. The plan at the beginning of the year was to run one long race each calendar month. Two more half marathons are planned for June and August. 

20th Match 2005

The Herts Under 11 team came third in their zonal which means a trip to Oldham in May for the national finals. Chris is manager of this team.

13th March 2005

Chris drove down to Hastings to take part in the Half Marathon. The course was quite tough will significant hills in the first eight miles. However, he finished in a respectable 1 hour 57 minutes.

12th March 2005

Luc was a member of the Herts Under 9 team that won the strong EPSCA South East zonal at Edgware.

6th February 2005

Chris ran in the Blackmore Vale (Dorset) Half Marathon in just a few seconds over two hours. The course was hilly in places but enjoyable. This was only his second race over that distance. Next challenge is the Hasting half marathon next month.

2nd January 2005

Chris ran the Tadworth 10 in just under 87 minutes. It was cold but sunny on the Epsom Downs and the support team (Shirley, Charles and Luc) enjoyed themselves playing with the DirtCrusher! Chris now aims to run a race every month with three already in mind for the next three months.

New Years Day 2005

A very Happy New Year to all our readers! One resolution must be to keep this site more up to date!!

Osy has enjoyed his first Christmas and celebrated by trying to sleep as little as possible. As in previous years, Colleen and Cynthia were with us from just before Christmas. Michael joined us for much of Christmas which meant there was plenty of chess played on the Internet. Chris, Luc and Michael went to Hastings for a day to see the International Chess Congress and to test out Luc's Dirt Crusher on the beach. Chris finally went out for a couple of long runs and has entered the Tadworth 10 (mile) tomorrow. This takes place on the Downs at Epsom so should be a challenging start to 2005.

Yvette has just returned from a Stage Fright reunion in Derbyshire. Luc and Chris have tickets for Chelsea v Scunthorpe next Saturday. This will be Luc's first match at the Bridge and he is naturally excited although he may quickly get bored with Dad's reminiscences.

31st October 2004

Chris and Yvette spent three days in Dublin during which time they spent a day in the local office, visited Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains and Powerscourt. Photos to follow (hopefully!).

16th October 2004

Oops. Whilst on a visit to the Isle of Wight Daniel has broken Granny's finger! Apparently, she didn't see him lying prone on the floor playing with his toys and fell over him. One trip to A&E required.

Ruth is preparing to return to work after her maternity leave.

Yvette and Luc are due to line up against each other when Little Heath and Brookmans Park 3 play the fourth team. Luc will be the fourth member of the family to play for the club.

Luc qualified for the London Junior Under 10 Minor Championships after scoring 3.5 / 6 at Roundwood.

Chris ran in the Standalone 10K at Letchworth finishing in 46:40. Next up is a 10K run at Althorp in Northamptonshire.

Our cat Duke was run over just outside the house aged about 16.

Luc came third in the first Herts tournament of the season at Yorke Mead. He was joint Under 9 winner. The club has started up again and the first matches are in October.

Osy is beginning to sit up now. Photos to follow!

Chris ran in a multi-terrain 10K at Chalfont St Giles, again rather hot and a finish in about 53 minutes. Previously Chris ran in a 10K race at Aylesbury. It was very hot but he finished in 51:34.

Last week Luc spent the week at Camp Beaumont in Brentwood, travelling in each day with Chris. He had a great time. Yvette is at a drama course in Scarborough with several friends. Osy had another jab but is otherwise fine. Daniel enjoyed playing in the garden!

Chris ran in the Springfield 5 mile race for the second year running. This year he finished in around 38:10 compared with 38:54 last year.

Luc and Yvette played in the Little Heath and Brookmans Park Summer Tournament. Both scored 3/6 in the combined Gigafinalist section with Yvette being best girl.

Chris can be reached on his new mobile number 07870 567591. The phone is switched off during the day but messages are picked up immediately after work.

Osy with his eyes open now - 12th May 2004

Yvette led the Little Heath and Brookmans Park Under 100 team to victory in the final against Barnet. Details on the chess website.

Luc scored 4 points in the Herts Megafinal and therefore qualifies for the UK Chess Challenge Gigafinal in July.

Congratulations to Chelsea for achieving second place in the league, their best position since they won the championship in 1955! Chris wasn't around when then but are there any readers who do remember that year? It would've been good to have done the double over United but...

Chris is now in training for the summer race season. Weight loss and distance work urgently required.

Yvette celebrated her 14th birthday on 6th May. Happy Birthday Yeti.

Yvette is the Herts Under 14 Suprema in the UK Chess Challenge (Monday 3rd May). She scored 3.5 points in the mixed Under 14 group.

Chris and Luc saw Hampshire beat Essex at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. Afterwards they picked up Granny Moorman from Southampton and brought her back home to meet Osy.

A beautiful day at the Rose Bowl near Southampton. Luc is modeling the new England ODI shirt

Welcome to Oliver Sam Yves Cook born on Thursday 15th April 2004 at

QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City.

Updated Saturday 24th April 2004 - new photos below

Thank you to everyone who has sent cards or e-mails, these are very much appreciated. Oliver (Osy) is doing very well and becoming used to having a bit more room. We took him shopping today and he slept through the experience. He enjoyed England winning the first ODI in Guyana and is rooting for Chelsea in Monaco tonight!  Ruth is continuing to recover well.

Oliver meets Big Sister a few minutes after his arrival!

Who's a clever Mummy Bear then!

Oliver was born at 12:20pm by Caesarian section to the music of The Moody Blues. Ruth took the operation very well and Oliver was quickly out in the world weighing in at 7lb 11½ oz. After a couple of tests and a clean up Chris took him through to the adjacent recovery room to meet Yvette. The boys came over to the hospital for a brief visit in the afternoon. If he had been a girl, she would've been some combination of Claire, Anni and Olivia! As it is Oliver's names were mainly chosen by consensus with Chris selecting the obligatory French name.

Mummy is doing very well and may come out of hospital on Sunday afternoon or Monday with an apparently placid baby - quite different from Daniel. Everyone is delighted with the new addition to the family. 

We've got another brother! Daniel (2), Yvette(13) and Luc (8)

Daniel April 2004 and Chris 1959?

Luc at Lord's September 2003 - we'll be watching Middlesex again this year starting with the match against Sussex on 25th April..

Bear and Daniel in a quiet moment 2002.

Waiting for number 1 in 1990 - now waiting for number 4 in 2004.

Sunday 30th November 2003

The end of an era!

Chris has sent his BMW R80RT off to the Isle of Wight for his brother-in-law to use. Recently, he hasn't been able to ride due to some aches and pains so rather than have the bike rot away it might as well have some use. Realistically, it wasn't safe to use to travel to work and there is little chance of using it for chess matches.

All being well, in April 2004, we will be having an addition to the family in the form of a brother or sister for Yvette, Luc and Daniel. Scan below!

Yvette holds her UK Chess Challenge Herts Under 13  Suprema trophy

 .

Daniel now aged 18 months.

Daniel, Yvette and Luc (August 2002)

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