This time 18 years ago I was pacing the corridors of St John’s Hospital, Livingston waiting for divine intervention or someone that had more wise suggestions than “push” for an obstinate but content (and not so small at 9lb 11oz) chap. This after already having been chastised by Peta for doing the crossword with one of the midwives whilst she was being given yet stronger drugs.

Still, my life long ambition of having someone to fetch me some beers from the Co-op without me having to leave the house has at long last been realised!

*NEW PARENTHOOD LEVEL UNLOCKED*

At this milestone it seems impossible to ignore words that my mum always told me:

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!

Gethin. So proud of you. Keep being curious. Keep challenging the status quo. And continue to be happiest in your own skin - especially because other people's skin smells funny and tends to bunch up in all the wrong places.

Above pic is of Gethin at one day old - always the intense thinker. Barely ever cried. What a star ⭐️

PS if you are remotely curious about those early days of parenthood then there is a(nother) blog where we attempted to pen our thoughts in those early, pre-social media days with family so far away. Pop over to the bairn blog.