I've only been to Aberystwyth twice; once in September 2005 to help move Sister One into her halls of residence, and again today, to move her out. It's a bit of a trek; I had to be up at 6.30am and the journey took three hours or thereabouts, but we had fantastic sunshine all day, and once in Aber we took a stroll along the seafront, grabbed some pizza, sauntered around the castle, though the town, then took a short road trip to the beach and sand dunes around the coast. It's the first beach experience of the year and it was so nice be out on the sand again.

I've picked up some new shoes as after last week's incident of shin splints, I thought it would be a worthwhile investment. It's a shame as the last pair aren't even worn, they're just leg-wrecking. I've got to go on a bit of a general clothes shop before I go off travelling. My wardrobe is looking distinctly 2003 and new shorts are in demand.

Tomorrow is my family birthday meal, and Monday I think I'm heading back to Lufbra, at least that's the plan right now.

I also checked out the Bond film trailer today (bit slow off the mark, I know). Ever young at heart, I love this stuff, and I think this new film already looks really good. Despite all the negative press Craig is getting, I've always been a strong advocate. Straight after I saw Layer Cake I said he'd make a good Bond. The films were just getting too silly; too like Moonraker again. Bond needs some grit, and I like it when convention is thrown around a bit. Less gadgets; good. More action; good. No Cleese as Q; good (I love Cleese, but couldn't take him seriously in the role). Glad to see they didn't ditch Judy Dench though. According to IMDB, she is playing a different M in this film, which is a really refreshing idea. I wasn't so keen on the sudden change from black and white to colour half way through - some of those initial shots after the switch just didn't do it for me, but I soon settled back into it and I'm anxious to see the result. That reminds me, I've still not seen Da Vinci yet...

I've come back home to see The Parents, pick up presents, plan the next two weeks and everything else. The weather today has been stunning, so after I got up at 2pm (yes, it is so nice being lazy right now) I took a stroll into town to pay in some cheques and get a haircut.

The plan to get a haircut failed, but I decided to call in and see Mr & Mrs Goode as it's been a whole year since I visited Foley (my old boarding house). I walked into the lounge and said hi to Kate, fully aware that a baby was due, but totally missed the fact it was already perched on the floor in a carry cot. Born two weeks ago, Mia (Rose) was born with big blue eyes and a full head of hair. Unlike most babies, this particular baby is pretty cute and not one of those podgy pie faced types.

We talked over how things are, I got a tour of the newly refurbished house and chatted about our respective travels. It was cool to catch up.

I walked home via the park, which was being heavily used by the sun worshippers and came home for food and to antagonise the cat in the garden.

Last night was a quality way to spend a birthday. I enjoyed every minute of it, even the two hour wait for the curry to arrive. I think the people at Curryholics had been a little surprised when forty people turned up for the table of 20 that had been booked. It was a slight oversight that we didn't realise how many people were due to come out for the meal, but they squeezed us all into the back room and spent the next three hours chatting anything but design.

Jimbo and DDS came with me for a pre-meal drink at Orange Tree, joined soon after by Liam at which point we strolled down to the Phantom to see some familiar faces. Rosie, Plev, Jimbo, Tim, Weaver, Jase, Robbie, Barlow (who had come back from Sheffield), Lisa, Tad, Pal, Tillman, Benji, Sammi, Matt, Maz, Johnson, Guy, Dickie, Beamdog, Tigg, Little Dickie and Strike all came for the meal; and after a swift one in Phantom we walked to the Union for one quid drinks all night. Marvellous.

All I can say is I wasn't as bad as I was last year at the same event, I remained pleasantly merry and the whole evening provided much amusement. Swan, Jono and Mike joined me later and the night drew to an end with some quite violent wrestling on the first team rubgy pitch and some Soccer AM "Youuuuuu Shhhhhuuuuuut Urrrrp" style chanting. Mike text this morning telling me his bed was full of grass seed.

Photos are available here.