Busy weekend, three-year olds, triathlons and Eid Mela

9.22.00pm GMT Sun 16th Jul 2006

I have had a very busy, and tiring weekend, although Saturday sounds like it may have been easy Sunday was manic. Next week is already looking full, with meetings, campaigning or social stuff every night until Friday when I am off down to London!

Saturday it was Edwin Lawrence's third birthday, Edwin is the brother of my godson Rupert and son of my local ward candidate Robin and his wife Lexi. Edwin had a picnic in the local park (West Park) and about a dozen or so guest (excluding family), it was great and although the other children and families drifted off after about and hour and a half or two hours, the Lawrence family and I hung about for for about five hours just chatting and then playing on the swings, I think Edwin (and Rupert) enjoyed the day, West Park is great place to relax and is really well used.

Saturday evening Faye and Ian came over, Ian was taking part in the Ironbridge Triathlon on Saturday morning and I was on the way - and had said I would tag along and watch. I hadn't realised it meant that we would have to be up at 6am! Anyway we went, Ian did very well, not jealous of the effort - swimming in the Severn and cycling up a massive hill (the run was the easy bit if there is such a thing!) - well done Ian. Afterwards we had a little wander around Ironbridge which I think is one of my favourite parts of the West Midlands certainly in Shropshire, partly due to it being beautiful, partly the history and partly because it was the first part of Shropshire I visited as a child on a school trip.

It was then on to Eid Mela, at Millennium Point in Birmingham. I have been for the last couple of years - this years was again good, interesting more ethnically mixed (which may have been the venue change or better advertising). One of my friends and Birmingham Councillor Tariq Khan was the Chair of the organising committee again and made a good speech. Lots of music, stalls and a series of sports display made the event very enjoyable. I am looking forward to next years already.

As I say this week looks busy too, with babysitting tomorrow night, Annemarie's birthday meal on Wednesday and various Liberal Democrat things before heading to London for lots of 30th birthday celebrations at the weekend.