Am home from hospital after a few days. I decided to watch a documentary on Ian Botham, thinking it would be a welcome bit of light relief. We got all the glory of his wonderful series against Australia and all the salacious details of his drug use… He smoked a few joints. But then it ended up with a section on what he did once his cricketing career began to come to an end beyond the Shredded Wheat ads. I knew he did charity walks but hadn’t realised that they were for leukaemia. Apparently largely thanks to his walks and the attention they have brought to leukaemia the chances of survival have been significantly increased (there were some statistics but I didn’t take them in).Rock on Beefy, thanks.
AJ has had a day of feeling pretty grotty. Perked up a bit in the afternoon. Otto is back from his brief holiday in France and very much looking forward to seeing his little sister. Have posted a pic of him so that no one thinks that it is all about Ava-Jane. You’ll be glad that I won’t launch into a paean about Otto after my my previous post on AJ, I am aware of quite how dull parents who endlessly extol the virtues of their children are. This blog will not turn into an electronic version of those Christmas cards where a parent runs through the many achievements of their brood over the previous year. But spending an afternoon with Otto discussing fire-breathing serpents is a great way to take my mind off things and I thank him for it.
It is somewhat ironic that a picture of Otto will appear in a post titled Botham. Amongst his many virtues, which I deliberately have not gone on about, cricket cannot be included. Unfortunately he has inherited all his father’s natural ball skills..

Hola Luke,
We have just got home and Fran has shown me your blog. I must say that I am very impressed (in many ways…) and it is the first time that I actually read one (yes, not very computer literate…) Still have not had the chance to talk to you since we heard Ava-Jane had leukemia so wanted to leave you a message to tell you what you already know; we are here for whatever you think we can help you out with, send you all our love, mucho ánimo y fuerza.
Certainly both kids look great on the photos that you have posted. Thank you for sharing them with us. Hope that you can all continue enjoying some quality time with Ava-Jane during her treatment.
Speak to you soon.
Muchos besos a todos,
Marisol
PS: Message from Milichu – always in my deep love and inconditionally sending the best positive vibrations. Love, Milichu