Monthly Archives: September 2026

Back to School 2026

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After a summer holiday that simultaneously seemed to fly by and drag on, Owen and Henry started back at school today. A real shock to the system as we landed back from Menorca less that 24 hours ago… (Blog post coming soon!)

Owen’s First Day of Year Six

How is at already Owen’s last year in primary school? Owen had a pretty full on summer holiday – learning to snowboard, cycling to raise over £500 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and of course our trip to Menorca. He will be glad to get back to school for a rest, and particularly a break from Henry. Owen’s homework for the summer holidays was to read “War Horse”, which was no problem for him, but also to craft something to do with World War One. As anything computer based was specifically banned, he decided to make a mk4 tank out of wood. Partially inspired by a Guy Martin documentary we had watched together. He literally put blood sweat and tears into it, so hopefully it is appreciated by his teacher.

In addition to the mandatory photo by the front door, I asked Owen some questions, to record how he changes over the years:

  • Height: 145cm
  • Shoe size: 4
  • Bike(s): Nukeproof Cub Scout 26, which we changed the brakes on over the holidays, for mountain biking, Frog 69 for commuting and a borrowed Archie Wilkinson Intermediate cycle speedway bike
  • Favourite colour: Blue (changed from red, possibly something to do with Subaru Imprezas)
  • Favourite food: Bacon and brie baguette
  • Favourite book: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
  • Favourite thing to watch on TV: Mark Rober – Owen doesn’t get much of a chance to watch TV due to Henry hogging it though
  • Best thing we did over the summer holiday: Going to Daikoku Nights at Caffeine and Machine and seeing all of the Japanese cars, especially the Subaru Imprezas
  • What do you want to be when you grow up? Carpenter

Henry’s First Day of Year Three

This year Henry was also keen to go back to school, mainly to see his girlfriend. Henry’s homework was to read The Sheep Pig, which he left until the last minute but completed yesterday, and to craft something farm related. Jen helped him to make a barn out of a shoe box, which housed cardboard animals.

Henry also answered the back to school questions:

  • Height: 126cm
  • Shoe size: 1 (and loving his Be Greater barefoot school shoes and trainers)
  • Bike(s): Orbea MX20 (Owen’s old bike) for mountain biking, Frog 55 for riding to school and a custom cycle speedway bike based on a Frog 58 track bike.
  • Favourite colour: Gold
  • Favourite food: Bacon baguette
  • Favourite book: The Beano (extra satisfying as usually stolen from Owen)
  • Favourite thing to watch on TV: Henry Danger
  • Best thing we did over the summer holiday: Making a new friend in the pool on holiday in Menorca
  • What do you want to be when you grow up? An inventor

Owen’s Summer Challenge for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity – Update

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Thank you to everyone who has sponsored Owen for his “31 miles in August” Summer Challenge for Birmingham Children’s Hospital – he has tripled his fundraising goal, ending up just shy of £500. If you have not sponsored him, and want to help him get over the £500 mark you can still donate!

Not only did Owen smash his fundraising target, he rode more than the target distance – finishing up the month on 41 miles. That was not including cycle speedway, or any of the distance walked on various trips out. At the start of the challenge Owen’s mountain bike was out of action, so it was good to get that fixed up and ride at both Hick’s Lodge and Cannock Chase. Owen also did an unplanned 10 mile ride with a friend (well 4 miles to/from his house and 6 miles together).

A special shoutout must also go to Henry, who tagged along for most of Owen’s rides and did some others too! We were not counting, or fundraising, but he would also have covered 31 himself! Un fortunately Henry does not like posing for photos when riding, so I have to be sneaky…

All this riding in August is going to set Owen up for a September of racing – on the 5th it is the “Little League” cycle speedway national championships, Owen will be riding in both the under 10s individual and team events. Then on the 19th it is the Newbold Dash – our local mountain bike race, which we also rode last year.