It's been a minute hasn't it, life has just been chaos and I haven't had a minute to sit down in peace and write, but here goes ..
Since the last blog we have attended a speedway awards nights, an end of season do, celebrated two birthdays, and had a visit from Santa Claus and much more. First up was a night out to the World Speedway Riders Association awards night which was held in Leicester. An evening where Chris gets suited and booted, and I get to dress up in an evening dress. First up is a 3 course meal accompanied by a glass or two of the fizzy stuff for me whilst Chris enjoyed a glass of coke (he was driving, not like he minded though as I got him an F-Type for the weekend), then it was time for the awards where Glasgow won Team of the Year, and Chris was called on stage by none other than Ove Fundin who presented him with the Rider of the Year award (for the second year running). Next up was Glasgows end of season bash, we flew up from Birmingham to Glasgow on what is around a 50 minute flight, when we landed you would think we had been on a 12 hour flight the way Chris's phone was going. Drama unfolded regarding the 2024 season and I literally spent the next 3 hours like a spare part whilst Chris answered endless phone calls which consumed our whole afternoon from the moment we stepped off the plane at GLA until 4.30pm when we headed down to the bar for a drink with Cami.
It was then time to get dressed up for the evening for a 3 course meal, rider interviews and some live music. Chris doesn't drink but Basso made him have a shot at the bar before we hit the Photo Booth, he drank it but he still doesn't enjoy alcohol his face said it all. Let me tell you though, the people up north can drink, never known or seen anything like it, but everyone had a great time and was a fitting end to a busy successful season.
So the season was officially over, and we were finally off the yearly rollercoaster ride which let me tell you this time was very bumpy, I thought we had got off once and I genuinely felt smug, but then we had to get back on and have another crazy ride, but through some tough conversations and lots of deliberations for the second time we got off, and Chris is settled and ready to prepare for the new season with 3 clubs, and World Long Track all signed up for 2024. And breathe ....
News from the AGM means clubs start announcing their riders for the new season and they all have different schedules and PR teams who do it differently which I understand after being around this for so long, but for us it's a painful wait until Chris is announced because it's hard to get sponsors when you can't announce where / who you are riding for but mainly because we get absolutely bombarded by people asking where he's riding or if he's signed for their club. This year was crazy, the amount of people that asked about Chris riding for Oxford for 2024 was absolutely unreal, so it was a relief when he was finally announced as Captain to the new Oxford Spires, and of course returning to Glasgow.
We celebrated Chris's birthday and our 6th wedding anniversary, and then we full on embraced the festive spirit with the kids.
From tree decorating to festive snacks, to snow globe making to the sofa for movie nights, to sledging at the Snow Dome to Santa visits, we embraced it all. We embarked on a sleigh ride to the North Pole at Coventry Motor Museum to see Santa, and a day trip to the stunning Peak District to visit Santa at Santas Village, Fletcher's on the Farms. Our Fletchers on the Farm experience was a little surreal. For those who have seen the show or Emmerdale will probably know that Kelvin Fletcher likes a bit of motorsport, he recognised Chris and they chatted all things bikes, long track, speedway and motorsport in general, whilst the kids fully embraced all of the activities Santa's Village had to offer, we had such a lovely day and the kids finished the day with a some laps of the barn driving a mini Landrover 4x4 - Amara-Mae was a pro the guy was super impressed with her driving skills, whilst Cruz sulked as a passenger the whole time (he wasn't old enough to drive one) and I bagged myself a bottle of Fletchers on the Farm Gin to finish off the day.
With Christmas over for another year, it was time to really get into season prep and let the madness begin. From contracts to licence applications, medicals to visa's, from flights to design, I've been working hard on it all, with a supervisor - Chris himself lol.
I spent the first week of January in Cornwall with my parents so I could take my dad to hospital for his full knee replacement operation and pick him up and get him home settled, whilst Chris stayed home with the kids. Chris said the kids kept him busy all week and endless 'I'm hungry' requests, but when I returned home they'd been working hard on a surprise for me - they had decorated our bedroom. Such a lovely surprise as I had mentioned it so many times, but Chris will openly admit he hates DIY. I'm not going to lie, I was overwhelmed and had a few tears they done an amazing job and I just wasn't expecting it at all. Maybe I should go away more often lol ....
This seasons colours and suit design has taken a while, after 8 or 9 different designs being thrown around, I suggested a video call so we could actually talk through the design / vision whilst the changes were made on screen to save some of the back and forth. I think we are finally there with the design, and it's something different this year with a little special reasoning behind the design. So now the design is confirmed, I need to get some tweaks done to the logo and the team clothing designs can now begin.
We have spent lots of time together as a family making memories over the last few months. from endless hours in the woods with hot chocolate and marshmallows, to endless hours in the field with Cruz and his motorbike, to every Saturday night being movie night, and some family fun at bowling, arcades and soft play and more which has been fun and much needed.
Celebrations were full on as Cruz turned 4 just over a week ago - he had the best day!!! Thank you to everyone who sent him birthday wishes and continue to ask after him and support his little racing page / journey.
So many people ask after the girls, so I just thought I'd mention that they are both great. Both doing really well in school and so often receiving awards and merits we can't keep up, they have been enjoying the usual girls stuff like sleepovers, cinema trips and standing in the field for hours watching their little brother on his bike, not joking when I say they are like his own personal cheerleaders, it's just the sweetest thing.
February frenzy has arrived, and reality is really starting to kick in that the new season will quickly be here, with Chris heading off in just a couple of days to the states for his first meeting of 2024 USA v ROW.
Best put my laptop down and get ready for tonight where Birmingham are hosting an evening with Chris Harris, with Cruz making his debut on the mic ...
Photo Copyright ©️ - Harris Family, unless stated otherwise
superb again Emma Louise ! Was great interviewing Cruz then Chris at the Birmingham talk in .
I have to say to Chris he had such a fabulous season last year. I think it was his best season to date. Even though I am a Poole supporter living in the USA I always look at Chris scores. He is such a professional and with you supporting him it is great to see. I am sure Cruz will follow in his footsteps. Congratulations on your 6th wedding anniversary to. Looking forward to more blogs.
you ,2 have such a hectic life don't know how you keep up with everything , but the main thing you are a happy family.
Great blog as always ! Love reading what you have all been up to!
Mega excited that Chris is riding for oxford! 😍