Overnight, the temperatures cooled and today has been a lot more bearable! After having coffee with Mum and Dad this morning, we returned home to tackle some long overdue jobs. I mowed the front verge and swept up lots of dead leaves that had gathered along the kerb. I also weeded and turned over the soil so it looked a lot neater when I'd finished.
As always, it was great to chat to neighbours and catch up! After I'd finished the front garden I put some rubbish into the car and Sophie and I went to the tip. Afterwards we drove to the carwash in Kingsthorpe and I treated us both to an ice-cream. I'm just glad today hasn't been as hot. I think yesterday was officially the hottest day of the year and maybe one of the hottest days of June!
I put my filthy car through the carwash and then titivated it when I got home. I also washed Sophie's car but put off hoovering it until Wednesday when I'm off. Sophie, meanwhile, put some of her clothes on eBay as we've now started a fund for spending money in Mallorca! We're aiming to pay for at least two meals out for all of us as it's a lot of fun building up the fund!
MIke called us to pick him up from Brixworth at about 6pm and when we got home we sat in the garden with a drink. We barbecued again for dinner and Keith cooked marinated chicken, sausages and burgers All four of us sat down to eat! A miracle!
Sunday 30 June 2019
Saturday 29 June 2019
The heat is on!
It was lovely to have a lazy start to the weekend and I had a bit of a lie-in after our late night! The weather is set to be very hot today, maybe the hottest of the year so far, so all plans to do housework and gardening were put off until tomorrow!
At lunchtime, Sophie and I went to Beckworth as she is out tonight with Daisy and Laura and she needed to get birthday gifts. We had lunch there and sat in the sunny garden. Amazingly, there was no queue! While we chose from the menu we were entertained by a flying display going on from the nearby Sywell Airport. I think they were "The Blades" who put on aerobatic performances. They were swooping very low over Beckworth and streaming different coloured smoke behind them!
Sophie enjoyed a pulled pork panini while I chose a chicken wrap. Both dishes were delicious and came with coleslaw and chunky chips. We also indulged in a glass of wine...bliss!
Afterwards, Sophie picked out a Gin glass, small bottle of Gin and some other little gifts for Daisy and we returned home. By now it was registering about 29c and when we ventured out to the gym at 3pm, it was up to 33c! Sophie had a beauty treatment but was only in there for about half an hour so I sat in the car and read my Kindle. The gym was virtually empty and I expect most people were staying at home in their gardens!
On the way home the temperature in my car briefly registered 35c, the highest I've ever seen! As soon as we got back Sophie went to get ready and I didn't envy her in this heat! We put Monty on the sofa and trained our fan on him which he seemed to like as he curled up and went to sleep.
Keith and I took Sophie into town at 6pm and she looked gorgeous in a little playsuit with high heels. She's been putting a gradual tan on and she looked lovely and brown! We dropped her off at Rev's and returned home to sit in the garden. Mike joined us for a drink but then went out so it was just the two of us for a barbecue dinner. As always when the children are out, the house was so quiet!
I fell asleep in the evening but at 11.30pm we left to go into town to collect Sophie and Daisy. We sat outside Rev's again and watched the doormen weed out those who didn't have any ID and gape at the outfits of some of the women going into the clubs. Most of them wore tiny outfits but had trainers on!
Sophie and Daisy were merry and chatted happily all the way home. It's been our second late night...woohoo!
At lunchtime, Sophie and I went to Beckworth as she is out tonight with Daisy and Laura and she needed to get birthday gifts. We had lunch there and sat in the sunny garden. Amazingly, there was no queue! While we chose from the menu we were entertained by a flying display going on from the nearby Sywell Airport. I think they were "The Blades" who put on aerobatic performances. They were swooping very low over Beckworth and streaming different coloured smoke behind them!
Sophie enjoyed a pulled pork panini while I chose a chicken wrap. Both dishes were delicious and came with coleslaw and chunky chips. We also indulged in a glass of wine...bliss!
Afterwards, Sophie picked out a Gin glass, small bottle of Gin and some other little gifts for Daisy and we returned home. By now it was registering about 29c and when we ventured out to the gym at 3pm, it was up to 33c! Sophie had a beauty treatment but was only in there for about half an hour so I sat in the car and read my Kindle. The gym was virtually empty and I expect most people were staying at home in their gardens!
On the way home the temperature in my car briefly registered 35c, the highest I've ever seen! As soon as we got back Sophie went to get ready and I didn't envy her in this heat! We put Monty on the sofa and trained our fan on him which he seemed to like as he curled up and went to sleep.
Keith and I took Sophie into town at 6pm and she looked gorgeous in a little playsuit with high heels. She's been putting a gradual tan on and she looked lovely and brown! We dropped her off at Rev's and returned home to sit in the garden. Mike joined us for a drink but then went out so it was just the two of us for a barbecue dinner. As always when the children are out, the house was so quiet!
I fell asleep in the evening but at 11.30pm we left to go into town to collect Sophie and Daisy. We sat outside Rev's again and watched the doormen weed out those who didn't have any ID and gape at the outfits of some of the women going into the clubs. Most of them wore tiny outfits but had trainers on!
Sophie and Daisy were merry and chatted happily all the way home. It's been our second late night...woohoo!
Friday 28 June 2019
Staying up late...for once!
Work was a lot better this morning but I was still so glad it was Friday! Again, the week has flown by!
I went home to get Keith before collecting Mike and the weather was stunning. It looks set to continue over the weekend and into next week. Finding a space near the park was difficult but we slotted into one and Mike came out dead on 3pm. He was hot and said that he'd had an allergic reaction on his arm to something at work and had had to go to a chemist to seek treatment. When he was told a cream was almost £10 he decided to stick it out, and luckily his arm was better by the time we picked him up.
As soon as Sophie came home we celebrated the end of the working week by opening a bottle of white wine and munching on a bowl of veggie straws and aioli. Heaven! For about half an hour we bickered gently over which film to watch as Sky has given us a free one to watch as a thank you for joining their reward scheme. There was lots of choice but nothing we fancied!
Tonight was an easy dinner of Tesco curries and Keith took himself to and from the pub, so we opened a bottle of The Ned after we'd polished off the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that Sue had brought around the other day. Mike came home from seeing friends in the village and his eyes were all red and swollen...he'd been to see a little pony tethered up nearby and he'd had a reaction again! He's mad as he knows he can't go near horses! He didn't eat dinner with us as he was off into town - he got paid today so Heaven help us!
Glastonbury is on at the moment and Sophie wanted to see Stormzy but we recorded Tame Impala who were on BBC4. Sophie introduced me to the band and I really like one of their songs, but when Stormzy came on and I decided it wasn't for me, we watched Tame Impala until midnight and they were fantastic!
We had the windows open and with all the lights and the music, we had a great night. I said to Sophie I wished I was a fan of festivals, but I'm not! I much preferred to watch it on the comfort of my own sofa and then retire to my lovely bed to sleep!
I went home to get Keith before collecting Mike and the weather was stunning. It looks set to continue over the weekend and into next week. Finding a space near the park was difficult but we slotted into one and Mike came out dead on 3pm. He was hot and said that he'd had an allergic reaction on his arm to something at work and had had to go to a chemist to seek treatment. When he was told a cream was almost £10 he decided to stick it out, and luckily his arm was better by the time we picked him up.
As soon as Sophie came home we celebrated the end of the working week by opening a bottle of white wine and munching on a bowl of veggie straws and aioli. Heaven! For about half an hour we bickered gently over which film to watch as Sky has given us a free one to watch as a thank you for joining their reward scheme. There was lots of choice but nothing we fancied!
Tonight was an easy dinner of Tesco curries and Keith took himself to and from the pub, so we opened a bottle of The Ned after we'd polished off the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that Sue had brought around the other day. Mike came home from seeing friends in the village and his eyes were all red and swollen...he'd been to see a little pony tethered up nearby and he'd had a reaction again! He's mad as he knows he can't go near horses! He didn't eat dinner with us as he was off into town - he got paid today so Heaven help us!
Glastonbury is on at the moment and Sophie wanted to see Stormzy but we recorded Tame Impala who were on BBC4. Sophie introduced me to the band and I really like one of their songs, but when Stormzy came on and I decided it wasn't for me, we watched Tame Impala until midnight and they were fantastic!
We had the windows open and with all the lights and the music, we had a great night. I said to Sophie I wished I was a fan of festivals, but I'm not! I much preferred to watch it on the comfort of my own sofa and then retire to my lovely bed to sleep!
Thursday 27 June 2019
What a scorcher!
We've been hearing reports of a European wide heatwave happening this week with temperatures in France expected to go beyond 40c! We're having our own taste of it this Saturday with highs of about 30c, but thankfully it's expected to get a bit cooler on Sunday.
It puts me in mind of the heat we've experienced in the past on holiday and although Florida has a humid, moisture-laden heat, I think the hottest I've ever been is Mallorca and it was in the evening! I remember sitting at a restaurant in the square and eating dinner with the sweat just pouring off all of us. Two meals stick out in my memory - one at a place called Tiberi and another at L'Aup where we're hoping to go in September. Just the thought of getting out of our air-conditioned car and walking to the restaurants was unbearable!
Another hot spot was Berlin. We arrived during a heatwave and ate at our favourite restaurant, Reinhard's. The poor waiters had to wear long aprons over their uniforms and I dread to think how hot they were. Again, we just sat and melted in the evening when all the heat that had accumulated over the day by the buildings, was reflected back out at us!
It was also very hot in the south of France where Keith and I holidayed before having the children. We were staying in a small village near the Gorges du Verdon and had visited Greoux-les-Bains for lunch. We had to dodge the intense sun by running from shopfront awning to shopfront awning! I remember that day we ate inside at a lovely cool pizzeria.
And of course, how can I forget Florida? The last time we were there was very hot and Key West was particularly warm! I think it was about 40c and walking about was not pleasant!
As for good old England, the summer of 1976 will always be remembered - not so much for the heat but for the drought and seeing lakes and reservoirs completely dry. I don't even think our hot summer of last year can match that!
Today, after a cloudy start, the sun came out and Sophie and I managed to sit in the garden for a little while after work. However, where we sit misses the evening sun so I might have to re-think where our double seat is situated. Eventually we went in because it felt chilly!
Wednesday 26 June 2019
Pastures new...
Today has been a bit dull and dismal and our time taken up with sorting out paperwork and shopping...again!
Keith took Mike to work this morning and after I'd seen Sophie off to the gym, I went back to bed, something I rarely do! Monty came and settled himself right next to me and I went off to sleep and slept for another hour and a half!
When I woke up I went downstairs expecting to see Keith but he wasn't at home...I'm sure at one point I had heard him come home so I started to get a bit worried. When I looked on the computer, he'd been playing a game and it had been running for about 40 minutes so I worked out he'd definitely been home and gone out again! I called him and he said that Mike had left vital keys in his trousers at home and he'd had to go out and give them to him!
We showered and got ready and popped over to see Mum and Dad as I really wanted to know what they'd been doing with sorting out their funeral arrangements and looking at stairlifts. I'd spoken to a couple of people who said it would be far better for them to move into a bungalow which is what I suggested. They've never really been happy where they live now and if we could find them a modern two or three bedroom bungalow, I'm sure it would be better for them.
After we'd had a coffee, Keith and I popped to Aldi and then we visited the new Costa opposite. It's brand new and the Flat White I had was delicious! We will go again!
As I had lots of things to catch up with we went home and before we knew it was time to pick up Mike.We were a bit late again as the traffic is horrendous at this time of day. It seems that wherever we go there's a school nearby and we catch it at the very worst time!
Keith took Mike to work this morning and after I'd seen Sophie off to the gym, I went back to bed, something I rarely do! Monty came and settled himself right next to me and I went off to sleep and slept for another hour and a half!
When I woke up I went downstairs expecting to see Keith but he wasn't at home...I'm sure at one point I had heard him come home so I started to get a bit worried. When I looked on the computer, he'd been playing a game and it had been running for about 40 minutes so I worked out he'd definitely been home and gone out again! I called him and he said that Mike had left vital keys in his trousers at home and he'd had to go out and give them to him!
We showered and got ready and popped over to see Mum and Dad as I really wanted to know what they'd been doing with sorting out their funeral arrangements and looking at stairlifts. I'd spoken to a couple of people who said it would be far better for them to move into a bungalow which is what I suggested. They've never really been happy where they live now and if we could find them a modern two or three bedroom bungalow, I'm sure it would be better for them.
After we'd had a coffee, Keith and I popped to Aldi and then we visited the new Costa opposite. It's brand new and the Flat White I had was delicious! We will go again!
As I had lots of things to catch up with we went home and before we knew it was time to pick up Mike.We were a bit late again as the traffic is horrendous at this time of day. It seems that wherever we go there's a school nearby and we catch it at the very worst time!
Tuesday 25 June 2019
Casual entertaining!
Today was a slightly better day at work as the phones weren't so busy, which was a relief! Keith had taken me to work this morning and after he'd picked me up we went over to Tesco to buy some nibbles for tonight (Sue and Michelle are coming around) and to get dinner for tomorrow.
I bought a bottle of Prosecco and picked out some lovely salads, cheeses and dips for this evening. We did toy with going to Costa for a coffee but in the end we went straight down and picked Mike up from work. The weather today has been truly dreadful with almost non-stop rain and heavy grey skies. The only consolation is we've been promised a heatwave at the weekend, as has the rest of Europe!
As soon as we returned home I tidied the bottom of the house and laid the table. When Sophie arrived home she prepared patatas bravas and I went and had a bath in our tatty bathroom. I can't wait to get it sorted out in October! We have no bath panel and Keith has put some of the flooring left over from the conservatory to keep the water off the chipboard on the floor. I always knew that the conservatory floor tiles from 2003 would come in handy!
Michelle and Sue arrived at 7pm and I had lit candles in the conservatory to ward off the outside gloom. Sue seemed a bit subdued and didn't really talk much about what was happening in her personal life but I get the feeling she's not enjoying it as much as she had expected. We all had a great chat and Sue was the first to go home as she was driving. We carried on chatting with Michelle until almost 10.30pm and then we had a quick clear up and headed to bed!
I bought a bottle of Prosecco and picked out some lovely salads, cheeses and dips for this evening. We did toy with going to Costa for a coffee but in the end we went straight down and picked Mike up from work. The weather today has been truly dreadful with almost non-stop rain and heavy grey skies. The only consolation is we've been promised a heatwave at the weekend, as has the rest of Europe!
As soon as we returned home I tidied the bottom of the house and laid the table. When Sophie arrived home she prepared patatas bravas and I went and had a bath in our tatty bathroom. I can't wait to get it sorted out in October! We have no bath panel and Keith has put some of the flooring left over from the conservatory to keep the water off the chipboard on the floor. I always knew that the conservatory floor tiles from 2003 would come in handy!
Michelle and Sue arrived at 7pm and I had lit candles in the conservatory to ward off the outside gloom. Sue seemed a bit subdued and didn't really talk much about what was happening in her personal life but I get the feeling she's not enjoying it as much as she had expected. We all had a great chat and Sue was the first to go home as she was driving. We carried on chatting with Michelle until almost 10.30pm and then we had a quick clear up and headed to bed!
Monday 24 June 2019
Hard work!
Work was not pleasant today and I did think at one point that people were ringing and putting on stupid voices, as I received some really strange calls throughout the shift! We all have a new job to do as well - deal with membership cancellations that were originally dealt with by another department. It's a simple process, but can be time-consuming and as we were busy today (and I had the cinema returns to do as well) at times I felt like pulling my hair out!
At 2pm I met my friend Lynda and we walked over to Costa in the Weston Favell Centre for a coffee. The weather has been horrible today - still muggy and warm with showers of rain. Lynda is going through it a bit at the moment as her father died and his third wife is being very difficult. She looked tired and a bit fed up but she told me she's booked a holiday in September to Corfu, so that'll be good. The thought of the Greek Isles at the moment is very appealing!
I said goodbye to her at about 3pm and dashed off to get Mike from work. He was wet and muddy from working in the park but he had a new uniform! Previously he wore a light green top and black trousers but now the colours are fawn and he looked really smart! he has three changes of clothes so that will make it easier to keep his clothes clean!
We barbecued in the evening as the sun came out and we were able to sit in the garden. I made Sophie a tequila martini and she said it was delicious. It was heaven to sit out in the early evening sunshine and relax. Of course, the weather warnings we were given came to nothing, as usual!
At 2pm I met my friend Lynda and we walked over to Costa in the Weston Favell Centre for a coffee. The weather has been horrible today - still muggy and warm with showers of rain. Lynda is going through it a bit at the moment as her father died and his third wife is being very difficult. She looked tired and a bit fed up but she told me she's booked a holiday in September to Corfu, so that'll be good. The thought of the Greek Isles at the moment is very appealing!
I said goodbye to her at about 3pm and dashed off to get Mike from work. He was wet and muddy from working in the park but he had a new uniform! Previously he wore a light green top and black trousers but now the colours are fawn and he looked really smart! he has three changes of clothes so that will make it easier to keep his clothes clean!
We barbecued in the evening as the sun came out and we were able to sit in the garden. I made Sophie a tequila martini and she said it was delicious. It was heaven to sit out in the early evening sunshine and relax. Of course, the weather warnings we were given came to nothing, as usual!
Sunday 23 June 2019
Muggy Sunday
We awoke to a warm and sultry day with a low covering of cloud. Where had the blues skies gone?
I spent the morning cutting the grass and tidying up the back garden and the sun did try and poke its face out from time to time. It was also quite hot! Keith cut back some overhanging branches and we noticed that we have several little apples on our tree! Let's hope we'll have enough to make an apple pie or crumble!
Sophie was meeting friends at lunchtime in Starbucks, so she drove us into town as we needed to get dinner for tomorrow. We dropped her off and went to Lidl as they stock Keith's favourite beer and bought some barbecue meats in there - chicken skewers, pork steaks and sausages as well as new potatoes and salad. The weather forecast for tomorrow is rain but it looks clear at about 6pm so we're keeping fingers crossed!
We also popped into B&Q but none of the tiles in there inspired us so we bought the Sunday newspapers and went back to wait for Sophie. By now it was really muggy and humid and quite unpleasant.
Sophie and I dropped Keith off at home and we carried on to Beckworth where we enjoyed a scone and a glass of wine. There was no queue for once! Afterwards I looked at the plants and wanted to buy some geraniums, but there weren't any I liked so we bought some food and drove to the Co-op in Moulton as we'd forgotten to buy breadcrumbs for dinner tonight! They didn't have any so we came up with the idea of buying breadsticks and whizzing them in our little food processor!
We had time to relax before embarking on dinner. We'd chosen the Hairy Bikers' Chicken Parmagiana and Sophie did a lot of prep before I joined her in the kitchen to butterfly the breasts. For once, we didn't have enough tinned tomatoes but we added some puree and all was fine. Mike was off out somewhere and didn't join us but the meal was delicious and we served the chicken with spaghetti.
I can't quite believe that another weekend is over and the working week beckons!
I spent the morning cutting the grass and tidying up the back garden and the sun did try and poke its face out from time to time. It was also quite hot! Keith cut back some overhanging branches and we noticed that we have several little apples on our tree! Let's hope we'll have enough to make an apple pie or crumble!
Sophie was meeting friends at lunchtime in Starbucks, so she drove us into town as we needed to get dinner for tomorrow. We dropped her off and went to Lidl as they stock Keith's favourite beer and bought some barbecue meats in there - chicken skewers, pork steaks and sausages as well as new potatoes and salad. The weather forecast for tomorrow is rain but it looks clear at about 6pm so we're keeping fingers crossed!
We also popped into B&Q but none of the tiles in there inspired us so we bought the Sunday newspapers and went back to wait for Sophie. By now it was really muggy and humid and quite unpleasant.
Sophie and I dropped Keith off at home and we carried on to Beckworth where we enjoyed a scone and a glass of wine. There was no queue for once! Afterwards I looked at the plants and wanted to buy some geraniums, but there weren't any I liked so we bought some food and drove to the Co-op in Moulton as we'd forgotten to buy breadcrumbs for dinner tonight! They didn't have any so we came up with the idea of buying breadsticks and whizzing them in our little food processor!
We had time to relax before embarking on dinner. We'd chosen the Hairy Bikers' Chicken Parmagiana and Sophie did a lot of prep before I joined her in the kitchen to butterfly the breasts. For once, we didn't have enough tinned tomatoes but we added some puree and all was fine. Mike was off out somewhere and didn't join us but the meal was delicious and we served the chicken with spaghetti.
I can't quite believe that another weekend is over and the working week beckons!
Saturday 22 June 2019
Getting to know you...
Sophie went off to the gym this morning while Keith and I went over to see my Mum and Dad and borrow two of their beach chairs. It's our residents' barbecue today and thankfully the weather was gorgeous with fluffy white clouds and a beautiful blue sky.
Just after returning home, Sophie got back as well and by the time we'd all showered and sorted out our chairs and BBQ, it was time to go. The event was being held on our front green and a few people were already there setting up the grills as well as chairs and tables. Richard, Michelle and Paul were there so we arranged our chairs with theirs and Keith set up our BBQ. We'd brought a bottle of sparkling French wine with us and we clinked glasses in the lovely sunshine. How lucky were we? The last two Saturdays have been terrible and we would have had to have cancelled so I was so glad the sun was out and it was lovely and warm.
Although there was a good turnout, there were still quite a few people missing and it was noticeable that many of them aren't on the residents' Facebook page. Although a flyer had gone out in the local news brochure, I wonder how many people had actually seen it?
Keith grilled some burgers and we munched on crisps and cheeses that Michelle had brought with her. It was all very sociable and it was lovely to chat to people that we hadn't met before.
By 6pm we'd had enough and Sophie and I had worked our way through another bottle of wine (as well as a glass from Michelle's bottle) so I was ready to go home. Sophie suggested we walk up to the pub (Mike had joined us half way through) and although I really didn't feel like it, I was persuaded to go.
The four of us walked up and noticed that the party was still in full swing (the boys had run out of beer so that was why they wanted to go to the pub!). We sat in the garden of the pub and I nursed a bottle of water as I didn't want any more wine. I can't really do drinking at lunchtime as it just makes me sleepy and dopey!
Keith and I left after a couple of drinks and walked slowly home where my husband promptly fell fast asleep. Sophie and Mike arrived home at about 8pm and my daughter was very merry indeed! She doesn't often get tipsy, but this evening she definitely was!
Just after returning home, Sophie got back as well and by the time we'd all showered and sorted out our chairs and BBQ, it was time to go. The event was being held on our front green and a few people were already there setting up the grills as well as chairs and tables. Richard, Michelle and Paul were there so we arranged our chairs with theirs and Keith set up our BBQ. We'd brought a bottle of sparkling French wine with us and we clinked glasses in the lovely sunshine. How lucky were we? The last two Saturdays have been terrible and we would have had to have cancelled so I was so glad the sun was out and it was lovely and warm.
Although there was a good turnout, there were still quite a few people missing and it was noticeable that many of them aren't on the residents' Facebook page. Although a flyer had gone out in the local news brochure, I wonder how many people had actually seen it?
Keith grilled some burgers and we munched on crisps and cheeses that Michelle had brought with her. It was all very sociable and it was lovely to chat to people that we hadn't met before.
By 6pm we'd had enough and Sophie and I had worked our way through another bottle of wine (as well as a glass from Michelle's bottle) so I was ready to go home. Sophie suggested we walk up to the pub (Mike had joined us half way through) and although I really didn't feel like it, I was persuaded to go.
The four of us walked up and noticed that the party was still in full swing (the boys had run out of beer so that was why they wanted to go to the pub!). We sat in the garden of the pub and I nursed a bottle of water as I didn't want any more wine. I can't really do drinking at lunchtime as it just makes me sleepy and dopey!
Keith and I left after a couple of drinks and walked slowly home where my husband promptly fell fast asleep. Sophie and Mike arrived home at about 8pm and my daughter was very merry indeed! She doesn't often get tipsy, but this evening she definitely was!
Friday 21 June 2019
Sobering news...
As usual, I was mightily glad it was Friday again! Work passed pleasantly enough - I'm doing the box office returns as Stella has gone on holiday so that always keeps me busy and I really enjoy it.
I had an hour to kill before picking up Mike, so I called Keith at home as he had texted me to call my parents when I finished work. I couldn't get through to them but when I called him to find out what they wanted, he told me that my Mum had been on the phone and the results of my Dad's brain scan had been sent to them. Unfortunately, he has Parkinson's, the same as my Mum, which was shocking news. However, my Mum is now on a really good medication and is feeling a lot better so we're hoping that my Dad can get sorted as well. It explains why he's been so slow lately and not really "with it".
Today has been the Summer Solstice and the weather has been beautiful. It's set to stay that way for tomorrow at least, which is good news as we're having a community barbecue on the green in the afternoon.
I called my Mum when I got home and she seemed OK, especially when I mentioned the medication that have to offer. It will mean that we'll have to sit and talk about future plans, though and the possibility of adapting their house to suit their needs in the coming years.
Sophie and I enjoyed wine night tonight and I made a lovely, creamy fish pie for dinner. It went down very well, especially with Keith who came home from the pub ravenous!
I had an hour to kill before picking up Mike, so I called Keith at home as he had texted me to call my parents when I finished work. I couldn't get through to them but when I called him to find out what they wanted, he told me that my Mum had been on the phone and the results of my Dad's brain scan had been sent to them. Unfortunately, he has Parkinson's, the same as my Mum, which was shocking news. However, my Mum is now on a really good medication and is feeling a lot better so we're hoping that my Dad can get sorted as well. It explains why he's been so slow lately and not really "with it".
Today has been the Summer Solstice and the weather has been beautiful. It's set to stay that way for tomorrow at least, which is good news as we're having a community barbecue on the green in the afternoon.
I called my Mum when I got home and she seemed OK, especially when I mentioned the medication that have to offer. It will mean that we'll have to sit and talk about future plans, though and the possibility of adapting their house to suit their needs in the coming years.
Sophie and I enjoyed wine night tonight and I made a lovely, creamy fish pie for dinner. It went down very well, especially with Keith who came home from the pub ravenous!
Thursday 20 June 2019
All booked!
Last night we booked a September holiday in Mallorca, much to the delight of Sophie who thought we had given up! I came up with a plan to fly in the evening and spend the night at an airport hotel. We could then explore Palma the next day (something I've always wanted to do) and then drive up to Pollensa to check into our Airbnb.
I booked flights with easyJet from Stansted and we get into Palma at about 11.30pm. It'll mean we'll have to finish work a bit earlier on that day but the flights were much more reasonable and the hotel was good value.
We've booked a place in the old town that has a little pool so it will be heaven to relax for a few days. We're staying five nights and Keith will be celebrating his birthday while we're out there. It's been 11 years since we've been to Mallorca and it was a place we used to go to every year for our summer holiday when the children were little. The last time we were there was August 2008...
Then, we had children, now we have adults coming with us! It will be so good to go back and see how things have changed. I know of a few restaurants that are no more or that have changed hands. we can now spend the next few months planning where we're going to eat and drink!
I booked flights with easyJet from Stansted and we get into Palma at about 11.30pm. It'll mean we'll have to finish work a bit earlier on that day but the flights were much more reasonable and the hotel was good value.
We've booked a place in the old town that has a little pool so it will be heaven to relax for a few days. We're staying five nights and Keith will be celebrating his birthday while we're out there. It's been 11 years since we've been to Mallorca and it was a place we used to go to every year for our summer holiday when the children were little. The last time we were there was August 2008...
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| Port de Pollensa |
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| Pollensa |
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| Our villa |
Then, we had children, now we have adults coming with us! It will be so good to go back and see how things have changed. I know of a few restaurants that are no more or that have changed hands. we can now spend the next few months planning where we're going to eat and drink!
Wednesday 19 June 2019
Tiles, tiles!
Keith took Mike to work this morning but I was still up at 6.30am and when he got back I'd tidied up and was enjoying my second cup of coffee.
We popped to Aldi and before returning home I put some diesel in my car. Mike's contributions from his monthly pay have helped so far with filling the car and it's been much appreciated!
We dropped the shopping off at home and went into town to hunt for tiles again. We spotted a Topps Tiles near Kings Heath so we went in and had a look and after a helpful chat with one of the staff we spotted a beautiful silvery grey tile that would go really well as it matches the landing carpet. The only trouble was that it was quite expensive and more than we wanted to pay, although we were told there might be a discount available in September...
I took photos to show Sophie and then we left to go to another place near where we sometimes drop Mike off for work. This place had a very similar tile, currently on offer, so we bought a sample and went back to Topps Tiles where we bought a sample of the one I liked so much. This was almost £10 compared to the other at just over £2!
Keith wanted to go to Morrison's to get some cash out and what is near to the supermarket? The Malt Shovel! It would have been rude not to have gone in so we walked across the road and walked into the pub that was full of men of a certain age! Luckily there was a young girl behind the bar but I still felt seriously outnumbered!
We sat and chatted about Mallorca as we've had trouble getting flights that are reasonable. I came up with a plan that might work! After a couple of drinks and a bowl of delicious hot chips, we left to get Mike and then returned home. I put both tiles in the bathroom side by side and said to Keith that we'd ask Sophie's opinion when she got home. We wouldn't tell her the difference in price!
She gave the tiles her full attention and we put the light on to see the difference. We decided to keep them down for a while but she did prefer the one I liked (the more expensive) so I think we've decided. It's a good job we're not having the bathroom done until October!
We popped to Aldi and before returning home I put some diesel in my car. Mike's contributions from his monthly pay have helped so far with filling the car and it's been much appreciated!
We dropped the shopping off at home and went into town to hunt for tiles again. We spotted a Topps Tiles near Kings Heath so we went in and had a look and after a helpful chat with one of the staff we spotted a beautiful silvery grey tile that would go really well as it matches the landing carpet. The only trouble was that it was quite expensive and more than we wanted to pay, although we were told there might be a discount available in September...
I took photos to show Sophie and then we left to go to another place near where we sometimes drop Mike off for work. This place had a very similar tile, currently on offer, so we bought a sample and went back to Topps Tiles where we bought a sample of the one I liked so much. This was almost £10 compared to the other at just over £2!
Keith wanted to go to Morrison's to get some cash out and what is near to the supermarket? The Malt Shovel! It would have been rude not to have gone in so we walked across the road and walked into the pub that was full of men of a certain age! Luckily there was a young girl behind the bar but I still felt seriously outnumbered!
We sat and chatted about Mallorca as we've had trouble getting flights that are reasonable. I came up with a plan that might work! After a couple of drinks and a bowl of delicious hot chips, we left to get Mike and then returned home. I put both tiles in the bathroom side by side and said to Keith that we'd ask Sophie's opinion when she got home. We wouldn't tell her the difference in price!
She gave the tiles her full attention and we put the light on to see the difference. We decided to keep them down for a while but she did prefer the one I liked (the more expensive) so I think we've decided. It's a good job we're not having the bathroom done until October!
Tuesday 18 June 2019
Early morning irritations!
This morning Sophie had a doctor's appointment at the very early time of 7am so I said I'd go with her as it was in Guilsborough and she wasn't very sure of the way. She would then drop me off at work at 8am and have a coffee in Costa.
We arrived about ten minutes before her appointment but the gates were shut and padlocked. I then began to wonder whether I'd taken the time down correctly but I knew I had, because I'd planned on Sophie giving me a lift to work!
At two minutes to seven, a car came flying around the corner and screeched to a halt outside the gates. A woman got out and struggled with the padlock, assisted by Sophie's doctor who had also just arrived! I was amazed! It was clear that we weren't going to be seen at 7am and I was a bit annoyed, to be honest. Am I being unreasonable or should they have arrived a work a bit earlier to open up and get ready?
Sophie was finally seen at about 7.10am and luckily we made it to my work on time. I would have been very irritated if we'd been late!
This morning the weather was beautiful but it clouded over in the afternoon and we had rain. We have more weather warnings out for tomorrow and Wednesday with thunderstorms expected and more torrential downpours.
Keith picked me up at 3pm and we went home as neither of us could face hanging around for an hour for Mike or traipsing around the shops! He texted us when we were on our way back to get him, to say he was out already which was typical as today we were slightly (and I mean two minutes) late. Normally he would have been coming out of the park by the time we arrived!
We arrived about ten minutes before her appointment but the gates were shut and padlocked. I then began to wonder whether I'd taken the time down correctly but I knew I had, because I'd planned on Sophie giving me a lift to work!
At two minutes to seven, a car came flying around the corner and screeched to a halt outside the gates. A woman got out and struggled with the padlock, assisted by Sophie's doctor who had also just arrived! I was amazed! It was clear that we weren't going to be seen at 7am and I was a bit annoyed, to be honest. Am I being unreasonable or should they have arrived a work a bit earlier to open up and get ready?
Sophie was finally seen at about 7.10am and luckily we made it to my work on time. I would have been very irritated if we'd been late!
This morning the weather was beautiful but it clouded over in the afternoon and we had rain. We have more weather warnings out for tomorrow and Wednesday with thunderstorms expected and more torrential downpours.
Keith picked me up at 3pm and we went home as neither of us could face hanging around for an hour for Mike or traipsing around the shops! He texted us when we were on our way back to get him, to say he was out already which was typical as today we were slightly (and I mean two minutes) late. Normally he would have been coming out of the park by the time we arrived!
Monday 17 June 2019
Monday morning blues!
I always wake up with a groan on a Monday morning as I face the week ahead and its five early starts... However, the time passes so quickly that it's Friday before we know it!
Sophie had a week free from meetings so she went off to the gym and Keith took me to work as we needed to go to Tesco in the afternoon. Work was OK, but the third girl that Sara has taken on to help out on a Monday went home sick again. I think she's worked just one full shift on a Monday!
At 2pm Keith and I went over to the Weston Favell Centre and did some shopping before going down to Abington Park. We went to the Park Cafe and sat outside for a while. The weather was a bit grey but at least it was dry! We wandered through the aviary on the way back to the car and saw some huge rats again. Mike later told us it's almost impossible to get rid of them as they can't put poison down or trap them because of the birds.
We collected Mike and drove home where it was time to catch up with some chores before relaxing. Our plumber came around to sort out the leak in the bathroom and managed to stop it, so that was a relief. He was a very amenable man and I'm looking forward to him transforming our bathroom in the Autumn!
Sophie has become addicted to Love Island at the moment but she found time to watch Big Little Lies with me before disappearing upstairs to feed her fix!
Sophie had a week free from meetings so she went off to the gym and Keith took me to work as we needed to go to Tesco in the afternoon. Work was OK, but the third girl that Sara has taken on to help out on a Monday went home sick again. I think she's worked just one full shift on a Monday!
At 2pm Keith and I went over to the Weston Favell Centre and did some shopping before going down to Abington Park. We went to the Park Cafe and sat outside for a while. The weather was a bit grey but at least it was dry! We wandered through the aviary on the way back to the car and saw some huge rats again. Mike later told us it's almost impossible to get rid of them as they can't put poison down or trap them because of the birds.
We collected Mike and drove home where it was time to catch up with some chores before relaxing. Our plumber came around to sort out the leak in the bathroom and managed to stop it, so that was a relief. He was a very amenable man and I'm looking forward to him transforming our bathroom in the Autumn!
Sophie has become addicted to Love Island at the moment but she found time to watch Big Little Lies with me before disappearing upstairs to feed her fix!
Sunday 16 June 2019
Celebrating Dads!
This morning dawned a little brighter, but unfortunately we were lulled into a false sense of security as the showers started up again...in earnest!
Mum and Dad were coming over for lunch because today is Father's Day and Keith was very pleased with his gifts from the children. Sophie and cleaned the downstairs of the house and prepared lunch at we drove over to get them at 1pm so my Dad could have a couple of glasses of wine.
We enjoyed a lovely meal of our favourite - salad, cold meats and quiche served with new potatoes - and had a good chat. Outside we had sunshine and showers and I really felt sorry for anyone who had arranged a barbecue or outdoor party today.
Dad looked a bit tired after the meal so Sophie and I took my parents home and returned to relax. I fell asleep for half an hour and it was great to wake up knowing we didn't have to cook tonight! We enjoyed a glass of wine and watched a very interesting film called Searching about a father's desperate hunt for his daughter when she goes missing.
This weekend has been great but it's passed by too quickly!
Mum and Dad were coming over for lunch because today is Father's Day and Keith was very pleased with his gifts from the children. Sophie and cleaned the downstairs of the house and prepared lunch at we drove over to get them at 1pm so my Dad could have a couple of glasses of wine.
We enjoyed a lovely meal of our favourite - salad, cold meats and quiche served with new potatoes - and had a good chat. Outside we had sunshine and showers and I really felt sorry for anyone who had arranged a barbecue or outdoor party today.
Dad looked a bit tired after the meal so Sophie and I took my parents home and returned to relax. I fell asleep for half an hour and it was great to wake up knowing we didn't have to cook tonight! We enjoyed a glass of wine and watched a very interesting film called Searching about a father's desperate hunt for his daughter when she goes missing.
This weekend has been great but it's passed by too quickly!
Saturday 15 June 2019
An enjoyable shopping trip!
Unfortunately we have developed a leak in our family bathroom which is ironic seeing as I was saying the other day that we weren't in any hurry to get it refurbished! I noticed a water stain on the cloakroom ceiling and showed it to Keith who immediately looked worried as our fuse box is right underneath it.
The next day (Friday) it was larger, so this morning Keith went to investigate. He took the bath panel off (revealing a veritable maze of spider webs behind!) but that looked dry. The next thing was to take up the vinyl flooring, and then the last resort was to hack away at the tiles that hide the waste pipes behind the sink and loo. By doing this he found the leak but our bathroom is now ruined! It's a good job work is starting on the 10 October, but that's still a long way away!
We put a bowl underneath the steady drip that was coming out of one of the pipes and went to Screwfix to buy some tape and sealant. Sophie had gone off to the gym but we were back before she returned. Sadly, our fix didn't work so we're going to have to call out the plumber on Monday.
Sophie and I went to Market Harborough in the afternoon and had lunch in Pizza Express. I had a £15 voucher to use in there so we pushed the boat out and enjoyed dough balls and flatbreads served with hummus to start, followed by a hot chicken pizza. I had two glasses of wine as Sophie was driving, so that was lovely!
Afterwards we had a look in Waterstones where Sophie bought two books for her Dad for Father's Day tomorrow and then it was into Tesco to get him some beer, with a last stop at Duncan's. He had a very amenable man serving a crisp and fruity white from the Loire Valley and a heavier red from Chile. I noticed a poster for The Greatest Showman next to the tasting table and realised that the man hosting the tasting looked just like him!
We both loved the white - a Pinot Blanc - and Sophie really liked the red but at £17.99 I thought it was a bit steep! We each bought a bottle of Irish Whiskey for our Dads and a bottle each of the white wine and very enjoyable it was, too! What a delightful way to spend a wet Saturday afternoon!
It got even better when we called into Majestic on the way home as they were doing tastings as well and we had half a glass of Prosecco each while we mooched about the shop. We have only two bottles of The Ned Pinot Grigio left, so I bought another three as well as some Californian reds and one from Portugal. We are really quite low on wines at the moment and the six bottles came to a very reasonable £48. Thank goodness I get paid next week!
The journey home was horrible as we endured torrential rain and Sophie coped really well with the wet A14 and the lorries. Back home we relaxed and played cards in the conservatory and then enjoyed a delicious curry that Keith made. I have to confess to being in bed at 10pm...it had been a long and busy day!
The next day (Friday) it was larger, so this morning Keith went to investigate. He took the bath panel off (revealing a veritable maze of spider webs behind!) but that looked dry. The next thing was to take up the vinyl flooring, and then the last resort was to hack away at the tiles that hide the waste pipes behind the sink and loo. By doing this he found the leak but our bathroom is now ruined! It's a good job work is starting on the 10 October, but that's still a long way away!
We put a bowl underneath the steady drip that was coming out of one of the pipes and went to Screwfix to buy some tape and sealant. Sophie had gone off to the gym but we were back before she returned. Sadly, our fix didn't work so we're going to have to call out the plumber on Monday.
Sophie and I went to Market Harborough in the afternoon and had lunch in Pizza Express. I had a £15 voucher to use in there so we pushed the boat out and enjoyed dough balls and flatbreads served with hummus to start, followed by a hot chicken pizza. I had two glasses of wine as Sophie was driving, so that was lovely!
Afterwards we had a look in Waterstones where Sophie bought two books for her Dad for Father's Day tomorrow and then it was into Tesco to get him some beer, with a last stop at Duncan's. He had a very amenable man serving a crisp and fruity white from the Loire Valley and a heavier red from Chile. I noticed a poster for The Greatest Showman next to the tasting table and realised that the man hosting the tasting looked just like him!
We both loved the white - a Pinot Blanc - and Sophie really liked the red but at £17.99 I thought it was a bit steep! We each bought a bottle of Irish Whiskey for our Dads and a bottle each of the white wine and very enjoyable it was, too! What a delightful way to spend a wet Saturday afternoon!
It got even better when we called into Majestic on the way home as they were doing tastings as well and we had half a glass of Prosecco each while we mooched about the shop. We have only two bottles of The Ned Pinot Grigio left, so I bought another three as well as some Californian reds and one from Portugal. We are really quite low on wines at the moment and the six bottles came to a very reasonable £48. Thank goodness I get paid next week!
The journey home was horrible as we endured torrential rain and Sophie coped really well with the wet A14 and the lorries. Back home we relaxed and played cards in the conservatory and then enjoyed a delicious curry that Keith made. I have to confess to being in bed at 10pm...it had been a long and busy day!
Friday 14 June 2019
Hooray! It's FRIDAY!
I can't stress enough how pleased I was it was Friday today. It's been a long hard week with some very early mornings! Sophie went off to the gym and I took Mike to work as normal. I bought myself some lunch in the Tesco petrol station shop which I felt a bit guilty about but last night I couldn't be bothered to make myself something!
Work sped by and I was busy doing admin and invoices. At 2pm I drove down to get Mike and sat by the park reading my Kindle. I noticed some very strange goings on in the park and I do wonder what people get up to...!
It has rained again today despite the sun coming out for a little while. Mike was filthy when he got into the car so as soon as we were home I made him strip off his dirty uniform and it went straight into the wash!
Sophie was home early tonight and Keith walked down to the pub so at least I was spared that short trip. We had a drink and watched the new series of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way which was hilarious! The plan tonight was to have Tapas as Sophie had brought home some delicious cheese and ham from Valencia. The only problem was that we didn't have any crusty bread so we popped to Mawsley to get some and once home, Sophie prepared some patatas bravas with a whole array of spices she'd bought out there.
I went to collect Keith and we had a delicious dinner of ham, cheese, Spanish omelette, the potatoes, crusty bread, olives and a gorgeous red wine she'd found. It was called "Just F***ing Good Wine" and it certainly was! I can't imagine Tesco or Majestic stocking it, though!
Work sped by and I was busy doing admin and invoices. At 2pm I drove down to get Mike and sat by the park reading my Kindle. I noticed some very strange goings on in the park and I do wonder what people get up to...!
It has rained again today despite the sun coming out for a little while. Mike was filthy when he got into the car so as soon as we were home I made him strip off his dirty uniform and it went straight into the wash!
Sophie was home early tonight and Keith walked down to the pub so at least I was spared that short trip. We had a drink and watched the new series of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way which was hilarious! The plan tonight was to have Tapas as Sophie had brought home some delicious cheese and ham from Valencia. The only problem was that we didn't have any crusty bread so we popped to Mawsley to get some and once home, Sophie prepared some patatas bravas with a whole array of spices she'd bought out there.
I went to collect Keith and we had a delicious dinner of ham, cheese, Spanish omelette, the potatoes, crusty bread, olives and a gorgeous red wine she'd found. It was called "Just F***ing Good Wine" and it certainly was! I can't imagine Tesco or Majestic stocking it, though!
Thursday 13 June 2019
Bad coffee!
Sophie was out again today and was off to London for a conference with her friend (and colleague) Laura. We left home at 6am and picked Laura up on the way to the station. I then had almost an hour to kill so I foolishly decided to go to McDonald's to get breakfast and a coffee, but the food and drink were horrible. I sat in the car park of the Weston Favell Centre and it was a good job it was pouring with rain as I tipped the coffee onto the ground in disgust. I had picked their version of a Flat White and it was undrinkable!
Work was busy and I just had a few minutes to wait for Mike this afternoon. It continued to rain throughout the day and this weather is set to continue for the rest of the week. I do feel sorry for people who have weddings or barbecues planned for this coming weekend as it's not going to be dry and sunny. This time last year I'm sure it was the start of the heatwave!
Back home Keith and I prepared dinner and I waited for Sophie to text me to say she was on the train home. In the end I sent her a text and asked what train the girls were taking and she said, a bit vaguely, that they were hoping to get on the 8.15pm one. This meant that by the time it arrived in Northampton and we took Laura home, it would be almost 10pm!
We had a bit of a bicker and in the end they managed to squeeze onto the 7.55 train so we picked them up from the station at 9pm. The rain had stopped and the evening sky was beautiful. It's so lovely that it's light until nearly 10pm!
Work was busy and I just had a few minutes to wait for Mike this afternoon. It continued to rain throughout the day and this weather is set to continue for the rest of the week. I do feel sorry for people who have weddings or barbecues planned for this coming weekend as it's not going to be dry and sunny. This time last year I'm sure it was the start of the heatwave!
Back home Keith and I prepared dinner and I waited for Sophie to text me to say she was on the train home. In the end I sent her a text and asked what train the girls were taking and she said, a bit vaguely, that they were hoping to get on the 8.15pm one. This meant that by the time it arrived in Northampton and we took Laura home, it would be almost 10pm!
We had a bit of a bicker and in the end they managed to squeeze onto the 7.55 train so we picked them up from the station at 9pm. The rain had stopped and the evening sky was beautiful. It's so lovely that it's light until nearly 10pm!
Wednesday 12 June 2019
Day off?
Although today was my day off I was awake at 4.30am and despite trying to go back to sleep, I was still up when Sophie came in to get me up. Today she was off to a prison in Henley on Thames and had to be at her manager's house at 6.15am. I dropped her off again while Keith stayed behind with Mike and this time her manager was ready!
I returned home and stayed there while Keith took Mike. I did get a bit of a fright when Mike texted me to say there'd been an accident on the M40 (the route I thought Sophie was taking) but she and her manager had gone on a completely different road. This morning was bad to be travelling as there were multiple accidents on the M40 and problems on other roads. It probably didn't help that the weather was wet again!
Keith and I popped over to Tesco this morning and also went to Timpson's as Sophie had cracked the screen of her ipad on her way home from Valencia. It could be fixed for the grand sum of £125 so we left it at the shop and arranged to pick it up next week.
On the way to see Mum and Dad we called into a tile showroom and had a look at the beautiful displays. They were more than we wanted to pay but the man said he could maybe do us a deal, so it was worth thinking about.
Mum and Dad were OK, but my Mum has had her medication changed and it had made her feel a little nauseous, so we didn't stay. By now half the day was over and there were things I wanted to do at home. We did contemplate going out somewhere but the weather was horrible so we mooched about at home instead. I did some research on my family tree and discovered that some more of my family had had to go into the workhouse for a short while. They were described as "destitute."
Keith and I went to get Mike at 3pm and luckily Sophie's manager brought her home so that was one less journey to make!
I returned home and stayed there while Keith took Mike. I did get a bit of a fright when Mike texted me to say there'd been an accident on the M40 (the route I thought Sophie was taking) but she and her manager had gone on a completely different road. This morning was bad to be travelling as there were multiple accidents on the M40 and problems on other roads. It probably didn't help that the weather was wet again!
Keith and I popped over to Tesco this morning and also went to Timpson's as Sophie had cracked the screen of her ipad on her way home from Valencia. It could be fixed for the grand sum of £125 so we left it at the shop and arranged to pick it up next week.
On the way to see Mum and Dad we called into a tile showroom and had a look at the beautiful displays. They were more than we wanted to pay but the man said he could maybe do us a deal, so it was worth thinking about.
Mum and Dad were OK, but my Mum has had her medication changed and it had made her feel a little nauseous, so we didn't stay. By now half the day was over and there were things I wanted to do at home. We did contemplate going out somewhere but the weather was horrible so we mooched about at home instead. I did some research on my family tree and discovered that some more of my family had had to go into the workhouse for a short while. They were described as "destitute."
Keith and I went to get Mike at 3pm and luckily Sophie's manager brought her home so that was one less journey to make!
Tuesday 11 June 2019
Frustrating delays!
Sophie had to be at her manager's house at 6am this morning so I said I'd take her while Keith got Mike up for work. The weather was terrible, with torrential rain and winds, and driving on the A14 was not pleasant.
We arrived at her manager's house and I managed to get a space a little way away and after a few minutes, Sophie went and rang the bell. I turned the car around and parked opposite and I waited until the door opened. However, nobody answered and Sophie stood on the doorstep getting soaked to the skin. She stayed there for a little while longer until I waved her back to the car and put the heating on to try and dry her out. Her hair was completely wet!
She tried again but had to wait another five minutes before anyone answered, and I found out that her manager hadn't set her alarm properly! I was now late and my plan to take Mike to work after showering and getting ready was abandoned and Keith had to take him! What a horrible start to the day!
It was definitely one of those days today and little things kept going wrong! I was glad to get out at 2pm, drive home and collect Keith. We popped to the post office in Brixworth and then went to collect our son who was drenched through and very muddy! My car now needs a really deep clean!
In the evening I relaxed for half an hour before going back out to get Sophie at 7pm. Keith stayed behind to cook the dinner and it was heaven to finally get home and enjoy our chilli!
We arrived at her manager's house and I managed to get a space a little way away and after a few minutes, Sophie went and rang the bell. I turned the car around and parked opposite and I waited until the door opened. However, nobody answered and Sophie stood on the doorstep getting soaked to the skin. She stayed there for a little while longer until I waved her back to the car and put the heating on to try and dry her out. Her hair was completely wet!
She tried again but had to wait another five minutes before anyone answered, and I found out that her manager hadn't set her alarm properly! I was now late and my plan to take Mike to work after showering and getting ready was abandoned and Keith had to take him! What a horrible start to the day!
It was definitely one of those days today and little things kept going wrong! I was glad to get out at 2pm, drive home and collect Keith. We popped to the post office in Brixworth and then went to collect our son who was drenched through and very muddy! My car now needs a really deep clean!
In the evening I relaxed for half an hour before going back out to get Sophie at 7pm. Keith stayed behind to cook the dinner and it was heaven to finally get home and enjoy our chilli!
Monday 10 June 2019
Wash out, Part 2!
The rain started when I was taking Mike to work and then it lashed it down for the rest of the day, without stop. We don't often get continuous rainfall (despite our reputation for bad weather!) but today was an exception. I think it's due to a storm coming from Spain?
I was training a new girl at work today and after half an hour of her listening to me answer the phones, we let her loose on them. The idea was for me to come off and give her help whenever she needed it, but the other girl we were working with today, had to dash off to another of the centres as there'd been a problem there.
It was a relief to finally get out and I sped home to collect Keith who came to Tesco with me. We also paid some piggy bank money into Mike's account and with some change from is wallet, the amount was just over £20! Not bad for an accumulation of copper and 5p pieces!
It carried on raining for the rest of the day and this is set to continue all week. Tomorrow we have to be up early as Sophie is off to London with her manager...and she's out again on Wednesday and Thursday!
I was training a new girl at work today and after half an hour of her listening to me answer the phones, we let her loose on them. The idea was for me to come off and give her help whenever she needed it, but the other girl we were working with today, had to dash off to another of the centres as there'd been a problem there.
It was a relief to finally get out and I sped home to collect Keith who came to Tesco with me. We also paid some piggy bank money into Mike's account and with some change from is wallet, the amount was just over £20! Not bad for an accumulation of copper and 5p pieces!
It carried on raining for the rest of the day and this is set to continue all week. Tomorrow we have to be up early as Sophie is off to London with her manager...and she's out again on Wednesday and Thursday!
Sunday 9 June 2019
Chaos!
Today has been far better weather wise and although it's been cloudy we have actually seen the sun! Keith and I popped over to Tesco first thing, to get some stuff in the supermarket and to fill up Sophie's car with petrol.
By the time we got home and made some toast, Sophie was an hour away so we jumped into my car and drove to Luton. We arrived just as they did and I called my daughter to say we were stuck in traffic on the perimeter of the airport. As we were collecting them from arrivals, we went into the multi-storey to park and had to go right up to the 4th floor! There were very few spaces!
There is a lot of building work going on at Luton at the moment and the place is total chaos. When we parked the car there were no signs to the terminal so we went down a flight of stone steps that had marvellous views over the runways. At the bottom, we looked for signs but in the end followed a couple of people in the right direction. We found a lift and all piled in for nothing to happen. The terminal was on the 2nd floor, but after pressing and pressing the button to go up, we abandoned the lift and went up the two flights of stairs. When we emerged onto another level, the sign said the terminal was back down at ground zero!
We stomped back downstairs and finally arrived at the hugely busy airport where taxis and buses were offloading crowds of people. We found our way to arrivals and after about ten minutes, Sophie and Alice appeared looking a bit fed up. They'd had a group of excitable Spanish schoolchildren on the plane so it hadn't been very relaxing!
We walked back to the car and thankfully the lifts were working. Very soon we were back in the car and driving back home and listening to the girls tell us about their trip.
Alice had a sandwich with us and then left to go home to Leeds, and when she'd left Sophie gave us some fantastic gifts she'd brought home with her. We had two bottles of red wine, truffle oil, various spices, chocolate and another "Eye" key ring as she thought I had lost the one I'd bought in Carmel. She had also brought home a tile with a black cat on it which will look lovely on the wall in the conservatory. Keith was treated to a tee-shirt and Mike had an ashtray, a lighter and some chocolate. I think we all did very well indeed!
Afterwards Sophie and I popped back over to Tesco because I had forgotten to get a Birthday card this morning when we went to Tesco. She'd asked me to get one for Laura and it had slipped my mind. By now it was quite sultry and after a quick dash to the supermarket we returned home to relax.
We were glad the weather had brightened up as we barbecued in the evening and the burgers and pork steaks were delicious!
By the time we got home and made some toast, Sophie was an hour away so we jumped into my car and drove to Luton. We arrived just as they did and I called my daughter to say we were stuck in traffic on the perimeter of the airport. As we were collecting them from arrivals, we went into the multi-storey to park and had to go right up to the 4th floor! There were very few spaces!
There is a lot of building work going on at Luton at the moment and the place is total chaos. When we parked the car there were no signs to the terminal so we went down a flight of stone steps that had marvellous views over the runways. At the bottom, we looked for signs but in the end followed a couple of people in the right direction. We found a lift and all piled in for nothing to happen. The terminal was on the 2nd floor, but after pressing and pressing the button to go up, we abandoned the lift and went up the two flights of stairs. When we emerged onto another level, the sign said the terminal was back down at ground zero!
We stomped back downstairs and finally arrived at the hugely busy airport where taxis and buses were offloading crowds of people. We found our way to arrivals and after about ten minutes, Sophie and Alice appeared looking a bit fed up. They'd had a group of excitable Spanish schoolchildren on the plane so it hadn't been very relaxing!
We walked back to the car and thankfully the lifts were working. Very soon we were back in the car and driving back home and listening to the girls tell us about their trip.
Alice had a sandwich with us and then left to go home to Leeds, and when she'd left Sophie gave us some fantastic gifts she'd brought home with her. We had two bottles of red wine, truffle oil, various spices, chocolate and another "Eye" key ring as she thought I had lost the one I'd bought in Carmel. She had also brought home a tile with a black cat on it which will look lovely on the wall in the conservatory. Keith was treated to a tee-shirt and Mike had an ashtray, a lighter and some chocolate. I think we all did very well indeed!
Afterwards Sophie and I popped back over to Tesco because I had forgotten to get a Birthday card this morning when we went to Tesco. She'd asked me to get one for Laura and it had slipped my mind. By now it was quite sultry and after a quick dash to the supermarket we returned home to relax.
We were glad the weather had brightened up as we barbecued in the evening and the burgers and pork steaks were delicious!
Saturday 8 June 2019
Washout!
Today Keith and I have only ventured out to get a newspaper as the weather has been atrocious. I woke up to the sound of pouring rain and as we had the windows in our bedroom open, the water was all over the windowsills! What a difference to last week!
It was the perfect kind of day to stay indoors and do very little, which is what we did. I did some housework in the morning and started up some research on my family tree again. Mike decided to go out in the evening so our plans for chicken en croute were put on hold, and Keith and I had two pies that we had frozen from the leftovers of a casserole.
I had made plans to tidy up the garden, go to the tip and wash both cars but obviously, these plans were abandoned. We did see blue skies and sunshine in the early evening so that was some consolation!
Sophie returns from her holiday in Valencia tomorrow. Yippee!
It was the perfect kind of day to stay indoors and do very little, which is what we did. I did some housework in the morning and started up some research on my family tree again. Mike decided to go out in the evening so our plans for chicken en croute were put on hold, and Keith and I had two pies that we had frozen from the leftovers of a casserole.
I had made plans to tidy up the garden, go to the tip and wash both cars but obviously, these plans were abandoned. We did see blue skies and sunshine in the early evening so that was some consolation!
Sophie returns from her holiday in Valencia tomorrow. Yippee!
Friday 7 June 2019
So glad it's Friday!
I slept a lot better last night (I curled up on the sofa with Monty and fell asleep at 9pm!) so I felt great this morning. After taking Mike to work I bought a Costa coffee and a newspaper from the Tesco petrol station and sat in my car for fifteen minutes. I've been going into work at 7.30am regularly but I certainly haven't been getting paid for it or even had the extra time acknowledged, so I thought I would have a later start today!
Work was busy and at 2pm I drove down to get Mike. We've had a yellow weather warning out for heavy rain and thunderstorms today and although the rain was a little heavy at times, I don't think it warranted a warning!
When I got home I packaged up a playsuit that Sophie had sold on eBay and Keith and I sloshed over to Brixworth to post it. Back home I mooched about and missed my daughter as it's Wine Night tonight and my drinking buddy is far away! She did message me, though, and we had a good chat so that was some consolation!
Keith asked for a lift to the pub and back again as the weather was so dodgy and I prepared dinner of fish and chips. We watched an episode of the excellent Code 37: Sex Crimes and then had a relatively early night. Sophie messaged me to say she was up for a late night so no doubt she was off to enjoy cocktails, lucky thing!
Thursday 6 June 2019
Afternoon chats
I had a terrible night's sleep and woke this morning feeling horrible. It didn't help that I was facing my longer shift today!
At 3pm I went to get Mike from work and we returned home. Sophie called me on Messenger and was having a lovely time, so that was great. Sue popped around to see me, so after chatting to Sophie I walked across the road and had a chat.
I still can't get used to the fact that she and Paul are no longer together and she said that Paul is keeping the house while she is buying something new in Kettering. We sat and chatted and she said she missed Michelle and I, and being so close to us. I looked out over their stunning view and the gorgeous garden she's created and wondered if it was really worth it?
Back home Keith and I played cards in the conservatory and enjoyed the blue sky overhead. Today has been a mix of sunshine and showers and tomorrow is set to be a bad day with torrential rain and thunderstorms. It's now officially summer so what's happened to the weather?!
Yesterday we popped into the huge Asda next door to Ikea and Keith treated me to a bottle of the Gordon's Elderflower Gin so I did a comparison test. I love the J&J Whitley Elderflower Gin and I have to say it's still very much my favourite!
At 3pm I went to get Mike from work and we returned home. Sophie called me on Messenger and was having a lovely time, so that was great. Sue popped around to see me, so after chatting to Sophie I walked across the road and had a chat.
I still can't get used to the fact that she and Paul are no longer together and she said that Paul is keeping the house while she is buying something new in Kettering. We sat and chatted and she said she missed Michelle and I, and being so close to us. I looked out over their stunning view and the gorgeous garden she's created and wondered if it was really worth it?
Back home Keith and I played cards in the conservatory and enjoyed the blue sky overhead. Today has been a mix of sunshine and showers and tomorrow is set to be a bad day with torrential rain and thunderstorms. It's now officially summer so what's happened to the weather?!
Yesterday we popped into the huge Asda next door to Ikea and Keith treated me to a bottle of the Gordon's Elderflower Gin so I did a comparison test. I love the J&J Whitley Elderflower Gin and I have to say it's still very much my favourite!
Wednesday 5 June 2019
A shopping spree!
Keith got up and took Mike to work this morning so I was able to have a lie-in, which was lovely. We decided to go to Milton Keynes today and take the recycling I'd been collecting, and then go in search of bathroom tiles at a couple of stores I'd found on Google.
Dropping off the recycling was easy and straightforward and we found the first place, Tile Giant, quite easily. It was very near to Ikea so I suggested we go there for lunch and a mooch about after we'd looked at the tiles.
We walked into the empty showroom and were boggled with the amount of choice there was! A member of staff came over and was very helpful, but we didn't really see anything that we liked the look of.
Akropolis Tiles was just around the corner and the shop was chaotic and messy. We could hear someone moving around in the back of the shop but nobody came out to see if we wanted any help so we wandered around and made our way to the rear where a man was busy doing something. He said hello but didn't ask if we needed anything or what we were looking for. Disappointed with the lack of interest we left and drove the short distance to Ikea where we looked around the showroom before going to have some lunch.
Keith chose fish and chips (well, there's a surprise!) while I had the meatballs, chips and peas (there was no mashed potato today). I'm not sure if it was me, but the meal lacked taste today...perhaps it was the chips and not being able to soak up the gravy with the potatoes!
In the market hall I bought two glass dishes, a wooden spoon, a candle and a mattress protector for our bed. I had assumed it would be about £20-£30 but when we went through the checkout it was £7.50! A real bargain!
I also bought some food - veggie meatballs for Sophie and elk sausage for Mike. I resisted buying the box of delicious chocolate biscuits that I normally get!
From Milton Keynes we drove to the garden centre at Wootton, now called Dobbies. It used to be Wyevale! Keith wanted some shoes and I knew they sold Pavers there so I suggested we go and look as Keith wanted wider fitting footwear. He found two lovely pairs - some sandals and deck shoes, so he was very happy. After treating me to a cup of tea we went to pick Mike up from work and dropped him off before going to see Mum and Dad who wanted help with some paperwork.
We were there until around 5.30pm and rather than go straight home I suggested a drink at The Hare in Loddington. The previously grey weather had given way to a sunnier evening and we enjoyed a couple of drinks in the bar. I only have one gripe about this place and that's the lack of comfortable seating if you just want a drink. Most of the tables were set up for dining so we made do with high bar stools by the wall.
Back home Keith tucked into a Tesco Lancashire hot pot while I heated up the new potatoes we'd had leftover from Monday and enjoyed them with cold meats and a glass of wine. It had certainly been a full, but very enjoyable day!
Dropping off the recycling was easy and straightforward and we found the first place, Tile Giant, quite easily. It was very near to Ikea so I suggested we go there for lunch and a mooch about after we'd looked at the tiles.
We walked into the empty showroom and were boggled with the amount of choice there was! A member of staff came over and was very helpful, but we didn't really see anything that we liked the look of.
Akropolis Tiles was just around the corner and the shop was chaotic and messy. We could hear someone moving around in the back of the shop but nobody came out to see if we wanted any help so we wandered around and made our way to the rear where a man was busy doing something. He said hello but didn't ask if we needed anything or what we were looking for. Disappointed with the lack of interest we left and drove the short distance to Ikea where we looked around the showroom before going to have some lunch.
Keith chose fish and chips (well, there's a surprise!) while I had the meatballs, chips and peas (there was no mashed potato today). I'm not sure if it was me, but the meal lacked taste today...perhaps it was the chips and not being able to soak up the gravy with the potatoes!
In the market hall I bought two glass dishes, a wooden spoon, a candle and a mattress protector for our bed. I had assumed it would be about £20-£30 but when we went through the checkout it was £7.50! A real bargain!
I also bought some food - veggie meatballs for Sophie and elk sausage for Mike. I resisted buying the box of delicious chocolate biscuits that I normally get!
From Milton Keynes we drove to the garden centre at Wootton, now called Dobbies. It used to be Wyevale! Keith wanted some shoes and I knew they sold Pavers there so I suggested we go and look as Keith wanted wider fitting footwear. He found two lovely pairs - some sandals and deck shoes, so he was very happy. After treating me to a cup of tea we went to pick Mike up from work and dropped him off before going to see Mum and Dad who wanted help with some paperwork.
We were there until around 5.30pm and rather than go straight home I suggested a drink at The Hare in Loddington. The previously grey weather had given way to a sunnier evening and we enjoyed a couple of drinks in the bar. I only have one gripe about this place and that's the lack of comfortable seating if you just want a drink. Most of the tables were set up for dining so we made do with high bar stools by the wall.
Back home Keith tucked into a Tesco Lancashire hot pot while I heated up the new potatoes we'd had leftover from Monday and enjoyed them with cold meats and a glass of wine. It had certainly been a full, but very enjoyable day!
Tuesday 4 June 2019
3.30am start!
I was aware of Sophie having a shower this morning at 3am and tried to go back to sleep for half an hour, but I gave up. Before we left at 4am I had a quick coffee and tried to wake up a bit!
At least it was almost light and the traffic was sparse, so that was some consolation! We made it to Luton by 5am and said goodbye to the girls at the drop-off point. There was a scrum to get out and pay £3 for the privilege!
Keith and I wanted to be home for 6am to get Mike up for work and despite the roadworks and 50mph speed limit on the M1, we made it. The morning had started off with wispy cloud and hazy sunshine but as we approached Northampton, it turned to fog.
We woke Mike and I had another coffee and a shower before I took him to work at 7am. I went straight into work and had a busy shift working with Denise. Sara wasn't in, so as well as doing the orders and admin work for Sheila I dealt with all the customer service emails, so the time passed very quickly.
I didn't have the stomach to sit and wait an hour and a half for Mike so I went home and Keith said he would drive down and pick him up. The weather had turned really horrible and we had torrential rain in the afternoon. It didn't help that Sophie messaged me and said she was sitting by the pool! Lucky thing!
I had a nap when Keith and Mike returned and then watched Dirty Harry while Keith cooked roast pork and stuffing. The meal was delicious and the weather outside definitely warranted a roast!
At least it was almost light and the traffic was sparse, so that was some consolation! We made it to Luton by 5am and said goodbye to the girls at the drop-off point. There was a scrum to get out and pay £3 for the privilege!
Keith and I wanted to be home for 6am to get Mike up for work and despite the roadworks and 50mph speed limit on the M1, we made it. The morning had started off with wispy cloud and hazy sunshine but as we approached Northampton, it turned to fog.
We woke Mike and I had another coffee and a shower before I took him to work at 7am. I went straight into work and had a busy shift working with Denise. Sara wasn't in, so as well as doing the orders and admin work for Sheila I dealt with all the customer service emails, so the time passed very quickly.
I didn't have the stomach to sit and wait an hour and a half for Mike so I went home and Keith said he would drive down and pick him up. The weather had turned really horrible and we had torrential rain in the afternoon. It didn't help that Sophie messaged me and said she was sitting by the pool! Lucky thing!
I had a nap when Keith and Mike returned and then watched Dirty Harry while Keith cooked roast pork and stuffing. The meal was delicious and the weather outside definitely warranted a roast!
Monday 3 June 2019
Holiday preparations!
Keith and I took Mike to work this morning and he dropped me off at 7.30am. I had a busy shift and when he collected me at 2pm we went to the post office within Tesco to post out a pair of trousers Sophie had sold on eBay, and then bought dinner for tonight.
Sophie's friend Alice was driving down to spend the night as they are off very early to Luton airport tomorrow. We bought a couple of quiches, new potatoes, salad and nibbly bits for our meal tonight.
Sophie had had today off work and had gone to get another spray tan at Virgin. She looked darker than she did before! She looked like she'd been somewhere very hot for about six weeks! We sat and decided to play cards, but before we could start Alice arrived so we all sat in the conservatory and had a chat.
Both girls seemed excited about their forthcoming trip and they went upstairs to sort out their packing while I caught up with an episode of The Durrells. When they came down they shared a bottle of wine and I made dinner which covered the whole dining table! At least nobody went hungry!
Alice wanted to watch Love Island at 9pm so we all sat and watched it. It was a bit cringey and I don't think I'll be watching any more episodes but at least I can say I've seen some of it now! I went to bed and tried not to think of our very early start tomorrow!
Sunday 2 June 2019
Warriors...come out to plaaay!
Sophie had an appointment at the gym this morning for a wax treatment so I went with her and sat in the car while she was there. It reminded me of the morning we went to the gym to see "Toeman" as I'd parked in exactly the same place and it made me feel a bit depressed! How I wish I could sometimes turn back time!
After her beauty appointment we popped to Next but we were too early to buy anything (11am was the earliest) so we went upstairs to Costa and had a coffee. As soon as we were able to, we went and did some shopping and then called into Boots before heading to the Weston Favell Centre. Sophie changed some sterling into Euros as she is off to Valencia on Tuesday with her friend, Alice.
We sped home to find Mike and Keith gone. Last night, Mike brought a friend home and they had given her a lift home...to Daventry! We didn't have very long as we had booked to see The Warriors at the Northampton Filmhouse at 2pm and they arrived back with just enough time to have a shower and get ready!
We managed to park in Albion Place and raced over to the cinema but we had plenty of time. The Warriors is one of Keith's favourite films and celebrates its 40 year anniversary this year. I had never seen it all the way through but both Sophie and Mike have enjoyed it in the past and were looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.
I loved watching it and really enjoyed seeing The Warriors trying to get back to their own turf at Coney Island! It was a bit sobering to think that most of the actors would now be in their late 60s/early 70s!
After the film we walked up to the St Giles Street Alehouse and had a couple of drinks. Outside it had started to rain so definitely not a sunny Sunday! This new pub is very small and only has a handful of tables but the beer was very good according to Mike and Keith!
Back home it was time to relax and Sophie decided to print off her boarding passes for Tuesday. I was stuffing popcorn before she printed them out and a small bit went down the back of the printer...it completely jammed the machine and Sophie started to panic that she wouldn't be able to print anything! Keith and I fiddled around with it and discovered a small panel on the bottom of the printer that is there to help with blockages. Thankfully we removed the now squashed bit of popcorn and printed the passes with no further problems! Phew!
Saturday 1 June 2019
An evening out!
We had an appointment at 11am this morning at Pochin, in Market Harborough to talk to Matt about the quote he gave us. Keith wanted to try and shave a couple of hundred pounds off the total amount as it was a bit more than we wanted to pay.
The showroom was busy when we arrived so we mooched about and looked at all the different sinks, showers and loos on display. The choice really is mind-boggling and looking at the thick brochures was even worse!
When we saw Matt we explained about our budget and he was able to get it down to what we wanted. To me, a sink is a sink and a loo is a loo and as I hardly ever use the main bathroom (except for a bath) I wasn't that bothered!
We left to go home and fancied a coffee so Keith suggested a tearoom we'd seen on the way over to Market Harborough. Sophie and I had been there before, a long time ago, and it was nice so we decided to give it a try.
The tearoom wasn't that busy but we didn't know whether to take a seat and be served or to go to the counter. There was a queue but none of the staff seemed to know what they were doing! We waited a while and in the end decided to abandon the plan! We couldn't see any menus except for Sunday lunch ones so we got back in the car, drove home to collect Mike, who was going into town, and went to Starbucks instead!
The cafe was empty when we arrived, something I've never experienced before! I was starving so I chose a breakfast bap while Keith went for a mini cheese and ham toastie. Sophie chose a vegan salad but after a few mouthfuls said she didn't like it. I'd eaten my bap by now and I tried her salad which was delicious! I managed to finish if off!
We drove across the road to B&Q where we looked at tiles. A lot of the displays were out of stock as they were expecting a new range so we were a bit disappointed there wasn't more choice. One of the staff said the new tiles would be in the store in about a month's time so we'll just have to wait until then. We debated whether to get glossy or matt tiles and I think I prefer the matt as they don't show up the water splashes so much!
After a quick trip into Aldi and Lidl we drove home and relaxed in the garden. The promised heatwave has arrived today and it was about 27c this afternoon. We sat and soaked up some sun for a while and then retreated indoors where I had a nap!
In the evening Keith and I collected Mum and Dad and we drove to Miller and Carter on the Round Spinney roundabout. Mum and Dad were taking us out to say thank you for getting them home from their cruise and we'd been looking forward to the meal out.
We were taken straight to our table and we had a good look at the extensive menu. Keith and I shared a starter of Chipotle chicken while Mum and Dad enjoyed some cheesy garlic bread. For my main course I opted for the Sea Bass on a bed of crushed new potatoes accompanied by long stem broccoli in a lobster and Prosecco sauce. Yum! Keith had a steak and Mum and Dad went for chicken and pork.
The food was delicious and my Sea Bass was cooked to perfection. Keith and I shared a plate of cheese and biscuits in place of dessert, my Mum had a chocolate brownie and Dad enjoyed an Irish coffee. It was a lovely night and we had a good chat. It was still light when we emerged at about 10pm and after dropping my parents off, we enjoyed a nightcap at home before bed. It had been a busy day!
The showroom was busy when we arrived so we mooched about and looked at all the different sinks, showers and loos on display. The choice really is mind-boggling and looking at the thick brochures was even worse!
When we saw Matt we explained about our budget and he was able to get it down to what we wanted. To me, a sink is a sink and a loo is a loo and as I hardly ever use the main bathroom (except for a bath) I wasn't that bothered!
We left to go home and fancied a coffee so Keith suggested a tearoom we'd seen on the way over to Market Harborough. Sophie and I had been there before, a long time ago, and it was nice so we decided to give it a try.
The tearoom wasn't that busy but we didn't know whether to take a seat and be served or to go to the counter. There was a queue but none of the staff seemed to know what they were doing! We waited a while and in the end decided to abandon the plan! We couldn't see any menus except for Sunday lunch ones so we got back in the car, drove home to collect Mike, who was going into town, and went to Starbucks instead!
The cafe was empty when we arrived, something I've never experienced before! I was starving so I chose a breakfast bap while Keith went for a mini cheese and ham toastie. Sophie chose a vegan salad but after a few mouthfuls said she didn't like it. I'd eaten my bap by now and I tried her salad which was delicious! I managed to finish if off!
We drove across the road to B&Q where we looked at tiles. A lot of the displays were out of stock as they were expecting a new range so we were a bit disappointed there wasn't more choice. One of the staff said the new tiles would be in the store in about a month's time so we'll just have to wait until then. We debated whether to get glossy or matt tiles and I think I prefer the matt as they don't show up the water splashes so much!
After a quick trip into Aldi and Lidl we drove home and relaxed in the garden. The promised heatwave has arrived today and it was about 27c this afternoon. We sat and soaked up some sun for a while and then retreated indoors where I had a nap!
In the evening Keith and I collected Mum and Dad and we drove to Miller and Carter on the Round Spinney roundabout. Mum and Dad were taking us out to say thank you for getting them home from their cruise and we'd been looking forward to the meal out.
We were taken straight to our table and we had a good look at the extensive menu. Keith and I shared a starter of Chipotle chicken while Mum and Dad enjoyed some cheesy garlic bread. For my main course I opted for the Sea Bass on a bed of crushed new potatoes accompanied by long stem broccoli in a lobster and Prosecco sauce. Yum! Keith had a steak and Mum and Dad went for chicken and pork.
The food was delicious and my Sea Bass was cooked to perfection. Keith and I shared a plate of cheese and biscuits in place of dessert, my Mum had a chocolate brownie and Dad enjoyed an Irish coffee. It was a lovely night and we had a good chat. It was still light when we emerged at about 10pm and after dropping my parents off, we enjoyed a nightcap at home before bed. It had been a busy day!
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