After the beautiful blue skies and sunshine of yesterday we awoke (a bit late) to grey miserable weather. Mum and Dad had asked Sophie and me to accompany them to look at some bungalows that were being built in a nearby village. My parents were interested in buying one and wanted our opinion.
At 11am we were drawing up at a building site in a grey and horrible drizzle. The bungalows were semi-detached and had been designed for the over 60s. A lady from the estate agents was already there showing another couple around a carpeted house so we had to remove our shoes (or wear very fetching blue covers over our shoes) to have a look around.
I'd forgotten how lovely brand new homes are. The kitchen and bathroom were beautiful and finished off with a lot of attention to detail but privately I thought the houses were too small. The bungalow we looked at first didn't have an en-suite but the bedroom was on the small side and I didn't think that Mum and Dad would get their Super-King bed in the room, let alone any wardrobes!
I did like the kitchen, which was bigger than the one we have, but when we went to look at another home, I definitely decided that the houses were over-priced. We had a very good look around and chatted to the agent about what Mum Dad needed to do with their house and then I suggested we meet up for coffee on Riverside.
By now, it was raining and really horrible but we managed to park near to Costa Coffee and I treated Sophie and my parents to drinks. I told them what I thought and said that they needed to sell their own house first, before looking at any other homes. I also said that the bungalows were far too small for them and that they were over-priced! I suspected they thought that when they first looked at them and just wanted their own opinion reinforced by what Sophie and I said.
We had a very pleasant chat and then said goodbye and went off to the gym where we did half an hour's exercise followed by a relaxation session in the spa. I sat in the steam room for a while to try and get rid of my cold and then we both showered and went to the cafe for lunch.
We couldn't remember the last time we'd eaten in the cafe and it was great to see Steffan, who works there, for a chat. It was lovely to have a leisurely lunch and sit and chat before heading for home. On the way we called into Kingsley Health and Beauty salon to book a facial and a massage for next week. I think we both deserve a little pampering!
Keith was off watching his football team play so I sat and watched the latest episode of 30 Degrees in February which I'm finding very enjoyable. After Keith arrived home, we collected Mikey from Brixworth and then popped to the pub for an hour. Keith was a little disappointed in the beer again and the Landlord took great delight in telling him that a stronger beer had just finished and that it was very popular. Keith had told him that weeks ago!
Outside the rain hammered down again and after two drinks we headed home and started dinner. While it cooked we all played a game in the kitchen where we had a sticker of a cartoon character on our head and we each had to guess who we were...at least it made us all laugh!
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Friday, 27 February 2015
Playing games...
I was mightily glad that today was Friday and my last day of work for a while as I'm taking next week off. Sophie and Keith came in with me and I was very relieved they were there to help out as today has been another manic day.
Keith and I escaped early and went to the bank and Tesco but Sophie called me as we were driving back to work to ask how long we'd be as she said the food orders in the kitchen were mounting up...
We got back and I went to help serve, clear tables and wash up while Sophie cooked alongside Maureen. Keith kept an eye on Reception and for the next two hours it was non-stop. At one point I felt like screaming as I was trying to clear up the horrendous mess left by some customers, serve in the kitchen, wash up trays that Sophie and Maureen needed and help Keith on Reception when he had a card payment to put through...! Then, to cap it all, a customer came to complain about the nappy bins being full in the loos so we had to go and sort that out! Arggh!
It calmed down a bit in the afternoon but having a heavy cold did not help matters, especially as I was so stuffed up I could hardly breathe! Polly came into work at 5pm so Sophie and I were able to escape and go home where I had a soak in a hot bath and then a half hour nap.
Tonight I'd been invited to Lynda's house, along with Fiona and Andrea, for a meal and to play "Cards Against Humanity". I'd bought this very un-PC game for Mikey for Christmas a couple of years ago, and although it can be very funny, it's not for sensitive souls or those who are easily offended!
Keith very kindly drove me to Lynda's house where Fiona and Andrea were already waiting, drinks in hand. Lynda gave me a small glass of Gold G&Tea which was gin crossed with tea, with flecks of gold leaf! Apparently it's available from M&S. I'd never heard of of it before!
Just before we went in to eat we enjoyed a more conventional glass of pink sparking wine and then we drank an Italian red with our delicious chilli con carne. It was a very informal supper and it was great to relax with my friends and have a good chat. Before dessert we played the card game and although Fiona was a little unsure at first, we did have a hilarious time! Some of the answers to the questions were so funny we all had tears streaming down our faces so it made for a lovely end to a busy and stressful week!
Lynda gave us meringue nests for dessert and we could add whatever we wanted. She'd provided bananas (no thanks!), ice-cream and various sweet sauces, but unfortunately, my sense of taste and smell had disappeared so I didn't go mad as I couldn't have appreciated the different flavours. We played the game for a little while longer and then Fiona's husband came to collect her, shortly followed by Keith.
He was a little surprised by a sudden road closure near to Lynda's house and as we made our way home we realised that the road was indeed firmly closed. It meant we had to back-track and go a fair distance to get back on the road we wanted. I'm just glad it happened after Keith picked me up as he admitted he wouldn't have been sure of an alternative route on his own!
It was past midnight when I arrived home and I was more than ready for my bed!
Keith and I escaped early and went to the bank and Tesco but Sophie called me as we were driving back to work to ask how long we'd be as she said the food orders in the kitchen were mounting up...
We got back and I went to help serve, clear tables and wash up while Sophie cooked alongside Maureen. Keith kept an eye on Reception and for the next two hours it was non-stop. At one point I felt like screaming as I was trying to clear up the horrendous mess left by some customers, serve in the kitchen, wash up trays that Sophie and Maureen needed and help Keith on Reception when he had a card payment to put through...! Then, to cap it all, a customer came to complain about the nappy bins being full in the loos so we had to go and sort that out! Arggh!
It calmed down a bit in the afternoon but having a heavy cold did not help matters, especially as I was so stuffed up I could hardly breathe! Polly came into work at 5pm so Sophie and I were able to escape and go home where I had a soak in a hot bath and then a half hour nap.
Tonight I'd been invited to Lynda's house, along with Fiona and Andrea, for a meal and to play "Cards Against Humanity". I'd bought this very un-PC game for Mikey for Christmas a couple of years ago, and although it can be very funny, it's not for sensitive souls or those who are easily offended!
Keith very kindly drove me to Lynda's house where Fiona and Andrea were already waiting, drinks in hand. Lynda gave me a small glass of Gold G&Tea which was gin crossed with tea, with flecks of gold leaf! Apparently it's available from M&S. I'd never heard of of it before!
Just before we went in to eat we enjoyed a more conventional glass of pink sparking wine and then we drank an Italian red with our delicious chilli con carne. It was a very informal supper and it was great to relax with my friends and have a good chat. Before dessert we played the card game and although Fiona was a little unsure at first, we did have a hilarious time! Some of the answers to the questions were so funny we all had tears streaming down our faces so it made for a lovely end to a busy and stressful week!
Lynda gave us meringue nests for dessert and we could add whatever we wanted. She'd provided bananas (no thanks!), ice-cream and various sweet sauces, but unfortunately, my sense of taste and smell had disappeared so I didn't go mad as I couldn't have appreciated the different flavours. We played the game for a little while longer and then Fiona's husband came to collect her, shortly followed by Keith.
He was a little surprised by a sudden road closure near to Lynda's house and as we made our way home we realised that the road was indeed firmly closed. It meant we had to back-track and go a fair distance to get back on the road we wanted. I'm just glad it happened after Keith picked me up as he admitted he wouldn't have been sure of an alternative route on his own!
It was past midnight when I arrived home and I was more than ready for my bed!
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Bunking off...
I still felt horrible today but luckily we were a little quieter at work so I wasn't called upon to do anything too strenuous!
The weather has been horrible - wet and chilly and not Spring-like at all. Sophie asked if we could go out for lunch and as we weren't that busy we were able to fulfill her request. I told her to choose where she wanted to go and she plumped for McDonald's... We all chose the chicken burger meal and as a treat, it wasn't bad at all.
Keith met Mikey after school and took him shopping for some PE shorts. Unexpectedly, they called back on the way home and Keith offered to stay with Sophie at work while I went home, as I just couldn't face being there until 6pm. I took Mikey home in Jazzy Jim and prepared dinner while my son put on his new shorts and went for a run over the fields.
Keith and Sophie arrived home just after 6pm and over a glass of wine we watched Say Yes To The Dress...just the sort of ending to the day I needed!
The weather has been horrible - wet and chilly and not Spring-like at all. Sophie asked if we could go out for lunch and as we weren't that busy we were able to fulfill her request. I told her to choose where she wanted to go and she plumped for McDonald's... We all chose the chicken burger meal and as a treat, it wasn't bad at all.
Keith met Mikey after school and took him shopping for some PE shorts. Unexpectedly, they called back on the way home and Keith offered to stay with Sophie at work while I went home, as I just couldn't face being there until 6pm. I took Mikey home in Jazzy Jim and prepared dinner while my son put on his new shorts and went for a run over the fields.
Keith and Sophie arrived home just after 6pm and over a glass of wine we watched Say Yes To The Dress...just the sort of ending to the day I needed!
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Wednesday...the new Friday...
I have caught another cold, which I am really not pleased about. One half of my nose is completely blocked up and it's very uncomfortable!
Sophie and I were at work today until about 6pm and we were very busy indeed! It seems as if Wednesday here at work has overtaken Friday as the busiest day of the week! Luckily Keith was in as well and gamely manned Reception while Sophie helped Maureen to cook and I rushed about clearing tables, washing up and mopping up spills, of which there were three!
It was utter bliss to finish work and go home where I hopped into the bath for some water therapy. I made it all deep and bubbly and afterwards I sank into the sofa with a glass of red wine (Turner Road Shiraz) and watched Neighbours while Keith cooked dinner.
After we'd eaten, Keith watched the football while I joined Sophie and Mikey on our bed and watched a programme called 90 day Fiance, which was hilarious! I particularly liked the American woman who had met a Tunisian man 15 years her junior and who was hoping that when he joined her in the US they would have a fairytale relationship...maybe only in her dreams!
Sophie and I were at work today until about 6pm and we were very busy indeed! It seems as if Wednesday here at work has overtaken Friday as the busiest day of the week! Luckily Keith was in as well and gamely manned Reception while Sophie helped Maureen to cook and I rushed about clearing tables, washing up and mopping up spills, of which there were three!
It was utter bliss to finish work and go home where I hopped into the bath for some water therapy. I made it all deep and bubbly and afterwards I sank into the sofa with a glass of red wine (Turner Road Shiraz) and watched Neighbours while Keith cooked dinner.
After we'd eaten, Keith watched the football while I joined Sophie and Mikey on our bed and watched a programme called 90 day Fiance, which was hilarious! I particularly liked the American woman who had met a Tunisian man 15 years her junior and who was hoping that when he joined her in the US they would have a fairytale relationship...maybe only in her dreams!
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Tea for three...
After a day of getting some onerous tasks out of the way at work, I left Sophie behind to look after two evening parties and drove home as I had arranged to see Sue for a cup of tea and discuss a pitch I'd reserved in May for the village sale. I was hoping to get rid of some unwanted books, Play Station games and clothes I no longer needed!
I took over a Victoria sponge cake and two slices of Keith's Banana loaf cake for her and Paul to enjoy later. I was met at the door by her boisterous dogs, Bailey and Archie, and soon we were settled in Sue's dining room where each of the dogs in turn decided to come and be petted. How I would love a dog at home, but I'm not sure the cats would agree!
We'd barely sat down for five minutes before the doorbell rang and it was Sarah! She was surprised to see me and had called in to ask Sue if she could do some work in the garden of the new house. We all had a lovely chat about the house and as I hadn't seen Sarah for a while it was great to catch up.
At 6pm I left to go and pick Sophie up from work. The idea had been to take Mikey with me and drop him off at Army Cadets on the way home but although I'd given him two hours notice, he still wasn't ready when I was about to leave! Keith was not happy as it meant he would now have to take him!
I sped off to work and helped Sophie, Polly and Maureen clear up after the busy evening. We didn't get away until almost 7pm and by the time I gave Polly a lift and battled through the traffic, it was nearly 7.30pm by the time I arrived home.
As Keith was still out on his own taxi duties I started the dinner - an easy supper of spaghetti bolognese and garlic flatbread that we should have had last night and changed our mind!
I took over a Victoria sponge cake and two slices of Keith's Banana loaf cake for her and Paul to enjoy later. I was met at the door by her boisterous dogs, Bailey and Archie, and soon we were settled in Sue's dining room where each of the dogs in turn decided to come and be petted. How I would love a dog at home, but I'm not sure the cats would agree!
We'd barely sat down for five minutes before the doorbell rang and it was Sarah! She was surprised to see me and had called in to ask Sue if she could do some work in the garden of the new house. We all had a lovely chat about the house and as I hadn't seen Sarah for a while it was great to catch up.
At 6pm I left to go and pick Sophie up from work. The idea had been to take Mikey with me and drop him off at Army Cadets on the way home but although I'd given him two hours notice, he still wasn't ready when I was about to leave! Keith was not happy as it meant he would now have to take him!
I sped off to work and helped Sophie, Polly and Maureen clear up after the busy evening. We didn't get away until almost 7pm and by the time I gave Polly a lift and battled through the traffic, it was nearly 7.30pm by the time I arrived home.
As Keith was still out on his own taxi duties I started the dinner - an easy supper of spaghetti bolognese and garlic flatbread that we should have had last night and changed our mind!
Monday, 23 February 2015
An unexpected outing!
It was lovely to be at work today and have no customers! We really do need a day's breather, especially after a busy school holiday, to get jobs done that have been left!
Keith and Ian put up a new border in our Tots area as the previous one had been pulled off the wall and it looked horrible. We also had an engineer in to service our heaters so we should have no more problems with the building being cold. If the weather remains chilly we should have no complaints!
I went home to get Sophie at about 2pm and she put on her new gym gear. She looked lovely and I was ashamed to be seen with her, to be honest! Maybe it's time I invested in some new clothes as well!
We had a pleasant work-out (I chatted to Liam while cycling about how the move was going) and just before we finished to go down to the spa for a well-earned relaxation session, Keith called Sophie to say that Dave had cancelled on him again as he still wasn't well. This meant that he wanted me to go home and go out with him as a substitute drinking partner!
We returned to the changing rooms (although I was pleased at the prospect of going out for a drink, I did yearn to go down to the spa!) and sped home which was easier said than done as the traffic was horrendous and every way I tried to go was blocked with traffic!
We eventually arrived home at just before 6pm and I hurriedly changed and freshened up. We decided to head for The Hare in Loddington which turned out to be a good decision as the pub was almost empty and we managed to get a seat this time. Previous visits have been a bit disastrous as the beer was off and there was nowhere to sit so we were glad we gave it another chance!
Keith and Ian put up a new border in our Tots area as the previous one had been pulled off the wall and it looked horrible. We also had an engineer in to service our heaters so we should have no more problems with the building being cold. If the weather remains chilly we should have no complaints!
I went home to get Sophie at about 2pm and she put on her new gym gear. She looked lovely and I was ashamed to be seen with her, to be honest! Maybe it's time I invested in some new clothes as well!
We had a pleasant work-out (I chatted to Liam while cycling about how the move was going) and just before we finished to go down to the spa for a well-earned relaxation session, Keith called Sophie to say that Dave had cancelled on him again as he still wasn't well. This meant that he wanted me to go home and go out with him as a substitute drinking partner!
We returned to the changing rooms (although I was pleased at the prospect of going out for a drink, I did yearn to go down to the spa!) and sped home which was easier said than done as the traffic was horrendous and every way I tried to go was blocked with traffic!
We eventually arrived home at just before 6pm and I hurriedly changed and freshened up. We decided to head for The Hare in Loddington which turned out to be a good decision as the pub was almost empty and we managed to get a seat this time. Previous visits have been a bit disastrous as the beer was off and there was nowhere to sit so we were glad we gave it another chance!
Sunday, 22 February 2015
Wet Sunday
Today it was back to normal and taking Sophie into work for 11am. She wasn't in a very good mood with me this morning so our parting was a little fraught!
I went home to find Keith cleaning the family bathroom and then we tackled the en-suite together. We've been using some lovely black towels that are very fluffy, but the problem is they've been leaving this fluff everywhere, so all the surfaces in our shower room, which are white, were covered in black bits. Wiping them away with a damp cloth just transferred them from one place to another!
However, we managed to get everything clean and it all looked so much better when we finished. I carried on cleaning upstairs and then the downstairs rooms and by 2pm we were both finished. All plans to then go out into the garden were abandoned as it started to rain and the wind got up, making it a very miserable afternoon indeed! However, it was lovely to curl up on the sofa, crank the heating up and do very little!
I had to venture out into the yukky weather at 5.30pm, though, and go and pick Sophie up from work. She wasn't in a much better mood, I'm afraid, but a glass of wine later did the trick and we were friends again before bed!
I went home to find Keith cleaning the family bathroom and then we tackled the en-suite together. We've been using some lovely black towels that are very fluffy, but the problem is they've been leaving this fluff everywhere, so all the surfaces in our shower room, which are white, were covered in black bits. Wiping them away with a damp cloth just transferred them from one place to another!
However, we managed to get everything clean and it all looked so much better when we finished. I carried on cleaning upstairs and then the downstairs rooms and by 2pm we were both finished. All plans to then go out into the garden were abandoned as it started to rain and the wind got up, making it a very miserable afternoon indeed! However, it was lovely to curl up on the sofa, crank the heating up and do very little!
I had to venture out into the yukky weather at 5.30pm, though, and go and pick Sophie up from work. She wasn't in a much better mood, I'm afraid, but a glass of wine later did the trick and we were friends again before bed!
Saturday, 21 February 2015
A day off!
It was lovely to have a bit of a lie-in this morning and not have to rush. I had plenty of coffee, cuddles with Archie and a breakfast of crumpets and jam!
At midday Sophie and I dropped Mikey off in Brixworth and then drove over to Market Harborough to have lunch and do some shopping. I can't remember the last time we did this, but it was a fair while ago!
We had something to eat and drink in Caffe Nero and then hit the shops. I saw a lovely book in Waterstones called "52 Weekends By The Sea" which I was tempted to buy. I have a thing about British seaside resorts (good and bad!) and have always wanted to drive around the entire coastline in one go and then write about all the places by the sea. Maybe one day!
We had a good mooch about the shops and then we went to see Duncan. He had a tasting of three Greek wines but I was after a bottle of Malt whisky as a post half-term treat. My whisky supplies have been seriously depleted of late and I think it's high time I build it up again! Duncan let me sniff a few bottles (!) but I chose a Speyside Malt called Benromach which I'd tasted a few months ago. It'll be perfect for sipping whenever we get back from taxiing Sophie about!
From Duncan's we headed home where we had a short while to relax before picking Mike up from seeing his mates. Keith and I went off to the pub again in the evening and enjoyed a couple of drinks in the busy pub.
Dinner tonight was Macaroni cheese, at Sophie's request, and then we settled down to watch a very good programme on BBC2 about the music and culture of the American South. It was very enjoyable!
At midday Sophie and I dropped Mikey off in Brixworth and then drove over to Market Harborough to have lunch and do some shopping. I can't remember the last time we did this, but it was a fair while ago!
We had something to eat and drink in Caffe Nero and then hit the shops. I saw a lovely book in Waterstones called "52 Weekends By The Sea" which I was tempted to buy. I have a thing about British seaside resorts (good and bad!) and have always wanted to drive around the entire coastline in one go and then write about all the places by the sea. Maybe one day!
We had a good mooch about the shops and then we went to see Duncan. He had a tasting of three Greek wines but I was after a bottle of Malt whisky as a post half-term treat. My whisky supplies have been seriously depleted of late and I think it's high time I build it up again! Duncan let me sniff a few bottles (!) but I chose a Speyside Malt called Benromach which I'd tasted a few months ago. It'll be perfect for sipping whenever we get back from taxiing Sophie about!
From Duncan's we headed home where we had a short while to relax before picking Mike up from seeing his mates. Keith and I went off to the pub again in the evening and enjoyed a couple of drinks in the busy pub.
Dinner tonight was Macaroni cheese, at Sophie's request, and then we settled down to watch a very good programme on BBC2 about the music and culture of the American South. It was very enjoyable!
Friday, 20 February 2015
Thank heavens it's Friday!
It's been a long week and the noise and mess have, as usual, got to me in a major way! It was great to know it was Friday and the end of the busiest week of our year!
Sophie and I went into work and while we were sorting out the tills, I had a call from Mum to say that they couldn't get all the shopping from Booker into their Astra! I could hardly believe that we'd had to get so much stuff as we'd had a large delivery on Wednesday, but I left Sophie to open up and sped down to help. I found Mum and Dad in the car park with boxes of chips and trays of drinks and managed to fit them into the back of my car with ease.
The weather today has been better than forecast with sunny spells, so we weren't as busy as I feared. By 4pm we headed home as Sophie was going out with her friends tonight for cocktails and a meal in an Italian restaurant.
It was bliss to get home and relax and although I had to ferry Sophie around in the evening, it was lovely to know that tomorrow I haven't got to take her into work and maybe we could all have a lie-in for a change!
Sophie and I went into work and while we were sorting out the tills, I had a call from Mum to say that they couldn't get all the shopping from Booker into their Astra! I could hardly believe that we'd had to get so much stuff as we'd had a large delivery on Wednesday, but I left Sophie to open up and sped down to help. I found Mum and Dad in the car park with boxes of chips and trays of drinks and managed to fit them into the back of my car with ease.
The weather today has been better than forecast with sunny spells, so we weren't as busy as I feared. By 4pm we headed home as Sophie was going out with her friends tonight for cocktails and a meal in an Italian restaurant.
It was bliss to get home and relax and although I had to ferry Sophie around in the evening, it was lovely to know that tomorrow I haven't got to take her into work and maybe we could all have a lie-in for a change!
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Customers from hell!
As forecast, we had rain today which meant that we were hectically busy first thing as customers queued up to get in and ensure they had a table! I was feeling horrible this morning because of a niggling headache and I knew that the day would turn out to be extremely busy indeed.
Mum and I shot over to Tesco to get some stuff for work and while we were there Dad called in a panic to say we needed change from the bank! When we arrived back Polly had put a "Full" sign on the door and customers were leaving to go elsewhere.
As we'd put a stop on people coming in, we had a relatively easy lunchtime and I have to say it was much easier to have some control over the numbers of customers. I always feel slightly panicky about crowds of people converging on us so it was good to know we'd called a halt.
In the afternoon it became busier again as Polly relaxed the entrance rules and we had two women come in who were probably amongst the worst we'd ever encountered, and one of them used to work for us in the Nursery! They were angry that we wouldn't let a 12 year old in their group play and demanded to see a Manager. Sophie tried to deal with them at first (all credit to her!) but in the end Dad had to go out and tell them to leave as they were swearing and calling my daughter some really horrible names! We really are having our fair share of nasty female customers at the moment!
Sophie and I stayed until 5pm today and then went thankfully home. Keith and I picked Mikey up from Brixworth and then we retired to the pub for a quick drink before dinner. Whilst we were cooking pork chops, some of the electricity blew and we realised that the element in our cooker had broken. It meant we had to finish the chops off under the grill, so another problem will need to be solved!
Mum and I shot over to Tesco to get some stuff for work and while we were there Dad called in a panic to say we needed change from the bank! When we arrived back Polly had put a "Full" sign on the door and customers were leaving to go elsewhere.
As we'd put a stop on people coming in, we had a relatively easy lunchtime and I have to say it was much easier to have some control over the numbers of customers. I always feel slightly panicky about crowds of people converging on us so it was good to know we'd called a halt.
In the afternoon it became busier again as Polly relaxed the entrance rules and we had two women come in who were probably amongst the worst we'd ever encountered, and one of them used to work for us in the Nursery! They were angry that we wouldn't let a 12 year old in their group play and demanded to see a Manager. Sophie tried to deal with them at first (all credit to her!) but in the end Dad had to go out and tell them to leave as they were swearing and calling my daughter some really horrible names! We really are having our fair share of nasty female customers at the moment!
Sophie and I stayed until 5pm today and then went thankfully home. Keith and I picked Mikey up from Brixworth and then we retired to the pub for a quick drink before dinner. Whilst we were cooking pork chops, some of the electricity blew and we realised that the element in our cooker had broken. It meant we had to finish the chops off under the grill, so another problem will need to be solved!
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Humpday Wednesday!
Today has been busy again but it was good to know that when Sophie and I finished at 5pm we only had two more days to go! We've had beautiful weather today, with blue skies and sunshine and it amazed me that we had so many customers in!
After work Sophie and I went off to the gym for a well-earned relaxation session in the spa, but we did manage a swim beforehand and I chatted to Liam, who was also in the pool, about his recent move. We swam for about half an hour and then it was into the sauna and the jacuzzi to relax after our busy day.
Back home Keith had put a bottle of wine in the fridge for us and we had delicious roast chicken for dinner. Bliss!
After work Sophie and I went off to the gym for a well-earned relaxation session in the spa, but we did manage a swim beforehand and I chatted to Liam, who was also in the pool, about his recent move. We swam for about half an hour and then it was into the sauna and the jacuzzi to relax after our busy day.
Back home Keith had put a bottle of wine in the fridge for us and we had delicious roast chicken for dinner. Bliss!
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
Busy days!
Today dawned sunny but cold and it was great to see blue skies again. Our cook was still off sick today but Ricky and Sophie coped admirably in the kitchen and we had a very busy day at work, despite it being dry.
I didn't move from the building all day so wasn't able to enjoy the winter sunshine. After work Sophie and I went off to give blood and by 5pm we were all finished. On the way home I took my car to be washed as I'd never seen it so filthy and every time I opened the boot I became covered in grime!
As soon as I got home I had a lovely soak in the bath and then after dropping Mike off at Army Cadets, Keith, Sophie and I went to The Brampton Halt pub for a meal. The place was pleasantly busy and we were soon seated and perusing the menu. I couldn't resist the Quail Scotch Egg with black pudding for a starter! Keith had whitebait and Sophie opted for slices of garlic bread. For mains Keith had his favourite - fish and chips - while Sophie chose Hunter's chicken and I had Pork and Leek sausages. The food was delicious and very good value as mine and Sophie's main courses were just £13.25 for the two!
After we'd eaten we called into the Co-op at Brixworth and bought an ice-cream dessert to enjoy when Mikey arrived home. As he'd been doing PE he didn't want to eat before he went so he enjoyed a curry when he got back!
I didn't move from the building all day so wasn't able to enjoy the winter sunshine. After work Sophie and I went off to give blood and by 5pm we were all finished. On the way home I took my car to be washed as I'd never seen it so filthy and every time I opened the boot I became covered in grime!
As soon as I got home I had a lovely soak in the bath and then after dropping Mike off at Army Cadets, Keith, Sophie and I went to The Brampton Halt pub for a meal. The place was pleasantly busy and we were soon seated and perusing the menu. I couldn't resist the Quail Scotch Egg with black pudding for a starter! Keith had whitebait and Sophie opted for slices of garlic bread. For mains Keith had his favourite - fish and chips - while Sophie chose Hunter's chicken and I had Pork and Leek sausages. The food was delicious and very good value as mine and Sophie's main courses were just £13.25 for the two!
After we'd eaten we called into the Co-op at Brixworth and bought an ice-cream dessert to enjoy when Mikey arrived home. As he'd been doing PE he didn't want to eat before he went so he enjoyed a curry when he got back!
Monday, 16 February 2015
The madness begins...
So, today was the first day of the busiest week of our year and our cook called in sick... It meant that Sophie and our assistant cook, Ricky, had to take over catering duties and very good at it they were, too! Mondays are normally the quietest day of a half-term as we are normally closed on this day and I think that customers assume we still close in the holidays.
The weather has been horrible today, to make matters worse. I went to Booker first thing and put one of our cones out to stop customers parking by the exit door, but when I returned in the pouring rain, someone had squeezed their car in as close as they could get and we were forced to unload in the middle of the car park. I was furious! Dad and I got soaked to the skin so that wasn't the best of starts! I heartily wished I was anywhere but at work!
Sophie and Ricky coped admirably with the orders and managed to get everything cooked and out without any delay. I spent most of the day clearing tables and doing some washing up but we had plenty of staff in, including one of the new girls, so we were OK.
After work Sophie and I went to the gym and managed a swim, which was lovely. It's been a long time since we were able to get into the pool in the slow lane, so we made the most of it and then went and relaxed in the sauna and the jacuzzi. Afterwards we had hot showers and then battled through the traffic and roadworks to get home.
Keith was there which was surprising. He said that his mate Dave was ill so he didn't go out...I wished he'd called me as we wouldn't have loitered so long at the gym!
The weather has been horrible today, to make matters worse. I went to Booker first thing and put one of our cones out to stop customers parking by the exit door, but when I returned in the pouring rain, someone had squeezed their car in as close as they could get and we were forced to unload in the middle of the car park. I was furious! Dad and I got soaked to the skin so that wasn't the best of starts! I heartily wished I was anywhere but at work!
Sophie and Ricky coped admirably with the orders and managed to get everything cooked and out without any delay. I spent most of the day clearing tables and doing some washing up but we had plenty of staff in, including one of the new girls, so we were OK.
After work Sophie and I went to the gym and managed a swim, which was lovely. It's been a long time since we were able to get into the pool in the slow lane, so we made the most of it and then went and relaxed in the sauna and the jacuzzi. Afterwards we had hot showers and then battled through the traffic and roadworks to get home.
Keith was there which was surprising. He said that his mate Dave was ill so he didn't go out...I wished he'd called me as we wouldn't have loitered so long at the gym!
Sunday, 15 February 2015
A walk by the Thames
I woke with trepidation this morning in case I received a call from work saying that no staff had turned up! After 11am I relaxed a bit and we dropped Mikey in Brixworth before going to get some diesel and the Sunday papers.
We'd planned on driving down to the O2 and parking the car there before walking along the Thames. As we drove south the weather improved a bit, although there were some pockets of fog still hanging about. By the time we reached the O2, the sun was trying to come out and we could see patches of blue sky.
We had a quick coffee in Starbucks first (they got my name wrong)...
and then made our way to the Thames path. We walked around the back of the Dome and admired the views over the river towards Canary Wharf.
We saw lots of birds pecking away at something on a sandbank and discovered that lots of little crabs live on the water's edge as well as little fish called "fry". There were Black Cormorants drying their wings and we discovered that over the last 50 years the water quality has improved dramatically which meant that the Thames was home to a wide variety of fish and birds.
All along the river were new developments being built with a hotel and apartment complex going up next to the O2.
We could see remnants of the old wharves and docks all along the river. I would love to find out more about the history of this part of London. One of my ancestors was a "Lighterman" on the river, someone who ferried people across the Thames, very much like a water taxi.
We came across a sign saying we were on the Greenwich Meridian line...
We realised we could make it to the Cutty Sark and back if we quickened our pace. The weather by now was beautiful and the sun really warm.
As we neared Greenwich there were more and more people about and at one pub, The Cutty Sark, everyone was sitting outside enjoying a drink in the afternoon sunshine. We passed the Greenwich Hospital and then the Old Royal Naval College.
There were lots of tourists milling about in the sun and I just wished we had the time to stay longer. I looked into getting a boat back but was told there was a 45 minute wait!
We left Greenwich at about 3.15pm and really upped our pace going back to the O2. I still managed to take a few photos, though!
We could see the O2 in the near distance and decided to abandon the river path and head inland as we thought it would be quicker. However, we ended up on a path by the very busy A12 leading into the Blackwall Tunnel and we did wonder, at one point, whether we'd be going through it on foot! However, after walking through a deserted wasteland of old buildings, quarry-type areas and buildings works, we found our way to the Dome and shared a sandwich while waiting for Sophie and Laura.
They arrived a little late, weighed down by their bags and we made our way back to the car and the journey home. The M25 was busy as always but we kept going, which was a bonus with only one quick stop to use the facilities at South Mimms services. The setting sun looked beautiful as we drove along and I wished I'd been able to take a photo.
We dropped Laura off at her home and then went to pick Mikey up from Brixworth. Back home it was great to sit and relax and look forward to dinner!
We'd planned on driving down to the O2 and parking the car there before walking along the Thames. As we drove south the weather improved a bit, although there were some pockets of fog still hanging about. By the time we reached the O2, the sun was trying to come out and we could see patches of blue sky.
We had a quick coffee in Starbucks first (they got my name wrong)...
and then made our way to the Thames path. We walked around the back of the Dome and admired the views over the river towards Canary Wharf.
We saw lots of birds pecking away at something on a sandbank and discovered that lots of little crabs live on the water's edge as well as little fish called "fry". There were Black Cormorants drying their wings and we discovered that over the last 50 years the water quality has improved dramatically which meant that the Thames was home to a wide variety of fish and birds.
All along the river were new developments being built with a hotel and apartment complex going up next to the O2.
We could see remnants of the old wharves and docks all along the river. I would love to find out more about the history of this part of London. One of my ancestors was a "Lighterman" on the river, someone who ferried people across the Thames, very much like a water taxi.
We came across a sign saying we were on the Greenwich Meridian line...
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| Enhanced by Google+!! |
As we neared Greenwich there were more and more people about and at one pub, The Cutty Sark, everyone was sitting outside enjoying a drink in the afternoon sunshine. We passed the Greenwich Hospital and then the Old Royal Naval College.
There were lots of tourists milling about in the sun and I just wished we had the time to stay longer. I looked into getting a boat back but was told there was a 45 minute wait!
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| The Cutty Sark - fastest tea clipper on the tea trade |
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| Sandy shore and discarded tyres |
We could see the O2 in the near distance and decided to abandon the river path and head inland as we thought it would be quicker. However, we ended up on a path by the very busy A12 leading into the Blackwall Tunnel and we did wonder, at one point, whether we'd be going through it on foot! However, after walking through a deserted wasteland of old buildings, quarry-type areas and buildings works, we found our way to the Dome and shared a sandwich while waiting for Sophie and Laura.
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We dropped Laura off at her home and then went to pick Mikey up from Brixworth. Back home it was great to sit and relax and look forward to dinner!
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Nothing but worry!
Sophie was a little annoyed late last night when the friend she was going to London with called her and asked if they could delay their departure until 1pm as she wanted to go for lunch with her boyfriend. I'd forgotten it was Valentine's Day, to be honest. This year the celebration didn't seem to be so much "in your face" as it's been in previous years. I just think it's a whole commercial rip-off!
Sophie reluctantly agreed to go later even though she was looking forward to having lunch in London and then going shopping before their concert at the O2. It meant we could have a bit of a lie-in and a more leisurely morning before setting off.
Mike went off to Brixworth at 11am and at 12.30pm Sophie and I set off to pick up Laura. I'd heard there was a bad accident on the M1 northbound carriageway and that traffic was slow on the southbound section as well (no doubt people looking at what was happening).
As we drove onto the M1, the signs were warning us of the hold-ups but nothing could have prepared us for the sight of the empty motorway and then seeing the coach and car involved being towed away. The accident had happened at about 7am when a coach carrying some students had hit a stationary car on the hard-shoulder, killing three people inside. Everything on our side of the motorway slowed down as the procession went past and there was literally nothing left of the car. We later found out that a fourth passenger survived but was badly injured and the coach driver had been arrested.
We continued on our way and saw the huge queues that had built up while they shut the motorway. I decided not to go home this way! We made the O2 by 3pm and I dropped Sophie and Laura off at a bus-stop near the Underground station. They were going to see two bands in the evening - You Me At Six and All Time Low but before they went they were going to leave their luggage at Laura's University flat.
I headed home via the Blackwall Tunnel again and stayed on the M11 rather than go back onto the M25. I spent a very pleasant couple of hours listening to the Womens' Hour on Radio 4...I'm certainly getting to that sort of age now where I appreciate interesting articles to listen to!
I arrived home just after Keith who had been to one of his football matches and we waited to hear from Mike. Unfortunately the mobile phone that Keith had lent him was switched off so we were unable to get in touch with him! By 6.30pm I was getting worried as normally he asks to be picked up at about 5pm. We drove over to Brixworth and waited by the library but there was no sign of him. I sent him text messages and we kept on trying to call him but it was still switched off.
In the end we went home to see if he'd called us on the home phone but there were no messages. I decided to try and get hold of him via Facebook and luckily he was online. I sent a very curt message telling him to meet us and we drove back over to Brixworth. I was angry because by now I'd had enough of driving and just wanted to relax!
Mike was apologetic when we picked him up and we delivered him back home and went off to the pub for a very welcome drink! Sue and Paul followed us into the pub as they were having a Valentine's meal. We sat at the bar and had a good chat and it was great to relax and have a laugh after my extremely busy day!
Sophie reluctantly agreed to go later even though she was looking forward to having lunch in London and then going shopping before their concert at the O2. It meant we could have a bit of a lie-in and a more leisurely morning before setting off.
Mike went off to Brixworth at 11am and at 12.30pm Sophie and I set off to pick up Laura. I'd heard there was a bad accident on the M1 northbound carriageway and that traffic was slow on the southbound section as well (no doubt people looking at what was happening).
As we drove onto the M1, the signs were warning us of the hold-ups but nothing could have prepared us for the sight of the empty motorway and then seeing the coach and car involved being towed away. The accident had happened at about 7am when a coach carrying some students had hit a stationary car on the hard-shoulder, killing three people inside. Everything on our side of the motorway slowed down as the procession went past and there was literally nothing left of the car. We later found out that a fourth passenger survived but was badly injured and the coach driver had been arrested.
We continued on our way and saw the huge queues that had built up while they shut the motorway. I decided not to go home this way! We made the O2 by 3pm and I dropped Sophie and Laura off at a bus-stop near the Underground station. They were going to see two bands in the evening - You Me At Six and All Time Low but before they went they were going to leave their luggage at Laura's University flat.
I headed home via the Blackwall Tunnel again and stayed on the M11 rather than go back onto the M25. I spent a very pleasant couple of hours listening to the Womens' Hour on Radio 4...I'm certainly getting to that sort of age now where I appreciate interesting articles to listen to!
I arrived home just after Keith who had been to one of his football matches and we waited to hear from Mike. Unfortunately the mobile phone that Keith had lent him was switched off so we were unable to get in touch with him! By 6.30pm I was getting worried as normally he asks to be picked up at about 5pm. We drove over to Brixworth and waited by the library but there was no sign of him. I sent him text messages and we kept on trying to call him but it was still switched off.
In the end we went home to see if he'd called us on the home phone but there were no messages. I decided to try and get hold of him via Facebook and luckily he was online. I sent a very curt message telling him to meet us and we drove back over to Brixworth. I was angry because by now I'd had enough of driving and just wanted to relax!
Mike was apologetic when we picked him up and we delivered him back home and went off to the pub for a very welcome drink! Sue and Paul followed us into the pub as they were having a Valentine's meal. We sat at the bar and had a good chat and it was great to relax and have a laugh after my extremely busy day!
Friday, 13 February 2015
Ahhh! Friday!
I sound relieved that Friday has arrived but in all honesty I was dreading the weekend as we had three new staff starting and Sophie was off gallivanting in London!
Today wasn't as busy as I'd feared at work and Sophie and I were in early to do the cleaning as our lady who comes in and cleans for us had taken a day's holiday. Keith dropped Mikey off at school and came in to help as well so by the time we opened at 9.30am we were all done. We'd even put the frozen food order away that came in early!
Soph and I managed to get away at 3pm and we went off to Boots to do a bit of shopping. I treated myself to a new make-up bag from Champneys which contained a lovely loofah-type thingy, some body lotion, shower gel and body scrub. The products smelt wonderful!
Afterwards, Sophie treated me to a cup of tea at Costa Coffee and then we headed home as she had to pack for her weekend away. Mike was off in town with his mates so we had a very quiet evening until he came bursting back through the door brandishing a huge Toblerone for all of us!
Today wasn't as busy as I'd feared at work and Sophie and I were in early to do the cleaning as our lady who comes in and cleans for us had taken a day's holiday. Keith dropped Mikey off at school and came in to help as well so by the time we opened at 9.30am we were all done. We'd even put the frozen food order away that came in early!
Soph and I managed to get away at 3pm and we went off to Boots to do a bit of shopping. I treated myself to a new make-up bag from Champneys which contained a lovely loofah-type thingy, some body lotion, shower gel and body scrub. The products smelt wonderful!
Afterwards, Sophie treated me to a cup of tea at Costa Coffee and then we headed home as she had to pack for her weekend away. Mike was off in town with his mates so we had a very quiet evening until he came bursting back through the door brandishing a huge Toblerone for all of us!
Thursday, 12 February 2015
An unexpected treat.
Today wasn't as busy as yesterday, thank goodness, but then it would be like that, wouldn't it? Sophie was in with us today and we didn't need her!
She had a driving lesson at 2pm, though, and Keith and I went off to do the banking and to get dinner from Tesco for tonight. As Sophie had been in a bit of a mood at work (bored) I bought her some treats and a yummy dinner for both of us tonight. Mike was due to be out at a Birthday party and Keith was having a Tesco Finest meal that had been languishing in the freezer so I bought us a meal for two with a bottle of Rose!
My daughter and I were at work until about 5.30pm and then we sped home as Keith wanted me to go with him to take Mikey to the party. We didn't really have any idea of where it was or what time it started as our son was typically vague about important details like that! We discovered it started at 6.45pm (not 6pm as we first thought) and went on until just after 8pm and was at a local Indoor Play Area called Kids Play in Kettering. It meant that by the time we arrived home it would be almost time to leave to get him again so we decided to have a meal at the nearby Trading Post.
Sophie wasn't too keen as she was looking forward to her Tesco Finest meal but we managed to persuade her and after a quick change and a freshen up, we all left. We eventually found the venue (it had been a while since we were there...probably about ten years when Mikey was invited to a party and wouldn't leave our side to go and play!) and he went off by himself, looking for his mates.
We drove the short distance to the pub and found a table. I was tempted by the carvery but decided to go with fish and chips, the same as Keith, in the end. Sophie chose a chicken burger. I was pleasantly surprised with the food. My fish was delicious and the batter well-cooked and crispy and it was certainly better than cooking at home!
We picked Mike up at 8.15, drove home and treated ourselves to a slice of banana cake before bed. Delicious!
She had a driving lesson at 2pm, though, and Keith and I went off to do the banking and to get dinner from Tesco for tonight. As Sophie had been in a bit of a mood at work (bored) I bought her some treats and a yummy dinner for both of us tonight. Mike was due to be out at a Birthday party and Keith was having a Tesco Finest meal that had been languishing in the freezer so I bought us a meal for two with a bottle of Rose!
My daughter and I were at work until about 5.30pm and then we sped home as Keith wanted me to go with him to take Mikey to the party. We didn't really have any idea of where it was or what time it started as our son was typically vague about important details like that! We discovered it started at 6.45pm (not 6pm as we first thought) and went on until just after 8pm and was at a local Indoor Play Area called Kids Play in Kettering. It meant that by the time we arrived home it would be almost time to leave to get him again so we decided to have a meal at the nearby Trading Post.
Sophie wasn't too keen as she was looking forward to her Tesco Finest meal but we managed to persuade her and after a quick change and a freshen up, we all left. We eventually found the venue (it had been a while since we were there...probably about ten years when Mikey was invited to a party and wouldn't leave our side to go and play!) and he went off by himself, looking for his mates.
We drove the short distance to the pub and found a table. I was tempted by the carvery but decided to go with fish and chips, the same as Keith, in the end. Sophie chose a chicken burger. I was pleasantly surprised with the food. My fish was delicious and the batter well-cooked and crispy and it was certainly better than cooking at home!
We picked Mike up at 8.15, drove home and treated ourselves to a slice of banana cake before bed. Delicious!
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
A well-deserved relaxation!
I knew that today was going to be a busy one at work when we had customers queuing to get in at just after 9.30am. Of course, Sophie was due to meet friends at lunchtime so we would be losing her at 11am, just the sort of day when we desperately needed her help!
We waited for the Booker delivery to arrive but I had to take Sophie before it came and we went to pick up her friend Laura from the other side of town. When I got back, the Booker lorry was stranded in a sea of cars and the driver was tearing his hair out as he'd blocked some customers in who wanted to leave!
Keith and I tore about offloading the delivery in between manning Reception as Polly was helping out in the kitchen. The place was heaving with customers and I'd never seen it so busy during the week!
We put all the delivery away and I rushed about clearing tables, washing up and helping Keith on Reception. Just as I was sorting out a party booking I saw a customer go over to Reception and Keith pointed at me. This sort of thing always makes me nervous as there's normally a problem somewhere and today this particular lady was complaining about another customer who'd been rude and aggressive to her blind sister. It turned out that a mum was in the restaurant to get some napkins for her son who'd bumped his nose. Polly asked whose turn it was next and apparently there was a misunderstanding between a blind woman and this customer who'd "apparently" pushed in and been rude.
Just as I was listening to the story unfold, the two women involved came over and started screaming at each other. I tried to calm all three women down but the blind woman was actually the most aggressive one, screaming at the other customer and almost coming to blows! I finally managed to separate them and tried to explain that it was a simple misunderstanding that had obviously got out of hand! The woman with the hurt little boy was crying and I offered to get her a cup of tea but she said she was OK and didn't need anything. Being in the middle of it all, with other customers ogling what was going on, was not pleasant!
Luckily, both parties stayed away from each other for the rest of the afternoon but I was mightily glad when the two sisters left about an hour later! When Sophie returned from her lunch at Pizza Hut I told her what happened and she was mad that she'd missed all the fun!
After work we went to the spa at the gym and had a lovely relaxing session. It was definitely needed after today, let me tell you!
We waited for the Booker delivery to arrive but I had to take Sophie before it came and we went to pick up her friend Laura from the other side of town. When I got back, the Booker lorry was stranded in a sea of cars and the driver was tearing his hair out as he'd blocked some customers in who wanted to leave!
Keith and I tore about offloading the delivery in between manning Reception as Polly was helping out in the kitchen. The place was heaving with customers and I'd never seen it so busy during the week!
We put all the delivery away and I rushed about clearing tables, washing up and helping Keith on Reception. Just as I was sorting out a party booking I saw a customer go over to Reception and Keith pointed at me. This sort of thing always makes me nervous as there's normally a problem somewhere and today this particular lady was complaining about another customer who'd been rude and aggressive to her blind sister. It turned out that a mum was in the restaurant to get some napkins for her son who'd bumped his nose. Polly asked whose turn it was next and apparently there was a misunderstanding between a blind woman and this customer who'd "apparently" pushed in and been rude.
Just as I was listening to the story unfold, the two women involved came over and started screaming at each other. I tried to calm all three women down but the blind woman was actually the most aggressive one, screaming at the other customer and almost coming to blows! I finally managed to separate them and tried to explain that it was a simple misunderstanding that had obviously got out of hand! The woman with the hurt little boy was crying and I offered to get her a cup of tea but she said she was OK and didn't need anything. Being in the middle of it all, with other customers ogling what was going on, was not pleasant!
Luckily, both parties stayed away from each other for the rest of the afternoon but I was mightily glad when the two sisters left about an hour later! When Sophie returned from her lunch at Pizza Hut I told her what happened and she was mad that she'd missed all the fun!
After work we went to the spa at the gym and had a lovely relaxing session. It was definitely needed after today, let me tell you!
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Girly night in!
Keith and Mike were both out this evening and Sophie and I chose an indulgent dinner for just the two of us, which was a treat after a hard day at work!
We had a Tesco Finest Chicken Kiev with creamy mash and sweetcorn with a glass of wine each and it was lovely! As the men were both out we could sit and watch whatever we wanted on the TV and both cats came and sat with us as well, which was great.
Keith and Mikey returned at about 10pm, both of them cold from being outside (Keith had been to see Sileby Rangers play) but Sophie and I were both chilled out too!
We had a Tesco Finest Chicken Kiev with creamy mash and sweetcorn with a glass of wine each and it was lovely! As the men were both out we could sit and watch whatever we wanted on the TV and both cats came and sat with us as well, which was great.
Keith and Mikey returned at about 10pm, both of them cold from being outside (Keith had been to see Sileby Rangers play) but Sophie and I were both chilled out too!
Monday, 9 February 2015
A cleaning we will go...
It was all hands on deck today and I had both Keith and Sophie in at work with me. While I sorted out the weekend takings Sophie manned the phone and booked several parties. Keith and Ian amused themselves by fitting new bolts to the slides and I went over to the bank and bought us all some lunch.
In the afternoon Keith and I swept up the cigarette butts in the car park and picked up litter. My crows are being a bit silly at the moment and when I put down food in the morning they sit and look at it while a flock of seagulls dive in and gobble it all up. There are far more gulls than crows and I find it very annoying that all the food is eaten by the huge flock. I've taken to just putting a few scraps down and then hiding some more under the trees which seems to be working. I saw our little robin dragging away a piece of chicken skin the other day so he'd managed to find it!
Before we went home (a bit tired) all three of us gave our large inflatable a good clean as the top was very dusty. We kept inflating it and then letting it down so we could reach the top and it looked a lot better when we'd finished!
I had a call from Mike's school to say that he was having pains on the left side of his chest so I had to go and pick him up. As is usual, when he appeared he looked absolutely fine and back at work he played a game of football with Keith in between raiding the chiller cabinet and eating sweets. Ill, he was not!
Sophie and I left after Keith and Mike and stopped to get some diesel before going on to Mum's house and making sure everything was OK. It's been a beautiful day today with lots of sunshine and much milder temperatures (10c at lunchtime) so that was a bonus. Perhaps Spring is on the way?
In the afternoon Keith and I swept up the cigarette butts in the car park and picked up litter. My crows are being a bit silly at the moment and when I put down food in the morning they sit and look at it while a flock of seagulls dive in and gobble it all up. There are far more gulls than crows and I find it very annoying that all the food is eaten by the huge flock. I've taken to just putting a few scraps down and then hiding some more under the trees which seems to be working. I saw our little robin dragging away a piece of chicken skin the other day so he'd managed to find it!
Before we went home (a bit tired) all three of us gave our large inflatable a good clean as the top was very dusty. We kept inflating it and then letting it down so we could reach the top and it looked a lot better when we'd finished!
I had a call from Mike's school to say that he was having pains on the left side of his chest so I had to go and pick him up. As is usual, when he appeared he looked absolutely fine and back at work he played a game of football with Keith in between raiding the chiller cabinet and eating sweets. Ill, he was not!
Sophie and I left after Keith and Mike and stopped to get some diesel before going on to Mum's house and making sure everything was OK. It's been a beautiful day today with lots of sunshine and much milder temperatures (10c at lunchtime) so that was a bonus. Perhaps Spring is on the way?
Sunday, 8 February 2015
An early morning shock...
I awoke to glorious sunshine and just as I was settling down with a cup of coffee and the newspaper at 8am and feeling really happy and relaxed, the phone rang. It was Mikey asking to be picked up...
I ran upstairs to get dressed and told Keith who was still languishing in bed. It certainly didn't need two of us to be disturbed and I told him that I'd get the Sunday papers and buy Mike some breakfast as I was certain he hadn't had anything.
As I was about to leave, the phone rang again and it was an anguished Michael telling me that he'd broken the screen of his iPod again...I couldn't believe what he was saying as we'd only just had it repaired and I hadn't even paid my credit card bill! I was furious but he sounded so contrite that I said we'd sort it out when I picked him up and got into the car.
It was a gorgeous, but very frosty, morning and Mike was waiting for me at the top of his friend's road. He hadn't taken a coat and looked frozen. We went straight to the petrol station where I bought him a bacon and cheese turnover and then we headed home. He constantly apologised for breaking the screen which was completely shattered. I said that there was no way I was paying for it again and that he'd have to cough up the money to get it replaced.
Back home he went straight to bed and stayed there for most of the day. I later found out that he'd told Keith he'd stayed up all night, yet he'd said to me they'd gone to bed at midnight which I found hard to believe!
Sophie was working again so she drove us into work and we had a bit of an argument with a wall which she clipped, scuffing the wing mirrors very slightly... Today she seemed to get very close to parked cars which was a bit alarming and although we seemed to have solved the stalling problem, she needs to be careful of getting too close to the left side of the road. Because of this she went into work a bit subdued which was a shame as she'd felt so good about her driving yesterday.
Keith and I went off to Asda as we'd ordered some school shirts for Mike and they were due to be delivered after 1pm but we hoped they'd be in as we were nearby. Sadly they weren't and just as I said to Keith I'd treat him to a coffee in Waitrose the phone rang and it was Sophie to say she wasn't needed at work after all.
We went to collect her and she drove home again, a little more carefully this time! I suggested she give Jim a good clean as the poor car was covered in mud and salt but she looked at me like I'd said something completely outrageous and flounced off to her room. As it was such a beautiful day I decided to give the little Honda a good clean and while I was rinsing the car down Paul and Sue came over for a chat with Bailey and Archie, their two cockapoos. We chatted for ages in the sun and I learnt lots of gossip! What a great thing the village grapevine is! I learnt that a B&B in the village has been taken over by an Indian lady and her English husband and the lady is planning to put on a "Pop-up Indian restaurant" once a month. My Dad will be pleased!
In the afternoon Sophie and I went off to Beckworth Emporium for a mooch about and a cup of tea but the queue for the cafe was horrendous! We certainly didn't feel like waiting just to have a snack so we left and went to the garden centre near Wootton. They have a Costa Coffee outlet there so Sophie was more than pleased as she ordered a Creamy Cooler (made with soya milk now!).
We had a quick look at the fish and then it was home to a moody Mike and a delicious roast lamb dinner!
I ran upstairs to get dressed and told Keith who was still languishing in bed. It certainly didn't need two of us to be disturbed and I told him that I'd get the Sunday papers and buy Mike some breakfast as I was certain he hadn't had anything.
As I was about to leave, the phone rang again and it was an anguished Michael telling me that he'd broken the screen of his iPod again...I couldn't believe what he was saying as we'd only just had it repaired and I hadn't even paid my credit card bill! I was furious but he sounded so contrite that I said we'd sort it out when I picked him up and got into the car.
It was a gorgeous, but very frosty, morning and Mike was waiting for me at the top of his friend's road. He hadn't taken a coat and looked frozen. We went straight to the petrol station where I bought him a bacon and cheese turnover and then we headed home. He constantly apologised for breaking the screen which was completely shattered. I said that there was no way I was paying for it again and that he'd have to cough up the money to get it replaced.
Back home he went straight to bed and stayed there for most of the day. I later found out that he'd told Keith he'd stayed up all night, yet he'd said to me they'd gone to bed at midnight which I found hard to believe!
Sophie was working again so she drove us into work and we had a bit of an argument with a wall which she clipped, scuffing the wing mirrors very slightly... Today she seemed to get very close to parked cars which was a bit alarming and although we seemed to have solved the stalling problem, she needs to be careful of getting too close to the left side of the road. Because of this she went into work a bit subdued which was a shame as she'd felt so good about her driving yesterday.
Keith and I went off to Asda as we'd ordered some school shirts for Mike and they were due to be delivered after 1pm but we hoped they'd be in as we were nearby. Sadly they weren't and just as I said to Keith I'd treat him to a coffee in Waitrose the phone rang and it was Sophie to say she wasn't needed at work after all.
We went to collect her and she drove home again, a little more carefully this time! I suggested she give Jim a good clean as the poor car was covered in mud and salt but she looked at me like I'd said something completely outrageous and flounced off to her room. As it was such a beautiful day I decided to give the little Honda a good clean and while I was rinsing the car down Paul and Sue came over for a chat with Bailey and Archie, their two cockapoos. We chatted for ages in the sun and I learnt lots of gossip! What a great thing the village grapevine is! I learnt that a B&B in the village has been taken over by an Indian lady and her English husband and the lady is planning to put on a "Pop-up Indian restaurant" once a month. My Dad will be pleased!
In the afternoon Sophie and I went off to Beckworth Emporium for a mooch about and a cup of tea but the queue for the cafe was horrendous! We certainly didn't feel like waiting just to have a snack so we left and went to the garden centre near Wootton. They have a Costa Coffee outlet there so Sophie was more than pleased as she ordered a Creamy Cooler (made with soya milk now!).
We had a quick look at the fish and then it was home to a moody Mike and a delicious roast lamb dinner!
Saturday, 7 February 2015
The Big Clean...
Keith took Mikey to Brixworth this morning and then Sophie drove us into work in Jim. The weather was horrible and I really would have liked to have been facing something different to cleaning the bathroom and changing our bedding, but there you go. It means I've been able to do some jobs around the house that wouldn't have been completed otherwise!
Sophie did very well in the car and didn't stall it once! She was brimming with confidence when she got out so that was a relief. Keith and I returned home and he took the doors off the shower cubicle while I stripped our bed of everything including the valance. We turned the mattress over as I've been suffering from a bad back when I wake in the morning and I heard that you should regularly turn your mattress to keep it in good shape.
After bundling the bedding into the washing machine I scrubbed the tiles in the shower and Keith freshened up the grouting. Oh, we both know how to have fun! I also pushed the bed out from where it usually stands and hoovered at the back and underneath. I won't divulge how dusty and horrible it was but it certainly felt better to hoover and make it all much cleaner!
Keith finished in the shower and I tackled the bookshelf that we have on the landing that has about a million books on it. Now I have my Kindle I find it very difficult reading a normal book so I threw them all on the floor and dusted the shelves and behind which, again, was horrendous! The books covered the landing and I began to wish I'd never embarked on this mammoth job! I have to say that most of them are now in bags awaiting a table-top sale in May as I looked at selling them on the internet and they were virtually worthless...
When I'd finished I felt much better knowing it was all clean and dust-free. I had a bath and as soon as I came out Mikey called asking to be picked up. He was due to go to a sleepover in the evening and had just thirty minutes to get ready as we were dropping him off on the way to picking up Sophie.
Of course, my son had failed to get the address of the sleepover and told me it was at a friend's house that we'd been to before...last year some time! I vaguely knew where it was but we picked up Sophie first and then drove to the estate in the hope of recognising the road, which luckily we did. We dropped him off and I tried not to think about what they would all be getting up to during the night...!
Back home Sophie quickly changed and we drove up to the pub for a quick drink before dinner. The place was very quiet indeed and we were able to sit in the window and have a good chat. All of us are worried about Mike at the moment as he seems very moody and uncommunicative. Perhaps that's teenage boys for you!
Sophie did very well in the car and didn't stall it once! She was brimming with confidence when she got out so that was a relief. Keith and I returned home and he took the doors off the shower cubicle while I stripped our bed of everything including the valance. We turned the mattress over as I've been suffering from a bad back when I wake in the morning and I heard that you should regularly turn your mattress to keep it in good shape.
After bundling the bedding into the washing machine I scrubbed the tiles in the shower and Keith freshened up the grouting. Oh, we both know how to have fun! I also pushed the bed out from where it usually stands and hoovered at the back and underneath. I won't divulge how dusty and horrible it was but it certainly felt better to hoover and make it all much cleaner!
Keith finished in the shower and I tackled the bookshelf that we have on the landing that has about a million books on it. Now I have my Kindle I find it very difficult reading a normal book so I threw them all on the floor and dusted the shelves and behind which, again, was horrendous! The books covered the landing and I began to wish I'd never embarked on this mammoth job! I have to say that most of them are now in bags awaiting a table-top sale in May as I looked at selling them on the internet and they were virtually worthless...
When I'd finished I felt much better knowing it was all clean and dust-free. I had a bath and as soon as I came out Mikey called asking to be picked up. He was due to go to a sleepover in the evening and had just thirty minutes to get ready as we were dropping him off on the way to picking up Sophie.
Of course, my son had failed to get the address of the sleepover and told me it was at a friend's house that we'd been to before...last year some time! I vaguely knew where it was but we picked up Sophie first and then drove to the estate in the hope of recognising the road, which luckily we did. We dropped him off and I tried not to think about what they would all be getting up to during the night...!
Back home Sophie quickly changed and we drove up to the pub for a quick drink before dinner. The place was very quiet indeed and we were able to sit in the window and have a good chat. All of us are worried about Mike at the moment as he seems very moody and uncommunicative. Perhaps that's teenage boys for you!
Friday, 6 February 2015
Frantic Friday!
I was hoping for an early finish today but we were manic at work all day and the jobs I'd intended to do by the early afternoon got shoved to the end of the day!
Mum and Dad were off to the airport this afternoon as they are flying out to see my Uncle tomorrow in Cyprus. They came in at the very busiest time of the day to check in online for their flight and were somewhat dismayed to see us rushing around like mad things. Sophie had to go and help in the kitchen with Polly while I manned Reception and I was backwards and forwards like a mad thing!
After they'd gone Sophie and I went to the bank and then to Jones's as we needed some stuff for work. We left at 3.15pm and the traffic was horrendous. We crawled all the way from the bank to the Wholesaler's and I had to call Polly to go and pick up some shirts from our neighbours, BACA, as they closed at 4.30pm and I knew we wouldn't have made it back in time to collect them. At the moment Northampton seems to be one huge gridlocked road and everywhere you go there are roadworks and hold-ups. Not one journey seems to be an easy one these days and it's driving me mad! I just hope that when all the works are finished it's been worth all the hassle and delays.
We got back to work at 5pm and left to go to the gym. After our frantic day of running about we both felt like going down to the spa to relax, so we did! We sat in the sauna to get warm and then wallowed in the jacuzzi until our skin wrinkled, something Sophie hates!
After the spa we had a hot shower and on the way to the car met Liam who I hadn't seen for ages. We chatted about how busy life is and his imminent house move, news that was a little shocking when Sarah told me about it back in December. I think this is going to be another year of change!
Mum and Dad were off to the airport this afternoon as they are flying out to see my Uncle tomorrow in Cyprus. They came in at the very busiest time of the day to check in online for their flight and were somewhat dismayed to see us rushing around like mad things. Sophie had to go and help in the kitchen with Polly while I manned Reception and I was backwards and forwards like a mad thing!
After they'd gone Sophie and I went to the bank and then to Jones's as we needed some stuff for work. We left at 3.15pm and the traffic was horrendous. We crawled all the way from the bank to the Wholesaler's and I had to call Polly to go and pick up some shirts from our neighbours, BACA, as they closed at 4.30pm and I knew we wouldn't have made it back in time to collect them. At the moment Northampton seems to be one huge gridlocked road and everywhere you go there are roadworks and hold-ups. Not one journey seems to be an easy one these days and it's driving me mad! I just hope that when all the works are finished it's been worth all the hassle and delays.
We got back to work at 5pm and left to go to the gym. After our frantic day of running about we both felt like going down to the spa to relax, so we did! We sat in the sauna to get warm and then wallowed in the jacuzzi until our skin wrinkled, something Sophie hates!
After the spa we had a hot shower and on the way to the car met Liam who I hadn't seen for ages. We chatted about how busy life is and his imminent house move, news that was a little shocking when Sarah told me about it back in December. I think this is going to be another year of change!
Thursday, 5 February 2015
In the bleak winter...
We had some more snow showers first thing this morning and it was a cold and very bleak day. I wasn't expecting any customers in at all but by mid-morning the snow had cleared and it became pleasantly busy, which was good.
We were facing another long day at work as we had an after-school party in and Sophie was the person looking after them! I managed to get a lot of work done while she looked after the party and by 6pm she was finished so we could go home. We called into the local petrol station and I bought a bottle of Cono Sur Bicicletta Viognier for us both to share.
At home, Keith was cooking a roast chicken and the kitchen was full of delicious smells! The wine was lovely and Sophie approved so we asked Keith if he could get us a couple of bottles tomorrow when he goes shopping.
After our tasty dinner it was time to relax and catch up with some TV!
We were facing another long day at work as we had an after-school party in and Sophie was the person looking after them! I managed to get a lot of work done while she looked after the party and by 6pm she was finished so we could go home. We called into the local petrol station and I bought a bottle of Cono Sur Bicicletta Viognier for us both to share.
At home, Keith was cooking a roast chicken and the kitchen was full of delicious smells! The wine was lovely and Sophie approved so we asked Keith if he could get us a couple of bottles tomorrow when he goes shopping.
After our tasty dinner it was time to relax and catch up with some TV!
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Long days...
Today has been a long day at work as we had two parties after school and Sophie is now the only member of staff we have who can come in and do them in the evening.
I had to go home after lunch to get something I'd forgotten so Sophie drove Keith and I back in Jim. She was very nervous indeed, and after a bit of a shaky start when she kept stalling the car and she refused to drive any more, she did improve a lot and got a bit of confidence back. The trouble is that the engine of the Honda is very quiet and when you stop in it, you can barely hear the revs at all so we showed her to look at the rev counter and make sure that when it went up to move away.
It was a beautiful day and the roads were dry for once so we felt it was the perfect time for her to practise her driving. It's the only way she'll get to know the car and how it feels to drive.
Keith went home mid-afternoon and Sophie and I stayed on until the bitter end. By the time the customers had all gone it was 6.30pm but there was still a lot of clearing up to do and by the time we'd given Polly a lift and called into the local shop, it was almost 7.30pm by the time we arrived home.
Keith was busy cooking dinner for us and made me a drink. Bliss! Mikey had been out with some friends and walked through the door with a box of chocolates for us all as, in his own words, he was "such an a*se" in the mornings! Very true!
I had to go home after lunch to get something I'd forgotten so Sophie drove Keith and I back in Jim. She was very nervous indeed, and after a bit of a shaky start when she kept stalling the car and she refused to drive any more, she did improve a lot and got a bit of confidence back. The trouble is that the engine of the Honda is very quiet and when you stop in it, you can barely hear the revs at all so we showed her to look at the rev counter and make sure that when it went up to move away.
It was a beautiful day and the roads were dry for once so we felt it was the perfect time for her to practise her driving. It's the only way she'll get to know the car and how it feels to drive.
Keith went home mid-afternoon and Sophie and I stayed on until the bitter end. By the time the customers had all gone it was 6.30pm but there was still a lot of clearing up to do and by the time we'd given Polly a lift and called into the local shop, it was almost 7.30pm by the time we arrived home.
Keith was busy cooking dinner for us and made me a drink. Bliss! Mikey had been out with some friends and walked through the door with a box of chocolates for us all as, in his own words, he was "such an a*se" in the mornings! Very true!
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Bunking off early!
Sophie and I headed home earlier than usual as she had a doctor's appointment at 2.30pm. She's been keeping a food diary over the last month and has noticed that she feels much better after removing diary and fatty, fried foods from her diet.
I thought she may have IBS but the doctor didn't think so, and said that maybe her tummy was a bit sensitive to some foods, especially grilled cheese. Sophie was a real fan of cheese and had it with virtually everything, as well as large creamy coffees so maybe cutting out those foods will be a good idea!
We went home and I washed my car as it was absolutely filthy and covered in salt from the roads. I spent ages giving it a good clean and drying it off and just as I finished we had a light rain shower. At least it didn't snow!
I thought she may have IBS but the doctor didn't think so, and said that maybe her tummy was a bit sensitive to some foods, especially grilled cheese. Sophie was a real fan of cheese and had it with virtually everything, as well as large creamy coffees so maybe cutting out those foods will be a good idea!
We went home and I washed my car as it was absolutely filthy and covered in salt from the roads. I spent ages giving it a good clean and drying it off and just as I finished we had a light rain shower. At least it didn't snow!
Monday, 2 February 2015
More snow...
We had more snow this evening which took us by surprise! It started mid-evening and went on until I went to bed and was settling over the paths and roads. I had visions of schools being closed tomorrow and us having difficulty getting into work!
The weather forecasters are saying that all this week will be bitterly cold so winter is definitely not over yet!
Some photos from yesterday:
The weather forecasters are saying that all this week will be bitterly cold so winter is definitely not over yet!
Some photos from yesterday:
 |
| Fallen tree |
Sunday, 1 February 2015
A cold and windy walk
We awoke to another bitterly cold, but sunny day with more snow forecast. First thing, Keith and I went to get the newspapers and scouted out a walk that we were planning for later in the day.
We called into Mum and Dad's house on the way home and had a welcome cup of coffee before picking the children up and going to Booker (again!) for some urgently needed work stuff. We had been very busy yesterday but I was hoping that today was going to be a bit calmer!
We dropped both kids off at work and then escaped home where we donned our walking boots and set off down a single track road leading out of the village. Our destination was the abandoned village of Faxton and I was hoping to take some photos.
Walking along the quiet road was very pleasant but the wind blowing over the fields was ferocious! I wrapped a woolly scarf around my face and we trudged on. In the distance we could see what we thought was the old village...
We turned off the road onto a byway, passing a couple of farms and a field of sheep. Overhead we saw two Red Kites lazily circling on the wind, on the lookout, no doubt, for some tasty prey. A cyclist overtook us and we could see him lift his bike over a gate and set off up a muddy hill. That didn't look promising and as we neared the gate we could see that the paved track turned into a private road and the byway went up the field. Even more alarming was the notice on the fence that read "Beware of the Bull"!!
Keith climbed over the fence but I refused to follow him. In the distance we could see the cyclist coming back and after I had a short argument with my husband we decided to turn back as well. I didn't fancy getting all muddy and by now the wind was really in our faces.
The cyclist stopped for a chat and asked if we knew anything about the bull as he said the sign was a new one. He told us that there wasn't anything to see at Faxton so the romantic notion that I'd had of a ruined village was wrong and I would have been very disappointed to get there to see nothing at all! The houses we could see were obviously private residences!
We had a nice chat with him and then he cycled off while we trudged back up the hill to the road. The blue skies had turned cloudy and without the sun, it became even colder. While we were still quite a way from home, my mobile rang and it was work to say that they were manically busy and could they stop customers coming in for a while to get back some control?
This, of course, made me feel very worried and I called Mum to tell her that I might not be able to make our arrangement to go out for an hour in the afternoon. She said that Dad would go in to investigate and that if we were needed at work he would call to let us know.
We arrived home and heated up some celery and Stilton soup that Keith had made on Friday. It certainly warmed us up! My dad didn't ring so I helped Keith prepare the veggies for dinner, ironed some school and work shirts and called Mum to say I would pick her up at 3pm as arranged.
We went to Next as Mum had a top she wanted to exchange and I spotted a lovely white ceramic heart that would look great hanging above the doors in the conservatory. We had a cup of tea in Costa Coffee and then I dropped Mum home and went to wait for a call from the kids to pick them up.
Luckily they were earlier than yesterday and Keith and I drove in at 6pm to collect them. Back home it was bliss to have a drink and watch a programme about buying houses in Florida. How I would love some winter sun at the moment!
We called into Mum and Dad's house on the way home and had a welcome cup of coffee before picking the children up and going to Booker (again!) for some urgently needed work stuff. We had been very busy yesterday but I was hoping that today was going to be a bit calmer!
We dropped both kids off at work and then escaped home where we donned our walking boots and set off down a single track road leading out of the village. Our destination was the abandoned village of Faxton and I was hoping to take some photos.
Walking along the quiet road was very pleasant but the wind blowing over the fields was ferocious! I wrapped a woolly scarf around my face and we trudged on. In the distance we could see what we thought was the old village...
We turned off the road onto a byway, passing a couple of farms and a field of sheep. Overhead we saw two Red Kites lazily circling on the wind, on the lookout, no doubt, for some tasty prey. A cyclist overtook us and we could see him lift his bike over a gate and set off up a muddy hill. That didn't look promising and as we neared the gate we could see that the paved track turned into a private road and the byway went up the field. Even more alarming was the notice on the fence that read "Beware of the Bull"!!
Keith climbed over the fence but I refused to follow him. In the distance we could see the cyclist coming back and after I had a short argument with my husband we decided to turn back as well. I didn't fancy getting all muddy and by now the wind was really in our faces.
The cyclist stopped for a chat and asked if we knew anything about the bull as he said the sign was a new one. He told us that there wasn't anything to see at Faxton so the romantic notion that I'd had of a ruined village was wrong and I would have been very disappointed to get there to see nothing at all! The houses we could see were obviously private residences!
We had a nice chat with him and then he cycled off while we trudged back up the hill to the road. The blue skies had turned cloudy and without the sun, it became even colder. While we were still quite a way from home, my mobile rang and it was work to say that they were manically busy and could they stop customers coming in for a while to get back some control?
This, of course, made me feel very worried and I called Mum to tell her that I might not be able to make our arrangement to go out for an hour in the afternoon. She said that Dad would go in to investigate and that if we were needed at work he would call to let us know.
We arrived home and heated up some celery and Stilton soup that Keith had made on Friday. It certainly warmed us up! My dad didn't ring so I helped Keith prepare the veggies for dinner, ironed some school and work shirts and called Mum to say I would pick her up at 3pm as arranged.
We went to Next as Mum had a top she wanted to exchange and I spotted a lovely white ceramic heart that would look great hanging above the doors in the conservatory. We had a cup of tea in Costa Coffee and then I dropped Mum home and went to wait for a call from the kids to pick them up.
Luckily they were earlier than yesterday and Keith and I drove in at 6pm to collect them. Back home it was bliss to have a drink and watch a programme about buying houses in Florida. How I would love some winter sun at the moment!
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