Today has been grey and depressing - the worst kind of gloomy winter weather. The news is full of the Arctic conditions on the way at the end of the week and the forecast for maybe a white Christmas this year. I won't hold my breath, though. Our part of the country looks set to miss it all as usual!
After work I picked up Sophie and Susie from school and then with mum, we headed off to Milton Keynes again for some shopping. I'm almost done now which is great - this year I've bought most of my presents in the traditional way rather than online. I just need to wrap them all now!
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Monday, 13 December 2010
91 years young...
Today Mum and I went down to Kent to celebrate Nan's birthday. I really can't believe she's 91 - she looks more like a woman in her late 70s and is still independent, living on her own and keeps her flat spotlessly clean. I only hope I'm like that if I get to her age!
There was a lot going on at work this morning when we left - we were having some new carpet fitted, stainless steel splash boards installed in the kitchen and our handyman was cutting perspex sheets so it was great to escape and leave poor Dad to it. He told us later that there was a big mess so no doubt we'll have to tackle that tomorrow morning!
It took us two hours to get to Dartford which wasn't bad and after a quick coffee we left for the Harvester Restaurant in my uncle's car. It was lovely to not have to drive, even though it wasn't far! Amazingly, for a Monday lunchtime, the pub was heaving and we were told there would be a short wait, so we went to get a drink but before we were served, smoke started billowing out of the fireplace! The pub was very cold and the Landlord had obviously decided to light the fire to warm things up a bit, but the flues were blocked. The weirdest thing is that no-one moved, even when (after a long interval) the fire alarms started. We could see what was happening, but people further into the restaurant must have wondered where the smoke was coming from, but did nothing!
I must admit I prefer to eat smoked food rather than be smoked myself, but after a lot of flapping with papers, the smoke was blown away and we were told by our waitress that our wait would now be an hour or more as the alarms had shut down the kitchen! Luckily, as we finished our drinks and prepared to leave to try our luck elsewhere, things improved and we were able to go through and help ourselves to the salad bar, the only good thing about Harvester restaurants...
Our meal was not the best I've ever had. Three of us had starters (breaded mushrooms and crispy King Prawns) and then we all chose the turkey (why? I had to ask myself afterwards...) The turkey was OK, but the vegetables were obviously re-heated from frozen and the Brussels sprouts could have been used as ammunition. Plus there were about 100 on my plate as well as the same number of sliced carrots, two of my least favourite veg... The roast potatoes were an insult to potatoes and the stuffing looked like it had dropped out of the back of some large animal with a digestive problem...
By now the four of us were slowly going blue from the Arctic temperature and mum surreptitiously went over to feel a radiator. It was stone cold. We paid our bill and fled back to the warmth of Nan's flat.
The journey home took three hours. Everything was going OK until an accident stopped us in our tracks on the M1 near Luton (not us...someone else) and I arrived at the pub at 7.30pm just in time to take Keith home!
There was a lot going on at work this morning when we left - we were having some new carpet fitted, stainless steel splash boards installed in the kitchen and our handyman was cutting perspex sheets so it was great to escape and leave poor Dad to it. He told us later that there was a big mess so no doubt we'll have to tackle that tomorrow morning!
It took us two hours to get to Dartford which wasn't bad and after a quick coffee we left for the Harvester Restaurant in my uncle's car. It was lovely to not have to drive, even though it wasn't far! Amazingly, for a Monday lunchtime, the pub was heaving and we were told there would be a short wait, so we went to get a drink but before we were served, smoke started billowing out of the fireplace! The pub was very cold and the Landlord had obviously decided to light the fire to warm things up a bit, but the flues were blocked. The weirdest thing is that no-one moved, even when (after a long interval) the fire alarms started. We could see what was happening, but people further into the restaurant must have wondered where the smoke was coming from, but did nothing!
I must admit I prefer to eat smoked food rather than be smoked myself, but after a lot of flapping with papers, the smoke was blown away and we were told by our waitress that our wait would now be an hour or more as the alarms had shut down the kitchen! Luckily, as we finished our drinks and prepared to leave to try our luck elsewhere, things improved and we were able to go through and help ourselves to the salad bar, the only good thing about Harvester restaurants...
Our meal was not the best I've ever had. Three of us had starters (breaded mushrooms and crispy King Prawns) and then we all chose the turkey (why? I had to ask myself afterwards...) The turkey was OK, but the vegetables were obviously re-heated from frozen and the Brussels sprouts could have been used as ammunition. Plus there were about 100 on my plate as well as the same number of sliced carrots, two of my least favourite veg... The roast potatoes were an insult to potatoes and the stuffing looked like it had dropped out of the back of some large animal with a digestive problem...
By now the four of us were slowly going blue from the Arctic temperature and mum surreptitiously went over to feel a radiator. It was stone cold. We paid our bill and fled back to the warmth of Nan's flat.
The journey home took three hours. Everything was going OK until an accident stopped us in our tracks on the M1 near Luton (not us...someone else) and I arrived at the pub at 7.30pm just in time to take Keith home!
Sunday, 12 December 2010
A blur of fur!
This morning Keith and I were up early, enjoying a coffee in the quiet before the children awoke. I always go straight into the kitchen and before I've even reached for the keys to unlock the back door I can hear the cats miaowing as they can hear us moving about. Last night was a bit chilly again and they both shot through the door in a "blur of fur"! I leave the garage door open for them at night but they'd much rather be in the warm in the house than outside, I'm sure!
It's been a bit colder today but after a lovely sunny start, the sky turned to grey, lumpy clouds. We went for the papers and on the way home met our neighbour, Gill, who was out on her bike and looking a bit chilled. She told me that the "bus stop mums" meal on Friday was not very good so I was glad I didn't go. Our (other) local pub is obviously not doing a good job and the room they were in was freezing so I'm mightily glad I stayed at home curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine!
Mikey was at a Birthday party in the afternoon painting pots at a local Garden Centre. Mum and I went with him and planned on mooching about while he was creating. I had to buy some more tree lights as the ones I bought yesterday went wrong this morning when we unplugged them...oh well!
We wandered about and then made a quick trip to Boots to get Nan some perfume for her birthday tomorrow. On our return to the pot painting place Mikey was having a whale of a time with his goody bag contents which included an exploding ice-cream cornet. Less said about that the better!
OK - for Rick of Life101, photos of our trees...don't laugh at our new slimline tree. It's supposed to look like that! :)
Our silver/pink/lilac tree...
Our new skinny tree...
I'd love to have a real tree in the house but it's too warm, especially in the window where we have a radiator. I did put some lights on our real one by the front door to make up for the two artificial ones we have!
Merry Christmas!
It's been a bit colder today but after a lovely sunny start, the sky turned to grey, lumpy clouds. We went for the papers and on the way home met our neighbour, Gill, who was out on her bike and looking a bit chilled. She told me that the "bus stop mums" meal on Friday was not very good so I was glad I didn't go. Our (other) local pub is obviously not doing a good job and the room they were in was freezing so I'm mightily glad I stayed at home curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine!
Mikey was at a Birthday party in the afternoon painting pots at a local Garden Centre. Mum and I went with him and planned on mooching about while he was creating. I had to buy some more tree lights as the ones I bought yesterday went wrong this morning when we unplugged them...oh well!
We wandered about and then made a quick trip to Boots to get Nan some perfume for her birthday tomorrow. On our return to the pot painting place Mikey was having a whale of a time with his goody bag contents which included an exploding ice-cream cornet. Less said about that the better!
OK - for Rick of Life101, photos of our trees...don't laugh at our new slimline tree. It's supposed to look like that! :)
Our silver/pink/lilac tree...
Our new skinny tree...
 |
| I can see a gap - must get it filled! |
I'd love to have a real tree in the house but it's too warm, especially in the window where we have a radiator. I did put some lights on our real one by the front door to make up for the two artificial ones we have!
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, 11 December 2010
The hunt for the perfect pub, Part 2
After a very lazy start to the day (it was heaven!) we went to The Red Lion at Thornby for lunch. This was another contender for the perfect pub and we had fond memories of visiting it years ago when there used to be a huge Great Dane in residence.
Our first impressions weren't great as there was a lingering toilet smell as we walked in, but the inside of the pub hadn't changed much since we were last there: lots of low beams, brasses, pottery, vases of flowers and plants, a log fire (unlit) and some squashy leather chairs. Keith wasn't too happy with the beer selection, though, as there were no strong beers so this was a disappointment for him.
The man behind the bar was very friendly and took our order for food: sausages and mash, battered haddock, chicken risotto and steak and ale pie. The food was very good. Keith said his fish wasn't as good as our local but the chips were homemade and Mikey ate every scrap of his pie. I'm not sure Sophie was keen on her risotto (I did warn her about the spinach) but the meals were plentiful and well-cooked. Three of us found room for pud (I love having my main meal at lunchtime!) and I had a delicious coffee afterwards, something I can never do at night as it keeps me awake!
So is this the perfect pub? In a word, no. The beers were the one big drawback and the Landlord explained that they don't do strong beers as they are right on the main road through the village. At night I should imagine it would be very cosy with the log fire but I can't see us going back.
We dropped the boys off at home and Soph and I drove over to Tesco as Mikey is at a Birthday Party tomorrow and, of course, it was down to me to buy the present and card for his friend. I also needed cards for my Nan who will be 91 on Monday and I wanted to get another artificial tree for the living room. Tesco was manic as usual and we beat a hasty retreat to Focus where we managed to get a 6ft tree and some lights for under £20!
Back home at last, we decorated the new tree with my "Scandanavian" decorations, little wooden figures that I bought at a Christmas Market in Arras a couple of years ago. It all looked very pretty and I think we are finally done!
Our first impressions weren't great as there was a lingering toilet smell as we walked in, but the inside of the pub hadn't changed much since we were last there: lots of low beams, brasses, pottery, vases of flowers and plants, a log fire (unlit) and some squashy leather chairs. Keith wasn't too happy with the beer selection, though, as there were no strong beers so this was a disappointment for him.
The man behind the bar was very friendly and took our order for food: sausages and mash, battered haddock, chicken risotto and steak and ale pie. The food was very good. Keith said his fish wasn't as good as our local but the chips were homemade and Mikey ate every scrap of his pie. I'm not sure Sophie was keen on her risotto (I did warn her about the spinach) but the meals were plentiful and well-cooked. Three of us found room for pud (I love having my main meal at lunchtime!) and I had a delicious coffee afterwards, something I can never do at night as it keeps me awake!
So is this the perfect pub? In a word, no. The beers were the one big drawback and the Landlord explained that they don't do strong beers as they are right on the main road through the village. At night I should imagine it would be very cosy with the log fire but I can't see us going back.
We dropped the boys off at home and Soph and I drove over to Tesco as Mikey is at a Birthday Party tomorrow and, of course, it was down to me to buy the present and card for his friend. I also needed cards for my Nan who will be 91 on Monday and I wanted to get another artificial tree for the living room. Tesco was manic as usual and we beat a hasty retreat to Focus where we managed to get a 6ft tree and some lights for under £20!
Back home at last, we decorated the new tree with my "Scandanavian" decorations, little wooden figures that I bought at a Christmas Market in Arras a couple of years ago. It all looked very pretty and I think we are finally done!
Friday, 10 December 2010
Presents en masse...
We have a couple of Christmas parties this year at work so mum and I played Santa today and bought lots of presents. It's no easy task and I don't envy Father Christmas at all! Our age range was babies to about 4 years and a lot of gifts weren't suitable for the under 3s because of the choking hazard so it makes it doubly difficult to buy something appropriate for their age, that's within budget and is in stock! Luckily we managed it fairly easily today as little books are always a great present and are totally safe and educational too!
The weather has been grey and dismal today - how I prefer the bright blue skies and frozen trees so maybe I'm not fed up with the cold after all! It reached the dizzy heights of 9 degrees so the layers were peeled off and the dirty car was finally put through the carwash, along with a lot of others!
The weather has been grey and dismal today - how I prefer the bright blue skies and frozen trees so maybe I'm not fed up with the cold after all! It reached the dizzy heights of 9 degrees so the layers were peeled off and the dirty car was finally put through the carwash, along with a lot of others!
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Stressed? Me?
I think I'm officially fed up with the cold now. Today was a touch milder but still chilly, despite the sun that shone for most of the day. Mum and I went back to Milton Keynes at lunchtime (perhaps not the best time to go!) and we planned on collecting the hamper and then maybe grabbing some lunch, but I couldn't get parked and the pick up point outside M&S was like a rugby scrum! Hugely stressful!!!
We turned tail and went back to Northampton lamenting how busy everything was and it's only the 9th! Imagine what things would be like in the week before Christmas! Huh!
I was at work until late as Sophie was working so I busied myself with lots of important things (sending out Christmas cards) and the time flew by. I wanted to get the car washed on the way home as it's now way past just dirty but it was late and I couldn't be bothered to stop at the garage and put it through the carwash. I saw one car today that was so filthy the number plate was obscured. Isn't that illegal? If I do see any clean cars they stick out like sore thumbs and look a bit weird!
We turned tail and went back to Northampton lamenting how busy everything was and it's only the 9th! Imagine what things would be like in the week before Christmas! Huh!
I was at work until late as Sophie was working so I busied myself with lots of important things (sending out Christmas cards) and the time flew by. I wanted to get the car washed on the way home as it's now way past just dirty but it was late and I couldn't be bothered to stop at the garage and put it through the carwash. I saw one car today that was so filthy the number plate was obscured. Isn't that illegal? If I do see any clean cars they stick out like sore thumbs and look a bit weird!
Late night shopping
Yesterday, after work, Mum, Soph and I went late night shopping in Milton Keynes. It was heavenly as the place was almost deserted and we were able to wander around and browse without being constantly pushed and shoved by other shoppers. I have done very little shopping online this Christmas and it was great to get things I wanted there and then rather than having to wait. I would avoid Milton Keynes like the plague at the weekends at this time of year but having the shops open until 9pm was wonderful!
Sophie bought lots of little presents for her friends and Mum and I went and chose a hamper for Nan in M&S. As it was quite late they were unable to make it up for us before they closed so we'll need to go back on Thursday to collect it. Another opportunity for a shop!
We were undecided as to where to eat. I was tempted by Cafe Rouge but the only dish Soph fancied had garlic in it and she refuses to eat garlic in the week in case she reeks of it at school the next day! We had a look at Wagamama's but were put off by the seating so we ended up at Giraffe which was almost empty. We had a very pleasant meal, served by a friendly waiter and then ambled off back to the car, stopping to browse a bit more in John Lewis on the way!
Sophie bought lots of little presents for her friends and Mum and I went and chose a hamper for Nan in M&S. As it was quite late they were unable to make it up for us before they closed so we'll need to go back on Thursday to collect it. Another opportunity for a shop!
We were undecided as to where to eat. I was tempted by Cafe Rouge but the only dish Soph fancied had garlic in it and she refuses to eat garlic in the week in case she reeks of it at school the next day! We had a look at Wagamama's but were put off by the seating so we ended up at Giraffe which was almost empty. We had a very pleasant meal, served by a friendly waiter and then ambled off back to the car, stopping to browse a bit more in John Lewis on the way!
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