Sophie took today off work so we went shopping to Market Harborough, somewhere we haven't been for ages!
It was a dismal, overcast day and I managed to park in the street near Duncan's shop. I didn't go in as with all the expense lately I couldn't really justify having a wine spending spree, so we slunk away and Sophie bought a pair of trousers in New Look. We also managed a milk shake in Caffe Nero before renting two DVDs for the weekend.
I have to say the first film we watched, Trespass, starring Nicholas Cage and Nicole Kidman was absolute pants! I cannot recommend it!
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Friday, 6 April 2012
Old haunts revisited...
After all the excitement of yesterday we had a very lazy start to the day but chores were beckoning. Keith and I had to go to Tesco to do our weekly food shop and it was not a pleasant experience! Because it's Easter and a Bank Holiday weekend the world and his wife were out shopping so it was a bit stressful and I said to the checkout girl that I'd rather poke pins in my eyes than come shopping on a Saturday. If I had my way I'd have it all delivered to my door!
Anyway, the afternoon was more relaxed and in the evening Keith and I went off to The Vane Arms at Sudborough for a drink. This pub used to be the Real Ale pub to go to in Northamptonshire but since we've been customers it's gone through several Landlords and its fortunes have fallen and risen. Luckily it's back on its feet again and we were very impressed indeed with how it had been refurbished by the current Landlord whose father used to run the Royal Oak in Walgrave. It was spotlessly clean with beautiful old quarry tiles on the floors, lots of exposed stone and wood and some very nice touches. They had managed to modernise the pub without losing its character and although we only stayed for one drink (and said hello to Trevor who used to run our local) I have a feeling we'll be back for a meal very soon.
Our next stop was The Snooty Fox at Lowick, again another pub that we have been visiting for years with some very happy memories of dinners there with friends. Well, it was a very strange experience indeed! We walked in to find a family sitting in the lounge area with a baby screaming its head off and then a couple came in with a dog who then proceeded to have a fight with another dog and a lot of barking and growling ensued, which with the screaming baby, made Keith order just a half of Guinness as the beer was, to put it mildly, crap! I felt like I'd walked in on a private house party, to be honest, as the clientele were...how to put it...very posh indeed and all seemed to know each other. The staff were all Italian and they kept trying to persuade Keith and I to sit in the lounge which had no chairs or sofas whatsoever, just a vast stoneflagged floor and two enormous fireplaces. We kept saying no as we couldn't get our drinks down fast enough and get out of there!
It was such a shame as this "pub" used to be very welcoming with a good choice of beers, a delicious menu and a varied clientele, but now I felt it had been taken over by the beautiful people of Lowick (which I suppose is only right seeing as it's their pub) and had been turned into a restaurant. It's one we won't go back to in a hurry, but with all pubs, they can change very quickly and I have a feeling that it has changed hands since we were last there a couple of years ago.
Our third and final stop was The Samuel Pepys at Slipton which was lovely, and just right! The pub was pleasantly busy with very friendly staff and a great atmosphere and a varied beer choice although Keith said he would have liked to see a stronger beer on offer. Delicious smells were wafting about and it was making us very hungry. A good job we'd ordered a Chinese takeway to be delivered when we got home!
Anyway, the afternoon was more relaxed and in the evening Keith and I went off to The Vane Arms at Sudborough for a drink. This pub used to be the Real Ale pub to go to in Northamptonshire but since we've been customers it's gone through several Landlords and its fortunes have fallen and risen. Luckily it's back on its feet again and we were very impressed indeed with how it had been refurbished by the current Landlord whose father used to run the Royal Oak in Walgrave. It was spotlessly clean with beautiful old quarry tiles on the floors, lots of exposed stone and wood and some very nice touches. They had managed to modernise the pub without losing its character and although we only stayed for one drink (and said hello to Trevor who used to run our local) I have a feeling we'll be back for a meal very soon.
Our next stop was The Snooty Fox at Lowick, again another pub that we have been visiting for years with some very happy memories of dinners there with friends. Well, it was a very strange experience indeed! We walked in to find a family sitting in the lounge area with a baby screaming its head off and then a couple came in with a dog who then proceeded to have a fight with another dog and a lot of barking and growling ensued, which with the screaming baby, made Keith order just a half of Guinness as the beer was, to put it mildly, crap! I felt like I'd walked in on a private house party, to be honest, as the clientele were...how to put it...very posh indeed and all seemed to know each other. The staff were all Italian and they kept trying to persuade Keith and I to sit in the lounge which had no chairs or sofas whatsoever, just a vast stoneflagged floor and two enormous fireplaces. We kept saying no as we couldn't get our drinks down fast enough and get out of there!
It was such a shame as this "pub" used to be very welcoming with a good choice of beers, a delicious menu and a varied clientele, but now I felt it had been taken over by the beautiful people of Lowick (which I suppose is only right seeing as it's their pub) and had been turned into a restaurant. It's one we won't go back to in a hurry, but with all pubs, they can change very quickly and I have a feeling that it has changed hands since we were last there a couple of years ago.
Our third and final stop was The Samuel Pepys at Slipton which was lovely, and just right! The pub was pleasantly busy with very friendly staff and a great atmosphere and a varied beer choice although Keith said he would have liked to see a stronger beer on offer. Delicious smells were wafting about and it was making us very hungry. A good job we'd ordered a Chinese takeway to be delivered when we got home!
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Sweet 16!
Well, today has been great - very enjoyable despite it being a long day. We didn't get home until 1am!
We had a nice relaxed start to the day and then Mum and Dad came around after opening up at work and Sophie opened her cards and presents. She was ecstatic when she opened her Tiffany's necklace that Mum and Dad bought her when they were in New York. My daughter is one very lucky girl!
The plan was to all leave together and head off to the O2 in Greenwich where we would leave the cars as I'd booked tickets to see Titanic in 3D in the evening. We would then get a tube into London to have lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe. Mum and Dad opted to go down the M1 and around the highway to hell while the four of us sped down the A14 and the M11 thus avoiding the almost continuous roadworks that blight our motorways at the moment.
The four of us arrived first and headed into the O2 to use their facilities and to have a coffee at a Starbucks. Mum and Dad arrived about half an hour after us and then we took the Underground to Hyde Park Corner. We had talked about taking one of the Thames Clippers that travel up and down the river but time was tight and it was a windy and very chilly day so we opted for the warmth of the Tube instead!
I love using the Underground but I always forget about how much walking is involved and I was a bit worried about poor Keith and his hip, but he was OK (or he said he was) and within an hour we were queueing at The Hard Rock Cafe where we were told the wait would be about an hour.
The place was packed - what eaterie isn't at the moment? - and we headed off to the downstairs bar for a drink before we were able to have lunch. We were given a little buzzer that was supposed to vibrate when our table was ready but the bloomin thing kept barking at me and emitting a high pitched beep! Very annoying!
Keith bought the drinks for the four of us (thankfully mum and dad said they would buy their own) and I think it's the most expensive round we have ever had - £18.80 for a glass of wine, a pint of lager and two cokes!
We didn't have to wait long and within 15 minutes we were seated and studying the menu. Although the waitress warned us that the main courses were large, we still went for two sharing platters of chicken wings and nachos and mum and dad had garlic bread each. These were swiftly demolished and our very delicious mains arrived. Five of us had burgers while Keith chose the full rack of ribs which were very meaty indeed! He struggled, I can tell you!
The food was very good, I have to say, and our waitress was lovely. There was a great, very noisy, atmosphere with rock music blaring out and the loud hum of conversation. Most of the diners were obviously tourists like us, but Mum gasped when a couple were seated behind us and recognised Raef Bjayou from The Apprentice. I vaguely recognised him but a couple of girls certainly knew who he was and went up to him, asking for photos and autographs.
I'd told the waitress it was Sophie's 16th Birthday and she brought out her dessert with a candle and made her stand on the chair while everyone sang Happy Birthday! Very good but a tad embarrassing for Sophie!
It was a great lunch and Sophie thoroughly enjoyed herself. It's a great restaurant but I think we all secretly wished we were eating at the Universal branch!
After eating we paid a quick visit to the shop and then took the tube to Picadilly Circus as Sophie wanted to see the "Times Square of London". Mum and Dad politely said that no, it wasn't at all like Times Square so we decided to head back to the O2 in plenty of time to see Titanic in 3D.
As it was rush hour the trains were pretty crowded and we were all packed in like sardines. No way could I do that every day!
The O2 was pleasantly quiet so we called into The Slug and Lettuce pub and had a couple of rounds of drinks before the film started. As we hadn't got reserved seats I started to panic that we wouldn't be able to sit together but I needn't have worried as the screening took place in the Sky Super Screen and it was huge...and only half full when we arrived.
The four of us had a short sharp argument as to where to sit (I love reserved seats!) but soon we were all settled and we enjoyed the film very much. The 3D made everything very sharp and clear and the actors seemed to loom out of the screen at us. Keith and Dad said they'd be asleep within half an hour but there was too much going on and we were all riveted. The film is a long one - about three hours - so we didn't emerge until 11pm and it was 1am by the time we were all at home, very tired but glad to have had such an enjoyable day!
We had a nice relaxed start to the day and then Mum and Dad came around after opening up at work and Sophie opened her cards and presents. She was ecstatic when she opened her Tiffany's necklace that Mum and Dad bought her when they were in New York. My daughter is one very lucky girl!
The plan was to all leave together and head off to the O2 in Greenwich where we would leave the cars as I'd booked tickets to see Titanic in 3D in the evening. We would then get a tube into London to have lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe. Mum and Dad opted to go down the M1 and around the highway to hell while the four of us sped down the A14 and the M11 thus avoiding the almost continuous roadworks that blight our motorways at the moment.
The four of us arrived first and headed into the O2 to use their facilities and to have a coffee at a Starbucks. Mum and Dad arrived about half an hour after us and then we took the Underground to Hyde Park Corner. We had talked about taking one of the Thames Clippers that travel up and down the river but time was tight and it was a windy and very chilly day so we opted for the warmth of the Tube instead!
I love using the Underground but I always forget about how much walking is involved and I was a bit worried about poor Keith and his hip, but he was OK (or he said he was) and within an hour we were queueing at The Hard Rock Cafe where we were told the wait would be about an hour.
The place was packed - what eaterie isn't at the moment? - and we headed off to the downstairs bar for a drink before we were able to have lunch. We were given a little buzzer that was supposed to vibrate when our table was ready but the bloomin thing kept barking at me and emitting a high pitched beep! Very annoying!
Keith bought the drinks for the four of us (thankfully mum and dad said they would buy their own) and I think it's the most expensive round we have ever had - £18.80 for a glass of wine, a pint of lager and two cokes!
We didn't have to wait long and within 15 minutes we were seated and studying the menu. Although the waitress warned us that the main courses were large, we still went for two sharing platters of chicken wings and nachos and mum and dad had garlic bread each. These were swiftly demolished and our very delicious mains arrived. Five of us had burgers while Keith chose the full rack of ribs which were very meaty indeed! He struggled, I can tell you!
The food was very good, I have to say, and our waitress was lovely. There was a great, very noisy, atmosphere with rock music blaring out and the loud hum of conversation. Most of the diners were obviously tourists like us, but Mum gasped when a couple were seated behind us and recognised Raef Bjayou from The Apprentice. I vaguely recognised him but a couple of girls certainly knew who he was and went up to him, asking for photos and autographs.
I'd told the waitress it was Sophie's 16th Birthday and she brought out her dessert with a candle and made her stand on the chair while everyone sang Happy Birthday! Very good but a tad embarrassing for Sophie!
It was a great lunch and Sophie thoroughly enjoyed herself. It's a great restaurant but I think we all secretly wished we were eating at the Universal branch!
After eating we paid a quick visit to the shop and then took the tube to Picadilly Circus as Sophie wanted to see the "Times Square of London". Mum and Dad politely said that no, it wasn't at all like Times Square so we decided to head back to the O2 in plenty of time to see Titanic in 3D.
As it was rush hour the trains were pretty crowded and we were all packed in like sardines. No way could I do that every day!
The O2 was pleasantly quiet so we called into The Slug and Lettuce pub and had a couple of rounds of drinks before the film started. As we hadn't got reserved seats I started to panic that we wouldn't be able to sit together but I needn't have worried as the screening took place in the Sky Super Screen and it was huge...and only half full when we arrived.
The four of us had a short sharp argument as to where to sit (I love reserved seats!) but soon we were all settled and we enjoyed the film very much. The 3D made everything very sharp and clear and the actors seemed to loom out of the screen at us. Keith and Dad said they'd be asleep within half an hour but there was too much going on and we were all riveted. The film is a long one - about three hours - so we didn't emerge until 11pm and it was 1am by the time we were all at home, very tired but glad to have had such an enjoyable day!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
The return of winter...
Today has been horrible - it's rained all day and it's been cold as well. Where has the lovely weather gone?!
Because of the rain we were very busy at work and we all helped out - washing up, clearing tables and supervising the children on the frame, some of whom were being very naughty. It really is my idea of hell, to be honest, with hundreds of kids running around and screaming and generally causing mayhem!
I went to pick up Sophie's ice-cream cake and then we headed home at about 4.30pm relieved to think that the next few days were earmarked as a holiday!
Because of the rain we were very busy at work and we all helped out - washing up, clearing tables and supervising the children on the frame, some of whom were being very naughty. It really is my idea of hell, to be honest, with hundreds of kids running around and screaming and generally causing mayhem!
I went to pick up Sophie's ice-cream cake and then we headed home at about 4.30pm relieved to think that the next few days were earmarked as a holiday!
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
The rain comes...
Today we were busier at work which is a relief. We have a big VAT bill due next week so we need every penny we can get to pay that! It looks like the weather is on the turn with wintry showers forecast for tomorrow. Hard to believe last week it was like summer here!
It was lovely to get home and listen to the rain falling on the roof of the conservatory. The garden is badly in need of a good drink and it looks like we've definitely lost one of our big shrubs in the gravel garden that was really beautiful with dark green glossy leaves and little white flowers. Perhaps at the weekend Keith and I will cut it right down and see if there's any life left. If not, it'll be a trip to the garden centre for another one!
It was lovely to get home and listen to the rain falling on the roof of the conservatory. The garden is badly in need of a good drink and it looks like we've definitely lost one of our big shrubs in the gravel garden that was really beautiful with dark green glossy leaves and little white flowers. Perhaps at the weekend Keith and I will cut it right down and see if there's any life left. If not, it'll be a trip to the garden centre for another one!
Monday, 2 April 2012
Happy Monday!
Monday has been a good day, if I may say so! We weren't very busy at work but then we didn't really expect it as the sun was shining and we're normally closed on Mondays. Sophie came in to help out and I booked a Birthday treat for her on Thursday...I'm hoping this Birthday will be a memorable one!
We left work at a reasonable time and I gave my car a lovely soapy wash at home. I know it's forecast to rain within the next few days but it was very dusty after all the dry weather we've had.
As Dave is still not very well, Keith and I went out for a drink in the evening on our own. It was great! We called into the Three Cranes in the village of Great Cransley but it was closed so we ended up back at The Hare in Loddington and, again, we had a very pleasant couple of hours chatting over drinks.
When we got home Sophie has started the dinner for us...I could get used to this!
We left work at a reasonable time and I gave my car a lovely soapy wash at home. I know it's forecast to rain within the next few days but it was very dusty after all the dry weather we've had.
As Dave is still not very well, Keith and I went out for a drink in the evening on our own. It was great! We called into the Three Cranes in the village of Great Cransley but it was closed so we ended up back at The Hare in Loddington and, again, we had a very pleasant couple of hours chatting over drinks.
When we got home Sophie has started the dinner for us...I could get used to this!
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Shopping!
This morning Mum, Soph and me went off to Milton Keynes to do some shopping as it's a certain someone's 16th Birthday next Thursday. We had a bite to eat in Caffe Italia and then went into Schuh to buy Sophie some Vans shoes.
I'd never heard of Vans shoes until Sophie said she wanted them for her birthday and to me they looked like normal sandshoes, but with a hefty price tag! She picked the ones she wanted but they weren't in stock, so the assistant brought her another to try on to make sure the size was right and said we could order the pair she wanted and they would pay the delivery to our home.
Well, I was impressed! The shop was heaving with people and the sales assistants were extremely friendly and efficient. By the time I'd got to the till, the order was there, it was checked with me to make sure they were the correct shoes and as I write (on Monday) they've been delivered! What excellent service! I've had emails and texts to say the shoes were on their way and I just wish all shops were like this! Expensive they may have been but with service like that I don't mind!
After shoe shopping we popped into M&S to try on bras (a bit stressful) and then we had a cup of coffee and a bar of chocolate as a treat. Keith had been phoning me on my mobile as Mikey had gone off to the village to see one of his friends and he couldn't get hold of him so we were both a bit worried. This had come after a fairly fraught morning when we'd discovered that Mikey had somehow bored a hole in his bedroom wall and we'd understandably been a mite angry with him. I don't know...boys! Luckily I managed to get him on his mobile so it was all OK and we had a cup of coffee to celebrate!
We left Milton Keynes at about 3pm and headed home in the lovely sunshine. The forecast rain had never happened and it had turned out to be very warm indeed. Did I say that the heatwave was over?!
I'd never heard of Vans shoes until Sophie said she wanted them for her birthday and to me they looked like normal sandshoes, but with a hefty price tag! She picked the ones she wanted but they weren't in stock, so the assistant brought her another to try on to make sure the size was right and said we could order the pair she wanted and they would pay the delivery to our home.
Well, I was impressed! The shop was heaving with people and the sales assistants were extremely friendly and efficient. By the time I'd got to the till, the order was there, it was checked with me to make sure they were the correct shoes and as I write (on Monday) they've been delivered! What excellent service! I've had emails and texts to say the shoes were on their way and I just wish all shops were like this! Expensive they may have been but with service like that I don't mind!
After shoe shopping we popped into M&S to try on bras (a bit stressful) and then we had a cup of coffee and a bar of chocolate as a treat. Keith had been phoning me on my mobile as Mikey had gone off to the village to see one of his friends and he couldn't get hold of him so we were both a bit worried. This had come after a fairly fraught morning when we'd discovered that Mikey had somehow bored a hole in his bedroom wall and we'd understandably been a mite angry with him. I don't know...boys! Luckily I managed to get him on his mobile so it was all OK and we had a cup of coffee to celebrate!
We left Milton Keynes at about 3pm and headed home in the lovely sunshine. The forecast rain had never happened and it had turned out to be very warm indeed. Did I say that the heatwave was over?!
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