We haven't been to the gym for ages, mainly because of the nice weather, but as today has been drizzly and grey, it was the perfect time to head back and get into our routine.
Sophie was at home all day and by 4pm she was mightily bored. We were supposed to have gone down to see the little Honda Jazz today but the saleswoman never phoned us, so it looks like the car has either been sold or is no longer available. Back to the drawing board!
I drove home, picked her up and we headed back down to Riverside. We both did the treadmill and the bike and Sophie went onto the cross-trainer for a while. By the time we headed back to the changing rooms, we were both very sweaty indeed!
We managed a quick swim and then it was off to relax in the spa. Bliss!
Monday, 15 September 2014
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Changing times...
Today I awoke early and caught up with some of my recorded programmes, including Great British Bake Off...not a good thing to watch before breakfast as it made me extremely hungry!
While Keith went off for a walk, I gave the conservatory, both inside and outside, a good clean. I actually had to hoover the windowsills as they were covered in tiny little brown flakes of something that were everywhere. I hoovered them all up and then washed everything down and when I finished I was very pleased I'd done it, although they will all be back by the end of the week, I'm sure!
In the afternoon Mum, Sophie and I went off to Beckworth Emporium for a cup of tea and to have a mooch about. I wasn't really in the mood to buy plants but I chose a tray of black and orange pansies which will look good in the hanging basket at the front of the house. Beckworth are advertising for seasonal jobs at the moment and I'm trying to persuade Sophie to apply for a job, but she is strongly resisting... She has no idea what she wants to do and at the moment a lot of her friends are heading off to University. I understand it's a worrying time for her, with a lot of changes happening, but she needs to earn money, and if we do sell the business, then she won't be able to rely on working for us!
While Keith went off for a walk, I gave the conservatory, both inside and outside, a good clean. I actually had to hoover the windowsills as they were covered in tiny little brown flakes of something that were everywhere. I hoovered them all up and then washed everything down and when I finished I was very pleased I'd done it, although they will all be back by the end of the week, I'm sure!
In the afternoon Mum, Sophie and I went off to Beckworth Emporium for a cup of tea and to have a mooch about. I wasn't really in the mood to buy plants but I chose a tray of black and orange pansies which will look good in the hanging basket at the front of the house. Beckworth are advertising for seasonal jobs at the moment and I'm trying to persuade Sophie to apply for a job, but she is strongly resisting... She has no idea what she wants to do and at the moment a lot of her friends are heading off to University. I understand it's a worrying time for her, with a lot of changes happening, but she needs to earn money, and if we do sell the business, then she won't be able to rely on working for us!
Saturday, 13 September 2014
New car?
Yesterday, on the way to the gym to sort out Sophie's membership, we called into the Vauxhall dealership on Riverside to take a letter in for Mum and Dad who have recently swapped their big Ford Mondeo for a zippy Astra.
While we were there, we had a quick look around the forecourt as the plan to buy a car for Keith and Sophie to share is quickly becoming a reality. The salesman we'd given the letter to followed us out and asked if he could help. Sophie was adamant she didn't want a Corsa so I enquired if there was anything smaller, which there was - the Vauxhall Adam.
Now, I wasn't keen on the name at all but the car looked very good, a bit like the Fiat 500. Sophie sat in it and the salesman tried to pin us down to make an appointment for Saturday but I refused, knowing Keith would not be very happy!
Anyway, I did a bit of research on the Adam and the reviews weren't that glowing. Before we left to go and look for cars I typed in "Top Ten Most Reliable Cars" and the Honda Jazz came out on top, as well as appearing in the Best Used Car list.
I treated Sophie to a McDonald's breakfast and then we went straight to the Honda dealership to see what they had to offer. All that was suitable was a "56" plate that none of us were really keen on. Of course, as we were walking around, a saleswoman approached us and we chatted about what we were looking for. She took us into the showroom and we all sat in a brand new Jazz, that was surprisingly roomy!
When we followed her to her desk, she had details of a car coming in that was four years old and had only around 21,000 miles on the clock. It looked very promising so Keith decided to put a small, refundable, deposit down on it and we would come down again on Monday to have a test drive to see whether it was for us. To be honest, the whole procedure was quite straightforward, although she did try to sell us an extended warranty and paint protection that Keith said he did not want! The good thing was that Sophie liked the car so no arguments there then!
In the afternoon I washed my car and tidied up the front garden which was a bit overgrown and messy. The grass had this annoying habit of growing while we were away!
While we were there, we had a quick look around the forecourt as the plan to buy a car for Keith and Sophie to share is quickly becoming a reality. The salesman we'd given the letter to followed us out and asked if he could help. Sophie was adamant she didn't want a Corsa so I enquired if there was anything smaller, which there was - the Vauxhall Adam.
Now, I wasn't keen on the name at all but the car looked very good, a bit like the Fiat 500. Sophie sat in it and the salesman tried to pin us down to make an appointment for Saturday but I refused, knowing Keith would not be very happy!
Anyway, I did a bit of research on the Adam and the reviews weren't that glowing. Before we left to go and look for cars I typed in "Top Ten Most Reliable Cars" and the Honda Jazz came out on top, as well as appearing in the Best Used Car list.
I treated Sophie to a McDonald's breakfast and then we went straight to the Honda dealership to see what they had to offer. All that was suitable was a "56" plate that none of us were really keen on. Of course, as we were walking around, a saleswoman approached us and we chatted about what we were looking for. She took us into the showroom and we all sat in a brand new Jazz, that was surprisingly roomy!
When we followed her to her desk, she had details of a car coming in that was four years old and had only around 21,000 miles on the clock. It looked very promising so Keith decided to put a small, refundable, deposit down on it and we would come down again on Monday to have a test drive to see whether it was for us. To be honest, the whole procedure was quite straightforward, although she did try to sell us an extended warranty and paint protection that Keith said he did not want! The good thing was that Sophie liked the car so no arguments there then!
In the afternoon I washed my car and tidied up the front garden which was a bit overgrown and messy. The grass had this annoying habit of growing while we were away!
Friday, 12 September 2014
Quiet days...
Thursday and Friday have been busy days for me at work but as the weather has been fine and dry, we haven't been busy with customers at all. On Thursday evening, Keith and I sat in the conservatory and played a few games of cards, something we haven't done for a long while. I've noticed the evenings are certainly drawing in now and by 8pm it's dark. I hate having to put lamps on in the evening but there's not a lot I can do about it!
On Friday, Sophie came into work with us as I was hoping we would be busy enough to need her over lunchtime. However, we were still quiet so we went over to the bank and then popped down to the gym to try and sort out her membership as her monthly Direct Debit hadn't been taken out of my account. To add to the mystery, Virgin said that the money had been paid and everything was OK, so I have no idea where the money has gone! It certainly hasn't been debited from my account!
We really need to get back into our gym routine, but while the weather stays sunny and dry it makes more sense to go for an hour's walk over the fields, which we did after we got home from work. Walking up the steep hill certainly gets the blood going!
At 7pm I took Mikey to a party in Moulton and then we whiled away the evening by watching Desperate Housewives. We're up to Season Four now and both Sophie and I are finding it quite addictive!
On Friday, Sophie came into work with us as I was hoping we would be busy enough to need her over lunchtime. However, we were still quiet so we went over to the bank and then popped down to the gym to try and sort out her membership as her monthly Direct Debit hadn't been taken out of my account. To add to the mystery, Virgin said that the money had been paid and everything was OK, so I have no idea where the money has gone! It certainly hasn't been debited from my account!
We really need to get back into our gym routine, but while the weather stays sunny and dry it makes more sense to go for an hour's walk over the fields, which we did after we got home from work. Walking up the steep hill certainly gets the blood going!
At 7pm I took Mikey to a party in Moulton and then we whiled away the evening by watching Desperate Housewives. We're up to Season Four now and both Sophie and I are finding it quite addictive!
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Who ate all the pies?
I had a busy day at work today, wading through mounds of paperwork and catching up with all the things that had happened while I was on holiday. It was great, therefore, to go out for a walk over the fields and then have a lovely soak in the bath before we all went out in the evening to the local pub.
We'd arranged to meet my parents in the pub for a meal but we arrived a little early and had a drink while sitting in the window seats. I ordered a bottle of Chenin Blanc as I knew Mum would want a glass of wine and I'm sure it worked out cheaper by doing it like that!
Tonight was Pie Night in the pub and they had three different variations on offer - chicken with stuffing, steak and ale, and a veggie choice, that I can't remember! Keith and the children all went for the steak and ale pie while Mum and I went for the Hunter's Chicken and Dad chose the Calves Liver. The pies came with veggies and mashed potatoes or chips and a pint of beer, a small glass of wine or a soft drink, which for £9.95 was good value.
All the meals were delicious but the pies did look a bit on the small side and my two couldn't wait to choose a dessert to finish their meal...American portions they were not! We had a lovely evening chatting about our holiday and I don't know why we don't meet up there more often. It's great as we can all walk so we don't have to worry about driving home after a couple of drinks and the pub is very friendly. The perfct local!
We'd arranged to meet my parents in the pub for a meal but we arrived a little early and had a drink while sitting in the window seats. I ordered a bottle of Chenin Blanc as I knew Mum would want a glass of wine and I'm sure it worked out cheaper by doing it like that!
Tonight was Pie Night in the pub and they had three different variations on offer - chicken with stuffing, steak and ale, and a veggie choice, that I can't remember! Keith and the children all went for the steak and ale pie while Mum and I went for the Hunter's Chicken and Dad chose the Calves Liver. The pies came with veggies and mashed potatoes or chips and a pint of beer, a small glass of wine or a soft drink, which for £9.95 was good value.
All the meals were delicious but the pies did look a bit on the small side and my two couldn't wait to choose a dessert to finish their meal...American portions they were not! We had a lovely evening chatting about our holiday and I don't know why we don't meet up there more often. It's great as we can all walk so we don't have to worry about driving home after a couple of drinks and the pub is very friendly. The perfct local!
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Tackling the mess!
It's been another beautiful day today! It certainly makes it easier coming home from holidays when the weather is this gorgeous!
After work I decided to get out into the fresh air and sort out the mess in our gravel garden. There were dead leaves everywhere and a huge toadstool type fungus that looked positively evil growing by the conservatory doors!
Sophie came out with me but soon grew bored so she went back in and sent Keith out, much to his annoyance! I said I was fine on my own but he went and fetched the secateurs and cut back two Alpines that had become really overgrown. There was a lot of dead stuff underneath the new growth so hopefully they'll come back looking a lot healthier...either that or they'll perish!
After work I decided to get out into the fresh air and sort out the mess in our gravel garden. There were dead leaves everywhere and a huge toadstool type fungus that looked positively evil growing by the conservatory doors!
Sophie came out with me but soon grew bored so she went back in and sent Keith out, much to his annoyance! I said I was fine on my own but he went and fetched the secateurs and cut back two Alpines that had become really overgrown. There was a lot of dead stuff underneath the new growth so hopefully they'll come back looking a lot healthier...either that or they'll perish!
Monday, 8 September 2014
Back to work!
I am failing miserably when it comes to my Bucket List for 2014...
1. Visit Boughton House near Kettering.
2. Watch Mad Men from the very beginning
3. Go somewhere I haven't been before, once a month, right up until December. The Florida Keys!
4. Write a story!
5. Grow a vegetable from seed. My spring onions are looking a bit sorry for themselves...
6. Go fishing We were planning to do this on Anna Maria Island but never managed it. This will be a definite fail!
7. Cook something different, once a month, right up until December. Not managed in August...
8. Try my hand at making my own wine.
Going back to work today wasn't too bad. It helped that the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day, giving me an excuse to go out into the car park and do some litter picking!
After work Sophie, Keith and I went for a walk over the fields. It was too nice a day to go to the gym!
1. Visit Boughton House near Kettering.
2. Watch Mad Men from the very beginning
3. Go somewhere I haven't been before, once a month, right up until December. The Florida Keys!
4. Write a story!
5. Grow a vegetable from seed. My spring onions are looking a bit sorry for themselves...
6. Go fishing We were planning to do this on Anna Maria Island but never managed it. This will be a definite fail!
7. Cook something different, once a month, right up until December. Not managed in August...
8. Try my hand at making my own wine.
Going back to work today wasn't too bad. It helped that the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day, giving me an excuse to go out into the car park and do some litter picking!
After work Sophie, Keith and I went for a walk over the fields. It was too nice a day to go to the gym!
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