We awoke to another gorgeous day and decided to go for a walk after dropping Sophie off at work. We walked into the village and then down the stony track to the Nature reserve. Apart from birdsong and the occasional drone of a plane, it was beautifully quiet.
Rather than walk the perimeter of the reserve we took a grassy path that led inwards to the reservoir and sat on a little bench to enjoy a drink and a biscuit. Here, it was so serene and I could have sat all day just listening to the calls of the birds and the rustle of the wind through the tall firs.
However, time was getting on so we carried on until we reached our normal walk and headed home.
Back home we'd just had lunch and was sitting relaxing when the phone rang and it was Sophie wanting to be picked up from work. By now, it was too late to go anywhere for a cup of tea so we came home and I pottered about in the garden until it was time to collect Mike from Brixworth.
I broke my non-drinking period tonight and enjoyed a glass or two of red wine with our chicken en croute! Delicious!
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Taming the garden!
Keith and I both awoke at 6am this morning and after a couple of hours spent drinking coffee and watching Downton Abbey (my latest craze, albeit very late!) we set to work in the garden.
We started at the far end of our gravel garden and I raked up lots of dead leaves that had gathered around several plants and along the wall. Slasher Keith attacked the ivy and a couple of other bushes that had grown madly and left all the mess for me to clear up, not an easy task when the ground was gravelly!
We worked our way towards the conservatory doors and I was horrified to see how dirty the windowsills and windows were. I can't remember the last time we gave the conservatory a good clean!
I ended up picking up cut down leaves by hand as Slasher Keith carried on his destruction into the main garden, hacking away at the overhanging trees and bushes and then decimating the ivy in the side borders.
I disturbed Monty's peaceful snooze by getting the hoover and vacuuming up all the cobwebs and tiny leaves that had settled on the conservatory windowsills. This is a far more effective method of cleaning that trying to wipe them all away!
Keith had a break when he drove Mike over to Brixworth but I carried on cleaning up the mess and managed to damage one of my nails in the process, which was very painful!
By lunchtime the garden was looking so much better and I mowed the lawn and carried on cleaning the conservatory while a sleepy Sophie appeared, took one look at us working hard and went to have another lie-down!
We both finally finished at about 4pm and I went to have a sit in the "lurrve" seat in the gravel garden with Monty who kept miaowing at me, but when I picked him up, wanted to get down...bloomin' cat!
With all the bushes and trees in their summer finery, it was very peaceful and secluded down there and I really think we should try and sit down there more often this summer.
Keith and I managed to relax for a while before we had a bath and went to pick Mike up from Brixworth. We'd ordered two Papa John's pizzas (I bribed my son with one if he didn't go to an all-night party...) so we called for him first and then drove to Kingsthorpe to collect them. I always think of the time in Florida when we'd decided to have a pizza but we hadn't ordered them beforehand, thus sending the staff there into a complete panic!
Back home it was time for dinner and then a couple of episodes of a new series called The Glades before I collapsed into bed! I was shattered!
We started at the far end of our gravel garden and I raked up lots of dead leaves that had gathered around several plants and along the wall. Slasher Keith attacked the ivy and a couple of other bushes that had grown madly and left all the mess for me to clear up, not an easy task when the ground was gravelly!
We worked our way towards the conservatory doors and I was horrified to see how dirty the windowsills and windows were. I can't remember the last time we gave the conservatory a good clean!
I ended up picking up cut down leaves by hand as Slasher Keith carried on his destruction into the main garden, hacking away at the overhanging trees and bushes and then decimating the ivy in the side borders.
I disturbed Monty's peaceful snooze by getting the hoover and vacuuming up all the cobwebs and tiny leaves that had settled on the conservatory windowsills. This is a far more effective method of cleaning that trying to wipe them all away!
Keith had a break when he drove Mike over to Brixworth but I carried on cleaning up the mess and managed to damage one of my nails in the process, which was very painful!
By lunchtime the garden was looking so much better and I mowed the lawn and carried on cleaning the conservatory while a sleepy Sophie appeared, took one look at us working hard and went to have another lie-down!
We both finally finished at about 4pm and I went to have a sit in the "lurrve" seat in the gravel garden with Monty who kept miaowing at me, but when I picked him up, wanted to get down...bloomin' cat!
With all the bushes and trees in their summer finery, it was very peaceful and secluded down there and I really think we should try and sit down there more often this summer.
Keith and I managed to relax for a while before we had a bath and went to pick Mike up from Brixworth. We'd ordered two Papa John's pizzas (I bribed my son with one if he didn't go to an all-night party...) so we called for him first and then drove to Kingsthorpe to collect them. I always think of the time in Florida when we'd decided to have a pizza but we hadn't ordered them beforehand, thus sending the staff there into a complete panic!
Back home it was time for dinner and then a couple of episodes of a new series called The Glades before I collapsed into bed! I was shattered!
Friday, 5 June 2015
Not the best of days!
Sophie and I had today off work as we wanted to go to Milton Keynes to buy some summer clothes and also to check out a restaurant called Turtle Bay, which wasn't far from Las Iguanas.
Although we'd been given warnings in our area for heavy rain and thunderstorms, the day turned out to be beautiful, despite a shower as I drove Mikey to school. By the time we left at 10am the sun had come out and I was regretting my choice of clothes! My long sleeved top and jeans turned out to be a bit warm!
We called to see Mum and Dad at work first then headed off to Milton Keynes, via the A508 for a change, and then parked in the multi-storey. Our usual coffee stop, within Waterstones, had completely gone so that surprised us! We went to the cafe in M&S instead, which itself had been revamped and was unrecognisable! I didn't think it had been that long since we'd visited!
We had a good look around M&S and I picked out a pair of white jeans and some new knicks, but I didn't see anything else I liked at all. We went off to a few more shops but just nothing was appealing today and I began to feel a little bit dizzy. Whether it was the heat, I don't know, but I certainly wasn't feeling my best!
Sophie visited New Look while I sat outside in the sunshine, but she didn't see anything she liked either, so we went to Debenhams and even the lure of Mac make-up didn't work its magic today! We decided to give up on shopping and headed over to Turtle Bay for lunch.
The restaurant was quite busy with several tables taken but we had no problem being seated and Sophie chose a Mojito to drink while I opted for the homemade Pink Lemonade.
Turtle Bay serves Caribbean cuisine and the restaurant itself is bright with sunshine colours and Jamaican music playing in the background. We ordered a starter of garlic flatbread followed by Jerk chicken wrap for Sophie and a pulled chicken bun for me. Both dishes were served with thin French fries and coleslaw.
Sophie enjoyed the flatbread but I thought it lacked taste. The service was very good and our main courses arrived swiftly. I enjoyed my pulled chicken bun but Sophie spent most of her time picking out "slimy" vegetables from her wrap and left the second half, prompting the waitress to ask if she needed a take-away box. The answer was a firm "No!" so I don't think we'll be returning any time soon, and certainly not after the film we're planning to see in a couple of weeks time! I'm not sure that Keith would enjoy the food although they do serve goat curry!
It was bliss to get home after our unsuccessful excursion and sit in the garden to soak up the afternoon sunshine. Keith came out with me and it was lovely to be quiet and watch the birds flitting about!
Although we'd been given warnings in our area for heavy rain and thunderstorms, the day turned out to be beautiful, despite a shower as I drove Mikey to school. By the time we left at 10am the sun had come out and I was regretting my choice of clothes! My long sleeved top and jeans turned out to be a bit warm!
We called to see Mum and Dad at work first then headed off to Milton Keynes, via the A508 for a change, and then parked in the multi-storey. Our usual coffee stop, within Waterstones, had completely gone so that surprised us! We went to the cafe in M&S instead, which itself had been revamped and was unrecognisable! I didn't think it had been that long since we'd visited!
We had a good look around M&S and I picked out a pair of white jeans and some new knicks, but I didn't see anything else I liked at all. We went off to a few more shops but just nothing was appealing today and I began to feel a little bit dizzy. Whether it was the heat, I don't know, but I certainly wasn't feeling my best!
Sophie visited New Look while I sat outside in the sunshine, but she didn't see anything she liked either, so we went to Debenhams and even the lure of Mac make-up didn't work its magic today! We decided to give up on shopping and headed over to Turtle Bay for lunch.
The restaurant was quite busy with several tables taken but we had no problem being seated and Sophie chose a Mojito to drink while I opted for the homemade Pink Lemonade.
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| Sophie and Mojitos! |
Turtle Bay serves Caribbean cuisine and the restaurant itself is bright with sunshine colours and Jamaican music playing in the background. We ordered a starter of garlic flatbread followed by Jerk chicken wrap for Sophie and a pulled chicken bun for me. Both dishes were served with thin French fries and coleslaw.
Sophie enjoyed the flatbread but I thought it lacked taste. The service was very good and our main courses arrived swiftly. I enjoyed my pulled chicken bun but Sophie spent most of her time picking out "slimy" vegetables from her wrap and left the second half, prompting the waitress to ask if she needed a take-away box. The answer was a firm "No!" so I don't think we'll be returning any time soon, and certainly not after the film we're planning to see in a couple of weeks time! I'm not sure that Keith would enjoy the food although they do serve goat curry!
It was bliss to get home after our unsuccessful excursion and sit in the garden to soak up the afternoon sunshine. Keith came out with me and it was lovely to be quiet and watch the birds flitting about!
Thursday, 4 June 2015
The end of a (short) era.
We awoke to another gorgeous day with beautiful blue skies and much warmer temperatures. It seems crazy that on Tuesday we had to put the heating on in the office at work and today it was estimated to get up to 23c!
Mikey had to go to the Orthodontist this morning as he had already managed to do something to his braces and they had to be put right. Keith dropped him off at 8.30am and then he contacted me (on Facebook as Keith's phone wasn't working!) to pick him up.
I took him back to school (reluctantly) and then Sophie and I spent the morning getting things done and going to a few suppliers. We also went and cancelled our gym membership and luckily we had completed our year's contract in full otherwise I think they would have kept on charging us...I was more than ready for an argument, I can tell you!
I felt a little sad but with summer here, we'll be able to get out for a walk and I'm sure it'll be better for us and we'll exercise more!
Back at work we were busier than I expected which was a pleasant surprise!
We left work at 3pm and went home where I sat in the garden to soak up some sunshine. I also took some pics of our feathered friends:
Mikey had to go to the Orthodontist this morning as he had already managed to do something to his braces and they had to be put right. Keith dropped him off at 8.30am and then he contacted me (on Facebook as Keith's phone wasn't working!) to pick him up.
I took him back to school (reluctantly) and then Sophie and I spent the morning getting things done and going to a few suppliers. We also went and cancelled our gym membership and luckily we had completed our year's contract in full otherwise I think they would have kept on charging us...I was more than ready for an argument, I can tell you!
I felt a little sad but with summer here, we'll be able to get out for a walk and I'm sure it'll be better for us and we'll exercise more!
Back at work we were busier than I expected which was a pleasant surprise!
We left work at 3pm and went home where I sat in the garden to soak up some sunshine. I also took some pics of our feathered friends:
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| Our Rook |
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| Our gorgeous little robin |
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| One of the many blackbirds that visit |
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| Baby Starlings enjoying the water bath |
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| Although they're more than capable of feeding themselves, these starlings still want Mum or Dad to do it for them! |
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
The arrival of summer?
It's been a gorgeous day today with blue skies, little fluffy clouds and warm sunshine. As a consequence we were quiet at work and it gave Keith and I the opportunity to do a bit of exploring as a tree had come down on the other side of the fence in our car park.
While we were having a look at it we marvelled at the graffiti on the back of the units...
We've known about the graffiti for years and we're more than happy to let them show off their skills on the back of the units as they've never used the walls of our buildings. I must admit, with the blue skies as a background, the colours were fantastic!
As we walked back into the building, Garry arrived with a second-hand CD player for us which we connected up and it worked brilliantly! That saved us a lot of money as the ones I was looking at were all over £100.
Keith went home early in the afternoon and Sophie and I finished at 4pm to go to the gym. Neither of us were really in the mood and we both decided that we would cancel our membership after June as we're just not going often enough and doing what we should be doing.
Back home I discovered Michael was in Brixworth...again! Another trip out to pick him up before dinner!
While we were having a look at it we marvelled at the graffiti on the back of the units...
We've known about the graffiti for years and we're more than happy to let them show off their skills on the back of the units as they've never used the walls of our buildings. I must admit, with the blue skies as a background, the colours were fantastic!
As we walked back into the building, Garry arrived with a second-hand CD player for us which we connected up and it worked brilliantly! That saved us a lot of money as the ones I was looking at were all over £100.
Keith went home early in the afternoon and Sophie and I finished at 4pm to go to the gym. Neither of us were really in the mood and we both decided that we would cancel our membership after June as we're just not going often enough and doing what we should be doing.
Back home I discovered Michael was in Brixworth...again! Another trip out to pick him up before dinner!
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Blown away!
The wet and windy weather continued this morning and the roads were full of debris that had been blown about all night.
Mum, Dad and I went over to the bank mid-morning and had a coffee and a muffin in BB's. We met their friends Garry and Gloria there and chatted about our coffee machine not working (hence the visit) and the fact that our CD player was also on the blink. There's always something!
When we arrived back at work the coffee machine had been fixed as the engineer had been out and swapped over the pump that had burnt out. Hopefully a new one will arrive tomorrow.
The rest of the day was spent getting lots of things done and then it was home to have an early dinner in the evening. The weather had improved but it was still blustery when we took Mike to Army Cadets. He came back out later in the evening with a new badge as he's now a 2 star cadet!
Mum, Dad and I went over to the bank mid-morning and had a coffee and a muffin in BB's. We met their friends Garry and Gloria there and chatted about our coffee machine not working (hence the visit) and the fact that our CD player was also on the blink. There's always something!
When we arrived back at work the coffee machine had been fixed as the engineer had been out and swapped over the pump that had burnt out. Hopefully a new one will arrive tomorrow.
The rest of the day was spent getting lots of things done and then it was home to have an early dinner in the evening. The weather had improved but it was still blustery when we took Mike to Army Cadets. He came back out later in the evening with a new badge as he's now a 2 star cadet!
Monday, 1 June 2015
2000 posts!
This is my 2000th blog post and it seems fitting to start June with this milestone entry!
It was back to normal today as the children have returned to school and we were closed as usual. I picked Sophie up from home at midday and she came to the bank and Tesco with me. In the afternoon we went in search of a new CD player for work as the old one we have has finally stopped working. Dad had bought one at Curry's but the connections were different so we'll have to have a re-think!
In the evening Sophie went out with her friends for cocktails followed by a meal at Sophia's. The weather has turned increasingly worse today with heavy rain and high winds. The Met Office issued a warning of wind for our area and when we went back to collect Sophie at 11pm there were leaves and twigs all over the road! I was glad Keith was with me!
It was back to normal today as the children have returned to school and we were closed as usual. I picked Sophie up from home at midday and she came to the bank and Tesco with me. In the afternoon we went in search of a new CD player for work as the old one we have has finally stopped working. Dad had bought one at Curry's but the connections were different so we'll have to have a re-think!
In the evening Sophie went out with her friends for cocktails followed by a meal at Sophia's. The weather has turned increasingly worse today with heavy rain and high winds. The Met Office issued a warning of wind for our area and when we went back to collect Sophie at 11pm there were leaves and twigs all over the road! I was glad Keith was with me!
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