I had missed going shopping with Keith so today we decided to bring the weekly shop forward by a day. All this week I've been mistaking the days so I knew that today would feel like a Thursday!
We dropped Sophie off at uni and called to see Mum and Dad before we went shopping. I took her the Vans so she could wrap them and they were really happy that their kitchen was back to normal and the leak in the pipe had been fixed.
Today the weather has been dreadful and the snow has turned to rain, making the surfaces of the roads and paths very dangerous indeed. I actually lost control of my car on the corner before we got to Mum's house and nearly ended up in someone's garden!
Shopping was a bit hectic and I did wonder why I'd actually missed the experience! Aldi was busy and so was Tesco...where are all these people normally? We managed to get through it and headed home in the gloom to put it all away before having a quick lunch. Sophie had asked us to pick her up at 1.30pm so we hastily ate a sandwich and then drove to get her.
Back home the rain started in earnest and it went really dark. Those hot summer days in Florida seem a very distant memory!
After school club was quite busy and the children were excited as the first of the two school plays was being put on this evening in the church. We had one little girl with us right up to the dot of 6pm which didn't please Lisa as she was itching to get off and see her own children in the production.
I walked back to my car very gingerly as the path was like a skating rink and it was great to get home and relax after my busy day!
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
A spot of shopping.
My Mum called me at 7.30am this morning to say that her kitchen had been flooded from a burst water pipe so she wouldn't be able to come shopping with us. We'd abandoned the idea of going to Milton Keynes because of the time constraints and had chosen, instead, to go to Rushden Lakes as there's an M&S there, as well as Next, New Look and House of Fraser.
She asked if we could pop in on our way over as she wanted to give Sophie the money to buy some Vans. We left home at 8.45am and scraped the ice off the car as it was a freezing cold morning with the snow hardened with the frost. Last night we'd gone for a walk around the estate after dinner and it was like walking through meringues! (It was lovely, though, as we came home and watched Nigella's Christmas table!).
I decided, wrongly, to drive through the village and of course, got caught up in the school run. It was total chaos as parents were dropping their children off and as the roads were icy and still covered in snow that had hardened, it was very hazardous driving. It had turned into a gridlock situation but luckily I managed to get out before the bus arrived!
The A43 was almost at a standstill but I wasn't going to risk the country roads so I steeled myself for a hold-up on the way to Rushden. Mum and Dad were OK and had mopped up all the water but they looked slightly shocked at how much liquid had burst from the pipe. It looked like their outside tap was to blame and they were waiting for a plumber to arrive.
We nearly didn't go shopping as my car refused to lock for some reason! I was on the point of returning home when it started to work. It could have been down to the temperature this morning - it was -5c but I've known it to be far colder than that!
We left Mum and Dad's and joined the nose-to-tail traffic on the A43. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the Round Spinney roundabout and then we had a good journey for the rest of the way. We arrived at Rushden Lakes at just after 10am and headed straight for Bill's restaurant which was serving breakfast.
Although it was freezing cold the sun was shining and it was a beautiful morning. We enjoyed a full English and the food was very good indeed. We ate sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes with lovely toast washed down with coffee and frothed milk. It was delicious!
After we'd eaten we went to Schuh where Sophie bought a gorgeous pair of black velvet Vans. We then had a mooch around L'Occitane (very expensive) and Fat Face (also expensive) before venturing into M&S where I bought several gifts. We also went into Next and River Island and spent a fair amount of time in House of Fraser testing the Chanel perfumes. Sophie bought two tops in New Look for a Christmas meal she's going to next week and then we decided to call it a day.
Before going home we called into Tesco in Kettering and Sophie bought another couple of gifts. They were alcoholic and she wasn't asked for ID! It had been a lovely morning but I still had a fair bit of shopping to do!
She asked if we could pop in on our way over as she wanted to give Sophie the money to buy some Vans. We left home at 8.45am and scraped the ice off the car as it was a freezing cold morning with the snow hardened with the frost. Last night we'd gone for a walk around the estate after dinner and it was like walking through meringues! (It was lovely, though, as we came home and watched Nigella's Christmas table!).
I decided, wrongly, to drive through the village and of course, got caught up in the school run. It was total chaos as parents were dropping their children off and as the roads were icy and still covered in snow that had hardened, it was very hazardous driving. It had turned into a gridlock situation but luckily I managed to get out before the bus arrived!
The A43 was almost at a standstill but I wasn't going to risk the country roads so I steeled myself for a hold-up on the way to Rushden. Mum and Dad were OK and had mopped up all the water but they looked slightly shocked at how much liquid had burst from the pipe. It looked like their outside tap was to blame and they were waiting for a plumber to arrive.
We nearly didn't go shopping as my car refused to lock for some reason! I was on the point of returning home when it started to work. It could have been down to the temperature this morning - it was -5c but I've known it to be far colder than that!
We left Mum and Dad's and joined the nose-to-tail traffic on the A43. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the Round Spinney roundabout and then we had a good journey for the rest of the way. We arrived at Rushden Lakes at just after 10am and headed straight for Bill's restaurant which was serving breakfast.
Although it was freezing cold the sun was shining and it was a beautiful morning. We enjoyed a full English and the food was very good indeed. We ate sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes with lovely toast washed down with coffee and frothed milk. It was delicious!
After we'd eaten we went to Schuh where Sophie bought a gorgeous pair of black velvet Vans. We then had a mooch around L'Occitane (very expensive) and Fat Face (also expensive) before venturing into M&S where I bought several gifts. We also went into Next and River Island and spent a fair amount of time in House of Fraser testing the Chanel perfumes. Sophie bought two tops in New Look for a Christmas meal she's going to next week and then we decided to call it a day.
Before going home we called into Tesco in Kettering and Sophie bought another couple of gifts. They were alcoholic and she wasn't asked for ID! It had been a lovely morning but I still had a fair bit of shopping to do!
Monday, 11 December 2017
An unexpected day off!
My manager at work, Sara, had texted me yesterday to say that I wasn't to worry about coming in today if the weather was still bad. Although we didn't get any more significant snow overnight it was freezing this morning and I didn't see that many cars venture out of our estate to go to work!
I was up at 6am and I really didn't fancy asking Keith to drive me in and then come all the way home, only to go back out again later. Mike's college was closed, as was Sophie's uni and the school I work in was also shut for the day so none of us had to go anywhere.
I did feel a bit guilty but the news was full of the weather conditions and how bad the roads were. We did go out to take Mike to Brixworth and I was surprised at how slushy and icy the roads were on the way and in the village itself.
I did manage to get some washing done and I hoovered so I didn't feel completely lazy! At 3pm the skies cleared and the sun came out so we decided to try and re-create a photo I'd taken in 2005 of Keith and the children at Pitsford...
Mike was 5 years old and Sophie was 9 so they've changed an awful lot since then. We couldn't actually get to this part of Pitsford at the country park was closed (everything was fine back in 2005!) so we parked some way from the Holcot car park and I took a photo...
It was a beautiful late afternoon but I could feel the cold seeping through my clothes. It's set to be about -6 here tonight!
It was great to get home and jump into a hot bath!
I was up at 6am and I really didn't fancy asking Keith to drive me in and then come all the way home, only to go back out again later. Mike's college was closed, as was Sophie's uni and the school I work in was also shut for the day so none of us had to go anywhere.
I did feel a bit guilty but the news was full of the weather conditions and how bad the roads were. We did go out to take Mike to Brixworth and I was surprised at how slushy and icy the roads were on the way and in the village itself.
I did manage to get some washing done and I hoovered so I didn't feel completely lazy! At 3pm the skies cleared and the sun came out so we decided to try and re-create a photo I'd taken in 2005 of Keith and the children at Pitsford...
Mike was 5 years old and Sophie was 9 so they've changed an awful lot since then. We couldn't actually get to this part of Pitsford at the country park was closed (everything was fine back in 2005!) so we parked some way from the Holcot car park and I took a photo...
It was a beautiful late afternoon but I could feel the cold seeping through my clothes. It's set to be about -6 here tonight!
It was great to get home and jump into a hot bath!
Sunday, 10 December 2017
A snowy walk!
Although snow had been forecast, it was still a shock to be woken by Sophie this morning and to be told we had some of the white stuff!
All plans to collect my Mum at 9am and go to Milton Keynes were cancelled as there was no way I was going to venture out onto the roads! We had a very lazy morning and I called my Mum to suggest we go on Tuesday instead. It meant that we wouldn't have as much time as I'd need to get back for work at 3pm but that was all we could do.
At lunchtime we all walked down to the pub in Walgrave and had a few drinks. A number of locals were there as well and there was a lovely atmosphere. All the while we were there it continued to snow outside even though it had turned a bit more sleety. It was still very cold!
We walked back home slowly and wrapped up warm in the afternoon. I felt very sleepy so I had a nap on our bed while watching Jamie Oliver and then I fell asleep downstairs again! I also couldn't get warm so I think today is the worst day of my horrible cold!
Keith had slow cooked a brisket of beef for dinner but I couldn't taste a thing. No wine for me tonight, then!
All plans to collect my Mum at 9am and go to Milton Keynes were cancelled as there was no way I was going to venture out onto the roads! We had a very lazy morning and I called my Mum to suggest we go on Tuesday instead. It meant that we wouldn't have as much time as I'd need to get back for work at 3pm but that was all we could do.
 |
| The roof of our conservatory covered in thick snow. |
We walked back home slowly and wrapped up warm in the afternoon. I felt very sleepy so I had a nap on our bed while watching Jamie Oliver and then I fell asleep downstairs again! I also couldn't get warm so I think today is the worst day of my horrible cold!
Keith had slow cooked a brisket of beef for dinner but I couldn't taste a thing. No wine for me tonight, then!
Snow! And this time it really is!
Northamptonshire
Yellow warning of snow
- From:
- 0400 on Sun 10 December
- To:
- 2355 on Sun 10 December
Updated 9 December at 23:10 ActiveA spell of heavy snow is possible over parts of England and Wales during Sunday.
The snow could lead to road, rail and air travel delays, with the potential for vehicles to become stranded or public transport to be cancelled. Rural communities with limited access routes could become cut off.Amber warning of snow
- From:
- 0810 on Sun 10 December
- To:
- 1800 on Sun 10 December
Updated 1 hour ago ActiveA spell of heavy snow is likely over parts of Wales, the Midlands and parts of Northern and Eastern England on Sunday.
Road, rail and air travel delays are likely, as well as stranding of vehicles and public transport cancellations. There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off.
Saturday, 9 December 2017
Christmas shopping...online!
We dropped Sophie off at work this morning and then I came home to try and do some Christmas shopping online. The weather forecast for tomorrow is now saying we are going to get a significant snowfall so our plans to go to Milton Keynes will be cancelled.
I ordered two presents for Sophie to be collected next Tuesday and some gifts for Mike to be delivered by Amazon. I also used some of the Nectar points I'd been collecting with the Daily Mail to get a Christmas pudding and cream and some luxury biscuits from Sainsbury's, which will be delivered next Saturday. For Christmas Day's dinner I ordered a bottle of Chablis which I hope will go well with the turkey. We also have a bottle of St Emilion for my Dad who prefers a red.
Keith went to the football in the afternoon and I had a long hot bath as my cold is now horrible. I'm completely stuffed up and constantly sneezing so all I really wanted to do was curl up on the sofa with a good film...and it had to be It's A Wonderful Life! However, I did fall asleep through a bit of it which just shows how horrible I felt!
Keith returned from watching Sileby and was freezing cold! It really has been a cold, but sunny day so we'll see what tomorrow brings! After picking Sophie up from work we prepared a dinner of chicken and sausage traybake and then I noticed that we've now got an Amber warning for snow tomorrow. I can't ever recall getting an Amber warning before so it looks like our trip to Milton Keynes will definitely be off!
After dinner we watched an old 1980s compilation of Christmas hits and very good it was too!
I ordered two presents for Sophie to be collected next Tuesday and some gifts for Mike to be delivered by Amazon. I also used some of the Nectar points I'd been collecting with the Daily Mail to get a Christmas pudding and cream and some luxury biscuits from Sainsbury's, which will be delivered next Saturday. For Christmas Day's dinner I ordered a bottle of Chablis which I hope will go well with the turkey. We also have a bottle of St Emilion for my Dad who prefers a red.
Keith went to the football in the afternoon and I had a long hot bath as my cold is now horrible. I'm completely stuffed up and constantly sneezing so all I really wanted to do was curl up on the sofa with a good film...and it had to be It's A Wonderful Life! However, I did fall asleep through a bit of it which just shows how horrible I felt!
Keith returned from watching Sileby and was freezing cold! It really has been a cold, but sunny day so we'll see what tomorrow brings! After picking Sophie up from work we prepared a dinner of chicken and sausage traybake and then I noticed that we've now got an Amber warning for snow tomorrow. I can't ever recall getting an Amber warning before so it looks like our trip to Milton Keynes will definitely be off!
After dinner we watched an old 1980s compilation of Christmas hits and very good it was too!
Friday, 8 December 2017
Naughty children!
Well, we didn't awake to any snow this morning, despite the weather warnings, but we're now forecast to get it quite badly on Sunday, the day I had planned to go shopping in Milton Keynes!
Work was quieter today but I have the beginnings of a cold so my voice was a bit hoarse! Not ideal for the job I do!
I sped home at 2pm, had something to eat and then was back out again. This afternoon, members of the school PTA were in the library creating a grotto for tomorrow's Christmas Bazaar and there were two tables laden with an assortment of jam jars that contained sweets and toys by the screen where we watch our films. Lisa was decorating the Christmas tree and had asked me to set up the room. She also said she was going to help with decorating the grotto and would I mind looking after the children on my own as we only had eight...
One of the teachers lowered the screen for me and I set the DVD player up before the children came in. Predictably, they were all completely hyper and I gained another two who wanted to stay so I now had ten very excitable children whizzing around and refusing to sit still!
Unfortunately, the children were very naughty this afternoon with constant requests to go to the loo, or wash their hands or when were they going to have their hot dogs? Lisa came in and I told her that they'd been naughty so she threatened them with turning the film off (as I had done) before going out to prepare the hot dogs.
After they'd eaten she went off to finish decorating the tree but didn't help the PTA as they had more than enough parents (and children) giving their assistance. Most of the children were picked up by 5.30pm tonight but we still had two at 6pm (who should have gone at 5.30pm like the others). I dashed off to collect Sophie from work and then it was home to prepare dinner and have a glass of wine. It's the weekend tomorrow!
Work was quieter today but I have the beginnings of a cold so my voice was a bit hoarse! Not ideal for the job I do!
I sped home at 2pm, had something to eat and then was back out again. This afternoon, members of the school PTA were in the library creating a grotto for tomorrow's Christmas Bazaar and there were two tables laden with an assortment of jam jars that contained sweets and toys by the screen where we watch our films. Lisa was decorating the Christmas tree and had asked me to set up the room. She also said she was going to help with decorating the grotto and would I mind looking after the children on my own as we only had eight...
One of the teachers lowered the screen for me and I set the DVD player up before the children came in. Predictably, they were all completely hyper and I gained another two who wanted to stay so I now had ten very excitable children whizzing around and refusing to sit still!
Unfortunately, the children were very naughty this afternoon with constant requests to go to the loo, or wash their hands or when were they going to have their hot dogs? Lisa came in and I told her that they'd been naughty so she threatened them with turning the film off (as I had done) before going out to prepare the hot dogs.
After they'd eaten she went off to finish decorating the tree but didn't help the PTA as they had more than enough parents (and children) giving their assistance. Most of the children were picked up by 5.30pm tonight but we still had two at 6pm (who should have gone at 5.30pm like the others). I dashed off to collect Sophie from work and then it was home to prepare dinner and have a glass of wine. It's the weekend tomorrow!
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