Today there were three of us manning the phones at work so it wasn't quite so frantic, thank goodness! Keith picked me up at 2pm and after getting dinner for tonight and tomorrow in Tesco, we went to Homebase to try and get some inspiration for a gift for my Mum and Dad's Wedding Anniversary tomorrow. They'll be celebrating 53 years together!
I looked at the plants and considered getting them a vine but in the end I decided to go to Beckworth tomorrow and buy them a voucher for afternoon tea as they love going there. We picked up Mike from Abington and then sped home to catch up with all the usual jobs that have to be done after work!
Sophie and I cooked dinner tonight and made spaghetti bolognese with our own garlic bread. Keith sat with us as we cooked and there was a lovely atmosphere in the kitchen. I think at one point Sophie and I were dancing around and singing!
After dinner I saw the news about several lambs being slaughtered very close to us which was terrible news and very disturbing. This sort of thing happens rarely but it must have been tragic for the farmers to find their animals killed like that. It's been happening overnight and I really felt like going out and trying to keep watch for whoever is doing this terrible act. The police are asking us all to be vigilant and I really hope they're caught soon!
Monday, 15 July 2019
Sunday, 14 July 2019
A sporting feast!
This morning has been very busy, trying to get all of our jobs done so we could sit and enjoy the Men's Tennis Finals at Wimbledon this afternoon!
Mike and I went to the tip first thing, as soon as it opened at 10am, and took our old fridge freezer. We just about managed to get it into the car and had to strap the boot shut. I drove very, very carefully as I was petrified the thing would somehow fall out of the back and flatten a cyclist! Luckily, not one car was behind me as we made our way gingerly to Brixworth and I heaved a huge sigh of relief when we had deposited it with all the others waiting to be recycled!
Sophie and I made another trip with the cardboard and popped to the Co-op in Brixworth to buy a bottle of Champagne to celebrate with this afternoon. We then went to see my parents and took them the Sunday newspaper, but my Mum was feeling very well so we didn't stay for long. I still had so much to do at home and had taken all the shelving and the drawers out of the fridge and freezer to see if we could sell them on eBay. Unfortunately, the freezer drawers didn't fit the one we have in the kitchen which was a shame as they need replacing. I washed them and dried them but we didn't have time to put them onto the auction site today as we just didn't have the time.
Sophie helped prepare our buffet lunch and by 2pm we were all ready to watch the tennis. I don't know who arranges all the sporting events but there was certainly a clash today as the finals of the tennis were on, the Grand Prix and the final of the Cricket World Cup. The Tour de France was also taking place as well as the Women's Netball so a veritable feast for sports fans!
We enjoyed our lunch and Keith disappeared upstairs to watch the cricket while we sat and watched Federer play Djokovic. It was a great match and went on until almost 7pm! Federer at one point was so close to winning but he let it go and Djokovic went on to win. It was quite emotional when they presented the trophy!
Mike and I went to the tip first thing, as soon as it opened at 10am, and took our old fridge freezer. We just about managed to get it into the car and had to strap the boot shut. I drove very, very carefully as I was petrified the thing would somehow fall out of the back and flatten a cyclist! Luckily, not one car was behind me as we made our way gingerly to Brixworth and I heaved a huge sigh of relief when we had deposited it with all the others waiting to be recycled!
Sophie and I made another trip with the cardboard and popped to the Co-op in Brixworth to buy a bottle of Champagne to celebrate with this afternoon. We then went to see my parents and took them the Sunday newspaper, but my Mum was feeling very well so we didn't stay for long. I still had so much to do at home and had taken all the shelving and the drawers out of the fridge and freezer to see if we could sell them on eBay. Unfortunately, the freezer drawers didn't fit the one we have in the kitchen which was a shame as they need replacing. I washed them and dried them but we didn't have time to put them onto the auction site today as we just didn't have the time.
Sophie helped prepare our buffet lunch and by 2pm we were all ready to watch the tennis. I don't know who arranges all the sporting events but there was certainly a clash today as the finals of the tennis were on, the Grand Prix and the final of the Cricket World Cup. The Tour de France was also taking place as well as the Women's Netball so a veritable feast for sports fans!
We enjoyed our lunch and Keith disappeared upstairs to watch the cricket while we sat and watched Federer play Djokovic. It was a great match and went on until almost 7pm! Federer at one point was so close to winning but he let it go and Djokovic went on to win. It was quite emotional when they presented the trophy!
Saturday, 13 July 2019
Making space!
Like last Saturday, today dawned overcast and grey, which was a shame after all the lovely weather of last week!
Our new fridge was being delivered today so Keith and I cleared out a space for it and managed to manhandle the old one onto the driveway where it'll have to stay until tomorrow when I can get to the tip.
We swept the floor and brushed the dust and cobwebs off the walls and moved the tumble drier onto the floor by the door so it has some better ventilation. We've cleared a space for the fridge in the opposite corner so it doesn't get overheated!
I was filthy by the time we'd finished so I went off to have a hot shower and then Sophie and I left to go to Milton Keynes. I was collecting a pair of trousers from M&S and I took a box of recycling with me, some of which came from our neighbours. We now have our own scheme for crisp and snack wrappers so that cuts down some of the stuff I have to take!
We parked by Debenhams and although we had to go up onto the top floor it wasn't as busy as I'd imagined. First up was a coffee in Starbucks and then we went to M&S where I collected my trousers and Sophie enquired about a bra fitting. They were able to pencil her in at 2.30pm but on the way up to John Lewis we called into Bravissimo and they were able to measure her there and then.
She didn't like the bras they gave her, much preferring the pretty ones in M&S so after a quick visit to John Lewis where I looked at the Gins, we returned and she picked out some lovely ones in beautiful colours. To make sure she tried them on while I sat and read my Kindle. There was a constant queue of women trying on underwear in all shapes and sizes and everyone looked a bit weary and hot, the same as me!
Downstairs in the food hall I treated myself to a bottle of Warner's Elderflower Gin with a voucher I had, bought some strawberries for tomorrow and we returned to the car to drive the short distance to the restaurant hub.
Sophie wanted to go to Las Iguanas and we hadn't been for ages so we chose to eat there. It looked like at least two eateries nearby had closed down since we'd last visited - Cafe Rouge and Gourmet Burger, which was a bit of a shock.
I had imagined Las Iguanas to be empty but it was heaving with tables of women, either on hen parties or celebrating birthdays! The noise was tremendous! One group was particularly loud with raucous screaming and shrieking and the table was littered with cocktail glasses so no wonder they were all so merry!
We sat next to another group of women but they were a little quieter, thank goodness! We had a delicious late lunch of tapas accompanied by garlic flatbread and curly fries. We chose fried cauliflower (gorgeous), nachos with chicken and a yummy pork dish as Tapas portions and the food was beautifully cooked. With a glass of wine each and a shared dessert, we really enjoyed the food, but I wished it had been a little more peaceful!
Back home we relaxed and Keith prepared hot dogs much later in the evening. They weren't brilliant, I have to admit even though we'd bought them in the US section of Tesco. Sophie was still too full from our late lunch so she didn't join us and I wish I hadn't now!
Our new fridge was being delivered today so Keith and I cleared out a space for it and managed to manhandle the old one onto the driveway where it'll have to stay until tomorrow when I can get to the tip.
We swept the floor and brushed the dust and cobwebs off the walls and moved the tumble drier onto the floor by the door so it has some better ventilation. We've cleared a space for the fridge in the opposite corner so it doesn't get overheated!
I was filthy by the time we'd finished so I went off to have a hot shower and then Sophie and I left to go to Milton Keynes. I was collecting a pair of trousers from M&S and I took a box of recycling with me, some of which came from our neighbours. We now have our own scheme for crisp and snack wrappers so that cuts down some of the stuff I have to take!
We parked by Debenhams and although we had to go up onto the top floor it wasn't as busy as I'd imagined. First up was a coffee in Starbucks and then we went to M&S where I collected my trousers and Sophie enquired about a bra fitting. They were able to pencil her in at 2.30pm but on the way up to John Lewis we called into Bravissimo and they were able to measure her there and then.
She didn't like the bras they gave her, much preferring the pretty ones in M&S so after a quick visit to John Lewis where I looked at the Gins, we returned and she picked out some lovely ones in beautiful colours. To make sure she tried them on while I sat and read my Kindle. There was a constant queue of women trying on underwear in all shapes and sizes and everyone looked a bit weary and hot, the same as me!
Downstairs in the food hall I treated myself to a bottle of Warner's Elderflower Gin with a voucher I had, bought some strawberries for tomorrow and we returned to the car to drive the short distance to the restaurant hub.
Sophie wanted to go to Las Iguanas and we hadn't been for ages so we chose to eat there. It looked like at least two eateries nearby had closed down since we'd last visited - Cafe Rouge and Gourmet Burger, which was a bit of a shock.
I had imagined Las Iguanas to be empty but it was heaving with tables of women, either on hen parties or celebrating birthdays! The noise was tremendous! One group was particularly loud with raucous screaming and shrieking and the table was littered with cocktail glasses so no wonder they were all so merry!
We sat next to another group of women but they were a little quieter, thank goodness! We had a delicious late lunch of tapas accompanied by garlic flatbread and curly fries. We chose fried cauliflower (gorgeous), nachos with chicken and a yummy pork dish as Tapas portions and the food was beautifully cooked. With a glass of wine each and a shared dessert, we really enjoyed the food, but I wished it had been a little more peaceful!
Back home we relaxed and Keith prepared hot dogs much later in the evening. They weren't brilliant, I have to admit even though we'd bought them in the US section of Tesco. Sophie was still too full from our late lunch so she didn't join us and I wish I hadn't now!
Friday, 12 July 2019
Two days in one...
On Thursday Sophie had an appointment at the surgery in Guilsborough so she went off at 8am while Keith took Mike and I to work. He did the weekly shop at Tesco and came back to pick me up at 3pm as usual. It had been really hot at work and I'd put my hair up in the end to try and cope with the muggy warmth!
We didn't have long to wait and headed home where I pootled about doing the usual chores. I know it sounds silly, but by the time I've sorted out my lunchbox, got changed and tidied up after Mike has tramped bits of park all through the house, it's almost time for Sophie to be leaving work! Tonight she went to the gym on her way home as she hadn't gone this morning and she saw one of our senior managers there! I was shocked to be honest!
Friday rolled around again and my shift passed very quickly as I was so busy. Keith came to pick me up as he'd had to collect Mike from work early as he had a doctor's appointment to remove the stitches in his leg. The nurse had put some plasters on the wounds but I think he'll have a bit of scarring there to remind him of his silly accident!
As soon as Sophie came home we poured two glasses of wine and caught up with the semi-finals of the Men's tennis at Wimbledon. Nadal and Federer were playing and it was a very tense match at times! We'd recorded it so we were behind with the live action and we paused it while we had dinner of Spanish ham, cheese, patatas fritas and crusty bread, all washed down with a delicious Spanish red that Sophie bought in Southwell last week.
Afterwards we resumed the tennis and witnessed Federer winning the match. So, on Sunday it will be Djokovic and Federer in the final. We're planning a buffet with Champagne and strawberries! Bring it on!
We didn't have long to wait and headed home where I pootled about doing the usual chores. I know it sounds silly, but by the time I've sorted out my lunchbox, got changed and tidied up after Mike has tramped bits of park all through the house, it's almost time for Sophie to be leaving work! Tonight she went to the gym on her way home as she hadn't gone this morning and she saw one of our senior managers there! I was shocked to be honest!
Friday rolled around again and my shift passed very quickly as I was so busy. Keith came to pick me up as he'd had to collect Mike from work early as he had a doctor's appointment to remove the stitches in his leg. The nurse had put some plasters on the wounds but I think he'll have a bit of scarring there to remind him of his silly accident!
As soon as Sophie came home we poured two glasses of wine and caught up with the semi-finals of the Men's tennis at Wimbledon. Nadal and Federer were playing and it was a very tense match at times! We'd recorded it so we were behind with the live action and we paused it while we had dinner of Spanish ham, cheese, patatas fritas and crusty bread, all washed down with a delicious Spanish red that Sophie bought in Southwell last week.
Afterwards we resumed the tennis and witnessed Federer winning the match. So, on Sunday it will be Djokovic and Federer in the final. We're planning a buffet with Champagne and strawberries! Bring it on!
Wednesday, 10 July 2019
A hectic day!
We had a very busy morning as Keith took Mike to work and then he came home and we took Sophie in as well. My car was going in to the garage for the mechanics to have a look at the knocking sound which we still haven't resolved, and which is getting on our nerves, especially if we drive it around town a lot, so we needed her car today.
After dropping my car off in Broughton we went off to the Weston Favell Centre and I treated Keith to a coffee and toasted teacake at Costa. This morning I think they had lost it as there were four of them behind the counter, all getting in each other's way and we waited ages for our drinks to be served. Keith was in shock at how long it took!
Tonight we were supposed to be having toad-in-the-hole for dinner but as it was warm and sunny today and Sophie was out for dinner with a friend, neither of us fancied it at all. We went into Tesco and bought some cold meats and salads to have instead. We were giving Sophie and her friend a lift into town so I knew we wouldn't want to cook when we returned home.
From the Weston Favell Centre we went to Jones's where I bought yet more bird food for our ravenous feathered friends. I think that the baby birds are starting to look after themselves now but we are still visited by a host of starlings, black birds and sparrows every day, with the bigger birds coming early in the morning and making a right racket!
I had bought some geraniums in Tesco so when we got home I planted them in some pots and pottered about for a while before having a sandwich for lunch. It was then almost time to collect Mike!
After dropping him off at home, we went to collect my car from Broughton but nothing had been done about it. The two mechanics said they couldn't work out which "bush" on the shock absorbers the noise was coming from so they asked us to bring it back when it was really bad! Well, it is now!
I was not amused, I have to say!
We left Sophie's car at the garage and drove straight to Brackmills to get her and then picked Laura up from her house. They were having cocktails at Turtle Bay near the Drapery so we dropped them off there and returned home. Keith made me a Vodka and Tonic and boy! did it hit the spot! We sat and relaxed and watched some evening horse-racing, both from this country and in the US. It was heaven to just sit and do nothing for half an hour after our busy day!
We sat and ate our light dinner and then at 9.30pm we left to get Sophie. I had taken out my contact lenses as I was reading but Keith was driving anyway and it felt very strange to be in the car and not be able to see properly!
After dropping my car off in Broughton we went off to the Weston Favell Centre and I treated Keith to a coffee and toasted teacake at Costa. This morning I think they had lost it as there were four of them behind the counter, all getting in each other's way and we waited ages for our drinks to be served. Keith was in shock at how long it took!
Tonight we were supposed to be having toad-in-the-hole for dinner but as it was warm and sunny today and Sophie was out for dinner with a friend, neither of us fancied it at all. We went into Tesco and bought some cold meats and salads to have instead. We were giving Sophie and her friend a lift into town so I knew we wouldn't want to cook when we returned home.
From the Weston Favell Centre we went to Jones's where I bought yet more bird food for our ravenous feathered friends. I think that the baby birds are starting to look after themselves now but we are still visited by a host of starlings, black birds and sparrows every day, with the bigger birds coming early in the morning and making a right racket!
I had bought some geraniums in Tesco so when we got home I planted them in some pots and pottered about for a while before having a sandwich for lunch. It was then almost time to collect Mike!
After dropping him off at home, we went to collect my car from Broughton but nothing had been done about it. The two mechanics said they couldn't work out which "bush" on the shock absorbers the noise was coming from so they asked us to bring it back when it was really bad! Well, it is now!
I was not amused, I have to say!
We left Sophie's car at the garage and drove straight to Brackmills to get her and then picked Laura up from her house. They were having cocktails at Turtle Bay near the Drapery so we dropped them off there and returned home. Keith made me a Vodka and Tonic and boy! did it hit the spot! We sat and relaxed and watched some evening horse-racing, both from this country and in the US. It was heaven to just sit and do nothing for half an hour after our busy day!
We sat and ate our light dinner and then at 9.30pm we left to get Sophie. I had taken out my contact lenses as I was reading but Keith was driving anyway and it felt very strange to be in the car and not be able to see properly!
Tuesday, 9 July 2019
"Beyond repair"...
I took Mike to work today and he was back down at the Far Cotton park. I dashed off to work and had a busy day working with Joanne. Sara wasn't in today but we coped very well and I think we've got the hang of the cancellation process now. It'll just be interesting to see how things work out when the school holidays start!
Mike was off to see a friend after work so I didn't have to go and get him! What a relief! I sped home to find out that the repair man had been but the fridge was "beyond economic repair". Great... We'd inherited it from my parents a few years ago when they moved and they'd had it a while so I suppose it had lasted well. Keith and I went onto the Appliances Online website and we've ordered another - just a large fridge this time as we never really used the freezer compartment. It will be delivered on Saturday so we'll have to move all the perishable stuff into the kitchen fridge until then. I drooled over the American fridges but they were well over £1000 so we'll have to leave those for another day! Perhaps if we get our kitchen refurbished!
Mike was off to see a friend after work so I didn't have to go and get him! What a relief! I sped home to find out that the repair man had been but the fridge was "beyond economic repair". Great... We'd inherited it from my parents a few years ago when they moved and they'd had it a while so I suppose it had lasted well. Keith and I went onto the Appliances Online website and we've ordered another - just a large fridge this time as we never really used the freezer compartment. It will be delivered on Saturday so we'll have to move all the perishable stuff into the kitchen fridge until then. I drooled over the American fridges but they were well over £1000 so we'll have to leave those for another day! Perhaps if we get our kitchen refurbished!
Monday, 8 July 2019
Cool down!
Keith and I had to take Mike to the recreation ground in Far Cotton today so a slightly longer trip to get him to work. His leg is still painful and there was one moment this morning when I didn't think he was going to go in, but thankfully he did. We took the bandages off to let the air get to his wound and he was fine!
I arrived at work a little later than normal and had a busy, but pleasant shift. Keith picked me up at 2pm and we popped over to the Weston Favell Centre to do our shopping and to post a parcel. Keith treated me to a coffee afterwards before we went back to get Mike from work.
Today has been lovely and sunny with warm temperatures and I've been letting the grass grow in our garden as it's full of daisies, buttercups, clover and a beautiful little purple flower. We've been trying to leave it longer between mowing to encourage the bees and insects to make the most of the flowers.
Our spare garage fridge seems to have stopped working which is a pain as we keep lots of drinks out there and it's great to have the extra space if we're entertaining. I noticed a couple of days ago that things didn't seem as cold as they used to (it was much colder than our kitchen fridge) so it looks like there's a problem. Keith called a local firm we use to repair our appliances and they're coming out tomorrow...I just hope it's repairable!
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