Sunny Stratford

Today all four of us went off to the lovely town of Stratford Upon Avon as Keith was meeting up with his old pal, Malcolm, for a drink and a good chinwag!

We arrived in good time and parked a short walk from the Swan's Nest Hotel which sits right on the river. We left Keith and wandered over to a small tea-room for coffee and cake. The one we used to visit had changed hands and was now a steakhouse called The Lazy Cow, but the new place was nice, if a little frosty when it came to service. We sat outside with our drinks and were bombarded with wasps who took a liking to Sophie's ice-cream and Mikey's bottle of orange juice...

After our refreshments we strolled over to the marina to have a look at the boats and watched a canal boat making its way through the lock. It brought back memories of when I spent a week on a narrow boat in my late teens. I remember opening and closing all the locks - hard work!

The large area in front of the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) is a hive of activity and attracts large crowds of tourists. We happened upon one of the entertainers just as he was starting his show. We all thought he was very good as he juggled fire-sticks and then put a child on his shoulders to ride a unicycle. The first little girl who volunteered wasn't too keen when she found out what he was planning so a little boy went forward from the crowd...

She swiftly asked to be put down when she found out he was going to ride the bike!

Another child volunteers and looks like he enjoyed it!

 His last trick was to ride a ten foot high unicycle and juggle fire-sticks at the same time! He asked people in the crowd to help him onto the bike and then to throw the fire-sticks to him. One woman kept missing...I'm glad he didn't ask me!

When the show was over we put some money into his hat (I wonder how much these entertainers make?) and then walked over to the RSC to see what plays were coming up. Sophie had mentioned she wanted to see a Shakespeare play but to be honest there was nothing that we fancied.

We walked into the town and made our usual trip into WH Smith where Sophie picked out two new books. We managed to persuade Mikey to have one as well as it was buy two, get one free! The town was very busy but a great shop caught our eye - "Old Guys Rule" - so we went in and treated Keith to a new tee-shirt. We were going to save it for his Birthday but we couldn't resist giving it to him later!

We back-tracked and called into the RSC again to use their facilities and then, after a short argument about where to have lunch, decided on Costa Coffee...I wonder why!

We just had time to meander about by the river before it was time to go and collect Keith. He was a bit merry but had been drinking weaker beer than he normally does so he was still coherent and able to walk normally. We met Malcolm's wife, Joan, and her grandchildren and then it was time to head for home.

Rather than go across country, we retraced our steps to the A45 and then carried on along this road to the M45 which was empty as usual. Keith and I decided to call into the Royal Oak for a drink as we'd ordered a Chinese take-away. The place was heaving and was very noisy! What is it about our local pubs at the moment?

Back home we enjoyed our meal and then Keith disappeared upstairs to "watch" football...I think the last two pints tipped him over the edge as I knew that he would be asleep within minutes!

The end of another week!

We had a hectic start to Friday as Keith and I went to Booker first thing, which meant that we didn't get to work until past 9am so it was a frantic rush to put all the shopping away, unlock and do the tills! Luckily things calmed down a bit after that and although we were busier than yesterday, we were still on the quiet side, customer-wise.

In the evening Keith and I walked up to the pub for a drink but as the bar was so busy and noisy, we sat in the back room, all alone. I didn't mind, as I really wasn't in the mood for all the noise and we were able to have a good chat!

It was home to a Tesco Finest meal and very good it was, too!

Even more laziness!

I managed to get a lot done at work today and went home a bit early, intending to go for a walk with Keith. I'd even decided to go a different way this evening in an effort to vary the views!

However, when I arrived home, Keith was engrossed in the Womens' cricket so I lounged about on our bed with him and fell asleep! Both of us decided to leave the walk for tonight so we had a very indulgent evening playing cards in the conservatory with a couple of drinks, followed by a delicious home-made chicken pie. I was really hoping for a good storm to clear the air but although the clouds built up and it became very sultry, nothing happened.

I know I will make up for my sloth and did I feel guilty? No, I did not!

Wimping out!

The gym didn't do it for me tonight. I did all my weights and managed around 15 minutes on the cross trainer but it was very hot and I was longing to go down to the pool for a swim. So we did!

I will be pleased when this warm and sultry weather gives way to a cooler Autumn. There is no way we can complain about this summer - it seems as if every day has been warm and sunny and I think going back to grey skies and rain will come as a shock.

After our session at the gym we went home and I made the children's favourite meal - meatballs in a tomato sauce with pasta and garlic doughballs. After my laziness at the gym I felt a bit like a doughball myself!

Blundering about!

After a busy day at work Keith and I went for another walk over the fields...we must be suckers for punishment! My hubby suggested we go a different route which led us through long grass and over uneven ground that really took its tolls on our knees and ankles! Never again! From now on we'll stick to the well-worn pathway!

The end of the summer holidays is now in sight and I can't believe that the time has passed so quickly (I say this every year, though!). It just reminds me that we haven't sorted Mikey out with any new uniform yet...as usual I always leave things until the last minute!

Last Bank Holiday...

This morning Keith and I went for a long walk before it got too hot. We were out for almost two hours and enjoyed the sun and the lovely views. There were several hills on the walk so we certainly worked up a sweat! It was great to get home and have a long, hot shower!

The rest of the day was spent doing odd chores and pottering about enjoying the sunshine. As this is the last Bank Holiday before Christmas I tried to make the most of it. Sophie and I headed off to the gym in the evening for a quick swim and a laze in the jacuzzi - there was no way I was going to do a full workout!

Sunny-ish Sunday

Our neighbours, Gill and Tim, came home early this morning after what they called a nightmare journey through France, with queues at all the tolls and at the Eurotunnel. They were very happy with how we looked after Haggis the gecko and I'm just mightily relieved I don't have to chase crickets around their bathroom any more (we lost three in total!).

After a coffee with Mum and Dad, Sophie and I went off to the gym for a swim and a spell in the spa before having lovely hot showers and lunch in the cafe. The grey weather had given way to warm sunny weather while we were swimming, although there was still a great deal of cloud about.

We went home and after a frustrating hour looking at my family tree I managed to persuade Sophie to go for a walk with me over the fields (she's blackmailed me into buying her a mocha coffee cooler and a MacFlurry).

It was warm and sunny and we did a good time, powering up the hill really quickly. Back home I relaxed in the garden with the Sunday newspapers and a V&T while Keith barbecued. I'm thinking this is maybe the last one of the summer as the really hot temperatures have given way to cooler evenings. I don't think we can complain about this summer, though!