Today was supposed to have been the first day of our holiday but at 8am Sophie and I left for work as we had to go in, do the cleaning and make sure the wages were done.
Dad met us at the door, very annoyed that our weekend cleaner had nothing at all in her cleaning bucket! I thought at first that he was angry as someone had been in and cleaned for us and we'd had a wasted journey, but no such luck! I must admit that I was surprised he was in before us!
It didn't take us long, though, and by 9am the three of us were finished. I have no idea what Dad used to clean the toilets but they smelt nice when he finished! Sophie and I sorted out the money from the weekend and Maureen arrived to open up the kitchen. She was going to look after Reception when we left to go home as we'd given Polly the day off.
I was glad we weren't busy today as I would have felt terrible leaving just Maureen and Ricky, our assistant cook, to manage the place. The weather was warm and dry even though there was a fair bit of cloud about and we had just a handful of customers in all day.
Soph and I went over to the bank, bought some picnic foods in Tesco for our journey tomorrow (along with a whole array of cleaning products) and then headed back to work for lunch. My daughter had a nail appointment at 2pm and I went along with her as there was no point in me going home to return an hour later. It was very relaxing sitting there watching the beautician at work and although I thought her nails looked beautiful, Sophie wasn't so sure.
From the salon we sped off to see Mum for half an hour and we were really pleased to find her much improved and able to get about. She'd been walking up and down the corridor and had been up and down the stairs so she was all set to return home the next day, which was a relief to me. Even though she probably won't venture into work this week, she can still do some things from home that will keep the place running!
We drove back to work through the rush-hour traffic to work to pick up our chilled food and found the place about to be shut up for the day. I'm surprised we lasted that long! It was lovely to bid a fond farewell to Maureen and Ricky and then go home to start packing.
We were in a quandary about what to pack to be honest...warm clothes? Wet weather gear? Walking boots? Umbrellas? So different to what we normally pack for a summer holiday! It was lovely, though, not to have to worry about weights and putting liquids into hand luggage!
It didn't take us long to get all our clothes together and then it was time to relax for a while and look forward to our break!
Monday, 3 August 2015
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Rushing about!
It's been a full-on day today with only the smallest amount of relaxing this afternoon! We were up early to take Mikey off to the Barracks as he is going to Wales for ten days with the Army Cadets. It always feels very strange waving him off but we think he looks forward to it and last year, when we were able to travel to Thetford for the day to visit him, he seemed very happy.
We drove home and after a quick cup of coffee I started on the housework that needed doing. I was able to rope Sophie and Keith in to help and at midday we stopped for lunch and then I showered as I'd promised I'd go and see Mum in hospital this afternoon.
She was looking a little worse for wear and said that her knee was very painful. She was also very dopey as she'd had painkillers since her operation yesterday and we didn't stay long. I was a bit worried about her, to be honest, as usually she's very active and being confined to bed will be hard!
As it was such a beautiful day we went home and sat in the garden for a little while. I asked Sue whether she could come around to see what plants needed watering while we were away but Paul came instead as he said Sue was a bit unwell. We had a good chat and after our neighbouyr had gone we decided that we would stay in this evening rather than go out as planned. We were all still full from our lunchtime goodies so we just had a few slices of garlic bread and some potato wedges which went down very well! The house is very quiet without Mike's presence and it really does feel like something is missing!
We drove home and after a quick cup of coffee I started on the housework that needed doing. I was able to rope Sophie and Keith in to help and at midday we stopped for lunch and then I showered as I'd promised I'd go and see Mum in hospital this afternoon.
She was looking a little worse for wear and said that her knee was very painful. She was also very dopey as she'd had painkillers since her operation yesterday and we didn't stay long. I was a bit worried about her, to be honest, as usually she's very active and being confined to bed will be hard!
As it was such a beautiful day we went home and sat in the garden for a little while. I asked Sue whether she could come around to see what plants needed watering while we were away but Paul came instead as he said Sue was a bit unwell. We had a good chat and after our neighbouyr had gone we decided that we would stay in this evening rather than go out as planned. We were all still full from our lunchtime goodies so we just had a few slices of garlic bread and some potato wedges which went down very well! The house is very quiet without Mike's presence and it really does feel like something is missing!
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Come on baby...light my fire!
It's been a busy day today and our Saturday didn't get off to a wonderful start when water from Sophie's shower leaked into the kitchen below, seeping around one of the ceiling lights and dripping onto the floor. Keith was asleep in bed so I had to call him and for the next hour we tried to sort it out.
Sophie was meeting two friends for breakfast at Beckworth Emporium so we took her at 9am and returned for some breakfast of our own. When I took a shower Keith crawled under the shower tray and said there as some water leaking out of one of the pipes. I think we need a whole new en-suite to be honest as our shower has always leaked, right from day one when we used to have a building site manager still on the estate!
We left home at 11am to pop to Jones's but Sophie called on the way and asked to be picked up so we diverted back to Beckworth to collect her. She had some very sad news about her friend's mum who has terminal cancer so it really put the problems with our leaky shower into perspective.
At Jones's we bought some loo rolls, more grass seed and fat balls and then went home where Keith and I mooched about until it was time for him to go to a local football match and Sophie and I to go to Farndon Fields Farm shop.
On the way we took a call from work as our flaky receptionist had walked out after having an argument with another member of staff. This day was really turning out well! As soon as I reached the farm shop I called Maureen and mananged to smooth the ruffled feathers and sort it out. Our receptionist hadn't actually gone so I persuaded her to stay until the end of the day and then asked Polly to cover for her on Sunday. Hopefully in a couple of weeks this will no longer be my problem!
Sophie and I enjoyed tea and cake at Farndon Fields and we were a little surprised to see the tea served in cafetiere-style jugs. What's wrong with a good old china teapot? The milk came in a mini mlk bottle as well so although it was very nice, I did find it all a little pretentious!
We mooched about the farm shop and I bought some foods for lunch tomorrow as well as some delicious strawberries and peaches. They have a fabulous range of fresh vegetables, fruit, meats and breads and I could have spent a fortune!
As it was Mike's last night before Army Camp we ordered a Papa John's pizza take-away and Keith and I went to collect it at 7.30pm. The plan was to have dinner and then light a log thing that I'd bought in Jones's and toast marshmallows over it in the garden.
After some difficulty we managed to light the stick inside the log and dragged Sophie's old sofa out of the garage for the kids to sit on.
Sophie preferred to sit on an old sleeping bag with Monty...
We experimented with the panorama format on my Hudl...
We had a lovely evening and toasted lots of marshmallows which were very sticky and sweet!
Mike went off to the village as two of his friends came to call and Sophie went inside as it was chilly, which just left Keith and I sitting outside. The logs was burning beautifully and Keith added some woods to the logs to make it burn a little brighter. We both found the flames mesmerising and it was lovely to sit outside in the peace and quiet and watch the bats flitting about overhead!
Sophie was meeting two friends for breakfast at Beckworth Emporium so we took her at 9am and returned for some breakfast of our own. When I took a shower Keith crawled under the shower tray and said there as some water leaking out of one of the pipes. I think we need a whole new en-suite to be honest as our shower has always leaked, right from day one when we used to have a building site manager still on the estate!
We left home at 11am to pop to Jones's but Sophie called on the way and asked to be picked up so we diverted back to Beckworth to collect her. She had some very sad news about her friend's mum who has terminal cancer so it really put the problems with our leaky shower into perspective.
At Jones's we bought some loo rolls, more grass seed and fat balls and then went home where Keith and I mooched about until it was time for him to go to a local football match and Sophie and I to go to Farndon Fields Farm shop.
On the way we took a call from work as our flaky receptionist had walked out after having an argument with another member of staff. This day was really turning out well! As soon as I reached the farm shop I called Maureen and mananged to smooth the ruffled feathers and sort it out. Our receptionist hadn't actually gone so I persuaded her to stay until the end of the day and then asked Polly to cover for her on Sunday. Hopefully in a couple of weeks this will no longer be my problem!
Sophie and I enjoyed tea and cake at Farndon Fields and we were a little surprised to see the tea served in cafetiere-style jugs. What's wrong with a good old china teapot? The milk came in a mini mlk bottle as well so although it was very nice, I did find it all a little pretentious!
We mooched about the farm shop and I bought some foods for lunch tomorrow as well as some delicious strawberries and peaches. They have a fabulous range of fresh vegetables, fruit, meats and breads and I could have spent a fortune!
As it was Mike's last night before Army Camp we ordered a Papa John's pizza take-away and Keith and I went to collect it at 7.30pm. The plan was to have dinner and then light a log thing that I'd bought in Jones's and toast marshmallows over it in the garden.
After some difficulty we managed to light the stick inside the log and dragged Sophie's old sofa out of the garage for the kids to sit on.
Sophie preferred to sit on an old sleeping bag with Monty...
We experimented with the panorama format on my Hudl...
We had a lovely evening and toasted lots of marshmallows which were very sticky and sweet!
Mike went off to the village as two of his friends came to call and Sophie went inside as it was chilly, which just left Keith and I sitting outside. The logs was burning beautifully and Keith added some woods to the logs to make it burn a little brighter. We both found the flames mesmerising and it was lovely to sit outside in the peace and quiet and watch the bats flitting about overhead!
Friday, 31 July 2015
Another week over...
So, Friday has arrived again and still there's no sign of us completing on the sale. Today was supposed to have been my last day at work before I had two weeks off, but Sophie and I will have to go in on Monday to do the cleaning and a host of other jobs that need to be done. Mum will be in hospital so I have to sort things out before we leave on Tuesday.
After a quick trip to Booker, Sophie and I did manage to leave just after lunchtime and I went home to tidy up the garden and mow the lawn (hoover up leaves). I'm glad I did this today as I'm facing a busy weekend and it's one less thing to do!
Keith and I took Mike to the doctors in the afternoon as he was complaining about stomach pains. Heaven help us if he can't go on Sunday. That really would put the cat amongst the pigeons! Luckily he was given some anti-acid tablets and he felt better so he stayed in Brixworth to see his mates. Phew!
After a quick trip to Booker, Sophie and I did manage to leave just after lunchtime and I went home to tidy up the garden and mow the lawn (hoover up leaves). I'm glad I did this today as I'm facing a busy weekend and it's one less thing to do!
Keith and I took Mike to the doctors in the afternoon as he was complaining about stomach pains. Heaven help us if he can't go on Sunday. That really would put the cat amongst the pigeons! Luckily he was given some anti-acid tablets and he felt better so he stayed in Brixworth to see his mates. Phew!
July photos
July has whizzed by...here are a few photos from this month:
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| The garden at the pub, overlooking the church |
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| Sue and Bailey |
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| Sophie at work, all ready to start cooking! |
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| Our sunflowers (note the new grass in the background) |
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| Container gardening |
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| Monty selfie |
Thursday, 30 July 2015
A little treat...
It's been a busy day at work which was surprising seeing as the weather today has been fine and dry. We did have a lunchtime party, though, which helped as well as a group eating so that might have had something to do with it!
I gav eSophie the day off today so it was just Mum and me in the office. We were called down to the kitchen at midday to help with the washing up and there was mounds of it! Once we'd cleared it all it was time for our lunch and then I finished work at 3pm to go home and wash the car.
In the early evening Keith and I went to the pub and sat in the window watching the world go by. Keith treated me to a glass of Chardonnay for once, and very nice it was too! We chatted about the holiday and I said that I couldn't believe it was going to be August soon. This year has passed so quickly - maybe more quickly than any other year I've known and all we seem to have done is wait around for the business to be sold.
Once back at home I cooked Jerk chicken pasta for dinner, so beloved by Sophie. It was quite hot and very tasty and there was enough left for lunch tomorrow!
I gav eSophie the day off today so it was just Mum and me in the office. We were called down to the kitchen at midday to help with the washing up and there was mounds of it! Once we'd cleared it all it was time for our lunch and then I finished work at 3pm to go home and wash the car.
In the early evening Keith and I went to the pub and sat in the window watching the world go by. Keith treated me to a glass of Chardonnay for once, and very nice it was too! We chatted about the holiday and I said that I couldn't believe it was going to be August soon. This year has passed so quickly - maybe more quickly than any other year I've known and all we seem to have done is wait around for the business to be sold.
Once back at home I cooked Jerk chicken pasta for dinner, so beloved by Sophie. It was quite hot and very tasty and there was enough left for lunch tomorrow!
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Memories
I bought myself a "Video Capture Adaptor" from Amazon a few days ago as I wanted to convert some old camcorder tapes to DVD. As I'm so quiet at work at the moment I took everything in with me and managed to get it all to work.
It was great seeing footage of a visit we made to France back in 1994, before we'd even started the business or before we'd had Sophie and Michael! I think it's amazing that you can capture moments in time like that!
We stayed in a small hotel near Carpentras and explored the wine villages of Chateauneuf-du Pape and Gigondas, which is now a renowned wine although back then we'd never heard of it. We also visited Nuits St Georges in Burgundy and stayed in a hotel in the village of Mercurey when it was very hot. When we headed back to the UK the boot of our Rover was packed full of cases of wine! Oh, to be able to go and do that again! One day, perhaps!
My little reveries were interrupted by a call from one of the buyers who sounded very frustrated that nothing had happened again this week. He blamed our solicitors and asked (almost demanded) that we get onto them to find out what was happening. My Dad duly called them and was told that everything had been done and that they certainly weren't ignoring the buyer's solicitors as had been suggested.
I have a feeling that someone is delaying this sale for whatever reason and telling little porky pies. We are all so fed up with it dragging on and my planned two weeks holiday is being cut short drastically as I'll have to come in next Monday and then return to work on the 10th to look after things if my Mum is still out of action after her operation.
We went home and relaxed after the stressful half an hour of phone calls and we're just hoping that something will get done within the next few days, but I'm not holding my breath!
It was great seeing footage of a visit we made to France back in 1994, before we'd even started the business or before we'd had Sophie and Michael! I think it's amazing that you can capture moments in time like that!
We stayed in a small hotel near Carpentras and explored the wine villages of Chateauneuf-du Pape and Gigondas, which is now a renowned wine although back then we'd never heard of it. We also visited Nuits St Georges in Burgundy and stayed in a hotel in the village of Mercurey when it was very hot. When we headed back to the UK the boot of our Rover was packed full of cases of wine! Oh, to be able to go and do that again! One day, perhaps!
My little reveries were interrupted by a call from one of the buyers who sounded very frustrated that nothing had happened again this week. He blamed our solicitors and asked (almost demanded) that we get onto them to find out what was happening. My Dad duly called them and was told that everything had been done and that they certainly weren't ignoring the buyer's solicitors as had been suggested.
I have a feeling that someone is delaying this sale for whatever reason and telling little porky pies. We are all so fed up with it dragging on and my planned two weeks holiday is being cut short drastically as I'll have to come in next Monday and then return to work on the 10th to look after things if my Mum is still out of action after her operation.
We went home and relaxed after the stressful half an hour of phone calls and we're just hoping that something will get done within the next few days, but I'm not holding my breath!
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