I was assured that I wouldn't be alone at the CAB today and that someone would come over from the main office to help. I arrived and set up and Gill appeared to say that there was indeed someone coming over to man the Reception office with me...only they never turned up!
It was OK, though, as we weren't manically busy and it remained steady all day with no real issues to complicate matters, thank goodness! The only problem was that I couldn't leave the office to go and have lunch and I couldn't even make a tea or coffee! Gill stayed in the office while I popped to the loo in the afternoon but it was a long day under the glare of fluorescent lights!
After the session I headed to the main office to see Penny and she went through the training with me. I had no idea I had to complete some assessments online so I'll do that over the next week or so. I'd parked the car in the Mayorhold car park today and it was quite an easy process to get out using my CAB parking card. From now on I'll park there as it wasn't that bad and at least Judy had parked opposite me so we walked together.
From town I went to collect Sophie from work and as I was a bit early I sat and had a cup of tea and a slice of cake and had a good chat with Maureen. Sophie and I had an appointment to give blood at 5pm but Sophie couldn't donate in the end as she'd had her ears pierced a couple of months ago! She was disappointed but we both made an appointment for the 22 December...that will come too quickly!
Sophie and Keith had hatched a plan to go out in the evening to The Lamplighter. Mike had gone off to stay with friends so it was just the three of us going out. Sophie and I had a quick shower and we felt a lot better as today has been warm and muggy.
The Lamplighter was busy as the quiz was on this evening but we grabbed a table by the window and were soon munching on delicious garlic bread. Sophie and I chose burgers for our main course while Keith went for his beloved fish and chips! We left just as the quiz started and by now the place was packed! Driving home we left the car windows open and the variety of different smells going through the town was amazing!
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
A quiet day
Today has been an uneventful, quiet day and after taking Sophie to work Keith and I came home and did very little.
I stayed in the conservatory for most of the day and did some studying for the Citizens Advice Bureau. I'm having a meeting with the Training Supervisor tomorrow so I needed to do some catching up! Mike went over to Brixworth to see his mates and we put off looking at college courses until later. It's a huge worry at the moment!
Before going to collect the children we drove over to Mum and Dad's house to water the garden. It's been a glorious day today with blue skies and constant sunshine. The next few days are set to be the same so I wanted to make sure their new plants had enough water.
In the evening Sophie went out with her uni friends and I dropped her off at their house. It was then home to fish pie for dinner and a couple of episodes of The Glades until it was time to go back and pick her up again. The good thing was that Mike sat down after dinner and picked four courses to do at college. He chose Sociology at A level and then Photography, Applied Science and a Journalism course at Level 2. He seemed happy with his choices and has an interview next week. Let's hope it all goes well!
I stayed in the conservatory for most of the day and did some studying for the Citizens Advice Bureau. I'm having a meeting with the Training Supervisor tomorrow so I needed to do some catching up! Mike went over to Brixworth to see his mates and we put off looking at college courses until later. It's a huge worry at the moment!
Before going to collect the children we drove over to Mum and Dad's house to water the garden. It's been a glorious day today with blue skies and constant sunshine. The next few days are set to be the same so I wanted to make sure their new plants had enough water.
In the evening Sophie went out with her uni friends and I dropped her off at their house. It was then home to fish pie for dinner and a couple of episodes of The Glades until it was time to go back and pick her up again. The good thing was that Mike sat down after dinner and picked four courses to do at college. He chose Sociology at A level and then Photography, Applied Science and a Journalism course at Level 2. He seemed happy with his choices and has an interview next week. Let's hope it all goes well!
Monday, 29 August 2016
Gatwick bound...
Mum and Dad had asked us to take them to Gatwick today as they are flying off to the Greek island of Paros tomorrow. It couldn't have been a worse day to travel as it's Bank Holiday Monday and the long school summer holidays are nearly over.
I quickly hoovered all through in the morning and gave our en-suite a clean before it was time to shower and drive over to collect Mum and Dad at noon. They were all ready and squeezed into the back of the car with Sophie while Keith sat up front with me.
We made good time until we got past Heathrow and then the traffic slowed. Despite that we were dropping them off at just before 2.30pm so we had certainly made a better time than we did the other week when we went to Brighton! My Dad had been worrying the whole way down that he'd left their passports and documentation at home and the relief on his face when he got out and found them in the hand luggage was wonderful! I didn't fancy another trip back down the same day!
We bid them a fond farewell and drove back to the M25 via Reigate. It was much easier than battling our way onto the M23 and I'll never forget the time we'd arrived back at Gatwick after a long flight from Florida (in 2009) and I missed the turn for the M25. I ended up in central London!
We had no choice but to stop at Cobham services for a bite to eat and a cup of tea. It was packed again, with lots of people wandering around looking very dirty and wearing wellies...I can only assume they'd been at Reading festival and were on their way home!
We set off again and despite all the dire warnings we were home at just after 5pm. Keith was able to go to the pub while I cooked dinner. I wish we'd got delayed now!
I quickly hoovered all through in the morning and gave our en-suite a clean before it was time to shower and drive over to collect Mum and Dad at noon. They were all ready and squeezed into the back of the car with Sophie while Keith sat up front with me.
We made good time until we got past Heathrow and then the traffic slowed. Despite that we were dropping them off at just before 2.30pm so we had certainly made a better time than we did the other week when we went to Brighton! My Dad had been worrying the whole way down that he'd left their passports and documentation at home and the relief on his face when he got out and found them in the hand luggage was wonderful! I didn't fancy another trip back down the same day!
We bid them a fond farewell and drove back to the M25 via Reigate. It was much easier than battling our way onto the M23 and I'll never forget the time we'd arrived back at Gatwick after a long flight from Florida (in 2009) and I missed the turn for the M25. I ended up in central London!
We had no choice but to stop at Cobham services for a bite to eat and a cup of tea. It was packed again, with lots of people wandering around looking very dirty and wearing wellies...I can only assume they'd been at Reading festival and were on their way home!
We set off again and despite all the dire warnings we were home at just after 5pm. Keith was able to go to the pub while I cooked dinner. I wish we'd got delayed now!
Sunday, 28 August 2016
No cake!
The weather today has been a replica of yesterday with a warm and sunny morning and heavy, thundery downpours of rain in the afternoon. We took Sophie to work at 11am and then came home to trim back our garden before the weather changed. A corner of our garden adjoins the drive up to three houses next door and we had heard yesterday that one of the residents had an issue with the bushes being overgrown on the land next to ours. As we didn't want to get into trouble as well, we trimmed the hypericum and two conifers so they didn't branch out over the drive too much!
After all the rain and wind yesterday we also tidied up the front and I swept up yet more leaves from the verge. I just had time to go in and have a shower before I picked Mum up at 1.30pm as we were off to an Antiques Fair at Lamport Hall.
The weather was looking a bit dicey on the way over and thankfully the field we parked in was quite dry - I didn't fancy getting stuck in the mud! There were loads of stalls and straight away I spotted a beautiful small vase from Masons which would be perfect for a candle. It was £7.50, so a good price, and I said to the stall-holder that I would be back.
Most of the stalls were situated in the stable block but there were also some on the field behind the courtyard. I looked in vain for a tea and cake tent but only saw a Hog Roast from a local Butcher's. We wanted tea and cake!
Mum spotted a Masons Jug in the Regency pattern that she collects so she decided to splash out and buy it. As she didn't have enough cash the stall-holder took her over to the entrance cabin where she could pay by card. While I was there I asked about refreshments and was told that the Hog Roast was the only source of grub! Another woman came up to the cabin and started to complain vociferously about the lack of food choices as she had a vegetarian in her group. I said that as there'd been a resurgence of all things baking they would have made a mint if they'd offered afternoon tea! One of the main reasons we go to an antique or craft fair is for the lovely teas and bakes on offer!
Mum and I went back to the fair and enquired about an ice-cream but they'd run out! I went and bought the Masons vase and also a lovely little dish that was sitting in a £1 box and looking very sorry for itself! We decided that enough was enough and it was a good thing we did as on the way to Brixworth (to buy cake) the heavens opened and we had a cloud burst so bad I had to stay in the car before I could get out to the Co-Op!
When I eventually ran in I met Judy who is the wife of Keith's old manager from Black and Decker. We had a good chat and I have to say she was looking very well and was certainly enjoying retirement. I bought a walnut cake and we dashed home through flooded roads to make a pot of tea!
In the evening I tried out a new Hairy Bikers recipe - Chicken in a Brandy sauce. It was delicious but we couldn't taste a lot of Brandy, probably because Keith had burnt it all off when he flambeed the pan!
After all the rain and wind yesterday we also tidied up the front and I swept up yet more leaves from the verge. I just had time to go in and have a shower before I picked Mum up at 1.30pm as we were off to an Antiques Fair at Lamport Hall.
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| Nice plant - no idea what it is. I will ask Sue! |
The weather was looking a bit dicey on the way over and thankfully the field we parked in was quite dry - I didn't fancy getting stuck in the mud! There were loads of stalls and straight away I spotted a beautiful small vase from Masons which would be perfect for a candle. It was £7.50, so a good price, and I said to the stall-holder that I would be back.
Most of the stalls were situated in the stable block but there were also some on the field behind the courtyard. I looked in vain for a tea and cake tent but only saw a Hog Roast from a local Butcher's. We wanted tea and cake!
Mum spotted a Masons Jug in the Regency pattern that she collects so she decided to splash out and buy it. As she didn't have enough cash the stall-holder took her over to the entrance cabin where she could pay by card. While I was there I asked about refreshments and was told that the Hog Roast was the only source of grub! Another woman came up to the cabin and started to complain vociferously about the lack of food choices as she had a vegetarian in her group. I said that as there'd been a resurgence of all things baking they would have made a mint if they'd offered afternoon tea! One of the main reasons we go to an antique or craft fair is for the lovely teas and bakes on offer!
Mum and I went back to the fair and enquired about an ice-cream but they'd run out! I went and bought the Masons vase and also a lovely little dish that was sitting in a £1 box and looking very sorry for itself! We decided that enough was enough and it was a good thing we did as on the way to Brixworth (to buy cake) the heavens opened and we had a cloud burst so bad I had to stay in the car before I could get out to the Co-Op!
When I eventually ran in I met Judy who is the wife of Keith's old manager from Black and Decker. We had a good chat and I have to say she was looking very well and was certainly enjoying retirement. I bought a walnut cake and we dashed home through flooded roads to make a pot of tea!
In the evening I tried out a new Hairy Bikers recipe - Chicken in a Brandy sauce. It was delicious but we couldn't taste a lot of Brandy, probably because Keith had burnt it all off when he flambeed the pan!
Saturday, 27 August 2016
Washout!
We had arranged to go to the local pub's beer festival today and had said we would meet Paul and Sue and Richard and Michelle at 12pm to walk up.
Sophie should have been at Leeds Festival today but had had to cancel as she couldn't get any time off work. It was a good thing, though, as the person she was going to see, Fetty Wap, had cancelled at the last minute due to illness...perhaps he had heard Sophie wasn't going!!
We walked up with the others (Paul was out walking the dogs and joined us later) and the weather was lovely - very sunny and warm - and we just hoped it would stay that way! Keith Sophie and I went into the barn to select our drinks and I chose a half pint of a very dark beer at 6.1% called T'Owd Navigation. Sophie chose a bottle of lager as it was cold!
We joined the others who had set up two picnic tables under the marquee and right in the middle, which, we later found out, was a very good thing! Sue and Michelle went for Pimms and Prosecco while Richard had a pint of a sweet cider that looked very cloudy, but was nevertheless very good, he said!
We had a great time chatting and laughing and Paul joined us with the dogs, followed by Mike who had walked up after his shower. He and Keith drank the T'Owd Navigation while I went for a slightly weaker beer called Earnest Anarchist which was delicious.
After about an hour and a half it started to rain and then we had a series of thunderstorms that were very violent!
We were so glad our table was right in the middle of the tent as several people had to move inside because of the weather!
Of course, the rain prevented us from going home so we all had more to drink then we intended to! Keith had four pints of very strong beer while I had four halves. He and Mike dashed home at 5pm as Keith wanted to watch Newcastle play on the television and Sophie and I followed half an hour later with the others once the rain had stopped.
We all agreed that we'd had a lovely afternoon, though, despite the weather and that the terrific thunder and lightening had actually added to the enjoyment!
I cooked pizzas and potato wedges for dinner after waking up the sleepy menfolk!
Sophie should have been at Leeds Festival today but had had to cancel as she couldn't get any time off work. It was a good thing, though, as the person she was going to see, Fetty Wap, had cancelled at the last minute due to illness...perhaps he had heard Sophie wasn't going!!
We walked up with the others (Paul was out walking the dogs and joined us later) and the weather was lovely - very sunny and warm - and we just hoped it would stay that way! Keith Sophie and I went into the barn to select our drinks and I chose a half pint of a very dark beer at 6.1% called T'Owd Navigation. Sophie chose a bottle of lager as it was cold!
We joined the others who had set up two picnic tables under the marquee and right in the middle, which, we later found out, was a very good thing! Sue and Michelle went for Pimms and Prosecco while Richard had a pint of a sweet cider that looked very cloudy, but was nevertheless very good, he said!
We had a great time chatting and laughing and Paul joined us with the dogs, followed by Mike who had walked up after his shower. He and Keith drank the T'Owd Navigation while I went for a slightly weaker beer called Earnest Anarchist which was delicious.
After about an hour and a half it started to rain and then we had a series of thunderstorms that were very violent!
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| About 3pm when the storm really got fierce! Stuart (one of the Managers of the pub). |
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| Son and father |
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| Bailey hiding on Sue and Michelle's laps. It became very chilly! |
Of course, the rain prevented us from going home so we all had more to drink then we intended to! Keith had four pints of very strong beer while I had four halves. He and Mike dashed home at 5pm as Keith wanted to watch Newcastle play on the television and Sophie and I followed half an hour later with the others once the rain had stopped.
We all agreed that we'd had a lovely afternoon, though, despite the weather and that the terrific thunder and lightening had actually added to the enjoyment!
I cooked pizzas and potato wedges for dinner after waking up the sleepy menfolk!
Friday, 26 August 2016
More disappointing news...
I was ready before 9am this morning to work with Sue on the large garden again and it was shaping up to be a hot and sunny day. Paul came with us as he was trimming a couple of overgrown hedges which were beyond Sue and I!
We cut down some plants by the house that had died off and then I collected several wheelbarrow loads of compost for the borders. Sue had to dig out a beautiful plant called Alchemilla mollis as the owner didn't want it in the beds any more and it was very hard work as, although the soil had been softened a bit by yesterday's rain, the roots were still stubborn! We must have carted about nine or ten loads of smelly compost onto the beds as well as pull up some weeds that had flourished in the damp conditions. With the hot sun and lack of shade, it was hard work!
About an hour before we finished we helped Paul with the hedge at the front of the house and then he moved to the one in the back garden. I helped him shovel up all the branches and sweep up the dead leaves from underneath. By 1pm I was more than ready to go home, have a long cool shower and have a wee break! I'd been to see the horse again and had a cuddle and while I was shovelling up compost a little robin paid me a visit! There were loads of worms in the compost! Little, horrible red ones! Ugh!
We left Paul in the garden as he still had a fair amount to do and Sue drove me home. It was stright into the shower before I donned a completely new set of clothes and went shopping with Keith to Aldi and Tesco. I really didn't feel like doing it but I was glad when we had finished and put it all away.
After a quick lunch we went to collect Sophie and then it was home to sit in the garden with a shared bottle of cold beer. I discovered that my application for a job at the university library was unsuccessful. Oh well...better luck with the next one, hey?!
We cut down some plants by the house that had died off and then I collected several wheelbarrow loads of compost for the borders. Sue had to dig out a beautiful plant called Alchemilla mollis as the owner didn't want it in the beds any more and it was very hard work as, although the soil had been softened a bit by yesterday's rain, the roots were still stubborn! We must have carted about nine or ten loads of smelly compost onto the beds as well as pull up some weeds that had flourished in the damp conditions. With the hot sun and lack of shade, it was hard work!
About an hour before we finished we helped Paul with the hedge at the front of the house and then he moved to the one in the back garden. I helped him shovel up all the branches and sweep up the dead leaves from underneath. By 1pm I was more than ready to go home, have a long cool shower and have a wee break! I'd been to see the horse again and had a cuddle and while I was shovelling up compost a little robin paid me a visit! There were loads of worms in the compost! Little, horrible red ones! Ugh!
We left Paul in the garden as he still had a fair amount to do and Sue drove me home. It was stright into the shower before I donned a completely new set of clothes and went shopping with Keith to Aldi and Tesco. I really didn't feel like doing it but I was glad when we had finished and put it all away.
After a quick lunch we went to collect Sophie and then it was home to sit in the garden with a shared bottle of cold beer. I discovered that my application for a job at the university library was unsuccessful. Oh well...better luck with the next one, hey?!
Thursday, 25 August 2016
Exam results
Today, after dropping Sophie off at work, we went to school to collect Mike's exam results. He was really hoping he would do well enough to get into 6th Form but unfortunately he didn't get the grades he needed.
We saw one of the Careers Advisors and then went up to the very hot library to see Mr Jones who is the Headteacher. As soon as we sat down (after waiting for about an hour) it became clear that Mike wasn't going to be staying on as he wanted to.
We went and saw the Careers woman again and she ran through the options that Mike has. He can go to another 6th Form - Weston Favell school would accept his grades which was weird as that was where I went 32 years ago! Or he could enrol at the college and do his A levels there. He was extremely disappointed and so were Keith and I. It would have been lovely for him to follow in Sophie's footsteps and now we have the added hassle of getting him to college and Sophie to uni and both institutions are in different directions!
We'd been at the school since 10.30am and it was now almost 1pm so we drove home and after dropping Mike off, Keith and I went to see my parents, as my Aunt Joyce was dropping in on her way down to Kent to see her father. My Mum and Dad had laid on a little buffet so we were able to sit and commiserate with them and talk about what Mike was going to do next.
My Aunt arrived and we had a good chat - the last time I saw her was at Jonathan's wedding in May so it was great to catch up with her news. We couldn't stay too long, though, as we had to go and get some essential shopping and Mike was itching to get out to see his friends and either commiserate with them or celebrate!
We saw one of the Careers Advisors and then went up to the very hot library to see Mr Jones who is the Headteacher. As soon as we sat down (after waiting for about an hour) it became clear that Mike wasn't going to be staying on as he wanted to.
We went and saw the Careers woman again and she ran through the options that Mike has. He can go to another 6th Form - Weston Favell school would accept his grades which was weird as that was where I went 32 years ago! Or he could enrol at the college and do his A levels there. He was extremely disappointed and so were Keith and I. It would have been lovely for him to follow in Sophie's footsteps and now we have the added hassle of getting him to college and Sophie to uni and both institutions are in different directions!
We'd been at the school since 10.30am and it was now almost 1pm so we drove home and after dropping Mike off, Keith and I went to see my parents, as my Aunt Joyce was dropping in on her way down to Kent to see her father. My Mum and Dad had laid on a little buffet so we were able to sit and commiserate with them and talk about what Mike was going to do next.
My Aunt arrived and we had a good chat - the last time I saw her was at Jonathan's wedding in May so it was great to catch up with her news. We couldn't stay too long, though, as we had to go and get some essential shopping and Mike was itching to get out to see his friends and either commiserate with them or celebrate!
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