The first day of 2017 dawned grey and miserable...not the best of starts!
We were all up very late (well, I was downstairs by 8.30am) but the kids were still asleep at 10.30am! As the weather was so horrible - and it had been forecast, so it was no surprise - we lazed about all morning. However, Sophie needed to go and exchange a pair of pyjamas that my Mum had bought her so we were forced to go into Northampton in the afternoon.
It rained all the way there and at times it looked a little sleety. As the temperature was only about 4c I was hoping it would turn into snow, but no such luck. We parked in the Mayhold car park and walked the short distance to the Grosvenor Centre where I went into Boots to get something for my back. I've been suffering for a while now and it's worse when I get up in the morning. Sophie suggested Tiger Balm to rub into the muscles so I bought that along with a Tangle Teezer comb for my hair as it's a nightmare when it's wet. Anything to make my life easier!
Sophie returned some knickers that were too large for her in Next and the assistant had terrible trouble doing the transaction. We had to wait ages while she fiddled about and I could sense Sophie getting madder and madder by the minute! We then had a similar problem in River Island as the pyjamas were no longer in stock and as we hadn't got a receipt the assistant would only give us the sale price. I knew my Mum had bought the garments way before they were in the sale so we said we'd get the receipt and try again later. What a carry on!
To soothe our frayed tempers, we had a coffee in Costa along with a chocolate twist and then headed home. Sophie had bought her friends, Daisy and Laura, presents in Primark, which used to be the beautiful Beatties store in Northampton and is now, sadly, no longer. I'm not a huge fan of Primark, to be honest but it was certainly the busiest of all the stores we visited in the town. We also popped into Accessorize where my daughter bought some jewellery and an evening bag for herself.
The town was pretty quiet and so very depressing. Only half the shops were open and with the weather it wasn't the most enjoyable of afternoons! We gladly went home and relaxed with a drink while Keith cooked a very delicious roast beef and all the trimmings. A good end to the first day of 2017!
Sunday, 1 January 2017
Saturday, 31 December 2016
Out with the old...
So, another year has passed by and I, for one, will be glad to see 2017. I have been a bit disappointed with this year, as I was with 2015, and I'm really hoping that 2017 will be a better and less worrying year.
We've had more than our fair share of niggles this year, and I know a lot of other people have as well. I really thought that by now I would have a new job or be doing something that I really enjoyed, and although I love volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau once a week, the reality is I'm going to have to get serious about a new career pretty soon!
On the other hand I've made new friends (Richard and Michelle, Gill and Priya, Frank) and have dipped my toes into something new with the volunteering and the gardening with Sue, both of which I hope will be ongoing in 2017. We've had a couple of very good trips (Aldeburgh and Berlin) and we're all so excited about our holiday next August. It only seems like a few weeks ago that we booked it, but on Monday we will only have seven months to wait!
Keith's cancer scare knocked us all for six this year and we seem to have had quite a few health worries. I'm determined to get fitter in 2017 and do more walking. The saddest event in 2016 was the death of our beautiful furry bear, Archie, and we all still miss him every day. We can't believe he's not around any more, but he's safely tucked up in our garden and I talk to him whenever I go out there.
And talking of the dark side of life, this has been a terrible year for celebrity deaths with some of my favourite actors and singers passing away. The death of George Michael was a real shock. I hope and pray that 2017 will be more peaceful for everyone.
We came up with a Bucket List for 2017 the other evening. Here is our wish list:
Walk around both sides of Pitsford Reservoir, from home.
Ride the Mummy rollercoaster in Florida in August. (I will do it next year!)
Visit Broughton House.
See a film at the Errol Flynn cinema next to Derngate in Northampton.
Listen to live music at a restaurant or bar in Florida, preferably on the beach!
Eat caviar with Champagne
Visit a Latin bar and Salsa dance
Enjoy a night at a casino
Drive an Aston Martin (maybe an early 50th Birthday present?)
Walk the breadth of England
It's been a grey day today, a quiet and sombre end to the year. Sophie was at work and my parents came around for a cup of tea in the afternoon. We have no plans for tonight, other than a good meal and a glass of Cava at midnight.
Here's to 2017...Happy New Year!
We've had more than our fair share of niggles this year, and I know a lot of other people have as well. I really thought that by now I would have a new job or be doing something that I really enjoyed, and although I love volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau once a week, the reality is I'm going to have to get serious about a new career pretty soon!
On the other hand I've made new friends (Richard and Michelle, Gill and Priya, Frank) and have dipped my toes into something new with the volunteering and the gardening with Sue, both of which I hope will be ongoing in 2017. We've had a couple of very good trips (Aldeburgh and Berlin) and we're all so excited about our holiday next August. It only seems like a few weeks ago that we booked it, but on Monday we will only have seven months to wait!
Keith's cancer scare knocked us all for six this year and we seem to have had quite a few health worries. I'm determined to get fitter in 2017 and do more walking. The saddest event in 2016 was the death of our beautiful furry bear, Archie, and we all still miss him every day. We can't believe he's not around any more, but he's safely tucked up in our garden and I talk to him whenever I go out there.
And talking of the dark side of life, this has been a terrible year for celebrity deaths with some of my favourite actors and singers passing away. The death of George Michael was a real shock. I hope and pray that 2017 will be more peaceful for everyone.
We came up with a Bucket List for 2017 the other evening. Here is our wish list:
Walk around both sides of Pitsford Reservoir, from home.
Ride the Mummy rollercoaster in Florida in August. (I will do it next year!)
Visit Broughton House.
See a film at the Errol Flynn cinema next to Derngate in Northampton.
Listen to live music at a restaurant or bar in Florida, preferably on the beach!
Eat caviar with Champagne
Visit a Latin bar and Salsa dance
Enjoy a night at a casino
Drive an Aston Martin (maybe an early 50th Birthday present?)
Walk the breadth of England
It's been a grey day today, a quiet and sombre end to the year. Sophie was at work and my parents came around for a cup of tea in the afternoon. We have no plans for tonight, other than a good meal and a glass of Cava at midnight.
Here's to 2017...Happy New Year!
Most memorable days of 2016
Every year I look back fondly on the best days of the year, my own New Year Honours List! Here they are for 2016:
Friday 15 January - my Birthday and a lovely day with breakfast at Beckworth to start off the celebrations!
Tuesday 16 February - a lovely walk, beautiful weather...what more could I ask for?
Sunday 27 March - Easter Sunday and we head home from our trip to the North-East. A fire near our estate causes excitement all round and dinner at Frank's Hamburger restaurant ends the day nicely!
Tuesday 5 April - Sophie's birthday, a big family breakfast, then a movie and early dinner at Las Iguanas. The beautiful weather was a bonus, too!
Thursday 26 May - shopping in Milton Keynes and a lovely, scenic journey home.
June - See December
Thursday 28 July - a day out in Southwold. Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!
Saturday 27 August - the beer festival at the pub, some very interesting weather and a good laugh!
Sunday 11 September - a long walk in the woods on a glorious day, a quick pint at the pub and an afternoon watching Bridget Jones.
October - See December
November - See December
Sunday 4 December - (June substitute) A beautiful walk followed by decorating the christmas tree and hot chocolate. Bliss!
Tuesday 20 December - (October substitute) First day in Berlin. An enjoyable visit to the Olympic Stadium, a very strange bar in the afternoon, drinks in Otello and a delicious meal in Reinhard's. Perfect!
Wednesday 21 December - (November substitute). Another lovely day visiting the Berlin Christmas markets and a heavenly dinner in the evening at Solino's restaurant.
Sunday 25th December - Perfect Christmas Day. What more can I say? December has been a good month!
Friday 15 January - my Birthday and a lovely day with breakfast at Beckworth to start off the celebrations!
Tuesday 16 February - a lovely walk, beautiful weather...what more could I ask for?
Sunday 27 March - Easter Sunday and we head home from our trip to the North-East. A fire near our estate causes excitement all round and dinner at Frank's Hamburger restaurant ends the day nicely!
Tuesday 5 April - Sophie's birthday, a big family breakfast, then a movie and early dinner at Las Iguanas. The beautiful weather was a bonus, too!
Thursday 26 May - shopping in Milton Keynes and a lovely, scenic journey home.
June - See December
Thursday 28 July - a day out in Southwold. Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!
Saturday 27 August - the beer festival at the pub, some very interesting weather and a good laugh!
Sunday 11 September - a long walk in the woods on a glorious day, a quick pint at the pub and an afternoon watching Bridget Jones.
October - See December
November - See December
Sunday 4 December - (June substitute) A beautiful walk followed by decorating the christmas tree and hot chocolate. Bliss!
Tuesday 20 December - (October substitute) First day in Berlin. An enjoyable visit to the Olympic Stadium, a very strange bar in the afternoon, drinks in Otello and a delicious meal in Reinhard's. Perfect!
Wednesday 21 December - (November substitute). Another lovely day visiting the Berlin Christmas markets and a heavenly dinner in the evening at Solino's restaurant.
Sunday 25th December - Perfect Christmas Day. What more can I say? December has been a good month!
Friday, 30 December 2016
Quiet days...
Both Thursday and Friday have been quiet days with not much going on! We did our shopping as usual on Thursday and I spent the rest of the day grappling with my latest assignment which I'm finding quite difficult.
Fog and frost have dominated the weather and on Friday morning Keith and I went for a 4 mile walk down to the nature reserve and then up to Walgrave. The fog was quite thick and it was damp and clammy but we enjoyed the walk despite only seeing a couple of pheasants. It was lovely to get home, have a hot shower and enjoy breakfast in the conservatory. The sun did try and come out but only briefly and it was back to thick fog in the afternoon again.
I went to see Sue and deliver a card and a present as it's her birthday today. Her usual stunning view was missing this afternoon and I was surprised at how thick the mist was! I stayed for a cup of tea and a flapjack and another couple of her friends also dropped by to wish her a Happy Birthday.
I took Keith to the pub in the evening (back to the normal routine) and then went to fetch Sophie from work. She said they had been extremely busy and she was shattered, poor thing. Only one more day then she's off on Sunday and Monday...hooray!
Fog and frost have dominated the weather and on Friday morning Keith and I went for a 4 mile walk down to the nature reserve and then up to Walgrave. The fog was quite thick and it was damp and clammy but we enjoyed the walk despite only seeing a couple of pheasants. It was lovely to get home, have a hot shower and enjoy breakfast in the conservatory. The sun did try and come out but only briefly and it was back to thick fog in the afternoon again.
I went to see Sue and deliver a card and a present as it's her birthday today. Her usual stunning view was missing this afternoon and I was surprised at how thick the mist was! I stayed for a cup of tea and a flapjack and another couple of her friends also dropped by to wish her a Happy Birthday.
I took Keith to the pub in the evening (back to the normal routine) and then went to fetch Sophie from work. She said they had been extremely busy and she was shattered, poor thing. Only one more day then she's off on Sunday and Monday...hooray!
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
A quiet day
I was up early and leaving home at 8am as I was back at the Citizens Advice office for my usual stint on Reception. The drive in was pretty, but quite foggy and frosty and it was very cold indeed: -4.5c at 8.30am. Brrrr! The coldest I have known it so far this winter!
We had a steady, quiet day and I worked with Hadeer and Priya. Frank was still off for the Christmas break but we didn't have any difficult people in and I was leaving to go home at 3pm. The other agencies nearby were also closed so I felt like we were all on our own!
I drove home in the gathering twilight and noticed that it has been another beautiful day with clear blue skies and sunshine. Just how I like winter!
We had a steady, quiet day and I worked with Hadeer and Priya. Frank was still off for the Christmas break but we didn't have any difficult people in and I was leaving to go home at 3pm. The other agencies nearby were also closed so I felt like we were all on our own!
I drove home in the gathering twilight and noticed that it has been another beautiful day with clear blue skies and sunshine. Just how I like winter!
Tuesday, 27 December 2016
Back to normal!
Sophie was back at work this morning and after we dropped her off we came home to have a shower. On Christmas Day we'd had a leak from the shower (we assumed) in the en-suite and the water had come down through the ceiling in the kitchen and into the extractor fan above the cooker. Keith had been really angry about it as that was one of the main reasons we'd had the new shower unit put in, but when I had a shower this morning, there was no leak at all. Very strange!
We went to do some shopping for the next couple of days in Tesco and then it was home to do very little. It's been a beautiful day today and I really should have gone out for a walk or got out into the garden but I was in one of those moods when you know you should be doing something but I wanted it to be fun and enjoyable, not a chore!
Sophie finished work at 3pm and I went to collect her, suggesting we call in for a coffee on the way home, in Kingsthorpe. She readily agreed so we spent an enjoyable half hour drinking Flat Whites and eating cakes. Before I'd left Keith had asked me to get some rice for our curry tonight (we forgot it in Tesco!) but I forgot again! I was just settling down to watch a TV programme when he stormed into the living room and said he was going off to get some...oh dear!
I went with him and we visited Mawsley as it was the most convenient, even though I still refused to go into the shop (because of the argument I had with them over Tequila and Vodka a few months ago). On the way home he suggested we drive along the narrow road leading into Walgrave called Newlands rather than go the normal way home and this turned out to be his mistake because as we neared our estate we could see there'd been an accident and the road in front of us was covered in glass and debris. It was so bad I refused to drive through it so we had to turn around and drive back the way we'd come.
When we neared our estate again, I could see a lot of people milling about and hazard lights flashing but no sign of the police or an ambulance. There was a large piece of plastic in the road so we stopped and Keith retrieved it. We asked a man what was going on and he said that someone had been hurt. I remembered that when we came out of our estate there had been a car driving slowly towards us so whether that had something to do with it I don't know.
When we got home we sent Mike out to see what was happening and he said the police were there and that one of the cars was badly smashed up, How on earth this happened on a straight stretch of road, we don't know.
Before dinner we played cards and the curry was delicious!
We went to do some shopping for the next couple of days in Tesco and then it was home to do very little. It's been a beautiful day today and I really should have gone out for a walk or got out into the garden but I was in one of those moods when you know you should be doing something but I wanted it to be fun and enjoyable, not a chore!
Sophie finished work at 3pm and I went to collect her, suggesting we call in for a coffee on the way home, in Kingsthorpe. She readily agreed so we spent an enjoyable half hour drinking Flat Whites and eating cakes. Before I'd left Keith had asked me to get some rice for our curry tonight (we forgot it in Tesco!) but I forgot again! I was just settling down to watch a TV programme when he stormed into the living room and said he was going off to get some...oh dear!
I went with him and we visited Mawsley as it was the most convenient, even though I still refused to go into the shop (because of the argument I had with them over Tequila and Vodka a few months ago). On the way home he suggested we drive along the narrow road leading into Walgrave called Newlands rather than go the normal way home and this turned out to be his mistake because as we neared our estate we could see there'd been an accident and the road in front of us was covered in glass and debris. It was so bad I refused to drive through it so we had to turn around and drive back the way we'd come.
When we neared our estate again, I could see a lot of people milling about and hazard lights flashing but no sign of the police or an ambulance. There was a large piece of plastic in the road so we stopped and Keith retrieved it. We asked a man what was going on and he said that someone had been hurt. I remembered that when we came out of our estate there had been a car driving slowly towards us so whether that had something to do with it I don't know.
When we got home we sent Mike out to see what was happening and he said the police were there and that one of the cars was badly smashed up, How on earth this happened on a straight stretch of road, we don't know.
Before dinner we played cards and the curry was delicious!
Monday, 26 December 2016
Boxing Day relaxation
I spent the morning catching up with my blog while Sophie watched episodes of Scandal, back to back...just how she wanted to spend Boxing Day!
It's been gorgeous weather - clear blue skies and sunshine and although not freezing cold, there has been a nip in the air. I washed my car when Keith went to the football and Mike went to Brixworth to see his mates. It was lovely being out in the fresh air and when I'd finished I swept up all the leaves on the driveway. Being outside meant that I saw neighbours and had a chat. A lot of them were relieved that we were home from Berlin and safe!
At 4pm Sophie and I walked Monty around the estate and went down to the field gate to see the horses. They came over to see us but we didn't have any food for them, so they just received pats and strokes on their noses. They were both dirty and covered in mud!
It had become much colder as the sun went down - perfect for going home, putting the heating on and wrapping up warm in Sophie's new throw!
It's been gorgeous weather - clear blue skies and sunshine and although not freezing cold, there has been a nip in the air. I washed my car when Keith went to the football and Mike went to Brixworth to see his mates. It was lovely being out in the fresh air and when I'd finished I swept up all the leaves on the driveway. Being outside meant that I saw neighbours and had a chat. A lot of them were relieved that we were home from Berlin and safe!
At 4pm Sophie and I walked Monty around the estate and went down to the field gate to see the horses. They came over to see us but we didn't have any food for them, so they just received pats and strokes on their noses. They were both dirty and covered in mud!
It had become much colder as the sun went down - perfect for going home, putting the heating on and wrapping up warm in Sophie's new throw!
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