Busy�Busy!

Image by Steve Palmer (UK) via Flickr

Yes, it's another one of those Saturdays where it's all go-go-go!!

First off, me over to Peterborough for a hair-cut, then back to pick up the 5 ton of holiday dry cleaning!

Ann and Lee then headed over to Waitrose, shopping complete with the cats who are going in for their six-weekly wash and brush-up in Rushden with Patsy. 

Then, it was time for them to pick up Ann's new car, at last (Pics to follow later). Nice motor!!!

The girls then went over to Morrison's for MORE shopping!!!

A brief rest for me, reading the papers and then I was off to pick the cats up � and then,  just when I was about 2 minutes away, Ann rang to say that the girls had called and needed another hour to finish the cats off. On arriving just after 4pm, it looked like the cats had been a bit awkward. Biscuit was growling ad showing plenty of cattitude - Greta had a cut to prove it - and Bob-Bon (because she was very matted when we dropped her off) had a few bald patches. Still, at least they're tangle free now � nice job girls!!!

Phew! - feet-up for the rest of the evening now!

Cats in�

I took the pussies over to Patsy's this morning for their routine 'service'. Actually, it was slightly ahead of schedule (they were due to go this Saturday) primarily because Bon-Bon's winter coat has now arrived � she's now five times as fluffy and difficult to groom (what's new!) � and Biscuit's 'exploding bottom' incident last week forced us to play a new game called 'find the Klingon' (yuk!!)

I popped into Waitrose in Rushden to pick up a few last minute gifts and cards � and that's Christmas now sorted for this year�cards done�pressies wrapped.

Final Shopping Expedition of 2009..?

Ouch! I�ve woken up with a really stiff neck this morning � not sure how I�ve got that.

We�re off shopping to Leicester to get any last minute bits-and-pieces. There isn�t much left to do and I�ve also got 50 quids worth of M and S vouchers from Lee and Bertie to squander � lovely!!!

We parked in Highcross and it was already getting busy when we arrived at 11am. We started off looking around various jewellers primarily to find something for Ann as a celebration of 25 years together � Ann had sorted me out with a new watch a few weeks back. Initially, we didn�t see very much that we liked, and we disappointed that having walked all the way over to where Ann�s office is and more jewellers � they were all closed!

So, we headed back, stopped off at the Muffin Place for a coffee, a slice of cake and to experience possibly the happiest person in the UK currently � the proprietor � wishing everyone a happy Christmas and an enjoyable day!!!

We popped into M and S where I spent the vouchers on a couple of shirts and a stripy tie. Ann also picked up some shoes for work and some fluffy slippers.

I tried John Lewis to see if they stocked these headphones that have an FM aerial built-in them (so I can listen to the radio  on my new phone), but the guy reckoned the item was a �bit specialist� and suggested I tried Google for stockists.

Last stop, and we ended up back at Goldsmith�s where Ann spotted some very nice jewellery - the helpful assistant, Laura, was very knowledgeable and agreed to order some additional stone variations in for us to go back and have a look at next Saturday.

We were home by 2.15. Time for feet up and a read of the today�s papers.

Cambridge, here we come!

Ann, Nicki and I set of for Cambridge just before 8am, to finish off the Christmas presents. The weather was truly atrocious � gale force winds virtually everywhere in the UK. We had a smooth journey there and were soon amongst the hundreds shopping at The Grand Arcade. I managed to get the last of Ann�s gifts and the girls did pretty well too!

Ann also bought me a beautiful Rado watch for our forthcoming 25th Anniversary in December. I need to get my act together and reciprocate!!

We decided to have an early lunch and settled in Carluccio�s, close to Lion Yard. Good job too, as when we got there, it soon filled up. The food and the service turned out to be EXCELLENT! We settled for just a starter and mains and then headed home. The queue for the car-park was enormous and we�re glad we arrived when we did!

We got back around 2pm and I popped in to sort out the issue of the repair of my damaged alloys at Kwik-Fit. They�ve agreed to let me have them refurbished and they�ll reimburse me, but it all sounded a bit vague and sloppy � let�s see how it turns out!

We spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out catching up with the newspapers. Nicki left earlier than usual as she had to be in Reading by 5.30

It�s been a good great day!

Nicki visits

Nicki drove up to spend the day with us.

It was good to see her and a great surprise to get a brilliant selection of individual cheeses (including my fave, chilli-cheese) as a birthday pressy. Yum-yum!

First stop for the girls, the beauticians (not that they needed it) for a bit of pampering. Whilst they were gone, I worked on some maintenance tasks on the OCA website - at last, I finally got its menu bar sorted out!!

The girls got back around 12 and we ate-in for lunch. Ann, with Nicki's help, created a rather splendid pizza with ham, chicken, goat's cheese, onions and tomatoes. We were too stuffed for dessert (but we had it later) - fruit and crushed meringue � yum-yum - again!!

After lunch, we caught up with the newspapers and took Nicki through the Japan holiday photos. She left about 4 because she wanted to get to Bicester Shopping Village before they closed. We put our feet-up, then spent the rest of the evening watching TV � BBC's Merlin and then Strictly Come Dancing.

It's been a great day, catching up up with Nicki and all her news! � and thanks for all the cheese!

Lunch with Mae and Denis

We took a drive to Downtown to meet up with Denis and Mae for lunch. Ann drove and I fell asleep!

We did a bit of shopping beforehand � I managed to pick up a new pair of shoes for work and although Ann couldn't find a business suit that she liked, she did get a really gorgeous silk-top.

Mae and Denis are both pretty well although Mae's eye-sight is deteriorating. They really enjoyed the 'murder-mystery' event that Ann organised for Denis's 80th back in July.

Downtown was busy, especially the restaurant, but Mae managed to find us a table�just.

After lunch, M and D did a bit more shopping and we headed home. Ann drove back and I fell asleep again!!

Short break: Portsmouth (Day 2)

6.30am. I was up with the sound of birds and the faint sound of a hovercraft! A bright blue sky outside suggests today might be a fine day weather-wise.

8.30am. Breakfast calls, so it's a short walk across the road (!) and in through the back-door to the breakfast-room. It wasn't a very big room, and it was very busy when we first got there � but we were soon seated. Michael took our order � scrambled egg and salmon on granary bread for Ann; scrambled egg, sausage and beans for me.

9.30am. After breakfast, we took the short 5 minute walk into Southsea.

Once in the town, we headed for a unique John Lewis still called 'Knight and Lee'. Unique because it was very small and it had possibly the loudest escalators we'd ever seen heard. The staff seemed to have tune-out the noise, but we found it quite irritating. Back to the mission: I bought Ann some casual shoes and a belt. We then headed for Debenhams (sorely in need of some money being spent on it) where I stocked up on socks and added to my t-shirt collection. We then walked back to the hotel.

11.10am. We headed back into Southsea, to the Post Office to drop off a package. Whilst waiting for Ann, a Hummer turned up to pick up a load of girls on some sort of celebration. The Hummer was the centre of attention, with locals taking photographs and other motorists taking note of it blocking-up the high street! 

11.30am. We set off for Devizes to meet up with Johnny H and his wife Mel. On the way there, we stopped off in Wickham, a rather quaint town. We popped into Lilly's a small tea-shoppe. It was already busy but we spotted a table for two in the corner. Ann chose a baked jacket potato with ham and cheese whilst I went for the cranberry, brie and bacon sandwich � both delicious�and the service was excellent.

12,30pm. After picking-up some flowers for Mel in the shop next door, we resumed our journey, narrowly avoiding a short down-pour of rain.

2.15pm. We had a fairly good journey to J and M's, but because I'd set the sat-nav for shortest rather than quickest, we were directed away from the motorway which added to the journey time � it took about two-hours.

It was good to see them both again especially Mel, who's recovering from a very serious operation. The time flew and we were there until 6.30.

Ann drove back, and this time we stuck to the motorway, reducing the overall journey time by about thirty minutes.

8.00pm. We stopped off at Gunwharf Quays and decided to try out Chiquitos a Mexican Bar and Grill chain. We were quite hungry by now. The service was sluggish and the food OK rather than anything better � it could have been hotter too! We weren't offered a dessert and it took an age to get the bill�.but it filled a hole!!!

8.45pm We took a short walk along the top floor of the Quays towards the harbour. The view was spectacular, especially with the sun setting against The Spinnaker Tower (the phone on my mobile doesn't really do it justice).

9.45. We arrived back at the hotel. It's been a busy but enjoyable and rewarding day. Just time for a night-cap, a bit of TV and then � zzzzzzzz�

Short break: Portsmouth (Day 1)

We're off to Portsmouth for a few days. We left around 8.30 and popped into Central Garage on the way out to have a look at their used and new car stock as part of getting a car for Ann.

After much discussion with Paul, we narrowed the selection down to possibly a new Fiesta�but we do have some more research to do.

We left the garage around 10.15 and two-and-a-half hours later we were parking in the Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth car-park � a great journey!

We had a good shopping session as there are loads of shops � Ann got a couple of coats and I picked up a few bits and pieces. We'll probably come back later this week and explore upstairs and also drop into the VUE cinema.

At around 4.30, we took the short drive to the hotel � The Florence House Hotel in Southsea, as recommended by Trip Advisor. We stayed in room 3, a very tasteful and modern design in black and white (how practical, a black carpet!) � very spacious too�and free wireless internet�perfect!

7.10. We asked at the hotel where the places to eat were. There were quite a few but for convenience, we chose The Florence Arms literally two minutes walk from where we're staying. It apparently had a wide range of ciders and the food was top-notch pub-grub!

When we arrived, it was quite busy and after ordering some local cider (yuk!), we were offered the menu, which was quite extensive. We ordered the fish and chips and after a short wait, we were invited into the restaurant.

The fish and chips was excellent and best of all, they had a proper cider available � Aspall's. The service was great too considering there was only one waitress on duty � well done for keeping us all fed and watered. The only shock was when they informed us they didn't take plastic. Luckily, we scraped together the �20...just!

8.45. We planned to take a walk, but it was p****** down, so we headed back to the room.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is good � better than today, and we plan to travel over to Devizes and catch up with Johnnie and Mel.

Kitchen thoughts�

Lee from the Kitchen Department at John Lewis (High Cross, Leicester) arrived today to take our briefing for a revamp of the kitchen.

Two plans: the first, to go completely bonkers and have the whole space redesigned. The second, a design that just concentrates on the essentials. It much depends on the final price, but we do want a replacement oven, a second full-size oven, an induction hob and some book-shelves. But perhaps most important of all,  to sort out the cra*** extraction unit above the existing hob that has all the sucking capability of a hairdryer!

Lee was superb - confident, knowledgeable and above all, not 'pushy' for the sale � just happy to offer his advice in a courteous and professional manner. He even suggested re-positioning the main oven to the opposite side of the kitchen to free-up some space on the right-hand side.

Plans and quotation are due in around two-weeks' time. We'll then visit the store to see a 3D CAD 'virtual tour' on a large screen in order to fine-tune it

Downtown to meet up with Denis and Mae

Nick and Celina left after breakfast; we had a quick clear-up and then headed up the A1 to Downtown. It was another gorgeous day here - just like yesterday - and it seemed to keep the roads pretty empty, so we were there in no time.

It's Mae's 65th today and we met there because it's about half-way between them and us but primarily to hand over her birthday presents. We did a little browsing before hand and bang-on-time at 12.30 we saw them heading towards the restaurant area. We had a good natter over a lengthy, lazy lunch and after saying our good-byes headed to the large Garden Centre to primarily look at the petrol strimmers.

We had a good journey back and were indoors by 3.15. We plan to take it easy for the rest of the day! We put a wash on, emptied the dishwasher, snoozed for a bit and then caught up with the TV we'd missed over the weekend.

Phew! What a busy weekend!

Our new Blu-Ray DVD Player/Great Shopping Trip

It's time to pension-off our trusty Sony DVP-S735D DVD player which is now more than 15 years old. Technically, there is nothing wrong with it - it still attracts good reviews on-line, but technology marches on!! After lots and lots (and lots) of research, step forward the snappily titled Panasonic DMPBD80, the most technologically advanced Blu-Ray DVD player currently available.

Probably the two most innovative features are the ethernet connection, allowing access to the Internet, (for sites like YouTube) and a USB port allowing digital images from cameras and PCs to be displayed through the player to an HD TV.

We bought ours from those very nice people at Richer Sounds. They were easily the cheapest and there was also an option to purchase a five-year warranty for just 10% of the purchase price. Total price: 340.90. Superb customer service from 'Ellis'!

In addition, I needed an HDMI lead. How much? 20? ... 30? ...40 pounds? Not even close! How about 79.95? - I think it's made of gold!!! Then when I came to connect it all up I discovered that it wasn't long enough. Kerr-ching!!!, that'll be 89.95 for a two-metre version. I'll have to drive over to Leicester tomorrow, to pick it up.

Because the DVD Player is very new and a bit hard to get hold-of, we couldn't order it on-line but had to visit one of Richer Sound's shops. We chose Leicester, having reserved it a few days beforehand.

Whilst we were in Leicester, we popped into the newish John Lewis there. What a fantastic store ...spacious ...not very busy ...and a great product range. Perfect! We had a productive time. I picked up a black leather jacket; we bought some more garden lights; a small carpet for the lobby; and we arranged for a visit by their kitchen planner to help us re-think the kitchen.

Chelsea Flower Show 2009

We went to the Show today. It's been a few years since we last went, so we weren't sure what to expect.

All the omens were against us! Firstly, just as we parked at the station, the heavens opened - good job Ann packed an umbrella!

Next, the train was late leaving Kettering because it was waiting for a broken-down train to arrive so it could accommodate its passengers.

Ehh? How can you WAIT for a broken-down train?

So, we were late arriving at St Pancras International - and when we did arrive, we learned that there no services on the Victoria Line due to a Strike!

Eventually we arrived - the sun was shining and the whole place was very much how we remembered it - with one major difference - It was much less busy. That meant it was easier to get around and much, much easier to take photos!

We stayed for around two-and-a-half hours and covered most of the major areas. We even saw ex-London Mayor, Ken Livingstone wandering around followed by a film unit. Ann got her secateurs in for sharpening and we found a stand selling some very special solar-powered lighting - they'll be delivered in a bout a week's time.

On our way back, we wandered over to Peter Jones in Sloane Square. Unusually for us, we didn't browse! Instead, we headed straight for the kitchen department to get some ideas for revamping our kitchen. David, the kitchen consultant was very  helpful an we think we've narrowed down our choice of work surface, hob and oven. A major step in the right direction.

After finishing at Peter Jones, we were still too early to catch our designated train at 19.25, so we headed for St Pancras anyway and had a meal at Searcy's.

Ann had the Chicken with Rhubard Stuffing and I had the Chicken Pie. Between us, we managed to almost finish off a carafe of white-wine. Almost! No desserts, but I had a coffee.

Timing-wise, it was perfect - we  came out of the restaurant ready to board. After some initial confusion about which platform, we were soon on board and heading home - first stop Kettering!

It's been a great day. The weather held out, we packed a lot in, enjoyed a great meal and got home at a reasonable time!

Up to Downtown

We drove over to Peterborough first to pick up Ann's new jacket from John Lewis and also for me to get a haircut. We then headed for Downtown for a spot of shopping and to meet Denis and Mae for lunch. The lunch area was packed-out but luckily Mae managed to find a table for four in the corner. Denis looked fine (although he is going to see a specialist about his sun-damaged skin) but Mae looked a little frail. It was good to catch-up as it's been a while.

We had a successful shop. I picked up some new shirts, socks and handkerchiefs whilst Ann bought some new tops. We also picked up a cheese grater for Lee!

Ann drove back and we were home just before 2.30. Ann went to bed to recharge her batteries for tonight and I caught up with some TV and some odd-jobs around the house.

Visit to London

I took the early train to London with Ann this morning. I met up with Anthony from A2O to discuss display stands for the OCA (err, that's enough abbreviations!). We kicked off early and were finished by 11.15.

I then jumped on the Tube and headed for London Bridge to meet Keith from the OCA - not to discuss stands, but simply to have lunch with him as a 'thank-you' for the excellent proof-reading job he carries out for the OCA Magazine.

We decided to eat at Fish! a restaurant very close to Southwark Cathedral. Initially, I couldn't find it, but their free wireless internet access was registering on my Netbook, so I knew it must be close-by. Lucky I checked on-line and it turned out there were no tables spare for lunch anyway. I took advantage of the very warm weather and parked myself on a park-bench in Southwark Cathedral Gardens. What a gorgeous day - soon, the Gardens were packed out by workers having their lunch and sun-bathing (sort-of) - it was the nicest day so far, this year!

Plan B then! Keith eventually arrived by taxi (he had returned from the railway station at West Wickham because of signal failure and took a cab instead). We then headed off in the direction of Zilli's (in Dean St, Soho) - an Italian Restaurant that Keith knew very well, and they knew him. It was a horrendous taxi journey, lasting almost 40 minutes just to cover the few miles from Southwark to Soho. It reminded me of my work days driving in and around London - wall-to-wall traffic all going nowhere at 0.1mph!!

When we arrived, a table had been reserved for us just by the window looking out onto the street. Keith was concerned because the owner of the Restaurant had recently changed so he opted for the 'safe' Mushroom Risotto. I was a bit more adventurous and chose the 'spicy sausage and taglietelle with broccoli and tomatoes - all washed down with a couple of glasses of white wine.

We left about 2.30 and went our separate ways. I caught the Tube at Tottenham Court Road whilst Keith went shopping for books.

I caught the 3.30 (just) and was indoors by 3.45.

The highlight of the day was sitting in Southwark Cathedral Gardens just watching the world go by!

Biscuit and Bon-Bon for a bath!

We took the cats over to see Patsy of Rushden Persian Rescue for their six-weekly 'bath-and-brush-up'. This is only their second visit there. Their first, back in January was because the previous groomer had been arrested for cruelty to animals after an RSPCA raid late last year!!! 

We made good use of time today, popping into Rushden Waitrose and Peter Crisp and Ford - Central Garage that are all in that direction.

We got off to a poor start. When we arrived just before 10.30 and rang the door-bell there was no answer. We tried and tried but it was clear no-one was in. Strange! Surely she hadn't been arrested too!


It wasn't a great day for either of us not to have our phones with us either, so we had just sit-it-out! Just before 11am, someone turned up - but it wasn't Patsy!

After a quick conversation, it transpired that we'd arrived at the wrong house - Patsy's place was just a few doors up the road. So, apart from having completely different cars on the drive, a different back-gate, the first house having a dog (not cats), then I guess it's pretty easy to get the two dwellings confused. Doh!

So, after spending a load of dosh in Waitrose and picking up some scrubbing brooms from Peter Crisp, we got back to Patsy's at just after 2pm, which was perfect timing as she'd just finished. Boy, had she done a really good job on them both! She had even used tinted (brown) talc on Biscuit and a special shampoo for Bon-Bon's white fur!! She had even used special 'concealer' around Bon-Bon's eyes to hide the tear stains. Perfection!!!

We got back about 2.30 and caught up with the papers.

Waitrose Indian takeaway tonight. Yum-Yum!!

Nicki visits.../New Doctor Who announced

Nicki drove up to see us. The plan was for us all to go shopping in Birmingham.

Although I'd slept well, I just kept coughing and spluttering from the moment I got up, so I stayed at home and the girls went to Leicester to 'try-out' the new John Lewis there.

I went (back to) to bed!

They're going to announce who the new Doctor Who is going to be tonight on BBC1 at 17.35 - I think this announcement caught a few people out. Most of us weren't expecting the announcement until later this year. I wonder if there has been a leak.

So, they chose 'Matt Smith' - someone I'd not heard of. Apparently, he's the youngest Doctor ever cast - 26 years old! Wow! what a responsibility at such a young age!

Initial impressions around the web, seem to be mostly positive, although there is some negative comment concerning his age - and his looks - some referring to him as 'ugly'. Poor sod...he hasn't even even been seen in the part yet, and some are writing him off! 

As a 50-something, I really hope that the strategy is not to make series 5 too 'teeny'. I've great faith in Moffat's writing and I'm pretty sure that it'll all work-out...but like many others, I want to see him act first using a Moffat script before I confirm myself as a fan!!!

New Year's Day

I slept well, but still felt like c**** when I got up. Still, I just about had the energy to get the money up-to-date and make a few changes to the OCA web-site.

Ann went off to Bicester shopping and I went back to bed until lunch-time.

Ann got back about 3ish. By that time, I was feeling a bit better and my appetite seemed to have returned a little.

If I feel up to it, I might stay-up tonight ...as late as 9pm!!!!

Anniversary Weekend in Manchester - Saturday

We woke to a cold, wet day. We tried the hotel's café for breakfast and it was pretty good. Banana and Honey smoothie, Danish pastries and pro-biotic yogurts rubbed shoulders with more traditional sausage and bacon baguettes and haddock and poached egg, toast and preserves. We had a bit of each!

We then headed into Manchester to finish the Christmas shopping...and to get some bits and pieces for ourselves. Considering there is a recession, you wouldn't have guessed it from the number of people shopping, especially in the Arndale Centre - it was packed!

At 10.30 we decided to take a break from the shopping and find the nearest cinema. Luckily the Odeon (it was just round the corner from where we were shopping in M and S). Wow! What a size!! I think it's the largest cinema we've ever been to in the UK. It had 20+ screens and was on three-floors.

We decided to see the 11.05 performance of 'INKHEART' starring Brendan Fraser, Andy Sirkis and Helen Mirren - mainly because we didn't have to wait long. What an excellent film! Great cast, good storyline and impressive special-effects without being over-the-top.

By the time the film finished (1.15) we were starving and headed for Wagamamas close-by. A great lunch!

After lunch, we picked up the final presents at WH Smiths - long queues! - and then trekked back to the hotel in the cold pouring rain to put our feet-up and read the papers. We got back around 3.30.

We opened the champagne at 5 and exchanged anniversary pressies (even though the actual date is tomorrow.

I got Ann:

• A pink necklace with a silver heart
• Edge of Darkness DVD
• Sacred Arias CD by Katherine Jenkins

Ann got me:

• Prince Caspian Blu-Ray DVD
• Foot moisturising lotion
  

We'd booked a table in the café/bar for 7pm and were eager to see if the food was as good as last night.

As it turned out, the food WAS as good, but the SERVICE became increasingly sloppy. They put it down to it being really busy, but we noticed that many of the tables were vacant!

We got back to our room around 8.30 and it a choice between The X-Factor Final or a newly restored episode of Dad's Army on the TV. Who do you think you are kidding..?

All-in-all, we've had a really good time here, but we've decided to get an earlier Train back tomorrow!

Anniversary Weekend in Manchester - Friday

On Sunday, it's our Anniversary and we're celebrating 24 years.

Part of the celebration was travelling up to Manchester (by train from Rugby) and checking into The ABode, a new 'boutique' style hotel very close to Manchester Piccadilly. We caught the 10.47 and arrived in Manchester at 1pm. After checking-in, we started to look around for the final Christmas Pressies. Manchester looks great for shopping!!! In spite of the yukky weather, we got a lot done - and we'll finish off tomorrow!

We headed back to the Hotel and put our feet-up and decided to try the Cafe-Bar for our evening meal. The food was good but not outstanding and there was initially a problem in finding us a table because the whole place had been handed-over to a private function

Trouble comes in 3s!!

Today's the day when the cats get a haircut and a bath.

Take cover! :)

They're well overdue for both and I reckon it'll be difficult for the Pussy Parlour to get rid of all their knots (without shaving them)given that it's been so long since their previous visit in August. This is the longest they gone without a 'service' and that's not ideal and it's not good for their coats. It'll be interesting to see how they look when they get back ...and what sort of mood they're in!!!

Oh bugger!! - We got there and the whole place was closed. That would explain why they hadn't returned any of my calls.

Well, they say trouble comes in 3s...

Event 2 - Ann tapped in her PIN to pay for the shopping, but it queried it - so she tried two more times ...and the machine still didn't like it and locked the card. It was at that point I realised I couldn't find my Visa to pay for the food. Guess what? Ann was using my card with her PIN.

Event 3 - So, there we are queuing to leave Sainsbury's car-park and waiting for the guy in front to realise he's driving the wrong round the car-park's one-way system. Still at least he didn't drive into us.

..but the woman to my right, reversing her Fiesta, almost did. I really, really, really thought she was going to hit us. And, she was looking in her mirror as she did so. I reckon she was 1 inch off stoving the side of the car in! Go figure!

I think it's best if we just go back to bed today!!!

Visit Nick and Celina/Val's Birthday meal

We took a drive over to Stamford on Saturday, to see our good friends Nick and Celina. We met at The Crown in Stamford for lunch and then did a bit of shopping. We decided to move my car from the pay-and-display because it was a maximum three-hour-stay. That was BIG mistake. Nick suggested we ark it in his office's car-park just up the road. The entrance was very narrow and I managed somehow to scrape the near-side front wing and dent the side-skirt. On the way-out I managed to repeat the process and scrape the front wheel too! Bugger!!!

We headed back to theirs and spent the rest of the afternoon reading the papers and generally chilling out. Celina cooked a brilliant meal in the evening. Butternut Squash soup followed by chili and meatballs and then home-made apricot sponge. All washed down with far too much alcohol!

We stayed Saturday night and had breakfast with them. David and Wendy complete with their dogs 'Cassie' and 'Jasper'. We finished breakfast and headed home, arriving back around 11.30.

Then, it was off to Edward's, our favourite restaurant by the Canal in Crick for Val's birthday lunch. Boy! have we over-eaten this weekend!!!!! Still it felt good!

We got back about 4.15. I rang Paul and we agreed that I'd take the car in tomorrow for an estimate.

Apart from the incident with the car which dampened my spirits a little, it's been a GREAT weekend.

No more Woolies

A sad day today as Woolworth's calls in the Administrators. It feels like they've been around forever - 99 years is a long time in retail!

The same happened at MFI too!

Crazy times!!!

Ralph and Karen for lunch

We met up with Ralph and Karen for lunch. It was good to catch up with them both - it feels like we haven't seen them for ages. They were heading back from Matlock, so we arranged to meet at The Chequers in Swinford for lunch. The food was good (We both had the Steak and Ale Pie - Karen had Gammon and Ralph had the steak), but the service was a bit shoddy. Firstly they got their wines muddled and served Ann and Karen with WHITE instead of RED; then they forgot to cook enough peas; asked us if we'd finished when Karen was still eating; then forgot to ask us if we wanted a dessert!

We popped into Tesco's on the way back to see how their extension is going. The shop looked OK but the whole area looked like a bomb-site