Devon break surfing & camping

It was 7 years ago when we last went to Saunton Sands which is near Braunton and the Lobb Fields campsite, but we were there again this weekend. I know it was 7 years ago as I got one of those memories reminders from Facebook when I returned.

Nothing much has changed, which is the nice thing about it, but this time we had a dog! Travelling down there took just over 3.5 hours but it was fine and Bessie was good as gold on the journey, we obviously stopped halfway and it was a fine run down.

Set up the tent on arrival and the kids all pitched in so it meant we were sorted within an hour and able to hire some surfboards and get down to the beach, the waves were huge which was pleasing and we were straight in there. This was Bessie’s first visit to the seaside so we wondered what she would make of it and she loved it – the beach there is huge, especially when the sea is out so she had a massive area to run around and it’s dog friendly so there were loads for her to make friends with.

We went into the water and so did she! No fear that dog.

Didn’t surf for too long but Charlotte got to show off the skills she’d learnt in Bali and was better than all of us, stood up straight away no problem, that was pleasing for her.

Stayed for a few hours as it was so mice and hot and eventually went back to the campsite for beers and food! About summed up our time away!

The following day wasn’t the best – constantly raining so we gave up on the idea of the beach and spent the day in Barnstaple wandering around the shops getting things and playing Pokemon Go! Before returning to the campsite we took a detour to the open sand dunes there and they were massive, really enjoyed that and Bess was going mental running up an down them – very enjoyable end to the day. Back to the tent and a quiet night playing games and drinking – very relaxed.

Friday we were determined to make it to the beach and the weather was better so we managed it and it was a good day down there with mostly sun and we were in the water for over an hour and a half surfing, the waves were even bigger than Wednesday and it was great fun, loved it. Absolutely shattered though and fell asleep for a couple of hours in the afternoon and got rained on! Went for a walk over the dunes again and flew a kite before getting a pasty each for lunch.

Had an ice cream before making our way back to the campsite for dinner in the evening and more drink and games played.

Saturday morning we were up and packing away and did a good job of it, kids really helped so it was quick and then Lewis said his goodbyes and drove off to Penzance (I think) to meet Evie and her dad and friends for a week camping/surfing. We made our way home and it was so slow going, a bit of a nightmare, that just kept delaying and delaying us.

Eventually there was an accident on the M5 heading towards Bristol and it was closed down, luckily I’d turned off and even more luckily I worked out a way to go down some backroads and even more…more luckily was that I scrounged a key code for a barrier from one of the members of staff and was able to leave the service station where everyone else was blocked in and no one was able to even re-joined the M5. We drove over it and people were out of their cars and it was a nightmare, we were so very lucky indeed.

It meant it still took over 6 hours to get home and we were very late for the Molineux Family tea party at Tash’s work but we did make it there so they were pleased we turned up, chatted to some of the known family (Ben, Sue, Wendy etc) but Tash went into ‘work-mode’ and it was a waste of my time if you ask me, but we showed our faces for what it was worth!

Back home finished unpacking and then sat on the sofa and watched the concluding episodes of ‘The Catch’ which we’ve enjoyed watching as a new series – nothing to strenuous to concentrate on but good fun and good enough quality viewing. So a long day and few days concluded – really nice to have all x5 of us spending time together, hopefully we can make it an annual thing, especially with Bessie loving the attention so much!

P.S. I want to buy a VW Transporter Campervan – they’re everywhere and I think it would make the camping experience so much more enjoyable, but we will see…they’re not cheap!

Golf Wanker…

Bit still from the practise last night but was dropped off by Tash down at the golf course at 8.00am and met up with Wayne & Paul. Cup of tea and bacon sarnie and then collected the clubs I was going to use and then had a swing of a few balls to warm up and get my eye in…not impressive!

We were the first group off at 9.00am and away we went. Overall I was okay, I didn’t par any holes or even come close but I enjoyed myself and didn’t let myself down until the last x3 holes where I was tired and sort of just gave up. Lovely hot day and I feel quite confident that I will carry on now as more of a regular thing as it was enjoyable when you hit the ball right and it went roughly where you intended. So that’s my challenge to keep it up and practise. How much I will do so is anyone’s guess!

Had a few pints afterwards and there was a raffle etc and the girls arrived for a couple of drinks and a chat and then we went home but Wayne & Kerry came over for a BBQ in the evening. Loads to drink and it was good fun, bit tipsy!

Colin Taylor – R.I.P.

Shocking news today when driving home from Wrexham and speaking with Zoe and Wayne when I learned that Colin Taylor was found earlier this morning hanged in the changing rooms at Oxford City’s ground. What a terrible, terrible shame. Really very saddened to learn of this.

Wayne said that with the owner of the club being jailed for fraud there are obvious financial problems with the players money, the Berinsfield project and also Colin just would seldom delegate work and would heap all the pressure on himself. He did have a breakdown a number of years ago which is why he took early retirement from working at Rover and it was felt that City was his life thereafter.

I knew Colin for upwards of 20 years because of mine and his involvement with City so it’s a real sickener that this has happened for all concerned and of course for his family, Laura & Sarah absolutely worshipped him, you can only imagine what they’re going through. It’s all so public of course because of the nature and standing of the club so Facebook and Twitter are full of condolences, unsurprisingly and no-one had anything but praise and good words to say about the man.

It’s so sad to think about what he must have been going through and how desperate he must have felt to do this awful act and it’s so senseless, football, finances and things like that are so insignificant when it comes to life and family, nothing you couldn’t just walk away from or say ‘Ok, let’s start again!’, but there are so many other factors that I couldn’t possibly imagine or appreciate.

I just hope we’re around so able to pay our respects at the funeral when it is organised as we’re away next week. It will be a big affair that’s for certain.

Jack’s Football Presentation & Ghostbusters…

Had a nice breakfast in the morning and when we checked out I was pleased to see that they'd forgotten to charge us £12.00 each for breakfast…that was obviously a huge saving! We hadn't planned anything for the morning so after a quick Google search it was obvious there was nothing to do in Wrexham so we decided to make a move and get on the road home. Nice, quick and straightforward journey home and then it was a case of unpacking everything and getting sorted out. Didn't have too long as we needed to go out for Jack's presentation and also the cinema. We decided to decline the invite to the Phelan's for a BBQ as time was just too tight.

Took Jack to Cutteslowe Park in the afternoon as it was his u15 presentation and because of the events earlier in the day at the club it was moved there but it worked because it was out in the sunshine and we could enjoy the weather.

I didn't really mingle as I don't know the people but Ellie (Adam Shea's mum) was there organising as she does so that was one familiar face! I chatted to Rid, obviously about Colin, but about next season and other footballing matters.

The presentation then went ahead and he did a mini speech for each of the players as they received their individual trophies and it was a nice atmosphere, they're a good bunch of lads and have a great spirit about them.

Jack and I had to leave around 5.45pm so we missed out on the lads v dads match but that might not have been a bad thing!

Went and parked at Tasha's work and made our way to George Street cinema and we were only x2 minutes behind Charlotte & Tash and we then went and watched the new version of Ghostbusters. As much as I didn't really want to go along or even want to enjoy it, I was surprised that it was actually really quite enjoyable and good fun. It was great that they included ALL of the original Ghostbusters cast in minor cameos and it was amusing family entertainment. Predictable but definitely enjoyable - I am glad we went.

When that was all over we just went home and pottered about and got things sorted for the coming week and downloaded the photos etc which were soon on Facebook etc!

Early night to bed…a really lovely weekend, now for a busy week ahead!

White Water Rafting…

Got finished packing in the morning and getting ready, got some petrol as I’d forgotten to fill the tank and Mum was here at 8.30am and we were all set to leave on time.

Mum and Derek are slow and steady drivers but thankfully we weren’t in a rush so I bit my tongue and trundled along at a snails pace for them to keep behind me! We reached Llangollen around 11.25am and found Lewis before getting something to eat with a picnic by the river. We saw other groups who’d just finished their rafting experience and you could see they were all buzzing so that bode well for us in my opinion!

We walked up to the offices, checked in and got our gear on and were driven up the road to the location that we would start the trip down the river. We were split into two boats in which one was me, Tash and Mum, the other being Lewis, Charlotte, Miles and Jack. Went through some drills and explanation of the requirements and then straight away Tash & I went in the water to run a drill for the pulling of us back into the raft! It wasn’t too cold and with the wetsuits it was fine anyway.

We were then off going through rapids, down the weirs, back up some of the rapids, boarding the other raft and pulling Charlotte into the water, “Dad, you dick!”. It was a really, really great fun experience, everyone loved it. It was challenging and comfortable in turns, I worked hard with the oaring and was stiff in the evening, very tiring!

So that went on fro over an hour and it was excellent, we finished where we knew we would and Derek was waiting for us and he managed to get some photos but between us we got some good footage – I hope!

So back to the offices to get changed and we handed our the Dark family t-shirts and set off back to the car and more food as by now everyone was very hungry. Quickly after we were off to the hotel to check in and everyone crashed out and slept for a bit. I didn’t want to so after a walk around the block Pokemon hunting I went back to the room but Tash was sound asleep so I took my swimming trunks and left her a message that I’d be in the bar and if she fancied the sauna she knew where to find me!!

About 25 minutes later her and Jack came down and I finished my pint before sitting in the sauna and whirlpool, not the best facilities but they did a job!

We all then got ready and met in the bar downstairs and we stayed there the night having drinks, chatting and a nice meal. Didn’t stay up too late but it was just lovely evening spending time together and finished off a really exceptional day all round

We asked Mum what she wanted to do as her next adventure but she couldn’t think of anything so we need to think more on that! A great day!

Working in Cheshire

So last night I worked late again and this morning up at 5.30am to get the train from Oxford (instead of Oxford Parkway) for once and travelled up to Cheshire for the training with TimStar. It was a long journey but much easier than driving but a fraction more expensive.

Got quite a lot done on the train and then had the session

Went well, a few sticky patches which had I had more testing time would not have happened, had I not tested though it would have been an absolute shambles because loads was missing and not working last night!!

Kept getting updates on the train from James as they were fixed!

Left and managed to get the 3.07pm train so was home about 6.15pm in the end. I didn't get much done on the way back, slept one journey and then started reading 'Eat That Frog' again and it suitably motivated me.

When I got in, after some lunch, I took the books advice and blitzed the action points from the day's session...was really pleased with what I achieved in the time I had. Didn't get to bed until 12.30am and have another early start tomorrow as off to GL again!!!

All quite tiring I must admit!!

23rd Wedding Anniversary meal

Didn’t get too much done in the morning today as still tired and groggy from the weekend’s activities and drinking! In fact I was so distracted I almost forgot about the meeting organised at Pearson for 10.00am but luckily something kicked in and I made it. Had a decent meeting with Sarah and Lisa and agreed to work on a mini project for them with the view to being involved again at a later date – if I can make a good fist of this one that would help me, not sure when I will actually fit it in though!

When I got home Lewis was up and it was nice to ignore my laptop for 45 minutes and chat and catch up, we don’t speak enough and it was good to do so. Loads going on for him and he’s enjoying life at the minute – obviously very important! He and Evie then packed up and went and met Tasha at work for a coffee and I got a few emails out the door but not much else if the truth be told, I wasn’t in the mood…

Tash got home about 12.30pm and we sorted a few things out before driving over to The Hand & Flowers for a meal there at a Michelin Star restaurant…and it was definitely worth its stars! We had a drink in the garden next to a fire…the sun was full out so not sure what that was about…and then inside and a lovely menu with absolutely gorgeous food, it really was a bit special. I went for the cheap option of fish and chips but the pea sauce tasted almost like satay – it was very nice indeed.

We had a nice afternoon and after two hours made our way home, absolutely stuffed to the rafters, I felt quite ill I was so full. Pottered around when back home and took Bess out for a walk and then caught up with some TV in the evening. Oh, before that I popped round to the neighbours from Saturday night and apologised and all is fine. He was mortified by the whole thing and was very apologetic as well, it was actually their baby-sitter that caused it all, amazing. So that’s all sorted, he was delighted I’d gone round to clear the air, as he’d wanted to but just wasn’t sure about it etc, I am pleased I made the first move as it showed I held no grudges about the episode at all.

When Miles and Charlotte came home around 9.00pm we chatted and listened to them and then at 10.00pm Jack came home and he told us of a story where one of his friends had hurt themselves on a zip wire and he was almost crying with laughter he couldn’t tell the story, it was lovely to see him like that, we did wonder if he’d had a drink but it was just this story that made him laugh so much. We all decided around 10.30pm to call an end to a long day and went to bed. Back to normal tomorrow…all too soon!

Posted the photo below on Facebook and got over 80 likes and 20 congratulatory comments – which was nice

 

General Catch Up…late shift!

Haven't done a late shift like this for a long time but I have a DotMailer training session with a customer and they wanted me to cover things that I am not familiar with. It will be interesting to see what happens because they want advice on subject lines, frequency and such like and that's not my area. But I did a bit of research and found things and bulletin points I could use. It did highlight to me how easy it is to get information and use it...I really need to read up more
But along with testing their functionality it meant I didn't get to bed until after 1.00am and needed to be up early for the train. (4th time of being on the train this week!)
I didn't watch it but France beat Germany in the Euro semi-final this evening 2-0 so it's them against Portugal after they'd beat Wales in the other semi-final
Work at GL today was ok, got through a lot of stuff and having been there at 7.30am, as I got the 5.31am train, it definitely felt like a very long day indeed!!
When I got home last night at 7.00pm there was new cardboard packaging outside...Tash had ordered the patio heater for the garden. She'd struggled to put it up so that was my job for an hour. Did it and it's huge, only problem was that it didn't work!! Just hope that the gas canister we are using is only good for the small table top one...will go and get a new one at the weekend.
Final comment, the Tories are voting on a new leader after David Cameron stepped down because of Brexit and it's going to be a woman...most likely Teresa May. So the obvious references are being made to Maggie Thatcher, no one will be like her but it will be interesting to see how she does.

Juno Rocket nears Jupiter

Working in London today after being in Birmingham yesterday and working late last night on a Help Guide for Jason. Quite tired I have to admit as I was then up at 5.00am

Interesting news today was that the Juno rocket probe to Jupiter arrived there today and will be orbiting the atmosphere there for 180 days. This is interesting because this was the launch that we saw at Cape Canaveral, I need to check thigh as it say it was x5 years ago, I can't believe it was that long since we went to the States...perhaps it was.

So today we'll see if there is anything else happening in the world of politics or entertainment, it's just one thing after another lately.

Mad world for certain at the moment.