Oh My…Our Mortgage Situation

We received our statement a week or so ago and reading through it I was surprised to see that we’re very close to completing it! I spent a while on Sunday night doing the maths to see if paying it off 4 years early and dipping into a few savings was worth it and also whether the endowment plan would increase enough to keep hold of it and keep paying into it. I phoned the Abbey Life earlier today and got and update and then spoke to Mark O’Hara on whether there were things I was missing. I think if there are no tax issues then we’re going to go for it and pay it off in the next few days!

WOW!! If that’s the case I can’t believe it, what a result that would be - £600.00 per month better off as a result and money that we can save and spend on ourselves

Will speak to the bank again tomorrow and then make a decision..I’m excited

Lumberjack!

Today was a ‘doing day’! Up and out in the morning and got the chainsaw up and running, got through loads of the stuff out the back and filled the coal bunker for the next few weeks. Sorted out my office and the garden, sorted monies and the like and then daydreamed looking at log cabins because Tash said she’d like a bar at the end of the garden, I would definitely be up for that! I then spent an hour or so working through our mortgage statement and calculating if it’s feasible and cost-effective to pay it off now, I think it might be, that would be amazing!

Sue came round for dinner and that was nice, watched some TV and then when she left we watched a film – Now You See Me 2 – it was enjoyable nonsense so that was nice

Anyway, having done some rowing as well I am now aching!! Only managed 5 minutes – bit pathetic really!!

Mansfield away…good game

So today Jack had a match away to Mansfield that I thought was 12.30pm kick off so didn’t need to leave until 9.15am so as to get petrol, I was up early and pottering around when Jack told me the lads had said the game was brought forward to 10.45am kick off – we’d not been told! I wasn’t best pleased and after checking we were in the car and bombing up the A43 and M1!! Got there in time for him to start the match and I ended up doing the line for the first half. It was a very good and competitive game, I was enjoying it and I think Jack was, he was getting a good challenge out of it.

Unfortunately we lost the game 2-1 but Jack had a really good performance and got the Gold award from the other manager – I wasn’t surprised, great clearance at the end off the line when tracking back. Had something to eat and made our way home, was tired so stopped for 40 mins for a snooze and coffee and then home for about 4.15pm.

Didn’t do anything in the evening except watch Silent Witness and then to bed, it was then that Jack texted me to say he was staying out at the party and didn’t need a lift home – I could have had a drink!!

Brian Blessed Autobiography Completed

I finished this on the train this evening, really enjoyed the book and it was a good read, he’s had an exceptional life. I am glad it didn’t disappoint.

Now to move onto Tom Baker’s book – hopefully that will be just as good but I get the impression it’s not quite what people expect it to be

In saying that, I’ve not finished my Private Eye magazine yet and the new one is due in a couple of days so I need to get up to speed with that one now

Gaz’s Birthday trip to London

Got a few things sorted in the morning first thing and then were ready to leave when Nikki and Gaz arrived at 11.15am – off to London I drove. The hotel was on Knightsbridge and you could see Harrods from where we were, there was also the Victoria and Albert museum and other amazing buildings to see, our hotel, the Rembrandt, was top notch as well. We dropped the girls off and then found a parking place before making our way back to the hotel and had a sharing platter, beer and Prosecco – a nice start indeed!

Dumped our bags and then set off for the pubs we had in the book we were using and because it was pissing down with rain got a taxi. First up was the Nag’s Head, this was busy and very friendly and welcoming and we had a nice pint in there. Loads to look around at in there and Gaz got his book signed by the landlord so he was pleased. We then walked round to The Grenadier…that was a little harder to find, really strange, we were going round in circles, it was a nightmare. Eventually a local pointed us in the right direction and we made it. Again it was an interesting pub but the serving girl wasn’t in the best of moods so less welcoming. The ceiling was covered in money left by tourists to pay the debts of the ghost Cedric, we watched a Russian girl staple some whilst we were there. Finally, we walked round to the Star Tavern, I liked this one but we only had 20 minutes because of my car parking running out so downed our pints quite quickly there.

Managed to get back to the car and move it to a different spot without incident, back to the hotel to freshen up and we there then out the door again by 6.15pm getting a taxi into Chelsea to a wine tasting office called Vintners and a chap called Tom who Tash knew from her work because he supplies the wine to Harris Manchester. He was extremely personable and a really nice bloke and we had two hours of his time and it was brilliant, really enjoyed it. Informative and useful and we got to try so many different wines, Tash thinks we were there longer and he expected but it didn’t feel like he minded, I feel a bit more knowledgeable now but more to the point was that it was just a really nice evening and time well spent. Leaving there we got another taxi and went to a place that Tom had recommended called Sophie’s Steakhouse – it was an excellent recommendation! Had some cocktails to start and then shown to a table, but the waiter didn’t like the table we were at so moved us as soon as he could so that was nice.

Had a great meal there, I had tuna but Nik and Gaz both went for £30.00 steak – looked nice but not very big! They made a fuss of it being his birthday and we sang when his pudding came out and it was a good evening – couldn’t believe it but Nik then paid for it all – very generous.

So, where next?? Well, we got yet another taxi and went to a casino near the hotel, can’t remember the name but it wasn’t very welcoming at all – even as I walked in a guy asked if I was going to order coffee for Tash because she was ‘wobbly’, cheeky fucker! Anyway, just had a few drinks and wandered around watching people gambling away, didn’t have a go on anything at all, it doesn’t interest me, Gaz on the other hand was enjoying himself and by the time we left he was up £150.00 so that was a success for him, paid for his night out! I don’t remember whether we had more drinks at the hotel or not, I think we just went straight to bed knackered and drunk, but it was a really great day and evening and one to remember.

Very hungover on Sunday! Tash kept being sick but we just spent the whole day relaxing and slobbing out in front of the TV with a fire on. Charlotte game home from Nottingham having seen Miles and it was a nice day.

Well, that was another thing ticked off the 50 Things list – now to organise something else.

What an absolute disgrace!

I just went for a run after dropping Jack off to football, only a steady pace to get myself out and about and see if my back and groin would hold up. I managed to “run” for 30 minutes before stopping but this was my slowest pace but I was glad to just keep ticking over and get my breathing sorted. I walked a lot on the way back or did exercises as it was getting cold. I feel ok and better for doing this. I thought I’d add it to Runkeeper as I didn’t turn it on and checked my last run – this was May 2017!!! Can you believe it? I am shocked and disgusted, it’s no wonder I’m a fat fuck if I haven’t been out running for 6-7 months – I am gobsmacked.

So, if that’s not incentive enough to get back on track I don’t know what is – I am so surprised. Anyway, sat in the car waiting for Jack to come out of training and starting to stiffen up already!

Mum’s Birthday Celebration Meal with us

Decent day today actually, Jack had football in the morning and played against Dagenham & Redbridge – they were a decent side and it was a competitive match. Jack played really well at left back and I enjoyed watching him play. The lads did well and they won in the end, 3-2 it was in the end, very good game.

Had some food afterwards and then went home, Tash, Me and Lewis walked down to the Perch and had a pint and walked home again and relaxed as we were going out in the evening for Mum’s birthday.

Drove down to Tash’s work and left the car there for the night, and made our way to the pub that used to be The Living Room – never remember what it’s called now. Everyone was there already and we were planning to get drinks and then within 10 minutes the bouncer is over saying that u18’s can’t be in there after 7.00pm. We didn’t make a fuss but Tash took him and Peter and his girlfriend (as she didn’t have ID) to Malmaison and then to Prezzo to wait for us. We finished our drinks and then went next door and got on with celebrating Mum’s birthday all together.

I was sat with Louise and Molly and it was nice and good to see her and catch up with things. Molly seems to be happy with her University and Psychology course. Meal was good as usual and Mum enjoyed herself as you would hope and expect. When the meal finished I went and sat down the other end of the table and chatted (or more to the point) listened to the boys chatting, Peter didn’t stop talking, it was really nice and he and Luke have both grown up as good lads. Their girlfriends appeared nice as well, Lily and Maddy, Lily was very quiet but Maddy, who is a drama student, was very outgoing and good fun – as you would expect from a drama student!

At the end of the night we didn’t want to risk going anywhere new so we managed to get another drink out of the place before finishing the evening, Louise had booked a taxi for them all and we persuaded Jack to go with them and they dropped him off. Me, Tash and Lewis decided to stay out for a bit longer and ended up walking to Hanks. That was a bit of an experience, Tash was drunk and had a go at me about something, I can’t even remember what it was that she was angry about but it was interesting for Lewis to see her turn on me like that. I didn’t take too much notice and she was alright once it passed.

We stayed for a couple of drinks and it was good fun, we then got a kebab and a taxi home – a late night and we were all a bit pissed!

It was nice for Mum and she really enjoyed it so that was pleasing.

Diary Post from Notes – Mum’s birthday

1. Diary for Mum's 70th - Jan 2018!
   1. Sunday Go-Karting & Ten Pin Bowling & Harvester

It was nice because Louise and the boys came over – not Trevor – but it was fine. The lads brought their girlfriends as well and they enjoyed themselves

Go-Karting was great fun, challenging but really enjoyable

Nice meal afterwards – Mum enjoyed it as having everyone around was important

Mum’s 70th Birthday

It’s flown by but today is Mum’s birthday and she’s 70 years old. Called and spoke to her this morning and we’ll be seeing her later this evening before she has a meal with the ‘oldies’ and then we’ll be celebrating properly over the weekend. What’s pleasing is that she’s still active and social enough to be involved with activities and holidays that we want to organise. For example on Sunday we will be go-karting which isn’t a normal activity for a 70th I’m sure!

She doesn’t know what the present from us is yet, I think she’ll be pleased with it because it’s a trip down the Thames on one of those high-powered speed boats, and then a meal afterwards. Should be fun.

Anyway, I am sure she’ll get loads of attention at work and through Facebook today and thoroughly deserved, there’s not much I think anyone could find not to like about her which makes me proud.

The kids are also lucky that they have a grandma that can still be involved with them and they love her for that. We popped out to Sturdy’s Castle this evening for an hour before their meal and she opened some presents and enjoyed herself and we then left them to it

A few photos to share from her Facebook feed today

Brian Blessed Autobiography

This hasn’t disappointed! I was reading the page in the image below and was in fits of laughter, the only problem I was on the train and the woman next to me had to ask what I was laughing at!

It just tickled me and I could envisage him doing exactly what he said in terms of running around shouting ‘Bang!’ each time he shot someone!

Very amusing – nearing the end of it now, it’s taken me an age to read it because I started it in October!!

Private Eye Subscription

Delighted to receive the first of my year’s subscriptions in the post today! Thanks Mum!

Spent 20 minutes reading through it and I think it’s going to wind me up quite a lot because it is just article after article of injustices around the country and the world. Councillors getting back-handers, politicians scamming and lying through their teeth, businesses avoiding tax etc. It’s not going to be good for my heart as these things really frustrate me!

Anyway, I am still delighted to have got this now and been able to tick off one of my 50 things!

New Year…New Me

Yeah right – that’s going to happen is it?!

No new year resolutions or anything like that this year, other than a heightened desire to lose some bloody weight! I completely pigged out in December and over Xmas and found at one point I was 14 1/2 stone – mental! Anyway, I’ve lost about 5 pounds just this week by not eating all the crap that’s around the house…just need to exercise a bit. That’s a bit of a problem at the minute because I’ve got a real issue with my back. I am hoping to see Chris Perkins in the next couple of days to sort me out, but I am also worried that it might be more serious and even a hip issue. In fact that just reminded me to text Chris and get an appointment!

2018 is panning out to be mental already – below is a list of some of the things that we have lined up but yesterday evening we sat down and in the space of about three hours we booked a weekend skiing in La Plagne and 5 days in the US (Boston and New York) for us and friends for our 50th birthdays. It should be us, Millars, Holdens and possible the Carrolls and Wards – but we’ll see about everyone else.

January

Saturday 6th January – Junkyard Golf with Pauline Bampton birthday

Thursday 11^th January – Mum meal for her & family

Saturday 13^th January – Mum birthday meal with me, Louise and family

Sunday 14^th January – Mum go-karting & ten pin bowling

Saturday 20^th January – London for night with Nikki/Gareth – Wine Tasting (and hotel)

February

Friday 9^th February – Miles 21^st

Friday 16^th February - Sunday 18^th February – Nikki’s weekend away

March

Friday 9^th - 13^th March – Madeira

Thursday 29^th March – 3^rd April – Skiing

April

Saturday - 14^th April – Grand National – Liverpool (and hotel)

May

Saturday 5^th May – Tears for Fears – Birmingham (and hotel)

Saturday 26^th - 27^th May – Common People – Oxford South Park

July

Tuesday 10^th July - Anniversary

August

Friday 17^th August – 1^st September – Japan

September

Sunday 9^th September – 3^rd Day of Test Match- England v India – Oval (London)

October

Saturday 20^th – Thursday 25^th October – Boston & New York

*Need to book the following:

Meal in London from Kids – has to be used before May

Red Letter Day – end of year?

Meal at Black Boy in Headington – end of year?

Oxford Bus Tour

Oxford Morse Pub Tour

Other items from my list on the larder

More items added/achieved in my list of 50 Things

So Xmas turned out to be very productive for adding to my 50 things… we’re going wine tasting in London with Nikki and Gareth in January, Natasha got me Tom Baker’s autobiography, we decided we would go skiing, Mum got me a Private Eye subscription and Lewis & Jack bought me tickets for the 3rd day at the England v India Test at the Oval.

So pleased with all of these, very lucky and spoilt to get these present. It was perhaps a good idea making the list as it does provide a focus for the year and presents

Can’t wait to experience all these things – should be fantastic fun