Long cycle trip…sort of

Tash was up and out early with the girls (Zoe & Kerry) in separate cars to go and wish Sharon Millar a happy birthday. I stayed and got some jobs done like mending the bike puncture and took Bess for a walk. Scorching hot once again and Wolvercote was really busy with crowds of people flocking to the bathers. Parking down our street and all over the place – wherever there was any space they’d try and fit in – much to the chagrin of the Wolvercote and Wytham Facebookers!! Miserable gits

I knew I was going to spend the afternoon at Sue’s so I decided to make a move and got on the bike and cycled over there. Obviously went via the backroads to avoid the A34 and it was okay – I was tiring near the end but it was only about 75 minutes and just a fraction under 15 miles. Happy with that.

Got to Sue’s and got my breath back and then started on the decking pressure washing – eventually you had Tash, Charlotte, Miles, Nikki, Jess, Max, Katie and Emily all there – somehow kept their distances…sort of and they drank bubbly. Miles thinks he can get an industrial pressure washer so after an hour or so I stopped and relaxed instead.

All a bit boring but it was nice for Tash of course. I didn’t eat much and avoided sugary pudding so that for June I try and get my weight down…I seem to have said something like that before! Well it looks like Mexico could be happening now so I don’t want to regret it and be the fattest bloke there.

Gradually every left, they had some fun with the kids paddling pool and slide and then after food we left and came home

Walked Bess, then relaxed and watched some TV – Mrs Maisel, wasn’t very good. Tash went to bed but I stayed up and watch 4 episodes of the The Vikings!! Only because Miles suggested it and I got into it – that’s my next thing to get through, only 5 series

Bed at 1.30am…not very professional!

Okay as of tomorrow I am going to have a 30 Day Challenge and exercise with sit-ups and press-ups for 30 days

Peak District

Up nice and early – well 7.00am and sat in the shower for ages – I had a heavy head!

Drove up to Peak District – near Ashbourne, Derby which is close to where we went for Paul’s stag weekend I think.

Arrived at 10.00am and Lewis was 5 minutes behind us, parked up and walked through and you could see it was getting busy

The National Park was amazing – it really was. Very beautiful landscape and we walked along side the river.

Tash had a walking tour outlined so we tried to follow that – it wasn’t the best and we then just wandered along and let Bess off her lead whenever we could and caught up with things.

The first part was okay, we made one error but just carried along the river and after 5 miles stopped for lunch at a village and Lewis treated us to an ice cream.

Back on the walk we then went up the dale – that was hard work. I’ve been okay up to then but this was hard for me, everything was hurting.

Bess ran off at one point and evaded Lewis – all a bit worrying but she came back from another direction – stupid dog!

We then also took a wrong turn and walked down a very dangerous slope to the road and then realised we needed to go back up it! Great!!

We then made it to the summit and it was well worth the effort – it was lovely. But the clock was ticking as Lewis had to be back to meet his friends so we didn’t hang about and got back down the hill to the river and back home to the car

Nearing the entrance it was getting rammed with people – none of whom seemed to speak English. It really felt we were in Croatia or Poland or somewhere, it was so odd not to hear hardly any English voices. Didn’t bother me, it was fascinating though. Made it through the throngs of people to see a huge jam of cars – it was mad

Made our way out and said our goodbyes to Lewis, went one way to get home and soon turned around as there was no way of getting past the queues and then it was a 2 hour drive home.

Collapsed on the sofa once home and then had nice dinner

Watched a film in the evening after a bath to relax my aching muscles

Didn’t do much else, couldn’t be bothered

Absolutely knackered!

Few Drinks & BBQ

Worked

Drinks early at around 4.30pm – couldn’t resist – it’s the weekend!

Got the BBQ going and Mum came over. Lockdown restrictions are being relaxed and from Monday we can have gatherings of 6 people so that’s going to be good.

Mum is very cautious but it was fine, she managed to keep her distance and all that

I got the BBQ going down the bottom of the garden and we sat down there – bloody hot day again.

Food was nice and we had a nice time – Charlotte and Miles were both here and we had a bit of a session as they seemed in the mood for it so that was nice.

Mum left about 9.00pm and we carried out – got the flavoured vodka out and finished that.

Gave up around 1.00pm as we knew we had an early start in the morning as we were driving up to see Lewis, I think I overdid it really so not looking forward to driving and then walking around the Peak District with a hangover…or still pissed. We’ll see in the morning.

A nice end to the week and a good start to the weekend!!

Bournemouth beach today

Up nice and early, excited to be travelling to the seaside! Got things sorted like picnic etc and the kids sorted then bang on 9.00am we were out the door, just the two us with Bessie.

Drive down was fine, it’s been busier and we were in the beach at 11.00am where you can have dogs, Branksome Chine. Parked on the road amongst these amazing houses, I checked and they’re all about £1.5m, not surprised, they were lovely.

Beach was nice and clear, got busier as the day went on but no hassle and it was nice just relaxing in the sun, it’s hot today, listening to music or sleeping or eating or playing with the dog. She appears to like it but she does get restless, and always seems to be demanding something.

She enjoyed the sea and getting the ball, it was quite rough so I had to keep a close eye on her.

Took my top off at one stage, wasn’t a pleasant sight, need to get working on my body once more!! Got very burnt – not a good look on a vest!!

Left at at about 5.30pm and got home for 7.30pm and had dinner and then relaxed again before bed!

Bloody Hot Bank Holiday

Amazing weather today. Tash went out for a long walk with Zoe, Kerry and Sharon so that was nice for them. I walked Bess over the meadow and even at 9.45am you could tell it was going to be a bloody hot day...and it’s proved to be.

I then was up a ladder chopping back the trees in the pond area. Quite dangerous really as I was just balanced against the tree itself without a decent holding. Got it done with the choppers and the hedge trimmer and it looks a lot better. Was only able to do half of it as no space to dump the branches. Quite impressed with the (almost) end result. Leave it a week for the bins to be emptied and then do the other side.

Mowed the lawn and then relaxed. Stuck with soft drinks even though I really wanted to drink some alcohol, at the time of writing I’m resisting the temptation but not sure how much longer I can do so!

BBQ later in the afternoon and couldn’t resist the lure of drinks so got stuck into beers and then spirits – quite merry in the end!

Nice food and then just relaxed, a really lovely day.

Miles and Charlotte went to watch a film upstairs so Tash and I watched Line of Duty outside again. Not a late night.

Great weekend all told

White Horse Hill visit.

Up fairly late this morning and then made a fry-up for the family. Went well and I even had a go at making proper poached eggs, that was really good so that was pleasing!!

We then jumped in Tasha’s car and drive to Uffington White Horse Hill. It was busy in the car park up there but it’s such a big area it was easy enough to avoid people. Enjoyed the walk around there, didn’t realise there was a castle at the top, well a mound now dating from 350BC with an unmistakable moat. Very interesting.

Back home to drop the kids off and then Tash and a I went to Sues. Nikki and the girls were all there but soon left shortly after our arrival and then I got to work on the decking once again. Was a productive couple of hours and it’s looking good.

Had some dinner and then home to sort things out, watched the latest episode of Killing Eve and then to bed to read.

A nice day all told.

Book Completed

Stayed up until 1.00am this morning to finish the Assassin’s Apprentice – had to complete it in the bathroom as Tash was moaning at me keeping her awake with the bright torch light from my phone!

Loved the book and now need book 2 – have placed the order with Tash as she should be able to get it from work on account

When I checked for the next title(s) I found that there are loads – she’s written as many as Raymond Feist and others – so there are 16 titles that I need to get through!! Ah well, it’s a start.

I also downloaded an app for my phone so I can create blog posts on the fly more easily – should be fun and will hopefully be able to do more updates that are not so long, or boring – just thoughts to jot down hopefully, we’ll see how that goes and for how long!

Miles has finished University

So Miles has completed his last exam today – it’s strange how it’s been done because of the Virus lockdown, he was given the question and 24hours to complete it. I think they mark the papers more harshly because they’re free to research as much as they want and are not really regulated if you think about it.

His first two were completed last week and earlier this week – and he was happy with those, today’s last one was harder but I suspect he’s done well and we’ll hear that he’s got a first – hope so. Not sure what will happen with a graduation ceremony, they’ll have to sort something out when this virus all dissipates.

So that’s a huge relief for him and he can relax and move on with life now. Charlotte went to see him in the evening and I think they’ll be over tomorrow (Friday) for the weekend and we’ll have to celebrate with them and make it a nice day/evening/weekend – whatever they want.

I wonder what he’ll end up doing. I think he might stay with his family business, I don’t think he has the confidence to go out and work elsewhere but he should be able to, he’s confident with his DJ’ing so that should reflect in work-life as well. Perhaps he will just focus on music making and do well in that area, that would be amazing, having a role in something you love doing.

Oh to be young again eh??

Decent Book – Assassin’s Apprentice

I am currently reading a book by Robin Hobb called “Assassin’s Apprentice” – absolutely loving it.

I got it for Xmas and haven’t really tried to read it but now I can’t put it down. It’s a bit of a slow burner but it’s very detailed and it’s exactly the sort of writing that I like. I won’t say it’s like David Gemmell, it’s not. If I was to compare it with anyone then it would be with Raymond Feist – it does feel like I am ready Magician, but that suits me. I like that sort of thing. And with more time that I currently have, I am getting through a lot of pages.

It’s a trilogy so I will have to get the next one soon, it also feels more productive to read the book instead of going the Twitter, Facebook or playing Sudoku!

Anyway, all good so far…

Charlotte doing well

Charlotte is not being furloughed – pretty much everyone else in her company and certainly her department is though!

She’s taking on so much work and responsibility it’s incredible. All the people with more experience in the roles are being dropped but she’s not, she’s then given a bit of training and gets on with it. Very, very productive – she’s so similar to Tash in that regard it’s frightening.

I just hope she’s rewarded for all the work she’s putting in – she’s getting tired and stressed but pushes on regardless.

I can’t blame her getting a bit fed up hearing her furloughed colleagues on the conference calls saying they’ve only just got up, or have binge-watched XYZ programmes or out enjoying the sun and she’s working her bollocks off. I think they might have furloughed too many and will need to bring some back to help with the workload – we’ll see.

Anyway, thought I’d type this up because it’s really pleasing she’s doing so well.

New phones – argumentative evening

Strange old day today – quite a shame really

Got my new iPhone SE arrive in the morning along with Tasha’s SIM card and we proceeded to migrate the old phones to new – really impressive process as you needed to only put them next to each other and the Bluetooth connection made it all work. Both phones are an upgrade but both phones don’t really feel much different if the truth be told. Hopefully the battery life will be better now though

I should have guessed what the day was going to be like from right at the start of the day, Tash was in a really funny (unfunny!) mood and really argumentative and angry, it was so odd. Literally everything was a problem ad she was getting stressed about everything. I just shut myself away and worked.

Her main issue is that she doesn’t feel like she’s having a holiday during this time where she’s not working! No I’ve got no idea what the fuck that means either! It came up again in a big argument right at the end of the night which ruined that as well – yet it wasn’t with me but with Charlotte.

Anyway, she pottered around, lovely weather to be doing nothing. I actually think it’s because Lewis isn’t coming home this weekend and she’s pissed off about that and taking it out on us. We should also have been in Ibiza today but obviously with this lockdown we’re not

Nikki and Jess popped over briefly, nice to see them but they were in and out very quickly.

Then later in the afternoon Catherine and Jill Partridge were over, they’d brought some clothes over as usual and then had a walk about the garden but then tucked into gin and tonics and stayed a while – that was nice.

By now it was about 5.30pm so I stopped working and got myself a large drink and got the BBQ going and then they left.

It was nice sat down the end using the firepit and Tash clearly got more drunk – BBQ food was good and we stayed out talking etc and then she started repeating herself and crying about something when I was tidying up and then getting angry again with Charlotte. I’d had enough by then, I’d got my torches working and just switched off, I can’t be bothered with it. Eventually Charlotte went to bed about 10.30pm and Tash went literally 1 minute later – just walked off.

I’d done literally nothing wrong or spoken out of turn so I had a drink and sat for a while and then put everything out and came in. Had no intention of going to bed so watched a couple of episodes of the Jack Ryan series and then bed at midnight, thankfully didn’t wake Tash.

It was so fucking hard today, I get people getting bored but she’s just contradicting herself so badly. Moaning that she doesn’t feel like she’s had a break because of having to cook or weave or do household jobs (which she pushes herself to do) and if she was told she was going back to work in a week or two she’d be pissed off because it’s not been like a holiday…but then I did say that had she just watched TV or lounged around (which wouldn’t bother us) then she’d moan that she’d wasted the day.

Really, really hard work!

Family bike ride around Oxford again

Didn’t get up too early, relaxed and read actually. In fact I finally got into my Assassin’s Apprentice title I got for Christmas, really enjoying it and took any opportunity I could to pick it up and read it.

Got some jobs done in the morning and then the four of us went out for a bike ride after lunch. Didn’t go far, about 12 miles in the end but it was very pleasant around Oxford etc

Jack even treated Tash and I to ice creams on the High Street – Charlotte has cycled on ahead to meet her friend Hannah for a walk so missed out.

Back home I then fixed the bikes we’d not used so as to get them up to scratch and then we sat in the sun and relaxed

I read my book but soon nodded off, we both did!

Garden chores and tidying up and then nice spag bol for dinner

I then sat and read and when Tash was ready for bed we watched more TV until about 10.30pm.

A very nice weekend all told – enjoyed Saturday night, good fun!

Great day – new toy!

This is sad…I got very excited about buying a 25m long extension cable. How middle aged is that? Bought it online in the morning and went to Tool Station in Horspath and was astonished when I gave my name to the security guy outside and he knew what I was there to pick up – impressive!

I then tested it and it now means I have electricity at the bottom of the garden – hooray!

I then put it to good use with creating shelves for Charlotte’s wardrobe and our previous heater gas holder – pleased with myself.

Then we went out to Sue’s and I spent about 2.5hrs pressure washing the decking, made a lot of progress so that was pleasing. Charlotte and Tash just relaxed, but I was fine with that. Had some dinner there and a couple of large Gin & Tonics which made me quite tipsy quickly so we got home asap.

Out in the bar I set up for an 80’s concert where legends of days gone by sang karaoke and it was brilliant, really enjoyed it. Was Facebook Messengering John Bampton during the whole evening as it was his idea that alerted me to it. I got pissed!

Tash wasn’t there for much of it, not sure why, but near the end she came in and it was nice and relaxed and we had a lovely evening.

Late to bed

Bit stressful today! Covid-19 tests taken & Jess’s Birthday

Everyone getting a bit tense today to be honest – tough atmosphere which carried over from yesterday I think.

Got up a bit late and worked for my usual company in Leicester and it was okay. Wasn’t as focussed as I could be but it was okay.

Tash was out of sorts and niggly and it made for awkwardness around the house – I decided it best to simply keep out the way, fed up with it and best way to avoid the issues. She’s not “enjoying” not working and thinks we’re having a go at her about it. We’re not, but there you are.

The four of us went to Thornhill P & R in the morning for our Covid-19 tests that Tash organised last nigh – it was like a scene from a film with tents and cones set up and loads of official looking people directing us to our testing area. I found it really unpleasant – swabs taken from back of throat (gagged) and up nose (high up), hated it. Done and dusted and we got our results the following day (we’re all NEGATIVE).

Back home and Annie turned up to do haircuts – shouldn’t really be here but Tash was desperate. Got mine done, Charlotte not happy about it! That caused friction and then Tash went off to garden centre and Bicester for a number of hours.

Nice dinner in the evening and then at 6.30pm we dialled into a Zoom meeting for Jess’s birthday in which Vic & Danny had organised a greyhound race night – was a bit of fun but we were nowhere near winning it. It was nice to have a lot of people in on it but then too much was had to drink; Miles had come over and he and Charlotte outside in the bar for some space. Then later Jack was causing argument as well because of eating constantly and not letting up!

All very niggly today/tonight, hopefully Wednesday will be better and everyone will have got whatever it is out of their systems

Tash went to bed but I stayed up and watched more episodes of Jack Ryan series I have got into – pretty sure I’ve watched it before but I don’t remember it.

Anyway, off to bed at 1.00am hoping for a better day…

Covid-19 Lockdown easing up

Last night Boris Johnson announced plans to reduce the rigidity of the lockdown and it’s done nothing but add confusion for people.

Allowing people to meet in open areas and visit family is being allowed and the plans to open schools etc has been scheduled over the next 8 weeks.

But it’s the immediate plans this week that are confusing that everyone is jumping onto! And also, we’re not really seeing a reduction in the number of daily cases and deaths happening – all feels a bit rushed if you ask me.

Aside from that, pretty much all the same really. Tash had a bit of a meltdown today because we’re joking about her having time off and we’re working and she’s saying it’s not something she’s wanted. Can’t see what the problem is, I’d be happy not to be working but there you go. So we have to tread on eggshells now to avoid her biting our heads off…

I thought she’d be glad to be able to get jobs done, never mind.

Worked today and got things up to date.

Liam Tallboys came in and fixed the electric so that was pleasing. Got a bit fed up with having the extension leads not allowing us to lock the doors!

Didn’t do much in the evening, potted about really – wasted evening

Bank Holiday Weekend for VE Day 75th Anniversary

Thursday – worked hard, drinks early. Power cut in the evening in which all our plugs stopped working – nightmare. Jack managed to get hold of Liam Tallboys to come and fix it and that was brilliant. Needs to get a part and finish it but got the plugs working so we didn’t lose food in the fridges. No idea why it happened

Friday – hot today, worked on the shed, cleared it out whilst everyone relaxed! Pina coladas today – very good but very easy to do. Other cocktails, nice and relaxed. BBQ down the bottom end and a fire pit. V warm weather, no wind, Miles over later, I wasn’t feeling well, bath for an hour and then to bed shortly after.

Saturday – v hot weather - pottered around the garden – got jobs done early. Relaxed in afternoon. Swedish candle, oil on patio, dog walk, drinking, John and Pauline’s for more drinks, Nik & Gaz chat in the garden (via Facebook), fish n chips, fire pit up and running with a BBQ cooked, logo game. Pimms today

Sunday – can’t remember – didn’t drink and took things easy!

Pretty non-descript day really

Worked all day – busy and enjoyable for my Oxford company.

Not much to report – got a lot of tasks cleared so that was good.

Worked in the garden afterwards, sorted the herb planter and attached it to the wall and then had a couple of beers afterwards.

Not much else to report today.

Opened a bottle of bubbly in the evening with Tash and sat out in the garden wrapped up - nice

Long but productive day

Worked for client today and got loads done

Meetings and updates etc – enjoyable

Not much else to report – Tash worked in the garden on creosoting the shed and then went for a walk with Zoe.

Took Bess for a walk and was told off by a busy body because I didn’t pick up Bess poo on the meadow! Ignored them.

Watched TV in the evening – that’s about it – hardly worth writing this up!

Really wanted a drink but decided against it…

Busy day and bingo in the evening…

Worked on items and action points throughout the day, was enjoyable

Did exercise in the evening which was nice to get going again

Called Mum and had a bingo session with her, me, Tash and Charlotte and she really enjoyed it which was pleasing. She’s a good sport.

Then Tash and I watched the last two episodes of Line of Duty, has been a really good season (3) and it finished well. Bed late as it was a double-header so finished around midnight!!

Start a new series tomorrow hopefully

Busy and productive day in and around the house/garden!

Busy and productive day today – on a bit of a mission!

Popped down the road to John’s and got his chimney brush off him and spent about 2 hours trying to get the chimney clean – it was a frustrating nightmare. I got all the covers in place so that protected the room from “some” of the soot and dust coming down. But I had problems getting the brush up past a certain point and then when I finally did get it through and up out the top – could I get it back down again? Could I fuck?

The neighbours were round asking what was happening and adding to the pressure – at one point I was preparing to get a ladder onto the roof and pull it out that way. Had one more try and got it to come down – shan’t do that again in a hurry!

Set the burner off and sure enough all the smoke came flooding into the front room – I’d wasted my time! I looked inside again and found the problem, an air vent had fallen down so I was trying to fix that whilst the fire was still going – hot work!! Eventually it cooled and I tried again and did fix it – so we can use the log burner again now!

Took the brushes back to John and then worked in the garden, I fixed by flag pole first and then Tash had asked me to create a planter for her herbs which I did using a pallet – took a bit longer to sort out because I needed to change the widths on it but got there in the end and it’s fine – she was delighted with it!

We then went out for a cycle ride, went down the by-pass and then through Wood Eaton and Islip and Kidlington – long ride but enjoyable and nice scenery. Although to be honest I was knackered! So slow, very, very unfit. It’s a shame because all my work in the gym has gone to waste.

Back home we were all knackered, I made a Frappuccino which was lovely which Mum and Charlotte both wanted one

I then went out and relaxed in the bar for an hour whilst dinner was being made and listened to music and made a couple of cocktails – used Summer fruits with Gin and Vodka and it was lovely.

Dinner was good and then we caught up with Millars, Holdens and Carrolls over Zoom for a Quiz via Facebook – lasted about 90 minutes and was good. We were second but it was nice to catch up with them all.

Late by the time it finished so went to bed!

A nice weekend, loved Friday – I like letting my hair down!!

New Records for the Office!

Out of bed around 10.30am – not too bad really.

Breakfast and tidied up – sorted out the bar and all that so it’s back to normal. Didn’t take too long

Went to Mum’s to drop off some Bingo cards so she can play in a couple of days time – she was fine and looking well.

Then we went to Sandhills because James Taylor messaged me in the morning having seen my Instagram posts telling me he had some vinyl records he was getting rid of, so I was round there to collet them. A bagful of about 25 which were really good, pleased with them

Then off to Sue’s and sat there for a few hours whilst sorting out her anti-virus set up because she’s been scammed – that was fun!

Back home we then walked the dog and took it easy – nothing much to do. Tidied up the office and played some of the records – never listened to Bauhaus but there were loads of them in this collection so will give them a go!

Charlotte went off to Miles when we got home and we had dinner and then watched a few episodes of Line of Duty and then to bed for an early night!

Family Bingo & Dark Side Bar late one!

Busy day working and finished work about 5.00pm and then had dinner.

Had a panic attack halfway through the day when I entered the Heart FM competition for £30k and texted them, about 5 mins later my phone went and I got so excited, only it was work – how disappointing! But my heart was pumping like mad – having that £30k would have been amazing and I’d have got the campervan as a result! Never mind…

Miles came over to see Charlotte and they popped out to get some beers to top up the fridge and we then had a bingo competition that Tash had organised with her family.

It was good fun and we had some cocktails created which were excellent – enjoyed those. Once the bingo was over – we didn’t win – we went into the bar and got the projector going and then hit the drinks pretty hard!

We made loads of cocktails and it was such good fun, a really, really enjoyable evening – we got wrecked! I didn’t want to go to bed at 1.00am so stayed up, locked the doors and got the smoke machine on…was still videoing at 3.30am but then woke up at 6.00am.

Luckily I wasn’t struggling but I think I was still pissed!

Went up to bed and stayed there until 10.30am –was a great evening, even if I spent the latter part of it on my own, I am easily able to amuse and entertain myself with drink and music!!