Another day on the drink!

We cleared up in the morning after a lie-in. We were knackered from being up late/early with the party noise.

Loads of mess in the bar and that but didn’t take too long to fix and it needed a good cleaning anyway

I got distracted with the puzzle again and spent too long messing about with it whenever I got the opportunity

Tash and I went out for a walk in the afternoon and found Pixey Meadow and then had an interesting return home along the river where we got lost and encountered an assault course with crossing the stream and locked gates – all good fun

Around 4.00pm we went to the Phelans for a BBQ and that was a nice evening. Loads of food – too much – and drink – too much as well! Charlotte was really ill from last night so we saw nothing of her, been throwing up all day, poor thing. But it meant she drove so Tash and I got a bit tipsy and carried on until late. We don’t know when to stop! Didn’t leave until about 11.00pm, we will learn one day!

Anyway, that was the end of a long weekend, I suspect we will hold back from buying any more spirits and beers for a while so we can detox and also save some money.

We’ll see!

Charlotte partying in the bar

Bit of a heavy head this morning but okay – Tash wasn’t cross – think she’s got used to me doing this!

Pottered around in the morning after a lie-in and it wasn’t the nicest weather so we stayed home and did jobs around the house/garden for the rest of the day.

Worked on a puzzle of the London Underground that Pauline has lent us and that took up our time and focus!

In the evening Charlotte had friends round and they were out in the bar all night…literally.

We watched some TV and went to bed around 11.00pm but the noise from outside got too much, I had to go down twice because they kept leaving the bar door open – and at 3.00am that’s not good. Charlotte got a bit stroppy with me at 3.30am but she was steaming drunk so I just accepted it and they left at 4.00am. There was no need for them to go, that’s not what I was asking them to do, only to keep the door closed, but they had a great time

In the morning I found that they’d drunk the bar dry, Vodka and Gin completely gone, little bit annoyed because I’d only just topped those up and it’s likely I will have to buy the bottles again. Charlotte said she will but we’ll see. In saying that, it’s worth it for them to have a great evening and love the bar and it creates a lasting memory for them – so what’s £14.00 bottles of spirits in that context??

So not much sleep really but there we go. A nice day and evening

Late Night Drinking & BBQ

Can’t remember what we did during the day to be honest!

In the evening we’d invited John and Pauline over and around 5.00pm they turned up with the kids and we sat in the garden and got on the beers and Pimms! Sat down the bottom end so we could use the firepit and it was a great evening. Loads of chat and we got a cool box down there in the end so as to not have to keep walking to the garage, music on and the BBQ.

Got far too smoky but the food was good and we were out until late and it was dark. Pauline went home usual sort of time and John stayed. Tash gave up and we were in the bar until about 3.00am singing and dancing and had the smoke machine and lasers and everything else on – really good laugh. John left about 3.00am and I carried on a bit longer but gave in eventually and slept on the sofa!

Good fun.

Jack Badly Hungover!

Tash went to Bournemouth today with Sharon Millar and was out of the house by 8.30am – very nice hot day for it.

Worked from home in the morning and was constantly interrupted by Jack with his head down the toilet throwing up! His night out yesterday catching up with him, he was sick all day long.

I decided to get out for a bike ride and left around 1.30pm…and I went for it.  Up Botley, through Eynsham, off to Witney and back through Woodstock – took me over 2 hours to do about 26 miles – I was knackered and it was very, very hot out there. Glad I did it though.

Back home and Jack still no better so I cooked dinner and then drove Jack to football training in Didcot, walked around some of the parks there and all very nice indeed, sat and watched the end of the session, I’d love to be a player now, I could be cruising it…honestly!

Anyway, took Jack back home and he’d perked up and soon Tash was home and we caught up on her day – not too busy for her despite all the media issues and posts

A good day all told

Lewis is home for the week

Nice to have Lewis down here for the week, he’s staying until next Sunday (Father’s Day) and he’s obviously here for Grandma’s 100th birthday.

Be nice to have him around for a while.

Caught up and had a load of beers in the evening so that was nice!!

Got the pizza oven going and then went inside the bar and watched The Godfather – never watched it but enjoyed it although I have to admit I was exhausted so had to stop after two hours. Will catch up another time – Lewis, Miles and I were the other three awake, Tash was steaming and Charlotte was fast asleep

A nice day

Rob Dennis Funeral

Sad day today because it was Rob Dennis’s funeral. He’d been battling cancer for 4 years and last week he lost his battle

Today there was a funeral procession out of the village, through Wytham, town and then up to the Crematorium.

The family had asked for villagers to line the streets and at 12.30pm that’s what happened. Pissing down with rain but it didn’t put people off and there was a good turnout.

We walked behind the procession for a little of the way and then it was off and we went back to things.

Went down later and there was a display of the flowers and messages and even a box of Flakes because that was his favourite. Spoke quickly to Anne and Laura and they were very well kept together.

He was a lovely man and well liked and respected – it’s no surprise so many people lined the roads for him

As I mentioned on Facebook when his death was announced, I’ll always remember the drunken night we had at the Bamptons dancing to Beyoncé and Single Ladies – that was a very funny evening!

Gone but not forgotten as they say.

Bless him.

Grandma’s 100th Birthday

So the day has arrived and she’s made it!!

Grandma is 100

We went round to her house in the morning to set up the shelter in case of bad weather and Sue and Mum were there already sorting a few things out and Louise and Molly also arrived. They’d been to our house first to drop off the wooden spindle I’m after so that was pleasing.

Chatted for a bit then we all went our separate ways to get ready and work etc.

Back to the house about 4.00pm and grandma came out and she was fine and in good spirits.

I had birthday music on all afternoon which was amusing and we sat around chatting etc and watching her opening her cards and presents.

Got the message from the Queen and then also a call with Derek and Brett so that was a bonus.

Also a shout out on the local radio – we turned down the offer to interview her but the message was lovely.

We had fish and chips and Sue/Simon were generous and paid and it was very nice food actually – will use them again.

Stayed quite late but she tired and went and sat in her room and we then took everything down and left to be home by 9.00pm – quite a lot later that expected.

Not enough room in the car so me, Tash and Lewis walked home.

Had a couple of drinks when we got back and chatted etc and watched a bit of TV and then off to bed

Amazing that she’s 100 years old, no idea how much longer she’ll go on for, a number of years yet I suspect.

Pick That Out Team Talk #2

Waste of time today – getting stressed with no work, hating this situation. I can’t get focussed on anything to learn either – feeling completely overwhelmed.

The day passed and I just moved on and put it behind me. I do feel almost paralysed by inaction.

Went out for a cycle ride, same as yesterday’s and almost the exact same time. Back home for dinner and then out to the garage for another Zoom call with Lee and Kieran.

This time it was in relation to the 1999 FA Cup  run against Wycombe for Oxford City. On the call as well as me and the PTO team were Jermaine McSporran, Matty Whitehead, Alan Foster and Shaun Wimble.

It was great to see the lads and catch up and it was a pleasant hour well spent.

Jermaine was particularly scathing of Mick Woodley so some of it might have to be cut out – but it was interesting to rake up the old memories, it just confirmed what an unpleasant man he was.

It didn’t distract from the evening though and it was really enjoyable.

Only lasted an hour this time and then I went in and watch TV with the family and then early(ish) night.

Fitness Challenge Continuing

Worked for Wednesday client today – full on and very busy. Set alarm for 6.15am so was up and with the world early for once. Makes a nice difference, need to do it more often.

Not much to report from the day, ate and drank loads which is not good – putting on the weight I’ve lost!

After dinner I went out for a cycle ride for an hour which was needed and then we watched The Last Dance documentary about Michael Jordan, really interesting. It’s enjoyable.

Tash went to bed when that was over and I stayed up to finish a film I was halfway through and then two episodes of Vikings, bed at 12.45am…

Bit of a nothing day

Worked today – found it hard to get motivated that’s for certain.

Got stuff done but wasn’t very enjoyable

Did some exercise and watched some TV – not productive at all.

Sad day today as it was 6 years ago that Rik Mayall died, lots of love for him on Twitter as you’d expect. Such a great man and well loved, sad indeed.

Hungover today…

Where did that come from?!?! Out of nowhere we got on the sauce last night and now suffering for it today.

Not ill or anything like that, just heavy headed and can’t be arsed to do anything or focus at all.

Not good. Got up and started working at about 10.00am! Didn’t get much done at all

Had a training call in the afternoon and that was it – no exercise of any nature.

Had dinner and then watched programmes in the evening, we watched a film called 13th – it’s a documentary regarding the 13th amendment in the US and it was tacking systematic racism and the culture of locking up a larger majority of blacks for the purposes of forced labour amongst other things. It was interesting, and shocking.

By about 9.30pm we were knackered so went to bed – but I did my 25 press-ups!

We did also look at campervans again, could be something we get soon – if I can just get some money and work!

Nice day, great night!

Busy day today, cut back the trees by the pond, job well done.

Got other things sorted and then worked on the PC in the house and Tash and I went out for a cycle ride. Nothing too strenuous – just out to Kidlington to get some shopping done.

Went past Yarnton though and looked at the campervans – we’re getting closer and closer to getting one I think. Should be good.

Did the shopping and then back home

Charlotte and Miles were back again and Miles was clearly up for some drinks and music in the bar!

Had dinner, chicken and chorizo Paella – it was very good, and then we had bingo with the Holdens and Millars and it was good fun. Sharon had some quiz cards that she obviously wanted to play so Wayne and I stayed on and it was really nice. Stopped around 9.00pm and then went to the garage. Stayed there a few hours and got really quite drunk – no idea why, but it was a great evening.

Bed about midnight – pissed up!!

Did my exercises in the bar1

All nighter!

Worked in the morning but not in the mood – so around 11.00am I got Jack to help me get the pressure washer over to Sue’s because it’s so heavy. Just needed help with getting it out of the car

Got set up and then started – it was so powerful, great to use, for all of 90 seconds!

It then split!

I couldn’t believe it, I don’t like to borrow things from people because of this exact reason, it was unusable because it had no pressure at all, I tried to fix it, no good. I could have cried. Costs about £70.00 for a new one.

Spoke to Terry and he said not to worry and just for me to take it back as he had a mate who could probably sort it out. I thought that whilst I was there then I might as well get some done so I worked with my one for about 2 hours and then came home. Tash was over for a bit but we had to get home for 4.15pm.

Zoe was over bang on 4.30pm and Wayne and Kerry came in at 5.00pm and it was a really nice evening, good to spend time together. The Millar’s couldn’t come because Jason was in a bad way with swelling hands and legs – very strange. Update on that is that the doctors prescribed the necessary remedy and it would all go down – but it wasn’t looking good!

Had dinner which Tash had made and gradually it got cold outside so Wayne and I went in the bar and the girls stayed outside, Kerry is still very hot on the social distancing subject so that was fine with us – they were warm enough outside.

Just drank, chatted and watched videos on the screen and it was soon 11.30pm and time for them to leave. Said goodbyes and I said I wanted to stay up a bit longer, Tash went to bed, I went to the bar!

And stayed at the bar…didn’t get drunk but just watched loads and loads of great videos, music, comedy, family, everything – soon it was 4.30am and the birds we up and singing and it was daylight outside.

Thought I’d better get some sleep so did so around 5.00am – but I wasn’t pissed up so that was a relief.

I do like doing that so very much, it’s a great release and many people would think it a super mad to do – drinking alone and watching videos – actually perhaps not super mad but super sad!! I don’t mind that though, it’s my guilty pleasure!

Woke up at 8.00am had to join the real world – thankfully Tash wasn’t funny with me…phew!

Team Talk Video Chat

Yep – weighed myself in the morning – 13st 7lb – I’ve lost half a stone!

Didn’t set the alarm and was therefore up later than planned/hoped for!

Delighted with the weight loss – see if I can maintain this and get down to 13st by end of June

Worked on things throughout the day and went out cycling in the afternoon and that went well – much better getting up the hill towards Barton!

Back home and then got ready for a Zoom video call that was with Lee Smith and Kieran and also Baz and Kimber and Wayne Holden. It went okay I think, wasn’t hilarious content and felt like it dragged a bit but it was enjoyable to do. I recorded it for myself.

Had a few beers throughout but was pleased I did it. Watched some TV before going to bed

Link it here:

Audio: https://www.ywemedia.com/en-gb/oxfordshire/pickthatout/

Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M_Ee6e3vZPtAaylUz_p2iN_G5s8aEvpZ/view?fbclid=IwAR2et7HdypomOv_cHscthsDRprqIdG3SaGwyMhOWmY6wIWv12F2aMmk2jNg

Seize the Day….up early for once!

Up and at them at 6.00am this morning!

Wasted time on the sofa with Bess and my phone for 30 minutes so need to cut that out

Breakfast, exercise (stretches) and then worked.

By 11.00am I felt I’d one a day’s work – 4hrs on the clock and other things achieved – pleasing. Will set the alarm for early tomorrow now!

Had a call with Jason – good to catch up on things but I can’t see work coming my way from him, I need to get focussed on something now…

Finished work and had nice roast and then jumped onto my bike and did a circuit round Eynsham, Swinford Bridge Toll and Botley up through Summertown – worked out to be about 14 miles – did it in an hour because it’s all pretty flat. There was dodgy tarmac at the bridge and I cycled into the bungalow there – hurt my arm!

Back home we watched a film with Charlotte, it wasn’t very good but we got though it and then went to bed and read. My second book by Robin Hobb – Royal Assassin – had come through earlier in the day so I started on that – should keep me busy and quiet now!

Decent day – feel like I got stuff done

Oh also, weighed myself at the end of the day – almost down to 13st 8lb – that’s a loss of about 6lb in 3-4 days…pleased!

Black Lives Matter

It’s all kicking off in the world at the minute.

Covid-19 is driving people a bit stir-crazy and with the lockdown being relaxed and the amazing weather we’re experiencing there’s loads of people out and about wherever there are places to go to – such as the beach and parks etc. Durdle Door in Dorset is a great example – there were hundreds (thousands?) on the beach etc

But also, in the US there was an incident, recorded on a phone, where a police officer was kneeling on a black guy as part of an arrest and subduing him but had his knee on his neck disabling his ability to breathe. The video plays out in front of you and the guy clearly blacks out and still the officer doesn’t change stance when people are pointing this out to him – no surprise the poor guy dies. George Floyd is his name and as expected, it’s kicked off all sorts of protests against police brutality.

Everyone’s got something to say but it’s no real surprise when you have President Trump stirring things up – he’s not exactly tactful with his response and tweets which doesn’t help and it’s an almighty mess. Riots, peaceful protests, tear gas – the works. Thankfully over here where there are protests in support there’s not been any violence but it’s just continuing over in the US – I think this is day 4 now.

Such a shame and it’s very much a racism problem and society, not just across the pond in the States but they do appear to have it worst.

I really don’t think much will happen as a result, something else will take this off the new agenda (another school shooting or something) and it will be pushed under the carpet until the next incident like this happens.

You never know, but if they can’t ban guns after kids get all shot up then I don’t think much will happen with the institutional racism that’s clearly evident and has been for decades

Third bike ride in a row!

Worked today for Tuesday company – really busy and productive – enjoyable

Made time for myself at lunchtime and went cycling – did an 8 mile circle through Wytham and town and that was 40 minutes so that’s a perfect short one to keep in mind.

Felt good for doing so. Closer to my 100 miles in a week challenge I set myself.

Cycling isn’t part of the 30 Day Challenge – the press-ups and exercises are but the cycling works off a large number of calories so that’s good!

Tash was at Bournemouth with Zoe all day so it was quiet at home – she got back around 6.00pm.

Sorted out things in the garden and had dinner etc – caught up on the news and that was all doom and gloom as per usual and then finished the night with 2 episodes of Mrs Maisel

We’re watching far too much TV!

Another cycle ride on a month of fitness!!

Decent day’s work today – felt busy and productive

After dinner Tash was having friends round to start her birthday celebrations…so I waited until about 7.00pm so I could make myself scarse and then went out on my bike.

Cycled to Mum’s to drop off a bottle of wine which she was delighted with. Stayed and chatted so that was nice for both of us.

Back on the bike and round the Ring Road, back through town and Wytham etc – worked out at 17 miles so that was a good workout.

Made a few pleasantries on my arrival home and then sat and watched Vikings series I’ve started. They all left around 10.00pm-ish and Tash went to bed but I stayed up late again – midnight – before giving up and going to bed

Day one of my exercise challenge completed – did well by exercising and not eating too much as well.

Wonder how I will progress…