Big Tour. Malaysia planning

Going well - very exciting to be planning and sorting out all the places we're going to visit

Babysitting the boys. Theo and Ralph

Bit of a heavy head this morning. Nothing too bad though to be honest. 

Up and tidied up so we were ready for the boys and Vic’s and Danny are having to work as things are tight at the pub. We don’t mind of course, they’re lovely lads and no trouble. 

We knew today was going to be nice weather, which it was, so we had ideas as to how to keep them occupied. First we finished housework and the Airbnb rooms, alone we have Jacks one being used. Then we let they play in the garden and then went up the road to the park. That was nice, I sat outside the pub as I had Bess and she can’t go into the playground part with the swings and slides. 

We then went to the lakes to feed the ducks. Ben Molyneux is house sitting at the top of the road so he wandered down to the lakes as well with Eimily and Jorge. Goodness they’ve grown up, hardly recognised them. 

Came back to ours and got the pizza oven going to use the last of the dough and then Ben and the kids came over for an hour. It was nice. 

They had plans so when they left Tash took the boys into the hottub and I tidied up, they loved it. Got them bathed and sorted and I then decided to go to the golf club to see if I could manage to swing a club or not. Tash was happy to let me drive so off I went about 4.15pm, got there and the carpark was empty, I had the whole golf course all to myself, it was great. I was a bit nervous of my hip and played within myself but it was fine, there was no pain or reaction so I went round and did 9 holes. I was tiring and aching but it confirmed that I’d be able to play so that was great. 

Had an okay round, parred the 1st which I don’t think I’ve ever done and birdied the 4th, the rest of it wasn’t too good. My wedge work was appallingly bad. Came home after 9 as it was getting dark, but that was enough for me. 

Had a bath to relax aching muscles and Jack got home from seeing Jodie in Bournemouth and we watched a good film. Twice we guessed how long left and I was 55 minutes and 21 minutes and got it right both times. Really funny and a bit spooky!

Busy day, busy weekend and back to work tomorrow…no doubt even busier!!

Cream Tea in Chipping Camden

Very nice!

Tough Day

Hard day at work

Busy

Drove out and got golf membership 

Hello fresh. Prawn Thai red curry

More work

Exercise for 30 mins

This week I have been mostly cooking "Hello Fresh"

 Lewis sent Tash a voucher for Hello Fresh meals as an introductory offer and this week we had a delivery of the ingredients and recipes for x3 meals. 

Tash used this as an excuse to get me to cook! Bit lazy if you ask me. In saying that, I really enjoyed it, they give you very good instructions and the ingredients are exact. It was quite interesting how small the rice and pasta portions were but when cooked they were more than enough for Tash and I, in fact we even had enough for me the day after one of them. 

The meals were vegetarian chilli, pasta bake and beef mince with black bean and potato wedges. All of them were very tasty and yes, I did really enjoy doing it. We are going to do it again next week and have a better choice of meals. But it’s me that will do them again. 

Jack's Bedroom conversion

Up bright and early today and on a mission to get things done. We’re going to change Jack’s bedroom into an Airbnb room but it needs a bit of an update. So we gave it a new coat of paint and we’ve bought new linen so it’s good to go. 

I still have a bit of wood I need to sort for the skirting board but that’s it, need to take some new photos and get it advertised. We will charge a bit more for it as it’s a larger room but won’t go overboard on the cost. We will also likely not rent it out all the time as Jack will want it sometimes when he’s home. 

I also set up the new Rattan furniture and that looks good. 

Tash did loads of gardening and we got loads sorted. Even had her nice homemade tomato soup, sadly it’s not the tomatoes from the garden, I think those will only be good for chutney sadly. We will see, some of them are ripening. 

About 4.00pm we went over to Sue’s and did some jobs and then a lovely lamb roast, it really was very tasty! Treacle pudding with custard for dessert so I was happy!! I also had three large gin and tonics, instead of lager, made the most of Tasha having to drive instead of me for once!!

Came home and still more jobs and getting ready for the working week. Charlotte has been down in Devon with GG and Ev, they look like they’ve had a fantastic time. Jack has poured fat down his sink and been blocked for 2 days!! Getting stressed with mum and her solutions. Not heard from Lewis really. 

Nice day and nice weekend. 

Ikea Shopping Trip…with meatballs

Had a shit night's sleep again, keep being wide awake at 4.00pm. Woke up around 9.00am and spent the next hour doing Wordle and Quordle and wasting time on the socials. So much to catch up on, this government under Liz Truss is a fucking nightmare. Anyway, can’t be bothered with that. 

Didn’t do much the rest of the morning other than working out the flights and plans for the Big Tour. It’s going to be upwards of £7k, we’re going to use the £5k from great grandma as I think travel is a good homage to her and use of her money. I hope she agrees. 

Quite excited about it, we’ve got some dates and need to get it cleared with work, but pissed off that we couldn’t use the BA companion voucher, that would have reduced the cost by half. Odd we can’t. 

We then went out and met Charlotte and Miles and went to IKEA in Milton Keynes, wandered round, I kept stopping. It was fine but it’s a bit dull and lacking interest for me. But for Charlotte, it gave her the chance to spend her birthday vouchers and she did well. We ended up spending £95 on god knows what!! Had meatballs for dinner of course! And bought a big bag of Daim bars so I’m happy with that!

Came home and relaxed, watched the end of a series we’re into and then had an early night. 

Just realised that the trip is 4 months away, I need to be walking fit but also beach fit…that’s going to be a VERY interesting challenge. I wonder how I will do!

Blenheim grounds walk

Felt knackered all day today. Slept on the floor in the front room when trying to do exercises, not ideal. 

Bit of an odd day really, tried to sort the problems either stop cock out the front but was unsuccessful and a waste of time and didn’t get much else achieved. Much to Tasha’s criticism…no further comment. Didn’t need it though. 

After nice lunch we went over to Blenheim and wandered through the grounds and got a coffee in the courtyard. I did okay, it was a lot of walking and it tired me but I keep telling myself it’s what I need to do and need to get the miles under my belt.

Came home and had a couple of Gin and Tonics and just chilled - also started looking properly into the flights for the Big Tour, need to get things in motion. 

Only spent an hour or so and also bought a new set of Rattan garden furniture - that was £1k!! Mad

Watched a bit of TV and waited on the next Airbnb to arrive