She’s done it, Charlotte passed her driving test today at the third attempt. So very, very proud of her.
I got a text from Tash earlier this afternoon saying she’d failed again and I fell for it and got cross and disappointed and sent her a text and she replied with her certificate – really pleased for her. She definitely deserved it
We had a bit of a celebration last night as a result and she was able to go out an pick up Miles in the car!!
Great day today as we went to Alton Towers with Wayne, Kerry & the girls. Really busy but not mental and the only long queue was the new ride called Smiler which was 90 minutes. Worth the wait though! Really good ride. Went on all the usual suspects and got onto the front quite a few times which was pleasing, still really enjoy Oblivion in which we were all on the front row!
Feel a bit sorry for Kerry as she doesn’t go on any of the rides at all, but it works great as a bag carrier!! Got wet on the Rapids and then went into Nemesis Sub Terra which was such a laugh, one of those experiences where people jump out at you – we were at the front again so made us scared as anything, funny.
By the end of the day both Wayne & I had had enough, I think we’re getting too old for this!
Great day and it was 6 years ago since we last went and we managed to get a photo of them posing in the same place as they did after the pirate ship ride, that was nice to see and is below
Really good fun day, got back home around 9.00pm and the new student was there and he seems nice enough and speaks fair English which is a bonus
Have spent nearly all last weekend researching a new camera and it finally arrived today so I’ve been having a play to see what it’s like. I really wanted a tiny one with powerful zoom lens, but I wanted it to be a tough and water proof camera and these therefore aren’t as small as they could be. So I went for a tough camera instead and I’m actually quite pleased that it’s not as big as I feared it would be.
I tested it in the pond which was odd to do and it was fine, the fish stayed away so I didn’t get a decent image of them but outside of the water the quality of the pictures appears to be excellent and I am pleased with what I have bought.
It has some features like super slo-mo video which is a bit of fun and Charlotte/Tash have played with that already!
Hopefully it will continue to please me as a purchase, we will see how it is after proper use in the water and skiing and being dropped!
What a weekend we had – so much done!
Friday Night we met up with Kathryn and Pete in Summertown and went to the Oxford Kitchen restaurant. We had a lovely evening and it was really pleasant and the food was excellent but there was a catch…the total bill for the 4 of us was £236.00!! A little bit taken aback I must admit, even though we’d had a view of the prices etc. Didn’t ruin the evening but made it a bit of a dampener to be honest! It was great food but it wasn’t worth that much money! Ah well…
Next day we were up and at the world and did all sorts of jobs, going to do a car boot on Sunday so went through the office area and cleared out all the items we didn’t need/want any more. Didn’t seem to have a great deal but it made some space in the office anyway so that was good.
Charlotte then called Rose and the four of us (Tash!) got the canoe and went down the river a little way and had a picnic sat in the middle of the river. It was nice and relaxing and it was fun listening to Charlotte & Rose gossiping. We didn’t go too far as Rose had to be back for work but it was a couple of hours nicely spent.
Walked Bella in the afternoon and got her to go in the river. She’s a lovely dog and knows when we arrive we’re going to take her out for a walk so she gets so very excited!
In the evening I looked for a new camera and we then went to Rye St Anthony school to pick Jack up who’d been there all day with Ben Millwood. When I got there his Dad, Martin, was chatty but also the mum is Karen Winston I’m sure. There were also two lads from Marston Saints days remembering me from Cold Arbour so that was a coincidence. Jack had a great time and we had a beer with them
Sunday we were off to the Kassam for a car boot sale, got a decent pitch and put our stuff out and watched as people went by. It does make you appreciate the life you’ve made for yourself whether by means or luck, some of the people walking past do seem from another planet. That’s not meant in a snobby fashion, it’s just interesting to see people from a different walk of life and wondering how they get by. We sold a lot of the items we had available and it was a constant stream all morning and we made £70.00 profit. Not bad for stuff we were ready to throw away.
We did go to the bottle & clothes bank to leave items we didn’t want and threw away some other stuff but a couple of jars we kept for the kids kitchen at Uni!
In the afternoon I bought the waterproof camera I wanted and also organised my train and hotel for the next two days as I will be staying in London. We had a BBQ in the afternoon and Miles & his brother came round so that was nice for Charlotte and Jack. We played a couple of games and then Tash, Lewis & I were alone so we played Crib (Tash won and I only taught her yesterday how to play!!)
Got an early night as I need to be up at 5.30am tomorrow
A very nice and relaxed weekend, even if we have spent a lot of money!!
Tash had a half day today so I went to London with Edustaff once again and did the training and it went went well. Got home and did some more work to keep up to date with things and then went out to get Tash from Kathy Bergel’s. They’d been drinking and relaxing since 1.00pm and to be fair weren’t as drunk as I would have expected!
Steve was there so I was a man to keep him company although I don’t think I was very good at that to be honest!
He did the BBQ and they have a lovely house and garden, I didn’t expect the garden to be so fantastic – amazing. Had a nice evening in the end and stayed a lot later than I anticipated but it was fine
Gave Anna Ballance a lift home and all went well.
Back to London today to run through a training session for the Compliance Users of TED and it went along a similar theme to the others this week where it was positively received but lots of change requests
Really quite tired out now, it's been a full-on week with traveling and catching up in the evenings, late nights and early mornings and it's not it as I am in London again on Monday/Tuesday with Edustaff. Not complaining as it's great to have so much work lined up.
Well, it’s day 3 and I am in Birmingham today knowing I have to be in London tomorrow. Been busy week so far with London full-on on Monday and Bristol yesterday. I got home and crashed out for an hour fully asleep. I am training clients on using the new TED interface system and it’s gone fairly well so far. Had a really awkward couple in the first group and the rest of the sessions have been really positive otherwise.
More work next week for them but I am trying to get up to date in the evenings as I am not answering any emails at all throughout the day. I think that the guys are pleased with the work I am putting in so that’s rewarding.
Need to keep tabs of what’s being requested and I must admit I am a little nervous as I am the face that they all now know as the person for ensuing this system works…great!!
Well, train is almost here so best get going!
Grandma has been getting upset about me agreeing to take her on a boat trip down the river and then out for a meal but because I didn’t turn up she thinks she’s done something wrong to upset us! Aside from the fact I knew absolutely nothing about this I still felt guilty. Anyway, we agreed we would do it today and we would pick Grandma up (only Tash and I as the kids were all out) and meet Mum and Derek down at the Boat place
Picked her up and she was very confused. Said we were taking her for the boat trip and she then thought it was Waitrose. Difficult to cope with, I don’t know how mum does it every day – so patient and such a shame it really is.
Met Mum and Derek down at Salters and then found out we couldn’t get the boat we intended to. The chap took a booking for 4.30pm and we went to the Folly and had a drink to while away some time.
The trip was excellent and with the weather being so gorgeous it was a very pleasant time. Back all too soon so we went to the Folly cafe and got a coffee and some cake. Very nice indeed – we live in a great City!
Took Grandma home, picking up Charlotte and Rose on the way back as they’d just arrived from Westfield's shopping in London and Grandma said, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be home’ when we got there and she then did all she could to make us stay longer like sorting out the TV and her food and so on. Such a shame, felt really sorry for her when we left.
Dropped the kids off and then went to the Plough and met Wayne & Kerry fro a drink as there was an event in Wolvercote (isn’t there always?) and their girls had worked all day. Nice to see them
Went home and off to bed at 9.20pm as early day tomorrow for the TED training in London. Not much fun setting the alarm clock for 5.30am!!
A lovely day all told – bit of a hangover in the morning but getting used to these now!
Spent the day sorting out the house and buying food and drink for the BBQ at ours in the afternoon
The Holdens and the Millars all came and it was good fun. No kids though only Laura because they were all busy or away – very odd.
Had a great load of food and loads of drink…loads of drink!! Got absolutely rip-roaring drunk, even smoking right at the very end of the night
Such a good laugh, can’t think of anything more to say about it if the truth be told!!
Off to London today, sat on the train typing this out. Seeing Hodder Education for some SPIRIT Data Mining training, bit concerned as the example scenarios Victoria gave me to run through are hard to find in all their data…hopefully wing it!
Jack is also in London today for an activity day at school, he’s going to Tate Modern, Globe Theatre and St Pauls – a bit more cultured and interesting compared to my day!
Tash is coming home tonight, everyone panicking now to get the house tidied up – that’s for Lewis and Charlotte to sort out now! Miles stayed over last night, they’re getting close together which is nice.
Work is busy at the minute, so much on my place, today is 17th July and including my holiday I don’t have a free day until start of September, it’s good and I’m bringing in a lot of money but it’s hard work, just hope it continues. Next week is going to be interesting as it’s the launch of the TED system for Edustaff. Just hope I can impress enough with them so as to be taken on in a role more than just training, will approach them to request that
Training session was interesting, got it done but wasn’t the best one I’ve ever done!!
Last week I went to Peters Books in Birmingham and forgot to set my RingGo Parking session until 11.30am. When I got back to the car in the evening sure enough I had a parking ticket on it issued at 11.15am – what bad luck!
I sent a bit of a begging email to appeal the situation saying that I didn’t have a battery for the phone and proved I’d paid etc and they would then write back to advise of being successful or unsuccessful in appealing.
Couldn’t believe it this afternoon after finishing work at Raintree that I had a letter advising me that they’ve dropped the charges. I was gob-smacked, that was £60.00! I immediately when online and thanked them!
Really didn’t expect that money back – cheered me up no end
Worked from home and found it tough going to get things done. Made a great spagheti bolognaise and everyone loved it! I have my own recipe which seems to be working well so that’s one thing I am good at.
Tash sent a couple of messages to say she’s enjoying herself – rubbing it in a bit really!
Took Charlotte to work and she’s now gone to the cinema for a 9.00pm show so I am up late working so I can pick her up later. Not ideal as I am knackered but there you go, that’s what I seem to do all the time now!
Saw Mum as she took Jack to karate and she’s fine so that was nice to catch up for 45 minutes
Busy days ahead of me so best crack on!
After work today at Birmingham I drove up to Huddersfield to collect Lewis following him having to go back up there to do re-sits and also move into his new accommodation. Journey up from Brum wasn’t too bad and I had a tour of the place, perfectly adequate and it’s next door to his mates so they will have such a great time.
Journey home was nice as we chatted near enough all the way back. Charlotte had Miles around again (getting quite serious it seems as they’re always together!) and Lewis gave him a lift home, I was pleased as I’d been driving for near enough 5 hours non-stop
Nice to have him home. Off to bed after sending Tash an update
Not sure what he’s going to do with his course though. He’s been speaking to people up there and I think he’s struggling. Not got the same drive and energy that Charlotte has, bit of a shame really. We shall see.
Charlotte and Natasha did their annual Race for Life today and did well. Both did the course in about 225-30 minutes so they were proud of that. There were so many people there this year it was incredible. Saw a few people we know – Wayne & Kerry, Jim & Trish Austin, Andy & Paula Thomas.
Didn’t stay long afterwards as Tash had to get off for the plane to go to France
That’s it then, this is one of the last blog entries you will ever see from me, Tash went to France today with Lucie and another woman and won’t be back until Thursday night…we’re going to starve to death!
She’s using a villa owned by Claire from work and she says it’s beautiful there, so she’ll be relaxing and drinking nice wine and food.
Good for her – she deserves it!
21 years married…wow!
Flowers and chocolates in the morning and a normal day for us
Met with Tash in Walton Street in the afternoon after work and we went to the Brasserie Blanc for a celebratory meal. Had a glass of wine on the street front and then went in for our meal. The food was lovely and we had a nice time
Came home and it was only about 8.00pm so had a drink and relaxed.
Very enjoyable and look forward to many more years together
Charlotte made a nice homemade card for us!!
I took Jack to the above and it was an enjoyable evening. I sat with Rob Wilkinson and chatted and Jack was involved a couple of times to receive team awards for Football and Basketball. I should have taken a photo as he was dressed up smart with a tie, bless him!
His Basketball team won the team of the Year for the boys in his age group so he got more recognition
Enjoyed it and was proud of him
Tonight was unbelievable, it really was. Brazil, the football team, have not been good throughout this World Cup but they’ve made it through to the Semi Finals and played against Germany. The problem we’ve had with them is that they’ve believed they’re destined to win the cup and their players are not very likeable, especially David Luis who has recently become the most expensive defender in the world – PSG have paid £50million for him.
Before each game he prays and they all sing the National Anthem and cry before and after the match – it’s become unbearable!
So, for once in my life I really, REALLY strongly supported the Germans for this match. It started well and both teams when for it and then Germany scored, Luis losing his man at a corner and out of position (a recurring theme – he’s a crap defender!!)
I cheered the house down, 10 mins later another German goal, and then another…within 30 minutes the score was 5-0, it was incredible. Twitter went mental and everyone was speechless but at the same time, absolutely loving the demolition being handed out to Brazil. Schadenfreude at its most literal!!
The second half was a bit quieter and the scoreline finished 7-1. What a night and history in the making, about 5 records made in that one game. Loved it!!!
So today I took part in the above and it’s not something I really would want to do again in a hurry to be honest!!
Tash dropped me down to Oxpens at 8.00am where Andy Leach, Kevin Leach, Kenny Clarke and a couple of other lads were waiting for me. They looked the part and we set off. By the time we got to Botley I was struggling, and told them to continue without me. They didn’t need to be told a second time and I was then left on my own to get on with it.
The course was hard, so many hills and coming down the hills didn’t seem to be as long as the length going up them! I used the stops that were set up and managed to catch up with the lads a few times but after 60 miles that was it and I didn’t see them again.
Tash met me at 75 miles for something to eat and then I continued on my way.
I finished in the end at 7.00pm, the timings system had been packed up and closed but I was more interested and proud to finish the course. I have to admit I was so very, very tired. I could hardly move at the end of the route but I’ve done it!
We had ticked for the Ladies Final on Centre Court this year.
Bit of a problem getting there as we set out and got to Wheatley when Tash realised she’d left the tickets at home, the traffic was a nightmare and it took us an hour to get home! So we had a tense time getting to Wimbledon and after parking we got to our seats 10 minutes before the final was due to start – a stress we could have done without!
The final was a let down, no idea who the women were but it was so one-sided, she completely outgunned her.
The Ladies doubles final was the same, I was getting frustrated with it because it’s not good quality when it’s like that. We had a wander around Wimbledon, there was a lot of rain which didn’t affect us because of the roof being over but it eased up and people there for other matches got to see some tennis as well
Went back for the Men’s Doubles Final and within 3 games we saw better quality in the rallies and matches than we saw in either of the women’s games. It was so close and we reluctantly left at four sets because we’d have been home so late otherwise. Found out the Bryan brothers had been beaten on the way home – bit of a shock
Really nice day in the end, glad we went.
I took the day off today to take Charlotte to the Nottingham Trent University Open Day.
Easy trip up there, 2 hours, and we wandered around and managed to get everything we planned to do…done. She’s very focussed and is determined to be able to do Psychology there. She’s excited by all the activities & clubs that are possible and is confused as to why Lewis has done so little. She’s certainly very keen to get as much out of life as possible, it was very refreshing spending time with her and listening to her.
We liked the tutor, the location, the accommodation and everything about it. We will likely look at other places as well to give her a good idea of what’s available but I think the grades would enable her to get into this one and I think that would be good for her.
A nice day.
Mum and Grandma came over in the evening for a BBQ which didn’t get going at all well, very odd. I’ve not had problems with a barbie for years not lighting. Got there in the end and it was very nice indeed! Grandma is getting more and more frail, physically and mentally (she is 94!) but it’s a shame for someone who’s managed so well. She forgets things and worries a lot. Her eyes and hearing are shot as well!
The sad thing at the minute is that she’s convinced that Tash and I said we’d take her out for a meal and boat trip a couple of weeks ago and when we didn’t turn up she thought that she’d upset us! We knew nothing about it, nothing was even mentioned so no idea where this idea came from. So she’s brought it up again this evening and is apologising like mad saying she’s so sorry and she’d never say anything whatsoever to upset me and Tash – I thought she was going to cry, it was heart-breaking. She repeated it about 4 times throughout the evening, that’s what it’s like now. Anyway, we said we’d organise something and get her on a boat trip asap!!
Work is quite busy at the minute, I was at Birmingham yesterday, I am driving down to Carmarthen in South Wales today and Thursday I am driving up to Sheffield, so all over the country and clocking up the miles but obviously it’s going okay. Tiring though! It does mean that with so much going on and all these companies wanting my time I’m not having too much time at home which isn’t ideal.
But it should settled down although a possible contract with a company called EduStaff which I have pitched for might change that as it’s loads more work again. Still, mustn’t grumble, I am sure it will go quiet and I’ll be worried about where the next job will come from!!
Things going well though and this month is likely to be my best month for raising invoices so far since this company has started, could be close to £10k which for a month’s work isn’t too shabby!!!
We all went to Royal Ascot yesterday and had such a great time.
Started off a bit slowly as the driver was very late and meant we were drinking at home and also didn’t get to Ascot until about 2.35pm, instead of 1.00pm as planned!! We were in the Grandstand area, found somewhere to sit and drank and bet for the rest of the day. Jack stayed with me and we had a good laugh and quite a bit of luck. Spent a lot of money as expected!
Didn’t see the queen but she was there!
Coming home we were all very drunk indeed – no one more so than myself but hopefully I made it amusing for them all!! Even coming home the driver took us the wrong way, nightmare!
Got back to our house, carried on with more drink and also got some food. A great day and night had by all!
We’ve been meaning to do one of these for a long time and finally made it this weekend. The five of us went down to Reading, Prospect Park, and took part in their inaugural Colour Run. Basically we were all in white and had to run 3km and at about 6 stations were people with powdered paint ready to chuck all at us!
Just over 1,000 people were there and it was such a good laugh. Got absolutely covered in the stuff and videoed as much as possible as well as taking photos.
Recommend it to anyone to have a go, don’t really need to do it again but glad we’ve done it once!
Went to Jacob’s Inn in the afternoon and had a lovely set of food, were spoiled a bit because Tash recognised the name of the chef (Noodle) as he worked with Vics before and he gave us free food and didn’t charge for three of the meals, couldn’t believe our luck. Great food as well! Will likely go again, although won’t expect such a great offer as last time…
Played at Highworth (Swindon) yesterday and it was a good tournament. It started in the afternoon because of the England match being on so late the night before and it was refreshing to play against teams we were not familiar with. The standard was quite good and in fact Jack’s team lost two of their five games. The other side were strong and did well and we got through as Runners Up.
The quarter final was a good performance meaning we had to play each other in the semi and Jack team edged it. It meant we played the team from our first match of the tournament and we tore them apart but the keeper was brilliant, went a goal down near the end and Jenson equalised with a stunning effort, sudden death extra time Steph hit the post and then penalties and we edged through.
For once the team seemed pleased because they’d had to work for it and that was pleasing.
Made it a nice Father’s Day as a result!
So the World Cup is finally with us, in Brazil, the ‘spiritual home of football’ and all that guff! The TV companies are going completely over-board with it of course but it’s football, the very ugly and commercial sport that it has now become.
So far so good though, the matches have been really quite good, open and attacking and a couple of shocks, nothing more so that Holland’s demolition of Spain 5-1, some fantastic goals in there, I think Van Persie’s header for the equaliser was the pick of the bunch.
On Saturday night, 11.00pm kick off, we had England’s opening game against Italy. I was planning to go to the pub to watch but was over-ruled!! So watched on the sofa with Lewis and it was a very entertaining match in fact. England made a decent fist of it and attacked Italy but they seemed in control for the most of the game. Andrea Pirlo in good form doing whatever he wanted. I think a draw could have been a far result but Italy ran out 2-1 winners. Wasn’t too disheartened as I felt we created chances and looked promising in attack. Unfortunately, we looked suspect defensively and when we play Uruguay, I think Suarez (if fit) will cause us serious problems. There is muted confidence in England on the back of that defeat as opposed to doom & gloom which is interesting. There is such a lack on expectation for once, unusually low for a tournament…we’ll see.
Last night Messi (who else??) scored for Argentina and tonight we have Germany against Portugal…that’s worth staying up for!!
Anyway, we’re up and running and so far it’s been enjoyable.
He died today, not too sure what of which is such a terrible shame, really saddened. I’ve read Facebook, Twitter and the news websites and everyone is in a state of shock and real disappointment, such a very popular and influential man. He will be very much sadly missed.
Too many characters to think of as a favourite, I guess it has to be Rik from the Young Ones, but when you factor in Lord Flasheart and Alan B’Stard along with Bottom and Drop Dead Fred, where do you finish???
So many memorable scenes as well, many hours will be spent now watching him on YouTube
I really am sad about this!
So much has been going on recently, just a succinct recap on here I think…
Football season for Jack has finished, won the league and the cup, went to Butlins and that was okay, they came runners on on penalties, didn’t concede all weekend.
Lewis was home for a bit and did a skipping session at Lilleshall same as last year and enjoyed it. All is good for him at the minute and he’s working through exams currently.
Likewise with Charlotte, she’s got her A-Levels and it’s going okay, she’s working so hard and doing loads of revision, definitely deserves high scores with the work she’s putting in. She’s officially with Miles, as far as she allows ‘official’ to be stated, he’s still not classed a ‘boyfriend’!!
Tash has taken up yoga!
I’m not doing very well with my bike exercise sadly, getting out once a week if I am lucky! Not good enough, need to get on it better, I know but I allow work and other reasons to get in the way…as usual! Work is fine, lost my contract with Lifetime which is a real shame, but really busy throughout the month of June, every day is booked – madness!
Talking of madness, we’ve got tickets to go down to Brighton in December to see them play, looking forward to that for certain, going with Nikki and Gaz
Charlotte ordered something off the internet the other day and when she got home from school there was the ‘sorry we missed you’ message and it advised that the package was at Karl’s shop. It’s a new process but that’s it now
So she took the notice and went round to Karl’s and queued up and then said to Karl,
“Hi, I’ve got a package waiting here for me, is it okay to pick it up?”
“Yes of course” he replied, “Address?”
“No it’s a grey jacket with black down the sides!”
….silence…..”Bless!”
Fair play to Charlotte, she told us about it and was laughing her head off!!
Jack made me smile at the weekend, I was driving him back from the Chinnor 6-a-side tournament where they’d come runners-up in and we had the music absolutely blaring and he looked at me and said, ‘You’re a cool Dad!’, I asked if he was being sarcastic and he replied,
“No, you’re just sat there one hand driving, driving fast, shades on, music blaring and you know all the words to Tinie Temper and Swedish House Mafia! What other Dad does that??”
So I was quite proud of that!!
Not sure if i should be proud or if that’s a bit sad…I’m going for proud!!
Haven’t done the diary for a long time and I’ve allowed myself to get side-tracked by TV and catching up with all the things I’ve had series-linked like Elementary, Banshee, Game of Thrones & Nikita! It’s just too much, ridiculous and I feel I need to watch it. To be fair, they’re all programmes I really love!
I’m travelling down to Rochester today for the second time in two weeks, this time to train EduKent on Data Mining, but should be fun. EdCo doesn’t change at all, the office is exactly the same, different faces and layout but still the chaos around everything. I like going down there and catching up with people but I am so happy with how things have panned out for me now and I’m happy with what I am doing. Funny how it’s worked out, could never have imagined it would have been such a success for all parties when i lost my job.
In saying that, I still have to deal with Lifecycle not sorting out my contract with them to stay involved. Hopefully this will be resolved. Busy with EdCo, Peters and Raintree though so there’s plenty of work to keep me tied up and going.
How long it will last we don’t know!
Fitness-wise, not good at all!. Cycling has dropped off the radar – only 6 weeks until the cycle challenge – I’m really nervous about it now. I am nowhere near fit enough to do this and will let myself and my mates down as it stands. I have to get out on the road and get the hours under my belt!
Next 6 weeks – eat properly and get fitter than the state I am in now – which is fat and slow! Not good! Round is not a shape!
Lewis has been down, he’s done skipping at Lilleshall again and it was lovely to see him of course. He’s gone back this morning on the Big Bus – decent service and cheap. He’s doing well.
Charlotte’s doing her mocks and she’s working so hard. I really hope she does well as she’s very conscientious and is putting in so much effort. She finds it harder than Lewis but she definitely deserves success which I hope she gets and it will boost her confidence in what she CAN do. Her attitude and work ethic is impressive, she’s always got her head in a book or down at the library – so much more than what Lewis did/does!
Got her driving test in two weeks time, she should pass as she’d definitely ready. She should have passed the first one but some weird excuse stopped that happening. Very frustrating.
Jack’s had his success with football, Horspath won the league and it’s their last game tomorrow so hopefully I will get back in time to watch that. They won the cup and it’s a strange atmosphere there. They’re funny buggers as there is little team-spirit and a lack of celebrations taking place, it’s like it’s a chore and they expect to win all the time. A bit sad really as they should be celebrating and making the most of these successes. Hopefully I will be able to get involved and change that attitude. We will see!
I want to get involved and look forward to next season
Sat in Costa in Greenwich waiting for the girls to watch the McBusted concert here at the Millennium Dome. Tash, Charlotte, Nikki and the girls are there and I have found the coffee shop nearby on a retail park to sit and work, although I haven’t achieved much to be honest.
Couldn’t believe the parking at the O2 Arena is £30.00 – astonished. Hopefully they had a good time, will get them shortly and drive home. I am driving as Tash doesn’t like driving in the dark any more, apparently, I think she just wants a few drinks!!
Jack’s working tonight in the Plough – washing up again – he doesn’t like it but if he can get a regular shift that would be good because he could then give up his paper round. We shall see!
Long day today, up at 5.30am and then drove up to Manchester for a morning session with DataSpire. Went quick as he was on the ball and happy to keep progressing.
Once done I then drove around the Manchester ring road and collected Lewis from Uni, we went to his digs and tidied up and picked up his stuff. His room was okay, but his shared kitchen was horrible, really badly looked after and minging! I did update Facebook to say that it made the Young Ones appear house proud…
Driving home took ages and we stopped at Burger King on the way and eventually made it for 7.00pm. Finished the packing for the trip to Snowdon tomorrow, had a couple of beers and an early night!
Nice to have him home for a while
Worked in St Albans on Friday and then as agreed wen down to St Pancreas Station in the centre of London to pick Lewis up. Found each other in the end as busy as it was at 5.20pm on a Friday night and then we travelled home to Oxford. Took a long time to get out of London but it was nice as it meant we had time to catch up with things.
On the way back we picked up Jack from a friends house in Headington, Miles’s brother funnily enough and I had a quick chat with Terry and then we went down to Cherwell School where Tash was at a parents get-together organised by one of the parents for Yr 8s! I wasn’t overly bothers but popped in and had a drink and a chat and then had to drag Tash out as she was enjoying it all. We’d stayed in the school a little too long really as the boys were still in the car waiting for us, about 35 minutes!!
When Tash got to the car Lewis popped out and shocked her! Loads of swearing and a few tears but it was a great surprise. Went home and sat around in the evening, had a few drinks and something to eat and watched TV.
Next day we all had different things organised, I cut back trees over the pond, quite dangerous and Lewis was helping, I then went to a seminar at the Holiday Inn about Forex currency exchange dealing, lasted a couple of hours and was a waste of time. Wish I’d not gone.
Everyone was out when I got home as they were in town getting Mum some presents for Mothers Day and Tash was working so I went out on my bike with the intention of getting two hours under my belt.
I went on a large circuit of the ring road and around Cumnor etc and it ended up as 2h 45m bike ride – 37 miles – it completed wiped me out! When I got home I was shattered. Need to work on that more and more and build up the miles/time in the saddle. This 100 miles is going to be shear pain. Not looking forward to it one bit now, it’s starting to dawn on me what I have let myself in for…
In the evening there was a Barclays reunion – it’s now 20 years that the office has closed. It was held at the Red Lion pub in Kidlington and there was a decent turn out. Spoke to a few of the people and spent much of the evening with Little Heather and Sarah. Had a chat with Gill, Roger and Ken. Roger is looking older, as I am sure we all are, but it was good to hear everyone’s news. As we said, everyone seemed very positive and things were looking up. Stayed quite late and had a few beers and then home
Next morning it was Mothers Day, Tash was in a funny mood so it wasn’t a normal nice morning but it was fine. I think it was actually her mum that caused the awkwardness as Tash invited her round to share breakfast but she preferred to stay and clean her patio slabs! Sometimes I think Tash feels left out, I don’t think Nik cares but it’s all about Tiffany which is a shame.
Around midday it was time for football for Jack – and they were playing Didcot in the cup semi-final, it was a great game and performance by all concerned, really enjoyed it and was buzzing afterwards, Jack was quality and it was a very competitive hard game but Horspath ran out 5-1 winners to book a place in the final. Really pleased for Jack about that. Lewis & Tash came along as well so that was nice for him.
Back to Sue’s in the afternoon and we had all the family turn up and we organised a Chinese take-away which was surprisingly good and everyone enjoyed it.
Tiffany then announced that she was pregnant, not to much surprise, but everyone was pleased for her and Paul. I think we’d guessed but it was good to hear it was confirmed, she was about 11 weeks gone but doesn’t want it to be proper news just yet.
I’d agreed to drive Lewis home on Sunday and we said our goodbyes to everyone and then made our way home to Huddersfield around 8.00pm. Some bad traffic on the way (20 miles of 50mph in some road-works) but we got to his halls around 11.00pm so wasn’t too bad, I crashed out at his as I am down to Birmingham the next day (what a bad decision that was!)
It was a very good weekend, really enjoyed it and really enjoyed having Lewis home for some time with us. He’s down again in a fortnight as well and once again I can time it with my work so can collect him after training a new client in Manchester.
Dropped Charlotte and Liam at Bicester Train station to visit Lewis – she had a great time
Joes friday night to treat Jack – really nice
Saturday – Nik and Gaz to London
Pie and Mash shop, liquor
Cemetary – Krays graves
Pub at 3.00pm – meal in the evening – very drunk indeed!
Hangover/still drunk – Columbia Road flower garden, Blind Beggar, home
Slept all the way and then when home.
Picked up Charlotte in the evening following her trip to Lewis – loved every minute of it!
Played football last night for the first time since November when I had that awful match against Thame and lost all interest in playing again. Wayne asked me to play and it was for the over 40s cup. We’d been promised that we’d be on the main Didcot pitch, I’ve not played on there actually, but when we arrived clearly we were going to be on the training pitch – and that was shit!!
The pitch was bone dry and hard and impossible to pass the ball, we tried to play football as usual and got caught out loads of times – eventually had to play a lot longer and we got in the game in the second half. Went a goal down and then with 8 mins left I went into midfield to create some energy and was involved in creating our equaliser. Went to extra time and penalties and their keeper was useless and we won 4-2 after Graham Savin saved two. Pleasing to beat them but it was a strange atmosphere with some of the lads.
Managed to last the match and it was okay, can’t say I really enjoyed it but was pleased to make it through and not feel too bad afterwards. Started stiffening up and feel stiff this morning but it will pass, it’s my back that’s the problem!
So, need to decide if I want to play u35’s football again, I don’t think that I do.
Tash said, ‘You don’t look at stupid as I thought you’d look!’
Not sure how to take that to be honest! When she sent the image to Lewis he simply replied ‘OMG’…
In the afternoon yesterday we went and watching Wayne’s girls side play in the u16’s cup final at Thame Utd. This is the u15’s team that win all before them which Chloe plays in and they were in control from the first minute. I took my camera and wandered round taking snaps so hopefully I’ve got some decent ones. Saw a few people we know and caught up, it was good to see Sharon Carroll as she was over from Ireland. The football was enjoyable and City finished convincing winners at 6-0. Jim Austin’s daughter Dara was very good as was Chloe, she reads the game well, has good energy and seemed to get in the right positions most of the time – I was pleased for her.
Afterwards it was back to Old Man Holdy’s for a couple of beers and a few hours and that was good fun. Didn’t stay too late and then home and bed – a really nice weekend again. Busy week ahead and early start on the train today, although I chose a later one because I couldn’t face getting up at 5.30am today.
I need to find some time to get out on the boke this week as well, this is the week I have to push myself and get some miles under my belt.
I also need to get my head around my business and what I’m going to do about it going forwards with things dropping off work-wise.
When Tash and I went for the walk in the meadow it was dusk as we returned and the sunset was amazing. Loads of rabbits out and about as well
Sunset in one direction, the moon in the opposite direction.
For the second Saturday running we had a bit of routine of working in the morning and then up to things later. So today I cut more wood and nicked more from the skip next door. I think I’ve got a lot in readiness for next winter, I doubt I’ll collect any more for now, I have nowhere to store it! I also cut back one of the trees again and then made a visit to the dump as I had other stuff to get rid of as well.
I then continued to Sports Direct and bought myself a pair of cycling shorts and a top – I’ll look the dog’s bollocks now!! I then had a call from Mum as they’re sorting out their kitchen and there were a couple of things they needed help with so I got under the sink and sorted that as well. Wasn’t there for long as they didn’t need me to do too much.
When home Tash and I went for a walk to the Perch and took Bella – she loves it – and then back again. I dropped Charlotte off at Miles house and we had a nice curry for dinner and watched TV, I collected Charlotte at 11.30pm and that was the night over. Another lovely day, very hot again – seem to be getting nice weather at the minute!
Day one of my new fitness regime, this time cycling!!
So I went out on my bike at 4.30pm quite excited having finished promptly at Raintree so I could get out on it, got back from work, got changed and straight out on the bike. Up to the roundabout and down the Witney Road – managed to get a really good speed. It certainly helped having all the cars sat in the traffic not being able to get anywhere and it gave me that incentive to go zooming passed them all.
Got past Eynsham and Cassington and then the road disintegrated so turned back on myself and instead of returning to Oxford went left towards the Hanboroughs. That wasn’t the best idea as by now I’d been out for 45 minutes and was starting to feel a bit flaky and tired – already!!
On checking where I was at Church Hanborough I realised I was halfway to what I wanted to do so I decided to continue on to Long Hanborough and through Bladon. Walked a bit in Bladon and then got to the Woodstock roundabout and came back passed the airport and to home
All in all, I did 15 miles – took me an hour and 20 minutes and it was hard. I struggled to be fair and I am concerned now about the cycle ride. I definite, definitely, definitely have to work on this to get anywhere near the fitness I need to be at as it’s affectively a marathon. And that really is the best description for this, it’s a marathon for bikes because on doing the maths, even if I managed something as good as 15 miles an hour that is still 8 hours that I will have to cycle for, and I think 15mph is being very generous indeed, I can’t see that happening!
So, yeah, I don’t think I realised or appreciated how hard this is actually going to be – but it’s a challenge. It will help with my legs, arms and back because these are killing me now but it’s really given me an incentive to get up to speed. It’s going to drive Tash mad as it will be very time-consuming
Let’s see how it goes!
I finished work at Raintree bang on time today, in fact early, so that I could leave at 4.30pm and get home, got changed and was straight out on my new bike. I only wanted to go for an hour but over-did it as usual and was out for ages. I went well going down the road to Witney but on the normal roads I then found it quite hard going.
Love the bike though, felt good and it was a pleasure to be out there. Anyway, the link to my effort on Run keeper is below and you can see I did a 15 mile loop. It was quite slow and I definitely need to ensure that I push myself over the coming 15 weeks to get into the shape to be able to do the 100 miles I have entered for. Bit concerned I must admit!!
I was knackered in the evening but I was all finished by 6.20pm, although I didn’t do anything else, just sat on the sofa recovering!!! I will certainly aim to be out on the road in the mornings from now on, if only for 30-45 minutes to get the legs and heart going.
Anyway, I’ve begun…
Okay this is something I’m probably going to regret!! When Tash and I went on our long walk yesterday I mentioned that some of the old footie lads are signing up for a 100 mile ride around Oxfordshire, she replied that I should sign up for it as well – even though I don’t have a bike!!
So I said on Facebook that I would go and today after football we cycled to Cycle King in Cowley and I purchased a new bike, a very nice one! Really pleased with it. I’ve not cycled for ages but need to get going and get into some sort of training. Which is what I will do.
I think Tash is worried about my weight, and not without reason, so hoping that doing this will help, we shall see!
This week I announced to all the parents that I am stepping down as Stars manager and I’ve had a couple of people say thanks but most important to me is the response I had from Giorgia Laird’s dad, Julian. I’m really pleased and proud to get this below:
“Also, to respond to your important announcement - I know Giorgia has only joined the group this year but I'm grateful to you for the coaching you've given her. Thanks to the matches she's done with you, and the confidence she gained, she challenged the school to let her play football and she's now playing in one of the school teams - the only girl in the whole school to play football as the rest are condemned to netball! She's also started a girls football club at school, so one unintended consequence of your Summertown Stars coaching is a contributing role to a feminist revolution!”
Had the match this morning as well, didn’t do very well and got beaten easily by Oxford City. Had a few players from the Comets, they held their own and did okay. It’s been a while since we’ve had a game so everyone was a little rusty.
Jack’s school football team were in the local cup final this afternoon against a team from the Ducklington area. He was very excited by it and was buzzing in the morning but only my mum was in a position to go and watch as both Tash and I were working.
Anyway, I cried off one of my appointments so I could make it, it was down at Rover and as I got there after a phone call that over ran he was being substituted! I was a bit miffed and he said he’d not played too well but others said he was fine. They were in control of the game, they’ve got good players in their side, many from Horspath and they ran out comfortable winners, 4-1. I was pleased for them and proud of Jack, he’s a good lad.
Managed to get a photo of him at the end, for some reason my phone stopped working during the presentation so missed that part, annoying!
They went off to MacDonald's to celebrate and were in high spirits – but then they always are!!!
Saw a few parents I know, including Liam Carroll, this was the first I’d seen him since our incident and he gave me a hug and it’s all brushed under the carpet now.
Decent day today, up nice and early to get the 6:47am train from Bicester and then into the Peters Books offices. I knew it was going to be because of the email from Margaret on Thursday that it was going to be a full on day and it certainly was – I worked my bollocks off!
We had a load of mailings that needed to go out, i needed to create the mailing lists and Tom worked on the design etc but we got them all completed by the end of the day which was good. I had to push EdCo to upgrade the Data Mining App as it wasn’t doing what I needed it to do. A bit frustrating working with them at the minute as they seem to be making all the requests more work than they need to be. Ah well.
I also had a meeting with Ray and Richard Butler (in charge of Customer Services) as they want to get CRM fully integrated with all areas of the business. Had to answer a ton of questions from Richard but I think he was satisfied that the system will meet his requirements. Now to proceed with a project on this for them, I also had a meeting with Ray in the evening to review and discuss all the other items that need to be addressed. He seems happy with the work I’ve done for them and there is additional work if I want it for them. Also met with Krishna who has various demands and also finally with Teresa. She was in good form, she’s off to Australia for 5 weeks so is looking forwards to that.
I left in the normal time and on the train home there was an almighty bang and the window across the aisle from me shattered. Some kids obviously had thrown a brick or stone at the train, luckily it is shatter-proof so it looked like frosted glass. Not good!
Did some more work in the evening, got a bit stressed with the kids which was wrong as I was trying to concentrate on some work and also get things sorted for tomorrow. We managed to have some pancakes though as it’s Shrove Tuesday tomorrow!!
Up nice and early and went and picked up Jack from Timmy’s to go and played against Oxford Blackbirds in the cup. My football was cancelled last night so I was pleased that I’d be able to take him and watch and I took my camera as well. His mate Timmy, who plays for Oxford City and would have been against me today said he wanted to come along and watch so that was fine.
Blackbirds are in our league so I know what they were like, it’s the loud female manager, and it was an okay game. Too easy for Horspath and they ran out 10-2 winners in the end. I managed to get a few photos and video and when I got home I was pleased with some of them so it was a good morning’s work! Jack played well, he’s getting his left back position well established, certainly as an attacking full back, it was pleasing to watch him.
On the way home I spoke with the Comets manager and we agreed the handover from my Stars to him and in fact it’s going to be in 2 weeks time…scary!! Unfortunately, I missed out the cancellation message to two parents, and they turned up at football for the match, how awkward?!?!
Anyway, got home and Tash was quiet but she’d been busy and got a load of chores done and then suddenly went very ill! She was being sick and sleeping everywhere. So from 12.30pm we didn’t see her again until 8.00pm. I just continued with various jobs I wanted to get sorted, books on eBay, train tickets for Charlotte and Liam’s visit to Lewis at the end of March and so on.
When Charlotte got home from work I took her out driving and we managed an hour around Headington and Wood Farm etc. She’s put in for her test, should be end of April, it will have been 30 lessons all told, that’s a lot of money, but it’s all hers though!
In the evening I watched the new episode of The Blacklist, it was a very good start in fact, a lot darker than the previous series, I really enjoyed it.
Set the alarm for an early start as I am off to Peters Books tomorrow – 5.45am alarm call…not nice!
Today was my last stint as manager for Summertown Stars, quite sad to be honest but also a weight off my shoulders and I will move on now. So this season I have been running the Stars team that I started as 7 year olds even though Jack has been playing for Horspath. It’s been really tough going to be honest and at Xmas I said that I was standing down and we talked the Comets managers to take over and they’ve been involved the last fortnight and brought some players across with them.
Today we played Oxford Blackbirds who are pushing for promotion, I had 19 boys to choose from and I used them to my own ends for once and for the first time that I can remember the result was more important and 4 of them didn’t get a game!!! I felt guilty for that but the nature of the match made it hard to give them all a game because we ended up edging them out 4-3 in a thrilling match which I was delighted with.
Obviously I apologised but they were fine with it. I played some of the new lads and they were excellent so hopefully the team will do well next season. Had a few speeches afterwards and some cards and alcohol given to me. It was all a bit of a blur to be honest but I shook all their hands and the parents and it was quite emotional all round. I got some photos taken as well, I’ve really enjoyed seeing them grow up and I am saddened that it’s stopping now, I would have liked to have seen them through to 18s but Jack is more important and I will likely get more involved with them now and help Horspath improve.
Some nice comments in the cards thanking me for encouraging them and teaching them their football, I liked a comment from Cian that was he’s known me ‘half his life’!
Some nice comments on Facebook as well so all in all a nice end to an era. We will organise a get-together at the end of the season, probably paintballing.
I’ve made the right decision though, in Jack’s match it was too easy, he was pushed up to centre forward and scored a hat-trick, shame I missed that, but won’t from now on!
Some other photos from days gone by:
