Japan Holiday – Day 8 – Hiroshima to Kyoto

Back on the bullet train this morning, currently writing this travelling to Shin-Kobe before changing for Kyoto. This train wasn’t until 10.54am so we were able to relax this morning and not go down for breakfast until 9.30am. Same as yesterday so that was fine, finished packing and then of to the station after checking out of the hotel.

As great and posh as the hotel was I have to say I was disappointed that they charged for the use of the pool, about £14.00, which I feel is taking the piss!

Anyway, couldn’t board the train without a bit of drama, Lewis somehow got a cup of coffee poured over his leg and scalded which upset him. He’s in a different car to me so not sure how he is, but got him a drink to cool it down and Mum’s with him so he’s in safe hands!!

Apparently there’s a shedload of things to do here at Kyoto...as if we’ve not done enough already. We have signed up for a tea ceremony and a cycle tour of the city, both in really awkward places to get to and both really expensive for what I think they will offer...but I can worry about that when I get home and not now!! Signing off for 30 mins. We have an 18 minute window for our transfer which I hate this rushing around and not knowing the platforms, that’s when I get stressed in this holiday!!

Our train this morning wasn’t early so there was no rush in the morning and we took our time with getting up and having our last breakfast. No issues with travelling, we had plenty of time and the one change we had we didn’t even have to change platforms!! I Kyoto the station was huge but we found our way and got to the hotel with no problem, it was hot here again as well but it looked a nice area where we were.

We had a walk around for a bit after freshening up and then made our way to where we were going to have the tea ceremony. Before we got there we got off the bus at a couple of stops early and went looking for a market that was near a temple. Very hot walking round and we were soaking but we found it, and the temple grounds were amazing, could have walked round them for ages but we were on a time limit, we left after watching a bit of a monkey show, it wasn’t very good or animal friendly so we weren’t particularly impressed!!

Found the tea room and went in, the girls were led upstairs and us boys led into the room downstairs where we got to choose the colour of the kimonos we were going to get changed into and a young lady dressed us up in the full gear. Took some photos and then the girls came down fully dressed up and looked good, cue more photos and laughter!

The girl doing the ceremony came in and introduced herself and went through the process of explaining the history of the ceremony and it was really interesting. We then had to participate as she gave out tea and we had to bow and say things like “I will join you” and “sorry for going before you” which you can imagine made Jack and Charlotte giggle!! We then made our own, it was powdered tea, Mitcha, I think it was called, it was fine and I’d drink it again if offered to me. It was very interesting and we learned a number of things so I’m glad we did it and then it was over and we left, crossing over the road to get the bus, train and subway home. Same again tomorrow as the bike place was near here too.

Back at the hotel we slept for a bit and then went out and stayed in the downtown area. We walked through the fish market that was all closed and more of a mall and got distracted with all the shops offering so much, it was good walking through here. Went down so back alleys where it was all old stuff and shops and cane out them and into a glare of bright lights and modern shops, it was amazing the contrast and we walked through for a bit. By now there’s a bit of hunger going on so we went to the bridge which was nice and you could see people eating on terraces overlooking the river so we decided to find one of hem and we did really well with our choice. It was unsurprisingly expensive along here but we seemed to find a reasonable one and went in and they were so accommodating. What was also nice was the waiter was from America so we were able to pick his brains on where to go and that was invaluable. Stayed quite late and it was a really nice evening. Next door was a bar that we fancied so we went inside there up the stairs and it was a tiny little place with about 5 people in there quite drunk and loud, all young including the barman. We just got some drinks and took in the scenes for a while and they were having a laugh, the tv was being controlled using YouTube videos and after a while we asked for control and put some on and started singing and joining in. It all got quite drunk and hazy from there on in! We had a great time and didn’t really want to leave, obviously we did and staggered home to the hotel only to be greeted by the main staff saying we’d left our key at the bar...no idea how the bar knew we were staying at that hotel but we had to wait for one of the staff members to go and collect our key for us, cost me £10.00 for him to do it!!

Very lucky as I guess they’d charge a lot for lost keys. Thankfully it didn’t ruin a really great night. We do join in with things so easily and quickly.

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Japan Holiday - Day 7 – Hiroshima

Supposed to be kayaking today so needed to get the 8.21am subway train so up and down for breakfast at 7.30am and after about 15 minutes Tash got the email that we sort of expected cancelling our excursion because of the weather. Not so much that it was raining, it wasn’t, but the wind. As we would later find out that was the correct decision!

So we went back to bed after breakfast and left the hotel at 10.30am instead. Last night and this morning I’d tried for baseball tickets for tonight’s game but it’s completely sold out. I hoped that going to the stadium which is only 10 mins walk might prove differently.

We wandered down and loads of people were queuing but clearly we were not going to get any tickets. The people queuing we think had non-reserve tickets and like a concert we’re hoping to run in and get the best seats. This was at 11.15am and the match kicks off at 6.00pm. It was burning hot and there were already a few hundred people queuing like this. It was astonishing. I Hat made it stranger is today is Thursday...don’t they work?!?

So we left the stadium and I treated myself to an expensive baseball cap which I’m happy with. We got the train down to the xxxxx station and straight into the ferry. Our JR tickets meant it was all for free which really is brilliant. So this Island was really quite a surprise, there is a shrine in the water and a cable car until the mountain but that was turned off because of the wind. However, the big surprise was the modernness of the town itself, loads of nice souvenir shops and restaurants we were spoilt for choice.

However ignoring all that we did the touristy bit and walked round the area and the shrine. The sea was out so we were above to get on the beach and walk under and through the shrine. There were loads of coins in the ground around the bottom of the shrine which I think was the result of people pressing coins into gaps between the sheeps encrusted on the base of the pillars, for luck or prayer, and these had either stayed with int eh gaps or been pushed clear to fall at the base of the structure. Interesting.

After that we walked round more of the town and it’s been the hottest day so far I think. We kept getting breeze but it was constant sweating! Nice!! Got something hung to drink and nibbles at a brewery and then walked down this great Main Street where I found a great t-shirt (in my opinion!) and then a mojito bar...that went down well!! Got some postcards and then the ferry back home but not before missing the ferry we were there for and needing to wait another 10 mins for the next one...so grabbed a beer!!

Writing this whilst on the train home to the hotel, such a good day so far and need to make it a good new night. We’ve given up on the baseball so will go out into town and will likely give karaoke a go. Just to try something different. We feel that the city break is perhaps dragging for everyone so we want to keep their interest. We have another few days of this in Kyoto before the beach! I don’t mind it but I just hope the kids aren’t getting bored by it.

Will update this tomorrow on the train as I intend to have a few drinks now and won’t be able to write in here later. Perhaps “able to” os the wrong word, I will be able to as I’m not going to be drunk, just “can’t be arsed” to update it tonight!!

Didn’t sleep as we tried to organise things for Kyoto and then I went out and got some food/crisps to keep everyone happy whilst we looked for a restaurant. At 8.00pm we got the last green tourist bus and went to the same place as last night but went off to a different area. I knew the bar I was looking for but it was too small so we walked around aimlessly looking for another restaurant. You’d think nothing could be easier...ah no...mum wanted authentic as not western food, basically we were after noodles but could we find one that was right?!? No chance. So we sort of gave u and went to a small restaurant that surprised us.

We had to sit outside because it was busy and the first two items we ordered weren’t available..this was going well! We got that sorted and the waiter was lovely, really wanted to help and Tash was happy because her Gin and Tonic came full and strong in a pint glass!!

The food when it came was lovely, and it was delivered by the cook and he too was really nice. Then it started raining and by that time upstairs was now empty so we were cleared a space and went up there. Loads of locals were around, in fact that’s all it was we had a laugh though and fancied another drink so we crossed the road and went to an Irish pub. That was packed full of mostly Europeans and I suspect English. Had our first pint of the holiday and the girls had their cocktails...Mums second of the day! Again it was a nice atmosphere in there now and it was good fun, I’d happily have stayed longer but it was already 11.30pm so we went and got taxis as the tram had finished and made our way home.

Another good day, we do keep ourselves busy and full on with what we try and do, perhaps it’s a bit too much and we need to slow down a bit, but we’re only here for a short length of time so we want to as much as possible...we can sleep on the train and plane, but I do appreciate that being tired during the day makes the holiday become a chore or a challenge to get through, we don’t want it to be like that. Hard balance to get right.

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Japan Holiday - Day 6 – Hakone to Hiroshima

So I’m writing this on the bullet train to Shin-Osaka, which we will then change to go to Hiroshima. We did well this morning so far because the train were on is not the one I planned for and I don’t understand why it wasn’t suggested sooner that we go on it. For some reason this missed all the recommendations and timetables. We have another 90 mins on this for something to go wrong like they come and charge me for this journey but looking at our paperwork and what the guard said I think we’re ok...

Anyway, I’ve jumped ahead, Much better sleep for everyone, although someone’s alarm went off at 3.30am which woke us all up but we went back to sleep quickly and at 6.00am I was up and packing and writing the diary, Tash got up and was sick loads, she’s not well, it’s not the beers as she didn’t have too much so must be the food, she’s been more adventurous than any of us!! It’s a shame and she’s laid out next to me on the train fast asleep so hopefully that will do her good.

No breakfast today, checked out and went down to the station, we were way earlier than planned but it was fine. Went to the ticket office in Odawara and asked for the specific train I’d researched and it was all fully booked. We could only get the non-reserved one. So we made our way to the line and realised there was a train in 3 minutes and having rushed for it and checking with a guard we jumped on board. And away we went!!

There was loads of space on our carriage and we all made the most of it and now we’re at the first stop which is Nagoya, a large city having travelled about 120 miles in just over an hour!! The weather is holding up but I think we still have more than 250 miles to go...anything can happen!!

Nearing Kyoto and I have to say that these trains are amazing!! Absolutely bombing along the track, every now and then we curve round a corner but the speed of these things is incredible. I love it!! Spacious and clean, everything you don’t get in the UK. Probably get bored of them by the time we leave but this has been a good experience, I keep drifting off to sleep though and cross I didn’t make my book more accessible but will be better organised next time.

In saying that I’m enjoying he scenery and the towns and buildings and countryside.

So we got to Hiroshima and off the train and everything was in order and not a problem, I’d worried about it all for no reason. Our hotel, The Sheraton Grand Hotel, was next door to the station and we walked round and checked in. The rooms we had were deluxe and certainly lived up to their description, they were lovely!!

We crashed out for an hour and cleaned up and then went out to explore the city. Our JR passes meant we could use the sightseeing bus so we jumped in one of these and it took us to the main Hiroshima memorial park, in fact it was the bombed out A-Dome building that we got to at first and this was the main sight I was really to see here. I had to explain to the kids the significance of this building and it was great how interested they were. Loads of questions to clarify their understanding of what this all meant and how Japan were our enemies in world war 2 and how the Americans are viewed.

We walked through the park and took in the memorials on show and the museum and it was really interesting. Bloody hot it was so any chance to jump on the bus or view a museum was taken and appreciated!!

It wasn’t morbid or anything and it was as one of the guide books say, a little bit generous to the side of the Japanese in terms of the facts about the history of the war involvement and bombing but they didn’t whitewash the facts to be far.

It was incredibly hot and I’d happily have walked round for longer but we decided to move on so jumped in a sightseeing bus again and travelled towards the Hiroshima castle. Got some ice creams on the way and then walked around the moat, I loved this. The moat and the castle walls were reconstructed to resemble what it would have looked like about 400 years ago and we walked through the gardens towards the castle tower itself and got some good photos, we didn’t go up the tower, no need to really. Walked back towards the bus stop and managed to get one immediately and this took us on a long route back so we got to see more of the town.

Crashed out at the hotel for a couple of hours, Jack was disciplined and went to the gym but the rest of us couldn’t be bothered!!

After showers and a freshen up we caught the sightseeing bus into town and walked towards what is called the Entertainment District which is what we’d seen on the way back on the bus earlier in the day. Why it was called the Entertainment District quickly became apparent...it was like mini Tokyo. Full of bars, restaurants, slot machines and gentlemen clubs. We walked round for a bit looking for an authentic restaurant but it was quite hard work so we settled for a small bar/restaurant open to the street called Nee York, New York...and yes it was a western menu! Had a couple of beers and I had the Japanese Chicken Burger which was delicious, I could have ordered a second one, it was so good. It was nice to have ‘proper’ food to be honest.

I think everyone was quite tired tonight, it wasn’t exactly stressful or a nasty atmosphere but there was a quietness about the evening so we called it a night, jumped on the tram and made our way home. I’m not surprised people are tired, we were up at 6.30am and it had been a really long day. It was interesting outside our hotel where it is next to the train station, it was a sea of mostly red with white clothes. Tops and caps all from the baseball match, it was incredible, there were thousands of them. I went to 7-eleven to see about getting some tickets but they were sold out, might try tomorrow but not too hopeful as I tried again in the evening without any joy

Ah well, a good day, I like Hiroshima and it seems a lively place to be. More sightseeing tomorrow and hopefully do the kayaking but that’s going to be dependent on the weather

Oh that reminds me, the typhoon didn’t materialise and the weather was fine. A bit windy but nothing more than a normal day in England! On that though, the heat down here is quite oppressive, it’s like a sticky heat, as soon as you’re outside it just feels sweaty and sticky, apparently Kyoto is hotter..that’s going to be interesting.

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Japan Holiday – Day 5 – Hakone & Mt Fuji

I slept appallingly last night, I was in so much pain because of my back, I think everyone else is getting there though with their sleep patterns, and we were all up for our 8.30am breakfast wondering what we’d better getting this time, as we arrived at our room you could smell the fish!! And sure enough another traditional Japanese breakfast banquet awaited us.

Loads of unusual things again and rice and we got through most of it but admittedly felt more comfortable with leaving food this time, didn’t feel quite so guilty. At least there were some orange segments at the end!! Oh, and nice coffee as well.

We then packed up and went on a tour firstly by bus to the south of the Aisha Lake, that journey in the bus was good as it went up and over and through the mountains which were really winding roads and chock full of forests and trees. All very much as you’d imagine and see on telly. We walked from the bus stop through some of the forest called a cedar trail and then also through a replica traditional check point that would have been manned by soldiers and guards.

Found the booking place for the boat trip and was delighted to realise we were on one that resembled a pirate ship and an old style pirates of the Caribbean design. From the jetty and then from the deck of the ship we had a fantasy view of Mt Fuji. The sky was really clear, it was bloody hot, so the sun shining and causing real bright colours so we were really lucky

Stayed in top deck for the 25 mins journey to the north of the lake where we then boarded a cable car to the top of one of the mountains and again the view was spectacular

We had to change cable cars and took the opportunity to walk around a vantage point and this was the best place for photos and the view. It was from here you could see for miles and then appreciate how big Mt Fuji is when compared to the surrounding area, it dwarfed everything else around it. There were clouds around it but these just added to the setting. Really pleased that we made the journey to see this, it was excellent

So we then had to make the downward journey and this time got a type of tram down the mountain and then finally a very slow train back to our town. What was nice was that there was a commentary and explanation of various key points on the way down, although pretty much everyone was exhausted and slept!

Back to the hotel and we sat on the outside with our feet in the springs and caught up with some of the world on the internet before showering and getting ready for the evening.

We went down to the train station first because whilst still in our room Tash received an interesting phone call...it was from our trip organisers who warned us of an on-coming typhoon that was going to hit Hiroshima!! She suggested we get an earlier train and just get there ASAP and into our hotel. So I spent quite a bit of time working out the best trains to get but we couldn’t do anything at our current station so need to sort it tomorrow and change tickets and all that.

We then went to 7-11 where Jack got his dinner and Charlotte got a pot noodle and we got supplies for breakfast tomorrow and more importantly a couple of cans of beer and we went and sat by the river again. Seemed really funny Charlotte being in Japan eating a pot noodle!!

Back towards the hotel and we got a couple more beers and sat on the bridge drinking and chatting and then went for our meal at 7.30pm. It felt more “western” today in that we had a bit more normal food and even a beef steak that was lovely. So all in all it wasn’t as hard as yesterday’s meal but I’m happy to eat normal now, but we had to do it!!

We then sat in the lounge area and because there was no bar I popped back out to 7-11 for more beers and we just relaxed and it was really pleasant end to the day. What was interesting is that we witnessed the groups of businessmen brining in girls to eat dinner with them. There were about 6 girls and there were all dressed in identical uniform and left after dinner. Quite interesting and something we will probably never really understand what actually that was all about

I think that’s it, set the alarm for early and crashed out, such a good day and Mt Fuji was an experience and we were so very lucky with the weather, just wondering what to expect now when we’re off to Hiroshima. Both in terms of the city but also the weather!!!

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Japan Holiday – Day 4 – Tokyo to Hakone

Both Tash and I were wide awake at 2.00am so read Twitter and Facebook for an hour and then managed to sleep again until 7.00am. Tash still slept through whilst I packed and got organised and then downstairs for breakfast.

We checked out and left our bags and wandered round Shibuya shopping to kill a couple hours. We went up to a vantage point above the crossing and looked down and it was a decent birds eye view and then some other shops. The donki one (Don Quiote) and also some arcades, those were interesting and I’ve no idea how those worked, just thousands of ball-bearings like pinball. Line upon line of then for about 4 floors, and it was really busy.

The weather today was oppressive, sunny but really warm arm and breeze, really quite uncomfortable and so glad it’s not been like that the previous two days, sweat was pouring of me all morning.

Back to the hotel to get our cases and then to the station, couple of stops and then we were on our first bullet train heading for Odawa and then a local train to Hakone for our next hotel

The place looks like a spar but when we went to our room it was like a traditional Japanese living and sleeping quarters. All 6 of us are staying in the same place. Our made sat us down and went through a few things and we were left to our own devices. We knew Jack wouldn’t like dinner so we walked into town and down to the river and then found a pizza place so he was happy with that. Back to the hotel and I crashed out and the others did their own thing. Tash went to the public baths where you share your space with others and have to be bollock naked. I might do it but no one else is going to!!

So dinner time!! We all dressed up in our traditional kimonos, which of course caused lots of hilarity and then went down to our private room and it was like a banquet laid out. A banquet with so little food that we could recognise...different people came and served us and explained what was in front of us and how to eat the food and it was okay. Jack didn’t eat much at all and Charlotte wasn’t much better but us others gave it a good go and tucked in. I got through it by trying to not focus on my hat I was eating and it was fine. Not delicious but edible...mostly.

Once we were done we walked over to the bridge outside the hotel, still in our kimonos, and took some photos. Other people from our hotel and other hotels dressed up were doing the same, although we were the only westerners!! Sat around at the end of the night and lots more people were around and either at the karaoke or going to the public baths that stay open until 1.00am.

Back to our room and the room had been transformed from a living room to sleeping quarters and 6 futons were laid out on the floor. Did this diary and then crashed out, not sure how good a nights sleep we will get...fingers crossed.

Really good experience but not really looking forward to breakfast or a similar meal tomorrow, but can’t complain and will just get on with it.

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Japan Holiday – Day 3 – Tokyo

Having gone to bed at 3.00am (drunk) I think we all thought we’d get some decent sleep, that didn’t happen!! I was awake at 7.00am but managed to get back to sleep

And then the alarm went at 9.00am. Everyone was absolutely knackered and had we been anywhere else I don’t think we’d have done anything!! Anyway, had breakfast and was out the door by about 10.30 and got the train to the Tschubio fish market. We knew we weren’t likely to see everything happening because we were late and that was the case. But it wasn’t a wasted journey because we walked through the town adjacent to the market which was packed full of people selling all the fish etc caught from the morning. There was also some famous woman being followed and filmed by loads of photographers, no idea who she was or the boy and girl with her but they were miced up and sampling loads of the stalls and causing a stir.

We walked through the fish market but they were just clearing things away and then made our way to a nice park next door called... which we walked around for a bit before going to the boat jetty just as it was pulling away, we wanted to do the trip and waiting 50 minutes for the next one but it was nice to get a rest.

When the boat came we got decent seats and luckily there was space for everyone to lay out and they all fell asleep!! The boat trip was just under an hour and we were then in site of Tokyo Tower which we had to walk towards and then went in. Up about 450 metres and that wasn’t even the top. It wasn’t the best weather so the view wasn’t amazing but it was still really impressive and worth the journey. Tokyo is vast, as far as the eye could see there are buildings. We didn’t feel

We needed to go any higher so we went to the glass floor section and as expected that was scary!!

Once that was done we headed back towards the subway and another temple even though people were flagging a bit! Stopped at a nice bakery for food and then we found the temple and it was definitely worth the walk and visit and we wandered around and took photos. Also the streets before the temple were packed and there were also tons of people in kimonos. We did wonder if something was going on, celebrations or graduation as they were everywhere but we didn’t ask or find out.

By now it was about 7.00pm and we had been planning to go home, sleep and come back out again but I felt it was a bit late so we might just as well stay out and have an early(ish) night.

So we jumped on the subway to the next place and went to the Mori museum which was supposed to be amazing, we were expecting something like the one in Thailand, it was anything but!!! The exhibition was based on architecture and it was a huge let down, we were already tired so this didn’t help. What was good though is there was also a skyline view and that was amazing to see Tokyo by night again, it’s so impressive.

Once all done we stopped at a burger place and treated ourselves to burger and chips and then that was it. Couple of stops on the subway and home to bed.

A really long. Day with hangovers and tiredness, had we more time we wouldn’t have done that but I’m glad we did, another amazing day.

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Japan Holiday – Day 2 – Tokyo

Up and awake at 8.00am for breakfast and we all agreed we’d had a rubbish nights sleep! Our body clocks a bit messed up, we were all awake around 4.00am and tried to go back to sleep with limited success!

Anyway, down for breakfast and it was lovely, a mixture of both western and eastern food options. We filled up, got changed and went out exploring. We started in the Shibuya area and went round loads of the shops. Did well and bought some things and then wandered around. We had some plans for where to go so we went to this area called Takeshita Street which was so crowded, we went into a cat cafe, that was an odd experience, I’ve never seen a Pygmy cat, their legs were about 3 inches long... carried on down the road, really busy place but that was good and then through a park and the ‘something’ temple. Enjoyable walk through that area and then headed for another park but when we got there it was chargeable which we decided wasn’t worth it

So we jumped on the subway train and made our way back to our hotel and crashed out for an hour or so. We all needed it and when the alarm went I think we’d have all been happy to go back to sleep but we forced ourselves up and headed for the station and went to the Metropolitan Government buildings. This was an amazing skyline of Tokyo from these towers and that was great. Jack then bumped into a mate he knows so that was hell of a coincidence!!

We then walked from there to another district for the Robot Restaurant we were going to see the show later for. The area was just absolutely lit up like mad and was so good to walk through. Shinjuku Golden Gai We then went to a restaurant and it was on a second floor with sliding doors where we had our own table and had to take our shoes off. That was a laugh, we got loads of nibbles and it was tasty and nice food, but it was expensive!! You seem to get charged for everything!! You live and learn...

So we then went to the Robot Restaurant and that was absolutely brilliant. Hard to explain what it was but it was really entertaining and great fun. Like watching the Power Rangers and everything that you of as being mad about the Japanese- would definitely recommend it to anyone I know that’s coming to Japan.

The beers were flowing and when it finished it was about 11.30pm so we walked around to find another bar and had a few pints in a great little pub, quite expensive but it was a laugh and some of the people in there were absolutely steaming drunk. We then found out that the subway was no longer working so we had to get two taxis home. We still were awake and fancied a drink so Mum went to bed and we walked around d looking for a bar...without success...it was Sunday night at 2.30am and it was all closed down. We did find a fast food place and had a drink in there with a spring roll and then back to the hotel for bed!

What a great day, absolutely full on and we really pushed ourselves to keep going but it was worth it. Tokyo really is a fantastic city, love it here.

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Charlotte’s Funny…

We’re at Heathrow having something to eat and Charlotte hears the Pet Shop Boys singing “Go West” on the radio and asks…”Is this the American National Anthem?”

Of course Jack and Lewis didn’t wet themselves laughing…no not at all!

I love her so much!!

Japan Holiday – Day 1 & 2 – Travelling & Flying

Spent the day working and sorting things out but also finished packing and went round Sues for lunch. Lewis took Bess to Dan and Vics and then at 4.00pm we left. Mum was making her own way there by coach as Derek was working and the run through to Heathrow was perfect, no traffic or anything so we were stood in the departures lounge chatting to Mum an hour and ten minutes after leaving!!

Check in was fine, sadly no upgrade and then security etc was problem free. Had some food and a few beers and boarded and we’re off on an 11 hour flight.

Food on plane was nice...something and rice every time. Had another couple of beers and watched films. Ready Player One and Tomb Raider, both were ok. Got some sleep but intermittent as it wasn’t comfortable at all.

Got to Seoul in South Korea and transferred there for 3 hours. Really nice airport and then back on the plane to Tokyo for two hour flight. Caught up in some of the things we need to do in Tokyo and finished a film. Immigration took and hour and through customs our taxi driver was waiting, with his sister! It was an hour’s drive but once we hit Tokyo it was exactly as you’d expect, bright lights, clean looking skyscrapers and flash cars speeding around. It was mesmerising!!

Got to the hotel and checked in. Really small rooms but they will suffice as a base. Local time it was now Saturday 11.00pm. We’d been traveling for a long time but instead of going to bed we went out for a quick explore and so glad that we did. We’re in the Shibuya district and there is a famous traffic crossing that is just a visual treat as it’s so busy. We watched that and took part and then walked down some side streets that were alive and mental. Neon signs everywhere, lights and live and so busy. It was great. Loads of food and bars. Lots of drinking going on. We did get a kebab and then went back to the hotel. Didn’t get a drink. Prices are like in England so this is going to be an expensive holiday!! But from what I’ve seen I can’t wait to get going.

Day one and day two I guess done...we’re in Japan!

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Jack little knock in the car

About to go to bed this evening and Tash got a phone call from Jack, he’d only gone and driven into the back of a taxi!! Thankfully it wasn’t fast, no one was injured and very little damage but it does look like it might cost a few hundred pounds of insurance job to get it sorted – their car not ours!

Pissed off but hopefully that’s a lesson learned by him and he’s a bit more careful with his driving as he was obviously too close to the taxi when it braked suddenly!

Visit to Wendy & Graham

Got up around 9.00am this morning, I was okay but Tash was in the bathroom constantly with her head down the toilet!! She’s useless! Charlotte came home and she was in the same state and being sick…lightweights!

Anyway, finally got on the road at 11.00am, Jack came and we picked up Sue as well and made our way down to Dorset to see Wendy and Graham. The traffic down there was a nightmare and really busy, took over 2.5hrs, I was knackered. Anyway, when we got there we just relaxed and did nothing all day except eat and chat. Graham was home but on call and ready to go to Italy at any minute, he’s doing well with his business. He then got a BBQ going and as well as the usual stuff he’d brought 6 amazing steaks, they were the biggest I’ve seen I reckon, they were lovely but too filling!!

So dinner was lovely and we then sat around catching up for a number of hours and finally left at 7.00pm so it was nice to spend time with them.

I was a bit anxious about coming home because the traffic coming and going on the way down was terrible, and yet…it was really clear, I was about to travel about 80mph for much of the journey and we were home in one hour and 40 minutes, I think that’s the best run I’ve ever had!!

Didn’t do too much once we were home, and bed by 9.30pm so it was a nice early end to an enjoyable weekend

Birthday celebrations..x2

We were busy with jobs in the morning and I went out and got a new pair of trainers and some shorts/t-shirt for the holiday next week. When I got back Tash and I went out for a run and went to Wytham and back – exactly 3 miles, I did it without stopping again but couldn’t keep pace with Tash so she went off and finished some time ahead of me, I don’t mind, I am slowly getting back into it. Got some more gardening jobs done and then we went to Danny and Victoria’s house as they were hosting for Katie’s birthday party in the afternoon. That was nice, we were all out in the garden and then Danny did a BBQ and the drinks were flowing. Not much else to report on that side of things, unfortunately it started raining so we all came inside and gradually got more drunk!

We had a party in the evening that we wanted to go to so about 8.30pm Jack came back out and picked us up, he was with Maia again, and they dropped us down at Southfield Golf club, we were rowdy in the car and showing off but it was amusing I think! At the golf club is was Bradley’s birthday party and there were loads of people there I knew aside from all of Charlotte’s friends of course but people from the golf club like Fraser, Nick Dawson and Dale Thorne, it was nice to catch up with them although truth be told I can’t remember much of the conversations that we had.

As the night progressed we got overly drunk and Charlotte was a bit of a nightmare but I can’t remember specifics so I’ll leave that there. Jack, bless him, came out again and picked us up and got us home.

Overdid it really, can’t control our drinking very well which is a shame

Countryfile visit to Blenheim Palace

Worked out in the garden again in the morning and took the rubbish down to the dump. They’re charging these days but it’s for anything that’s not household waste and is DIY, there’s a bit of a hoo-har as you’d expect but all the stuff I took was fine and not an issue. When we got back Charlotte came with Tash and I, Miles didn’t as he had some family thing he’d forgotten about, and we went to Blenheim Palace as I’d managed to get free tickets for the Countryfile event that was taking place there. We went last year so knew what to expect and it wasn’t any different to be honest!

We parked near to where Jack played football for Woodstock and walked through, long bloody walk but it saved car park fees!!

Charlotte was really surprised by the scale of the set up and we just wandered round loads of the stalls and took our time – it was hot again, when is it not hot these days?? Saw a few decent things and at the Blacks store there were two for £30.00 camping chairs exactly like what we’d listed that we’d like to buy…so we did! That also helped because when we were walking round it meant we weren’t relying on seats and could just bang out the chairs and plonk ourselves down. I had a couple of pints – one at the Craven Arms of course and we watch an amusing (but informative) presentation by a bloke with sheep and then that was pretty much it, we made our way back to the car and home.

I did a BBQ in the evening and Sue came round so that was nice and then that was it, had a few more drinks and relaxed and reflected on a decent and productive weekend, the garden and garages look good!

Saunton Sands Day 3 – pissing down with Rain!!

Last night was mental!! We experienced really heavy storms, thunder, high speed winds and tons of rain. I was awake nearly all night because of it. At one point (3.30am) I had to go outside and sort out the pegs and some of the loose fittings that were flapping about making an unbearable noise. In the morning I did wonder how things would look and luckily it was okay, the wind-break hadn’t broken, and I’d had the foresight to take the flag pole down – else that would have snapped!

The rest of the day it just rained and was miserable weather. So instead of going to the beach and just getting cold etc we jumped in the car and went to Ilfracombe, that was after I’d cooked eggs and bacon for breakfast..hooray, no way I couldn’t have a fry-up at some point!! Ilfracombe is a decent seaside town and we wandered around, it was good actually. We managed to find some free parking and then wandered down the High Street popping in and out of shops etc before stopping for an afternoon tea in a Candy Shop. That was interesting, we’re pretty certain it was under new ownership and it was two gay lads getting going with a new venture, they took an absolute age to serve us because there was a bit of a rush of people (6 or 7) but we were patient and glad to sit and chat and relax. They asked us to write a nice review as we left, which of course we did!

Down to the harbour and walked round there before deciding to go to a pub for a pint (well I had two of course) and then drove home for dinner.

We decided we couldn’t be bothered to go surfing now and just spent the night in the tent again, but we treated ourselves to fish and chips so Charlotte and I drove back into Braunton and they were fantastic chips and sausages and fish – so that was worth it.

We then shut down the tent as it was raining and windy again and played games and drank a bottle of wine and a couple of beers. Nothing too exciting but another enjoyable day and evening just taking it easy

We then had another night of thunderstorms so that was a shame and a frustration!!

Saunton Sands Day 2 – Charlotte coming down

Up nice and early this morning and another morning of fresh fruit etc for breakfast, none of the usual fry up which I can’t get used to!!

It rained last night and this morning so we decided to take things easy and dawdle about, so we walked into Braunton to give Bess a decent walk and look around the shops to kill time before needing to go and get Charlotte. She got the 10.30am train and was due into Barnstable around 2.30pm but there were complications so she was delayed an hour. We got everything ready and then drove down to collect her, by now the weather was better so we went straight down to Saunton sands again (about 4.30pm by now) and it was great.

The sea had come in, but more importantly the waves were huge! We sorted out the windbreaks and all that and then piled into the water, Tash and I were bloody useless with surfing, I could just about do some body boarding, but Charlotte was up on the board and away the first time and thereafter!! I had a couple more attempts but nose-dived each time and just gave up!

We must have been in the water for over and hour and then went back to the base and I had brought my portable BBQ grill so I cooked dinner there on the beach, and though I say so myself, the steaks I’d bought (and cooked) were delicious!! We also opened a bottle of bubbly so it was lovely just sat there watching the sunset, eating and drinking and having a laugh.

As it got dark we made our way back to the campsite and washed up the suits etc and walked Bess and then played card games etc sat out having more drinks!!

Another nice day and it was good Charlotte came down, it’s very much appreciated that she made the effort, sadly the weather isn’t going to be nice for her, or us for that matter!!

Saunton Sands Day 1 – on the beach

Woke up early but so nice not to be bursting for a wee or have a hangover!! Sad but that’s the usual feeling when camping!!

Took Bess out for a quick walk and then had a very nice (healthy) breakfast before potting around for a bit. Went into Braunton to get some cash for the car-park and then drove down to Saunton Sands – it doesn’t change, thankfully, and we parked up and made it down to the beach. It was nice weather, very hot, and a little more crowded than it has been on the webcams that I’ve been looking at in the last couple of days.

Set up and simply sat on the beach relaxing and reading, managed to get through most of the Private Eye magazine for the first time ever!! It does wind me up because it highlights all the injustices and cheating that’s going on in public life, everyone is on the make and ripping off the tax-payer in the main! Anyway, it was nice and easy but very hot, although the sea breeze was good.

We went out to the sea after an hour or so and Bess absolutely loved it, straight in the sea, no fear and jumping over and through the waves, Tash and I took it in turns to go in on the body board and I was amazed at how warm the sea was. I really don’t want to sound like someone we know “warmest ever!”, but I genuinely can’t think of a time and place in the UK when the sea has been that warm, it was so surprising. Didn’t do much else other than relax, catch up on social media and read (or eat and drink!)

Back in the sea for a second time and this time because it was coming in we didn’t have to go the half bloody mile to get wet and the waves were a lot better and higher and more fun!

That was it, packed up and made our way home for about 7.00pm! Some new neighbours had turned up with loads of kids playing football but it was fine and we had a couple of drinks and a nice dinner. Walked the dog, wrote this diary entry and then off to bed for about 10.30pm!

It was actually really quite cold last night which surprised us – had to snuggle together for warmth!!

Off to Sunny Devon…me, Tash and Bessie!

So Tash and I are down here in Devon! Worked at Raintree today, normal day, busy but got a lot done and then got home as soon as possible once the day finished so that we could finish the last bits of packing and get on the road to Devon. It’s just the two of us and then charlotte is coming down on Friday by train which is good of her. The drive down here (setting off about 5.00Pm) was a fantastic idea, admittedly the traffic on the A420 was a bit shit and busy but once we were past Swindon it was plain sailing, honestly there was hardly any traffic and we flew down her – we were pitching our tent at 8.30pm and completely finished and starting our dinner at 9.30pm.
It’s great down here in Braunton, we think it’s our fourth, possibly even our fifth time of coming to the campsite (Lobbs Farm) but it works so well for us because it’s a 3hr 20mins drive, dog friendly and close to a great beach and also town, Perfect!
So we got all sorted, we’d had practise at the weekend so were dab hands at this now and then had spag bol and a few drinks. Tash wants this to be a detox weekend so healthy eating and drinking and all that…we will see!
Not much else to do in the evening so sat around chatting and then around 11.00pm off to bed for an early night!
I do have things to do with work and will aim to deal with those over the next couple of days, but I really do relax and switch off from everything, I shouldn’t but I can’t help to do so. I definitely think there are better things in life than working all the time..however, how the fuck can I pay for it all if I don’t work!!
I have to work on getting the balance right, and also lose some weight and get fit at the same time! Hopefully this will give me that impetus!

Family Camping trip in Standlake

Really slow day at work, hardly got anything done, bit of a nightmare at the minute, just not doing the work I need to do – have to snap out of it before I start losing business I really do, yet here I am writing my diary and procrastinating again!

Anyway, Tash finished work and when she got home we drove off to Standlake for our family weekend camping with the Bulls. They were already there having had the time off work and relaxing – it was just Nikki, Gaz, Victoria and Danny tonight and we set about erecting the tent and everything else. They helped with the shelter and we were all done and sorted in just over an hour – not bad at all!

We then just sat around drinking, eating and chatting – took the dogs for a walk by the lake of course and later it absolutely pissed down with rain, really heavy thunderstorm that lasted a couple of hours – we need it so we weren’t complaining and we were fine under the event shelter! Earlyish night and then up and at them in the morning – I made breakfast as usual, loads of fry-up and gradually everyone started turning up – Jack and Charlotte, Emily, Tom, Katie and Oscar, then Sue and the Foxes. And yes..the drinking continued.

We eventually made our way down to the lake and took the massive cool box full of beers and wine and also the kayak – both of which were very much appreciated! The lads and kids loved the kayak and were in the lake for ages, really good fun.

Nice meal in the evening and everyone left near the end of the night and left the 6 of us alone again, seems strange just being me and Tash if I am honest. But it was nice

In the morning Tash was throwing up everywhere – nightmare!! I was heavy-headed but fine, made another breakfast and she couldn’t even smell it without retching.

Packed up and was gone by 10.45am – crashed out at home and watched TV and took it easy and gradually everyone came to life, so we decided to take Charlotte and Miles out for dinner to celebrate their end of year results at Uni and we went to Mowgli in the Westgate centre. It was really nice, the food is lovely and tastes/smells great. We did well and obviously paid for it and it was a nice end to the weekend.

All good fun, we’re away next weekend to Devon so we didn’t really unpack the car and no doubt we will organise the trip to Standlake for next year as always!

Speedboat on the Thames

We went off to London today to use Mum’s 70th birthday present, a speed boat ride down the Thames! We left a little later than I had planned and picked Mum up whilst Lewis and Jack went and got petrol and we then caught up with them on the M40. We had to be at the pier (right by the London Eye) by 10.45am, we somehow got there with minutes to spare, I was stressing, it shouldn’t have been like that..if we’d left on time!

Anyway, after a quick safety briefing and putting on the life belts we boarded the boat (12 people) and were off, initially it was a tour at a slow pace along the river and getting information on various landmarks which was interesting (I knew quite a few of the facts being raised but also learned some new ones so that was good.) And then after Tower Bridge we were allowed to put our foot down, and he certainly did just that, it was excellent. They had music blaring out as well so it worked really well. Everyone loved it, twists and turns and it was exhilarating, didn’t last long (about 15-20 mins) and then we were turning round to return home, but definitely worth it. Mum loved it, in fact we all did.

When we got back we then walked along the South Bank heading towards Giraffe restaurant but before we got there we found the Italian restaurant, Strada and went there instead. We sat outside but I wasn’t in shade, wow, that was hot! The table and cutlery were absolutely burning hot, I couldn’t pick up the knife and fork! Anyway, really nice meal, then walked along and got an ice cream and we all crashed out asleep for 20 minutes under a tree and finally got ready and left.

Lewis was going back up to Huddersfield which is why he’d driven so we waved him off and made our own way back through Chiswick and dropped Mum off and back in time for the World cup

The World Cup final was between France, strong favourites before the tournament began, and Croatia who beat us in the semi-final. It’s been a great World Cup this time and the final lived up to that as well and was a great spectacle. Croatia were hard done by with two goals conceded that were very harsh indeed, a penalty decision using VAR that the ref got completely wrong I feel – but France ran away with it in the end and it was a comfortable 4-2 win, but it was a decent game and I really wanted Croatia to win it…ah well.

That was it then really, pottered around at home and had an early night after a long weekend.

Still bloody hot!

Jack at Eminem

Strange day today, woke up hungover and not in the mood for speaking with Tash after the hassle last night so I just got on with replacing the lining on the shed roof which was a shit job that I hated doing. Jack wanted to leave early to go to Eminem at Twickenham so I agreed to take him on my own meaning Tash could stay at home with Lewis, although I think he went out in the evening anyway! We didn’t want to let Jack drive there on his own as he’s not been on the motorway yet but I did let him drive and we collected Max around 3.45pm and off we went. He was fine as expected and the trip was uneventful, they jumped out near to the venue and I drove off looking for somewhere to set up a camp to work – that was not successful. I drove round all over the place and ended up in Hounslow, and wandered round there for a couple of hours to kill time and go to MacDonalds.

Jack texted me to say that he’d managed to bluff his way into the VIP area and was about 30 yards away from the main stage – absolutely delighted so he was happy. I then continued my drive around places and eventually ended up in Hampton Court and sat in a park for a while before making my way back to Twickenham, what a nightmare that turned out to be. All the roads were closed and I couldn’t get where I needed to be to pick them up. Then it was gridlocked, I was getting so pissed off. Eventually after loads of phone calls with him Jack we caught up and then I tried to drive through as many backroads to get out of the town, it worked to some degree and then I was out in the open and we got home about 1.00am in the end. He’d really enjoyed himself so it was worth it.

Kept saying that it was the best concert he’s been to and how good Eminem is and what a showman he was – he was also pleased that 50 Cent was there as well and it likely to get tickets to go and see him as well asap

I still can’t believe he managed to get into VIP – he’s a jammy git!!

Nice meal at Victors in Oxford Westgate

It was Chloe and Paul Holden’s birthdays today and we were invited out with them all to go to the Victors restaurant that Nicole works at. Tash and I got there at 5.30pm and got a drink and everyone then turned up and it was a really nice evening

Had quite a bit to drink and the food was really tasty and kept on coming out, we let Nicole lead the way and choose all the dishes and they were loads of tapas type meals, it was expensive though!

At the end of the meal they did this huge desert with loads of sparklers and that and we then had the bonus that they gave Nicole 50% off the total cost because of her being an employee, even better, Wayne and Kerry refused to let us pay our way saying this was a 25th anniversary present from them! Really generous as it was £50.00

We paid that back when buying drinks at the bar for the rest of the night, we stayed where we were and then around 11.00pm they left to get the bus home. When Tash and I came to leave she got really funny with me for some reason so I just thought ‘Fuck this” and walked off. She then started calling and texting me so I just turned the phone off, I was drunk but I was also sick of being treated like this whenever she has a drink, it’s horrible.

So I went round to the Living Room and had a pint in there and then to Hanks for an hour or so, just stood there having a drink people watching, and then Tash turned up in there about 1.30pm I reckon!! So got dragged out and Jack gave us a lift home, don’t remember much more than that but it turned a nice evening really sour, need to think about what’s going on when we go out and what’s being drunk.

England out of the World Cup

Well it was fun whilst it lasted but Englad fell to Croatia this evening 2-1 after extra time, it was a deserved win for Croatia after we were strong in the first half they took control and battered us for the rest of the game. England dropped deeper and deeper and I said that after the Columbia match and the same happened. No one is really to blame, there was no injustice, or cheating or anything like that, just beaten by a better side, but the fact is we were so close to getting to a final, such a missed opportunity, so I’m disappointed

However, I had a nightmare of my own!! I ran late for my training session and panicked getting a taxi to the train station but I made it with minutes to spare meaning I’d get home to the pub to watch the football at 6.45pm – perfect, I got on my train, made a woman move as she was in my reserved seat and then got working for the 2.5hr journey home to Banbury, only slight problem was that after 2 hours the train stopped at its final destination and they said “Welcome to Newcastle!” – I’d got on the wrong fucking train!!!!

So I was now over 5 hours away from home…I was going to miss the match afterall. There was another train at 6.35 back to Doncaster and then on to Birmingham and Banbury and I’d then drive home for midnight, I was so very disappointed. Nothing I could do about it, posted and update on Facebook and everyone obviously took the piss out of me and thought it funny! I managed to get some coverage on the train but it kept buffering and was very frustrating. Got home and was absolutely knackered and drained.

So it’s been an enjoyable tournament but it does feel a little flat today and I don’t think we really gave it our best shot yesterday when it really mattered, especially with the clear cut chances we missed in the first half when we could have easily gone two or three ahead.

So another tournament over…

England in World Cup Semi-Final!

England are in the World Cup semi-final tonight, I am on the train to Doncaster writing this and hopefully should be back in time to see it all. It's been an incredible summer of football, the tournament has been brilliant, so unpredictable with the big teams missing out (Germany didn't even get out of their group!) and it's been enjoyable.

So it means we've been up to the White Hart a lot to watch the England matches, that's a tough one to take really because there are always going to be a couple of pricks that have no idea what they're talking about, and for some reason they stand next to me!! Drives me nuts. But it's slowly got busier and tonight will be mad I reckon. England are against Croatia, I think it's very close indeed, both teams will fancy their chances of making it to the final. As could be expected, the mood and enthusiasm around the country is completely overkill but everyone is so excited by it. It does bring back memories of 1990 in Italy when we lost on penalties in the semi-final, I really hope we can make it.

However, a VERY strong France side are waiting the winners of tonight's match, and they look formidable.

Anyway, it's been a good and enjoyable tournament whatever the team achieve tonight…

Silver Wedding Anniversary Milestone reached…just… :-)

Wedding anniversary today, 25 years we've been married, amazing achievement, it really is. Tash bought me some lovely silver cuff links and I gave her the presents I'd bought her, not as nice at all but she pretended to be pleased with them! I am useless, I really am, I don't deserve her.

Anyway, posted a couple of Facebook messages and the comments and love from people was amazing, really generous and loads of people wishing us the best and saying nice things! Normal day other than that, we both had to work, I was in Banbury so not too bad and it was a good day.

Back home in the early evening and we opened a bottle of Champagne and relaxed before cycling down to Gee's restaurant to use the voucher that the kids had bought for us. They provided us a glass of champagne on our arrival and we had lots of starters instead of a main meal and that was a really good choice to go for. Halfway through, Katharine and Pete Casey turned up meeting some friends…so we were there on a very special occasion and they were there just for a normal Tuesday night!! How the other half live!!

When we finished we came home and finished off the half bottle of champagne from earlier and relaxed in the garden reflecting on our time together and what we've achieved and other things with life, it was nice and made us appreciate where we are with our lives at the minute…we're doing ok!!

Anyway, a lovely day and now to start again to get another 25 years under our belt!!

Jack has passed his driving test!

So today was Jack’s driving test, I must admit I wasn’t not too sure whether it was too early for him as there are a few areas that need more work and experience, roundabouts for example. Anyway, it was at 11.11am and about 45 minutes later we got the news that he had passed with only one minor (clipping a kerb in the tight roads around Wheatley!)

He phoned me before I went into a training session in Banbury and he was buzzing, I was so pleased for him, so well done to him! He will be out and about in the car constantly now so we won’t be seeing that for a while.

Another milestone passed in his life.

Weekend Diary

1. Friday - meal out with Wayne and Kerry - Spiced Roots – nice meal and good evening. Drinks before and after…
2. Out and about and working in the garden, Jessica's birthday meal at Joe's - awkward because of money, Eurovision in the evening and watched Black Panther on DVD
3. Working on garden in the morning/afternoon - walk to Perch, drinks at home, Zoe round Prosecco and gin & tonic and vodka and tonic - bit drunk (again) - Graham Norton on tv

Jacks football…shocking standard!

I’m going to sound like a right football snob..but there you go – I am!

For the last two nights I’ve taken Jack to play football for Woodstock Town, reserves this evening and first team last night. I have to same I am shocked by the standard of football, it’s shit, it really is. And yet they take themselves so seriously it’s laughable, I have to bite my tongue when watching from the sidelines, I enjoy watching Jack play and when they actually give him the ball he’s exciting on it but they can’t pass! The pitch yesterday for the reserves at Adderbury was astonishing as well, I think the meadow would have played better, it’s certainly got shorter grass on it! Bob Pratley once described a pitch as undulating but this was positively mountainous!

Anyway, both games they’ve lost, I’ve been videoing the matches to get Jack’s involvement and it’s really hard to do so because of trying to keep up with him and in focus.

Ah well, I am so pleased that I never dropped down to the level, in saying that, maybe one day so I can have a match with Jack I will have to get fit and have no choice but to play…but I seriously hope he’s playing for a better team next season – I couldn’t pay to watch this garbage!

Jack is a Learner Driver!

So Jack is now learning to drive, he had this first lesson today and it went really well. He’s gone with the same guy that taught his mate Cory, he went out for 2 hours and it said he enjoyed it and was travelling around Oxford. So emboldened by news we agreed to let him drive to Abingdon for his football training…that was an experience! When we reversed he went too fast and we so very nearly rammed Pete’s car next door – we must have stopped with 5 inches to spare, I shit myself!

Anyway, the rest of the drive to Abingdon on the A34 was fairly uneventful and he did well, stalled a couple of times but no-one gave us hassle so that was okay. When I got to training I must admit my heart was pounding, Id got quite nervous with his driving. I wasn’t going to let him drive home but I did let him and again he did well and was better.

To be fair, he’s done well because he’s only had an hour or so with me and Tash and a first driving lesson so to be out on the road with us is good!

So he will sign up for more lessons with the instructor and we will allow him to drive whenever we can…I hope the blood pressure survives though!

Woodstock Social Club disco…first and last time!

Worked from home today and had a good chat with Jack about his focus and school work and we tried working on Pomodoros throughout the day and it appeared to work for him, I think he enjoyed the focus but was also surprised when he’d completed so few

Went out with Katherine and Pete Casey this evening to Woodstock, it was some charity disco function that was organised, Charlotte took us to the Woodstock Arms and we met with Sarah and Darren who are their friends, Sarah (Hazell) is the one I know from school days and there were a couple of other women there as well, one of which went out with Mark Gee and knew Tosh and loads of other lads from my football days so that was interesting speaking with her. Had a couple of drinks and then went over to what can only be described as a social club, it was quite rough (for anywhere let alone Woodstock) and we were dressed up quite smart of got a lot of looks and attention as we walked in! Anyway, only one thing to do…drink!

I must admit I got quite drunk, I wasn’t overly bothered about dancing but it was a laugh and we had a good time until right at the end of the night, some woman they all knew who was a bit of a pain was talking to us and her boyfriend/husband was stood close behind Tasha and her face dropped. She came over to me and said this guy was really feeling up her bum! He came back and did it again and she was looking straight at me pulling faces pleasing for help, not much I could do so kept quiet and watched. He then for some unknown reason walked round the group to me and held out his hand to shake my hand, I kept my hand in my pocket and looked at his hand and then looked him in the eye and said ”No thanks”.

He asked “What?” and held out his hand again

I replied, “I’m not shaking your hand, I saw exactly what you were doing with my wife!”

He then walked away as quickly as possible – I was shaking!! I hate confrontation and he was a big chap. We joked about it in the car home (Dan came and picked us up) but it wasn’t a nice experience. We had to drop Pete off before us as I think he was the worse for wear with the drink he’d consumed, we were fine expect I had terrible hiccups when I got in and in the morning I was knackered with quite a heavy hangover. But an amusing night with a story to tell!!

Madeira – weekend away with Nik & Gaz

These are notes from the weekend away – I didn’t update the diary well enough

Delay flying – gate wouldn’t let us through, flight cancelled because of weather so we got drunk in Crawley town centre – great day and night!

One of the most dangerous airports in the world – often gets cancellations

Ronaldo’s home/bust

Casino – travelling around, meals and drinking

Jeep journey

Fennel

Peppercorn

Citronella

Bay leaves

Off road road block

Cold summit

£5 drink stop

£10 lunch stop. Lovely

1 mike walk along water channel

Other stop first r strong drink

Charlotte’s JR Placement follow-up

Charlotte sent a WhatsApp message message to the Dark Dickheads family group today saying that she was so embarrassed! Her tutor put an email on the main projector in her lecture from the JR Hospital saying how fantastic Charlotte was during her placement in the last four weeks and commending her attitude, work ethic and interaction. Absolutely glowing it was and everyone involved in the course from her Uni are delighted with her, it’s been sent to the course manager and even higher up than that, Charlotte cringed but some of her friends on the course actually clapped her!

It made us very proud indeed of her, that is such a great achievement and like the Uni people said, they tend to only get emails and letters when something goes wrong – not when something goes so right!

So a huge well done to Charlotte, very proud of her

Early Mothers Day & another one of my 50 Things ticked off

We took Mum and Grandma to the Cotswold Lodge this afternoon as an early Mother’s Day present as we are away in Madeira this weekend and it’s a nice easy thing to manage. Grandma had slipped on the way in just before we got there so she was complaining that her skirt was wet the whole time but otherwise she was fine.

We had an afternoon tea menu which meant sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea/coffee. It was lovely and we were in the tearoom on our own so shouting at grandma to be heard wasn’t embarrassing or an issue! Completely full up and too much coffee but it was such nice food. We paid for it all which was appreciated of course.

It was lovely to spend time with them both and it was a good catch up.

As mentioned in the title of this post, this is something that was on my list of things to do so this is another one that we’re able to tick off as done!

Tucks over for the week

Andrew, Alison and the two girls (Grace & Olivia) were over in the UK this week, Tucks was in Cardiff the whole time and we only got to see them on Saturday evening. Jack stayed home and babysat the girls and we then went over to Jacob’s Inn, had a nice meal and a good catch up with them which was really nice. Jack had a girl from Kidlington come over called Hannah, bit random and out of the blue but it was nice for him to have some company.

They’re doing really well and Tucks has a new hobby now which means buying cars! Nice hobby to be able to have…fair play to him though, he’s enjoying it. When all done we went back and Jack & Hannah were in control and it was nice to spend some time with the girls – they look identical, it’s uncanny.

Not sure when we’ll see them all again next but they’re looking forward to us coming over in October, hopefully we will catch up before then.

Alison gave Jack £20.00 which was very generous and he gave Hannah half of it which she didn’t expect at all but was pleased to get that of course.

So a nice evening all told, nice and calm and great to see them

Mortgage done and dusted!

What a weight off our shoulders and a sense of achievement!

On 1st March we were able to transfer all the money over to the Nationwide and call them to say our mortgage is paid! They were pleased for us and asked how we’d celebrate, strange feeling. We didn’t really do much as a celebration but both felt pleased with ourselves having paid this off 4 years early and now have that money to spend. Well, for the first year we will be saving like mad to build up the car money we delved into so as to make up the balance, but that won’t take long to do.

We intend to review how best to deal with our finances now and will have a think about the best savings options. There is always the temptation to get another mortgage and buy a second home, I really don’t know if that’s something we will seriously consider, we shall have to wait and see I guess.

So that’s it – no more mortgage…for now!

Oli’s Thai Restaurant

This was a very nice treat indeed! I worked at Raintree today but I had time accrued so I left at 1.30pm having done the rep training in the morning and came home and pottered around until we got a taxi with John Bampton to the Iffley Road, there is a restaurant there that is a nightmare to book – something like a 3 month waiting list! We’d missed two trips here for one reason or another so it was good to finally get together with John and Pauline (she was waiting for us as her work is nearby) to have this meal. So the table was booked for 5.30pm – they do two shifts and we obviously were on the early shift.

Ordered the food and some drinks and the beers flowed a little too well! But when the food came out I can see what the fuss is about, it was lovely, really, really tasty and enjoyable. We had plenty and it was an excellent meal, I would definitely encourage anyone else to go and visit for certain. What was nice is that we were finished at 7.30pm for the next shift but it was quite strange feeling a bit tipsy so early in the evening

We then walked around the corner to the pub called the Rusty Bicycle and had a couple more beers before getting a cab home. John and Pauline went straight home and we crashed out

A very enjoyable evening – looking forward to the next one!

Mortgage–we’ve done it!

Received a cheque in the post today for £56,477.60 which will go towards paying off our £62,882,37 final balance! So we will use £6.4k of saving that we will replenish over the coming 12 months!

So pleased to have finally got to this point – 4 years ahead of schedule and before we’re 50 years old!

The fact we have to delve into some savings doesn’t worry me as we will recoup that and all the money we now have is our own and not going towards interest payments and the bank!

Might treat ourselves to a drink later – although Jack’s schoolwork is suffering so I don’t think the atmosphere at home is the best when I get there!!

Ah well – it’s not going to dampen my spirits

Logical Office up & running

Did my first training session for Logical Office today and I think it went okay, I have received feedback advising that I received positive comments from the client to Rod so that is obviously a relief. There is still so much more I need to know and understand with the system but it’s pleasing to have got the first one done and under my belt.

I have got quite wrapped up in understanding the software though and need to take a step back and get other work done as it’s taking up so much of my time and attention.

Anyway, one down!

Mortgage Pay-Off proceeding with–oh dear!

So we decided to send the surrender instructions over to Abbey Life and since doing so in the last 3 days the shares have dropped by over £1,000.00! Isn’t that bloody typical. I just hope that the letter gets to them asap and the shares are sold at not so much of a loss. I am trying my hardest not to let it concern me but it’s pissing me off that we have to do it via post and not over the phone – it does seem incredibly out-dated. Especially as they send me a cheque for the monies raised, very antiquated!

So at the time of writing I don’t know how much the final amount will be – I just hope it’s close to £55,000 still!

Lewis home for the weekend

Lewis has come down for the weekend and brought amber with him who is is latest girlfriend. They made good time travelling and were here by about 7.30pm. It was great to see him and she seems a nice girl and very confident. Likes travelling and appears to be very organised with planning and things she wants to do. Very much like someone else we know…

We had a nice dinner and a few drinks and just sat in the front room talking and chatting and drinking, very relaxed nice evening. I stayed up a bit later once everyone went to bed because I wanted to watch a film and then bed by about 1.00am – a bit light headed!!

It’s a shame Charlotte is in Nottingham with Miles as she has missed out on seeing them, but she’s having a nice time out partying – looks like she’s gone to the beer cellar!

Lewis Pay-Rise

Lewis sent through an email today saying that he was called into the office with two managers and since he’d had a couple of awkward clients the previous day he was a bit nervous, but they told him how pleased they were with him and gave him a pay-rise from £22k to £28k – that’s huge. Not bad for a 22 year old University drop-out!! Really pleased and proud for him. We are encouraging him to save for a mortgage at the minute and hopefully with this few hundred pounds a month extra he will be disciplined – we’ll see!

Well done to him!

This was his email:

Before you open the attachment read this:

So today is our team meeting day and this afternoon all of us have a big meeting together discussing the last 3 months of work.

Just now though, I got taken to a side office with my two bosses. (Was terrified)

Turns out they have had a discussion and have been so pleased with me and my attitude towards the work they have given me something.

Now look at the picture.

I got a bit emotional because they hadn’t given me any form of warning that they were doing it and I have been told this all had to be done earlier and that it had been missed!!

They laughed and now I go back to work.

Am so happy and just needed to tell someone because I obviously can’t say anything to anyone here!!!

Love you both!! xxxx

Mum shaken by return of a ghost

So Mum sent me the email below – I called her and she was really shaken up about it, such a shame. But she left it a week before telling me. I think I made her laugh and get over it a bit, but I was really quite surprised by how hard she took it. She must really despise him. I told her we’d seen him about 20 years ago more out of curiosity to find out if there were any hereditary things that we needed to be aware of, but also from Tasha’s perspective of losing her father when really young, she wanted to be certain that I wouldn’t regret missing out on knowing my dad. As we’ve since found out, there wasn’t really anything to miss out on and we’ve had no contact since then.

==============================================

Hope you are O.K.  I just wanted to let you know what happened to me last Friday night.  I’ll try to keep it short.

Man stood on my doorstep, said hello and grinned.  I said “I don’t know who you are”.  He replied that he was Michael (my ex) and was visiting all his exes, all four of them.  So shocked, we asked him in.  The next twenty minutes was all about him!  He had 45 years to moan about!

He had been to see his physcho nurses and decided he should visit his ex wives/girlfriends.  He gave me a card thanking me for taking him in all those years ago, when he was down “the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me” along with an extract from a suicide note that he had written previously.  I said I didn’t remember the event.  Then we had to listen to him saying he has had depression for years, has had a heart attack etc. etc.  At no time did he ask how I was doing, how you and Louise were, how his grandchildren were, I don’t know why that should surprise me as the only person he ever loved was himself.

At no time did he apologise for all the hurt he caused, sleeping with other women, stealing all my money that Dad had given me for the future, paying a pittance in maintenance which he tried to stop by dragging me through the courts, only seeing you both a couple of times before completely deserting you.  I always tried to encourage him to see you and at no time did I bad mouth him or run him down to you both.  He said he had visited you and Natasha and when he realized that I didn’t know he was very smug.

It has all been very upsetting and I don’t need all that crap to be brought up again after all this time.  Sorry to go on but I am so shocked at the sheer arrogance of the man!

You can get on with your work now!!!

=============================================

Oh My…Our Mortgage Situation

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

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

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

Lumberjack!

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

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

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

Mansfield away…good game

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

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

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

Brian Blessed Autobiography Completed

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

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

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

Gaz’s Birthday trip to London

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What an absolute disgrace!

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

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

Mum’s Birthday Celebration Meal with us

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diary Post from Notes – Mum’s birthday

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

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

Go-Karting was great fun, challenging but really enjoyable

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

Mum’s 70th Birthday

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

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

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

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

A few photos to share from her Facebook feed today

Brian Blessed Autobiography

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

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

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

Private Eye Subscription

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

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

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

New Year…New Me

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

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

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

January

Saturday 6th January – Junkyard Golf with Pauline Bampton birthday

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

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

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

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

February

Friday 9^th February – Miles 21^st

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

March

Friday 9^th - 13^th March – Madeira

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

April

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

May

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

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

July

Tuesday 10^th July - Anniversary

August

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

September

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

October

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

*Need to book the following:

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

Red Letter Day – end of year?

Meal at Black Boy in Headington – end of year?

Oxford Bus Tour

Oxford Morse Pub Tour

Other items from my list on the larder

More items added/achieved in my list of 50 Things

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

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

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