Chrimble Eve...

Well, it is Christmas Eve...and we are off to my parents in a short while, but I thought I'd update my blog first...before I drink to much mulled wine and have holes in my memory...

So what have I been up to? School was very busy! We took year 3 to see 'The Snow Queen' at the Watermill Theatre (http://www.watermill.org.uk/) and what a great show it was. The kids loved it, Anna and I want to go and see it again...it is what Theatre as all about...GO SEE IT!

Last Saturday the boys went Chrimbo shopping, as did the girls...which was more successful than last time when Lou and I spent the aftrenoon eating pasta and drinking red wine...although it depends how you define successful! We then met up in Lock Stock for a drink before heading to the Nawab for a curry. The highlight of my evening was seeing Putin as legoman (not that I suggested it!) but it did make me chuckle!! A lot!!

Friday night it was out for Chrismas drinks. Sadly Putin and Noo couldn't make it as Noo was poorly (Get well soon Noo!) We went in a variety of pubs, drank a range of beverages and my stomach hurt from laughing too much! In the Late Lounge, Lou met a couple of christmas ladies in the loos and asked them to join us! Poor Carl got lumbered with Random Man (who was with Chrimbo ladies) who proceeded to talk Carl's ear off about cars and speaker systems etc...we left in the end for Carl's sanity more than anything else! One word here...chav....says it all!

So, that is prechristmas for you...feeling a little crap due to hangovers yesterday...but looking forward to lovely Chrimbo dinner with Mo and dad tomorrow...Mmmmmm

Joshua's 1st birthday party

Time goes so quickly! I can't believe my nephew is 1 tomorrow!
Today was his 1st birthday party for the family (tomorrow he has one with his friends!) Joshua kept everyone entertained and seemed to enjoy himself. He enjoyed the bricks mum and dad got him (as did we all!) and playing with any mobile phone he could lay his hands on! I have to say, his reflexes are super-quick - he grabbed his birthday cake before anyone could have stopped him! We had party food (you cannot have a party without cheese and pineapple sticks and jelly and ice-cream!) which was very yummy. So, Happy 1st Birthday Joshua! (Oh and doesn't my brother look fetching in this 1st birthday hat which looks like a dunce hat to me!)

Which film do you think he's from?

Carl had his work do last night in Oxford. I was chauffer taking him there and returning to pick him up. (Aren't I nice...and I was exhaused too!) It was a fancy dress affair and these theme was Hollywood. Carl was this outfit (very nice!!), but what film was he from? Answers on a postcard....or in the comments!

The 'hole' weekend.

So, my parents came up for the weekend. Intead of them seeing the house all nice (and warm) they get to see the hole in the kitchen (which got bigger after we removed the rotton ceiling)...well they did see the rest of the house but that became the focal point!

Friday night we just chilled out with a glass of wine and a DVD (Constantine - not quite sure what they made of that!) Saturday was almost a right off. Carl was desperately tring to sort out the stupid leaky valve below the boiler and not having much luck. Dad was foreman (and a big help - thanks dad!! xx) and suggested they sort it out while Mo and I went Chrimbo shopping in Newbury (which was the original plan!) So we did. Mo and I had fun exploring the shops...and she managed to do ALL her Christmas shopping...I managed 3 gifts! Oh well! In the evening we had roast chicken and I cooked roast butternut squash (they'd not had it before) and pototo and sweetpotato mash (they'd not had that either!), we watched Strictly Come Dancing and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory!

Sunday we went to the Toby Carvery (more yummy food) before taking Mum and Dad on a quick walk along part of the canal - sadly it was muddy and dad's wheelchair didn't like it! I then drove them home, had a cuppa and headed back...by the time I got back to Reading my arms felt like the were made of lead! I blame the traffic on the M25 - for everything!!!

Money Pit?

Look what I came home to yesterday. How annoying! Just what we needed...so no heating AGAIN! What a pile of pants!

The words 'money pit' were banded about and I am just waiting for the moment I fall through the ceiling and get trapped Tom Hanks style.

You're leaving, On a jet plane...

So, Jeannie and Mark are off travelling the world. Alright for some huh!
And so there was a gathering to wish them fair well, drink too much alcohol and hopefully not get hungover. They had much alcohol that needed consuming as it wasn't work packing it...but we all seemed to bring more!! They didn't stand a chance! We ended up going home with more than we brought with us - desperate was there need to rid their house of booze! A few of us decided to drink around the world...people had brought bottles from various countries and we decided to go around the world a drink at a time...starting with ... Cornwall!! Yes Cornwall - the place where people like shiny things, or so I've been told... We had a glass of Red Current Wine from Cornwall to start us off...Other drinks included wines from Chili and Argentina, Rums from the Dominican Republic and Australia and various other things I cannot recall - not that I drank that much mind you!!
Mark and Jeannie had set up a quiz...and I was accused of cheating (other teams did it too) as I held the paper up to the light to look through the tip-ex! I call it using my initiative!! Some of us did play the 'Spot the Intro' game later in the evening...which did seem to turn into the longest game in the world!
Myt favourite comment of the evening was early on and made by Caro. We were talking about penguins/Planet Earth etc and she said "Well it is getting smaller down there" to which we all laughed...dirty minds we have - she was talking about the environment, not their 'bits!'
All in all, a good night was had by all...crawling into bed at about 3am (and getting up at 7.30am as I was boiling and couldn't sleep, even though I was tired! D'Oh)
So, J & M - I hope you have a truely fabulous trip, seeing and experiencing wonderful, exciting things. Keep safe, keep blogging and I expect the odd postcard or two!! :o) Love you both! Oh and I will try not to kill the beanstalk, er I mean plant!

The name's Bond, James Bond...

Well...that's a lie for a start! Lou, Ross, Carl and I went to see the new Bond film on Saturday in Reading. It was sooooo good! Lots of action and a few comedy moments too...and the new Bond is easy on the eye...not my type but I won't complain! I won't say much, so as not to give away anything if you haven't seen it, but the base jumping (not sure if that is the correct terminology!) at the beginning was very cool! What made me laugh was when the film finished...people started clapping. Carl and I looked at each other with puzzled looks on our faces. Do these people think they could be heard?!? I have never been to the cinema and had people clap before. The theatre, most certainly, but not at the pictures! Bizarre! I am sure they were just showing their appreciation for a fine film... A drink in the Purple Turtle (what a great name for a pub...and such groovy music too) and food at Nandos with such great company...who could ask for more!

Carl, Lou and I were swimming again bright and early on Sunday morning. 14 lengths this week. Surely these early Sundays wont last!?!? Lou and I went to salsa again Monday night. I decided to continue dancing as a man...I like a challenge and as they don't have an advanced class at least I am paying to learn something new...and it will hopefully help my dancing as a lady too. It was fun...although Lou and I decided that maybe a bottle of cider each and dancing wasn't the best way forward...turns aren't as easy when you have had a drink!

We've been in our new house for just over a month. It is weird really as it feels longer and I can't imagine the old place any more...not supprisingly really as we hadn't leaved there properly since July!

Fireworks, New Forest and stuff

We went to see the fireworks at the Newbury Racecourse on Saturday Evening. I really enjoyed myself - very pretty fireworks...not too many bangers...all set to film music. My fave bit was to the Lost In Space theme - you couldn't help but wobble about like a weeble! We then went to the pub for some refreshment, but it ended up getting really smokey and I had a sneezing fit and thought I was getting ill! Ban smoking NOW I reckon!

On Sunday morning, Carl, Lou and I were in a swimming pool at 9am! We were very pleased with ourselves!! I managed 12 lengths...not bad after a 3 1/2 month break! Carl and I then went down to Ringwood to see Jeannie and Mark. We had a lovely walk in the New Forest (around somewhere called Fritham), where we saw many ponies (hurray!) and lots of PIGS!! The pigs were fabulous. They were in a field with a horse acting as a sheepdog does with sheep - so a pighorse then! Then the little piggies saw big mumma pig outside the field and so escaped one by one under the fence! (see elongated, squishy, stretchy piggy photo!) The they snorted as they followed mumma piggy around - very cute! We did see them when we were heading back to the car, a couple of hours later...still following mum, and we think one had a boot in it's mouth! We then went out for a pub dinner. Sadly, the carvery was nowhere to be seen, but we had yummy food from a normal menu instead...on the 2nd pub we tried!

Apart from that, we've been trying to organise the house, I've had the joys of parents evening, Carl was away on a course and Lou and I failed miserably to go to yoga (well, we went, we just didn't go in! They'd started, they were all sitting in a circle, in a brightly lit room, with towels on their heads. We thought it would be rude to disturb them, and a cup of tea would be a far better idea!) Lou and I did go to salsa last night though. The teacher for my class was very late, so I decided to be a man in beginners and had a much better time!

Other news is that Paul and Sarah are moving on Friday! Hurrah!! And Lou and Ross got the keys to their new place!! I think I'll need a new address book, what with almost everyone I know moving house!!

Our Quirky House

House Quirks 1

All was well in our new house to begin with...until the weather suddenly turned cold and we realised the heating wasn't working as it should. So the house turned into a fridge over night. You know it's not good when you lie in bed and can see your breath! It took a good couple of days to heat up the house (hense wearing hats indoors to keep warm!) and even now the timers (there are 3!) don't actually do anything - so we have to manually put the heating on. Not ideal, but it is better than freezing to death!

House Quirks 2

Poor Carl He had great fun with the electics in this place! Firstly there was the lights in the hall/stairs. You would expect that with the downstairs double light switch the switch closest to downstairs turns on the downsytairs light and the one closest to the stairs the upstairs light...but NO! This annoyed me, so Carl set to work to fix the problem...a quick job he thought...wrong! The place is wired up like a nightmare! It took several dozen attempts (and a couple of small electric shocks) to sort the switches out! Also in the lounge the double switch near the front door turned on the porch light, but not the lounge light (meaning you'd have to walk through the room in the dark to switch the lights on.) This was even worse than the stairs switch problem and took hours and more shocks to fix. Then there are the upteen switches that don't work or seem to do anything...and that is not including the range of phone sockets ad ariel sockets littered about the place! (3 ariel sockets being in the small bedroom!!)

House Quirks 3
Why do we have 3 fuse boxes? And why are they in the garage, so high up you can't reach them without a step ladder! Great during a power cut, when you've blown a fuse (as we did during house quirks 2!) Also the gas meter is practically on the garage roof...nice and easy to read then!

Home sweet home!

Well, we finally moved on 20th October! And quite traumatic it was too - too much stuff and too little time! Anyway, not to dwell on that (and the fact that our solicitors were complete pants - you know, stained, holey, smelly Y-fronts - as in useless) we are in and that feels gooood! We have carpet, a TV and a bed that doesn't squeak everytime you breathe...oh the luxury!!!

So, half term was spent trying to get the house in some kind of order. Carl did a good job putting loft panels in the loft so there was somewhere to store stuff. I got a brand new desk...and huge it is too!! It took 4 different people about 5 hours to build the complex contraption - if only they'd labelled the bits!
I spent all last Monday on the phone, sorting out final bills, new accounts, changing addresses etc. at a cost of £25 on my mobile! So happy was I when NTL came to connect our phone, TV and internet!

On Thursday last, I went home to visit my parents. We had fun picking up my desk and a table and 4 chairs (all flatpacked). Fitting these and 3 people in a Fiesta is a challenge - Dad was in the back seat - being 6'3" it was a squash, Mum was in the front with her nose practically pressed up on the windscreen and I was driving with my knees round my ears looking like Mr Magoo! I then went to salsa in the evening which was great! I have only been once in Newbury, so I thought I'd be way out of practice but I was ok! I did forget my decent shoes, which my knees are now cursing me for!

Saturday night was our housewarming and Carl's very belated 30th birthday party! (His birthday is in July!!) Jeannie and Mark came down on Friday night and it was great to have a catch-up with them. Mark's turtle tales had us in stitches...but those stories are never to be repeated...and will forever remain between us four, the bar and the 20p stuck to the floor which Mark tried to pick up!
Saturday itself was spent trying to clear rooms of boxes so people whould have somewhere to sleep that night, so by the time the party was happening, I was practically asleep on the sofa! Andy did teach Mark some Karate and Lou some self-defence moves. ("Grab me from behind but mind my back I've just been to Physio", "You're clammy" and "He's like my brother" were all wonderful Lou phrases of the evening!) I drank my birthday Scrumpy Cider, which was OK at first, but the more you drank, the ranker it got. Nice!

Yesterday Lou and I went to 'Body Harmony' while the guys went to the driving range. Body Harmoney is a mix of Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi...and it very hard work...and I do ache a bit today I must confess. I liked the Tai Chi bits best, and some of the Yoga...I found the Pilates the hardest!

The other main event over the past month was Carl going to see Seether with Roisin. He was really looking forward to it. I say went to see Seether but he only heard them. The problem was he drank a wee bit too much so missed the main act as he was chucking up outside the venue instead. Best £12 he's ever spent!

It was back to school today. Boo! But it was nice having breakfast at home and only a 10 minute drive to work, so, mustn't grumble....much!

Anyone else moving?!?!

Where has the last month gone!??!?

Well, we haven't moved yet! Hoping it will be in the next 3 weeks or so - so fingers crossed please! At the moment we are in Reading (staying with our fab friends Caro and Andy - thanks guys!) during the week and 'home' at the weekend. It is knackering and so the move needs to happen soooooon!

Speaking of moving...Mum and Dad are moving! They are part way through moving to a bungalow (or 'bunglehouse' as dad calls it). The main move is next weekend, but the last 2 weekends have been moving boxes, decorating and trying to sort the jungle that is the garden (I did get to have a go with a chainsaw...it is soooo cool - my destructive streak coming out again!) Also, Paul and Sarah are moving...they are a few weeks behind us...and are moving to Potton. So, we'll all be in new places for Christmas - very weird! Lots of moving going on, with the Po's and DL & Joey getting in on the act too!

So, what else is knew? I started my job at the beginning of September, and all seems to be going well, although a working day of 8-6.30 is a little draining (especially leaving Reading at 7.15 and getting home at about 7.30!) Also, Carl, Po, Putin and DL have started golf lessons, and it sounds like they are having a good time...us girls are having girlie time while they are swinging their clubs about.

I think they are the main events of the past month...

It's all going too fast!

...the summer holidays that is! 2/3 of the way through already!! sob sob!

The houses are going through nicely, although quicker would be good - we won't be in for when term starts which is a bit annoying!

This weekend was spent sorting stuff out. Saturday we spent 6 hours in the loft, going through boxes of stuff. Carl also went through his video collection and actually got rid of a LOT of videos (a lot meaning quite a few bag fulls, but a small percentage of the videos he actually owns!!) So, the charity shops in the area have done quite well out of us!! Sunday was spent going to the tidy tip (1 car load from the loft alone!) and then sorting out the shed (2 car loads to the tidy tip!) Our shed looks massive now as it is virtually empty!! Hurrah!

Other stuff is starting to be boxed up now too, with the aim being all but the bare essentials will be done by the end of the weekend.

What else have I done in the past week? I took mum and Dad to see Sarah and Joshua (and I heard him speak!! No raspberries today!) and my friend Catherine came for a visit - we haven't seen each other for over a year we worked out! Also, went to salsa and had a good time. Chris is teaching me to be a man (as in dance as a man, not be all macho and fancy girls etc!) I can now do 9 moves as a man! And Chris makes a good woman too....although I would like to see more mincing!! :o) It is rather sad that I only have 2 more weeks as a regular at Salsa Estrellas. Shame they don't do a club in Newbury - a bit far away I suppose!! At least I can come back during holidays...they can't get rid of me that easily!!
Oh and more exciting news - Paul and Sarah sold there house and had an offer accepted on one in Potton! Hurrah! Talk about all go here!!

Back to packing...

Ring ring!

Another busy week so far, with most of it being spent on the phone it would seem!

On Saturday we saw 11 houses. Yes 11! It was manic and we saw various standards in housing, from lovely to oh...that's...erm...yes. After seeing all these houses we had a shortlist of 4, with one of them being the one we really want.
So Monday was spent waiting around to see if offers were excepted etc and in the end we got the house we wanted for a bit under the asking price. HURRAH! We have a HOUSE!! So more phonecalls to solicitors, estate agents, mortgage people... I really don't like phoning people either. It is ok if there are family or friends, but anything else stresses me out. So, as you can guess I have been a bit stressy!!
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with mum and dad, just chilling out, waiting for phonecalls and the like. So today, I start packing. Just stuff we wont be needing...but it needs to get started. Great fun!!

Busy week

First things first...WE SOLD THE HOUSE!!!!!! HURRAH! It is a relief, but I know that nothing is final until you have the keys in your hand...but fingers crossed!

The whole house thing happened on my journey to Ringwood. Phonecalls back and forth while I was stuck in traffic on the M25 (2 hours to go about 25 miles...NUTS!) But it is done so at least I don't have to keep our house immaculate anymore...it is very stressful keeping it so clean and tidy.

I had a great time in Ringwood with Jeannie. We went out to Bournemouth on Friday night. We went in a few pubs, all of which seemed to have great music playing until you got halfway through your drink and then it went rubbish! Oh well!
On Saturday we went shopping in Bournemouth and got plenty of bargins in the Next sale!! We also had a very yummy dinner in a pasta place :o) In the evening we decided to rent out a couple of DVDs. We thought comedies was the way to go, and so got out 'The Weather Man' and 'Just Friends.' We watched 'The Weather Man' first, and boy were we disappointed. If it says comedy on the box, you expect to laugh...a lot. I laughed once. It was just depressing, not even a black comedy. We watched it to the end as we needed closure, but it was cery disappointing. Film number 2 was more comedy like. A typical American teen chick flick, but at least there were some laughs!
Sunday was spent chatting and putting the world to rights, before having a game of croquet (is that how you spell it!??!) and then I headed up to Newbury.
All is all a great weekend - Thanks Jeannie!

I stayed in Newbury for a night to see Carl. Unfortuately I had dodgy eyes again. By morning my left eye was red and puffy. On the drive home it got worse and by the time I got home it was very elephantman-ish - the upper lid was so swollen. And I had a lump ON MY EYEBALL! How disgusting is that! And I hate all things eyebally. Eugh! After resting my eye for a couple of hours, dropping eye drops in and generally being disgusted by it, I went to see Mum and Dad. Even they said it looked bad, and it had gone down a bit by then.

On Thursday I took Mum and Dad round to see Sarah and Joshua again. We, well, more me actually, played with the blocks and Joshua spent most of the time making raspberry noises!! He did enjoy knocking down my towers though.
I went to Salsa in the evening and has a good night. I also had the pleasure of dancing with a guy who had no idea about salsa. well, it seemed that way. I have no idea what his feet were doing and he flung me around alot, trying to dislocate my arms I think. He did say I was brilliant...but on relflection I don't see that as much of a complement...anyone who can count to 8 in time is going to be vastly superior to him! (Mean aren't I!) Suprisingly I declined a second dance with him.

I have spent most of the week booking viewings on houses in Newbury. We have 11 to see tomorrow!! Fingers crossed there will be our perfect house waiting for us...

My first week off work!

My first week of the holidays has been quite relaxed!
Carl started his new job on Monday. We stayed at Lou and Ross's place while they are on honeymoon (Thanks guys!!), so I stayed down for a couple of days too, before heading home.
On Thursday we had a viewing (our 1st one after being on the market for nearly 4 weeks!) I didn't want to be there so I took Mum and Dad over to see Sarah and Joshua. We had a lovely afternoon. Mum took over the carpet cleaner so everyone was busy and I had Joshua all to myself for about an hour!! He is just soooo gorgeous! It was raining very heavily, so we watched that, he liked watching Mum and the carpet cleaner too! Feeding time had me in stitches as he looked like a chick being fed by his mummy...his mouth all wide open! How sweet!!

No news on the house yet...not expecting much really, but feedback would be nice.
I'm off to Ringwood tomorrow to see Jeannie for the weekend, which I am really looking forward to.

Lou and Ross's Wedding

What a fabulous day! Everything went along so smoothly! Lou looked amazing and Ross very handome. It was another hot day, but sadly it did rain in the afternoon :o(

The Church service was lovely, Chris and I wiping away tears, and Jack and Chelsea were so well behaved...a real credit to Chris and Lee. The meal was delicious and the speeches great.

Carol did so well doing the Mother of the Bride speech, and Ross's speech made me cry (that's crying 3 days in a row! Thanks Ross!) and Dave's speech was very funny. There was a sweepstake on the timing of the speeches and Chris and I thought we'd won (as we had by Nigel's watch) but Marshall said one minute later so we didn't win :o( Oh well!! In the evening there was a disco which was great, and Chris and I spent a lot of time organising the guest books, which was nice as we got to chat to everyone! I was in my element with the polaroid camera!! Carl and I stayed the night and got to wave off the happy couple the next day. Some people, apparently, got into Lou and Ross's room and did stuff...I have no idea! ;o) And some other people decorated their car very nicely too - especially the photo stuck on the bonnet!! All in all a brilliant day, so all that is left to say is...

CONGRATULATIONS MR AND MRS PO!!

Last week at school

Well, school's out for summer...and I am sad about it actually! It has been a week of mixed emotions so far (and with the Po's wedding tomorrow...more emotion to follow!)

Wednesday was the last games club I'll be doing (alas commuting from Newbury to Sandy is a bit to far...) So, in tradition, it was games club children vs staff (and anyone else...like past pupils!) for football rounders! It was VERY hot weather again, so we kept the children in the shade as much as possible. The children were kecking first and did pretty well (Pam did an excellent catch I must say and Sandra B took great delight at shouting 'out' when she stumped the kids out! Marvellous!) We then were kicking and Bev's son decided to kick the ball in the tree! Superb! Darren had to climb up to get it out! I managed to kick it over the fence (pure accident...honest! I am not that good at aiming!) So, all in all the staff won! Yay!!

After dashing home for a quick shower is was back to school for the leavers disco...I don't usually go, but seeing as though I am a leaver, I thought I should! The children had a great time, but the temperature was way too hot and another shower was needed when I got home!!

Thursday was my last proper day at RPLS. I was doing just fine until I knew Darren would be asking us leavers to come up, and as soon as he asked me, being the wuss that I am, I started blubbering! Darren kept it quite jokey, and for that I am thankful (else the hall may have been flooded!) I got some lovely flowers and M&S vouchers. I got the school a pressie, and after I'd wheeled it out mybody decided that forming words was far to difficult, so after a few noises I got Sapphire to unveil the bird bath and then promptly disappeared!!
Lunch was lovely. A shared lunch in the garden area. Yummy. I got my class to watch a DVD in the afternoon as it was hot and I needed to get jobs done. By playtime I wasn't feeling to good, and I chundered...just getting to the loos in time! Great! So, I wasn't quite as jolly as I wanted to be when saying bye to my class...I just wanted them gone as I felt so rough! I was then told to go straight home, which I did and had a cold shower and laid on the bed with the fan blasting cold air at me and had a snooze. I did feel better later, which was great, so I managed to go to the leaving to in MK.
We went to the Spice Lounge and had a yummy curry (well a selection of yummy curries actually!) and a boogie. The guy that was singing supposedly won Barrymore's my kind of people. However, I still found him annoying and wanted to batter him with a blunt object to make him stop singing reggae!

Friday was Carl's last day at work and I had to move out of my classroom at school! It took me all day to boxed up my stuff - I had no idea I had so much stuff! I definatley need to sort it out! We had lunch at the Kings Arms, which was nice, and I was fine until I was saying bye to people. I was a bit bleary eyed saying by to Sandra and Cal, but Darren got me once again (sorry!) So I'll apologise again for being such a wuss!! I think it is just sad saying bye to people you have enjoyed working with for years. So bye! I'll be in touch...

Birthdays and stuff...

Busy, busy, busy!

It was Carl's big 30th birthday this week...but he has decided to delay being 30 until we move and can have a big 30th/housewarming party! So, no pressies for Carl...well nearly none! He got some money from rele's and the Angel DVD boxset from me. We are looking forward to plowing our way through that!

After spending the day on Saturday running around and trying to be organised, Sonia and Colin came up for a couple of days before spending a few days in London celebrating Colin's birthday.

The weather is too hot! Sleep is difficult and I must be losing weight from the amount I seem to be sweating (nice image huh!) Oh for a cool breeze!

Ross's Stag Do/Girlie weekend

While the boys were celebrating Ross's Stag Do, I stayed at Lou's to have a bit of girlie time. We drove the guys to the airport EARLY Saturday morning as they were off to Estonia for the weekend! Saturday was spent going round the numerous estate agents in Newbury giving my details ready to look at houses. By the end of it I still didn't know my mobile number off by heart! Chris and the kids came up on Saturday evening which was cool. The guys called us regularly to fill us in on the happenings. Carl called me, very excited as he'd just done a bungee jump! Yikes! Dave videoed it so I'm looking forward to seeing that! Rather him than me...I am too much of a wuss!
On Sunday I had a BBQ at a colleague of my school-to-be's house (if that makes sense!!) which was very nice. It was good to chat without the formal interview situation. I then met Lou, Chris, the kids and Nicky at the Swan in Thatcham, where Jack and Chelsea were enjoying (most of the time) playing with some other children. We did have a funny incident where the table almost tipped over on us! Lou and Sophie got rather wet, but it was funny!!
On Monday I had my shuffle-up-day at my new school, so I have now met my new class. It was quite an intense day, a lot to take in, so my head was pounding by the time I left...and then I was viewing a house! The house was 'ok' so not going to go for it!
The guys came home quite late on Monday, and then Carl and I had to drive home...a bit tired then!

RHCP!

Saw the Chilis in Reading last night! They were great! Every song a classic! Supurb!!

The downside was trying to get home!! We left the car park as Lou and Ross were getting home! D'Oh!

Relocation, relocation, relocation!

So, Carl and I now both have jobs in Newbury! Hurrah!! Carl accepted his on Tuesday and starts in a month! Yikes!!

The Estate Agent came round to value the property and give the speel. Looked good, so we've gone for it! Arrgh scary!! Started the GINORMOUS task of decluttering my room and the lesser task of decluttering Carl’s room. I have so much stuff it is just not funny anymore! I really need time to go through things properly – but that ain’t gonna happen! Managed 1 side of the room so far…

We are now starting to panic....(in a exciting but scary kind of way!!)

Bingo, Wireless and Dad's birthday

I got roped into helping at the RPLS Bingo night on Friday night. It was quite fun actually...my job wasn't too hard...just taking numbers off the number square and checking them. On Saturday Carl, Roisin and I went to the Wireless festival in London's Hyde Park. We managed to get free tickets, which was a bonus! We had lunch at a nice pub off Covent Garden first before heading to the festival. When we got there we saw the Pimms bus and tent and headed straight there for a drink! Now, I've been to festivals before, but I have to say this was obviously one for more sophisticated types (which we obviously are!) We drank Champagne and Pimms sitting at a proper table with a tablecloth and sitting on proper chairs!! We had a great day listening to music, wandering around, eating big ice-creams and drinking! James Blunt was great too, managing to be not too depressing! Eels were a bit of a let down, but Zero 7 (I think that's there name) were very chilled musicwise. A great day out - especially as it was free!
We went swimming on Monday night (30 lengths!) and as it was Dad's birthday (59!!) we went for a drink afterwards to celebrate. Happy Birthday Dad!!

Lou's Hen Do!!

What a fabulous weekend!! We all had a blast and feel we know each other very well!!
Bournemouth was our destination for the weekend of fun. Friday night (once Dori and I actually arrived!) was spent having a few drinks, walking to the beach and collapsing in bed, ready for the BIG day!
Saturday – up early for breaky. Out came the rather stunning pink caps – the start of the pink ladies theme! She also got her dare card! We then got ourselves sorted and headed off to our first mystery activity – well, mystery for Lou anyway! So, Poole Quay it is, for a spot of WAKEBOARDING! Lou’s face was a picture when she found out! Big grins all round!! The guys took us in two groups, so Lou got to go twice! Lou, Bes, Jules and I went first. Lou did really well especially as she was first! It was so cool! Bes and Jules were stars at it. I managed to get vertical, which was an achievement in my book!! We came back to shore and had a few drinks while Lou, Dori, Nicky and Steph went out. I have been told that Nicky and Steph were stars at it too! All in all fantastic (or sweet as the guys kept saying!)
When we were all back, some other ‘chicks’ arrived and we decided to have some lunch. We all had very yummy food, with Lou and Cass getting a little something special! The owner of the restaurant noticed we were a hen party (how, I have no idea…hmmm…maybe the hats were a give away!) and looked at Lou’s dare card and said he’d see what he could do. He then came out with a small bowl of Columbian ants (a delicacy apparently!) saying that if Lou ate one he’d sort out lots of things on her list! It was definitely “I’m a Hen, get me outta here!” She looked a bit vommy – bless! But with some cajoling and with Cass saying she’s do it with her, SHE ATE ONE! Woo-Hoo! So, for this deed she got a free bottle of bubbly, a bow tie, a shot glass and he even stuck on a fake moustache so she could kiss a man with a tash! Superb!
It was then back to the hotel for a quick change ready for mystery activity number 2! Her face when we arrived outside a table dancing club was a picture…I have never seen a jaw drop so far…ever!! We told her the Ross’s stag do party were inside waiting for her to arrive to do a show for them! Ha ha ha!
We went in ready for our pole dancing lesson. The girls were great and the embarrassment factor wasn’t too high…after all everyone was strutting their stuff in front of each other! So we did a few moves on the pole and a ‘sexy walk’ along the wall of mirrors (where I felt like I was a ballerina!) and then we went into the private room for drinks and a chat. Then the girls demonstrated a private dance….and then we were told to pair up and do it with each other!! Well, let’s just say we now know each other very well! Dori and I were partners and were in fits, declaring that we’d be lesbian lovers from now on!! After this we were shown an upside down flippy-hanging-upside-down-thingy from the poles…and told we’d be doing it! Luckily we had help and all managed to hang upside down without injury (not including Jules’ mega bruises!!)
Back to the hotel again ready for the evening of fun! We got Lou dressed up in pink and had some photos of us all together in the hotel bar, while a group of guys sat watching casualty as one of them was an extra in it. He really thought he was god’s gift, watching himself on TV wearing shades…sad!
Surprise number 3 then arrived in the form of a firetruck to take us into town!! Superb! It was then a night on the town, starting in Bar:Me where they had POLES!! Oh yes! It was had to get Dori and Jules off them!! Ha ha! We stayed there quite a while, meeting

various other hens and stags and generally having fun, before we headed off to Elements – with VIP entry (thanks to Cassie!) for more boogying and fun! Lou, Dori, Nicky and I were the last to leave at about 3am (I think!) and we headed off back to the hotel, via the chippy!

On Sunday we went to the beach to chill for a bit before heading home. All in all a FAB weekend! Hope you enjoyed it Lou! We all did!!

Ross's Birthday

Carl and I went to Newbury for the weekend to celebrate Rosspo's birthday. It was a suprise for Ross. Lou was being sneaky by arranging to meet us at the Snooty Fox (what a great pub name!) This plan fell on it's a*se when Ross spotted Carl and myself walking past the pub to the cash machine and immediatley ringing me up to ask what I was doing walking past a pub in Newbury!! Ha ha! Sadly I wasn't quick enough to reply that I was actually in Sandy shopping in Budgens and was he going a bit mad. Uh well! We had a few drinks and chips/kebabs (or salad if you're Ross...back he treked to get what he actually ordered!) en route home.
Saturday I went off to town with Lou to do a few jobs and I managed to buy myself a lovely new skirt and top (Lou made me do it! Honest!) before heading back and watching the England game. Ross's folks, Dave, Jo, Nicky and Putin all joined the party...which was getting warmer by the minute! Lou cooked Rossy a footy birthday cake (I helped a bit!) All in all a good day! Hope you had a good one Ross!

Our holiday in Czech and Germany

The ‘I won’t be going into every scrap of detail here – otherwise you’ll be asleep!’ version

Saturday 26th May, Prague, Czech Republic
When I booked the flight tickets I failed to realise the time we’d have to get up in order to get to the airport. So, yes..it was another early morning – getting up at 2.30am…any point in going to bed you ask?! Of course…there is always a need for sleep!!
So, we get to the airport and check-in is a breeze (not a repeat of Barcelona thank goodness!) and we get on the plane and have front row seats – I’m talking about the front…I can see in the cockpit and everything!! What I expected to see where the pilots beavering away, ensuring everything was OK…but NO! I see them huddled over a bin bag of sweets and crisps, making the terrible decision of what to eat on the flight!! I was waiting for the bag of goodies to be passed down the plane, but alas, we went hungry!!
We landed in Prague airport at 11.30am (after the flight was delayed for over an hour – obviously they got crumbs somewhere important!) and took a bus into town to meet Jeannie, Mark, Caro and Andy. We then dropped our stuff off at the hostel…now, this place made the Quality Inn in NY seem luxurious! (No curtains and pillows stuffed with tapioca pudding!) But, it was a bed and it was cheap! We spent Saturday seeing Charles Bridge (and rubbing the brass doggy for luck) and walking up to Prague Castle, which wasn’t very castle like really! We also saw St Vitus’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace. I did manage to get a photo of the guards, although I am sure if I hadn’t moved they’d have walked over where I was standing, squashing me flat! J though this was very amusing!!

We had dinner in a nice-but-dark restaurant (yummy food) where J was served up half a rather large duck!! We then went to ‘Pub 1’ for drinks, trying out 12 different Czech shots between us – most of which were foul!! After that we went to the Irish pub and played ‘G’day Kylie’ and the ashtray game. My fave was G’day Kylie, with M taking it to the extreme with his drooling Helen impression!

Sunday 27th May, Prague, Czech Republic
After a rough nights sleep (thanks to the French students in the rooms near us - do they have to make so much noise!?!?) we headed back into Prague centre and took a walk around the Jewish Quarter and River area towards Petrin Hill. We took the funicular to the top and then M, Carl and I went up the observation tower (Eiffelovka), which looked like a mini Eiffel Tower, but wobbled more than the Paris version! All of us then went into the Mirror Maze which was very cool and the hall of mirrors, most of which made me look like a dumpy midget (see photo!) We also found the Church of St Micheal (a wooden church which was moved from the Ukraine valley when it flooded) and M decided he wanted to flood the steps with a waterfall Braniac style! (by cutting an empty bottle in half!) We had dinner in a cheap place and had a set menu (150 Kc) and they were the tiniest portions EVER! I could have eaten 2 of the set meals and still had room for more! It was then back to Pub 1 for a couple of drinks, then to a takeaway for more food and then to an English Pub (I know, in Czech and going to an English pub - terrible!) for a few more drinks before heading back to the dive, sorry, hostel on the tram. Luckily the French students had left so a much better night was had by all!

Monday 29th May - Tabor and Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Today Caro and Andy flew home and J, M, C and I began our trip round Czech. We headed south and stopped at a town called Tabor. Having found a handy car park we thought all was well until we tried to park. The ground was so bad it looks as if a meteor had hit! Thanks to M's driving skills (and J, C and I holding our breath!) we managed to park and wander towards the main square, which was very pretty. We then headed out and found a rather full-flowing waterfall! Lots of rain then?! We then went back to the main square for a much needed cuppa - pronounced cherny chi - black tea, with mleco - milk (or Malcolm as M would say!) It was then of to Cesky Krumlov (CK), which was a long drive. Cesky Krumlov was very picturesque even in the rain - and was actually my fave town in Czech. We had lunch and then J, C and I went for a wander. We walked towards the castle, past the ‘bear pit’ (yes, bear pit, a pit with bears in – I kid you not!) and had some lovely views of the town. We then decided to stay at CK the night as it was quite a trek to our next destination. CK is pension city (fyi - pensions are like guest houses in Czech, not money when you retire!) We stayed at a lovely pension up the hill from town (M used his bargaining skills to get us a good deal) and had a lovely meal in the evening. We did try to see the circus but arrived too late – there were no times on the posters so we had to guess when it started…and we were wrong! M did manage to drive the wrong way round a roundabout tho! (In his defence it didn’t look like a roundabout and it wasn’t busy…and he very politely waved the person round who was going the right way!)

Tuesday 30th May – Telc, Kutna Hora and Litomerice, Czech Republic
We set off to our new destination today. After loading the car we set off… the wrong way down a one way street!! There were no signs until we’d done it! So, after turning round we drove around trying to find a way back to the main street. When we did M tooted his horn in delight (ooh err!) and scared a local man half to death! It was so funny – he jumped like a puppet on a string! The image kept us laughing for hours! We arrived in Telc at lunchtime and ate our lunch (which was sneakily made at breakfast!) According to M’s book Telc is “Perhaps the most photogenic town in Czech.” This could have been the case if they hadn’t been digging up half the roads in the town, including the main square! We walked towards the river and saw the water chateau. On the bridge M did a risky photo of us all by balancing the camera on the bridge…we all look a bit tense in that shot!
Our next destination was Kutna Hora. Our trip there was mainly to see the Kostnice (ossuary) in Sedlec where a church is decorated with the bones of 40 000 people (like chandeliers, bells etc)…sounds nice huh! Unfortunately the town itself was pretty scummy and we couldn’t find the church in the town, and we had very little time! Then we realised where it was and it was too late! Rather than stay in scummyville to see it the next day, we decided to crack on and head to our next destination. We arrived in Litomerice as the sun was setting, making for some good photos! The main hotel we spotted was WAY expensive and it took us a fair while to find a pension. M used his bargaining skills again to good effect! After settling in, we headed into town and ate in an underground restaurant…yes…in the ground…like a cave! It was so cool! And probably the best meal in Czech! The waiters were friendly…and helped us with our Czech pronunciation!

Wednesday 31st May –Litomerice, Terezin, Trepice and Dubi, Czech Republic. Meissen, Germany
Our breakfast was served in our room today…more meat, cheese and rolls, but with some interesting pate! The man on the lid is putting a rather large sausage in his mouth…enough said! We had a wander round Litomerice during daylight before heading to the neighbouring town of Terezin. A bit of a depressing town really, but it was used as a WWII jail and Nazi-run concentration camp. We visited the Lesser Fortress and the camps prison barracks. It was quite interesting, but the best bit was spotting a family of otters outside. We watched then through the window for a while before some stupid kid came along and crept up on them, scaring them off. So we decided to get our own back by making spooky ghosty noises. He did look a bit worried, but I think he saw me…I didn’t look very ghost like in my green jacket!
From Terezin we headed to the Czech/German border, having one last meal to use up our Czech money! We drove to Trepice and drove about and then left, deciding it was too much like Luton and not Czech enough! Dubi was the last town before the border and we spotted a restaurace on the main road and went for it! It was definitely a locals place – no English menu here – just Czech and German! We managed reasonably well with my Prague guidebook having a few foods in and we knew a couple of things in German! So after filling our stomachs, and emptying our wallets we set off to the border.
A funny thing happened then. Driving on a road in the middle of nowhere we had the lovely surprise of seeing a few of prostitutes posing in what I can only describe as sheds!! They were prancing around in lacy panties and one of them beckoned to M. Perhaps they wanted some action with J too as she was sitting in the front!! Well, that gave us something to laugh and marvel over!
It was then across the border. Bye bye Czech, Hello Germany!

We headed to Dresden, but as time was against us, it was a drive by only! Our next destination was Meissen, a very pretty town. We wandered about seeing the sights and the views. We were recommended a pension called Pension Orange which was on the way out of town. By the time we went out for food, most places weren’t serving! Luckily we found an Italian place…not exactly German Cuisine!

Thursday 1st June –Naumburg and Quedlinburg, Germany
I am not good at foreign languages. I had a funny incident happen this morning. I was about to go and have a shower and was just going to go into the ladies when the lady from 2 doors down came out and started gabbling away in German. Now, my German is practically non existent, and after about 5 seconds I realised she spoke no English either. She was trying to tell me something, pointing to the ladies. So I said “shower” and did a shower like hand gesture and she nodded. Then she gabbled away about something and I had no clue. Looking blankly at her she then disappeared into her room only to reappear with a shoe. So, she started pointing at the shoe and at the shower. My brain put shoe and shower together and came up with ‘you have to wear shoes in the shower.’ I know. In my defence, it was early! She nodded, thinking I understood and went off. I stood there like a muppet before deciding that can’t be what she meant and headed to the showers. As I was about to open the door a guy, who must have been her husband came out and gave me a sheepish smile before vanishing. So, she was pointing to a shoe…her husbands shoe…so he was in the shower! Makes sense now…kinda!

Our first destination was Naumburg, a pretty medieval town. We stopped in a pub/café for food and as the menu was only in German, the barman tried to translate for us! We all had soup, which was very yummy. We then wandered around the town, looking at the pretty squares and streets and seeing the Dom’s of St Peter and St Paul. There was actually a bit of sun too! Lovely!
Then it was off to Quedlinburg, which was quite a drive. Quedlinburg is a ‘true gem’ apparently, and was very pretty. Lots of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. We saw the Rathaus (Rat-house!), Schlossberg (castle) and the Dom of St Servatili. We had a much needed cup of tea in a rather dodgy looking café. After a bit more wandering time was getting on so we decided to get some supplies ready for camping. All was well until we realised we’d purchases sparking water instead of still. Oops! And Yuck! We then went back into town and found a Greek restaurant. We were served an Ouzo each to start (which we made Carl drink…yes all 4!) The food was great and the waitresses friendly. We were just about to leave when 4 more Ouzo’s arrived! J and I had to have them this time as 2 of them were different and ‘for the ladies.’ Luckily it was better than the normal!
Then it was towards the Hars for camping. This journey took longer than expected as there seemed to be no campsites anywhere!! We eventually found one but it seemed closed for the night. The barrier wouldn’t let us in, but he semi-attempted to squidge through the gap between the barrier and the box. I had visions of us getting stuck and having to explain why we were stuck there in the morning! Luckily M gave up and parked up. We had a walk around the campsite to find somewhere to pitch the tent. En route M took us down a grass slope where I almost fell on my bum and puddles, which I managed to stand in and get wet! In the end we pitched over the fence from the car…and it was FREEZING!

Friday 2nd June –Goslar, Germany
We decided a lazy day was called for today. Today was SUNNY and WARM! Shock horror! So we lazed in the sun, played boules, had breakie, lunch and lots of cups of tea!
Mid afternoon we decided to visit a nearby town called Goslar. It was another pretty town and in the main square a band were playing. How cool! We had a chilled out wander seeing various churches, narrow streets, streams and a watermill, waterfall and monastery. We had dinner in a restaurant near the watermill. The food was yummy and the portions huge! We were all in a jokey mood, being crude and silly. Ma said he had a big bone and liked a good portion. I did a good impression of BA Baracus ‘I pity the fool who has a starter’ which was funny at the time! Anyway, it wasn’t until we were about to leave when we realised the bloke on the next take understood English! Ooops!!

Saturday 3rd June –Hemer, Germany: Conny and David’s Wedding
After getting up very early (6.30am – on holiday!) we packed up the tent and left 2 minutes ahead of schedule! A first!! Our destination was Hemer for Conny and David’s wedding! Having given ourselves ample time, or so we thought, we arrived at the hotel when really we should have been leaving it to get to the church! So, it was super quick getting ready and off! Andreas came with us to help with directions. Luckily the church was closer than we thought, so we were not late! Phew!!
It was a lovely wedding, with the ceremony being partly German, partly in English but with a translation. We even attempted to sing the German verses to the hymns, to our own amusement! Conny looked gorgeous too. We then took a bus to the reception, which was a fair trek. On arrival we had drinks outside followed by tea and cakes (yummy!) We spent sometime outside chatting, listening to live music etc before going in for the meal. The speeches were not traditional English ones: there was a song, a quiz and a speech. In the evening there was music and we did some county dancing, which was quite funny! The cake came out at around midnight and had sparklers! Very snazzy! Sadly we didn’t last much longer. We called a taxi to go home, but were then annoyed as some good music came on!! A very enjoyable day and experience!!

Sunday 4th June –Dortmund Airport, Germany and home
J and M took us to the airport this morning. We were quite happy to be left there, assuming that we could occupy ourselves for the 5 hours waiting time. But alas, when we entered we were in for a shock. 1 shop (small. Everything in German). 1 café. A squillion travel agents! Bum. I have to say, I was very happy to get back to the UK after more than 5 hours in that airport!!

Busy as a bee!

This last couple of weeks have been manic. At school we have had SATs, and I've been job hunting. I had 2 interviews last week and got a job yesterday following my interview on Friday. Everyone at school now knows I'm leaving. It's scary, sad, exciting and various other random emotions!! Now we just need to sell the house, buy a house, move etc etc ...

Still keeping up the swimming and I did 20 lengths again, but found it harder. I was a bit wheezy, but did the lengths in a faster time. Will miss not going next week though :o(

So, we are off to Prague tomorrow! Yay!! Have yet to pack, wrap pressies, sort a wedding outfit, get foreign currency and lots of other jobs, but that is what tonight is for!!

I just hope the weather is nice - I don't fancy camping in Czech and Germany if it is raining, windy and altogether crappy weather.

PS Just checked Yahoo weather - Sat - rain, Sun - rain, Mon - rain! It is looking good!! Germany looks very rainy too :o( Oh bum!

20!!

No, not may age unfortunately, but how many lengths I did last night! I was very pleased with myself - proving I am getting better. Mum and Dad also did 20 lengths and Carl did 34 (show-off!) The good thing was, I felt I could have done more but ran out of time! Hurrah to me!

Toady

Remembered that when we were doing the gardening we found a toad in the garden. Mum started flapping about (she has a fear of all things croaky) and so we had to move it. This is the offending toad...

Toady was found under a paving slab which was propped up against the shed. I don't know how long he'd been living there but he is now a homeless toad. :o(

Sorry Mr Toad. We hope you find a new home soon. Gribbit! Gribbit!

More DIY...

This weekend has been more DIY. On Friday our new hall/landing/stairs carpet was delivered and Carl and Dad spent the afternoon cutting it to the right size (scary!) Yesterday Carl and Dad fitted the carpets while Mum and I went shopping for garden bits and did the garden. It looks very nice now! The carpet is SUCH an improvement! I woke up this morning and went out the bedroom and was taken aback! www.rayspics.blogspot.com for updated photos.
Last night was spent vegging and watching My name is Earl and Greg the Bunny - both funny shows!

Oh and Dad finally got a scooter!! Check it out!! I had a go...boy does it shift!! Very impressed!

In Newbury....

Last weekend Carl and I were in Newbury, Carl for Bert's Stag Do and me for some quality Lou time! The guys went for a curry on Friday night (buying a Dhal or however it is spelt!) and all trying it! Lou and I spent our evening at a Tapas Bar. Well, we nearly didn't as we got asked for ID! ha ha ha! I thought this was most amusing! I think is was me that made them ask as I was wearing a SpongeBob Squarepants t-shirt! We had lovely food, with some seriously STRONG blue cheese, and some yummy wine too!!

On Saturday the boys were at the Reading Beer Festival - they had fun, making Bert dress up in various outfits and do various things (Lou and I got regular photo updates!) Lou and I spent the morning with Jo, practising wedding day hair and watching the new Family Guy DVD. It was then a pub lunch and shopping before settling down with a bottle of wine to watch Black Books. We managed 2 bottles of wine and then ventured out for more wine!! We brought 3 more bottles (one each for another time and one for then!) as it was get one free! I managed half a glass before falling asleep watching Eddie Izzard. Lou didn't manage any of the third bottle! Ooops! I think the fresh air made us sleepy!! We did take some amusing photos though!! ;o)

On Sunday the lads were clay pigeon shooting. Carl was happy as he came 2nd! Lou and I met them in Chievely in a pub for more eating out!!

All in all I had a fabulous weekend (and so did Carl) More girlie wine sessions are needed I think!!

I am sooo tired!

I cannot believe I have been back at school for a week and I am worn out! It feels like the end of term, not the beginning! I need to get some energy from somewhere!!

I did, however, have the energy to go swimming on Monday - trying to get back into the routine after a week off due to a bank holiday and Carl hurting his back. I managed 16 lengths (to Carl's 30!) but felt I was improving!

Last night Carl and I tackled 'The Garden!' Now, we are not green fingered in any way, shape or form, but it needs doing and will be good when it is done! We finished off the patio area (see www.rayspics.blogspot.com/ to see a piccy and our DIY efforts!) and did the new 'bin bay' out front. I got to mix cement which was pretty cool. The next job is the path and I am going to do some pots for the patio area. We're also going to paint the shed and plant a few more flowers. Not much eh?!? And when we are gong to do all this I have no idea, but hey-ho!

Oh, and something that amused me...one of my class was off school as he was ill. He came back today and just before play came up to me and told me why he was ill saying 'I had really bad diarrhoea and I pooed myself!' Too much information! For some reason I didn't fancy my snack after that!!

Cuckoo's, waltzers and the awe inspiring beard

We had a good weekend, having a pretty spur-of-the moment day in London on Saturday. We had some theatre vouchers (thanks to Jeannie and Mark) for our wedding, so we put those towards going to see the matinee show of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' at The Garrick Theatre, starring Christian Slater. We got to London at about 1 o'clock and went straight to the theatre to book the tickets. We could have had £20 seats - front row but having your head at a 90 degree angle and so getting neck ache...hmmm...no. So we went went for the other seats available - which were £45 (gulp!) We did have great seats (and we were sooo glad we weren't front row...apart from the fact I could've leapt up and grabbed Christian Slater had I so desired...maybe the front row seats would've been better!! ha ha ha!) We had a gorgeous meal and wine at a lovely Italian resaurant on Leicester Square before seeing the show. The show was really good and interesting to see 'Big' actors on stage...especially the towel scene...

After the show we went down to Clapham to meet Stojan. We met in the George towards the end of the Liverpool vs Chelsea game. Liverpool won 2:1, which made Stojan a very happy man. We had a few drinks in the pub, having a chat. Stojan and his mate Tom were obviously in awe of Carl's beard as it was mentioned every 10 minutes or so and the both couldn't resist giving it a feel (oooh errrr!) Tom and I discussed Stojans jacket in depth...Tom saying it was obviously a designer jacket...designed by Edward Scissorhands! (It was a pinstripe jacket with frayed edges and demin collar and pocket tops...gotta be sen to be believed!) It was then decided we should go to the fair. I couldn't believe you had to pay to get in! What a con!! The walzers was the first stop. Carl and I were in one and I spent the entire time laughing...even though my neck was hurting - whiplash from a waltzer!! Carl and I did feel a bit queezy afterwards...the problem of alcohol and no dinner before going on fairground rides....not recommended! We then went on 'Music Express' which is a ride where 2 people sit in a carriage and it goes round and one half gradually gets higher - so you are going round a tilted circle. Usually this would be great, but Carl and I felt queezy and I spent the whole time looking at the carriage in front so I could keep the cider down! We had a rest after this and Stojan and Tom went on a couple of rides. We then went on the dodgems, which was really cool, although the force you slam into other people I am suprised I managed to stay in the car! We then called it a night, fair-wise and and headed to the pub for another drink before carl and I headed back home. What a great day!!

Sunday was spent attempting to do the patio...we brought slabs and sand and concrete. We did most of the sand stuff and then it rained. After getting a bit wet, we gave up and sat down to watch a DVD instead!

End of the holidays...

Back at school today...how depressing. Could have done with a couple more days off...I know...I have had 2 weeks already, I should quit moaning!!

Spent most of the bank holiday weekend on the Isle of Wight visiting my in-laws. We came back Sunday and yesterday attempted to do the garden. I actually planted some plants and Carl strimmed the lawn edges and sorted part of the patio. It is getting there - slowly! Oh and I cooked a smashing roast dinner too! Is there no end to my talents!?!?

Going out for a meal tonight with Colin and Sonia to the Wheatsheaf in Tempsford - yummy food here we come!

Things to look forward to...
1. Caro's 30th birthday in Prague
2. Our roadtrip to Germany from Prague
3. Conny and David's wedding in Germany
4. RHCP concert in Reading (Thanks to Lou and Ross!)
5. Lou's hen do...Dori and I have much in store... :o)
6. The Po's wedding!

That takes us from the end of May up to August...hopefully there will be some more events to fill the gaps (i.e. May!) Looking good though!

Scooter-rama

Dad has decided to get a mobility scooter. Seeing as though it is the holidays and all I have been taxi-girl to various scooter places to see what is available. I had no idea they were so expensive!! They go from between £1200 to over £3000!! GULP!! We went to Baldock, Stevenage and Hatfield last Tuesday, where he had plenty of goes trying verious ones out! He went whizzing off round various parking lots - he was in his element! My auntie took him to Biggleswade and Bedford on Wednesday and I took him to Potton on Saturday. Then today we ventured to Milbrook for a nosey. The one that was closest to the one he liked was a bit too big, so it was a no-go there. The guy that worked there was kinda cute, but even that wouldn't sway his decision ;o) I think he's decided to go for the first one he saw and tested...
We've also kept up the swimming. We went last Wednesday and I managed 18 lengths but last night I only did 10. I had a headache and am recovering from a cold...better luck next week. Dad was in a real cheerful mood afterwards - I think he managed 14 lengths - go Dad!
I think the cold came about last Thursday as when I was salsa-ing it was like an out-of-body experience and my head was kinda muzzy. That is my excuse for my poor dancing skills that night and I am sticking to it!! I shall be back to my dynamic self this week...yeah right!

Paris tres fantastique!

We had a fabulous time in Paris...and I even managed to remember and use a bit of French too! It is amazing what you remember after 14 years of non-usage!

Saturday
We set off at 4am for the walk to the train station. We caught the train to Kings Cross and the underground to Waterloo, arriving in plenty of time. We checked in (sooo much easier than at an airport!) and grabbed a bagel and a drink and sat to wait forour train to be called.
We boarded the 8.12am train to Paris Nord and made ourselves comfy. I then decided that I needed a cuppa and headed to the refreshment carriage...which was a mistake! The queue went right around the carriage with one (slow) bloke serving! I was there for what seemed like an age (at was actually about 30 mins!) I thought I was going to get to Paris before getting served! When I got back to Carl, I pointed out that the guys in front were watching Family Guy...my second mistake. Carl then spent most of his time peering through the gap in the seats to watch it!
We arrived in Paris at 11.45 and then decided to head to the tourist information office to pick up our metro tickets and find out where our hotel was!! Our hotel was 2 minutes walk from Pont Neuf, the Seine and a metro station. Ideal and sooo much nicer than the New York 'hotel', but then again...that's not difficult!
Lunch was needed and we ate at 'Cafe du Pont-Neuf' where we ate brushetta and drank wine (yum yum!) After this we decided to see a few sights and churches were the name of the game! First it was off to the Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart). It is on the top of a hill and the views were great, although it was a little cloudy and drizzly. I liked this church the best from the outside as it was 'dome-y'!The Great Mosaic of Christ inside was spectacular. It was then off to see St Sulpice, which I wanted to see as it was mentioned in the Da Vinci Code book! It has 2 huge towers and 2 floors of pillars - nothing like I expected. But one of the towers was covered in scaffolding - something I am getting used to after Barcelona!! Inside it has 2 big holy water fonts made out of shells and a fantastic sculpture at the rear of the church. We then went to Ile de la Cite. We walked around the island and to Notre Dame (see photo). We walked inside Notre Dame and a service was going on. Very strange to walk around, with the other vistors while an actual service is going on! I wondered how the priest managed to concentrate...
We then decided to head back towards the hotel and find somewhere nice for dinner. We walked around a lot and then found another church St Eustache, which was closed by this time but very pretty from the outside (apart from the scaffolding...again!) We then spotted 'the big head', which was a sculpture I'd wanted to find -it was right outside the church! So I got to sit on the 'big hand', as the 'big head' was too high!! It is actually called 'St Eustache sculpture', which, really, is a bit of a givaway to its location huh!
We did find somewhere nice to eat called 'L'Auberge du Louvre', where we ate yummy food and drank yummy wine.

Getting down from the sculpture was harder than it looks!!

Sunday

We had an early start this morning as we wanted to 'beat the queues' at The Louvre. My nifty little guide book said to arrive 20 mins early to avoid the queues...so that was the plan. We found the entrance and marvelled at the queue...all 8 of us! We got in and headed straight for the Mona Lisa, as we knew it would get busy. The Louvre was pretty busy anyway and when we got to the Mona Lisa it was a bit disappointing. No photography (so sorry Caro - no photo of the floor!!) and it is behind glass with security watching your every move. One woman was made to leave for trying to photograph the painting. I thought the painting would be...er...bigger! It seemed like A3 size to me! We looked, over the heads of the crowd and then turned around and saw a much better painting...in fact the biggest in the Louvre - The Wedding Feast at Cana - 67sqm of it! We spent a lot longer looking at this painting than the stamp-size ML! We walked around a fair bit of the Louvre, mainly concentrating on the sculpture areas rather than the paintings. The Egyptian stuff thay had was very cool.We also saw the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo. Then we decided to see the Pyramid, which is pretty cool. Carl wanted to see the Easter Island head (yes…another ‘big head sculpture’!), but when we asked, the information desk guy knew nothing of it, so we headed outside to see the pyramids from there. We passed the main entrance, not the one we went in, and the queues were immense!! I’m talking over an hour to get in! Carl and I looked at each other in a smug way at this point! From the pyramids at the Louvre you could see the Eiffel Tower in the background…see?!?!

We then headed back towards the way we’d come in, still curious about the Easter Island head thing, as Carl had seen something on the way in. We passed the entrance and what do you know?!?! No QUEUE!! Jam-tastic!! So straight in and to the ‘Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas’, my guess as to where ‘the head’ would be…and I was right!! Here is Carl…with the big head! (photo)

I have to say, this area of the Louvre was by far my favourite…and to think we nearly missed it out entirely! I especially liked the big-lips sculptures! We did photos of us with big lips and got plenty of strange looks from people, but did we care? No! Well, not much anyway!
After spending all morning in the museum, we'd worked up an appetite, so we went in search of food. We headed down a few back streets and found a cafe called 'La Coupe D'Or' which looked nice. More yummy food and we were talked into dessert too...which was a very tasty strawberry tart thingy! Yummy!!
Then we headed back towards the Louvre and walked from there, through the Jardin du Carrousel and Jardin des Tuileries to Place de la Concorde, where the rather large obelisk lives. It is only 75ft tall and from a 3000 year old Luxor temple...not bad huh?! From here was the long walk down the Champs Elysees (a place I remembered from year 3 French!) And what a long walk it was!! My feet had begun to do the Barcelona thing (I pulled the muscle in the arch of my foot...again!) which was annoying!
On arriving at the Arc de Triomphe (which was origionally going to be an elephant spraying water...) we decided we'd better climb it! So we did...and I managed to ask for 2 tickets in French and everything! The views from the top were great...you could see just how far we'd walked!! One American guy peed us off when he asked his on how many steps there were. The boy said '217' to which dad replied 'I counted 218. I knew you'd be wrong.' What a supportive dad! Had I known how many steps there were myself, I would have said something, not in a confrontational way, but in an i'm speaking loud enough for you to hear me way!! There are 284 steps, in case you were wondering...
From there we took the metro towards the Eiffel Tower. We got the Metro to the Trocadero so we could walk to the tower via the Jardins du Trocadero, for the views. The tower is pretty huge, and not like I expected at all...not sure why as I'd seen enough pictures and seen it from a distance. It is just so immense...and brown!!
We didn't go up the tower as we had that booked for tomorrow, so we headed out towards the Opera area of Paris for a drink. We found somewhere and had crepes and more wine...yummy!
It was then back to the hotel to get sorted and refreshed. After 'dinner' (which was McDonalds as we were in a hurry...a bit of a joke with Carl and me really as it was the first thing we ate on our honeymoon...that's what you get when you arrive at about 11pm and have no idea where any eating places are!) we headed off to the coach tour of the illuminations. The tour took us round lots of Paris but unfortunatly you couldn't always see what they were talking about (as the coach wasn't an open top bus!) but we did see a very sparkly Eiffel Tower, which was cool! We got back at about 11.30pm...worn out and knowing we'd have to get up early for the trip tomorrow...

Monday

Up early again for the coach tour around Paris. This one was much better as we had front seats and it was light!! The tour took us round the main Paris highlights (Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, Hotel des Invalides, Pantheon, Notre Dame, Place de la Bastille etc) which was great as we hadn't seen some of these places. We then had a boat cruise along the Seine, which was very pretty, before a trip up the Eiffel Tower (avoiding the entrance queues!!) We did have to queue to go up to the top floor though! The views from the top were great! One of my favourite buildings, the Hotel des Invalides, is the golden dome building in the background. After the Eifell Tower, we wandered around the Trocadero area before heading back towards the hotel for a late lunch (it was about 3 o'clock and we were rather hungry!) We decided to eat at 'Cafe du Pont-Neuf' again as they had 'Block de foie gras de canard et ses toasts' (duck pate with toast...apparently very french?!?) which was very yummy. I then had roast cod which was melt in your mouth delicious and Carl had steak, which he said was very yummy too. And more wine was drunk.... We then headed to an off-licence to buy some wine to take home before heading back to pick up our bags from the hotel and getting to the train station to catch the Eurostar home. We eventually got home at about 11pm...and collaspsed!

...and the holidays begin!

What a week. I am glad it is the end of term! I am shattered!!
Went swimming on Tuesday and managed 18 lengths - hurrah! Was determined to beat last time of 16 lengths!
Had a bit of an 'icky' incident at work yesterday when one the kids in my class shut is fingers in the fire door in my classroom. Lots of blood and nails being bent the wrong way - gruesome! I was in a bit of a panic really...I don't mind the blood so much, but the fingernails being bent and torn was just gross! I rushed him over to the office and we bandaged him up. He was pbviously very upset, but he could have been worse...he wasn't screaming the place down! Luckily it was about 15mins before school ends and his mum had obviously left home already to collect him. The rest of the class were complete stars though, sensible while this was happening and obviously concerned for their classmate. It turns out he'd broken a finger and lost a nail, but he was very brave!
Looking forward to going to Paris tomorrow...except the getting up at 3.30am to catch a 4.30 train! Best get some sleep then.....

My 30th Birthday

Centre Parcs!! What a fab place! We had a great weekend....

Friday

We left at 4.15pm...slightly behind schedule, and arrived in St Albans to pick up Conny and David at 5 o'clock. We set off and decided to risk the M25....this was a mistake! Traffic jam a-mundo! But, we did notice a rather odd looking vehicle which made the whole M25 thing much more entertaining.
We came along side it a few times, trying to work out what it was and found the brand name was 'Superior.' Superior what? You may ask! Well after closer inspection, and some careful driving by Carl, we got the model number - SH10000. So, no clue there. More driving and waiting to come along side this strange contraption and we saw that it was a 'Rotary Calculator' and there was a website. David got his binoculars out, but the writing was to small :o( Then I thought I'd get a photo...but, alas we didn't manage to get close enough again before we left on the M4! However, Conny took note of the details and sent me this marvelous picture!

No idea what a 'Superior Rotary Calculator' does? Check out http://www.willmallon.com/rolling/index.html to have all your calculatory questions of the rotary variety answered!!

We arrived at Centre Parcs at 9.30pm (yes...over 5 hours...) and unloaded the car. The others hadn't been their long either, so Nicky, Dave and Carl all headed to park the cars and I tucked into a can of Strongbow and began to chill out with Putin, Po, Loue and Jo! Caro, Andy and David arrived shortly afterwards, with Jeannie and Conny after that (when they'd parked up) and Mark last off all...getting a lift to the villa...jammy!

Much fun was had with my quacky duck, a bicycle pump, a helium balloon, M-Nah M-Nah dancing and alcohol!! Jeannie, Mark, Caro, Andy, Conny and David left at about 2.30am (I think) and the rest of us crawled into bed at 3am!

Me and Jeannie with my fabulous quacking duck and 30 balloon (thanks to Cal and Darren! I said I'd take it with me didn't I?!?!)

Saturday

We all got up at a reasonable time and attempted to sort out activities. Nicky had tried to be organised the night before, but the numbers didn't seem to tally! So we chacked with our villa before Nicky and I headed to the other villa to check on the others and what they wanted to do. We then caught the land train to Jardin de Sports to attempt to book things...most things were pretty chocka, but we managed to book line dancing for Saturday, badminton, 3G swing for 4 and roller skating on the Sunday. Sadly the 'pampering stuff' was all fully booked :o( The rest of our villa then met up with us and we went shopping for BBQs and stuff in the shop. We then decided to have pancakes (which made Putin very happy!) En route we bumped into Conny and David, Mark, Jeannie, Caro and Andy...so pancakes for all!!














The Pancake house... and the 'helpful' menu.

We managed to get in straight away...which amazed me as seating 14 people near each other at lunchime normally just doesn't happen! After careful study of the menu, David discovered that you could have a traditional pancake (£4.10) with a scoop of chocolate ice-cream (for just an extra £1.35...that's £5.45), but you could have the chocolate heaven for £5.40 (which also includes a flake) So David added a helpful message to his menu so people wouldn't fall into the trap. It says 'Why not add a scoop of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry ice cream for just £1.35 - to which David replied "because that would make it 5p more than chocolate heaven!" I wonder how many people have been saved from this pricing blunder?! All that said, the pancakes were very scrummy and BIG (I had to have help eating my fresh fruit pancake - thanks Jeannie and Mark!!)
Swimming was next on the agenda! What a fabulous pool!! The rapids were ace...though we all got bumps and bruises to show for it!! The hot tub was bliss too... Dave, Carl, Putin, Lou and myself all did the cold plunge too...oh for a camera...our faces were a picture!! After a couple of hours Lou, Nicky and I left the boys to it and prepared to meet the others for line dancing. We got a call from Jo to say it was cancelled which was a pity, so Conny, David, Mark and Jeannie played table tennis while Andy watched the rugby and Caro and I played pool. I must say, Caro is one of the finest players ever...if the balls aren't where they need to me, she just knocks them all with the cue in a wipe the table fashion!! We laughed so much we could barely breathe, let alone pocket any more balls!!
We then headed back to the villas to prepare for the BBQ. Carl and Dave were already on the case and did a fantastic job of being the BBQ kings!!


Happy birthday to me!!

After we had eaten it was time for me to open my pressies! I was amazed I'd lasted all day!! I got some fabulous pressies...the Buffy boxset (all the episodes...over 100 hours of viewing pleasure...), inscribed photo frame (so will have to choose a photo of my birthday to go it it!!), 2 CDs (Hard Fi and KT Tunstall), a cute big bear ornament, a t-shirt (shiny happy people!), a bracelet, some books (including one about leaning to belly dance!!), a stamper (which says "Mrs Hassett says well done"...my kids will LOVE this!), a cushtie, some farting putty (thanks Darren! - this was the most popular of my pressies...I am suprised it isn't all farted out!!), a lovely 'weekend away basket, and some other bits and pieces too. I also got a CD of music from the year I was born, which had the Wurzels 'brand new combine harvester' on it! Classic!! We than played the longest game of Jenga ever and had some more drinks.

I had the lovely suprise of a birthday cake at about midnight too. We then started to head off to bed at about 12.30am.

Me posing with my cake...I blew the candles out too fast!!

Sunday

I got up at about 9am and decided to cook a fry up for everyone who wanted one. This was a good plan...but it took about 2 hours to do! The grill was dire...it would have been faster to cook the food by leaving it in the fridge! Lou helped me in the kitchen...what a team!So, at just after 11...we tucked into breakfast!! Very yummy!
The first port of call was badminton at 12.30. I haven't played for years...since I was a school! I really enjoyed myself and didn't play too badly in the end...even when I was attacked by shuttlecocks (thanks Ross!)









Camp Dave! Reading to swing!

Our villa then headed towards the 3G swing (or G-string as I like to call it) as Carl, Dave, Lou and I had decided to go for it! The guys running it were great...made us feel relaxed and made us laugh! carl decided to go first and seemed as cool as a cucumber! A couple of other girls went next, who spent most of the time giggling hysterically! Then it was Dave's go...who didn't look too worried at all! Next was Lou, who seemed a bit more apprehensive (especially when the guy said 1,2,3 go really quickly!!) and lastly me. I was fine until I sat in the edge...and I swear there is only an inch of your butt on the edge and only a safely cord attached to your back that keeps you from falling! At this point I was cacking my pants, although not literally! Apparently I looked as though I was about to cry!! Anyway, no 1, 2, 3 go for me....oh no! They decided to sing happy birthday...and then I realised I had no idea when he would let go!! As soon as he did it was fabulous! Swinging with no effort required...leaning back with your arms out!! Fabbo!

Carl preparing to jump, Dave relaxing and Lou mid flight!


Me...nervous...then enjoing my swing!

It was then back to the villa for a spot of lunch (at 3.30!!) before heading back out for some roller skating action! This is where Carl was in his element - showing off by zooming round and skating backwards! The 'rink' could have done with being a bit bigger and some music would have been good, but you can't grumble at £3! After skating we had another game of pool...Carl and I were on the wonkiest table ever...all the balls just rolled to one side! Not helpful!!
We then went over to Huckleberrys were we were all having a last Centre Parcs meal together. The food was very yummy...I had Chilli (suprise suprise!) and there was so much I couldn't eat it all..which is unheard of when it comes to chilli!!)
It was then time to head back to the villas, pack up our stuff and head home! I wish I could have had Monday off school! I'd have spent the day in the pool!! As it was, Conny, David, Carl and I left shortly after the others (Carl and I hadn't packed up anything beforehand! Ooops!) and Carl and I finally got home at 1.30am! (A slightly shorter time of 4 hours, but we did hit traffic on the M4 due to an accident and have to go via St Albans and Bedford so it wan't bad going!) I tried to kept moral up by singing 'I've got a Brand New Rotary Calculator' (to the tune of the Wurzels) a few times...but I didn't really know the words!

So a fantastic, although tiring weekend! Thanks for coming guys! It's one birthday I won't forget!!