...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!!

Swimming and Centre Parcs

Swimming was fun on tonight - the goggles really did make me a better swimmer! I was more confident and not worrying about water in my eyes which was great! I even managed 16 lengths! Hurrah!!
Centre Parcs tomorrow. Yay!

What a shock!

We went to Martin's suprise 50th birthday party on Saturday night. As usual C and I were rushing around and were a bit late. Only about 10 minutes late mind you, but this is crucial at a suprise party when you don't know the arrival of the surprisee! I was worried we'd bump into them outside the house or something! Fortunately we arrived before Martin and Lynn so we could relax.
When Martin and Lynn arrived shortly after and Martin walked into a room full of people shouting SURPRISE his face was a picture! He had absolutely no idea whatsoever!! We had a lovely time, chatting to the salsa bods consuming yummy wine... Unfortunatley Dawn and Kevin (the hosts of the party) had cats and although we didn't see much of them poor Carl lost his voice and his eyes started to run, so we ended up leaving at about ten thirty. A great evening though...well done Lynn for keeping the secret so well!

Sunday was spend doing odd jobs around the house and watching a couple of DVDs. We watched 'White Noise' which we found pretty scary. It is about dead people communicating with the living via white noise or snow on TVs (which apparently happens (EVP reseach is being done) and 1 in 12 messages are threatening!) Well... it managed to get me a bit freaked...no watching snow on the TV when there's no signal....definatly worth a watch, although the ending could have been better.

Feeling fine...

I am so glad it is the weekend! This week seemed to go on forever and not in a good way.
The beginning of the week was fine. Swimming was cool - I managed 12 lengths (Carl did 22 but he was just showing off I think!) I think Wednesday was the day it all went pear shaped. Ended up in tears and feeling crap. Didn't sleep particularly well either so I looked hideous the next day and was asked by numerous people if I was ok. 3.20 Friday just couldn't come fast enough!! Watched TV and vegged with a nice glass of wine last night which was bliss. We went into Bedford today and managed to get swimming goggles. I am sure having them will greatly improve my swimming capabilities!!
Only 6 days to Centre Parcs...hurrah!

Another weekend draws to a close...

We have had another 'not-doing-much' weekend this weekend. Carl has been at work both mornings this weekend. I have now finished 'Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman and am rapidly reading the 2nd book, 'The Subtle Knife.' It took me quite a while to get into the first book for some reason, but once I did it was hard to put down!
Popped in to see Mum and Dad this morning and Nan and Uncle Bill were there (who I haven't seen since my wedding 11 months ago! Ooops!) It was nice to see them.
Trying to make a list of things I would like for my birthday (as instructed by Carl) and not doing very well. I can usually think of lots of things, but not when I have to! My list has 2 things on it so far.....must think harder!