York.

Carl and I went away to York for the weekend last weekend. We left home at about 1.30pm and arrived at our destination at 8.15pm! Yes, we travelled on a Friday, but even I wasn't expecting such an awful journey. We hoped to arrive at 7pm!!

All was well...at first. We kept our ears peeled, listening to Radio 2's travel updates...hearing that the M25 was more like a car park than usual! Luckily we didn't have to go that way. The first nightmare (which I usually miss out when telling the story) is our near death experiences on the M1. The first one was us driving along in the 2nd over taking lane when an idiot in a new 57 reg car pulled out in front of us. When I say 'in front of' I mean 'if Carl hadn't put the brakes on, into the side of.' He obviously has no idea what mirrors are for, and when Carl beeped him (to say 'Oi, we were there!) he decided to slow down! So we pulled in and let him get on with it. A bit further on, we were back in the 2nd overtaking lane when suddenly everyones brake lights went on. There was smoke, squealing tyres and we missed the car in front by millimetres! We think it was the idiot from earlier, pulling in front of people...and if it wasn't, we like to blame him anyway!! We got going again and heard that the M1 was backed up for miles, so we got off to take an alternate route....which was all fine and dandy until the stretch of road that goes onto the A1...where we sat for 90mins...most of it with no reception, so it wasn't until the last 30mins we could phone the B&B to let them know we would be late...only to discover the cutting off time was 7pm and no one would be there to let us in! Luckily, the lady we spoke to was lovely, called us back and said she'd leave the key with the landlord of the pub next door...phew!!

So, after all this we finally get to York. We parked up in a public car park (the B&B one was full due to our late arrival) and headed off to find food. We were hungry, miserable and had bad heads! Great start to a weekend away. Carl fancied a curry, so off we went in search of a curry house. We passed a takeaway, minutes from the B&B and headed into town. After an hour of walking around, we decided to go for the takeaway and steal borrow knives and forks from the B&B. On arrival, I notice the sign says restaurant and takeaway...something that wasn't clear when walking the other way! So in we go. The food was OK, but I was feeling pretty awful, so we took the rest to go in a doggy bag. No sooner had we got outside I felt really sick. We got as far as the car park before projective vomiting...twice! At this point we decided to just write off the day and go to bed, hoping for a better day on the Saturday!

Luckily it was a much better day! After a yummy breakfast and lots of tea, we felt ready for the day ahead! We went to the Minster first, going up the tower (where we could see our B&B), in the understudy/crypt and exploring the Minster in general. On our way out, via the gift shop, we heard a strange noise outside and went to investigate, only to see York being invaded by Romans! They were having some kind of show in the market place and were marching about advertising it. We then went to find somewhere to have lunch. Being picky, I wanted somewhere that wasn't a chain or fast food, and wasn't horrendously busy. After walking around for a bit, we found a little cafe and had more cups of tea and lunch. In the afternoon we went to the Jorvik centre, which I enjoyed. Carl went years ago, when it first opened. We went in the car around a Viking village and looked around the museum. We then had a stroll along the shambles, popping in the shops and trying not to but things! We then decided to pop back to the B&B and drop off our purchases before finding somewhere else to have a cup of tea. We had seen a tea room earlier that seemed very popular as it had a huge queue outside. It was called Betty's Tea Room (or something similar!).The queue was a bit shorter now so we decided to go there. We queued for a while, but managed to get in a bit early as we were a couple and the queue in front were in larger groups! We had teas with finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam and a selection of mini desserts all served on a silver 3-tier tray. Very posh! The sandwiches were delicious (smoked salmon and chicken! Not together though), the scones were nice, although the cream and jam made it a bit sickly for me so Carl had one and a half! The mini-desserts were lovely too! It was then back to the Minster for a Ghost Walk, via a pub for a quick drink! When we arrived the place was heaving! We weren't sure it it was all people for the walk, or people outside the Minster having a go on the 'light-art' (microphones rigged up to lights to when you shout into them the lights on the Minster change...it's better than I have described it!) About 120-150 people were for the ghost walk...being Halloween weekend it was rather busy! We walked around parts of York, being told Ghost stories. The guy doing it was brilliant. He had a way with words and managed to arrange everyone so they could see and hear him. After that we booked our dinner at Cafe Rouge before having a drink in another pub. Dinner was delicious and all in all we had a fabulous day!

On Sunday we had breakfast and left at 9.15am, worried about the traffic and not wanting a repeat performance of Friday. Our journey home only took 4 hours, so we had the afternoon and evening to chill out, and get ready for the worktops to be fitted in the kitchen!

Check out the video!

Check out my gorgeous nephew saying my name in my previous blog entry. I am a genius...it runs in the family! :o)

HE CAN SAY MY NAME!!!!!

The kitchen is coming on...slowly! We (and by we I mean mainly Carl!) has been doing bits each night after work. Right now our weekend away can't get here fast enough!!

So, from the list, we have:
- removed brambles from back garden (this took me ages..and was painful too!)
- sprayed the new(ish) fence panels (the 1st two took ages...as I hasn't pumped up the spayer enough...I was too woosey! Also, it took sooooo long I missed BA on Monday!)
- finished plastering the socket area and other bits
- moved another socket that was in a stupid place...and the wire runs across where the door will be! Why is nothing ever easy!
- brought more bits from B&Q - including a new sander!
- at the moment, Carl is sanding all the pasterwork!

We still need to:
- rewire the sockets (washing machine and dishwasher)
- level up all the cupboard doors
- pit the end panels in place
- clean up the mess!
... before we go on holiday tomorrow!



On a much more exciting note...JOSHUA CAN SAY MY NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He seems to like my name. Ray is a word that can be shouted and elongated...a lot. I went 'home' yesterday to see my folks and family and had a lovely time. Thanks M&D for letting me use the washing machine...and sorry it is now broken! I am sure it wasn't my fault! I got to see Joshua twice - he has changed so much! He is sooo chatty and loves vehicles - cars, buses, lorries and woo-woos (trains!) I think he knows quite a lot...much more than when I saw him a couple of months ago. He is such a sweetie! I even experimented and managed to get a little video of him saying my name imported into Blogger. Rayyyyyy!

I also met up with Gail from RPLS and we had a lovely chat over a cup of tea...for two hours! Maybe we should have brought refills?!?!? We were far to busy catting up on gossip and having a good natter...after all, it had been over 12 months of chat to catch up on!

Right...I am hungry...I am off in search of food!

More kitchen DIY...

It is now half term! Hurrah!! I had a lovely lay-in this morning...and it was still a struggle to get out of bed...especially as we now have the thick winter duvet on - snuggletastic!

The last week of term went well...but slowly! On Friday we had 'English Civil War Day' in the Lower Juniors as part of the local history we are doing. We had 21 re-enactors come in who told the children about muskets, pikes, weaving, food, drumming, surgery etc. A great day was had by all...and a super end to the half term!

On Friday night Putin, DL, Carl and myself watched Cthulu Mansion - a cheesy 80s horror flick. It was pretty shocking, with a random storyline and no real baddie! After watching and taking the p**s out of it, I went home and left the boys watching some other film. One was enough for me!

The weekend has been DIY overload, with more to do before we go on holiday! We:

chiseled out a hole for the sockets to be moved to
brought lots of bits from B&Q
moved the sockets and started to plaster them in
cleaned the cooker
tidied the 'sunroom'
started tidying the lounge and moved the table and sofa
removed all the worktops and sink
levelled up all the units and fixed them to the walls

put a shelf in the cupboard under the sink

filled in the pipebox to stop giant spiders attacking (and for insulation)

put the worktops back replumbed in the sink
trimmed the bush outside the front door

We still need to:
finish plastering the socket area and other bits
sand the walls
rewire the sockets
level up all the cupboard doors
remove brambles from back garden
spray the new(ish) fence panels
buy more bits from B&Q

Apart from the DIY, we did watch the rugby (disappointing) and Blades of Glory which was hilarious. Carl laughed so much at one point we had to stop the DVD...then he rewound it to watch it again!!

So, I am off to B&Q now, to get more supplies, before spraying the fence panels. I am going to Attack tonight (as I didn't go yesterday) before cracking on with more DIY this evening. Tomorrow I am going into school to do some planning with Anna, in our attempt to be organised. Then Wed and Thurs I am back 'home' to see my folks before going to York on Friday. Can't wait!

Going on a holiday!

With only a week until half term and our plan to go to Germany coming to a dead end, Carl and I decided we needed a weekend away. So, we will be off to York for a weekend at the end of half term! I only booked the B&B this morning and it has been confirmed. 2 minutes walk from York city centre - should be great!
Over half term I am also going to go 'home' and visit my family. I expect Joshua will have grown (and I've been told he is becoming more mischievous by the day!) and I have instructed mum to practise saying 'auntie ray' at every opportunity!!

4 teaching days till half term (the fifth is Civil War day...so doesn't really count!!)

Wine Festival, Football and Rugby

Yesterday we went to Newbury's first wine festival. We went to the wine masterclass first, where we tasted 2 pinot noir wines and was told how to taste them properly. We then went to the festival part, where there were lots of wine stalls and plenty of wines and cheeses to try! There were plenty of yummy wines, and between us all, we purchased a fair few!
After the festival we watched the Estonia vs England Euro Qualifier match at the Berkshire Tavern. Noo, Lou and I left at half time to do a spot of shopping (which was good timing as the 2nd half was a bit pants we were told!) Noo and I 'Trinny and Suzannahed' Lou and she now has an outfit for Nolan and Mel's wedding in a couple of weeks. On our return, we all ventured to Lock Stock for another drink before the meal. Sick Boy and Joey joined us for Noo's birthday meal at Prezzos. The wine was a bit pants after all the good wines we had tasted at the festival though! After our fill, we went to Chicargo as they had the rugby on! Sitting next to Poot was a bit scary (he really wanted to cause the French pain!) After a close game, we won! Hurrah!!
It was then back to the poot residence for a nightcap (a cuppa!!) and we watched 100 greatest stand-ups.
We all ventured home at about 11.30, and I was not feeling great. I know it wasn't because I'd had to much to drink or mixed my drinks as I'd only had the wine festival wines and a glass and a half of wine with the meal. Still, at 1am (I needed to see who the number 1 stand-up was - it was Billy Connelly (with Eddie Izzard coming in 3rd! Yay!!)) I chundered projectile stylee. Nice. I reckon it must have been the fish in my food :o( My tummy is still a bit sensitive today...so no BA this morning!
Still, apart from the vom, a good day was had by all!!

Superheroes, Poot and Orion!

Last Friday it was Noo's birthday. Her actual birthday celebration will be today, but we went to the Cock Inn for a few drinks on Friday to say Happy Birthday.

Sonia and Colin were up for the evening...and I am not quite sure what they thought of us by the end of the night...because...

we revised our 'superhero names.' This was a conversation we had weeks back - what our superhero names would be. So, Joey is 'Kitty Girl' with the power to diffuse fights with her purring power, Louey is 'Poochie Girl' (this was one of the better names, which didn't sound like she was being dirty with dogs!), who is Kitty girl's arch nemesis, by creating unrest by barking! Putin is 'Poostick' (can you guess where this converstaion went?!?!?) who has the ability to poo and fill holes in ravines...the point of this superpower, however is unclear! Carl is obviously Putin's arch nemesis, being 'Buttplug' - enough said! Noo is 'Fact Girl,' which she reckons is a little boring, although I think she may be the one to solve evil schemes of supervillians! Dave is obviously 'The Tank' - and I see him as some kind of transformer!! Po is 'Fin Boy' (although the fin was missing that night!) who uses his fin as a weapon or for whisking things! I don't actually remember my proper superhero name (if anyone remembers - let me know!) but it was something to do with my embarrassing dancing on the Centre Parcs video and my power was to disctract people with my awful rave moves!

If Colin and Sonia didn't think we were completely bonkers after that conversation, there was the whole 'I dare you' session. Putin was dared £5.83 to let someone write 'Poot' on his head with tomato ketchup! I volunteered, and would be getting £1 per letter! I almost did it too, but the barman, and the rest of the pub seemed to turn around just as I was about to, and I chickened out!!

On the way home, Carl was rather drunk and tried to look up at the stars while walking, which was quite unsuccessful. He kept looking up, staggering and saying 'Look at Orion,' in a gimp like fashion. Of course, Poot and DL did superb immitations of Carl's gimp walk!

On Saturday, Colin was very poorly sick - too much beer! We had a chill out day watching Saw 2 and 3 and having a scrummy chilli for dinner!

On Sunday Carl and I went to the tidy tip (after I'd been to BA) and cleared out the garage of boxes! Yay!

The rest of the week has been fine...but very slow! Now, with a couple og hours to go, looking forward to the Newbury Wine festival!

No interesting title for this blog update...

It is now October? When did that happen? I am hating the darker mornings and am struggling to get out of bed. If I am like that now, what on earth will I be like when we change the clocks? I dread to think.

So, school has been busy... too busy! I am not liking the new strategy and planning from it is a big pain in the butt - feels like I'm reinventing the wheel...again!

Last week I was poorly sick with a bad cold. I phoned my mum Tuesday evening and she said her and dad had the lurgi...by 10pm I had it! I had no idea you could catch it over the phone! Must be a new strain!! ;o) So, there was no Body Attack on Thursday or Sunday for me. On Thursday it was an effort to move, let alone run around like a loony for an hour!

Carl's folks came to visit this weekend. I was still feeling rough so we ended up watching a lot of TV and eating out! We had a gorgeous meal out at The Sun In The Wood (after playing crazy golf - I came 3rd...2nd if you don't include the last hole, which takes as many shots as the other 8 holes put together!) and we had Sunday Roast at Toby Carvery on Sunday. Yum-tastic!

Apart from that, we had a lovely curry at the Flitter-Brookes household, along with some Viking mayhem in the form of Pathfinder....sadly we had to leave halfway through due to arrival of the in-laws.
Carl and I are catching up on TV stuff and how now seen Lost season 1 - a little behind I know!! Season 2 disk 1 has arrived and so far we have watched episode 1. Would like to have watched more but maths planning got in the way :o(
Lou and I had a lovely girlie catch up a couple of weeks ago, which was great. It felt like we hadn't seen each other properly in ages, and after a drive around Beedon and the surrounding villages, we ended up in Newbury town eating pasta!

Can't think of anything else I have done, but then again I seem to have a poor memory of late!