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!!