Sunday Morning Musings - Part 54

They say that when faced with adversity, we humans spring to the fore and face it head on, and so with this in mind, faced with a gripping programme, loo breaks, and forgetting about pausing live TV, last night presented one of those moments, and faced with the task in hand, adversity was beaten into a second place with no prize.



Next time you are desperate to get into a tub of Cookie Dough ice cream, and can't be bothered to use the scoop, saw the damn thing in half with a sharp knife. *disclaimer - Never use a sharp knife without parental consent, or without the aid of a responsible adult, after that you are on your own!

We've had a relatively quiet "catch up with R&R" weekend, and it's been a joy, to be finished off tonight with a little live Jazz in Milton Keynes village, and if the weather holds, a picnic. The most strenuous thing I did yesterday was slow roast a shoulder of lamb, and ironing a whole weeks worth of shirts for the both of us today was a big deal! Although, we are going out on the bikes this afternoon for a small ride, .... I could almost get used to this whole bike thing (OK, we shall see)

Right I'm off to check tyre pressures, and more than likely struggle with all the junk around the bikes trying to get them out of the garage or shed.... have a great week folks

London Bikeathon

Only One Week left folks - and I have managed to reach half way on my sponsorship, so I am pleased.

However if you feel the urge for one random act of kindness, then feel free to chip in. I'm not proud, I'll take Rand, Euros, Dollars (Oz, NZ and US), Sterling, IOU's, loose change, cash, cheque, bank transfer and candy from babies. Or you can always just click on the Just Giving Widget, or click on my homepage.

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 53

So I have been wondering how to start the blog entry for this weekend, and yes, I know it is late again, but hey, I like to be predictable.

I'm picking up from Morgan and letting you know where I normally sit and type into the ether, with a little meme called "Show me your desks". As you can see, it's a grand little desk, but a tad impractical to get your knees under the decor finials underneath. I like the laptop stand as it has an integrated keyboard, and "runs" the rest of the peripherals, like the speakers and second screen. I happen to be a big fan of Logitech peripherals, as I have never once had anything go wrong with them, and what is more, they all plug into a "green" unit so when I power off the laptop, the rest power off too, a very natty bit of kit. Feel free to ask what the rest of the stuff is, if you feel inclined to be inquisitive ;o)

The weekend started with sitting in at home on my early finish on Friday (on a nice sunny day) and waiting in for the boiler to be serviced.. quiet maddening really, because if they could pin down a time within at least an hour, I could have got a haircut (I need one) and done a few errands. As it was, I sat on my tush, finished a book, and was about to give up when he (said boiler chap) arrived. Still, it means that we can expect no nasty surprises, everything is tickety-boo and we still made it to the pub for 6pm, in time to celebrate Karl's birthday.

It's been a week of celebrations, with baby Mia being born to our friends Dave & Donna, baby Felix being born in sunny South Australia, to Paul and Max, and another birthday celebrated on Saturday with one of Peter's oldest friends, Peter (yes it can be confusing sometimes). Add in birthdays for Olivia in NZ, Gill here near us, and finally Paul (our resident action man) over in Pidley, quiet a week indeed! I hope everyone had a good time ;o)

Saturday at Peter's was an excellent evening, and big thanks to his wonderful lady Ali. We stopped over in a local hostelry so we could take full advantage of their hospitality and catch up with some old and new acquaintances too. A big thank-you to my other kebab skewer-ers, Andy and Henry, it was a good laugh and after all that meat that we skewered, only 4 were left over, not bad at all I think.

Apologies if I haven't caught up with more people over the past few weeks, it has been pretty exhausting, with so much happening, and this wonderful warm and sunny weather hasn't helped sooth fractious nerves. Plus points for the weather..., well the salad leaves we planted are doing well, the toms look healthy, the potatoes look fantastic, and I can't wait for the peas and beans to grow.... watch this (green) space ;o)
Have a great week, and if you remember just one thing this week, then think on that no matter how bad it gets, someone, somewhere, is having a much worse time, so spare them a little thought... .. .

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 52

So I'm a tad overdue, but hey, it's been a funny couple of weeks.

A week last Friday saw us gearing up for an easy weekend, until that is, I got the call from my sister to say that while on holiday with my Aunt, my mum had collapsed and had been admitted to a Hospital about an hour away from us. So as you can imagine, any remote plans where shelved, beds where changed, bathrooms spruced, and within hours both my sisters where on their way to us, with me getting update from the Hospital, and then giving them all my contact details "just in case". As it was, mum was ok, but her blood/oxygen absorption levels where ridiculously low and they wanted to keep her in on Friday as a precaution, and keep her on assisted breathing overnight.

Come Saturday, we had to call back midday to see if they would discharge her, so Peter went shopping for breakfast and papers, my sister Noreen ironed two weeks worth of shirts, and Angie and I went off with the cameras (last weeks snaps). As it was we managed to get mum home safe and sound, shaken but not stirred.
She's supposed to be taking it easy, but the last time I spoke with her, she had done a little washing, made some lunch then popped into town on the bus to do a little shopping..... you just can't keep the good ones down ;o) A big thank you to all the staff at the new, and massive, University Hospital in Coventry, you where brilliant.



The weekend seemed to shoot past, the working week was manic, and then bang, another weekend over and back to work today.

The weekend just gone though was spent with friends in a wonderful little place called Lymm in Cheshire, where we stayed up with some old friends, and two of Peter's god children, and we had a really lovely time.

There was a whole load of adults and children, and along with the great weather we spent time catching up, walking to a lovely little green and playing rounders, messing around and dodging the kids with the super soaker water guns. Kenny and Julia where gracious hosts, and we where well fed, and pretty well watered too!
It was good seeing Amanda and PJ and son Luke (who baffled all of us by asking us to sort out his Transformer... until Amanda sorted it!)

Isn't it a fine thing when you can catch up with folks you haven't seen in such a long time, and pick up as if you where talking yesterday. it's an even finer thing that you can feel so relaxed visiting friends that a short weekend feels like you've had a much longer break.

Sunday saw us meeting up with Kenny & Julia and the 4 boys (Tom, Chris, John and Mark - all really great lads) for a good walk around the Dam, then lunch at their local pub, the Church Green. With a decent platter to share, good beer, chips for the boys, and a cracking tree to climb, I think Chef/Proprietor Aiden Byrne has it pretty well sorted. I'd like to go back and try either his lunch or dinner menu.

And here we are, a couple of weeks have passed, with a few ups and downs. Michael Jackson has hopefully gone to a place he can be at peace with, because I think for all his talent, he was a troubled soul. Andy Murray is through to the quarter finals at Wimbledon (why, oh why, must they stick a microphone under the nose of every damn athlete that has just literally finished their thing... let them catch their breath for Christ's sake). Mum is back on her feet, and the best news of all.. Our good fiends Dave and Donna, just had a little baby girl this morning, Mia. You just can't get any better than that can you .... have a great week folks.

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 51

Apart from these taken over the weekend, I'd like to point out the widget on the left, in case anyone is mad enough to want to sponsor me for my Bikeathon. I'll catch up with everyone in the week.

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 50

So - what does a book on erotic sex, a magenta ink cartridge, and a pair of black sequinned converse trainers have in common?

Answers on a postcard please, because I haven't a clue, but Amazon thinks I might be interested in two out of the three, because I put one of them on my wish list. I'll leave it to you to wonder which item I wanted......... it should be obvious though!



I'm sat in the kitchen this morning, feeling a tad muzzy after going to Fernando's birthday bash last night, I may have had a glass of wine too many... or is that too many glasses of wine...hmm.
It's glorious out there too, I have the big glass wall of doors all opened up, and I'm not quiet sure if I need to go out and silence all the tweety birds. I think I'll just make coffee, french toast and bacon, then I'll feel at one with the world and nature, and try and not to think of it all crashing down when I go back to work tomorow... ho hum.

As for the Mini Cooper, well, when is a Mini not a Mini? well, when it's one of these....



................ quiet possibly one of the best Wedding cars I have ever seen. Have a good week, may the deity of your choice go with you (Pratchett fans, you have the best choice) and take care

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 49

So for the first time in ages I get to post before midday... which is always the plan, honest!

I'm skipping over the working week, as this is my time, but enough to say that the team I used to work a lot more with, is under an enormous amount of pressure, enough for some of them to start looking elsewhere, which would be a great loss to the business. Businesses forget at times that with long term staff, it's not what they do now that is important, it's the knowledge they have built up over the years that can be equally, if not more, important. People can always step up to the mark and perform, but it's there knowledge honed over the years that is business gold, and not all of it can be written down to be picked up later. It's a difficult line to walk between keeping a business afloat and keeping the staffing levels keen in this current climate, and stopping personnel imploding under pressure. Getting caught by the fallout effects everyone. So much for skipping....



The next topic I take full blame for.... the rain! It's all my fault, I put the small table outside onto the deck, and took the hard top off the Stag last weekend, hence the predicted 40 days of rain we now expect ( well o.k., maybe not 40 days, but it rained like hell last night, of on and off the past week.)
Still, it is good for my potato planters outside, which need some attention, and believe it or not, the sun is shining right now, so I may have to get out there, and sort them out.

For some reason it was an early start again this morning, sans hangover, as plans for a night out last night where scuppered by someone else's hangover (Karl). So me and the man had a quiet night in, in front of the goggle box, catching up on all the recorded stuff. And because we where up early, toast and coffee and the papers are out of the way, and here I am posting before the midday clocks strike... don't get used to it, it could be a one off, unless the sun stays with us for a while!



Yesterday I spent most of the day running wedding photos through software, for Clare and Andy. You'll remember we went to their wedding in Brighton, a month ago today, so we are catching up with them this afternoon, to see if they are happy with them (fingers crossed, this was my first, and maybe last) Once I get a nod of approval, I may post one or two, as they where a super couple, the venue was fantastic, we caught up with friends and we had a fabulous time all round.

Have a great week, I'm of to earth up potaoes, prune a bay tree, and since it's Derby weekend, trim my box.....

London Bikeathon | Leukaemia Research

Sunday 19th July - we'll be there!

London Bikeathon | Leukaemia Research

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Sunday Morning Musings - Part 48

Not wanting to feel left out, I have actually posted this dandelion picture before, many months back

Scary Minds and More

Say hi to Wendy up in the Highlands, when you get a mo. I could be envious of the fact that she is up in the Highlands, so gets fab light for photography, or could it be that she has the cutest dog in the world! Both are fair game for envy! However, she does post some great recipies, photos and posts, so I'm happy to throw her in at the deep end with all my favourite other bloggers. Cheers

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 47

Well, another bank holiday weekend upon us again, and for once the weather is superb (Something must be wrong somewhere!)



We have had old friends visiting Friday and Saturday, and it was good to see them. It gave us an excuse to go to one of my favourite farm shops, about 5 miles up the road (it is where we bought the cheese from, for our ceremony), and we managed to pick up not only the first of the Fresh English Strawberries of the season, but some wonderful Asparagus as well. Needless to say, we ate well over the weekend!



The working week has been a bit hectic as I have been working off site, at the Building Research Establishment, for the past few days, as we are exhibiting a modular building there for a forthcoming event. It has been a real strain getting everything together, but also a real buzz, so overall, it has been a really exciting project to work on. I'm glad I'm surrounded by the people we had working on it too, as they have been brilliant, especially the pressure they are under. They know who they are, and how much I rely on them, and for that I am always grateful.

This week also saw two friends moving away from the area for a new home, new challenges and soon to have, new baby. We caught up with D&D on Thursday night, as they stayed with us for their last night, before the big move, and they will be missed. Also this weekend, an ex-colleague got married to his fiancé, so another new start for a newly married young couple. We couldn't make the reception, so here's hoping it went well for them, certainly the weather was brilliant and I hope they had a fantastic day.

Now, remember those pictures I posted of my father, from when he was billeted in the US during the war? Well my sister Angela has managed to find another piece of the puzzle, in the form of two photographs, one of Mrs farmer, and one of her Daughter, called Lorraine. Both pictures are from January 1945, and they both detail the house (and snow).

Now Lee over at Pink Granite, has been playing sleuth on her side of the pond for me, and even came up with a fantastic link from Google Street maps, of the house, but before this picture was found. I have been sat here trying to work out why the features of both homes where so different, and I think Lee, that Google tricked you into looking down Ferdinand Place, as the following link is one I found for Coligni Ave, and whilst the home is different, I think it could be the same but remodelled at some point, what do you think?



This has become a bit of a quest, for no other reason than it would be lovely to meet the family that looked after my father so well, while he was away from his home, family, friends and more importantly, my mother. So Lee, if you fancy digging your ace sleuth badge out of your sock drawer, game on!

One moment of sadness passed my way this afternoon, as my mother called to say that my Aunt Betty (from my father's side) passed away this morning. We where never too close, but I always remember my visits to them (my Uncle John passed away some years ago now) with great fondness. They lived for many years in a wonderful Northumberland town called Corbridge, and it was always a pleasure to go and visit them at the Black Bull, a pub they managed for many years.

Have a good week folks, may the deity of your choice go with you (or not)

Sunday Morning Musings - Part 46

Well this weekend was a pretty hectic Birthday weekend. We spent Friday and Saturday with friends, staying over with P&E in the wonderful Cambridgeshire countryside.



Friday night saw us all at the Pidley Mountain Rescue/Broughton annual May Ball, all togged up and raring to go, and a good night was had by all.

Saturday was pressies, cards, and breakfast with P&E, then lunch with one of Peters old college friends and her family, hubby and the three boys. The eldest of the three is Peters godson, and we don't get to see that much of them, so it was really nice to catch up. Saturday night saw the majority of the May Ball crew coming back together at P&E's for the Eurovision Song Contest, to sit, eat great food, drink and enjoy the spectacle (we don't take it that seriously and we do have a great laugh)



Sunday was a lazy breakfast then home to iron shirts for the week and chill. I had a great weekend, and thank Peter, P&E, G&F, J&A and their gorgeous baby, and all the crew for making it special.

I haven't mentioned much too, about the wedding we went to the other weekend. There will be more from that once the happy couple are home and have seen the photos. Have a good week folks