Christmas Eve

Shopping all finished and house looking good. All ready to celebrate Christmas. Off to church at 7:30 for carol concert followed by mass.

Jonathan doesn't finish work until six o'clock then has the long drive down and the weather isn't too good. With some luck he should be here by ten.

Merry Christmas to all.

Half Term in Criccieth

A great start to our half term break. Weather is great; had an excellent meal out; some good real ale sampled and walks in beautiful countryside. Let's hope the rest of the week continues like this.

Spy Games

Yesterday Jonathan and I met up at 'Spy School HQ' in Milton Keynes. A great day out doing loads of fun stuff. We started with a look at surveillance equipment then off for a shoot up. Team game to start, then all in last man standing. Jonathan and I were the last two. Next was unarmed combat. We looked at how to disarm someone with a knife and gun. This was followed by some rifle shooting and assault tactics. To finish we did some axe throwing. This all helped build up an appetite so we found a lovely country pub for lunch.

Whitstable

Had a great birthday weekend at Mark and Howard's in Whitstable. A perfect weekend all round: good company; breakfast overlooking the sea; cycling along the front; eating the local oysters and the weather to match. All this followed by a wonderful meal at the Dove at Dargate in the evening.

Sunday had us cycling again before going off to Canterbury for lunch and a look round the famous city.

Sue and I didn't want to leave and would probably be quite happy to live there. The high street was not made up of the ubiquitous chain stores that make most places indistinguishable from one another. As a matter of fact they are banned.

It's back to school now but I do have next weekend which I am looking forward to immensely. A weekend away in the Cotswolds.

End of second week

Two weeks gone and still a week to go. Now rely relaxed. Had two days visiting places, Pons and Cognac so just lazing today.

The young adults went to a local disco last night. Waiting to find out what they thought about it. They must have enjoyed it as I was supposed to pick them up at half two but got a text message that they wanted to stay longer and would get a taxi.

End of first week.

First week has been great. Feeling relaxed. The weather has been scorching hot so it had to be early bike rides. Jonathan and I have played a few games of tennis too. A lot of time has been spent in the pool and reading.

Went to the Chene Vert for a meal on Saturday. Gisele, the owner, was her usual charming self. She showed us around her gallery after and explained her work. Interesting. Her style is so unusual. It is so different from Nigel's, the owener of the gite where we are staying,(www.nigelmetcalf.com ).

Let us hope the next two weeks will be as good. Planning to do some canoeing with Jonathan down one of the local rivers and a visit to a local french brewery.

Royan and Talmont

The girls wanted a day at the beach so we went to Royan. Hired a beach tent as it was so hot. Later went to a picturesque fishing village called Talmont 15min south of Royan.

Getting into the holiday mood

Saturday was a glorious daywhen we arrived but Sunday began with rain. Things cleared up in the afternoon and I was still able to go for a swim. Today is back to the hot weather we expected. A quick dash to the market for food and now a relaxing day around the pool. Will probably go cycling later when it cools down. Just finished lunch so back to the pool.

French Leave

Arrived safely in France. Had my fish soup and mussels for lunch. been for a swim in the pool and now relaxing outside sipping a little red wine. It's late but still really warm. Bats flying around and an owl hooting in the trees nearby. A good start to the holiday.

Weekend in the Yorkshire Dales

Saturday was our 28th wedding anniversary so decided to to have a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales. Drove up Friday night after Sue had finished her exam marking; I had spent the day at Manchester Science and Technology Museum. We stayed at Cononley Hall, Cononley, just south of Skipton. Would recommend the Hall and location.

Saturday was a glorious day at went walking near Bolton Abbey and The Strid. Sunday was a mixed day. Took Sue to the Bronte Parsonage and museum in the morning but we broke down on our way back and had to be relayed home. Good news is the car can be fixed, nothing too serious and will still be driving it to France next week.

Had a lovely summer meal at John and Teresa's last night. Not too late a night as too much to do today - report writing and uploading exam results.

Would like to comment on the Lion's rugby game but have to be careful until my brothers in the USA have seen the game.

Gabby seems to be enjoying her trip the USA. Packing a lot in. Cousin Matt has taken her shooting.

Week-end reflections.

Just watched the Lions lose the second test with the final play of the game. Gutted. They came so close to winning or at least getting a draw and keeping the series alive. With a little more luck they possibly could have been 2-0 up in the series. A little more discipline and a cool head would have seen us through. Only pride to play for now next week.

As for the family. Gabby is visiting the family in the U.S. A 21st birthday present. Had a few days to settle in and is now having a girlie few days in the Big Apple.

Sue is busy with her exam marking.

Jonathan is still looking for a full time job up in Norwich. Is giving his future some thought. He has a few ideas.

May Bank Holiday in France

Saturday
Up early, 3am on Saturday, for a 4 o'clock drive to the tunnel. John (Pell) doing driving this year . Made good time and in Rouen for lunch. After a bagette and a glass of beer we had a walk round some of the historical sites. A few more drinks and back to hotel for a spruce up and out for our evening meal. Decided we dine at a restaurant we had eaten at before,  "les Maraîchers". It is among the oldest on the Place du Vieux Marché. As its name says, it was where the market gardeners (maraîchers) sold their vegetables on the market, met and had dinner (http://www.les-maraichers.fr/). Tried the speciality of the house, veal head, lovely.

Sunday

Mass at the cathedral Sunday mornin

g and then a drive in the countryside south of Rouen. Lunch and a walk along the banks of the Seine. Beautiful setting around the village of Poses. Back to Rouen and get ready for another night on the town.

Monday

A bit of shopping then begin drive home. Lunch on the quayside at Dieppe. Then Calais and home.

Great weekend.

All good things come to an end

Last day before a new term beginnings. Short half term coming up, 4 weeks. Taking things easy, having worked earlier this week, reading paper, booking Gabby's flight to U.S.A. and planning next weeks trip to Rouen.

Easter Break

Having a good Easter break. Been to Cardiff with Sue and Jonathan to see the Blues beat Toulouse in the Heineken Cup quarter final. Sue's first visit to a major rugby match. Loved it.

Easter Sunday - Full house with Gabby and Jonathan home, Pells, Matt's girlfriend and Darren, Gabby's boyfriend. Great day. Introduced Darren to Risk.

Good weather at the beginning of this week so have been out. Visited a few National Trust properties.

Sue back to school tomorrow. I have one more week so I can just relax.

Sunday 29th March 2009

Gabby has been home for the weekend. Had a birthday party to go to. Everyone dressed up. Have a look on her Facebook page.

Good weekend of sport. EDF Rugby Cup semi-finals. Ospreys go down but Cardiff Blues win.

First F1 of season and good win for Jenson Button and his new team.