I've just spent 2 days in Nottingham - courtesy of work. I was sent down there to do help out with a resource shortage on a major project.
The hire car I was given had enough gadgetry in it to make Michael Knight envious. TFT display dashboard, in built Sat Nav, Bluetooth, USB port, a jack socket for my i-pod, text message display, pushbutton ignition, electronic parking brake, oil slick, ejector seat, machine guns etc.
Had to spend some time programming and configuring the Tech before I could think about driving away. The first thing the car did after pushing the button to start the engine, was to display a warning telling you not to get distracted and drive carefully!
I got to stay in the Crowne Plaza in the city centre - some fun and games negotiating the one way system to find this - even with a Sat Nav. Google Street View had proved useful the night before in helping me to recognise the location.
They gave me a room with a view - it overlooked the entrance to the Rock City nightclub, which explained the supply of courtesy earplugs and courtesy homeopathic sleep remedies. Fortunately it doesn't appear to be open on a Monday night.
Took the opportunity to visit some Old Friends, who treated me to tasty home cooked Tapas. Their younger daughter bakes a scrumptious chunky choc chip bun. Mmmmm! It was great to see them again, and have a guided tour of their new home/building project.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Sad Friday
Last night I was going to post a few holiday photos from a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get around to it, and currently not in the mood as I received some awful news that a good friend died last month. I wasn't even aware that they were ill as they'd kept private about their sudden serious illness.
I'm glad that I met up with them again last year - didn't know that it was going to be for the last time.
I'm glad that I met up with them again last year - didn't know that it was going to be for the last time.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Old Friends
Drove over to Rawtenstall last night, to meet up with a bunch of old friends from college days (and beyond) and a semi-surprise 40th Birthday celebration for one of them.
We went out to the White Bull in Crawshabooth for a few beers (Copperhead Dragon - an excellent pint!), and then onto the Indian Harvest Restaurant - which conveniently is in the upper part of the same building.
Lots of catching up, reminiscing and a very tasty curry - then caught a taxi at 1am back to the house and carried on the conversations, and drinking until bedtime at 3am.
Up at 11am for strong coffee, fried breakfast, fond farewells and driving home.
Quote of the weekend from a small child early in the evening, as the adults were arriving was "Mummy, - those people look like Rock Stars!"
We went out to the White Bull in Crawshabooth for a few beers (Copperhead Dragon - an excellent pint!), and then onto the Indian Harvest Restaurant - which conveniently is in the upper part of the same building.
Lots of catching up, reminiscing and a very tasty curry - then caught a taxi at 1am back to the house and carried on the conversations, and drinking until bedtime at 3am.
Up at 11am for strong coffee, fried breakfast, fond farewells and driving home.
Quote of the weekend from a small child early in the evening, as the adults were arriving was "Mummy, - those people look like Rock Stars!"
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Sheffield
My best friend from school, who I haven't seen for a number of years, contacted me via a networking site.
He's living with his family in Sheffield, and invited us to come and visit last weekend. We went across on Friday night. Frodo and Samwise always enjoy 'sleepovers'. They were a little unsure beforehand about having to play with girls - but were fine with this when they got there.
A weekend of good food, wine and catching up.
We took the children swimming at Ponds Forge Leisure Pool on Saturday afternoon. This has a wave machine, and a "Lazy River" i.e. a current that circles the pool, where you can grab a float and go round and round. Both of these were new experiences for Frodo and Samwise. Frodo who had been swimming in a real river on Tuesday, particularly enjoyed being carried away by the current.
Frodo and Samwise were introduced to Club Penguin. I had to give parental authorisation to two accounts that were created for them.
Some more old friends came over from Leeds and joined us on Saturday evening, so more food, wine and gossiping into the early hours.
We had a barbecue on Sunday, and finished off with chilling out to the third Pirates of the Caribbean film.
My younger Sister lives a few streets from where we were staying, so we popped over to her house for a cup of tea, before we headed back home across Snake Pass.
So a great Summer weekend that came out of the blue thanks to the interweb - we'd almost lost touch. It's been a good year for reunions.
He's living with his family in Sheffield, and invited us to come and visit last weekend. We went across on Friday night. Frodo and Samwise always enjoy 'sleepovers'. They were a little unsure beforehand about having to play with girls - but were fine with this when they got there.
A weekend of good food, wine and catching up.
We took the children swimming at Ponds Forge Leisure Pool on Saturday afternoon. This has a wave machine, and a "Lazy River" i.e. a current that circles the pool, where you can grab a float and go round and round. Both of these were new experiences for Frodo and Samwise. Frodo who had been swimming in a real river on Tuesday, particularly enjoyed being carried away by the current.
Frodo and Samwise were introduced to Club Penguin. I had to give parental authorisation to two accounts that were created for them.
Some more old friends came over from Leeds and joined us on Saturday evening, so more food, wine and gossiping into the early hours.
We had a barbecue on Sunday, and finished off with chilling out to the third Pirates of the Caribbean film.
My younger Sister lives a few streets from where we were staying, so we popped over to her house for a cup of tea, before we headed back home across Snake Pass.
So a great Summer weekend that came out of the blue thanks to the interweb - we'd almost lost touch. It's been a good year for reunions.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Camping by the River
Or to be more accurate Llan Gwynant campsite, at the foot of Snowdon in Wales.
Took a couple of days off work, and met up with some old friends and their family yesterday. They were on their way to Scotland, travelling up from Cornwall, and were camping for a few days in Snowdonia. We'd arranged to meet up and spend a night camping with them. No need for our tent, as they have a 14 man tent, so plenty of room. We took some food, and the rest of our camping gear, so there was plenty of stools and chairs for everyone to sit on, and a table to sit round.
It was a brilliantly sunny day yesterday. Just right for a plunge into an icy cold mountain stream. Our pals had wet suits, but Frodo and I are made of stronger stuff. Samwise had more sense - put his toe into the water and asked where the warm parts of the river were?
Had a great time last night, drinking, reminiscing and swapping stories. Frodo spent his time collecting quartz from the lake shore and stream, whilst Samwise enjoyed making friends with the other children, and trying out one of their Isla Bikes.
The rain pelted down all night, and we woke up to find that the clouds had come down from the mountains. It stayed damp for most of today, with a dry spell for a few hours in the afternoon. There was still plenty to do round the campsite, and enthusiastic children braved the river again.
We'd like to have stayed longer, but I can't afford the time off work. So packed up and goodbyes to everyone at teatime today. Our friends should be travelling back from Scotland at the end of August, so we've invited them to break up their journey with a visit to our house around the Bank Holiday.
Took a couple of days off work, and met up with some old friends and their family yesterday. They were on their way to Scotland, travelling up from Cornwall, and were camping for a few days in Snowdonia. We'd arranged to meet up and spend a night camping with them. No need for our tent, as they have a 14 man tent, so plenty of room. We took some food, and the rest of our camping gear, so there was plenty of stools and chairs for everyone to sit on, and a table to sit round.
It was a brilliantly sunny day yesterday. Just right for a plunge into an icy cold mountain stream. Our pals had wet suits, but Frodo and I are made of stronger stuff. Samwise had more sense - put his toe into the water and asked where the warm parts of the river were?
Had a great time last night, drinking, reminiscing and swapping stories. Frodo spent his time collecting quartz from the lake shore and stream, whilst Samwise enjoyed making friends with the other children, and trying out one of their Isla Bikes.
The rain pelted down all night, and we woke up to find that the clouds had come down from the mountains. It stayed damp for most of today, with a dry spell for a few hours in the afternoon. There was still plenty to do round the campsite, and enthusiastic children braved the river again.
We'd like to have stayed longer, but I can't afford the time off work. So packed up and goodbyes to everyone at teatime today. Our friends should be travelling back from Scotland at the end of August, so we've invited them to break up their journey with a visit to our house around the Bank Holiday.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Work Hokey Cokey (in, out, in out...)
Late shift/on-call at work this week.
It's only Wednesday, and already I feel like I've been in for a fortnight.
Monday - finished at 18:30, back in for 20:00, phone rang half way there to tell me planned job had been cancelled, but I still needed to go back in to re-enable a backup.
Tuesday - finished at 18:30, back in at 20:00, job took 2.5 hours. Home at 23:00. Just about to go back to bed at midnight when the phone rang, called in for 2 hours to fix a problem.
Phone rang tonight at 21:00. Luckily this time just for info.
Roll on next week, when I get a couple of days off. Couple of family meet-ups with some old friends planned.
At least the kids are being entertained whilst I'm at work. Frodo and Samwise are both attending a Summer activity camp at a local P.E. college - they appear to be enjoying it. When they're not doing this it's either a cinema trip, or playing De Blob on the Wii.
It's only Wednesday, and already I feel like I've been in for a fortnight.
Monday - finished at 18:30, back in for 20:00, phone rang half way there to tell me planned job had been cancelled, but I still needed to go back in to re-enable a backup.
Tuesday - finished at 18:30, back in at 20:00, job took 2.5 hours. Home at 23:00. Just about to go back to bed at midnight when the phone rang, called in for 2 hours to fix a problem.
Phone rang tonight at 21:00. Luckily this time just for info.
Roll on next week, when I get a couple of days off. Couple of family meet-ups with some old friends planned.
At least the kids are being entertained whilst I'm at work. Frodo and Samwise are both attending a Summer activity camp at a local P.E. college - they appear to be enjoying it. When they're not doing this it's either a cinema trip, or playing De Blob on the Wii.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Summer Day, Summer Night
Visited some old friends yesterday, who live in Rawtenstall Lancashire. Took the boys with us to play with their children, and to have a sleepover.
It was a scorcher of a day. We had a great time chatting, drinking and eating whilst the kids splashed in the paddling pool, and explored the huge hillside garden at the back of the house.
After a cracking barbecue'd feast the cool evening was warmed by a roaring log fire in a chiminea. This provided a focal point for the wine-drinkers to keep going until after 11, when it was time to let the fire burn out and move into the house.
The boys didn't get to sleep until after 10pm. I was woken by Samwise at 4am, who had woken up with a nosebleed. I sorted this out for him and put him back to bed. Then up again around 8:30 am to give two over-excited and hungry boys breakfast.
Frodo discovered the attic room at the top of the house, and was enjoying the view from up there. Samwise enjoyed playing with the other children, and loved the Guinea Pigs.
We headed home in the early afternoon - taking two teary-eyed boys with us who'd had far too good a time - they always love staying somewhere else, and never seem to want to go home!
It was a scorcher of a day. We had a great time chatting, drinking and eating whilst the kids splashed in the paddling pool, and explored the huge hillside garden at the back of the house.
After a cracking barbecue'd feast the cool evening was warmed by a roaring log fire in a chiminea. This provided a focal point for the wine-drinkers to keep going until after 11, when it was time to let the fire burn out and move into the house.
The boys didn't get to sleep until after 10pm. I was woken by Samwise at 4am, who had woken up with a nosebleed. I sorted this out for him and put him back to bed. Then up again around 8:30 am to give two over-excited and hungry boys breakfast.
Frodo discovered the attic room at the top of the house, and was enjoying the view from up there. Samwise enjoyed playing with the other children, and loved the Guinea Pigs.
We headed home in the early afternoon - taking two teary-eyed boys with us who'd had far too good a time - they always love staying somewhere else, and never seem to want to go home!
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Crazy Nights
An old friend, who I haven't seen for a few years (but have known for about 26!) surprised me with an email today, just as I was about to leave work to fetch Frodo from school.
He's down from Glasgow to attend a conference tomorrow, so I managed to get a "pass out" from home to go out for a few beers with him at short notice tonight.
I'm really glad that I did, as it was truly great to see him again. Lots of catching up and reminiscing. Beer, burgers and chips at Blue in the Albert Dock.
(He went to see KISS in Mannheim last week - hence the title of this post).
He's down from Glasgow to attend a conference tomorrow, so I managed to get a "pass out" from home to go out for a few beers with him at short notice tonight.
I'm really glad that I did, as it was truly great to see him again. Lots of catching up and reminiscing. Beer, burgers and chips at Blue in the Albert Dock.
(He went to see KISS in Mannheim last week - hence the title of this post).
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Email from Oz
Sent brief Birthday Greetings on Friday to an old pal in Australia that I hadn't been in touch with for some time. Pleasantly surprised to find that her email address is still valid, as I've just picked up a reply.
Nearly time for bed, so I'll reply to her tomorrow when I've got more time (i.e. when I'm at work!).
Nearly time for bed, so I'll reply to her tomorrow when I've got more time (i.e. when I'm at work!).
Friday, 23 March 2007
Haven't blogged for a bit.
I really must get back to blogging again. Further updates on our trip to Rome also to follow soon - hopefully before we head off on the first of this year's two trips to Snowdonia.
Not been up to much over the past couple of weeks. Wished a couple of old friends (who are getting older) Happy Birthday - which was cool as we got down to some text and email chat. Found out where they were and what they're up to now.
Red Nose Day came and went. As always, we stayed up for the comedy, got upset by the pictures of people much worse off than ourselves, and bunged off a donation to pay for 10 lifesaving mosquito nets. A few days later I recieved an email to say that our donation had bounced. Being wary of a possible phishing scam I've carefully checked this out, and it looks like they genuinely didn't get my donation, so I'll have to send it off again.
Had the car MOT'd yesterday. I've yet to drop a vehicle off at the garage and have it pass first time, even when I've also requested a full service. Needed a new track rod/bearing joint this time. Went to Nationwide at the top of Penny Lane/Smithdown Place who have been OK in the past. The car is out of warranty now, so there's no point in going back to VW who would charge the same price just for the oil change, without doing any work, say they've taken the wheels off and had a look - without even taking the hubcaps off and then try to charge me for a bottle of "top-up" screenwash fluid - even though the screenwash is full.
Frodo had a major joint assessment yesterday - i.e. he was examined, tested and discussed by his teacher, headmistress, educational psychologist, speech therapist and school doctor and parents. He's making progress, and looks like he will continue to make progress, but really needs to have a boost to assist his language difficulties, which are probably holding back his progress in other areas.
Had to fob off the idiot doctor chairing the meeting who was suggesting the use of drugs to increase his attention - Frodo is not hyperactive so they wouldn't be appropriate. Apparently the drugs have similar effects to cocaine - hmmmm maybe I need to sort out my attention difficulties...
Net result is that it's recommended that Frodo attends a school next year that has a dedicated language unit to help him, with a view to bringing him back to his current school when it's appropriate to do so. The school's that have these resources tend to be in the most deprived areas, so that they can get the funding (the more "free school dinners" you have, the more money you get!). He could go into the mainstream of the school with the language unit, but that would be a school that is 97th in the league tables, whereas his current school is about 4th.
Next we've got to visit a school or two, and have another meeting with teachers, advisory teachers etc - to make sure that we think this decision is OK and see if a place can be sorted for him for next year.
Not been up to much over the past couple of weeks. Wished a couple of old friends (who are getting older) Happy Birthday - which was cool as we got down to some text and email chat. Found out where they were and what they're up to now.
Red Nose Day came and went. As always, we stayed up for the comedy, got upset by the pictures of people much worse off than ourselves, and bunged off a donation to pay for 10 lifesaving mosquito nets. A few days later I recieved an email to say that our donation had bounced. Being wary of a possible phishing scam I've carefully checked this out, and it looks like they genuinely didn't get my donation, so I'll have to send it off again.
Had the car MOT'd yesterday. I've yet to drop a vehicle off at the garage and have it pass first time, even when I've also requested a full service. Needed a new track rod/bearing joint this time. Went to Nationwide at the top of Penny Lane/Smithdown Place who have been OK in the past. The car is out of warranty now, so there's no point in going back to VW who would charge the same price just for the oil change, without doing any work, say they've taken the wheels off and had a look - without even taking the hubcaps off and then try to charge me for a bottle of "top-up" screenwash fluid - even though the screenwash is full.
Frodo had a major joint assessment yesterday - i.e. he was examined, tested and discussed by his teacher, headmistress, educational psychologist, speech therapist and school doctor and parents. He's making progress, and looks like he will continue to make progress, but really needs to have a boost to assist his language difficulties, which are probably holding back his progress in other areas.
Had to fob off the idiot doctor chairing the meeting who was suggesting the use of drugs to increase his attention - Frodo is not hyperactive so they wouldn't be appropriate. Apparently the drugs have similar effects to cocaine - hmmmm maybe I need to sort out my attention difficulties...
Net result is that it's recommended that Frodo attends a school next year that has a dedicated language unit to help him, with a view to bringing him back to his current school when it's appropriate to do so. The school's that have these resources tend to be in the most deprived areas, so that they can get the funding (the more "free school dinners" you have, the more money you get!). He could go into the mainstream of the school with the language unit, but that would be a school that is 97th in the league tables, whereas his current school is about 4th.
Next we've got to visit a school or two, and have another meeting with teachers, advisory teachers etc - to make sure that we think this decision is OK and see if a place can be sorted for him for next year.
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