Well, we've almost recovered from last weekend (grin). Thursday night we set off to Birmingham, stopping at the Perry Barr Travelodge, then Friday morning it was on down to Mildenhall & Bury St Edmunds for cousin Lucy's wedding at Hengrave Hall.
Saturday was spent in Bury St Edmunds & Colchester, with nephew Wilfred's Christening on the Sunday. Sunday night & Monday morning in Birmingham with Aunty Pat, then home on Monday night.
It was a great weekend on all sorts of levels - the wedding itself, catching up with the Abbott side of the family, watching all the children tearing around the garden at Cambridge road, quiet night in Birmingham, visiting Uncle Ron's memorial. Thank-you to everyone!
Friday, 17 September 2010
Monday, 13 September 2010
Date: 19th August 2010
Half-Moon Cay
After yesterday's late night, we slept through breakfast, and had a very slow start.
By the time we were all sun-screened and ready for the beach, it was just after noon.
By a handy coincidence, the tender got us ashore just as Peter & Patrice were walking past the dock, so we all went for lunch together. Lunch was a big barbecue - burgers, hot dogs & chicken with potato salad, salsa and lots of fresh fruit.
After lunch we went down to the beach. Half-moon Cay is a private island, rented from the Bahamas government by the cruise lines. It has a beautiful white sand beach and pale blue water just like you see on the post-cards.
At one end of the beach, by the promontary around the marina, there is a small reef. 
We spent two hours snorkelling over it with the children, seeing several different corals, fan worms, a school of zebra fish, and several other types of fish we don't know the names for.
We made the last-but-one tender back to the cruise ship, at 4 o'clock, soggy, sun-burned and very tired, but very happy.
Half-Moon Cay
After yesterday's late night, we slept through breakfast, and had a very slow start.
By the time we were all sun-screened and ready for the beach, it was just after noon.
By a handy coincidence, the tender got us ashore just as Peter & Patrice were walking past the dock, so we all went for lunch together. Lunch was a big barbecue - burgers, hot dogs & chicken with potato salad, salsa and lots of fresh fruit.After lunch we went down to the beach. Half-moon Cay is a private island, rented from the Bahamas government by the cruise lines. It has a beautiful white sand beach and pale blue water just like you see on the post-cards.
At one end of the beach, by the promontary around the marina, there is a small reef. 
We spent two hours snorkelling over it with the children, seeing several different corals, fan worms, a school of zebra fish, and several other types of fish we don't know the names for.We made the last-but-one tender back to the cruise ship, at 4 o'clock, soggy, sun-burned and very tired, but very happy.
Date: 18th August 2010
Grand Turk
The ship docked about 07:00. We got up and moving at 08:45. After breakfast, everyone changed into swimsuits and went ashore. David & Geoffrey practiced snorkelling in the swimming pool while Chrissy, Ruth & Patrice went for a walk along the beach to look for shells.
We were back on board for lunch, and the ship sailed at 14:00. Ruth & David spent the afternoon at Camp Carnival while Geoffrey & Chrissy watched Star Trek at the cinema. The movie was good, but the cinema lights kept going on & off, and it was so cold that we had to nip out for a blanket to wrap ourselves in.
David had lots of fun playing with his stacking robot blocks.
Both children had dinner at Camp Carnival, while the adults dined in the main restraunt. The Thai chicken soup was especially nice, as were the lamb ribs and the seafood in lobster sauce. We all skipped dessert. Well, almost all. The kitchen had prepared a strawberry mousse for Chrissy, as all the regular offereings today had wheat in them. Chrissy shared it around - it was very nice.
After dinner we tried to buy some aloe for Chrissy's sunburn only to find that our cards didn't work. Turns out that the credit card hadn't read properly, so we had to go get it reauthorised.
We then went to the card room and played bridge for an hour or so. On the last hand, Geoffrey seriously underbid. Having bid 2 spades, he made 5!
At 9:30 we went to collect Ruth from Camp Carnival.
Ruth had requested an early night, as she had been very grouchy and over-tired when we got up in the morning. We asked her if the was tired and ready to go to bed, and she jumped up and down very fast, shouting "Yes, yes, yes! I want to go to bed so I can get up nicely and not be miserable!"
We, and the Camp staff, were getting exhausted just watching her.
In the end, we left her to it, and went up to the lido for some star-light hot-tubbing.
Grand Turk
The ship docked about 07:00. We got up and moving at 08:45. After breakfast, everyone changed into swimsuits and went ashore. David & Geoffrey practiced snorkelling in the swimming pool while Chrissy, Ruth & Patrice went for a walk along the beach to look for shells.
We were back on board for lunch, and the ship sailed at 14:00. Ruth & David spent the afternoon at Camp Carnival while Geoffrey & Chrissy watched Star Trek at the cinema. The movie was good, but the cinema lights kept going on & off, and it was so cold that we had to nip out for a blanket to wrap ourselves in.
David had lots of fun playing with his stacking robot blocks.Both children had dinner at Camp Carnival, while the adults dined in the main restraunt. The Thai chicken soup was especially nice, as were the lamb ribs and the seafood in lobster sauce. We all skipped dessert. Well, almost all. The kitchen had prepared a strawberry mousse for Chrissy, as all the regular offereings today had wheat in them. Chrissy shared it around - it was very nice.
After dinner we tried to buy some aloe for Chrissy's sunburn only to find that our cards didn't work. Turns out that the credit card hadn't read properly, so we had to go get it reauthorised.
We then went to the card room and played bridge for an hour or so. On the last hand, Geoffrey seriously underbid. Having bid 2 spades, he made 5!
At 9:30 we went to collect Ruth from Camp Carnival.
Ruth had requested an early night, as she had been very grouchy and over-tired when we got up in the morning. We asked her if the was tired and ready to go to bed, and she jumped up and down very fast, shouting "Yes, yes, yes! I want to go to bed so I can get up nicely and not be miserable!"We, and the Camp staff, were getting exhausted just watching her.
In the end, we left her to it, and went up to the lido for some star-light hot-tubbing.
Friday, 20 August 2010
Date: 17th August 2010
Second day at Sea
Today was a very lazy day. We slept in until after 10, then David was off to Camp Carnival while the rest of us...
(coming back to the laptop the following day)
...did whatever - I can't remember
Oh, that's right. Ruth wanted to use the rubber ring to make a life-raft for her baby doll, Isabelle...
We watched a lovely sun-set...
And David found a towel-elefant on his bunk!
Second day at Sea
Today was a very lazy day. We slept in until after 10, then David was off to Camp Carnival while the rest of us...
(coming back to the laptop the following day)
...did whatever - I can't remember
Oh, that's right. Ruth wanted to use the rubber ring to make a life-raft for her baby doll, Isabelle...
We watched a lovely sun-set...
And David found a towel-elefant on his bunk!
Date: 16th August 2010
First day at Sea
Room service delivered drinks & fruit at half-past eight. What a lovely way to start the morning. Once we were properly up and dressed we went down to the restaurant for something more stubstatial: eggs benedict for Geoffrey, omlette for Ruth, and pancakes for David & Chrissy. (Chrissy got gluten-free)Geoffrey checked the children into Camp Carnival, then finished writing up yesterday's diary while Chrissy took a walk with Patrice. We tried to watch the ice-carving demonstration up on the lido before lunch, but it was too crowded to see.
After lunch, we were lazing on the balcony when Chrissy spotted some odd splashes in the water. After a few more were seen, we realised that they were flying fish. We spent a while watching them, seeing several dozen. Geoffrey tried to take some photos but none of them came out.
Everyone except Geoffrey went for a swim in the afternoon. Geoff & Peter took the children to the waterslide. Unfortunately, Ruth was too scared to go once she saw it, and David was barely too short to be allowed a ride. Peter took a ride and very much enjoyed it.
Tonight was formal night. David went back to Camp Carnival, rather than join us in his fancy outfit. Ruth very happily got dressed up with Chrissy, and the two of them looked lovely.
For dinner, we had strawberry bisque, stuffed mushrooms, lobster & tiger-shrimp, and cherry jubilee. Ruth had a greek salad instead of the soup.
After dinner Chrissy and Ruth went to the show, while Geoffrey & Peter went for a walk on deck 3. While walking, we noticed that the starboard engine was running at a much higher power setting than the port engine.
The show was a bit loud for Ruth, so we left slightly early, took her up to Camp Carnival, then met up with Peter & Patrice at the comedy club.
After that we went dancing for a bit, then adjourned to the lido for drinks & chat before collecting the children and going to bed.
First day at Sea
Room service delivered drinks & fruit at half-past eight. What a lovely way to start the morning. Once we were properly up and dressed we went down to the restaurant for something more stubstatial: eggs benedict for Geoffrey, omlette for Ruth, and pancakes for David & Chrissy. (Chrissy got gluten-free)Geoffrey checked the children into Camp Carnival, then finished writing up yesterday's diary while Chrissy took a walk with Patrice. We tried to watch the ice-carving demonstration up on the lido before lunch, but it was too crowded to see.
After lunch, we were lazing on the balcony when Chrissy spotted some odd splashes in the water. After a few more were seen, we realised that they were flying fish. We spent a while watching them, seeing several dozen. Geoffrey tried to take some photos but none of them came out.
Everyone except Geoffrey went for a swim in the afternoon. Geoff & Peter took the children to the waterslide. Unfortunately, Ruth was too scared to go once she saw it, and David was barely too short to be allowed a ride. Peter took a ride and very much enjoyed it.
Tonight was formal night. David went back to Camp Carnival, rather than join us in his fancy outfit. Ruth very happily got dressed up with Chrissy, and the two of them looked lovely.
For dinner, we had strawberry bisque, stuffed mushrooms, lobster & tiger-shrimp, and cherry jubilee. Ruth had a greek salad instead of the soup.
After dinner Chrissy and Ruth went to the show, while Geoffrey & Peter went for a walk on deck 3. While walking, we noticed that the starboard engine was running at a much higher power setting than the port engine.The show was a bit loud for Ruth, so we left slightly early, took her up to Camp Carnival, then met up with Peter & Patrice at the comedy club.
After that we went dancing for a bit, then adjourned to the lido for drinks & chat before collecting the children and going to bed.
Embarkation, Baltimore
Date: 15/08/2010
We all slept in 'til 11:00, which was the time Patrice had wanted to be at the cruise terminal
for, and didn't get out of the house until 12ish.
Getting on board was fine - a brief delay over the UK passports, but no problems.
After getting on board, we went up to deck 9, the lido, for a late lunch. The kids had pizza, Chrissy hit the deli counter, and I had chinese. The chilli-beef was very good.By the time we had gotten down to our cabins, gone through and done some unpacking, it was time for dinner. For some odd reason, we were on two different tables. Peter, Patrice, Chrissy & Ruth were in a booth, and David & I were on a two-person table across the walk-way. Patrice intends to get us onto a 6-seat table for tomorrow.
After dinner, we signed the children up for Camp Carnival, and took them to the welcome disco. Ruth was too shy to dance, but David did some very acrobatic dancing using the rails at the side of the dance-floor.
After that, I collected some sushi from the little stand just forward of the casino, and then we put the children to bed.
We played a few hands of bridge in P&P's cabin, then called it a (late) night.
Date: 15/08/2010
We all slept in 'til 11:00, which was the time Patrice had wanted to be at the cruise terminal
for, and didn't get out of the house until 12ish.
Getting on board was fine - a brief delay over the UK passports, but no problems.
After getting on board, we went up to deck 9, the lido, for a late lunch. The kids had pizza, Chrissy hit the deli counter, and I had chinese. The chilli-beef was very good.By the time we had gotten down to our cabins, gone through and done some unpacking, it was time for dinner. For some odd reason, we were on two different tables. Peter, Patrice, Chrissy & Ruth were in a booth, and David & I were on a two-person table across the walk-way. Patrice intends to get us onto a 6-seat table for tomorrow.
After dinner, we signed the children up for Camp Carnival, and took them to the welcome disco. Ruth was too shy to dance, but David did some very acrobatic dancing using the rails at the side of the dance-floor.
After that, I collected some sushi from the little stand just forward of the casino, and then we put the children to bed.We played a few hands of bridge in P&P's cabin, then called it a (late) night.
And they're off! (29th July 2010)
Today, Chrissy and the children set off to America for their summer break. We got up at 3 a.m. to set off for the airport, and had a nice clear drive. We even got there early enough to have breakfast together before I set off back to work.
I'll be heading out to join them in a couple of weeks.
I'll be heading out to join them in a couple of weeks.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Bank Holiday Monday
On Monday we went down to Muncaster Castle to see the birds, and walk the Bluebell wood.
We were just too late to catch the woods at their best, but had a lovely time anyway.
Ruth even got to meet Tythe, the Barn Owl up close!
We were just too late to catch the woods at their best, but had a lovely time anyway.
Ruth even got to meet Tythe, the Barn Owl up close!
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Sunday!
So far we have:
- Gone to Church
- Baked two batches of Banana bread (1 loaf, lots of muffins)
- Run 2 loads of washing and gotten one out on the line, one in the dryer.
- Made lunch (Sausage rolls, sandwiches, bangers & mash)
- Loaded the dishwasher
- Cleared the dining table & vaccuumed the lunge & dining room.
- Made a shopping list.
Saturday May 22nd
Today was Garden Day. After a later start than we had wanted, we got out ot the allotment for the first time in weeks, and got some good work done. Many thanks to Ben for coming over and helping with the heavy digging!
We dug out, edged, and re-planted the Jerusalem Artichoke bed, and planted two beds of potatoes, and fun playing, and had picnic lunch and tea.
Lovely weather and a good day.
We dug out, edged, and re-planted the Jerusalem Artichoke bed, and planted two beds of potatoes, and fun playing, and had picnic lunch and tea.
Lovely weather and a good day.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Drip....drip.....drip.....
Well, after over three hours crawling around in the void between upstaits and downstairs, we now have a working drain on the bath again. And as soon as Chrissy gets back with the extra fittings, I'll plumb the sink drain in as well.
And the best news so far? Not a drip in sight!
And the best news so far? Not a drip in sight!
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Car repairs
Well, that's a new mirror glass for the driver's side wing mirror and a passenger-sideheadlight bulb replaced...
Monday, 5 April 2010
What time is it?
Last Monday, I was out at Club while Chrissy stayed home with the kids. On Tuesday I noticed Ruth was very tired, sop I asked her what time Mommy let her stay up til, now that it was School holidays. Ruth looked at me, and said
"Late o'clock, Daddy"
"Late o'clock, Daddy"
Sunday, 31 January 2010
The weekend
Yesterday we:
-Slept in
-Went shopping & bought new shoes for the kids
-Took the kids to two birthday parties
-Too the rubble from the wall we knocked down to the tip.
-Did some more shopping
-Ran the dishwasher twice
-Ran 2 loads of laundry
-tidied the dining room
So far today we have:
-Been to church
-loaded & run the dishwasher
-washed 2 loads of laundry
-dried 3 loads of laundry
-Dug a bed of potatoes
-Sheeted two beds in the garden
-Hung a load of laundry on the line.
-cooked pasta & quesadillas for lunch
-folded LOTS of laundry
-taken down the Christmas tree (yes, I know we're late)
-cleared most of the lounger floor
-cleaned the filters for the vacuum cleaner
-Slept in
-Went shopping & bought new shoes for the kids
-Took the kids to two birthday parties
-Too the rubble from the wall we knocked down to the tip.
-Did some more shopping
-Ran the dishwasher twice
-Ran 2 loads of laundry
-tidied the dining room
So far today we have:
-Been to church
-loaded & run the dishwasher
-washed 2 loads of laundry
-dried 3 loads of laundry
-Dug a bed of potatoes
-Sheeted two beds in the garden
-Hung a load of laundry on the line.
-cooked pasta & quesadillas for lunch
-folded LOTS of laundry
-taken down the Christmas tree (yes, I know we're late)
-cleared most of the lounger floor
-cleaned the filters for the vacuum cleaner
Monday, 25 January 2010
A few winter photos
First, here's how the alotment & house looked on December 20th.
Next, here's Ruth with the Snowman we made
And now, an early eveing photograph
Next, Boxing Day, on the footbridge behind the Wasdale Head Inn
Next, here's David just before he threw a snowball at me...
And last of all, Ruth and David telling me about the snow.
dfdgf
Next, here's Ruth with the Snowman we made
And now, an early eveing photograph
Next, Boxing Day, on the footbridge behind the Wasdale Head Inn
Next, here's David just before he threw a snowball at me...
And last of all, Ruth and David telling me about the snow.
dfdgf
Sunday, 24 January 2010
New Year's Resolutions...
C: Nope!
G: No chance!
C: Still in crisis management, so only able to plan for this month.
G: This Week!
G: OK, I exaggerate....
C: Have finally managed to convince Geoff to restart DIY on the house.
G: We've even agreed on what the next project is going to be. We're going to take a wall out.
C: Two.
G: I think it's just one with a corner in it.
C: We're knocking out the awkward wall by the dining room window, which will leave us with a larger dining room, direct access from kitchen to dining room and a longer wall in the kitchen to put appliances against.
G: We will be closing up the existing door between the lounge and the kitchen. Not bricking it up - just bolting it closed, so we still get some light through the windows in it. We have to move the fridge-freezer out of the alcove when we open it up to the dining room, but we just plan to move it to in front of the kitchen/lounge door.
C: We'll have to box in a load of ugly pipework.
G: And the boiler and fuse box, since they are also tucked away in the alcove. Another benefit will be more usable floorspace in the lounge, since we will no longer have to keep the walkway to the kitchen free of toys & children.
C: We're getting some help from a new friend through church, with payment through "meals of plenty."
G: And computer repairs....
C: He's done a lot of JOAT-style building work.
G: We plan to start by taking the old wall out and cleaning up on Thursday, then we'll be able to properly measure up for the timber to box the pipes in.
C: We'll have to take down the shelf unit that the kids kept a lot of their toys on, but that's mostly cleared out already. We're now making the kids keep most of their toys in their rooms.
G: Hopefully this will be a good start to a productive new year, and a realistic program of work. We're trying not to get too ambitious and plan too far ahead of ourselves.
G: No chance!
C: Still in crisis management, so only able to plan for this month.
G: This Week!
G: OK, I exaggerate....
C: Have finally managed to convince Geoff to restart DIY on the house.
G: We've even agreed on what the next project is going to be. We're going to take a wall out.
C: Two.
G: I think it's just one with a corner in it.
C: We're knocking out the awkward wall by the dining room window, which will leave us with a larger dining room, direct access from kitchen to dining room and a longer wall in the kitchen to put appliances against.
G: We will be closing up the existing door between the lounge and the kitchen. Not bricking it up - just bolting it closed, so we still get some light through the windows in it. We have to move the fridge-freezer out of the alcove when we open it up to the dining room, but we just plan to move it to in front of the kitchen/lounge door.
C: We'll have to box in a load of ugly pipework.
G: And the boiler and fuse box, since they are also tucked away in the alcove. Another benefit will be more usable floorspace in the lounge, since we will no longer have to keep the walkway to the kitchen free of toys & children.
C: We're getting some help from a new friend through church, with payment through "meals of plenty."
G: And computer repairs....
C: He's done a lot of JOAT-style building work.
G: We plan to start by taking the old wall out and cleaning up on Thursday, then we'll be able to properly measure up for the timber to box the pipes in.
C: We'll have to take down the shelf unit that the kids kept a lot of their toys on, but that's mostly cleared out already. We're now making the kids keep most of their toys in their rooms.
G: Hopefully this will be a good start to a productive new year, and a realistic program of work. We're trying not to get too ambitious and plan too far ahead of ourselves.