January Blues

26th January 2014


Today is a filthy day. Lashing, freezing cold rain and grey, grey sky. I am sitting looking out the window trying to do my RSPB garden birdwatch. Me thinks I should have done it yesterday when it was SUNNY! No birdies here today. Well a perky Robin and a sodden Blackbird so far. I was hoping to report the sweet little Goldcrest we saw the other week, just to  show off you know!

Well the fire is lit, Willow is curled up in a tight ball and perhaps we might read a book this afternoon or watch a film or even both.

Here are some pictures of sunnier days earlier in the month.

Ohh looks like Mr Robin has a friend.

Didn't we do well for oldies

11th Jan 2014

It is a beautiful sunny day, blue sky and warmish if you have the sun on you. Suitably attired Ian & I catch the 11.06 from High Wycombe to Marylebone. Within 30 minutes we are right in the city centre and heading for Westminster. Ian wants to have a look around Westminster abbey. Cameras at the ready we head for the entrance only to be stopped dead in our tracks. The entrance fee is £18, yes £18 each. How on earth did anyone work out that cost? If it was to limit the people entering the building it certainly did the trick as no way would we pay that. Robbing b****ards should be wearing mask! It is a shame that people that want to go in but have no money are stopped in this way. Sure we could pay the extortionate rate and we don’t mind paying for things, but £18 each you’re having a laugh.

I stomp off up the road muttering £18 £18 I can’t believe it. Up Whitehall to Horse guards parade, where people are driving the poor horses demented. How the guards sit on their horses and put up with it I don’t know. Hmm I have just read this back & realise a touch of the Victor Meldrews has crept in.

We amble into St James Park , it is lovely in the sunshine, lots of ducks and geese around, very friendly Squirrels, more tourists and  lots of pigeons. This was one of our courting places when Ian & I first got together.  Happy memories. Out of the park and up to Buck House, no one in so we walk on into Green park, more squirrels. Just a short way down Piccadilly we go into the peaceful haven that is Fortnum and Masons. This shop has so much charm and elegance we love the ambiance here and browse the shelves for a while.

Decide it is time for something to eat. We dine at la Duexieme in Covent Garden, it was very nice & a nice cold bottle of Sauvignon blanc went down a treat.

Mr. F is feeling a bit drowsy after his feast so we hop it to the hotel. We are staying at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. It is a new and stylish buzzy hotel. Our room is very nice and after a cup of tea Mr. f has a snooze while I watch the traffic file over Westminster Bridge.

Soon it is time to go out. We chose the hotel for its proximity to the jubilee line as we are headed for the O2 and a Maroon 5 concert.

Our 18 year old niece was horrified when we told her where we were going. There won't be anyone like you there she informed us. By like us she meant old!

Supporting M5 was Robin Thicke (Him of Blurred lines fame) Well he was good in parts and rubbish in others. I don’t think he quite knows where his niche is. Well I can tell you where it is not. Anyway Blurred lines was good, his stage presence was good but he could not quite carry it off.

The divine Adam Levine was on next, sexiest man in the world apparently. Well he is rather nice to look at normally. Well that is apart from the tattoos and he also was sporting a weird moustache (why?). A brilliant show, much dancing around and loud singing and that was just us.

Bit surprised when the divine Levine spoke as he sounded like he had taken a huge blast from a helium balloon. First off Ian & I thought there was something wrong with his mike but no that is what he sounds like when running around excited!

Even though image of AL is shattered we had a brilliant night. Soon back at the hotel, needed a nightcap to chill after all that excitement. There was live music in the Primo bar but we just stayed in the lounge, which was buzzy enough, great people watching. Our 2^nd round of drinks was delayed a bit so they brought is a complimentary glass of champagne. I had to admit defeat and we trundled off to bed at about 1am. That is 2 late night this year and we are only half way through the 1^st month.

Another sunny day dawns and we start with a hearty wholesome brekky, we were on the continental list but there was hot food provided as well, really good. The service in the hotel is exemplary, you are greeted everywhere you go nothing is too much trouble. We will have to go back.

Next stop is the wildlife photographer of the year exhibition. Stunning photo’s as usual. Gives us inspiration and a longing for an adventure holiday and the opportunity to visit some unusual places.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse so we head for Marylebone & the train home.

What a lovely weekend. Did quite well for oldies, along with all the other oldies at the Maroon five concert. Oldies out numbered the whippersnappers by far.

Fortnum and Masons

The wardrobe door in our room at  the Park Plaza

Preparing for a busy night

Christmas at the Old Byre in Derbyshire 2013.

Saturday 21^st December 6am. Alarm ringing. Time to get up, it is holiday time. Hmm, it is cold, dark, pouring with rain & blowing a gale as it has been most of the night. Shall we stay in bed? Noooo get up.

Soon the car is packed to the rafters with Christmas pud, wine, beer and PRESENTS!! We leave around 7.15  destination Derbyshire. Once it got light & the further north we got the better the weather. Soon we arrived at the Old Byre, actually sooner than we thought & the owner had not left the key in the designated place. I was in desperate need of the loo and I mean desperate. Luckily Ian managed to wake the poor woman from her bed, well it was 9.30. Soon we were in the house, I immediately visited the downstairs loo… and relax. Perhaps too much info for you, but it is my diary after all.

Anne & Joyce were only a few minutes behind us and soon we were unloading cars & filling the house with all manner of Christmas cheer and trash. A quick and uneventful trip to Sainsbury’s to top up supplies. (Anne & Ian had to be stopped from purchasing additional items as usual)  Back to the house, unpack, open champagne & Christmas cards, eat choclit and relax.

Sunday we had a visit to Chatsworth House as they had it decorated in the style of the Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe. It was excellent, bit pricy but well worth it. We made the effort to go there early and by judging the queues of traffic for a few miles out of the estate when we left, we made the right decision.

 We then went to Eyam, a Village that suffered the plague in 1665. Eyam isolated itself to prevent the disease from spreading, much of the population died during that time. We were told it is quite safe to live there as long as you do not dig in the plague burial sites! Right ok then. Seriously lovely village and very interesting place to visit. Managed a hot chocolate & very nice sandwich in the local café. Checked for signs of plague later none visible so far.

Monday. Kept awake most of the night by wind & rain lashing & howling against the velux  windows in our room. We venture into Bakewell to pick up our goose from the butchers, oh and 2 pork pies that were so fresh they were still hot. Good job Anne & Mr. F Did not know that or else they might have been devoured on the short trip back home.

The Winnings are going to visit us today. We were supposed to meet up in Bakewell but the weather is so bad they are coming to the house. Ian lights the fire. We are in the kitchen preparing the food. I can smell the fire. More prep, smell gets stronger, well it is windy out there. Smell now very strong I mention it at about the same time 5 smoke alarms go off. DON’T PANIC.

The living room is filled with smoke, we run around opening doors, windows anything that will open is opened.  We manage to put out the fire (Log burning stove so no open flames) Ian suffered a slight singeing of the thumb. The Winnings arrive to a cold a quite smelly house. However it was really lovely to see them and spend a couple of hours together, I think they eventually warmed up.

Christmas Eve we attempt to light the fire again thinking it must have been the wind blowing the smoke back in, same thing happens so we have to get the owner to come & have a look, He is quiet calm about his beautiful house filled with acrid smoke and in a few minutes has the fire blazing away. Cold chimney syndrome we are told (Air block) which means it wont draw and blows all the smoke out. Soon Ian, he & I are chatting away about Rugby and peace reigns again.

Christmas day.

Still no signs of plague.

Soon Santa arrives and we spend the day opening our lovely presents, drinking champagne, excellent wines and eating a wonderful goose for our Christmas dinner.

Guess what Santa brought Anne

Ho Ho Ho

Not much else to report, no eventful burnings down or other calamities, Just a nice relaxing time. We did not manage to complete the very hard WASGIJ before we had to depart although we gave it a good try. Ian & I had to leave on the Friday morning as yet again work calls me in. By 9.30 I was sitting at my desk, while Ian ran around and unpacked at home.

I am sure Anne & Joyce missed us after we had left but they seemed to have a very good time in Bakewell on Saturday morning just the 2 of them. The text “We are in Bakewell having a coffee and enjoying the shops” did not go down too well with me as I picked it up from the office. (yes Saturday) Jealous? Me? Most definitely.

Might now have signs of plague or is it just melancholy or over indulgence?

Now I have almost forgotten to mention Mr. Rudolph words cannot express the fun that he brought to us. I hope that the video clip work on here.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Memo to self - remember to Google for incubation period of plague!

Pre Fire, fire

Ian doing the usual

Some Sadness

A lot has happened since my last diary. Sadly Marg passed away in November, so it was with a heavy heart we went up to Newcastle in early December for her funeral. It was a freezing cold day with ice upon the ground but bright & sunny.  Which I think she would have been quite pleased with, as she hated the rain & bad weather. Many things occurred after she was taken ill in Early November and I think I have yet to realise the finality of the situation.

Looking on the Bright Side. A long Weekend in Suffolk

We drove from Newcastle to Suffolk early on the Saturday morning as we had a 6-hour drive ahead of us. We actually did it in 4.5 hours arriving in Aldeburgh just after 11.30.

Now this was the week of the tidal surges down the east coast of the UK and the first thing that greeted me on the doormat of Corner Cottage was an evacuation notice. Do not fret, the danger had passed and we were soon ensconced on our cosy cottage.

Mr. & Mrs Scott were also party to this weekend. It is our pre Christmas, Christmas! Tradition that has run for oohh 1 year (2 Christmases) and long may it continue. However the Scotts had not arrived as early as us. So we unpacked the car, had a sandwich and then went walkabout down the busy high street.

Back to the house but no sign of Jon & Sarah, no phone signal either Hmm. Suddenly we spied their car down the road now where could they be????

A glance across the road & we believed that we had the answer. The White Hart a traditional Suffolk pub and yes Adnams on tap, the Scotts ensconced inside. Jon was particularly happy and on his 2^nd pint.

Much chat, drinking, laughing was had. Newcastle beat Man Utd 1. 0 at Old Trafford an event that had not happened for 42 years or something! Mr. F was very happy, so we had another drink.

Back to Corner cottage, unpacked Sarah & Jon’s car, some nibbles & tea! Later we feasted on Aldeburgh Fish & chips and more tea! Well Sarah & I had a glass of wine. Watched Strictly, admired the dresses and Jon gave the girls points for jiggling as they ran up the stairs. Three of us went to bed early, lovely fresh clean linen and snuggly duvets we sort of slept ok a bit warm under those duvets.

Up to a bright & breezy Sunday morning. First stop after prising Mr. Scott from his bed (Felling slightly jaded) was Southwold. We did the pier; the sea was very brown still stirring from the surge. Luckily the fountain clock was at the wrong time so it managed to perform for Jon and Sarah. However a lot of the beach huts had been washed away.

We had hot chocolates and lattes and visited the Adnams shop. Beer, Pudding wine, lemoncello and beer chutney were purchased. Back to Aldeburgh.  Jon had a bit of a rest while Sarah, Ian & I went for a walk towards Thorpeness. It was really lovely. On the way back we sorted out a restaurant for dinner that night. Stopped off for a beverage in that pub um err its called the Crown, no the ship. Actually called the Cross keys, lovely Smokey real fire, Adnams & wine perfect.

Dinner that night was in the Lighthouse restaurant; Fresh Cod on Creamed Leeks, Flounder with Ratatouille and Sea bass were some of the choices. Followed by Boozy Banana pancakes that Ian really enjoyed. I might have had a taste.

Monday we went to Minsmere. Well Jon drove us there & then went on a secret mission to goodness knows where, he won’t tell us! We had a good walk, not many birds about but the devastation from the tidal surge was really evident.

Monday night saw us visit the renowned Crown at Westleton (Will & Kate fame). First impression excellent! Really old Country pub/hotel/restaurant, Classy Christmas deckers, Christmas trees, open fires and lovely ambiance.

Service ok but slow at times but very nice people. Food was good but rather on the chilly side. I think that we were expecting the wow factor.  As I said the food was good but too much acclaim can be a bad thing. Our expectations were sky high & unfortunately they were not met. We were supposed to get a taxi there but no such luck. Jon drew the short straw. Well he offered & we did not argue, but felt guilty. (So that made it OK !!)

Tuesday! Still off work but feeling a bit glum as “all good things coming to an end” We drag Jon down to the fish sheds and purchase Cod and Dover Sole, fresh as a daisy. Walk down to the Clam sculpture. Many photos later we reluctantly leave Aldeburgh and head for Orford. We have tried to get there a couple of times over the weekend but the road is closed due to the floods. (ha ha not us, or maybe…..).

A quick scoot about on a muddy harbour, lunch in the pub and all too soon we are headed home.

What a lovely, lovely time we had. And did you know that Newcastle beat Man Utd at Old Trafford. 1 nil. The first time in 42 years.

Well WE do!  Howay the lads!