It’s that time of year again – time to catch up with our recently discovered cousins and nephews. In fact, these get-togethers are turning into a regular (and very enjoyable) ‘gathering of the clans’. Gathering of the Clans! 2024 – Windsor2023 – Hatfield House2022 – Hampton Court2021- Kew Gardens2021 – Shuttleworth Collection This year, it …
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Author:Steve Palmer
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 - well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I'm no Samuel Pepys! If you're looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you've arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it's all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
Kilworth House Theatre – 42nd Street
Luckily, we didn’t need the Sat-Nav to get us to 42nd Street today, as it was a welcome return to Kilworth House Theatre where we’ve been about a gazillion times before! But before the Show, we stopped off at The Wharf Inn in nearby Welford for an early nibble. Last time (and the first time!) …
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Tolethorpe Hall – The Mirror Crack’d
A day of culture today as we headed for Tolethorpe Hall with Jo, Janet and Carol to see the matinée performance of Agatha Christie’s, The Mirror Crack’d. The last time we all there was back in August last year, to see The Recruiting Officer and we’ve built up quite a track record of visits here! …
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First Visit: Rose and Crown, Yardley Hastings
We drove to the Rose & Crown Bistro in Yardley Hastings today to meet up with Chris & Gill and Steve & Denise for Lunch. It was our first visit and came highly recommended (although this was our second attempt as we cancelled on the 24th April, because I was down with a cold and …
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Return to The Countryman, Staverton Village
Today, we caught up with long-time friends Ian & Ann and Alan & Margaret. Our eatery of choice today was a return to The Countryman in Staverton Village. Here we are again at what’s turning out to be one of our favourite ‘out-of-town’ Pubs for eating! We must have been here around half a dozen …
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Nottingham Castle with Dennis and Sandra
Postponed from 2nd April, today was another of our cultural days out with mates, Dennis and Sandra. This time it was Nottingham Castle and then lunch at the famous Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Pub, nearby! We let the train take the strain and grabbed the 9.28 out of Kettering that got us to Nottingham …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 8: The Reality War
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 8: The Reality War Here we are, about to watch the final episode of Series 2. For some, this one might be the last episode EVER! 😮. More details later in this Post. Actually, watching this week’s finalé episode was a tad convoluted. First, there was NO early iPlayer …
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Return to the Montagu Arms, Barnwell
We haven’t been here for AGES – today, we returned to the Montagu Arms, voted “Best Traditional Pub in Northamptonshire” in 2022. We met up with longtime friends, Mick & Jane (postponed from 4 April!) for a catch-up and a meal. Looks like the last time we all met here was back in 2009, but …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 7: Wish World
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 7: Wish World This week’s outing is the first of the two-part finale. I watched it on iPlayer at just before 1pm (I’d been in Rothwell all morning with Sue, dressing a window! Yes, you read that right… a hidden talent!). As usual, I chose not to post this …
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Film: Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
Off to Cineworld in Rushden Lakes with Jo and Janet to see the 6.20pm performance of ‘Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning’. This is the concluding part to 2023’s blockbuster of a similar name – Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part 1 (later re-titled to Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning). I guess we all …
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Computer Nerds
It’s official! I’m a computer nerd! (who knew?). Actually, probably most people!!! 😉👍 Why so? I drove over to meet Chris today in Northampton, and we took the short drive to the National Museum of Computing in Bletchley, having been there with Ann as part of our Valentine’s Break earlier this year – how’s that …
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Party, Party! (Literally)
How popular are we? Well, I don’t know about that, but today, we had the unusual situation where we were invited to two events pretty much at the same time! Both included great food and great friends – and the weather looked promising too! 👍😎 Party 1 Beginning at the very sociable time of 1.30pm, …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 6: The Interstellar Song Contest
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 6: The Interstellar Song Contest As per normal these days, I plan to watch this ahead of tonight’s transmission, courtesy of iPlayer. I won’t post my comments until AFTER tonight’s prime-time showing. Written by Juno Dawson, directed by Ben A. Williams, and with only two more episodes to go …
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Boys’ Day Out
D’you know, I’ve never been as busy as I’ve been lately – and I’m retired! So, today, was a special treat! I took the short drive over to techy-mate Chris and we motored on to Gtechnic’s HQ in Upper Heyford, The reason? A half-day ‘hands-on’ Car Detailing Workshop organised by Alex, one of their experienced …
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Return to the Tollemache Arms
Tonight was a welcome return to The Tollemache Arms. The last time I was here was in June 2019, and since then, it’s had a makeover through a crowdfunding campaign where they smashed their target of raising 30k by amassing 33k in just 4 days! We picked up Bev & Jules for 7pm and headed …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 5: The Story and the Engine
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 5: The Story and the Engine Over halfway through the series now, and things are looking good! Viewer numbers might be down, but the general consensus about this series is that pretty much all aspects are infinitely better than the previous series! As usual, I’m watching this on iPlayer …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 9 (Last Day)
Friday, 9th May It’s our last full day today in North Wales – tomorrow we’re heading home bright and early. On our itinerary today, we’re going to explore the nearby town of Porthmadog and then travel the short distance to Portmeirion – 4 miles, around 15 minutes away! – somewhere I’ve always wanted to see, …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 8
Thursday, 8th May Welcome back! It’s our third day in cosy Borth-y-Gest, North Wales. It’s a very quiet spot close to the town of Porthmadog. After breakfast, we made plans for today and decided to head West! We’re heading for another Castle, a famous Museum and some photo opportunities of the gorgeous Welsh beaches. The …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 7
Wednesday, 7th May Morning all! Thanks for your readership so far and your comments 👍 It’s another fine day forecast! 😎☀️😎☀️. That’s two in a row here in Borth-y-Gest near Porthmadog where we’re staying in a snug two-bedroom holiday cottage👍. We’re here until Saturday and are spending time exploring the surrounding area. The weather is …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 6
Tuesday, 6th May Morning all! We said goodbye to Liverpool yesterday and we’re now staying in a two-bedroom cottage in the Welsh village of Borth-y-Gest. Today, we’re off for a trip on the local Heritage Railway. 9.45am: After breakfast, we took the short drive into Porthmadog. It looked like it was going to be a …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 5
Monday, 5th May After breakfast, we said goodbye to the Premier Inn in Childer Thornton in the Wirral and headed for the final leg of our stay – a two-bedroom cottage in the village of, Borth-y-Gest, in North Wales (more about our new temporary home, later). 9.58am: But first, we had to get there! It …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 4
Sunday, 4th May Morning all! A late night last night, so I’m a bit later posting this one! There’s a distinct absence of sunshine this morning here in the Wirral – in fact, as I write this, it’s started to rain! It’s our last full day before heading for Wales after breakfast tomorrow. It looked …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 4: Lucky Day
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 4: Lucky Day Slightly unusually, we’re away from home, so I’m watching this in our room at the Premier Inn, Wirral on day 3 of our ten-day getaway. The Internet has been a nightmare, but thankfully, I did manage to coax the iPlayer into action! I now know what …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 3
Saturday, 3rd May We’re off to Chester today. The City Walls, the Cathedral, a Boat Trip and the Roman Amphitheatre are on the list. However, the biting wind was to make the day feel a lot chillier than the above chart suggests and so we limited our explorations! 9.35am: We left just after 9.30 and …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 2
Friday, 2nd May Morning all! A slightly cooler day today than yesterday, but based on the crappy Internet speed here, today’s Post might take a couple of hours to actually post (if at all!)! To give the Blog the best chance to cope with the appalling internet speeds here, I’ve restricted the number of photographs. …
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Liverpool and North Wales: Day 1
Getting there… We’re spending nine nights split 50/50 between Liverpool and North Wales. We set off from home just before 9.30 taking the A14, M6, M56, M53 and finally the A41 on our 147-mile trip. We estimated around two hours in total to get our first stop – the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 3: The Well
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 3: The Well Morning! I’m continuing to take advantage of watching DW on iPLayer (from 8am, UK). I was a little later to the screen today, mainly due to picking some sort of ‘cold-but-not-Covid’ earlier this week (from goodness knows where). I’m only really now coming out the other …
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Handel’s Messiah at the Citadel
It’s Easter Saturday, and we’re off to the Salvation Army’s Citadel in Kettering to see the 7pm performance of Handel’s Messiah. Composed in 1741, there had also been a TV programme on recently featuring Gareth Malone coaching eight amateur singers to take on this monumental piece. Yes, it’s definitely Easter, and the TV programme reminded …
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Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 2: Lux
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 2: Lux Overnight viewing figures for last week’s debut episode came in at 2 million (actually, the second most watched show on BBC 1 behind Gladiators at 2.9 million). The number will increase once streaming/catchup viewers are added in, but 2 million isn’t that good! 😬. The full numbers …
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Every Doggett’s Has Its Day!
Today was an opportunity to meet up with some of the Old Croydonians Association Committee from my days as their Chair (2010 until 2016). It was one of those increasingly rare occasions when I took the train to London from Kettering to St Pancras International (I don’t get out much these days!). Roger met me …
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