Today, Chris A and I took the train from Northampton and headed for the Excel International Exhibition & Convention Centre in the Docklands for the F1 Exhibition. Actually, this was the very first time I’ve visited Excel! Getting there was easy by taking the Elizabeth Line and getting off at Customs House and then taking …
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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!
Figarodeon
It’s not unusual for us to go to the local Odeon, but tonight was for TWO very different reasons. Reason 1: This is the LAST TIME we’ll ever visit this Odeon. Why? It’s being bulldozed, together with the nearby Pub – Hobson’s Choice, to make way for (ahem!) ‘a new development’. Most of us locals …
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Buckden Bound!
These days, The George Hotel at Buckden is fast becoming one of our go-to Restaurants (that and Hitchen’s Barn in Oakham) for a guaranteed quality meal and excellent service. Today, we met up with Steve & Helen for a catch-up and to hear all the news about their recent house move. We were last all …
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Greenwich and Beyond!
We travelled down to Greenwich today for our annual cultural day out, courtesy of The Old Croydonians’ Association – the ex-pupil association of my old School. Last year, in October, the OCA organised a behind the scenes at the Royal Opera House, and it was great day out. This time, we’re looking ‘beyond the obvious’ …
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Return to The Falcon Inn
Off to the Falcon Inn in Fotheringhay to meet up with long-time pals, Mick and Jane to celebrate their 41st Wedding Anniversary. The last time we were there was pre-Covid back in 2017. Before then, this was our go-to Pub/Restaurant when we lived in nearby Peterborough. Since then, we’ve developed other allegiances and, in that …
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First Visit: Cromwell Museum
We drove over to Huntingdon today for our first visit to the Cromwell Museum. Neither of us could remember when we last visited Huntingdon, so we weren’t sure what to expect from the town. Parking was certainly challenging and it wasn’t helped by EVie’s Sat-Nav having a complete fit in mis-identifying the road that SHOULD …
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Bank Holiday Street Party 2024
A Bank Holiday Street Party in nearby Berwick Way for no other reason than ‘because we could’! 👍👍 Well, the weather wasn’t exactly ‘glorious’ – a cool and breezy 17°C – but that didn’t prevent around 20 of us from getting together at the foot of Berwick Way. With Mick, the Burger King on BBQ …
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Closed for good!
Well, that was a surprise! Nearby Hobson’s Choice announced it was closing its doors permanently! OK, it was never going to be awarded a Michelin Star, but it was on our doorstep and offered a ‘basic’ menu (read ‘cheap’) and the staff there were always super-friendly. Every time I visited, it was always doing a …
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Theatre: Tolethorpe Hall 2024 – The Recruiting Officer
We’re at Tolethorpe Hall for Stamford Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘The Recruiting Officer‘. Those with an HR background (and like me, unfamiliar with this title) will be disappointed to learn that it’s nothing to do with employment best practice! 🙄 According to Tolethorpe’s website, it’s a tale of… “plot twists, cross-dressing, forged letters, mistaken identities, …
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Movie Night: The Imitation Game
It’s fair to say we love a good pie and a pud! We also like a great movie and an evening with friends. So, why not combine all three!? 👍👍👍 Tonight, inspired by our recent visit with John & Trish to Bletchley Park and then our first visit to PieFest a few weeks ago – …
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Cousins Catchup 2024 – Windsor Castle
It’s that time of year again! It’s our annual get-together with our cousins (from Ann’s side of the family). We try and meet as a family group at least once a year around this time, where for 2024, we’ve picked the iconic Windsor Castle as the destination. Last time we were here was way back …
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More Pie!
This was a first for us! We headed for Melton Mowbray and their annual PieFest. Melton Mowbray is, of course, famous for its home-grown Pork Pie where the town is considered to be the UK’s ‘Capital of Pies’ and the ‘Rural Capital of Food‘! 😋😋 No prizes then, for guessing what the Festival was all …
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Arrow Time!
It’s our three-monthly catchup with long-time friends and ex-business colleagues, Ian & Ann and Alan & Mags. Today, our eatery of choice is the Arrow Mill in Alcester – we were last here in October, 2022. It was almost deserted inside when we arrived just after 12 noon, but this place has a large area …
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Film: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Crikey! A movie from Marvel! It’s been a while! 👍👍 I’m off to the local Odeon with Jo & Janet to see their latest – Deadpool & Wolverine – the 34th (yes, really, see later) in Marvel’s super-hero movie franchise. And this isn’t just ANOTHER one from the Marvel Film Factory… this one is supposed …
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Theatre: Fawlty Towers
For me, the most eagerly anticipated theatre trip in a long, long time – “Fawlty Towers – The Play”. The ‘Famous Five’ aka Jo, Janet, Carol, Ann and yours truly jumped on board the 10.28 out of Kettering, heading for the capital. The train was busy, and I think we got the last seats. Noisy …
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Return to Bletchley Park
The past week-or-so has had a recurring theme – ‘return to…’. Last Saturday, it was a return to my old school for their annual reunion, whilst on Monday, I made my second visit to Silverstone Museum. Tough life, ehh?!?!? 😉 Today, we’re with mates, John & Trish heading for the famous ‘Bletchley Park‘. We were …
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Return to Silverstone!
A return to Silverstone Museum for me, this time with super-techy-mate, Chris A. The reason? Well, nothing specific, we just fancied going there, and it’s only a short drive away! 👍 I was last here back in December, last year with John C for exactly the same reason! 😀 With today’s weather looking and feeling …
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School Reunion 2024
Yes, it’s that time of year again! My annual School Reunion! 👍 Unlike last year’s event, where a) I travelled by car and b) Roger H travelled with me, for 2024, a couple of changes were made. First off, the journey by car last year was full of stops and starts (mostly ‘stops’) making it …
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Le Picnic – Lamport Hall
Took a drive to nearby Lamport Hall today for ‘Le Picnic’ with Chris & Gill and Steve & Denise. It’s on our doorstep and given our love of old stately piles, I can’t believe we’ve never been here before! 🤔 You can’t beat a good picnic and if the sun is shining (as it was …
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At last! Fibre!
Well, it’s a pivotal moment here at ‘Pemberley HQ’. We’re finally, finally, FINALLY getting top-end full-fibre broadband installed. Regular readers will know that for as long as I can remember, internet speeds here have always been very much ‘behind the curve’ (actually, no sign of the curve AT ALL). During the many years that I …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 8th July (Day 10)
Here we are, as part of the Northants Nutters group! It’s Day 10, our final day, and our third and final Sea Day as we head for Southampton. Not much to read today, as it’s more of a summary of this year’s adventure with the Northants Nutters. Northants Nutters – Previous Tour Dates Nutters 2019 …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 7th July (Day 9)
7.25am: Here we are, as part of the Northants Nutters group! It’s Day 9 – our penultimate day – and we’ve just docked in La Coruna, northern Spain. Thanks for all the reads this holiday – over 350 so far! 👍 We weren’t expecting to be here, but P&O tweaked the schedule a few days …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 6th July (Day 8)
Day 8 – Saturday, 6th July 7.32am: Morning all! We’re with the Northants Nutters group aboard the good ship Ventura! It’s Day 8 and we’re just about to dock in Leixoes in Portugal. Missed a Post?Day 1 – Setting Sail (eventually!)Day 2 – Sea Day 1Day 3 – Santander, SpainDay 4 – Sea Day 2Day …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 5th July (Day 7)
Here we are, as part of the Northants Nutters group! It’s Day 7, and we’re on our second (and final) day in Lisbon. We set sail later for Leixões in Portugal at around 5.30pm tonight. Missed a Post? Day 1 – Setting Sail (eventually!)Day 2 – Sea Day 1Day 3 – Santander, SpainDay 4 – …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 4th July (Day 6)
Here we are aboard P&O’s Ventura, part of the Northants Nutters ‘on tour’ group aka Geoff & Rhonda, Paul & Sue, Richard & Nicki and us two! It’s now Day 6 of our 10-dayer where we’ve arrived in Lisbon, Portugal – and we’ve got a sleepover as we’re here for TWO days. 👍 Missed a …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 3rd July (Day 5)
Morning everyone! 😎🌞. Thanks for all the reads so far! Here we are with our fellow Northants Nutters, halfway through our 10-day adventure aboard P&O’s Ventura. It’s Day 5, and we’re moored in the Port of Vigo, on the north-east coast of Spain until mid-afternoon. Missed a Post? Day 1 – Setting Sail (eventually!) Day …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 2nd July (Day 4)
Here we are, as part of the Northants Nutters group on board P&O’s Ventura! It’s Day 4 (of 10) and it’s our second sea day. Tonight is another ‘formal’ night where most of us will be dressing up. Prepare for some ‘bling overload’ and ‘Bond Lookalikes’ later! 👍😂 Missed a Post? Day 1 – Ship …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 1st July (Day 3)
Morning all! It’s Monday, and here we are, aboard P&O’s Ventura, as part of the Northants Nutters group. It’s Day 3 and we’re here in Santander, Spain. 😎😎. The clocks went forward an hour last night, so at least one of us is a little bleary-eyed this morning! 😵💫 Missed a Post? Day 1 – …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 30th June (Day 2)
Morning all! Here we are, as part of the Northants Nutters group! It’s Day 2 – Sunday – and a sea day aboard the good ship, Ventura. Our next stop? Santander, tomorrow👍😀. Today, for many, the highlight of the day will be the televised soccer match between England and Slovakia (more about that later!) – …
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Northants Nutters at Sea (2024) – 29th June (Day 1)
Welcome to Day 1. Here we are, aka The Northants Nutters group – and we’re all at sea!👍😀. In fact, we’re building up quite a travel record together… Northants Nutters® Tour Dates Our first Warner experienceWarner Weekend 2019 – Littlecote House Hotel(March 2019) Our second visit to Warner’sWarner Weekend 2020 – Holme Lacy House(March 2020) …
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