Today was all about Christmas preparations! With all the cards written, we turned to even bigger tasks! I think we’re even earlier than usual with all this – it’s still November! 🤔 First job? Put up the Christmas Tree! An hour later, mission accomplished! Next: Christmas Wreath up! Then it was setting the table for …
Read More
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!
First Christmas Meal!
I’m not sure whether this is a record or not for us? It certainly feels like it – it’s our first official Christmas meal of 2025 – and it’s not even December yet! 😮. Last year, I had to wait until December 7th for my first festive nibble (but c’mon, we had only just returned …
Read More
Warner Weekend 2025 – Return to Holme Lacy (Day 3)
The Northants Nutters (aka, Paul & Sue, Geoff & Rhonda and us two, plus ‘Honorary Nutters: Richard and Nicki) are at Warner’s Holme Lacy House. Last time were here was in March 2020 – just prior to COVID – it was therefore good to be back under less threatening circumstances. This is our last full …
Read More
Warner Weekend 2025 – Return to Holme Lacy (Day 2)
The Northants Nutters (aka, Paul & Sue, Geoff & Rhonda and us two, plus ‘Honorary Nutters: Richard and Nicki) are here at Warner’s Holme Lacy House. Last time were here was in March 2020 – just prior to COVID – it was therefore good to be back under less threatening circumstances. Welcome to Day 2! …
Read More
Warner Weekend 2025 – Return to Holme Lacy (Day 1)
With apologies to Dean Martin: “The weather outside is frightful, but heading away for the weekend is delightful!“. Time for the self-titled Northants Nutters (aka, Paul & Sue, Geoff & Rhonda and us two, plus ‘Honorary Nutters: Richard and Nicki) to re-assemble and head for Warner’s Holme Lacy House. The last time the Nutters were …
Read More
New Arms!
A first visit today to The Fancott Arms in err, Fancott, Toddington It was time for a catch-up again with longtime mate, Angela C. The location was about halfway between us, and made a pleasant change to our usual haunt of The Bistro just up the road in ‘old’ Toddington. It was less about the …
Read More
Call to Arms!
Today, we drove over to the Montagu Arms in Barnwell to meet up with Mick and Jane. The last time we were here was back in May this year, also with Mick and Jane. This used to be a very frequent destination ‘back in the day’, but until earlier this year, we hadn’t been back …
Read More
Winner, Winner! TV Dinner! – Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
For me, as a BIG Marvel fan (since the very first in 2008), I can’t quite recall why I didn’t see this at the cinema when it was released back in July of this year. Maybe it was simply that the highly infectious ailment called ‘super-hero fatigue’ had finally caught up with me too, after …
Read More
Holiday: Spain (2025)
Friday, 31st October We flew out to Spain to catch up with long-time mates Roy & Susan. Roy sits amongst that small group of longtime friends, who I’ve known for close on 45 years – and we’re looking forward to a week of R&R at their place with plenty of time to reminisce! 👍 In …
Read More
John Lewis Christmas Advert (2025)
Yes, it’s that time of year again! The John Lewis Christmas Advert launched at 8am this morning! As many of you know, I normally post about their annual offering. This year’s has no words and is a real tear-jerker. It was launched 10 days earlier than 2024’s (I nearly missed it!) and created once again …
Read More
The Importance of Being Earliest
Well, we haven’t done this in a while! The last time we saw this Play was back in July, 2021 at Tolethorpe Hall. We headed off to Stratford upon Avon and The Bear Pit to see the matinée performance by Am-Dram group, Second Thoughts of The Importance of Being Earnest. It starred good mate and …
Read More
Two for Who!
Fellow Doctor Who fan, Jo and I took a drive over to Peterborough today. It was a rare opportunity to visit the City that’s hosting an unofficial Doctor Who Exhibition at their Museum & Art Gallery. It’s been running since May this year (ending on 2 November) and has turned out to be extremely popular. …
Read More
Lincoln Castle and Prison with Dennis and Sandra
We’re off to Prison with Dennis and Sandra – the Victorian Prison inside Lincoln Castle. We set off just after 9am and enjoyed a strangely uneventful journey north – even the A1 was quiet! 🤔 This is our 19th cultural day out together with our friends since we started these back in February, 2017. So …
Read More
Passion in Paphos
Here we are in Cyprus! We’re here for a week, where the main event is the marriage of Sean and Kellie this coming Thursday! What follows is a much briefer account than my usual Posts (‘hooray!’ say some!) as I took the decision to travel light and leave the laptop behind and attempted to record …
Read More
Holiday: Margate (Day 4)
Morning All! It’s our last day in Margate today 😁. Before we take the Train back to reality later this afternoon , we had a list – albeit a short one – of a few more places to visit here! Welcome to ‘Day 4’ loyal Reader! – good to have you back – final day, …
Read More
Holiday: Margate (Day 3)
Morning all 😁 After last night’s celebrations, I’m feeling just a little frayed around the edges! 🥱. I think it’s a combination of too much food, too much drink and too much fun! I know… ‘poor love!’ 🤔 9.40am: Consequently, it was an agreed later start for us all this morning and by the time …
Read More
Holiday: Margate (Day 2) – Birthday Boy (2025)
Happy Birthday to me! 😁. We’re with Paul & Sue in Margate for a few days, soaking up the sights and sounds of a town I’ve never been to before! Richard & Nicki are joining us after Breakfast. Birthday Breakfast 9.20am: Paul & Sue joined us for my Birthday breakfast. They surprised with me with …
Read More
Holiday: Margate (Day 1)
Canada, Greenland, Iceland and now Margate. My travel dreams are fulfilled! 😁 Margate is a seaside town on the southeast coast. Although Mum and Dad were great sandy beach lovers, they preferred the south coast resorts instead, so that’s where I spent most of my summer holidays in my younger years. As a result, I’ve …
Read More
Rockingham Castle with Gill
We caught up with Gill today at nearby Rockingham Castle. For a more detailed description of the venue, read my Post from a few years ago (August 2022). Prices have gone up slightly since we were last here. We paid £17 (for the youngster) and £18 (for the elderly). Well, it was perfect weather for …
Read More
Thunderbirds are… 4K!
Who needs the TARDIS to travel in time? All I need is an episode of Thunderbirds to instantly transport me back to the 60s! In fact, it was just after my 9th birthday that I first got acquainted with the Tracy Family and all their high-tech kit (ahh, so that’s where I get my obsession …
Read More
Candlelight Concert: Coldplay and Ed Sheeran
It was off to nearby Northampton to see another in the series of Concerts by Candlelight that are all the rage at the moment. Last time for us was in September, 2023 at Peterborough Cathedral to hear the music of The Eagles. This time it was ‘two for the price of one’ with the sound …
Read More
Pie Guy!
Tonight, we headed off to the famous Brockleby’s Pies – where else but in Melton Mowbray! Jo and Janet brought me a ‘Pie Making Experience’ voucher for my birthday in 2024, but it’s only now that I’ve got around to redeeming it. Luckily, Ann came along too, guaranteeing at least one masterpiece! 🤔 It was …
Read More
OCA – Fulham Palace
Great! Another organised day out courtesy of my old School – Selhurst Grammar School for Boys and The Old Croydonians’ Association. Today, it’s the iconic Fulham Palace – the historic home of the Bishops of London since 704AD. Thanks to the OCA, we’re building up a nice portfolio of cultural visits so far:- Hidden Greenwich …
Read More
Arrow Returned
We headed off to the Arrow Mill today to catch up with long time muckers: Ian, Ann and Mags (sans Alan). It’s been just over a year since we were last here and it was good to be back! 👍 Yum yum!! A great menu that changes daily. You can’t beat this ‘posh Pub’ for …
Read More
Azamara Holiday – Summary
Day 22 — Saturday, 23rd AugustAzamara Holiday – Summary Phew! As promised, here’s a summary of our holiday, which includes links to all my daily Posts. We spent it with great mates, Ralph and Karen, taking in Canada, Greenland and Iceland. Thanks for your readership, comments and feedback – it was great fun recording our …
Read More
Amazing Azamara – Day 21 – Even More Akureyri
Day 21 — Friday, 22nd AugustEven More Akureyri! Morning all! 😁. Welcome to our BIG Holiday of 2025 – and our last day exploring Iceland! We’re with great mates, Ralph and Karen, having conquered Canada, and grappled with Greenland‘s weather! 😯. Even MORE Akureyri? Can there be anything left to see here?* *Of course there …
Read More
Amazing Azamara – Day 20 – More Akureyri
Day 20 — Thursday, 21st AugustSightseeing around Akureyri Morning All! 👍Welcome to our BIG Holiday of 2025! With Canada and Greenland completed, our final hop is here in the north of Iceland – in Akureyri. In a first for us eating Breakfast abroad, in amongst the continental staples of ham, cheese, peppers and tomatoes were… …
Read More
Amazing Azamara – Day 19 – Akureyri, Iceland
Day 19 — Wednesday, 20th AugustAkureyri, Iceland Morning all! Welcome to Wednesday! We said goodbye to the Azamara Quest at some unGodly hour this morning as we headed for disembarkation in Reyjavik, Iceland. Reykjavík 5.32am: We’ve arrived! Reykjavik has a population of around 140000 and is the capital city of Iceland. The port was busy! …
Read More
Amazing Azamara – Day 18 – Heading for Iceland
Day 18 — Tuesday, 19th AugustHeading for Iceland 6.05am: Morning all! It’s Tuesday and a grey and foggy one out there, where the radar puts us about halfway between Greenland and Iceland. We’re doing a comfortable 15 knots, but there’s a bit of a swell on! 🤢🤢. This final part of our Cruise has just …
Read More
Amazing Azamara – Day 17 – Prince Christian Sound, Greenland – NOT!
Day 17 — Monday, 18th AugustNOT Prince Christian Sound, Greenland Morning, my dedicated readers! 👍👍 Thanks for all your comments, questions and feedback during this holiday, where our latest travels has seen over 700 reads. As we hit the final week of our unique adventure, outside it’s a drab Monday morning, as we continue sailing …
Read More