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 some gifts to celebrate my special day too! Lucky me!!

10.25am: After breakfast, we headed for the nearby Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum. It was only a short distance away, and we grabbed a cab from the Station next door. Luckily, there was one already there, driven by Hassan – and as the day would unfold, he would become our new BFF.

Spitfire and Hurricane Museum

10.45am: We were soon at our destination where, from that point on, Hassan became our ‘driver for the day’!

The Memorial Museum is situated on one of the very few surviving airfields that participated in the Battle of Britain – RAF Manston. Its location meant it was only 10 minutes from occupied France but it also bore the brunt of Luftwaffe attacks in the early days of WWII.

We met Richard & Nicki and the six of us began to explore the Museum. If you love the shape and sound of Spitfires as much as I do, this is one of the few places where it’s possible to get ‘up close and personal’ to these iconic warbirds.

The main attraction of the Museum was a fully restored a Spitfire Mk XVI and similarly, a Hurricane Mk IIc.

With a bit of PRE-booking it’s possible to try out their flight simulator to pilot either a ‘Spit’ or a Lancaster. Sadly, we hadn’t, and both were fully booked today. . Meanwhile, in the other half of the Museum, the Hurricane awaited.

We all agreed that it had been a great visit! There was plenty to see, where it was all presented in easily digestible ‘bite-sized chunks’. There were plenty of staff on hand too – all Volunteers, but better still, it was a free entry! It was one of those Museums that really should charge for entry, even if it’s only a fiver . Definitely worth a look, if you’re in the area.

Broadstairs

11.32am: Hassan picked us up in double-quick time, and we headed for Broadstairs. He took us, by mutual agreement, on a slightly convoluted route. Originally from Turkiye and now a local (for 15 years), he wanted to show us how the area was being decimated by all the new house building. We’re used to that back at home, but this was in a different league! New builds EVERYWHERE, it seemed. We also saw the massive out-of-town retail park called ‘Westwood Retail Park’ in the middle of the Isle of Thanet. It was simply enormous, and easily explains why the town ‘centres’ of Ramsgate and Margate are struggling.

12.05pm: We were soon mooching around Broadstairs. It was coldISH, but we were suitably dressed for the occasion. The town was busier than Margate, and we got a sense that it was more affluent than its neighbours – and certainly very popular for dogs! Like the new builds earlier, they were everywhere!

If I only ever remember one thing about Broadstairs, it’ll be its gorgeous beaches – there’s sandy beaches and very sandy beaches and then there’s Broadstairs! Fantastic!!

It was great, just wandering around, soaking up the sights. In addition to the beauty of the beaches, the town looked good too. Many of the buildings were quite old and from an architectural point of view, very interesting to look at. We even saw a Church that date back to the 11th century.

Elevenses in Broadstairs

12.20pm: Elevenses? Well, it was close! It was still somewhat breezy out there so we sought refuge in the nearest eatery – The Pavilion (& Garden on the Sand).

Not quite the full complement of ‘Northants Nutters’ (Geoff & Rhonda are sunning it in Cyprus!)

Service was swift, and we were soon assembling our table for six before tucking into some delicious mid-morning snacks. We spent about an hour there before deciding to continue our exploration of the town and a beach walk too around the area of of Louisa Bay.

1.15pm: The beach, maybe understandably, was pretty much deserted except for a few brave souls taking in the view out to sea. We couldn’t see anyone actually in the sea, but it was easy to imagine how busy the area would be during the Summer months.

Yes, Broadstairs certainly got our vote today, even if the weather could have been warmer! Not only did the area look affluent, so did the seagulls! Easily about twice the size of ones I’d seen elsewhere!

As we wandered away from Louisa Bay and towards the shopping area, we could see that the town appeared to be in rude health. There were plenty of people shopping (including US stocking up on Lottery tickets for the big draw tonight!) and the numerous eateries, easily outnumbering what we’d seen in Margate, were all doing very well, thank-you.

We liked Broadstairs!

A quick call to Hassan and we were soon heading back to the Premier Inn. On the journey back, we took a slight diversion to learn more about the area. Just coming out of Broadstairs, we passed ‘Millionaires Row’ (not its proper name, but you get the picture!) a very long development of properties where the very rich people of the area reside. Not only gated, it had security barriers too, as if to say: ‘Begone, riff-raff! Next stop took us past the Lido and Botany Bay Beach and then onward through the area of Cliftonville. Hassan explained that a lot of the ‘proper English’ shops had already closed here, although to me, the area still looked quite busy.

On a more positive front, as we approached the now familiar seafront area of Margate, Hassan explained that things could be on the up here. For those of you who have fond memories of the area, it seems that there has been significant investment in the area in recent times. As an example, Hassan pointed out about five retail units that until recently, had been boarded up – were now trading under new owners

2.55pm: As we arrived back at the Premier Inn, we said our farewells to Hassan, as Richard & Nicki arrived around the same time. A quick hello and then time for ‘feet up’ for a short while before my Birthday celebrations began.

Pre Dinner Dwinkies

5.20pm: It was all around to ours for some Birthday fizz! As six of us attempted to cram into an area designed for two, we were soon beginning the celebrations!

6.15pm: Time to jump aboard the Taxi for the short ride to my Birthday celebration.

Secret Spices Restaurant

6.32pm: Here we are at ‘Secret Spices’ a well-known Indian Restaurant in Margate. You can’t beat a good curry – especially on your Birthday!

The slightly tired exterior gave way to a very modern interior, and on looking through the menu, we knew immediately we were in for something ‘a little different’. The ‘Staff Curry’ and ‘Dangerous Curry’ immediately stood out! Nice prices too!

There was a bit of a wait for our food to arrive, but it was worth it! It gave us time to look at their numerous awards!

The obligatory pile of Poppadoms made their appearance, and tempted by the ‘Dangerous Curry’ on the menu, Nicki and I asked for a small sample of the sauce, to act as an accompaniment.

As Richard, Nicki and I dived in, we could immediately see how it got its name. The spiciness didn’t ‘hit’ immediately, it was more of a slow burn – but when it did, what a burn!! Most of us like it hot, but even we thought that a WHOLE CURRY with this as the sauce, would be too much!

The above is just a small sample of the food we’d ordered. Typically, we had all chosen too much, and with the rice and the various naan breads, we almost needed a bigger table! But ‘over-ordering’ is all part of the fun isn’t it!? It was certainly a meal to remember – for all the right reasons – and good to be sharing it with friends.

No Indian Meal would be complete without the usually appalling Dessert choice – and judging by the menu, it all looked pretty ‘usual’. But do you know what? For the few of us who had room, our choices were delicious! . And if that wasn’t enough, my scheming friends had arranged an ‘extra’ something spookily accompanied by the restaurant’s dimmed lights and supporting soundtrack by 50 Cent: ‘It’s your Birthday!’ Luckily for my friends and the other guests in the restaurant, I chose not to dance to it, preferring to concentrate on the ‘gift of Cheesecake’!

8.55pm: The time passed quickly, and even though we’d allowed 2½ hours, it ended all too soon. Not surprisingly, we were all full, and I vowed never to eat food ever again! (yeah, right!)

And when I said: “I’ll never eat food again” that didn’t include drinking. We grabbed our Taxi and headed back to the Premier Inn – and their Bar!

9.05pm: What a perfect end to the evening! Chilling out over a drink or two with friends! Thanks for sharing my day with me. We’d seen a lot, eaten a lot and were especially appreciative of Hassan (and later, his son Burak) who did much more than just ‘taxi us’ around today. Another example of the ‘kindness of strangers’ and as I said goodbye to the last of my ‘sixty something’ Birthdays, somehow, it made the day even more special

I have no idea what time this Birthday Boy eventually went to bed – 10.30pm maybe? Today, for once, I was almost a ‘Party Animal’ . Almost!! Nighty-night!

Tomorrow

We’ve got plans to head off to Whitstable by train and maybe nearby Herne Bay, if time allows. We’ve also got another celebratory meal booked at the George and Heart in Margate in the evening. See you then!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Holiday: Margate (Day 2) – Birthday Boy (2025) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

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 a slow journey there – just 40 miles – but it took over an hour! However, we were first to arrive and had the pick of the massive car-park adjacent to Brockleby’s HQ! By 6.25pm we joined the 14 other willing souls about to exercise their pie-making skills in the official Brockleby’s production kitchen. After a quick snackette of (what else!) a pork pie and a coffee, we were ready.

Nigel, our Pie-Maker-in-Chief, introduced himself and after a short, but thorough ‘housekeeping’ session, he began the session with a short history of Melton Mowbray’s most famous export. Then, it was eyes down and hands-on for the rest of the evening. We were all enthusiastic about adding to our skill set tonight where even the hammering of the heavy rain on the roof didn’t distract us .

We’d all brought our own aprons, but then something terrifying appeared – authentic Brockleby’s hair nets! They were necessary, but it wasn’t a good look!

Nigel then got into the detail of the evening, formally introducing the two-hour session. We’d be using raw ingredients from the off and inside the allotted time, we would finish with an authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. He explained the process in digestible bite-sized chunks, but whether our pies would be the same, only time would tell.

The most important tool of the evening was the ‘dolly’. Looking like a early product from Ann Summers (oh, just me then!) it was to prove essential in the production process. Made from rare tulipwood (nope, me neither!) its surprisingly simple design helped us turn a lump of ‘hot water’ pastry into something that looked almost… beautiful!

Flour was our constant friend as we fashioned the pastry around the dolly.

Slowly, it all came together – from a lump of pastry to an immediately identifiable Pork Pie in just six stages!

The pastry, initially quite tough, became very pliable as we worked it into shape. As we progressed, not only were we scrutinising our own work, but we were also looking at our fellow pioneering efforts. Do you know what? They all looked good. Thanks, Nigel! With just flour, water, a spoon and of course, the dolly, we’d created something that we all felt exceeded our expectations.

As Nigel made his final inspection, and after placing our creation in the official Brockleby’s box, it looked good enough to eat (but only after we’ve baked them at home and added the jelly) .

By 8.35, it was all over. Nigel allowed us to ‘raid the freezer’ and purchase some ‘proper’ Pies at heavily discounted prices – we duly obliged and left with a Cocky Leeky , a Wild Deer and a slightly less annoyed Scrumper’s Pie (aka Apple & Blackberry). Yum yum!

The Sat-Nav kept things interesting going home by taking us on a different (but faster) route, and we were indoors just before 10pm.

Things we learned…
– How to make an authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (obviously!)
– Brockleby’s is a small operation. Just 13 staff work there on pie production
– They don’t make pies for anyone else
– Their Pork Pies are all handmade – no machinery as such, apart from the dolly

What a great evening that was! I’m probably not going to give up my day job, but we both had a great time! Nigel presented the perfect blend of information, expertise, and entertainment!

Thanks to Nigel for his skills and patience, and Jo and Janet for the gift! .

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Pie Guy! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Yes, it’s that time again – my Birthday!! . We usually try and get away somewhere to celebrate, but this year is a little different!

Last year, we were in Greece, whilst the year before it was Switzerland – but in 2024, we’re celebrating here at home! It’s a full 12 years since we last had my Birthday at home. With our mega-break to New Zealand coming up later this year, getting away today/this week, just all felt a bit unnecessary!

Still, it’s what you make of the day isn’t it, and we’re looking forward to a Birthday Lunch with our great friends Paul & Sue later. The weather? Totally unpredictable as it turned out! The day began with rain (which has been a regular feature this week) then, out came the sun before returning to the wet stuff for the rest of the day!

Surrounded by cards and gifts today makes me feel a lot younger on the inside. Everyone has been so generous! – some great gifts, helped these days by the obligatory (heavily distributed) ‘birthday list’ around family and friends who asked for inspiration (apparently, I’m a nightmare to buy for! – surely not!)

Actually, even before my special lunch, the morning turned out to be a busy and very pleasant one! We planned to sit down and watch episode 1 of the brand-new series of Ludwig on BBC1, but instead, Janet dropped by, followed by neighbours David and Valerie and then Paul. All armed with gifts and cards – and in D & V’s case, Sausage Rolls too – it was a much better alternative than watching the box! . Needless to say, the Sausage Rolls didn’t last long!

Well, that was all a very welcome surprise and a great start to my day of celebration!

Birthday Lunch – Pig & Waffle

Paul & Sue drove over to ours and after a quick ‘hello’ and the sharing my birthday gift (chocolate!), we made our way to the Pig and Waffle in nearby Grafton Underwood. I’m not sure why we’ve never been here before – they’re on our doorstep and part of the Greedy Gordon’s group (who also manage the Snooty Fox in Lowick, the Red Lion in Cranford and the The Buttery Cafe in Woodford – all very well-respected watering holes).

For the size of the establishment, it sported an extensive and varied menu. There was outside seating (but not today, unless you were very brave!). If you like Gin, there was also a great selection and plenty of continental beers too! Food-wise, it didn’t disappoint and a yummy overall experience. Whilst Paul and Sue opted for the Tapas (again, lots of choices!), Ann for the ‘Breakfast Bap’, I was as predictable as ever – tackling their ‘Greedy Burger’. It was to be one of the best burger-combos I’d had in a long time – those red onions and the onion chutney made all the difference! . The Tapas were also well-received where the generous portions almost beat us… Almost! – and I was happy to assist! . None of us could manage a Dessert (even me!) and with the bill settled, it was back to ours.

With Coffees all around, back at base, we spent a couple of hours chatting about nothing in particular and it was all very chilled and very enjoyable. Perfect! A couple of hours later, we said our goodbyes and Paul and Sue headed home. It had been great to share my birthday lunch with our good friends!

Briefly, it was back to the TV and after finishing watching Ludwig (good wasn’t it!?), we had a quick tidy-up in readiness for Dave and Rosi who arrived early evening. Another card and another gift were sandwiched between plenty of chat, catching up with all their news from their recent holiday to Mallorca. Well, they certainly had the better weather than here, right now! The rain today, has been biblical, where it had been chucking it down since Paul and Sue‘s left.

And that’s how it stayed for the rest of the evening. In fact, by the time, we turned in for the night, it was STILL hammering it down! Yuk!

Still, weather aside, it had been a very memorable day for all the right reasons – just how I hoped it would be! We may not have enjoyed good weather, but it was more than made up for by the legion of friends popping in and showering me with gifts and good wishes!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Birthday Boy (2024) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Tuesday, 26th
Day 5 (of 8)

Why Thessaloniki?
(Click to
read more…)

We’re in Thessaloniki, Greece for a week, in part to celebrate my Birthday today! . The location is also known as Thessalonica and is the second-largest city in Greece, with just over one million inhabitants. It is Greece’s second major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, and a major transportation hub for Greece and southeastern Europe, mostly through the Port of Thessaloniki.

We’re staying at the Electra Palace Hotel, and they have a photo gallery HERE.

It’s primarily a cultural holiday where we’re going to soak up as much as we can during our short stay.

Morning all! Did someone mention birthday? I’m getting seriously old on the outside, but I’m still only a 14-year-old on the inside – it must be the love of a good woman!

(…but don’t tell the Wife! )

We brought all the cards that had arrived before we left last Friday – the rest are on the doormat, so I get to celebrate again when we get back! . That’s when I’ll open my presents too! Thanks, everyone for all your good wishes and gifts! . As one of the cards read…

“Don’t worry, you’re still cool…
…it’s just not as obvious!”

We always try and do something special on this day – mostly it’s travelling abroad somewhere, but occasionally, it’s a simple ‘chill-out’ at home.

Previous birthday
celebrations
HERE

Welcome back, my very loyal band of readers. This is Day 5 (of 8) of our holiday and cultural exploration of Thessaloniki. . If you missed a few Posts, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered – see below.

Bedtime reading?

<<Day 1
Arrival in Thessaloniki

<<Day 2
Sax, Stuffed Leaves
and a surprise

<<Day 3
Carpet tiles, culture
and the perfect coffee

<<Day 4
Museums, Magnificent views
and Mega-miles

Birthday aside (I’ve got a birthday dinner later tonight!) today, we continued our appreciation of Thessaloniki and its proud history. On the list today…

Museum of Byzantine Culture

Museum of Illusions

9:15am: But first, of course, it’s my Birthday Breakfast! No sign of the man on a sax this morning, but the cornflakes (that taste-wise, double-up as carpet tiles) seemed to be back for another performance! . I’ll be avoiding those!

10:58am: Our first stop…

The Museum of Byzantine Culture

Opened in September 1994, The Museum of Byzantine Culture proudly offers 11 galleries of the permanent exhibition taking the visitor back to the Byzantium world through displays and exhibits describing the daily private and public life; worship; the burial customs; the architecture and art and finally, the commercial and business activity. Phew! It’s a biggy!!!

Again, it’s the statutory €8 for admission at this time of year (€4 during the Winter months), but we were taking advantage of the Thessaloniki Pass that we were told about yesterday when we visited the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki – and so we got in for free! .

Best news of all? There are no stairs at all, as all the galleries are accessed via gentle slopes! . The air-conditioning was just right too!

We had both been impressed with our visit to the Archaeological Museum yesterday, but this one was in a different league. Everything was so colourful and well-preserved. And what a range of exhibits too! Hard to believe the sophistication of many of the artefacts given that at the time, ‘we’ were surviving in mud huts!

If you love your global history, this is another ‘must visit’ and probably sits in the top five Museums we’ve visited around the world.

12.21pm: We’re all ‘cultured out’, and so time for a pitstop along the Bay. As usual, there was plenty of choice and after skipping a few, we settled for Castello’s (mainly because it had big fluffy cushions!).

We weren’t there for long. Just enough time for some serious people-watching (why are so many young Grecian girls so thin???), a couple of coffees and a slice of their Orange Cake, we were recharged and ready for our second stop of the day. In complete contrast to earlier, we headed for something quite frivolous – The Museum of Illusions requiring us to enter the unchartered territory of the Docks (well, for us anyway).

It made me laugh (but I think I was the only one!) that the Illusion Museum was actually quite hard to find!

(Just me then!)

Museum of Illusions

1.10pm: Finally, we found it! Even Mr Google Maps got confused (so that made three of us!) but maybe that was all part of the ‘illusion’ marketing of this location? Or maybe it was just the non-existent signage? .

The Museum of Illusions offered all sorts of illusions, mostly visual, with some experiential – but all educational! .I could see Science-based school trips having a great time here. It cost us just €11 each to get in (and is NOT part of the Thessaloniki Pass scheme that I mentioned earlier). Some of the exhibits I’d seen before, but most of it was a completely new experience. Helpfully, there were staff on hand to explain some of the more complex exhibits and where they also offered to use your own phone to grab ‘the’ photograph when the illusion was experiential.

For us, those illusions where you actually took part were probably the more memorable ones for us.

1.50pm: Overall, it was an OK experience. It probably would have benefited from even more exhibits (and certainly better signposting to find it), but it was a fun way to spend 30 minutes or so – especially on my Birthday!

On exiting the Museum, we realised we were in the older part of the city’s Docks. Back in the day, this would have been filled with tattooists and prostitutes going about their business. Sadly, even though it was my Birthday, we were probably a little early for either! . Nowadays, the original buildings are still there, but they’d been renovated. The larger ones seemed to have been converted exclusively to Night Clubs leaving just a few small constructions as private dwellings or Bars. Obviously, a ‘happening place’ for the ‘yoof’ of Thessaloniki!

We headed back towards the Hotel. Thankfully, it had been a much cooler day today, and we certainly felt like we’d walked further.

2.05pm: Yes, we had! At just over 4 miles today, that’s the most we’ve walked in one go, since we arrived.

Time for the now-customary siesta before my Birthday Dinner tonight.

Birthday Dinner

Rather than scour the streets to attempt to find a suitable eatery, we stayed local – very local! Our Hotel has a good reputation for its food, and so we booked a table for 7.15. In the evening, it assumes a different persona, and becomes Orizontes Roof Garden Restaurant. More practically speaking, one of the benefits of eating here is that we could walk stagger ‘home’ afterwards, and no need to call for a taxi!

7.15pm: They reserved our table outside for us – and it was perfect! 26°C with a cool gentle breeze coming in off of the Bay.

Here’s their Menu…

All in all, a brilliant meal in perfect weather – and outside too! It doesn’t get better than that!

Cheers

It’s been a great day, and I’ve enjoyed reading all your cards and your good wishes posted online – I never knew I had so many friends! , so thanks for remembering.

Tomorrow…

No idea at all, I’ve drunk wine!!!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Holiday: Day 5 – Thessaloniki, Greece (2023) “Birthday Boy” appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Day 3 – Monday, 26th – Bern, Baby, Bern!

Morning my loyal reader! Yes, ‘Birthday Boy’ today! — 66 on the outside, but only 16 on the inside!

What you might have missed

Arrival in Switzerland

Day 1 – Zurich to Wengen

Day 2 – A Wander around Wengen

Look what turned up, just before we left on Friday! . My very own official Bus Pass! Oooo, the travel possibilities!

6.05am: We were up with the lark this morning including breakfast at the unGodly hour of 7.35am! The restaurant was busy even at that time, but at least we got (almost) first pickings of the wide range of their breakfast goodies.

I love exploring cities – especially ones I’ve never been to before – and so today, we’re off by train to Switzerland’s capital city, Bern (pop, c144,000). We were up with the lark and began our multiple train journey to the capital.

8.25am: We left for the station – a challenging journey of about 100 metres! So that was easy!

Our journey involved a number of changes…

The route? Wengen Lauterbrunen Spiez Interlaken Ost Bern. Total travel time was about two hours. The tickets cost us about £80 each, return (and that was half-price using the easily available (and imaginatively titled) ‘Swiss Half Fare Card’ – details HERE.

It was a hassle-free journey, although the trains were really packed! Who are all these people? Yes, some were, like us, tourists, but there were a lot of Americans and quite a few youngsters sans luggage.

10.35am: Hello Bern! Well, at least the weather was on our side today – it was now dry! (ish)

Not content with being the capital city, Bern is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the first time here for me where the big attraction is looking around the Old City.

Old City

10.55am: In truth, where the ‘new’ became the ‘old’ City (and vice-versa) was a bit blurred, and I think we were both looking for more examples of really old buildings/architecture. One thing was immediately obvious though… how clean the city was. Not a sign of discarded anything, anywhere!

If you’ve a fetish for ornamental fountains, you won’t be disappointed here in Bern, as within just five minutes walk of the Railway Station, up they popped! Apparently, there are over 100 of them in the City!

More about The Old City

Bern’s Minster

10.55am: Disappointingly, no photography was allowed INSIDE and a rather confused queuing system for getting our tickets meant that we eventually gave up!

More about Bern’s Minster

The Zytglogge Tower

10.57am: This is probably the go-to tourist attraction when visiting Bern. The (now) Clock-Tower has had many roles through its years – prison, fire observation tower and a lookout point for the City.

We arrived in plenty of time before the 11 o’clock chimes. Not only are visitors treated to the traditional ‘bongs’, they get to see the mechanical figures, including a parade of bears, a jester, a golden rooster and Chronos all ‘doing their thing’.

But not today, it seems! .

If you watch the video below, can you see them?

More about The Zytglogge Tower

Einstein’s House

11.25am: I was looking forward to this thinking it might be something quite special. The ‘House’ turned out to be a single room that he rented back in the day now sitting above a modernish café. Disappointing!

More about Einstein’s House

11.35pm: One thing that became immediately obvious as we wandered around Switzerland’s capital city – and their shops – it oozed wealth! A sort of ‘Guildford-on-steroids’.

From uber-expensive watch shops and jewellers to many private independent clothes shops jostling for position, this was the place to visit to easily melt the family credit card or simply empty your pockets of all that cash that’s burning a hole in it. Know someone who likes Le Creuset and has a large family? Checkout the above at a cool £800! Ridiculous!

11.45pm: I felt the need to spend money (and we’ve already got plenty of Le Creuset), so the next best thing was the nearby Starbucks (yes, I know, cheap date!!), but it was getting close to lunchtime . Its other attraction was that after quite a bit wandering around, it was the ONLY place that seemed to have FREE WiFi! Unlike in the UK where it’s pretty-much in every shop, it seems to be the exact opposite out here. Having finally got used to the TRAINS only providing it if you pay for it, I thought the shops might be different in Bern? – Nope!

Oh good, a chance to catchup with all those lovely online birthday wishes that had been arriving since we left this morning now that I had connectivity! So, whilst Ann took out a second mortgage for the two coffees and two muffins (more about that later), I got us online. Well, that certainly gave the Starbuck’s router a good workout… around 50+ messages from various sources in the queue and now arriving on my phone in quick succession. Lovely! Thank you all, you’re too kind! .

Our banquet arrived! I say ‘banquet’ because the price was similar! . If you pinch and zoom the photo above, you’ll see that the total was 21.10 CHF (just over 21 Swiss Francs). A quick and dirty conversion to Sterling meant my birthday treat had relieved us of…

…just under £20!

I wouldn’t have minded, but it took ages to get served and where the muffins were that special sort that were slightly frozen in the middle!

Weird Object of the Day!

We stumbled across this! No signage as to what is was, or what it represented. We learned later that it’s called the Meret Oppenheim Fountain. Built in 1983, according to its official description, it represents a symbol of Bern’s power. Well, obviously!

12.22pm: After the ‘whip-round’ for lunch, we decided to call it a day a bit earlier than we planned. All-in-all, we were both a bit disappointed with Bern. Perhaps we didn’t delve hard enough into the older part of the city, but the whole area was just felt a bit ‘average’ (apart from the prices!). One of the penalties of getting there as early as we did was that the City was still waking up, and very few eateries were open. Consequently, it lacked any sort of ‘buzzy’ feel about it. So maybe the moral of this story is: get there later next time?

2.25pm: After a quick visit to the nearest Co-Op (they’re big out here) we bought in enough supplies for a birthday ‘carpet picnic’!

Birthday Dinner

7.05pm: The food offer here at our Hotel in the evening has been superb, however you choose to measure it – quality, variety, presentation or service – and so we celebrated my Birthday VERY locally. It’s only a five-courser tonight though!

Tomorrow, we staying local (and testing our head for heights!). We’re taking the Cable Car to Männlichen.

Thanks again for all the cards and birthday messages – you’re too kind! Nighty-night!

Previous Birthday Celebrations

2021: Devon & Cornwall
2020: Scotland
2019: London
2018: France
2017: Stroud House
2016: Scotland (My 60th)
2015: Corby, Harrogate, York
2014: Monmouth
2013: London
2012: Home
2011: Ipswich (aborted)
2010: Bury St Edmunds
2009: Worthing
2008: Chinese Meal in Market Harborough
2007: Home
2006: Naxos/Messina (My 50th)
2005: Home
2004: Home

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Holiday: Switzerland Day 3 – Birthday Boy (2022) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Hello reader! Try to contain your excitement – today is the final Post for this holiday! There’s also a birthday to be celebrated in the group (Clue: it’s NOT Ann’s!)

7.25am: As we’re away, most of my cards and gifts are sitting at home, but I did bring some of them with me. For now, I opened the Cards, and I plan to tackle the gifts after breakfast.

Now 65 years-old on the outside (but 12¾ on the inside) we’ve cranked down the activities – just a little – so that I can concentrate on celebrating my milestone!

9.36am: After another rather excellent breakfast, it was time to open my gifts…

9.37am: Thanks folks, there’s a lot of generosity (and condolences!) in this room right now!, but enough sentimentality, it’s time to think about heading out for our final booked attraction of the holiday…

…and that attraction is National Trust’s Finch Foundary in Sticklepath near Okehampton. It’s the last working water-powered forge in England.

Afterwards, it’s back to the Chagford and The Globe Inn for 1pm and my Birthday lunch!

Does the weather know it’s my Birthday? Yes, the numbers are in our favour and there’s no rain forecast!

10.36am: We’re off!

Finch Foundary (National Trust)

10.58am: In keeping with a lot of the NT properties at the moment, this one needed to be pre-booked and we’d bagged the 11 o’clock slot.

According to NT’s website: “[Albany} George Finch ran the business as a mining implement maker during the boom of the mining industry in West Devon. Although he did quite well, he spent a lot of money on building a house for his family and was also the victim of a small local financial downturn. Towards the end of his life, he was sued by the local pub after accidentally flooding it. He died in 1885, after an overdose of laudanum for toothache, although according to his death certificate there were underlying health issues”.

As I mentioned earlier, the significance of this property is that it’s the last working water-powered forge in England. In fact, as Andy, our Guide explained, technically it’s NOT a Foundary, it’s a Forge. It was a one-industry village as they owned the Post Office, the village stores and the local pub as well as quite a few properties (rented out to their workers). The company turned out tools for agriculture, farming and industry at the rate of 400 tools per day!

Ellen Finch played a large part in the success of the business and in the equivalent of today’s jobs, she’d be the equivalent of their travelling salesforce! That was in addition to raising the family! There is one account where she walked all the way to Tavistock (complete with tools) – 19 miles – but did not return home as expected. She turned up the following day having given birth!

She would not have understood the current definition of the word ‘snowflake’!

It was great to see that all this old machinery had been rescued/restored – and all powered by water!

Even better to see it in action, courtesy of Volunteer, Andy

11.55am: It had been a great tour around Finch Foundry, and seeing it all working really brought it all to life. As we left and looked at the sleepy high street, it was hard to imagine this was the route of the old A30!

Just time for a quick top-up of electrons at nearby Red Lion in Tenburn St Mary, before heading back to Chagford for my Birthday lunch.

12.59pm: I feel the call of a Birthday lunch…

The Globe Inn, Chagford

Chagford was a very pretty town. It was popular too and finding a parking space looked like it might be a problem. Someone was smiling on us though, and we found an empty space just a two-minute walk from the Inn.

The menu was straightforward, but the more observant of you will immediately notice something missing…

…yes, that’s right, Dessert… of ANY sort! It appeared that the Pub had ‘misplaced’ their Dessert Chef and were still looking for a replacement!

…but the main course went down a treat – Ann’s Roast Beef and my Steak & Ale Pie – a fantastic Birthday lunch (even without Dessert).

…together with a local Cider that I’d not heard of – Sam’s Devon Cider! A great Birthday treat!.

Around the Town

2.06pm: The Sun was out, we’d had a tasty lunch, so we took a quick walk around the local Church just opposite – St Michael the Archangel.

Back at the Hotel

14.25pm: “3-2-1, back in the room”.

Holiday, “by the numbers”

To finish the series of Posts for this holiday, here’s a none-too-serious summary of our fifteen-day break in the south-west.Miles from home… 200+

Miles driven in Devon & Cornwall… 907

Cost of electricity to cover 907 miles… £19.08

Photos taken… 685 (see them HERE)

Miles walked… 45

Pedigree Pooches… 500,000 (approx)

Mutt Mongrellus… 0

Pirates seen… 1

Cornish Pasties tasted… 0

Ice Cream stops… 3

Pilchards eaten… 0

Cream Teas taken… 1

National Trust properties visited… 9

English Heritage properties visited… 2

Beautiful beaches, harbours & coves seen… 4000+

Inches of motorways in Cornwall… 0

Twisty roads negotiated… 10000+

RNLI Stations seen… 6

Padstow ‘loveliness’… 0/10

Average speed of oncoming local motorists on narrow roads… 105mph (estimated)

Tractors overtaken… 3

Caravans holding up the traffic… 0

Teslas spied… 6

Potholes swerved… 3

Inches of rain… 0.0002

Thanks for your readership! The stats show that Day 5 (Tintagel & Port Isaac) was the most popular- close to 100 of you got around to reading it! Big thanks!

We’ve enjoyed re-discovering the south-west area of England. Choosing multiple stops along the route was a definite advantage (given our overall journey was ‘long and thin’). Going electric for our transport was a no-brainer (even if you ignore the current petrol/diesel panic buying) – under £20 to cover over 900 miles is great value in anyone’s book. Being an early(ish) adopter, meant that a lot of the locations offered charging for free!

The roads, generally, have been a mix of long, smooth and direct to narrow, twisty and down-right scary, especially when many of the locals showed no awareness of vehicles from the opposite direction! We covered a lot of places, but there is still plenty left to see down here!

All that’s left to do is to pilfer all the toiletries, carefully pack our bags, making sure we don’t leave anything behind!

I’m now signing off as we’re travelling home after breakfast tomorrow. See you on the other side!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Holiday: Devon and Cornwall – Day 15/15: My Birthday 2021 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Thanks for all your good wishes, cards and gifts! They’re mostly all back at home and I’ll enjoy them when we’re back tomorrow!

Here we are then, in Bonnie Scotland, on the occasion of my 64th.

It’s another day of discovery today and we’ve got two locations in mind:-

Nairn – a well-known seaside town on the Moray Firth with not one, but TWO golf courses!

Fort George – a large 18th-century fortress

…and for my birthday lunch, The Cawdor Tavern in (not surprisingly) the village of Cawdor.

8.05am: Looking at how busy the Hotel was yesterday evening, we decided to take breakfast earlier today to avoid the potential queues.

9.10am: We’re off! A quick dash to the petrol station en-route to fill up with juice (what a novelty, I haven’t been in a petrol station for well over a year!). Our first stop is only 16 miles and 25 minutes away…

Nairn

9.45am: Nairn is an ancient fishing port around 17 miles east of Inverness. Well, this visit certainly woke us up! In spite of a vest, two coats and gloves, (and the car saying the outside temperature was 10.5℃) it felt more like MINUS 10… it was f-f-f-f-freezing with a biting north wind!

The Harbour…

The Beach…

10.05am: And if the Harbour was freezing, then Nairn’s beach-front was even colder! But hey! In order to show that we weren’t lilly-livered southern-softies, we walked along the front (and a bit further inland). Another memorable birthday experience!! More information about Nairn HERE.

The car-heater and its heated seats have never had so much use! We were SO pleased to be back in the car!

Fort George

11.05am: Fort George is a large 18th-century fortress to the north-east of Inverness. It was built to control the Highlanders in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745, replacing a Fort George in Inverness constructed after the 1715 Jacobite rising to stamp out any further rebellion. The current fortress has never been attacked and has remained in continuous use as a garrison ever since. More information HERE.

This was the highlight of the day for us and much larger in real life than the photographs we’d already seen when planning this break. Yes, it was WIDE, but it was also DEEP – it seemed to go on forever!

There’s the great ‘Highlanders’ Museum’ full of memorabilia associated with all the Regiments here through the years.

But there are plenty of reminders that it’s still in use!

…and the mobile signal is as crap here as is most of the Highlands!

Plenty of these little fellas to keep the undesirables at bay!

…in all shapes and sizes!

The Cawdor Tavern

1.25pm: The Tavern and its food had some excellent reviews and whilst staying with our friends earlier in the week, Richard had also recommended it.

The rather understated entrance betrayed the great food that was yet to come for my Birthday Lunch 2020!!

3.10pm: Wow! What a Birthday Lunch. Definitely another of those occasions where a short snooze would now be in order! Instead though, we headed in the general direction of the Hotel by way of the Culloden Battlefield (as you do!)

We headed back to the hotel to start packing for our departure tomorrow. What an unforgettable day! Great places, great food… and hypothermia! We won’t forget my 2020 birthday celebrations in a hurry!

Click on the button below for all our photos so far
(and none of my chat!)

My Previous Birthday Celebrations

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Holiday: Scotland – Day 7(8): My Birthday 2020 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Here we are then, in the capital for my Birthday celebrations!

After yesterday’s retail therapy, today, it’s all about sightseeing, and we’re off to visit Westminster Abbey and The Banqueting House …and maybe more!
That means there’s at least THREE relics on show in London today then!

7.20am: Another lie-in – that’s the second one this year! Instead of ploughing through emails, it was a really nice change to wake up to a record-breaking number of text messages and social-media posts wishing me well. A great start to my day.

As we’re away, we only brought the first few cards with us – the rest will be opened when we get back. Thanks in advance… and for the various gifts too! I’ve heard there’s quite a few to open on our return!

8.45am: My ‘Birthday’ Breakfast in the Hotel was impressive in terms of its range. You’ll be pleased to hear that I did precede the above with a bowl of fresh fruit (hurrah!) but then go on to spoil the healthy intention with a couple of pastries (boo!)

Westminster Abbey

9.45am: My birthday celebration began with a spring in my step (early days yet!) as we took the short walk to Stratford Station, heading for our first sight-seeing opportunity – Westminster Abbey. It was a good day to travel underground (and stay inside) as the weather for London was already damp with more rain forecast. We were prepared for it and although I was pleased to see Ann, it WAS an umbrella in my pocket!

10.30am: By the time we arrived, the weather had deteriorated and it was now pouring! Luckily, the queue wasn’t too long and we were soon inside. The 2-for-1 offer had saved us a hefty £23.

Unfortunately, no photography was allowed inside, but the excellent – and free – multimedia guide (portable video player and headphones) made up for it with Jeremy Iron’s soothing tones telling us all we needed to know. Simply, put, the interior was stunning with lots to see. Today’s Top Tip? With so much to take in, in addition to everything that’s in your normal eye-line, it helps to look down as well as up on a regular basis.

The Supreme Court

11.45am: In a change to the advertised programme we stumbled across The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom – just up the road in the direction of Whitehall. We already knew of it, just not exactly where it was.

Architectually, it was a fascinating building, with a mix of old (it used to be council offices) and the new (it had been extended and was very light and airy). Free admission too!

It had a very ‘open’ feel to it and was scrupulously clean. Inside there are just four Courts where supreme justice is served, so it’s kept very busy. Deserted today though!! A lovely piece of London!

A very interesting place and well-worth a visit if you’re also planning to see the Abbey, Parliament, Big-Ben etc etc. best of all, given its function, we were left completely free to wander around without any restrictions.

The Banqueting House

12.30pm: Next stop (and back on schedule) we arrived at The Banqueting House, home of the famous Charles I’s execution and Ruben’s ceiling – how’s that for contrast!!??

Beheading aside, the jaw-dropping moment was easily the Ruben’s ceiling on the first floor…

This was a real treat for me and the vibrancy of the colours, let alone the feat of actually creating it in the first place, was mind-blowing! If you’re interested in visiting, the location is easy to miss unless you’re specifically looking for it. Located between Downing Street and Trafalgar Square, opposite Horse Guards. Price of a (London) pint to get in!

Birthday Lunch

1.15pm: Birthday lunch was at the nearby The Clarence Pub – and perfectly timed as my feet were reminding me how much walking we’d done so far!

When it comes to food (birthday or not) I’m easily pleased, whilst Ann is far more discerning. The Hake from the specials board found a home with Mrs P, whilst I chose the Chicken Pie and Smashed New Potatoes. One thing we did agree on was the cider – it had to be Aspall on draught!

The National Portrait Gallery

2.05pm: Next stop – and our last for the day – was The National Portrait Gallery. Last time I was here was back in May 2016 with my old prog rocker mate, Ian. We were on our way to see supergroup Yes in concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Just like my previous visit, there was lots to see. Some familiar, others less so, but it made for a very enjoyable experience. For us, the amazing thing was that it was sometimes hard to tell whether it was a painting or a photograph! What a talent!!

Thoughtfully laid out by age, the displays showed-off a wide range of subjects and styles…

It felt like it was perfectly possible to stay here ALL DAY and not see the same portrait twice!

How many faces do you recognise?

Nice to see very modern interpretations too!

3.45pm: Tomorrow, we’re off to see a Play just up the road (more about that tomorrow), so we thought we’d beat the queues and pick-up our tickets today. It seemed like a good idea, but no such luck, as the Box Office politely informed us that our tickets won’t be ready until 30 minutes before the performance tomorrow. So, it was back on the Tube, as we headed back to the Hotel.

4.35pm: Phew! What a day! I may only feel 19 on the inside, but my feet definitely are all 63 years of me! We hobbled back from Stratford station, picking up some sandwiches along the way – all set for my Birthday Tea (where I’m not expecting candles!)

5.30pm: It’s certainly been an actioned-packed Birthday (just the way I like it) and if I didn’t get round to replying to all your best wishes on social-media, I’m working through them next. For those who sent me cards, as I mentioned earlier, we travelled light and I’m opening those when get home on Saturday – that goes for my presents too!

Now for a lie-down in a darkened room!

Previous Birthday Celebrations…

2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post London Mini-Break – Day 2 (of 3): Birthday Boy (2019) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Our Adventures so far…

Wednesday

Whilst most would be content with a trip to McDonalds or the Zoo – not me, I fancy a trip to the Château d’If! (Our family was always a bit weird!)

Lucky then, we’re in Marseille, just across the water from The Count of Monte Cristo’s enforced ‘holiday home’. The weather is looking hotter than yesterday – by a few degrees or so.

Oh, and we’re also going in search of the ‘black stuff’ as it seems to be a difficult thirst-quencher to find around these parts

As it’s my Birthday AND we’re away from home, we decided to travel light(er!), so we only brought the Cards that arrived by the time we left. The same went for pressies, but Ann did manage to smuggle two from her into the case!: ‘Atomic Blonde’ 4k DVD and Molton Brown’s ‘Bushukan’ Eau de Toilette. Very nice and a perfect choice!

Looks like a second birthday when we get home on Friday then!

8.45am: After a quick breakfast we trod the well trodden route down to the Harbour and specifically the Booking Office for the boat trip direct to Château d’If.

9.10am: As usual, we got there a bit ahead of opening time so we killed a bit of time looking around the Church opposite the Booking Office.

Saint-Ferréol les Augustins (More info HERE)

Immaculate, inside and out, it was another Church here that was well worth the visit!

As we left the Church, we could see that the Booking Office was now open. It was going to be a simple matter of booking our tickets, boarding the boat – and enjoying the Château d’If.

9.50am: Well, the first part went perfectly well! With tickets in hand, we were pointed in the direction of the Boat, and we walked to the jetty. I guess we should have realised that the walk was just another of those half-marathons we seem to have got used to out here – but we followed the rest of the ‘herd’ anyway.

10.05am: On arrival at the jetty, it all looked good. The Boat – The Edmond Dantes was waiting. This was a good sign considering he’s the hero of the story – The Count of Monte Cristo – We prepared to board…

…but before we could do that, just before 10.15, the Boat upped anchor and sailed away into the distance – with NO-ONE passengers on it!

10.20am: Confusion, doesn’t even begin to describe the situation. The queue got larger – now numbering over 50 and man with baskets of vegetables asserted himself to the front of the queue. In a peculiar kind of way, it looked promising, as he seemed to hint that he knew what was going on… but things then went from bad to very bad.

10.15 came and went… and so did 10.30! And then 10.45 passed without anything changing! Anyone expecting the Count to appear on the scene would have been very disappointed as all we got was another boat arriving and the only ‘count’ was the boat-staff counting those the queue (see what I did there!). There must have been well over a 100 similar souls by now waiting impatiently – and we were all looking as confused as each other.

10.35am:The Boat docked and those of us with tickets were encouraged to queue at the opposite end of the boarding point – in effect, making us last to board. Another 10 minutes passed and the queue eventually began to move. As we confidently presented our tickets when the time came, we were told we had the WRONG ones and we’d been queuing for the wrong Boat! It would appear that there are two ferry companies and we were trying to get on the wrong boat.

So, apart from that, we were OK!

We grumbled all the way back to the Booking Office, where we were politely reminded that we HAD been pointed in the right direction (literally next door to the Booking Office) for our Boat – ‘Right’ meant literally ‘next door’. Bizarrely, at the time, we’d followed the herd – it just happened to be the WRONG herd!

Oh, how we laughed!

10.55am: We were now about an hour behind schedule, but on a positive note, at least they exchanged the tickets and we were soon jostling for position on the RIGHT Boat. The tickets cost €10 for the Boat ride and €6 for entry to the Chateau. Great value in our view!

At last, were off for the 45 minute journey to the Château d’If.

It was a very pleasant journey. The Boat was quite crowded with hoards of spotty German students, but the seats we’d grabbed were partially in the shade (which was a benefit as the sun was really starting to shine by now). Some great views on the journey followed…

…showing-off a very blue sky…

…worth the boat journey, just for the sights…

…a perfect day for it…

In under the hour, we had arrived. It was now much hotter, but we’d come prepared.

11.45am: The Castle awaits…

After some steep steps, our first stop, was the little Restaurant on the island – Marseille en Face – where we sat in the shade to cool down in the company of some suitable liquid refreshment!

A Corsican Brew at 6% – Yum!

First impressions of the Château d’If were good ones! Given its age – built in 1529 – and the fact  it was still in use as a prison until the Great War, the renovations have been done very well indeed – and the most modern and hygienic loos we’ve seen since we’ve been out here!

Plenty to see inside too…

…and above!

We spent around 45 minutes there, just in time for a good look round inside as well as the perimeter plus, the obligatory birthday photo…

and to catch the next Boat back to Marseille…

12.45pm: Luckily the Boat was less busy going back, but the temperature was on the rise – almost 26 degrees now… but it made for some more stunning photos…

  
  
Wow! What an adventure! – and in spite of the ‘mis-step’ earlier on, it had been a worthwhile and very enjoyable trip!

1.15pm: Back on dry land, the most immediate priority was somewhere for my Birthday Lunch! We wandered along the Harbour-front – everywhere was busy – and eventually settled for Bar de la Marie. By the time we got there, it was almost full, but they found us a nice table-for-two towards the back – and in the shade!

Ann had Grilled Salmon, whilst I settled for their super-cheeseburger.

Both were delicious. Having skipped Starters, we were ready for Desserts!

2.25pm: Mine was marginally taller than Ann’s but they both had an obscene amount of chocolate and cream in them. Ann struggled with hers and it was only right that I helped her out!

3.05pm: We’d eaten too much and I’d drunk too much, but hey, it’s my Birthday! We headed for the nearest ColorBus stop and travelled a few stops round the circuit where there was only one thing left to do today…

…find a bar that sold Draught Guinness.

4.00pm: Luckily, we didn’t have to look far, as right on the harbour-front was the Queen Victoria Pub.

It all looked and felt very English inside…

…with Man Utd v Derby playing on the TV (Not sure whether it was live or not).

Mission accomplished in the shape of a Draught Guinness. It tasted fine but the amount of head/meringue on it when they’d finished pouring, was about twice that of the ‘Brit version’!

4.45pm: We then took the short(ish) walk along the Harbour-front back to our Hotel.

It’s been a great Birthday with all the right ingredients: New places to discover; great company; great food; great drink; memorable photos; a bit of exercise and great weather! It doesn’t get much better than that!

Off for a lie down now! I’m feeling my (new) age!

We’re not sure what we’ll do tomorrow, so keep an eye on the Blog! I’ll post it around 7pm UK time.

Previous Birthdays…

2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post France 2018: Day 7 – Chateau d’If and Birthday Boy appeared first on Steve's Blog.

The main event for today is to visit Lyme Regis where we haven’t been for over 20 years!

But first there’s the mega pressy-opening session, and before that the birthday-breakfast (courtesy of Chef Ann). Too many pressies to list here, but safe to assume that I’m mostly surrounded by chocolate and gin – and just one multi-pack of socks. Clearly I’m a simple soul with predictable tastes!

And so, after breakfast, Ann acted as all-day chauffeur and we headed for Lyme Regis, arriving just after 11.30.

Parking was dead easy and after paying our dues, we were soon re-enacting the scene from French Lieutenant’s Woman walking out towards The Cobb. It was initially a bit overcast, but the sun came out as the morning turned to afternoon.

We always try and find somewhere ‘a little different’ for my Birthday Lunch and this year was no different. Ann had located a highly recommended smallish bistro/restaurant slightly off the beaten track called The Millside Restaurant. It was only about a 10-minute walk along the sea-front towards the town centre and right next to the River Lym.

What this place lacked in size (a dozen covers inside, six outside), it more than made up for in both service and food quality and presentation. We bagged a table outside,soaking up the newly arrived sunshine, and perused the Menu…

There was even a separate GIN menu too! They must have known I was coming!!

To make us feel even more at home, the owner’s two cats arrived and sat, staring at us as only cats can. Eventually, Ann supplied the chips whilst I provided slithers of burger! The result? Two happy humans and two slightly much fatter cats!!

Butternut Squash Soup

Best Burger ever…?

We couldn’t handle Dessert – we were just too full (and *I* don’t say that very often ever!). However, we’d set our sights on some Mr Whippy ice-cream from a local merchant on our walk back to the car – and we REALLY wanted to leave some room. A combination of the warm weather and my slow eating speed combined, to allow my ice-cream to run down the outside of the cornet and  into my hand, heading towards my wrists. At his rate, my whole body would be covered inside the hour. Swapping hands didn’t help – I now had BOTH hands looking like they’d been attacked by seagulls! Yuk!! This afternoon, around these parts, I’m now known as Super Sticky Steve! Luckily, the men’s loos were just down the road, so there was time for a rinse!

Thirty seconds later – Super Sticky Steve!

With my hands now back to normal, we headed back to the car and navigated into uncharted waters (well, water AND land actually!). We’ve never been further west along the coast than Lyme Regis before now, so today, was going to be a real adventure as we arrived in the town of Seaton.

I’m not sure what we were expecting, but we we got was a lovely town, *not* full of crappy gift-shops, just very clean streets, plenty of parking and lovely views.

Super Views of Seaton

After a thorough walk a long the seafront (I declined the option of a look round the town – it’s my age!), we headed for the car and headed back to ‘Chilly-Towers’. We hadn’t been home very long when the Estates’ Manager arrived to look at the central heating. In the end, he was as confused as we were, and left promising to scratch his head and get it all sorted.

Wow! What a day! I’ve eaten too much, drunk too much, lost a battle with a ‘Mr Whippy’ and been to a town I’ve never been to before – Thanks Ann, it’s been a perfect day and it’s only 6pm!?

Tomorrow – our last full day here – we’re heading for NT’s Montacute House (where they filmed ‘Wolf Hall’) and NT’s Tintinhull Gardens.

Happy Birthday via Social Media/Texts

Amie B

Angela C

Ann McL

Anthony C

Antoinette U

Bev

Carey H

Carl G

Carmen P

Carol A

David J

Debi B

Denise M

Fiona M

Francesco F

Geoff B

Heather E

Helena B

Helen K

Jason H

Ian H

Ian McL

James H

Jane S

Janet S

Janine C

Jenny R

Jerry F

Jo K

John W

Julie T

Karen H

Karen J A

Karen R

Karin S

Kate P

Ken B

Kerry D

Kevin P

Larry H

Lydia W

Lyn and Richard

Malcolm L

Mark S

Mick C

Mike P

Nicki C

Nigel OS

Neil P

Paul M

Pauline O

Peter L

Peter W

Ralph G

Ralph P

Rhiannon L

Richard K

Richard P

Rosi L

Roy C

Sally B

Sean C

Stella H

Stuart McL

Sue J

Sue R

Tania M

Tom T

Trish C

Val A

Cards

Ann

Angela C

Antoinette

Bev

Carol A 

Chris and Pete M

David and Val

Denis

Gill and Chris

Ian and Ann

Ian and Sharon

Jo and Janet

Karen and Paul

Karen and Ralph

Lee

Margaret and Alan

Margaret Spencer

Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie

Nick and Celina

Nicki C and Richard

Oliver

Pam

Paul, Sue and Ben

Philip P

Roger and Jane

Roy, Susan and Lauren

Rosi L

Sally B

Sue and Paul

Trish, John, Sean and Conor

Valerie H

Gifts

Ann – Hermes Gift Set and Jaeger Tee Shirt. Raspberry Ripple Gin. Plum and Vanilla Gin. Orange Gin

Alfie and Frankie – Malfy Lemon Gin

Bev – Marshmallow Kit

Conor and Sean – Greenall’s Wild Berry Gin

David and Val – Socks and bottle of Bailey’s

Denis – Damson Gin. Elderflower Gin. Garden Lights

Julie, Tom, Nick, Lewis and Georgina – Greenall’s Wild Berry Gin

Jo and Janet – Elemis Toiletries. Alnwick Gin

Karen and Paul – Belgian Chocolates. Tawny Port

Lee – Hendrick’s Gin. Bright Shirt

Nicki and Richard – Tanqueray no. 10 Gin

Roger and Jane – Raspberry Gin. Black Tyre Shine, DVD: Deutschland 83

Rosi and David – Letter Opener, Chocolate Tasting Set, Ice Ball Trays

Trish and John – A set of ‘his and hers’ Gin Glasses

Oliver – Car Magazine. Mars Bars Multi-Pack. Haribo’s. Galaxy Ripple Multi-Pack

#DoDO61

Previous Birthdays…

2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Holiday: National Trust’s ‘Strode House’ (Day 5) – Birthday Boy! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

So apparently, this is the ‘big one’ – ‘60’ – but luckily, I’m only 23 on the inside! This year, because of the ‘bigness’ of the event , I’m having quite a few separate celebrations (mainly based around food). They already started on the 21st with Sally and Shirley from Juno L and D treating me to lunch at Brown’s in Cambridge, and continue on-and-off throughout the rest of September, October and November!

Saturday, 24th
The next pre-birthday celebration was Saturday night at The Exotic Dining restaurant – the Indian restaurant in town.

 

 

 

Roger and Debbie, Jon and Trish, Bev and Jules, Trevor and Fiona, Richard and Nicki and Jo, Janet and Carol joined us for some fab food and chat. The only disappointment was they didn’t have any Percy Panda desserts left – surely the high-point of culinary excellence at any curry-house!

 

 

Sunday, 25th
Sunday arrived with another planned foody-celebration. I dropped off the cats at Val’s for 10am and then, on the way back, picked-up Lee. It’s a family gathering – Roger, Jane, Oliver, Lee, Denis and Bev. Ann did all the hard work by creating some mouth-watering dishes and Bev supplied an appropriate birthday cake.

 

 

 

Bev sorted out my Cake!!

After coaxing the dishwasher into life, we settled down into comfy chairs for the rest of the afternoon. It was a fabulous meal – far too much of course – but delicious all the same! We said our goodbyes around 4 and I dropped Lee back at hers whilst Ann returned the kitchen to its normal ordered self. We were beyond knackered at this point, but managed to assemble all my card and presents in preparation for the ‘thankyous’ tomorrow.

Monday, 26th
Today is my official Birthday and it was an early start, as we were Edinburgh-bound! That meant getting up up at 4.45am (a bit of a shock to the system these days!) in time to leave at 6am to catch the 7.06am from Peterborough. After initially running slightly late, our train caught up and we coasted into Waverley Station just before 11.20.

After checking-in the luggage, we headed for the Royal Mile and St Giles Cathedral…

 

St Giles Cathedral

Then it was down to Holyroodhouse. Last time we were here, it p***** it down and we ended up taking refuge in the local Cafe. After coming out of the Palace, history repeated itself – and it was umbrella time! Again!

 

Luckily, the rain was short-lived and we headed back towards the Station for a look round the shops.

 

Classic Jenners from the Balcony

As is the custom, when we’re in Edinburgh, we headed for Jenner’s – originally a family-run department store, but now part of the House of Fraser empire (and personally, a bit disappointing, having lost a bit of its unique character). Still, we still managed to get an iconic view of one of the sales floors from the Balcony.

And then, the highlight of the day – Ann had booked Afternoon Tea at the famous Balmoral Hotel…

 

…where plans were made to get the resident Harpist to play ‘Happy Birthday’ followed by a round of applause from the other guests! Nice!

 

What a Treat!

It had been a fantastic experience, but by now, our early start was catching-up with us. So, it was back to the Station to pick-up our luggage and then the shortish much-longer-than-we-thought to our apartment for the next few days – The Chester Residence.

Wow! What a place. As it was a special event, they’d upgraded us from our pre-booked one-bedroom apartment to a ginormous two-bedroom affair! This is possibly the most lavish apartment we’ve ever stayed in! Fab!!

 

 

 

 

Inside our Apartment ‘8/2’

And that’s here we stayed for the rest of the day  – knackered!

Tomorrow, we’re off to visit the Royal Yacht, Britannia.

Tuesday, 27th

 

The View from our Apartment ‘8/2’

The weather forecast for the morning wasn’t fantastic (but typically Scottish) – cold and a bit damp, so we did nothing for the first few hours.

Then it was off on the number 22 bus down to take a look round the ex-Royal Yacht, Britannia at Ocean Terminal, but not before a hearty breakfast!

We weren’t sure what to expect once we got on Britannia – but we weren’t to be disappointed. There was certainly an awful lot to see, and the suggested ‘90 minutes’ to do the tour turned out to be about right!

…and after all that culture, we decided to look round the Terminal’s shops and it was then that we discovered that it also had a cinema! What’s more, The Magnificent Seven was showing in about 10 minutes!

 

 

Perfect! And I also earned a discount because of my age! It turned out to be a great film – and the cinema had super comfy eats too!

After the film, we took a last look round the shops and then hopped back on the bus and headed back to the centre of Edinburgh. We took a short troll down George Street where we spotted a Jaimie’s Italian Restaurant. Perfect timing as tummies were rumbling!

 

Excellent service and excellent food made it the perfect pit-stop for our evening meal today. After settling the bill, we decided to walk back to the Apartment – and in spite of a minor wrong-turn, we were back in the warm by around 6.30.

It’s been a great day. The Royal Yacht, Britannia exceeded our expectation in every sense, and it was good to get out and about on the local buses. The film was a goof ol’ fashioned Western – and was probably one of the best film we’ve seen this year.

It’s our last day here tomorrow and we need to be back at Waverley Station by 2pm, so we’re not sure what to do with ourselves (although the weather forecast is quite promising!).

Wednesday, 28th
It’s our last day here as we’re on the 2pm train out of Waverley Station. We had a lazy morning, checking-out about 10.30am and taking a slow walk in the direction of the shops and the station. But not before sampling  one last Scottish brekky! Suitably stuffed we dodged the showers and headed back to the Station. Last time we used the Virgin First Class lounge here, it was a bit lack-lustre and looked like in was in the middle of refurbishment. This time around, the refurb had been completed (everything in tartan – bar the loo-rolls). They even had phone chargers on every table, surely the most vital of facilities for any traveller? A pity then, that NONE of them were working (well, at least the 10 that I checked!) Very disappointing Virgin!

We boarded our train on time and were pleased to see that the seats were sporting the new faux-leather upgrade. It was a perfect opportunity for this ‘old in’ to grad some shut-eye.

 

 

The New Leather-look Virgin

We arrived back at Peterborough on time at 17.46 and headed straight for the car. It was a smooth journey home and after dumping the bags, I picked-up the moggies from the Cattery and by 7.30pm we were back indoors with the big adventure over!

That’s it for another year – I’ve been spoilt in every sense of the word!
 

Cards
Ann
Angela
Antoinette
Bev
Bev and Jules
Carey, Clive, Abigail and Madeline
Carol
Conor
David and Val x2
Debbie and Roger
Denis
Fiona and Trevor
Gill and Chris
Ian and June
Ian and Sharon
Ian and Ann
Jane and Mick
Jo and Janet
Lee
Margaret Spencer
Lyn and Richard
Margaret and Alan
Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
Nick and Celina
Nicki C
Paul and Karen
Philip P
Ralph and Karen
Roger, Jane and Oliver
Rosi, David, Rhiannon and Jack
Roy, Susan, Lauren and Janine
Sally, Amie and Zak
Sean C
Sue, Paul and Ben
Tom and Julie, Nick, Lewis and Georgina
Trish and John
Valerie H

Social Media
Abi Amos
Andy Bull
Ann McL
Bev
Carey H
Carl G
Carol A
Debi B
Evelyn Jones
Fiona M
Francesco F
Frankie P
Geoff B
Geoff W
Gill A
Heather E
Helen K
Ian H
Ian McL
Jane S
Jerry F
Jo K
Jonathan H
John W
Joy D
Julie T
Karen H
Karen M
Karen R
Karin S
Kate P
Kay W
Kevin P
Linda A
Lynn R
Mags L
Mike P
Nicki C
Nigel O
Pam Roper
Pauline O
Ralph G
Richard P
Rosi L
Roy C
Sean C
Stella H
Stuart McL
Sue J
Tania L
Trish C

Gifts
Ann –  Hermes Gift set
Antoinette, Angela, June, Carey , Rick and Philip – Amazon Vouchers
Bev – Amazon voucher
Carol – Bottle of Bailey’s
David and Val – Amazon voucher
Denis –  Amazon voucher
Denise – Cash
Gill and Chris –  Amazon voucher
Ian and Ann/Alan and Mags – Flight experience voucher
Jane and Mick – Amazon voucher
Jo and Janet – Gin/Tonic/Gin glass/Gin Liqueur – Unicorn Tears
Lee – Amazon voucher
Neil and Debbie – Bottle of Prosecco
Nick and Celina/Ralph and Karen/David and Valerie – Amazon voucher
Nicki – Cash
Paul and Karen/Rosi and David/Tom and Julie/John and Trish – Toiletries Bag and Gadget Store
Roger, Jane and Oliver –  Amazon voucher, Raspberry Gin/Honey
Roy and Susan – Bottle of Gin
Sally B – PacMan Tank/Fridge Magnet/Geeky paper clips/Mobile phone notepad
Sean C –  Bottle of white wine

#DoDO60

Previous Birthdays…
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post My 60th – Birthday 2016 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Saturday

Celebrations began with a lie-in until the ridiculously late hour of 7.45!
 
Then, we headed out for a bit of retail therapy, descending on the rejuvenated Corby assisted by a greasy-spoon breakfast.

After a short walk around the shops, we headed home. Tom and Julie had left a pressy for me, and not long after, Karen popped round to drop off theirs, as did Rosi. Thanks all, they’re all spot-on and it’s very thoughtful of you all!

On Saturday night, we took a trip out to our fave Chinese restaurant – Han in Market Harborough.

Even at 7pm, the place was heaving (and I can’t think it was because Strictly, was on TV tonight!). Unusually for us, we didn’t go for one of their famous Banquets – delicious as they are, there’s just too much of a good thing! So we settled for just a starter and a main – and that was plenty! It was all very tasty, and we felt comfortably full rather than our usual completely stuffed!

We headed home, faffed about a bit and then had a  relatively early night, as Ann had now done all the hard work and finished packing for our long weekend starting tomorrow.

Sunday
After last year’s surprise trip to Monmouth and beyond, this year was a bit more predictable. We headed for Harrogate (and The Old Swan Hotel) with David and Valerie for an extended weekend (returning Tuesday). Hopefully, this year will less eventful, car-wise! Last year, we had road debris damage the front of the XKR followed by a squadron of seagulls mistaking the car roof for a toilet when it was parked in the hotel car-park – and I do mean a squadron! Yuk!!

We left just after 9 and David did the driving – it was nice to be chauffeured around for a change! Our first stop-off was a return to the very picturesque Bolton Abbey. David and Valerie hadn’t been here for about five years, and we’d been here in 2012 (over the Jubilee Weekend) and again in 2010, when we were staying in Haworth.

A quick pit-stop was in order first though, dropping into the adjacent Tea Cottage, for a quick bite…

…before reminding ourselves of the stunning vistas that Bolton Abbey has to offer!

I was also reminded of the invigorating knackering walk around the perimeter of the River Wharfe that dominates the landscape. Actually, it was less than three miles, but with the ups-and-downs combined with the boggy nature of some of the pathways, it felt a lot longer!

An hour or so later, suitably ‘refreshed’ (and I use the word in its widest context), we headed back to the car and our home for the rest of our stay – The Old Swan Hotel, close to the town centre of Harrogate. A couple of laps around the outside of the hotel, led us eventually to the permit-only area for cars where we parked with ease. It was then just a short walk to the front door of the Hotel. The Hotel is probably most famous for where Agatha Christie disappeared to in the 20s, causing a national (wo)man-hunt. We’d upgraded our room and it was very spacious, and the free bottle of Prosecco and chocs made us feel even more welcome! I guess it was predictable that there would be a swan on the end of the bed!

We couldn’t be bothered to visit nearby Harrogate town centre for an eatery tonight, so we ate in (anyway, it’s free, as part of the hotel deal!)

We all met up in the Bar, where disappointingly, they’d run out of Guinness. Not a great start, but a pint of Theakston’s served as a suitable alternative for me.

Then it was off to the Restaurant for our free meal. The service was very friendly, but it wasn’t the most inspiring of menus (not really surprising!) – it was all edible though! Service got a lot slower as the evening progressed, especially as we got to Dessert. In fact, I think they forgot about us! Ann soon put things right though!

Starter – A Fish Thing

Mains – A Gammon Thing

Dessert – A Creamy Swan/Pastry Thing

So, all in all, it was just an ‘OK’ meal – but as it was free, we were all fine about it. I think the day caught up with me, and by now I was really tired. We headed back to our rooms to finish unpacking and to get ready for York tomorrow!

Monday

We slept well, and by 8.30 we were ready to try out the breakfast offering. In a word, ‘fab’.  The Breakfast Room was ‘old school’ – an ornate ceiling and wooden panels everywhere. Very nice… and very busy!

Most of us went for the Yorkshire Breakfast – in reality, a full-English. It was all piping hot and the service, unlike last night, was very efficient. By 9.30, we were ready to take on the world, but we settled for a quick walk around Harrogate instead – we noticed that surprisingly, there WASN’T a queue for Betty’s! (that’s a first!!).

After a few minor purchases in town, we decided to board the local train to York – it was quicker and cheaper than driving. Less than 40 minutes later, we were all walking out of the station.

York, as always was fantastic! We decided to ‘do our own thing’ with David and Valerie heading off in the direction of the Bus Tour, whilst we got our fix by visiting York Minster. We were last here in 2012 and before then, in 2010.

After an hour-or-so, we were both ‘minstered-out’, and so we looked for somewhere to eat. Lucky for us, we stumbled into Cote Brasserie – and what a stumble! The food was great, and the service, brilliant!
 
Then it was another quick look round the city’s shops ending with us putting our feet up in the Park outside the Yorkshire Museum, before heading back to the station to catch the 15.11.

What a great day it’s been – and the weather was better than expected too! By no means a heatwave, but comfortable for sight-seeing. So, just time to chill-out for an hour-or-so before we’re off to a local restaurant for dinner – Quantro, just a 10 minute walk from the Hotel. Luckily David had found the restaurant when out looking for his morning paper, and combined with an online voucher, the four of us managed a full three-courser, with two rounds of drinks each, for less than £100. Result!

My Dessert – Chocolate and Coconut Cheesecake

Phew! We’re stuffed, so just time for the quick walk back to the Hotel and for Ann and me to watch Downton Abbey on catch-up!

The RHS’s Harlow Carr Gardens tomorrow, and then home.

Tuesday
Our final day ‘up north’, and we’re off to the RHS’s Harlow Carr Gardens. We came here back in 2010, but because it was March, it was all a bit lack-lustre, with nothing much to see. On arrival, it looked as bleak as ever! I guessed I should have loved it, especially as there were now more plants and flowers to see (compared to our previous visit), but it just lacked ‘warmth’, and the place just looked, well… desolate! zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

…and in less than an hour, Ann and I were bored with it all and we sought refuge in Betty’s next door!Cripes! I think the whole of Yorkshire had descended on the place – and it was packed! We even had to queue… on a Tuesday, at 11am! Still, we blended in with the locals and had a coffee and shared an Eccles Cake (after arranging a bank loan!)

We finished with a look round the gift shop (which was actually quite impressive) before one last look for Valerie and David around Harrogate before heading south. And so, it’s goodbye to Yorkshire, and The Swan Hotel

It’s been a great break; the weather has been kind, the food has been (mostly) great and it’s always good fun spending time with David and Valerie. Memorable moments for me were (in no particular order)

• Seeing York Minster again
• The outstanding meal at Quantro
• Trying to beat David’s record for how long to make a Werther’s Original last in your mouth (I failed! – personal best 32 minutes though!)

Previous Birthdays…
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Birthday Weekend 2015 – Corby/Harrogate/York appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Even before the celebrations began today, I had a rather unexpected birthday-call the previous evening. The phone rang, and I didn’t recognise the number that came up, nor the voice at the other end. The mystery voice immediately sprang into singing ‘happy birthday’. After the serenading had finished, the voice asked: ‘do you know who this is?’ and i thought I did, but the phone number didn’t fit. After a bit of head-scratching (an increasingly regular occurrence these days!), I guessed correctly, as It turned out to be the evergreen Reg Whellock, a member of the OCA , whose 100th Birthday party we’d been to a few weeks’ ago! These days, I’m a cynical bugger, but I’ve got to say, I was very touched that he took the time (and remembered) to ring me. 

The Day of the DoDO
The postman was early, so I was enjoying reading through my cards much earlier than I’d planned. Thanks everyone – an enjoyable collection, some traditional, some rude and some weird in roughly equal proportions! And some great presents too. I also had a even more good wishes this year (compared to last) via Facebook and Twitter – details later in this Blog.

The Theatre
In the evening, we headed off to The Derngate, to see the 7.30 performance of One Man, Two Guvnors. The Play itself had already been in the West-End, and everyone we had spoken to said it was very good. We weren’t sure what to expect, and the opening scenes appeared to suggest a rather straightforward production with more than its fair share of laughs. That was good enough for me, but my expectations were about to be exceeded in every way!!! I won’t spoil for those who’ve still to see it, but rest assured, it is REALLY worth the trip. I have never laughed so much in my life, and I’m pretty sure there were one, or maybe two occasions, where Ann nearly wet herself!

It was packed a little later – Honest!

Most definitely the funniest Play I have ever seen! Just one word of warning – maybe don’t choose to sit in the first three rows!

Birthday Weekend – Saturday  Ann has planned a surprise trip somewhere in the UK, complete with a hotel stop-over! I wonder where it’ll be?

Well, 120-or-so miles later, I found out, as we arrived in Monmouth. It was a bit of a grey day, but the quaint shops and quite a few men dressed up in English Civil War costumes made all of it a lot more interesting – and weird!

First stop though was The Punch House and a date with a Full English (even though we’re in Wales)

First Stop – Breakfast!

Full English, or Full Welsh???

Scenes around Monmouth High Street

Monmouth Castle

The Royal Monmouthshire Regiment HQ

Nice View from the Monnow Bridge

Men Guarding the Monnow Bridge

Then it was off to National Trust’s The Kymin  a few miles away, but along some of the twistiest roads I’ve ever been on with lots of blind bends – not the the best roads for a car with such a long bonnet! The NT property was certainly the highest NT property we’ve ever visited! and it was well worth it – if only for the view from the top, across Monmouth and the Wye Valley. The location has two buildings – one is a sort of monument to British Navy, opened by Nelson in 1802 – in effect a Temple. The other, a small folly, called The Round House, and built in the late 1700s consisted of two floors, with a small windy staircase connecting the levels. The buildings themselves are surrounded by open woodland, making it the perfect spot for a picnic and/or a country walk. All-in-all, a rather quirky but beautiful area – and well worth the slightly hazardous car journey ascending to the summit!!

The Naval Temple at The Kymin

The Round House Folly at The Kymin

Views to Die For!
On the way back to car, it was then I noticed we’d acquired a nasty dink in the front grille area!
 
Damn, that won’t be cheap to fix! There’s a lot of paint area to have to blend in! Ahh, the joys of motoring!!! 

With our breath well-and-truly taken away by The Kymin, it was time to head for the next part of my weekend surprise, and our base for the next couple of days – The St Pierre Marriott Hotel and Country Club in Chepstow.

Wow! This a massive sprawling mass of hotelness! So large in fact, we couldn’t find the entrance (but did have fun not killing any golfers in their buggies who were dominating the roadway, during the attempt).

Inside was a very grand affair, all oak panels and oversized table lamps,! Although by the time we’d got to our room (what felt like miles from Reception!), a sense of ‘ordinary-ness’ was setting-in based on the look and feel of the corridors and our room. ‘326’ had a goodish view across the Golf Course and sported an ultra comfy bed and a large wide-screen TV, but the bathroom was badly in need of a refresh, and the mini-bar was the modern sort that we’ve seen in a lot of hotels recently – empty!, but at least that encouraged us to get to the Bar a little earlier than planned!

 
A nice touch though was that the Staff had left me a small box of chocs, with a hand-written note wishing me a happy birthday.

We attempted to book a table in the main restaurant for tonight, but it was full – clearly, guests who are staying at the hotel, aren’t given any preferential treatment. That’s slightly unusual in my experience. No matter, because of the hotel’s size, it had another large restaurant on-site, and we managed to squeeze in there for 7.15.

Well, the restaurant experience was pretty good. The menu punched well-above its weight and the Waiter, very professional and attentive – by 8pm, the place was packed (and that’s always a good sign) and the staff were kept busy. Ann chose the Chicken, and I went for the Lamb as our mains, but we did each manage to squeeze in a starter too, and in my case, a dessert (Blueberry Cheesecake) – Oh, and a bottle of wine too!

 
By 9pm we were both slightly pissed and collapsed in one of the many comfy settees in the lounge! And there we stayed until

Weather permitting, tomorrow we’re heading for Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey and Symonds Yat,  crashing out at 7pm for my official Birthday meal The Crown at Whitebrook  (that’s just been awarded its first Michelin Star!)

Birthday Weekend – Sunday
A lazy morning that began with a cuppa in bed and then down to breakfast. The Restaurant was packed (considering it was a Sunday), and the staff coped with the gazillions of guests really well. We think the extras were staying over from the Wedding event yesterday.

Then, after a hearty fill, it was back to the room to gather up our bits and pieces for a cultural day out. When we got back to the room, there were two swans on our bed!

Swans!
And what could be more surprising than Swans on your bed? We were soon to discover it was actually pigeons-in-the-tree-above-your-car! As we approached the Jaguar, we both noticed that it was looking fairly discoloured in several places. On closer inspection, it became clear that it was much worse. In my 40 years of driving, I have never seen a car with so much pigeon-debris on it. They’d managed to miss the cars on both sides, and their precision-pooping had smothered the bonnet in about six places, and the roof, and the boot too! Yuk! Clearly the pigeons had been out for a night on the town, and got stuck into a berry-vindaloo.

We all know that the way NOT to clean the car in these situations, is to attack it and quickly rub hard, so after forty minutes-or-so, and with Ann now an official car-cleaner, we had gently softened the mess and wiped it clean. Luckily I also had some ‘bird wipes’ in the glove-box to finish of the job. Now where’s the shotgun???

After yesterday’s episode with the dink in the front, someone has definitely got it in for the car!
And so, it was back to the itinerary.

Chepstow Castle
I’ve not been here before, but Ann visited here over 30 years ago! We love old castles (even more than we hate pigeons), and it was great just wandering round and soaking up the ambience.

Then it was off to Chepstow Town. A lovely place with cobbled streets and vibrant displays of begonias and other plants. Nice!

Tintern Abbey
Then, after sampling the delights of Chepstow, it was back in the car for our next destination. On arrival, two things became immediately obvious. First – parking was a nightmare, with even the overflow car-park 99% full. Second, the temperature was now much hotter, hitting almost 22 degrees (in late September!!!). Neither of which stopped us enjoying this old place – it’s in remarkable condition, given its age, and there is plenty of it left to enjoy!!

And, after all this culture, what better to take a break and stop for lunch at the Pub opposite – The Anchor Inn.

Fruit – One of my five-a-day
The final part of our whistle-stop tour was Symonds Yat, a local(ish) beauty-spot with stunning views. But we didn’t make it. After negotiating even narrower roads than yesterday, we couldn’t find it at all! After nearly mowing down a local in the narrowness of the road, he was still willing to let us know that we were at the wrong one. Ehh?!?!

Apparently, there are TWO: a Symonds Yat EAST and a Symonds Yat WEST – and we were at the other one! If the streets weren’t already narrow enough, we now had to turn round, and that’s when I first noticed the ‘road narrows’ sign. This was impossible! as we were already in a road that was only narrow enough for one car, and one local, and now things were about to get even narrower! I had a strong feeling it was going to be a long journey – in reverse – back to road junction. Have you seen the view out of the back of an XKR???? limited doesn’t even begin to describe it. It couldn’t get worse could it?

Of course it could! There was now a car coming from the opposite direction, heading towards us with some determination. Fortunately, a local driveway had just enough space for our new found – and closest – friend to shoehorn his car into, and eventually, after some clever moves, we passed each other with a cheery wave and a joint sigh of relief!

All this proved that we didn’t really know the local terrain at all, and heading for the OTHER Symonds Yat, was almost certainly going to offer us the same driving challenges. We bottled it – and headed for the nearest petrol station, then back to base.

The Crown at Whitebrook
Our final stop for my Birthday celebrations was The Crown. The name suggested it was a Harvester, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! This was a VERY classy restaurant in the middle-of-nowhere, where a few days ago was awarded its first Michelin Star. This, officially, was my birthday-meal and from the moment we stepped through the small front entrance, the Restaurant didn’t disappoint!

This was a posh place, and doing good business, considering it was a SUNDAY night. OK, the portion-sizes wouldn’t have kept a mouse alive, but that wasn’t the point – every course was a taste explosion and presented in a way where it was almost a shame to disturb it! This was an operation at the top of its game, where they didn’t put a foot wrong all evening. Table-cloths and napkins ironed and starched within an inch of their lives (these days, I know about these things!), and Waiters who put the customer at the heart of the dining experience 100% of the time. Set the wow-factor to 11!

And by 10pm, we were done, so we slowly navigated the Jaguar back through the impossibly narrow lanes, arriving back at the Hotel just after 10.30. It’s been a very enjoyable surprise Birthday (and I don’t normally like these sorts of surprises!), and one that I’m sure we’ll still be talking about in years to come.

We check out of the Hotel tomorrow – checking back into normality, just after lunch. Another year older – and perhaps wiser too!

Good Wishes and Gifts

Cards

Ann
Angela
Antoinette
Bev 
Carey, Clive, Abigail and Madeline
Carol
David and Val
Denis
Gill and Chris
Ian and Sharon
Ian and Ann
Jo and Janet
John and Sue Merrell
Kerry and Tanya
Lee
Margaret Spencer
Margaret and Alan
Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
Nick and Celina
Nicki
Paul and Karen
Peter J
Philip P
Ralph and Karen
Roger, Jane and Oliver
Rosi, David, Rhiannon and Jack
Roy, Susan, Janine and Lauren
Sally, Amie and Zak (x2)
Steve and Helen
Sue, Paul and Ben
Tom and Julie   
Trish, John, Sean and Conor
Valerie H

Via Social Media

Bev 
Carey H
Carl G
Debbie B
Debi B
Geoff W
Helena B
Joan D
Jo K
John M
John W 
Joy D
Julie T
Karen M
Karen R
Kate P
Lydia E
Maggie S
Malcolm L

Mike P
Nina B
Paul M
Peter W
Ralph G
Richard P
Rosi L
Stefan B
Stella H
Trish C

and Gifts…
Ann –  Red Shirt/Blue Shirt/Xeryus Rouge/Gerry Anderson Limited Edition DVD and Book
Bev – Book: Super Graphics
David and Val – Book: Doctor Who – 100 Objects
Denis –  DVD: Man in a Suitcase/ DVD: The Saint (Colour Series)
Jo and Janet – Bottle of Champers and a Pub Voucher
Nicki – DVD: Enigma – Remember the Future/DVD – Randall and Hopkirk, Box Set
Paul and Karen – Bottle of quality Red and Moisturiser
Rosi, David, Rhiannon and Jack –  Set of Coasters and and a salt & Pepper set for the Kitchen
Roger, Jane and Oliver – DVD: Strange Report/DVD: Dark Skies/DVD: Lone Gunmen/CD: Sarah Brightman – Classics
Tom and Julie – Coasters for the Kitchen + Bottle of Prosecco

Thanks everyone!!!

Previous Birthdays…
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Birthday 2014 – Steve Serenaded/Men with Pikes/High Points/Low Points/Swans on the Bed/Pigeon Paranoia/East v West/Wow Factor 11 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

57 on the outside, 19 on the inside! Well, that’s my ‘take’ on things! Ann took the day off and we headed for London.

We set off on the 8.59 from Kettering which we caught with minutes to spare because of some congestion on the way there! Phew!

On arrival, the main attraction was to take a look round the London Museum, Docklands. I’ve always been fascinated by that part of London, and the transformation of the area from mostly slums to classy apartments, high-rise blocks, businesses and shopping malls has given the whole area a new feel. We love going there as it has a real buzz about it – Today was no exception!

The Museum was great. It didn’t look much from the outside, but inside, it was just packed with so much history about the area, it was difficult to soak it all up.

..and if that wasn’t enough history, the Museum now houses the Sainsbury Archives and so it was good fun looking through all the stuff from the years that we were both working there!

Whoosh! Then it was lunch-time – and the indifferent weather had now turned into warm sunshine! We took the Thames Clipper to Borough Market where we stopped off at Fish! for a healthy lunch. I had the tuna burger (me? Fish? Surely some mistake!), whilst Ann tucked into a gigantic fish-cake. We sat outside in the covered area and that gave us a great opportunity to people-watch. And, if watching people wasn’t interesting enough, we played sausage-watch too!!! Now the Market has more-or-less become 100% eateries, many of them specialise in sausages. Sausages-on-sticks, sausages-in-small-rolls, sausages-in-large-rolls, sausage-burgers, sausages-without-meat – almost as many types as there were people!

Lunch was GREAT! Fast service and tasty fish. If I was ever to become a vegetarian, this is the place I would go to eat!!! Then it was back on the Tube to St Pancras and home.

It’s been a great day – loads of cards, loads of pressies, loads of good food and I fed my brain too!!

Cards

Ann
Angela
Antoinette
Bev
Carol
David and Val
Denis
Ian H and Sharon
Ian McL and Ann
Jo and Janet
Lee Margaret and Alan
Mum
Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
Nick and Celina
Nicki
Paul and Karen
Philip Palmer
Ralph and Karen
Roger, Jane and Oliver
Rosi, David, Rhiannon and Jack
Sally, Amie and Zak
Sue, Paul and Ben
Tom, Julie, Nick, Lewis and Georgina
Trish, John, Sean and Conor
Valerie H

Via Social Media

Carey H
Debbie B
Debi B
Carey H
Gill A
Heather E
John W
Julie T
John W
Kate P
Lydia E
Maggie S
Nina B
Philip P
Ralph G
Stella H
Susan S
Rosi L
Stefan B
Stephen T
Trish C

and Pressies…


Ann –  Shoes, D’Orange Verte After-Shave

Bev and Ady –  DVD: Things to Come

David and Val – Book: ‘1001 Cars to Drive before you Die’

Denis – Amazon Voucher

Jo and Janet – Prezzo voucher and bottle of Cava

Lee – Joe Brown maroon sweater

Mum – £40 Cheque

Nicki – DVD: The Invaders

Paul and Karen, Tom, Julie and the Family, Rosi, David, Rhiannon and Jack – Bottle of Shiraz, Cheeseboard and Cheese

Roger, Jane and Oliver – DVD: Parker, DVD: GI Joe, CD: Soundtrack to Human Target

Thanks everyone!!!

Previous Birthdays

2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post 2013: Birthday Trip to London appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Another year older today

Thanks everyone for your generous thoughts, comments and gifts.

Cards
Ann
Angela
Antoinette
Bev
Carey and Clive 
Carol
Chris and Pete 
David and Val
Denis
Ian H and Sharon
Ian McL and Ann
Jo and Janet
Lee
Margaret S 
Mum
Nick and Celina
Margaret and Alan
Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
Paul and Karen 
Peter Juniper
Philip Palmer 
Ralph and Karen
Roger, Jane and Oliver
Rosi, David, Rhiannon and Jack 
Sally and Richard
Sue, Paul and Ben
Tom, Julie, Nick, Lewis and Georgina  
Trish, John, Conor and Sean
Valerie H

Via Social Media 
Alfie P
Andy B
Carey H
Frankie P 
Gill A 
Ian McL
James H 
John W 
Karen R
Kate P
Kay W  
Kelmarsh Hall
Lynn R
Mags
Peter W
Ralph 
Rosi
Stella H
Steve B
Trish C

and Pressies…
Ann – Belts x2 + Grey Suede Shoes
Bev – Sherlock Series 1 and 2 soundtracks
David and Val – Chocolates + James Corden’s Autobiography: ‘May I Have Your Attention, Please?’
Denis – Blu-ray DVD: ‘John Carter’ + DVD ‘ Department ‘S’ + Film: Vertigo soundtrack
Jo and Janet – Sweets
Lee – Party Shirt
Mum – £50 Cheque
Nicki – House of Fraser voucher
Paul and Karen – Book: Two Greedy Italians 
Roger, Jane and Oliver – Powerline Adaptor 500 Mbps
Tom, Julie and the Family – Bottle of 2007 Rioja

Thanks everyone!!!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post 2012: Happy Birthday – to me appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We’re at home for my birthday this year. That wasn’t the plan – see yesterday’s blog!

Cards

• Ann (obviously!)
• Angela
• Antoinette
• Bev
• Carol
• David and Val
• Carey H
• Denis
• Ian H  and Sharon
• Ian McL and Ann
• Lee
• Mum
• Nick and Celina
• Margaret and Alan
• Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
• Paul and Karen
• Paul, Sue and Ben
• Philip P
• Ralph and Karen
• Rick
• Roger, Jane and Oliver
• Rosi, David and Rhiannon
• Sally and Richard
• Tom, Julie, Lewis, Nick and Georgina
• Trish, John, Conor and Sean

Via Facebook

• Carey H
• Gill A
• Heather E
• Jonathan H
• Julie T
• Karen M
• Karen R
• Kay W
• Lauren C
• Lynn R
• Ralph G
• Rosi L
• Sheree L
• Stefan and Debbie
• Stella H

and Pressies…

• Ann – Clarins Moisturiser and Allure Homme EDT
• Bev – iTunes vouchers
• David and Val – Australian Travel Book
• Denis – Blu-ray DVD: ‘Source Code’ and ‘Knight Rider – Season 1’ + iTunes voucher
• Jo and Janet – £25 Amazon Voucher
• Karen and Paul – Bottle of Vintage Port
• Lee – Clinique Chemistry EDT + Cufflinks
• Mum – Boots Vouchers
• Nicki – Amazon voucher
• Roger, Jane and Oliver – Blu-ray DVD: ‘Bank Job’ + iTunes voucher + Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer
• Rosi, David and Rhiannon – Tape Dispenser shaped like a cassette tape
• Tom, Julie and the Family – Bottle of Red Wine

Thanks everyone!!! You’re very generous!

Without my car, David acted as chauffeur today and we all headed up to Stamford. After a quick look round, we had lunch at The Crown – and we ate outside. Great surroundings, good food, but sluggish service and poor attention to detail took the edge off it a bit for us – soup, but no soup spoon; Lee’s meal turned up without mash and our half-pints turned up as pints (well, maybe that’s OK!). Still, it was a nice day and I’ve enjoyed it all! Better still, they forgot to add the drinks to the bill!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Happy Birthday – to me! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

It’s my birthday.  As we’re away, I’m going to open my presents when we get back from Bury St Edmunds later.

We were both up around 8, and started to get packed. We initially planned to go to Ely Cathedral and have a look round, but the weather was cold with heavy rain, so we decided to head home and stop-off at the garden Centre in Huntingdon for a look-round.

Back to the birthday event! This year, I received cards from:

• Ann (obviously!)
• Bev
• Mum
• Mae and Denis
• Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
• Roger, Jane and Oliver
• Angela
• Antoinette
• Carey H
• Carol
• David and Val
• Ian and Ann
• Ian and Sharon
• Jo and Janet 
• Lee
• Margaret and Alan
• Nick and Celina
• Nicki 
• Philip Palmer
• Ralph and Karen
• Rick and the girls
• Rosi, David and Rhiannon
• Sally and Richard
• Tom, Julie, Nick, Lewis and Georgina
• Trish, John and the family

Via Facebook

• Carey H
• Fiona Mac
• Georgina
• Johnny H
• Karen M
• Karen and Paul
• Lynn R 
• Rosi
• Susan S 
• Stella

and Pressies…

• Ann – Eye-Fi 8GB Pro X2 WiFi Card
• Bev – CD: Enigma ‘Seven Lives, Many Faces’
• David and Val – Paul Smith scarf
• Jo and Janet – Waitrose £30 Voucher
• Karen and Paul – 10 year-old Tawny Port
• Lee – Molton Brown travel set and a pair of wild socks
• Mae and Denis – Blu-ray DVDs: ‘Shutter Island’, ‘Centurion’
• Mum – Waitrose £25 Voucher
• Nicki –  IPod Cufflinks
• Roger, Jane and Oliver – Blu-ray DVDs: ‘Ultimate Bourne’, ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’, ‘Knowing’
• Tom, Julie and the Family – Bottle of Chardonnay

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Hippo Bathday! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We travelled down to Worthing to see Ian and Sharon. ‘Plan A’ was to attend the Foster Carers’ annual bash, but for some reason it had been cancelled and moved to early next year. Still, we already had Edwardian Dreams B and B booked, so we thought we’d make a weekend of it anyway.

Friday
We set off almost as soon as Ann got home – around 6pm. I knew from yesterday’s experience, that the M25, where it joins the M11 was going to be bad (because of long-term road-works) and the Tom Tom planning service online confirmed that! So, we headed down the M11 to the A13 heading for the Blackwall Tunnel. That wasn’t much better either! In fact it was a pretty poor journey all round. We eventually stumbled into the B and B at 10.30 – that’s four-and-a-half hours to cover 150 miles… bonkers! Brian greeted us as soon as we arrived, and we went straight to bed!

Saturday
Birthday Boy! 21 today!! I slept well (mainly through exhaustion, I think!) and got around 8 o’clock only to find that the clock in the room was an hour fast! We tucked into Edwardian Dreams legendary ‘full-English’ and then I opened all my cards and pressies that we’d brought with us. Thanks everyone – very much appreciated!! I just realised, I forgot to pack the camera!

This year, I got cards from:

• Ann (obviously!)
• Bev
• Mum
• Mae and Denis
• ‘Shadow’ and ‘Glade’
• Neil and Debbie
• Roger, Jane and Oliver
• Angela
• Antoinette
• Carol
• David and Val
• Humberto and Lee
• Ian and Ann
• Ian and Sharon (just the envelope!)
• Jo and Janet
• John, Trish, Sean and Conor
• Margaret and Alan
• Nick and Celina
• Nicki
• Paul and Karen
• Paul and Sue
• Pete and Diana (Ian and Sharon’s friend)
• Ralph and Karen
• Sally
• Stefan, Debs, Laura and Alex
• Tom, Julie, Nick, Lewis and Georgina

Pressies

• Ann – Books: ‘Lost in Translation’ and ‘What on Earth Happened…’ Chocolate: ‘Caramel’ and ‘Chilli’ (yum!)
• Bev – CD: ‘E=MC2’ by Giorgio Moroder
• David and Val – Book: ‘I Never Knew That About England’
• Jo and Janet – Molton Brown gift set
• Mae and Denis – Books: ‘World Registration Plates’ and ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set’
• Mum – £50 JL voucher
• Nicki – Selection of cheeses
• Paul and Karen – Bottle of Port
• Roger, Jane and Oliver: DVDs: ‘Torchwood, Children of Earth’ and ‘The Italian Job’ (the original) – both Blu-Ray

It was a gloriously hot day in Worthing and so after opening the cards and pressies we drove into Worthing town for a look round the shops and then headed for Littlehampton for lunch and a walk. As we were queuing for lunch, Ian rang to say that Sharon and Jessica had had a car accident and our plan to all meet up after lunch was postponed. We therefore took our time with lunch (and so did the chef!!) and after eating, we settled on a seat on the seafront for a snooze in the sun – almost a cloudless sky and soooo warm!!!! wonderful.

Then it was back to the B and B for another snooze before Ian and Sharon picked us up for the Chinese meal at 7 tonight. Initially, there was a blip where it looked like the whole thing was off because Sharon would still in hospital, but they discharged her and we were back on!

Ian, Sharon and Julia met us outside the B and B and Ian drove us into town and to China Palace, probably the largest Chinese restaurant we’ve ever been in. Spread across two floors it must have seated around 400 people in total. We ate on the upper floor (confusciously called ‘Far East’) and settled in for a night of feasting. It was quiet when we arrived, but soon filled to capacity.

Price-wise, they charged £15.90 for all you can eat and rather than have a buffet where places like this often turn into ‘pigs round the trough’, this had a waiter service. We did well between the seven of us. Two rounds of starters; a duck course and then Ian and I forced down a main course. Three hours later, we were all fit to burst and ready to leave. The portable card-paying machine had other ideas though, and various waiters faffed-around trying to coax it into life after it conked-out mid-transaction. Finally the Manager resolved the problem and we duly paid-up.

It was now 10.45 when we stumbled onto the street. The whole area was packed with ‘young-things’ congregating on the pavement, strutting their stuff, drifting from one pub to the next before, according to Ian, hitting the Clubs. We all decided we felt very old, seeing girls who seemed to be trying out-do each other by wearing the shortest of skirts and the highest of heels. In one case, a girl’s heels were so high (Switch to fetishist mode: Sharon reckoned 5 inches), she was having to hang onto a tree to stand-up – or maybe that was the alcohol! I guess some trees are just born lucky :). The ultimate insult for us was when we walked past a bar and the hostess standing outside DIDN’T offer us a drinks voucher and an invitation to go inside!

Oh to be a teenager again (he said in a Les Dawson type of voice).

Sunday
We were up about 7ish, and whether-wise, it looks like another hot day down here.and started to pack. We wanted to be away by 9am to get a good run to Mum’s. We also needed some time to get through the B and B’s ‘big’ breakfast! After a quick scoff, we were away by 8.45 and heading up the A27.

We had a good journey to Mum’s (just over the hour). She was in good spirits although her back was playing-up. We left around 10.45 and headed home. The traffic was amazingly light and as a result, we were home by 12.35 – a record!
It’s been a great weekend! We’ve done a lot, seen a lot and the cards and pressies are great! Thanks everyone!

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Because I’m Worth(ing) it… appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Here we are at 52 years young. Just like last year, I’m celebrating my Birthday at home, as I’ve scheduled not to work today.

We’re out this evening to Han, our favourite Chinese restaurant in Market Harborough. An excellent meal and superb service – and they were very busy too!

I received a GREAT range of cards – mostly the humorous type from:

• Mum
• Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie
• Denis and Mae
• Bev
• Bertie and Lee
• Alan and Mags
• Angela
• Antoinette
• Carol 
• David, Amanda and Ellie
• David, Rosi and Rhiannon
• David and Val
• Ian and Ann
• Ian and Sharon
• Jo and Janet 
• Margaret
• Nick and Celina
• Nicki
• Paul, Karen, Mark and Chris
• Philip 
• Ralph and Karen
• Rick, Sam, Rebecca and Hannah
• Roger Jane and Oliver
• Sally
• Stefan and Debbie 
• Stuart
• Tom, Julie and the family

Roger, Jane, Oliver and Bev actually got me my pressy before the idea of a joint-one was suggested – a rather excellent Black and Decker vacuum cleaner for the car!

• Karen and Paul bought me a bottle of port – a large one!
• David and Val bought me the ‘Book of General Ignorance’
• Carol, Jo and Janet bought me 25 quid’s worth of iTunes vouchers
• Lee and Bertie bought me some nice cuff-links
• Mum bought me 25 quid’s worth of John Lewis vouchers
• Ann got me ‘The Encyclopedia of Symbols’; William Shatner’s Autobiography, ‘Up Till Now’; a boomerang and a  ‘gorillapod’
• Mae and Denis got me 35 pound’s worth of HMV vouchers
• Tom and Julie and kids bought me a tie and a nice bottle of Rioja

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Happy Birthday to me! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Wow! Where has this year gone? I blinked and I must have missed it!!! One moment I was celebrating my 50th in Sicily – the next, I’m at home celebrating my 51st!

A busy day work-wise, developing materials for one of my clients in Sweden.

Ann ran late so we had a belated card and pressy opening session when she got home around 8pm. I received a great range of cards again this year from…

Amanda, David and Ellie
Angela
Ann and Ian
Antoinette
Bev
Carey
Debbie and Stefan
Jo and Janet
Karen, Paul, Chris and Mark
Lee and Bertie
Mae and Denis
Mags and Alan
Margaret (Spencer)
Mum
Nicki
Paul and Sue
Philip Palmer
Roger, Jane and Oliver
Rosi, David and Rhiannon
Tom and Julie

Good pressies too!

‘Bond Tunes’ CD and Series 1 and 2 of ‘Life on Mars’ on DVD
Gift Voucher for £25 from Mum
M and S voucher from £20 from Bev
Facial Voucher from Jo and Janet
Indian Cookery book from Karen, Paul, Chris and Mark
3 pairs of socks from Nicki
Book – ‘I Can Make you Rich’ by Paul McKenna from Tom and Julie
A humorous oven glove from Rosi, David and Rhiannon

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!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Happy Birthday to me.. appeared first on Steve's Blog.