We’re at the Theatre later with Jo, Janet & Carol, but before that – Lunch! Janet knows pretty much ALL the Farm Cafés and small eateries in Northamptonshire 😂😂😂😂 so we were in reliable hands! 👍 Today’s choice? ‘New Lodge Farm‘ in Bulwick (pop. 171), about 20 minutes north-east of Kettering. This one has even …
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Category:Friends
Film: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
There have been quite a few Spider-Man films over the years, but in recent times, they’ve officially become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) where these have included:-Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) These all star Tom Holland in the titular role and are all interlinked in some way. …
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Brodsworth Hall with Dennis and Sandra
Today, we met Dennis & Sandra at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens (North of Sheffield, East of Manchester). It’s an English Heritage country house conserved as it was found after the death of its last owner in 1988. Along with restored gardens full of surprises and family-friendly features, it offers a grand Yorkshire day out! We …
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Film: The Odyssey (2026)
Given all the hype, this one was the must-see Film for us in 2026. I like the majority of Christopher Nolan‘s work; he has a knack for producing movies with a BIG ‘feel’ about them – and this one promised to be more of the same. Christopher Nolan Filmography 2000 –> Memento (2000)Insomnia (2002)Batman Begins …
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Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
It’s another of our TV Dinners and Movie Nights with mates! Tonight, it’s The Mandalorian and Grogu released earlier this year in Cinemas and available, digitally, courtesy of Amazon Prime. We’re getting into a rhythm with our Movie Nights (see the bottom of this Post for the list so far). Film, Food and Friends – …
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Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: Avatar – Fire and Ash (2025)
It’s another of our TV Dinners and Movie Nights with mates! We’ve enjoyed a growing number of these in the past few years (see the bottom of this Post for the list so far). For us, they’re the perfect blend of the three Fs! – good friends, good food and a good film! This was …
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Chris and Gill Catchup
Off to The Wheatsheaf at Titchmarsh today to meet up with longtime friends – Chris and Gill. Gosh! We haven’t been here since we met up with Mick & Jane back in January 2025. The Wheatsheaf has been on our go-to eateries list for many years. Like many similar establishments, it’s had its highs and …
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Kilworth Theatre – Anything Goes
Here we are at our (mostly) annual pilgrimage to Kilworth House Theatre. Familiar faces all round as we shared the experience with Jo, Janet, Carol and Helen after meeting up at Portly Farm (better known for its Christmas Trees) for a light bite! This year’s offering was Cole Porter’s: ‘Anything Goes’ and it’s running from …
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First Visit: Althorp House
It’s pretty much on our doorstep, but 30 years after we moved to Northamptonshire, we finally got around to visiting Althorp House. Good mates and neighbours, Jo & Janet, joined us, in place of David & Valerie (who sadly, couldn’t make it today) heading for Althorp House. Althorp is a Grade I-listed stately home and …
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Return to (the return to) Saxon Mill
It was a welcome return to The Saxon Mill in Warwick today for one of our regular three-monthly get-togethers with Ian & Ann and Alan & Mags. The six of us were last here back in February, this year after giving it a break for a year or two. We set off just after 11.30, …
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Audley End House and Gardens
We haven’t been to Audley End House & Gardens for quite a few years, and today, we’re taking Nicki and joining Jo, Janet and Carol there. Given the gap between today and our previous visit, I was hoping to find a previous reference here in my Blog, but nothing… nada..! So that means we must …
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Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: Peaky Blinders – The Immortal Man (2026)
Hot on the heels of Wednesday’s get-together with Jo & Janet, watching Superman, it’s another of our TV Dinners with mates! And it’s our second ‘away match’ as we’re at Trish & John’s. We’ve enjoyed a growing number of ‘TV Dinners’ in the past few years (see the foot of this Post). For us, they’re …
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Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: Superman (2025)
It’s another of our TV Dinners with good friends! On this occasion, it’s an ‘away fixture’ as we’re down at Jo & Janet’s watching the 2025 version of Superman on 4K DVD. It forms part of my growing 4K DVD collection, where this latest addition was a gift from Nicki a few months back for …
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Return to The Fox (2026)
Off to The Fox Inn in nearby Thorpe Waterville. It’s our regular catch-up with (very) long-time friends, Mick & Jane 😀😀 The Fox Inn has been receiving good reviews of late, and we thought we’d give it a go, having not been there (I think) since April 2019! The Pub gets a lot of passing …
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Return to Hardwick Hall with Dennis and Sandra
Today, we’re off to meet Dennis & Sandra at Hardwick Hall (south of Bolsover, east of Matlock). The eagle-eyed amongst you will spot that we four have done this before! And you’re correct – back in August 2020. This time, however, we’re heading inside the Hall itself (last time we only explored the grounds due …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 8
Day 8 – Monday 16th March Welcome back, everyone! I appreciate your readership over the past week – there’s been plenty going on! Today’s a short one as we’re heading back to the Airport this afternoon – and home! 😀. The last Post for this holiday! 🍻👏😘 As I’m sure you know by now, we’ve …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 7
Day 7 – Sunday 16th March Morning, my loyal reader! Boy, that was a late one last night! We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together in Corralejo was back in January, 2024, and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 6
Day 6 – Saturday 14th March Morning readers! Thanks for following our latest adventure! Just a couple of days left before we return to Blighty, where the highlight of TODAY is to be the Grand Parade tonight in town – all part of the annual Corralejo Carnival! 👍 We’re here with great mates, Paul & …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 5
Day 5 – Friday 13th March Welcome back, dear reader! It’s another day in Paradise! We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, was here in Corralejo, back in January, 2024 where we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 4
Day 4 – Thursday 12th March You came back! Thanks! 😉. Welcome to Day 4 – a day of wonky weather forecasts, wishlists and worship; performances, processions and pizzas! 🙂😉 We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, was in Corralejo, back in January, 2024 and we …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 3
Day 3 – Wednesday 11th March Morning loyal reader! Welcome back to our adventures in Fuerteventura. Today’s is a relatively short one – a super-lazy day! 👍🙂 We’re here with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together in Corralejo,was back in January, 2024 and we had a great time. This year, …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 2
Day 2 – Tuesday 10th March Morning all! Welcome back, and thanks for following my Blog! 👍 We’re in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together, here in Corralejo, was back in January, 2024, and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with …
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Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 1
Day 1 – Monday 9th March 6.05am: Morning readers! A lie in (or sorts) this morning as it’s the first day of our holiday 👍👍 We’re off to Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together like this, was in Corralejo, back in January, 2024, and we had a great …
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Sayonara Mr Sainsbury!
The end of an era today, as not one but TWO of our closest friends said goodbye to their employer and joined the ranks of the retired due to ANOTHER Sainsbury restructure! After a little deception by Janet, unsuspecting retiree, Jo was taken to Kettering’s poshest restaurant – The Palmichael – in nearby Burton Latimer, …
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The Saxon Returns!
It was back to the Saxon Mill in Warwick today to catch up with Ian & Ann and Alan & Mags. We haven’t been here for a few years – last time was in July 2021! Today was all part of our regular three-monthly catchups and it was good to see everyone again. Pity about …
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Winner, Winner! TV Dinner: The Darkest Hour (2018)
Yes, another of our TV Dinners with mates! This time it’s Sir Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in The Darkest Hour – and we’re watching it with Trish & John. We’d originally seen the film just before its official release back in January, 2018, courtesy of Sky VIP. We hadn’t really spent any quality time …
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New Visit – Olde Vic!
We caught up for Lunch with Geoff & Rhonda today. Our Eatery of choice was the ever-reliable The Olde Victoria in nearby Burton Latimer. We do love this place, having only been there as recently as last Sunday with Carole H for Lunch. It’s probably our most frequently visited Pub since we moved into the …
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Quorn or Meat?
Well, both actually! 😀 We took the hour’s drive to Quorn, north of Leicester, to meet up with Ralph & Karen for lunch and a catch-up. Our destination? The Quorndon Fox. Last time we were here was back in December 2023, again with these two! 👏👍. The perfect combo then – great mates and (based …
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London Calling!
Sunday – 4 January We woke to a freezing cold Kettering! It felt much colder than the forecast suggested. Well, at least it was dry! 🙄 But we weren’t at home for long, as we’re off to our favourite City – London – where it was a tad ‘warmer’. We’re with friends, John & Trish …
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New Year’s Day (2026)
We do like a bit of variety over Christmas and the new year, so I’m not sure what happened for New Year’s day, 2026! 🤔😂😂 This time last year, we decided to go for Lunch at The Pheasant at Keyston with longtime friends and neighbours, David and Valerie. And this year? ❓❓❓ How about Lunch …
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