Thursday, 29th December 2022 With Christmas memories already beginning to fade, Ann and I headed for our next adventure – celebrating the new year in Suffolk! Helping us to see in 2023 and enjoy the area, are our good friends, Jo, Janet & Carol. Janet researched and booked the venue, whilst the rest of us …
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Category:Friends
A Chilly Christmas at Kilworth (2022)
We’re really getting into the Christmas Spirit now, helped along the way by browsing through this year’s TV Times and Radio Times; carol singing at last night’s Salvation Army Carol Concert – and now about to enjoy ‘That’s what Kilworth Calls Christmas’ at Kilworth House (where we spent our honeymoon night, back in 2011). Kilworth …
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Salvation Army Carol Concert (2022)
On a chilly Saturday evening, we headed to the Salvation Army Citadel in town for 7pm and their annual Carol Service. Due to COVID and other commitments, we haven’t done this for quite a few years! I can’t think why we didn’t go to this event back in December 2019 (their last one before you-know-what). …
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Gin, Gingerbread – and a Ginormous Kitchen
What a great evening! We got together with Kevin & Sarah, Mick & Sam, Jo & Janet, Steve & Juliet and Ian aka ‘Gin Buddies’ aka ‘Neighbours 2.0’ for a pre-Christmas celebration and to see the hard work that Kevin & Sarah had put into their new kitchen. Wow! Some transformation! Very modern, very well …
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Our First Christmas Dinner of 2022
Yes, it’s that time of year again! We headed round to John & Trish’s to enjoy our first official Christmas Lunch of 2022 together with our closest neighbours. And, for the first time in a few years, the gang was all here – Tom & Julie (who, in recent years, are normally in Tenerife at …
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Thunderbowl!
Nope, nothing to do with a misheard Bond movie – we went bowling at the Kettering Thunderbowl today! We were last here back in May of this year with Paul & Sue – when it was my first visit! Back then, I started well but obviously peaked too early and ended up rubbish by the …
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Return to the Smoke!
Up until very recently, I hadn’t been to London for quite a while – and here I was back again just seven days later! 👍 How so? Last week, an enjoyable catchup with old work buddies, this time, a ‘thank-you’ lunch, courtesy of Angela, for a year of tech support, looking after her various devices. …
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The Olde Forge
Maybe I need to rename this Blog to ‘Steve’s Food Diary’??? It seems like I’ve spent all week eating out! 😁. …and a quick look at my diary showed that it’s true! But I guess that’s because we’re approaching the festive season! Well, that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! 😊 Today, it was …
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Overdue (twice!)
Two overdue activities today! 🤔 First: a return to the ever-reliable Olde Victoria in Burton Latimer and second: a catchup with friends Richard & Pauline. The menu was as good as I remember it – and the service too! 👍. We soon made our choices and the short wait before the food arrived gave us …
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5ive go to London
In what felt like years in the planning, ‘The 5ive’ met in London today. Guess how we got our name? Guess no more! Back to the ‘dawn of the time’ (1999 actually!) when a number of us in our day jobs as self-employed Management Trainers first met during a very large project for a then …
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Film: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
It’s been a while in the making, but the sequel to the original Black Panther movie is now out! Released on November 11th, 2022, this was Marvel Film’s latest offering (the 30th of their continuing superhero series of movies). I was really looking forward to this one as I thoroughly enjoyed the first Black Panther …
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‘Christmas at Chatsworth House’ with Dennis and Sandra
We met with good friends, Dennis and Sandra today at Chatsworth House as part of our semi-regular catchups. We’re building up quite a list now, having started these get-togethers back in 2017. The growing list… Belvoir Castle (August 2022) Kedlestone Hall (May 2021)Hardwick Hall (August 2020)Castle Howard (December 2019)The Royal Armouries Museum (March 2019)Bolsover Castle …
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I’m in the Country – Man!
We drove over to The Countryman in Staverton village today to meet up with great friends, Ian & Ann. The reason? It had been their golden wedding anniversary this year and by way of celebration, they had organised a series of lunch dates with long-time friends. As we drew up outside, I had a sneaky …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 6 – “Bye-Bye Annabelle”
Day 6 – Monday, 7th November Yes, it’s our final day here! We’re checking-out in a few hours, and if the journey goes smoothly, we’ll be home around 8pm tonight. Time for one last Breakfast here at the Annabelle! 😉 Missed a Post? Six Days in Cyprus – “Hello Annabelle” (Last Tuesday) Six Days in …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 5 (Last full day)
Day 5 – Sunday, 6th November What you may have missed… Six Days in Cyprus – “Hello Annabelle” (Last Tuesday) Six Days in Cyprus – Day 1 (Wednesday) Six Days in Cyprus – Day 2 (Thursday) Six Days in Cyprus – Day 3 (Friday) Six Days in Cyprus – Day 4 (Yesterday) Good morning! Welcome …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 4
Day 4 – Saturday, 5th November 8.33am: Morning all! It’s another day in Paradise! But I do feel a bit fragile after last night’s celebrations! (I know, ‘poor love!’) 🥱. We’re on our 4th day (of 6) here at the Annabelle Hotel in Paphos. Cyprus – Four Days in… Arrival in Cyprus (Tuesday) Day 1 …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 3
Day 3 – Friday, 4th November Morning all! It’s going to be another very pleasantly warm day here! 😉😎. Wish you were here! Today’s itinerary? A lazy morning + a lazy afternoon + Geoff’s Party! So far… Six Days in Cyprus – Arrival (Tuesday)Day 1 (Wednesday)Day 2 (Yesterday) Camera Roll 10.36am: After a strenuous start …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 2
Day 2 – Thursday, 3rd November Good morning all! 👍😎. Here we go again! It’s our second day here in Cyprus, staying at the rather impressive Annabelle Hotel! So far, it’s wall-to-wall sunshine at a very manageable temperature. What You Might Have Missed Arrival – “Hello Annabelle” Day 1 – “Birthday Boy” (but not mine!) …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 1
Day 1 – Wednesday, 2nd November Morning all! Not a bad view! I think I could get used to this!😊🌞. It’s Day 1 of our Cyprus adventure with great mates Paul & Sue! We’ve got a lazy one planned for today, including a birthday lunch with Geoff at 1pm! Until then, it’s… very little indeed! …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – “Hello Annabelle”
Arrival – Tuesday, 1st November 10.28am: We’re off to Cyprus! 11.01am: After picking up our friends, Paul & Sue, we headed to Birmingham Airport. 11.39am: We had a good journey to the Airport (in spite of the torrential rain!). The downpour continued as we arrived at Car Park 4 and played ‘hunt the space’. I …
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Coldplay in Concert from Buenos Aires (2022)
We went to see Coldplay in Concert from Buenos Aires – and it only took us 20 minutes to get there! 🤔 How so? Well, on the 29th, their performance was being beamed to a range of UK cinemas! So, together with Jo and Janet we headed for the local Odeon for the 7pm performance. …
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First Visit: Arrow Mill, Alcester
Off for one of our semi-regular get-togethers with Ian & Ann and Alan & Mags at the Arrow Mill in Alcester. Located west of Stratford-upon-Avon, just off the A46, it was our first visit to this rather posh-looking Pub/Restaurant (with Rooms too!). It took us a while to get there though! It may have been …
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Movie Night: The King’s Man – Revisited
It’s Movie Night at the Palmer’s! But really, it was just a good excuse to catch up with great friends and neighbours – Jo & Janet. 💏 We originally saw The King’s Man with Ralph & Karen on Boxing Day last year when it first came out at the cinema – and it didn’t disappoint. …
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Return to Ascoughs Bistro
The first time we visited Ascoughs Bistro in Market Harborough was with Bev & Jules back in June. The food and service was really good, and we decided to visit there again as soon as we could. Today was that day and David & Valerie joined us as part of our semi-regular ‘monthly-eat-outs’ and an …
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Dubious Dovecote and a Great Garden!
Off to the Dovecote Buttery today for Sunday lunch with Helen. We haven’t been here for about a year – and it was good to be back. Well, that’s how we felt when we arrived! Disappointingly, the place was so busy, the service levels fell well below how we remember it. Additionally, the food was …
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Nutters Reunutted (again!)
After yesterday’s sad news, it felt a little odd going out for lunch and meeting up with friends! ☹️ Geoff, Rhonda, Paul, Sue, Ann and I got together for lunch at the Olde Victoria to discuss next year’s ‘Northant’s Nutters Annual Getaway’. In amongst the excellent food and service (as usual!) we narrowed down our …
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Rocking up to Rockingham Castle
It’s on our doorstep, but the last time we think we visited Rockingham Castle was probably 25 years ago! Before I even began blogging! 🤔 These days (at the time of writing anyway) it’s only open Tuesdays and Sundays from midday until 5pm – so today was a good decision! 😉 After yesterday’s trip over …
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Dead Centre!
Maybe not everyone’s idea of fun on a Sunday morning, but here we are at Kettering Cemetery in London Road! Fortunately, it’s not for the reasons you might imagine! 👍 We’re actually here as part of our semi-regular ‘Sunday Hosted Walks’ courtesy of Friends of Kettering Art Gallery & Museum! ‘Tour Leader’ today was David …
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Belvoir Castle with Dennis and Sandra
We drove to Belvoir Castle today to meet up with mates (and newly retired) Dennis & Sandra. We’ve built up quite a portfolio of venues over the past five years for our ‘days out’ together. Venues past… Kedlestone Hall (May 2021)Hardwick Hall (August 2020)Castle Howard (December 2019)The Royal Armouries Museum (March 2019)Bolsover Castle (October 2018)Belton …
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Itchin’ for Hitchen’s – a Birthday Celebration!
Today, was our second visit this year to Hitchen’s Barn in Oakham. The reason? A belated Birthday lunch for Janet – ably assisted by Jo, Carol, Ann and me! Our first visit here was back in May (with Nick & Celina) and we were so impressed, we were itching to return. In our view, it’s …
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