After almost three weeks immersing ourselves in ‘the Chinese way’, here’s the first (of my two-part) light-hearted look at our experiences. Part 2 is tomorrow. The People With a population of around 1.4 billion, in the big cities it certainly felt like it. In the more rural locations, however, you’d never know! Families used to …
Read More
Category:Personal
London Mini-Break – Day 1 (of 3)
We’re on a three-day mini-break in London that’ll incorporate my birthday celebrations tomorrow. Last time we visited the capital was back in August when we stayed ‘up-west’. This time though, we’re on the opposite side (literally) and heading for east London where Stratford will be our home for the duration. 9.35am: OK, the weather forecast …
Read More
£1-a-Day (2019) – How Did We Do?
£1-a-Day 2019
How Did We Do?
Archery Outside-In
Friday is here again and that means our Archery Lessons continue… This is our last week (for 2019) where the Club will be shooting outside (due to an earlier sunset affecting the light). Next time we move inside to a local school until March-time next year. Due to other commitments – including a holiday – …
Read More
Long(bow) Story Short!
So, with Friday here again, it’s time for our weekly Archery Lessons courtesy of Kettering Archers. For me, tonight is extra special as I’ve traded-up to a proper English Longbow! – and it came with some expert coaching from one of KA’s experienced Bowmen, Dave. Although it’s perfectly possible to use the Longbow for target …
Read More
Pheasantly Spicy
The first outing for my XKR this Summer as we took the short drive to The Pheasant in Keyston. It was a beautiful evening – a very warm 23 degrees. Pity then, the car decided that this was the moment for the AC to fail! We may have looked cool in a classic Jaaaag! but …
Read More
A Long Time with a Longbow!
Friday is with us again and that means it’s our weekly lessons, courtesy of Kettering Archers! For me this time, there was a deliberate change of equipment! After spending last week and the week before dabbling with the Longbow, tonight, I decided to spend the whole evening with this more authentic Bow. Remember, it has …
Read More
Steve – Take a Bow!
Friday evening – and our weekly Archery lesson..! ..and another warm evening too!! In fact, maybe a bit too warm! After dabbling with that ‘big-boy’s toy’ last week known as the Longbow – this evening was more of the same for me, plus a trade-up to a heavier Practice Bow in the shape of a …
Read More
Big Boy Bow!
If it’s Friday night, then for us, it can only mean one thing: stick ’em with the pointy end! Sorry, I do of course mean… outdoor archery practice, courtesy of Kettering Archers. And what a lovely evening for it! Ann and I continued to refine our technique with the bows we used last time – …
Read More
Guilty as Charged!
It’s been a week of experimentation whilst we tried out various Public Chargers for the first time. First stop (on Tuesday) was Rushden Lakes where there are 7 chargers (5 x 7.2w + 2 x 22w, all shiny new) – and better still, they’re all free! Pity then, that I was guilty of not RTFM, …
Read More
Big Band for a Big Event
You might remember Paul – he joined forces with David and me for our ‘£1-a-Day’ fund-raising event in 2017 and 2018. Well, he’s mad enough – in a good way – to continue his generous nature and has volunteered to do a 94km sponsored walk. Yes, you read that correctly – 94km!!! And this is …
Read More
RIP Biscuit
Today, we bid a sad farewell to Biscuit. Over the past six months her health had really started to deteriorate and based on our previous experience of owning Persians, by the time they get to 14, they’re suffering. Biscuit was fourteen-and-a-quarter! 😪😪 With her sister passing back in August 2017, she had become ‘top-cat’ (literally) …
Read More
Fully Charged Live 2019
It seemed appropriate that our first major outing in our very first EV would be the Fully Charged Live Show at nearby Silverstone! After picking up Chris and Mark in Northampton, we headed for this iconic location, where, in addition to plenty of ‘talkie-bits’, there was also an opportunity to test drive the latests EVs …
Read More
Barn Dance
This was only our second foray into the skills needed for Barn Dancing – Kettering A&E were on standby, especially the foot and toe unit! 😁 Last time, back in the stone-age, I recall I had the floor to myself! Less a scene from Saturday Night Fever where the crowd were wowed by my moves, …
Read More
Sealed with…
a Knot! It was off to Deene Park for a Bank Holiday treat! It’s the home of the Brudenell family – pretty well-known around these parts, but probably best remembered for the 7th Earl (James) who led the charge of the Light Brigade. Instead, The Sealed Knot (the re-enactment group) are in attendance, bringing the …
Read More
Quivering in Kettering
With the local residents advised to stay indoors, and the adjacent roads closed or on diversion – it can only mean one thing! No, not another major crime in Kettering, just Ann and I taking archery lessons! 😁 The coaching is split into two-parts. Part 1 is a class just for us two (as we …
Read More
The Weekend – Sponsored by the letter ‘f’
A weekend of fun, friends, fine food, F1 and err, a fone! Friday Ralph and Karen are joining us for the weekend. We haven’t seen each other for a while and there was plenty to catch-up with! Probably the most important task was to begin finalising details for joint trip to China including understanding the …
Read More
Bank Holiday Weekend in Banstead
We travelled down to Banstead today to meet up with good friends Richard and Nicki. What made today different was that we decided to do it all by train (given the poor journey we had back last time by car!). Whether it’s a sign of getting a bit older, or simply the thought of the …
Read More
The (other) George
Our weekend of socialising continued today with a welcome return to The George – this time, it was the one found in Buckden and not its namesake – The George in Stamford – our other favourite! Today, we met up with Roger, Jane and Oliver for 12.30 – last time we were all together here …
Read More
Two Locals and Two Towneys
We caught up with Nick and Celina today. After a quick look round their local Garden Centre, we headed off to another local for Lunch – The Black Bull, in nearby Market Overton. Then it was back to theirs for a coffee and to admire how much they’ve done with their Home since we were …
Read More
Birthday Girl 2019
It was a welcome return to The Tollemache Arms in Harrington today. We met David, Valerie and little Evie there – where my natural charm with children took a back-seat and reduced Evie to a mega-sulk for most of the meal! Young children and me? It’s NEVER an easy relationship! 👍 Today was to celebrate …
Read More
Holiday: Return from Oz – Day 18 (of 18): By the Numbers
Auto Cross-posted from my Blog…
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 17 (of 18): Jakarta – In Search of the Man in Yellow!
Auto Cross-posted from my Blog…
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 16 (of 18): Moist from Mornington!
WEDNESDAY the 6th March. Morning loyal Readers! Something strange in the air overnight! 🌧️🌧️ Rain! And severe bucket-loads of it too! When it falls here, it does it big-style, and it’s the first we’ve seen (and felt) since we arrived! Mind you, the area needs it… Droughtier than Danny Drier from Droughtsville! ☔ 8.15am: Our …
Read More
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 15 (of 18): More of Mornington!
TUESDAY the 5th. Greetings Galahs! 😀 “What’s that Skip? The last full day of sight-seeing in Oz?” Yes, our last full day here today before we fly home Thursday afternoon. Melbourne ✈ Jakarta ✈ Schipol ✈ London then finally, Kettering. So, after our delightful, but brief, visit to Dromana last night, we’re making the most …
Read More
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 14 (of 18): Meandering in Mornington
MONDAY the 4th March Morning Bushwhackers! 7.30am: Another good night’s sleep – that’s two in a row! 👍 A fair part of today is taken up with travel. We’re flying to Melbourne and then hiring a car, driving south-east to a settlement called Red Hill (population c924 + 2!). It’s in an area called The …
Read More
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 13 (of 18): Sightseeing in Canberra
SUNDAY the 3rd March. Evening Emus! (sorry, I’m running out of animal-names – it is Day 13!). A day of sight-seeing is planned! 😉 7.00am: At last, a proper night’s sleep. I think by the time we leave Australia, I will have got my sleep pattern sorted! 9.35am: Breakfast isn’t included with our Hotel package, …
Read More
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 12 (of 18): Coaching for Beginners
SATURDAY the 2nd March. 6.15am: Welcome Wombats! A better night’s sleep (thankfully) so I’m almost ready to take on the world. So far this holiday, we’ve used planes, trains and automobiles PLUS boats, taxis, hire-cars, the Metro – and our own two (four?) feet. It’s now time for something completely different, and only two options …
Read More
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 11 (of 18): A Busy Day in Sydney!
FRIDAY the 1st March Morning Skippy! “What’s that Skip, another day in Paradise!?” 06.30am: Uh-oh, another bad night’s sleep! But who needs sleep anyway! Onwards and upwards (hopefully!) But Sydney waits for no-one – especially an ‘inPOMniac’ – and as it’s our final full-day here, we have people and places to see! …and stuff to …
Read More
Holiday: Return to Oz – Day 10 (of 18): Life’s a Beach!
THURSDAY the 28th. 6.45am: Morning Beach-Bunnies! 😀😀 Ahh! a proper night’s sleep, that’s a good start to the day! Life’s a beach and then you fry… (With apologies to NAZ for butchering his lyrics) Today, we’re walking! We’re starting at Coogee Beach and walking via the purpose-built coastal walkway to Bondi Beach – more details …
Read More