It’s our 11th (or 38th in old money) year together, and we’re simply going to celebrate the event by enjoying a good meal later today 👍 7.35am: These days, any time before 8am is an early start for me. So, why was I up at ‘silly o’clock’? Well, I’d secretly made Ann an Anniversary Cake, …
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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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Palmers at The Palmichael
If you’re looking for a quality Italian meal, then you can’t go wrong by choosing The Palmichael in nearby Burton Latimer. We’ve eaten there many times, and it’s one of the few the only Italian eatery that still survives in this part of Kettering. Many other ‘Italians’ have appeared on the scene – and disappeared …
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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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Boys and their Toys (Part 221,122!)
Those that know me, know that I love anything techy! For a few years now, I’ve expressed my passion through this Blog. Lately though, it’s been creaking a bit under the bonnet because of the sheer volume of content – mainly down to my photos! The trouble is, all those pictures had (unbeknown to me) …
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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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John Lewis Christmas Advert (2022)
Yes, it’s that time of year again – The annual John Lewis Christmas Advert! 🎅. Right on cue too, as pretty much every year it’s the first week in November. Usually, the first look any of the public get is at 8am, when it’s released across social media. This year was a little different though! …
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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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Doctor Who Special: The Power of the Doctor
This pivotal episode has been clouded in secrecy with very little official online content to comment upon as the transmission date got closer. That all changed on Saturday, October 8, 2022, when the BBC released this short, official Trailer (below). The episode is part of the BBC’s centenary celebrations and what made this one so …
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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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It’s official – I’m OLD!
A pivotal moment today! It’s official – I’m OLD! I received my VERY FIRST State Pension payment overnight! 😲
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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Holiday: Switzerland Day 6 – Final Day
Day 6 – Thursday, 29th (our last day) – Up the Mountain! Morning Reader! 👍. Two important pieces of news… One: it’s our last full day here and Two: it’s NOT raining! 😁 A Journey Well Travelled Last Friday – Arrival in Zurich Saturday – Zurich to Wengen Sunday – A Wander in Wengen Monday …
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Holiday: Switzerland Day 5
Day 5 – Wednesday, 28th – Fun in Thun! Welcome to Day 5 – our penultimate full day here in Wengen, Switzerland. The weather, especially over the past few days, has been at best ‘variable’ (that’s the polite version) and today’s forecast looks much the same! Just like yesterday, we woke to the sound of …
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Holiday: Switzerland Day 4
Day 4 – Tuesday, 27th – The Damp Patch! 7.45am: Welcome back! and to Day 4 of our six-day holiday here in Wengen, Switzerland! Well, the weather deteriorated overnight, and we woke to find it absolutely hammering it down! It’s colder too, so I think we’ll be keeping it local today! SO FAR… Friday – …
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Holiday: Switzerland Day 3 – Birthday Boy (2022)
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 …
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Holiday: Switzerland Day 2
Day 2 – Sunday, 24th – A Wander in Wengen Guten morgen Freunde und Familie! 😉 Whatever they’re slipping into the cocoa here, it’s working, as we slept really deeply last night. The first thing we noticed, once we’d come-to, was how quiet it was. Sure, the banning of non-electric vehicles here in the village …
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