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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Summer School 2022
They say: ‘Every day’s a School Day’, and for us, the past five days was to be taken literally. It had been time for our first visit to Marlborough College and its annual Summer School. The popular event had been cancelled for two years in a row because of Coronavirus, but at last, we were …
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Family Outing – Hampton Court (2022)
Yes, it’s that time again when we have a day out with Ann’s side of the family. Last time, last year (back in October, 21) the venue-of-choice was Kew Gardens and before that, Shuttleworth in July, 2021. This year’s venue? Hampton Court Palace! Just a few of us MiA this time around – Chris & …
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Cat’s Away (Day)!
Ann and I aren’t often apart these days – but today was an exception! 🤔 We drove down to Roy & Susan’s today for a sleepover – and a catchup! Whilst Ann and Susan headed off in the direction of RHS Wisley for the day, Roy and I had other plans! 😁 With the girls …
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Film: Thor: Love and Thunder
Another busy Sunday (in a good way) as we headed straight from Rosi and David’s ‘Ruby Do’ to the local Odeon (meeting up with Janet & Jo) to see the latest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) franchise – Thor: Love and Thunder. This is a direct sequel to Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and the 29th …
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Ruby Do!
On possibly the hottest day of the year, we set off to David and Rosi’s for their Ruby Celebration Garden Party. As expected – and forecast – it was another scorcher of a day with temperatures heading into the low-30s. We picked up neighbours Paul and Karen (fresh back from their holiday in Italy) and …
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Tolethorpe Hall: Spider’s Web
We headed for Tolethorpe Hall today to catch the matinee performance of their latest production: Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web. Where’s Tolethorpe Hall? Just like our other fave outdoor space at Kilworth Theatre, there’s the tradition of bringing a pre-performance picnic – and with the weather heading into serioius scorchio territory this week, it would have …
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A Packed Sunday!
Nope! Definitely not used to this! Pretty much OUT all day – although it was for all the right reasons! 😁. A longer walk, a new lunch venue and a movie! Yes, I know: ‘tough life!” 😜 The Kettering Walk First off, we met Jo & Janet outside Kettering Library for the ‘Kettering Walk’ – …
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Canons Ashby
Off to National Trust’s Canons Ashby today to meet up with long-time mates, Chris & Gill. Ordinarily, a straightforward journey using the A43, but not so today! It’s F1 Silverstone Weekend starting later and that means only two things – chaos on the main routes plus the local villages seeing an exponential increase in through-traffic. …
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Glorious Kelmarsh!
Thought I knew nearby Kelmarsh Hall very well, having got married there in 2011 and partied there for our 10th Anniversary last year! Apparently not! I saw parts of it today, that I’d never seen before! The House They’ve opened up parts that were inaccessible before, and it was all very well presented. There was …
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Film: Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Off to the flicks this evening to catch the final in the Jurassic Park movie franchise – Jurassic World: Dominion. Released on the 10th of June here in the UK and with a runtime of 2 hours and 25 minutes, it wasn’t just the dinos with monster proportions! Background Touted as the final instalment of …
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“We’re at the Theatre Dahling!” – Carousel
Here we are at Kilworth House Theatre with Jo, Janet & Carol for the theatre’s latest production – Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s Carousel! (the pair’s second collaboration from 1945). For those that haven’t heard of this Theatre, it’s local (ish), located in the grounds of next-door Kilworth House Hotel in leafy Leicestershire. Over the years, we’ve …
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Another ‘George’
It was a welcome return to that ‘other’ George today – The George in Great Oxendon! This time, lunch with Ian, Ann, Alan and Mags as of our semi-regular foody get-togethers. Last time we were here was back in January of this year with Paul, Sue, Geoff and Rhonda – and this was our fourth …
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Bonkers Beckworth’s
We picked up Helen today and headed for our favourite Emporium – Beckworth’s. And if people are supposed to be tightening their belts and cutting down on eating-out, then no-one told those ahead of us! When we arrived just before 1pm, it was bonkers busy! 😟. So much so, they’ve now introduced a pager system …
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What a Shower!
Even at the tender age of (almost) 66, I’m still up for trying new things. And today was one of those days! Ann and I were invited to our first Baby Shower. From what I’d read it was another of those celebratory imports from across the pond designed to mark the imminent arrival of a …
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First Visit: Ascough’s Bistro, Market Harborough
It was our first visit to Ascough’s tonight – and what a beautiful evening… the best we’ve had here weather-wise for a long time. Bev and Jules picked us up, and we took the very pleasant drive over to Market Harborough. It was obviously a popular venue as even though Jules had booked quite a …
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The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Beginning on Thursday. 2nd June and ending on Sunday, 5th June, this was a celebration of HM Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. Thursday, the 2nd Spent the morning catching up with ‘bits and bobs’ as we only got back from our Scottish holiday yesterday afternoon. Top Trooping First of the formal stuff – …
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Holiday: Day 13 – Our Final Day: Scotland (2022) – Jedburgh Japes
Day 13 – Tuesday, 31st May Morning Reader!👍. It’s the final day of our holiday today and therefore my last holiday post! 😟. We’re home tomorrow, late afternoon – so, thanks for continuing to read about our holiday adventures! Twelve Days of Scotland Day 0 – Compact and Bijou in Carlisle Day 1 – Dumfries …
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Holiday: Day 12: Scotland (2022) – Mega-Moisture in Melrose
Day 12 – Monday, 30th May Morning, lover of quality literature! And welcome to my Blog! 👍. It’s our first full day in Melrose. We arrived yesterday afternoon and we’re staying at Burt’s Hotel in Market Square. The weather forecast for today is rubbish (wet AND cold!) and so we’re exploring super-local destinations. After enjoying …
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Holiday: Day 11: Scotland (2022) – Motoring to Melrose
Day 11 – Sunday, 29th May Welcome back loyal Reader! As we said goodbye to Deborah & Steve and the rather excellent The Old Dairy in Gartocharn (with its FOUR EV Chargers 👍) we’re now heading for ‘Leg 3’ – Melrose (pop. c2500) – the final part of our Scottish adventure for 2022. 9.38am: What …
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Holiday: Day 10: Scotland (2022) – Scenery Day!
Day 10 – Saturday, 28th May Howdy Folks. Day 10, and our last day here in Gartocharn (pop c680 + 2 drowned rats). Today, we’re off to soak up the scenery, taking in Loch Lomond National Park in Balmaha, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle (and as many other areas as we can!). So, here’s …
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Holiday: Day 9: Scotland (2022) – Glasgow Revisited & the Riverside Museum
Morning all! 😀. We’re on Day 9 of our Scottish adventure! – and surely some mistake – it’s NOT raining! 🤔🤔. We were seriously thinking of trading-in the ‘mozzy spray’ for anti-rust treatment, based on the past few days, but maybe not! We also saw a large round orange thing in the sky, but the …
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Holiday: Day 8: Scotland (2022) – The Hill House and Helensburgh
Day 8 – Thursday, 26th May Welcome back loyal Reader! It’s Day 8 of our 2022 trip to Scotland where we’re currently lodging in Gartocharn, a small village (pop. 680), close to Loch Lomond. ‘The Old Dairy’ at Cambusmoon Farm has been our base for the past few days and we’ve just a few more …
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Holiday: Day 7: Scotland (2022) – Stirling Castle
Day 7 – Wednesday, 25th May Welcome back loyal Clan! 👍. We’re on the second leg (Day 7) of our Scottish trip, currently staying in the tiny village of Gartocharn (pop. c680). I think I’ll give up looking at the weather forecast here! One minute, blazing sunshine, the next – rain, rain and more rain …
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Holiday: Day 6: Scotland (2022) – On the Loch!
Day 6 – Tuesday, 24th May Morning McReader! 😀 It’s Day 6, and our first day staying in Gartocharn (pop. c680) south-east of, and very close to, Loch Lomond. In spite of the less-than-exciting weather forecast, we’re exploring Loch Lomond today – by boat. Walkies! 10.05am: But before all that, it was walkies time! Yesterday, …
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Holiday: Day 5: Scotland (2022) – Pollok House and Loch Lomond
Madainn mhath!* 😯 *Google Translate available HERE Day 5 – Monday, 23rd May It’s ‘Day 5’ of our Scottish break, and as we say goodbye to Troon, we’re now beginning Leg 2. We’re heading for the tiny village of Gartocharn (pop. c650) for its proximity to Loch Lomond staying at Eastcambusmoon Farm‘s: The Old Dairy. …
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Holiday: Day 4: Scotland (2022) – Culzean Castle
Morning All! 😉 Day 4 – Sunday, 22nd May It’s our last FULL day here in Troon before we head north for ‘Leg 2’ in Gartocharn (for Loch Lomond) on Monday. On today’s list is just a single attraction: National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle. Culzean Castle It would be appropriate at this stage to …
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Holiday: Day 3: Scotland (2022) – Glasgow
Morning all! Thanks for your readership so far! 😀 Day 3 – Saturday, 21st May We’re on Day 3 (of 4) here in beautiful Troon staying at the rather excellent Salt Lodge Apartments right on the Harbour’s edge. In a change to the UNadvertised programme, the Isle of Arran is postponed – today, we’re going …
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Holiday: Day 2: Scotland (2022) – The Robbie Burns Experience
Morning Reader! 👍 Day 2 – Friday, 20th May Welcome back! This is our second day (of four) in Troon, Scotland. We’re staying in Troon Yacht Haven at the very well-appointed Salt Lodge Apartments that overlooks the Harbour. We fully charged the car last night courtesy of Scotland’s State-run charging network, the imaginatively titled: Chargeplace …
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Holiday: Day 1: Scotland (2022) – Heading for Troon (1/4)
Morning Readers! Hope Thursday finds you both well! 😉 Day 1 – Thursday, 19th May During the night (presumably to prepare us for Scotland) the rain put in an appearance, promptly followed by a few encores! It made for a poor night’s sleep with the rain hammering on our skylight window. What a contrast to …
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