After a two-week absence, (Film Night two weeks ago and rain stopped play for the whole Club last week) we’re back to the Bows tonight! Weather-wise, it was a scorcher – a great start to the Bank Holiday weekend! 😎😎 And the weather seemed out bring out the members too! – a record attendance for …
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First Visit: The National Memorial Arboretum
Today, a planned day out with David and Valerie to the National Memorial Arboretum. It was a return visit for David and Valerie, but it was our first! Thank goodness then, that the rain has stopped, as a month’s worth fell in a day yesterday over the UK! (although it did belt it down briefly …
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First Visit: Farnborough Hall
Another one our of cultural days out, meeting up with Ian and Ann along the way, heading for National Trust’s Farnborough Hall. Located off the M40 between Banbury and Gaydon, the Grade I listed property (and its gardens) has been owned by the National Trust since 1960, when the Holbech family endowed it to them. …
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Kilworth Cats!
Off to Kilworth Theatre today with Ann, Janet, Jo and Carol to see the theatre’s production of ‘Cats‘. Am I the only person to have never a ‘Cats’ production before? Quite possibly! Last time we were here was back in June, to see Joseph – and today was just as busy! West End quality without …
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♪♪ Thunderbolts and lightning, very, very frightening! ♪♪
With both A Star is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody (planned for LunaFlix’s outdoor cinema this weekend at Boughton House) postponed because of the weather forecast, we needed a ‘Plan B’! That’s the first time that the weather has disrupted this annual event – totally unexpected in AUGUST! 😮 The replacement dates didn’t work for any …
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The Vast and the Curious
Off to the vastness of an iMax screen this evening (courtesy of Cineworld, Rushden Lakes) with Jo and Janet. I’m curious to see if the ‘love-child’ of the mighty Fast and Furious franchise is any good. Step forward then, the imaginatively titled: Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw. Petrol-heads Rejoice… When the first Fast and …
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Glove Story!
Where do I begin..? Both Ann and I are getting serious about our Friday-night Archery Classes, and it was therefore time to start investing in some kit of our own. So, earlier in the week, after some recommendations, we took the short drive to the local Archery Shop in Burton Latimer – TargetCraft – to …
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The Palace and the Pub
Off to visit Apethorpe Palace today with Chris and Gill! The Palace We last visited here back in August 2011 with Nicki, when it was known simply as Apethorpe Hall. Since that time, it’s been sold-off by English Heritage (December 2014) to one Baron von Pfetten, a French anglophile. English Heritage are still responsible for …
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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 …
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Silverstone Classic 2019 – The Cars are the Stars
We headed over to Chris and Gill’s today, and then to this year’s Silverstone Classic. Obviously, it’s all about the cars and so I’ll minimise the word-count in this Post and let the pictures tell the story! The weather was spot-on today. After the mega-heatwave of the past few days, it was just perfect! – …
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Film: The Lion King
We headed over to Cineworld at Rushden Lakes this evening to catch the latest cinematic incarnation of ‘The Lion King‘. Featuring the voice-talents of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (as well as James Earl Jones reprising his role from the original film) the …
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90 – Over and (not) Out!
It was Denis’s 90th Birthday today! As part of his Birthday treat, and in keeping with Dad’s RAF experience, we took him to the IBCC (International Bomber Command Centre) in nearby Canwick Hill, Lincoln. Opened in 2011, the aim of the IBCC is to tell the personal stories of service men and women of RAF …
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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 …
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The Black Country Living Museum
Our very first visit to The Black Country Living Museum! 9.30am: We picked-up David and Valerie and headed by car for ‘the smoke’. Located in Dudley, the journey took us a lot longer than we planned, (due to some serious congestion on the A14 in the direction of the M6). So, after some inspired diversionary …
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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 …
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Charging towards Uppingham!
It was a welcome return to one of our favourite towns today – Uppingham. Being a Friday, it’s Market Day too, so there was even more to enjoy! Last time were here was back in February 2018 – and that was Market Day too! …and me being me, it wouldn’t be a normal day without …
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Film: Spiderman: Far from Home
We travelled not far from home today, returning to Cineworld at Rushden Lakes.This time, to catch the latest Marvel Super-hero Movie: Spiderman: Far from Home. And not just any old film presentation! We chose the iMax version (and in 3D too!). What a feast for the senses! What is ‘iMax’ anyway? An iMax presentation is …
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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 …
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Film: Rocketman
We took the short drive over to Rushden Lakes today – this time, not for shopping! (some mistake surely) – but in consolation, we did sneak in a cheeky dessert courtesy of Heavenly Desserts! Instead of shopping, it was our first visit to their shiny new, two-week-old, Cineworld cinema (their 100th opening in fact!). We …
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Palmers and Bricklayers
Palmers Reunited A scorcher of a day, as we headed down to Bromley to catch up with Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie. Just to make a change, rather than our normal haunt of ASK, at the top of the high-street, we chose The Bricklayers Arms, just a five-minute walk from Bromley South station. Last time …
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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 – …
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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, …
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Joseph – And the Pub of Many Burgers
We headed for Kilworth Theatre today to see their latest outdoor production… Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Joseph… Running from 26th May until 5th July 2019, this production was back by popular demand. Given the track record here, we knew we were in for a treat! Starring Jacob Fisher in the titular role; Carole …
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Da Da Daaaa..!
Just imagine being part of Jeff Wayne’s 1978 Album “Musical Version of The War of the Worlds”… …Well, imagine no longer! 1.30pm: We’re off… Jo and I left Kettering in plenty of time heading for this unique experience in London. Our expectations were high, as we’d both read (and heard) some excellent reviews. Our destination …
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Saxon Mill – The Return
Today was a welcome return to The Saxon Mill Gastropub in nearby Warwick. Last time we were here (back in July last year) was for the same reason – Lunch with friends!
Tea for Three
We picked up Helen, and headed to the ever-reliable Beckworth’s for one of their Afternoon Teas! Yumminess predicted! The food and service didn’t disappoint, and judging by the fact that the rest of Northamptonshire were also there, others were equally impressed! Afterwards, we took a look round their Garden Centre and chose one of their …
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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 …
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Theme from The Archers
Our Archery lessons continued tonight. We’re now in our third week (after a fortnight’s distraction elsewhere) and we’ve moved up to heavier bows – Ann’s on an 18-pounder and I’m trying out a 20-pounder. Considering it’s been raining day and night for most of the week, the evening turned out to be perfect! And perhaps …
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We Haven’t Saved the Planet!
Well, after exactly a week of ownership, we may not have saved the planet (yet!), but we’re saving something! 👍 #GoElectric #eNiro
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) …
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