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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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 …
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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, …
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Charge!
Well, we finally did it! We’ve taken the plunge and we’re now all electric for our main car! 😁 We fancied something in white, maybe with a touch of blue… Our Choice Ahh, there it is! The Kia e-Niro ‘First Edition’ After a lot of research, we narrowed it down to just ONE model! – …
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Coton Manor Gardens
Continuing our theme of looking at old things on our doorstep, I put the mirror to one-side and instead, we headed for Coton Manor and Gardens. The Manor House isn’t open to the public, but the Gardens are open Tuesday to Saturday. Based on the number of cars in the car-park, it was clearly a …
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Cottesbrooke Hall and Brixworth Church
Fresh from our soaking at Deene Park a few days ago, we braved the elements and headed off to Cottesbrooke Hall today. The Queen Anne style House dates from 1702 and enjoys Grade I listed status. It has Gardens too! It’s not the first visit for me (apparently, we came here 20ish years ago), although …
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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 …
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Bow Guest
After last Friday’s and Saturday’s expert coaching, tonight, we headed down to town for 6.30pm to enjoy some more archery practice, as guests of Kettering Archers. It was great fun, and the weather was on our side – a beautiful evening! It was very well attended with around 20 of us on recurve bows, a …
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15 Years a Blogger!
In what seemed like a quirky and innovative exercise back in 2004, today marks 15 years exactly since I began blogging. Back then, actually publishing anything online (especially whilst out-and-about) was definitely NOT the norm! Still, those that know me, know I was always one to ‘push the envelope’ with my tech! 😁 Since that …
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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 …
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A Nagging Thirsk
We’re ‘up north’ for a few daysand taking in the sights! This includes a visit to the Nags at York Racecourse on Thursday! (Extra shirts packed!). I’ve only ever betted on a horse twice before in my life – back in 2004 and again in July 2006 – the former returned me an embarrassment of …
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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 …
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