I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this special episode given that I’d been very unimpressed overall with the previous series. In short, too soap-opera-ey and not enough Who-ness. Tonight’s got off to a slow start. And with no title sequence, I was wrong-footed immediately. But, as the episode progressed, this latest outing for …
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Christmas 2018
Christmas Eve (with Denis) 9.15am: The roads were pretty much deserted as we headed for Heckington. We arrived in good time – just after 10.40am – where the car looked cleaner than when we left! After unloading (including the two new garden chairs we bought Denis for Christmas), we were soon tucking into Coffee… and …
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Film: Mary Poppins Returns
It was off to the local Odeon tonight with Jo and Janet to see the film: Mary Poppins Returns. The cinema was optimistic of plenty of punters like us showing-up with performances every 30 minutes. It’s always a bit of a gamble with ANY sequel, but one as iconic as 1964’s Mary Poppins – could …
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Mexican Fave!
John, Trish and Conor came round tonight for one of our Mexican Evenings. No donkeys or sombreros, but plenty of good food… Homemade Chilli Apple Crumble … and the obligatory Cheese-board Plenty of time to catchup with everyone’s news (given that we’d missed Trish’s Christmas get-together last week). Trish & John bought us a lovely …
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Our Anniversary Weekend 2018 (34/7)
Friday, 14th (Our Anniversary)It’s our 7th Anniversary (or 34th in ‘old money’) and we’ve a busy few days ahead. There was just enough time to open our cards and presents before we left, heading north. Thanks for your kind words everyone! Ann bought we a very classy watch!These days, we normally go away to …
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Christmas TV (2018)
292 pages/£4.90 (+40p) 196 pages/£3.75 (+25p) We’ve all got different prompts for when Christmas celebrations officially begin – is it when the Supermarkets start putting out their Christmas lines?, the first Christmas lunch?, receiving your first Christmas Card? or the BBC Christmas ident being seen for the very first time? Or even when the Sales …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 10 – ‘The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos’
OK, tonight is the final episode of this re-booted series, and after some mostly crappy episodes, they’ll need to do something really special to get me back on-side! With last week’s big reveal that the monster-of-the-week was a… frog!!!, can we have something really serious now please Mr Chibnall? Here’s hoping! After tonight – and …
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Birthdays x2
It was off next door tonight to celebrate not one, but TWO birthdays from earlier this week – Paul R and Julie T. It’s become a regular occasion over the years and with everyone contributing something to the Menu, what’s not to love! 😍😍 With all the ‘usual suspects’ present and correct – John and …
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Preparing for 2019…
Today, we started preparations for the new Computer Class that starts in January 2019. Monday mornings free for 30 weeks? – checkPupils contacted? – checkNotebooks available? – checkTraining PC ready? – checkTNA document refreshed? – checkVenue ready? – check from WordPress https://stevethetechguru.wordpress.com/2018/12/03/preparing-for-2019/
Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 9 – ‘It Takes You Away’
It’s the penultimate episode for Jodie Whittaker’s first season as the Doctor and overall, I’ve been UNDER-whelmed. No-one’s more surprised than me at this, but with its over-simplified stories and a set of characters that I simply can’t relate to, I’ve struggled to sing its praises. Conversely, most of the Who fan-base, seem to absolutely …
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Christmas Lunching begins…
Another Saturday in the countdown to Christmas – and another Lunch with friends!This time, it was the Old White Hart at Lyddington (we were last here back in February) to meet up with Nick & Celina. Compared to last night’s venue, this place was full of people… and atmosphere together with a roaring open fire …
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A Fyne Meal?
Gosh, we haven’t been here for a good many years – Loch Fyne in Elton – Last time we were here was February 2008 and before that, our first visit, New Year’s Eve 2005. We met up with our good friends, Mick and Jane just after 7.30 and surprisingly for a Friday night, the place …
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Is this the real thing..?
Are we the last couple to catch Bohemian Rhapsody whilst it was showing at the local Odeon?- Quite possibly! We opted for the 2.30 performance in Screen 2 which was about 10% full when the movie rolled. Was it any good though? Given the haemorrhaging of actors for the title role and a troubled production …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 8 – ‘The Witchfinders’
Opening scenes looked good – another serious story-line – and a Witch is about to be dunked!6.38: One dead ‘un and the Doctor’s now a Witchfinder General. 6.41: King James makes an appearance – and the pantomime season has arrived early – Oh dear!6.44: Scary! What was that? – cue ‘Monster-of-the-Week’ 6.52: Even more scary! …
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Frank’s – A Hidden Gem
Bev & Julie picked us up tonight for a journey into ‘old’ Kettering. More specifically, Frank’s Pizzeria located in Havelock Street. In spite of living in Kettering for over 20 years, we’d never discovered Frank’s! The establishment has apparently been in business since dinosaurs roamed the one-way system here, and although Frank is now looking …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 7 – ‘Kerblam!’
Here we are then! past the half-way mark for this series and we’re into titles with an exc!amation mark – surely a slippery slope downwards from here on in!I tend to prefer the serious Who-storylines and so with the promise of the always-hilarious Lee Mack in the cast, I have a feeling this episode is …
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Shiny Things!
A short drive to Stanford Hall just before Lunch today at the invitation of Tarratt (now Pragnell) the Jewellers. It was a cold start to the day, but turned out to be perfect weather (and occasion) to let the Cat out of the bag for a few hours! (and judging by the cars in the car-park …
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The Sound of… Bookends
After picking up Jo, Janet & Carol, we headed off to Kilworth House this evening for a spot of nosebag and evening with the Simon & Garfunkel tribute act – Dan Haynes & Pete Richards aka ‘Bookends’. We haven’t been to Kilworth for over a year – last time was in September 2017, to see …
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John Lewis Christmas Advert (2018)
Here we are then: the second Friday in November, 8am, and the new John Lewis Christmas advert for 2018 has been released. The Boy and the Piano…Here is the official storyline from JL… “This year’s story is about the power of a gift. And how that gift inspired, changed and influenced the course of a …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 6 – ‘Demons of the Punjab’
Oh dear! For me, this series is just going from bad to worse. Nothing wrong with the acting, it’s just the very simplistic scripts and the lack of any real tension to-date, resulting in truly FORGETTABLE episodes. The Media too, are now starting to ask questions about the Programme and its overall tone. Last week’s: …
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Floats my Boat!
Another first today for me, as David & I travelled over to Leamington to visit the Annual International Model Boat Show for 2018 at the Warwickshire Events Centre. Today was the first day, and the event runs until Sunday. Programme and more information HERE (.pdf) We arrived just before the doors opened at 10am – …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 5 – ‘The Tsuranga Conundrum’
Well, we’re halfway through this series and for me so far, it’s all been a bit underwhelming – except last week’s, which was even worse with its Pantomime bad-guy, a plodding script and characters who I just don’t relate to) – a real snorefest! © BBC Well, let’s hope tonight’s episode is an improvement. I’ve deliberately …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 4 – ‘Arachnids in the UK’
Ooo-err missus! As the title suggests, it’s not an episode to watch if you’ve any issues with spiders! More importantly though, four episodes in, did this story have legs? Well, the straight-into-the-title-sequence still takes a bit of getting used to, but that’ll pass, so back to the story itself. Unlike last week’s episode, this one …
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Lee’s Memorial Lunch
Today was a very special day. Our good friend Lee, who passed-away in June was remembered and celebrated at a very special occasion. We booked a table in the Oak Room at The George Hotel in Stamford and invited all the people she was really close to. We sort of went in convoy: David & …
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El Greco
It was over to Stratford-upon-Avon tonight to catch up with Ian, Ann McL, Mags and newly retired Alan! Our restaurant of choice was El Greco’s in Rother Street. It’s a family-run affair and tonight was to be our first visit. Our journey there was a bit sluggish in places but we’d allowed plenty of time …
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Unchartered Territory
Chris A picked me up this morning and we headed for Nuneaton. More specifically, the unchartered territory (for me, anyway) of Axminster’s Tools & Machinery. Talk about “big boys’ toys”! It made B&Q look like a toy shop!I rather fancied some of the milling machines – and trust me to be attracted to the one …
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Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 3 – ‘Rosa’
Episode 3 and the first period piece in this revamped ‘Who’. Tonight’s yarn revolved around the civil rights activist Rosa Parks and that pivotal moment in her life. A pretty engaging storyline followed with a fair number of tense moments. The music (that I was so indifferent about before) was perfectly suited in tonight’s episode …
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Bolsover Castle with Dennis & Sandra
We headed for Bolsover Castle today to meet up with our friends: Dennis and Sandra. We haven’t seen them since we all visited Belton House back in May, and it was good to catch-up. 9.20am: ETA was 11am, so we left just before 9.30 and had a trouble-free journey there (although the traffic on the …
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Gin and Fizz
It was a walk down to Jo and Janet’s tonight as we’d been invited to one of their legendary ‘Gin & Fizz’ Evenings. With Paul and Karen to accompany us, it was just a short walk to enjoy (for the gin lovers) a range of Gins… and for the gin haters, plenty of Bubbly. Janet …
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Ahoy Sailor!
Ann bought me a remote control boat for my Birthday – the snappily titled gizmovine t01 – and today was my first opportunity to try it out. Click on the picture for a short video So, David and I headed down to Wicksteed Park and their boating pool. The conditions were perfect in that there was no …
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