We just checked with the Escape Committee. and we’re getting out at 9.46 disguised as ‘guests checking out’ (Theme tune from ‘The Great Escape’ playing through my headset). In order to blend in, we’re currently mingling with guests at breakfast, in order not to draw attention to ourselves. #WheresMyMotorbike
Holiday in Sweden – Day 5 (Gothenberg)
After yesterday’s discovery that our accommodation here at the ‘Scandic 25’ resembled more of a prison cell, than a hotel room, the Scandic prison guards have been very clever overnight. In order to ‘break us’, they’ve cleverly switched the standard mattress for an ultra comfortable one, and they also did something to the room, so …
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Holiday in Sweden – Day 4 (Gothenberg)
We caught the 12.05 train to Gothenberg, saying goodbye to Malmo. It’s was a two-and-a-half hour silky smooth journey in one of the most comfortable trains I think we’ve ever travelled in – reaching 202 kph at one point. Bye-bye Malmo – hello Gothenberg! On arriving at Gothenberg, we attempted to find our next hotel …
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Holiday in Sweden – Day 3 (Ystad)
England 1, Italy 2! What a great headline to wake up to!!! The weather forecast is about the same as yesterday, but with the possibility of the train service being restricted, we’re only going as far as the seaside town of Ystad today. It’s home to the country’s oldest cinema (Biografteatern Scala), a production studio, …
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Holiday in Sweden – Day 2 (Malmo and Beyond)
I slept like I’d been drugged! Almost 11 hours sleep for me is unusual, so it’s either the fresh Swedish air or that funny tasting night-cap last night 🙂 The weather forecast here for today is warm rather than hot – but at least it’s dry! Scorchio! (ish) As far as the planned boat-trip is …
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Holiday in Denmark and Sweden – Arrival
Our day started with our 6.30 pickup by taxi to Birmingham Airport. Then, after what was possible the worst cooked breakfast I’ve ever tasted (thank you Wetherspoons!), we were soon on board our flight to Kastrup in Denmark. A smooth flight courtesy of SAS landed us five minutes ahead of schedule. We yomped to the …
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Messing About in Boats (Part 942)
It was perfect weather today, for David and I to take the short drive to Buckden Marina. Armed with a wide range of cleaning materials, the objective was to get David’s boat super-shiny! Mission accomplished by 11.45, all finished with a bacon sandwich for lunch!
Father’s Day with Denis
The View form Denis’ Back Garden We drove up to Denis’ today – and what a gorgeously sunny day it was! We sat out and soaked up some rays – and the view – before tucking in to a ‘Father’s Day’ Lunch!! Bev sorted out the main course of Chicken with all the trimmings, whilst …
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Kitchen Plans
We dropped into see our friend Paul from Anglia Interiors this afternoon to discuss our thoughts for our kitchen revamp. Looks like we’ve got a plan for later this year!
Theatre: South Pacific
Another superb performance from the Kilworth House Theatre tonight as they sang their hearts out performing South Pacific. It wasn’t quite a packed house (only about 99% full), but everyone clearly enjoyed themselves (including us – Ann, Jo, Janet, Carol, Chris and Pete) on one of those rare very warm evenings (that inevitably turned to …
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Lazy Day
A lazy (ish) day today! – which is very unusual for us, even though it is a Saturday! I took Ann’s car to Richards in for its ‘A’ Service – it only took just over the hour, but they did spot a balding back tyre and front brakes that will need replacing in a few …
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Omid Djalili – The Castle, Wellingborough
Val, Ann and I headed off to see Omid Djalili tonight. Luckily, Ann pointed out at the last moment that it was at The Castle, Wellingborough, as I almost sailed past the A14 turning for Wellingborough, thinking it was at The Derngate – another ‘senior moment’! He’s not everyone’s ‘cup-of-tea’, but he was certainly ours …
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Bank Holiday Break – Ipswich (Day 2)
It’s our last full day here and we’re heading off to Southwold (as no doubt many other locals will be doing). The weather forecast indicates that it’ll be a heatwave of 13C rising to 14C – not exactly sunbathing weather, but we plan to make the most of it! Actually, as the day rolled on, …
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Bank Holiday Break – Ipswich (Day 1)
We woke to the sound of torrential rain – and I do mean torrential! Still, at least we knew it was coming. Looks like today will be a day for staying under cover – whatever we do. The smartest choice seemed to be to spend the time shopping! So, dodging the persistent showers, we drove …
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Bank Holiday Break – Ipswich (Arrival)
We’re staying at Kesgrave Hall Hotel for the Bank Holiday. It’s close to Ipswich in err, Kesgrave, and is a rather unique venue in a number of ways. First up, for a Hotel, it’s quite small – just 20-or-so bedrooms. It’s also very ‘old-school’ in terms of look and feel – big rooms, high ceilings, …
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Ten Years a Blogger!
Whoosh! It all started on Sunday 23rd May, 2004, with my first blog, so that means I’ve now been blogging for 10 years (as of 11.10am), 2373 posts and 66656 views later, it’s time to re-sharpen my pencil!
The Pillage People and a BBQ
We headed off to London today, and the British Museum. Originally, Lee was planning to join us, but she hasn’t been feeling too well, so she stayed home. The train was very busy (with seating arrangements not helped by the automatic seat reservation system having a ‘day off’!), but at least we arrived on time …
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Scorchio!
Wow! What gorgeous weather – I think it must have topped 23 or 24 here today. So, for the first time this year, we ate our evening meal OUTSIDE – and even by 9.30, it was a very pleasant. Let’s hope it stays that way – at least for the weekend – as we’re round …
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Flat Day – My Final Visit
A bitter-sweet day today as I travelled down to my Brother’s at ‘silly o’clock’, and then onto Mum’s flat for the ‘final clear-out’. It was hard to believe that it’s highly likely I’ll never need to visit there again in the future – a poignant moment. Our day began with the obligatory : ) early-morning …
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Meal with the Girls
And so it was off to London today to meet up with ‘the gang’ – June, Angela and Antoinette – for our regular three-monthly evening meal/get-together. Originally, I’d also planned to catch up with Peter J earlier in the afternoon, but he had to cancel at the last minute. First stop was meeting Angela at …
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Tech Alert No. 0514
Come on… open the box! Technology waits for no-one – even for tech-heads like me! After almost four years of faithful service, today, we pensioned off the current Panasonic Plasma 46 inch TV (the ‘TX46P20B’) in favour of a shiny new ‘smart TV’ – a Samsung LED 46 incher (the ‘UE46F800’). It was an offer …
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Guinness and Prosecco Party
A great way to start the evening… Those that know us well, know that our two fave things are being with friends and eating out – if we can combine the two, then it’s the makings of a great night out! So, tonight was a simply the perfect evening, just waiting to happen. Trish and …
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Waiter, there’s a Soup in my Hare!
We met up with David and Valerie and headed for The Hare in Loddington tonight. In spite of our early booking for 7pm, the car-park was already almost full when we arrived (perhaps a good sign?). Inside the Pub, the numbers confirmed the car-park situation – the place was already buzzing! It’s only our second visit …
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Track Day – Jaguar f-type
Neil and I were lucky enough to secure a couple of tickets for an invite-only track day for the new Jaguar f-type at Millbrook. What fantastic day! Perfectly hosted by Jaguar with an opportunity to try-out all the variants of this gorgeous car! There were 25 of us – and rather spookily 25 cars. So, …
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Because We’re Worth(ing) It
Friday We left around 8.30 heading in the direction of Worthing, and our good friends Ian and Sharon. I say, ‘heading’ as the need for retail therapy kicked-in, and we dropped into Guildford – our first visit ever – for a quick punt around the local shops. We parked easily and were soon helping Guildford …
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A Meal fit for a Duke!
David and Valerie invited to a private do at the Citadel in town tonight, where we sampled the delights of Michelin Star Chef, Mike North, from The Nut Tree. First up was a cooking demonstration on how to prepare the perfect Beef Wellington (involving pancakes!!!), then we sat down a full three-courser to see if …
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Messing about in Boats (sort of!)
David and I went over to David’s boat – Osprey One – at Buckden Marina today with a plan to wash and polish it. The weather had other ideas, and we had to abandon the mission having only really given it a good wash! We’ll be back!!!!
The Journey
I met up with Ian today in London, near the Houses of Parliament. First up was the historical part of our day, where we visited the Jewel House, the Chapter House and Pyx Chamber and then, after a brisk walk taking us past Buckingham Palace (and an ice-cream van), we ended up at Wellington Arch, …
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The Weekend Starts Here
After the significant events of this week, it was good to chill-out this weekend. Ralph and Karen came to stay, and arrived around tea-time on Friday. After a quick catch-up, it was off to the Shuckburgh Arms in Stoke Doyle for a meal – the photos below say it all! – a fantastic meal all …
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And so, farewell Mum
It was a difficult day for the Palmer/Gambles clans today, as we said goodbye to Mum. We drove to the Flat, met up Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie, and then our Celebrant, Richard Woolnough. We then went onto Beckenham Crematorium by car, for the Service at 1.30. I’d agreed to lead the tributes with a …
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