The Selfish Edition

Sunday 17 Feb

A nice bright sunny day for a change, still a little chilly but it was nice to see the sun.  Changed the other headlight bulb in the car.  It wasn't quite the nightmare I was expecting but still not as easy as it should have been.

Monday 18 Feb

I forgot to tell you that because of a Council cock-up we have been able to park all day in town for nothing. The Council spent something like £3 million to move the grass from outside the museum and behind what was the Winchester Arms to what was a perfectly good and income generating car park on the other side of the road that leads into the Castle Hotel.  Apparently the idea was to make an "open space".  But because of some legal shenanigans they cannot prevent cars parking in this new "open space"!  The County Gazette have got hold of the story and instead of berating the Council for an ill conceived project (that very few people wanted) they have dubbed us that park there as "Selfish".  They took photos over several days and guess who's car is in them all?!  This free car park saves us £46.80 a week in car parking charges that we were paying to park at the Brewhouse.  Even the traffic wardens laugh when they pass by!

Tuesday 19 Feb

Guess where we parked again today - selfish or what!

Wednesday 20 Feb

Frosty again this morning.  

Heard on the news that the Brewhouse Theatre is closing this evening after the last performance.
Looks like they have run out of funds.  The recession is really starting to bite now, Comet the
electrical retailer has gone broke, Blockbuster the video/DVD sale and hire has closed down, Game has gone, HMV will be closing what will be next?

Thursday 21 Feb

Mum went out with the ladies this evening.  They went for a bite to eat and a natter in the Cosy Club, leaving me and Han to cope by ourselves, which we did, just!

Friday 22 Feb

Another of those get up, go to work, come home, have tea, watch tv and go to bed sort of days!

Saturday 23 Feb

Went over to see grandad today. Got there about 12:30 to find the old feller in bed.  The sister said he had decided not to get up and so didn't.  But he did cheer up when he saw I had bought along a bottle of wine and another of whiskey.  

I got home in time to watch England thrash the French 23-13 in the Six Nations.  England's grand slam hopes remain alive

Valentine's Day Edition

Sunday 10 Feb.

The washing machine broke on Saturday.  Went and collected the new one on Sunday and was installing it when you rang.  It was good to have a chat with you, but I think both Mum and myself forgot to ask if you had managed to get your tooth sorted out.

Monday 11 Feb.

Got a touch of the gout back in my left big toe.

Tuesday 12 Feb

Pancake Day.  Pancakes for tea!

Wednesday 13 Feb.

Spring must be nearly here, the cherry tree at the front of the house has started to blossom.

Thursday 14 Feb

Valentines Day!  Mum and me exchanged cards.  Hannah was working late and Matt had an early start so they didn't see each other on the most romantic day of the year.  Hope everything is ok with them both.

Friday 15 Feb

Nightmare day at work.  My computer wouldn't start properly, had to call our friendly geek.  Thankfully he managed to talk me through a process over the phone that got things up and running again, but the time that it took put me back a couple of hours and so spent the rest of the day trying to catch up.

Saturday 16 Feb

It was Nev's turn for a Saturday off and so it was just me and Sabrina in the shop.  A very good day takings wise.

In the evening we went to Nev and Honours for (what has become) the traditional Valentines meal.  The food as always was fabulous and it gave Hon the chance to use her heart shaped stuff, plates, decorations and the like.  We came away from the table utterly stuffed but it was sooooooo nice.  Apart from us, Andrew and Wendy and Andy and Deb (Brown) were there too.
Sorry no phots this week.

The Man Flu Edition

The Peruvian team in National dress

I've been feeling pretty unwell this week.  Reckon it is a serious case of Man Flu.  Andrew has had the same so we reckon we picked up a lurgy at the Beer Pong night.  So instead of writing a few lines each day, I've decided to summarise the week in one go
I guess the big news of the week is that Hannah went for a job interview on Friday.   I'm led to believe it is a full time position but on the down side it is in Wellington. She is desperate to get away from the Card Factory.  However I do see where she is coming from, even with the bus fares, it being a full time job she is still going to be better off financially.  The hourly rate is better too but (and there always is a but) they will want her to do night shifts. The best news is that they contacted her on Saturday to let her know she got the job! Not sure when she is due to start, she has to do CRB checks and hand in her notice to the Card Factory etc.  But I suspect she would be more than happy to start tomorrow!

I have checked the Abbey Beer twice now.  In other words I have drunk two bottles - wow it blows yer socks off!   So my concerns about it being flat are unfounded!

The winners

On Tuesday we went to see Hannah's new flat.  It is in Park Street, above Rhona Gilmore's, opposite the law courts.  Happily surprised, it is really quite sizeable, I really like it.  Both Hannah and Shan have a double bedroom each, then there is a large lounge, kitchen and bathroom and enough room in the hallway to have a party!!!!  On Monday we went over to Hankridge to get her a new bed and mattress from Benson Beds which is due to be delivered on moving in day (Monday 25 Feb).

Reuben says Hi

The Peruvian Team in action

Did I mention that Mum and Me are off to Fuerteventura for a week in the sun?  Thought it was about time we had a holiday.  Both Nev and myself are confident enough with the business now to allow the other to take some time off.  We fly off on the morning of Wednesday March 06 from Bristol Airport.  Andrew is going to drive us to save us paying for parking.  We are staying for a week in the Suite Hotel Atlantis in Corralejo.  I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to the break and the chance to recharge the batteries.  Mum was going through the "Brown Family Archive" and discovered that we last went to Fuerteventura in 1997!  Can you believe that was 16 years ago!  We stayed at the Castillo Playa Apartments then, and you and Han spent more time in the pool than there were hours in the day! Happy Times.  This was our first holiday after Disney.  I bet you can't remember the name of the restaurant we went to a couple of times, the one where the ice cream desserts were so big you and Han had to share one and still didn't finish it!  It was called the El Mahay.  I've tried to find it on the web but it looks like it may have closed down.  Such a shame, the food was fab and they made such a fuss of you and Han.

Andrew trying to talk it in!

Sorry about the phots but I thought you would like to see the Peruvian Beer Pong Team in all their glory!

The Beer Pong Edition

Sunday 27 Jan

Chill out day.  Ate some food, drank some wine, watched some telly.

Monday 28 Jan.

Han got news that she and Shan have passed all the checks and have got the flat.  They are planning to move  in around 25 Feb.  I guess that will give them a little time to get stuff together etc.

Tuesday 29 Jan

Won £10.00 with an on-line scratch card!
Went to the Winch this evening with Mum, Han and Matt, for a bite to eat and a couple of beers.  Made a nice change from sitting in front of the telly.  It was "Burger and a Beer" night, so I had beef stroganoff and Mum had fish and chips!

Wednesday 30 Jan

Ummmmmmm.

Thursday 31 Jan

Bought a couple of cases of Cusquena in preparation for Josh's Birthday Beer Pong evening on Saturday.  Myself and Andrew are forming the Peruvian team.  Full update on Sunday if I've recovered by then!

Friday 1 Feb

Won £2.00 with an on-line scratch card.  It cost £2 so I really only got my money back!
Opened a bottle of the Abbey Beer which I bottled about a month ago.  I was expecting it to be flat but to my surprise it was just right.  Another couple of weeks maturing and it should be ready for drinking.

Saturday 2 Feb

BEER PONG NIGHT!  Went round to Nev's at about 7.30 pm.  Cracking night.  The Shite Shirts went down a treat (they are now known as the native dress of Peru).  Some how, after losing three out of four games myself and Andrew made it to the semi final?!  Not sure how that worked out.  In the end I think we came third but it didn't really matter - it was just really good fun. Ended up drinking far too much and got home around 4am!
Josh's team won (and rightly so - it was his Birthday Do after all), the picture shows the winning team sporting their "Champions T-Shirts" printed by Imprints!

Sunday 3 Feb

Recovery Day!  Oh dear I didn't feel too good.

But on a happier note I booked me and Mum on a holiday to Fuerteventura in March.  I figured we hadn't been on holiday for far too long.  Just a week in the sun, I'm really looking forward to it.