Back in Harness Edition

Monday 18 Mar

Heavy frost this morning but the sun was out so I didn't need to scrape the car windows.  

Nothing exceptional happened at work.

Mum did the weekly shopping.

Hannah started her new job, she seemed to enjoy it.  She and Matt stayed overnight, they are travelling to Liverpool tomorrow.  Not bad is it?  Start a new job one day and then go on 2 days holiday!!!

Tuesday 19 Mar

Won £2.00 on an on-line scratch card - which was the sum total of the excitement for today!

Wednesday 20 Mar - Saturday 23 Mar

Heck, I'm sorry, I've not done any blogging this week.  Needless to say nothing much has been happening.  The weather is absolutely crap.  They've had heavy snow falls in the north of the country and floods (yes again) in the South West.  We've been ok here in Taunton but Devon and Cornwall have been hit pretty bad.

This time last year we were in the middle of a mini heat wave with the temperature in the 20s!!  There has to be something in the global warming thingy.

So, I think we'll put this one down for the week and promise to be more newsy next week.

Fuerteventura Holiday Edition

Wednesday 6 Mar

I got up at 04:30, Mum didn't bother going to bed.  Andrew arrived at 05:30 to take us to the airport, for once we were both ready on time.  Hannah got up to see us off.

Uneventful drive to Bristol, check-in went smoothly, boarding went smoothly, plane was not delayed and we took off at 08:30 and landed at Fuerteventura on time at 12:20. We flew by EasyJet. I know it's been quite a few years since we last went but neither Mum or me recognised the airport in any respect.

We found the rep for the transfer to the hotel and were directed to bus stop D1 where we duly waited.......and waited..............and waited some more until over an hour had elapsed, where upon I went back into the arrivals hall to find out what was occurring.  Typically just as I was talking to the rep, the bus turned up!
We were the last to be dropped off and so we had a bit of a tour around Corralejo whilst everyone else on the bus was delivered to their resorts.  First impressions of the Suite Hotel Atlantis Fuerteventura Resort was very positive.  Reception was very efficient and friendly and so we were booked in within a few minutes and off to see our room dump our bags and go in search of a bite to eat as we hadn't eaten since about 0700 and it was now 1630.
A bit of a wander round to get our bearings and to see what was what and where, back to the room to unpack and after dinner we went to the Plaza Bar to sample the local brew.

Thursday 7 Mar

After breakfast we went to collect some beach towels (20 Euros deposit each) then spent the day by the "Quiet Pool", reading and snoozing and although I was sat in the shade I still managed to get burnt!

The view from our room

Went to the Asian restaurant for dinner, it was ok, a help yourself buffet, Mum liked the noodles, the highlight being deep fried ice cream for dessert.

Friday 8 Mar

Took a stroll to the local market.  We were not very impressed.  It might have been because it was out of season but there really wasn't much there.  Africans and Brits selling tat but we did buy a couple of things.  Strolled back to the hotel in time for a beer and lunch.  Spent the afternoon at the quiet pool.  The skies became overcast and we thought we might get some rain but none came.

Spent the evening at the Plaza Bar and had a caricature picture done of us both.  You'll have to wait until you get home to see it, we think its great and it made us both laugh.

Saturday 9 Mar

The Quiet Pool

Woke up to overcast skies but thankfully they didn't last so we wandered down to the beach and watched the "oldest wind surfer" in town launch into the waves. Spent the rest of the day at the quiet pool and had dinner at the El Molino Resaurant which served Spanish Tapas.  It was OK but the staff seemed a bit off and not very friendly.

Mother's Day Sunday 10 Mar

Hannah gave me a card from both you and her, before we left,  to give to Mum, which was nice.  The sun was shining so sat by the quiet pool in the shade but because it felt chilly(?) we both moved into the sun!

I discovered how to get internet on the phone and so in the afternoon I Face Timed Hannah and we had a good old chat.  However, I didn't realise that I had used 3 times my daily data allowance! Oops!

My forehead started to peel badly.

The Quiet Pool Cat

Either we are getting used to the temperature or it is getting cooler in the evening but either way we spent the evening in the lobby bar where we met a Welsh couple from the Rhonda Valley, Colin and June.  Colin only had one leg, the other one being false but he didn't let it get him down.  June said he had lost it in an accident but didn't explain any further so we didn't push it.

Monday 11 Mar

Was woken up by a txt arriving from O2 telling me that if I go over my data allowance again they will remove me from O2 travel and I will have to pay the standard European charge.  Slap on the wrist for me then!

Another day by the pool reading and snoozing.  Both me and Mum finished our books today.

Entrance to the main restaurant

There is a cat that lives by the quiet pool and today we found him fast asleep on a sun bed!

Mum is having some severe reaction to what we think are mosquito bites.  She has one on her arm which is particularly nasty.

Me taking a picture of Mum taking a picture

Mum got a keyring engraved with a photo of you and Han - it looks really good, something else for you to see when you get home.

Tuesday 12 Mar

Took a taxi into town this morning for a bit of retail therapy and a stroll along the sea front.  I saw my yacht had been safely moored in the marina!  I think we managed to get a little Gizzit for everybody.  

Spent the afternoon by the pool, our last chance before leaving to catch some rays.

The email arrived giving details of our departure, so that sort of confirmed it was our last day.

Spent the evening in the lobby bar with the Taffs.  The All Inclusive was supposed to end at 11pm but the very nice chap behind the bar brought us out drinks on the house at about 1130pm.  So a nice end to the holiday.

Wednesday 13 Mar

We travelled home.  The trip went very smoothly with nothing of note happening.

It was a lovely break allowing us to recharge our batteries ready for whatever this year throws at us.

Hannah Moves into her New Flat Edition

Monday 25 Feb to Saturday 03 Mar

The moving day.  Certainly one to remember.  It all started when the letting agent arrived late.  The girls signed and initialled all the relevant documents.  So we follow the lady to read the electric meter, she opens the cupboard to be confronted with several meters and admitted she didn't know which one was for the flat. Trying to be helpful I suggested that it might be the one that was clearly marked 2nd Floor Flat.  But she was not convinced and took a photo so she could check it out back at the office????
Then we went to find and have a look at the garage.  The letting agent thought it was number 2B but the key wouldn't fit - but she said she would check it out back at the office.
We started ferrying Hannah's stuff to the flat.  The letting agent phoned back saying the garage was definitely number 2B and the key was new and so just needed a bit of jiggling.  So we went to have a jiggle to discover that the key didn't fit the lock at all - but it did fit the lock to garage number 2A.  For some reason the letting agent didn't want to come back and read the meter!
So I went back to work and Mum stayed with the girls to help out and offer motherly advice.
After work myself and Nev returned to the flat to put Hannah's new bed together and ferry a few of the heavier bits like the TV.  We returned to find that Mum and the girls had discovered that there was no water in the taps and so they had called the water board and because it was out of hours they couldn't get hold of the letting agents but had managed to contact the Landlord.  The man from the waterboard said there was no problem with the supply to the house so there must be a stop cock turned off somewhere.  But he did deliver a load of bottled water to keep the girls going.  The Landlord found the stop cock (after much searching) in the flat below.  He turned it on and lo there was water.  After congrats all round we all went to have a look around the flat below Han's.   When we got back Nev discovered that Han's kitchen was flooded!
So back down stairs, turn off the stop cock, mop up the flood.  The water was pouring out of the pipe that would feed the washing machine, the tap on it did not work.  Luckily we discovered another isolating valve further back along the pipe work and so we stopped that.  Back downstairs to turn the stop cock back on.  The second valve was holding and so at last the girls had water to the flat but not to the kitchen cold tap.  The Landlord said he would arrange for a plumber to call the next day to rectify the fault.  (he was true to his word a plumber did arrive the very next day and fix it).
Myself and Nev then set about putting together Hannah's new bed, which went smoothly (thankfully).  Then it was back to our house to collect the TV and Fred the Ted.
Han treated us all to a MacDonald's for supper and Mum and me got home about 10:30.  Certainly was a day to remember.
On Tuesday we popped in again to deliver a couple of items of furniture from the flat above the shop that no one wanted, but would come in handy for Han and Chan until they find something else.
Popped in again on Thursday evening to put together a flat packed chest of drawers that Han had delivered to Wyatts Field.  They delivered at 7.30am!!  Good old Argos!!  Didn't manage to get it all done so am having to go to the flat again, probably on Saturday.
Back to the flat on Saturday to finish off the chest of drawers.  Meant to get a few phots of the place but I forgot,  but I expect Han will put some on FB eventually, if she hasn't already.
So, the girls are settling into the flat and Mum and me are trying to get used to it being just us in the house alone.  It seems a little strange.  Han is moving back in next week to house sit and look after Rhubarb whilst we are in Fuerteventura.
Guess what the next edition is going to be called?

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.