30 April 2007

A casual line

Just finished watching LOST - gee they know how to throw a line in!! Didn't see that coming at all - WOW! Brrrrr!

Anyway - managed to get my calendar drop down sorted.

first monthly invoice away too - so fingers crossed they'll be no clitches with that on Friday.

29 April 2007

Memories

Over the weekend we cleared our loft, which was a liberating experience.

I found my old inter-railing photos and it brought back some memories. I think its good to have a good clear out every now and then, but equally its good to look back at times past and remember.

Managed to catch up with Nigel breifly on Friday night, before the business of the weekend.

Derby f$$ked up their chances of getting a guaranteed top 2 place in the championship today by loosing to Crystal Palace. The play-offs beckon now, and their history in this stage is not good!!

28 April 2007

Big Girl

Florence left us for most of the weekend and went to her first proper sleep over with a crowd from school.

We enjoyed a little sun and a glass of wine - before nipping out for a curry (yum)

Had some goods comes with Glynn & Steve about some potential work, anything would be good.

26 April 2007

Busy is best

I've been much busier today which has made such a difference to how I feel about the whole thing. There is something to be said for being busy. Had quite a lot of emails to/from the accountant today (especially after hours, I'm sure they never go home). Needless to say they sorted out my worries (again)

Just catching up with LOST and heroes

24 April 2007

The mighty Khushboo

Met up with Brett while on site and we went for a drive to find something to eat. Stumbled across the khushboo Indian restaurant, which I used to frequent regularly when I worked down here 12 years ago. Good to see that they are still knocking out fantastic food.

22 April 2007

Great weekend start

We have had a great start to our weekend. I was up early-ish with Nate, and tried out my new lens. Florence had to do the normal ballet thing, but the girls had a lie in so it got a bit rushed. We needed a few supplies in town so mooched around the shops and got some BOGOF bargs. Got some lunch items and had a mini picnic. Went over to CostCo in the afternoon and got some bulk wine and BBQ items. Spent the rest of the afternoon, sparking up the BBQ. Drank wine in the sunshine, surfed the web and fired up the bad boy for the first time this season (our other BBQ had seen some action on holiday). I do forget how much I enjoy the BBQ.

21 April 2007

Friday night fun


Friday was a again a fine day and it always seems harder to motivate myself at work when I know that its so sunny outside! I left at 4 and came home. Went to the football with Nigel and saw a shakey victory. At this stage it would have been nicer for a convincing win, but a win is a win. The chances that went begging could have seen a much healthier score. Tasha was going out for the Mellows celebration of the best production NODA award that they received for Godspell. We got a text to say to pop in for a drink, and arrived just as the dancing started!!

Hoping for a BBQ this afternoon after buying MEAT at the cash & carry!!

19 April 2007

Catchup

Its been a great few days for me catching up with some friends. Down on site I met up with Brett, who I've not seen for a while and also Trapper John (which is always a pleasure). Last night I had a quick beer with Stubbs and we met up with some old faces from EMCON. It was great to see them all again - good times. Tonight I've opened up the email and had some mail from Robin, Mike & Chi who I've not heard from for ages. Stirling and I had a conflab this morning too.

Tasha has been busy in the garden and its made a fantastic difference to the space that we have. We are having a skip next week and are having a major clear out of the loft/shed etc.

I've got some things ready for eBay too.

My new lens arrived for the camera today - other than slapping it on to check that its OK I've not had chance to play. Hopefully get some shots over the weekend.

Going to the footy tomorrow night, crucial game.

18 April 2007

Florence likes Merlin Mann!!

I got back from site yesterday and was chatting with Florence (7). She was asking whether there was anything good about being away from the family and living in a hotel. I tried hard to think of some things
  1. I get to see my friend trapper, who lives near the site
  2. I get to watch all my video podcasts that I don't get time for at home
  3. ...
... "Oh with Merlin Mann" she says, "I like him, he has a funny laugh and cool glasses!"

12 April 2007

Eggs-citing!


Had a fun time decorating eggs with Florence & Nate.

Dull day at work, Tasha & kids went to Sutton and had a great day - wish I was there. Think we've managed to pin a few days down to get away before the summer holiday.

Holiday Roundup

See the photos here

Our first full day away, saw beautiful weather and our friends came to see us too. We had a great walk down the Monsall Way, followed by a BBQ back at the caravan. Was really good to see them and their dog!

Had a little “A time” with the mac and investigated iMovieHD and started going through some of the footage from earlier in the year. Seems to be a lot easier to use than Premiere - I don’t need fancy really, cropping, the odd transition and titles is all I want. I try to do most of the editing in camera.

Tasha had some great news. The show that she produced last year - Godspell - won “Best Production” in the regional NODA awards on Sunday night.

Monday - Drove into Bakewell, forgetting that it was market day. Unless your there really early, the car parks get full and they close the roads off, so that was a non starter. We’d not got up and going very quickly as we’d had a restless night. Nate, who has been suffering with a cold the last few days, got into a coughing fit and was sick - not the best thing in a caravan! We came back and went for a great walk down to the Wildlife reserve near the site before lunch. After we’d eaten (like kings) we headed into Buxton, which wasn’t nearly as busy. We bought some great food and had a good afternoon. Got the BBQ out again today (as it was fantastic weather).

On Tuesday we went over to Chatsworth House - a beautiful stately home. Obviously with the kids in tow we only saw it as we passed on the way to the massive adventure playground and farm. We all had a great time, but it was bitterly cold. Stopped at the farm shop and were lucky to escape, without spending more!! Just listening to Florence read - she’s so good - I’m glad she likes books.

Thursday and with the excellent weather comes the inevitable onslaught of people at the site. We left the site early this morning, being the only two vans, to explore Lathkill Dale and returned (via Chatsworth) to reports of gridlocked traffic and a site 3/4 full!! Our explore was fantastic though, the sun in the valley really made the whole place look beautiful. Slightly worried that the site will be too busy, but we can also go home.

Friday started to another beautiful day on the now much fuller campsite. We had a good early start and went up to the climbers haunt of Froggatt Edge. We went via the farm shop at Chatsworth and bought loads of goodies for a picnic. Had a great walk along the top of the ridge, before returning to our feast!! After lunch we went to the outdoor shops down the road and then drove back to the site via the scenic route - where we saw tomorrows walk!! The site managed to accommodate a view more vans and a lot more tents while we were out. Cooked steak on the BBQ and an early night all round.

The rest of the bank holiday weekend was spent, trying to stay out the the way of tourists! We avoided Bakewell & Buxton and “headed for the hills”. We did some great walks and we were really impressed with the children and their stamina. I think the fresh air did us all the world of good and blew away many cobwebs.
Its been the best holiday we’ve been on for a long time, I felt really rested on our return and didn’t feel that it had been too short (not to say I would have stayed for another couple of weeks!)