December/January Family Friends Gigs and Hotels

1st Dec went to the New Vic in Newcastle to see a Christmas Show. Lovely theatre in the round.
3rd December we went and stayed in Eastbourne, visiting Faye and family. Weather was cold but sunny had a lovely walk along the Prom. Hotel Ok but no view of the sea! Les not happy!
On the Monday we went over to Worthing to have lunch with Mum ,Dad, Anne and John at the Swallows Return. Travelled back in the eve as were playing bowls. Sadly lost.

Busy doing Front of House at Gatehouse theatre in Stafford. Managed to see the Panto six times, could have been an understudy! We also went to see The Jake Leg Band who were brilliant. And Arthur Doherty an Irish Band,good. Also went to Cannock to see a Jonny Cash Tribute, not so good.
Meet up with my Trentham gardening friends for coffee and cake,must go back next year.
Les's daughter and family joined me on my boat for lunch on 18th.
Had a couple of nice lunches out with bowling friends to The Greyhound and The Golden Crown.
Boaters get together on Monday 19th at The Marina.
Kate and family came for Christmas celebrations on Thursday 22nd.

Sat 24th we went down to Wilton Court in Ross on Wye to spend Christmas with Sue and Ken.
Fab hotel on the river we had a very delightful room. Unfortunately I had a irritating cough which kept us awake,so knackered on Xmas Day but had a lovely time, with good food, good company and good walks.

New Year we went down to The Three Crowns but the singer was not good and Pub very noisy so went home and watched the fireworks on TV with a bottle of Proseco.
January 8th flew off to Costa Del Sol staying at the Yaramar hotel in Fuengirola. 14 floors up, views were superb. Good food beautiful weather and enjoyed visits to Ronda and Mijas.
Back home on 22nd. Decided to get some decorating done at the house as it looks as if this become home.

Finishing the month with a game of Chocolate Bingo at  Molly's school. Yes she has her Great Grandads luck and won the Full House on the last game. The biggest box of assorted chocolate bars, biscuits and sweets I have ever seen. Well done Molly.

Birthdays Holidays Halloween and More Holidays

Sunday 25th September,  Les took me down to Birmingham Airport to meet up with Jean ( Sues sister) to spend a girlie week with Sue, Kay and Jean in a beautiful Villa in Portugal for my birthday.

We had a wonderful week sunbathing, chatting and going to some lovely resturants. My birthday meal was great with a waiter who looked like Poldark himself serving up chocolate cake!

Coming home Les meet me at the airport with roses and a big smile. We had a lovely birthday meal and I was spoilt rotten with gifts.

4th October I did my second FOH (front of house) at The Gatehouse watched a fab film called The Room.
Saturday 8th October we headed off to Cornwall. Stayed in a wonderful static caravan near Wadebridge. Managed some great Coastal walks Lundy Bay to Polzeath, visited Padstow, Port Isaac and Tintagel castle, on to the south coast to  Mevagissey then coffe at Watergate Bay.
A beautiful 6 day break with fabulous sunshine and blue skies. Brought some fab boots in Padstow.
We may have been the only people to have walked out of a Ric Stein restaurant but hi ho.

Returning back to Stone on 13th, we went to the theatre to see That will be the Day, and a Comedy night at The Met- not that funny! Enjoying doing my FOH, saw Fiddler on the roof.

Made a trip down South staying with Kay and Simon on Thurs 27 October, then on to Eastbourne to see Faye, Ryan and Chayse. Stayed in a hotel on the front,great location however parking back at 12 midnight was a problem!
Then on to Ravenswood Hall for a fabulous Halloween party to celebrate my brothers 25th wedding anniversary. Everyone dressed up and we danced the night away. Everybody dresses up, Kate won
best dressed. We dressed as ghosts from Jack Sparrows, Black Pearl. Very scary.
Drove home Sunday pm and packed to go to Cyprus in the morning.

So on 31st October we flew off to Paphos for a 10 day stay at the Athena Beach Hotel. A big Bowles competition where we finished mid table. We had a great time although it didn't start well with me leaving my iPad on the plane, silly me but it was handed in and waiting for me at Paphos airport. Again the weather was lovely 24/26 degrees all the time. The entertainment was good and Les and I truly believe we will be on Strickly Come Dancing soon!

November 11th back from Cyprus unpacked and had Kate and the girls round to the boat, then off again to Potters, down in Norwich for a long weekend. More Bowles, but mainly to see Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons. We had the Penthouse room which was really special the food and gig was great. Long drive home on Monday. Last few days spent catching on with housework boat cleaning and gardening and time to sort out my investments! Might buy a property.

Summer and Switzerland

August in Stone 

Saw lovely days on "The Bank'' enjoying the company of fellow boaters. Playing Crown Green Bowles which I'm really enjoying, very different from Lawn  Bowles we play 'down south'

Les returned from Canada and we went for some lovely walks in the Peaks when the weather was good.  Had bowling friends round on the boat for a meal, and went to a local pub to see Niel Diamond and Elvis look alikes. Enjoyed Rock nights at Trentham even if we always seem to end up getting wet!

Spent a wonderful few days down at my sisters in Bedhampton,travelled down with Kate, Molly and Connie, then meet up with all my sisters. Fab time.

26th August Les hosted a fab BBQ at his home. A great Eve was had by all our friends and family at the Mariina and Bowles Club.

September 6th was a big day for my Grandchildren all starting school and new schools. Very proud of all of them they are all so wonderful.

Wednesday 7th Les had his first taste of Horse Racing at Uttoxeter. We ended up just about equal money wise, so another great sunny day.

Friday 9th September we had a rather soggy eve at Sandown Hall watching Beyond the Barracade. Fantastic singers in a wonderful setting. 

Saturday 10th we were up early to get the train from Stafford to Euston going to meet Gill and Brian at Hyde Park for Proms in the Park. What a great day although again we did get a little damp between 5 and 7pm. But the clouds parted and great performances by The Feeling, Ric Astly, and Frankie Valley before going over to the Royal Albert Hall for the Last Night of the Proms. And what a great feeling singing along to Land of Hope and Glory with 40,000 people.

Stayed over in Burgess Hill with Gill and Brian. Went to watch then Bowle in Haywards Heath. Glorious weather enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine. Monday, back  on the 10.15 train to Stafford.

Tuesday13th September back down to London Heathrow to get our early flight to Zurich. Our first hotel in Brig to start our tour of Switzerland. With a 4 hour coach transfer we started seeing some fantastic scenery and the weather was perfect.

Thursday 15th we travelled by coach to Zermatt. Very pretty village,chocolate shops galore! 

unfortunately the weather changed but we went on the cog railway to hopefully see The Matterhon. It was cold and snowing at the top of the mountain but we just managed a glimp of the peak.

Friday 16th was a long day but lovely stop at Stress on the banks of Lake Maggiore in Italy. We enjoyed a glass of Prosecco and cake for a lunch stop! Lots of really Grand hotels a very expensive place to stay. Took a boat trip across the lake,then the coach took us to Verbania where we took the Centovalli Rail back to Domodossola. Unfortunately as the weather had gone down hill again the views where restricted. Too much sitting down!

Saturday17th a lovely day in Montreux doing our own thing. Just wandered,went to the Casino to see a Queen exhibition. Freddie Mercury recorded his last album there.

Enjoyed a long lunch in a fab Italian resturant.

Sunday 18th we took The Glacier Express up to Klosters,again the weather was not too good but we had good company on the journey which was fun. The highest point is the Oberalp Pass at 6700 feet. This took us to our next hotel which was very grand. With a swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna we made good use of all the facilities.

Monday19th we had a free day to just relax. We walked around the village went up on the cable car, chilled out played cards and enjoyed a bottle of red!

Tuesday 20th the highlight of the week we went on the Bernina Express over to Tirano. The weather was brilliant and the views where stunning and the company 'the southerners' all delightful.

Lunch in Tirano was good and yes another bottle of Rose, like to ring the changes!

Wednesday 21st left hotel around 12 noon for our journey back to UK.

We had a wonderful holiday, getting to know each other better. And so far, love what have together.

Joy in July

Life has changed dramatically for me now.i have meet a wonderful guy at the Bowles club and we a great relationship going. Les is also a widow and we have decided to enjoy every minute of every day, to live life to the full as we both know from experience there are no certainty in life.

So our first date was to walk in The Peaks staying in a beautiful stone B & B tithe weather was good and it was great to get the walking boots on again..

When the weather changed as it has done so much this last month we have been 10pin bowling, I can't even beat him at that. Pictures and various lovely meals out.

Enjoying the evening performances at Trentham Gardens, the Motown night was great even if we did get soaked in the last 10 mins.

14th July saw me off on a Rhine cruise with my dear friend Sue. We had a truly wonderful time cruising on The MS Swiss Tiara the crew, food ,excursions and all the new friends, made it a truly fab experience. I have posted some pics on FB but here are some of the best.

We boarded the boat in Basel, visiting Lucerne,then onto a rail journey in the Bernese Oberland. Onto the Black Forest. Shopping in Titisee and Breisachthen onto Strasbourg. Stunning buildings in the French quarters. The cathedral was awesome and we climb the 330 steps to have views from the top.

Onto Mannheim then Rudesheim, where we had a fun night dancing in one of the bars.

A wonderful day cruising through the famous Rhine Gorge,then a night life in Koblenz. Our final destination was in Cologne. Our final night on boat we encouraged the resident pianist to upbeat the music he played and true to form Sue and I encouraged other guests to dance the night away.

Coming home on Eurostar was just fine until we got to Victoria station Uk the train was simply rammed. Thank god our loved ones where waiting at Worthing to greet us.

Thanks Sue for your company,you where just great and we are looking to book a holiday for next year.

Moscow and St Petersburg here we come.

I then had 4 glorious days in The Travel Lodge at Worthing. Strange to spend time as a tourist in your home town. Even managed a swim in the sea. Les enjoyed the time there and was impressed with the beach and pubs which I always took for granted. Thanks Pete and Dizzy for you company in the Hare and Hounds, Desperate Dan was as good as ever.

Sunday 24th was a Big Family Day for Mum and Dad as they celebrated their 70th Wedding Anversary over at The Arun View in Littlehampton.

Company and food was good, always great to see all the family. Thanks to Anne for organising the day.

Monday 25th 

Back on boat.  Have had my central heating repaired,dead headed my lovel flowers which have been amazing this year- all the bloody rain!- polishing brass,washing and ironing. Front of house starts on 13th August at The Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford.

Playing Bowles,along with having Gill and Mick visit in their Campervan for 4 days,then My friend Kay came to visit for 3 days for some TLC. So lots of walking,talking,drinking and eating.

Les has been on a family holiday to Canada, back on Monday 8th August, and I have really missed his company. Lots planned for the next few months, may even get out on the boat.

Cambridge

June 16th set off for Cambridge in the morning. Arrived at Premier inn just on the outskirts of the town. Although it looked in the middle of a new housing estate, which it was, but ideally located to a Bus stop straight into town. - Love my Bus Pass! 

We went into town for a wander and evening meal, after watching the football in the hotel bar. England scored in the last few mins.  Found a nice pub in town and had our evening meal.

Friday 17th decided to have breakie in town,lovely French cafe for a Danish and coffee. Onto the Tourist info centre.

Punting on the Cam in the morning, lucky with the tickets, brought a bargain from a nice lady who had a voucher!

 

After punting, went for Lunch at The Eagle one the oldest Pubs and supported by many airman in the 2nd World War who would keep tally of flying conquests burnt in the rafters.

After lunch had a wander and afternoon tea before going to  The Cambridge Graduate Orchestre in the Concert Hall. This was just fantastic. Playing Mussorgsky, Stravinsky and Brahms ,conducted by a brilliant young conductor Alan Bowman and a Piano soloist Emiko Edwards.

Something I had never experienced and truly wonderful. Bit of FUN getting back to hotel,just missed bus (another story) got a Taxi! 

Sat 18th had a walking tour booked for 11am so again went into town for breaki. The tour was great our guide was very knowledgable and funny. We saw and learnt so much about this wonderful old town. Kings was possibly the highlight,although there was work being done on the organ.

We had booked a table for lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian so busy busy!

The meal was lovely and the waiters made it a great experience.

Decided to walk our lunch off, so went along The Cam, many narrowboats moored up just outside the centre. Did go back to Kings for another visit, it's just so breath taking. Another tea stop before going to the ADC Theatre to see The Footlights International Tour. . Made us laugh but a little silly.

Sunday 19th went to The Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Had breakie at the hotel as out all day. The weather was just perfect and the display of aircraft was wast. Went on The Concord and dressed up in Americam gear - look like something out of Dads Army!. 

Went back to Cambridge for dinner, then onto St Johns College Chapel where we listened to Stanford Chamber Chorale. A touring  Chorale Ensemble  from Pennsylvania. A very emotional  performance the setting was just perfect. A wonderful end to a wonderful  four days. Thanks again Eddie for your company.

Back to normal on Monday. It was pouring with rain, I'd left my car window open, so wet bum to drive back home. 

The alternator on my boat had burnt out so engineer coming Tuesday to fix it. RCR had ordered the wrong size so back on Friday to sort out. All done. Ready now to take boat out.

The girls are enjoying feeding my regular visitors to the boat!

Got my walking boots out this week and did a fab walk in The Peaks.  Also went to see Othello at Stafford Castle. So lucky with the weather it was perfect even had a full moon. Off to Trentham tonight to see Queen Tribute Band, let's hope we have good weather again.