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Date - 1st - 7th
We spent New Years Eve with Pat & David. A very enjoyable evening leading up to midnight and way beyond. We finally said goodnight around 1:30. We finally hit the sack at just gone 2.
Not the best start to a New Year that any family could wish for. Joanne 2 health deteriorating fast even since I last saw her, when picking her and Joanne up from the hospital. She is under the influence of so much medication that the poor woman just sleeps. We spent Tuesday afternoon at Deabill Street where Jo2 just slept the whole time. A very sad situation especially for our eldest, who is suffering, trying desperately to keep it all together. The same can be said for Jo2's youngest, Rachel, who like our Jo is outwardly coping magnificently, but who knows what's happening inside?
Made a visit to the practice nurse for a blood test, prior to my appointment with Dr Metcalfe next week. Blood test to check on my PSA and testosterone levels. After, I walked into Arnold to get my new glasses adjusted. Caught the bus back and walked home through the park. Thursday was a sad day as Joanne 2 had passed away early in the morning, Pam rushing to Deabill Street in response from a call from Joanne, and I subsequently found out from Rachel also. Rest in Peace Jo2 after these months of illness. We shall sadly miss you, not as a friend but as a member of our family.
Ben is staying with us Thursday and Friday, so we spent time working upstairs on his N and the OO layouts. Time spent on the OO a complete disaster, nothing would travel on the rails and towards the end of the day one of the controllers literally blew up, sparks and smoke everywhere! On Friday my work on the OO a complete no-no, especially having lost my rag with it the day before. Fine example I am to our grandson, I don't say. Better day on Ben's N gauge lighting with most of it now connected, still just a few to go before testing. Did get some testing in on Sunday, I got one loose light to work but no response when I connected the other 19 on the layout. Sunday evening our first this year at Steeple Steppers square dance club, which we both enjoyed. Would like to have danced more, but not to be. Made one howling mistake on a put centres in call when instead of going to the centre of an out facing line of four I went to the end. Stupid me.
Overall not the best start to the New Year in many, many ways. I trust the remaining 51 go better.
Date - 8th - 14th
On Monday, I actually picked up a paint brush, a task I haven't undertaken for months if not years. I am about to start re-decorating, emulsion and gloss only, our bedroom. Broke off decorating Tuesday for our first visit of the New Year to short mat bowls. Good start to the year, with 2 wins and one close draw at 5 all, with a win by our team on the very last end. Back home we had a problem with the back door in that we could only operate it from the outside. So Pam made a call to a local keysmith who came looked and repaired it by replacing the cylinder, which cost us 50 pounds.
Had a great evening at the Horse and Groom at Newthorpe with Pat & Dave, celebrating their Wedding Anniversary. Excellent food and even better company. Pam & I having steak, with a Diane sauce, very yummy. After the meal we followed Pat & David back to their place at Eastwood for coffee and to continue the over meal banter.
A day of two hospitals. First with Ben at the QMC, child's outpatients, for an appointment to raise concern over his debilitating headaches/migraines. After a thorough examination and many requests for information, which Ben provided, the doctor has prescribed Ben with a tablet to take at night, which he thinks will help cure the problem. Having waited for the medicine at the hospital pharmacy we stopped off on the way home at McDonalds for lunch. In the afternoon Pam & I paid our next hospital visit this time to the City for my follow up appointment, following the radiotherapy treatment. Very pleasant surprise to be told that my PSA level had not risen as the doctor thought might be the case but had actually fallen. The latest level being 6.4, as against 15.2, which was the reason for my rushed treatment in the first place. Preferred level is 5 or below. Both Pam & I so relieved to hear the figure that very little else the doctor said registered.
With Pam in the City on Friday, meeting up with an old work friend, I returned to the decorating, so much so that by Saturday I had finished and was starting to get the bedroom back to normal. Sunday all complete, paint dry, only the pictures to mount. We popped into Nottingham to buy a present for Dorothy for her birthday, which is on Wednesday, next, and to purchase the first of our American dollars for our trip later this year.
Date - 15th - 21st
Pam in the City this morning meeting up with her Civil Engineering work colleagues. Lunch at Wetherspoons. Me I'm walking into the City, via Wodborough Road. A reasonably pleasant walk mostly downhill, once, that is you've reached Mapperley Top. Popped in to buy tourist guide books from Waterstones for our trip to the USA later this year. Wanted books/information on the three City that we will visit, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Trying to get a flavour for all three of these major east coast locations. Tuesday morning at bowls, lost two, one convincingly with a defeat of 9-1, and won one. There are a number of players getting better and some who,temporarily, have lost it. Ben picked up today as we are out with Dorothy and Grenville tomorrow and may not be back in time to pick him up as we normally do on a Wednesday from school. He had one homework to do but preferred to be with his grand dad. Discussed with him the holidays for later this year and his preference is to go to North-Wales, specifically to explore the Snowdon area. Two possible sites identified, one a commercial site the other a CL. Grand dad prefers the latter if its available. Tried to discuss the possible dates in August with Kirsty and Richard, when we dropped our boy off back home, but without detailed success. Jacob however definitely wants to come with us to Kent and prefers June for the visit. I have a site lined up for this trip, if available, again another CL near Ashford.
Wednesday saw me walk up to Mapperley Top to get a haircut from Mick. Walked back, once shorn, through the park, very windy, blew through your layers of clothing it was that strong and chilly. Joined Dorothy & Grenville who took us to Morley Hayes, which is a golf - hotel - restaurant complex on the outskirts of Derby. This was a treat from our nextdoor neighbours to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, which took place last year. They intended us to join them with other friends on the day of the event, but we, selfishly had shot off to France and Italy. Since that time, they have been trying to get a suitable date and today was that first opportunity. A very nice location, surroundings very smart and fashionable and the meal very cordon bleu, and as a result very expensive. Jacob came for tea, after which we took him to Newark to catch his train up to York to stay overnight with Liam. They are travelling first class, courtesy of a Liam job perk, to Edinburgh. They have planned to stay there a couple of days.
Thursday saw me walking to the first U3A meeting of the year. We are re-joining in the hope that this time we can find some prolonged benefit. I was walking to the Richard Herod Centre as Pam over at Spondon with her school chums. At U3A I signed us up for a number of groups - Tai Chi - Singing for pleasure - Indoor Bowls - Family History & Railway Enthusiasts. The latter two purely JT interest. Speaker was on the topic of Glen Miller. Sadly he got his controllers mixed on several occasions, one for the slides the other for the music and repeated himself on a number of occasions. A number of restless people by the time he concluded his talk. I walked towards Tesco at Carlton before going right up over Forester Grove and joining Carlton Road, where I caught the bus into the City. I needed to pop into the City to pick up a parcel from the post office. Whilst in town I decided to get lunch and ended up at Debenhams enjoying a lasagne.
Thursday evening saw us travelling to Cropwell Bishop where we attended our first, hopefully of many visits to Bishops 8 square dance club. Nice friendly atmosphere, with Kath calling, with a reasonable level of dancing ability on display. Friday, up early as the pest control man coming to check and remove the rat poison box. Pam also at the surgery with the podiatrist. Jo and Kirsty came for lunch, which was a very nice surprise. It must be years since we have had the pleasure of the company of just our two girls.
Saturday evening spent with Pat & David and their friends celebrating Pats 70th birthday. Venue the Horse & Groom at Newthorpe. In the morning we had nipped over to B&Q Depot to look at wallpaper for the hall and lounge. One or two ideas but nothing as yet that stands out. Sunday a day in - it had snowed and had made travel difficult, so we didn't venture out other than to take Grenville to rescue his car that he had been forced, by the extremely snowy conditions, to abandon earlier in the day- definitely no square dancing.
Date - 22nd - 28th
Couple of shop visits first thing this morning. First a dual trip to the Madford Shopping, at Daybrook, to visit Homebase to look at their selection of wallpaper, sadly none we liked, then across the road to Currys to look at gas cookers. Finally agreed that the one we want is the New World in silver. Before ordering want to check on availability at Argos and price. Whilst in the vicinity we also popped into Carphone Warehouse to ask about a Vodafone "sim only" deal, which they are not able to offer. So, after lunch a trip into the city to visit the Vodafone shop, where we sorted out the deals we wanted. We will halve our monthly bill once the agreement kicks in. Tuesday morning saw us again at short mat bowls at which I had another mixed morning, winning only one and losing two. I definitely need to up my game. It is a real pity there is nowhere at which we can practice. After lunch I sorted through the Family history paperwork, not realising how much I had previously investigated about Gert and Cyril. It's such a long time that I last sat down and spent time on the investigations, that I had forgotten entirely the research that I had previously undertaken. My first visit to the U3A group on Family History may either re-ignite the curiosity or put the fire out completely. Time will tell. On Wednesday to catch up on missed days walking I walked into Sherwood, shopped at Boots and then continued my homeward journey via Private Road and a trip to Mapperley Top to visit John's the decorators to look at wallpaper. They only have swatch folders no rolls so difficult to visualise the patterns, One or two of interest but at a price.
On Thursday I decided to walk into the City, using Woodborough Road again as the most convenient and possibly the shorter of the two routes available, Mansfieled road being the other. Prior to the walk I had looked on the internet at walks in and around the city and come across one that used the Park Tunnel, a structure I never knew existed, leading as it does from Derby Road, just past St Barnabos Church into the Park. What a revelation an amazing piece of engineering, cutting through the sandstone to make what once was the horse and carriage entrance to the park, many years previous.
(The following pictures were not taken by myself but borrowed from the internet. I do intend to re-visit the tunnel and the walk, possibly with Ben, at which time I will take pictures and in due course replace these with my own)
The above shows your approach to the tunnel. This is taken whilst standing on the pavement on Derby Road looking down what is the entrance to car parks, one on the right and the left. For access to the tunnel you need to keep left, carefully avoiding the cars as they access the left car park and as you first step into the gloom you can see a flight of stairs that takes you down to the actually floor of the tunnel itself. There must have been a very steep incline, that's now been filled in or had been a much more gradual slope that would have taken the entrance somewhere to the middle of what is now Derby Road. A point worthy of further investigation.
These two pictures show the view looking back from where you've walked, as you emerge from the tunnel, of the incredible scale of the work involved to construct not just the tunnel but the work above to support the parapet. The foundations of the house must be strongly embedded into the sandstone, for it to have obviously stood for many years.
From the tunnel I walked through the Park, an area I had never visited before - such luxury, out on to Castle Boulevard and from there took the canal route to London Road. Emerging onto London Road I then walked to Slab square via the Lace Market via M&S for a use of their facilities and on to Wetherspoons. Here I surprised Pam who was waiting to meet up with Paula for lunch. I didn't stay, only long enough to wish Paula a happy new year before I walked across to Debenhams to purchase a bag to use when in America to carry our essentials. We have bags but just that bit to small to accommodate your daily needs. I didn't walk back home, instead preferring to catch the 45 and to walk down Private Road to home. Friday morning, I sat and finished off the auditing of the Bowls Club accounts that I had started and virtually finished the night before. Everything balances with just one query, which I will aim to resolve with Doreen on Tuesday at bowls club. Another walk but this time just my usual, up the hill along the top and back down Woodborough Road and through the park - calculated at just 2 and a quarter mile. Tonight we are going to see The Greatest Showman film at the Bonnington Theatre in Arnold.
Date - 29th - 31st
Not the kind of start you want to any week, a funeral and not just any funeral but one of a very dear friend, an adopted member of our family, the funeral of Joanne 2, Aunty Jane, as she became known throughout the Turner/Oswell clans. A touching farewell with a large number of people attending the cremation service at Wilford Hill. The service was led by a friend of Jo and Joanne's, who works both at Wilford Hill and as warden at Thorntons Halt, taking over, with his wife, from the two Jo's when Jo2 became too ill to continue. Tributes to Jo were read out by Polly & Simon James, owners of Thorntons Halt, the first on behalf of the Jones's, who Jo2 used to work for over a number of years, who sadly could not attend as they were away on holiday, and the last from Simon himself, recalling parts of Jos early life and her time working at the campsite. A Wake was held at The Shepherds restaurant at which a high proportion of those from the service attended.
Tuesday morning saw us at bowls. A mixed morning, won two and well and truly lost one. The last game, the one we lost, was played with Pam on the opposing team! After lunch we drove over to Pat & Dave's so that Pam could get her hair permed and I could audit the Waggoner books. Books ok as always and Pam's hair looks much better as a result of the perm. On the way home from Pat & Dave we popped into Ikea and purchased another small size bookcase to extend the unit we already have in the boy's room/study. Assembled the unit that evening whilst Pam was attending Sherwood WI, possibly for the last time. Pam has joined Gedling as a full member and may well join Netherfield as associate if Joanne decides to take up membership of both clubs. On Wednesday we paid a visit to B&Q over at Sutton in Ashfield to peruse their selection of wallpapers. Probably no greater range, than what we had already seen at another B&Q store, but they had them displayed better. We still ended up buying the pattern we first picked as the best at the B&Q Depot in Nottingham.
Date - 1st - 4th
Thursday we paid our first visit to the U3A group Tai Chi lesson. An interesting experience. Not sure as yet if I'm going to take to it but will give it a try as Pam is keen to continue. On Friday morning I went for a walk up to Mapperley Top to pick up parcels from Boots; Pam's foot cream and to a shop on Westdale lane; a parcel from Ring which had been delivered when we were out, before walking down to Sherwood to pick up my prescription. I managed to get all of the hallway papering done just in time for tea/dinner. Looks completely different. All we need to do know is decide on an appropriate emulsion colour for the bottom half. The existing colour doesn't look right. Nothing to report for Friday. On Saturday we went into the city in the afternoon to do a bit of shopping, all at Wilko's, prior to going onto the cinema to see the "Darkest Hour", thirty days in the life of one of the greatest Englishmen ever born, Sir Winston Churchill.. A very good film, sadly like most films nowadays they mix truth with fiction. Surely if the theme/topic isn't strong enough in its own right, why do it in the first place. So much mystery and wide variations on the stories and opinions that still surrounds the man and the period in which the film is set, must give some degree of interpretation to the director. Sunday a day of rest, well up until the evening when we spent another interesting and enjoyable evening with Steeple Steppers Square Dance club. Later I sat up and watched the entire 52nd Super Bowl, what a contest, with the Philadelphia Eagles ending the deserved winners. Didn't rate the half time entertainment as much as the commentators did!
Date - 5th - 11th
Jacob bought Liam to visit us today and they stayed for lunch Liam has been in Nottingham all over the weekend. He appears to be a nice chappie. He is certainly quiet a stark contrast to our eldest grandson. We hope that they can both make a go of it, despite the distance that they live apart. On Tuesday instead of going to bowls I was to make my first appearance at U3A Railway enthusiasts meeting. Only problem I got the wrong meeting place. I thought it was at Gedling memorial hall (GMH) when in fact it was at Gedling Methodist Hall, also GMH. I did get the correct venue for U3A indoor bowls and had a reasonable re-start to the game only losing by one point to someone I suspect plays both indoor and outdoor bowls on a regular occasion. Pam with Jo at Gedling WI this evening. Pam & I hopeful that Jo will take to it and give her an outlet to meet people. Wednesday Pam at U3A singing for pleasure, which she has sadly missed with us not renewing our membership last year. Ben picked up from school and he has no homework this evening. He was shocked to see his train layout downstairs.
Thursday saw me stripping the wallpaper off the fireplace wall in the lounge. Not an easy task. Only applied a light coating of water as I feel the plaster is loose. Only managed to get three quarters stripped before the arms began to ache and I gave in for the day. Attended Bishops 8 square dance club in the evening. Reasonable bunch of people, who we are gradually getting to know. Some difference in calling to what Pam & I have been taught, but that's square dancing for you. Friday, saw me return to the wallpaper stripping, finally getting the last pieces off. Also spent some time tidying up and removing un-necessary TV connection boxes. By using the old Diamond Cable, now Virgin Media, box and changing the connections on the TV cable, we now only have one box instead of the previous three. And it still works! Picked Ben up from home as he is staying with us over the weekend - whoopee.
Saturday saw Ben and I drive up to Doncaster to visit a model railway exhibition being run at the racecourse. Very busy, lots of anoraks, lots of familiar bad human aromas as you jostled for a position at the front of a layout. Two extremely good layouts amongst the number there, the first Liverpool Lime Street in OO, on a remarkable scale and elaborate operation, but the best purely on the building work and quality was Worlds End, a recreation of Knaresborough castle, viaduct, station and part of the town. Brilliant detail in the buildings in both layouts but Worlds End just the better. Sunday Ben spent time doing more work on his DB5 painting - its really coming on. I tried to get my head around the extension to his N Gauge layout and the track work, sadly without an end result. No dancing tonight as Pam's back is really playing her up.
Date - 12th - 18th
On Monday I made a start on the emulsion paint on the front room. At this point only able to do two walls as we are waiting for the plumber to remove the radiator on the window wall. I at least managed to give the two walls two coats and gloss painted the door and side window frames. On Tuesday a mixed morning at bowls, again lost two and won one. Wednesday I painted the lead surrounds within the front room door and side windows. A delicate job done with a very small paint brush - looks better for the time spent. Picked Ben up from school and on the way back home popped into Wickes to pick up the wood to make the new table support for his N gauge layout. Thursday Pam & I attended the U3A general meeting. It was in fact a special meeting convened earlier than normal to discuss a minor change in the groups constitution. Change forced on the group by the Charity commission. It was unanimously passed. A very entertaining speaker followed the coffee break. The talk with slides and numerous monolouges was given on the subject of the music hall entertainers An extremely interesting and at times funny presentation, far better than the one at the previous month's meeting. Jacob with us overnight as I am dropping him off for his surgery at the City Hospital Friday. Friday morning saw us as very early risers, the alarm set for 6am, to give Jacob time to shower and for me to breakfast before taking him to the hospital for just after 7am. On my return I spent time working on the base for Ben's train. Picked Jacob up at one, his operation a success but I was faced with one very sore and uncomfortable grandson. He is to stay with us again overnight so that we can be there for him if he needs any attention. Saturday and Jacob looking and feeling better, sadly I'm not as I've awoken with a headache which doesn't look like it's going to pass over. After breakfast I spent an hour or so in the garden just doing a light tidy of the dead plants. The activity was as much to give me some fresh air as to tidy the garden, in the hope that it would clear my head. Sadly, the phycology didn't get through to my head and the ache still persisted. After lunch I reluctantly gave in and retired to bed, where I remained until early evening. Missed Shirley and the family as they came to pick up Jacob, now that the worst of his soreness as passed. On Sunday Pam helped me reset up my Facebook account. For some reason I had lost access to my original site, and numerous attempts to re-connect to it had failed, so in desperation gave up and decided to set up a new one. My main reason for re-joining was to publicize my 10K March for Prostate Cancer, to take place in June, and to hope for donations from family and friends for this very worthwhile charity.
Date - 19th - 25th
Still working on the front room decoration and likely to be doing so right up to the weekend - hopefully not beyond. The plumber is coming today to remove the radiator so that I can paint the wall in readiness for the new radiator being fitted later in the week. I set off to go to Jacob at his home to meet up with a representative from the company with who we have been saving for Jacob since he was born. The savings are due to be paid out shortly. The meeting was first to ascertain Jacob as being the person on the agreement. The reason being that Jacob had moved to a new house and we, that is me, had failed to notify the company. The main reason however I felt was to get Jacob to re-invest the money using the company. However I didn't make the meeting as setting off I realised that I had a flat tyre, getting as far as the rear of the bungalow on Winchester Street. I tried to pump the tyre up, but it wouldn't inflate. I tried to make it to the tyre garage on Winchester street, but my progress virtually stripped the tyre from the rim. With no other choice I reversed the car to a safe location and called for Green Flag. They duly arrived, accepted my lack of knowledge on how to change a wheel and duly obliged. It was now too late to attend the meeting, which went ok, with Jacob due to receive a cheque in due course. I shot off after lunch to Lindleys garage on Charles Street, recommended by Richard as being good value for money, to get the dud tyre changed and to have the other three checked at the same time for tread. One other tyre needs replacing as being border line for tread, but the size of tyres we require they don't have in stock. However instead of me having to return to have the work carried out they will come to the house and carry the work out there. The earliest they could do that would be some time tomorrow. We had a phone call later that afternoon to say that they would be at No4 sometime after 3pm on Tuesday. On Tuesday it was a trip to Bowls, where again the 3 different groups of players I was part of couldn't make a clean sweep of winnings, losing 1 match out of the three. We had lunch at Tesco in Beeston with Pat & Vic, horrible meal, never again, however good company. Tyre man finally arrived to change the tyres at around 6pm full off apologises for the delay forced on him by being on his own throughout the day as his colleague is off ill. Regardless of the time the work was carried out very efficiently and warranted a coffee to give the guy a break. As reward for the coffee and our consideration Pam & I earned a free MOT, which we will gladly take up as ours is due. Immediately on completion of the work we set off for the Bonnington theatre in Arnold where we watched the "Early Man" an Ardmann animation film. Very good - excellent story and typical Ardmann production. Wednesday I spent painting the walls in the front room with Pam first at singing with U3A and then on to meet the finance girls from the university at The Hemlock Stone pub in Wollaton. Later that day I tried twice to pay Hayes & Jarvis for our holiday to America, without success, before realising that the reason the bank rejected the payment was because there were insufficient funds to cover the amount. The transfer of monies from our savings accounts to the current accounts wasn't taking place until the next day - silly me. Thursday saw the payment for the holiday go through without a problem - clever old bank not too let me go overdrawn - yet. Pam away in Derby today meeting up with her old Derby school friends. Sadly both Pam & I forgot our daughter's wedding anniversary,which was today, very naughty of us both and very embarrassing.
Friday saw Pam & I drove over to a location just outside Bourne in Lincolnshire to look over a caravan site at which we will be running the Easter rally for the Waggoners in March. Met up with Lorraine the site manager had a good look around, it was bitter cold, but nice spot, well laid out with a room which we can make free use of each evening we are on site. The downside was the awful approach road,from Bourne, which would have done justice as a test track for Landrovers or military tracked vehicles, it was so uneven, with huge indentations. It was bad in just the car, it would be down right lethal with the caravan on the back. Pam mentioned this to Lorraine and she advised a safer route both in and out. We tried this way going back and it was 100% safer. The only downside was exiting the side road onto the busy A15. It was ok solo but would need some careful attention with the van on the back. However still preferable to the other road. Once on the A15 we came across one of the local pubs that I had investigated on the internet as a possible venue for a group evening meal, which we stopped off at and had a very pleasant meal and at a reasonable price. We shall recommend this to the Waggoners for an evening alternative entertainment. On the way back to No4 we stopped off at a garden centre to purchase an anniversary rose and card for our youngest, which we dropped off at her house. We popped upstairs to see Jacob who is still confining himself to bed after his operation. He looked a bit perkier but was obviously still sore from the operation.
Saturday saw me start the papering of the fire place wall which I nearly finished but not quite. Just need to sort out papering around the small corner window. Prior to papering I had made the vent bigger in the old fire place, which resulted in having to clear away rubble which had fallen down the chimney breast from when they removed the chimney stack. Bit messy but eventually the rubble did stop falling and I was able to re-plaster the area. Fireplace temporarily back in place. In the evening we attended the Waggoners Non-van meet at Oxton village hall. Usual convivial evening at which we all participated from an American supper and a couple of games, one of which Pam and I completely misunderstood and did rather badly in the score as a result.
Sunday Pam and I where supposed to be going over to Derby to join in the christening celebrations for Terry and Faye's baby boy. I though, having had little sleep and still under the weather, didn't go. She picked Bren and friends up on the way to church. After the christening and the usual church service, a number of them went to a local pub for a meal, which Faye's parents kindly paid for. I in the meantime sorted out our seats on the three planes that we will fly on during our trip to America, one to take us from Manchester to New York, our first holiday destination, then our penultimate holiday destination to Atlanta, airport only, where we pick up our final flight back to Manchester.
Date - 26th - 28th
Pam out with two work colleagues in town today. Cleared the car of snow for her but by the time she was ready to go it had been covered again. Main roads look clear. Finished off the wall paper pieces sticking them with PVA, which as worked. Also fitted and gloss painted two new pieces of wood at the side of the fireplace surround.
Some say that the 1st of March is the start of spring, well, this particular first of the month, the weather thought otherwise with us suffering snow and artic winds, very un-pleasant. Our appointment at U3A Tai -Chi was a definite no-no. Spent this day and much of the rest of the week indoors. I am still struggling with a cold so venturing outdoors not advisable. Friday no better with more snow overnight and signs that more due today, the sky looks full of it! Pam cancelled her trip into town and Kirsty cancelled us having Ben for the weekend, on the grounds that she didn't want me getting cold fetching him from home. I had to venture out anyway to take the parcel, containing the faulty Ring doorbell, to be returned to the suppliers. On Saturday I had planned to visit the Napoleonic event at Bingham, but preferred instead to stay indoors, although I still needed to venture out to "Sainsburys" for essential supplies. "Sainsburys" milk and bread aisles depleted not from panic buying but through lack of supplies, as per the notice, in the case of the milk, but no comment on the bread. Thankfully they were producing their own bread, but hadn't laid on cows for their own milk supplies.
Date – 5th – 11th
Monday saw me driving down to the doctors, yes driving as I'm still not feeling 100%. That is not the reason for my visit, the visit is to have a blood test prior to my appointment at the City Hospital with the Prostate team. I did walk to the chemist, having parked at the old supermarket car-park, to pick up a prescription for Pam. It was quick back into the car and home to get warm. I rang Arnold Chiropodist, I have a problem on the ball of my left foot, which Dr Turner has precribed as warts, and booked and paid for an appointment - 13th March at 10:15. Spent the rest of the day trying to regain warmth within my ailing body.
On Tuesday I spent my first visit to the U3A Railway enthusiast group at their meeting at the Richard Herrod Centre. An interesting if somewhat haphazard presentation on railway disasters, well four in particular, Staplehurst Kent 1865, Tay Bridge 1879, Armagh 1889 and Quintinshill 1915. I was aware of the Tay Bridge and Quintinshill but knew nothing of the detail given through the presentation. Sadly, the presenter was using a laptop and PowerPoint and appeared totally unused to either, and had no control whatever of the mouse. To add to his problems the group organiser was unable to get the laptop to link to the centres overhead projector, so we were all concentrating around the small laptop screen. Later, in the afternoon, I attended my second U3A event this time indoor bowls, same venue the Richard Herrod Centre. Eight people attended so we split into two teams of four. Useful game, I still cannot judge weight- at which I need to practice. Lost the game by one point.
Wednesday, Pam was at her singing group, so I set too and stripped the kitchen of the various items that we have dotted around. Once clear I filled in all the picture hook holes and those left when I removed the shelving supports. Don't intend to replace the old shelfing supports replacing them instead with self- supporting shelving. In the afternoon picked up Ben from school. After tea and some time spent on his DB5 painting by numbers we dropped him off back home.
Thursday saw me trying to contact various people from or associated with the Notts Deaf Society to organise a meal together on the 19th of this month. Later in the evening Pam and I attended Bishops 8 square club. Had several dances mainstream and Plus, as there was a marked absence of people attending. It is a strange group, as yet, we don't feel as though we have been made welcome, not part of it. The good thing is the level of calling is just right with no twiddly bits, as Pam calls them.
Friday saw Pam calling at B&Q to pick up paint for the kitchen. She was going to singing at Netherfield, which is near to the store, but in the end decided time wasn't on her side and skipped singing all together. Main reason was she had an appointment at the doctors as well that morning, which would have meant her leaving the singing group midway through the event. I spent the morning cleaning the caravan outside. The roof was in desperate need of attention never having seen a brush since the day we bought it. Took all morning, but well worth the result. Tried to sort out the problem with the fridge in the van. Contacted Camelco, who has now changed names, he referred me as it was under warranty back to Kimberley. I contacted them, told them the problem, which they asked me to investigate further to obtain a fault code, which the fridge would display. I was told how to get the fault code, which I relayed back to them and from which point I have had no response. They, sorry Leanne did promise to investigate with her colleagues in the service department and call me back. Picked Ben up from school, dropped back to his house to pick up clothes as he is staying with us over the weekend. Well he was but considering his mum's comments that neither of her sons would be there on Sunday morning, Mother's Day, we asked Ben if he would prefer to go home late Saturday. He had to think hard, poor lad, torn between us and his mum, but mum won out.
Saturday whilst Ben was attending to his DB5 painting I quickly gave the car a quick vacuum through and filled the water reservoir for the windscreen wipers prior to the cars MOT on Tuesday. I just need to check tyre pressures. We popped into town for lunch at McDonalds prior to going on to the castle for the Robin Hood Pageant for which I had obtained tickets for the afternoon tournament performance. A reasonably well attended event, much to my surprise, at which we were entertained with jousting and numerous sword and axe duels between the evil Sheriff of Nottingham's men and Robin Hood and his merry men. Colourful, if somewhat pantomime at times. It was still thrilling to see how the horses could be made to react at speed in such a small arena. The arena being the flat grass land, at the base of the castle, which looked extremely wet and quickly became churned up. Several pictures follow
Above pictures show the tournament in action and then the village, that had been created within the castle grounds, displaying various crafts dating back to medieval times - blacksmiths, wood carving, pottery, archery. Last picture shows an early portrayal of puppetry, this time telling the tale of Robin Hood and his battles with his enemy the Sheriff.
On route to the castle we popped into the fabulous TinTin shop on Friar Lane. Liam, of Jacob fame, had mentioned it to us when he came to see us as being a place worth visiting, if you are into TinTin, and how right he was. A brilliant collection of TinTin books, DVD's, caricatures, pictures, poster and more. We did succumb to buying, a DVD set of 21 of the books. Will be tempted to return to look for more.
Sunday - Mothers Day at which Pam opened her three cards that she had received, one each from kirsty, Ben and me. We had dinner today at Kirstys as a Mothers Day treat which we shared with the rest of the Oswell family minus Jacob who was on his way back from York, having spent the day with Liam. He did arrive in time for us to give him a hug before we left as Jo due back at No 4. In the afternoon Jo did come to deliver her card and presents, which Pam thoroughly loved, especially the M&S Paddington bear. Jo stayed and had dinner with us, we had a light tea having had a dinner earlier. Discussed with Jo the changes she wants to her front room which incudes us getting our current leather settees to number 7.
Monday saw me driving into Arnold for my appointment at Arnold Podiatrist. I have a problem with the ball of my left foot, which was immediately diagnosed by Rebecca the podiatrist as warts, (Dr Turner right again). Excellent treatment, with the dry skin being removed from the underside of my left foot, treatment of the warts with nitrate, a manicure and application of cream to my feet and even replacing my socks whilst I, leisurely reclined, whilst talking with Nigel, one of her colleagues, about future attention and the options available to treat the warts problem. Such service. Afternoon spent once more on decorating in the kitchen. Tuesday morning just me at bowls as Pam happy to stay in and supervise attention to Dorothy and Grenville's alarm. I had called their service company that morning and booked an appointment for the engineer to call. This was following on from the problems we had encountered Monday with the alarm repeatedly going off. At bowls three games ended with two wins. Much better mornings play better that is than as been the case over the last few weeks. Nipped to "Lomax" to replenish the Calor Gas in readiness for the weekend away. Still no lightweight bottles available. After lunch I popped into Arnold to take the car for its free MOT at Lindleys on Charles Street. From there I walked to Specsavers to get Pam's glasses repaired. Received excellent, first rate attention, from a most courteous member of staff. So much so that he even persuaded me to purchase a spare of glasses, something I had intended to do but kept putting off. The member of staff our fabulous grandson Jacob. He was due his lunch break, so we walked into Arnold and sat in Subway, where he brought himself lunch and me a coffee. I rang Ben to let him know where I was as I had promised to drop him off home to save him walking. I had initially said to meet at "Lindley's" so didn't want him to get there and for me to be sat at the other end of Arnold. When Ben arrived we walked back with Jacob to return to work as we walked on to "Lindleys" to see if the car was ready, which it wasn't. We only had a short wait. Thankfully the car had passed its MOT, with only comments on the brakes and the rear tyres needing attention sometime soon. That evening Pam and I spent a very wet soggy and extremely damp evening helping Jo take down the awning on her old Hobby caravan at Thornton's Halt. The ground, around the caravan, was completely saturated, surrounded itself by large pools of deep water on the adjacent roadway. Even the ground inside the awning itself was saturated, despite being on hard standing! We ended up with a heap of rubbish which the site owner had said he would remove. All this so that the van could be moved from its current pitch to the compound on the edge of the site, and ot of sight. On the vacated pitch are going to be the new wardens. As the lady warden was in attendance, whilst we were working, she must have had serious doubts about relocating! Wednesday was the day to finish off the emulsion painting in the kitchen, which I was able to do. In the morning Pam had arranged for a visit from a company who replace polycarbonate roofing panels. We are looking at improving the usage of Adam, especially through the winter period. What we were shown looks good and not too expensive, but we would still need to find close to 4000 pounds. Not likely very soon. Picked up Ben from school. He only had one homework, English on William Shakespeare. He completed it without any help or hinderance from his granddad. Thursday the target is to get all the gloss painting done this morning in the kitchen, only three doors, which I had completed by lunchtime. Time then after lunch to relax before my hospital appointment with Dr Chadwick. This appointment to assess further the level of my PSA after my radio therapy treatment. Brilliant news that my PSA level has dropped once more, this the second time, down from 6.5 now to 3.2. Dr Chadwick said that with such a low reading he would have normally have discharged me from the hospital care and referred me instead to my own GP to continue the PSA monitoring. However, as I am on the trial treatment with the hospital I will still need to attend and that this would likely continue in this way for a further six months, then I would be referred to my GP to continue period monitoring. What a result. My PSA started at over 15+, picked up as a result of my visit to Dr Shanker, so the result at 3.2 is simply wonderful news. We invited the family to join us for a celebratory meal that evening at a local hostler but only Joanne could attend. Friday saw me finalising preparations for our first trip away in the van; our attendance at the Waggoner AGM at Collingham. We had a hot meal at lunch time and set off just after 2 for the short trip to the other side of Newark. Trip took longer than normal as from Burton Joyce we got caught up, along with several others, behind a wide loaded slow-moving vehicle all the way to the A1 junction. Got the van set up, on site at Collingham, with minimal work involved as the van settled on a nice level spot. At 8 we went into the room for drinks (tea and coffee) and to pay our dues. Spent time talking, but mostly listening to the various conversations going on around the table. Van nice and warm when we got back having left the heating on low. Saturday awoke, late, to snow falling, but the van still nice and warm as we had left the heating on low overnight. Relaxing morning in the van before setting off to find somewhere to have a cooked lunch. Started at the nearby garden centre, which we quickly abandoned, as not being the place likely to serve hot meals. We didn't get out of the car, both thinking that the place wasn't right. We ended up at the café at Brownhills Motorhome site, where we had a nice steak and kidney pie with chips, peas and gravy, chocolate shortbread for desert all washed down with a couple of cups of coffee, the second of which Pam couldn't finish as she found it too strong. Weather conditions on route to Brownhills bad, with head on wind driven snow. As we had our meal we could see, through the windows of the restaurant, the changing weather, from driven snow one minute to sunshine the next. This was to be the pattern throughout the rest of the day. Sunday mornings awakening was in complete contrast to that of Saturday. It wasn't snowing as it had done enough of that over night, this time we were covered in snow some 5-6 inches of the stuff. Witness the weather events, of the day, through the following pictures.
Above on Saturday with the sun glinting on the recently cleaned van
Later that day during one of the periods when the snow was being blown vertical across the field
Finally Sunday morning. I had ventured out early as the gas had run out overnight so the inside of the van was a wee bit cold. I obviously took advantage to take a picture of us in the snow. The last time we were in a caravan in snow I believe was in the lake district, in 1977, when the girls were little and sleeping out in a tent. Overnight the girls were unhappy about being in the tent and came back inside the van to sleep. When we awoke the following morning the tent was barely visible under a pile of snow, the site completely covered. I thought I had a picture of the event, but cannot find it.
At flag Pam and I were presented with steward's plaque, which we had not expected, for standing in, in the absence of Annie and Ted, who were stewards but unable to attend with their van due to the bad weather. Prior to going to flag I had checked the Nottingham bus company web site which said that the service 40 wasn't running beyond Wells Road, rather indicating that Mapperley Rise and Winchester Street, as usual were also certain to be affected by the severe snow fall. Under the circumstances Pam and I decided that best option would be to stay another night in the hope that the snow would clear. This decision was reinforced when Kirsty's school colleague, who lives on our road, rang Kirsty to say that our end of the road was badly built up with snow. Pat and David agreed to stay also as they had also been advised by their next-door neighbour that their driveway was also snowbound. However, having had lunch together in our van Dave got a message and photo from his neighbours showing their drive was now clear. As a result, we all decided to change plans and to make our way home. Route back clear on the main roads and many of the side roads that we observed. As we got to Lowdham, we rang Kirsty, who told us that the latest from her friend was that the main road was now clear, and our end of the side road had improved. There was still snow but cars were moving easier than they had in the morning. So instead of making our way to park at Kirsty, which we had planned to do, we decided to take the plunge and head for home. All the main roads were clear but as we progressed up Westdale Lane we could see that many of the side roads still looked built up with snow. In for a penny we took the plunge and made it. Inside the gates was snow that had drifted to some 2-3 feet, which I had to clear before I could contemplate getting the van back. All safely stowed, no lock on yet as the weather was perishingly cold and even van emptying was kept, just to the essentials.
Date 19th – 25th
Monday began with another steady start, much inactivity in the morning. So much so that neither of us can remember what we did. After lunch, which we definitely can remember having, we went to Curry's to peruse their gas cookers. Unfortunately, the one that Pam wants they didn't have on display. So back home to place the order on the internet. Successfully negotiated the "Curry's" website and now have the new cooker being delivered and installed on Friday the 23rd. For a price they will even take the old one away. More on this later in the week. Dorothy and Grenville came around for coffee and to tell us about their fabulous cruise holiday to Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. They brought us back a beautiful artificial, but realistic, flower display in a small glass jar, hand-made in Singapore.
It's the start of spring or so it is by the date it's the 21st March. A disappointing morning at bowls, at least by the fact that I was only on one team that won one game. On mat D all morning with only the last game coming good, with a resounding victory for the team. Yet more expense on the car with the fitting of yet two more tyres this time on the rear of the Mondeo. We now have a complete new set all round in less than a month. Service next, later this week, hope they don't highlight any additional problems, although having thought that, I'm sure they will raise the rear brake pads which was mentioned on the MOT.
Pam at singing Wednesday morning, so I spent time doing more research on our holiday to the States, this time looking at options to get us from JFK airport to Manhattan. Opted for the bus, not just any bus, but one dedicated to this trip. It has cost us just over 26 pounds for the two with all the luggage and gives us an opportunity to sight see as we make the 90-minute journey from JFK into New York. The bus will drop of us of at the Port Authority terminal, which is located just opposite to our hotel. Picked Ben up from school, our Wednesday piece of pleasure to entertain and feed our grandson.
Thursday the day the car goes in for service at Bristol Street Motors on Haydn Road. Drove there and walked back. Pam meeting the finance girls at the Hemlock Stone Pub, so having no car Elaine picked her up from home. She was also willing to drop her back, but the car was ready, so I walked to collect it then drove to the pub to collect Pam. Sat in the pub with the girls who were just winding down from their meals. Only Elaine and Karen did I know from the four there. Nice to see Karen again haven't seen her or Ian, her husband, for ages. Karen looking well and Ian also fighting fit. On the way back home, we dropped into what was the old Courtaulds factory shop, now anotheroutlet venue of the "Armstrong Mills" group. Pam bought shoes, which she hopes will be ideal for the holidays and has so far found them very comfortable. I succumb and bought two short sleeve shirts for the holidays. We went dancing in the evening, but sadly had to leave at the break. I felt that I could be in for one of my bouts of sickness and the need to visit the toilet, sadly at the same time. Thankfully it didn,t transpire.
Friday our new cooker is due. Pam out singing so I will get first chance to see our new appliance. Thankfully it fits the new aperture that I had to make as this cooker is wider than our last one. All the gas pipe work had to be replaced prior to installation, an operation we had paid for as part of the purchase. We had also paid for our old one to be removed. No sooner had it been removed and was outside on the drive waiting to be placed in the van, when one of the numerous scrap vans that circulate the streets appeared onto which our unit disappeared. I could have done that myself and saved us some money. Got a call from Kirsty just prior to midday asking if I could look after Ben. He had had several injections that morning at school and after the last one felt faint and slipped from the chair that he was sitting on only to bang his head on a desk. Kirsty asked if we could look after him which I agreed to with no hesitation. Ben and I had lunch together in Adam whilst he sat after and rested. He was looking a little pale and not really with it right up to the time Kirsty came to collect him. On his return home he still wasn't feeling 100% and went to bed early. Saturday he was feeling much better, no headache, thankfully, but a sore left arm, where he had been injected.
Saturday. I walked into the city to pick up cards for Pam and Jacob along with gifts for Pam. The card and goodies for Pam to celebrate our wedding anniversary tomorrow Sunday. The card for Jacob to say we would be thinking of him when he takes his driving test on Monday. My shopping was entirely in M&S, my favourite shop when it comes to buying presents for my good lady. Not very inspiring or original, this year, when compared to last years anniversary, which even I found impossible to match, so didn't try. Caught the bus back, its uphill so a little daunting.
Sunday our 51st Wedding Anniversary, which we started by opening cards from family and friends before exchanging presents. Pam had my watch fitted with a wonderful new strap and bought me suet balls for the birds. Both excellent presents. Richard, Ben and Joanne came during the afternoon, not all at the same time, to bring us their cards and yet more wonderful presents. We are lucky. No dancing as we wanted to spend the evening together.
Date 26th - 31st
What a memorable day, our Grandson Jacob sat his first ever driving test and passed. Well done Jacob we are very proud of you. Without doubt you have once again proven people wrong and that despite your earlier problems you have come out on top. Brilliant. After this brilliant news I spent time working on the front garden, removing dead from plants starting to show new life, dead heading the various plants and then giving the areas of soil a light digging over. Managed to do most of the left side and the bulk of the right, although this will need some more attention later in the month. Need to buy several polyanthus plants to fill the gaps and add a splash of colour. Tuesday saw my worst morning at bowls in loosing all three of the games, on two occasions by considerable margins. To some it's only a game but not with yours truly. Rest of the afternoon I spent getting the van ready for the 5-day rally at Baston at which we are club marshalls.
Wednesday was an early start setting off at 10:00 to make our way to Baston on the outskirts of Bourne in Lincolnshire for the Waggoner 5-day rally. On our arrival at site, Lorraine, the site manager, had all our gate fobs ready for us, so that we could gain entry to the field. She had also marked on her notice board the various locations she had located for the club, very well organised. Got ourselves set up and water running: that was a pleasant surprise, which sadly didn't last long into the rally, and sat and had lunch. Pat and Dave, our rally stewards, arrived mid afternoon. In the evening the four of us went to The Horseshoe Pub for an evening meal. Pam and I had visited the place earlier when we came to reconnoiter the site, thinking it an ideal place to have a meal together with the others on the rally on the Saturday, during the rally. Good meal again in nice relaxing atmosphere. Booked the location for a meal during the rally. Thursday is a waiting game. Waiting to meet and greet fellow Waggoners as they arrive on site with the added responsibility of letting each one in through the barrier, a task which ran up more than 11,000 steps on my wrist monitor throughout the day. Spent the evening in the room, provided free by the site. Just a get together and pay monies owed for the rally; site fees and social costs.
Above picture of Rally Marshall and assistant marshalls on site awaiting the Thursday arrivals.
Next view of the rally shows a number of vans having arrived and set up.
In the room that we had free use of throughout the rally.
Friday, we joined Pat & David on a visit to Dunelm, outside Peterborough. They wanted to purchase rugs for their caravan, like the ones that we purchased from the Nottingham store. Whilst out we stopped of at Lidl's to make a couple of purchases. On our return to site Pam and I immediately went off to have lunch at the nearby garden centre just off the A15. Had a walk around the centre after lunch and inevitably made several purchases including new place mats, excellent value and ideal design, 60 large plug geranium plants in the hope that I can keep these alive, having lost the ones I previously purchased after potting them on in the greenhouse. In the evening we met up again in the room and had a fun evening gambling on owl racing. Thankfully, with Pam winning, I won none,we just about broke even. Saturday Pam & I popped into Bourne to purchase a supply of Calor Gas, managed to obtain a light canister a rarity in Nottingham. This source had 8. Came back to site and stayed indoors as the rain just persisted throughout the day. A miserable rally too date, poor ground conditions and the rain incessant. Later that evening we joined most of the Waggoners; no Pat & David, but with addition of George & Judith who had travelled down specially to join in the meal, at The Horseshoe Inn at Thurlby. A pleasant meal in an extremely pleasurable atmosphere, with extremely polite and attentive staff
Date 1st - 8th
Sunday spent the day keeping warm in the caravan. In the evening we revisited the room and started with a 25-question quiz, which was won by Pat & David. We had flag this evening as several members were leaving Monday as they had to be back on the grind wheel on Tuesday. Normally we would hold Flag, the rally closing session on the last day. Monday saw the field in an atrocious condition as overnight, and still into the morning, we were being deluged with yet more rain. To get Annie, Des, Trevor and Adrian off site we had to call on the farmer to remove cars and vans and one motor home, one at a time, from the site. The entrance and some of the driveways resemble a ploughed field so badly has the site been churned up simply by the cars exiting and returning to site. So bad a problem, the state of the ground, that several Waggoners had decided, during the rally, to stay put, curtailing any ideas of venturing off site. In the evening we had a game of card Bingo, which went down well with one member of each van gaining a win. Pat Painter winning the final game and the jackpot. Tuesday was final rally day with all, but Bryan, leaving to make their way home. Bryan deciding, with the sites permission, to stay on a couple more days. Once more the farmer had to be called into action with a large tractor like appliance, and with the aid of his son, driving a dated but useful Land Rover, to extract Pete, Mervyn, David and ourselves from the worsening site. Pam & I the last off being the furthest from the exit. I had taken the car clear of the site by cautiously driving down the centre of the site, through the mini swimming pool and negotiating a route to the main road via the farmyard. Our van was waiting for us on the main road as was Dave, with his van already hooked up, ready to help me get connected and the electrics checked. Hooked up, we followed Dave & Pat most of the way home until we reached the A1 where Dave stopped, pulling off onto a slip road. By the time I realised he was stopping I was past him, so we had to ring to find out if he had a problem. He had stopped at the first opportunity, as during his drive along the single carriageway A151 he heard a loud bang coming from the van and needed to investigate. Having stopped and checked he couldn't find a problem and carried on home. Later, when we were settled at home with the van away we got a call from Dave, thinking he was also at home, to be told he was on the way to Long Eaton Caravans. The reason for this unscheduled visit was due to the fact that he couldn't release the van from the car and needed their knowhow to help resolve the problem. The bang he had heard earlier being the cause of the problem. Long Eaton Caravans finally released his car, the problem being damage to the hitch lock with a set of smashed plates, which had jammed thus effectively locking van and car together. In the evening we joined Joanne and Kirsty at Bonnington theatre to watch The Greatest Showman, the singalong version, as part of Jos birthday treat. After we met up with Rich, Jacob & Ben at the newly refurbished "Old Spot" restaurant, as it was known, for a birthday meal. Rachel and Lance her young man joined us just prior to our ordering food. Wednesday morning saw me rise early as I was taking Jacob into town for a job interview. When he came out he appeared reasonably pleased that the interview had gone well, other than that he wasn't very communicative. If our eldest grandson doesn't want to talk then talk he will not. Thursday took the car back to "Lindleys" in Arnold, again, this time to have the rear brake pads replaced. No square dancing that evening, our choice. Saturday morning, I nipped into town, doing my usual walk there and bus back. On Sunday we went to pick up Jacob from home to take him to Mansfield to pick up his new car, which sadly wasn't ready! Need to take him Monday on the guarantee that his car will be ready for him to collect.
Date 9th - 15th
Pam & I collected Jacob from home and took him back again to the outskirts of Mansfield to collect his car, which thankfully, was ready for him to drive away. He has picked himself a nice motor, which should help him gain experience before he needs to contemplate buying anything new. I had offered to take him on the motorway straight after picking up the car to which Jacob eagerly agreed. Pam drove herself home. A successful drive on the motorway, Jacob prepared to listen to his grand dad and heed my advice. He will make a good driver. Jacob had lunch with us at number 4 before driving himself home from our house for the first time. Tuesday morning saw a better performance by yours truly at bowls in winning two and loosing just the one. On Wednesday Kirsty dropped Ben off as the two of us are going to Joannes house to start work on stripping her front room ready for decorating. Ben a great help first in helping remove the two settees from the room and then sorting out the piles of boxes in the dining room so that the room was more useable. Once we had done all that we could achieve, we nipped across to B&Q to pick up several items that I needed, to finish off my little jobs, that I had started. Thursday saw us Pam & I on a trip to the dentist for our 6 months check-up. Pam all ok but me, I needed a tooth removed, which under pressure from Pam the dentist agreed to do it whilst I was there. Dentist appeared to have a little problem, I only guess that by the fact that he had three attempts at removal, before the tooth finally gave way. With the feeling gradually returning in my mouth, because of the injections in my gums, we set off to look at a mini being advertised for sale at "Cars of Nottingham" on Haydn Road. Had a test drive and thought a reasonable car at the price but didn't commit as we wanted to look later that day at another; which Ben had located the previous evening on the internet, over at Leicester. After lunch we set ofF to "Dexters of Leicester" to investigate Mini number two. This car was more appealing to Pam as it was in British Racing Green and automatic. A strange set up for a car sales area, this one behind a van and car hire showroom, but aren't most second-hand dealers the same, but a nice car nevertheless. Had a test drive and both of us hooked. Agreed to purchase, left a deposit and arranged to return to pick up on Tuesday the following week.
A picture of Duggie at Dexters of Leicester showroom - Pams new car.
Friday saw us having lunch at Kirsty, her last Friday of the holiday, before we all drove out to look at the potential caravan that Joanne wished to purchase at a dealership near Farnsfield. Jo and Ben had been to look at vans earlier in the week and she had set her mind on one particular two berth. Sadly, on enquiry this had gone. So, we spent time looking around at alternatives, settling on my favourite a Sterling two berth with end bathroom which was what Joanne had particularly wanted. Later that evening we informed Jo of the news. Although disappointed she said she would nip out and look at the Sterling. Saturday saw us readying ourselves for a weekend away at York. I had offered to drive with Jacob on his first trip up to see Liam at York, not wishing him to make the journey on his own, not that is until he had had that bit more practice, to which, he had agreed. I had booked Pam and I into the Travelodge on the edge of the city for Saturday and Sunday night, A good drive up, no scares, no sudden thoughts of panic and arrived safely at our destination, the hotel, before Jacob drove off on his own to stay with Liam. Pam and I dined at Wetherspoons, which was conveniently located underneath the hotel, before retiring to our room to watch TV. No possibilities of us staying in the pub as it was extremely noisy and normal conversation almost impossible.
The Travelodge hotel with "The Postern" - Wetherspoons pub below.
With Liam at work Sunday, Jacob eager to be with his Nan and Grand dad so we agreed to met up at the station, later in the morning. After breakfast at Wetherspoons we walked from the hotel to the station using part of the city walls, taking in the views which this elevated height offered of the city. On meeting up, we headed for the Railway museum, where having made our voluntary donation, we set off to explore the exhibits, leaving Pam to enjoy her cappuccino, sitting in the carriage hall. Pam met up with us later in the main exhibit room, where we all wandered around taking in the amazing array of railway history, both ancient and modern.
Having left the museum and headed back into the city using the road train, we settled on having lunch in "Cafe Nero", before again leaving Nana to relax, sitting beneath the towering edifice that is York Minster. Jacob and I walked off to Monks Bar to visit the model shop. Sadly, no models available to see or purchase as the shop was closed on a Sunday. At least that avoided us joining the ranks of the slave traders! Instead of retracing our route back to Nana I persuaded Jacob to take the scenic route using the York walls, too which at first, he was reluctant, but ended up enjoying the experience and the views. All three of us wandered our way back to the station, where we sat and enjoyed yet another cup of coffee, watching the various comings and goings of the populous, whilst waiting for Liam to arrive on his train from London. Liam works for Virgin Rail and had been at work since early morning on the York to London and back service. We met up with Liam and exchanged greetings before he and Jacob went off to his apartment and we wended our way back through the city to our hotel. An evening meal again at Wetherspoons, largely through convenience and not their availability and choice of food, by any means, before retiring to our room to relax, after a day of much walking.
Date 16th - 22nd
Monday, we had a very pleasant drive back from York, nice to be chaffeured, it makes a change, and Jacob a good sensible driver, always alert and extremely conscious of driving within the speed limit. Once back home I spent more time working on the garden. The work is paying off and the garden looking considerably more like it is loved.Tuesday morning spent having an enjoyable morning at short mat bowls, always enjoyable even if you don't always win. Announced my sponsored walk for Prostate Cancer and asked if members of the club would be prepared to sponsor me, which most readilly agreed. I also announced that I had been diagnosed back in October as having Prostate Cancer, but that after treatment we, Pam & I, hope that the problem is under control. We shot back home as later that day we drove, once more, over to Leicester to pick up Pams new baby. Having paid the monies, for the car, road tax and warranty I was given the honour of driving Duggie back home. A nice car one I wish gives Pam many hours of pleasure. Wednesday morning saw Pam at singing with U3A in Netherfield. The session led as usual by Sylvia. From singing Pam drove to the Wilkinson Street P&R to catch the tram into the City, where she met up with her Civil Engineering friends for lunchg at Wetherspoons. Later that afternoon Pam and I drove to pick up Ben from school. Waiting for him in the Mini and waiting to see the expression on his face when he realised we had a new car. He didn't let us down, his face was a picture. Ben helped me put up the new curtain rail in the fornt room. Much easier with two people than me trying to struggle on my own. Pam said she would have helped but I wasn't too keen on her having to climb the steps. That evening we took Ben home in the mini, which wasn't the surprise we expected a s kirsty had managed to see us pull up at their front and new something was different. So taken by the car Kirsty insisted on going for a drive, eagerly accompanied by Ben. I later took Jacob for a ride, as a compromise, he wanted to drive the car, which I wasn't at that time prepared to do, maybe later? Thursday saw us drive, in the Mini, to "Dunelms" to pick up curtain hooks. The rail we purchased from them didn't come with them. Back to an early lunch as Pam attending her first Gedling WI committee meeting as a member.
Date 23rd - 30th
Monday saw me on a trip to the tip to remove the rubbish that had accumulated over the months at the side of the caravan. It had also recently been added to by the clearout first of the shed and then the removal of the plastic box in which I had previously stored gardening equipment. Sadly that can no longer be used as the wind had badly damaged the lid, during one of its gale force moments. Luckilly the tip was quiet and I managed to park myself conveniently located midway between the containers into which I needed to dispose of the various types of material. I was lucky as not long after I had arrived they closed of the area that I was in forming a queue back to the entrance. I assume the closure was to try to clear a number of the over filled skips and not to risk injury to people, mad people, who would continue to try to use them during this operation. On my return it was back to clearing space within the shed to make way for items that are being removed from the greenhouse, so that the latter, given time andthe right weather conditions, can be safely removed. Tuesday morning at bowls at which the teams I was on managed to win 2 games and drew one. A better morning as far as my own performance was concerned. I thanked those that on the previous week had volunteered to sponsor my walk in aid of the Prostate Cancer Chairty. Their generosity had amounted to over 100 pounds. In the afternoon I had hoped to empty the caravan in readiness for its service later in the week but sadly the weather, once again, was against me. This will definitely have to be done tomorrow as the van goes in the day after that.
Wednesday morning saw Pam drive over to Joannes to let the plumber in to remove the gas fire fire and gas terminal from the front room. Jo no longer wants to use the fire, which she has never particuklarly liked or used to any amount anyway. I ironically, was waiting in for the British Gas (BG)service engineer to pay a visit to service our boiler. He duly arrived and from what I could tell gave the boiler a thorough going over, the first I can recall in all the time that we have had the boiler serviced by BG that actually took a vacuum to the unit. Prior to his departure he asked if we would be interested in a quote from BG for a new boiler, taking into account that ours was well over 15 years old. I agreed and set a date and time for a repreentative to call. Pam went straight from Jos to meet up with her old finance colleagues from the University. Ben with us in the afternoon, after school, during which time he spent doing more revision for his mock exams which start on Friday of this week and continue into part of the following week.
Up bright eyed and bushy tailed on Thursday in readiness to take the caravan in for its annual service and to have a part replaced on the fridge, thankfully the latter under warranty. I had managed to empty as much out of the van on Wednesday. Van not likely to be ready until tomorrow as they are busy, which is not a problem. Drove back home to pick up Pam and to then go onto pick Ben up from school to take him for his hospital appointment at the QMC. His appointment inevitably running late. Got in eventually with his doctr, who gave Ben a thorough examination and asked him numerous questions, to which Ben with the occasional assistance from his grandparents succesfully answered. Doctor happy for him to carry on with his tablets up and till he breaks for the summer recess and to them stop taking them. He feels that the course of tablets may have got him through this period of puberty and that there may be no need to continue with the treatment. He has asked us to mionitor the situation and to report back through his GP if the situation should return, which he doubts. On returning home with the inner drive clear I decided, rather rashly, to jetwash the drive, now clear with the caravan away. This wasn't a big job, but extremely messy. Mid way through Pam took a call from Kimberley Caravans to say that the van was ready to collect, so I dropped what I was doing, got myself changed and cleaned up and set off to collect the van. On hooking up one of the service people noted that I had no indicators on the nearside, which hadn't been a problem earlier in the morning. I knew we had a proble with the nearside light and had asked them to look at the fact as to why it wasn't working, which they said was fine on checking in the workshop! Two members of staff then set too and checked the car electrics on their portable light unit. On connecting and checking the indicators both worked ok, but there was definitely a problem with the light. Having reconnected the cable from car to caravan everything worked but for the nearside light. The fault put down to the wiring on the car which I will need to return to Ken's Auto, where we had it fitted, to get them to check it out. Richard had called to pick up Ben and to take him home, once Pam had made sure that Richard had been offerred a drink and he had taken. On my return home I noticed that all of the gunk from cleaning the inner drive was now all over the block pavers on the front and a horrible mess. Nothing to it but to return the van to behind the gates, remove the cars form the drive and to set too jet washing the drive. With Pams help we managed to get the mess off the drive and the pavers looking something like their original colour. The amount of yuk that was washed up in the process was unbelievable and took an eternity to wash away into the street gutter. No square dancing that night as we were both shattered.Friday saw Pam going into the City to meet up with Paula, her friend from University. I set too clearing the greenhouse, removing the benches, placing two of them into the recently cleared shed and one down the side of the bungalow into the allet way between us and Dorothy and Grenville.
Saturday was a memorable day. Today we are picking up Joannes caravan from Select Caravan Sales out at Farnsfield and hooking it up to the Mondeo to take and site for her at Thorntons Halt Caravan Site at Stragglethorpe. First I had to drop Pam off at Jos as she had locked herself out of the entry. I carried on to B&Q at the retail park at Netherfield to pick up the replacment self supporting shelfs that were ready for me to collect. From there I drove straight up to Farnsfield and waited for Pam & Jo to arrive. Monies paid over and van hitched up I drove the short distance to Thorntons Halt. Caravan pulled perfect, obvioulsy with no rear nearside light, which thankfully we didnt need. Got the van set up to my daughters liking nice and level and firm then set too to give the van a thorough clean inside. It would have been nice, especially as we had time avaialble to attack the outside, but the weather, as usual, was against us. A very nice van, clean inside with all functions working and very well appointed with equipment and gadgets, considering its age, Jo should be happy with her purchase.
Sunday thankfully was dry if a little cold with the wind, so I set too, having made an early morning visit to Wickes, to collect some timber and fence paint, to repair the small fence which sits adjacent the shed. Managed to fully strengthen the frame, re-secure the loose panels, replace others beyond repair and reinstall the panel prior to painting. Without being too shattered I managed to paint the replaced fence, the shed, well two sides and two of the main panels, fronts only. That just leaves 13 more panels, fronts and backs to paint! Again no dancing as I was whacked.
Into Monday and first job to clean Duggie, for the first time, on the outside, prior to the arrival of the man from British Gas to give us a price for replacing the boiler. He duly arrived around 9:30, asked questions, reviewed the boiler, location of the gas and electric meters and then sat and fiddled on his laptop, holding a varied conversation, whilst doing so, prior to giving us the price of £4700 plus!!!! Something for us to think hard and long about. We then popped into Arnold to visit Wilkos and Sainsburys, stopping at the latter for lunch, prior to returning home. We had missed our second appointment of the day, our second boiler change option, who had called whilst we were enjoying lunch at Sainsburys, but thankfully returned, after having his lunch. This is a gentleman called Roger who recently replaced Kirsty and Richeards Boiler system, and who Richard rated highly for price and workmanship. Roger also looked at the boiler, didnt sit tapping into a laptop, instead made notes on his pad and promised to give us a ring with a price as soon as possible. He is also going to quote to fit a radiator in Adam. I then returned to painting the fence panels and managed to reduce the number that need doing down from 13 to 8 before my right arm said enoughs enough. Some month this has beenwith Pam getting a car and Joanne a caravan. Pam over the moon with Duggie lets hope that Joanne is the same with Betty Blue.
Diary 1st – 6th
As is customary for a Tuesday morning it’s off to Beeston for three games of Short Mat Bowls in the pleasant company of my fellow bowlers. An interesting morning with results covering all the possible permutations with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 lost. Hasty return home for a quick lunch as Pam off to Pat to have her hair trimmed and permed in readiness for our holiday. My entertainment for the afternoon is a game of indoor bowls courtesy of the U3A group at the Richard Herod Centre. With 12 in attendance we were split into three groups of four, the group I was allocated consisting of two ladies and two men. Decided to team up as one lady and one man, with the girls taking the first pot, each end, at the jack. The lady I was playing with was good with several early points scoring for our team. She became more accurate as the game went on despite her protestations that the opposite was likely to occur. Equally when I got the chance to put down ¾ length jacks my game also improved. So much so that by the penultimate end we were 15 – 5 up. The opposite lady not too happy with the final outcome, which was 15 – 7, complaining that I was a ringer, having played the game regularly – witnessed by the fact that I had my own woods, shoes, carry bag and the ultimate sign of experience a measuring tape. Stopped for a coffee as Pam not at home, as she would now be only a short distance from where I was, also in Gedling, for the local ladies WI meeting.
Wednesday saw Pam at the surgery first for a blood test and then with a follow-on appointment with Mandy the diabetic nurse. As is often the case when discussions take place between Pam and anyone concerned with diabetics the meeting proved to be a waste of time. I spent the early part of the morning making sure that the pump was working on the caravan. On coming in late Tuesday, I thought that the pump was running, without a barrel connected. I was worried that the pump may not work. Thankfully it was fine and working without a problem. Went to pick up Ben from school. He was running late as he is on mock exams this week, up to Friday, and his afternoon session had been late starting. Ben and I after tea dropped Pam off in the City at "Encounters" restaurant on Mansfield road where she was meeting up with fellow members of the Gedling WI committee for an evening meal. A get-together to thank retiring members of the committee for their work over the years. Dropped Ben back off home and then later in the evening popped back into the City to pick up Pam, who had had a very enjoyable evening – good food and excellent company.
Thursday thankfully was dry but not too hot as I spent all of the morning and most of the afternoon painting the garden fences. Not completed, hopefully I can finish off tomorrow. In the evening we had a call from Joanne to ask if we would come down to the campsite and help her try out a couple of awnings, that she has acquired, on her van. First one tried was a full awning but way too small for the size of Joanne’s van. The second was only a porch awning, although adequate in size. Jo not sure and still hankering after the one that Annie Jones has for sale, so she is keeping an open mind. I personally like the porch awning, which she as left up and feel that it is adequate for what Jo needs, that is to save walking straight into the van when the weather and the ground are bad and for somewhere to sit out of an evening in the dry.
Friday saw me on final preparation for our attendance at the Waggoner rally on the outskirts of Banbury. Going to set off after picking Ben up from school as he is joining us this weekend, not for the delights of Banbury, but for the nearness to the site of Gaydon British Motor Museum. Pam picked Ben up from school as I hooked up the car and van so that we could get away as soon as they returned. We had a steady run to the site using the route of the M1, M69, A46 to reach the M40, where at the first service area we stopped and had tea. Not just any tea but Harry Ramsden food, Pam and I had fish and chips and Ben just for a change had chicken nuggets and chips washed down with baked beans. Back to the motorway for a short run, exiting at junction 12 before our final leg of just over 8 miles to the site at Warmington. We were the last of the 9 vans/motorhomes to arrive, as the rally was already in full swing having officially started on Thursday.
Saturday saw us driving the short distance to Banbury a location that I had driven through many years prior but never visited. The town of Banbury a typical mix of old and new with much use and interest being made, by the town planners, of the Oxford canal which runs through the town, most noticeably at the new shopping centre, which in parts runs parallel to the waterway, with cafes conveniently placed so that participants can sit and sip whilst watching the activities of others on the canal. A more adventurous town planner and architect would have incorporated the canal further and had it running through the centre!
We didn’t see anywhere suitable for lunch in the town, nowhere that grabbed our attention or had our lips slavering at the thought of their food, which wasn’t a problem as I had plans to have lunch at the Banbury garden and antique centre, located a little way out of town. The centre had recently appeared on the TV as one of the locations used to purchase goodies in the series Antiques Road Trip. Although only making use of the antique centre the participant, who I think was Kate Bliss, did when leaving with her purchases, pass through the garden centre at which point I noticed the café. Not a cheap venue for food but very good quality with Pam and I partaking of a Bacon Bap each and Ben a cheese sandwich with side salad, the later he gladly shared with Nana and I. Purchased a couple of plants, two I specifically wanted – one a lupin and the other a red Geum, both well priced. We returned back to the rally where later that evening we sat in the tent and took part in a game of Bingo, not operated in a conventional way, but still interesting. We didn’t win.
Sunday was our day to visit the motor museum at Gaydon, which on arrival at the car-park we were surprised to find it almost empty, which bode well for a crowd-free wander around the exhibits. Thankfully, for us at least the numbers attending remained very small throughout the day. A fascinating museum, this being Pam & I second visit, but a first for Ben, who was equally impressed. So much to see and all British, in all the guises of manufacture and design, from conventional cars of all ages through sports car to world land speed record breakers. Throw in a number of TV/Film vehicles, a vintage bus and very old caravan, all still British, to add up to an interesting glimpse of the British Motor Manufacturing Industry over the decades. The morning was spent browsing the various exhibits prior to having lunch in the café above the museum, then returning, thoroughly replenished to resume where we left off, with of course the occasional return for a second or maybe third look at particular vehicles of specific interest. Next a trip to the building across from the museum, which houses primarily the Jaguar collection on the ground floor, along with other British marques on the first, with a space set aside for a workshop in which repairs and renovations of historic vehicles of various makes were being carried out.
A day that resulted in numerous photo opportunities, a very special selection of which are shown below, there were way too many to show in the diary, so a separate entry is being created in which many more pictures have been recorded.
A great day out, tiring for Pam, who on the visit in the afternoon to the car collection, got herself ensconced in a very comfortable looking leather Chesterfield sofa, whilst Ben and I drooled over the items in the collection. In the evening after tea we again spent the evening in the rally tent for another interesting quiz, one we had done before at a previous event organised by the same Marshalls, which at the time of playing, the rules of which we thoroughly misunderstood, but not this time. In the end we drew with two other couples, eventually running out the victors on a tie-break question. After Flag, to close the rally even though it doesn’t finish for another day, I was able to advertise my March For Men and raise yet more valuable funds for Prostate Cancer research.
Diary 7th – 13th
Last day of the Waggoner rally for us, as Ben has to be back at school tomorrow, so up reasonably early so that we can make an early getaway, hopefully to avoid some if not all, of the Bank Holiday traffic. Ben and I and others on the rally helped the Marshalls to take down the tent and distribute it amongst those able to take it on to the next rally. We will not be attending as we shall be elsewhere – the USA to be precise.
Had a reasonable run back, no hold ups, taking the same route that we used to arrive, but in reverse.
Jacob came over to pick Ben up and take him back home, which was good of Jacob, although he was in and out of the house like a whirlwind.
Tuesday at bowls on my own, no Pam, as she is sitting with Jacob at his surgery whilst he undergoes a blood test. Jacob is very afraid of needles. The games at bowls covered all gambits, with a win, a draw and a loss. One of those mornings when I couldn’t get started. Had a brief committee meeting, my first as president. Touched on the topics of insurance, auditor and the Christmas meal. All present happy for us to change insurance brokers, which we will finalise next Tuesday with sending the form and the relevant cheque. Auditor is sorted, at the moment, with a person happy to carry out the function. We all re-assured Doreen that there will be no need to change the way that she is working. Christmas meal tentatively booked for the same venue as the last two years, but no monies as yet paid over. With decent weather I was back out on the garden to do more tidying, ready for planting out the bedding plants, which we have yet to purchase.
On Wednesday, I booked another PSA blood test at the surgery, this is needed in advance of my next appointment with the doctor at the City, the latter is scheduled for mid-June. We made our first visit to “Shirley Nurseries” on the A60 road towards Mansfield. The place being recommended by Kirsty for its selection and prices. We purchased 6 dozen bedding plants and one very colourful alpine shrub, and all for £30, which we thought excellent value. The nursery has a very large selection of plants, in large numbers, all looking in healthy condition, and at reasonable prices. My task for the rest of the day was preparing the ground and getting the majority of the purchases planted. Most went into the front garden,hopefully, to give an added splash of colour to the shrubs, and bulbs, that are already there. By the end of the day the front was done with a dozen and a half left over, which I will spread around the back-garden tomorrow, weather permitting.
Thursday saw me doing just that, whilst Pam drove over to Deabill Street to let the British Gas engineer in to service Jo’s boiler. From there, Pam went and parked at Wilkinson Street to catch the tram to go into the City to meet up with her ex Civil Engineering friends for lunch at Wetherspoons.
No square dancing again this evening as the club is closed, presumably because Kath, the caller and David, her husband away for the week in the caravan.
Friday, an early start to the day as Kirsty has asked me to open up at number 28 to let the delivery men in with their new settees. The driver had rung to say they were about an hour away, to which I set off straight away, a 15-minute journey, but on my arrival at Kirsty’s found them outside waiting for me to arrive. Job quickly over and I was on my way back home within 45minutes. Pam had gone off to her U3A singing group, so I set about cleaning the outside of the two conservatories and the soffits of the bungalow. Not a quick job, one in fact that took me most of the day, probably because I added in cleaning the windows as well, but everywhere looked the better for it.
Saturday saw me spending time up-dating my diary. I am now entering the diary into a word document, this way I can ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors, before transferring it to the HTML software to be able to then transfer it into "Brackets" for subsequent entry into the computer log. Not as complicated as I just made it sound. Once in "Brackets", I added a collage of pictures from our visit to the Gaydon museum, which I created earlier that morning. I restricted the entry of pictures in the diary, just to the collage, as I then set about, again in Word, creating a separate report, in which a really good representation of the pictures that Ben and I took will appear. This document will stand alone within the 2018 section of my computer log, but also be accessible from the relevant date and section from within the diary. As a break from the computer, I spent the rest of the morning out in the garden, helping myself to a dollop of fresh air and the sun, whilst pottering about.
Sunday saw us both taking full advantage of the continuing excellent weather we are currently experiencing – long may it continue. I did walk into Sherwood to pick up some essentials from the Co-Op, milk, potatoes and bread. I took the route back, past the surgery and on through the park. This gave me a chance to review the progress being made on the flats and the new mid-section extension. New panels have started to be added to one of the towers, which looks like insulation, on top of which, presumably will go the final outer cladding. I also noted that the flats are having new patio doors installed, which once all is completed, will lead out into their new enclosed verandas. A little dangerous at the moment as the doors appear to be operable, but leading out simply to a platform, with no sides and some with a considerable drop. After lunch I did something I haven’t done for years and that was to watch the Formula 1 highlights. As with previous modern races, despite the result, a win for Hamilton, the race was boring with very little in the way of action. No square dancing again – not yet got the full enthusiasm for Steeple Steppers. I need to try to work out why.
Diary 14th – 17th
A shortened week as on Friday we start our holiday, heading for a hotel on the grounds of Manchester airport, where we will stay overnight, prior to catching our flight to America, on the following day.
Monday, Pam and I popped into Nottingham to pick up some more US currency from Marks & Sparks. Using my card, I get a better deal, exchange rate and payment wise over other options. Whilst in the shop I purchased some new pyjamas, well shorts and matching T-shirt and a new supply of socks. After a coffee break in the shop café, we purchased a rather nice white top for Pam. Thanks to recently received gift cards from Foresters, to welcome our joining, the purchases only cost us £9. When we got back it was time once again to sit back and relax and enjoy this continuing good weather.
Tuesday at bowls ended in two wins and one loss. Good games all three, played out, as usual, with a high degree of banter and good fun. Pam wasn’t able to go as she had an appointment with the chiropodist at the surgery, which she didn’t want to miss, especially with the holiday coming up and the walking that is likely to be involved. Pat & Vic followed me back from bowls to have lunch with us. Later, I spent time correcting and adding to the piece I had written on the British Motor Museum yesterday. I sat last night and read it through finding a number of grammatical errors. The rest of the afternoon was spent outside in the sun finishing off reading my current “Private” detective book.
Wednesday saw me walking up to Mapperley Top to get my haircut. For a change I walked up through the park and then onto Woodborough Road. Virtually, straight in at the barbers, as one just started and one literally just being finished by Mick. Walked back this time along the top and then down Winchester Street. Once back home I set about recharging the Ring doorbell and once done, tried without success to set it up to link to our two phones. Despite numerous attempts I had no luck. Left the task to return to it later in the evening. Went next to try to download pictures from Pam’s iPhone, then to delete them so that she has room for more during the holiday. Did manage to achieve my goal, but again, only after some frustration. Picked Ben up at school. He has had one more result from his recent exams, a 6 in his Design and Technology test. This now makes three results, adding to his Geography, where he also got a 6, and his English where he got a 7. Brilliant results, considering he was only graded at this stage to achieve level 5. Well done Shirley. The two of us spent some time going through the article I had written on our visit to the Gaydon museum, which my mate is happy with. Having dropped Ben back home, it gave me a chance to have another go on his newly acquired Xbox steering/pedal controls for his racing game. Dad has built him a special table to house the units and a brilliant job he has achieved. I still can’t get the knack of the paddle controls, I definitely need more practice, and thankfully, Ben is happy for me to do so. Also had a bounce on his new mattress, nice and springy, and he says very comfortable.
Thursday morning, we attended the Carlton and Gedling U3A General meeting. A number of interesting new groups for us to show interest in, but not attended, – table tennis and The Alternative Book Club. Who knows these might just get off the ground. After the break, we were very ably entertained by the Nottingham Ukulele Orchestra, who performed a wide selection of popular and entertaining tunes. An hour, which passed remarkably quickly, thanks to the group. After lunch, I set too and cleaned the two cars, which looked better as a result. Last minute work on the holiday, looking at Dulles and Atlanta airport terminal locations. Good job I did, as at the end of my research for Atlanta, I was thoroughly confused. Definitely a case of look and find when we land there. We have a four-hour difference between our domestic arrival and our international departure. Joanne came for tea, which was very nice. It’s always pleasant when either of our daughter's visits, so rare is the occasions. During tea, Jacob and Liam also dropped in. This wasn’t a surprise as Jacob wanted to see us both before we set off for the States. The two of them have planned to eat at Wetherspoons on Mapperley Top and rather than walk were going to order a taxi. Rather than seethem waste money on a taxi I drove them.
Friday saw us showering and then making final arrangements for our holiday, checking once more that we had everything we needed packed into either one of the three cases, or within the small carry on bags. We had lunch before we set off, which gave me time to add yet more money to our Caxton currency cards and to complete the APIS log in on Virgin Atlantic’s website. This needs to be carried out prior to arrival at the airport and can only be done within the 24-hour window, prior to departure. We set off for Manchester around 2:30 and made reasonably good progress, that is until I took the wrong turning at the airport, heading us towards terminal 2 when I should have kept on the road for terminal 1. This meant that we had to carry out a complete circle, returning back to the motorway, this time heading in the direction of Manchester, so that we could once more exit towards the hotel. No problem second time around and we easily located the hotel. Checked in and deposited ourselves and luggage into our room and then I went and deposited the car in the appropriate location, ready for it to be taken off-site for storage. Had a pleasant meal, burger and chips, in the hotel and then retired to our room, to watch TV, prior to shut-eye.
Saturday, our flight day to the States. Had a nice leisurely breakfast, probably our last proper breakfast for a while, at least until we get to Philadelphia, as no breakfast, at least as we know it, at the New York hotel. Hotel transport took us and two other couples to the airport, well one couple to the train station and then on to Terminal 2. Easy work sorting out depositing the large case, only a short wait in the queue, then on to the departure gate and the bag and body search. I had again paid for fast track, as I did last time we were here, that time with the boys. It saves so much time and is well worth the extra cash. Got through the screening with only one hiccup. You are asked to empty all of your pockets, and at frisking I had forgotten two items in my shirt pocket. Soon sorted, only a minor ticking off. Next stop the departure lounge and a chance to sit, by the window and watch the activity of the planes. Whilst we sat and had coffee, in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants on site, we managed to grab a spot looking out on to the tarmac, where we could look out onto airfield. In the middle of which was the only Boeing 747-400 around, our likely plane for our flight to New York. It was eventually brought onto the stand directly adjacent where Pam and I had moved to in the departure lounge to await our being called to board. Slight delay to our boarding and departure, but finally settled into our seats for the 3355-mile journey. Flight took us over Canada, before making a bit of a circuitous route into JFK.
NEW YORK
Sunday, we awoke, excited and ready to start our adventure. The weather forecast, according to the local TV station, said that it was going to be good, the mist outside from the previous day had cleared and that there was only the slight chance of a shower in the afternoon. From our hotel window it was impossible to determine what the weather was like. We look out on to another high-rise block, with only a 25 – 30-foot gap to the next building. Attempts to look at the sky, nye impossible, so we took the lady on the televisions word for it. On our way out, we stopped off at the hotel bar to check on their breakfast options and both settled on the Croissant filled with egg and bacon, washed down with a cappuccino. It turned out to be a pleasant choice. So off we set for our first day proper in New York. On the cards today, our first subway ride, with a visit to Central Park. The weather outside lovely, not to hot, just pleasant, with blue skies, intermingled with the occasional white/ grey cloud. The hotel, which stands on West 40th street is predominantly made up of hotels, on one side and the domineering Port authority bus terminus on the other. We are between 7th and 8th avenues, with 8th being the closer of the two. Sadly, as you near 8th Avenue the property is not the worlds best and as we found out later, some is due for demolition, likely to be turned into yet more hotels. The location, however is ideal, as it’s less than a 5 minute walk to Time Square. The reason for this preamble, well the remaining part of West 40th before you reach 8th is manky and oft frequented by dossers, sleeping rough. Not an uncommon sight, in any city, but not nice to have to walk past, each time you leave or arrive back at the hotel. We are taking to walking across the road to the Port Bus terminus side and then head for 8th, which is a little better, but still you encounter the odd rough sleeper, at least this way you avoid the scaffolding and very uneven pavements. Any way that little moan aside we made our way to 42nd street subway, purchased our tickets, $3 each, for a one-way, maximum 2hour duration time, ride to a stop adjacent Central Park. Well that was our intention, until midway into the journey an announcement is made that gets everyone in our compartment moving to get off. A kind lady who had sat next to Pam, explained that the train was not stopping at any of the Central Park stations, due to repair works on the track, only going through to its final destination, so advised us to alight, along with everyone else. Fortunately, when we came back out into the outside world, we were at Columbus Circle, which is at one of the entrances to Central Park. The downside it would mean more walking for Pam, which she did admirably throughout the day. We walked across from the tube exit, dodging all of the various pedlars of bikes, horse-drawn carriages, and rickshaws to make our way into the park. The Park is an amazing forethought on the part of the City planners of old, in setting aside such a large area of greenery in an another wise sprawling area of high rise property. A truly green and occasional water-filled oasis. One made use of by locals and visitors alike, to either walk, jog, run, bike ride or roller skate. We had a pleasant amble through the park making our way eventually to the Belvedere Castle, which sadly like a number of buildings in the Park was undergoing repair and therefore shrouded in scaffold and netting. I knew it was under repair but hoped that at least we would be able to see the structure, but not to be. We had a number of stops along the way, one to partake of an ice- cream and to watch participants in a Walk for AIDS event, that was taking place around the perimeter tracks, a number of these type of events take place in and around the park. The events title rather confused Pam and I as most competitors that we watched from our vantage point at the end of the walk, where in fact running? Strange folk. Thankfully the Park offers many opportunities to stop and take in the views, which as I said earlier we took every advantage off, to try and save Pam’s feet. By the time we arrived at the shrouded and in-definable Castle, it was lunchtime, so we headed out of the park to Fifth Avenue to look for a place to eat. There were a number at the side of the road, mobile food vendors, offering a vast variety of concoctions from their minuscule, hand-pulled carts, non-of which appealed to me, and I think Pam, in all honesty, wasn’t too impressed either. So, we set off walking back along Fifth Avenue in the direction once more of Columbus Circle and the subway. We hadn’t gone far when we came across the American Museum of Natural History, the site we think of the Night in the Museum films (to be clarified later). This I thought would be a place to get food, of a quality, of which, we should feel a bit more assured. Plus, it would be an interesting place to visit. Having queued to get tickets to enter, we set off to the basement and the café. The selection of food wasn’t that great, the choice of hot food, which we would have preferred, not very appetising, some not lucking to edible. In the end we opted for a tuna sandwich, with an additional plate of self selected salad, both of which we would share. To our surprise the salad was weighed to arrive at a staggering price of $6. Despite the choice and price, the food did its job and filled a hole until later in the evening, when we would go into Time Square in search of an evening meal.
The museum, of which we explored, only briefly, consisted of 4 floors, and was full of some fascinating animals and artefacts, from around the world. You would need days, not only to see the fast number of permanent displays, but to also take in the various specialist exhibitions that are put on throughout the year. There were three taking place on the day we visited. We concentrated on the huge central hall displays/dioramas, which, represented on both the upper and lower levels African mammals. Would have loved to have spent more time exploring the vast collections, but this wasn’t originally on our schedule, so maybe on our next visit to the City. Due to the lack of subway trains stopping along the route of the park, we were forced to walk our way, steadily back to Columbus Circle, again stopping on a number of occasions, to help Pam’s feet. Our last stop before catching the subway was outside the towering Trump Hotel and Tower. At Columbus Circle we caught the train back to the 42nd Street station, and then the short walk back to the hotel. In the evening we walked to Time Square to find a restaurant. We thought we had the ideal place, until told that there was an hour wait for a table. The place, The Hard Rock Café. We ended up eating at the Dallas BBQ, a little way off Times Square. A deceptive establishment for size, a rather bleak entrance, with just the odd number of seats and tables, but with a dominating escalator, that was until you got to the top of the entrance escalator to be greeted by a large number of other customers. In addition to this floor, there was an equally large second floor currently empty of users. An amazingly efficient establishment, which we watched whilst waiting for our orders.The restaurant has black attired order takers and red attired table sorters. No sooner had a table become vacate than the first of the three Red’s appeared, whipped all the rubbish away, then the second appeared and thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly, cleaned the table, for the third to be able to re-dress with menus, cutlery and napkins. We had both decided on a quarter white meat chicken, one with BBQ sauce the other with a honey lemon basting. Both with chips and the obligatory wedge of bread. We both managed to strip the chicken bear of meat, very tasty and about half the chips. Neither of us, nor a couple at other tables, that we could see, managed the bread. I had a small beer which cost $7. Thank goodness it was a nice drink. Slow walk back to the hotel, taking in the lights, sounds and sights of this mad city.
It’s Monday already and another day to explore. Another day using the subway, this time to take us to lower Manhattan and the 9/11 memorial. First, we tried an outside location for breakfast that we had spotted the other evening. Big Mistake, never to be repeated. At least the place, we unfortunately ate at, was across the road from the subway entrance. Took the E line to the World Trade Centre station and then followed the crowd to the two memorials, wending our way through a major construction site. We are both pleased that we put this visit high on our priority list. A visit, that, like the terrible atrocity that occurred, will never be forgotten. We caught the train back to mid town Manhatton from within the impressive Westfield building. A structure that had featured on a TV program back in Britain, which followed its unique construction. From the outside, it’s stark white construction reminds me of the skeleton of an animal, stripped bare of its flesh, it’s ribs protruding into the air. Entering the beast at the point where it’s head would have been, with its back arching and dropping away to its hind quarters. You enter through two small and quite ordinary doorways and are greeted once inside with this vast and apparently empty stark white cavern, the depth, from the point you enter at street level, some four floors below. Being Westfield, the shops, predominantly occupy the ground floor level, all on the outer levels, behind the base of the ribs, partially obscured, leaving the vast floor space empty. There was currently one shop on the upper levels, which, despite the absence of a sign, was unmistakably Apple, with its distinct shop format. An amazing structure. I thought from the TV program that it was to be a train station, a point significantly lost in this cavernous area, other than for the fact that there were signs, at the very far end of the building indicating exits to the various subway routes. As we reached the other end of the structure, following the subway signs it was clear that, yes this was a link to the subway, and the first piece, that we had seen at least, of modernisation, to an otherwise dated transport infrastructure.
From here, we finally caught the 2-line subway back to Penn Station. In getting to the train we seemed to walk miles, before finally achieving our objective. Poor Pam’s feet. At Penn we had lunch, before walking to the Empire State Building at 5th Avenue and 33rd Street. We had purchased tickets in the UK so with our e-tickets missed having to queue as we arrived. Within minutes we were ascending to the 80th floor of the building. On this floor you are behind glass windows, but still had amazing 360-degree views of the City and surrounding areas. Numerous pictures resulted. Next another lift then to take you a further 6 floors, to emerge outside this time to an area with mid-height walls topped with heavy duty fencing, which, thankfully didn’t restrict your opportunities for more breathtaking pictures. From here we eventually managed to video call Ben, knowing his delight in high rise buildings. He has already topped out The Shard, The Spinnaker and the i360. We knew he would have loved this one, hence the effort to contact him. The visit was well worth the cost and the walk there and back to the hotel. Both glad to be able to put our feet up. In the evening we went again into Time Square to eat, opting for the restaurant across the road from the one we used last night, another big eating establishment mistake. Both of us had a lemon chicken strip on rice meal; it was like eating wet meat, so soaked was the chicken. Not nice and nor was the bill at the end. They had added 18% to the bill for a tip, making the evenings meal $63. We won’t be going to Applebee’s again. Roll on McDonald’s for our last night meal in New York.
Tuesday, our last full day in New York, this holiday at least, hopefully. Today, as we set off, it’s raining, but thankfully had stopped by the time we reached Pier 83 on West 42nd Street. This is our starting point, once we’ve joined the boat, for our cruise around Manhattan. I’d planned the trip, like our ascent of the Empire State Building, as two definite must do's, and purchased the appropriate e-tickets in the UK. We’d made sure we arrived early to get a good seat, outside for the better photo opportunities, but as it worked out, we didn’t need to, as the boat was virtually empty. The tour took us down the Hudson, heading for Lower Manhattan and the towering building of the World Trade Centre. Throughout the tour there were numerous photo opportunities, so many that by the time we reached Ellis Island and the World-famous monument, the Statue of Liberty, my battery was flat, and no spare.
From that point on I had to rely on using Pam’s iPhone. The tour lasted 2.1/2 hours and was an amazing insight into New York City, from the ultra-rich and their million-pound apartments, to the down to earth, multi rise apartments out in the sticks. As a result of the tour we passed beneath 20 bridges, from the iconic Brooklyn, the double level Ed Koch, the once aqueduct, now a utilized road bridge, to our last before rejoining the Hudson, a railway swing bridge. Many of the bridges, regardless of their size and weight were capable of being lifted to provide clearance for large shipping. The weather held dry thankfully throughout the trip, sadly it was cold and windy during the initial stretch to the Liberty but improved once we turned to cruise up the East River, with the wind behind us, it was however back in our faces as we returned to the Hudson, with most of the outside passengers resorting to going inside to get warm. On our final approach to the pier the rain started, and didn’t stop until early evening, all as forecast on the early morning news program. We arrived back to the hotel drenched, despite the short walk involved.
For our last night treat, we wanted a meal that we would both enjoy, and manage to finish, so we ate at McDonald's. Not just any Mac, the one on Times Square. After our enjoyable meal, we spent time wandering around Time Square, taking in the atmosphere, and enjoying the colorful, illuminated and active billboards. The sheer number, the shapes, the unbelievable locations and sizes of the boards, are a delight to the eyes. I don’t think your mind particular takes in the adverts, your mind is just aware of the scale of the colours and the ever-changing picture. Part of the walk about involved a return visit to the Hard Rock Café, where I took pictures of the Beatles memorabilia on display. The main display is the four guys suits that they wore on their arrival in the States, along with their TWA transit bags, each carrying their individual names.
Wednesday our last morning in New York City. As we leave, the President of the United States of America arrives, just his bad luck to miss us. After our usual in-hotel breakfast- croissant, filled with egg, cheese and bacon, we set off to walk the short distance to Pennsylvania Station to catch our train to our next destination, Philadelphia. We had plenty of time so took it easy to get there and had sufficient time to sit and relax and watch the comings and goings from the comfort of our exclusive, Amtrak lounge. Our train arrived on time, and as is the way, apparently, we had plenty of time to load our cases and find a table seat. No in-out wham-bam here. Neither of us hungry at this time for the lunch, which I had purchased inside the station, but had a drink just to keep us going. Arrived at 30th Street station on time having traveled in the Amtrak Acela high speed, limited stop train. Comfortable seating, if a little jumpy through the track and suspension. Not up to Network Rail standards, by any means.
30th Street Station, our arrival point, is built in true American standards, massive cavernous halls, the main one with decorative ceiling. The interior was only to be matched, once we were outside and comfortably ensconced in our taxi, with the equally exterior grandeur. Huge high columns bedeck the front and rear entrances to this train terminal, only to be dwarfed by the huge stone building itself. Our taxi driver wasn’t that communicative, not that is, until we were nearly at the Holiday Inn Express hotel at 1305 Walnut Street, before he started to open up, criticising, rightly in our opinion, Uber, for taking the bread from his mouth. He is one of many struggling taxi drivers, throughout the world, where Uber has appeared on the scene and taken a lot of their business.
Our hotel, in comparison to the one in New York, is luxurious. It would accommodate the Distrikt Hotel room easily three times over. We have a coffee machine, a fridge, microwave and safe. There are charging points for phones and, or computers, built into one of the writing desks. We also have the choice of two double beds, and ample seating, without having to resort to using the bed! Picture below:
Those are Pam’s tootsies at the bottom of the picture, she is relaxing with her feet up on the most comfortable of the three chairs. Oh yes, we have a view, from our room.
Later that evening we went for a walk to find somewhere to eat, with our usual lack of success. Prior to starting the search in earnest, we spent some time at the One Liberty Observation Deck, looking out over Philadelphia, and surrounding area, from the 57th floor. A somewhat different outlook from the one we experienced in New York. Considerably less high rise, with a clearly planned structure to the roads and streets, clear straight lines intersecting each other to make squares in which the properties had been built. Very much on the style of Paris. A very informative guide, on the tower, pointed out the various landmarks, of this sprawling first capital city of the USA. Waited until sunset to see the city lit up, but wasn’t impressed, nothing like the pictures. Our search for a place to eat, which served food, we both would enjoy, proved useless, as usual. We ended up buying two ready-made salads, from a nearby establishment, a supermarket come food hall, and bringing it back to the hotel to eat. Let’s hope we have better luck on the remaining three nights.
Looking forward to exploring this historic City, according to the guidebooks, so much to see and do. Awoke the next day, Thursday, around 6:30, to what look likes being another nice day, with the sun already shining out of a clear blue sky. We had breakfast in the hotel, as part of our package. Reasonable selection, always with room for improvement. For example, topping up, the selections of hot food, when they become completely empty. It did happen, but some time after it was needed! We still had sufficient to keep us going until lunch and manage to pick up a nice couple of apples to supplement whatever lunch we decide upon. Walked down Walnut street, on which our Holiday Inn hotel is located, heading for the historic quarter. A longer walk than I thought, which was thankfully broken up with a stop, and a rest, in Washington Square. According to our guidebook, this is one of five original squares in Penns city grid, and named after the nations first President. This tranquil oasis is also hallowed ground, having served as a cemetery for 90 years. More than 2000 Revolutionary War soldiers and prisoners were buried in massive pits here. Today, the parks centrepiece is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, over looked by a statue of Washington. Erected in 1950s it contains the remains of a Revolutionary soldier who was previously buried on the site, the tomb is marked with an everlasting flame. From here we took the short walk across the road to Independence Square, which is home to Independence Hall, which we were able to visit. Entry is free, having obtained your tickets from the Independence visitor centre a short walk further up the road on 6th street. We along with the majority of Americans in our tour group, were given a fascinating insight into the early American history around the time of the countries Independence. From the beginning of the tour in the east wing of the hall, through to the court and then the assembly room, the very room where in which the drafting and signing of the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed, our Ranger, regaled us with fascinating facts.