30/01/2012

Another year older......
Jan 25th saw me pass my 48th birthday.  A fairly unremarkable feat on a fairly unremarkable day. January birthdays are rubbish. It's cold, it's dark and no-one has any money. Billy's birthday was far more exciting. He's now 50 and behaving disgracefully for it.
Having said that, we had a Thai feast at Dad's house on Friday night - some great flavours!

Following on from a misty frosty wander around Bessingham, Saturday was spent following Norwich down south (yes the Midlands are south from here) to WBA to sneak a place in the 5th round of the FA cup for the 1st time for years. Jen's first big away match with Narge. No matter who you follow, winning away just feels nice. 350 mile round trip though - more miles on the car.


Highlight of Sunday was seeing step-sister Emily in her first Dressage event at Thursford. She did well on a very bouncy horse.








Today has been all about my parents. Dad needed me to take him up to the N&N hospital for an appointment as follow up to last years radiotherapy. There was potential for some bad news but the Dr's seem to think his condition is "manageable" with a bit more zapping and medication. Relief all round, though not out of the woods by a long chalk. He's a tough old bugger though.
Mum just wanted visiting. Despite being absolutely whacked (me that is), she seemed to think it was very necessary for me to visit! Poor old girl - it is starting to dawn on her that moving yourself 120 miles from where all your friends are may not have been the best move, but, hey-ho, she/we will have to do our best. Her health is ok and my patience is holding out.

22nd Jan

Had a great day out in London on Friday.
As a replacement for our aborted Christmas shopping trip, I met up with usual suspects Richard and Simon - good old survey colleagues along with Brother Graham, Brother Willy, Jimbo but not Ferg.
Jim had diverted to London en route home from Basel.

Basically it was a pub crawl around the Ripper Tour pubs and into the City. Billy used his encyclopedic knowledge to regale us with the story of what happened in Mitre Square. it mystifies us how he has such a recall of facts and figures. It's probably all true (but I wouldn't know otherwise to be honest).
The day was somewhat ruined for me because of an awful trip home. Despite being the first to head off for my train, I think Richard was home in Shillington before my train had even left Liverpool Street.

Great excitement at a 0 - 0 match at Carrow road on Saturday. Norwich held off the superstars of Chelsea. Quite an amazing feat seeing as Norwich were playing in the lower leagues so recently.

Jenny got a bit over excited at the sight of Torres. I don't know what she sees in that goal shy, multi millionaire, good looking young Spaniard!

Great unexpected supper with Dad on Saturday night. Boiled beef and veg - well  actually it was Bouef Bourgignon, Dauphinoise potatoes and broad beans and some very nice wine.

Mum came over in a taxi for lunch today (read all about how she's getting on on the Judy Page) - she seemed to enjoy herself. I did manage a 2 mile trot along the prom in Cromer 1st thing and a windy 6 miler on the bike before dark.

Big birthday for Billy this week - my youngest brother will be 50! Can't believe it. I will also pass the 48 mark on Burns Night.

15th January 2012

Funny old week, highlight of which was me having a tooth out and 6 stitches put in to seal the gap. Great pain relief - but feeling groggy for a few days.
Jenny has now done part of her school science course and is half way to a biology GCSE, Rosie is doing well in her swim class and DG is working, working, working. Never known anyone put in so many work hours as she does

North Norfolk is very quiet at the moment. Not many folk taking a holiday round here at the moment. Spent an hour or so in Cromer today and it was weirdly empty.

On dentists orders I have to avoid vigorous exercise for a while (in case my mouth explodes I suppose) so have had to take a break from my getting fit regime - except for a 1/2 hour dash on my bike this morning in the frost.

Took my old mum into a bookies in Sheringham yesterday afternoon - I don't think she understood what was going on though we did managed to win a few quid on a dog race because one of the dogs was called Stanley something-or-other and mum had a dear old uncle Stanley (lived on Cromer Road in Narge if I remember correctly).
Managed to finish burning all my tree bits and bobs from the winter/autumn cull. The garden has had heaps of clippings and brush wood waiting to to go for months but now there is a big open space where there was a mountain.
Susie the chicken is back after disappearing for a few days. We are starting to get eggs laid already - very early this year - we don't usually start collecting them till March - maybe a sign of how mild the winter has been but I love the fresh eggs we get.

Busy week ahead - Jenny doing lots of after school revision classes and netball, Rosie and DG busy at GVS with after school clubs all starting up and I am off to Reading for a couple of days (work) and London for the day on Friday (leisure).

Great 3 points for NCFC on Saturday away to West Brom - Jenny and I plan to get there (WBA) in 2 weeks for the FA cup match and hopefully another win. Luton didn't play because it was a bit chilly apparently.

Great day out yesterday. The girls did London and I did Football with Jimbo. Great victory for Norwich - WBA away in the next round. Get past that one and we could be heading for a trip to Wembley at the end of the season. Not too sad to hear of Mr Warnocks departure from QPR - he had been behaving like a naughty spoilt boy whilst his team have been tumbling back towards the 2nd div.
Despite a heavy day of beer/food/watching footie yesterday, I have managed to maintain a fitness frenzy at the start of the year. Today's little effort was on the bike. I will be riding 120 miles again at the end of July so training has now started. Only managed about 9 miles today though - flat tyre in the Wickmere area - d'oh.

Yesterday was a great chance for Jim and me to do a spot of male bonding. The old boy had a lot to talk about, what his hopes are for the future, both long term and short term, and while we probably sounded like a right bunch of sentimental, soppy old queers, I really hope things work out "for the best". From long days wandering and talking about things on Hadrian's Wall in October to a pub crawl of Norwich yesterday has been one heck of a journey for lad in 3 thoughtful months. Remember Jimmy - Tell The Truth -  7/1 you spawney git

Back to work :(

DG and me back on Tuesday, Jen to school today and Rosie back on Friday. Well I spose the hols couldn't carry on forever.
Weather turned too. It's been very windy for 2 days now. Just as well I had the wobbly trees down before Christmas. Was on a building site near Naridge today - it got a bit dodgy with stuff flying around.

Sad news today for Rosie. Her first pet, Popcorn the hamster has done what hamsters do and gone to hamster heaven. There will be a short formal service tomorrow in the garden. No flowers please.

What to do with Joey Barton? He has got me wound up these last few days since being (rightly) sent off for being a bit of a nonce. It would appear that the world is against him if you follow his tweets - where as if he just played football he'd probably make an England squad. Shouldn't let it bother me as he probably gifted Norwich an easy 3 points towards another season in the prem.

Jimmy coming up for the big cup match on Saturday against Burnley so a chance to take in a spot of culture before KO at The Fat Cat