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

Special request for Aunty Debbie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYbmNvAHGn0&list=UUWiiUaTNlS4zMcyrd7OxZvg&index=1&feature=plcp

Get ready to sing along

Kick it off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,

Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;

On the ball, City, never mind the danger,

Steady on, now's your chance,

Hurrah! We've scored a goal.

City!, City!, City!

Christmas has come - and gone.
We had a proper "Norfolk" few days.

23rd December - went on seal watch down towards Horsey/Waxham followed by chips and beer as we made our way home in the rain.
Christmas Eve - last minute shop for fresh bits and bobs in Sheringham. Jenny did a charity bag-pack at Tesco's in Aylsham before going to work at The Roman Camp and the rest of us met up with Grandad and Sue for lunch in The King's Head in Holt. Home in time for Carols from Kings and settle in for Christmas. Did manage a quick pint in Sheringham as Jenny became desperate for a kebab.


Christmas Day, girls awake early but didn't get too excited till about 7:00am. Present opening fest ensued. Had a good visit to Granny's before she went for what turned out to be a really good lunch. Home to get on with our "lunch" and await Jim to arrive. Nice relaxing time with games and nibbles and drinks till we sat at about 5:00pm for a turkey and ham roast. Jim had brought a couple of top wines which helped wash everything down. Managed to stave off the telly till mid evening but was happy to snooze and flick around the channels till bed time. Oh yes - even managed a game of basketball!

Boxing Day - had to "do the dip".It was much warmer than usual down on Cromer beach though the sea was very cold. Anne (80) was my swim partner - brave old bird.  Met up with an old friend of Billy's (Barney) - the links are far too congruous to explain and detail without writing a book about it. The rest of the day was spent with my brothers at Dad's house in Langham. Super food, games, pressies, a walk, more food and a slide show.

This time next week........

School term is over till next year. Muggins here is working for most of next week - except Friday, oh and Tuesday when I meet up with my work colleagues for a festive beer or 4 in Norwich.

The weather has turned rather seasonal - quite a hefty snow shower today after granny had gone home. Not settling though and it looks like it's going to be a boring mild christmas.
DG and I did get into the christmas spirit with a visit to Felbrigg to sing carols

 Rosie went to the panto in Shezza today and Jenny had to work (tee hee)

Most of the serious shopping has been concluded! Just bits and bobs and fresh food to get so watch out Morrisons later this week

Footie results pretty good this weekend - Hatters win on their travels to places I've never heard of (again) well done Jimbo for going and the super fairy Canaries did alright at Everton - Super Grant Holt Norwich's No9

4th December

Lamb in the oven!

4:30 and it's very dark. And cold. And raining (unusually)
Jenny is doing homework while listening to music, texting, tweeting etc. Don't know how she does it.
DG and Rosie are looking at Christmas trees at a tree fest in Fakenham with the twins of old Felbrigg.
I have been busy running around as usual - Jenny to netball, sweeping up leaves, fixing the flat tyre on the ride-on, booking lunch at The Kings Head Holt on Christmas Eve (bonus), visit mum, quick bike ride and prep up the roast supper. All in all, a jolly good day.
December is starting to take shape with a few socials coming onto the calendar. The main school events have come and gone already - Christingle service (excellent) and Christmas Fayre.
Christmas? I'm ready (I think)