Category: Family

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Farewell to Summer

Pic of the week 2/9/18

So farewell to summer – its been great.

Its been the best I can remember, so much done, so much to enjoy.

Its been hot, perhaps the hottest and driest since ’76. Whilst the lawn and plants may have suffered, the weather has been brilliant.

Parched lawn

The hols began on a high note with the World Cup …

… England making it to the semi-finals and making us believe again,

… and a day out with Sam to Yeovilton Air show (but coming back in the afternoon to watch England beat Sweeden 2-0 in the World Cup Quarter final)

Yeovilton Airshow

We had a few days in Cornwall, and the sun continued to shine …

Cornwall July ’18

… and then of to Majorca for the main event. A fantastic week in Pouerto Pollensa …

Majorca July ’18

Each and every day was brilliant, it would be hard to pick out a highlight. Me and Sam climbing Puig de Maria was great, Formentor was stunningly beautiful (although overcrowded), pool time, evening meals, catching up with “Tappers” (for 10 years we lived less than 10 miles from each other but never met up, but put us on an island in the med and we’ll make the effort!), but perhaps the highlight was …

Cala Boquer

We come home to rain, but only for a day or so, and then the sun came back out.

Sam turned 16 …

Sam’s 16th

… and they both got the grades they needed and deserved in GCSE and A level …

I did plenty of exercise, regularly running 10K (as well as spinning, swimming and refereeing) …

See front run, Puerto Pollensa, July ’18

… and amongst all that, I also found time to tidy up the front drive, and add a bit of gravel …

And so tomorrow, its back to school and work. It really has been a great summer holiday. Thanks for the memories!

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The Boy’s done good

Pic of the week 26/8/18

So this week it was Sam’s turn to collect his exam results and because of (his view) or despite (his mother’s view) his efforts he did well securing 8’s in Maths & Physics, 7’s in Chemistry & Biology, 6’s in English Lang, History & Computer Science (and being just 1 mark of a 7 in Comp Sci) and 5’s in English Lit & French.

He was pleased with that haul, as were we and he will stay at The Blue School to do Maths, Physics & Chemistry as his A levels.

Well done, son!

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A levels

Pic of the week 19/8/18

Thursday was A level results day, a day that we would discover Sophie’s destiny.

She didn’t disappoint, achieving (drum roll, please):

  • Maths A
  • Economics B
  • Geography B

And she got an A in her EPQ, and we mustn’t forget her B in AS Physics from last year. An excellent, and well deserved haul.

She’s off to Reading University to read Economics in late September, and already the excitement is building. She’s got a place in her first choice Hall of Residence (Bridges)

The start of a whole new chapter in her life.

One very proud Dad.

 

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They think its all over …

Pic of the week 24/6/18

… for Sophie, it is.

She had her last exam on Friday (Sam had his last exam last week) and so the whole house breathes again and begins to relax, at least until mid-August when results start coming in.

I’ve got another week to go – feel I have finally broken the back of the year: still a busy week ahead, but the glistening prize can be glimpsed glittering in the distance …

In other news, its hot, hot, hot, and set to be all week (lets hope it last well into the hols and doesn’t breakdown at the end of the week.)

England beat Panama 6-1 today in the World Cup, two wins in the first two games, already qualified for the knock out stages, despite history, enough to make one begin to dream …

Ran 10K today in 47m 6 secs, reckon my knee is better!

‘Till next week, when the long summer holiday loom …

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Milestones

Pic of the week 17/6/18

The end of an era.

Sam had is final GCSE exam on Friday, his last day at the Blue School, the last time Sophie drove them both in to school, the last day they went to school together. Sophie has another couple of exams this week, then its all over for her too.

No pick of the week from last week as Becky & I went to “Pub in the Park”, mainly to see Scouting for Girls who were, as ever, excellent.  They originally topped the bill, but were bumped down the order to make way fro Squeeze, who were good, but not as good as Roy and his mates.  First up were The Rifles who were good, well worth watching and would, I reckon, be a great act in a small, intimate venue.

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Sunny weather

Pic of the week 20/5/18

The sun has been shining of late.

Not mega hot heat wave temperatures, but pleasant blue skies and bright sunshine. to set of the vivid greens of the new growth on trees and shrubs.

Sam’s GCSEs have started in earnest, he’s not feeling the pressure, Becky is.  Sophie started her A level season by doing Core 1 on Wednesday.  Both can now begin to see the finish line on the horizon.

I’ve managed to get in a couple of runs, but times are slow: the  bounce is still missing from my stride.  Hoping that half term in week or so gives me the chance to get some miles in and get back to old ways.

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Little white box of happiness

Pic of the week 6/5/18

Perhaps not the most artistic of photos but the little white box pictured above has bought unbridled joy this week. I have even caught myself giving it a loving caress on the odd occasion this week.

We had a new boiler fitted on Tuesday. A Logic + 30W, cost £16000 installed, and once again we have hot water on tap. Bliss.

Our wonderful plumber/heating engineer (Kes Tidball) will come back in a month or so and fit zone valves so that the kitchen underfloor heating and the rest of the house are in desperate zones, and can be controlled separately – that will be worth the extra cost to have that done, too.

A couple of bonus pics this week.

The week started cold and wet, but has ended hot and sunny. Wonderful.

Other news: the knee continues to improve, I can walk normally, am tempted to run, but a tentative plod left me in doubt, so no running yet, still just spinning and swimming.

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Stuff

Pic of the week 8/4/18

Not too much to report this week – weather has not been brill for the Easter holidays , and have spent much of the time pottering around. A few points of note:

  • Swum or spun everyday until yesterday (when I ref-ed)
  • Arranged my new (re)mortgage. Going for a 5 year fixed rate offset deal.
  • Mowed the lawn on Thursday (5th April) for first time this year. It looks pretty rubbish – largely just moss and barren patches. Hope it improves as spring arrives and blossoms into summer (when will that happen?)
  • Refereed yesterday – cup game: Bruton Res v Milborne Port A, went extra time – and today: Wessex U16 v Perry Street. Thoroughly enjoyed both games.
  • Right knee had been getting progressively better all week, but was a little stiff after yesterdays game, worse now after today’s.  However, few exercise free days coming up for it to get better.
  • Binge watched “Manhunt: The Unabomb story” on Netflix. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

… and tooth out tomorrow. Has been on the distant horizon for a while, is now hoving into clear view. Want the tooth out, and all sorted, but not looking forward to it.

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49!

Pic of the week 1/4/18

Turned 49 on Wednesday!

A big day, had a lovely cake, lots of presents and played football (staff v leavers 4 – 4), before staggering through to the start of the Easter holidays.

Age is taking its toll – hurt my right knee (twisted? swollen) playing football on Wednesday, was hobbling badly on Thursday.  Managed to go swimming today (Sunday) 48 lengths (on mile) first exercise for sum time (other than playing football). Still conscious of my tooth – not really hurting, but I think its a bit of fear that the pain could return.  Am having it out a week tomorrow, not looking forward to the procedure and pain, but am looking forward to it all being sorted.

Had a big family gathering last night at Ask, lovely to see everyone again.

Weather is rubbish – Friday was wet, wet, wet and tomorrow promises more rain. Its cold. A few green shoots on plants but we haven’t had any springlike weather. One begins to doubt that summer will ever come …

 

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Mother’s Day

Pic of the week 11/3/18

Mother’s Day.

I’m struggling for words, other than I have the best mum possible for my two wonderful children.