Category: Pic of the week

Pic of the week 22/9/19

Yesterday, Sophie went back to uni for the start of her second year. It doesn’t seem like a moment that we were dropping her off in the pouring rain last year. (Fortunately, this year the weather – at least yesterday – was much better. Scorchio)

It’s also quite frightening how Sophie not being at home has become the new normal. It has been lovely to have her home for the summer but, unlike this time last year, it does not seem odd her not being home. Not quite the circle of life, but certainly the passage of time and confirmation that Becky and I are now well into a new chapter of our lives.

In other news, the weather of late has been fantastic, wall to wall sunshine and pleasant day time temps, although getting chilly in the evenings. However, rained this morning and that is, apparently, the precursor to ten days of rain. Quite a pleasant evening now, though.

Has been exeat this weekend, and I’ve enjoyed a complete break from school, listened to a lot of music, refereed a couple of OA games, tidied the garden (a bit) in preparation for autumn and winter – planted 50 allium bulbs and x 6 bare rooted peony plants. Still mowing the lawn. Mini rumbles on, quite literally, Sam has had his first couple of “proper” driving lessons, and Becky continues to be as beautiful and wonderful as ever.

Oh, and I nearly forgot, my (other) blog was mentioned by Rob Eastaway in a recent interview – rather chuffed and proud!

Whimsical and self-deprecating

Pic of the week 8/9/19

Buenos Dias. Mi llamo Jeff, y yo soy un maestro de mathematicia. Yo vivo con mi esposa, mi hija, y mi hiho. Yo quiero hablas Espanol.

Term has begun, Becky and Sophie have enjoyed a few days in Paris (Sam and I somehow survived in their absence) and I am continuing to learn Spanish. I’m rather pleased with myself in that I wrote that entire phrase above and, when I checked it using google translate it said what I wanted!

My Sunday league refereeing has begun, have done a couple of games now – I particularly enjoyed today’s game, despite it being all the way over beyond Burnham. Floodlit league starts this Tuesday with Glastonbury v Wells.

Mini making an annoying (worrying) rumbling noise, definitely something to do with the wheels/tyres as its frequency changes with speed. Hoping its just a tyre (to be fair, did drive for about 15 miles the other day with one of the run flats, flat so could be the cause.) Will swap the front wheels tomorrow – if the sound changes side it will confirm tyre/wheel problem (hoping for this easy/cheapest fix) if not, its probably a wheel bearing – not a disaster, but I’d prefer it to not be. Hopefully next week I’ll be able to update with some positive diagnosis.

 

Pic of the week

Sam has turned 17, and taken to life behind the wheel.

I haven’t been out with him (yet) but Becky’s taken him out a few times and he seems to be enjoying life on the road. They started in Strode car park, but have since graduated onto the levels back lane (that I run along) as well us driving up Downside Road, to Millfield car park (main & swimming pool) and back home, to reverse onto the drive.

Other than his birthday, the week has been a little non-descript: the inevitable come down after the highs of a week away. I’ve ref-ed a couple of games, done some more painting of hall and utility room, but not too much to write home about. The weather has not been brilliant – high winds on Friday and Saturday and today – after a bright-ish morning – we’ve had some torrential downpours, thunder and lightening:

Pic of the week 4/8/19

Just back from a great week in Soller, Mallorca. We stayed in a villa in the town of Soller – a great villa, with a fab pool, in a charming Mallorcan town.

We paid (about) £2.5K for the villa, flights were £1.5K – Thomas Cook: good times – 12.30 pm out 16.55 return (local times) but, unfortunately the outbound flight was three hours delayed.  The skipper then opened up the gas, meaning we landed “only” 2 hour 40 mins late and were thus denied the 250 euro ahead compensation for a three hour delay.

I’d booked transfers via Hoppa.com – worked well, cost £118 in advance. Probably would have been cheaper to just book local taxis, but this saved a lot of hassle – would be happy to use again.

Becky has two much better blog posts that are worth reading:

Soller    and The Villa

but below are some photos and memories from me.

Home (casa) for the week

and its pool (piscina)

El nino and padre enjoying said piscina

Perhaps the most picturesque train station in Europe? Discovering the (small) Miro  exhibition was cool. (“Jefe” means “Boss”. I think I might start mis-spelling my name with an e instead of f at the end.)

Becky, Sam & I took the bus to Deia, walked down the hill (30 mins) to swim in the beautiful, clear see, before yomping back up in the midday heat to get the bus back to Soller. (Fortunately, the bus was deliciously air conditioned and gave us a great view on the switch back roads through the mountains.)

The four of us had a day out in Plama (outbound via train – worth it, at 18 euros ahead, back by those wonderful air conditioned buses, 2.50 euro each). A lovely picturesque compact city, but hot, oh so hot! Becky & I will return for a city break – sin ninos –  at some point.

Soller itself was beautiful. I think I particularly enjoyed being immersed in a Spanish/Mallorcan town and not some “All day breakfast” tourist resort. I’m trying to learn a little espanol, I must keep this up.

I enjoyed the whole holiday, but if I must pick a best bit, i think it must have been having a leisurely breakfast in the square with Becky.

Till next time …

Pic(s) of the week 16/6/19

Father’s Day!

Up early and off for a run, to be met by the boy on my return. Later in the day, Sophie returned home from her first year at Reading University. Where has that time gone?!

Lot’s of presents from the pair of them – many food/snack related, but also a “Brexshite” mug from Sam and a book : “Zonal Marking” from Sophie.

Becky also gave me a card, writing in it:

“A fab Dad but hopeless at getting your son doing school work!!!

Whilst Sam had independently written in his card:

“Thank you for being a great Dad and helping me with school work”

I wonder who’s right?!

An an unrelated note, mention must be made of the dreadful weather that persists – the last two weeks have been little more than rain, wind and grey skies. Here’s hoping it changes in two weeks time …

Pic of the week 9/6/19

In some respects a rather unremarkable week, but not one without note.

On Tuesday I went to see Sam’s EPQ presentation. After quite a bit of badgering from us, he’s (almost) completed the project and it was good to see him so confident and comfortable in his school environment, discussing his findings with range of adults.

On Wednesday Becky went to see Sophie Ellis Bextor, and thoroughly enjoyed it, although since then she has been somewhat poorly with labyrinthitis. She has slept more than Rip van Winkle over the last few days, but made it into work today, so seems to be on the mend.

On Friday I went to dentist, having thought I had cracked my tooth a couple of weeks ago. Turns out it was a filling that had come out (of the back tooth, LHS, next to the “abscess tooth” that was removed last year.) She replaced the filling – hurt a bit at the time – but hopefully all good now.

Weather has been a bit rubbish – and doesn’t look like its going to get much better soon: quite wet. Lets just hope all the rain is falling now leaving uninterrupted sunshine from three weeks from now.