Posts

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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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Romeo and Julie – The Rifles


Track of the week 17/6/18

Went to Pub in the Park last week – to see Scouting for Girls – but The Rifles were first and pretty good.

Good enough to make the exulted status of track of the week.

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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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Only You – Yazoo


Track of the week 3/6/18

I’ve been watching the brilliant “The Americans” over on Amazon Prime, a period drama set in the early ’80’s following a couple of Russian KGB agents, or illegals, living as ordinary american citizens. It is gripping, yet empathetic, stuff, certainly amongst the best TV I’ve watched in a while.

I’m well into series three now, and my enjoyment was ever so slightly dented by a little niggle, that said more about me than the show: I am clearly morphing into outraged of Tunbridged Wells.

In one scene we see a 15 year old girl listening to her Walkman. Asked what she was listening to, she said “Yazz.” Later, we see Philip buy Yazz’s album for his daughter. Now, I’m now expert (although I pretend to be) but Yazz came to fame in the late eighties, and this series is currently in circa 1982, plus Yazz was a  bit of a one hit wonder (albeit a fantastic hit) and not many people would have bought her album.

And then, later in the same episode, we heard the above playing: “Only You” by Yazoo. It was clear they had mistaken Yazoo for Yazz. I was disporotionally disappointed by this – they had got the period pretty spot on, this was a basic mistake to make. It rankled.

But then I discovered that in America Yazoo were/are known as Yaz. It all made sense, all is forgiven.

Time to sign off, and settle down for another episode or two.

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Decking, Park Run & Robin’s Nest

Pic of the week 3/6/18

So half term draws to a sunny conclusion.

Weatherwise, its been an odd one – started of hot & sunny, but by Tuesday that changed and it has, at times, been wet, wet, wet. But yesterday and today have been scorchio – brilliant azure blue skies.

Midweek I set to building the new (final?) deck and graveling in front of the sitting room French doors. All materials bought from Bradfords, am pleased with the results.

Yesterday I ran my first Park Run. Enjoyed it, running with others was an enjoyable change, and good for my pace. Ran the 5k in 22:49, the fastest I have run since my injury and it did help me run a little quicker today (ran my 7K loop.) Will run the Park Run again in the hols.

And we’ve got a robin nesting in one of the small metal trugs opposite the kitchen door.  Its been flitting in and out all week and now there are eggs in the nest. Hope they survive the attentions of the neighbourhood cats …

On the garden front,  at the start of this week I pulled up the Forget Me Nots and at the end of the week, planted runner bean and pea seeds.

Mini brake warning light came in so booked it in for the pads to be changed. Alas, the anti-rattle spring had corroded into the brake caliper (dis-similar metal corrosion: spring is aluminium, caliper, steel) so had to have a new caliper as well. Ouch! No change from £470. At least the sun has been shining, allowing some top down motoring, which is fun.

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Bad – U2


Track of the week 27/5/18

Was a tough call to decide which track to pick from this fantastic (the best?) U2 album.

Could have easily been MLK, Indian Summer Sky, or A Sort of Homecoming, or more.  Funnily enough, it would not have been Pride – the big hit from the album, perhaps having suffered from over-playing and over familiarity?

Anyway, reading this must be a wake up call to go and listen to the whole album, its worth it.

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Sue Woods Award

Pic of the week 27/5/18

On Friday, I was the very proud recipient of the annual Sue Woods Spirit of Millfield Award for contributions to Millfield Sport and beyond.

For the last four years I have been the fixtures secretary for Millfield Football, booking fixtures, food, transport, kits, pitches … Always the first to arrive at our Kingweston pitches and the last to leave, meeting, greeting and hosting opposition from Premier League academy sides, through to local schools. I’ve also managed to find the time to referee a fair few games, too.

I am proud of the part that I have played in Millfield Football, one of the nations top footballing schools and to receive a sports award from the top sports school in the country was a particular honour.

Half term has now begun, after a ropey start weather-wise, the sun has begun to shine, a week to put the feet up & enjoy the garden.

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Mr Wendell – Arrested Development

Track of the week 20/5/18

De La Soul were the original hippies of hip-hop, with A Tribe Called Quest hot on their tails.  Arrested Development also fall into the same category.

A “nice” tune from the 90’s.

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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.