Monday, March 27, 2023

Published Monday, March 27, 2023 by with 0 comment

Coronavirus - Sunday March 26th 2023

Worked on a Cracking Up flyer on Monday. Madeline is really walking now. Did a speed awareness course on Tuesday. Changed a bit since the last with lots of references to new technology like sat navs and speed limiters. On Wednesday went on a ride to Wantage with Stuart, Kelvin and Andy. We got the the train to and from Didcot. As it was a drinking day I decided to maje it the start of my 70th birthday celebration fortnight. I fired up the pizza oven again in the evening and this time it was fine. M spent the last two days at the BRO. I was thinking of stopping the coronavirus posts as it will be 3 years on Thursday (23rd) since the first lockdown. However I heard from John that quite a few people he knows gave got it including his son James who has it worse than the last time. So its still around but you tend not to think about it unless you get it if course. On Thursday messaged the Turks, Retreat and Butler about gigs and sent an email to Sid. Found out Dave Kirkham also has covid. Watched England beat Italy 2 1 away in the evening. It was the first Euro qualifier. A classic game of 2 halves as we were 2 0 up af half time and cruising. Harry Kane got his 54th England goal and is now our top scorer. Spent Friday mostly doing housework. Mike and Judy popped round for a cuppa as they'd had to take their car in for an MOT. Both looked well but Judy has bad arthritis. Tom and Sally came over in the evening. Went to RSAC on Saturday afternoon for the HCTS (Here Comes The Sun) festival kick off meeting but unfortunately only 4 of us turned up. Keith and Fiona came round on the evening for my 70th birthday gourmet pizza night. Tom did a great job of cooking the pizzas and Sally made a pudding. A good time was had by all.
The clocks went forward so didn't get up until gone 2 on Sunday. Watched England beat Ukraine 2 0 in the second Euro qualifier. Got my ipod shuffle working.



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Monday, March 20, 2023

Published Monday, March 20, 2023 by with 0 comment

Coronavirus - Sunday March 19th 2023

I went to watch URZ v Millwall on Saturday. We conceded a penalty after about 10 minutes which they scored from and that was that. We tried to come back but didn't register a shot on target. It was a bit cold so I moved round to the East stand at half time as I thought it might be more sheltered.
Quiet day on Sunday. Cooked pulled pork. Stuart popped round with my bike. Took M to the library on Monday morning. Finished the new Cracking Up demo I've been working on. M went to the BRO on Tuesday morning. I did my ride along the Kennet to Theale and back through Mapledurham. The track between the M4 and the gravel pits has now been fully tarmaced.
Did the Brew Dog champions quiz in the evening. M had to go to a meeting first. If was to make a film as part of a bid to produce artwork for the new development near the station. So it started off with just me and Michael. If was a lot harder than the usual quiz. Top prize was £500 but that was nationwide. M arrived at about 7 45, halfway through the second round. We came 2nd. There was another team of top quizzers that Michael knew who beat us. Another quiet day on Wednesday. Started working on a recording of Watching The River Flow.  Watched URZ away to Blackburn on the box. 1 down after 2 mins. They pulled it back with a great first goal from Casadei but lost 2 1 and Loum got sent off.  Got a new sofa bed delivered on Thursday.
On Friday M went to the BRO and I went on a ride to Henley with Andy, Kelvin and Stuart. Stopped off at the newly refurbished Plough at Shiplake (used to be the Plowden Arms). Food OK but a bit on the pricey side. They have Ferryman's Gold on but keg not cask. OK though. Followed up with a pint at the Lodden Brewery. A good start to the day on Saturday, didn't get up until after midday. Tom phoned about next weeks pizza night. Went to watch URZ draw with Hull 1 1. We're not playing well at the moment. Steve Snook was there and spotted this down the away end.
Went straight to RSAC in the evening to do the sound for Tribute Night with Paul. It was Beyonce/Destiny's Child. Not my cup of tea but some good stuff all the same. Didn't get home til 12 15. Lazy day on Sunday. Thawed out the pizza oven for next weekend's gourmet event.
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Saturday, March 11, 2023

Published Saturday, March 11, 2023 by with 0 comment

Cleobury Mortimer Walking Trip - Friday 3rd to 10th March 2023

On Friday got the train to Ludlow and cycled to Cleobury Mortimer for the annual walking group away week. A bit of a complicated cycle route that involved stopping every few minutes to check the map. Great house though. Bobby and Fiona took my stuff up. June provided her yoghurty topping for tea. Me and Steve last to bed at 10 past 12.
Did a 10 miler on Saturday out to a pub and back.
Went for a curry in the evening. Everyone a bit knackered afterwards but me and Fiona made it to 5 past 1 playing worldle, statele, wordle and quordle. I arranged a walk on Sunday morning followed by lunch at the Kings Arms in the village. Me and Steve had a swifty in the Royal Fountain afterwards. Really good beer in these parts particularly the local Hobsons. Got to bed just before midnight. On Monday me, Stuart, Steve and Lindsey walked up Clee Hill. Some interesting old industrial buildings and a quarry up there and great views.
Hilary cooked a vegan roasted quash curry in the evening. A few of us played cards and me and Fiona managed a sing song. Had a bit of a golden Tuesday. We drove to Bewdley and did a walk along the river Severn then through the Wyre Forest. Found a great pub called the Real Ale Tavern when we got back so had a swift 4 in there including 3 of these.
Then a couple in the Stable Tavern in the village with friendly locals. Great walk back in the dark.
Had a fine chilli cooked by Jane and Dave then popped in the hot tub but nobody wanted to join me.
Moved into Bobby and Fiona's room as they've gone home so now have an en croute. Got to bed just after midnight I think. Snowing on Wednesday so we walked in the snow.
Hot tub in the snow after followed by a tea of left overs. In bed about 11 30. Quite deep on Thursday morning.
Did a walk in the snow to the walker friendly golf club but it was closed.
Popped into the Kings Arms on the way back (the Royal Fountain seemed full). It started to fill up with parents and children and we realised the primary school must be shut because of the snow so they all headed down the pub. It was like a creche in the back room. 
Madeline reading to her mum.
Got takeaways in the evening and popped into the Old Lion for a swifty. More snow fell on Thursday night so cycling back to Ludlow would not have been pleasant or safe so got a lift with the bike to Ludlow from Stuart and Clare. They were heading up to somewhere near Preston and ended up taking the bike with them so I could be more flexible with trains. Had a quick look round the town before heading off. Spotted these.
One is for covid heros the other is for....

Back home just before 3. Dave and Jane dropped my stuff off. My boots were cleaner than when I started. Great trip.
Great news. It's offical, Madeline is expecting a sibling on 12th September.
We've known for a while for the same reason we knew about Tom and Sally's baby early. I.e. it conflicts with the holiday in Alonissos which we have now cancelled.
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Published Saturday, March 11, 2023 by with 0 comment

Coronavirus - Thursday 2nd March 2023

 A quiet day on Monday, popped into town and practiced some songs. Did a quick ride on Tuesday morning just out to the Cunning Man and back. We got a replacement remote for the lights in the front room on Sunday but couldn't get it to work (the old one mysteriously ended up in a cup of tea). Managed it today though except off is on and vice versa. Dismantled the bed in Tom's old room on Wednesday as we are selling it. Went to see On Track at South St in the evening with Andy and Kelvin. Very good. Missed it last time round. Had a few pints in the Hop Leaf after. They still have one of these in the gents.

Wonder if they sell many.

Had a band practice on Thursday. First one since Tony's heart problem. Went really well. Had first Thursday drinks in the evening at the Fox and Hounds.

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