Not so Boring

It was a 4* Bore, not the most spectacular but not bad. About 1 mtr high as it was pulled up the Severn by the rotation of the moon - how special is that! A few kayakers & surfers slightly misjudged the wave and missed their ride but the Minsterworth village hall group did a great job with parking and breakie at the site - all power to their elbow. The vid doesn't quite do it justice 'cos of the light and the camera angle, but you can see from the before & after shot of the far bank the sudden rise in the hight of the Severn.

Marion @ 30

As Dad hits 60 daughter hits 30 – how synchronised is that :)

We returned to the Metrop for lunch at a great little Turkish restaurant just off Baker Street (fond memories of Gerry Rafferty) then on to the Albert Hall for Cirque de Soleil and Totem – magnificent.

Marion is off on a birthday road trip, first stop Edinburgh to stay with friends then off to Belgium for a joint birthday celebration with friends she met whilst working in Rwanda, then Germany via Carlisle

Valentines by the Tor

Yes, another Landmark Trust - it's a great way to celebrate togetherness.


An impressive place the Parish House @ Boltonsborough, not far from Glastonbury and in the shaddow of the Tor. Built in about 1500, on the edge of the churchyard, it has long served the village of Baltonsborough for meetings and festivals, both formal and convivial.

The wooden floors and beamed arched roof are amazing. 

Snowdrop Time Again

Customize a photo album

60+

Well I think that's about it >':-)
To round off this hectic period ...

Christmas, once we managed to escape the snows of Gloucester, was spent in Carlisle with Sis n Marilyn. Great lunch provided by Lynne n Craig :-p Mad panic to try n get Marion back from Armenia after she became stranded in Holland - got there eventually by road, rail n ferry - much anxt!






Quick return home then out to Tewks for the wedding of Kath n Wayne

Great to meet up with Maggie n Bob.


New Year 2011 was brought in, with Marilyn n Marion, @ Cheltenham Town Hall. Then up to Judy n Jims near Nuneaton for a new year open house.

 

To recuperate Marilyn n I went off for a short break Landmarking to Peter’s Tower. Marilyn having a penchant for towers with spiral staircases. The views were spectacular and to wake up with the sound of the waves lapping outside the door. Can also strongly recommend a pint of Otter @ the Globe which became our local :-p

60 Not Out

Well half way through the calibrations n still on my feet – just :)

All started @ Julie’s family gathering in Guilsborough for the first public announcement. 

Onto The firms Christmas do and last farewell drinks. Everyone scrubbed up well :)

Sis arrived Monday, unfortunately Marion had just flown out to complete a contract in Armenia – you can’t always time these things. Were sitting under freezing snow atm and just hoping she will manage to get back for Christmas :-/ 

 

I was whisked off to the Metrop for the day itself, well two days actually, of precision timed events and surprises along the way. Took in a festive Covent Garden then off for the most amazing Thames cruise + lunch on the Bateau, it was magnificent – just the best! 

  

Carols in Trafalgar Square then off on a manic taxi drive to My Old Dutch Pancake House which hosted the surprise entrance of Alx – pancakes of all sizes all round :-p 

The evening was spent in the company of War Horses – truly unbelievable. Within minutes of appearing the horses took on personalities of their own and the show stealer was a goose on a wheel, honest, if you get a chance if it goes on tour go and see it.

After breckie in the park (St James) the war theme continued with a trip round the War Cabinet rooms. A real insight and a place we had never visited before. 

Then the Duck. M and I had experienced the one in Toronto but never managed to get on the London one. A 70 year old solid mass (no, not me) built to carry troops onto the beeches still starting first time driven both through the London traffic and into the Thames (via the MI6 slipway).

Couldn’t leave without the annual trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Gently strolling through main street when a passer bye said ‘strange who you meet here’ cousin Judith all the way down from Nuneaton, together with daughter Alx, what a surprise. The heavens opened so had to duck into the German beer tent and down some hot mulled wine :-p

Were due to travel north today back up to Carlisle via Fox’s Covert but got snowed in! So a day recharging the batteries before the eventual great trek north for Christmas, trip back to Tewks for Kathryn n Waynes weddy then onto Chelt for the New Years bash.

It’s hectic (but exciting) being a retired pensioner. What is it they always said – how did I ever have time to work!

5-4-3-2-1

It's started, the big count down :-/ Finished work Friday, loadsa good byes followed by a bash at D-fly Cheltenham. The big day is Wednesday but, hey, been done outa my bus pass. The Gvt have brought in a new formula n I don't qualify 'till Sept 2011 - how unfair is that!