Christmas 2012

Sam started Christmas by having the week off beforehand, in order to chill out. We ordered most of our food and drink online for delivery to save all the last minute hassle.I finished work on the 21st - and spent the evening in London watching the Lion King.
On the 23rd, Sam got up at 5.00 to drive down and collect Pip and bring some of her and Liam's stuff to store as they have to move at the end of January.
On Christmas Eve Sam took Pip into town to buy a Christmas jumper and then we took her to the Kings house where Liam will join her later. It was his last day as a temp at Harrods. Sam and I then went to visit Sokhu and give her Pip's old laptop - which she was very pleased to receive.
Sam and I got a taxi to the Bird in the Bush to meet Kate, Liz and Jean for a pre - Christmas drink. We got a taxi home around midnight - it was £7.50 each way, not too bad.
I felt fine when I got in but within half a hour was very poorly - vomiting many times and having to be put to bed by Sam. It was such an extreme reaction it must have been a bug or maybe a dirty glass in the pub.
I woke up on Christmas Day still feeling nauseous and weak, however fluids and painkillers helped and I was able to cook Christmas lunch for us and Charlotte and Ian. They arrived at lunch time and spent the day with us which was lovely. I had some lovely gifts - including a ring and some locking beads for my Pandora necklace from Vickie and Jerry and some driving gloves from Sam (and a Monsoon voucher which I will enjoy spending in the sales). Charlotte and Ian bought me a vacuum cleaner for the car, which will be very useful.  I also had some thoughtful Secret Santa gifts from Kelly at work.
Boxing day was a late start after a bit of a lay in. We went over to Mum and Dad's around 2.00, collecting Charlotte and Ian on the way. Pip and Liam joined us there too. We had food, fun and games as usual - and the chaos was much the same as usual too!
All in all in has been a nice Christmas break this year.

Sally's sore leg!

Theatre Trip

Had a great evening at the Lion King with the girls from work. It is an incredible show with some great music and wonderful animals. I loved it from beginning to end!

  

3D Film

Sam and I went to see our first 3D film at the cinema - Life of Pi. We both enjoyed the book when we read it several years ago and thought the film would be a good introduction to the 3D experience - and it was! The special effects were great and the glasses were not as awkward as I thought they would be. Sam, amazingly, could see the 3D too! We would definitely go again.

Winter Walk

We had a lovely walk today at Ashridge Country Park. The sun was shining and although it was a bit fresh out it was nowhere near as cold as it has been over the past week.
The dogs had a great time sniffing about and getting muddy and Sam and I enjoyed the exercise.

Pixel is finding it difficult to face the right way!

Ready for the off now!

Having a rest in the sunshine

Matching!

The dogs have matching collars and coats - they look so cute together, just like twins lol!! With the weather at the moment they have been wearing their coats lots.

School Shooting

This is so dreadful and moved me to tears. There have been many news reports already and answers are being sort - but we will probably never know what makes one human take the lives of so many other innocent humans.

Today's Date

Today is 12/12/12 - the last consecutive number date sequence of the century.

First Snow of This Winter

We woke this morning to find a coating of snow - not too thick but enough to cause chaos on the roads. I got to work about ten minutes late, and the journey wasn't too bad, but staff coming from elsewhere were delayed for longer. The snow always seems to catch us out here in the UK.
The dogs enjoyed exploring the garden and they were both very good on the lead when I walked them this evening - no pulling me over!  There is more snow expected overnight - but hopefully not too much!

Goodbye Twinny

The last of our rats died last night - little Twinny. He was an affectionate little man right up to the end and came out for cuddles before we went to bed. We won't get any more rats now - but would recommend them to anyone who wants small pets for a child.

Goodbye Rats

We have lost two more of our rats -Spot died a few weeks ago - and Smudge died this evening. That leaves us with just Twinny - again. We will have to make sure he gets lots of attention as rats are such social creatures.

Welcome Casey

We have adopted a little Staffy called Casey. She is three years old and is a pretty grey colour. We went to look at her a few weeks ago at the RSPCA Centre near Potters Bar and have spent time considering if she is the right dog for us. She has epilepsy, controlled by tablets and is a true hermaphrodite. The first time they met Pixel and Casey got on well - and they seemed fine when we went back for a second visit - so we brought her home.

A quick trip to Pets At Home kitted her out with a bed, lead, collar etc. and we let her and Pixel make friends in the house. All seems to be going well so far! Casey is a little underweight and will need feeding up and we have to give her her medication twice a day - which she takes in a bit of sausage.
She needs some training - but is very willing and already knows 'off' and 'sit' and will give you her paw. I hope it continues to go well.

Hallowe'en

The family gathered at Mum and Dad's for a Hallowe'en / Birthday get together. We all brought along takeaways of our choice - Sam, Charlotte, Ian and I had fish and chips and picked up a KFC for Mum and Dad. After eating we played a few games - which were hilarious!
I have some photos to add later

Australian Visitor - Last Week

Monday 29th October
Vickie spent the morning at home with Liam - he got a call from Harrods offering him a Christmas temp job in the wine department - go Liam!! He has two days of induction starting tomorrow.
We had lunch together and then walked down to Marsh Road shops. Half way there we got a call to collect Pip from the hospital so walked back. We dropped both her and Liam at the station as they both need to be back in London. Vickie and I had attempt two at going to Marsh Road shops - we had just parked when Pip rang to say she had forgotten something - so back home we went. At attempt three we made it to the shops - but got caught in a heavy shower of rain!
Sam, Vickie and I had dinner together - Dawn, Pip's Godmother, was to have joined us but she was unwell so couldn't. We had an early night as Sam is on earlies this week.

Tuesday 30th October
Vickie had a day home alone today as the young ones were still in London and Sam and I were at work. We went out in the evening with Vickie's friend Deb to have a carvery at the Moat House.

Wednesday 31st October
Vickie and I went into Dunstable this morning to do a few bits and pieces. Pip came home early and made some Halloween cupcakes.We then waited for Denise and Tony to arrive for lunch - they eventually arrived at 4.30! Charlotte came over after Sam got home from work. Pip and Sam carved two pumpkins. Once Denise and Tony had gone home we had dinner and sat chatting. Charlotte said goodbye to Vickie as she won't see her again before her flight.

Thursday 1st November
 I was at work today and as Pip didn't need to be at the hospital until 9.00 I didn't drop her off. Instead Vickie walked her up to the hospital with Pixel.
When I got home we walked down to the library to print off Vickie's boarding pass and get a few bits in Lidl - Vickie struggled to see the numbers on the pin machine - she felt she needed to be shorter but the assistant showed her how to lift it up!
We all had dinner together - vegan spag bol followed by icecream and fruit - very delicious!
We spent Vickie's last evening chilling, watching tv and chatting.

Friday 2nd November

Sam swapped her early today so she had time to say goodbye to her mum this morning. I went into work an hour late so I could take Vickie and Pip to Luton airport to catch the coach to Heathrow ready for Vickie's flight. Six weeks has gone so quickly - we have done lots and had a great time being all together again!

Australian Visitor - Week Five

Monday 22nd October
I wasn't well today so didn't go to work. We spent the day at home chilling out. Vickie and I took Pixel for a walk over the park. Sam came home from work and we all watched tv together before bed.

Tuesday 23rd October
Back to work today - Vickie had a day at home with Liam - they did some cooking together. Once everyone was home for work we all went for dinner at the Wigmore Fish Bar then did the shopping at Asda.

Wednesday 24th October
Vickie and I did some bits and pieces today - which included going into town and popping down to Marsh Road. We had dinner here together and spent the evening at home.

Thursday 25th October
Liam had an interview for Harrods today and Vickie went off to stay at her cousin Carol's house for the night. Before she went Vickie cooked a lovely vegan shepherds pie which Sam, Pip and I shared. We went to PC World to buy Pip's Christmas present - a new laptop.

Friday 26th October
 Vickie spent the day at Carol's. I took Pip to the station after I had finished work. Sam and I had KFC for dinner then drove over to collect Vickie from Carol's house. We stopped in to say hello before driving home.

Saturday 27th October
Vickie came with Sam and I to collect my new Audi A1. We spent an hour at the dealership while Adam showed us all about the car - I am so pleased, she is a lovely car!

I drove the car home - very tentatively at first.
We had breakfast then dropped Vickie at the station. She was going to watch Pip in a bout.

Sunday 28th October
Vickie and Pip had a day at the spa today. They and Liam came back this evening. This is the start of Vickie's last week with us.

 

Walk at Ashridge

Sam and I took Pixel for a lovely walk at Ashridge Country Park. It was a good excuse to take the new car for a spin. Pixel was generally very good - until he met a horse! He has not seen a horse before and he barked and completely ignored the recall command. I eventually managed to tempt him back with a treat. It is a good job the rider was experienced as she kept
the horse calm.


 

 

New Car Day

Vickie, Sam and I went to Bedford to collect the new Audi. It was a really lovely experience - the car was covered up when we got there and Adam did the big reveal. He then spent about an hour showing me how everything works. I drove her home - but very tentatively! I am very pleased with Cloudy The Audi - she feels very luxurious after Kiwi!

 

Australian Visitors - Week Four

Monday 18th - Wednesday 17th October
Vickie and Jerry drove from Herne bay to Bournemouth with Frank to visit some friends and relatives.
They also went to Southampton and Portsmouth. Here are the photos from their stay-

 

 

Thursday 18th October 

Vickie and Jerry are back when I get in from work - Sam collets me as she has been working in Letchworth today. It was a full house as Pip and Liam are staying too - Pip is doing a rotation at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Pip goes back to London as she has a roller derby practice - sadly she has forgotten her house keys so Liam gets the train down to collect her skate stuff for her. This leaves Sam, Vickie, Jerry and I to meet Charlotte and Ian at Balti Nights for a curry. We have a lovely evening - great food and great company! A nice thing to do on Jerry's last evening.

 Friday 19th October - Sunday 21st October

Jerry left today to go back to Australia. He took the coach to the airport - which worked well. He sent an email to say he had arrived home safely. 

Pip and Liam go back to London for the weekend as Pip has a match which she is captaining.

Sam and Vickie go to Nottingham for the weekend. They stay at the Crowne Plaza and go for dinner on Saturday night at Sat Bains - which they said was delicious!

Australian Visitors - Week Three

Sunday 7th October
After showing Robin round our house we go for lunch at the Warden Tavern. Lunch is a little slow arriving but very tasty. Sam and I then take Robin to the airport ready for his flight back to Jersey.
We spend the evening watching  episodes of the new series of Downton Abbey before going to bed - were all pretty tired after the weekend - especially Pixel!

Monday 8th October
Vickie and Jerry take the car to go and visit some old friends of Vickie's - Keith and Barbara. They get home in time for me to go dog training. Once Pixel and I are back we all have dinner together and watch an episode of Downton Abbey before bed.

Tuesday 9th October
Vickie and Jerry drive to Newark to visit Jerry's friend Jackie. They stay overnight at her house.

 

Wednesday 10th October
Vickie and Jerry drive from Newark to Milton Keynes to have dinner with another friend of Jerry's.They go to the beautiful Rockingham on the way. Jerry goes to his favourite shop - John Lewis on the way back too.

Thursday 11 October
I work today and Sam works from home for the morning.Sam goes out for lunch with Vickie, Jerry and Vickie's friend Dawn ( who is Pip's Godmother). They pick me up from work and we have dinner together - Vickie cooks some delicious pasta.

Friday 12th October - Sunday 14th October
See Whitstable Weekend Post