Need to chill....

After Watford's game against Plymouth yesterday, (and it was rubbish) I met a portly chap who was incensed - cursing and swearing about our manager and all and sundry. In my foolish attempt to be positive that tirade came my way.... Ok, as I've said, we were very poor, BUT, and it's a big but, a few years ago we were heading in a downward spiral that was leading to administration and lower league football ( again!)... and personally right now I'd be happier being the underdogs we have nearly always been, not the team to beat, the team that can't play good football because other teams come to stifle our play... I JUST KNOW that when Boothroyd manages a change of playing style and we're back on a winning run, that bloke will be crooning over him.

However, what this tirade of abuse has made me think is - do I need watford THAT much? It was real heart attack stuff!! So, WFC is going to take a bit of a back seat for a while. I'll still go to games, but I intend to go to Hertford more, watch more continental footy on the box and generally ween my self off the message boards and mailing lists...so it's not a divorce, just a trial separation!!!

At last December.....

What a crap month November was for any fan of Watford FC!!! Played 5, won 1, drew 1 and lost 3!! 9 point lead down to 1 at one stage....then we went 2 goals down last tuesday away at colchester BUT brought it back and won 2-3 phew....

Anyway, i've missed a couple of Fridays so lets catch up....

Friday, December 7, 2007

Friday Fill-In #49
1. I have been over excited over the years about Christmas.
2. Yellow/red is/are my favorite color(s) for the Christmas tree lights.
3. The candles in the window have a solitary bulb.
4. A Christmas carol - (any version, even the Bill Murray one) is one of my most favorite Christmas movies.
5. My favorite Christmas lyric(s) is/are White Christmas.
6.I'm dreaming of a relaxed week in Whitby for this festive season...(and 6 points!!).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a sleep, tomorrow my plans include the usual options of domesticity and Sunday, I want to stay dry and warm indoors!


Friday Fiver


Sweet you rock
[07 Dec 200705:26am]
1. Are you married? Have been twice - and will be again, getting it absoloutely right this time.

2. When do your claws come out? When I'm feeling stressed...

3. Have you ever been in a car accident? Twice, once my fault, once not.

4. Who is the last person you held? See number 1!!

5. Describe a time you've gone overboard: Over a cup of tea, my small minded outlook at that time of my life led me to really castigate this poor person for putting teabag and milk in together first before the water.....now I prefer it this way, and I still don't feel good about my actions.

December 7, 2007

Friday 5 for December 7: Used to Be My Playground


What playground game do you remember most fondly?
British Bulldog
What playground game did you just hate?
Anyone where teams were picked...always felt it was never going to be me!!
Which playground apparatus did you most enjoy?
Bars
Which playground apparatus did you generally avoid or not care much for?
None
What playground game might be really fun if grownups played it with adult rules?
What's the time Mr Wolf...

It's Friday again....

Friday Fill-In #45
1. Plans and schedules having been informed I have a class assembly next Friday, guess that's what i'll be planning!1 .
2. I'm happy when things are smooth .
3. The last thing I drank was a rather sharp Cypriot dry white .
4. One of the most valuable things in my life is - financially my car, otherwise Suzie!!.
5. I like anything spicy on my pizza.
6. Dear November,bring on the winds and chill evenings.7.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with a book, tomorrow my plans include collecting wedding invites, football (Watford are playing Colchester) and Sunday, I want to go for a walk along the river and eat at the greatly named 'Eel and Fish' pub!

It's amazing, but there are some Americans who follow Watford FC !!! Try here

Friday 4 for November 9: Just Hanging

What’s something that’s hanging from your ceiling?
itsy bitsy spider....and her cobwebs - you made me look up!
What’s something that’s hanging on your wall?
An 'Ode to a Watford Fan' - given by a thoughtful parent years ago.
What’s something that’s hanging in your closet?
My suit - not often used, how do people wear them everyday?
What’s hanging from your rear-view mirror? (for those without cars, what’s something hanging from the rear-view mirror of a car you’ve recently ridden in?)
Nothing - minimilist me.
What have you been hanging onto for too long?
Nothing....well, i'm trying to hang on to my hair!!

So, how's life then?

It's a glorious Autumn Sunday morning and I'm sat in my daughters kitchen contemplating life...and generally it's good.

Big blip yesterday when Watford were stuffed 3-0 ( http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10400~37755,00.html ) but that was always going to happen after Aidy recieved Manager of the Month award (it's jinxed and ALL football fans know that!!). Hertford won again, moving back up the SSML ladder and a really great result for Great Britain v New Zealand in the second Rugby League test.... beat them 44-0!! Check out the Kiwi reaction !!





It was this young ladies birthday

Happy Birthday to you...

late again...

Friday 5 for November 2: Lifelines


1. If you were on a game show and could phone a friend for help, who would your lifelines be for sports, arts & music, literature, history and geography, and science? Stephen (and now Debs for the science side of life...)
2. When you need someone with muscles to help you with a task, who’s the first one you call? Yoo hoo - anyone there?
3. When you need some creative help with ideas for a project, who’s the first person you call? Suzie
4. When you have a moral dilemma and need advice, on whom do you rely most? Suzie
5. When you need to know the best way to get somewhere, which of your directionally-gifted friends do you call upon first? Probably myself as I tend to get directions pretty much right, unlike the rest of my life!!!


Friday Fill-In #44

1Relaxing with a book and a glass of red is my favorite form of therapy.
2. If you get my voice mail you'll hear me.
3. My favorite product EVER is the expresso machine.
4. I see something beautiful in the autumn trees .
5. When I'm grumpy I growl.
6. _______ is my strangest habit.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to bingo with my mum and Suzie, tomorrow my plans include my grandaughter’s birthday and Sunday, I want to eat food someone else has cooked!

Friday Fiver

Eye of newt, and toe of frog...

1. Did you celebrate Halloween?NO.....and being a traditional Brit - I hate all those places just making a quick dollar out of encouraging all these little kids to begg on the streets with the crass american idea of trick or treat....rant over.
2. Do you like to dress in costume? As a must only....
3. Favorite chocolate? Friut and Nut
4. Best scary movie? Not greatly into these, but any old Hammer Horror for pure comic genius of them.
5. Friday fill-in:just about anything i can't control scares me.

Feeling well and truly chilled....

Been a good day, although I do find it hard lately to get myself interested in the wider world affairs at present; feeling very introspective . Very much concerned with how I'm perceived by others, which is probably a sign of my insecurity which appears every so often. Having been married twice plus another long term relationship, I often get really worried that I'm going to muck it up again with Suzie.....so I've gone to the heart of things today and...cooked a cracking meal!!! Thank Mr J Oliver for your Italian recipes.

Found this tool http://www.stumbleupon.com/ and it's VERY addictive. Be careful.

As it's Friday, let's go for the Friday 'Stuff'..


Friday Fill-In #43

1. The last good thing that came in the mail was our new door bell - saves people scaring the shit out of me by tapping on the window!
2. This week I'm grateful for school vacations.
3. New Zealand pinot noir is the most delicious thing ever.
4.Art inspires me.
5. I'm most happy when I am still enough to listen to Grieg.
6. And all the roads we have to walk along are leading to our eventual destiny - it's up to us how fast/slow we take it.
7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a feast, tomorrow my plans include bet you can't guess.....football! (At Hertford Town this week) and a lovely fish n chip supper dance at Enfield and Sunday, I want to enjoy the last day of our fall holiday !

Friday Five

1. What is sweet? Yummy Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam on a home made scone.
2. What hours do you work? Have to be there for half 8ish - go home when ready after 4ish
3. When do you relax? When there's no distractions and I can read in peace....not often now with all the electronic paraphernalia around me (and it's my fault..)
4. How did you learn about the birds and the bees? Ask Maureen....
5. Friday fill-in:The good vibes flow when WFC are in the groove....

Friday 5 for October 26: Fruits and Laws


Of peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control, which are you most lacking? Can I compartmentalise the answer? Moods tend to dictate which and when, but after my half century the one I've possibly missed the most is self control at the wrong times.

Of peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control, which are you most blessed with? Now I've reached that half century - patience...it wasn't there half a lifetime away.

The Scout Law says that a scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Which of these are relative strengths for you? I try to be cheerful, definitely not thrifty, would hope to be seen as courteous and kind....clean!!

Which of the elements in the Scout Law are relative weaknesses for you? Thrifty is hard, often find it hard to be reverent....

If you were to create a list-type law, such as the Scout Law, for your occupation, what might it look like? One line- treat others as you would like to be treated....

books and things...

100 top books,,,,

http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html

how many have you read?

perhaps they can be found here!!

http://www.fullbooks.com/

Surfing and found my next phone...

Had a Samsung for a year or so now - been looking as to what newbies are out there and found this one:-

http://www.mobilegazette.com/samsung-g800-07x10x18.htm



"Samsung G800 (SGH-G800) Preview
Announcement expected soon 18th October 2007 NEW!

We don't have all the details of the Samsung G800 yet, but we do have enough to know that this is likely to be the camera phone to beat during 2008.

This is a 5 megapixel camera phone, like the G600, but we understand the the SGH-G800 has a 3X optical zoom, plus a Xenon flash. Optical zoom is a very rare thing to find in a mobile phone camera, but it is much better and clearer than the standard digital zoom found in almost everything else. The camera lens is hidden behind a protective cover when not in use.
It's certainly a 3G phone, and it is rumoured to be HSDPA capable. We understand that the 240x320 pixel display is 2.6" in size, and the SGH-G800 also has microSD expandable memory, Bluetooth, a TV-out port and an FM radio.
There's no word on pricing or availability, and we can't even speculate if the Samsung G800 will be available by Christmas or not. However, we think that the SGH-G800 is likely to cause a stir when it hits the streets.. we look forward to it. "

Sounds alright to me....

Friday things....

Friday Fill-in

Here we go!

1. October is the cooling month.
2.Being alone doesn't/don't scare me!
3. Haunted houses are always grey
4. My favorite scary movie is Shout At The Devil because it's the first one I saw!
5. Yah Boo me.
6. It was a dark and stormy night when a rat landed on the doorstep and....
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to England winning the World Cup (never going to happen...), tomorrow my plans include nothing at all....


Friday Fiver.

1. What makes you feel exposed? Questions....

2. What do you have to force yourself to do? DIY (YUK)

3. Where do you like to spend your time outdoors? Secluded nooks

4. What surprises you? Always surprised by Watford winning - born sports pessimist...

5. Friday fill-in:Late at night I'm imagining what might have been, what could be and happily realising what my life actually is.

Friday 5


What would be a good collective name for your family, as in “A _____ of Joneses?” spread

What would be a good collective name for your closest group of friends? few

What would be a good collective name for the stuff in your desk? perplexity

What would be a good collective name for your next-door neighbors? Who....

What would be a good collective name for the people in your line of work, as in “A _____ of accountants?” grunge

Loyalties, and the Friday things....(ok IKNOW I'm late..)

It's nearly 8am on the first day of our Autumn school holiday and I'm sat watching the final of The Air New Zealand Cup live on Sky - loyalty question is who do I support? Should be Auckland as that is where we spent most of our time when in Kiwi land (which is showing some really naff adverts at present over here), or go for the underdog Wellington? Ok it's Wellington!!!

I've actually more interest in this game than in the 'BIG ONE' tonight - South Africa v England Rugby World Cup Final in Paris tonight....I'll be watching though...

Come on Waikato for next year then....and this game marks another small milestone in the slow disappearance of our hols - the cup started while we there!!

I shall have to keep a weather eye on the Super 14 games that start in Feb - The Chiefs are the Bay of Plenty/Hamilton area team.

So what's the plans for this week? Not too much, watch Watford play Hull this afternoon, then the rugby tonight. Going to Coventry on Tuesday for WFC's game there and possibly a trip to London on Wed for training.

CHILL as the saying goes....

Dylan....

getting older ..sat watching BBC 4 showing Dylan at Newport .. how could those philistines boo him????

I was only, what 9? but i can remember the furore about this icon picking up an electric guitar...hope all those are sat in their warden homes thinking how.....

The Beeb is looking at 1968 - the year of musical, and racial, freedom movements - cream, and Dylan.

Suzie's half a decade younger than me - and he is not part of her generation, unless you were introduced by somebody...his music has been part of my life, especially since voodoo child..connection 'All Along the Watchtower'...

1972 - left home, lived in a barrack block full of tubular bells fans, Slade and all the other 'glam rock' If you want a taste of the music - try here...http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1973/jukebox/index.shtml

Anyway - the amazing meal..venison stew (onions, carrot's, rosemary, red wine and stock, served over taglietelle) yummy..

Celebreal stuff for Fridays...

Found these to liven up our thinking on a Friday....

Friday Five

What was the last thing you baked?

A rhubarb crumble.
What was the last thing you tried on for size?

A New Watford shirt.
What was the last thing you purchased on credit?
Car insurance

What was the last thing you put a postage stamp on?
Birthday card to granddaughter

What was the last thing you took a photo of?
Suzie at badminton last night.


Friday Fiver

Open up my head

1. What's your personal hell?
Mnnnn - Tesco's on a Sunday afternoon in December.

2. Do you prefer brightly lit rooms or dim spaces?
More towards the dim spaces time of life - bright rooms will show the wrinkles and sag....

3. What's the weather like today?
A bit too humid for mid October for my liking - roll on crisp icy evenings watching the football with a hot pie and bovril...

4. Is it easy to be you?
It is distinctly getting easier as time passes by - much more laid back nowadays....

5.My heaven is ____. ....Watford winning ANYTHING!!!

Friday Fill-in

1. Once upon a time the sun shining was nor considered global warming - HOW can they give that .... a Nobel prize?

2. Jump up screaming and singing 'We are top of the league, say we are top of the league..!'

3. Intersestingly smug people will only drink white tea and ginger.

4. Way down (it's just gotta be ) yonder in New Orleans...

5. Keys have fleas; locks hide Debs smelly socks...

6. Have you seen the Kiwi's? They're so upset (all go ahhhh)!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling with a glass or two of South African Shiraz, tomorrow my plans include watching lots of football, cricket and rugby, both union and league and hopeful of an England clean sweep and Sunday, I want to cook an amazing meal..
and lastly...enjoy whatever it is you're up to ....

Hello weekend...

Off to Scunthorpe soon to watch The Golden Boys (we are top of the league, repeat several times and wave hands in the air!!!) . Haven't been before, so hopefully will be a good day out - brekkies in Kings X, get there in time to watch mid-day game, followed by the Kiwi's stuffing the French out of the Rugby Wotld Cup, a curry and train home!!


Meanwhile, Stephen is somewhere in continental Europe off on his great personal adventure - teaching english in Poland. He's driving there the slow way and taking it all in. Text reports of his birthday in Eindohven, then dinner in Germany - I have to admit to be quite jealous:)

Well, it's sort of official now...

Went to the Registrar last night and completed the forms notifying of our intended marriage within the next 12 months - so if any of you out there have any reasonable knowledge as to why we shouldn't tie the matrimonial knot - you have fifteen days in which to tell them....

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

or so says Aldous Huxley, in his 'Vedanta for the Western World, 1945'... and I would have to agree with him. I'm exceedingly happy at present, and it's not due to an over abundance of cash or worldly goods (but the 32inch TV is fun) - it's just due to life being very equable at the moment.

We had a stunning holiday in Kiwi land, this young lady has just started school,

and my present class is full of happy young children, and my boss trusts me to get my work done.

Holidays are planned for Christmas (Mum's 80th birthday in Whitby, February (Poland - a boys adventure this one), Whitsun (camping with Kids/Grand kids) and we're getting married next August...honeymoon in Rhodes (http://www.atlanticahotels.com/section.php?id=9 )booked!!!

We're not in each others face, but feel joined by an umbilical cord that stretches well (especially when I'm at the footie...).

Financially life isn't such a pancake, but, eh, has it ever been for me? We're working on saving the ten thou or so we reckon it'll cost us for the wedding, then we'll need a new car each after that AND save to go back to NZ at Christmas 2009!!





I suppose I've thought about this because I needed to get a copy of my Decree Absolute to prove I am free to re-marry. Sat looking at the dates married 22 August 1987 (which coincidentally is Suzie's birthday!!) and divorced Dec 1999. Was I ever happy between those dates? I can't really recall when (without the help of alcohol) I was. Isn't that sad?


Suzie is not having a good weekend - combination of family (of course...)hormones and mummy moments, but I think she is generally happy.

Oh Blow It - WE'RE HAPPY!!!

And so is she....:)

NZ seems a LONG time ago.....

Here's a few more bit's 'n pieces from our away days in New Zealand - before it moves out of our emotional range.


Northlands - A fab place. Forests, rocky ridges, isolated, ancient trees,
historic (in Kiwi terms anyway)paradise coves and outstanding beaches....we're going back!! (I think I may just have said this before...)

We went from Auckland to Tauranga via the Coromandel Peninsula - following the coast road, twisting and turning right against the Pacific Ocean - just had to stop and skim a stone!!

Tauranga


What a place Jack and Denice have - we were asked all over NZ if we would live there - and if Jack and Denice, for no apparent reason said here you are - we'd be gone!!!



Carolyn took us out for a couple of trips - first to Rotorua. One of my 'wow' moments. Remember dad getting us an encyclopedia when i was a lad and reading about this place - and to stand and sniff (well it is called Fartsville for a reason) and to be there !






Wellington, Cook's Straight, Queen Charlotte's Sound ,The South Island and back. (1st August - 11th August) 4000 km in 10 days!!!!

We had a great trip down via the 'Desert Road' - managed to get disorientated in Wellington itself, so found a motel outside the city. Had a great Turkish meal and had our first experience of BYO - Bring Your Own booze, which would have been great if an offie had been open....

For me personally the complete highlight was crossing Cook's Straight and going up the spectacular Queen Charlotte's Sound - again after reading about it from a distance and imagining - the reality was outstanding. If you live there - please don't become blase....

Then it was the whales....And Milford Sound...And Fox Glacier.....and Nelson....And Woodie the Hereford Bull being born..but you'll have to go our photobucket to see these.

Well - would we live there? Suzie would miss her friends and there is a distinct lack of footie, so we would probably have to say not at present BUT what a place to spend an extended amount of time...

ANYWAY - it's Whitby next at Christmas...(keeping the connection going....Cook!)

so - what happened in Kiwi land then?

For anyone who has been reading this (Stephen) I apologise for not keeping our travel log up to date. Considering we've been back nearly two weeks and this is my first attempt to blog - pretty shoddy really.



Been giving this some thought - why, after all my enthusiasm for keeping this up to date, writing a daily (or nearly daily) diary, have i found it hard to keep this up? OK - there were some excuses in NZ - lack of decent/cheap access points at the places we went to (more of them later), but none here at home. All i can find is jet lag, ad perhaps the feeling that by coming on here and writing about our trip it all becomes very much 'in the past' - it's over!



Anyway - I'll drop by over the coming few days and fill in the highlights - we're going back....



I want to catch one of these!!!

90 miles and the Bay of Islands

So far....

Been here a week - well six days, we 'lost ' last Sunday!!! Flight was ok, tried reading Harry Potter, but couldn't get into it at all, so drank the Kiwi wine on offer - think thay'll be quite some of that going on over the next few weeks!! Saw the ice bergs off Greenland, USA was cloudy and LA ...well it makes Victoria Coach Station look good. We arrived to a Beautiful crisp morning, clear skies and frost, Spring was in the air, (I say WAS because right now in Tauranga it's throwing it down).

Monday afternoon we had a quite tour of Auckland, dropped at Deveonport (complete with the Navy) and coaught ferry over harbour to the city centre. Lots of souvenier shops, Asian food outlets (very Chinese - noodle bars etc.) but town is really in it's winter sleep.

Tuesday 24th July Pahia, The Achorage Hotel.

What a lovely spot - room overlooked the bay. Cook was here in 1769. Wandered around, had a pizza and some more ofthat lovely Kiwi wine, early night as up early in the morning.

Wednesday 25th July - BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

Went to Cape Rienga and 90 Mile Beach today on 'The Dunerider' ( http://www.dunerider.co.nz/) - excellent day. Only 10 of us and the driver, Bruce, made it seem like a personalised tour. To paraphrase that ad on tv, "If Carlsburg made a coach tour, this was it"!! First stop was to see the Kauri trees in Puketi Forest, then breakfast. A chase up 90 Mile Beach (which is actually only 64 miles, BUT the Ozzies have one that goes for 80, so hey ho...) Halfway down we stopped to make way for a Blue Penguin tottereing up the beach. All go AH!!

Then we surfed down 100 foot dunes and ended the day with fish 'n chips (fish was bluefin). Knacked - in bed for 8!!

Thursday 26th July. Day 5 – Pahia

Woke up to ANOTHER wonderful morning. We had brekkies in a café called ‘Hansen’s’ – a small piece of the history of the place, their family had come over (sound like a séance!!) with first active settlers 192 years ago as missionaries. Also found out that the road we’d been staying on, “Marsden”, was named after the first vicar – Reverend Marsden.

Caught boat on our trip round the Bay of Islands (as named by James Cook – incidentally the Maori captain of the boat (a lady as Suzie has been pointing out…) called him by his naval rank (Lieutenant) and not as he is more commonly referred to as ‘Captain’, mmmnnn a slight reelection on the fact he NOT commonly liked by our antipodean friends)

Had a text from Stephen – “Glos declared Island Principality and Oxford sailing off towards France…” glad we’re here then!!

At noon (it should be High Noon) we stopped for a break on what has become known as Zane Grey Island as he set up fishing camps after Marlin in the 1920-30’s and began the tourist industry – real name Urupakapuka Island.

Two highlights
Met a pod of bottle nose dolphins - complete with mother and toddler – Suzie EXTREMELEY happy.
Stopped on the spot Cook anchored and named the Bay.

Made our way back to Auckland across the West Coast – we are learning VERY quickly that distances are very deceptive, thought it would take a couple of hours – it took SIX!! (Ok , we stopped at the oldest/widest tree in the world (allegedly) Tanu Mahato, stopped in sub tropical forest and saw a rare Red Topped Parakeet and broke down (AA man appeared, got out tool of trade, hammer and chisel, wellied the engine and off we went again!!).

Impressions
First two full days of our adventure have been outstanding (and we get the feeling that this is going to be a constant thread.) We’ve seen dolphins, a penguin and a Parakeet all in their NATURAL habitat. We’ve seen The Pacific Ocean at it’s clearest and calmest best (ok, a bit chilly, but glorious..). We’ve seen where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and seen the curvature of the earth – at least it seemed like that when looking towards the South Pole3389 km away!! I’ve sat in a boat in the place where Cook arrived in the Endeavour and named the place, traded and generally had a good time! We went through a hole in the rock he named after his mate Percy (First Sea Lord)…what’s next??

Good Morning New Zealand...A quick update on our adventure.

It's been a glorious few days here - seems as if we have been around these parts for more than just the 4 nights.

Flight was uneventful - well for those that have flown more than once in the last 25 years that is. We were in the middle of the middle aisle - so a view wasn't a problem. Saw the ice bergs over Greenland ans the cloud over America. Hint - DON'T do the LA option.

Spent first day at Mariangi Bay - fell asleep on bus and woke up in Torbay WHAT.... made it to aunt's in one piece.

Tuesday we picked up hire car and mosied on up to Pahia in the Northlands - OUTSTANDING. Will write more about the scenery and wildlife later, on a dial up here and we NEED to share our pics to do the trip justice. Suffice to say we've had fun - seen dolphins, a blue penguin AND the rare Red Topped Parakeet.

We're at Suzie's friend's house right now - Carol. Tonight it's out for a meal and another COLD beer- now why do they have to have it SO cold? Lager possibly, but IPA? Now I'm not a CAMRA member, but the flavour disappears, talking of which - Lion Red is the distant cousin of Cameron's Ruby Red Strongarm - coincidence?

That's it till Saturday - enjoy.

And we're off...

Well it's finally arrived after months of planning(and replanning!!) - we're off to Kiwi Land. Everything is nearly tickity boo - just need to tidy up our nest and pack the last few items then it's off to Heathrow and the waiting....

It;s wet everywhere....and we;re nearly off on our hols.

Good morning,


Sat here in wet Whipsnade on the last day of school residential trip. (want to know more - go to http://www.dellfarm.ik.org/ )


Keep getting phone call and e-mails from rellies in NZ telling us all about snow and wind and floods and rough crossing of Cook Straight - what's new!! Feels like we've had all that this week!! Weather forecast for today in Southern England is for TWO MONTHS rain in next 24 hours, and the first month is dropping down now.


Bought a couple of books to keep me company on our adventure (well I know it's not a REAL adventure holiday, no parabungyjumpraftriding thingymejigstuff happening, but it's OUR adventure), The Journal of James Cook and a The Explorations of James Cook. Hope to pick up the new/last Harry Potter at the airport as well.


Suzies very calm about all this, but she has been before - it's all new to me. Everything at home is packed, all we have to do is finsh work today, go out for a beer with Denice and John then it's up tomorrow an at 'em. The next time I get to write in here, we will be in New Zealand!!


Meanwhile, we're off for our "50 Dell Farm Miles" walk with the kids - well it's really about 5 miles through Ashridge Forest and a run up Ivinghoe Beacon - they enjoy it!!

Been a long time....

As it says on the tin, it's been a long time since we lit up the world with our thoughts on here - so for all of you out there who are waiting with baited breath - BOO!!

The Decanter Wars...

I think mine is best BUT Niecey doesn't....




... you choose...I think mine is best, (the dimpled one)...

but as Niecy has pointed out, it has got dust in its crevice. Niecey's is well travelled and referred to as the Beauty of Bengeo -who wishes to travel the world looking after deprived/depraved children and acknowledging Sailors needs (Being a sailors decanter) It must be appreciated that the B of B was brought up in an orphanage -I can bearly type as the tears well up in my eyes... The B of B was recently rescued, following payment of the ransom of £3.00 and is now a much cleaner, healthier and well travelled shapeley decant-her.

As UB40 ( and others) sang...Red Red Wine -:)

It's been a while since the last post (as Debs pointed out!). So what's been occurring in the Wood-Fazey (as we'll be known after August 2008) (or Fazey-Wood) household?

I suppose the answer is not a lot, unless you like gardening, then Suzie's been REALLY busy... well busier than she has been over the past twelve years here. We now have a patch of ( i can't remember the official name at present but they're blue) flowers alongside geraniums and anemone.

ALSO - I've done some DIY - well I put up a bracket for a hanging basket AND IT'S STILL THERE....

Now the 'garden' has been enhanced by a clematis Sue's sister Pam gave here - called Pretty Sue.. well she is XXX

Now - there are loads (isn't that a trite word, if my kids used it I would go ballistic!!) of blogs out there now and i like these;-

• http://cookingcutie.blogspot.com/ cos i like cooking.
• http://cb-jackson.blogspot.com/ cos i agree with (nearly) everything she says.
• http://livelaughlove-millville.blogspot.com/ cos they're, well. real.
• http://lottasplace.blogspot.com/ cos lotta's is more than a bit surreal ( now let's get onto Dali please....)
• http://quotestore.blogspot.com/ cos it's interesting to scan
• http://www.timemachinego.com/ukblogs/ cos it's loads of UK and not the colonial ones...and there's an awful lot of strange ones there as well....

Anyway, sat in the garden with Sophie in the flat above playing her flute, the weather is cooling and life is fine. Time for a song...

Easter and (oh well)...We're not on our way to Wembley....

Been a fairly relaxing Easter hols - (if you discount all the school stuff i should have done :)...

Easter Weekend was spent camping in Weymouth visiting Kids and Grandkids..

hot during the day.. Brrr during the night.... But some great sunsets.....







We did some fishing.. some climbing.... some bar-q-ing...

and some butterfly hunting.....

Oh and we did get stuffed by Man United, but scored a cracking goal, and played our socks off...

Happy Anniversary and Happy Easter....

Significant day last weekend - Suzie and me have been together for 4 years.... and she still likes me!!! Well perhaps not the football fanatic bit but..... We went out to the greek restaurant where we met - that old adage about never going back was distinctly true this time - boring....

Anyway, we're off to Weymouth today for easter, camping. Come on now everybody, fingers crossed for the weather:)

Here's the 'Proud Daddy Bit' !! or how to embarrass your daughter....

This young lady...

has been VERY brave and decided to take herself and

this young lady off to Wrexham to go to Uni. Bit of a life change eh....

And this is what she's going to read... http://www.newi.ac.uk/en/programmesandfees/undergraduate/BScHonsForensicSciencewithCriminalJustice/

Doesn't time fly when you're having fun!!

Just noticed that I haven't written anything or over a month - must have been a busy bee.

Life is moving along sweetly - mostly that is.

• WFC - well we're a dead cert for relegation. Looking forward to getting back to 'proper' football eg. 3 o'clock on a Saturday for a start, no more Premiership hype, decent opposing supporters, fans who are their for Watford, not those who have bought a season ticket because they' want to watch the Premiership opposition. BUT - we're in the semi final of the FA Cup!! We play Manchester United on 14th April...mnnnn. Oh Well let's have a fun day out.
• Hertford are OK - 2nd in league and semi-finals of east anglian cup.

Went to see England U21's at the new Wembley yesterday - great stadium, going to be noisy when filled.

Holiday plans coming along well - even made an itinerary !!!

23rd July Arrive Auckland 0515 -Stay at Aunt Joan’s.

24th /25th Pick up car – drive to Paihia.
Stay at Paihia – Trip on Dunerider. Booked.

26th Back to Auckland.

28th To Tauranga via Rotorua.

Aug 2nd Watch Rugby at Bay of Plenty ‘Steamers’

Aug 3rd Off to South Island via Wellington

4th August Across Cook Straight to Christchurch for
dinner. Then to Dunedin.

5th – 6th - Visit Albatross, Stewart Island.

7th To Queenstown.

8th Milford Sound Coach Trip.

9th Queenstown to Mt Cook Village

10th back to Cook Straight

11th Back to Bay of Plenty via Napier and
Gisbourne,

14th Back to Auckland – visit Carol.

16th Drop off car.
17th Leave……sob sob…

Big Decisions Week,,,,,

Seems that we're taking the bull by the horns, grasping the nettle, (or as Suzie put it - grab it while the irons hot) - (any more cliche's!!) - but the bottom line (see what I've done?) is we've taken the plunge and come up gasping for breath and have decided to get married.... So set your clocks for 3pm 16th August 2008 at Hertford Caslte. http://www.hertford.gov.uk/

Now the fun begins - who can we disappoint the most by not inviting them!!!

There's only room enough for 42 for a sitdown reception, so that's us two plus ....?

Top ten bestest things...

Been doing this on WFC forums - here's mine:-

http://www.wfcforums.com/showthread.php?t=7575&page=6

Suzie.

football per se.

warm(not hot)evening, sat in the sun with cold chablis, chilli wraps and Tubular Bells.

Cold Guinness

A really well cooked Chicken Jalfreizi, with Cobra

The prospect of a really long travelling holiday.

Last day of summer term - waving goodbye to all those little ones who have made me extremely tired over the past 32 weeks.

Rioja - well majority of good red wine.

Sat by Loch Ness with a glass of Glenlivet.

Grandchildren.

Yippee - it's a snowday....

Thank you weatherman - it's our now nearly annual snow-day off.

Lots of expectation by the kids at school all week about how they were going to spend Thursday having fun in the snow, and lo and behold, down it came!! Bit of trepidation waiting for the phone call to say get back into bed, but it came from the luscious Dianne.

So - back to the future - Our Kiwi Land Adventure.

Planning is developing nicely - getting our itinerary up and running, so to speak. Decided to hire a car and sleep in a bed, rather than the camper van we first considered.

So, plan so far:- arrive 23rd, stay in Auckland with Aunt Joan, then immediately decamp (sorry Aunt Joan) and leg it up to Northlands and stay at Paihia for a couple of nights - this is so we can go here for my brthday:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety_Mile_Beach,_New_Zealand

Well - we've done it....

As I said here:-

http://lendal.blogspot.com/2007/01/thoughts-on-start-of-our-new-year.html

We're off to Kiwi Land!

Fly out from Heathrow 21st Jul at 4:15 pm, return on 18th Aug. Planning starts now :)

Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! and OH F****

Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Well, for those of you not 'involved' in supporting a particular team in any kind of sport, that kind of feeling must be hard to find.

We (Watford FC that is for those of you who perhaps haven't followed this little blog over the past couple of years - as an aside, that itself feels strange - am I just scribbling to myself or has anyone EVER looked at this?) have just won our second game of the season, beating Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1.

Amazing - after months of hard luck stories : hitting crossbars, last minute (and even 97th minute!!) penalties and controversial goals - it went our way, Blackburn own goal, gave them one back as we do, then great head in by Jay DeMerit. Felt like aftermath of Cardiff all over again.

Can we stay up - doubt it, but let's have fun and try boys...

OH F****

Another tale of footie = this time Hertford's VALIANT attempt t progress to the prestigious semi-final of the Herts Senior Cup.

Played League 2 team Barnett FC on Monday evening - good game and the boys gave it all ONLY to be done by a couple of poor refereeing decisions in added on time - free kick followed by a penalty.... I'll say no more just read.... http://www.hertfordtownfc.co.uk/barnethome22_1.htm

AND on a side note - Suze's been given her time off, so we ARE off to Kiwi Land in our summer..... better get myself sorted out as far as flying goes then.... :)

A=Z

Taggesd this from http://morgenfiles.blogspot.com/

A- Available or single? Not available. Technically single in the eyes of the law.
B- Best Friend? Suzie...XXX
C- Cake or Pie? Has to be Rich Fruit Cake, eaten with a slice of Wensleydale cheese.
D- Drink of Choice? Winter - probably red wine; Summer iced dry cider.
E- Essential Item? Mobile :-).
F- Favorite Colour? Yellow
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Gummi Worms!
H- Hometown? Bengeo, Hertfordshire.
I- Indulgence? Big Breakfast before footie...yummy.
J- January or February? February, because it's closer to Spring.!
K. Kids and names? Claire & Debbie PLUS Alisha, Malik and Camlin...
L- Life is incomplete without? FOOTBALL
M- Marriage Date? ...err ask Suzie....
N- Number of Siblings? Hi Janice.
O- Oranges or apples? Apples
P- Phobias/Fears? Flying and out of control heights.
Q- Favorite Quote? I'll have to think about this for a while.
R- Reason to Smile? Alisha, Malik and Camlin...
S- Season? Autumn.
T- Tag three people! I'm Billy no mates me...
U- Unknown Fact About Me? If I told you it wouldn't be "unknown"
V-Vegetable you hate? SPROUTS!!!
W- Worst habit? Interupting people.
X- X-Rays you’ve had? Prostrate?
Y- Your favorite food? Depends on the mood, but probably charcoaled steak ('cos I can't have too often!!)
Z- Zodiac? Leo

Good day; Bad day...

Good day...

Generally yesterday was full of the good simple things in our life, nothing ecstatic, just seemed right.

Suzie spent the day with her nephew, Aaron, and took him to Linton Zoo. A more polite and well behaved 9 year old would be hard to find. They wandered around, highlight appearing to be
the lemur
(He's there somewhere - HONEST!!)

And being a typical 9 year old - the play area !!!



Then it was a choice between Big Mac, Burger King or Subway - being a healthy young man, he chose Subway... (as WE all would...err?)

Dropped him back at mum's and, SO IMPRESSED by his impeccable behaviour offered to take to Weymouth camping at Easter - YES was the reply... (by both Mum & Boy!!!)

Meanwhile, I wandered off to Watford to watch The 'Orns against Liverpool. Took Alistair - another well behaved young man. Had a nice, but unfortunately, reasonably unhealthy, breakfast!! Thence to the game.

Bad day....

Really poor performance by the lads, bit of a strange few days all around surrounding WFC - it appears that the boss has changed his coaching staff, whilst trying to fend off offers for our star, Ashley Young. Very lacklustre performance and we were easily beat by a poor Liverpool team. Ah well - let's hope they relax now and enjoy the second half of the season - treat it as a learning and development curve and storm the Championship next year!!

Oh, and back to the good day theme

• both Hertford and Chesham won!!
• Janice and Donie have at last been given a house by Aberdeen council and she's been promoted - well done up there!!!

GOOOD MOORRRNNIIIIINGGG BENGEO....

Up and at 'em today - good night's sleep in our own bed after a couple of spent on cushions & camp bed at Mother's. Sister flew down from Aberdeen last week to spend some time with her (Thanks Janice..um needed a change from me!!!). Prognosis for mother good - she starts radiotherapy here http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/findus/churchill.aspx at end of month. Until then we have a bit of respite and can relax at home for a while.

Weekend was fun - Hertford rained off, so wandered over to Watford to watch our second win of the season in open play (don't count Accrington Stanley!!). A good performance against a team that played really well - onwards and upwards,,, http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10400,00.html.

Out for a meal with Janice & Mum - yummy.

Sunday - off to see grandchildren. Good time had by all!!!

Getting the big boy into the right colours.... :)

Thoughts on the start of our new year....

What do I/we expect from this year?

• Biggest project by far is our proposed trip to New Zealand in August. Hope to visit Sue's Uncle Jack at Tauranga Bay. He runs a farm there and she went a couple of years ago with her mum. My Aunt lives in Auckland, as does Suzie's friend Carol, so lot's of reasons to go. Reason not to go is FLYING.... Going to have to swallow my fears and go for it. BUT if we are going to spend 24 hours in a plane - one of the end results MUST be to see one of these...

So we'll go here then... http://www.albatross.org.nz/ . The Royal Albatross Colony is located at Taiaroa Head at the tip of the Otago Peninsula . Looking into travelling around the south island in a camper. WE KNOW - IT'S GOING TO BE WINTER!! But if it's too cold, we'll just have to B & B.

• Second hol to look forward is our Spring Holiday at Painton (bit different NZ!!). We're going to stay on a LARGE caravan with the children and grandchildren - should be chaotic and fun.

• Mother's 80 next December, so we'll have to start thinking about how to celebrate this. As I KNOW she won't be looking at this (she burnt out the SIM on her mobile, so Blogs are well out of her range!!) we'll put ideas on here as we think of them - first being trying to get us all together for next Crimble at Whitby.

• Football wise, If Aidy Boothroyd keeps us in the Premiership, it will go down as one of THE great escapes in football history!! We are bottom with 18 games to go and 10 points adrift from safety. HOWEVER, despondancy is not the name of the game here, as the team he is appearing to put together is hopefully going to be a bit exciting no matter which division we're in - should be fun.
• (Good reading here http://bhappy.wordpress.com/2007/01/02/reasons-to-be-cheerful/ )

• As for Hertford, going to see them today, and they are a bit of fun to watch as well at present scoring goals for fun, two players with over 30 each!!

Happy New Year...(only a little late:-) )

Had an intersting holiday - lot's of German Wine and Beer; a few old favourites food wise.
Best moments?

• Frikadellen in the HBF at Koln....

The Rhine in the early morning...

• Meeting strange locals - Hello Wilhelm...


• Seeing The Loreley - from above.. and below...


• The Gluvine in the cafe by the arch in Cocham...


• The Hot Chocolate and Asbach in Ruedesheim - mmmmnnnnnnn....


• The trip down The Rhine...
  


• And drinking LOTS of the local wine - hic...