Daily Pic

Spent the weekend at mother's (hence no Friday stuff - no Internet)...went fishing seriously for the first time in what must be 10 years. A bit of a pilgrimage really, went to Tring on the Grand Union Canal. Earliest memories of fishing here are with dad. We used to tie the rods to our bikes and peddle the 10 or so miles there. Flask of tea and cheese sandwiches (because you could use the bread or the cheese as bait!!). Remember breaking the ice at times. A different era - there were still working canal barges around then.

Anyway - I think I found the only part of the canal that was in total shade, so when the sun came out, I was still shivering in the wind,but I caught a beautiful roach with gorgeous red fins. For warmth I moved to a place called Buckland along the Aylesbury Arm of the canal.

Warmer, but a tad noisier than I remembered it as they've built a great big by pass through the quiet fields - *****'s.

Anyway - I caught my personal best Perch in this beautiful spot...

.

daily pic...

Going back in time again - here's Mother from 1944...

pic of the day...

For all (any?) of you football (soccer) fans of a bygone era, when you could actually tackle and the opposition player wouldn't just fall over and die....Ron 'Chopper' Harris, who played nearly 800 games for Chelsea from 1961 till the 1980's, at Hertford Town's end of season awards night.

daily pic...

Our courtyard in the evening sun...

daily pic...

Going to keep a blog of these little things - my FIRST EVER attempt to grow trailing tomatoes, looking forward to trying the produce.

Potted them Wednesday - a couple of little yellow buds already appearing - things look good!!

Friday Fill - In.

1. The tea this morning had an extra secret ingredient; it was calcium via our exceedingly hard water!
2. Look - the bloody cat's trying to climb in through my window.
3. Right now, I need a hay fever tablet.
4.Badminton with friends is where I went Thursday night; it was fun, but knackering.
5. Why does deep thought hurt so much?
6. All I can think of is the sun on our faces this week - it's been really energising.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a warm spring evening, sat in our chairs outside sipping cold Marlborough Chardonnay, tomorrow my plans includean end-of-season awards evening with Hertford Town and Sunday, I want to watch The Hornets win our first leg play game against Hull City!

Pic of the day....

going back again.....

A lovely sandy beach in the Orkney's taken a couple of summers ago - a FIVE THOUSAND YEAR OLD SCENE - Skara Brae...WOW

Another Bank Holiday Goes By(e)...Get it!!!

Had a lazy day yesterday, wandered down to our first Car Boot of the spring. Nice wander around, picked up a couple of CD's. Then, back home for an afternoon in the sun!!

Finished off the anti cat pots and even got out the tool kit to hammer a couple of nails in....DIY yuk.

Plus Watford manages to SCRAPE into the football league play offs by a goal difference of 1!! So it's home and away against Hull for the chance to play at Wembley and a crack at the Premiership again...

Daily Pic

It's early again...must be my age!! Sat watching a Fishing program on TV, been getting the itch to fish again lately and took first steps yesterday by looking at this place, which is literally a couple of fields away from us.

Just got to check out the tackle situation, i.e. get some rods and off we go!!

Anyway, today's pic is very normal - our handy work in the WAR against the cats in the courtyard crapping in our little plot.

Friday Fill-In

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are grapes and errr more grapes!

2. Living in a civilised society often amazes me.

3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is rapidly becoming a sleek, mean eating machine.

4. Grab a twirl, add a twist and an earthquake, mix it all together and voila! You have me, the other Friday after our wine and quiz night!.

5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow proper radishes!

6. Water is best au naturel.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the gym, a wine or two and food, tomorrow my plans include nothing more interesting than a haircut and Sunday, I want to pray for a Watford win away at Blackpool!


and for my daily pic I'm going back a bit....


My dad in the Royal Navy 1944....

Today's photo...up the swanney....

Kids just adore this in the play area....

Friday Fill- In (I know it's Wednesday, don't be picky...)

Haven't done this for a while....

1. When I fell in love she sat on my lap...!

2. Can't wait for.... when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!

3. Oh no! The Internet connection is down, I'll have to read a book, something.

4. Q (Spike Milligan) is the craziest TV show ever.

5. Cheese and piccalilli in fresh baked white bread make a great meal!

6. The cat's have been ***** in (our) a garden.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! I;ll skip this one and wait till Friday - but tonight I'm looking forward to the gym and then Chelsea v Liverpool on TV

Blossom

Here's the first photo-blog pic then -

It's a tree that's just come alive outside our classes - makes the day a bit brighter in this drab spring weather.

Good morning all.

For some reason awake bloody early, so wash, shave and a cup of tea and sat here surfing away through other peoples lives on the random blog changer!!

Haven't been to this one for a while, but it's quite reassuring that there really are some quite normal people in the 'Good Old USA' !! http://livelaughlove-millville.blogspot.com/

I'm going to blatantly steal the idea stolen by http://angelsonnn.blogspot.com/ of a daily photo blog - especially as I now have ANEWPHONE !!

Been going the gym regularly again since January - definitely feeling the benefit now; weight slowly going down, tummy still very visible though, a few aches and pains as the creaking bones creak a bit more!! Started to go again as my lower back was aching far too much - still does, but in twinges, rather than the constant ache that was there. Suzie is coming as well now - aiming to get that size smaller wedding dress!!

Ah, well, better finish cup of tea, put on tie and wander off to school - I like today, it's my every other Wednesday when I have non-contact time ALL morning, which usually means nothing much done of my own as I'm grabbed to do the boysie tech stuff around the school - like yesterday; 'my projector won't work' - it did when I turned the plug on....

Been a busy boy...

Our anti cat campaign carries on at speed!!! Must have spent a small fortune last year on pills, spray and potions - now it's gravel and pots!!!

Who's been a dirty girl then?

Had a good day - Suzie's been a busy bee trying to outwit all the cats around here, and I've a new phone... This one!!

It's been a while....again, but there and then, no one reads this anyway...

It's Friday, it's nearly May and at last we've had a modicum of reasonable weather (with some dirty showers thrown in of course, can't expect anything else!!).

So, what's gone down in the world of the Fazey-Wood since I last spoke?

Work wise, Suzie's been on the up after her mid life crisis of the winter!! We've had an OFSTED at school that's left everyone with a very deflated feeling - not that we were bad, but just they came, sauntered around and vanished after finding the most irritating of points to score against us with what has appeared to me (being just a minion) little or no explanation!!

Never mind, we finished the week with a wine and quiz party to raise funds for the Friends of the school .... which meant last Saturday was a bit of a fuzz!!

I've started wearing a suit and other 'smart' attire - just to confuse everybody and get them to believe I might be good at my job:-)

Family wise we're all doing fine, aren't you Debs and Claire?

Had a good Easter - went to West Fleet for our now traditional camping visit with Suzie's wonderful nephew Aaron ...

fun fishing....(no WE didn't catch anything)

- brrrrrr and windy! Quite comfortable - although we did have to buy a smaller tent as our usual one decided it wanted to be a parachute in the wind...(the sleeping bag AND quilt kept us warm. What a new toilet block there - underfloor heating in FULL bathrooms!

Sunset at West Fleet - Suzie's work...

I'm going to make the effort to fill in this at least weekly...just read a book by a Tory (rich geezer!) politician from late 19th early 20th century - Herbert Maxwell. Whilst very bland in itself , he makes the point that we can all leave a footprint in the sand for those who follow can look at. (A bit deep for this time of the day - It's 6 something here in sunny Bengeo).

Must get back to the Friday stuff as well...

Hello again...(to quote Lionel Ritchie)

HIYA DEBS, we're back!

What have we done since the last post?

• Had a great Christmas in Whitby....yummy kippers, crap beer!!



• Didn't go to poland....money needed for a wedding.



• Saw a grand birthday party for a roaring 3 year old.



• Saw a young lady ride her bike by herslef for the first time - NO STABALISERS...bet we can all remember that event in our own lives. Here I am

One grand day I had out during Feb was a walk around 'Pepys's City' - lot's of sights, food and ale!!

Look here for details - cracking little wander around. I'm going to do the Westminster walk over the Easter holiday - seems to blend in well with my Boswell fixation as well, so it'll be more food and beer then (The Cheshire Cheese begs another visit ....)

We're off for an evening out - staying at the Hilton, Watford, and going to a BBC Big Band dance.

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…