It's Our Theatre, etc.

On Tuesday 22nd Feb, Alysha joined an after school group called, “It’s our theatre”. They were using the school facilities for four nights to teach, whoever was interested, dance, graffiti, rap, etc. All for free. It gave Alysha some different skills to compliment her existing dance steps, which she had learned at Moonglow. On Friday (26th), the group put on a ‘Slam Night’, where family and friends were invited along to see a two-hour show of dance, rap, art, graffiti, etc. I went along with my Mum, to see what Alysha had learnt. Some of the kids had been to all three nights (like Alysha), while others had only been to one or two. The kids were brilliant! A few nerves crept in to a few of them and the odd mistake occurred, but it did not stop them. Every single kid had fun and you could just tell how much enjoyment they had. Of course, Alysha was superb and I have uploaded two videos to my site. Have a look and leave a comment if you wish.

 

On Saturday 27th, Alysha went to her Moonglow dance class and Emma and I went in to Watford to get some last minute bits and pieces for Alysha to take to Spain. We met up with our friend Deano, who came back to our house for lunch. Once Alysha had returned from dance, she ate and packed her things so that she could stay at Nannie’s for the night. Once Alysha headed off, Emma, Deano and I headed to the Oddfellows pub, to watch the rugby, with more friends. (England v Ireland). A good, close match with Ireland coming out the eventual, and deserved, winners! We left there with some more friends and headed home to listen to some music and have a few more drinks. Deano ended up crashing on the sofa!

 

On Tuesday 30th, I started to feel a little unwell, and came down with a cold, so I have been feeling very tired when I got in from work all this week.

As of today the cold seems to have dissipated and I am looking forward to the weekend.

 

On Saturday, I am going for a stroll with Swany, then out for a few drinks in the afternoon for my friend Colin’s Birthday.

 

On Sunday, Alysha has to be at school for 07:00 for the start of her week long trip to Spain, and then at 15:30 it is off to ‘The Horns’, Watford, to watch Five Fold Kiss!

 

So it should be a great weekend, and I shall keep you all informed!

 

May it be well with you.

 

 

P.S.

My Chilli's are doing really well and I shall be uploading some more pics soon.

Saracen's, 6 Nations & Five Fold Kiss

Saturday 13th February was a long day.

We were all up early for the day ahead. Alysha got up and headed to the shops to get the newspapers for Nan and Grandad and came straight back. I was up listening to music and was rearing to go. Emma had a little lie in before getting up and getting ready. Once breakfast and coffee were downed, we all wrapped up warm and left for a short walk to Watford Metropolitan Station. On the way Alysha dropped her overnight bag in to my mum's, to save time later, and we continued on our way. We also passed the old Fire Station on Rickmansworth Road, or rather the rubble that was the Fire Station. It has been completely flattened so I took a pic.

The journey from Watford to Wembley took nearly thirty minutes, which gave us a chance to warm up, before the three hours or so sitting in Wembley Stadium.

On arrival at Wembley we were walking down the road, discussing where we were going to eat lunch, when we were spotted by Mum, Sue and Charlie. They had left a lot earlier than us and were just finishing their lunch when they spotted us through the window. So, we decided to eat there. Lamd Doner Burger, chips and coffe for me. Quarter Pounder, Chips and Cappuccino for Alysha and a Cheese and Mushroom Omelette and coffee for Emma. Mum and her crew left the diner to take some more pics and have a wander, while we finished lunch.

Then we headed for the stadium. Our seats were perfect, (closer than mum and her crew who were about 20 rows behind us up another tier) so we sat down and waited for the entertainment to start.

At about 14:15 'Chipmunk' started the music off with a 10 minute set. Maybe I am getting old, but I didn't think he was all that. Once he had finished his set, he was followed by 'The Saturdays', who also did a 10 minute set. While they were singing, 'Chipmunk' was escorted from the building by the Sarcens Sensations. Then just before kick-off, Sarrie, the Saracens mascot, made his entrance on the back of a Harley-Davidson, followed by 'The Hogfather' and his biker gang. What an entrance!

The rugby was good with the Saracens eventually beating the Worcester Warriors, 25-20!

During the match friends had been keeping me updated in the RBS 6 Nations Tournament. Emma was pleased when I informed her that Wales had come from behind to score a try in the dying seconds to win the match against Scotland, 31-24!

On the way back to the train station my friends kept informing me of the second of the 6 Nations matches that day. Unfortunately Ireland appeared to have fallen asleep and were soundly by beaten by the French. Not impressed, boys! 33-10 to France! Unbelievable!

We all travelled back together on the train, except for Charlie who was going to see Eric Clapton at the O2 arena.

Once back in Watford, Mum and Alysha headed home while Emma and I got some shopping. Once at home, food was quickly cooked and eaten, before we got changed and headed in to Watford.

We got to O'Neill's for nine O'clock, only to find the band, Five Fold Kiss, wouldn't be on til 22:30!!!

Oh, well. We killed time drinking and talking until the band were ready and our friend Len turned up. Then the entire place erupted! I have never seen O'Neill's that busy on a band night before. Five Fold Kiss were at their very best and had the audience jumping, dancing, clapping and cheering! It truly was a great night and I have uploaded some of the Photo's.

I can't wait until the 7th March when Five Fold Kiss, Rock The Horns!!!!

May it be well with you,

A Busy few days

It has been a while since my last blog and a lot has happened.

It all started about two weeks ago, when I started to feel tired and exhausted with a headache I couldn't shift. This resulted with me going to the Doc's and an appointment made to have blood taken. I couldn't have blood taken on the day I saw the Doctor, as I had to fast for 12 hours. (That nearly killed me!) Anyway, bloods were taken on the Monday and another appointment made to see the Doctor again on the 29th. (Should be interesting.)

Last Sunday, (17th), I went for a stroll and to get some fresh air. Near my house is a cycle track called 'Ebury Way'. This track goes from Rickmansworth to Watford and goes past Lakes, Croxley Common Moor, Lairage Land and Local Nature Reserves. From the 'Ebury Way' you can see a pillbox in a field that has stood there since the 1940's. As a kid it was always a great place to hang out and explore. In all the years that I had visited it since, I had never taken any photo's of it, so this time I did. On returning home, I decided to find out more about the pillbox.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a site that dealt specifically with pillboxes, and was part of the 'Archaeological Data Service'. How accurate would that be?! Not very, actually.

The pillbox near my house, (Pillbox Type FW3/27: S0000558) had supposedly been removed, in 1995. Oops. Slight error in the data, I believe. So, I sent an email explaining their mistake and could they rectify it asap, please?! (Still, no reply!)

I have since decided it might be worth me visiting as many of the pillbox sites in my area, to get as many pictures as I can, and also to check them against the'Archaeological Data Service' database, to see if any other, still standing, pillboxes have been removed.

Monday night, (18th), started with a trip to the 'Horns' pub, to see a couple of bands.

'Seize the Chair' & 'Smugglers Run'. 'Seize the Chair' are a new band, and had only been together for a couple of months, but were tight and had a good stage presence. 'Smugglers Run' have been around for a while, and did not disappoint. Fantastic Music and the fans were kept happy. Will definitely be seeing them again and would urge anyone, who likes up-and-coming bands, to see them. 

For the rest of the week I was working at St. Albans City Hospital, covering for a colleague while they were on holiday. I hadn't worked at St. Albans City Hospital in nearly a year, and it was good to see so many old faces. (And some new ones.) Unbelievably, some people had even missed me! Anyway, it took a few days to sort out a few problems with stock shortages, replacement items and alternatives, but I managed it. I hope I will be going back there again soon, as it is a nice place to work, and it is one of the few places, that I know, where everyone is genuine and pleased to see you. From cleaners to nurses and porters to management and everyone in-between, everyone says, 'Hello.' 

I will blog again soon, and hopefully won't leave it as long.

Until then,

May it be well with you.

New Year, 2009

Well the New Year is here.

A busy day at work was followed by a quick trip to 'The Oddfellows' for a drink, before heading home. Alysha was packing some clothes as she was having a sleepover at her friend, Nicole's. She left at around 5:30 and I chilled out until Emma got in. After Emma had got changed we went to 'The Oddfellows' to see friends and have a quick drink. The pub wasn't too busy and Steph, her sister and mum were doing a Disco. We saw lots of friends, and wished them all a Happy New Year, before heading home. Got back just after 11:30 and watched the Fireworks in London on BBC1. Then I watched the last episode of 'Breaking Bad' before going to bed. Emma was up early as she is working all day today.

I got up at around 10 and decided to go for a walk down 'Ebury Way'. I didn't get far as it was freezing, so I turned off and went to the shop before going home to have a lovely cup of coffee and warm up. Alysha came back just after 1:00, with Nicole. The girls played on the PC and practised a dance routine. Nicole's mum arrived to pick up Nicole at 5:30 and now Alysha and me are just chillaxin'.

Happy New Year everyone and may it be well with you.

Back to Work

After the Christmas festivities, I wasn't much looking forward to going back to work, today. Pretty much as soon as I got there I wanted to be anywhere else. We were three people down, due to Annual Leave and covering other Hospital sites, so it was busy. Three hours just to get A+E back to as it should be, after the Holiday weekend, then it was off to the other departments. Stock to be put-away and then counted. 16:30 seemed a long time coming. I stopped for a coffee just after noon and met up with Swany. He has most of this week off, and isn't due back to work until Friday. I finish on Thursday so I will be celebrating the New Year.

Once I did manage to get home I decided to play around with my website. I hope you like the changes. I think it looks a lot neater and brighter.

Anyway, things to do, so I shall speak with you all later.

May it be well with you.

Boxing Day Weekend, 2009

Well... Boxing Day was Fantastic!

Just a few friends coming in and out throughout the day. Music playing and beer flowing, and enough food to feed an army.

Steve B had been with us since Christmas Day night and was staying Boxing Day night, too. Tracy and the kids arrived about 2, but had to go to their friends for dinner, later in the evening. (The kids didn't want to leave the party, naturally.)

Len turned up about 4 and stayed until very late. (Party didn't finish til nearly 3 am.)

Swany and Pete got there about 7ish, shortly followed by Ducey, Deano and Sarah.

That is when the party really started. Then a call from Tracy saying that the kids wanted to come back, and would it be okay for her friend Diane to come with her kids. The answer was, yes. (More the merrier, as far as I am concerned.)

Lots of people enjoying a great Boxing Day. Fantastic!

The usual chaos ensued when it was decided it would be a good idea to try and make some Chinese style lanterns using tea-lights and a space blanket. Talk about competitive. None of them flew, (Most ended up in flames) but it was fun.

To say my friends are tidy is an understatement. Just a few crumbs to clear up next morning. Cans and bottles were automatically put into their respective recycling boxes by everyone, so Sunday morning (12 noon when we all surfaced) there was very little to be done.

The day was spent just Chillaxin' on the sofa or the PC. Steve B headed off about 4ish and we just chilled watching rubbish on the TV, and an early night.

I hope everyone else's Christmas Holiday was as good as ours.

Christmas, 2009

Well what a great few days.

I finished work at 3 on Christmas Eve and was met by Emma and Alysha. We headed straight to The Oddfellows to see some friends, and a few beers. The place was crammed and we got to see lots of friends, and have a Christmas drink (or five) before heading home.

Christmas morning was the usual: Me awake at 6 and Alysha up by 7:30. Emma was up at 8 and then it was coffee and presents. To say I got exactly what I wanted was an understatement. Lots of Star Trek goodies, Chocolate, three bottles of Whiskey, tops, etc. Alysha got everything she had asked for, plus a lot more, and Emma was happy too.

At 10 we headed off to my nan's house to see my Mum, Nan, Grandad and uncle Martin.

Lots of sausage rolls were eatenm as per usual, and more presents given and received.

Even more Star Trek goodies and an Iron Maiden t-shirt. Fanatstic!

Then it was home for the dinner. This year we had decided on Steak, and I had the biggest Irish Beef Steak I had ever seen. It was cooked to perfection by Emma, who scared it with the pan. This was served with onions and mushrooms and Tiger Bread. The girls had Bucks Fizz with their dinner while I had Guinness.

After dinner Alysha played her new games on her DS and Emma and I chilled out.

Alysha decided to head off to my Mum's for tea at 5ish and Emma and I watched the usual rubbish on the TV. Then our friend Len turned up at 7:30 for a drink and stayed for a couple of hours, and then our friend Steve B arrived. Steve had been to see his family and was going to have trouble getting home, due to lack of Public transport, so we had said that he could stay in the spare room.

And that brings us to today (Boxing Day). We are all up, (Although Alysha hasn't really surfaced yet) and drinking coffee. We are expecting a few more friends around today, for the usual open house party. Food, beer and good friends.

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas everyone.