I've sent you a letter which should arrive around 5th Jan. by registered post. It's a request, but please if you don't feel up to it, don't worry. Just give me a call when you have received the letter.
Love Nic
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Letter to Dad
Hi Dad, we will be thinking about you both and praying for you, for your comfort and faith during this difficult time.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
I think the pain is in Steve's right shoulder, but it hurts whichever one. He came over to see us yesterday and kindly bought us a digital photo-frame, which i will spend this morning trying to make work. It should not be beyond me but it IS sunday and I have always believed that Sunday is a poor day to be doing technical things as shops are shut.
Thank you for a lovely blog, Ruth. We are so glad you had such a happy Christmas. We all wish you well in your plans for our new granchild (Boy or Girl??)
Today's lesson from Ecclesiastes is a heart wrench, about father's getting old. Mum is also getting old and can do with all your prayers as she approaches her big test on 12th January. I am very worried at the results of her colonoscopy, as I am sure she is also. We don't talk about the possibilities as I do not want to distress her too much. Love to you all from us old wrecks. Dad and Mum
Thank you for a lovely blog, Ruth. We are so glad you had such a happy Christmas. We all wish you well in your plans for our new granchild (Boy or Girl??)
Today's lesson from Ecclesiastes is a heart wrench, about father's getting old. Mum is also getting old and can do with all your prayers as she approaches her big test on 12th January. I am very worried at the results of her colonoscopy, as I am sure she is also. We don't talk about the possibilities as I do not want to distress her too much. Love to you all from us old wrecks. Dad and Mum
Saturday, December 29, 2007
happy partying as they say
it was good to hear that y'all in oxfordshire got together.
we tried to call you hugh and margaret, but didn't have much luck. anyway had a lovely chat with steve and a cool video thingy with nic and jen. it was great to see them moving around their apartment in shorts!
we had a really lovely christmas. we have to admit that last year we felt a bit sad, and that sadness led to our acknowledgement that we still sorely wanted a family. this year things are looking a bit different as we have our agreement and are just sending off our dossier to mali!
one of my closest friends jane who, inspired by us, has decided to adopt as a single parent (she had a child who tragically died with her previous partner)has shocked us by telling us that even the home study in england costs £5000, then you are looking at another £15,000 for an international adoption wheras here it is free. so, despite quite an unexpectedly elevated social charges bill last week, we are feeling quite thrilled to be this far down the line without even having spent a penny on the process.
we have had a lovely few days in which, despite our problems with poo systems and the like we managed to relax: two gorgeous days of shopping in les halles and feasting and cooking and drinking and scrabbulousing and talking to friends and family, then a fabulous party at our friends' hugo and kate who run a very lovely vineyard, with all their leftovers - the bread and cranberry sauce and turkey julian always craves plus christmas pud ice cream and silly games and carols.julian says to tell you CP30 was there ( i don't know what he's talking about but if you're a trekkie you will) the day after tomorrow my other closest friend sally arrives with her family so we will have some kiddies around which will be nice.
i am off to paris on the 3rd and will be away for almost 10 weeks on and off. i am not looking forward to being away but the projects are very rewarding. don giovanni doing continuo and an opera by lully with emanuelle haim.
meanwhile, people of the african adoption forum are journeying to bamako to pick up their little malian angel. one day hopefully that will be us. get your last minute words in quick as i am trying to get the dossier together before i go to paris!
we wish you all so much joy and good health, and hugh and margaret in particular. we wish you all the best with your up-coming hospital appointments. i am sure it will all go well, but it must be so nerve wracking for you both. we are always here for you if you want to talk through your fears.
love and a very happy 2008 to you all in merrow-smith land.
We will soon be entering 2008.
We hope you all had a lovely time over Christmas time. We certainly did, thanks to Pete and family,
On Christmas Eve, Pete rang to say why don't you come over for a day or two and just after Cathy's lovely present of a colourful bunch of flowers arrived from the Banbury flower shop, we managed to unpack them and put them in water and hid them away from the heat in the shower room. We packed things into plastic bags and were on our way - a record packing up for us both. Luckily for us the M 40 was fairly empty and we were soon in Bledlow.
We spent four days with Pete, Jan, and the three girls. Jess and Beth gave up their bedroom for us and we were very grateful. Jan and Pete were so helpfull and loving, and gave us such a huge welcome that we were told to do nothing and just sit and rest. This we did quite well and only moved to eat some of Pete's marvellous cooking. We accompanied the family to the Church in Chinnor High Street and had a visit from Judy and Stanley in the afternoon, after turkey lunch. It was a lovely time for us all.
We had plenty of things to do and watched quite a bit of tv screen - some programmes and some DVDs and one evening we played a board game which caused much merriment. On our anniversary morning we went for a walk past Harry Enfield's house, where he was fixing up bicycles for his two children. They later passed us on their bikes. Pete's other neighbours live a few yards further on (Fiona and Will Austin with their three children} and we were invited in for mince pies and coffee. It was like a Hunt Meet only with bicycles. H/E seems to be a normal family man for all his loadsamunny. He seems to have plenty as his house next door to Pete is quite a big old rambling farmhouse.
Jess had had an invite from a friend at School who asked her to join with her and her family for a birthday visit to London to see Phantom, so she and jan had been shopping in Aylesbury to buy some new boots and othe clobber. She looked lovely just as we were leaving to return to KS. We hope she enjoyed the experience!
We got home in due course and back to our own bed. It was all great fun and we were entreated to stay, but we had things to do at home. We needed to replenish our pills stocks as holiday time still made things awkward for doctor's prescriptions.
So off we went to Brackley to deposit our repeat forms. We also popped into Tesco for some bananas and grapes.
Steve has been to see us today and he had spent a very quiet Christmas as he has not only been unwell ?Flu but his right shoulder has been causing him some grief. (actually he has had this trouble for a month or two, but it always hurts bad at a time when you don't want it)
We only have a few days before our hospital visits - me to Oxford JR2 on 7th and Mum to Horton, Banbury on 12th - so we are both getting a bit nervous. Think of us. Love from Dad (and MUM)
On Christmas Eve, Pete rang to say why don't you come over for a day or two and just after Cathy's lovely present of a colourful bunch of flowers arrived from the Banbury flower shop, we managed to unpack them and put them in water and hid them away from the heat in the shower room. We packed things into plastic bags and were on our way - a record packing up for us both. Luckily for us the M 40 was fairly empty and we were soon in Bledlow.
We spent four days with Pete, Jan, and the three girls. Jess and Beth gave up their bedroom for us and we were very grateful. Jan and Pete were so helpfull and loving, and gave us such a huge welcome that we were told to do nothing and just sit and rest. This we did quite well and only moved to eat some of Pete's marvellous cooking. We accompanied the family to the Church in Chinnor High Street and had a visit from Judy and Stanley in the afternoon, after turkey lunch. It was a lovely time for us all.
We had plenty of things to do and watched quite a bit of tv screen - some programmes and some DVDs and one evening we played a board game which caused much merriment. On our anniversary morning we went for a walk past Harry Enfield's house, where he was fixing up bicycles for his two children. They later passed us on their bikes. Pete's other neighbours live a few yards further on (Fiona and Will Austin with their three children} and we were invited in for mince pies and coffee. It was like a Hunt Meet only with bicycles. H/E seems to be a normal family man for all his loadsamunny. He seems to have plenty as his house next door to Pete is quite a big old rambling farmhouse.
Jess had had an invite from a friend at School who asked her to join with her and her family for a birthday visit to London to see Phantom, so she and jan had been shopping in Aylesbury to buy some new boots and othe clobber. She looked lovely just as we were leaving to return to KS. We hope she enjoyed the experience!
We got home in due course and back to our own bed. It was all great fun and we were entreated to stay, but we had things to do at home. We needed to replenish our pills stocks as holiday time still made things awkward for doctor's prescriptions.
So off we went to Brackley to deposit our repeat forms. We also popped into Tesco for some bananas and grapes.
Steve has been to see us today and he had spent a very quiet Christmas as he has not only been unwell ?Flu but his right shoulder has been causing him some grief. (actually he has had this trouble for a month or two, but it always hurts bad at a time when you don't want it)
We only have a few days before our hospital visits - me to Oxford JR2 on 7th and Mum to Horton, Banbury on 12th - so we are both getting a bit nervous. Think of us. Love from Dad (and MUM)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Here's an update on our Christmas and New Years. We went back to work on Thursday, should have been Wednesday but my boss generously gave us all the day off. I'm putting up this post from the comfort of my office.
So surprisingly, I followed the age old tradition of Boxing Day and got in a game of golf, (without the frosty shoes rubber shoes mountaineering socks, thermal under ware, corduroys, sweater, woolen jumper, waterproofs, woolly hat, mittens and hand warmers within and the yellow or orange golf ball you can still see on the frosty ground). Really folks I used to dress like that and play over the winter in England. We would have a Turkey Trot before Christmas and on Boxing Day the tradition is to play the course backwards. At Ivinghoe I think that's from the 1st Tee to the 8th Green, from the 9th Tee to the 7th Green, from the 8th Tee to the 6th Green etc. Well I played like I was wearing all those clothes but that's another story. I christened my new putter Jen gave me for Christmas and carried around my new golf umbrella just for looks. Dave, the guy I was playing with, wore a Santa Claus hat for the first few holes but a fresh UK import, 33 degrees C and the hat combined were too much for him. I've also been playing golf with Daniel and Claire but they are still of the opinion they must both win, so next time out they will be teaming up to beat me, so perhaps I'II be the one shedding tears.
I spoke to Peter, Janet, Amy, Beth and I think Jessica last night via skype, Mum and DAd were there too so were able to contribute. My family were around, jumping in and out of view. Steve, you'll be pleased to know Peter also got the Optimus Prime work over.
Christmas Day was a jolly affair. Lunch started at about 12.15. There was an array of food fit for a visit from from the Queen. Included fresh prawns with mayo, turkey (beautifully roasted by my brother-in-law Koon Hou) two choices of ham, turkey gravy, roast sweet and regular potatoes, brussel sprouts, broccili, noodles (for long life) and this Nonya dish which is very popular and has veggy and seafood in crispy edible cup. That lot was washed down with some Krug, a light Bordeaux and mince pies and fruit followed, with a wonderful Aussi dessert wine which was very popular.
This was all over at my in-laws. There was quite a crowd and the star was 96 yr old grandma Peck. Also Aunt Mary, Uncle Warren, two lady guests from Indonesia and a gentleman from Malaysia, Ivy, Bobby, our 4, Lee Hwei, Koon Hou, Esther and Joshua, Ming Hwei, Francis, James (3) and baby Grace (1), Koon Hou's Mother and Father and Brother, Auntie Ah Hah and two helpers. So quite a crowd. Presents had been opened earlier in the day. I had a walk after lunch and we stayed for tea.
So, I've been able to talk to everyone this year and apart from Cathy and her crowd, you've all been able to see us. Don't know what the new year has in store for us, but it could be an interesting year ahead. Enjoy the rest of your festive season and I look forward to having regular head to heads with you all of a Sunday (around 12 noon to 2 pm GMT).
Take Care, Nic, Jen (post some photos Jen), Claire and Daniel
So surprisingly, I followed the age old tradition of Boxing Day and got in a game of golf, (without the frosty shoes rubber shoes mountaineering socks, thermal under ware, corduroys, sweater, woolen jumper, waterproofs, woolly hat, mittens and hand warmers within and the yellow or orange golf ball you can still see on the frosty ground). Really folks I used to dress like that and play over the winter in England. We would have a Turkey Trot before Christmas and on Boxing Day the tradition is to play the course backwards. At Ivinghoe I think that's from the 1st Tee to the 8th Green, from the 9th Tee to the 7th Green, from the 8th Tee to the 6th Green etc. Well I played like I was wearing all those clothes but that's another story. I christened my new putter Jen gave me for Christmas and carried around my new golf umbrella just for looks. Dave, the guy I was playing with, wore a Santa Claus hat for the first few holes but a fresh UK import, 33 degrees C and the hat combined were too much for him. I've also been playing golf with Daniel and Claire but they are still of the opinion they must both win, so next time out they will be teaming up to beat me, so perhaps I'II be the one shedding tears.
I spoke to Peter, Janet, Amy, Beth and I think Jessica last night via skype, Mum and DAd were there too so were able to contribute. My family were around, jumping in and out of view. Steve, you'll be pleased to know Peter also got the Optimus Prime work over.
Christmas Day was a jolly affair. Lunch started at about 12.15. There was an array of food fit for a visit from from the Queen. Included fresh prawns with mayo, turkey (beautifully roasted by my brother-in-law Koon Hou) two choices of ham, turkey gravy, roast sweet and regular potatoes, brussel sprouts, broccili, noodles (for long life) and this Nonya dish which is very popular and has veggy and seafood in crispy edible cup. That lot was washed down with some Krug, a light Bordeaux and mince pies and fruit followed, with a wonderful Aussi dessert wine which was very popular.
This was all over at my in-laws. There was quite a crowd and the star was 96 yr old grandma Peck. Also Aunt Mary, Uncle Warren, two lady guests from Indonesia and a gentleman from Malaysia, Ivy, Bobby, our 4, Lee Hwei, Koon Hou, Esther and Joshua, Ming Hwei, Francis, James (3) and baby Grace (1), Koon Hou's Mother and Father and Brother, Auntie Ah Hah and two helpers. So quite a crowd. Presents had been opened earlier in the day. I had a walk after lunch and we stayed for tea.
So, I've been able to talk to everyone this year and apart from Cathy and her crowd, you've all been able to see us. Don't know what the new year has in store for us, but it could be an interesting year ahead. Enjoy the rest of your festive season and I look forward to having regular head to heads with you all of a Sunday (around 12 noon to 2 pm GMT).
Take Care, Nic, Jen (post some photos Jen), Claire and Daniel
Thursday, December 27, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR DARLING KATE
We all hope you have a very happy day, Kate. Did we judge the post correctly with your card? Love to you all and a Happy New Year to one and all from Forty Green. Mum wants to get back to K/S so that she can worry in peace. Love to all again, Dad
Kates Twelve today!!!
John,Kate and I am sitting around in the kitchen waiting for the boys to get up so that birthday girl can open her presents she is so exited..Me thinks she may have a long wait as Edmund is not an early riser and he was up in the night with tummy ache.
Now Thomas is up and they are hitting each other with empty wrapping paper tubes!!
I have only just remember everything I needed to know to get on the blog, although I left something under comments on Steve's Happy Christmas blog. So belated greetings all.....Happy birthday greeting to you Pete, Happy anniversary Mum and Dad and Happy Christmas to everybody
Now Thomas is up and they are hitting each other with empty wrapping paper tubes!!
I have only just remember everything I needed to know to get on the blog, although I left something under comments on Steve's Happy Christmas blog. So belated greetings all.....Happy birthday greeting to you Pete, Happy anniversary Mum and Dad and Happy Christmas to everybody
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
I..am....in.....need......
Yep, it's official. I'm fat. I have not been able to sit at the computer for two days due to over-eating and now I am in need of an ergonomic kneely chair to keep myself upright. Yet, against difficult odds I'm going to produce a last minute anniversary blog and a happy birthday Kate in the process.
Mum and Dad came over to us in the late afternoon of Christmas eve. We all spent a nice evening in front of the telly enjoying an audience with Ken Dodd while snipping Boddington's and snowballs (those beingfortheladiesofcorzzz)...hic! The Christmas Day morning was chaotic with small child number three up and about fairly early and the bigguns wanting to have their presents open before the traditional morning trip to church. We had a super breakfast though and got the turkey in the oven before setting off to Chinnor and enjoying a few carols there. On our return dinner preparations got into full drive while Mum sat and sipped a sherry with Dad before a frenzy of present opening and snack eating set the dinner back at least an hour.
I think I overdid it with the bird. It looked about the right size for a Merrow-Smith family of 7 but with mum and Amy being able to share a sparrow, 16 lbs goes a long way between two old boys and three girlies. We'll be eating it for a few weeks yet, what with all the trappings and the gammon. Needless to say we skipped pud and went straight onto cheese and cake in the early evening, when Judy and Stan came over. Dad managed to hook up with Cathy using his mobile and we exchanged a few shouts of happy Christmas across the air miles. By late that evening we managed to polish off the first tin of Quality Street and most of the beer in the fridge while watching a Shakespeare adaptation of the Taming of the Shrew.
Today we enjoyed more turkey (surprise, surprise) - or should I have said 'turkey surprise' (surprise, surprise)! We have yet to eat the Christmas pudding. Mum and Dad had a nice anniversary though, and a lovely day for it. We went on a short amble down the lane to give us all a bit of fresh air and to let Amy try out her new scooter. We bumped into the Enfields and the Austins and ended up having a mince pie and coffee at the latter's.
Mum and Dad stayed in this afternoon by the fire while Jan and I went over to meet up with Pam and Steve at Jan's folks' place in Chinnor. When we got back we got out the Christmas log and the Christmas cake and cheese but we are running out of eating steam! Tonight we got a game of Uno going but surprisingly our Mum didn't get her usual beginners luck and her granddaughter Jess stole the limelight. Mum and Dad have gone up now and to be fair, it's time for us all to turn in..... but with only one bathroom there's not much point in all going up together...which leaves me to wish you all well and best wishes for the Christmas season. Happy birthday to Kate in a few minutes...I hope that what you didn't get at Christmas will turn up today.
Nice kitty Julian and Ruth. The girls will 'oooo' and 'aahhh' when they see the photo in the morning. They miss our cat madly. Glad you managed to hook up with Nic and Steve. I'll email you contact numbers for here, but I suspect mum and dad will wish to go back tomorrow. I hope they will stay at least another night but I know mum is feeling a little away from the familiarity of home. I'll probably go back with them and set them to rights as they'll be tired, but maybe they will stay another night...who knows. There's plenty of turkey, after all.
Jess is off to the Phantom of the Opera tomorrow evening to help a girlie friend celebrate her birthday. To our amazement she informed us that it will be her first visit to London ever...and she's right of course! She's visited a few capital cities, but neither she nor Beth (nor Amy come to that) have ever visited London so we'll have to try to get up there sometime. The last time I was there the London Eye had not yet been built!
Enjoy the new year celebrations where ever you may be, and Nic, I'll try again to Skype you in the morning.
Love to all
Pete
Mum and Dad came over to us in the late afternoon of Christmas eve. We all spent a nice evening in front of the telly enjoying an audience with Ken Dodd while snipping Boddington's and snowballs (those beingfortheladiesofcorzzz)...hic! The Christmas Day morning was chaotic with small child number three up and about fairly early and the bigguns wanting to have their presents open before the traditional morning trip to church. We had a super breakfast though and got the turkey in the oven before setting off to Chinnor and enjoying a few carols there. On our return dinner preparations got into full drive while Mum sat and sipped a sherry with Dad before a frenzy of present opening and snack eating set the dinner back at least an hour.
I think I overdid it with the bird. It looked about the right size for a Merrow-Smith family of 7 but with mum and Amy being able to share a sparrow, 16 lbs goes a long way between two old boys and three girlies. We'll be eating it for a few weeks yet, what with all the trappings and the gammon. Needless to say we skipped pud and went straight onto cheese and cake in the early evening, when Judy and Stan came over. Dad managed to hook up with Cathy using his mobile and we exchanged a few shouts of happy Christmas across the air miles. By late that evening we managed to polish off the first tin of Quality Street and most of the beer in the fridge while watching a Shakespeare adaptation of the Taming of the Shrew.
Today we enjoyed more turkey (surprise, surprise) - or should I have said 'turkey surprise' (surprise, surprise)! We have yet to eat the Christmas pudding. Mum and Dad had a nice anniversary though, and a lovely day for it. We went on a short amble down the lane to give us all a bit of fresh air and to let Amy try out her new scooter. We bumped into the Enfields and the Austins and ended up having a mince pie and coffee at the latter's.
Mum and Dad stayed in this afternoon by the fire while Jan and I went over to meet up with Pam and Steve at Jan's folks' place in Chinnor. When we got back we got out the Christmas log and the Christmas cake and cheese but we are running out of eating steam! Tonight we got a game of Uno going but surprisingly our Mum didn't get her usual beginners luck and her granddaughter Jess stole the limelight. Mum and Dad have gone up now and to be fair, it's time for us all to turn in..... but with only one bathroom there's not much point in all going up together...which leaves me to wish you all well and best wishes for the Christmas season. Happy birthday to Kate in a few minutes...I hope that what you didn't get at Christmas will turn up today.
Nice kitty Julian and Ruth. The girls will 'oooo' and 'aahhh' when they see the photo in the morning. They miss our cat madly. Glad you managed to hook up with Nic and Steve. I'll email you contact numbers for here, but I suspect mum and dad will wish to go back tomorrow. I hope they will stay at least another night but I know mum is feeling a little away from the familiarity of home. I'll probably go back with them and set them to rights as they'll be tired, but maybe they will stay another night...who knows. There's plenty of turkey, after all.
Jess is off to the Phantom of the Opera tomorrow evening to help a girlie friend celebrate her birthday. To our amazement she informed us that it will be her first visit to London ever...and she's right of course! She's visited a few capital cities, but neither she nor Beth (nor Amy come to that) have ever visited London so we'll have to try to get up there sometime. The last time I was there the London Eye had not yet been built!
Enjoy the new year celebrations where ever you may be, and Nic, I'll try again to Skype you in the morning.
Love to all
Pete
Happy Boxing day!
Nic and I managed a midnight (Singapore time) video conference and I spoke to Steve, haven't tracked down ma and pa yet but happy anniversary for today and love to all in oxfordshire and Wales....
we have a new kitten who thinks she's a christmas decoration...
we have a new kitten who thinks she's a christmas decoration...
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Well, our day is coming to an end and the turkey has all but gone,
The presents stacked and opened, the carols singing sung.
Asleep in the beds, the children dream away,
A merry Christmas and prosperous New Year to all, we say.
Good night, god bless you all.
Nic and Jen.
ps. Yes Cathy, we received the Snoopy Ecard
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Merry Christmas everyone! Have been up for about an hour now, Amy was an early riser this morning (surprise surprise!) Unfortunately the tree will have to wait until after church... Have fun, be merry, don't eat too much etc! Lots of love Jess xx
Sunday, December 23, 2007
foreign DVD's
Dad, play it on your mac it will probably say it's the wrong region but then you can switch regions about 5 times before it locks it permanently so if need be you can change it back later. ( just say yes when it asks you if you want to change region, and don't be scared!)
happy birthday Pete and Kate and if I don't speak to all of you have a lovely happy Christmas.
We have just had a mini waste water teatment plant installed in a big hole in front of the garage which will finally solve our no-drains problem. So i will spent much of chrimbo re plumbing the house to join everything to the rerouted drains .. sigh, looking forward to having a pee and being able to flush it!! lots of love to all, j
happy birthday Pete and Kate and if I don't speak to all of you have a lovely happy Christmas.
We have just had a mini waste water teatment plant installed in a big hole in front of the garage which will finally solve our no-drains problem. So i will spent much of chrimbo re plumbing the house to join everything to the rerouted drains .. sigh, looking forward to having a pee and being able to flush it!! lots of love to all, j
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Been Shopping
Been shopping today, but after 24 hours on the beer (sober now) got the shits and stomach cramps enough to cut the spree short.
About Peter's email, he can skype me and talk to me, easy to do - no good putting emails on the blogger.
About your DVD, go out and buy yourself the cheapest DVD player in Carrefore (Shinco or some other no name brand) and all your problems will be solved. For some reason all this stuff is code and there are different regions, some DVD players (the cheap ones) are less sensitive to the technology.
About Peter's email, he can skype me and talk to me, easy to do - no good putting emails on the blogger.
About your DVD, go out and buy yourself the cheapest DVD player in Carrefore (Shinco or some other no name brand) and all your problems will be solved. For some reason all this stuff is code and there are different regions, some DVD players (the cheap ones) are less sensitive to the technology.
NIC -- THANKS FOR THE BEER
If you cannot e-mail Pete, my email is hewsappy (at) gmail (dot) com, so pour it down my email!! Thirsty DAD
Just bought a pup - not a dog
I ordered a DVD through Amazon and it turned up yesterday from an address in USA. BUT I cannot play it on my DVD player - has anyone got any ideas. What about you, Nic could you play it on a Sg player?? Doleful Dad
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THURSDAY, TO KATE
Dear Nythfa
I just drove Henry down to the post office to catch the 7 am post. I hope Kate gets her card (and little present) ok. We hope you are all having a lovely Christmas - it looks a bit cold up here but it is very warm and snug in our little bungalow. Love to you all, from G&G
I just drove Henry down to the post office to catch the 7 am post. I hope Kate gets her card (and little present) ok. We hope you are all having a lovely Christmas - it looks a bit cold up here but it is very warm and snug in our little bungalow. Love to you all, from G&G
Friday, December 21, 2007
BEST WISHES PETER
Happy Birthday little brother, I'd really like to email you a card, can I have an email address please?
In the absence of a card, I've put a couple of beers on ice to drink with you later if that's OK.
Have a lovely day today, hope the sun comes out for you,
Love from Nic, Jen, Claire and Daniel.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Where are our latest blogs?
I posted two new blogs earlier on, but they do not appear. They were to thank Nic for his big-heartedness on our behalf and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. By the way, julian did my bottle-opener arrive and does it work. Replies please on a registered pair of boots (as my old Dad used to say). HAPPY HAPPY TIMES TO ALL. love M&D G&G etc
THANKS NIC
That is just what we would have done had we known how you felt about it. All power to your elbow. We have bought a water carrier for some people in Ethiopia. Love to all the SNGS who gather round you at Christmas time and have a very Happy New Year!! Love from the senior Merrows.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Wishes - Wonderful Gifts from Singapore
We are having a pre-christmas bash at our house next Sunday for the Sng clan before the official do on the 25th at Dublin Road. Sunday 23rd at 6pm Singapore Time. If you Scype me (chillicrab_156) around 9am to 10am snowy England time, I'II get everyone around the computer for you to say hello to. There's a couple of additions with Ming Hwei's little girl Grace (now about 15 months) and the boy James (now about 27 months).
I've been busy buying christmas presents for you all again and World Vision charity are the beneficiaries.
For each family (Mum & Dad, Steve's, Cathy's, Julian's, Peter's) you're giving two pairs of shoes for kids in Cipinang Melayu community in Jakarta and a mosquito net and blankets for for 2 children in Bati community, Cambodia. This saves on silly postage charges and the gift goes alot further, hope you all understand and don't mind.
I've also bought a pair of milking cows for Bobby and Ivy to go to a family in Sri Lanka. The milking cows are going, not Bobby and Ivy. The cows are a great gift and benefit 25 families.
Check out www.worldvision.org.sg for more info.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thanks Dad
Amongst my many duties this week has been to scour through ancient photo albums of Jean and Henry Smith's family, for a small presentation of memories for the many friends from Chinnor who will be coming to the wake on Tuesday, and here is one memory of the holiday we had with the band in the New Forest.
That was the time when Jean brought out her wind-up gramophone and played "The Laughing Policeman" over and over again.
(The 'b' side was of a man playing a solo on the cornet while watching someone sucking on a lemon)
Henry in all seriousness has been a model patient, never complaining, never bad tempered or demanding despite all his worries and trials and I feel humbled to have had the privelege to be of some help to him and his daughter carers.
Pat Whelahan who lives at Hempton Field nursing home now, worked at the Cement Works too (who Dad knows well from Chinnor Parish Council), was on the phone for an hour to Appin Lodge talking about his old mate.
Apparently-Fay told me later, as a staunch Labour counsellor he woke up one morning on election day to find his bungalow in Golden Hills absolutely covered in Tory banners and Vote Conservative posters and flags, so that he couldn't even get out of the door.
Henry and Jean had got up at 2 o'clock in the morning and done it all themselves.
I'm not sure what that sign says can anyone remember?
That was the time when Jean brought out her wind-up gramophone and played "The Laughing Policeman" over and over again.
(The 'b' side was of a man playing a solo on the cornet while watching someone sucking on a lemon)
Henry in all seriousness has been a model patient, never complaining, never bad tempered or demanding despite all his worries and trials and I feel humbled to have had the privelege to be of some help to him and his daughter carers.
Pat Whelahan who lives at Hempton Field nursing home now, worked at the Cement Works too (who Dad knows well from Chinnor Parish Council), was on the phone for an hour to Appin Lodge talking about his old mate.
Apparently-Fay told me later, as a staunch Labour counsellor he woke up one morning on election day to find his bungalow in Golden Hills absolutely covered in Tory banners and Vote Conservative posters and flags, so that he couldn't even get out of the door.
Henry and Jean had got up at 2 o'clock in the morning and done it all themselves.
I'm not sure what that sign says can anyone remember?
The "other" Henry
We were very sad to read that Henry (Titch) Smith died on 10th December. Henry lived in Farnham, with daughter Gloria and family and we visited them there a couple of times. Henry's other daughter, Fay is a great friend of our family and we will be sending letters of condolence to both girls. Henry was a driver for Chinnor Cement Co. and was called Titch because he had difficulty in seeing over the dashboard at first. Henry was aged 93 and his wife Jean was a great friend of our family, but she died of cancer many years ago. Dad
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Happy home...
This is fine news! It's getting quite exciting, though the wait is going to be a little tortuous. Do you know if you're expecting just one or do twins occur on either of your sides of the.....er, well, application forms, I guess.
Looking forward to the next step.
As for us, it's a day off Christmas shopping as Bucks CC employees have a holiday granted to them in reward for the council's top performance last year. A trip to Oxford is on the cards, so love to all...dreaming spires here we come. Nice day for it too.
Looking forward to the next step.
As for us, it's a day off Christmas shopping as Bucks CC employees have a holiday granted to them in reward for the council's top performance last year. A trip to Oxford is on the cards, so love to all...dreaming spires here we come. Nice day for it too.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
adoption news
We finally have the paper copy of the agreement in our hands, so we will sending off our 'pre dossier' tomorrow and compiling our dossier, including our little family album, in the next couple of weeks. I have been reading up on and talking with friends whom I've met through the African adoption forum who are going this Christmas to pick up their little babies in Bamako. Though for us it will be between 18 months and 2 years hence, it is good to know that (unlike with IVF) there IS a child at the end of this long hard journey;that we WILL have a family one day!
Anyway, any of you who want to send pics or words please send them soon! And again a big thank you for all of you who already have. For Julian and I, considering a 'non biological' family, the welcome, care, involvement and love that you have so generously offered (which, after all, is what creates a family) has helped us get close to the feeling of excitement we had when I was actually pregnant.
I must add that it was such a joy for us to have Hugh and Margaret enter into the spirit of our adventure so whole-heartedly when they were here - reading adoption stories and talking through their hopes ans fears with us, writing out family stories.... It made it all feel more real.
People say about adoption that you are in the first trimester of pregnancy for years (not to mention the years of miscarriages, ectopics, failed IVF's , whatever) and then suddenly you are in labour.
Hang in there with us! We'll get there in trhe end, we will!
We will of course be thinking of you with your various ops H and M. Did you get the hospital to guarantee an anaesthetic for Margaret? Any luck with your local organic store? i heard they do a nice line in bland cornflakes....!
Anyway, any of you who want to send pics or words please send them soon! And again a big thank you for all of you who already have. For Julian and I, considering a 'non biological' family, the welcome, care, involvement and love that you have so generously offered (which, after all, is what creates a family) has helped us get close to the feeling of excitement we had when I was actually pregnant.
I must add that it was such a joy for us to have Hugh and Margaret enter into the spirit of our adventure so whole-heartedly when they were here - reading adoption stories and talking through their hopes ans fears with us, writing out family stories.... It made it all feel more real.
People say about adoption that you are in the first trimester of pregnancy for years (not to mention the years of miscarriages, ectopics, failed IVF's , whatever) and then suddenly you are in labour.
Hang in there with us! We'll get there in trhe end, we will!
We will of course be thinking of you with your various ops H and M. Did you get the hospital to guarantee an anaesthetic for Margaret? Any luck with your local organic store? i heard they do a nice line in bland cornflakes....!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Looks like a busy Jan for us two
At the moment we are both committed to visits to hospitals. I have to go to JR Hosp in Oxford on 7th Jan for an angiogram and Mum is scheduled to attend at the Horton in Banbury on Saturday, 12th Jan for a colonoscopy. Pray for us both.
TO NIC
I have tried to send a comical singing Happy Birthday song - I hope it all comes out OK Love from Mum and DAD
Birthday coming up
On Saturday it is Daniel's 5th Birthday. Please remember that Singapore is 7 hours ahead of us and any emails or blogs should be sent with that in mind. For Daniel to get any surprise at all we must send our greetings before Midnight tonight, Friday.
IN THAT CASE TO DANIEL A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY BIRTHDAY PARTY, OR HAVE YOU ALREADY HAD ONE ?
Love from Grandma and Grand-dad
IN THAT CASE TO DANIEL A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY BIRTHDAY PARTY, OR HAVE YOU ALREADY HAD ONE ?
Love from Grandma and Grand-dad
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
SkyMacMate
Peter, load up SkyMacMate first then Skype after you plug in the usb phone, check skype preferences for usb device, then test call by dialling echo123.
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Sky 's the limit
Skype is now running under my new handle, but I'm still using the powerbook's internal microphone because SkyMACmate wouldn't load and hence the VoIP phone remains inactive. Unfortunately my new Skypeln number, which I need for Grandparents to be able to landline us, is not always available as my internet connection has a habit of timing out when left inactive for some time. This should be sortable by getting Will to change my settings up at the farm.
If I knew it would stay on permanently I'd consider a pc-less phone and an ethernet switch, but it would be better if the afore-mentioned phone had a video option independent of the Mac. Too much to learn in too little time!
That's more than enough for one weekend.... (Actually, until I can get to an Apple shop or the like to get some advice, that's more than enough until the Christmas holidays!) Your thoughts are welcome, of course, as the pressure is on to provide a permanent phone option for Jan's parents who are even less internet savvy than me.
Ta-ra all,
Pete
If I knew it would stay on permanently I'd consider a pc-less phone and an ethernet switch, but it would be better if the afore-mentioned phone had a video option independent of the Mac. Too much to learn in too little time!
That's more than enough for one weekend.... (Actually, until I can get to an Apple shop or the like to get some advice, that's more than enough until the Christmas holidays!) Your thoughts are welcome, of course, as the pressure is on to provide a permanent phone option for Jan's parents who are even less internet savvy than me.
Ta-ra all,
Pete
Sunday, November 25, 2007
spanishrover
When trying to buy Skypepro or a Skypeln, I needed to put in my Skype password. I had automated using keychains, to the extent that I'd completely forgotten it since setting up Skype about two years ago. All efforts to remember it failed, and even trying to access it from within Keychains access required me to type it in! The problem is I changed to gmail without telling Skype, so when I ask for a password reminder they send it to my mac.com address which I can't access. If I plug in the new address, it says there is a mismatch....
The bottom line is I'm calling myself spanishrover from now on. Peterpoppet was soft anyway. I'll try and get a number now....watch this space.
The bottom line is I'm calling myself spanishrover from now on. Peterpoppet was soft anyway. I'll try and get a number now....watch this space.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Message from the Invalids
Mum and I went to the Horton Hospital in Banbury, yesterday, but Mum was not very happy at the surgeon's (Mr Keeler - call me Barry) comments. He is going to send a camera up inside Mum to photograph the right hand side of her gut.
(Pete knows all about that, too) The last time this happened was back in April, when the camera gave a clearance to the left hand side from any cancerous growths. That was worse than giving birth to five children, she says. Now it is going to happen again and she is terrified. It's alright having things done internally when you don't know what is going to happen, but when you do know what to expect ?????????
I think she is afraid of what they will find, as indeed am I. She says " if I refuse, they may write me off, but I feel like refusing"
I agreed but I said "it is up to you - it is your body and your life"
We went into Banbury today, but I was having difficulty in walking far. We bought some Christmas cards and some books, and we sent off a birthday card to Claire, as it is her 8th birthday on 27th. Jen says she likes photos of kittens and puppies and other small aminals, so I will ask Nic to help me out by searching around Sg for something that she will like
NIC. PLEASE NOTE.
What a miserable display, last night. They were too good for the team we put out and as for the poor goalie poor sod! Good old Peter Crouch, at least he did score one!
Bang go the sales of England shirts etc for Christmas, the toy shops say.
Well I will leave you to digest what I have written. Love to you all from Mum and Dad
(Pete knows all about that, too) The last time this happened was back in April, when the camera gave a clearance to the left hand side from any cancerous growths. That was worse than giving birth to five children, she says. Now it is going to happen again and she is terrified. It's alright having things done internally when you don't know what is going to happen, but when you do know what to expect ?????????
I think she is afraid of what they will find, as indeed am I. She says " if I refuse, they may write me off, but I feel like refusing"
I agreed but I said "it is up to you - it is your body and your life"
We went into Banbury today, but I was having difficulty in walking far. We bought some Christmas cards and some books, and we sent off a birthday card to Claire, as it is her 8th birthday on 27th. Jen says she likes photos of kittens and puppies and other small aminals, so I will ask Nic to help me out by searching around Sg for something that she will like
NIC. PLEASE NOTE.
What a miserable display, last night. They were too good for the team we put out and as for the poor goalie poor sod! Good old Peter Crouch, at least he did score one!
Bang go the sales of England shirts etc for Christmas, the toy shops say.
Well I will leave you to digest what I have written. Love to you all from Mum and Dad
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Panic Over
Thanks, Steve, for reminding me that I needed to switch on the beast before it would charge. The key was on the hook and everything is OK now. I have put the new d/w in the garage, pending your visit at the weekend. Must be great to be in such demand !!, but with such a lot of people to look after.
I noticed a good tyre in the back garden, but I see I still have a full complement, so whose is it?
Yes I have to get my veins or arteries blown up with tiny balloons to enable my blood to surge around again. I hope I will be able to walk again, without pain and hopefully without a stick. I haven't got a date yet, but I will need a taxi, as it in the JR hospital in Oxford.
I'm taking Mum to the Horton Hospital tomorrow to see a Colorectal Surgeon who will inspect her to see how he can improve her living standard. He sounds Italian. Good luck with the bath, Steve. Love from Mum and Dad
I noticed a good tyre in the back garden, but I see I still have a full complement, so whose is it?
Yes I have to get my veins or arteries blown up with tiny balloons to enable my blood to surge around again. I hope I will be able to walk again, without pain and hopefully without a stick. I haven't got a date yet, but I will need a taxi, as it in the JR hospital in Oxford.
I'm taking Mum to the Horton Hospital tomorrow to see a Colorectal Surgeon who will inspect her to see how he can improve her living standard. He sounds Italian. Good luck with the bath, Steve. Love from Mum and Dad
Reality Check
Funny world, happen to be listening to DIRE STRAITS (Dad's message tiltle) on my new iMac.
Anyone know about game controls, I bought a logitech for my son to play his online Hotwheels. Can't get it to work though.
Peter, I skyed ya!
Dad, good luck with the leg op, would be great if it relieves the pain walking. It was great talking to Steve the other night. Don't thing it's sunk in with my kids yet what was going on. Can you image how we woould have felt at 4 years old, if the first time we saw a colout TV, your uncle was at the other end talking and waving clear as can be!
Technology!
Nic
Anyone know about game controls, I bought a logitech for my son to play his online Hotwheels. Can't get it to work though.
Peter, I skyed ya!
Dad, good luck with the leg op, would be great if it relieves the pain walking. It was great talking to Steve the other night. Don't thing it's sunk in with my kids yet what was going on. Can you image how we woould have felt at 4 years old, if the first time we saw a colout TV, your uncle was at the other end talking and waving clear as can be!
Technology!
Nic
DIRE STRAITS
1. I cannot recharge the "Henry' battery, so cannot get it out, nor move it from the garage.
2. Just taken delivery of a new Bosch dishwasher, which is outside the back door.
3 I am trying to unhitch the washing machine to make room for the d/w. I then intend to put the w/m in the garage and the d/w under the kitchen sink.
4 the man came yesterday to finish off the inspector's recommendations, so we have a new wah basin and new pump.
2. Just taken delivery of a new Bosch dishwasher, which is outside the back door.
3 I am trying to unhitch the washing machine to make room for the d/w. I then intend to put the w/m in the garage and the d/w under the kitchen sink.
4 the man came yesterday to finish off the inspector's recommendations, so we have a new wah basin and new pump.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Well done
Peter! as Henry say's, to what ever we have to do for him.. bless.
It may be the case that you qualify for a free replacement battery so
Check your Battery Serial Number.
Both my machines have replacement new batteries even the one I got off eBay and also a few others I've worked on so fingers crossed.
Not only that but with the new operating system Leopard installed, it's like having a new machine, although you may need to max out your ram for the best performance.
I saw Cathy today who is back in London with her nose to the grindstone painting out her flat in Rotherhithe ready for her new tenants. I've offered to help and I'm replacing the bath and wash basin for her and putting some tiles up.
Dad has some news about an operation on his legs to relieve the pain that comes with walking so good luck with that ol' china. It's quite a straight forward day operation, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to drive yourself home my dear. You might be better off with Steve's taxi service LOL.
It may be the case that you qualify for a free replacement battery so
Check your Battery Serial Number.
Both my machines have replacement new batteries even the one I got off eBay and also a few others I've worked on so fingers crossed.
Not only that but with the new operating system Leopard installed, it's like having a new machine, although you may need to max out your ram for the best performance.
I saw Cathy today who is back in London with her nose to the grindstone painting out her flat in Rotherhithe ready for her new tenants. I've offered to help and I'm replacing the bath and wash basin for her and putting some tiles up.
Dad has some news about an operation on his legs to relieve the pain that comes with walking so good luck with that ol' china. It's quite a straight forward day operation, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to drive yourself home my dear. You might be better off with Steve's taxi service LOL.
Aha! Success....
Push harder you fool....
Having gone through my photographic memory (ha,ha) I realise I bought the Mac in 2003 and not in 2000. I now have therefore established that my machine is an aluminium 12inch version (for which I plead I have no boxes or data in this country and even the Apple website identified my machine as a Titanium DVI) which is supposed to used airport extreme, so I tried again and have managed, with much sweating about irreversible damage and bent fixings, to push home the afore-mentioned aerial jack...with the end result that....it all works! We are wireless on the internet!
Unfortunately the battery is so knackered that the machine needs to be permanently plugged in, which rather defeats the object, but hopefully we can organise a replacement battery at some later stage. The good thing is I can now run my Mac and my school computer from downstairs wirelessly, if you don't count power cables (even though there are only a couple of useful plug points in the house!). In a short time we should get a USB phone and then we can Skype till kingdom come.
Thanks for the encouraging shove in the right direction Steve. I was sweating. It still beats me how the Apple site got me in to the wrong frame of mind....
Having gone through my photographic memory (ha,ha) I realise I bought the Mac in 2003 and not in 2000. I now have therefore established that my machine is an aluminium 12inch version (for which I plead I have no boxes or data in this country and even the Apple website identified my machine as a Titanium DVI) which is supposed to used airport extreme, so I tried again and have managed, with much sweating about irreversible damage and bent fixings, to push home the afore-mentioned aerial jack...with the end result that....it all works! We are wireless on the internet!
Unfortunately the battery is so knackered that the machine needs to be permanently plugged in, which rather defeats the object, but hopefully we can organise a replacement battery at some later stage. The good thing is I can now run my Mac and my school computer from downstairs wirelessly, if you don't count power cables (even though there are only a couple of useful plug points in the house!). In a short time we should get a USB phone and then we can Skype till kingdom come.
Thanks for the encouraging shove in the right direction Steve. I was sweating. It still beats me how the Apple site got me in to the wrong frame of mind....
How y'all doing?
Can you believe that Cathy left here last night, at 10.15pm in thick snow??. By the time I got home after showing her how to get out of the village, via The White Horse, the snow had given way to rain. I hope you got back safely, Cath. It was lovely of you to spend the day with us. Today a man called Steve is coming to fit the new wash basin, as the old one shows signs of someone dropping it Tomorrow, we have a new Bosch dishwasher being delivered by Argos, as I have a few gift tokens, courtesy of Goldfish !!
Love to all. Dad & Mum.
Love to all. Dad & Mum.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Powerbook Fixit
How to Fit Airport Extreme
There isn't a 12" Titanium Powerbook!
Make sure it's fitted the right way round eh?
I have the previous airport card but it won't fit your machine.
Probably most usb skype type phones will work but you need to download a program to make it run.
It's called SkyMACMate
Depressed:(
Well, I tried. I got hold of an airport express base station and an airport extreme card. The base station is no problem. However, because I have an old Powerbook G4 (DVI) titanium, I shouldn't need an airport extreme - it should have airport fitted. However, there is definitely no card in the slot and since my hard drive was replaced with a G4 PowerPC chip when it burned out, I assumed that it did a runner then and further assumed the extreme card would fit into the new PowerPC drive. Unfortunately, the aerial in the machine is the old one, for an airport card. I cannot close the battery compartment with airport extreme fitted and so it's back to the drawing board. I hope nothing is more busted as a result (some sites say you shouldn't do what I just did).
So, does anyone have a second hand airport card? They are long since discontinued. I have a brand new unused airport extreme card for swops. I assume airport will work with airport express. If not, perhaps it's time to buy a new Mac.
Can you believe that John Lewis don't sell a Mac compatible USB phone? Not that I need one just yet, but one day....
So, does anyone have a second hand airport card? They are long since discontinued. I have a brand new unused airport extreme card for swops. I assume airport will work with airport express. If not, perhaps it's time to buy a new Mac.
Can you believe that John Lewis don't sell a Mac compatible USB phone? Not that I need one just yet, but one day....
Skype Nic= chillycrab_156 Pete=peterpoppet
I've just spoken to Peter on Skype Video, although I couldn't see him he could see me! ..we're starting to get a community going here!
He says he's just off to John Lewis to get an Airport Express and a Airport Extreme card for his Powerbook so we can chat wirelessly.
Here's the Apple iSight webcam I use, which now are like hen's teeth as they've been discontinued, so if anyone sees one for under a £100 it's a bargain and to get it. There's a few on eBay but the ones on Amazon are going for big money.
Nic wants to get some video conferencing going now he's up to speed with the technology, and Peter's the same.
He says he's just off to John Lewis to get an Airport Express and a Airport Extreme card for his Powerbook so we can chat wirelessly.
Here's the Apple iSight webcam I use, which now are like hen's teeth as they've been discontinued, so if anyone sees one for under a £100 it's a bargain and to get it. There's a few on eBay but the ones on Amazon are going for big money.
Nic wants to get some video conferencing going now he's up to speed with the technology, and Peter's the same.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Jerry
He's only 140 cat years old!
iNic and iJen and iClaire and iDan
I.. got a message from our Nic on facebook
he say.."When we were in Oxford, (Dad's 80th) I was amazed at the ease which you all uploaded and swapped files. We shopped for a desktop and have bought an iMAC.
So far I've really only set up the kids profiles, they got software like imovie, iphoto, garageband and some other stuff, it's a lot of fun. Got a byuilt in camera too, so if you want to tell me how we might have teleconference, we can do that."
so we have just got off Skype Video chat, and this is a photo taken with me'iPhone and he's smiling all lovely.
Claire is having her birthday party tomorrow so he was telling me all about it and wants to know all about Will's and my trip of a life time next year to Mongolia. I said seeing as we're almost there, we'll pop in for tea.
Hopefully he and I can hook up tomorrow at 4pm GMT with the rest of the family and we can wish Claire a happy birthday in advance.
We were chatting for a whole hour and Skype video worked perfectly with no delays of any kind.
Apart from having a terrible cold.. that's all from me this evening but I loves you all
Friday, November 16, 2007
Yes, but - what is her name
Nice to read your blog Ruth; and how nice of you to say how much you liked having us for three wonderful weeks. We are the ones who should be saying that - you both spoiled us. Love to you both from Hugh and Margaret.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Are we not blessed
We are happy to tell you that we are both safely home after our lovely holiday with Julian and Ruth in Vaucluse, Provence.
It was sad to leave you, Ruth and Julian. as you had made our holiday so welcoming and we were too overcome to prolong our farewell.
Thank you Ruth for helping Mum with her hairdresser, her podiatrist and for arranging for her to have a facial. I realy appreciated your support in her attempts to gain weight, which, I am sorry to say, have not improved her body weight appreciably, perhaps just a bit!
Thank you to Julian for driving us to Avignon to catch the TVD train and for accompanying us to Paris to ease our cross over from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord, made even more exciting as you took us out to lunch in that beautiful restaurant opposite the station. Mum still cannot stop talking about the atmosphere, the service, the food and the shear opulence of a Saturday lunchtime in central Gay Paree. ( I had my longed for Boullaibaise fish stew am Mum had some lovely salmon. – Julian had a steak tartare.?
Mum is sorry she could not bid you a fonder farewell Julian, as she was afraid she would embarras you with her tears etc, It was sad to see you waving to us as we disappeared into the crowds catching the Eurostar, but many people were only too happy to help a couple of oldies to get on to the train and to help us to settle down with our luggage stored. In particular a young bronzed Iranian (we think) who lifted our luggage with ease and stowed away stuff into the overhead racks. I noticed that his itinerary was for him to catch the 8.30 plane to New York. I hope he made it OK.
Steve had arranged for Mum to be collected by wheelchair and the Railway man wheeled her quickly out of sight, leaving me to grab a luggage trolley and to follow as quickly as I could. (Should have been me in the wheelchair!! ), but it was a service greatly appreciated and enabled Mum to see Steve, who, actually was not on his own as Cathy was with him, waving madly when she saw us. What a lovely surprise. It seams that she was in the middle of cleaning and clearing out the drosss from out of her flat in Moodkee Streett, soon to be helped by Steve, when he turned up from Kings Sutton, driving my Renault and he said get your coat on as we are going to meet Mum and Dad at Waterloo. She quickly got ready and it was an added bonus to see her as well as Steve.
We were soon on our way over Waterloo bridge, which was crowded with people returning from the Lord Mayor’s Show, Parade. The sky was full of exploding fireworks and the streets were full of cars and buses, as we made our way through Notting Hill and on to the A 40, heading westwards. It soon became necessary to break our journey and we were dying for a nice, hot cup of tea, so Steve pulled in to an American-styled diner, which he knew and we settled down for half an hour, enjoying a quick cuppa and a sandwich for Steve and Cathy. On to the M 40 and we were soon heading off junction 6 towards Bledlow, as we had told the girls we would be along shortly, to pay them a visit. We arrived just after 7, and they had a lovely log fire burning away and they all made us welcome. We were all impressed with the lovely little cottage where they live (Harry Enfield lives next door ). Pete. Jan and the girls made us very welcome and we all enjoyed a rest and a chat.
9pm and we were off home to K/S, where we had another cuppa, before Cathy and Steve moved on to Moodkee Street, where I am sure they must be very tired after all that driving etc.
it was so great to see you all and we are sooo proud of you all.
It was sad to leave you, Ruth and Julian. as you had made our holiday so welcoming and we were too overcome to prolong our farewell.
Thank you Ruth for helping Mum with her hairdresser, her podiatrist and for arranging for her to have a facial. I realy appreciated your support in her attempts to gain weight, which, I am sorry to say, have not improved her body weight appreciably, perhaps just a bit!
Thank you to Julian for driving us to Avignon to catch the TVD train and for accompanying us to Paris to ease our cross over from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord, made even more exciting as you took us out to lunch in that beautiful restaurant opposite the station. Mum still cannot stop talking about the atmosphere, the service, the food and the shear opulence of a Saturday lunchtime in central Gay Paree. ( I had my longed for Boullaibaise fish stew am Mum had some lovely salmon. – Julian had a steak tartare.?
Mum is sorry she could not bid you a fonder farewell Julian, as she was afraid she would embarras you with her tears etc, It was sad to see you waving to us as we disappeared into the crowds catching the Eurostar, but many people were only too happy to help a couple of oldies to get on to the train and to help us to settle down with our luggage stored. In particular a young bronzed Iranian (we think) who lifted our luggage with ease and stowed away stuff into the overhead racks. I noticed that his itinerary was for him to catch the 8.30 plane to New York. I hope he made it OK.
Steve had arranged for Mum to be collected by wheelchair and the Railway man wheeled her quickly out of sight, leaving me to grab a luggage trolley and to follow as quickly as I could. (Should have been me in the wheelchair!! ), but it was a service greatly appreciated and enabled Mum to see Steve, who, actually was not on his own as Cathy was with him, waving madly when she saw us. What a lovely surprise. It seams that she was in the middle of cleaning and clearing out the drosss from out of her flat in Moodkee Streett, soon to be helped by Steve, when he turned up from Kings Sutton, driving my Renault and he said get your coat on as we are going to meet Mum and Dad at Waterloo. She quickly got ready and it was an added bonus to see her as well as Steve.
We were soon on our way over Waterloo bridge, which was crowded with people returning from the Lord Mayor’s Show, Parade. The sky was full of exploding fireworks and the streets were full of cars and buses, as we made our way through Notting Hill and on to the A 40, heading westwards. It soon became necessary to break our journey and we were dying for a nice, hot cup of tea, so Steve pulled in to an American-styled diner, which he knew and we settled down for half an hour, enjoying a quick cuppa and a sandwich for Steve and Cathy. On to the M 40 and we were soon heading off junction 6 towards Bledlow, as we had told the girls we would be along shortly, to pay them a visit. We arrived just after 7, and they had a lovely log fire burning away and they all made us welcome. We were all impressed with the lovely little cottage where they live (Harry Enfield lives next door ). Pete. Jan and the girls made us very welcome and we all enjoyed a rest and a chat.
9pm and we were off home to K/S, where we had another cuppa, before Cathy and Steve moved on to Moodkee Street, where I am sure they must be very tired after all that driving etc.
it was so great to see you all and we are sooo proud of you all.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Still Kicking
A perverbial flurry of blogs. Where have we been? Great news for Julian and Ruth, great to talk with you the other day Julian. Peter, Jan, Jessica, Bethany and Amy Jo, we must get a call into you (before you all freeze solid on one of those those misty Narnian mornings you have in the Chilterns) and wish you a welcome return to England. Dad, Mum hope you have a easy journey home, hi to Cath & John, Thomas, Edmond and Kate. And Gemma, thanks for the facebook birthday greetings and Will and Dad, which rally (I googled and got a number of options), exciting stuff.
We've been up to our usual stuff. School is over for Claire, she's not back until new year. Daniel's got his end of year performance coming up and they both have birthdays over the next month, plus a touring holiday in Malaysia - not quite the Goby Desert.
I owe Julian the intro, so that will be my next entry.
Who's been to Dublin, Steve?
We've been up to our usual stuff. School is over for Claire, she's not back until new year. Daniel's got his end of year performance coming up and they both have birthdays over the next month, plus a touring holiday in Malaysia - not quite the Goby Desert.
I owe Julian the intro, so that will be my next entry.
Who's been to Dublin, Steve?
Ulaanbataar
Will and I are going on an incredible adventure next year...
We are called the MonGauloises and we are going to Mongolia on that rally..
I got confirmation last night and called Will to say and he could hardly speak with excitement!!!
I'll let that sink in and see you folks at Waterloo just after 5pm
We are called the MonGauloises and we are going to Mongolia on that rally..
I got confirmation last night and called Will to say and he could hardly speak with excitement!!!
I'll let that sink in and see you folks at Waterloo just after 5pm
HAVING A LOVELY TIME
We are having such a glorious restful holliday here at Hameau Cougieux; But all good things come to an end on Saturday as we return to cold,old Oxfordshire.
Mum has had her hair done and a facial, plus a good doing over to her feet by the local podiatrist. She is looking very good and she has been wonderfully spoilt by Ruth.
Julian has been treating us to his culinary delights, and the sun has been shing non stop ever since we arrived.
See you all soon,Ihope. Love to you all from Mum and Dad
Mum has had her hair done and a facial, plus a good doing over to her feet by the local podiatrist. She is looking very good and she has been wonderfully spoilt by Ruth.
Julian has been treating us to his culinary delights, and the sun has been shing non stop ever since we arrived.
See you all soon,Ihope. Love to you all from Mum and Dad
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
HURRAH!!
Its so nice to see where you are! Yes it does look quite big, but as an experienced cottage dweller I know that alot of it can be very thick walls and very little interior space, like the Tardis in reverse.
Have we got the address, email it to us.
I hope all is going well with school for you all, has Amy got a place yet?
lots of love from west wales, Cathy
Have we got the address, email it to us.
I hope all is going well with school for you all, has Amy got a place yet?
lots of love from west wales, Cathy
you what, steve?
Does anyone understand Steve's mysterious blog of the inside of a house which appeared for three minutes and then disappeared? We are discussing it round the breakfast table. Answers on a virtual postcard please.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Forty Green
Here's a couple of shots of our little rented cottage in Forty Green. Very quaint and not as big as it looks from the outside! The nearest part is the kitchen cum dining room with windows front and side, and the back door leading you in through the kitchen with a staircase up the back wall. The lounge occupies the bottom of the older part of the building and is about 8 feet across and despite having thee windows is quite dim and snug with a fireplace at the far end. The front porch is seldom used at the minute as the lounge carpet quickly deteriorates.
Upstairs, above the kitchen is the big girls room with a window looking out over the garden, and the bathroom cum toilet next door. Our room is over the fire place end of the lounge, with a little room for Amy between and an upstairs landing running along the back wall from the top of the steep stairs.
It's nice to have a decent area outside with trees and grass, a brook and a well - as I said it looks very quaint but you get a little mold around the windows and the old cottage walls loose heat quickly when you turn off the heating. The fireplace is most welcome at the weekends as we have a supply of wood with which to pollute the atmosphere. After three weeks sitting and sleeping on the floor we now have chairs to sit in front of the fire and enjoy a glass of wine as the nights close in. Ooo... We're not used to this....
Monday, November 05, 2007
happy days
Incredible weather, lunch outside, girlie treatments for maragret and me ("I've never felt so relaxed in my life" she said, her face glowing with exotic oils. It didn't do much for the hairstyle but there's always the foot treatment on wednesday to look forward to), a new 'tonnelle' and our continuing efforts to resolve our septic tank problems....life in paradise goes on.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Introducing Uncle Peter
I see that Grandad has already introduced himself, and Uncle Steve too (he’s my big big brother), so perhaps I should take a turn at a quick introduction. I’ll prepare something longer when I can find some photographs.
I am Uncle Peter and I am the youngest of your new daddy’s brothers and sisters, although this may surprise you if you a see a photograph of me because I don’t have much hair on my head. In Africa, people don’t loose their hair until they are old and wise. This isn’t always true with English people, but you can pretend I am old and wise if you like.
I am married to Auntie Jan and we have three daughters - Jessica who is sixteen, Bethany who is fourteen (although she is taller than Jessica and her mummy) and lastly, Amy Jo who is six.
Many years ago Auntie Jan and I left England and travelled to Africa. Jessica was three, and Bethany was just one and a half years old at the time, and of course Amy Jo hadn’t been born yet. The four of us went to live in Botswana, where Auntie Jan and I both worked as teachers. I am a science teacher, and at that time Auntie Jan was teaching music. She had a marimba and steel drum band at her school and sometimes we would go to listen to the band playing. We all loved the marimbas so much that we bought a set of four instruments for ourselves and have all learned to play them as a family! We like to play African tunes on them.
Africa was a wonderful place for Jessica and Bethany to grow up. In Botswana you can spend so much time outside because it is so warm for much of the year. There is a big black sky full of wonderful stars at night time, and in the morning they say you can see next week’s weather coming because the blue sky is so big. We loved to go out into the bush to look for African animals in our Land Rover and during the seven and a half years we spent in Botswana we saw lions, buffalo, rhino, elephants, wharthogs, zebras, giraffes, springbok, impala, cheetah, leopards and many, many more animals. We had porcupines living behind out garden wall and kudu used to jump into our garden to eat our vegetables and grass. This made us a little angry sometimes but you cannot be angry with kudu for long because they are so beautiful.
If you are good at sums you may have worked out that Amy Jo was born in Africa - but it wasn’t long after that we moved back to Europe. We lived for a year and a half in Portugal which we enjoyed very much, before we moved to Spain. We have lived for more than three years in Spain and have a small house there. Living in Spain gave us many chances to see your mummy and Daddy as it is easier to get to Avignon from there than from England. Once your mummy came to Valencia to play her cello there and we all met up and had a big paella near the sea front. Your mummy likes the sea and paella. Perhaps we can do this again sometime.
At the moment, although we live in Spain some of the year we have all recently returned to England so the girls can study for their exams. We may stay here a year or two, or perhaps even longer. We live in a little rented cottage near Chinnor, where I was born and where your Daddy Julian and I lived with our brothers and sister and Granddad and Nana for many years. It is quite close to Oxford, so we are not far from Uncle Steve and his family now. Perhaps you could come to England to see us all soon. We would like that very much. You would be a most honoured and welcome guest.
I will write something more at a later date, and perhaps Jessica, Bethany, Amy Jo and Auntie Jan will write too. We would love to show you some photographs of our time in Africa one day. It will be great fun getting to know each other. Perhaps one day you can learn to play the marimbas with us too!
So, welcome to your knew family - we are all delighted that you are going to live with your new mummy and daddy because my brother Julian and my sister-in-law Ruth have so much love to give and I think you will all make each other so wonderfully happy. I truly hope so. God bless.
Uncle Peter.
I am Uncle Peter and I am the youngest of your new daddy’s brothers and sisters, although this may surprise you if you a see a photograph of me because I don’t have much hair on my head. In Africa, people don’t loose their hair until they are old and wise. This isn’t always true with English people, but you can pretend I am old and wise if you like.
I am married to Auntie Jan and we have three daughters - Jessica who is sixteen, Bethany who is fourteen (although she is taller than Jessica and her mummy) and lastly, Amy Jo who is six.
Many years ago Auntie Jan and I left England and travelled to Africa. Jessica was three, and Bethany was just one and a half years old at the time, and of course Amy Jo hadn’t been born yet. The four of us went to live in Botswana, where Auntie Jan and I both worked as teachers. I am a science teacher, and at that time Auntie Jan was teaching music. She had a marimba and steel drum band at her school and sometimes we would go to listen to the band playing. We all loved the marimbas so much that we bought a set of four instruments for ourselves and have all learned to play them as a family! We like to play African tunes on them.
Africa was a wonderful place for Jessica and Bethany to grow up. In Botswana you can spend so much time outside because it is so warm for much of the year. There is a big black sky full of wonderful stars at night time, and in the morning they say you can see next week’s weather coming because the blue sky is so big. We loved to go out into the bush to look for African animals in our Land Rover and during the seven and a half years we spent in Botswana we saw lions, buffalo, rhino, elephants, wharthogs, zebras, giraffes, springbok, impala, cheetah, leopards and many, many more animals. We had porcupines living behind out garden wall and kudu used to jump into our garden to eat our vegetables and grass. This made us a little angry sometimes but you cannot be angry with kudu for long because they are so beautiful.
If you are good at sums you may have worked out that Amy Jo was born in Africa - but it wasn’t long after that we moved back to Europe. We lived for a year and a half in Portugal which we enjoyed very much, before we moved to Spain. We have lived for more than three years in Spain and have a small house there. Living in Spain gave us many chances to see your mummy and Daddy as it is easier to get to Avignon from there than from England. Once your mummy came to Valencia to play her cello there and we all met up and had a big paella near the sea front. Your mummy likes the sea and paella. Perhaps we can do this again sometime.
At the moment, although we live in Spain some of the year we have all recently returned to England so the girls can study for their exams. We may stay here a year or two, or perhaps even longer. We live in a little rented cottage near Chinnor, where I was born and where your Daddy Julian and I lived with our brothers and sister and Granddad and Nana for many years. It is quite close to Oxford, so we are not far from Uncle Steve and his family now. Perhaps you could come to England to see us all soon. We would like that very much. You would be a most honoured and welcome guest.
I will write something more at a later date, and perhaps Jessica, Bethany, Amy Jo and Auntie Jan will write too. We would love to show you some photographs of our time in Africa one day. It will be great fun getting to know each other. Perhaps one day you can learn to play the marimbas with us too!
So, welcome to your knew family - we are all delighted that you are going to live with your new mummy and daddy because my brother Julian and my sister-in-law Ruth have so much love to give and I think you will all make each other so wonderfully happy. I truly hope so. God bless.
Uncle Peter.
At last...some news from.....abroad?
It's been a long time since I last blogged...a long long time, in fact, what with six weeks on the roam in England over the summer, then an instant change of life styles that has left us all in a whirl and without a ready means to communicate efficiently. Now though, we have easy access internet and are back to earth. Unfortunately no land line yet but we get a wireless broadband connection via the farm, for which we pay a small monthly charge, and are investigating a USB phone for skyping.
A very quick summary then. As you know we were here in England over the summer and I happened to get talking to a Head teacher at Princes Risborough who persuaded me to come and work for him. We turned our lives around, left for Spain, packed a few nick-nacks and, leaving our little Spanish house in the hands of friends, returned to a new start in teaching in the UK. Needless to say this has been a whirlwind introduction. I cannot belive we have already had a half term holiday, yet I am still constantly working late into the night in an attempt to keep my head above water and remain one step more organised than my classes.
By providence we have been able to rent a small farm cottage in Forty Green belonging to one of the Austin clan. For those in the not so sure bracket, Forty Green is an extension of Skittle Green next to Bledlow, and over the fields not far away is Henton. So it is a real return to pastoral England for us. We have three small bedrooms and very low ceilings. There is a large garden and an outhouse and a shed. We have a small brook running through the garden and a well with water in it. The house is surrounded by tall ash trees and hawthorn, and the approach down the lane is very much as one might imaging a 19th century country scene. The cottage was probably built around the turn of the century and has a slate roof and black ended square bricks interspacing the nice orange red ones like some of the buildings in Thame High Street.
Being now based in Bucks for living and working, the girls are attending the school where Jan and I both have work in Princes Risborough. Everyone is settling to a pattern and getting to grips with all the changes. It's been quite tough, but we have leaned to be resilient and to enjoy life in all its circumstances.
Due to the discovery of freecycle we now have a small sofa and two arm chairs and can entertain visitors. So if you are in the area and fancy a nice walk or a jar at the Lions, or even a nice walk followed by a jar at the Lions, do pop in!
I'll post a few photographs in due course so you all know the house when you see it. In the meantime we had better get on with creating an introduction of ourselves to our new to be addition to the family. What an exciting time!
A very quick summary then. As you know we were here in England over the summer and I happened to get talking to a Head teacher at Princes Risborough who persuaded me to come and work for him. We turned our lives around, left for Spain, packed a few nick-nacks and, leaving our little Spanish house in the hands of friends, returned to a new start in teaching in the UK. Needless to say this has been a whirlwind introduction. I cannot belive we have already had a half term holiday, yet I am still constantly working late into the night in an attempt to keep my head above water and remain one step more organised than my classes.
By providence we have been able to rent a small farm cottage in Forty Green belonging to one of the Austin clan. For those in the not so sure bracket, Forty Green is an extension of Skittle Green next to Bledlow, and over the fields not far away is Henton. So it is a real return to pastoral England for us. We have three small bedrooms and very low ceilings. There is a large garden and an outhouse and a shed. We have a small brook running through the garden and a well with water in it. The house is surrounded by tall ash trees and hawthorn, and the approach down the lane is very much as one might imaging a 19th century country scene. The cottage was probably built around the turn of the century and has a slate roof and black ended square bricks interspacing the nice orange red ones like some of the buildings in Thame High Street.
Being now based in Bucks for living and working, the girls are attending the school where Jan and I both have work in Princes Risborough. Everyone is settling to a pattern and getting to grips with all the changes. It's been quite tough, but we have leaned to be resilient and to enjoy life in all its circumstances.
Due to the discovery of freecycle we now have a small sofa and two arm chairs and can entertain visitors. So if you are in the area and fancy a nice walk or a jar at the Lions, or even a nice walk followed by a jar at the Lions, do pop in!
I'll post a few photographs in due course so you all know the house when you see it. In the meantime we had better get on with creating an introduction of ourselves to our new to be addition to the family. What an exciting time!
Back from Dublin
not great photos but these leopard seals were impressive, hanging about
in the harbour for tidbits of fish.. not biscuits I noticed.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Introduction
And I am your new Uncle Steve although some people call me Stephen, especially my Mum. I am Julian's elder brother and Ruth's brother-in-law.
I live in England right in the middle of the country in a city called Oxford.
I live in an old house and share it with my daughter Gemma and her man who is called Clive. Gemma's brother William lives nearby and we like to get together sometimes to have some beer and to chat about all sorts of things.
I used to be married but Gemma and William's mother got very sick a long time ago and the doctors could not make her better.
Sometimes we visit her sisters who both live in London who have two children each. They even came on holiday to France with us and everyone got on very well especially in the swimming pool.
I've been to your house a few times to help with the getting it a bit ready and to look after the cats and also for holidays.
I like to do painting but I'm not as good as your new Dad and I like to play music but not as good as your new Mum.
I live a short drive up the motorway from Grandma and Grandad and I like to visit them at the week-ends and sometimes I help with little jobs like cutting the grass and the odd bit of decorating.
They both met before I was born when they lived in Oxford too but that was over fifty ago.
When I was little we used to go on the bus to Oxford from our little village to visit Grandma's parents who were my Grandma and Grandpa and your Dad's Grandma and Grandpa. When we wanted to visit Grandad's Mum and Dad we had to go to London to visit them, but we would usually try and see Buckingham Palace to see if the Queen was at home and to watch the soldiers. If she was at home there would be a big flag flying but we never saw her even when it was.
There are quite a few old people in our family and quite a few that live right across the world. But we do like to get together to remember each other's birthdays and things like that.
You may find that coming to a large family is a bit scary. But none of us are scary really and we hope you will get to know who everyone is eventually.
I hope we meet soon and I'm very much looking forward to that.
A Letter of Welcome
I am the grandad and my name is Hugh Merrow-Smith.
I am 80 years old and am Julian's Daddy and Ruth's father-in-law.
My wife, Margaret and I have been married for 53 years.
We have five children and 10 grandchildren.
Our children have now all grown-up and have childrenof their own.
Our eldest is Stephen aged 53 and he has two children,
Gemma, aged 30 and William, aged 27.
Our daughter is Cathy and she is 51 this year. Her partner is John and they have three children.
Edmund is 16 and Thomas is 14. Their young sister is Kate and she will
be 12 at Christmas. Your new Daddy comes next and with Mummy, Ruth,
they will be your new Mummy and Daddy as they do not have children of
their own at the moment. You will be their first, and very proud we
will all be when that happens. Next comes Nicholas, who is 46 and he
lives in Singapore, and is married to a Chinese lady, whose name is
Jen-Hwei. Their children are Claire, who will be 8 soon and
Daniel who will be 6 in December. Our youngest son is Peter, who will
be 44 at Christmas. He is married to Janet, who was born in Nigeria
and they have three children, all girls. The eldest is Jessica, aged
16, then Bethany who is 14. Their young sister is named Amy-Jo, and
she is 6. Amy-Jo was born in southern Africa in a town called Orapa ,
which is in Botswana.
We are a very happy family and we get to see each other as often as
possible. I am writing this from your new home in France, as Grandma
and I have been invited to stay here for a little while with your new
Daddy and Mummy. Today is a lovely sunny day and is what we call All
Saints day, or Hallowe,en.
We live in a small village in Northamptonshire, near to Banbury, where the Fine Lady
who Rides a White Horse, comes from. Our village is called Kings Sutton.
The last time we all got together was on the occasion of my 80th birthday at the
end of March, where we all had lunch in the old Oxford Prison, which is
where my father was Chief Officer, until he retired and where I lived in 1949.
I can show you lots of photographs of that day
I am 80 years old and am Julian's Daddy and Ruth's father-in-law.
My wife, Margaret and I have been married for 53 years.
We have five children and 10 grandchildren.
Our children have now all grown-up and have childrenof their own.
Our eldest is Stephen aged 53 and he has two children,
Gemma, aged 30 and William, aged 27.
Our daughter is Cathy and she is 51 this year. Her partner is John and they have three children.
Edmund is 16 and Thomas is 14. Their young sister is Kate and she will
be 12 at Christmas. Your new Daddy comes next and with Mummy, Ruth,
they will be your new Mummy and Daddy as they do not have children of
their own at the moment. You will be their first, and very proud we
will all be when that happens. Next comes Nicholas, who is 46 and he
lives in Singapore, and is married to a Chinese lady, whose name is
Jen-Hwei. Their children are Claire, who will be 8 soon and
Daniel who will be 6 in December. Our youngest son is Peter, who will
be 44 at Christmas. He is married to Janet, who was born in Nigeria
and they have three children, all girls. The eldest is Jessica, aged
16, then Bethany who is 14. Their young sister is named Amy-Jo, and
she is 6. Amy-Jo was born in southern Africa in a town called Orapa ,
which is in Botswana.
We are a very happy family and we get to see each other as often as
possible. I am writing this from your new home in France, as Grandma
and I have been invited to stay here for a little while with your new
Daddy and Mummy. Today is a lovely sunny day and is what we call All
Saints day, or Hallowe,en.
We live in a small village in Northamptonshire, near to Banbury, where the Fine Lady
who Rides a White Horse, comes from. Our village is called Kings Sutton.
The last time we all got together was on the occasion of my 80th birthday at the
end of March, where we all had lunch in the old Oxford Prison, which is
where my father was Chief Officer, until he retired and where I lived in 1949.
I can show you lots of photographs of that day
HAVING A LOVELY TIME IN FRANCE
The weather here is glorious and we are being spoilt by Julian and Ruth. Today Ruth drove us, in the Mini, to Vaison La Romain
as Julian thought it was Market Day - unfortunately, it was not, but we had a coffee in the sunshine in our favourite cafe and walked around the little town, before heading for Girondas, where we bought a few bottles of our Cote de Rhone, and headed back through countryside alight with autumn colours of red cherry trees and orange wine bushes. We arrived back, where Julian had prepared a lovely pumpkin soup with knobs of cooked duck, as it was 1st November and just past halloween.
We have been sitting out in the sunshine, reading books, but we have also been to Bedoin market and in to Avignon, to visit Les Halles, where we bought some fresh fish and a few steaks of beef filet, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Julian is a very good cook.
While we were in Bedoin market we also bought a great piece of cod, and ate some super filets of cod. We have been sleeping well and also eating well, washed down with lovely wine, and we have also managed a couple of short walks. Mum is enjoying being spoilt and our lovely daughter-in-law, Ruth booked a hairdressing appointment in Mazan and took her for a ride in the Mini for a girls day out! Ruth is lovely and she has taken Mum under her wing.
I don't know if any of you have had time to read my little piece about our family, as Ruth had asked us to, but she would love any of you to write a little piece about our family association, especially Jessica and Bethany, who could write a little about their experiences in Africa. Ruth's Dad and StepMother, and her step sisters have written some nice little pieces, and she would welcome some experiences of the Merrows.
as Julian thought it was Market Day - unfortunately, it was not, but we had a coffee in the sunshine in our favourite cafe and walked around the little town, before heading for Girondas, where we bought a few bottles of our Cote de Rhone, and headed back through countryside alight with autumn colours of red cherry trees and orange wine bushes. We arrived back, where Julian had prepared a lovely pumpkin soup with knobs of cooked duck, as it was 1st November and just past halloween.
We have been sitting out in the sunshine, reading books, but we have also been to Bedoin market and in to Avignon, to visit Les Halles, where we bought some fresh fish and a few steaks of beef filet, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Julian is a very good cook.
While we were in Bedoin market we also bought a great piece of cod, and ate some super filets of cod. We have been sleeping well and also eating well, washed down with lovely wine, and we have also managed a couple of short walks. Mum is enjoying being spoilt and our lovely daughter-in-law, Ruth booked a hairdressing appointment in Mazan and took her for a ride in the Mini for a girls day out! Ruth is lovely and she has taken Mum under her wing.
I don't know if any of you have had time to read my little piece about our family, as Ruth had asked us to, but she would love any of you to write a little piece about our family association, especially Jessica and Bethany, who could write a little about their experiences in Africa. Ruth's Dad and StepMother, and her step sisters have written some nice little pieces, and she would welcome some experiences of the Merrows.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
working holiday
Just home from a semi working week in Venice. We had a lovely apartment through friends, so could shop in the Rialto market (a vaporetto or gondola trip depending on where we ended up on foot) and cook up all the local produce from pumpkin and ceps to razor clams and brill. Each morning we rose at 7 ish, walked hours over canals and round the streets before they began to fill with tourists yelping 'IS this the RYALTOHHH?', took it all in, photographed; then we returned to our temporary home on the giudecca where we cooked and lunched, and Julian painted. Unfortunately the sweet little internet caff down the road had problems as of day 3 so Julian, mac under mac, had to go back to the mainland and brave the masses in St Mark's square to find another wifi joint. From there he posted and waited (with some help from Steve back home) and sometimes left the 'window' open hoping the sending process would continue for a few minutes or hours before the next user took over. It could be frustrating but we reminded ourselves that the view from the vaporetto was pretty spectacular on the way over at sunset, even more so on the way back by starlight, and that life was pretty good.
We are so looking forward to having Hugh and Margaret here for three weeks. I am taking a short trip to see my old mates and colleagues of 12 years at Glyndbourne (I am on tour at the same time next year and the year after that, presumably, we will have a little one so this is my last chance) just after they get here, but will be back in no time.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Yesterday...
Bog Latin by David Martin
what a fun day. After celebrating Dad's birthday Friday night with Will and plenty of champers and music, Dad went off to Ascot and Clive and I caught the train to Pangbourne. Clive's friend David (Martin) had invited us to a private view (with champagne!) at the Modern Artists Gallery in Whitchurch. It was great to see David's work. He and Clive often discuss art and David is particular a fan of Julian's daily postings that the OED team have signed up for. We then met Cara and her fella Andy and we went for a lovely long afternoon at the 'The Swan' pub on the Thames near the weir (I know G & G know this pub as they took me and Will here years ago for lunch). It was so warm and mild we sat outside all afternoon taking in the changing autumnal scenery. The plan was to find a pub showing the football on but this being Pangbourne they were only interested in showing the rugby later on. Ah well it gave a good chance to catch up and we all got home in time to watch England and sock it to the French and especially disrupt Chabal tee hee - how does he play with that long flowing hair? And is it me or does our Johnny looking like a young Ryan O'Neal with his longer hair...anyways
Salutations Provençal
Birthday reciprocalsplus-
what a match.. what a result!
No one is about around here or on the roads,
clearly toute le monde is hiding under the bedclothes.
Happy Birthday Steve!
I couldn't make the blogger work for me yesterday(or any other computer related comunications) so the birthday greetings are a day late. I hope you had a wonderful day, enjoy your cat sitting. Watch out that you aren't attacked by disgruntled, Nay! heart broken Frenches after last nights nail biting match. Can't help thinking of your birthday two years ago in the Manoir oh happy days! Happy Birthday from all of us here in West Wales and much love Cathy
CAT SITTING
Steve has gone over to cat sit for Julian, while J&R are having a short break in Venice. Should be back about Thursday.
I hope you were glad you got up to watch the incredible Rugby game. I expect Steve took his laptop so he will no doubt answer your good wishes. Have a good day! love from DAD Julian's tel no. is 0033496127940
I hope you were glad you got up to watch the incredible Rugby game. I expect Steve took his laptop so he will no doubt answer your good wishes. Have a good day! love from DAD Julian's tel no. is 0033496127940
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Yet Another Birthday For Steve
Dear Steve, I'll give you a call later but fot now, wishing you a very happy birthday when you wake up. I'm going to try to get up a 3 am Sunday morning to watch the Rugby. We all have rugby feaver here after witnessing the quarter final upsets.
Anything interesting happening on your birthday?
Love Nic, Jen, Claire & Daniel.
Anything interesting happening on your birthday?
Love Nic, Jen, Claire & Daniel.
Friday, October 12, 2007
ESTY BIRDIE 13th OCTOBER.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR STEPHEN,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
GOOD RACING AT ASCOT TOMORROW, GOOD FERRY CROSSING AND GIVE OUR LOVE TO JULIAN AND ROOF
LOVE FROM MUM AND DAD
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR STEPHEN,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
GOOD RACING AT ASCOT TOMORROW, GOOD FERRY CROSSING AND GIVE OUR LOVE TO JULIAN AND ROOF
LOVE FROM MUM AND DAD
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Shower cubicle is finished
Installer Dave arrived here this morning about 11.30 and I reminded him that we were expecting visitors, but luckily our visitors rang up from near Windsor to say that there was a holdup on the M25 and would be late. Expect us about 1.30pm. , so I warned the White Horse that we would be late -- "no problem" came the answer, but it was 1.35 when they arrived and we were not all finished, so I said to Mum, go up to the White Horse and book 6 lunches and I will get there as soon as I can. As it happened everything was fine and the work was finished in time and we all had a good lunch. The afternoon was spent just hanging out and our guests left at about 6.30. It was nice to see my cousin Ray from Sydney and thanks to Alan and Rebecca for bringing him and June to see us. The shower unit looks very good and I can't wait to get my feet wet.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Panic Over
Dave and his Thai assistant turned up at Noon having spent four hours on motorways M32 M25 and M40 because of some accident holdups. It took him 6 hours to get home last night and he is "up to here" with motorways.
He has told me that there is a small crack in the new basin, but this will be exchanged when his inspector comes in a week or two. It is all beginning to look very nice and he said that had he been on his own, he would have stayed here to finish it tonight, but he did not want to keep his assistant away from her home. He may have to come back again tomorrow to fettle things off, so we will have to wait for our "shower party". I told him we were expecting June and cousin Ray for lunch, with Rebecca nd Alan to do the driving. DAD
He has told me that there is a small crack in the new basin, but this will be exchanged when his inspector comes in a week or two. It is all beginning to look very nice and he said that had he been on his own, he would have stayed here to finish it tonight, but he did not want to keep his assistant away from her home. He may have to come back again tomorrow to fettle things off, so we will have to wait for our "shower party". I told him we were expecting June and cousin Ray for lunch, with Rebecca nd Alan to do the driving. DAD
New shower Unit
9 am on 8th and I am worried. Did I pt the right day on our calendar, when the phone rang and Dave (our shower unit installer) was stuck on the M23 as he was coming from Haywards Heath. He is sorry but he will be late. He eventually turned up at 11.30 with his assistant (a trainee girl from Thailand) and at 6pm he was still here with half the work, but the worst part, done, and said he would have to go home and return on Tuesday.
7.45am so here I am waiting. At least all the banging and drilling is over and we can begin to see what it will look like. Anyone want the old shower??
7.45am so here I am waiting. At least all the banging and drilling is over and we can begin to see what it will look like. Anyone want the old shower??
Saturday, October 06, 2007
On a school night...
Last Wednesday Clive and I went to a performance organised by Oxford Contemporary Music. It was a performance by Harold Budd who is an ambient composer (bit like Brian Eno). It was at the Holywell Music Room in Oxford where we'd never been before and it is a lovely space. After consulting the t'internet it is said to be the oldest, purpose built music room in Europe, and hence England's first concert hall. Many musicians, including Handel, have performed here. He played for an hour (Harold not Handel) and as the seating is U-shaped, you face the other side of the audience, where at one point I counted 10 people (all men) who had drifted off with their eyes closed and you could feel the collective heart rate of the room lowering as Harold played. Fantastic evening but probably helped by the fact that it was lovely and cosy out of the cold October wind, and most of the audience had a cheeky pint in the Kings Arms next door. I love autumn.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Just got in after a lovely day in Thame
About 6 years ago a very dear friend from the Chinnor Operatic Society, Jonathan Goffin, died of altzeimers decease and for the past year or two, his widow, Brenda Goffin has been promoting a concert with professional musicians and singers, plus a nucleus of the chorus from the COS. Tonight we went to the 2007 concert, featuring another friend of ours, an internationally known tenor, named Adrian Thompson. We stayed all day with our old neighbours from Chinnor, KEN AND JEAN MASON who accompanied us to the concert and who had fed and watered us all day. It was a super concert and I rekindled many of my old friendships. Many of them also knew Pete and Jan, among them Pete's old school teacher Mrs Brenda Chubb who was thrilled that Pete and Jan had returned to the area and especially as P & J both work in P. Risborough school. They want P&J to contact them, as they live in PR. Just off to bed and we will be happy to see any one tomorrow. Love from Dad.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Happy Holidays
Feeling rather flushed with my success in getting pictures onto an album in face book,I thought that I would try with the blog, but of course by now I have forgotten how to do it but luckily the boys have just come in from school and have taken over the task.Congratulations Julian and Ruth on being approved as suitable parents, a task on a par with circumnavigating the globe on a skateboard, Good luck with the next bit !!! much love Cathy and the others
Our shower unit has arrived
It was delivered at 11.30am today and we have put it in the conservatory, until the installers come on 9th October to fit it. Then we can have a "shower Party" Dad
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Ok so I finally caved in and joined facebook...
and did a search on Merrow-Smith, and it resulted in my lovely Papa and Will but also the 'The Julian Merrow-Smith Appreciation Society' (or those who think onions and lemons have been brought to life by big Jules) their words not mine. Latest topic of conversation is that Julian could take Picasso in a fight... Julian I guess you know about this as they are eagerly awaiting a response but respectfully know you are busy. Isn't the internet fascinating and frightening at the same time.
Clive and I went to see Mandy, John, Ruby and little Millie last weekend. All are well and I took some photos of M (she smiles in her sleep). Grandad and Aunty June will be pleased to know John got hold of a copy of Millie-Molly-Mandy.
love Gemsi xxx
Clive and I went to see Mandy, John, Ruby and little Millie last weekend. All are well and I took some photos of M (she smiles in her sleep). Grandad and Aunty June will be pleased to know John got hold of a copy of Millie-Molly-Mandy.
love Gemsi xxx
Friday, September 21, 2007
What a welcome blog from dear Ruth
Congratulations, at last it is going to happen. I saw from your own blog that your plans were gathering pace and we were so excited to see that things were at last going to work out happily for you both. Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurrah!!
In your 'meanwhile' blog you were not too impressed by your 'cement' layer and we were afraid that you were again going to be disappointed. However we have pictorial proof that the patio has been successfully laid and we look forward to sitting on it in the sunshine next month (if there is any sunshine?) Love from us both- Hgh and Margaret.
In your 'meanwhile' blog you were not too impressed by your 'cement' layer and we were afraid that you were again going to be disappointed. However we have pictorial proof that the patio has been successfully laid and we look forward to sitting on it in the sunshine next month (if there is any sunshine?) Love from us both- Hgh and Margaret.
success!
Just wanted to let you all know that, unofficially, we have been approved for adoption!
The social worker was wonderful (she LOVED Julian!) but the psychologist (called 'psy' here but 'psycho' by us) was very tense, and the sessions, IN FRENCH!!!!, were rather unpleasant, albeit in the extraordinary Roman town of Vaison. It seemed he wanted to trip us up at every step, and put us into the psycho-packages that fitted his rather narrow training. His hands were tense as he scribbled many words on his pad (after we had uttered only one or two). He did not use them to shake our hands or make us feel comfortable in any way and, as a trained therapist myself, and between us, I found him very unprofessional.
It seems we charmed him despite everything (and you all were in there in the charming process), and he told Julian he saw no reason why we should not have the 'avis favorable' (the thumbs up).
We are looking at Mali and Togo. We have a very good chance of having a baby or at least a one or two year old! We are beginning to allow ourselves to get excited about our potential family. So here we are, after all that STUFF, an ectopic and 3 IVF's and the time it took to heal, being 'expectant parents' at last!
ps the terrace is at last finished!!!
The social worker was wonderful (she LOVED Julian!) but the psychologist (called 'psy' here but 'psycho' by us) was very tense, and the sessions, IN FRENCH!!!!, were rather unpleasant, albeit in the extraordinary Roman town of Vaison. It seemed he wanted to trip us up at every step, and put us into the psycho-packages that fitted his rather narrow training. His hands were tense as he scribbled many words on his pad (after we had uttered only one or two). He did not use them to shake our hands or make us feel comfortable in any way and, as a trained therapist myself, and between us, I found him very unprofessional.
It seems we charmed him despite everything (and you all were in there in the charming process), and he told Julian he saw no reason why we should not have the 'avis favorable' (the thumbs up).
We are looking at Mali and Togo. We have a very good chance of having a baby or at least a one or two year old! We are beginning to allow ourselves to get excited about our potential family. So here we are, after all that STUFF, an ectopic and 3 IVF's and the time it took to heal, being 'expectant parents' at last!
ps the terrace is at last finished!!!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
message for nic
Hazel said "Andy says he doesn't remember Nic looking that old...but he's one to talk. Next time you speak to Nic, remember Andy to him. No doubt he'll get in touch and then he can type his own bloody emails!!! Had a look at the photos, cute kids...We want to know how old. We have two ....Cameron is 8 and Rose is 2....There was life in that old dog after all..I mean him!!!"
Friday, September 14, 2007
SPOOKY - OR WHAT?
It is now 0430 and I have been awake for hours, so got up and made myself a cuppa.
Hello-oooooo. can anybody hear me? Hello-oo Is there anybody out there? Hello0oooo I'd like to come out now - Actually. My favourite radio advert, but only for National Savings! Spoookie!
Talking of spooky, We had said goodnight, but I wanted to cough and as it was so hot and I had no pyjam top on and therefore no hanky in my pocket, I started to search around in the dark on my bedside cabinet. Mum awoke and said, "Shall I put the light on?" but I said no as I did not want to wake her any further and continued to search - trying not to make any noise, when my wrist was suddenly held in a grip and I said "Don't worry darling I am only trying to find a hanky", but she was asleep and the hand on my wrist got tighter and I was getting worried as if it wasn't Mum, Who was it - Then I thought perhaps Steve had come in (As he has a key) and was trying to wake me, without making a noise, and the grip tightened - I was now getting panicky and I couldn't make out any figure. I tried to get up but the grip on my wrist was making it impossible. Spooky or what? Then it came to me in a flash, the hand which was holding my wrist could only be a man's hand as Mum was now asleep. Whose was it? You are right - it was my own!! My trigger finger had locked and I could not undo it! Spooky, or what?? I did manage to undo it but couldn't get back to sleep. It was 0320, so I got up as above.
As to Facebox, I thought it must be Andy - who else? Not a Gomme!, not a Pullen? Must be a Bell! Did you get that Nic?
Hello-oooooo. can anybody hear me? Hello-oo Is there anybody out there? Hello0oooo I'd like to come out now - Actually. My favourite radio advert, but only for National Savings! Spoookie!
Talking of spooky, We had said goodnight, but I wanted to cough and as it was so hot and I had no pyjam top on and therefore no hanky in my pocket, I started to search around in the dark on my bedside cabinet. Mum awoke and said, "Shall I put the light on?" but I said no as I did not want to wake her any further and continued to search - trying not to make any noise, when my wrist was suddenly held in a grip and I said "Don't worry darling I am only trying to find a hanky", but she was asleep and the hand on my wrist got tighter and I was getting worried as if it wasn't Mum, Who was it - Then I thought perhaps Steve had come in (As he has a key) and was trying to wake me, without making a noise, and the grip tightened - I was now getting panicky and I couldn't make out any figure. I tried to get up but the grip on my wrist was making it impossible. Spooky or what? Then it came to me in a flash, the hand which was holding my wrist could only be a man's hand as Mum was now asleep. Whose was it? You are right - it was my own!! My trigger finger had locked and I could not undo it! Spooky, or what?? I did manage to undo it but couldn't get back to sleep. It was 0320, so I got up as above.
As to Facebox, I thought it must be Andy - who else? Not a Gomme!, not a Pullen? Must be a Bell! Did you get that Nic?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Yes you're right.. Full Marks!
Andy Bell's wife Hazel popped up on Facebook and asked if I had a younger brother in Singapore!
Medical-wise I thought it maybe interesting and perhaps helpful to know that there are others out there with the same trouble, but of course each case is different, which is why we need GP's to advise.
Medical-wise I thought it maybe interesting and perhaps helpful to know that there are others out there with the same trouble, but of course each case is different, which is why we need GP's to advise.
Spend 20 mins reading about IBS
Dr Porter's column in the Health series i very interesting - but which applies to Mum with her trouble of Diverticulosis?
My birthday treat in Oxford has raised its ugly head again as I had an e-mail from 92, Station Road, Wootton saying that I had a parking fine but she had lost my address. Parking fine, I said - I sold J363 boo six weeks ago. I asked her to send on the vitriol and lo & behold it was for 0820 on 2nd April in Castle Street Oxford when I must have been waiting for Mum to come out of Malmaison and been spotted by a wideawake t/warden. I had to pay £90 + court fees of £5 so there goes something I cannnot afford - no more iPods.
Went to Daventry yesterday to have a look at Waitrose, but spent most of the time and money in Aldi, which is the biggest I have seen. No cafes or restaurants and as I was getting tired we headed home and stopped in a village called Badby where we had a jacket and a pint.
Did you see the football? good old Heskie and Owen - they seem to gel very well still. Have we ever won an international with Rooney playing?? Yours in poverty DAD
My birthday treat in Oxford has raised its ugly head again as I had an e-mail from 92, Station Road, Wootton saying that I had a parking fine but she had lost my address. Parking fine, I said - I sold J363 boo six weeks ago. I asked her to send on the vitriol and lo & behold it was for 0820 on 2nd April in Castle Street Oxford when I must have been waiting for Mum to come out of Malmaison and been spotted by a wideawake t/warden. I had to pay £90 + court fees of £5 so there goes something I cannnot afford - no more iPods.
Went to Daventry yesterday to have a look at Waitrose, but spent most of the time and money in Aldi, which is the biggest I have seen. No cafes or restaurants and as I was getting tired we headed home and stopped in a village called Badby where we had a jacket and a pint.
Did you see the football? good old Heskie and Owen - they seem to gel very well still. Have we ever won an international with Rooney playing?? Yours in poverty DAD
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Mum you're not alone..
Radio 4 Case Notes is a BBC Radio 4 programme which discusses common medical problems including one you may be interested in.
Here's a transcript of the relevant programme. IBS
It may be helpful to know that a lot of other people suffer from this condition, and that although the cause is unknown, some helpful strategies to cope have been developed.
The programme mentions which probiotics to use, the effect of stress, being worried about travel and eating out, and using hypnotherapy to ease the symptoms.
Interestingly, weight-loss is not part of the problem so your doctor really ought to be helping you with that!
Here's a quote from the transcript..
"Dr Mark PORTER
Robin, we had someone call the BBC about the use of the antidepressant Amitriptyline in low dose, she has IBS had been put on amitriptyline and it's worked very well but she's wondering whether it can be used in the long term. How's this drug working?
SPILLER
Okay so this is a drug that's been around a long time, it's safe and cheap in low dose, it's not actually used that much now as an antidepressant, the SSRIs have taken over - the newer drugs. It's a complicated action but one of its actions is to block histamine and I think most people will be familiar with antihistamines, they do relax you as well, and that may be part of the benefit if particularly taken at night in a low dose.
PORTER
So although it might be acting on the nerves and all sorts of different things you think the effects are probably that of a mild tranquilliser?
SPILLER
Yes and it makes people relaxed, it makes them sleep better and they feel better for the day the next day.
Download the programme for iTunes
Here's a transcript of the relevant programme. IBS
It may be helpful to know that a lot of other people suffer from this condition, and that although the cause is unknown, some helpful strategies to cope have been developed.
The programme mentions which probiotics to use, the effect of stress, being worried about travel and eating out, and using hypnotherapy to ease the symptoms.
Interestingly, weight-loss is not part of the problem so your doctor really ought to be helping you with that!
Here's a quote from the transcript..
"Dr Mark PORTER
Robin, we had someone call the BBC about the use of the antidepressant Amitriptyline in low dose, she has IBS had been put on amitriptyline and it's worked very well but she's wondering whether it can be used in the long term. How's this drug working?
SPILLER
Okay so this is a drug that's been around a long time, it's safe and cheap in low dose, it's not actually used that much now as an antidepressant, the SSRIs have taken over - the newer drugs. It's a complicated action but one of its actions is to block histamine and I think most people will be familiar with antihistamines, they do relax you as well, and that may be part of the benefit if particularly taken at night in a low dose.
PORTER
So although it might be acting on the nerves and all sorts of different things you think the effects are probably that of a mild tranquilliser?
SPILLER
Yes and it makes people relaxed, it makes them sleep better and they feel better for the day the next day.
Download the programme for iTunes
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Happy Birthday Jessica and Amy!
Happy Birthday love from Gem, Clive and Will (and Charlie and Lola). 
Will is visiting and we've all settled down to watch England v Israel although the waiter today was bit upset as Clive said he'd rather watch the football than the rugby (fnarr USA). Clive's birthday surprise was a trip to see Oxford United (v Exeter City) at the Kassam stadium. He hadn't been to see The Yellows play for over 15 years and Tuesday night was an exciting yet typical Oxford performance - two penalties meant Oxford was 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go, and the midfield decided to stop playing and hang out with the back three. Exeter City deserved the draw by scoring twice in the last 10 minutes, the second with the last kick of the match. I've never been surrounded by so many disappointed people (4,560 minus 60 Exeter City fans). Here are some pics I managed to take before I became too self-concious by having the camera out. We sat in the South stand which is the equivalent to the Manor's Beech Rd, wasn't feeling brave enough to sit in the East stand (the London Road end - ooh the robust language and the saucy songs!) Peter "Oxford Legend" Rhoades-Brown came on at half-time for the 'Hit the Crossbar competion' as the East terrace chanted 'Chelsea reject' - tough crowd. The two lads that came out the crowd couldn't do it but went home with some consolatory Oxford United stickers (the prize was a football signed by the team).
We may go again if the team's fortunes pick up...hep hem as we can't deal with the stress & fear of Oxford's failure.
love Gemsi x
...and Will
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMY JO
We both wish you to have a very happy birthday. We have bought some books for you to colour and we hope you get some fun out of colouring them. love from your Grandma and Grand dad. We hope you had a good week at your new school.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The happiest days of your life
Good luck to all you school children - to Ed going into 6th form, to Thomas, up to the next class, to Kate in the new BIG school, Jess and Beth in their new English school and to Amy in her first English school. Not forgetting Claire and Dan in Singapore. I am sure you will all soon get used to it. Have fun and enjoy it. Who is going to be 16 tomorrow?? - and to Amy, who will be 6 on Sunday HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JESS !! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMY!!
love from G&G
love from G&G
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLIVE!
I usually do my blog-watching at 0630, so did not see your blog Gem until just now. Last year we were all tied up with house sales, moving and all that so any attempt to cast my mind back to 2006 fell by the wayside. Anyway, Clive do enjoy your 31st. Best wishes and good luck from Hugh and Margaret.
I tried to put a comment on to your blog Gem, but like all I seem to do with computers, it fell by the wayside - sorry!!
I tried to put a comment on to your blog Gem, but like all I seem to do with computers, it fell by the wayside - sorry!!
Happy Birthday Clive!
Happy Birthday DarlingClive's birthday today and we've both taken the day off work. The birthday boy is having a birthday lie-in. I've been busy wrapping presents, baking chocolate cake (topped with minstrels and choccie buttons), and I have a secret surprise trip organised for this evening (tee hee).
Good luck for the new term/school everyone!
lv Gem xx
Hear Hear! and so say all of us. Best Wishes from Hughand Margaret
Monday, September 03, 2007
Haircut complete
As usual I have cut off too much for Edmunds liking, but as I pointed out he hasn't seen anyone from school for two months, so only he will know!! Good luck everyone for tomorrow. much love Cath xxxxx
School tomorow . . .
Hi, Edmund here.
Err . . .
Haven't been here for a while, but my thoughts strayed here when I got board waiting for mum to cut my hair (should fill 2 pillows).
School tomorow . . . yeah, nothing much esle to say.
OH-YEAH!
I've started doodling.
See http://lordedy.deviantart.com/
Err . . .
Haven't been here for a while, but my thoughts strayed here when I got board waiting for mum to cut my hair (should fill 2 pillows).
School tomorow . . . yeah, nothing much esle to say.
OH-YEAH!
I've started doodling.
See http://lordedy.deviantart.com/
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Volleyball?
Volleyball
Originally uploaded by Old tamensians.
It looks like someone has been very busy at the OldTamensians in uploading old photos to Flickr.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Henry and me
Weare getting to know one another now and yesterday I ventured right down to our local railway station, where I discovered that I can catch a train at 0833 and arrive in Princes Risborough just 33 minutes later ar at 0906. Useful. Eh?? We will have to try it one day.
My, Cathy you are working hard, but if you are enjoying it, as you seem to be - go for it. I hope you come away with your pockets jingling. Well done Kate, for helping out. love from grandad.
My, Cathy you are working hard, but if you are enjoying it, as you seem to be - go for it. I hope you come away with your pockets jingling. Well done Kate, for helping out. love from grandad.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wednesday Eve
Welcome home to Britain, Pete,Jan,Jessica,Bethany and Amy,I hope you were able to get done what was needed before the start of the school year, good luck with the house hunt, and good luck with the new school everyone!
- I have now finished my 'women in tune'(WIT)Festival cooking which was very enjoyable but very tiring..8.00 til 8.00/9.30 depending on the hicupps.......... gas bottles running out/cookers not working etc, but all were fed eventualy and only two tricky customers, lots of sunshine and happy people.Kate came to help in the kitchen and did most of the work for the spinnach quiche for 120 women.(I don't know how I suddenly have itallics and power points?) So I have three days off, today to recover,and two days to get anything that's not crossed of the uniform list and sew in name tapes, then the last weekend of the holidays before Kate starts Secondary School, Edmund starts sixth form and I have a weeks work cooking in a rehab centre.
- It looks like a nice day out yesterday a pity it was to busy for the 'Henry mark2' but I'm pleased to hear that Mum is one of the 'Ladies that lunch',
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