Happy New Year

First Footing.. for which you need a black dog or is it a lump of coal or a tall bloke!(CLICK)

Felicitations from a hot Granddad

I am sorry to read of all the accidents and sickness to my loved ones in UK.
Today, Jen took me to the local Centre Point - a large Mall not very far from here but too far for me to walk, so Jen took me in her lovely Honda.
She had arranged to meet an old college friend from England.
What a lovely lady. An Indian by birth who lived in Goa. She has four children, aged just a little younger than Daniel and quite a bit smaller. They live in Chessington, Surrey. The two elder boys Hari and Max are little imps and at the moment are creating havoc in Nic and Jen's Flat with Daniel and Claire. The little girl, Mara is a strikingly beautiful little Indian girl aged about 3 . Have I said all this before?? Last is baby Tara who is keeping her Mummy company in her meting with Jen.
I went into the M&S shop in the Mall and bought myself a pair of similar navy blue shorts to the khaki ones I find so comforable. We had a Chinese meal in the Mall, and I had pork rice, with lots of different sauces. I am getting quite good with my food and am happy to experiment.
Nic has lent me this little laptop computer which I used to follow the test match (Which we won)
Like the smll one you lent to me Cathy, butvery powerful.
I am pleased to read that the snow is disappearing in Wales. I hope it is OK in K/S as well.
The children go back to school next week, before I return on the 5th. Everyone is so kind to an old man, and I am very grateful for all the help I get. Jen's maid, Mary remembers me from Christmas 2000 when I was was here with Mum, and is pleased to help me out with my washing. She is a dear and calls meGrandad!. Love to you all from Singapore. I hope Jan's ankle does not cause her too much pain.

Poor Jan

So sorry to hear about your ankle and the loss of your Boxing Day. Not much fun!
The temperature here rose yesterday and it began to rain and carried on all evening, this morning the snow has gone from the roads and the roofs and there is only a little on the hilltops and in the gardens. And there is a strange dark sky and mist keeps coming and going.
Yesterday we had to cancel Kates birthday as she was feeling ill, she was due to have some friends over for films and pizza and a sleepover, so she's hoping to reschedule in a couple of days.
In fact we have all been a little under the weather, which is a great pity, but nice to all be together. I am thinking of you all and I wish I could see you all much love Cathy

Jan on crutches again....

Less than 18 months after breaking her metatarsal a la Beckham, Rooney et al, Jan went over on the ice on Boxing Day during a late evening walk and we spent the rest of the night at A & E in Mandeville getting her broken fibula plastered. Left side, so other ankle to last time...And now I really am chief cook and bottle washer.

Prayers and any practical assistance happily accepted!

Sorry Kate that we missed most of your birthday after not getting back home again until 6am on the 27th... Ah, well. C'est la vie. At least we are on vacation for the moment...Back to the fracture clinic on Friday 7th. Jan is doing okay but of course is understandably a little uncomfortable at times....

Love to all

Pete

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KATE

Welcome to your 15th birthday KATE, tomorrow 27th, from all of us in the warmth of SOUTH EAST Asia in Singapore. Today we watched the Ashes cricket match from Australia, in the BRITISH Club in Singapore. We later went round to Jen's Mother and Father's house for a family meal.
Today is the 26th of December and is Jen's younger sister Ming's Birthday. She has two lovely children James aged about 5 and Grace, about 2/3 years old.
Have a lovely time and don't get too cold in the snow.
LOVE ALSO TO MUM AND DAD AS WELL AS TO EDMUND AND THOMAS.
From GRANDAD XXX

Happy Christmas Everybody

It's now Boxing day here and you a very much in my thoughts Dad. There is still snow all around but no new snow for a few days. We will try to get some pictures up on the blog for Claire and Daniel.
The Boxing Day Hunt has had to be cancelled and it's not looking good for the New Year Hunt, there doesn't seem any likleyhood of a thaw as it is so cold. The cancelling of the hunt is rather a blow localy as it usually gives the community a fincieal boost. And of course a spectical and a reason for standing in the square eating mince pies and chatting to the nabours.
Kate and I are sitting warming ourselves by the fire, and feeling a little smug as I thought I may not be able to light the fire as the logs are wet, the men/boys are still asleep. Kate and I have a birthday to plan, she's hoping for a few close friends and pizza and film night here at home, so we have to get the friends over and make some pizza.
Thinking of you all lots of love Cathy xxxx

Happy Christmas!

Its Boxing Day morning here in Potts Point and we're waking up slowly with tea and croissants. After a week of heat, today is the first rain, and we could see some lightening later. Saying that its still 20 degrees at 10am.

Yesterday we were treated to scrambled egg and smoked salmon for brunch, then a walk through the Botanical Gardens down to the Quay and a look at the Opera HOuse in full midday sun - quite something. Then home for red snapper for lunch and clive's mushroom and goats cheese risotto with plenty of wine for supper.

As Gdad says Christmas not the same here, more like August Bank Holiday with the perfect summer weather. Plenty of barbies, and sound systems going across the gardens. Though some shops are open on C Day, and down by the opera house its seemed business as usual for the tourists places. The ferries were still operating across the harbour and we could see groups of people making their way up the bridge climb.

The Aussies seem a bit worried about the Ashes which resumes today, they are comforting themselves in the paper with photos of past glories and Shane is rallying support. Also today is the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which leaves from nearby Rushcutters Bay. They think its going to be a classic due to the rough wet weather so shld make for some exciting yachting!

http://rolexsydneyhobart.com

love to all xx

G&C

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Saturday, December 25, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

It is now 8.50pm on Christmas Day.

We had 16 to lunch in Nic's house, including Jen's Uncle Daniel from San Francisco, who has spent 12 years in the States and has now returned to Sg to live. He was for many years the chief Electrician to the Sultan of Brunei until he retired.

Also present were Jen's Mum and Dad (Bobby and Ivy), Jen's two sisters (Li and Ming) with husbands and children, plus Nic and me, Jen and Claire and young Daniel.

They (Jen, Nic Claire and Daniel) are playing on the TV with the WII game Nic bought them from the Japanese Takashima monster store in Orchard road, (which is ablaze with 20 ft long hanging blue streamers and wall to wall cars all with their red rear lights shining - a magical sight).

Last night we all ( about 20 of us) had Christmas Eve dinner in Bobby and Ivy's lovely house.

Although Singapore is British based with English as the first language, it is not strictly a 100% Christian country, Christmas does not have the religious connotions the UK has.( or should have!!, But everyone seems to join in with every other religious holidays. So the Newspaper comes out today and the Christian churches are open.

A Happy New Year to all our readers and if the planes are still flying I should be home on 6th Jan. Love to you all from Dad and all the above.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all my lovely people, from all of us in white wintery Wales. lots of love Cathy and John, Edmund Thomas and Kate xxxxx

happy chrimbo all!!

Back from the traditional visit to Les Halles, and remembering being there last year with you Hugh, and Margaret.....

So, a tinge of sadness too as we prepare for the big day, which isn't that big as for the first and probably last time it's just the two of us. Cat cuddles, and my homemade chocolate covered figs, and various lovely things that the chef is cooking up. Partridge, scallops and black pudding, john dory with wild mushrooms....

So thinking of you all, ye Merrow Smithies, and sending you much love from a very quiet Les Cougueiux. Wishing you all peace, joy, health and prosperity in the coming year.

Oy Mate!

Happy Birthday Peter.. this year snow and an eclipse just for you!

doo DOO doo do.. weird my phone went as I was parking up exactly outside this shop in Haywards Heath. Who do you think it was?

(clue)..he lives in Singapore

Phew what a scorcher..

herber
Originally uploaded by CRESTW00D
Happy Birthday Peter .. It could be worse mate stuck down here in the middle of nowhere doh!
||:•|)

News just in...

The Holts have arrived in HK.
Went to see Gem and Clive off on Thursday evening and tex'd later they were checked in at LHR on their Cathay Pacific flight (average age of passenger 15yrs!!)
Were separated from their luggage, and flight promptly cancelled!
Bussed off to The Thistle Hotel for the night off City Road in Central London.
I got a text yesterday from Cathay at 4pm saying flight was due out at 5pm yesterday and forwarded to Gem and Clive who were still at the hotel waiting for the bus to arrive!
Another text saying not enough room for everyone on the bus but they had seats.
Next one at 5.30 saying at Park Royal.
Then- 'we're on the plane' at 6.55pm.
I started imagining that film with Steve Martin sat next to John Candy in 'Trains Planes and Automobiles'.

It was minus 10 celcius in Sussex at the time. The roads were like glass and the M23 was at a standstill.
We diverted round Gatwick, the temp gauge on the Range Rover plummeted from minus 7 to minus 9... but drivers were sensibly taking it easy.

A plane took off over our heads which gave hope that our bairns would be off soon not kept on the runway for 5 hours or some such horror. I've never seen minus 10 on a temperature gauge but I did last night.

Ginger hopped out after the long journey and then couldn't go. I thought he had frozen to the spot!

Delays

It seems like Gemma and Clive have not made it out of the country yet. I hope they get a flight soon.

That was just the title!

It looks like you travelers made it out just in time I hope all is going well for both you Dad and Clive and Gemma.
I just manage to make it out of work yesterday, my colleague left about 15 minutes later than I left, in the lovely red Landy with the snorkel and the chunky tyres and it took 3 hours for her to make the journey home, sorry Annette but I'm so glad I made my own way in!
So,too dangerous to go in to work today, 8 inches and still falling, very beautiful very quiet, but not much help to the last minute present buyer. Christmas may be a very humble affair for some in this household!!!! But I'm very grateful for the enforced rest as I was wondering how I was going to make it to Christmas.

Snowed again! It looks like you all got out of the country in the nic of time

Cop ya later?

Dear Family,

So glad to hear Gdad has safely arrived in Singapore. He is a big softie and we love him for it. Daniel and Claire - Give him a big wet kiss for us.

A quick message before we leave to catch the coach to Heathrow. A happy christmas and new year to you lovely people wherever you may be this holiday. We will raise a glass to you all from Martin and Nigel's in Sydney.

Love to you all and hope the snow stays pretty. We promise to try and come home.

Gem and Clive xxx

HURRRAAAH!!!

Lots of love to all the Singaporese

Dear all,

Dad has arrived safely; hooray for Dad! Wonderful for him to make the effort and although it's made easier by Business Class Travel and a wonderful plane in Boing's 777, he still has a huge cabin to shuffle around. He found the Silver Kris lounge at Heathrow and topped up on coffee, curry, tiger beer and some of other Singapore delights (being a privileged passenger and all), before he had even set off from Heathrow. Properly looked after by our international cabin staff, he arrived safely around 4 pm this afternoon. He looks pretty fresh. Daniel and Claire came to the airport with me and he was somewhat overwhelmed to see the three of us gawking through the glazing; big olde softy. I took him for a quick tour of our new Marina Bay area with it's splendent Casino and new financial Centre (towering 65 storey commercial buildings) before touching down at Sng Manor. There we were welcomed by Bobby, Ivy and Ahiah, Grace and James and later just about everyone had been through the house including Ming, Li, Koon How, Joshua and Esther.

After a tea, chat and orientation, I left him at around 7.15 to return my kids home for dinner. Dad will be with us from either Friday or Saturday depending on his acclaimatisation. Claire and Daniel will be helping to plan his activities.

Take Care

ove Nic

Singapore welcome

Hi Dad, hope the flight went smoothly and that you are not too tired after the long haul. How did your legs hold out? Keep 'em moving. I meant to phone before you set off but I've been pretty low with a flu-like cold even though I have been dragging myself in to work because (otherwise I wouldn't get paid under the current arrangement). I have all your old addresses from your old Mac on a memory chip. After you get back we can just move them across. Did the iMac reinstall successfully? Hopefully so. If you need me to do anything while you are away, let me know and I'll find some time to get over in the hols. Have a great time and love to Nic, Jen and all the family. We might try and follow your example and get out there one of these days.

Love Pete

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

After my Imac crashed, I have lost all my addresses. If you can help send me your address and Email. My Email is hewsappy@gmail.com Thank you. Hugh

It's CHRISSSS MISSS

Been a bit snowy down in Sussex of late..

imac

reinstalled OS X
updating

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DANIEL

I hope you are having a good birthday, Dan. Ihope to see you next week. Love from Grandad

QUIZ - Here's one for you

Can you find the pound? Three flatmates put in a tenner each to buy a £30 radio at a store. The shop assistant notices on the system its been reduced by a fiver. He gives them £1 back each and naughtily pocket’s £2. So they’ve paid 3 x £9 each (£27) and the assistants got £2 (so that’s £29). Where’s the other pound?

Courtesy of Martin 'moneysavingexpert.com' Lewis

Sorry Gemma

I would have gone to the Trout, sorry for the misnomer. G

gmail toNic

Thanks for list of necessities. I have ordered the rib, but not sure of size/weight of a four bone rib (will it exceed my baggage allowance). How much can I put in the main luggage hold. I plan to put the rib and the two art books in the hold and take a flight bag (up to 7 kgs ) in the cabin. Clothing does not weigh that much, but the more I bring the heavier the bag will be. I can always buy in Robinsons if I need more.
Remember that it is 4 below in UK so I will have to wear some winter clothing. I am going to airport by my local taxi, which I have used before, leaving here at 2pm. Any useful things you can tell me about the terminal will be appreciated. I could print-out the Boarding pass, up to two days before flight, but will probably not bother. Love to all fom DAD XXXX

Grandad

Blogging this via phone so forgive brevity. The Trout at Wolvercote, not Plough - Sat 11 Dec, table booked under Holt for 12.45. Looking forward to it & glad to hear you are ok. We too are are preparing for our long trip, very excited! G xx

Hi Guys

Very cold outside but warm in here. I feel for you, Cath, having to fight your way to work in the Welsh snow. I had a very nice phone call from Witney, where Elaine was concerned for me. We hope to meet G&C at the Wolvercote Plough on Saturday week. If I have got it wrong please tell me. is 11th OK?. Nearly packed up, just a few things to sort out, love from Dad/Grandad XXX

That was a week that was

Dear All, I am relieved to be still here after a mixed week.
Monday, collected my car from a guy who had been covering up some blemishes, where somebody scraped me outside a school in Charlton.
Tuesday It was very cold and I could hear water in the loft so I turned off the main. Then the power trip tripped and I had no heat. Tried it a few times but it kept tripping so I turnd off all the power plugs, hoping to isolate the one which caused the tripping. No luck there and as it was getting cold, so I went to bed, More water sounds so I got up and turned off the water and decided to get my plumber pal Steve Palmer to come along in the morning.
I still had no heat so I contacted another friend of mine who runs an electrical business and he sent along his foreman, Dave Lewis. Stay with me as the names are important. Dave was first on the scene and after he made several attempts to re- connect the heating he went in the garage to check on the power points and he came back to say that there was a flood in the garage. The cold had caused a pipe to burst and that was doing the tripping., so he isolated the elect supply to the garage. Plumber Steve turned up and when he saw Dave, he said 'do I know you, your name is David Lewis. We were in the infants school together in Banbury, 45 years ago. They recognised each other after all those years. Anyway all was put right and they had many a story to tell.
Trouble is, when I switched on the power plug controlling the Apple Mac. nothing. Julian came on the phone and we tried to get the Mac to start, with no luck, so he rang Pete up and in the cold evening dear Pete turned up and tried to re-start the Mac. Still nothing. So, he re-connected the old emac and that is what I am using now. Thank you my lovely boys (and Beth who was on the other end of Pete's phone)
Sorry about the lengthly report but I was afraid I wwould not be able to contact the airport to see if my plane was flying, but I have a few days before then, as I travel on the 14th.
Happy flying to Gem and Clive on 16th to Sydney.
Sorry about all your travelling worries Cath. Love you all. DadXXX

I did spell check this blog twice now and it won't come out right....poo

Thankyou for the up date Julian,

What a disarster, that is going to make it difficult for Dad to make all his arrangements with Nic. Does he have power in the house I surppose it was just the garage that isn't working. Poor Dad.

Back in contact...

Dad is back on line using the eMac but the Imac remains non-functional. I've started it up with the D key down and carried out a short and an extended hardware test. The short test indicated there was nothing wrong but clearly there is. I am waiting for the extended test to finish now. I've tried using Diskwarrior and a Tiger start up disc to get into utilities but neither of them would start up with the C key down. Nor will the shift command PR combination do anything. We'll see what the extended hardware test says in an hour or so...

Pete

Dad is computerless

Dad had a flood in the garage and all his electrics fused in the aftermath. The computer seems to have been damaged when the electrics blew, I couldn't get it to boot (with dad as the technician) so he is without internet and access to phone numbers, and Henry can't be charged plus no washing machine... it's just started to snow but he has plenty of food and the telly still works. Telephone calls invited!

Dad

Good morning, how are you fairing out there in the midlands I haven't heard any weather reports, but then all my energy is taken up getting getting two and fro work.
I hope you are keeping safe and warm.
I can't seem to mail on Yahoo this morning so I'm blogging insyead it's probably just tempory.lots of lve Cathy

Parkour...

Proper Kids TV a la Why don't you...?

At your expence

I laughed out loud!!
love Cathy xxx

Should have gone to SpecSavers

Got up at 0500 to watch the cricket. Forgot my spex and tried to make porrige without them. 2.20 mins in M/wave and went to add spoonful of demerera sugar. but put spoonful of coffee by mistake. Tried to eat coffee porrige but had to pour it down the loo. Decided to have Shreddies instead Doh!
Very pleased I got up as we were doing very well on the cricket field as both openers had scored 110 runs!!

Claire

Happy birthday Claire from all at Forty Green

Happy Birthday Claire

I hope you are having a wonderful day.
We are all very exited here in Wales, the snow started falling at about 9.45 yesterday morning and by 11.00 the world looked like a Christmas card, all the children were sent home from school early in case the buses couldn't take them home later. So the hills are alive with the sound of children sledging. Lots of love Cathy John Edmund Thomas and Kate.

To Claire

I hope you are having a good birthday. Seems a long time ago when Grandma and I came to your 1st birthday. Hope to see you soon Love from Grandad.

Hope to come with you to the Botswana talk if you arestill up for it.

Dad, I hope you had a hot waterbottle.

But you survived, good for you.
I'm home safe and sound, but I've had to leave Audrey Audi at work, snowed in! So Annette brought me home in her supadupa red landy with it's great big tyres. It was still quite a hairy ride home and she has to go on as she lives in Ffarmers.
The kids are all out at Parties, so I don't know when we will see them, sometime tomorrow, weather permitting.

Electric cut

We were warned that our elect supply would be cut off for two hours this morning from 0830 until 1030, so I got up early @ 0500 to watch the test match for a couple of hours, had me cereals and went back to bed at 0700. I put the wireless on to tell me when the supply would come on and here I am. Sorry if anyone has been trying to contact me but all's well that ends well. I am still breathing. Thinking of you Cath, as you drive through the snow. It is a beautiful sunny morning here. Love from Dad

First Snow

Beautiful sunny frosty morning, everything looked good, as I climbed the hills above Penryncoch, I realised that there was snow swirling about on the road ahead of me. That was the warning shot, from now on the boot will contain a shovel, a blanket and snow boots!!!!!!

Pete and Jan

On Saturday 27th Nov there will be a Talk Botswana Safari at the local Baptist Church. I hope to go, so if you are interested it will be at 6pm. Talk with slides Supper and Raffle. Everybody welcome Dad

Polishing

Yes! I remember polishing the indian brass plates and not really liking the clash of colours when the the polish brought up the pinkish ting of the copper against the yellowy gold of the brass, I also remember feeling frustrated that I could never get all the white deposit from the Brasso out of the dimpled surface. What a world of memory there is in a simple object, who'd of thought!

The Good Life

Hi Julian, I've been watching Giles Coren and Sue Perkins learn about surburban self sufficiency a la Tom and Barbara Good (Giles and Sue live the Good Life). They do the goat, pig, chicken rearing thing and get the rotavator going too. As you are outside UK, I guess you can't use the bbc iplayer but there are clips on youtube. Peapod wine anyone?

lovw G xx

Brass elephants

They had a very particular smell, which I can still recall, of cigarette ash and brass. Did they not come from your Dad, Dad, with the big elephant?

I still want to know about those chicken eggcups, where were they, grandmas?

We are getting a visit from the man who owns the house opposite on Thursday (you met him for a coffee on our terrace dad). He may be willing to sell the field opposite the house -- the bits either end of the road, so we may be able to have a mixed orchard and veg. plot, bees and possibly chickens (a pig)! I'll be Richard Briers and Ruth, Felicity Kendal!

Brass Dishes

I just remembered what we were talking about yesterday, Pete. There were two small dishes, which we sometimes used as ash trays when we had smoking visitors. I cannot remember where we/I got them, they just appeared. Not Ceylon, but I think Indian. We had them on the mantel shelf. What a memory you have for some things. Good to see you last night. Love from Dad XXX

Ceylonese plates

Does anyone remember the two small brass plates we used to have at 77? Dad doesn't remember them but I'm sure they had elephants on which suggests they came back with him from Ceylon. I have a memory that they were somehow embossed and had a slightly different coloured metal within their design....perhaps a slightly reddish elephant design on them...not quite the ones in the picture below...?

Pete

Thank you Cathy

Cathy rang up to tell me that she and Thomas were going to Bristol University to see what the Art Course is like and whether Thomas would like a change. After that they would come and visit me in K/S. In due course they turned up after trying to find me through a road deviation which took her away from the village (a few times), but eventually found me. Cath was very tired after a busy week and was happy to give me a cuddle and sit down to watch what I was watching on the TV. It was too late to travel to Charlton (Thanks for the offer, Steve) so we sat and opened a bottle (for me) and an Irish Whiskey Cream for Cath. We had a laugh or two with QI and eventually turned in.
Next day I had an appointment at Church which I couldn't avoid and I cooked a lunch, which we all seemed to enjoy.
After lunch we watched Le Ballon Rouge on telly, which I always enjoy seeing (the Olde Paris and the final disappearance of Pascal into the sky hanging on to twenty gas filled baloons).Four O'c and time to get back to Wales. Lovely for me and Cath got home safely.
Got rid of the electric bed/chair, which had stopped working. What a laugh to see two workmen trying to get the chair (fully extended) out of the front door. Should have had a camcorder !!!
Singapore will not be long. Me on a 777 in the Business seats, 14th December, can't wait. Love ypu all from Dad, Happy Christmas to all I will not be seeing before then. .XXX

Dad

Thomas and I got back at about 8 o'clock safe and sound, the roads were busy but no problems for us. It was lovely to be with you, I'm sorry I was so tired. Thankyou for cooking lunch for us which we enjoyed very much. Lots of love Cathyxxx

Hotel Splendide

Something to print off and cut out!

Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) - Something For The Weekend, o2 Academy Oxfo...

Royal Facebook Page

Royal Household web page

British Monarchy tweets

Have you come far?

Apple Corps

Yeah Yeah Yeah!!!

photo
Originally uploaded by ezappy

Auntie Joan and Jane

Rachel Busby's Facebook Update for family - Mum spending next 4 weeks in care home in Abingdon. Jane not coping and needs a rest & I need some piece of mind knowing she is safe and being cared for before I go a bit cuckoo too!!
48 minutes ago · Like · Comment
Katy Bayliss Best thing for all Rachel, sounds like everyone needs a break. Love to all. Xx
40 minutes ago · Like

2,3,5 bedroom new homes for sale - Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39

Cement Works Site


About the Area
Chinnor is a sleepy little village which over the years has embraced an impressive mix of architectural styles. It’s a wonderful example of that English
eccentricity of which we are so rightfully proud. Old Kiln Lakes is bringing its own sense of style to the former Cement Works site, offering a wide variety of
modern homes to suit all needs in a very pretty setting.

The village has a small number of shops including a Spar convenience store, a baker, butcher, pharmacy, garden centre and several takeaways. It also has a
library, social/sports hall, playing fields, children’s play area, GP and dental practices and a much loved and extremely well supported Community Centre.

There are several friendly pubs and restaurants within the immediate area. Families with children will be pleased to know there are two primary schools in the village with secondary schools in Thame and Watlington. The surrounding countryside just begs to be explored on foot, bicycle or horseback and there are two excellent golf courses – Princes Risborough 2.5 miles away and Whiteleaf Golf Club at 4.6 miles. The Ridgeway long distance footpath, crosses the site on an elevated causeway and recreational trips are offered on the private Chinnor
and Princes Risborough Railway that defines the north western boundary.

For more extensive shops and amenities there’s High Wycombe or Aylesbury, both approximately 8 miles away and it’s just 13 miles into Oxford. You’ll be just 3
miles from the M40 for travelling around the area. All in all a lovely place to put down roots in your new Taylor Wimpey home.

Genevieve

Genevieve
Originally uploaded by Nikonsnapper

I thought I saw a Darracq!

Old Crocks

video- Meanwhile in Sussex

I understand this isn't deliberately reckless, merely the desire to avoid using their leather belt brakes!

Jimi Mistry's kid goes to Ruby's school

Strictly Ruby

Brixton Hill, S.W.2

We used to live just off Brixton Hill, from 1933 until 1937 and every November on the first Sunday, we used to go to the end of our road and my Dad used to say, watch these old cars go up Brixton Hill. It was the Annual London to Brighton "Old Crocks Race" as we called it as the vintage cars all struggled up Brixton Hill on their way to Brighton. THAT was 67 years ago and they are still holding this annual rally, with all the old ladies in their fancy hats and the old men in their Norfolk jackets and Sherlock Holmes hats. Dad.

Here's a Good 'un

They were advertising a suitable white wine for use with a recipe on the Alan Titchmarsh Show. It was a drawing of a cat sitting on an egg but the egg had two cross keys. It was called "Chat en Oeuf du Pape", Obtainable from Marks & Spencer. Now there's a funny thing.
What did the French girl say to the sailor in Toulon. ? L.O.c'est l'heure. 8 o'clock?. I don't wish to know that!!

Barn Hill Farm - Whaddon 4x4

Hey Steve, maybe you should have a go in the Landy over at Whaddon. It's £20 for the whole day and you can have as much fun as you like going off road, over humps and hills and through dongas....From sun rise to sun set, all for £20 and a burger van on site too. Sounds just the ticket.

Check out Whaddon...

London to Brighton on Sunday

Chinnor Cement Works Chimney Is Finally Demolished

Re-This is tomorrow.

It's just me trying to work out how to publish pictures

This is Tomorrow

This is Tomorrow

belated wishes

Dear Steve and Nic,

We are very sorry to have missed the moment to wish you both birthday loveliness. There are lots of excuses (me stuck in Rome with the strikes, billions of guests etc) but the bottom line is we are not very good at catching dates and we surely are piggy rellies but we DO love you and send you lots of belated love and wishes for happiness and abundance in the coming year.

Fancy a pint?

Me, Clive and our Will fancy going along on the Saturday. Anyone else fancy coming?

White Horse Beer Festival 2010

love G xx

advert letter

Mr. P.H. Merrow-Smith
31, Arundel Close, Kings Sutton
Banbury, Oxon OX17 3QZ

November 2010



NO OBLIGATION

Dear…………………………………

I hope you have enjoyed seeing Julian’s beautiful Postcard from Provence book of his paintings, which I have been able to give to my friends and acquaintenances. The book also contains many appreciative comments and interviews.
.
Claire Reilka Wright, the art critic from The Fourshires local Countryside Magazine has seen the book and has made him Artist of the Month for October. Books are available at many art shops in the area of the Shires, at £22.50.

I have just returned from France where he sends out 4200 emails each day to his many admirers in the art world, from his daily website shiftinglight.com.
(Which please log on to )
The book has been a great success and he has sold over 1200, which he sends out by post from France to all his customers around the World. Books are also sent to Amazon,(UK) from here, where customers can buy his book at the full price, plus postage and packaging..
He is now working on book number two, which he hopes will be on sale next year.

If you would be interested in sending Christmas presents, you may like to consider one of the books for your friends and/or relations and for this purpose Julian has arranged for a supply of shrink-wrapped books to be sent to me from his printers in Somerset, to sell at a much reduced discount of £20 per book, sent direct to friends, inclusive of post and packaging. (UK addresses only please)

I would send out your order before 12th of December as I will be spending Christmas in Singapore with Julian’s brother and family and will be flying out on that day.

If you are interested, may I suggest that you send me a cheque to my address at the top of the page, for £20 ,made payable to me, together with a card showing the receiver’s address together with a greeting card and I will dispatch the book and greeting card directly and certainly before 12th December, to arrive by Christmas.

Yours very sincerely

What's the story?

Click on Ruth's blog link for a long story. Also there is a big art show in Aix-en-Provence at which Julian was invited to speak. He is a better painter than a speaker and Gary agreed to stand in for him. Gary and family have sold up in Calif. and have bought a house not too far from Bedoin. That is the story love from Dad

Nick now qualifies..

So I've posted him the T shirt

Incredible Sealegs Amphibious Boats

We thought we saw a boat up on blocks at Polzeath Beach yesterday, then the family came down the cliff path from their hotel,

climbed in their RIB (rigid inflatable boat)..
and drove off into the sea.. while we stood and watched open mouthed.
Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMR2Azr-NsI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

(Sent from my iPhone which is wonderful of course
But less so when fingers hit buttons by mistake)

Jon and Kelly's Excellent Wine & Truffle Adventure

Oops sorry butterfingers!

[http://theprovencepost.blogspot.com/2010/10/jon-and-kellys-excellent-wine-truffle.html]
Jon and Kelly's Excellent Wine & Truffle Adventure

--
Posted By ruth

Happy Woofday Uncle Nic

We've been playing with the frisbee but it got busted...
But it makes a half decent boomerang!
Lots of licky slobbery kisses
From the Dawgies
Ps we sent you a souvenir from Cornwall
so if you have a postman you might get it

What a fantastic week of Blogs

Looking back over the week's blogs, I am even more thrilled at Julian's original Idea, Keep it up, family. Love from Dad

P.S I love that Aussie lady's picture blog, Ruth. H

PPS How lovely of Gary to get Julian out of a speech. H

Happy birthday Nic

Hope you are having a good time. I guess you'll be calling it a night round about now. Sorry we couldn't all get over to celebrate it with you but we are there in spirit. Love you loads and love to all the family

Happy Birthday to baby brother Nic

I hope you have had a lovely Day, John Dad and I have just been out for lunch on your behalf, Johns drunk your share of the Old Hooky beer, and we have all raised a glass to you on your 5oth. lots of love to you from Cathy John and Dad in Kings Sutton. xxxxxx

I have sent you my booking confirmation

I have booked BUSINESS as you suggested Dad

Flight to Singapore

Dearest Dad,

Please make sure you book business class and call me if you have a problem with that.

SQ319 is the Boeing 777 flight leaving early evening and getting in mid afternoon, probably pretty good timing for you. The A380 offers more comfort in business class because there's alot more space, wider seats and subsequently a bit more privacy. The down side is the flight leaves around 10pm when you are on most days probably asleep and arrives in Singapore early evening after a good nights sleep and a few early morning movies and the like. This flight is more suited to business flyers. Either way you are sure to have a comfortable and enjoyable, possibly restful, flight.

Flying back, book the morning flight around 9am as the kids will all be back at school and we have an early start on school days anyway. This is a day flight (Boeig 777) and gets you in to England mid afteroon and is the flight I use when travelling on my own.

OK, let us know what you've done.

Love Nic

CHRISTMAS IN SINGAPORE

To Honoured Son
FATHER acknowledges with grateful thanks the invitation of son Nicholas to join him together with wife Jen-Hui and Grand-children Claire and Daniel to spend Christmas 2010 in Singapore.

FATHER also sends his love and GOOD WISHES for Nicholas to have a Happy Birthday on 27th October.

I have selected to fly by Singapore Airlines from London HR on Tuesday 14th December on flight SQ 319 leaving London HR at 18.15 and arriving in Singapore on 15th December 2010 at 14.45.

HAS HONOURED SON any comments to make before FATHER confirms booking

Dear Dad, here is your invitation for the World to see;

Dear Father

Your loving son, Nicholas, dedicated daughter in-law Jen-Hwei and beloved grand children Claire and Daniel

coordially invite you to Singapore to celebrate

"Christmas in Singapore"

from 14th December (or there abouts)through to the 4th January (or there abouts) and all related activities

We suggest you book early so as not to avoid dissappointment. Options on your flights are appended below; happy shopping.

Qantus International Business Class gets you a sky bed http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/international-business-class/global/en


Or fly Qantus First Class and get a 6"6" bed


http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/international-business-class/global/en


BA First class promises the follwoing; "First comfort
Introducing the new First suite and cabin, we invite you to discover an enhanced experience onboard British Airways.
Taking on our customers’ feedback, we’ve designed an elegant and stylish environment featuring thoughtful and practical touches, such as:
Unique personal windows, incorporating the first electronic blinds onboard a commercial aircraft that span two windows
Seats that are 60% wider at the shoulder
Your own wardrobe
A distinctive lighting system, designed to recreate the subtlety of natural light throughout the day to help you feel at home when working, dining or simply relaxing.
Drift off to sleep
Should you decide you’re ready to sleep, you can slip into wonderfully soft cotton pyjamas and request our Turndown Service at any time of the day. We’ll make up your fully flat bed with a specially designed single–piece quilted mattress, crisp white 400–thread Egyptian cotton duvet and pillow to help you to drift off in comfort more blissfully than ever.
Wake up refreshed
When it’s time to freshen up, you can use our range of well–being products from D.R. Harris & Co., one of London’s longest established traditional pharmacies that only uses the finest natural ingredients. Products include e.g. eye gel, lip balm and moisturiser, all enclosed in a stylish Anya Hindmarch bag, exclusively designed for First."


On BA Business Class you can book yourself a bed on certain flights, " Sleep soundly in our 180° flat bed in an intimate cabin with only 12 seats. Sip fine wines, savor freshly prepared meals and arrive fully rested to start your day. Experience more comfort, privacy and personalized service all for much less than typical business class fares.

Then if you don't mind travelling in real comfort and patriotism isn't your thing, you can fly Singapore Airlines. For a once in a life time experience check out the Cabins;

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/suite/suite.jsp

Lots of love,

Nic

RAIN STOPPED PLAY

Four of us arrived at the Castle Inn at Edgehilll, to watch the famous battle of Edgehill, 2010 version, After some of us had lunch (some had none and some had two) we went out to view the battlefield and after we learned that the match was drawn, we set off home in the most horrific rainstorm which washed out all proceedings and it wasn't until we got near Banbury that the rain eased off. Rain stopped everything.

A lovely blog, Nic and we imagined you on your motorbike going like the clappers down to Aynho !! How about fixing up your old Dad to visit Singapore
A good day out, and Steve got himself a Landy cap and coat. Kind permission of Pete love from Dad
??Will I see you on Wednesday, Cath?

368 years ago- October 23rd 1642.

The Battle of Edgehill

Battle started at 2.00 all over by 4.30pm!

Peter and Amy arrived 9 minutes late!(for the battle) haha 

and P handed over his Land Rover Owners cap and bomber jacket

which doesn't go with the Fiat.

Much appreciated bro.

I'll look after it for yer.

We went for the Roundhead Cromwellian brew 

hmmmm... nectar!

Nearly 50

Dear all,

Nice to see I'm in your thoughts. No big family party planned I'm afraid. Once upon a time I had visions of meeting you all in Phuket or somewhere but we would have all needed to have been saving for two years. Tomorrow we will be having a birthday cake, sharing with Lee (Jen's sister) who's birthday is on 29th October. I am organising a beer evening on Wednesday 27th after 10pm, probably at Ice Cold Beer, Singapore. A great hang out at the bottom of our road which happens to sell Fuller's London Pride, so if you're in town?

I'm off to Hong Kong on Thursday morning to participate in a regional round table about the future of lighting of people's homes, sponsored by Philip's ("up the PSV") and back on Saturday to what I believe may be a bit of a poorly kept surprise. I'm in the blurr about the details so that's OK.

Edge Hill. I used to love that part on the ride to and from Banbury; visions of racing a hill climb on my C15 with the megaphone blurting away, throttle hard against the stop as I wound my way up the hill and around the hairpin and up through the glade with the stone wall on the left. Riding towards Banbury was equally spectacular with the landscape opening up before me, hurtling down towards Anyho on that long drag reaching speeds close to 80mph.

On the domstic front, Claire has finished her end of year exams and is now looking forward to one more year in Primary School before she can step up into the big time. She's grown all round this year, in part due to the experience of participating in the World finals for Odessy of the Mind and Pokemon which required her to open up more nad make new friends. Daniel has two weeks to go until the end of term and will be facing his first exams for real this year as they stream the boys in Primary 2.

Jen and I are fine, I speak to Dad regularly and yes Steve, you missed my "Happy Birthday" call from Beijing.

That's it for now, keep on Skyping!

Love Nic, Jen, Claire and Daniel.

October Magazine out now!

October Magazine out now!
(looks like someone's got to buy it)doh!

The Four Shires Monthly Magazine.

Artist of the Month is Julian Merrow-Smith, for October. Claire Railke Wright produces the Arts features.
Maggie Chapman also has an article on bees- Skeps and boles, honey and beeswax.

Next week

Sorry I have just reread the blog and realised that I had misread the Dad/Steve exchange, and now John is here and tells me the plan is for Wednesday, could I gatecrash, John has to go and pick up some furniture so won't be available for Lunch.

Windmills

There is a suggestion that all the windmills(wind turbines)should be painted purple.....The thinking being, insects are drawn to the white windmills, so birds and bats are drawn to the turbines to feed on the insect and get killed or mutilated by the turning sails..as insects don't see purple so the chain of death and destruction ends, sounds like someones making it up!!!

Dad are you about on Wednesday or Thursday...27th or 28th Oct..I have taken some time off and John and I are going to london to see some art exhibitions and stay with Jenny, then we thought to come up to see you for lunch and then back home. Thinking about it now I think John was thinking of Thursday. love Cathy xx

Windmill!

Castle Inn

I will be there at 12.30 on 23rd. Dad set em up joe!

Saturday-A pub with a view

I was looking for a pub in or with a Windmill for Nic's 50th, but a castle with a tower will have to do. 

(Remember dressing as knights in armour with nappies on our heads and making tabards out of pillowcases?)

I'll be at Castle Inn Edgehill
Edgehill
OxfordshireOX15 6DJ

 from 12.30 on Saturday 23rd October for lunch and a few Hookies.

The Castle Inn at Edgehill

"Can there be a more unusual pub in Britain? And can there be a pub with better views? The views from the Castle Inn's garden and terrace stretch out across several neighbouring counties. Some say that, on a clear day, it is possible to make out the Wrekin in Shropshire and the foothills of the Welsh mountains! However, the less distant hills of Broadway and Malvern are more obvious."

Sunday I'm working,

then off to Cornwall for a week so I'll be toasting the lad's half century with a pint of Doombar at the Maltsters in Chapel Amble, what is a world away from 'Beijing' (or Peking as we were brought up to pronounce it) whence I missed a call from Nic on his mobile on the 10th of the 10th of the 10th.

Here's the menu for the Castle Inn.

MENU

APPETISERS

Hearty soup of the day with crusty bread. £3.50

Country pate of the moment accompanied by salad, onion chutney
and warm toast. £4.50

Baked brie topped with almonds and served with cranberry relish
and crusty bread. £4.50

Fresh garlicky mushrooms presented in a pastry case. £4.50

Smoked salmon on a bed of mixed leaves with cucumber,
lemon and crusty brown bread on the side. £4.95

A bowl of nachos topped with salsa, jalapeños and mature
cheddar (big enough to share!) £4.95

PUB CLASSICS

Hand carved ham with 2 free range eggs and chips. £7.25

Golden whole-tail scampi with lemon, chips and peas. £8.25

A trio of local pork sausages with mash and gravy. £6.95

Goujons of breaded plaice with lemon, chips and peas. £7.50

Gammon steak with pineapple or free range egg,
served with chips and peas. £8.25

Homemade lasagne served with mixed salad and garlic bread. £7.75

HOMEMADE PIES

“Boozy Bullock” – Traditional beef steak with Hooky Dark ale
gravy under puff pastry. £8.25

“Tipsy Piggy” – Creamy pork, mushroom and cider with a
crumble topping. £7.50

“Chardonnay Chicken” - Free range chicken chunks, vegetables
and a creamy wine sauce with tarragon. £8.25

“Shepherds Pie” – Lean minced lamb in rich gravy with carrots
and celery under a potato topping. £8.25

“Allotment Pie” – A crop of vegetables in a fresh herb sauce
topped with wholemeal crumble. £7.25

Pies served with either chips and peas or potatoes and vegetables.
All our pies are made on the premises using
locally sourced meats and produce wherever possible.

Fifty Bloody Six

Steve, Just been watching Sir Cliff Richards - he is Seventy today.
Nic tells me HE will be 50 on the 27th
Did you get my Jackie Lawson card with Chudleigh celebrating his birthday. I sent it from France
Yes I would love to meet you for lunch I am also on my Tod now Love from DAD

50bloody6!

Who'd a thunk it?
Fancy meeting up for lunch Dad next week?

Thanks for the all cards from Steve and Elaine, Auntie June, Mandy and Val and families, Biggles and the Hayes', Gemma and Clive and Will, Cinders and Ginger and all the electronic Facebooky ones and phone calls from around the world too.

I've bought myself a hoist and Land Rover Discovery 200 turbo diesel engine and plan to spend the Christmas holidays putting it into the Lanny... wish me luck!

Four Counties Monthly Magazine.

In the October issue of this popular Magazine Julian has been declared the Artist of the Month and there is a short report for anyone to read. Love to all from Dad.

Morning All

Hi, Steve, What a lovely picture on the Downs. Did you get a summpns under the Dangerous Dogs Acts. Good story.
Did you get a Chudleigh for your birthday? Pop in if you have time. Love to see you. Dad

Up the Downs

where Cinders saw off a couple of harmless puffed up pooches with no holds barred.. one terrified pup wailing and whining even though she had him by the throat!

Needless to say she's house sitting tonight while Jeff Beck is on

with Trombone Shorty.. born in 1986!

Super trip home

Thanks, Cath, for your welcome. It was a sinch. Julian drove me down to Nimes and I was treated like the old man I am by being wheeled everywhere and by-passing all the queues. Last on to the plane, bag put up in the locker and treated so well by the staff. Same at Luton as I was last to leave the plane. Straight on to a little bus right back to the arrivals terminal, where I was again wheeled straight past all the queues to meet my taximan John Cannon, who then wheeled me right back to his car - quite a long way- into his Merc and back to K/S - 12 noon. Should have done this before. Love from Dad XXX

HOME AGAIN

Arrived in my home at 1200, after a simple journey, thanks to Julian, who had to get up early on two consecutive days to take his loved ones to different Airports miles apart. Ruth to Marseilles to catch the early morning plane to Rome for a visit to her Mum in southern Italy on Wednesday and me to catch the early morning plane from Nimes back to Luton, today. 0500 is no time to get up to drive across France, even their lovely motorways. Thank you so much Julian and to Ruth also for her support given to me during my stay. Much love to you all, your loving DAD

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday to Dad, hope you had a lovely day and have fun seeing Jeff Beck!

love G & C xx

Ooops

Hey sorry, our son really is handsome and witty like his dad;

Happy Birthday Steve

Dear Steve, a very hapy birthday to you from Nic. Jen Daniel and Claire

Traveling Man

Have a good journey home Dad, and don't worry about the badies, it's a lovely day here and everyone will be smiling....exept for me as I'm off to the dentist..Ahhhhh! love Cathy

Happy Birthday Steve

I hope you will be have a lovely day, Lots of love Cathy

Sorry, some pictures are for the last post.

And the Japanese must think I'm child smuggling as I've passed through Narrita airport twice this year with first Daniel, and then Claire. I also have here some pictures of Japan.

And I managed to get to two Formula 1 Grands Prix this year, one in Malaysia, the other in Singapore, and that's EJ and his mate in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpar have a great meal. The night shot is probably Daughtry or Adam Lambert at the Singapore Grandprix

Here's some more pictures of the month before when I was in Shanghai

This is our rather industrious "Seed Cathedral"

Been a busy year

Hi all, managed to hook up my phone to the Imac so thought I'd post some of the clearer pictures up on the blog having just returned from Beijing, we may as well start there.

Arty-Farty Olympic Stadium at 6.30am