Hi, Steve.

Saw Will's new car, you on the roof and Ayrton Senna's car being driven by Hammy Real Good. Dad

If you missed Top Gear..

Lewis in Senna's 1988 1,200bhp McLaren with Honda V12 turbo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8853201.stm

a tribute to Senna's 50th (had he lived)

Will's new set of wheels (Dougal) also from 1988!

 This week I've mostly been cleaning the roof

Birthday Girls

Sorry Clive and I weren't able to make Forty Green at the weekend, but we did see one of the birthday girls this weekend (happy birthday Janet and Cath by the way). After a lunchtime sunny garden party with friends and family, and a gooey chocolate birthday cake, all the boxes for a great party were checked.

See below Millie modeling the new dress Clive and I gave her. Bless her, she put it straight on once she took the wrapping paper off, so its a hit we think, phew! And very pretty she looks.

That's Mandy and 5 year old Ruby on the left of course.

love G&C xx

Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind)

A pleasant day out in Oxfordshire

I was having lunch in the White Horse Inn at Duns Tew, a lovely OLDE ENGLISH pub. It was warm and sunny so I ate out of doors. I ordered what I thought would be enough for me, a beef burger. But when it turned up it was inside a great big bap covered in melted cheese and mayo sauce , which I quickly wrapped up in the serviette and took it home for supper. Also in the Bap was a bacon rasher, also in mayo sauce, plus a salad accompaniment, which I did not ask for, but seems to be a regular addition to every meal. and I thought, I am not going to eat all this as there were also some home made chips which were so HOT I nearly burned my tongue. As I was driving I just had an orange and mango O2 which was lovely and cold. I don't know why I spend a lot of money on alchoholic refreshments, as they cost nearly £3 a pint, and are a potential danger on the road, (driving, I mean, not ON the road) HaHa.
Julian had asked me to collect the money for three books that were sold from the Woodstock Bookshop. but when I arrived in Woodstock at !000hrs, the shop lady (Rachel) was not in so her assistant Merle, took the four books for her to sell in the shop and left my address for Rachel to send me a cheque for the books.
As i was fairly near to Mum's Cousin Josey, in Eynsham, I popped in as I was busting for a leak and was surprised to learn that half their house had been burned down three weeks ago in a house fire. It was originally a garage, but like so many people they had turned it into living accomodation, and the w/machine and drier, plus fridges and d/washer were all stored in there plus a 32" TV and two big computers; all their old photographs of their childhood were in cupboards but all lost in the fire. Luckily the next door heard the fire (As Josey is deaf) and called the fire brigade. Just in time to save the rest of the house AND next door. Luckily nobody was hurt. Josey sends her love to Jan on her birthday. Hugh

balloning in cappadocia

IMG_0235
Originally uploaded by meanwhilehereinfrance

Good luck Pete

Well, that IS a surprise, but it is no good spending a life doing something you don't like. I don't know what to suggest unless it is like Mr Micawber and hope something turns up.
Love to you all and I will see you on Saturday. Love from DAD

A new day...

Today I start a new life. Yesterday I had my last day at school as I have decided to take a break from teaching and investigate other avenues. There is no plan as yet but I will be formulating one over the next few weeks so wish me well in this. Its a tremendous leap of faith but I think it is what I have to do to preserve the vestiges of my sanity. In the end I was working too hard for not enough job satisfaction and will gladly take a pay cut to find less stormier waters. Hopefully it will only be a pay cut and not a total severance of income for very long. So, in a sense, Saturday could be have other celebratory undertones. Hope we can still go for it, although the weather looks nice for ducks...

Today I have mostly been..

...looking forward to collecting my Land Rover - Tango Uniform Yankee 947 Victor

while doing a bit of surgery

As Slow as Possible and as Fast as Necessary

Series 3 Land Rover Driving Instruction Part 1

Gem's photos.

Dad & Cinders, Fay with Ginger and Biggles, Will, Clive, Grandad and me investigate the village's church fete inc. the dog show, aunt sally stall, ice cream van, the brass band and the tea & cake tent. Some success on the raffle! I won a small bottle of 'Snowball'! How 70s.

A lovely day

I got up early to go into Banbury to see if my replacement lenses were ready for my specs, but all the disabled car spaces were full even though I went in at 0900,so I parked as near as possible to Specsavers and walked down the High Street. when I noticed a discount book shop called The Works, so I went in and bought an Italian Phrase book and cd, so that I could try and learn some popular phrases. I also bought an old Sinatra cd to put in my car, and a map of France which I wanted. It all came to less than a tenner, so I was happy..
My lenses were ready, but they had to send my specs plus the new lenses to their workshop, so I didn't stay but asked them to phone me when they are ready.I got home and opened an Indian meal of chicken ticka masala. I was going to Steve's for a bbq after the Garden fete in Charlton, but he came round and said that the bbq was off because of the thick black clouds over Charlton, which was a shame although I did not want to get wet. He said come round for roast chicken lunch but as I had already had my lunch, I declined. Well, he said, come round at 2pm and we will go to the fete together.
Came 2 o'clock and the weather had improved so I went to Charlton. to Steve's bungalow and Will, together with Gemma and Clive plus Steve and Fay, plus three dogs, were just finishing their lunch.
From all your visits to Charlton, you may remember that it is basically a one street village with a Post Office and a very nice pub, The Rose and Crown on one side of the road and some old houses on the other side of the road. What you didn't know, and neither did I, was that behind those old houses, especially one called The Cottage were three or four acres of land with three tennis courts, stables and a large lake. This is where the Garden Fete was held. Hundreds of people were at the Fete and it was like an old Morse or Agatha Christie film of OLDE English village life, with posh old ladies selling cakes and bric a brac and the Town Band from Brackley; with bowling for a pig, coconut shies, Aunt Sally shies,comic dog show, egg throwing contest where two people would throw a fresh egg to each other, and by widening the gap between the thrower and the catcher and the winners were those who could throw the egg the furthest, without it breaking. It was such fun and the ground was littered with broken fresh eggs where the catcher had dropped it. The Brackley Town Band was excellent and we all sat near it eating fancy cakes and drinking tea. AND best of all, the sun shone and it did NOT rain. What a wonderful day it was. Even Mr Whippy turned up and there were long queues all afternoon. I had difficulty walking on grass, even with my stick, so wherever possible, I would sit down
The tennis tournament attracted some very fine players and crowds were round the courts watching. So far as I am aware, there were no murders and no drunks, so it was a lovely occasion. We all thought it was a worthwhile visit. DAD
--
Hugh Merrow-Smith

WELL DONE STEVE

Looking forward to doing some orienteering Eh?? Dad

Ah jess done bought me a four bar four

landrover series 3 1980, marine blue, 2.25 petrol, used daily and ready to go. Generally good condition with clean straight bodywork Passed last MOT with only headlight issues, now sorted.  Great in the sun with the top off!. Engine very reliable, always starts and all gears and 4x4 work fine. Has three new three point inertia reel seatbelts fitted in front. Chassis has had patches but is generally in good condition.   It is 30 years old however and whilst it drives very well,  does not drive like a modern car. Inspection recommended so you know what you are buying. Having to sell as need cash to buy another car. any questions or more photos just ask. at some point in its life, the fuel tank has been changed and the filler is now in the hatch under the front seat. Added info- mileage listed above is speedo reading, it may be accurate but it could be 152000! as the speedo only has 5 digits

Formula Student Day

Things you'd never think would happen No.1


The Formula Student (FS) is big news.. wow



Follow FormulaStudent on FS Facebook

F1

Edmund is only a few miles down/up the road from K/S. I hope he enjoys himself. Dad

F1 racing

Edmund is at Silverstone this week with the student F1 team, they build a car and race it against other student F1 teams from around the world,the big day is Sunday.
He and I talked a lot about it months ago, but then it slipped off my radar, until he was rushing off on Wednesday to camp in a field next to Silverstone.
It even inspired him to pass his driving test, so that he would be able to drive it!
Well done Edmund.

going to bed to get up

As Mum would say 'you've got to go to bed 'cause you've got to get up in the morning'

in our case at 5pm for a spot of hot air ballooning...

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton in VW Camper Van Trip

Did you hear about Vodafone, the main sponsor for the McLaren Mercedes F1 team getting Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to take a trip to the Silverstone track in a 1966 VW Camper Van?
The starting point is the McLaren Technical Center and on their way to the track, Button and Hamilton stop the VW Camper Van at petrol station near Brackley where they start handing out tickets for last weekend's 2010 Santander Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

sleeping quarters

OOOOOOOO, Yes please!! dad

The Merrow-Smith Family and Friends Weblog

The Merrow-Smith Family and Friends Weblog

poo pooo pigeons versus Spaniel+Airgun

Scoreboard
Pigeons nil Airgun&Spaniels 1

Voyage en Turkey

Ruth has another nice gig this time in Turkey... We are being royally upkept in
this rather marvellous suite!!

note:
"a small cave-ette with a king-size bed that is children's favorite play and sleeping area"

guess where we sleep ermmm..

£3 grand?

I saw this beauty on Autotrader 3 miles away so went and had a look.. oops talk about basic, this vehicle makes the Marbella seem luxurious.
Steve Holt and his mate had one while students-
I can just imagine pottering through to market* with Cinders the labrador in the back "haha hooArr."
(*more like to the nearest chiropractor ed.)

Date for Diary

 plus BBQ @ Crestwood..at some point!

Newhaven RNLI rescue 'miracle' cliff plunge dog

Poppy the Spaniel illustrates the hazzards of chasing seagulls near cliffs!
She lives at the woodyard down the road from Biggles house!!
Poppy the Springer on BBC1 TV last night

WELL DONE WILL

Congratulations to our lovely Will. I'll keep the news from Button and Hamilton in case they would be worried about their jobs. Love from Grandad

Passed first time

Well done William!

German football

Then they play as if they are tired out and lose to Spain!! DAD

WELL DONE GERMANY

4 goals against Aussies, Brits and now the Argies. What a team.
DAD

Biggs on the Mend

Biggs on the mend
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

what a week with this little lad, after the best the vet can offer in terms of blood tests and whatnot? has been done to him, yesterday he came home...

BACK HOME

Thank you, Julian for looking after me during my stay with you and for taking me by a lovely pretty route to catch my plane at the Nimes Airport. I loved driving through Beaucaire with its inland port. We took off on time and many people helped an old man with a stick with his hand baggage. You later told me that you watched me climb the steps on to the plane. I got a front seat and spent a couple of hours in the air over France, but pleased to see the Seven Sisters cliffs at Brighton. We landed on time and Mr Cannon was there to meet me with his big board for Mr MERROW SMITH. he soon recognised me and we were on our way back to K/s in his lovely taxi. It was a long walk from the plane to the Arrivals Terminal. I should have done what I was told and left by the rear exit from the plane as there was an Amitie bus for oldies like me. I will know next time.
We got back to K/S in good time and John Cannon was very helpful to me. Piles of mail, which I have not yet looked at but I decided to forgoe that pleasure as I was thirsty for a pint of IPA and a Cumberland pie from the freezer. After that I walked down to collect my car from Cannings Garage as he was putting on my new tyre. I plucked up courage as I had not driven for three weeks and drove into Banbury to get some essentials from our newly improved Sainsburys, and spent some time admiring the new layout. Trouble is when I arrived at the checkout I found that changing from my Jeans to my shorts, I had not changed the things out of the pockets and consequently had no means of paying the £29.45 for my shopping. I had to leave the trolley with my purchases in and go back to K/S for my cards, but it is all part of being old. I watched some of the football but could not watch Andy Murray lose his tennis match. I was tired after my exertions of the day and by 10pm I was away in the stars.
Got up at 0600 and had a shower then I propose to wash me smalls and clear up the mess I had left my house in when I left for France, as Ruth is coming over tomorrow to return Steve's car and I will return her to her digs in Garsington as the Cast and Orchestra are having a celebratory party thing. End of story as the sun is shining and I must get on. Love to al from Dad, Grandad and friend. Hugh XXX

NEWS FROM VAUCLUSE

Dear all, Booked a flight from Nimes tomorrow, should be in Luton about 11:30 BST, K/S taxis will meet me and deliver me to No 31. I hope to collect my car from Cannings garage and then start to clear up at 31.
Yesterday was a lovely day as I started to walk up to Les Baux, the nearest Village. The sun was shining and Julian accompanied me, at my speed. The idea was to pop into the Pizzeria for a coke and the saunter back, but it was closed until 1st July (today). So Julian suggested that we go for a drive around the Cote de Rhone villages, to look for a new place to lunch, so he went back to get the car and we headed towards Le Barrou, and stopped at a new restaurant to see if they did lunch; Yes, the man said but as it was only 12.10 we continued on our drive around all the lovely old villages, finally turning in Suzette to go back to the restaurant for lunch. After a lovely meal each we continued our drive when Julian had the bright idea of getting home the short way - over the top of the Ventoux. We turned off at Malaucene and started up the ROAD TO THE TOP. The road was full of cyclists who had tested their ability to ride to the top, except that they were all free-wheeling DOWN. We had got to within a few hundred yards from the top when we were shocked by a couple of High speed Jet warplanes, wich thundered by just above us, Frightening the horse-power, and ME. We continued to the top and the temperature was dropping considerably from the 29 IN Malaucene to about 16 at the top. It was quite cool. There was quite a collection of cyclists and many cars and a BUS at the top. It was still very sunny, but the view down hill was misty,although I took a few photos.
We started downhill and got about a mile past the Chalet Renard when we noticed raindrops on the windscreen and so we had to put "The Lid" on. Down to St Colombe and were turning off the main road, when we heard the crash of thunder, directly above us,and it started to rain very hard. We just got back home in time as the thunderstorm really opened up and for the next two hours we were subjected to thunder and lightning AND lashings of rain. We watched the tennis. the lightening affected the TV, but not before we saw Andy Murray win his match. End of a lovely day. Love to all from Dad and Julian