8th September 2014 - Where the brass band play tiddly-om-pom-pom!

We woke up and made it down for breakfast. They were surprised to see us, thinking that we'd had a skinful the day before! They clearly do not know us!

We had a bit of a rest after breakfast then decided to head out to Glastonbury for a bit of an adventure. We hadn't been before and it was only half an hour's drive from where we were staying so it would be rude not to!

We had a little walk around the quirky town and had a quick coffee and snack while deciding where to go. We chose the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, where King Arthur was buried! After paying a small fee to enter (which goes to the upkeep of the ruins, which is not a bad thing so our great great great grandkids can still see them) we had a look around. Thankfully it was a lovely sunny day so we got to enjoy the time and peace outside.

Here are some of my pics.

Glastonbury Tor in the distance.

There were current restoration works in the Lady Chapel above. It's good to see where the money goes into keeping this sort of thing in good condition for the world to see.

After we were done with the history of the Abbey and looked at a miniature mock up of what it would look like, we did what anyone who is us would do and headed to the oldest pub in Glastonbury for some of the local scrumpy. Which is totally an ace name for a ginger cat. Must remember that one!

The old bay window. Pictures don't do it justice at all.

After this, we were kinda done with Glastonbury. As much as I love a good healing crystal and incense, when every other shop sells them, it gets a bit old! Ah to be a barefoot free spirit! This is certainly the place to do it!

We decided to completely change the mood of the day and head for the beach! Instead of the relaxed quietness of Burnham, we headed to Weston-super-Mare which is a little bit more what you'd expect a seaside town to be like!

For some reason, I didn't take many pictures...or maybe they're all on the damn disposable cameras I'm trying to use up! Not sure!

Anyway, we had a bit of a walk along the prom prom prom, then went for a cheeky drink at a local hotel. We sat out the front with a view onto the beach. It was lovely and sunny! I could have just put my head back and fallen asleep! I pretty much did, to be honest! I caught the sun a little, which is always nice! No harm in a bit of a tan from early September sunshine!

From the hotel we walked further along the prom, then decided to do what the rules dictate that you must do when you go to the seaside - stop for fish and chips!

They even had mushy peas, which officially makes them awesome!

It was right good food as well! We shared it, so we didn't get too full and not want dinner later on!

We then went for a stroll on the beach!

The water is about a mile out from the sea wall, so no paddling for us, sadly. Bet it would have been freezing though!

Lovely sandy beach! While we both love the south of france, there is such a difference being on a sand beach. Anyone know why some beaches are sand and some are pebbles? I'm curious!

After we had our fill of the beach, we headed back towards our little homestead, with a quick trip to a cider farm my Dad had recommended to us to get some mead as presents!

I started to not feel so good (some of the country roads were rickety indeed) and when we got back, we had been upgraded to a much bigger room with a much bigger bed! So I curled up into a ball and had a rest. We had a brew and watched some Stargate (yeah yeah!) for a while before getting ready to go out.

England were playing football in the European Cup qualifiers, so we headed to a local pub to have some food and watch most of the match.

We thought it would be typical pub grub. Were we mistaken!

We had a ploughmans-y board to share for a starter (bit obsessed with these at the moment!) which was massive!

It was very nice too!

Then for main, I had steak on mash with sweet onion and tomato sauce. It was really nice. Really filling as well!

Paul had pork and black pudding in cider gravy, which was also very nice!

He said when he saw the size of my food that I wouldn't be able to finish it. I nearly did but decided not to as I would be too full! So technically he wins. This time!

After we had finished our drinks, we paid up and walked back to the b&b, stopping to get some gin and tonic so we could chill back in our room. We watched some tv, drank some gin and I was so tired I fell asleep almost instantly!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

26th July 2014 - More Surprises!

Despite waking up at silly o'clock, both Paul and I were able to get back to sleep. We did sleep quite late though. Oops. Lots to do today and the time needed for it to get done is slowly creeping away!

Once we had come to, we had a brew then headed into town as I had an urgent birthday present to buy! I knew exactly what I wanted, so off we went.

People were literally lining the streets to see us go past!

No joke!

Ok, slight joke! There was an event going on in Liverpool today, which ordinarily we would have gone to see (maybe) but as we already had plans, it didn't happen.

We headed home after I got what we were after, then Paul went to get a new tyre put on his car while I showered and beautified myself.

I learnt how to do a new hair style, which is nice. I didn't take any pictures of it though. It lasted all evening, which I'm impressed by!

After doing my hair I pretty much needed another shower immediately afterwards as it's really warm again!

Paul also got ready and we got in the car and headed over to a Golf Club just outside of Stockport for a little party!

It's my friend Sue (and her idential twin sister Becky)'s 30th birthday on Tuesday and so their husbands decided to organise a surprise party for them both! It was a bit of a feat, especially with Sue living in Switzerland now, but they pulled it off and in a very lovely location as well!

These pictures really don't do how beautiful the view was justice! Just trust me on that one, ok?!

Well, all the planning paid off as neither of them had any idea! I have never seen such shocked faces in every surprise do we have been to!

It was good surprise!

We had a few drinks (me maybe more than a few) and said our hellos! We had some food and generally chilled out!

We spoke with a few people but we don't really know anyone so just sat and waited for the cake to be cut before we made a move home!

Becky is on the left, Sue is on the right. Rick, Sue's husband is the chap in the last picture.

We stayed to finish our drinks and got talking to some elderly relatives of Sue's (not sure who they are, sadly) who were lovely, then once they left, we pretty much stole their seats! Rick's sister, husband and friend came and joined us, followed by Rick and one of Sue's friends from her old job, followed by Sue a little later...we started the party, folks!

Paul was getting bored though, as he couldn't really drink, so I gave Sue her present (a mini Superlambanana!) then we headed home.

We had a cheeky gin and tonic, which Paul deserved, then went to bed as we were both shattered!

A (unexpectedly) fun evening was had! Yay for surprise parties! Although I'm glad we have no plans for the next few weeks now!

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2013

16th July 2014 - Antibes! (Holiday Day 5!)

It was a bit of a cloudy day today. Which is fine. We got up and had breakfast on the balcony, as is the rules of holiday! Paul's Mum then informed us that the blind fitters were coming to install a new shade this morning. Ok, not a problem. We decided that we wouldn't do another beach day today like we'd originally planned as I was still a little tender from yesterday plus it wasn't the sunniest day that the week had in store.

Instead, we waited for the blind fitters to do their thing then decided to head out on a road trip to Antibes!

We hadn't been there before, so it made a nice change. Except the traffic. That wasn't fun. Shouldn't have taken us anywhere near the time it did for us to get there but at least we made it!

We looked around for somewhere to go for a quick drink and stumbled across a bar called The Blue Lady. Another English pub. I think we attract them. It was right next door to an English supermarket as well! Unbelievable!

We then decided to have a wander, just Paul and I. We had a little look at a few restaurants, thinking we should have a little snack or something and settled on one nearby, but sadly I can't remember the name of it. I ordered a small carafe of rose and Paul ordered a serious beer. Honestly, that's what it was called!

I think he's supposed to look serious here. I think he looks mostly sad. :(

We ordered a pasta dish in a creamy tomato and vodka sauce to share so we had a little something to stop us getting hangry. Sure enough, as we finished, Paul's parents' appeared and sat with us. They had something to eat as well, but had one dish each.

They offered to pay, so we headed off for another look around, which was nice! It's a very pretty place indeed and not as pretentious as other southern-France locations we have visited, mentioning no names *cough*Cannes*cough.

My casual relaxed viewing out to sea doesn't look quite as casual or relaxed as I thought it did. Must work the poses better!

We headed back to the car and headed home. Instead of going out, we decided to eat in tonight...with a takeaway! So Paul and I went to get a few things from the shops and lugged it back up the hill for dinner. Couple of pizzas, salad, chips...can't go wrong!

We sat out and watched the world go by for one more day, as the downhill spiral to the end of the holiday starts. :(

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

28th June 2014 - SURPRISE!

An early start for a Saturday. No earlier than in the week I guess but it's bloomin' wrong for a Saturday!

We got up, dressed and headed out to the train station. We're going on a trip to LAHNDAHN!

Our train was a little delayed getting to Liverpool, but that was ok as we had a bit of time to spare. When we got to Lime Street, we headed over to the platform to see a sight which was not welcome.

CANCELLED.

Great. Just great.

They advised us to get on another train, which was slightly later, but we had paid for First Class and there was no guarantee that we would get it. We managed to squeeze into the First Class carriage and luckily no one asked to authenticate our ticket as it might not have been valid!

A short change in Crewe and time to grab a quick coffee, then on the next train! The proper train company but obviously we didn't have reservations this time. We managed to get a seat (just about) and then let the First Class party begin!

Yeah.

This was the First Class party.

It was a box. That's it! Inside it was a croissant, some jam, some cranberry raisins, a yogurt, some water and some juice. That's about it. RUBBISH! We got a free brew as well. WHERE'S MY BACON SANDWICH?! Hmph.

We joked about it a while but in the end were that uninspired it stopped being funny. Thank goodness our first class upgrade didn't cost an arm and a leg. I really would have been miffed!

We got to London and got a tube to Oxford Street. At least, that's where I think we went. We had to change though, so I took a tourist picture for all you fans!

Exit here for Madame Tussauds!

We did some shopping and hid from the rain for a while. We had time to kill! We also forgot that it's Pride this weekend so the streets were fenced off ready for the parade. I believe that they didn't let the torrential rain stop them from partying hard!

We ducked into a nearby pub, which was also very camp and had a quick beer to try to work out our next plan of action.

It was allegedly rather warm in London today! Why is my phone being an idiot?!

Blurry Paul and his blurry beer! Just to prove he was there!

We didn't go into the map, though it was tempting!

We had to get to Kings Cross (not to attempt to get to Platform 9 3/4...I wanted to but Paul told me I wasn't allowed. Meany.) as that was our main destination for the day. We got there and we milled around for a while to kill some more time! We then headed to the pub, which was our destination all along. The area where we were headed was actually a little terrace inside the train station, which was nice. At least there was a view, right?

We weren't the first people at our destination, so we helped set up for what was going to be a nice epic surprise!

We are well aware that it already looks to be the after party, rather than the party beginning. Consider it a theme!

Congratulations banner! Champagne flutes!

Paul unimpressed with his London beer. It was supposed to be amazing. It wasn't.

Stained glass Tetris over the platforms.

I guess I should indicate what we're celebrating...

Yep - we've come all the way down to London to celebrate an engagement! Katie and Matt's to be specific! If you recall, Katie was our best woman and she got engaged to the lovely Matt a few weeks ago! Matt organised this party for her as a complete surprise! How could we not come down for it?!

The lovely Katie with Paul. I didn't get a picture of Matt. I fail.

We had a lovely time and might have had rather a lot of fizz. We couldn't stay late, sadly as we had to get a train back to Liverpool and make sure we had our first class seats. Yay.

We did have to run for the platform, even though I was sure we had more time than we did. Joys of fizz I suppose. I was so classy I slept pretty much the whole way home. I waved as we passed where my bro and sis-in-law live (but they weren't in...my Mum was though!) and slept some more! Bad wife. Paul listened to music, drank beer and read his book. I hope he didn't mind.

We got home and managed to get a taxi back ok. Into house, feed cats (I think) then bed. Where I passed out. Bad wife.

So big congratulations (again) to Katie and Matt, who have provisionally set a date in May 2016! Excellent!

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2013