I can't believe it is the last day of 2013 today. I know they say time goes faster as you get older but this is ridiculous! I have been rubbish at updating my blog but that dosn't mean I haven't done anything this year. I have actually had a very busy year and some great times thanks to my wonderful family.
I can't close the year without mentioning some of them so will attempt a month by month round up. Here goes!
I can't close the year without mentioning some of them so will attempt a month by month round up. Here goes!
January 2013
On Saturday the 5th I collected Maureen (Debbie's mom) and we met Richard, Debbie and the children in Birmingham to see the Gruffalo's Child at the Town Hall. The children loved it, they love all of the Julia Donaldson books.
Later in the month it snowed but managed to get out to watch Madagascar 3 at the cinema with Mark, Michelle and the children. I often join them for the kids club films on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Sunday the 27th was Olivia's birthday meal at the Olympic in Dudley (her birthday is actually the 20th but the weather was too bad). Also popped to see my friend Tracey on the 28th to take her birthday present from the 19th!
February 2013
On Saturday the 9th I went to see Sleeping Beauty at the Hippodrome. My first ballet so I picked Sleeping Beauty as the story and the music is well known. It was excellent and I really enjoyed it.
Richard's birthday on the 14th.
On Saturday the 23rd my friend from work, Jackie's husband serviced the caravan so Jackie came with him and we went to Hobbycraft at Droitwich. Jackie is a great crafter and makes lots of cards. We both had 25% off vouchers so had a great time while poor Piete froze servicing the van.
Sunday 24th was kids club again at the cinema with Mark, Michelle and the children, this time to see Tinkerbell which we all enjoyed.
Richard's birthday on the 14th.
On Saturday the 23rd my friend from work, Jackie's husband serviced the caravan so Jackie came with him and we went to Hobbycraft at Droitwich. Jackie is a great crafter and makes lots of cards. We both had 25% off vouchers so had a great time while poor Piete froze servicing the van.
Sunday 24th was kids club again at the cinema with Mark, Michelle and the children, this time to see Tinkerbell which we all enjoyed.
March 2013
March was when I started my blog, while on holiday in the caravan at Chester. Before that though I went to see The Full Monty at the Hippodrome which was a good laugh. I also went to Richard and Debbie's for a lovely Mothers Day meal and to Mark and Michelle's as I was away for Mothers Day. I saved my presents and opened them in the caravan which was lovely. Dispite it being very cold I had a nice holiday and got lots of crafting done.
Managed to see Anais play her concert at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham before the snow came down and took a big chance going out in the snow to the Hobby Craft show at the NEC. Planned Easter trip to Chipping Norton in the caravan had to be cancelled but had a good time with Mark, Michelle and the children at the cinema (Parental Guidance - very funny) and Beckett's Farm to see the baby lambs in their woolly jumpers!
Managed to see Anais play her concert at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham before the snow came down and took a big chance going out in the snow to the Hobby Craft show at the NEC. Planned Easter trip to Chipping Norton in the caravan had to be cancelled but had a good time with Mark, Michelle and the children at the cinema (Parental Guidance - very funny) and Beckett's Farm to see the baby lambs in their woolly jumpers!
April 2013
Didn't do much in April as the weather was so awful. Went to Stratford on the 12th after work to see The Empress at the Swan Theatre. Had not seen anything at the Swan before but loved the intimacy. The theatre is very small and the scenery basic. A lady played the citar from a sort of cradle supended above the audience and the play itself was excellent. All about Queen Victoria and two indian servants that she was given.
Finally got my holiday to Chipping Norton, arriving on Thursday 25th after work and leaving to go to back to work on the morning of Tuesday 30th. While there I was able to visit Oxford, a National Trust property called Chastleton House, Bampton (where they film Downton Abbey) and Witney (famous for woollen blankets where I nearly bought an antique Singer sewing machine!).
Finally got my holiday to Chipping Norton, arriving on Thursday 25th after work and leaving to go to back to work on the morning of Tuesday 30th. While there I was able to visit Oxford, a National Trust property called Chastleton House, Bampton (where they film Downton Abbey) and Witney (famous for woollen blankets where I nearly bought an antique Singer sewing machine!).
May 2013
| May the 3rd was Roman's 6th birthday so we took the two vans to Millhouse, a site by the river at Worcester, for a long weekend as it was also May day on the Monday. We had a party for Roman on the Saturday (Michelle made him a pigs in mud cake which was amazing) and on the Sunday morning we went into Worcester. There was a flea market on in the town and what was for sale but an antique Singer sewing machine for less than half the price of the one I passed up in Witney. Needless to say it came home with me. (Thank you Mark). If you type the serial number into the Singer website it tells you all about the machine. It was made in the first half of 1912 in Clydebank in Scotland and has all the original accessories. I was even able to download instructions for it. (Just need something suitable to display it on now). |  |
Took advantange of the now (at last) improving weather to get a few things done around the house. Had a new front door, porch door and porch window fitted, had the boiler and alarm serviced, had a new Tivo box and router and had the guttering cleaned out and the ridge tiles re-fixed.
Went to see High Society at the Hippodrome on the 17th which was good with lots of famous songs. (Who wants to be a millionaire, True love, What a swell party this is).
Finally went to Ebury Hill just outside Shrewsbury for a long weekend over the Spring bank holiday (what happened to Witsun?). Used the park and ride to go into Shrewsbury and also visited a couple of NT properties, Attingham Park (grand house) and Sunny Croft (smaller but interesting house that belonged to a businessman and an expert needlewoman who worked on the Queen's coronation robes).
Even managed to find time to do some jewellery making and did some necklaces and earings.
Went to see High Society at the Hippodrome on the 17th which was good with lots of famous songs. (Who wants to be a millionaire, True love, What a swell party this is).
Finally went to Ebury Hill just outside Shrewsbury for a long weekend over the Spring bank holiday (what happened to Witsun?). Used the park and ride to go into Shrewsbury and also visited a couple of NT properties, Attingham Park (grand house) and Sunny Croft (smaller but interesting house that belonged to a businessman and an expert needlewoman who worked on the Queen's coronation robes).
Even managed to find time to do some jewellery making and did some necklaces and earings.
 |  |
June 2013
Decided to join Mark and Michelle for a weekend in the vans at Studley from the 7th to the 9th. Went to Stratford on the Friday night to see A Mad World my Masters (which was very good and funny) so Mark and Michelle kindly got the van out for me.
The 15th was the Pelsall boat festival with Richard and Debbie and the children. Lots of narrow boats all moored up and stalls selling crafty things.
Then on the 22nd off to York. Stayed at York Beechwood Grange and used the park and ride to get into York. I love the railway museum and was able to look round Mallard (which holds the official record for the fastest steam train). I also went to the York Castle Museum which was really good, proper streets like the Blackcounty museum but all indoors.
On Tuesday 25th I moved across to Scarborough and set about exploring the area as I had never been to this part of the country. Not too keen on Scarborough but loved Whitby and bought some jet which I gave to Michelle for her birthday. Filey Bay was quite nice and had some good crafty shops and I also liked Bridlington. Spent a day on the North York Moors Railway which is used in Harry Potter and visited Goathland which doubles as Aidensfield in Heartbeat.
The 15th was the Pelsall boat festival with Richard and Debbie and the children. Lots of narrow boats all moored up and stalls selling crafty things.
Then on the 22nd off to York. Stayed at York Beechwood Grange and used the park and ride to get into York. I love the railway museum and was able to look round Mallard (which holds the official record for the fastest steam train). I also went to the York Castle Museum which was really good, proper streets like the Blackcounty museum but all indoors.
On Tuesday 25th I moved across to Scarborough and set about exploring the area as I had never been to this part of the country. Not too keen on Scarborough but loved Whitby and bought some jet which I gave to Michelle for her birthday. Filey Bay was quite nice and had some good crafty shops and I also liked Bridlington. Spent a day on the North York Moors Railway which is used in Harry Potter and visited Goathland which doubles as Aidensfield in Heartbeat.
July 2013
Weather definately better now so had a couple of weekends in the van at Studley with Mark, Michelle and the children. Took the children to play on the water park at Evesham and went to the car boot. The second weekend (12th) was Anais' 11th birthday and was really hot. Michelle made a cake with minions on and we all went for a meal to the Jubilee and sat outside the vans till it got dark to cool off. The 21st was Michelle's birthday and we all went to Kingsbury Water Park for a picnic with Michelle's mom and dad (Rose and Dave).
Went down to Somerset with Mark and Michelle from the 27th to the 31st to the farm where we have stayed before. Really nice there, quiet and the children love to feed the donkeys, Jake, Mandy and their baby. Visited Secret World animal rescue centre which is only just up the road but is not usually open. Decided to 'adopt' a hedgehog so Anais chose Ivy and the money goes towards the upkeep of the centre.
Picked some bargain balls of wool from Burnham as wanted to start a granny square blanket using my odd balls of mohair. Back to Studley on the 31st for the rest of the six weeks holiday (pity I had to go to work!).
Went down to Somerset with Mark and Michelle from the 27th to the 31st to the farm where we have stayed before. Really nice there, quiet and the children love to feed the donkeys, Jake, Mandy and their baby. Visited Secret World animal rescue centre which is only just up the road but is not usually open. Decided to 'adopt' a hedgehog so Anais chose Ivy and the money goes towards the upkeep of the centre.
Picked some bargain balls of wool from Burnham as wanted to start a granny square blanket using my odd balls of mohair. Back to Studley on the 31st for the rest of the six weeks holiday (pity I had to go to work!).
August 2013
Scarlett (my sister) came to join me for the first weekend as we had tickets for As You Like it at Stratford on the 2nd. It was very good and Scarlett particularly enjoyed it. They had set it at a sort of music festival and it worked really well.
Took Scarlett over to Richard and Debbie's as she had not seen them for a while and Brendyn's birthday is on the 7th so I was able to take his present. After we had a walk round Pelsall village and went in the wool shop as Scarlett wanted some crochet patterns. Came out with the same book each as it has a granny square blanket in it.
The rest of August was spent in the van which was really nice. The children would run to me when I got back from work and we sat out on the grass and made things. We went to the car boot most Sundays looking for bargains and found quite a few from wool to antique cast iron lasts (for making shoes) which weighed a ton (thank you again Mark). We also went to a craft fair and the Coventry Festival of Motoring at Stoneleigh Park (bit like going to work but my car park pass came in useful), Warwick (more wool and some sets of little drawers) and the Avoncroft Museum of Buildings which was brilliant as it was a special bank holiday weekend with everyone dressed up and lots going on (although Roman didn't like the villains!). I worked on my granny squares, Michelle crocheted loads of things, the children learned to use the little sewing machine and a great time was had by all.
 |  |  |
At the end of the month I had to spend a couple of days in Plymouth for work so I went down on the train and stayed in a Travel Lodge. The venue for the meeting was the Marine Biological Association which was right on the Hoe.
 |  |  |
September 2013
September 1st is Mark's birthday so we put the vans away on the Saturday so that he could enjoy his birthday properly. We went to the cinema to see Epic which was brilliant and then had lunch.
On the 7th I went down to south Devon for a week where I spent all my childhood holidays. I stayed at Stover Country Park in Newton Abbott which was a good base to explore. I wanted to visit some of the old places I remember but also find some new places. I went to Teignmouth and Dawlish which I am very fond of and also to Babbacombe, Torquay, Paignton, Goodrington (where I used to stay), Brixham, Kingswear, Dartmouth and on the river Dart to visit Greenway, Agatha Christies home.
On the 7th I went down to south Devon for a week where I spent all my childhood holidays. I stayed at Stover Country Park in Newton Abbott which was a good base to explore. I wanted to visit some of the old places I remember but also find some new places. I went to Teignmouth and Dawlish which I am very fond of and also to Babbacombe, Torquay, Paignton, Goodrington (where I used to stay), Brixham, Kingswear, Dartmouth and on the river Dart to visit Greenway, Agatha Christies home.
Visit to Greenway
Came back from holiday on the 14th as having a birthday meal on the 15th at the Jubilee to celebrate my 60th on the 17th. Still can't believe over 20 people came! It was so nice to see everyone and I had two birthday cakes, one made by Debbie and one made by Michelle. They were both brilliant and delicious!
On the 16th September I had to go to Scotland for a few days for work. I flew
up to Edinburgh at stayed two nights at Bankhead Farm which was really nice with some brilliant views across the fields to the Firth of Forth. On the Wednesday I drove up to Grantown on Spey in the Cairngorms for a meeting and then on to Inverness where I stayed in a Travel Lodge for another two nights and flew back to Birmingham on the Friday. I met up with Scarlett on the train back from the airport as we had tickets for All's Well that Ends Well at Stratford on the evening. We had a nice meal in Carluccio's before the theatre to celebrate my birthday. Scarlett stayed for the weekend and we had a lovely day in Worcester on the Saturday and went to the Red House Cone glass museum in Stourbridge on the Sunday morning, which was really interesting.
Finished the month off with Derek's (Debbie's dad) 80th birthday meal on the 29th.
up to Edinburgh at stayed two nights at Bankhead Farm which was really nice with some brilliant views across the fields to the Firth of Forth. On the Wednesday I drove up to Grantown on Spey in the Cairngorms for a meeting and then on to Inverness where I stayed in a Travel Lodge for another two nights and flew back to Birmingham on the Friday. I met up with Scarlett on the train back from the airport as we had tickets for All's Well that Ends Well at Stratford on the evening. We had a nice meal in Carluccio's before the theatre to celebrate my birthday. Scarlett stayed for the weekend and we had a lovely day in Worcester on the Saturday and went to the Red House Cone glass museum in Stourbridge on the Sunday morning, which was really interesting.
Finished the month off with Derek's (Debbie's dad) 80th birthday meal on the 29th.
October 2013
Not quite such a hectic month. Went over to Richard and Debbie's on the 5th for tea and went to the knitting shop in the villiage to get some more odd balls of mohair for my granny squares. Went to see Disney Planes on the 20th with Mark, Michelle and the children. Very good. Went to see Anything Goes at Stourbridge Town Hall with Shelagh (my step mom) on the 23rd. The last week was half term and Mark and Michelle always go to Chesil Beach so I decided to go with them for a long weekend for a last look at the sea before winter. I stayed in a B&B right on the front at Weymouth with fantastic views out to sea. We all met up each day and went to different places and every afternoon the children went swimming while I sat and did some knitting. I was knitting a bolero for Olivia for Christmas in white wool with sequins on. The weather was a bit wet and windy the one night but apart from that was good and I really enjoyed it.
When I got back I had to go to NI for a few days for work. I stayed in the Holiday Inn Express at Antrim where the netball teams from Barbados and St Lucia were staying. One lady came down to breakfast each morning wearing a santa hat with a leopard trim! The one day I had to travel into Belfast for a meeting at a hotel on the Holyhead Road. The hotel was new and very nice but I had to drive past a lot of the murals to get there which I always find disturbing. Although they were painted years ago during 'the troubles' they are kept freshly painted. The meeting was with Liza Cox who happens to be Debbie's cousin. She was in NI visiting one of her training centres and they were holding dog grooming exams at the hotel the next day.
November 2013
Debbie's birthday on the 8th November and also the Hobby Craft and Crafts for Christmas show at the NEC which we all had tickets for (Only £3 if you buy them with your Tesco points). Richard and Debbie offered to take me on the Saturday and we had a great, if exhausting, day.
Trip to Betws-y-Coed on the 12th for work. Beautiful day.
Richard, Debbie, Mark, Michelle and the children came for lunch on Saturday 16th which was really nice as I don't get them all together very often. Sunday was kids club at the cinema with Mark. Michelle and the children to see Justin and the Knights of Valour about a boy who wanted to be a knight like his grandfather.
The following weekend I went to stay with Scarlett in London. It was her graduation ceremony for her MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling on Saturday 23rd at Southwark Cathedral which was really nice. Her friend Connie also went. It was a bright but cold day and we had a look round Borough market afterwards. On the evening Scarlett had tickets for the recording of a radio show. It was called My First Planet at starred Nicholas Lyndhurst (who was very tall). On the Sunday morning we went to a table top sale at a school in Pimlico. I bought some nice items of jewellery made by students.
The last weekend of the month there was a Christmas Fair at the Red House Cone which I went to on the Sunday and did some Christmas shopping in Kidderminster on the Saturday. I also popped to see Shelagh as it is her birthday on the 29th.
Trip to Betws-y-Coed on the 12th for work. Beautiful day.
Richard, Debbie, Mark, Michelle and the children came for lunch on Saturday 16th which was really nice as I don't get them all together very often. Sunday was kids club at the cinema with Mark. Michelle and the children to see Justin and the Knights of Valour about a boy who wanted to be a knight like his grandfather.
The following weekend I went to stay with Scarlett in London. It was her graduation ceremony for her MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling on Saturday 23rd at Southwark Cathedral which was really nice. Her friend Connie also went. It was a bright but cold day and we had a look round Borough market afterwards. On the evening Scarlett had tickets for the recording of a radio show. It was called My First Planet at starred Nicholas Lyndhurst (who was very tall). On the Sunday morning we went to a table top sale at a school in Pimlico. I bought some nice items of jewellery made by students.
The last weekend of the month there was a Christmas Fair at the Red House Cone which I went to on the Sunday and did some Christmas shopping in Kidderminster on the Saturday. I also popped to see Shelagh as it is her birthday on the 29th.
December 2013
December at last, the month I think most people look forward to but also dread in equal measures as there is so much to do.
On the 7th Mark and Michelle invited me to go with them to Blists Hill open air museum at Ironbridge. We had a brilliant day! The weather was good and the atmosphere very Christmassy (even fake snow). We changed some money in the bank into old money which we could then spend in the shops. We got a whole tuppence ha'penny for a pound and spent it in the old fashioned sweet shop (sherbert lemons!). We had a horse and cart ride, saw a pantomime, saw reindeer, sanata's workshop and of course Santa himself.
The 8th was Scarlett's 50th birthday which she spent in Berlin with her boyfriend Matt.
Friday 13th was Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (which is about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) at the Swan Theatre which was very good and had some well known actors in. I was glad I had read the book as it helped with the story.
On the 7th Mark and Michelle invited me to go with them to Blists Hill open air museum at Ironbridge. We had a brilliant day! The weather was good and the atmosphere very Christmassy (even fake snow). We changed some money in the bank into old money which we could then spend in the shops. We got a whole tuppence ha'penny for a pound and spent it in the old fashioned sweet shop (sherbert lemons!). We had a horse and cart ride, saw a pantomime, saw reindeer, sanata's workshop and of course Santa himself.
The 8th was Scarlett's 50th birthday which she spent in Berlin with her boyfriend Matt.
Friday 13th was Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (which is about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) at the Swan Theatre which was very good and had some well known actors in. I was glad I had read the book as it helped with the story.
Saturday 14th Richard and Debbie invited me to go with them on the Santa Special steam train on the Chasewater railway. It was in the evening so it was dark but the station was all lit up and a band was playing carols. The children loved the train ride (I think they thought it was the Polar Express, especially when the conductor punched their tickets). Afterwards they got to meet Santa and look round the engine shed.
Tuesday 17th after work I went to see Frozen with Mark, Michelle and the children which was excellent and on Wednesay 18th went bowling with everyone from work as our team Christmas outing (I was seriously rubbish). The 20th was our work Christmas meal at the Warwickshire golf club (beautiful surroundings) and then the second Hilary Mantel play at the Swan, Bring up the Bodies, which was appparantly what they used to say when they brought people up for execution at the Tower of London.
On Christmas Eve I finished work at lunchtime and drove into Birmingham to Symphony Hall for The Glory of Christmas which featured the London Concert Orchestra, the Birmingham Choral Union and the choir of Brendyn's primary school! They were all brilliant and a wonderful start to Christmas.
Christmas Eve night, Christmas Day and most of Boxing day was spent with Mark, Michelle and the children. I love being with the grandchildern at Christmas and watching them open their presents. I had some wonderful presents too, lots of hand crafted things from the girls (they are both so clever at making things) and things to make myself.
Tuesday 17th after work I went to see Frozen with Mark, Michelle and the children which was excellent and on Wednesay 18th went bowling with everyone from work as our team Christmas outing (I was seriously rubbish). The 20th was our work Christmas meal at the Warwickshire golf club (beautiful surroundings) and then the second Hilary Mantel play at the Swan, Bring up the Bodies, which was appparantly what they used to say when they brought people up for execution at the Tower of London.
On Christmas Eve I finished work at lunchtime and drove into Birmingham to Symphony Hall for The Glory of Christmas which featured the London Concert Orchestra, the Birmingham Choral Union and the choir of Brendyn's primary school! They were all brilliant and a wonderful start to Christmas.
Christmas Eve night, Christmas Day and most of Boxing day was spent with Mark, Michelle and the children. I love being with the grandchildern at Christmas and watching them open their presents. I had some wonderful presents too, lots of hand crafted things from the girls (they are both so clever at making things) and things to make myself.
 |  |
On Friday 27th Richard, Debbie and the children came to stay with me for a night and on Sunday 29th Mark, Michelle and the children came for the day. Unfortunately I then came down with a cold and lost my voice so couldn't go to Maureen and Derek's for New Years Eve as I normally do as I didn't want to give it to anyone.
I would like to thank all my family and friends for a very happy 2013 and wish everyone a happy and peaceful
2014.
I would like to thank all my family and friends for a very happy 2013 and wish everyone a happy and peaceful
2014.
RSS Feed
