Please Please(d) Me......

Just had a great weekend with friends on a coach trip to Liverpool for the Strawberry Fields (Beatles) Tour.

We met the coach in Ipswich Saturday at 5am (yes I know that’s a silly time of day but we were so lucky as our special friend and neighbour offered to be up and ready to take us to the pickup point). We then had to make pick-ups at Norwich, Kings Lynn and Wisbech then our first meal/comfort break at Peterborough. Well at this point I was a bit bored and my Bbook didn’t have a charge (grrrr silly oversight) so I sent a tweet (which copies to facebook)....

* On the coach to Liverpool for the Strawberry Fields tour. Lots of stops so.......a long and winding road!

Closely followed by........

* Early start meant it was a hard day's night, but have to admit it's getting better!

I know they’re not all titles and some are just lyrics, but it amused me so hope it amused a few readers :o)

* Good morning good morning good morning and I feel fine!

We went as a group to the Beatles Experience exhibition which was really good. Had a bit of free time to walk around the Liverpool city centre shops and we stopped for a drink and the weather was so good we sat outside which was great.

Finally checked into the hotel, but unfortunately the room key they gave me and hubby didn’t work, so back down to reception and as they couldn’t work out the problem on their computer they moved us from the second floor to the fourth. Realising I hadn’t brought my phone charger and all the internet stuff I’d done, I thought I’d ask at reception if they had a spare charger, and they did.....but it was in a box so full of tangled wires that it looked like the kitten had been let loose on the knitting wool! Some time later I’d found a charger that fitted my phone but only had a two pin plug, which thankfully fitted the razor socket in the bathroom.

Dinner that evening was really nice. Because the weekend was so cheap we all thought the meal would be cheap and cheerful too, so we were all pleasantly surprised. We followed that with plenty of time in the bar, in fact we were the last to leave and head for bed.

Up early again and down for breakfast at 8am. Packed, checked out and all on the coach by 9am, then we were joined by the local Beatles tour guide who took us on a two hour tour with plenty of Beatles music and an entertaining and informative commentary.

* Now on the magical mystery tour, yeah yeah yeah yeah!

We saw the homes of John, Paul, George and Ringo (sad to see that Ringo’s house is soon to be demolished). We saw the gates of Strawberry Fields and lots more.

* Been here there and everywhere, oh blah di oh blah dah life goes on!

After that we had over three hours of spare time and while two of the men wanted more Beatles us girls and hubby wanted to see more of Liverpool especially the two cathedrals.

* Good day sunshine for a day in the life of a day tripper!

Lots of walking and lots of steps later and a short break for some food then we were back on the coach for the long drive home!

* We've come together as it's time to get back!

Our lovely neighbour came out to meet the coach and bring us home, that was about 10:30pm. We were very tired but it had been a fun weekend!

I’d managed 14 references to Beatles songs on twitter and facebook.....and so many more during conversations that I drove the others mad :o) And now the photos....... with the album title ‘Please Pleased Me’!

.

How time flies......

27 years ago today we moved into this house!
Since then our toddlers have grown into adults and we watched them go through nursery, primary, secondary and college schooling.
Since then our children have had various friends, boyfriends and girlfriends coming through this house and have now settled into homes of their own.
Since then we now have grandchildren coming to stay who are older than the children that first lived here!
Since then we have decorated every room more than once, needed to replaster almost every wall, and the kitchen has been completely rebuilt and the bathroom rebuilt twice too.
Since then we've change the building we moved into by adding an extension and porch roof and patio area too.
Since then our 'games room' with pool table and gym equipment has changed more to the 'arts & crafts room' housing all the grandchildrens' projects.
Since then we've had various visits to the hospital, mostly for minor injuries but a couple of episodes that were more scary but we survived them all.
Since then I've had lots of different paid jobs and now enjoying an early retirement.
Since then cassette tapes went out and CDs came in......what should we do with all our old tapes?
Since then videos went out and DVDs came in.......what should we do with all our old videos?
Since then we have made real friends that I hope will last forever!
.

Friends for the weekend

Hubby and I spent last weekend with friendsL&K......but separately!
They arrived early Friday morning then hubby left with friendK, plus some wood, to go back to their house to help with some decorating. FriendL stayed with me for a girly couple of days.

Around midday we parked the car at the Ipswich Waterfront an walked through the marina and then into town where we walked from end to end stopping in almost every shop. We bought some clothes each and browsed lots more stopping at Jacey's for tea and cake/sausage roll for lunch. Then shopped lots more.

Eventually we headed back to the Waterfront and took a well earned break in Isaac's bar then to Pizza Express for dinner. FriendL had brought a large tin of Quality Street which we attacked as our extra dessert when we got home.

Saturday we went to Snape Maltings for the Aldeburgh Food Festival. Lots more walking around and sampling all the goodies on offer. Lunch in the cafe there and home and out again later for dinner at The Oyster Reach. Late home but still time to watch the recorded Simply Red concert and a glass or two of wine!

It had been a rainy weekend but we both had coats with hoods so it wasn't a problem. I had suggested we go to Felixstowe Sunday market but when we got up it was raining heavily so neither of us could be bothered with battling the elements for more shopping we didn't need so spent a lazy morning at home. We were soon joined by my Darling Daughter and the three children and then friendK brought hubby home and we all sat for dinner. The girls were really busy being ever so creative and LittleOne was so entertaining that we all had a great afternoon.

I don't think friendL and I stopped talking for three days which was lovely. We have been friends since school days and know each other's families well so it was great to catch up properly.

All too soon everyone left, including hubby who went bowling, and I was left to flop on the sofa exhausted :o)
.

France holiday

Really bad at keeping up to date with this blog - sorry!
Our holiday to France was 5th - 13th September and hubby and I went with friendsP&A who happen to be our next door neighbours and we get on really well with them.

We travelled by Eurotrain and hubby did all the driving. Setting off Sunday afternoon we arrived in France and drove to our first stop which was an Ibis hotel about half way to our destination. Monday we did the rest of the drive and reached the house we were renting mid-afternoon. Unfortunately I had slept badly at the hotel and woke with a painful neck.....this lasted all of the week and actually is still painful now, but I didn't let it stop me doing stuff and tried not to complain too much!

The house we had rented belongs to a chap hubby knows from bowling and it's mainly their holiday home but occasionally they rent it out to family and friends. It was very well equipped and we were so grateful not to have to bring our own bedding or towels etc.

During the week we visited lots of local places including Biarritz, Arcachon and the Dune de Pilat at Pyla. We ate out some of the time but also made good use of the BBQ at the house. We started each day with friendA making us a cooked breakfast which was yummy and set us up for hours! Evenings were spent 'at home' watching some very old DVDs and videos mostly comedies like Only Fools and Horses and Dad's Army, not really my choice but relaxing.

Weather was good, not too hot, but a bit of rain some of the time.
And at this late stage of writing that's about all the main events covered!
.

Catching up with the past....

Over a week ago I met BestFriendM for lunch, she still works at the little fishing hamlet where she'd bought a house some years ago. I used to be down there a lot and love the place. On the river with a beach, boat yard, sailing club and two pubs! Since my friend moved in with her boyfriend into the town I rarely have a reason to go down to the water's edge so it was great to meet her at work for lunch. The sun was shining and it was very warm so we went across on the small foot ferry and had freshly smoked prawns in the cafe, then all too soon it was the ferry back and she had to go back to work.

Last Thursday evening I met up with FriendD, we hadn't seen each other for nearly 14 years! I'd made contact with her again on facebook and she was thrilled that I had. We went out for a meal and although we had a lot to catch up on, each other's lives and what our children and now grandchildren were doing, it was just like old times!

Friday night to Saturday lunchtime was spent with FriendH, who I've known from school days! These days we have a regular catch-up of me driving to hers (about 50 miles) and sleeping over because we talk till gone 3am then a few hours sleep then starting the morning with more chat until I drag myself away around lunchtime. I say regular as it's always two visits a year six months apart!

And today hubby and I had a house full, DarlingDaughter, Sool, and my three fabulous grandchildren, plus NeiceL, her hubby, two children and their dog. Big dinner,bike riding and walking the dog to the park where we all got wet, tea and cakes, jigsaws, scrabble and watching TV......a lovely day!
.

Scotland holiday - days 7, 8 and 9

So sorry for the delay, really bad at blogging and keeping it up to date.....so here is the rest of the holiday in one mad attempt!!!

Sunday 15th August
We left Aberdeen and headed to Barrow-In-Furness in Cumbria to stay with FriendM. We made our first stop at Loch Lomond, but guess we followed the wrong sign as we got to a bit which only led to a boat yard and ferry and couldn't really walk around the loch but we did find a nice place to have lunch. Then back on the road and stopped when we were nearly there for a quick ice-cream at a place called Bardsey. We sat there laughing at all the children getting covered in mud cos the tide was out and they were rock-pooling I guess, also watched some older guy wading out in obviously boggy ground and eventually falling into it - he didn't look hurt but must have been soaked through. We reached Barrow then crossed the bridge to Walney Island where she lives. FriendM made us dinner then we went for a walk to see the beach at the end of her road and the plan was to call into her favourite restaurant to book a table for the following night, but unfortunately they don't open on a Monday, so had to have a rethink.

Monday 16th August
After breakfast the next morning, and after hubby did a couple of DIY jobs, we set off for the first of her planned stops, but at the locked door we discovered that The Dock Museum is also closed on a Monday, so we had a long river side walk instead. Cumbria being closed on a Monday being the joke of the day! Then drove to Ulverston where we discovered The Laurel and Hardy Museum, which was interesting, then onto Wax Lyrical, Candle outlet shop, where we had a lovely lunch and FriendM and I shopped for bargains while hubby waited for us at the car, cleaning the windscreen and playing on his phone! Then onto Furness Abbey and a good look around speculating what went where and how they lived. Back at our friend's for afternoon tea in the garden. Her daughter popped round and they talked about a few places to eat out but FriendM decided we would have Chinese take-away delivered, and it was lovely!

Tuesday 17th August
We left FriendM's soon after breakfast and drove off without much direction at first. I'd suggested a couple of places and we'd set the satnav and even headed in that direction but then it was deemed too far out of our way. We did stop at Kendal and bought mint cake to give as gifts and a later stop at Ashby de la Zouch Abbey for a quick walk round but the weather was getting wetter and as we were then only a couple of hours from home we decided to come straight home a day earlier than planned.

Nice to be back in my own bed and to have use of my own 'facilities' of course!
.

Scotland holiday - day 6

Saturday 14th August (yes today, finally caught up)

Up early but hubby still sleeping so I quietly got out the laptop for something to do while waiting for him. He woke with no hangover, thankfully, then down to breakfast. Met up with some of the guests again so lots more chatting. then out for some fresh air. We walked a circuit at the park over the road, nice park, then a walk back which took us through the little shopping centre and back to the hotel. Bumped into some family guests and chatted with them too.

2pm ish we headed off to the home of FriendsN&G for their extended wedding celebration garden BBQ. The new Mrs P had told us we could walk it from the hotel in 10mins, well she must walk fast as it took us nearly half an hour! Meeting these people again today was like meeting up with our own family, such lovely people and warm and welcoming and inclusive.

Back to the hotel about 7:30pm ish and we decided to stay in, feet up, cups of tea and TV on to recover from the past few late boozy nights. So the perfect time for me to catch up with blogging :o)
.

Scotland holiday - day 5

Friday 13th August

Today is the day of the wedding for FriendsN&G. FriendN stopped working with hubby about 8 years ago but they've kept in touch with the occasional email and even rarer night out when FriendN was back in Suffolk. This got a bit harder once FriendN moved back up to Aberdeen! However he made it down with his girlfriendG for hubby's 50th celebration and again managed to co-ordinate a Suffolk visit with one of our BBQs. We were so thrilled and honoured to be invited to their wedding and accepted immediately which was about a year in advance :o)

Wedding started at 2pm so after breakfast we headed back into Aberdeen and parked at the beach for a walk and drove around the harbour which looked totally commercial. We talked about the huge granite buildings and how they lacked much fancy stuff....they were obviously built to be spacious and practical with big windows, but didn't need to show off or prove their worth to anyone!

Back, showered, dressed and made up then down to the wedding. Hubby had spotted people he'd known from BT and FriendN's friends from that time, so we chatted with them in the bar for ages then all called into the service. The hotel hall has been decorated very elegantly. Very dark tartan drapes around the sides and the table all had black top cloths on which made the lights and candles really sparkle. The side of the room was set with chairs either side of an aisle for the civil ceremony.

Groom didn't look nervous at all and the bride looked stunning :o)
The service was really nice with various very personal bits added in, Celtic blessings and candle lightings all creating a totally unique and meaningful ceremony!

When we sat at dinner we were honoured to be on table 1 with the brides family. They made us so welcome and chatted to us all the time. I learnt every thing about everyone over dinner from the brides lovely parents, or so it seemed. Dinner was delicious starting with Scotch broth.

The night went on with disco and some traditional Scottish Gay Gordon's and a Reel or two. I danced as much as I could but had to sit with my foot on a chair for the end of the evening. The evening buffet included 'Stovies' and although I was still really full from dinner I had to give it a try and loved it. Like a thick beef stew, served with mashed potatoes and swede, topped with beetroot and hot gravy (like HP sauce).

Hubby got quite drunk, but he's always a happy drunk so that's good and we both had a great time.
Congratulations MR & Mrs P. our FriendsN&G.
.

Scotland holiday - day 4

Thursday 12th August

Up, dressed, breakfast and all too soon it was time to leave our friends on their little Glenrothes small holding. Turning the car round and saying good bye to friends and avoiding the chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and even a lamb is not easy. Oh I'd forgotten to mention Murphey, he's a young crow they'd rescued and nurtured back to good health, he lives in a large cage and slept in the lounge with us at night. Actually with his blanket on he doesn't make any noise at all.

We made a stop en-route at Dundee and had a walk round a shopping mall, when we stopped for a cuppa I asked one of the other customers if there was anywhere to buy traditional Dundee cake and she gave us directions. We soon found a great bakers and bought cake (as you do).

We arrived in Aberdeen and headed to Westhill and checked in at the Holiday Inn....this stop was the main point of our whole holiday, but I'll still tell it roughly as it happened!

Italian dinner at Luigi's, then some TV but went out again around 11pm ish to see if we could see any of the promised meteor shower, unfortunately there was too much light pollution and far too cloudy, so to bed!
.

Scotland holiday - day 3

Wednesday 11th August
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY !!!

Didn't sleep too well, strange bed and all that, plus needing the loo and not wanting to disturb anyone! Stayed put until nearly 7:30am and hubby and I got up quietly and put the day bed away. Hubby then got out the birthday cards he had brought with and I opened them. Gradually each person got up and with young-J being the last up about 10am and a full cooked breakfast for all around 11am....including fresh duck, turkey and chicken eggs yummy! Then got extra birthday cards from these friends too :o)

Well the weather was very changeable with lots of showers, so our trip was postponed a few hours. On our way out hubby was asked to stop in a little village and FriendA popped out and came back with a prezzie for me, a metal heart that you hang and put a candle in, it's lovely! then all onto Tentsmuir where we walked along a huge sandy beautiful beach, then we walked through the woods.

When we got back and after FriendA had a nap and hubby had fixed a computer or two, FriendA made me a fantastic birthday dinner of venison and lots of very freshly picked veg, it was delicious and we all went back for seconds! Then dessert was a special birthday cake and the chantilly cream was coated with a sparkly stuff that left us all with sparkly smiles. It was a great day!
.