Our newspaper has just pointed out that there is an American TV programme starting here called The Mentalist (tee hee) and the first programme is directed by David Nutter! Ah That has made me smile all weekend!
Once again I am blogging about names!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Lots of pix of Llantwit
It was such a beautiful day that I went for a walk with the camera. These pix are on the blog but if you want to look at them they are on Picasa too
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cariadelen/LlantwitMajor?feat=directlink/
I hope
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cariadelen/LlantwitMajor?feat=directlink/
I hope
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sports
To be honest I have always been rubbish at sports. I wasn't always the last picked for teams as I was this height when I was 12 so I was often chosen as goalie in netball where I just stood in the way impressively. However, other than that it was never good. My PE teacher, Miss Tucker (who was lovely and a realist) once remarked that if only I could run as quickly on the tennis court as I did for the dinner queue I might have the makings of an athlete!
Out of the 5 of us siblings. The boys were quite sporty. Helen wasn't but 2 of her children are. But by the time it got to me there was nothing left in the gene pool for me and mine. It was a proud day in the Martin family when our children were put in the bottom set for PE at their High School. As Kieran remarked the bottom set was full of people who were too fat or too clever to be good at Sport. They seemed to spend their PE lessons being smart arses.
My school was far too small to have sets for PE. However by the fourth year (Yr10) we were allowed to choose which sport we did. The table tennis table was in a different room to the gym. So all the people who were too clever or too lazy to be good at sport (I can't really remember any fat girls and I admit I was lazy rather than clever) used to choose ping pong. Somebody would be lookout and we would simply sit round chatting for an hour or so unless Miss Tucker felt the need to look in on us.
Anyway, that is not to say that I don't do any exercise. I walk regularly and I go to Pilates once a week. I have done Pilates for several years and I think it keeps my stiff back moving. My Pilates teacher, Vicki, is lovely and has an excellent sense of humour. During Tuesday's class we were on the floor waving our legs around in some tortuous manner. Vicki said. "if you find this hard then you can lower your leg a little" I didn't need to be told twice and my raised leg was quickly a millimetre above the floor. Unfortunately Vicki was passing and said. "Choosing the lazy way,Frances?" and hoicked it higher again. Later in the class we were doing some complicated stretch during which I had entirely lost the plot. Vicki happened to be passing then. "Arm straight Frances! Ah your such a challenge to me!"
See nothing changes! She would get on well with Miss Tucker!
Out of the 5 of us siblings. The boys were quite sporty. Helen wasn't but 2 of her children are. But by the time it got to me there was nothing left in the gene pool for me and mine. It was a proud day in the Martin family when our children were put in the bottom set for PE at their High School. As Kieran remarked the bottom set was full of people who were too fat or too clever to be good at Sport. They seemed to spend their PE lessons being smart arses.
My school was far too small to have sets for PE. However by the fourth year (Yr10) we were allowed to choose which sport we did. The table tennis table was in a different room to the gym. So all the people who were too clever or too lazy to be good at sport (I can't really remember any fat girls and I admit I was lazy rather than clever) used to choose ping pong. Somebody would be lookout and we would simply sit round chatting for an hour or so unless Miss Tucker felt the need to look in on us.
Anyway, that is not to say that I don't do any exercise. I walk regularly and I go to Pilates once a week. I have done Pilates for several years and I think it keeps my stiff back moving. My Pilates teacher, Vicki, is lovely and has an excellent sense of humour. During Tuesday's class we were on the floor waving our legs around in some tortuous manner. Vicki said. "if you find this hard then you can lower your leg a little" I didn't need to be told twice and my raised leg was quickly a millimetre above the floor. Unfortunately Vicki was passing and said. "Choosing the lazy way,Frances?" and hoicked it higher again. Later in the class we were doing some complicated stretch during which I had entirely lost the plot. Vicki happened to be passing then. "Arm straight Frances! Ah your such a challenge to me!"
See nothing changes! She would get on well with Miss Tucker!
Monday, March 09, 2009
A moan
I am fed up with housework. I've got to be honest, it's not my strong point. I do have a bit of a weird obsessive compulsive in me in that I like things to be in their proper place or in neat little piles and get irritated when they're not. But actual dusting and getting into the corners is not my favourite past time. Which is a shame as it seems to need doing ALL the time! As soon as it's done it needs doing again! I work pretty hard (most of the time) during the week and just do not want to spend my weekends sweeping and hoovering and dusting and all that other crap. This weekend for example I went away to my friend Emilie's to help her celebrate her 30th birthday. I had a great time, came home tired and hungover and managed to ignore any gathering dust. I then go to work this morning, work all day, come home and go for a run with the dog and just as I am planning to settle down for the night and watch last night's Lost, I suddenly start noticing how dusty everything is and spend the next hour cleaning because I can't bear it - argh!!! I can't be alone in being completely and utterly fed up with this? Maybe I should
just try and be like my friend Lyndsey who takes great pleasure in cleaning?
just try and be like my friend Lyndsey who takes great pleasure in cleaning?Anyway, moan over and in the mean time here's some pictures of me and my friends from university dressed up in an 80s theme for Emilie's birthday at the weekend. I decided to channel Joan Collins in a Dynasty stylee...nice. However despite the fact we look horrendous it was a lot more fun than bloody dusting :) 
Visit to Crufts
Nicky and I went to Crufts yesterday and had a very nice day , pottering around and seeing lots and lots of different dogs. Here is a boxer who has clearly had enough of being on show and is having a nap.
Here are some Pharoah hounds who are very intent on the lady preparing their dinner which is why they are so fixed on the same thing - they got chicken for dinner, which is better than what was on offer for the humans.
Here is a collie who is clearly interested in something going on down the aisle.
And finally here is the new love of Nicky's life. When we got to the corgis she was astonished that she had never met one before, and was totally smitten with the Pembrokeshire ones, like this one below. The are very fox like in the face, with huge bat ears and very bright, alert eyes. They have stopped docking their tails now, and they have lovely long bushy tails. Nic wants one. They are very cute, and as they were cattle dogs, will run and run for hours and can do agility courses and all sorts, which is a bit surprising as they have such short legs. We saw other Heelers (cattle dogs which nip the heels of the cattle, but are so low to the ground that if the cow kicks the kick goes over the top of them) from other countries and they are all the same basic shape, which was interesting.
It was interesting to see so many different breeds, a few of which I had never heard of. There were also loads of stalls selling all sorts of things. They had collars and leads covered with different colour diamante so you could have the ultimate bling dog if you wanted. Nic managed to get a fitted waxed jacket that she has been looking for for a while as well as a really nice waistcoat/bodywarmer and 2 shirts. When she goes racing and is leading the horse round the parade ring they have to dress smartly, and these will fit the bill admirably. They were all greatly reduced as well, so she had a very successful day indeed.
Here are some Pharoah hounds who are very intent on the lady preparing their dinner which is why they are so fixed on the same thing - they got chicken for dinner, which is better than what was on offer for the humans.
Here is a collie who is clearly interested in something going on down the aisle.
And finally here is the new love of Nicky's life. When we got to the corgis she was astonished that she had never met one before, and was totally smitten with the Pembrokeshire ones, like this one below. The are very fox like in the face, with huge bat ears and very bright, alert eyes. They have stopped docking their tails now, and they have lovely long bushy tails. Nic wants one. They are very cute, and as they were cattle dogs, will run and run for hours and can do agility courses and all sorts, which is a bit surprising as they have such short legs. We saw other Heelers (cattle dogs which nip the heels of the cattle, but are so low to the ground that if the cow kicks the kick goes over the top of them) from other countries and they are all the same basic shape, which was interesting.
It was interesting to see so many different breeds, a few of which I had never heard of. There were also loads of stalls selling all sorts of things. They had collars and leads covered with different colour diamante so you could have the ultimate bling dog if you wanted. Nic managed to get a fitted waxed jacket that she has been looking for for a while as well as a really nice waistcoat/bodywarmer and 2 shirts. When she goes racing and is leading the horse round the parade ring they have to dress smartly, and these will fit the bill admirably. They were all greatly reduced as well, so she had a very successful day indeed.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Blue screen
This is a picture of Helen, Brian and us at St Donat's at New Year. We propped the camera on a rock to take the photo so it''s a bit lob sided. But the back ground looks like a blue screen. It is as if you could substitute the Bristol Channel with the Taj Mahal if you so wish!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Blog for Helen
I have started a blog - just our of curiosity to see if I can keep it up and find something to write.
http://wordbywordwales.blogspot.com/
Here is the url if anyone is interested. (it's not very exciting)
http://wordbywordwales.blogspot.com/
Here is the url if anyone is interested. (it's not very exciting)
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Pigeons
This weekend we had a lovely weekend in Woodstock (Oxfordshire not the famous festival place). Very nice it was too. I would post pictures but Trev was having trouble down loading them. Anyway they were mostly of our walks around Stowe and Blenheim. Very pretty too but there is plenty on the internet if you want to see pictures of them. Anwyay, on the way home we were a bit Stately Homed Out so we went to Bletchley Park, which is where the code breakers were based in the second World War. A very interesting place it is too. Enthusiasts have reconstructed the early computers by salvaging valves and transformers from machines. A real labour of love. One thing I learned this time was of the use of pigeons during war. No longer will I curse pigeons as flying rats because they are remarkable birds. Basically they would parachute them in to occupied territory and the resistance would use them to send messages to the UK. The Germans were aware of this and it was illegal in Nazi occupied territory to be in possession of a pigeon unless you had a licence and you could be executed if you were found with one. They had troups positioned on the coast whose job it was to shoot pigeons.
At Bletchley they have an excellent video telling you all this. It says the War office recruited the finest pigeons available. I just like the idea of a kind of James Bond pigeon. All a bit Nick Parks really!
At Bletchley they have an excellent video telling you all this. It says the War office recruited the finest pigeons available. I just like the idea of a kind of James Bond pigeon. All a bit Nick Parks really!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sticks and stones....
I don't know what it is about funny names that amuse me so much but they do. I discovered at the weekend that the two turkeys that wander around the yard at the farmshop we go to are called Phillip and Clive. Brilliant names. And Erin has a friend who has a cat called Ian! Sort of inappropriate but brilliant at the same time. I was most amused by this article on the BBC. I was telling a collegue about it and he said there were a family called the Gotobeds and they lived in Little Snoring! Perfection!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Brian has a car
Brian has a new car too now. Also 29k miles for a diesel VW Passat estate which he also got last week, so we are terribly posh now. My new car does 50 miles to the gallon on a sedate motorway drive!
Isn't it nice that Slumdog Millionaire has done so well in the Oscars? It is such a brilliant film I am really glad that something with no political axe to grind in Hollywood has done so well.
I am going to Cheltenham on Saturday to look at a shop selling office chairs for people with bad backs to see if I can find something I really like, and then persuade my boss to buy it for me. You really need to sit in them, and some of them look really odd on the screen. It should be entertaining anyway.
Isn't it nice that Slumdog Millionaire has done so well in the Oscars? It is such a brilliant film I am really glad that something with no political axe to grind in Hollywood has done so well.
I am going to Cheltenham on Saturday to look at a shop selling office chairs for people with bad backs to see if I can find something I really like, and then persuade my boss to buy it for me. You really need to sit in them, and some of them look really odd on the screen. It should be entertaining anyway.
Day in Oxford
We had a day out in Oxford yesterday, because we were going to see a new music theatre piece by George Benjamin - which was excellent and well worth the trip. We had a good potter around and the weather was pleasantly springlike which made it very enjoyable. As a Cambridge girl I don't think Oxford is a beautiful as Cambridge, and there are a lot of houses which have been badly modernised and there is a lot less green than in Cambridge because the river is much less of a feature and the old colleges aren't together in the same way. Also there was a serious shortage of tea shops. Cafes, but not tea shops! However we did have a lovely potter and here are some pics
This guy looks very like the mad hatter and has a lovely triangular drainpipe
Brian in the street - just to prove we were there.
The view from the street - if you are not one of the elite you can see through the bars or...
The view from inside
And finally
A lovely lopsided door to add to my collection. One of a group of Flemish weavers cottages now turned into a hotel.
This guy looks very like the mad hatter and has a lovely triangular drainpipe
Brian in the street - just to prove we were there.
The view from the street - if you are not one of the elite you can see through the bars or...
The view from insideAnd finally
A lovely lopsided door to add to my collection. One of a group of Flemish weavers cottages now turned into a hotel.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
New car
Ooops - I am getting a new car. we were looking online for a new car for Brian whose car is really doddering now, and I saw the Honda Jazz on a local website and said 'that's what I want'. We went out to look at cars for Brian (didn't find one) but I did drive and am buying the Honda. It is 2004 but only 29000 miles on the clock, and is silver and lovely. It is a bit earlier than I had intended to replace my car, but it is what I wanted and it is a good price so..... roll on Wednesday. We are still looking for a car for Brian.
Kate and I have been looking at wedding venues and saw 2 really nice ones yesterday which have gone to the top of the heap, and Kate and Carl are going back today so Carl can see them. In fact I am going to phone Kate now to see how they got on.
love
Helen
Kate and I have been looking at wedding venues and saw 2 really nice ones yesterday which have gone to the top of the heap, and Kate and Carl are going back today so Carl can see them. In fact I am going to phone Kate now to see how they got on.
love
Helen
Cambridge
Cambridge is our nearest city and there are few more beautiful cities. This year the university is celebrating it's 800th birthday! Happy Birthday Cam Uni! It is also celebrating Darwin's 200th birthday! Go Charlie. It also got a very snazzy new clock last year on an outside wall of Corpus Christi College. It is about 12 foot and quite the eye catcher (you do have to sit through an ad if you go to that link)
Anyway, today we had reason to visit this fair city. Trev had to go shopping for my birthday, which is very important indeed! I went along for the nice lunch and to have a pootle round the shops myself. One of the things I needed to buy was a new toilet brush so I went into John Lewis's and was amazed to find there was one for sale for £61!!!!! Really, I would want it to do the cleaning for me. Surprisingly, I opted for the one that cost £4. I mean if ever there was a utilitarian household object that's it. Surely, nobody is going to go into your loo and come out and say "What a beautiful toilet brush, pray what art gallery did you purchase it from?"
I was also looking out for a 21st birthday present for Erin's friend, Heather, whom I have known nearly all her life. I had by now moved to the kitchen department and saw the perfect thing. Onion goggles! You wear them them to prevent crying while peeling and chopping onions. Who wouldn't want that, both amusing and practical. I bought them forthwith but now I've got them home I think they may be too silly even for a present from me. Also I thought it was the smell of onions that made your eyes water. Ah well, back to the drawing board.
Finally, Cambridge has many a famous alumni. But two of them:
Rory McGrath and Stephen Hawking
I see around the city more than I see anybody I know. OK, so Stephen Hawking is rather visible when you're at a restaurant or in the cinema.
But Rory McGrath! He's a bit of blokey bloke, incase you don't know him and a twit really. I think he's following me. We saw him today. But even more weird we saw him on holiday in Cornwall last year. Spooky
Anyway, today we had reason to visit this fair city. Trev had to go shopping for my birthday, which is very important indeed! I went along for the nice lunch and to have a pootle round the shops myself. One of the things I needed to buy was a new toilet brush so I went into John Lewis's and was amazed to find there was one for sale for £61!!!!! Really, I would want it to do the cleaning for me. Surprisingly, I opted for the one that cost £4. I mean if ever there was a utilitarian household object that's it. Surely, nobody is going to go into your loo and come out and say "What a beautiful toilet brush, pray what art gallery did you purchase it from?"
I was also looking out for a 21st birthday present for Erin's friend, Heather, whom I have known nearly all her life. I had by now moved to the kitchen department and saw the perfect thing. Onion goggles! You wear them them to prevent crying while peeling and chopping onions. Who wouldn't want that, both amusing and practical. I bought them forthwith but now I've got them home I think they may be too silly even for a present from me. Also I thought it was the smell of onions that made your eyes water. Ah well, back to the drawing board.
Finally, Cambridge has many a famous alumni. But two of them:
Rory McGrath and Stephen Hawking
I see around the city more than I see anybody I know. OK, so Stephen Hawking is rather visible when you're at a restaurant or in the cinema.
But Rory McGrath! He's a bit of blokey bloke, incase you don't know him and a twit really. I think he's following me. We saw him today. But even more weird we saw him on holiday in Cornwall last year. Spooky
Monday, February 02, 2009
Why are people so stupid?
I am watching the news in the worst snow we have had in the UK for 18 years (the Canadians wouldn't notice it but...). And 2 brothers decided to go walking up Mount Snowden. They did it in the summer and wanted to do it again. In this weather! They have died, despite all the endeavors of the rescue teams. But what were they thinking? People get stuck on Snowden and on the Brecon Beacons in the summer, and they go out in the coldest weather we have had all winter with snow forecast - it is utter madness. I know that British mountains aren't big by comparison with other countries, and that people feel we are such a small island that you are never far from civilisation, but people get lost every year on the Beacons in the summer, let alone in the winter. There is a very good reason why the SAS train in the beacons, and any mountain where you have fog, snow and wind is dangerous and not a place for the unwary. I feel very sorry for those brothers and even more sorry for their families, but the rescue teams are at risk in this weather when they go out to rescue people who are just being stupid and irresponsible. It is wrong.
There - end of rant. I hope Chris and co are basking in the sun and enjoying it while the rest of us shiver
in the cold.
Nicky is going to work with so many layers on (she is working outdoors) that she is at least a dress size bigger by the time she leaves the house. She was sitting here tonight under a duvet on the sofa with her warm hat on as well, (and the heating is on and I am not wearing a coat and hat) which is entertaining. Adam who normally just wears a t shirt all year round, had conceded that it is winter and is wearing a jumper.
It is snowing here now, though we didn't have any till this evening. Wait and see what tomorrow brings, though we aren't forecast to get much thankfully.
There - end of rant. I hope Chris and co are basking in the sun and enjoying it while the rest of us shiver
in the cold.
Nicky is going to work with so many layers on (she is working outdoors) that she is at least a dress size bigger by the time she leaves the house. She was sitting here tonight under a duvet on the sofa with her warm hat on as well, (and the heating is on and I am not wearing a coat and hat) which is entertaining. Adam who normally just wears a t shirt all year round, had conceded that it is winter and is wearing a jumper.
It is snowing here now, though we didn't have any till this evening. Wait and see what tomorrow brings, though we aren't forecast to get much thankfully.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Basket
Last night we went to a Ceilidh. We decided it was a good idea as that will be the evening entertainment at Kieran and Alice's wedding and we are also going to a 60th birthday party which will be a ceilidh. We went with Alice's parents and Sue and John the former is the birthday girl. We all thought we would get some practice in before we had to do it in public.
It was one of the most fun evenings we have had. Honestly, I have the coordination of a headless chicken but I could cope with this one. (Those of you horrified by this there is another room in Great Chesterford community centre you can escape to.)
However there was one dance in which the caller said we had to do a basket. It involved the men putting their arm around the woman's waist and the woman putting her arm around the mans shoulder. Then you joined with the couple opposite and spun round fast. The idea was that the ladies feet would leave the ground during this spin. As you know I am not petite and did not think this was a great idea and neither did Trevor. However the guy opposite (in a kilt) had other ideas and goodness he was strong. I just about managed to keep my feet on the ground but he certainly made that a fast spin. It was quite hilarious. However, if the caller in May says there will be a basket - I'm out of there!
Finally, Ceilidh! Irish or Scottish? I had always assumed the former but lots of people asked me if I was celebrating Burns night when I told them I was going and there were two men in kilts. The band was Irish so I am going to keep it to the Emerald Isle
It was one of the most fun evenings we have had. Honestly, I have the coordination of a headless chicken but I could cope with this one. (Those of you horrified by this there is another room in Great Chesterford community centre you can escape to.)
However there was one dance in which the caller said we had to do a basket. It involved the men putting their arm around the woman's waist and the woman putting her arm around the mans shoulder. Then you joined with the couple opposite and spun round fast. The idea was that the ladies feet would leave the ground during this spin. As you know I am not petite and did not think this was a great idea and neither did Trevor. However the guy opposite (in a kilt) had other ideas and goodness he was strong. I just about managed to keep my feet on the ground but he certainly made that a fast spin. It was quite hilarious. However, if the caller in May says there will be a basket - I'm out of there!
Finally, Ceilidh! Irish or Scottish? I had always assumed the former but lots of people asked me if I was celebrating Burns night when I told them I was going and there were two men in kilts. The band was Irish so I am going to keep it to the Emerald Isle
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Accommodation continued
I daresay most people are sorted but here are a few more suggestions. Can I just say I am amazed that nobody corrected my spelling of accommodation in the previous blog (now corrected)
OK for those on a tight budget there is something called Cityroomz opposite the station in Cambridge. It is very basic but very convenient.
There is another b & B in Ickleton. Shepherds Cottage
You can also look at the district council site for other places.
Also there is a youth hostel in Saffron Walden which offers pretty good value.
The Crown House in Great Chesterford is now fully booked as there is another wedding.
OK for those on a tight budget there is something called Cityroomz opposite the station in Cambridge. It is very basic but very convenient.
There is another b & B in Ickleton. Shepherds Cottage
You can also look at the district council site for other places.
Also there is a youth hostel in Saffron Walden which offers pretty good value.
The Crown House in Great Chesterford is now fully booked as there is another wedding.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Doctor says not to exercise
It is official. I should not be doing exercises at the moment. I started off my new year resolutions by getting up and doing half an hour every weekday morning when I went back to work on 5 Jan, and was getting on well till the Friday, when I got a pain in my neck and shoulder which got worse on Sunday and Monday, so I went to the doctor on Wednesday. Also, at the beginning of December I tripped and fell, landing on my left knee and it was very sore to touch (not surprisingly) and I couldn't kneel on it or rub it hard with a towel etc. However it seemed to be improving until the week of exercise when, on the Sunday night, it started to feel more sore as well.
Basically I have pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder and aggravated my sore knee, so she told me not to to any more of the dvds until everything was back to normal. So now I can lie in bed and only do my usual 10 minutes of back exercises with a completely clear conscience because I am under medical orders!!! So I don't even really feel that I am breaking my new year resolution either.
Both knee and shoulder were on the left side, so I felt fine on one side and a wreck on the other - bizarre really. However I can recommend the heat pads you get in the supermarket that stick to your clothes and say they last 12 hours. They reallydo, and they really help. I love them to bits!!
love Helen
Basically I have pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder and aggravated my sore knee, so she told me not to to any more of the dvds until everything was back to normal. So now I can lie in bed and only do my usual 10 minutes of back exercises with a completely clear conscience because I am under medical orders!!! So I don't even really feel that I am breaking my new year resolution either.
Both knee and shoulder were on the left side, so I felt fine on one side and a wreck on the other - bizarre really. However I can recommend the heat pads you get in the supermarket that stick to your clothes and say they last 12 hours. They reallydo, and they really help. I love them to bits!!
love Helen
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Accommodation
This is linked to an email and it is basically a list of places to stay in the Chesterford area.
In Great Chesterford itself there is the Crown House Hotel. This is opposite the church and a 5 minute walk from the reception. I don't know people who have stayed in it and it gets fairly mixed reviews on the web but it is convenient.
The next village along is Hinxton. And you can stay in the accommodation block at my work!!! There is accommodation in Hinxton Hall which I believe is quite nice as well as the accommodation block which is fairly basic. It is reasonably priced but the lady I spoke to at work today said it does get booked up early. It would appear that I don't get staff discount.You can also book this through agencies if you google hotels in Saffron Walden.
Also in Hinxton there is the Red Lion. It is a very nice pub but it has only just started doing rooms so I have had no feed back from anyone about what they are like. They are charging £75 a single and £95 a double. So not particularly cheap.
This takes us to Saffron Walden which I always find a bit disappointing for hotel rooms. The best bets are the Saffron Hotel and Archways Guest House. Which are Ok. If you are staying there then let me know andwe can arrange transport.
There are some nice b and bss around if you want to drive. People at work recommended New Inn House at Ickleton (yes, that really is the name of a village, not baby talk) the Watermill at Hildersham or Newdegate House in Wimbish (yes that too is the name of a village not an ailement).
Finally, you might find somewhere else just by googling and it might be perfectly nice. Also Great Chesterford is on the main line between Liverpool St and Cambridge. London has endless possibilities and Cambridge is not short of the odd hotel. There is the most hideous Travel Lodge about a 10 minute walk from the station in Cambridge. I like to think of it as a little bit of Harlow in the beautiful City of Cambridge. OK I'm being a snob but that photo makes it look good!
Oh yes, there is a camp site in Great Chesterford too. My freind Jill will be staying there when we are not abusing our friendship by using her camper van to transport things.
In Great Chesterford itself there is the Crown House Hotel. This is opposite the church and a 5 minute walk from the reception. I don't know people who have stayed in it and it gets fairly mixed reviews on the web but it is convenient.
The next village along is Hinxton. And you can stay in the accommodation block at my work!!! There is accommodation in Hinxton Hall which I believe is quite nice as well as the accommodation block which is fairly basic. It is reasonably priced but the lady I spoke to at work today said it does get booked up early. It would appear that I don't get staff discount.You can also book this through agencies if you google hotels in Saffron Walden.
Also in Hinxton there is the Red Lion. It is a very nice pub but it has only just started doing rooms so I have had no feed back from anyone about what they are like. They are charging £75 a single and £95 a double. So not particularly cheap.
This takes us to Saffron Walden which I always find a bit disappointing for hotel rooms. The best bets are the Saffron Hotel and Archways Guest House. Which are Ok. If you are staying there then let me know andwe can arrange transport.
There are some nice b and bss around if you want to drive. People at work recommended New Inn House at Ickleton (yes, that really is the name of a village, not baby talk) the Watermill at Hildersham or Newdegate House in Wimbish (yes that too is the name of a village not an ailement).
Finally, you might find somewhere else just by googling and it might be perfectly nice. Also Great Chesterford is on the main line between Liverpool St and Cambridge. London has endless possibilities and Cambridge is not short of the odd hotel. There is the most hideous Travel Lodge about a 10 minute walk from the station in Cambridge. I like to think of it as a little bit of Harlow in the beautiful City of Cambridge. OK I'm being a snob but that photo makes it look good!
Oh yes, there is a camp site in Great Chesterford too. My freind Jill will be staying there when we are not abusing our friendship by using her camper van to transport things.
Resolutions and all that
So as usual my new year's resolutions include the perennial favourites of getting fitter and losing more weight and I read a great article about failing a bit better each year which I thought was a more positive way of looking at things if you try but don't necessary reach your goal: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/06/healthandwellbeing
But to that end I have set myself a goal which is to run a half marathon and I've just entered the ballot for the 2009 Great North Run - eek! The draw is done next week so I won't find out until the week after whether I've got a place or not. But even if I don't get a place I will enter another half marathon and I shall be raising money for Cancer Research UK. I'll keep you posted on whether or not I get a place....
My other resolutions, if you're interested, are:
1) Run a half marathon
2) Lose a dress size (hopefully resolution 1 aids the progress of resolution 2)
3) Go somewhere hot on holiday (got to have a nice one in there!)
4) Read more classic books that I should have read by now and not always just re-read Harry Potter and Jilly Cooper whenever I reach a reading impasse
5) Start a pension (if after some research I find out that's actually worth doing anymore)
Anybody else got anything they want to achieve in 2009?
Love Kate xxxx
But to that end I have set myself a goal which is to run a half marathon and I've just entered the ballot for the 2009 Great North Run - eek! The draw is done next week so I won't find out until the week after whether I've got a place or not. But even if I don't get a place I will enter another half marathon and I shall be raising money for Cancer Research UK. I'll keep you posted on whether or not I get a place....
My other resolutions, if you're interested, are:
1) Run a half marathon
2) Lose a dress size (hopefully resolution 1 aids the progress of resolution 2)
3) Go somewhere hot on holiday (got to have a nice one in there!)
4) Read more classic books that I should have read by now and not always just re-read Harry Potter and Jilly Cooper whenever I reach a reading impasse
5) Start a pension (if after some research I find out that's actually worth doing anymore)
Anybody else got anything they want to achieve in 2009?
Love Kate xxxx
Sunday, January 04, 2009
The best things come to those who wait...
...so after 11 and a half years, Carl is making an honest woman out of me - on New Year's Day he proposed and of course I said yes :) I'm absolutely thrilled! And just in case you fear your eyes might be deceiving you after all this time, here's a pic of my lovely ring!Not sure about actual wedding plans yet, initial thoughts are we might try and do something at the end of this year but will obviously keep everybody posted. Plans to make Saffy a ring bearer or bridesmaid (I've had friends ask me whether she'll be both) remain unsubstantiated at present....
Oh and happy new year to you all, hope you enjoyed the festive period and I hope for all your sakes you didn't eat and drink as much as me!
Love Kate xxxx
Love Kate xxxx
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