A well timed Yeoman in Remembrance Week

Tuesday morning and normal service is resumed at Samantha's.  Alexa in school uniform is ready to head out and Austin is chilled.  Those very memorable Brave tunes are in the background. 

 

 

 

I am quite a few days behind again blogging, definitely the consequence of actually doing things rather than writing about them.  I have some downtime this morning as Kim and Cherie take the dogs out for a walk across the fields here in the adjoining village Easter Compton.

 

We continue to have a fantastic stay and the recharging of the family batteries is going extremely well.  Two years ago we spent a month here in the UK; this time around three weeks.  The itinerary is very tight as we have such a large family. 

 

I contacted Marcus and found him with two days off so arranged to pick him up at 10 am.  Marcus has been working so hard at the new venture in Shutlanger and time away from the grindstone has been difficult.  This pub is located in such a beautiful location so I' including some photos of and vicinity here.

 

 

 

 

 

Kim, Samantha, Austin and me in the Megane headed to Shutlanger and Marcus on board we headed into Northampton for some shopping and lunch.  One of the challenges of leaving blog writing for a few days is short term memory loss.  I can remember Kim and I having to park in the St Peters Way Car Park before walking up Gold Street to meet Samantha and Marcus on the patio outside All Saints Church.  At this point I am consulting my darling wife to plug the gaps.  Our time out was to visit David Lancaster, Denise and Paul out at Rectory Farm.  David my crime prevention colleague with Northamptonshire Police for ten years.  Really good visit chewing the fat before heading back into Northampton.

 

We lunched at the Old Bank again and had a bit of panic as Samantha couldn't locate her mobile phone.  Marcus headed back to All Saints to locate but to no avail.  To no avail because Samantha had the phone in her bag all the time....

 

 

 

 

After lunch some time at Samantha's after picking up Alexa from school.  Marcus then had some quality time with Alexa before Kim and I dropped him home at the Plough.  A nice day with both Marcus and Samantha.  Reece working on work assignments before his Thailand Trip and flight on Friday.  When all is said and done we have connected with our children regularly and often and are blessed.

 

 

From Marcus to the Yeoman of England in Wootton for dinner with Rachel Langer and husband Guy.  Another meal out; lovely chat before home to Samantha yet again

 

 

Adios Ross and Aloha Birthday Girl Samantha

Hot off the press does not describe this blog entry.   6 days behind but now playing catch up with a vengeance.  Monday morning we woke at Manda's in Wallington.  I clambered out of hide a bed and made for the kitchen and tea the prime start up lubrication for the day.  The original plan was to head from Manda's to see the Poppies at the Tower of London but quite simply the logistics made the ambition unrealistic.  Truth is since making this sacrifice the Poppies or at least part of the display has been extended.  Might be able to visit when in London next week.

 

 

 

Manda put together a lovely egg and bacon breakfast for us before we headed back up the Motorway to Northampton and Samantha's.  November 3rd is Samantha's birthday and Kim and I had promised to prepare dinner for her.

 

 

 

It is worth my sharing my diesel consumption news and eco Megane performance.  One tank of Diesel is on target to give us 700 miles on the road.  Fantastic value.  About to fill up for the first time since picking up the vehicle at Heathrow.  Second piece of vehicle good fortune is the fact that the boot is big enough to take the pram for baby Austin.

 

 

 

We arrived back in Northampton and checked in with Samantha and Alan before heading to Tesco Mereway for birthday shopping.  Prior to this we dropped Reece home so that he could complete work and home tasks critically required before his trip to Thailand on the coming Friday.

 

 

 

Shopping was completed, birthday cake added to the mix and then Carbonara or Bolognese options both accompanied by Penne Pasta.  Nice rendition of Happy Birthday to you after the blowing out of the candles.

Five go to Chaucers Court

Sunday morning and a bit of a thick head but not too bad considering.  Helped considerably by getting to bed at around 9 pm the night before.  Task now to pack for an overnight at sister Manda's and to take three carved pumpkins for the pre-arranged competition at sister Debbie's.  (all sounds a bit Catholic so once all sisters are introduced I'll revert to first names).  C-PAP...check...Kim's rainjacket...check...pumpkins....check...Reece woken from his slumbers....check.

 

 

Got on the road into the town centre by 0855 and then Reece fully ready and waiting collected got on the motorway for the short trip south down to Sarah and Stu's in Milton Keynes (full credit to Reece for rising sharply).

 

 

We arrived at Sarah's 10 minutes late after a diversion caused by a road closure and were able to spend an hour and a half sharing breakfast and catching up.  At table, Sarah, Stu, Auntie Claudia, partner Alan, Reece, Kim and I.  Lovely breakfast come brunch, bacon filled brioche, smoked salmon and Philly bagels, croissants.  Alan a former Physics Teacher and all round nice guy; so nice to meet those people that now matter to family rather than just visualise.  On that note very much looking forward to first sights of Debbie's and Manda's homes later in the day.  Stu showed us his media room and I have to tell you this was the media room to beat all media rooms.  2 metre plus screen, blackout conditions and two seater home theatre rig with recliners.  Surround sound it goes without saying; truly the cinema at home and PS4.

 

 

1105 and into the car, Kim, Reece and me and setting out South for Redhill via the M25.  Due to arrive at Debbie's at 1 pm we pulled up with five minutes in credit.  Debbie's place very nice; bijou I think is the right term.  Today was going to be a real gathering of the clan.  Franklin's, Millington's and a very special Compton.

 

 

Debbie excelled herself producing a wonderful Chilli and Rice; salad, Lemon Tort with Clotted Cream and fresh fruit.  I was even treated to a little barrel of Hobgoblin Ale.  I was also treated to a welcome package and a reminder of my childhood and teenage years.  Matey Bubble Bath, Wrights Coal Tar Soap, Happy Families Playing Cards, Christmas Fruit Jellies and a Coughlan's Bakeries Cornish Pasty. 

 

 

The afternoon was spent catching up on time passed apart but the general consensus was everyone just picked up from where they left off.  It was as if we had not been apart at all.

 

 

 

Its hard relating the dialogue between numerous family members that are not always together so I'll let pictures do the talking.  We had such a good day largely filled with the hysterics that families enjoy.  Many a tear wept.  Kim and I got so much please meeting Maisey, Joe and Harry for the first time as well.  Nephew Sam and wife Sally seen for the first time in over five years.  Sisters Nicky and Cherie to add to Debbie and Manda and we were five.  In the back of my mind and I know my sisters minds our brother Mark who passed back in 2010; never forgotten and remembered particularly at a poignant time as this.

 

 

 

The pumpkin competition attracted many entries and quite amazing many.  One particularly politically incorrect entry put up by the good doctor will get no further mention here, might be career threatening for him.  The image is posted so you'll have to draw your own conclusions as to who it might be!!!  Cousin Steve came to judge the competition and the rightful winner was definitely Nathan with the wolf baying at the moon.

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie is always one to have some kind of drama associated and here at Chaucer Court it proved to be the neighbour opposite at number 3...A dominatrix no less, with screams of torture and sightings of fabricated appendages oft catching the eye for those with the stomach to venture a stare.  The landlord not being very helpful suggested that if Debbie didn't like what she saw she should perhaps not look.

 

 

 

 

 

It was a grand day all in all and Kim and I parted last to head to Manda's home in Wallington after dropping Nathan to his place also in Redhill.  I had not seen Debbie's home before and left now with the image to accompany future communication.  Arriving at Manda's it was only really getting there that I knew where we were and could easily get anywhere from there.  Ross Road and lots of large semi detached properties.  Manda's divided between ground floor accommodation and first floor.  We watched some television, took a look at ornaments, pictures and furniture, all of which built a picture of the way we grew up from Coulsdon to Burnt House Farm to Smitham Lodge and much more.  Kim was shattered and slept while we did a bit of X-Factor, a game show called would you lie to me and finally Posh Pawn where the rich get a bit of cash for sometimes valuable items.

 

 

 

It was then bed on the hide a bed which 12 years ago sat in Mum's apartment by the sea in Folkestone at Harbour Point.  Reece slept on the floor.

 

 

Jimmies, Jerry, Doom Bar, and my Gardens

Saturday and one of the highlights potentially of the whole trip aside from family and friends.  It's been a while since I took in a live game at Franklin's Garden's and today is the day.  Northampton Saints versus Newcastle Falcons and a 4 pm kick off.

 

The day has been well choreographed and at 1130 Kim will be collected by cousin Sarah then heading to Milton Keynes for quality time with her family.  Sarah and Stu and children Grace and Jack.  Kim's Auntie Claudia and then cousin Tina.  Rugby not really Kim's bag and after the Travis Perkins hilarity of years ago hardly surprising.  In essence and long story short Kim thought Travis Perkins an extremely popular player and our then next door neighbour in Little Brington was in hysterics.

 

Prior to Sarah pick up we needed to ASDA shop in Far Cotton for a few bits and pieces.  So at the Hilton Hotel Collingtree we met up with Sarah and the two little ones Grace and Jack.  The rendezvous easier than trying to direct Sarah into Grange Park.  So with Kim safely on the road I headed back to Samantha's to prepare myself for the onslaught.

 

Priority one:  leave the car at home
Priority two:  Get Reece to pick me up and then drive to his house
Priority three: Get Reece to leave his car at home
Priority four:  walk to the Foundryman's Arms to meet Jerry and our tickets
Priority five:  Try not to drink too many beverages before the game (FAILED)

Priority six: enjoy the game

Priority seven: ration drinking during the game (FAILED)

Priority eight: stay on feet in pub after the game

Priority nine:  Get to the Malt Shovel for 6.30 pm (FAILED)

Priority ten: Get home safely by taxi

Priority eleven: Get Reece home safely

 

So all up to priority five was achieved without issue.  We walked to the pub from Reece's.

 

 

 

Reece and I enjoyed a couple in the Foundryman's Arms before Jerry arrived and then we found ourselves catching up two years and imbibing steadily.  six pints and a cigar later (I don't smoke by the way) this dirty shirt and son Reece were well primed for the chanting and singing at the ground.  the Doom Bar reference in the blog title relates to a beer I had only previously met in fiction (Silkworm by Robert Galbraith). 

 

 

 

The ground, incidentally named Franklin's Gardens (quite appropriate I think) was packed to capacity.  Quite something when you consider the Saints team lacked 14 players on International Duty.  So the Saints team sheet was made up of squad and academy players, effectively Saints Second Team.

 

 

 

The game was a stunner.  We had terrace tickets for the side of the ground but ended up at Jerry's direction under the posts close to the bar.  This might go some way to explaining the failure at priority seven, fed somewhat by the previous failure at priority five.

 

 

 

The match report follows :

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/News/TabId/90/ArtMID/526/ArticleID/5384/SAINTS-37-NEWCASTLE-23-Youngsters-shine-in-LV-Cup-opener.aspx

 

We were royally entertained for eighty minutes.  Marcus was able to join us for the first half before having to return to the Plough for work and for a while father and both sons were screaming and shouting as the blinding play unfolded.

 

Post game we repaired to the Thomas a Becket pub in a state of disrepair.  Here is lovely shot of what disrepair looks like.

 

 

 

There then followed a period of 'frivolity minus full memory' before the booking and then taking of two taxi cabs to our respective homes.  Jerry left us to catch a train to Long Buckby and home.

 

I arrived home fairly early and certainly in time and in control enough to read grand-daughter Alexa a good night story.  Then inevitably it was time for me to hit the sack; day done and a good one at that.  Final shot is clearly night-time at some point before getting home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saints Shopping, Carving and Served

Friday after a very filling Thursday night was a two cups of tea to wake up affair.  I'm going to completely ignore the walk through breakfast and get to the hop into the car to go and get Reece piece.  I had arranged to pick Reece up to go to the Saints shop.  I had my eye on buying a shirt.  As it turned out Reece also made some purchases for me and I ended up with a toque, saints car sticker and a mug with my name on it.  All in all a very successful shopping expedition.  After becoming Premiership Champions earlier this year the club have a collage on the stadium glazing and here is the old man standing on the spot.  The actual front view appears on a previous blog.

 

 





Next stop was back at Samantha's and then a frantic chase to try and find pumpkins.  In hindsight trying to buy pumpkins on Halloween night probably not the wisest move.  Tesco failed dismally but then Kim spotted some remaining at Sainsbury's, so it was to Sixfields we flew, sending Reece in to make the purchases.  He emerged a little later somewhat concerned at the smallness of said items and squishy areas.  Beggars cannot be choosers so we took the six back for inspection then carving in earnest.  The carving tool were purchased in Canada in anticipation of the carving contest to be held at Debbie's Sunday coming.  Samantha, Reece and Myself in action.

 

 

 

 

 

The real effect of the all the hard work only really evident when candles set a flicker and the lights dimmed.  From left to right Reece, Me and Samantha.

 

 



 

 

The afternoon turned to evening and Kim, I and Reece left to pick up Iwona.  Amazing just how many kids were trick or treating in Grange Park.  I never remember it being so busy.  We picked up Iwona and then made our way to the Plough for Dinner.  We arrived to a warm welcome from Tasha and Jess and drinks in hand were shown to our table.  Barely seated a minute Marcus arrived with a bucket of Champagne for us, on him, to celebrate our being there. 

 

 

 

It was such a lovely gesture and a very good Champagne to start our evening.  Kim even shed a tear.  The menu was spectacular and it took us a little while to decide.

 

 

 

In then end I opted for the pan seared wood pigeon breast with smoked pancetta beetroot and hot Cumberland jus.  Smoked Haddock and Scottish Mussel Chowder for Reece.  Kim and Iwona had the Rosemary and Garlic Studded Camembert with Toasted Ciabatta, home made red onion chutney, and root vegetable crisps.  Mains, 18oz T Bone for Reece, Iwona the Root Vegetable Risotto with Boursin and Kim the Sea Bass with Smoked Bacon and Cabbage Colcannon and Fennel Cream.  Pan seared calves liver with red onion bacon and spring onion mash for me.  All very well me telling you, here's some picture evidence.

 

 

 

 

Fantastic meal, no pressure on time and visit to the table from the whole home team.  Jim, Jess, Tasha and Marcus.  Will recommend to everyone with ears.  Now going to put a piece on trip advisor not because I am chefs father but because the experience was awesome.

 

Old Haunts, Franks and Iwona

This food thing is never going to stop....Later today the first sight of any salad at all.  Two choices; knuckle down and eat sensibly or just simply go with the flow.  I'm going with the flow.. the former choice will wait till Canada.

Bacon sandwich then Kim and I on the road into Northampton.  Quick call to Reece to suggest he joins us and then into the centre of Northampton walking from his apartment. 

 

First stop was the Saints Shop at the Garden's only to find we were two hours ahead of opening. 

 

 

 

Then a sudden knock on the window of the adjoining office and a blast from the past.  Ex police colleague Andy Tresias had spotted me loitering with intent and came out to reconnect.  Stadium Manager at the Northampton Saints now and couldn't be convinced to share the team sheet for the Saturday game.

 

 

 

 

 

Then into Northampton and lots of memories walking through the town and most of them very happy.  Radio Northampton at the top of Abington Street a regular place for me giving interviews back in the day.  The old and historic buildings wrapping and comforting.  It is something that Canada just does not have to any significant degree.  A house over 100 years old in Canada is a heritage home and tickets for viewing are sold.  In the UK we live in them and barely raise an eyebrow until 300 years of weathering has occurred.

 

It may be just because we have been in Canada for five years but the town looks and feels less upbeat.  It could also be the fact that Abington Street in under construction.  It truly feels a bit worn and torn; the hitherto bigger retail outlets a little less prevalent.  Perhaps a sign of broader ills in the UK and also reflected in other town centres. 

 

It was nice for Kim and I to have a picture taken where we were married 10 years ago.  The very historical Guildhall.

 

 

 

We were looking for a specific welcome gift for Austin and Marks and Sparks looked hopeful.  Why are these stores so bloody hot?  Fleece off and T Shirt weather in stores and itching for the fresh air outside.  Took a quick look in a subterranean sports store as well which felt like a sauna.  Not many places distract you so much that you literally give up the will to buy anything simply to get out.  The sports store hope was a Saints shirt for less expense than that in the Saints Store at Franklin's Gardens.

 

 

 

So down to All Saints Church and the Market Square.   The market was in full flow and the last vestiges of the annual St Crispins Street Fair still evident.  So its was to the Old Bank Pub mission not accomplished on the shopping front but with lunch beckoning, and to be fair a very reasonable pub lunch for minimal cost.  Steak and Ale Pie for Kim and I at 10 Pounds for two meals.  Also the obligatory allegiance to the mighty Saints on the wall.

 

 

 

After lunch we took Reece home and then started out for Grange Park before deciding to do a tour of our old haunts and our village home in Little Brington.  We took a circuitous route back out through Shutlanger calling in quickly to say hi to Marcus before heading through Towcester out then to Weedon and then through Flore to Little Brington.  Reflections on time well spent in Middle Barn Fermoy Court

 

 

 

before passing the Saracens Head on the way to the Fox and Hounds in Great Brington. 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Brington to childhood village for Diana Spencer before she became HRH The Princess of Wales.  Great Brington is the closest settlement to Althorp House the home of the Spencer Family.

 

 

 

So tour over we then headed back to Grange Park to prepare for dinner out at Franks Hamburger House.  Samantha's choice for her birthday dinner and nice for us to be able to treat everyone.  Alan and his children Owen, Lara and Thea; Reece and Iwona (meeting for the first time) Samantha and Kim and then me and finally not eating Austin.  So nine in total.  Iwona is absolutely delightful, a really nice girl.  So good to see Reece settled and remember we are just walking in on a relationship that has been there for two years.  They are a great couple and we had some very good laughs during the evening.

 

 

 

The meal was really, really good and I can honestly say the burgers were as good as anything I have had in Canada.  I would even go so far as to say better than most.  If you are ever close to a Franks give it a try.  So food at the start of the day and food at the end.