Camilla Thriller, Vindaloo, Singing Moose

Was always going to be a tough day bidding farewell to Samantha and Marcus in one go.  Alan, (Samantha's partner) knows just how tough the separation is for Samantha so he arranged to drive from Northampton to Bristol and then after a 10 minute pit stop, turn right back round and do the return trip.  Credit to him for the sacrifice.

 

It was a quiet and fiddly morning; one of those periods in time when you are not sure what to do, a time when you don't want to start something only to curtail it.  A time when planning is put on hold.

 

The allotted hour arrived, hugs and tears followed and Samantha and Marcus departed.  I should clarify that it was not Marcus weeping thereby protecting his masculinity.  I can only re-iterate how good the time with our children was on this trip; again and I care not that I repeat myself, they make us so proud.

 

So after the dust settled we then did make a plan to head into Bristol to find nightwear for Kimberley later; preceded by a trip with Cherie to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway.  The second trip would be minus Cherie who had booked appointments for the afternoon.  First trip included the Highgrove shop. 

 

 

 

Visit the link to see what Prince Charles and Camilla do in their spare time.  Kim managed to pick up some lovely gifts here.  Prior to Highgrove we visited the Gromit Unleashed Shop. 

 

 

 

 

 

Our middle of the day outing concluded with Coffee and cookie at Marks and Spencer's.

 

The second run was into the City where we parked at Cabot's Circus in a multi storey  We were immediately struck by the arrival of all Christmas including a spectacular German Christmas Market.  Canada had not gone full blown Christmas when we left so this came as a surprise.  Particularly the beer Keller with the singing Moose...

 

 

 

 

 

History in the UK has a habit of creeping up on you so it was a chance glance that led to my finding the oldest Methodist Chapel the new room Bristol

 

 

On my vacation bucket list visit to an Indian Restaurant so a rapid alteration to an earlier plan found us in Bradley Stoke enjoying fantastic food and atmosphere.  The national dish in the UK has become a curry and there are fewer places better on earth.  I'm not suggesting there is an authenticity to the dishes but they sure as hell taste great.  I stretched my legs here with Keema Naan, Mixed Bhuna, Lamb Vindaloo, Pilau Rice....All in all seventh heaven.  Kim also found a very palatable dish which bodes well as Indian food is not her first choice.

 

 

 

Stuffed, chuffed and enough....Back to Pilning and soon to bed.

 

Gromit, Puffs, Markio, Ding, Cheraldinho, Helium Boy

Megane, Monday and Motorway...No sense in driving onto the latter until rush hour done and dusted.  Left the Rings at 9.05 and headed south to Northampton.  Arrived at Samantha's and collected her but not Alexa who sadly had to stay behind for a school assessment Wednesday.  Next stop Shutlanger to collect Marcus then on the road west by 11.15 am.

 

A5 then remembered the right road was the A43 so Marcus fiddled with the Sat Nav and we re-routed via the A422 reconnecting with the right road at Brackley.  M40 then A34 then Swindon then M4 M5 to Bristol.  Arrived around 2 pm to be met by Cherie and 3 excited Spaniel's.  Here's the view from our bedroom window.

 

 

Light lunch with Leek and Potato Soup and other delightful snacklings washed down of course by Thatcher's Cider.  The West Country is after all Cider Country so it would be sacrilegious not to imbibe.  It was a fun filled day packed full of laughter with Samantha and Marcus also reconnecting with Cherie. 

 

 

Fifa Football Game on PS3 and me realising that I had not only lost my touch but that I was damn near abysmal.  Great embarrassment as my sister beat me good and proper.  Played also with Marcus who walloped me as well.  Need to rehearse before engaging again.

 

Cherie had a bed present for us in the shape of Gromit the Dog in Jack livery.  Wallace and Gromit is a show put together by Nick Park from Bristol Wallace and Gromit Website. 

 

 

 

More detailed insight into what occurred under the following link.  Wallace and Gromit Unleashed

 

Finally a clip on YouTube Were-Rabbit Clip.  Tomorrow we will visit the Gromit Unleashed Shop at the Mall Cribbs Causeway.  Do you detect and emerging theme here?

 

The day moved forward at a pace and the evening meal which would also include sister Nicky and Niece Hannah loomed large.  Cherie produced a fine table with sausages naturally a lovely Quiche and salads followed by what can only be described as heaven puffs.  Puff Pastry filled with fresh fruit and whipped cream.  More-ish barely describes it.

 

 

 

We spent a wonderful evening together and started to discuss a plan for all of us to visit Tralee in Ireland and Ann and James as well as visiting the grave of our brother Mark.  Early days but definitely a plan.  Watch this space again.  Marcus introduced this childish grandfather to the delights of a phone app called crazy helium booth.  I have already posted an example of this foolishness to FaceBook and my sister Manda feels Broadmoor should follow.

 

Farewell's on this trip followed with Nicky and Hannah and then utterly shattered Kim and I climbed the extremely steep stairs to bed leaving Samantha, Marcus, Cherie and Diane to chunter and chuckle into the early hours.  I believe 1.30 am passed before Marcus and Cherie turned in.  Must make sure we get to Hereford on our next trip so I can revisit places of significance to me circa 1976 when I was being trained at RAF Hereford.

 

It had been a fantastic day and we were glad to have spent more time with Samantha and Marcus.  Marcus because his time is so tied to the Plough and Samantha because if she had her way we would be staying in the UK.  If only life were that simple.

 

 

 

 

 

Amnesia, Lincoln City, Partridges and Jamie Oliver

Sunday and the last full day at the Rings.  Today is about managing my short term amnesia which involves my backtracking events lost in time.  The price I have to pay for not keeping up to date on the blog.  So today will include a trip to Lincoln which actually took place on Friday.  Purpose of trip shopping for Kim and myself tagging along behind both Sal and Kim and keeping myself occupied.

Lincoln is a City steeped in History as these pictures show.

 

 

 

 

Note the narrow boat on the waterway in City Centre as well.  While the girls were shopping in Primark for Jim Jam's I drifted into Waterstone's and before I knew it had purchased Jamie Oliver's latest Recipe book Comfort Foods.  Half price I hasten to add.  I then spent a few minutes looking at the Disney Frozen window display remarking to myself how Disney has adapted over time without losing the same magic that made it so successful in the early days.

 

 

 



Yet again at the centre of today a game lunch.  Was going the be Pheasant but supply required a change to Partridge. 

 

 

 

Kim and Sal in the kitchen this time.  Bread Sauce and all the game trimmings; perfect wrap up meal and another special dish much attached to the UK and farm folk.  Wonderful lunch was followed by afternoon run back to Newark Rail Station to return Stef to the train bound for London.  A great reconnect in just two full days and nothing like the traffic chaos on Friday.

 

Both Kim and I were starting to realise that our acquisitions might create a baggage weight issue for our return flight but with days still to go we put the problem on the backburner.  Another pleasant evening passed without incident and bed again beckoned.  Earlier night in anticipation of long round trip via Northampton to Bristol next day.  Perfect chill time at the rings and the addition to my book wish list prompted by Stef.  Taking Command by General Sir David Richards.  Amazon stand by.

 

Boeuf, Ram, Jonny May, Pool and Steam

Hello Saturday 8th November and I am better rested than my better half who took a late one.  Nice cup of tea to kick start followed by another cracking breakfast.

 

Part of the previous days discussions involved the boys doing dinner tonight so on the agenda another store trip for specific ingredients.  Tonight ladies Boeuf Bourguignon with Whole Grain Mustard Mash and Runner Beans.  Starter Toasted Ciabatta with wilted Spinach and Roquefort.

 

Let me again backtrack and share one of the great pleasures at the Rings; the swimming pool and the steam room. 

 

 

 

Every day is swim time and exercise; much needed for me.  The steam room provides the cleanse and outvoted the rose scent rather than eucalyptus.  No big deal really.

 

 

 

The rugby dumped with Stef noting a 1.30pm start and us still in ASDA shopping at the time.  Turns out it was a 2.30 start and we were home at the Rings not well placed to find a pub showing the game.  We had done the research only to find the City of Lincoln showing.  We opted to stream the game through my laptop but the buffering was too distracting.  Plan B watch the Welsh play the Wallabies on BBC 1.  You can always rely on the BBC.  Welsh lost by small margin and the English also beaten by a small margin by the All Blacks.  Not a good English performance although early signs with the Johnny May try looked positive.  Highlights later on the BBC provided the desired visuals and the disappointment. Jonny May Try

 

The weather continues to be good with rain visiting overnight.  The days bright and warm.  More chores taking place today and introduction to Wilberforce the Ram. 

 

 

Magnificent specimen but not too discerning about where he puts his tackle!  Poor lamb stuck in fence and raddle marked case in point.  Kim, Sal and Stef undertaking the daily walk with the dogs around the woods.

 

 

 

Evening meal went well and the Bordeaux went down well as an accompaniment.  More chatter and natter and female pressure being applied on Stef to firm up his love life.  Poor Stef.  Might be a while before he faces off Kim and Sal together.  Too much pressure.

 

Another day done and very chilled now.  So to the land of nod once more.

 

 

Northgate Nightmare, All Blacks, Neil Back and Animals

So Friday 7th November arrived and we emerged rested and ready for the day.  Stef would be arriving later today traveling up from London.

 

The day would be planned around chores because the Rings is not just the home of relatives it is also home to sheep, assorted chickens, Aylesbury Ducks, two toy poodles Ozzie and Coco and animal house guests.  The animal house guests Sal's home business.

 

 

 

 

 

Part of the great charm here is the animals.  It is also a passion of Kim's to fully engage, welly boots and thick jacket on.  The time spent with Sal so important for Kim so this old man detaches and does his own thing; most importantly trying to figure out how he was going the watch England Versus the All Blacks the next day when no Sky Sports was now in place at the house.  Sky Sports was a standard feature at the Rings until Dimi moved to Toronto, and Stef spent more time in London than in Lincolnshire.  Stef was tasked by Sal with finding a solution.  Watch this space for updates.

 

Breakfast free range eggs on toast from Sal's hens.  Delicious and more muttered pledges to diet once back into Canada.

 

Another tradition when visiting the Rings is team shopping.  This is where all and sundry are placed in a large shopping cart to make the stay a delight.  So we headed to ASDA and through all the aisles filled the cart.  By this time we had determined the evening meal.  You've guessed it!  Sausages...But not just any Sausages these were local made butchers sausages.  We would pick these up from Bassingham Village.  Lincolnshire is Villages with very few main urban centres.

 

Lunch was very Ploughman's.  Quality cheeses, crackers and fresh bread.

 

I offered to pick Stef up from Newark Rail Station (Northgate) and set out at 8 pm to make the pick up.  The station approaches can only be described as bedlam with traffic everywhere, on the street, on kerbs, nose to tail.  I suddenly recall the chaos from a previous visit; too late.  Driving conditions like these make me revisit my held view that Canadian drivers are more reckless than UK drivers.  The picture from archive needs another fifty vehicles vying for the space in view to truly reflect.

 

 

 

Eventually Stef emerges from the Station and we are quickly out of the chaos and making the 20 minute return trip to Haddington and the Rings.  Pork and Sage Sausages, Chipolatas, Mash, Vegetables and Gravy.  I will look like a sausage before the trip is done!

 

Lots of chatter with Stef catching up on his news accompanied by glasses of fine red wine.  Discussions with Stef always interesting.  Stef is quite connected and among close friends is Charlie from the band Busted.  Stef has other noteworthy connections in elevated circles in the City.  I will not expand further in this blog because he deserves privacy.  I'll wrap up simply by saying Stef like all family not seen for some time just waltzed in and reconnected from where we left off.

 

The news regarding the rugby was not great so it looked as though a pub trip would be required to view.  One thing I forgot to mention in the blog from yesterday is the fact that I was overtaken by a rugby great on the A46.  The B4CKY registration plate on the BMW prompted the need for a visual confirmation which was duly verified at the next enforced stop.  Neil Back was a legend in England and Lions colours.  He was also a third of the best back row in history in my very biased opinion.  Alongside Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill they were part of the England World Cup winning side in 2003.

 

Bed again beckoned for me but Kim stayed up with Stef much later to secure more of the details of his life; loves and plans.  Must be a woman thing...For me the rugby was on the front burner.

 

 

Auborn, Aga, Lamb and Natter

Thursday morning 6th November 2014 and croissant's filled with sausages for breakfast before departing for Lincolnshire and the second phase of our trip.  We had such a wonderful time at Samantha's and being based in Northampton for 8 days gave us precious time with the kids.  Reece we would not see again until he comes to Canada or when we return to the UK.  Samantha and Marcus were going to join us at Cherie's for a short spell so no farewell's there yet.  All in all quality time.

 

Car packed and goodbye's said we pointed the Megane north and made for the Rings and Sal.  Sal is Kim's aunt and the Rings has been a shared sanctuary for over 10 years and is quite simply relaxation.  Our intended arrival time of 1 pm we beat by an hour so we decided to drive into Auborn Village and lunch at the Royal Oak.  Lincolnshire sausage and red onion baguette for me and Stilton and Mushroom baguette for Kim.  Both accompanied by Thatcher's Gold Cider on Tap.

 

 

 

We held off our arrival while Sal finished appointments and pulled in just after 1 pm to a warm welcome as always.  The Rings is special because their are no airs or graces here, no rigid standards of behaviour.  It is a home from home. 

 

 

 

When we were in the UK the Rings was where Boxing Day was spent for family and that included at varying times, Samantha, Reece and Marcus.  Reece and Marcus and Heather spent their teenage years visiting here growing up alongside Sal's daughter Thea and sons Dimi and Stef.  Precious memories.

 

We chatted for an age trading family updates before the light started to go and an evening meal beckoned.  Sal produced Aga roasted lamb and a pasta side dish and I continued to detach from UK bottled beer.  The five years in Canada had clearly affected my palate and the beers coming in at around 5% no longer had the bite.  An Aga for the uninitiated is a type of oven. Aga Cooker

 

 

Sal had kept with the tradition of bed presents and we had balms and unctions, perfume and after shave.  Post dinner we continued to catch up before dropping into bed and sleep.

 

 

Bonfire Night Extravaganza

Wednesday can really be summed up as a Bonfire Night Extravaganza.  Took Alexa to school with Samantha and then Kim and I took the lead with babysitting our grandson Austin.  We grabbed the DVD Frozen from the shelf and spent two hours marvelling at one of Disney's latest offerings.  Really enjoyable film and compulsory young person in attendance.  Alan and Samantha were also able to take lunch out.  Living in this house reminds me of how busy it is raising young children so really pleased to give them both a breather.

 

A quiet afternoon was followed by bonfire night preparations.  No Reece or Iwona unfortunately as Reece was still playing catch up before Thailand.

 

We arrived at the Plough at 1800 and got one of the last parking spots in the car park.  Perhaps this was a first indicator of how busy it was to become because the staff were swamped with 250 customers before the night was out.

 

 

 

 

Bonfire was fantastic and Guy Fawkes Night can only really be shared with bonfire night folks in the UK.  Wouldn't work elsewhere really. 

 

 

 

 

 

The connection in history with Catesby and Ashby St Leger and then Daventry Pubs in Northants brings this celebration of the death of Guy Fawkes closer to home.  Slated to be hung drawn then quartered Fawkes launched himself from the gallows and broke his neck.  The tradition of burning the guy is part artistic licence but British Isles wide.  I can remember pushing a guy around our neighbourhood in South London crying penny for the guy.  Don't press me on specifics though; too far back in the memory bank.

 

 

 

 

 

Bonfire Night at the Plough included mulled wine, hot chocolate drinks with marshmallows and Baileys Irish Cream.  We had pureed vegetable soup; a hog roast and buns with cones of fries.  We had the Guy carried to the bonfire by Marcus and Jim before being launched onto the flames.  Finally we had a very enjoyable firework display.  Huge credit to Jim, Jess, Marcus and Tasha because they had to multi task the whole night to manage the overwhelming turn out.

 

 

 

It was an awesome night and although Alan and Samantha Alexa and Austin left well before Kim and I we followed on.  Reece took a time out to come round for a hug and farewell and then proceeded to demonstrate great skill on the newest Call of Duty much to the chagrin of Alan.

 

So this was the first farewell but I have to say we are buoyed at Reece's situation, his work ethic, his whole attitude and his choice of girlfriend.  Iwona is delightful and such a positive influence on the big fella.  Enjoy Thailand Herb!