My Warren: 2005

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Happy Christmas (continued) (continued)

Spent most of the afternoon and evening with friends. Had a fun time exchanging presents, drinking advocaat, discussing the merits of being dutch and enjoying Jon's expression when he lost all his carrots.
PS The chocolate strawberries were very nice - thank you Evelyn.
PPS Managed to get some extra pics uploaded...

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Happy Christmas (continued)

Had a good day today. The snow failed to put us off so we took Grandma to Boston and wandered around Oldrids. Failed to find a radio there that was suitable but we did buy a new kettle (with fairy lights!) for Helen and Alec. We then went to the Sack Store for coffee and mince pies - Grandma had a cappuccino - before heading into town and picking up a groovy radio at Argos.

Rounded off the day with a trip to Lincoln Odeon this evening with Hill family to see King Kong and then had Pizza at ASK. (Very nice - thankyou very much!) I think we're gonna play Killer Bunnies now. Gotta go, the funky kettle's just boiled!

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Happy Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all. The Christmas meal was fabulous and the goose made a nice change from turkey. Will try to post some pics later, but Dr Who? is about to start so I must dash!

08:25
Dr Who was cool. Actually preferred Tennant to Eccleston. Anyway, as promised, here are some Xmas pics of us all having a good time

Friday, December 02, 2005

Leaving So Soon?

It's a good job I'm not insecure or paranoid. Is it me or does everyone seem to be leaving stock control? If anyone intends to answer this rhetorical question I expect a bloody good explanation.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Wiltshire - November 2005

Little Langford Farm is apparently the last in the area to maintain its' dairy herd. As Topsy explained to us, 17p per litre barely covers the costs, so it’s not surprising that she’s tapped into the Bed and Breakfast market.

It has always struck me that farmers are a breed apart and regard the idea of someone rising 3 hours past daybreak as scornful. Actually, to quote Monty Python, unless you “get up half an hour before you went t’ bed”, you’re always likely to be out of favour - or at the very least, behind schedule. Still, the farmhouse was genuine and charming in all the right places (and warm which was pleasant because the weather was not).

Monday was bright and sunny so we (wisely) decided to get Neolithic. Stonehenge is awesome in every respect. It’s scale, setting, age, and purpose cannot fail to impress, however Avebury is certainly it’s equal. When taken in context with it’s avenue, and the surrounding landmarks of Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow it is possibly even more breathtaking, especially when seen in the snow!

Two rain drenched days shopping in Salisbury and Bath were generally uneventful but interspersed with a couple of highlights including the Cathedral and an impromptu visit to Rosemary and Tony.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Elephants and Arrows

Have been a couple of times now to the Introductory Archery Course. So far things have gone really well although Siân's first week was more pain than gain. (Whilst many archers suffer with some bruising to the inside of their arm from the string it shouldn't result in the technicolor shades that she obtained!) This week was much better; I did actually manage to get all three arrows in the gold after one end, but that's probably more luck than judgement. There are so many things to remember, or more accurately, so many things to forget. I guess we're quite definitely on the steep part of the learning curve. It's frustrating in some ways because whilst you can run through things in your head, it's only when you step up to the shooting line and shoot an arrow that you can actually put everything into practice. Inevitably the time goes too quickly and the thought "I know to concentrate on that aspect, and it'll mean I'll shoot better next time" is still in you head at the end of the session. (Maybe it's always there?)

Update 02/12/05
Thanks to Simon's Gran, I've upgraded! In truth, Simon has purchased a v. v. nice shiny new riser. Although I'm sure the idea probably crossed his mind, the practicalities of shooting with a bow in each hand mean that I have benefitted, and am now the proud owner of his old bow. Tonight went well, but there is still so much to remember! Time just evaporates and it may be necessary to join the club sooner rather than later. This would at least mean more arrows per week which can't be a bad thing. Watch this space.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Too old for candles?

Simon just keeps getting older. Can't remember how many times we've done this so I'm sure he's lost count. Still you're never too old for candles. (Or balloons, or chocolate cake). Of course, Jemma and I had to let him win the game of Magic (it is his birthday), but we made sure it was a close thing. Finished off with Pizza, Baileys and Comparative Bruise Analysis (Siân won), but more of that to follow next week.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Kenilworth Fireworks

John and Hetty both came to see the fireworks this year, as a sort of detour to collecting Evelyn. Having parked about 3 miles away we hiked to the field in time to see the bonfire being lit. The wait then began for the [inevitably delayed] fireworks, but as usual they were quite superb.

Note to self - Must remember to bring portable sofa and thermos next year. Might also be wise to hire a Landy which would make parking a lot easier and allow for an easy escape across the Warwickshire countryside.

The arty pictures are courtesy of John and his inability to hold the camera still. He will claim that it was deliberate but I can personally vouch that all 91 images were wobbly. These are just the best ones!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Better than MySpace?

I'll try again. Couldn't get MSN Myspace to work. I just need somewhere to share pictures! Maybe this time i'll be succesful

Friday, October 21, 2005

Coombe Abbey Mediaeval Banquet

Both Dianne and Simon have had recent cause for celebration and we were determined to ensure Mark's departure would be not marked by a somber occasion. I'm sure the mead helped a bit, but when combined with the red wine it certainly resulted in a rousing (if not exactly tuneful) night!

Mark will certainly be missed, but at least we all have a good night out to remember him by. The evening was enjoyed by all. Even Simon - who had nothing to drink and professed to being sceptical about anything requiring audience participation!

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Michelle and Paul's Wedding

Michelle Fox and Paul Farmer married in Metheringham Church, Lincs

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Anglesey - July 2005

Henllys Hall near Beaumaris, Anglesey was the setting for this family reunion. Andrew Michele Sylvie and Iain had already travelled all the way from California to Lincolnshire to see the Grandparents, so this was a relatively short hop for us all to meet up. There were strong family ties too for Siân as she was born in Bangor and has cherished memories of the area.

A trip on the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway aboard the Iarll Meirionnydd transported us all back through time. Not least Grandad who remembered staying at Tanybwlch Station as a child. We stopped there and had a picnic at the waters edge (Llyn Mair) where we all got a chance to paddle on what was a very hot day.

Both Siân and I managed a few other trips to see Caenarfon Castle, Plas Newydd, Penmon, Penrhyn castle, and the Neolithic Lligwy burial chamber. In all it was a great success, apart from coming home to find the local Constabulary had sent me a letter asking me to come back soon. (I decided to donate the £60 directly rather making a personal appearance).

Monday, June 13, 2005

Sussex - June 2005

One week in East Sussex staying B&B in what was originally a 15th Century Hall? Sounds like a good idea to me. In addition to being a unique place to stay, the hospitality, food, and general surroundings were superb (notwithstanding the mutant three legged sheep)

From this humble homestead we were able to take in all that Rye, Dungeness, and Hastings had to offer. Obvious attractions in these parts include the gardens at Sissinghurst, and the castles of Pevensey and Bodiam. (No sign of Adam Hart Davis!)

Less well known but equally enjoyable were the landscaped grounds of Scotney Castle Gardens and Estate. Bedgebury Pinetum was ideal for a picnic stop with its’ Leylandii cathedral and huge diversity of coniferous trees.

Leeds Castle was truly impressive with a nice approach to photography (i.e. film what you want inside and out – unlike Hever Castle). The Falconry display, Maze and Aviary all made it a great day out with a nice finale by one of the resident peacocks!

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Potfest - 2005

Quite a bizarre location for an international festival of pottery but I guess these ceramicists get their kicks anywhere they can: Cattle sheds probably don’t jump to mind as the most appropriate venue but I suppose it focuses the mind towards the wonderful artwork rather than allowing you to drift off into some sort of reverie

By and large the work was superb. It was great to see Mel again and nice to see how her work has ‘grown’ into more organic textured pieces from the last show we saw.