24-12-18 - Wednesday I - A Birthday Trip to The White Horse, Chilgrove

Sunday 1st December, the day of my 53rd birthday, TW & I went to The White Horse in Chilgrove. We stopped in Chichester on the way and TW shopped for a few Christmas gifts at John Lewis and Home Sense, then drove on to Chilgrove.

We checked in and lay on the large double bed watching an FA cup game, which was a nice distraction. It was just the two of us, in the afternoon, with nothing to do except enjoy each others' company and pass the time until dinner.

Speaking of which, the food was lovely. I had rainbow trout with some horseradish loveliness to start, which was a departure for me. TW was planning to have steak for her main but because it was Sunday and they were doing roasts, steak wasn't on offer. So we had burgers and fries, which were delicious but not the experience we had planned. We had cocktails as well, which were delicious and refreshing,  and then shared a bottle of wine that could have been a bit colder. TW of course had a pudding which was delicious but would have been too much for me - I've always preferred "starter and main" rather than "starter, main & pud". The restaurant had a nice atmosphere, it was very relaxed, and I enjoyed the evening. We were tired from the previous evening so it was early to bed for us. 

Next morning my cold really started to develop, so we had breakfast which was again delicious - I chose eggs Benedict instead of a full English, another departure - and then we came home where I retired to bed for a couple of days. 

It's funny, I seem to remember not being floored by colds twenty years ago, but these days it really helps just to get into bed and watch some mindless Christmas films where concentration is only minimally required. And lots of lemsip and tissues, of course. 

So that was Birthday #53, let's see if #54 can top it!

TTFN.

22-12-02 - Friday I - Birthday Boy

So, 51 I was yesterday. I've made it past the half-century. I had a lovely day, it was really downtempo, but it was just me. I had a haircut and a beard trim, which is a nice treat. I like the barber, it's a regular visit for me; normally the shop is empty so it is only me and him, but I am beginning to think I need a change up. 

Then I wandered in to town and had brunch at Malt Cafe. I really like it there. They cater to all types; carnivores, vegetarians, vegans and the undecided. I asked for a savoury snack, since I didn't think I was that hungry, and they recommended smashed avocado on sourdough toast. I took their advice and ordered that, and it was delicious. I was hungrier than I thought; I near enough wolfed it down!

I also bought a newspaper for the first time in an age and flicked through that, which was nice. It's all very well listening to the headlines on the radio, or catching a few minutes of the news at 10pm, or catching up on the latest controversy on Twitter, but there is something special about reading a newspaper and catching a story I hadn't been aware of. 

Of course, walking all that distance meant I easily hit my 10,000 steps for the day. So I felt quite justified in enjoying a slice of birthday cake in the evening... 

We also had our first fire in our new house, which didn't go quite to plan; the coal we've bought is a bit wet and so getting the fire going is a bit difficult, but with some wood to set it, it heated up the dining room quite nicely. 

And that was my day. May there be many more, full of small wins.

TTFN.

Saturday 16-05-14 Knockhatch and Eurovision

Earlier in the week (Tuesday, to be precise) The Youngest celebrated her seventh birthday. Yesterday as part of the continued celebrations we took her and two friends (and our other two) to Knockhatch Adventure Park. I've written about Knockhatch before, but again it's an enjoyable day out. It is a nice mix of animal exhibition / zoo and activities. 

The weather wasn't that great to start with, it certainly wasn't as warm as it had been Thursday and Friday, and actually I was a bit worried that we were under-prepared, clothes-wise at least. We didn't have coats or jumpers, but we decided to risk it for a biscuit. We certainly weren't under-prepared on the food front; the bag of food I lugged around must have weighed a stone at least, but then I suppose you can't feed seven hungry mouths on thin air...

We fed the animals, and then hit the Quadapillar barrel ride. Then into the park for free activities, and first up was the Demon Drop Slide. Both Eldest and Youngest conquered their fears, and went down it, the Middle One didn't pluck up courage until later in the day. Our guests didn't try it out. I'm not sure I would manage it, frankly. Then we went further into the park, there was the Wave Runner for the more adventurous and the inflatable bouncy pillow for the less so. All the kids had a good time, we managed to make headway into the stone of food, and it was quite relaxing. The kids were off and enjoying themselves and TW and I sat and chatted. 

They did spend quite a lot of time inside in the soft play area, which was confusing to me, with all the things to do outside, but that was probably for the best - I ended up with sunburn, which I think I got later in the day. We also went boating, which was included in the price, I managed to find it difficult to get into and out of the boat, which certainly amused TW, and the Eldest was grumpy because she wanted to row, and I didn't let her. After that I felt a bit washed out, like it had been an adrenaline rush, except I didn't feel a rush at the time. I did find it uncomfortable and difficult to row in the lifejackets they gave us, but I think I relaxed into it eventually...? We didn't leave until after 4pm and then stopped off briefly at a tent exhibition at Middle Farm, which showed us that we can't really afford a new one, I will just have to keep an eye on eBay I guess...

Then to finish the day off, I watched the Eurovision Song contest. Graham Norton's commentary was enjoyable, most of the songs were utter rubbish, but the costumes and the faux emotions were a sight to behold. Russia were the favourites to win, but as we were listening to the scores coming in, as we were falling asleep, Australia and Ukraine seemed to be doing quite well. It would have been a bit weird, watching the Eurovision next year in Melbourne or Sydney, but in the end Ukraine prevailed. Considering the history between Ukraine and Russia, and the subject matter of the Ukrainian song, I wouldn't be surprised if that leads to some kind of diplomatic incident. 

It was a full day, just writing about it has tired me out, I might need to go back to bed. At least we're not planning on an active morning today, that might give me a chance to regroup and recover...

TTFN.

Tuesday 15-05-10 Birthday Celebrations

So today was our youngest's birthday; she was seven years old. She was awake early, as usual, she came up the stairs to our room in the eaves at 06:30. I was awake as normal, so I wished her Happy Birthday loudly and woke TW up quickly. She opened her presents and seemed to be happy with them, which was a good thing. For breakfast TW had brought in pains au chocolat, and I think it was that which sent me into a tizzy. I didn't make tea, I didn't take a cheque into Brighton to pay into the bank, I was unfocused at work. Never mind though, I got through it.
Getting home I discovered that the Youngest's godfather was visiting; I did know he was coming but had forgotten. It was great to see him again and the girls doted on him, so his visit was a good thing.

I had a little flutter on Rising Pune Supergiants today and only narrowly lost; Dhoni got run out in the final over. I'm sure that they would have won if that hasn't happened. As a result I bet on West Ham against Man Utd at 2-1, a two-fingered salute against the betting powers that be. I child have cashed out early for an easy but small win, but then shortly after half-time Man U equalised. They actually went 2-1 up and I was ready to resign myself to my loser fate. But then West Ham came back and won 3-2, and so I clawed back £1.29. A nice end to the day.
TTFN.

15-12-06 Birthday Boy

The arrival of December brings  many things; advent calendars, office Christmas parties, World Aids Day, and of course - my birthday.

Yup, I was 44 on Tuesday. I have to keep saying it, because it's hard to believe, or at least, I find it so. Still, time has passed, and it's easy to mark because I've got three daughters who keep getting taller and older. So I can't say I wasn't warned.

Tuesday started slowly because I was hungover from the night before; TW had organised an open house to sell her make-up (she now sells Younique make-up) as well as stuff her friends sell - chutney, Body Shop stuff, bunting, etc. Of course as the day turned into the evening the open house turned into a drinks party and wine was imbibed.

So I started Tuesday feeling a bit fragile. The girls gave me their card, and TW gave me her card and present. She / they had got me a wallet (I needed a new one) and a new pair of jeans, which I also needed. I had a few other cards to open, which was nice. I was given a cheque, and also some vouchers for the comic shop, which will come in handy. I had to get to work for a 9am call, so couldn't hang about and enjoy a relaxed birthday breakfast. I'm sure TW was planning to prepare a full fried breakfast, but unfortunately it wasn't to be. The day passed relatively uneventfully, the team got me a card and I bought doughnuts to share, but that was about it.

Then in the evening TW and I went to the local Thai restaurant, which was delicious. We also intended to spend a bit more time in the alehouse next door, but we were a bit late in getting there before the meal, and after filling up on Thai green curry and assorted nibbles, the last thing either of us needed was to drink more alcohol. But it's a lovely friendly little place, really knowledgeable about beers, and they serve ales I've not seen anywhere else. TW said that she wouldn't mind if I popped in for a pint after work - as long as it was only the one - and as I get off the train at Worthing station, it's nice and close, so I might take her up on that.
All in all, it was a good day, if a little low-key, but that's the way I like it.

TTFN.

Monday December 1st - A Birthday Treat

So as a birthday treat, TW bought a pair of tickets to see Beardyman at Concorde II, which was nice. I'd only just recovered from the trip up to Brixton to see Carter, so I was almost feeling like I had my finger on the pulse...
We did things a bit differently though, compared to my Brixton visit. No guilty Maccy Dees for us; instead we went to Sawadee, which is a lovely Thai place at the bottom of Kemptown. We shared a bottle of wine and ordered their delicious fishcakes, which we still talk about, even more than nine years after leaving Brighton.
We finished up and walked to the Concorde. The warm-up guy was a mixologist, JFB, who has apparently been the DMC UK champion twice, in 2007 and again in 2011. And as expected, he rocked. They had some cameras close up on his hands as he was working, and those shots were showing on the backdrop behind him. He was brilliant. I would pay to see him again, and apparently he is working on an album, which I shall be watching out for. The way he rebuilt DJ Shadow's "Midnight" was amazing.
Then it was the interval, and we were all waiting for Beardyman to enter the arena. A man came onto the stage and started talking Swedish or some other Scandinavian language, and TW and I didn't know whether it was Beardyman or not... Turned out, of course, it was him, and he started sampling his own words as he was talking to us. All of a sudden, he was playing some pretty cool stuff, looping his own words, and adding in some beats and basslines. It was really good; I started movin' and groovin' a bit - I wasn't throwing shapes but it was funky stuff.
Then it got a bit harder. There was a camera under his chin, so pointing up at him, and the images captured there were then refracted and disjointed and displayed on the backdrop. The room was pitch dark and the beats and tunes were getting heavier, and actually it was getting quite oppressive. I think we left about five minutes before the end. It was a great gig, and a brilliant way to spend my birthday and a cold Monday night. The amazing thing was that he was improvising the whole event. Of course he had a couple of hooks and ideas on which he based the whole show, so I'm sure that some elements would sound familiar to people who have seen him before. I would go and see him again, although I was expecting a lighter, more humorous feel, but there were touches of that. If I had been on drugs I don't think I would've enjoyed the end of the show...
Well worth going to see though - there was lots of techno, lots of mixing and lots of funk. Well done fella and thanks TW for buying tickets to see him. The night was topped off with a beer on the train home, and then we relieved M & P from babysitting duties...

Monday 14-06-23 (I) - A Birthday!

Monday was our Eldest's birthday. She was nine years old. She is so grown up, though, it is more like she's 12 or 13. She so wants to be a grown-up, it's a bit sad. I spend most of my time wishing I was a kid again, while she's wishing her childhood away.
TW did well with the presents, as usual; she managed to procure some dungarees off of eBay, BNWT (brand new with tags, for those of you not keeping up with the modern yootspeek). Also we got her a baseball jacket, which is nice in pink. Her aunt and uncle sent some lovely turquoise headphones, and her other aunt and uncle sent a bag, which Eldest liked very much. M&P got her some weights, and we also agreed she can have her ears pierced at the start of the summer holidays, so we gave her a voucher entitling the bearer to have her ears pierced at the Leisure Centre. No, I don't know why the Leisure Centre are piercing kids' ears, but apparently they are doing it much cheaper than anywhere else, so that is what we're going to do.