Nursery Rhyme Quiz Part 1 ....

Fancy a bit of fun?

Try your hand at working out what Nursery Rhymes the following initials stand for. You can get the kids and grandkids to help you.

Example: B.B.B.S.H.Y.A.W. - Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool - get the gist?

Email (through my profile) your answers to me in the next week, then next week I'll post the answers and the winner(s).


All those who get any right can claim this badge for their blog.

Josh at the Gabbatha very kindly made it for me, isn't he clever!

1. O.K.C.W.A.M.O.S.



2. J.S.C.E.N.F.



3. O.T.B.M.S.



4. L.J.H.S.I.A.C.



5. T.O.A.T.P.C.W.T.S.



6. T.M.T.M.T.B.A.F.P.



7. L.P.F.S.A.T.C.



8. R.A.C.H.T.B.C.



9. J.A.J.W.U.T.H.



10. P.A.C.P.A.C.B.M.
    

Good Luck.

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I've just noticed this is my 200th post and according to my counter this blog has had 23,818 visitors!

We're off on another jaunt early tomorrow morning and won't be back until late Sunday - so I'll see you Monday.

Remembering a special person....

Today I am remembering a very special person - our grandson Reece. It would have been his 17th birthday today. I am taking some flowers to the grave that he shares with Sophie, our granddaughter, in the little church on the hill. He passed just before his sixth birthday and endured so much pain during his short life, but he taught us so much and will always be remembered, loved and missed.

The Red Admiral Butterfly has much significance in remembering Reece. At the end of the service for his funeral, in the little church on the hill, as the last notes and words of "Wind Beneath My Wings" rose to the eaves, a Red Admiral butterfly swirled and danced over the tiny white coffin, soaring ever upward until it disappeared. Our little grandson's last gift to us - his goodbye.

God Bless Reece, we love and miss you.

Not A Scare In The World....

Is the title of David's (Authorblog) post containing this weeks question. You remember last week's question was "What would you like to say to the girlfriend or boyfriend that first dumped you?"

Here's how it works:

David says - Every weekend, I'm going to ask you one simple question. Answer the question on your own blog, any time until Friday. Please link to this blog (or to this post) just so I can follow the progress of the notion.


And the question is:Do you believe in ghosts?




My Answer:


Yes, I most definitely do. I haven't actually seen a ghost but I have seen evidence that they are around. Many times I have put things down in the kitchen, turned to do something else only to find the item missing when I turn back around. When this happens I usually say "Right, I'm going out of the room and I want the 'whatever' back where I left it when I return" - lo and behold it's back where I left it when I return. You may think it's just my imagination but MWM has been there when it's happened. I have to say though it hasn't happened since we had the kitchen remodelled two years ago, so perhaps the ghost got thrown out with the old cupboards!

If you want to join in just follow the link to David's blog and let him know you're participating.

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ALSO........

Just to let you know that on September 27th, 1,000s of bloggers around the world in BlogCatalog's Blogging for a Great Cause Challenge.This Blogging Challenge will be: Bloggers Against Abuse September 27th, 2007The Outcome we are after is to be part of the largest group of bloggers to ever blog about an important cause, all on the same day.

So how do you participate?

On Sept. 27th, blog about putting an end to some sort of Abuse (you decide what kind of abuse to blog about).

You can see more details here.

Scattergories Meme....

Miss Bee was tagged with this meme recently and thought it looked fun so I pinched it, as she hadn't tagged me. I told her I was pinching it, I don't think she minds.

RULES: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...they have to be real places, names, things...nothing madeup! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

It's not as easy as you might think and I have added a bit of a twist, I've found a link for each word I've used - you can too if you like, it makes it a bit harder but more fun.

What is your name?Akelamalu

4 letter word: Aura

Vehicle: Articulated Lorry

TV Show: Absolutely Fabulous

City: Aberdeen

Boy Name: Adrian

Girl Name: Anne

Alcoholic Drink: Asti Spumante

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

Something you wear: Astrakan Coat

Celebrity: Anneka Rice

Food: Angel cake

Something found in a bathroom: Antiperspirant

Reason for Being late: Ambled along

Cartoon Character: Asterix

Something You Shout: 'Allo 'Allo!

I don't do much tagging but I will this time so my victims choices for this are

Linda (Are We There Yet)

Catch (A Penny For Your Thoughts)

Miss U (A Sideways Look at Womanhood)

Buffalodickdy (Opinions and Rectums)

Dumdad (The Other Side of Paris)

Of course you don't have to join in if you don't want to but go on, I dare you, for a bit of fun!

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I just found out that Shaz (Us Danes & Our Family) gave me this

I have to say I love your blog too Shaz, there's always so much to read and I love the videos and tales about the Great Danes! I am duly honoured.

As the badge can only be passed on to one person at a time and I have so many blogs I love to read, I put all my blogroll in a hat and drew out just one

Blog This!

This is Jenny's blog and it is one of the funniest blogs ever. Be warned though Jenny uses some colourful language!

Eight Things.....

Leanne (Crow's Feet Anonymous) tagged me to write 8 Things You Shouldn't Say.

I've chosen 8 things you shouldn't say to a woman - MEN take heed!

1. Your bum looks big in that.
2. That colour doesn't suit you.
3. I saw your husband out with a YOUNG woman.
4. Your hair looks a mess.
5. You need some deodorant.
6. Are you wearing that for a bet?
7. You've got Bingo Wings.
8. Are your ankles swollen or are they just fat?

I'm not going to tag anyone just go ahead and give it a whirl if you like.

Nice Matters........

My lovely blogging friend Bella (the mad) Household of La Bellina Mammina) has given me this lovely award. I know you're thinking 'bloody hell not another one!" but I don't care, I love 'em!!



This is what The Nice Matters Award is given for





"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award."


Here goes:


Queenie (Queenie's Random Ramblings) is my very best friend in all the world so of course she must be nice.

Annelisa (Words That Flow) is one of the nicest people I have met since I started blogging. She's not been around much lately as she is mourning her friend, but she'll be back I'm sure.

Smalltown RN (A place I call home) a recent discovery of mine, has a lovely blog, is a bit of an action woman and is a thoroughly nice person.

Pig in the Kitchen is a great writer and shares some of her fabulous recipes - how nice is that?

Mike (Mike's Homefront) has a great blog, writes music but most importantly is a nice family man.

Sarge Charlie is a thoroughly nice man who loves Miss Bee and is sooooo romantic about her - very important.

Gewels (Imagined Life) has some beautiful photographs on her blog as well as interesting posts. She is a true jewel, inspiring and a nice person to boot!



The award is a bit pink for the boys but I'm sure you're both 'man' enough to wear it!


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And a little something to brighten your day.....


A biker was riding along a California beach when suddenly the skyclouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said,

"Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The biker pulled over and said,

"Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want." The Lord said,

"Your request ismaterialistic, think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. Ican do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that would honour and glorify me."

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally he said,

"Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy."

The Lord replied,

"You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

A walk in the country......

Yesterday MWM and I decided to go for a walk to what used to be our local pub. I say used to be, because it's a 1 1/4 mile walk so I haven't been able to do it for some time!

Anyway, as yesterday was such a lovely day we decided to walk there for lunch and walk back. It took us about 25 minutes and we are very lucky in that we are literally minutes away from some beautiful countryside. I took some photos on the way so you can see why we wanted to walk.

It was only 11.55 a.m. when we arrived at The Gardeners, so we sat on the bench outside for five minutes then went through to the Beer Garden when then opened. I had Broccoli Cheese Bake with crispy fat chips and some salad and MWM had a Cheese Baguette and Salad and we washed it down with a lovely cool lager whilst sitting enjoying the sun. Most pubs now have a seating area outside especially for smokers. I don't smoke any more but felt sorry for the smokers when I saw that not only do they have to sit outside but they're told what they can and can't do!






We stayed about an hour then set off back - it's uphill on the way back - I'd forgotton - I was knackered!

Have a great weekend!

A Birthday Celebration....

is happening today at Skittles place - it's her 1st Blogversary!


There's a big party going on, with loads of guests and I'm taking and



and and



There will be and a with plenty of




and so drop in and say to Skittles



and don't forget to take a


You're sure to have a



Here's my present to you Skittles, a virtual ticket


to anywhere in the enjoy!

HAPPY BLOGVERSARY SKITTLES

Hollingworth Lake...

We took Kai up to Hollingworth Lake on Tuesday to feed the ducks. It's a beautiful place and only a 25 minute drive from where we live. The lake covers an area of 130 acres and the path around it originally measured two-and-a-half miles, beneath the cold waters was the old hamlet of Hollingworth.

The lake is still used for recreational purposes, and is classed as a national trust due to a nearby wildlife sanctuary. The lake was man-made in 1801 to supply water to the Rochdale Canal.

The lake boasts many watersports such as sailing, canoeing, swimming, rafting, rowing and fishing. Visitors can also take trips across the lake on the launch 'The Lady Alice'. The scenic walk around the lake is two and a half miles long and passes by a nature reserve with a bird hide. The lake is teeming with wildlife and is often used as a means of adventure activities for children, whereby they can catch various pond life. During the day Hollingwoth lake is a walkers paradise offering walks in all directions. A popular walk for families is around the lake itself, this is around two-and-a-half miles. If walking isn't your thing then you can just sit back and take in the breath taking views across the lake whilst enjoying a refreshing soft drink. Yes I said soft drink, though you can get alcohol there of course!


The Lake is a popular destination during the summer, especially at weekends as there are a couple of restaurant/pubs and cafes to provide sustenance. Lots of people take their own picnics and sit on the picnic benches or the beach, when the water level is low, however the lake is full at the moment due to all the rain and there isn't much beach. The weather alternated between boiling hot and a chilly wind but we fed the ducks and geese and had some ice-cream, (Kai had a lolly and half of Grandad's ice-cream), and plenty of fresh air. I took a few photographs because the views are beautiful, I hope you enjoy them.

Oh and do me a favour please and pop over to say HAPPY BLOGVERSARY to Ruth (Me, My Life, My Garden), it's been a very rocky 12 months for her but she's kept her blog going, and she's such a lovely lady. Thanks.

Creative - Me?.......

Lookeehere I've been given another award.

This one is from the very lovely and talented Rotten Correspondent - you notice I've struck out the rotten bit, that's because she's not! This is what she said about me

...because she has the most fabulous multi-media site I've seen. And also because I love pretty much everything she does on her blog.

How kind is that?

Anyway I have to pay the award forward as you do with all awards, so I hope the following folk will accept the award and pay it forward to keep the linky-love going.

Mimi Writes who's whole blog is a creative masterpiece.

Mark (The Green Fingered Photographer) takes some fantastic wildlife photos and will also let you use some of his pictures to use as banners on your blog, see here.

1 Million Love Messages - how much more thoughtful can you get than creating a blog that promotes love? Go and leave your message to a loved one today, it's easy.

Ruth (Me, My Life, My Garden) has created a beautiful, colourful blog, packed full of interesting gardening information and gorgeous pictures of her garden and the surrounding countryside where she lives.

The Experiment which was Mike's idea. It is, however, a story created by many writers who can all take the Creative Blogger Award and display it on their blogs.

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ALSO....

Ruth at Me, My Life, My Garden did a post about a post that David at Authorblog did recently, and it sounded fun so I thought I'd join in. Here's what David said......

Dump And Dumper

Here's some weekend fun for us to share. Every weekend, starting today, I'm going to ask you one simple question. Answer the question on your own blog, any time until Friday. Please link to this blog (or to this post) just so I can follow the progress of the notion.

And the question is:

What would you like to say to the girlfriend or boyfriend who first dumped you?

"Told you I'd get you back!" (I'm married to him!)

If you want to join in click here and let David know so that he can follow progress.

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Also Mimi found this piece of fun, so I pinched it - give it a try. This is my Peculiar Aristocratic Title:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Baroness Akelamalu the Lush of Lardle Midhoop Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I have to admit the LUSH part is not far short of mark!!

Layer Meme......

I pinched this from Mimi's because I thought it was fun.

LAYER 1

Name: Akelamalu

Birth Date: November 18, 1900 and something

Current Status: Married

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Naturally Blonde but now dyed Reddish

Layer 2

My Heritage: British through and through

My Fear: Dying before I get old

My weaknesses: Shoes, shoes, shoes oh and bags, bags and bags

My Perfect Pizza: Cheese, with a bit more cheese on top.

LAYER 3

My thoughts first waking up : I hope it's Saturday or Sunday and I don't have to go to work.

My bedtime : 10.30 p.m. weekdays/ Very late at weekends.

My most missed memory: Memories are there to be tapped into all the time so I don't miss any.

LAYER 4

Pepsi or coke : Coke

Single or group dates : Married so I don't date any more.

Adidas or Nike : I don't do trainers.

Tea or Nestea : Tea

Chocolate or Vanilla : Chocolate

Cappuccino or Coffee : Cappuccino

LAYER 5

Smoke : Not now

Curse : Only when I'm mad.

Take a shower : Preferably

Have a crush : Jon Bon Jovi

Think you’ve been in love :I know I've been in love

Go to school : Only during Term time

Want to get married : I am and I'd do it again.

Believe in yourself : Of course

Think you’re a health freak : Not at all

LAYER 6



Drank alcohol : I saw the add "Drink Canada Dry" and I wanted to give it a whirl, but MWM didn't want to emigrate.

Gone to the mall : Me, shopping??? Do I really need to answer that?

Been on stage : Yes.

Eaten sushi : Yes

Dyed your hair : As I did a post about it recently I guess I'll have to say yes!

LAYER 7

Played a stripping game : Only with MWM ((wink, wink))

Changed who you were to fit in : No, if folk don't like me the way I am that's their hard luck!


LAYER 8

Get married: There already

LAYER 9

Best eye colour : Brown

Best hair colour : Dark

Short hair or long hair : Long, short, bald - doesn't matter to me.

LAYER 10

A minute ago : Logging on

Hour ago : Sleeping

Month ago : Getting used to walking without crutches

Year ago : Being referred to a surgeon for my knee replacement surgery

LAYER 11

I love : MWM

I feel : Blessed

I hate : My boss

I hide : My nails

I miss : My Mum

I need : To retire from work

Anyone else feel free to grab the meme. Please let me know when you are finished. Now raise your right hand and repeat after me: I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me blog.

Thoughtful.......

Flowerpot has graciously bestowed this award on me. I'm busy moving all the other awards along the mantleshelf to make room! (you know this is tongue in cheek don't you?)


In truth I can't believe that me/my blog is that popular! Anyway I'm honoured that anyone would think I'm worthy of an award of any kind so I say thank you Flowerpot and I accept the honour with open arms.


I have to nominate five other people who are:-

Bella (the mad) Household of La Bellina Mammina who always has a kind word.

Dave who's words of wisdom make you think about life instead of just living it.

Talj (Talj's Balcony Paradise) such a thoughtful person who is raising money for charity.

Ron (Foot Notes) gives so much thoughtful and useful information on Reflexology and Aromatherapy.

MissUnderstood (A Sideways Look At Womanhood) who recently had to write and deliver a Eulogy for a friend. Go read it but have a box of tissues ready.

I hope you will all acccept the award in the spirit it is given and pay it forward to some other Thoughtful Bloggers.

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And just to make you groan smile.........

Count Dracula is on the pull in Glasgow. He spends the night drinking Bloody Mary's in various clubs and biting on unsuspecting women's necks.

He's heading for home, along Argyle Street sometime before dawn.

Suddenly he's hit on the back of the head. He looks round and sees nothing. He looks down and sees a small sausage roll. Mmmm, he thinks.
What's going on here?

A few yards further on and........BANG. Smacked on the back of the head again! He whirls round as quick as he can - nothing. Again he looks down and there's a small triangular sandwich lying on the ground. How odd!

A few more yards further along the street and........crash. Smacked on the back of the head yet again! He whirls round as quick as he can - nothing. He's getting really angry now. Again he looks down and there's a cocktail sausage lying on the ground. He stands and peers into the darkness of the night. Nothing.

He walks a few yards further along again when he gets a tap on the shoulder. With a swirl of his cape and a cloud of mist he turns as fast as he can. He feels a sharp pain in his heart. He falls to the ground clutching his chest, which is punctured by a small cocktail stick laden with a chunk of cheese and a pickled onion.

On the ground dying, he looks up and sees a young female. With his dying breath he gasps, "Who the hell are you?"

Wait for it...

Are you ready?...

Brace yourself...

This'll make your day...

... "BUFFET, the vampire slayer."

London... Day 3....

We were up bright and early on day three to catch the bus, just around the corner, to Hampton Court. It only cost £2 each for a 45 minute journey - what a bargain!

I had already booked our entrance tickets online here for Hampton Court, as it worked out cheaper than even using the voucher for 2nd adult half price. We just had to produce the confirmation email to get our tickets, which included all the tours round the Palace, tapes/headset for the audio tour, entrance to the Maze and the gardens.

We walked up the drive to the entrance to the Palace and both had a real sense of déjà vu. The Palace is magnificent, you enter the gate into Base Court which is surrounded by apartments which were intended for the guests of Cardinal Wolsey, who owned the Palace before Henry VIII. The welcome tour starts here with one of the guides dressed in traditional Tudor costume imparting information about how the Palace evolved from Wolsey's time to its present appearance. The entrance to Clock Court was closed off whilst we were there because the clock and its tower is being renovated. The magnificent Astronomical Clock face was propped up on the ground in Clock Court. The clock interestingly shows the sun revolving around the earth. The clock was installed in 1540 - before the discoveries of Galileo and Copernicus changed the way we view the universe. The clock shows the hour,month, day, number of days since the beginning of the year and phases of the moon as well as time of high tide at London Bridge .

We joined the tour through Henry VIII's state apartments but unfortunately photography wasn't allowed inside the Palace apart from the kitchens, though we were naughty and did manage to get one of the crest outside the Chapel Royal, where Henry's son Prince Edward was Christened and the boy's mother Jane Seymour was buried.

We also got this one of the King's Staircase.

We walked through the Haunted Gallery where Catherine Howard, Henry's fifth wife, is supposed to have run after escaping from her rooms begging the King for mercy after she was arrested for adultery and sentenced to death. MWM swears someone touched him whilst we were standing in the gallery though there was no-one near him at the time!

All the rooms, as you might expect, are fabulous. Though a lot of the original chambers have disappeared over the years as the Palace has been altered, some of the original tapestries and the ornate ceilings and panneling have survived and it is awesome to think one could be standing possibly on the same spot as Kings, Queens and famous courtiers once stood.

The original kitchens are still there and are reconstructed to look as they would have been during Henry VIII's time and are accessed through various courtyards. Fish Court was the centre of operation as each of the doors led to a different office of kitchens i.e. the pastry house, the flesh larder and fish larder (see slides).

The gardens at Hampton Court are huge, over 60 acres, so obviously we couldn't see them all but we did take a few photographs as we walked to the Maze (see slides). MWM took the lead through the Maze but got us to two dead ends, so I took over and found the centre of the Maze with no wrong turns. I'm sure I've been there before in a previous life!

We had to decide whether to leave at 2 p.m. and go back by bus and maybe manage an hour in Kew Gardens, or travel by ferry up the Thames to Kew which took 1 1/2 hours leaving at 3 p.m. Well I always say a holiday isn't a holiday without a boat trip so that's what we did. There are some beautiful houses along the Thames, all with their own boats, and where there are no houses the riverbank is beautiful and lush almost like a jungle. We saw lots of herons, wild geese, swans and ducks on the river and really enjoyed watching all the activity on the riverbank. It was really interesting going through Teddington Lock which took about ten minutes. We took some photos as we sailed along (see slides).

We got off the ferry at Kew and had to walk through Kew Gardens to get back to our accommodation, so we called in at the Rose and Crown for a quick drink and watched some cricket on Kew Green. We then decided to go a different way back to explore and found The Railway pub on the other side of the station, which we hadn't noticed previously. Naturally we had to sample some of their beer but whilst we were there the heavens opened and the rain was lashing down! We had been really lucky with the weather since we arrived in London, because whenever we were outside the sun was shining and when we were inside it rained! We decided to stay in the Railway and have something to eat and a couple more drinks then go home. Guess what? By the time we were going home some 3 hours later the rain had stopped, so once again we were lucky!

Our train home the next day was at 11.35 a.m. from Euston so there wasn't any time to do any more sightseeing, unfortunately. We had a lovely relaxing journey home to Manchester where our youngest son picked us up.
We had a wonderful time and are both exhausted with all the sightseeing. We will go back to London, perhaps next summer, to see Kew Gardens and the Museums which we didn't have time to see


See London Day 1 and 2

London - Day 2 ......

We were up bright and early and waiting at the National Archives when they opened the doors at 10.00 a.m. We checked the records we had reserved were booked out to us then ordered the others we needed (they take about 30 minutes to arrive). We had to check 10 years of records but one year was missing and guess what, 'Sod's Law' that must be the year we need because we couldn't find what we wanted in the other nine years! Doesn't it make you want to spit!!!! Still we enjoyed the research and at least we have eliminated those nine years.

We left the NA and scurried to Kew Station to catch the tube to Tower Hill. We were really impressed with London Transport as far as efficiency and pricing goes - it leaves Greater Manchester Transport sadly lacking! We got to Tower Hill at lunchtime so decided to have something to eat before tackling the Tower itself.

I had secured a coupon which, on showing our train tickets, entitled one adult to pay half price which was quite a saving as it cost £16.00 each to get into the Tower. You can see by MWM's smile he enjoyed the saving!

I've put together a slide show of some of the things we saw such as:

Traitor's Gate - it was eerie to see where Anne Boleyn would have entered the Tower and the actual steps she would have climbed from the boat to her imprisonment and eventual execution.

The Scaffold Site - where Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (Henry VIII's wives), and others were executed. (click on photo to enlarge for details)

We saw the Tower Ravens. Legend has it that Charles II was told that if the ravens left the Tower, the kingdom and the fortress would fall, so apparently the ravens wings are clipped now to prevent them leaving. (Click on photo to enlarge)

The White Tower houses displays from the Royal Armouries' collection and of course we went into the Jewel House to see the Crown Jewels but you are not allowed to take photographs but you can see official photographs here. They truly are magnificent, but I was amazed at how tiny Queen Victoria's crown is!

The Bloody Tower is where the 'Little Princes' were suppopsesd to have been murdered, (read about the mystery of The Princes in the Tower), we also took photographs of a 'prison cell', which is quite luxurious, and instruments of torture (Scavengers Daughter, The Rack and The Manacles) in the Wakefield Tower.

As we left the Tower MWM took this shot of Tower Bridge - isn't it magnificent?

We jumped on the tube to Tottenham Court Road to pick our tickets up at the Dominion Theatre, so we wouldn't have to queue when we arrived there for the show and, as we had a little time to spare, we went to the British Museum. Unfortunately by this time I was feeling exhausted and a bit faint, it was really warm, so we didn't get a chance to look round I had to sit outside in the air until I recovered enough to get a taxi over to Covent Garden where we had booked at meal at Porter's Restaurant. I did manage to get a photograph of the outside of the Museum and one inside of the roof - you can see two (work) men walking across the roof! (see the next slide show).

Before we went for our meal we sat in the Punch & Judy pub in Covent Garden Market watching the street entertainers (see slides). Apparently the first Punch & Judy puppet show was performed here in 1662 witnessed by Samuel Pepys.

Our meal at Porters was excellent - they specialise in traditional English dishes at reasonable prices, we had booked the meal and the show as a special deal for £37.50, the meal consisting of two courses either starter and main course, or main course and a sweet, you can order extra dishes of course which you pay for along with any drinks you have.

After our meal we jumped in a cab back to the theatre and were really suprised to seen how many people there were going into the theatre for a Tuesday! We had really good seats in the stalls with a great view. Guess who was sitting just two rows behind me - Cheryl Baker who used to be with the group Buck's Fizz who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981 - you can see them in action here.

The show (We Will Rock You) was absolutely FANTASTIC, but then we are both big QUEEN fans, everyone was on their feet singing and clapping, the atmosphere was ELECTRIC!! You can listen here to some of the music from the show and see details of the story. We have already decided if the show comes to Manchester we will definitely be booking to see it!

We were tired when we came out of the theatre but absolutely BUZZING, we couldn't help but sing the songs we'd just heard on the tube home, I'm sure the other passengers must have thought we were totally MAD but we didn't care! Then to bed to rest - another busy day tomorrow!

Read Day 1 and Tune in for Day 3 - Hampton Court.

Our Trip to London Day 1.......

As a Christmas present to each other our trip to London was fabulous.

We travelled by train, first class, from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston, a journey of two hours and ten minutes in complete comfort, with complimentery food and drinks - all for £61.00 each return which we thought was very reasonable. We booked with Virgin Trains on a value advance ticket which can only be used on the day and time it is booked for, but these are really good value as First Class tickets can cost up to £337, though these are fully flexible - see here.

Then we hopped on the tube changing at Victoria to Kew Gardens. Our accommodation was only a ten minute walk from Kew Gardens station.

Our agenda for the visit was The National Archives, Tower of London, Hampton Court, Kew Gardens and see a show and the only thing we didn't manage to see was Kew Gardens which, considering we were actually staying in Kew, was disappointing but we just didn't have time.

We arrived at our accommodation at 2.45 p.m. on Monday and just dumped our belongings so we could go straight to the National Archives to do some research before they closed at 5 p.m. You have to register and have a photo identity card made before you can go and start your research but it was quiet so it didn't take very long. It is absolutely free and the cards last three years, so we can go back if ever we need to do more research without having to re-register. The staff are very helpful and explained what records we needed to look at and how to order them for viewing. We stayed until closing time searching through the records that were available but had to reserve some records for the following day. Luckily the NA was just around the corner from where we were staying, which is why we chose it.

We headed back to our accommodation to unpack and freshen up before we went looking for somewhere to eat. Kew Green was only a 10-15 minute walk from where we were staying and there were some lovely restauarants and pubs encircling the green, we settled on the Greyhound Hotel. After a meal and a few drinks we set off back for a good night's sleep in readiness for our next attempt at research the following morning and a full afternoon of sightseeing (Tower of London), and the show (We Will Rock You) the following evening.

Tune in for Day 2 - The Tower of London

Our Christmas present..................

MWM and I are going to be enjoying our Christmas 2006 present to ourselves this coming week. I know that might sound strange, but last Christmas we both decided that as there was nothing either of us really wanted for a present, we would save the money we would have spent, add to it when we could, and have a weekend away somewhere later in the year.

So, we have booked three nights in London leaving tomorrow and returning home on Thursday. We decided to stay in Kew because

(a) MWM wants to research something to do with the family tree at The National Archives.

(b) We want to see Kew Gardens

(c) We want to go to Hampton Court

(d) We want to go to the Tower of London

We have booked 1st class rail tickets with Virgin Rail, from Manchester Piccadilly to Euston, London, for only £61 each return (because we are travelling off peak ie 11 a.m), and found a 3-room self-contained suite, small conservatory, independent entrance, B&B accomodation in Kew for three nights for £60 per night.

I also found a website that gives you vouchers enabling a second adult to pay half price entry to the places we want to visit if you are travelling to London by train, all you have to do is print off the vouchers and present them with your train tickets when you arrive at the venue to pay!

We also decided that whilst we're visiting the Tower of London we would stay in the centre of London and take in a show and a meal. We've booked dinner and a show - dinner at Porter's Restaurant and "We will rock you" at the Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court Road - for £37.50 each, and the seats are top prices seats which are anything up to £55.00 each.

We heard on the news yesterday that whilst in London we will not hear Big Ben - apparently it will be silent because it is having essential maintenance - I was looking forward to hearing the chimes.

Of course the trusty camera will be with me, so you can expect photographs when I get back. Be good whilst I'm away.

Workplace commandments....

Here's the Ten Workplace Commandments of George Costanza.... now I know where I've been going wrong, and what some of my colleagues have been doing right!

1. Never walk without a document in your hands:
   People with documents in thair hands look like hardworking employees heading for important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like they're heading for the cafeteria. People with a newspaper in thair hand look like they're heading for the toilet. Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night, thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than you do.
   
   
2. Use Computers to look busy:
   Any time you use a computer, it looks like "work" to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal e-mail, chat and generally have a blast without doing anything remotely related to work. These aren't exactly the societal benefits and the proponents of the computer revolution would like to talk about, but they're not bad either. When you get caught by your boss - and you *will* get caught - your best defence is to claim you're teaching yourself to use new software, thus saving valuable training dollars.
   
   
3. Messy Desk:
   Top management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like we're not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your workspace. To the observer, last year's work looks the same as today's work; it's volume that counts. Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your cubicle, bury the document you'll need halfway down in an existing stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives.
   
   
4. Voice Mail:
   Never answer your phone if you have voice mail. People don't call you just because they want to give you something for nothing - they call because they want YOU to do work for THEM. That's no way to live. Screen all your calls through voice mail. If somebody leaves a voice mail message for you and it sounds like impending work, respond during lunch hour when you know they're not there - it looks like you're hardworking and conscientious even though you're being a devious weasel.
   
   
5. Looking Impatient and Annoyed:
   One should also always try to look impatient and annoyed to give your bosses the impressiion that you are always busy.
   
   
6. Leave the office late:
   Always leave the office late, especially when the boss is still around. You could read magazines and storybooks that you always wanted to read but have no time, until late before leaving. Make sure you walk past the boss' room on your way out. Send important emails at unearthly hours (e.g. 09.34 p.m., 7.05 a.m. etc.) and during public holidays.
   
   
7. Creative Sighing for Effect:
   Sigh loudly when there are many people around, giving the impression that you are under extreme pressure.
   
   
8. Stacking Strategy:
   It is not enough to pile lots of documents on the table. Put lots of books on the floor etc., (thick computer manuals are best).
   


9. Build Vocabulary:
   Read up on some computer magazines and pick out all the jargon and new products. Use the phrases freely when in conversation with bosses. Remember: they don't have to understand what you say, but your sure sound impressive!
   
   
10. MOST IMPORTANT:
    Don't forward this to your boss by mistake!

Death Eating A Cracker......

Linda at Are We There Yet is running a competition called "When have you felt like Death Eating A Cracker" to help promote her daughter Amanda's new venture Artistic Intoxication, where she sells everything from coffee mugs, tee-shirts, greeting cards, mouse pads etc all adorned with her own original artwork. The prize is one of Amanda's coffee mugs with a choice of two designs. All you have to do is write a post about when you truly felt like "Death Eating A Cracker", with links to Linda and Amanda (as I have done), let Linda know you're taking part and Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt!

There have been many times in my life when I have felt like "Death Eating a Cracker", but my most recent memory was February 2006.

If you have read my blog you will know that we spend a lot of time on the East Lancs Railway because (a) MWM loves steam trains (b) the trains usually have a buffet car on them (they sell alcohol) (c) there's a great selection of pubs at the stops along the line from Bury to Rawtenstall (d) the Trackside Bar at Bury Station sells a great selection of Real Ales and good food!

Now you may have the idea that we drink a lot - we do, but only at weekends! Anyway, it just so happened that ELR arranged a Beer Festival at Bury Station in February 2006. They were looking for sponsors and our son persuaded his bosses to sponsor a barrel of ale which entitled them to two tickets and 6 pints of ale each at the beer festival. Luckily for us our son's bosses didn't want these freebies so they gave them to him, he didn't want them either so he gave them to us. You can see where this is heading can't you?

We're not greedy so we took our lovely friends, K & T, with us to the event and shared the beer tokens. Whilst deciding which beers to use the tokens on we were allowed to sample the beers which meant at the end of the day we were all merry ( to say the least). Not content with that when we got back to our house we opened some wine.

We finished the wine and K&T went home. They told us the day after that they had just gone for a lay down on the bed before getting something to eat and woke up at 1.30 a.m the following morning! We however had just got our second wind so went to our local to meet some other friends. I even managed to play a game of Bingo, and when my friend shouted Bingo for the second time I said "Oh you've won again!" "No I haven't" she said, "but you have" and promptly marked my last number off! I had totally missed it.

We'd had a fabulous day and evening and got back home about midnight. We went straight to bed as I had to be up at 6 a.m. the following morning for work. Now you might be thinking I didn't surface the following morning but I did, and I got to work on time, but boy, oh boy, did I have a hangover. I drank gallons of water that day and did very little work. Luckily I worked in an office on my own and didn't get many interruptions that day so was able to keep my head in my hands for most of the day. That my friends was the last time I felt like "Death Eating A Cracker"!

York.....

Well, as you know, we had a day out in York on Tuesday, our friends came along too. We caught the 9.30 a.m. train from our local station but had to change at Leeds. As we waited for the train the heavens opened - great we're going to get pissed wet through, was the collective thought! Not so, the weather was glorious - a little breezy but bright sunshine and warm out of the breeze!


The first place of interest when you arrive at York is the NRM (National Railway Museum). It's a huge place and has many interesting exhibits - if you're interested in Trains etc., which MWM and our friend T are. There is no entrance fee - which is unusual because usually wherever you go in England you are fleeced charged to go in!

The NRM houses various engines - some very famous, two of the most famous are the first ever engine - Stevenson's Rocket and the fastest engine Mallard. You can also see the Royal Trains- I managed to take a few photographs of the inside - very luxourious if a little cramped - the beds were tiny, but then so was Queen Victoria.


The Flying Scotsman is being renovated at the NRM, I managed to get a photograph but it has been completely taken apart so all you can see are the innards!

The entrance to The Yorkshire Wheel can also be found at the NRM. Big Wheels seem to be the 'in-thing' in large cities at the moment. MWM wanted to go on the wheel as I'd denied him the chance in Manchester last week, but the queues were huge and we didn't have a lot of time - he only sulked for short time!

By the time we had finished wandering round the NRM is was lunchtime so we walked into York proper and found a lovely little pub where we had lunch and a few drink. After lunch we walked further into the centre of York to the Minster , one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in the world, which dates back to the year 627.......


'The first Minster was built for the baptism of the Anglo Saxon King, Edwin of Northumbria. Edwin was christened in a small wooden church that had been built for the occasion, this event occurred on Easter Sunday in the year 627. Almost immediately Edwin ordered that this small wooden church should be rebuilt in stone. Edwin was killed in battle in 633 and the task of completing the stone Minster fell to Oswald'.


There are a miriad of narrow streets in York, full of 'big name' shops, 'ye olde tea shoppes' and speciality shops selling anything from charms to fudge! The most common mode of transport in York is bicycle, there were hundreds of them all parked up all over the city centre - it reminded me of Amsterdam!

The River Ouse runs through York and can get quite busy with river cruises. Had there been more time we would have like to have sailed down the river but I did get a photograph! There are many other attractions in York like - Jorvik Viking Centre, York Dungeon, Castle Museum, Clifford's Tower and the Yorkshire Museum, so really you need to spend about a week or more in York to see all it has to offer, if you click on the links though you can take a quick tour.

We had to get the 4.30 p.m. train back as that was the last train to stop at our local station, which meant we were back home by 6.45ish. We had a great day out and will, no doubt, be going again in the future to visit the other attractions that we've not had time to see yet.

I'll leave you with a little slide show of what we saw - my apologies for some of the photos, they're not as clear as they could have been, but if you click on 'view all images' you can see them better.

A bit of fun..................

Busy downloading some photographs from yesterday so I'll leave you with this......

What's the definition of the bravest man in the world?? The man who comes home drunk, covered in lipstick and smelling of perfume, then slaps his wife on the backside and says:
"You're next, fatty."



And if you really want a giggle click on the link below. Wait for the entire screen to load up with all four horses and a fence in front of them. Then click on each horse. Make sure your sound is on. Re-click on any horse to make it turn off or turn it back on again. Somebody did some real wizardry of programming to coordinate this! Try clicking on the horses from left to right then right to left then just one or two at a time ... It's fun and a good stress reliever. Have fun! Do them in random order for some weird songs.


http://svt.se/hogafflahage/hogafflaHage_site/Kor/hestekor.swf


Have a fun day.

Quick Giggles Part Four......

We're off out again tomorrow, to York this time 09.30 train, so I won't have time to post. I'll leave you with this and catch up with you soon.



ACTUAL LINES FROM MILITARY PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS

1. Got into the gene pool while the lifeguard wasn't watching.
2. A room temperature IQ.
3. Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together.
4. A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on.
5. As bright as Alaska in December.
6. Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.
7. He's so dense, light bends around him.
8. If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
9. It's hard to believe that he beat 1,000,000 other sperm.
10. Takes him two hours to watch 60 minutes.
11. Wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
    
    

In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods:

1. On Sears hairdryer: "Do not use while sleeping".
2. On a bag of Fritos: "You could be winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside".
3. On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap".
4. On some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestions: Defrost".
5. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on botttom of box): "Do not turn upside down".
6. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: "Product will be hot after heating".
7. On packaging for a Rowenta iron: "Do not iron clothes on body".
8. On Boot's Children's Cough medicine: "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication".
9. On Nytol Sleep aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness".
10. On most brands of Christmas lights: "For indoor or outdoor use only".
11. On a Japanese food processor: "Not to be used for the other use".
12. On Sainsbury's peanuts: "Warning: Contains nuts".
13. On an American airlines packet of nuts: "Instructions: open packet, eat nuts".
14. On a child's Superman costume: "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly".
    
    Read Quick Giggles Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Princess Akelamalu .......

Skittles has given me yet another award - no I'm not embarrassed - I'm grateful! Thank you very much Skittles, I'm honoured.


So now


I'll get my tiara out! I do have one you know, but I only wear it on special occasions - like now.


The best part of getting any award is I get to pass, in this case to three other people. I think the following would all look lovely in a tiara!

Lettie - Lettuce-Eating

Gewels - Imagined Life

Flowerpot - Flowerpot Days

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BLOGGING TIPS

I got tagged by 123Valerie Strikes Again and she said.....

It’s very simple.When this is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, skim the list and put a * star beside those that you like.(Check out especially the * starred ones.)Add the next number (1. 2. 3. 4. 5., etc.)and write your own blogging tip for other bloggers.

1. Look, read, and learn. ****-http://www.neonscent.com/blog/
2. Be, EXCELLENT to each other. ****-http://www.bushmackel.com/
3. Don’t let money change ya! ****-http://www.therandomforest.info/
4. Always reply to your comments.***-http://chattiekat.com/
5. Develop your own "voice" don't "borrow" someone else's****-Mizmouthy
6. If you don't have something to say, don't worry your loyal readers will wait*-Oldfashionmomma-
7. Be yourself, don't be afraid to share who you really are ***-http://shibari-confessions.blogspot.com/
8. Figure out what you stand for, then try to master it.** -http://mornmeet.blogspot.com/
9. Post pictures when you can* -http://akadventuring.blogspot.com/
10. Talk about your boobs a lot. * -http://123valerie.blogspot.com/
11. Always reply to comments and it's polite to visit people who visit you. http://akelamalu.blogspot.com/

I'm not going to tag anyone but if you have any blogging tips please feel free to add to it and yourself to the list - after you've checked out the others of course. If you then want to tag some others you can.

Me & My Hubby Meme.......

Bella tagged me for this meme, sorry for the delay Bella. I have to tell you eight things about me and MWM, here goes.....


1. MWM and I met when I was 14 and he was 15 - that was 43 years ago. We split up for eight years - he got married, I didn't.

2. We met only once, in passing, during the eight years we were apart. When we met again we stayed together- that was 35 years ago, we have been married 33 years in December.

3. We are both Scorpios.

4. MWM is the quiet one, I like to party!

5. I love savoury, MWM loves sweet.

6. MWM is calm, I have a temper.

7. I used to smoke, MWM has never smoked.

8. We love each other more now than we did 43 years ago, though I didn't think that was possible.



I'm not going to tag anyone - if you feel like having a go please feel free, but let me know so I can check yours out - I'm nosey!

I'm off out today, for lunch with friends, will catch up with you all tomorrow. Have a great Sunday.

New Hair Colour....

I decided to have my hair colour changed yesterday, what do you think? Be honest. It doesn't look too red on the picture but it looks really fiery red to me!




Anyway it's too late now, it's done. MWM likes it, if I don't get used to it I can always have some more blonde highlights put in until it grows out can't I?

I also did a bit of shopping and bought these...



An absolute bargain from T.K. Maxx. The skirt was £10.00 with a RRP of £69.00, and the top was £5.00 with a RRP of £39.99. The skirt is lovely and floaty and the top is linen - it says dry clean for the top but I never take any notice of the washing instructions so I'll just put it on a delicate wash - if it disintegrates it doesn't really matter for 5 quid does it?

Luckily I have shoes and a bag which match so no need for a trip to the shoe shop - the credit card has just breathed a sigh of relief!

Inspirational.....

Mike at Mike's Homefront has given me this award. I know you're thinking "Another one?" Well it would be rude to refuse and it will look lovely on my sideboard sidebar so I am accepting it with open arms.

I have to pass it on and I will try to choose bloggers who haven't already received it, so here goes.

Another Tangential Thinker- Get's you thinking.
Flowerpot Days - Always has something interesting to say.
Skittles - A blog full of everything.
Us Danes and Our Family - lots of stuff going on here.
Pig In The Kitchen - a great read plus recipes for those with allergies.
A Place I Call Home - interesting, funny and real.
Cursuum Perfidio - A fantastic wordsmith.

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HOW BORED ARE YOU?

Josie Two Shoes at Picking up Pieces posted this recently and invited anyone who wanted to have a go to copy it, so here goes.....

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, but my granny chose my name. I hated it when I was younger but I don't mind it now. It's not Akelamalu by the way! ;)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday, after reading an email I received.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? If I've written in a rush then no because it looks like a spider trod in some ink and hiked across the page! If I use a fountain pen and take my time then it's passable.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Corned Beef with raw onion.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? I have two grown sons and they have children.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so. I make a wonderful friend but an awesome enemy, so I'd rather be my friend!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I try not to, but it does slip in unoticed sometimes!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, I had them removed when I was about 5 years old. I can still remember the nurse giving me ice-cream when I'd recovered, but I didn't want it I just wanted my mummy!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Are you mad???? I'm certainly not! I get dizzy standing on a chair!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oatibix but I prefer fresh fruit salad with a little Greek yoghurt and honey.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I don't have any shoes with laces. I usually wear toe-post sandals in summer and boots in winter.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I think I am strong-minded, but physically no. Perhaps I should take up weightlifting?

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Raspberry Ripple.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their Eyes and then their hands.

15. RED OR PINK? Definiely Red. I love strong colours.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight, I really must do something about it!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My two eldest grandchildren and my Mum, who have all passed away.

18. YOU WANT EVERYONE TO BLOG THIS? Of course, I'm a nosy bugger!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Turquoise cargo pants and white t-shirt.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Fruit salad, yoghurt and honey for breakfast.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The clack of the keyboard as I type.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow - a lovely sunny colour.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Babies, flowers and roast lamb .

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? An annoying unsolicited telephone sales person. Ggggrrrrrrr.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Sure, she's a fellow blogger.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I'm not really into sports but I have been known to watch tennis.

27. HAIR COLOR? I'm a natural blonde but I have a little red but in to add some interest.

28. EYE COLOR? Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? NO, jeez I couldn't put anything in my eyes they'd water that much the lenses would float away! I do wear glasses for reading though.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Can't answer that because I just LOVE food, full stop. The only thing I don't like is butter beans.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings, I love soppy films, I love having a good sob - pass the tissues!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Two Weeks Notice - Hugh Grant & Sandra Bullock (on television). I intend going very soon to watch Shrek 3.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Definitely Summer, I hate Winter.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both, lots and lots.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Not really a dessert person I prefer cheese, but if I had to choose -Strawberries and Cream.

37. MOST LIKELY TO POST THIS ON THEIR BLOG? Anyone who can't think what to do for today's post like me!

38. LEAST LIKELY TO BLOG THIS? Anyone who is never short of stuff to blog about!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The New Harry Potter.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Haven't got one.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Eastenders, then we went out.

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Children's laughter, in fact any laughter - the best medicine.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, but I like the Stones as well. In the 60's you weren't allowed to like both!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Australia.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think so, but you could ask my man. ;)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? England

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everybody!

48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 09.00 British Summertime.


Ok blogging buddies, if you have nothing better to do, or want to save this for later copy and paste it when/if the mood takes you. Be sure to let me know so I can check it out. Like I said I'm a nosey bugger.

El Gouna Part 5...............

This is the last report of our recent holiday - What do you mean thank God for that?

Apart from the things I've already told you about the only other activities we took part in were - sunbathing, swimming (well me anyway), a bit of walking, sleeping, eating, drinking and reading. We did a lot of reading, mainly round the pool, inbetween sunbathing, swimming, walking, sleeping, eating and drinking! I actually read 8 (yes 8!) books and started my ninth at the airport on the way home. Here's what I read:

1. Gravity - Tess Gerritsen
2. Call After Midnight - Tess Gerritsen
3. The Broker - John Grisham
4. The Jester - James Patterson/Andrew Gross
5. The Blue Zone - Andrew Gross
6. Ghost Girl - Torey Hayden
7. Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs
8. The Operative - Duncan Falconer
9. The Cold Moon - Jeffery Deaver
   

I can recommend them all. I finished #9 yesterday and the only reason it took me so long to finish this one is because I've been blogging instead of reading! I've now started the new Harry Potter book.

Back to the holiday. I can thoroughly recommend El Gouna as a relaxing holiday destination. If you want to see the historical sights of Egypt then I recommend you do the Nile Cruise. The Three Corners Ocean View Hotel is superb, we couldn't fault the hotel at all, the rooms were comfortable and clean and I would defy anyone to say they couldn't find something they like on the breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.

The staff were brilliant, couldn't do enough for you, and they all had a great sense of humour, particularly the cleaning staff! Every couple of days we'd get back to our room to find a different towel sculpture on our bed - I took pictures of them which I've put in a slide show for you. On the day we were coming home I made my own towel sculpture (a skinned chicken) and left it lying on the bed with a tip and a note to the cleaners thanking them for looking after us.

I took a chance not taking a crutch with me on holiday, deciding that I really had to start managing without it. I'm glad I did because my knee has become much stronger and more normal with the exercise of swimming, walking and climbing on and off boats! I think the sun had a lot to do with helping my knee recover too.

All in all we had a wonderful holiday and luckily as it is now school holidays I don't have to go back to work until September - you all hate me don't you???

I'll leave you with the last pictures of our holiday - The Towel Sculptures.

Read El Gouna Part 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Happy Birthday..............

Our eldest grandson SAM who is eight years old today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM

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We had a great day out in Manchester yesterday. The sun was shining and I walked round all day pain free! We travelled by bus as we knew we would be having some alcohol with lunch (we don't drink and drive).

I bought some crocs.

I already have some luminous green and pink toe-post crocs, which I bought for my recent holiday, but these new ones are a bit like ballet pumps.

I also stocked up on Aveda Shampoo, (Manchester is the closest place to where I live to buy it), also my favourite eye-shadow collection, and I bought some 'Pinch Me' gel blush.

We went to the Printworks and sat outside in the sunshine at Cafe Rouge, where we had a glass of house red whilst we waited for Yum-Yum's to open for lunch. Yum Yum's do a Chinese Buffet, where you can eat as much as you want for £6.00, delicious, especially nice with the bottle of red wine we ordered.

After lunch we scouted round the newly refurbished Arndale Centre , MWM wanted to ride on the Wheel Of Manchester but I don't like heights so that was a no-no, as he didn't trust me not to exhaust the credit card whilst he went on his own!

Then it was time to catch the bus home. We had a great day and I am just so pleased with myself having been able to walk about all day without having to sit down every five minutes - I really can't remember the last time I was able to do that.