Oh the frenzy of pre Christmas panic buying - I have a solution - get a heavy cold the last day of work. Maisie has the flu, and I have been struck down with a cold - sniff. It has meant lying on the sofa watching kids movies - what a shame. Leanne and Mum went off the Chatsworth for another look at the Russian Christmas, leaving Maisie and me with a sofa each, three packets of lockets (throat sweets) and the tv remote within easy reach.
The table is set and the goose is well and truly fat (well, not a goose exactly, but there's a nice piece of beef defrosting in the kitchen.) I'm hopeful our table will look like the one at Chatsworth. Thanks to Leanne for the photos. (There are no photos of my red nose, but I can assure you that I do look like Rudolph!)
We are all ready for Christmas, Maisie is excited, I'm excited, everyone is excited, there's plenty of sherry in the bottle and boxing day sale adds are on the TV - it must be Christmas eve….is that sleigh bells I can hear?
Happy Christmas All - I'm off to don my gay apparel
We need a tree. It's always a bone of contention, I like to put one up on Christmas Eve, Leanne likes to get her money's worth, and Maisie wasn't feeling Christmassy as ALL her friends have theirs up. Two against one - a compromise - the week before Christmas sounds good.
I have to say, when you are after a bargain, and are preparing to beat the tree selling guy down to a fair price, your dog coming up and peeing on the merchandise is not a particularly good starting place.
We got a lovely tree, perfect for our purposes, and at the fraction of the price of the ones up the road - and the pièce de résistance was it didn't stink of dog wee - win win.
I got up with a determination to get to work, with the idea that the 9.45am train would be the way to do it. All I needed to do was dig the car out. I started at 8 am, I dug, I dug some more, I encountered all the snow the plough had compacted into the side of the car, and the -8 temperatures had turned to ice, at 9.15 am I had the back wheel on the drivers side clear. I phoned work to say it was unlikely I would be in.
Well - the photos of Maisie are great!
Spot the car and win the opportunity to dig it out. Terms and conditions apply*
Ok, I may have been a bit of a wuss, but on the basis of the road being covered in snow, and there being 7 inches of the stuff on top of my car, I didn't go to work. It was even our (admittedly early) Christmas lunch, very sad to have missed out.
The film review I know you are all waiting for:
We went, we sat, we are ice cream, we drank fizzy pop, we saw, we enjoyed, we want more. and we needed the loo. The latest Harry Potter movie was excellent, we all really enjoyed it, and were relieved that there was no Hogwarts for a change. Liked the wood scenes, liked the teenage tension, I was a little disappointed with the opening scenes - wasn't convinced, maybe they had used "Special effects R Us" for that bit when the recession struck.
We went on the opening night in Chesterfield, apparently at the same time as every spotty teenager within a 20 mile radius. But far from spoiling the evening, they added a certain atmosphere to the screening, cheering every bit of magic, and offering encouragement to the characters in times of danger - "Come on my son" was a frequent shout. It felt a little like a football match at times, but with Chesterfield on the winning side.
Our other evening out was a night at the theatre - well, Maisie's school for their production of Fiddler on the Roof. A senior school thing so Maisie wasn't involved, but she was very keen to see as she knew a number of cast members. And I have to say, it was brilliant, even almost moving us to tears during "Sunrise, sunset". The main cast were convincing in their beards - particularly the lads! There were attempts at the accents, and the singing was very professional - I'm hoping some will appear on Britain's got talent in the near future.
Earlier in the day we went out to lunch as Leanne and I have been together for 18 years. Our little trio went to the Rutland Arms in Bakewell.
I'm not sure it boded well when we were greeted with photos of the time the manager was involved in "The Hotel Inspector". However, the menu was simple, the food was well cooked, all accompanied with stories from the (slightly eccentric) manager about how he'd quite like it if the place burnt down so he could claim on the insurance. Weird. We were surrounded by clocks, all set to different times, which we were informed had halved in value since their purchase, but we enjoyed the regular chimes as they reached 1 o'clock ...gradually.
Creme bruleé for pudding...mmmmmm
With the announcement of the royal wedding, the BBC can talk of nothing else. There is some talk of it being just a tactic to take our minds off the recession and the ‘interesting’ choices the government are making. Hmm - when was the last recession, and oh, hang on, when was the last royal wedding? Scratches chin, cleans glasses, nods knowingly.
Well - there’s even more excitement in Sheffield as the actual Queen is coming to open some University building tomorrow. I was really lucky today as I happened to be walking up the street when the police were practicing the drive through town. This involved loads of police motorbikes escorting...no not some lovely royal car, but a green transit van. I’m sure they could have got a better looking standby vehicle - why a green transit van? Maybe it had cameras pointing out of the blacked out windows, and they have spent all afternoon analyzing various faces gawping at the procession wondering what on earth was going on. Let's hope they admired my stylishly worn scarf and hat pulled well down over my ears as it was bloody cold today.
If only I could afford a flag, I would stand on the pavement and wave it tomorrow, but unfortunately I won't; and I have important librarian tasks to complete; and there's a chance of rain; next time maybe. Besides which, I’m saving my pennies for a commemorative mug.
Well it's been an interesting week, with my father being 20 minutes drive away. He's been getting to grips with the change of location, and been reliant on a mobile phone for contact. The 4 minute message I had the other day, was 4 minutes of pocket noise from the dining room. Mainly cutlery noise with the odd highlight of a carer encouraging some eating.
It was apparent he needed his wardrobe upgrading, having been reliant on his own sense of whether he was presentable for some time. Off to the local outlet store. We got shirts, trousers and a jumper. Then Leanne took on the underwear situation. Asking the attendant in the shop - "how do you ask your father-in-law what sort of undies he wears" She giggled saying it wasn't something she had ever had to think about.
As my father is a little deaf, the next thing we hear is Leanne shouting "Now Mr Wilson, are you a boxers or Y-front kind of man?" Classic. He's a boxers man btw - but hasn't bought any new undies for the last 10 years. We bought a three pack.
It's been a bit parky, so I needed a scarf - little did I know that there are so many decisions which go along with scarf wearing - when did it all get so complicated? With fond memories of the knitted type received for Christmas, the vast array of colours and styles was the first obstacle. Which to choose, fluffy, holed, spotty, bobbly, acrylic, wool, tripe (Ok I made that one up - I'm not Lady Gaga!), not one came with a matching bobble hat. With my trusty side kicks in tow, we entered the menswear dept in Debehams - it soon transpired that my fashion consultants were attempting to choose scarves they had every intention of borrowing on a regular basis, humph.
I chose a striped number in the end - nice and simple, entirely my choice. BUT - the decisions never end - how does one tie the new scarf? It would appear there's an art. Round the neck a couple of times, like a tie, folded in half and shoved through - yes - I choose that one.
The scarf wearing family - looking rather dapper, went to Belfast for a couple of nights for a wee city break. Thanks to cheap flights and a late room booking. We lucked out with the seating arrangements getting on the budget flight - convinced we would be next to sputum guy stood in front of us in the queue, we were well clear of him. Now all we had to worry about was the pilot - he kept coming out of his little cabin lolling like he was washing his hands in an OCD fashion - maybe he had ended up next to sputum guy!
Belfast was lovely, great restaurants, very friendly folk, and easy to get around. We took a bus tour and saw loads of murals, regenerated buildings and some charming pubs - giving us inspiration for what to do on the way home. A delicious glass of guinness on tap - never quite the same when you are not in Ireland.
The photo is Maisie's pumpkin, enjoyed lighting it at 5pm and it was actually dark.
We decided to spend the day in Manchester, travelling by train whilst we could still afford it. The train we caught from our local station, Grindleford, was rather elderly. The doors opened OK, but before we could set off the driver kept coming into the carriage and banging the doors shut - the conductor was at the other end of the train, doing something similar. Apparently, because the train was on a slope, they had difficulty functioning - mental note, don't stand by the doors whilst train still moving.
The train wound its way slowly though beautiful countryside to arrive at Manchester Piccadilly. We didn't have a map, so we cluelessly climbed onto a free bus and headed into town. First stop - tourist information, which we spotted from the bus. We asked about where we could buy sushi - hoping Manchester was metropolitan enough to provide. Yay - China town, apparently, our best chance of finding a Japanese restaurant. And so we did, only to discover it would be £17.95 for a plate of sushi (8 pieces). You would want Nemo for that price!
Off to the art gallery round the corner then, there was a good cafe there we had been told. We had soup, a salad, drinks, and Maisie had sausage and mash on a palate plate - all for £12.00, much more reasonable.
To the art. There was an excellent interactive exhibition: Recorders: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer a major new exhibition by Mexican-Canadian electronic artist. We loved it, and stayed there for ages. We had a quick look at some L.S.Lowry's; we were in Manchester after all. I love seeing original paintings after seeing reproductions, the texture always surprises.
Then afternoon tea was calling - off to a cafe, a little shopping and back to the old train. I was a little disappointed not to see anyone from Coronation Street but there's always next time.
Well, we got a chip in the car windscreen, not that interesting. But - we have also needed to get new headlights. Driving to work was like looking through glasses that have just been cleaned by an optician (or if you've splashed out on some actual glasses cleaning spray rather than just clean them with your t-shirt) very lovely. But - that was nothing compared to driving home in the dark. It was like driving home in the day light, lovely shiny clean, clear lights and windscreen combined - magic!
Work has been full on with some training for a new library system taking up 4 hours without a break the other day. The highlight was the biscuits - the trainer declined saying "sorry I'm not allowed, and my wife will be checking my beard later" What a lovely image I thought. We discussed his potential options in a debriefing session (without the trainer there, I hasten to add), deciding his best course of secret biscuit eating could involve vacuuming his beard at a service station on the way home. Librarians…they are a devious bunch. I bet I can eat more pies than him.
Leanne and I escaped the house full of septuagenarians and the child for an evening of Made in Dagenham Yay. On our return home I find John and Lorraine in bed, watching Eggheads (a quizshow) on our laptop. Greeted with "hello dear, can you help us get it bigger, we've been having fun pressing all the buttons, but it just wont get any larger." There are some things you don't want to hear from your mother-in-law whilst she is in bed with her husband! Anyway, after making the screen bigger, I made a hasty exit from the bedroom.
But wait - what are they doing back in Derbyshire? I hear you cry. Weren't they on their way to NZ in the previous blog…well, yes. The poor loves were bumped from their flight and can't get another until next Tuesday; so back they came.
We have had Leanne's parents staying with us, and for a couple of nights a friend from NZ and her daughter…all a bit of a squash. But cosy. There was one incident at 4 am of old man in underpants giving way to a lady of the house, both keen to have a pee. (I have to say, I was very grateful for the underpants as well as the first use of the loo)
Leanne's parents left today on the train to London, and leave a couple of days later for NZ. Getting them onto the train at Chesterfield was…entertaining? Stressful? Difficult? Challenging? Effortless? NOT the last one! You would think three cases and two adults could easily manage the task, but help was required. Lorraine first dispatched me to talk to the nice guard to recommend to them where to stand for the best access to carriage C. No help was forthcoming unfortunately. Then the train arrived. We shuffled them up to the required carriage, Leanne got on the train with some bags, I waited by the door after depositing the heaviest case on the train, 6 other people were trying to get on the train at the same time, then the refreshment cart person chose that time to come down the carriage - Leanne was trapped on the train, John was panicking, Lorraine had pottered off to find her seat, and I was left shoving the remaining passenger onto the train, and out the way so Leanne could get off! A little comedic perhaps, but took the edge of them leaving. They got to London without further incident, and all is well.
I had to go home and have a lie down, mind you, I do have a terrible cold, and now a cough to go with it - so grateful to have my own bed again. I blame the hygienically challenged new students for the cold, thay have been coming into the library with annoying questions to go with their germs - they seem to think we are only there to answer their questions.
Oh yes - for those mushroom lovers - it's the season - Mum keeps returning from the woods with giant boletus mushrooms and puffballs.
Chesterfield has a horse and cart for collecting the market rubbish. We were watching the horse whilst eating our lunch 'out' which consisted of leaning against the wall of M&S and eating our pastries bought form the bakers. We know how to live.
One passerby gave her a polo mint which was gratefully received, then came a young girl, she found some bits of leftover carrot on the ground, and fed them to the horse. After that things went a little downhill with horse and local resident relations. Every time someone came to stroke the horses nose, it would shake its head and and act a bit frustrated. One woman was just walking past and the horse went for her cardigan. I blame the sugar.
We went into Chesterfield to get me a haircut - but there was such a large queue at my hairdresser of choice, I gave up on the idea, it looks like I'm growing my hair, hopefully not as long as the Chesterfield horse.
The over 70s travel club (as Leanne call them), Leanne's parents and my Mum return from Tuscany this evening. We have had the house to ourselves, so it will be a bit of a shock - and then Kiwi friends arrive on Sunday for two nights - certainly a full house!
Well, it's all go in Sheffield, the students are back in town. We know this because the streets are covered in empty takeaway wrappers and there are thoughtful looking youths hanging around on the street corners trying to out cool each other.
The best thing is, spotting the giant pizza box-wearing people dotted around the streets. They make me feel way better about my working life! I felt a little sorry for the two I saw on the way home from work this evening, it was teaming with rain, and the poor loves were sheltering under a tree to prevent their boxes getting soggy. Only £5.99 for any size pizza - not bad.
On the way to a lunchtime meeting, my colleagues and I had to run the gauntlet of the freshers frenzy. We didn't get offered any of the club leaflets, or goody bags. One hopeful started to offer us a paint-balling leaflet, took one look, and said come and shoot your er…colleagues, with a grin on her face. We didn't take up the offer, way too dangerous for a group of bespectacled middle aged librarians.
Maisie took this photo of dahlia at...guess where...Chatsworth of course.
Ok, I wouldn't normally blog about going to the doctors, but I feel the need to share.
The doctor's surgery we go to has a new fangled signing in system which is a touch operated screen. All you do is - touch the screen to start, the screen changes to months of the year, you touch your month of birth, then your date, then your initials - and hey presto it displays your name, which doctor (witch doctor ha ha - sorry northern humour returning) you are seeing, and what time - EASY.
I checked in and sat down. In wandered an elderly couple easily in their late 80's, they obviously each had an appointment,. The woman went first. She was touching the screen, and saying (quite loudly) "are you watching dear" to her companion. I loved it when her name appeared on the screen she said "ooh look at me I'm on the internet!" Bless.
After listening to them reminiscing about last years flu jab, it was my turn to see the doctor (sore shoulder).
The unrelated photo is of Savanna the dolphin and us in Dubai.
Matlock Bath: Famous for illuminations, motorbikes, fish and chips and a cable car. It has the distinct feel of being by the seaside. There's only one thing missing - the sea. For Leanne's birthday, as the 'illuminations' have started, I thought it was a good idea to pop into Matlock Bath for an indian, and a wander round the illuminations. The illuminations are, I suspect, particular to the UK. What happens is - strings of lights are put in trees, cute scenes are recreated in lights, and people wander around looking at them in a awe.
At Matlock bath, the people seemed to be missing. And it appeared, so were many of the lights. I think I should have looked at the guide book before setting off. Not all the lights were there, and the boat show and fair was not up and running, only at the weekends. It was also raining a little. OK, I cant be blamed for the rain.
The indian was excellent, and actually the lights that were there were kind of fun. We loved the reflections in the river. There was a cute frog scene with it appearing to jump over the river.
AND - big news: Maisie started secondary school. She looks great in her uniform. We have been very proud parents all week.
Well, we are back in blighty and normal service will now be resumed. As will the normal English summer weather it would appear - raining, thick fog, and a little bit chilly.
Mad dogs and Englishwomen are going out despite there being no midday sun. Today it was the 65th Annual Froggatt Horticultural Show. I haven't been since I was a revolting teenager, all you got to do at the show back then was admire the vegetables and listen to the brass band. To my delight and surprise, nothing had changed!
OK - they were obviously a few changes, there were old cars to look at, and a few more stalls to amuse, and it was £2 to get in. We cooed over the cabbages, were brought close to tears by the onions, and were amazed at the size of one of the marrows.
The best quote from the sushi evening. From Ingrid, who was pleased to have some chopstick lessons, but I fear the seaweed was a little challenging. At one point she said, "I've a very confused middle finger!"
Sushi chef Oskar, with assistance from Maisie, produced the most impressive array of sushi for our enjoyment.
For those following the pudding progress…pavlova with frozen raspberries, and plenty of whipped cream.
My birthday started well, with coffee and cake in bed. Then after picking up Maisie's best mate, it was time to top up the cake levels, a stop in at Garnet Station was required. Ginger Crunch - yum.
Then it was off to the art gallery where there were some very nice Goldie paintings, and some not so nice contemporary New Zealand paintings. I'm not sure there was one I liked, disappointing as there's so much good stuff around.
We then did a swop of Euthymol toothpaste for wine at my old bosses place - a very good trade indeed, I really cant understand the Euthymol attraction, but Tom's face lit up with delight when presented with it. (Weird)
Home in time to prepare for the pot luck supper before friends arrived. We had decided upon easy to cook open topped pies. As three of the expected guests were blokes, we made plenty. The thing is about a pot luck supper, is the luck element. And as luck would have it, Louise and Scrub also bought pies. Yay - pie central. The luck continues: with the friends being vegetarian, not only did we have plentiful pies, but the main filling of choice was spinach and feta cheese. Fortunately we had bread and oven fires for a bit of variety. I was sad there wasn't any rice or pasta to provide a full compliment of carbs, but a girl cant have everything.
Louise brought a massive pavlova for pudding which was demolished very nicely, all accompanied by more wine supplied by Phil and Malcolm, a very pleasant evening all round.
There appears to be a pudding theme developing here...
