A Bank Holiday Weekend away at Great Yarmouth

Well the weekend has come and gone - but at least we did something a bit different, we went to Great Yarmouth and had a really good time, the weather was very kind to us, and we found a nice B&B that didn't charge too much and gave us a hearty breakfast each day, the room itself was adequate.

You can see me outside Horsey Windmill, we stopped off here on our way up the coast to Cromer.

On the way we visited Happisburg - the lighthouse wasn't open to view, but I was amazed at the erosion that has taken place here, I reckon I was last here at Happisburg about 6 years ago, since then a road and a whole line of holiday chalets have dissapeared - into the sea I presume.

It will not be long before the next row of houses dissapear - I guess this will be their last summer as the sea defences have virtually gone and one big storm will take away at least another 15 or 20 yards. Its quite amazing the power of the sea and really little can be done about it.

Will check it out again in a few more years.

Eventually arrived in Cromer, I really like Cromer - especially the crabs, which we tried out and I have to say they were really tasty.

On the Saturday evening we went to an "old time music hall" production at Gorlestone, which was much better than I expected, though nobody dressed up in period costume. For Suri it was really good 'cos it was the first time she was able to use the LOOP properly with her new hearing aids and she was able to hear the jokes - which is a real improvement.

It was really odd 'cos I realised as we drove into Gorlestone, that I had been here with mum, it brought back lovely memories of this time - just 2 years ago, it's funny how the mind plays games.

In case you forgot

Here is the photo of me receiving my certificate for long service - see earlier blog ... work it out.

It's been a bit quiet lately so nothing worth posting, seem to have been playing a lot of Bridge though lately. Oh yes we have now booked up for our Korea trip - we are off on the 30th September 2006 for 3 weeks - where we will be seeing David and checkin' out the sites.

Here's hopin' that the airport security is sorted by then. It all seems so basic and obvious, what they need is an Internal Auditor to come up with some real basic controls over security that work. Once again we seem to be bowing to American pressure, surely we Brits know a bit about security arrangements ... remember the IRA ... ooooops rambling on again.

Trains a bus 'n' horses.

On Thursday I went to see Dan and have a curry, a good night was had by all - thanks Dan, I guess it'll be my turn next time.

All went well 'till I was back at Stevenage station, waiting for the last train, standing there on the platform someone says there's no more trains but there is a bus - over there he points and its about to go, well I haven't run for a while but with a few pints inside I set off shouting for the driver to wait for me. I managed to get on just as it was leaving.

The driver says didn't you see the sign?" - well no I did not - wot sign - it was pointless discussing it anyway, so off goes the bus, going all around the houses, just over an hour later we arrive at Potters Bar, but of course the driver is not willing to drop me off at the station ( he should in case there are other unfortunate people waiting for him) as he is going on to Finsbury Park and he is already on the road to Barnet. So I get off at the top of Mutton Lane with about an half hours walk ahead of me. arghhhh.

****

Yesterday Suri and I went blackberry picking - its the right time of year now, anyway we was in this field, I didn't take much notice at first of these four horses at the far end of the field .

Well there I was picking these blacberries and I noticed these horses coming over, before I know it one of them is nosing up to me trying to eat the blackberries that I just picked. I wasn't having any of that so I tried to carry on, but the horse was bigger than me (you do not realise how big horses are until they are towering above you) and he was pushing me about a bit.

I decided that I had enough blackberries and it was time to get away as he was very persistent, so I set off back towards Suri, who was over by the stream, one of the other horses was a bit frisky and was galloping around - so we was a bit concerned by then as we thought they was gonna push us in the stream. Eventually after what seemed to be ages, we got away as the horses decided to have a drink in the stream.

The blackberries were good by the way, especially with lots of lovely cream.

***

Today we stayed in waiting for someone to view the house - but no turn up and no phone call - not too happy about that as it mucked up the day, decided no more viewings on a Sunday.

A quiet week for some.

But not for others - yes it's been a quiet week for me but not in the Middle East, - I have been thinking a lot about it and thought that I just had to express my thoughts about the whole thing.

If this offends you - just skip to the next blog - no doubt I'll find something more run of the mill to write about next time.

For me the situation is just crazy, with Israel having found the excuse to use some of its surplus stash of ammunitions, and for the American arms industries to do a bit of business - not that they need it of course.

The losers are clearly the young and older civilian population that used to live in the poorer parts of Beirut and Southern Lebanon.

No doubt you've seen the pictures on the news - there are many more and much more graphic on the numerous web sites and blogs if you are into that sort of thing.

To top it all the rest of the world keeps quiet about it all - letting the fighting take its course which seems to suit the Americans - as the Israelies do the work for the Americans.

Don't get me wrong I oppose terrorism - absolutely - 100%, but this was just not the way to deal with the Hezbolla fighters.

Speculating and looking into the future, the cost of this will be felt for decades to come I am sure - in many ways not just financial, but environmentally, politically and I am convinced it will destabilise the region indefinitely. I am sure there will eventually be a backlash against the Bush administration and indeed I think this will trigger the end for Blair. I hope this is sooner rather than later

What can we do - I hear people say - in fact very few people say anthing - it's just not discussed - I don't recall it cropping up at work at all - I did say something about the invasion to a work colleague and the topic was ignored and quickly changed to something else - I can't remember what - probably the weather.

Well I have written to my MP - I checked his web site - and guess what not a word on the subject - oh yes MPs are now on holiday - I forgot.

I did got a reply - a pretty standard reply on his behalf from his secretary, but I used my democratic right to tell my MP what my views were, and if everybody did the same then I think they would listen and the government would have to condem loudly and clearly the actions of the Israelies.

You may wish to add a comment - feel free to do so.

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Congratulations to Sophie

Sunday ... Sophie ran her first marathon - yep that's just over 26 miles .. so a big well done to her - especially in this heatwave - a great achievement and I applaud you, if anybody wants to sponser her check out the link below:

www.justgiving.com/sophiecowan

Oh and a well done to Danny for keeping up with her ( in the car) and providing the water.

Sweltering in the heat

No doubt all bloggers in the UK this week will be going on about how hot it has been - so I will be no different - apparently it was a record breaker.

Earlier in the week I took a few days off of work, I remember 1976 when after the heatwave then ... I said to myself why did I not take more time off to enjoy it - so this time I have decided to enjoy theheatwave rather than being stuck in the office, and will be taking more time off to enjoy the summer.

Suri and I went to Southend on Sea - where it really was a bit of a scorcher and I got a little bit burned, as usual following my exposure to the sun, my lip swelled up a bit - but not as bad as previous experiences, as some people .... Alan... may remember it has a tendancy to do..

We are still trying to sell Suri's house but things have gone awfully quiet - with no enquiries for a week or so. We are thinking about revising our plans .. We are going to see the agent this weekend to hear what they have to say about the whole thing I will report back on progress in due course.

The highlight of the week ...

if you can call it that was on wednesday the 12th July 2006, my employer - MHT recognising my long service with them, for this I and others were invited along to a west end location for our very own BAFTA awards - yes it was held at the BAFTA building in Piccadilly.

Basically the CE - Tony said a little about each of us, and then we walked up and were presented with a long service certificate - in my case for 25 years - though I have completed over 27 but apparantly there will be no award at 30 years, so I am getting the 25 year award now, then a quick photo opportunity with the Chairman - Museji - shaking hands and him congratulating me (photo not yet available - will post later).

In addition though I have not yet received it I get £300 ... wow, but much more important is 3 weeks extra annual leave this year - so I can take a long and well deserved trip later this year - which looks like being to visit David in South Korea.

Hampton Court Flower Show

The weather was kind to us yesterday, we arrived early so missed most of the traffic, I decided to cut throgh London rather than skirting around on the M25 - good choice me thinks..

This is Suri behind some sculptures of plants designed as a water feature the picture was taken from the entrance side with the Palace on the right hand side, on the other bank you can see some of the main exhibitions and tents.

The crowds were a little less this year, but looking out of the window today at the rain I think we picked the best day of the weekend.

Overall impression was that previous shows, particularly the gardens, at Hampton Court that I have been to have been better, and it felt just a tiny bit smaller - but I may be wrong.

A Night at the dogs

Well last weekend my sister Sue and Alan came visiting and guess where they wanted to go on the saturday night 1st July 2006 - yep to Walthamstow Dogs. Dan and Sophie joined us, it was a hot night.

Although Suri had a couple of winners she did not have much on them, which is a shame really.

Alan decided to bet on the same forecast for the whole night and not one of them came in - though he did have a sly bet on one that came in and helped to make up the shortage that we all had though there was no sharing ... mmm..

All in all a good night was had by all, we hope for better luck next time.

My trip to Luxor - Egypt

Although my trip was some time ago - December 2005 - I thought I would provide a link to a report I wrote and published. This report and a few pictures can be found at:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294205-r4353554-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html

Although a few have commented on its length I do hope you find it interesting.