We all went over to The Trout in Wolvercote, just outside Oxford, for Prue and Andrew's 50th wedding anniversary, which was the very day (Sat 11th Feb) in 1967. The pub was massive, right by the Thames, but a great place. Unusually for us we got there early, after an easy 1 3/4 hr drive from Cambridge. Nice occasion. P&A are both very encouraging people, because they are in their 80s but still apparently making no concessions to age. People:
Me, C, Amy, Minnie, Jim, Samuel, obvs.
Dad (no mum, as she didn't feel up to it)
Ali (no Jonathan, as he was looking after mum)
A & P, obvs
John Bowers, who is Prue's brother in law, her sister Sue having gone West last year. He is 90 and frail. I believe he came over on the kindertransport before the war, and still has a noticeable German accent
Chris Bowers, son of John. He is a tennis commentator, writer and journalist. I believe he has also written I biography of Nick Clegg (whatever happened to him?)
Tamara Bowers, teenage daughter of the above. Parents no longer together.
Jenny Johns (nee Bowers), sister of Chris. She is an accomplished cellist and works for the Royal College of Music I believe. Was a choral scholar at Trinity in the early 80s.
Stephen Johns, Husband of Jenny. He is a pianist and classical music recording producer. He has won 3 Grammys in the latter capacity. Tall man. Very tall.
Louisa Johns, daughter of the above. She went to Durham to do Physics and is now at Kings' London doing data science. In my day data scientists didn't look like that. Very bright and driven. He brother Seb is at Cambridge and didn't come.
VV, Rick & Martha, obvs
Flickr photos
Went to the Johns' house afterwards for chats and cake. Can't remember the last time I spoke to Jenny, but everyone is just terribly nice and also quite impressive. That side of the family has some real musical and IQ chops, that's for sure. Then on to Ali's for overnight. We descended like badly-behaved locusts. Sam didn't wanoo go to sleep, but eventually did, until 3AM at least. Was a good time though, and we will see the Hulls, the Gills and the Johns again in Cornwall in April.
Mum has not been well, but she could have come. Shame she didn't, but she just doesn't want to leave the house.
Sunday, 12 February 2017
Thursday, 1 September 2016
Cnorwall 2016
Friday 19th Aug
Good drive. Leaving at 6:30 did us proud and the only real hold up was Bodmin, where they are still dualling the road. A bit of a wait at Gartul then to 14 Bay View, and fish n chips for dinner.
Saturday
Edwardses arrived. Chill day?
Sunday
Perranuthnoe. A bit blustery from the East and sunny but not exactly tropical. Eventually went in for the surf...
Monday
Team walk to Loe Bar and Anson cross with Edwardses. Grasshopper catching.
Tuesday
Walk from Penrose to the Bar. Bigger children completed the circle on their own.
Wednesday
Frenchman's Creek walk. Kettle Barton, the creek, the “shipwreck”, Penarvon Cove, the Shipwrights Arms. Started off drizzly but got sunny later.
Thursday
St Michael’s Mount. Walked the causeway back with shoes off. Messed about on the beach a bit. Pizza from the deli on Fore St. Sunny.
Friday
Porthleven day. Pasties for lunch, crabbing, and seeing VV and Rick. Farewell to the Edwardses in the evening, sadly. Wish things weren’t so tense between me and C. Not happy. Perfect evening, weather sunny and warm in an unusual kind of way.
Saturday
Did the walk back from Rinsey. Sam a bit complainy occasionally but basically a trooper for walking 3 miles over tough ground and not needing to be carried very much at all. Spent some time at GarTul afterwards, which was nice, A&P hunted for Rocket track in the loft, giving no quarter to age. UA flying Nelson’s pennant for lifeboat day, and complaining about Trevor Osborne flying the white ensign. Set fair for the next few days.
Sunday
Lifeboat day. Face painting and bouncy castle on the harbour head with Min Jim and Sam. Watched the coastguard helicopter from Gartul.
Monday
Perranuthnoe beach day with Rick and VV. Surf not so good with a fresh easterly but I still went in. Made an epic sandcastle too, the destruction of which as the tide came in Sam really enjoyed.
Tuesday
Went to Lanhydrock, which was excellent in a very Downton kind of way. Then to Sue's place nearby where the children had a great time playing water battles in the garden. Home, and cooked for Prue and Andrew. Amy joined us, and it was all very civilised. No concessions to age again.
Wednesday
Went over to Gartul with the boys to do some rockpooling and also took the chance to see Chris Bowers, who is in residence with Tamara and a friend for a week. He's a journalist, and likes talking. Good to catch up with that side of the family though. Sam did well getting down the cliff. Jim perhaps less totally enthusiastic about rock pools than he used to be, but I suppose that's time marching on. Tide was rising so we scrambled up the wrestling fields escape route. Sam did well again. Feel like I have seen more of AP and UA this holiday, which is good. Didn't manage to get the Rocket running successfully but it's coming to us soon so perhaps that's ok.
Thursday
Last day. Went over to the Penlee gallery in PZ with VV and Martha. Gallery small but really good. Had lunch and went to the shell shop for soofenirs, then an amble along the prom back to VVs. Really good to see a bit more of her. Don't want to go home - I'm kind of jealous of what Rick did in escaping his former life and building a new one that he values down there. I don't really want to be in Cambridge and I'm not sure about the job I do but we none of us walk a perfect path I guess.
Aftermath
Triumphant departure at 0630 and a relatively trouble free but tired and grumpy drive home. Cambridge dry and full of cares, as per, but C and I had a calm weekend. Girls back on Tuesday, Jim on Friday.
Cornwall timeline
2009 October Tremayno
2010 Tremayno (for 1 week I think)
2011 summer no. 6 Bay View and the house up behind Gartul. Richie there that year.
2012 The Anson no. 1 Bay View for 2 weeks. Got married at St. Mawes and "reception" on lifeboat day
2013 no. 14 Bay View for 2 weeks. Sam's first visit.
2014 St. Ives for a week, then Cordelia.
2015 Cordelia for one week
2016 no. 14 Bay View for 2 weeks
Friday, 10 June 2016
Sicily, post fact
Photos
Saturday
Got out of the house on time at a leisurely 11am to drive to Gatwick. This had not been certain as Sam had spent all of the previous day being poorly and sick. First thing we were worried about him but he picked up and we went. Uneventful journey. Gatwick v familiar from Rhodes, Barbados and others. Sam and all the kids were good but increasingly bored at the day went on, especially as the flight finally left at 5:30 instead of 4 as scheduled. Sam initially excited but then v tired on the plane, and when forced to put his seatbelt on for turbulence kicked off in spectacular fashion. Minnie unbelievably irritating. Jim stellar. Met by Roberto at Catania and taken to Villa Priscilla, where we were met by Anand the Nepali caretaker. Villa is "individual" in decoration. To bed, knackered all.
Sunday
Villa grounds huge and fantastic. Like a posh Gartul in the med. with a brilliant swimming pool. Spent the whole day chilling and pooling. Kids happy but still toired. Avis car turned up - they brought two of them for us to choose between and we had the Galaxy.
Monday
Etna day. Slightly stressful start to the day trying to get out by 8 for a 9:30 start at Etna. Slightly stressful drive as C in driver's seat and me navigating. Stressful start to the tour because directions weren't precise enough. Fabio the guide was great though and the tour took us to lava fields, extinct cones and a lava tunnel. Kids did well. Sam a trooper, but inevitably tired and hot. Etna romantically visible from the garden in the evening.
Tuesday
Went to Noto "on the way" to Auchan in Syracuse for supplies. Noto OK in a honeyed baroque way but not really any better than the Amalfi towns and a bit more run down. Worth a visit though. Got gelati which kept the kids happy, and arancini which kept me happy. C only intermittently stressed. Auchan useful - bought fiorentina beef for the barbie and C only stressed at the end. Children relieved to get back to the pool. I cooked on the excellent bbq then got stressed because I'd been clearing up after them for an hour and the couldn't even be bothered to put their baci wrappers od the sodding table. C and I are going to have to find a way of going on holiday ourselves I think, because although the villa is great, the kids are getting a lot out of it, and we will remember it, there is an underlying irritation and stress that is there all the time. As I write some idiot Italian is doing circuits above us in a helicopter. Probably looking for Libyans climbing the cliff. Doesn't help with the calm.
Wednesday
The other activity day. Calmer this time, and we got out of the house on time and pretty much stress-free. Depressingly rainy and grey, but at least we're not by the pool. Drove to Syracuse, through the deeply unimpressive outskirts and on to Ortigia. Parked in the terrible Parcheggio Talete, but then the further you go into the island the nicer it is. A proper Italian town - reminders of Amalfi, Rome, Venice etc. in a small way. The duomo was unlike anywhere I've been before - the 5th century BC temple of Athena converted to a church, dating from the 7th century, with the original Doric columns still visible in the walls. It was a evangelised by St Paul himself. We didn't have long enough in Ortigia because we had to get to the Parco Archeologico for a private tour with the enthusiastic Alessandra. Kids were very good with it and learned plenty I'm sure. Only stressful but was when I had to contact the Thinking Traveller concierge to delay our pizza booking with Anand and Nirisha. Texts wouldn't work. Bloody EE. Never had that with Vodafone. Kids had a late night because we had fantastic fresh pizza cooked in the on-site oven. Sam played with Nathan. All happy, except perhaps for C, who was stressed by the behaviour of her daughters. I didn't actually think it was that bad, but perhaps I had my Nero d'Avola goggles on.
Thursday
Second relaxation day. A bit cooler, but sunny. All happy. Jim spent most of the day in the pool, girls spent most of the day watching YouTube vids. Sam watched telly and went to pirate island.
Friday
Being the last day of our trip. Got out reasonably early and went to Taormina, which was about an hour away and surprisingly easy for parking etc. It is lovely, and in the most amazing position high above the sea. Pottered and saw the Greek theatre, did a bit of souvenir shopping. Sam got a Dusty out of Planes from a seller on the piazza with the view and was totally happy thereafter. Was hot and generally idyllic and the kids were chilled. Got home mid afternoon and had a mini celebration for Minnie's birthday, including a very Italian cake full of pistachio gloop that only I liked. C put a firework on top of it which almost gassed poor Jim to death. Packing in the evening, most reluctantly - Jim actually cried, saying it was the best place he'd ever been and he would never get to do anything like it again. He was OK after some encouragement and the prospect of Cornwall for two weeks in the summer.
It's a ungalow.
Aftermath
A pretty easy journey back via Catania, Gatwick and daddy's big red car. The rest of the weekend was subdued - everyone was tired and Jim in particular had some post holiday blues I think. He went back to his mum's, internalising everything as usual, on Monday evening, and had the Tuesday off school. Apparently he was "exhausted" but he hadn't really shown much of that here. Perhaps he decompresses (or re-compresses?) once he's at him mum's..?
Saturday
Got out of the house on time at a leisurely 11am to drive to Gatwick. This had not been certain as Sam had spent all of the previous day being poorly and sick. First thing we were worried about him but he picked up and we went. Uneventful journey. Gatwick v familiar from Rhodes, Barbados and others. Sam and all the kids were good but increasingly bored at the day went on, especially as the flight finally left at 5:30 instead of 4 as scheduled. Sam initially excited but then v tired on the plane, and when forced to put his seatbelt on for turbulence kicked off in spectacular fashion. Minnie unbelievably irritating. Jim stellar. Met by Roberto at Catania and taken to Villa Priscilla, where we were met by Anand the Nepali caretaker. Villa is "individual" in decoration. To bed, knackered all.
Sunday
Villa grounds huge and fantastic. Like a posh Gartul in the med. with a brilliant swimming pool. Spent the whole day chilling and pooling. Kids happy but still toired. Avis car turned up - they brought two of them for us to choose between and we had the Galaxy.
Monday
Etna day. Slightly stressful start to the day trying to get out by 8 for a 9:30 start at Etna. Slightly stressful drive as C in driver's seat and me navigating. Stressful start to the tour because directions weren't precise enough. Fabio the guide was great though and the tour took us to lava fields, extinct cones and a lava tunnel. Kids did well. Sam a trooper, but inevitably tired and hot. Etna romantically visible from the garden in the evening.
Tuesday
Went to Noto "on the way" to Auchan in Syracuse for supplies. Noto OK in a honeyed baroque way but not really any better than the Amalfi towns and a bit more run down. Worth a visit though. Got gelati which kept the kids happy, and arancini which kept me happy. C only intermittently stressed. Auchan useful - bought fiorentina beef for the barbie and C only stressed at the end. Children relieved to get back to the pool. I cooked on the excellent bbq then got stressed because I'd been clearing up after them for an hour and the couldn't even be bothered to put their baci wrappers od the sodding table. C and I are going to have to find a way of going on holiday ourselves I think, because although the villa is great, the kids are getting a lot out of it, and we will remember it, there is an underlying irritation and stress that is there all the time. As I write some idiot Italian is doing circuits above us in a helicopter. Probably looking for Libyans climbing the cliff. Doesn't help with the calm.
Wednesday
The other activity day. Calmer this time, and we got out of the house on time and pretty much stress-free. Depressingly rainy and grey, but at least we're not by the pool. Drove to Syracuse, through the deeply unimpressive outskirts and on to Ortigia. Parked in the terrible Parcheggio Talete, but then the further you go into the island the nicer it is. A proper Italian town - reminders of Amalfi, Rome, Venice etc. in a small way. The duomo was unlike anywhere I've been before - the 5th century BC temple of Athena converted to a church, dating from the 7th century, with the original Doric columns still visible in the walls. It was a evangelised by St Paul himself. We didn't have long enough in Ortigia because we had to get to the Parco Archeologico for a private tour with the enthusiastic Alessandra. Kids were very good with it and learned plenty I'm sure. Only stressful but was when I had to contact the Thinking Traveller concierge to delay our pizza booking with Anand and Nirisha. Texts wouldn't work. Bloody EE. Never had that with Vodafone. Kids had a late night because we had fantastic fresh pizza cooked in the on-site oven. Sam played with Nathan. All happy, except perhaps for C, who was stressed by the behaviour of her daughters. I didn't actually think it was that bad, but perhaps I had my Nero d'Avola goggles on.
Thursday
Second relaxation day. A bit cooler, but sunny. All happy. Jim spent most of the day in the pool, girls spent most of the day watching YouTube vids. Sam watched telly and went to pirate island.
Friday
Being the last day of our trip. Got out reasonably early and went to Taormina, which was about an hour away and surprisingly easy for parking etc. It is lovely, and in the most amazing position high above the sea. Pottered and saw the Greek theatre, did a bit of souvenir shopping. Sam got a Dusty out of Planes from a seller on the piazza with the view and was totally happy thereafter. Was hot and generally idyllic and the kids were chilled. Got home mid afternoon and had a mini celebration for Minnie's birthday, including a very Italian cake full of pistachio gloop that only I liked. C put a firework on top of it which almost gassed poor Jim to death. Packing in the evening, most reluctantly - Jim actually cried, saying it was the best place he'd ever been and he would never get to do anything like it again. He was OK after some encouragement and the prospect of Cornwall for two weeks in the summer.
It's a ungalow.
Aftermath
A pretty easy journey back via Catania, Gatwick and daddy's big red car. The rest of the weekend was subdued - everyone was tired and Jim in particular had some post holiday blues I think. He went back to his mum's, internalising everything as usual, on Monday evening, and had the Tuesday off school. Apparently he was "exhausted" but he hadn't really shown much of that here. Perhaps he decompresses (or re-compresses?) once he's at him mum's..?
Sunday, 10 April 2016
Bournemouth blog
Arrived Thursday afternoon at grandma-by-the-sea's, and then to the Hilton, which is kinda posh. Quick stroll to the "beats" and then the Weatherspoon for dinner. Samuel grumpy. Jim a bit grumpy, but mostly excited. Us and Sampops in interconnecting rooms and the three others in their own pit. Everyone slept pretty well. Sam is a good boy in these circumstances, having been trained well (by me). John seems weaker, more tired, and that's about it. He's a real stoic.
Friday morning had a big hairtel (tm) brekky, before another visit to Craigmoor Ave to see gma and gpa. Back to Bournemouth then to Tesco for sandwiches (taken in-room) and then to the aquarium. The turtles were good - green ones like the ones we swam with in Barbados 4 years ago. Sigh. Having difficulty with children today. V frustrated and short with Sammy. I reckon it takes me 36 hours to get used to the stress of having them around. Then back to the hairtel for a swim in the posh subterranean pool, running the gauntlet of naked fat blokes in the changing rooms. Children had fun, apart from Sampops, who refused to go in, presumably because of worries about doinasink, after his Christmas experience in Southampton. Pizza express in the evening, which was more successful. Kids all happy and excited.
Saturday started bright, but annoying because Sam had set his alarm to go off at 7:10. It woke me and Caroline but fortunately not him. Well trained, definitely. Off to Lulworth, after getting sandwiches at Subway, with the clouds descending. Cold walks around the cove. Jim and I skimmed stones while the others went to the visitor centre. He's pretty good now. Last time I was here I proposed to Caroline. 4 years ago, or a lifetime. Sun came out so we went with the momentum and walked to Durdle Door (or Dumble Door as the children called it). Sammy did so well. He needed a little incentivisation with fudge, a sugar mouse and choc, but basically he walked the whole way, with the odd carry here and there. He's only 3. Bodes well for the Lakes next year. Then to gma's, where we had tea and all were happy. Jim seems to feel a real sense of belonging, and he gave C an unsolicited hug in the kitchen, which is a rare and special thing. Min and him have been scratchy together, but only because Min is allowed to stay up until stupid hours. It's such a problem, knowing whether to intervene, because although we're supposed to let the parent deal with such things, it does affect my boy.
Flickr
Flickr
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Easter weekend
Had the kids from Friday evening, having had a productive day sorting out the garden and going to Simpsons etc. Finished off on Saturday morning, while the smaller ones messily made egg nests, and then to town for something. Phone cases, that's it. Now that Min and Jim have phones. Ate German sausages on the wall at King's and then home. Sunday was egg hunts and me hating myself for not going to church. Caroline complaining at my grumpiness. But a nice scoot around Jesus Green and then sojourn in the Fort St George. Monday we all went to see Kung Fu Panda 3 - Sammy's first trip to the cinema - and then to the buffet place next door and the arcade. Classy. Slightly fraught but still fun. Sam was good in the cinema and KFP3 was great. Tues I was back at work while C looked after them. Sam pooed on the floor. But Wednesday morning was a triumph as he finally decided to do it in the potty after about three weeks or so of crapping in his pants. Can't tell you how pathetically pleased the rest of us were, even the other children.
Sunday, 21 February 2016
Feb half term '16
I took Monday, Tuesday and Thursday off from the new job at Worldpay. They give me 30 days hurrah. Had the kidz Mon and Tues.
Saturday had a trip to Pizza Express Paddington Basin to catch up with Richie, Shina and Hugh. First time I have seen the cousin in a while, and Dad turned up too. Sam excited to meet "Baby Few".
Sunday was a doss day, Monday was bowling and lunch in Ely, and a nice visit to the Cathedral. Jim saw the prayer request board at the back and wanted to write a card. He just put "my family". Another easy day on Tues and then took Jim back on Weds while the girls and Sam went to London to see the Edwardses. Thursday I took off to look after the Samster while C went to London to be on R4's book club. Was lovely.
Some pics here.
Saturday had a trip to Pizza Express Paddington Basin to catch up with Richie, Shina and Hugh. First time I have seen the cousin in a while, and Dad turned up too. Sam excited to meet "Baby Few".
Sunday was a doss day, Monday was bowling and lunch in Ely, and a nice visit to the Cathedral. Jim saw the prayer request board at the back and wanted to write a card. He just put "my family". Another easy day on Tues and then took Jim back on Weds while the girls and Sam went to London to see the Edwardses. Thursday I took off to look after the Samster while C went to London to be on R4's book club. Was lovely.
Some pics here.
Monday, 7 December 2015
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