Wild Boar Park, Chipping. September 3rd 2010

I had kinda arranged to drive over to see Sandra at some point on my holidays, but unfortunately she had been working on the days I was free to visit, but on the last Friday of my holidays we were both free and arranged to meet up at the Wild Boar Park in Chipping.

This was a challenge for my driving, lots of country roads to navigate, twists, turns, hills, dips. You name it, it was there, and boy did I have to concentrate. Even with my trusty sat nav it was a complicated drive. Yes I got there, and yes it was worth it.

Set in a small valley is basically a sanctuary for an assortment of animals, from Meercats to Red Deer, the task at hand is to wander about the place and find everything. Most of it is located around the visitors centre, but you can still wander off and explore the woods and discover.

Great place to take your kids, and Sandra had brought Robin, her friend Sally and her daughter Rosa. Again the sun was out, as was my camera, and strangely enough we didn't get to see the wild boars until it was time to leave. Ah well.

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Wild Boar Park Website - Link

42nd Birthday

This year as it would be my 42nd birthday it was decided that I would have some kind of do, that do being a fancy dress do, and a do to be held at St Albans club in Blackburn. Some people did ask, why 42, and the obvious reply was, well it's the meaning of life isn't it. To which I would be issued with a puzzled look and a brief shaking of the head. Many of my friends embraced the idea and came in some kind of Pythonesque attire, even Michelle flew over from Spain for the weekend, just to join in with the crazyness.

As the venue had to close around midnight, and not wanting to transform into pumpkins, we ventured into the night and sought refuge in a local drinking establishment, The Napier. A few heads were turned, but some patrons saw the joke and kindly got into the spirit of it all. In all a splendid night was had by all, a few old faces made their current faces visible. Images of such have been digitally captured for posterity and made available by the wiggle and click of a plastic mouse.

Thanks to all those who made it a night to remember.

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Cornwall - August 2009

Wednesday - arrived, had brief walk with kids and Mango. Sandra, Jos and Robin are also here.








Thursday - Went for great walk to celebrate 41st birthday, Chapel Porth to Porthtowan. Had food at the Blue (lamb curry), few beers, watched sunset and came home. John had baked a special cake with courgettes in, it may sound strange, but it was most splendid, and we did consume with great gusto.








Friday - Drove out to Hells Mouth, clambered down to beach, had glorious day of sunshine, drove home, had chinese take away for tea, more beer.








Saturday - Robin was all dressed up by Freya and Willow, visited Wheal Coates and the painted cow, home for cups of tea. Sandra, Jos and Robin drove home.











Sunday - Day of mist, me and Pla take Mango for long walk, head down to St Agnes, have couple beers, then wander back home for more beer.








Monday - Lucie and Fred paid a brief visit, had cups of tea in the garden, bought obligatory pasty, and flew home.








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Sandra and Michelle's 40th Birthday Party

Last night saw what could have been described as a celebrity gathering, if any real celebrities were actually there. Instead we took it upon ourselves to dress up all fancy like, and be somebody else for the night. All was in celebration of Michelle and Sandra's 40th birthdays. So here we were in Hebden Bridge, in a small room above the Stubbin Wharf pub, a dancing and a feeding, a chatting and laughing. Catching up with familiar faces from our respective past, capturing digital snapshots for the future.

A slight hiccup caused me a slight embarrasment, when my laptop decided to shut down, it had become too hot from sitting on a paper tablecloth. A quick restart and a mouse converted into a temporary prop, allowed the music to continue (phew). I had also managed to create a slideshow of images, and had them projected large form, for people to gape at and giggle. you can see some of them in the background, of the video at the end of this entry.

The highlight of the evening was the floorshow, when Michelle and Sandra, dressed up as the Anadin Brothers from Dr & the Medics, performed a choreographed jig and swirl to 'Spirit In The Sky'. Everyone who had come as somebody else excelled in their attire, 2 Elvis's (or Elvii), Meat Loaf, Cher, Captain Sensible, Bananarama, Avril Lavigne, Mama Cass, John & Yoko to name but many. Eventually the evening came to a close and we all slinked back to our regular existance, but images remain to remind us of an unforgetable night.

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Bowling For Christmas

It used to be the tradition that we would all meet up for something to eat between Christmas and New Years, often at someones house for a buffet. The last few years we have not been bothered to do it, for one thing or another, but this year, it would return.

Michelle would be over in England for Christmas and excuses made & a meet up arranged. This year we would be eating out, and then later, bowling. The eating part had been added at the last minute and so not all could meet that early. Fortunately the eating place was only round the corner and so walking to bowl easy. A slight delay in seating and a shoddy service at the eatery made sure that those waiting for us at the bowling had to join us for a beer at the eatery. Now we are all together, names can be revealed.

Me, Michelle, Sandra, Gillian (Sandra's sister), Kieran & Lee.

Bellies full of Mexican digestables, we waddled our way over the road to view the Vue, and bowling for Christmas. Having paid money and exchanged our shoes, our lane awaited. I had only been bowling the once before, and Lee had been a few, the rest of us were innocent in the kind of fun that would follow.

3 games, many hurling of bowls, Lee having Wii arm, silly strike dancing, beer, my winning of the 1st and last game, Gillian the winning of the 2nd game, lots of hillarity, applause at strikes, Sandra being crowned the gutter queen, and me having the highest overall score.

With this all said and done, we heading back into Blackburn for a few more well earned beers. Sadly Kieran was to go home before more drinking, but it did not stop the rest of us.

Maybe we will do this all again, sometime.........

Strawberry Duck - October 2008

As Kirsty and Pla had ventured north to mark the event that was Kirsty's 40th birthday, we decided to meet up and drink beer, the location for this mass consumption would be the Strawberry Duck, former venue for many a drunken night out. The Duck was one of the only pubs in the area at which you had a wide variety of real ale, and for our return visit, we hoped that this would still be the fact. Luckily for us it was still home for many an oddly monikered ale of three.

Those attending this cold wet evening would be Pla, Kirsty, Kieran, Sandra, Myself, Lee and Gillian (Sandra's sister), she had nothing better to do and is taking the picture.

Merriment and consumption of ale began, continued though a game of musical chairs, well we moved from one room to another, and ended via the train back to Blackburn in the Napier. Fortunately this pub had quite a few more fellow drinkers than the Duck, a bit sparse was the Duck, the barstaff nearly outnumbered the patrons.

gallery

Strawberry Duck - October 2008

As Kirsty and Pla had ventured north to mark the event that was Kirsty's 40th birthday, we decided to meet up and drink beer, the location for this mass consumption would be the Strawberry Duck, former venue for many a drunken night out. The Duck was one of the only pubs in the area at which you had a wide variety of real ale, and for our return visit, we hoped that this would still be the fact. Luckily for us it was still home for many an oddly monikered ale of three.

Those attending this cold wet evening would be Pla, Kirsty, Kieran, Sandra, Myself, Lee and Gillian (Sandra's sister), she had nothing better to do and is taking the picture.

Merriment and consumption of ale began, continued though a game of musical chairs, well we moved from one room to another, and ended via the train back to Blackburn in the Napier. Fortunately this pub had quite a few more fellow drinkers than the Duck, a bit sparse was the Duck, the barstaff nearly outnumbered the patrons.

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A Pendle walk for Kieran's Birthday

Kieran had decided he wanted to celebrate his 40th by walking up Pendle Hill and being one who enjoys a good walk, I would accompany him along with Sandra T, and Jos, little Robin and Holly the dog.

After being picked up we proceeded to Kieran's for a quick cooing over baby Taliah, a quick hello to Sharon and a handing over of presemts to Kieran. Not his birthday for a few days, so was under instruction not to open until the correct day. His present from me being a miniature Jimmy Page double neck Gibson guitar.

So off we did trot, walk and be carried.

For most of the day the weather stayed fine, that was until Jos and Sandra headed back, whist me and Kieran with Holly continued upwards and onwards. The sky turned black and we got a soaking. Despite that the summit was spectacular, with views all over Lancashire. Descending back into the village via the rocky steps was somewhat akin to Frodo and Sam taking the ring to Mount Doom, only we were heading back, and are real people and not characters from a book.



We returned to the car park only to see little Robin chasing ducks, trying to feed them. Eventually he gave up and ate the bread himself. Kieran headed home with Holly, and I got a lift back with Jos and Sandra, stopping breifly at my house to have a quick look at my much improved yard / garden.

April - Birthday Month No. 1

And so it is April, and what have we here, a month of birthdays, 4 to be precise. What is it with me and my friends, of all the months of the year, we congregate our birthdays around 2 months. Firstly April and secondly September. Obviously there are a few exceptions, but on the whole most of our birthdays occur during those 2 months. Horrorscopes, too vague and abstract, its a sim0le fact, our parents really enjoy 2 points during the year, summer and christmas. Check your calendar.

Anyway those having birthdays this month are as follows, Michelle, Kieran, Sharon and Sandra T.

Also this year there will be many 40ths, the first being Kieran.