On Saturday, we took the Mals over the Chase for a good walk around...we then went into Cannock to watch the Rugby World Cup Final...England didn't win, but they couldn't have played much better. For a team that was written off before the tournament had even begun, they did very well. Following the match we went back to The Elms for the karaoke...we stayed over at SJ's parents and then came back home on Sunday morning.
On Sunday, we went round my parents for a bite to eat, then headed down the road to Radlett...we arrived about 16:00 and started to do some of the cleaning. The house was pretty dirty so it needed a real good scrub. Overnight we stayed at The Red Lion.
Monday morning, SJ's furniture arrived bright and early, the removal guys had it all in the house and in place by about 13:00. Not bad for a container load! We got most of the stuff into place and a lot of the boxes opened but there was still a lot to do...
The following day, we picked up my Dad from Watford Junction train station so he could start work converting the shed into kennels for Indi & Chief. We unpacked some more stuff and got some curtains and stuff from Dunelm. Wednesday & Thursday were similar in terms of us fixing things to walls and generally getting things straighter...on Friday though, my Mom came down to help with things...by the end of the day on Saturday, all the curtains were up, and the majority of rooms were relatively straight.
On Sunday, I travelled back up to Rugeley with my parents and picked up the dogs from the kennels. Indi was excited but Chief had the hump!
Well, I've nearly spent my first week here in Radlett with SJ...
Last Wednesday I went down to London to attend the Premiere of Eastern Promises...a screening which SJ had got tickets to through work. The screening was at The Odeon, Leicester Square. It was a pretty good film and we also attended the after show party too...didn't see many famous people though although we did spot Naomi Watts, David Cronenberg & Elle Macpherson. The aftershow party was at Cubbitts Yard in Covent Garden and it was a free bar all night! We eventually moved on to another bar and then decided to have a Chinese at 3:30 am...bizarre!
Anyway, on Thursday morning, it was pretty obvious that SJ was not going to get everything done, so we decided that I would stay down until she moved out (Friday morning). So, Thursday was spent going to the office to drop some stuff off, then coming back to London to clean the flat and pack stuff up. This carried on through Friday morning as they're very particular about how clean the flat is when its handed back...very particular! Anyway, we got everything done then headed up the road to Radlett to pick up the keys and drop some stuff off. We were told we'd get the keys about 2:00...this turned out to be 4:45! We just had time to have a quick look around, move some boxes and then headed back up to Rugeley for the weekend as SJ's stuff wasn't arriving until Monday.
I attended an IET Conference today at Coombe Abbey. The IET is the Institute of Engineering & Technology and the conference was on Wireless Networks. It was pretty good actually...very interesting. the best lecture was from a guy from BP, closely followed by one who made energy harvesters...essentially a product that generates electricity from vibrations...very ingenious. The company was called Perpetuum...one for the future I reckon.
Went down to Luton today...dropped off SJ at the station as she'd got to be in work early, then I carried on to work. Got most of my stuff sorted out and then headed back up the road about 2:00ish. I had to take Chiefy back to the vets at 5:00 for a check up. He was fine...a real star. A little girl in there the other day called him a bear...today a man called him a lion!
I went to pick up my tyre from Kwik-Fit...surprise, surprise it wasn't ready. Got to go back on Wednesday.
Well on Saturday night we decided to go and watch the Rugby in Bar Sport in Cannock...would you believe that England won...again! They're now going to be playing South Africa in the Final next week!
Chief has had the chop today! I felt really sorry for him but it needed to be done...he was getting a tad amorous with Indi. She didn't really appreciate his advances to say the least! I dropped him off nice and early and had a call to say all had gone well at dinnertime.
I also picked up a rescue Malamute today from Strensham services. Her name was Tula...she was a red and a lovely dog...very feisty! She was going to live with a new family in Scotland where she'll live with two male mals and another female. The stretch that I did was from Strensham to Knutsford. On the way I unfortunately had a puncture...still at least I had the opportunity to use the jack! I dropped off Tula and made my way back to pick up Chief...
He was fine...a little sorry for himself and a bit tired but OK. I kept him and Indi separate for the night but I think he'll be OK going forward...
We did an exhibition on Monday & Tuesday at AWE Aldermaston. AWE is the Atomic Weapons Establishment where essentially they have previously made nuclear weapons. The place itself is incredibly tight on security (as you would expect) but the organisation was not great...still it was a good exhibition. We stayed at the Aldermaston Manor.
Well they did it! They beat Australia! Against pretty much al the odds, England managed to outplay the Ozzies...we watched it in Bar Sport ans it was fantastic, the atmosphere was brilliant. We'll be going in there next week to watch England v France! That was another interesting result...New Zealand put out by France...what a day for Rugby!
Also went out on Saturday night with L & R. We had a good night, usual haunts...Bank, BAr Sport, although we did try The Academy...total rubbish but was excellent for watching some very, very odd people...most of them at leats 5 years underage!
On Sunday we went over the Chase with the mutts and then watched TV in the afternoon...enjoyable all in all...
Another Sales Meeting this week, this time in Bristol at The Hilton hotel. Was OK...a little quiet as we were three people down, one whose wife was having a baby, one whose wife was going a little strange and one who was quite violently ill aftert only being there for half a day! Anyway, the hotel was alright but the food was pretty good. I also ventured into the Sauna/Steam Room/JAcuzzi and Swimming Pool on the second day so that was good...
This weekend I'm picking SJ up from the station this afternoon, tonight I don't think we're doing a lot as I've got to pick my parents up from the Satation as well at 8:30...they've gone to see the Grand Designs show at the NEC today. Tomorrow we'll be watching the Rugby in Bar Sport in Cannock then we're also going out in Cannock with L & R later that evening...should be good fun!
Oh, and we'll be watching the Grand Prix on Sunday...Lewis Hamilton could be World Champion...
On Sunday we headed back into the town for wander around. We didn't realise that the Oslo marathon was on today! The town was packed with runners although it didn't really disrupt the town at all. We wandered round a photography exhibition by Steve Bloom Its a wildlife exhibition and the prints were excellent...
We had some lunch in a restaurant by the harbour and the headed back to the hotel to catch a cab, and then the train back to the airport.
Both our flights were on time and we headed back to Heathrow. I met SJ on the Long Term car park and then drove us back to the flat. We were a bit peckish so we ordered an Indian...watched Spy Games and then went to bed. This morning, I headed back up the road to Rugeley. I got back about 11:30.
We headed into Oslo and were confronted by a hell of a lot of beggars...there really were a lot of them and I'm surprised the Norwegian authorities allow them to still be there as they really detract from the overall perception of the city. I think at one point we ended up in the "ghetto" area of the city...anyway, we headed back to the nicer parts and had a meal in Egon's...
It was very nice, but again, very expensive...it cost nearly £90 for a single course meal with a couple of drinks and a bottle of wine!
Was a really enjoyable night...very relaxed and great to be with SJ again...
On Saturday afternoon, SJ and I had a wander round Oslo town centre...my god its expensive! I've never been in a more expensive city! A pint was £8.60, a bottle of house wine - £36! I don't know how people afford to live here! Its a nice place though...very pretty (even though it rained the entire day)!
We had some lunch in a restaurant called Mona Lisa. It was good food, but...expensive...
Back to the hotel to then get changed for the night...
SJ has been in Oslo for most of this week...she went on Wednesday. We decided some weeks ago that I would go over on the Saturday and spend the weekend with her...
I drove to Heathrow on Saturday morning...first time I'd been to Heathrow and its massive! I was flying BA from Terminal 4 so I'd booked into the Long Stay Car Park. I was there early...about 5:30! I had a coffee, read my book for a bit and then caught the flight. I was one of about 7 passengers! And, it was a brand new plane!
I arrived in Oslo about an hour late (we were delayed) and I made my way to catch the Airport Express train to Oslo Centre. SJ had already warned me that a taxi from the airport was over £100! The train was brilliant...it cost about £10 and was really easy. I then caught a taxi from Central Station to the hotel and met up with SJ...yay!!
