Nice and fresh...

I walk through the village church every morning and there is often an amazing early morning sunrise. Thought I would try and capture it today. It was taken on my iPhone camera and is a surprisingly good quality.

Building work

This week we've had the electrician's in. They've been fitting new lights in Radlett, both inside and out. They've got on quite well really, most is now done...just need to actually get the outside lights and we'll be sorted I should think...

Snow...in April?

So, we finally got some snow! Yay! I love the snow, so does SJ and so do the doggies! Indi of course has seen it all before but for Chief it was a bit of a new experience! I don't think he's ever seen that much snow but he took to it all the same...

We went over to a field local to us...here's the pics...



and videos...


not sure why this video doesn't preview correctly, but it's there...just click on the play button...

The Barns

On Thursday night, SJ and I headed North to Rugeley. We'd got the friday off as holiday so wanted to not spend it on the M6 and M1. Actually, it was a good time to travel, we left around 9:00 and got to Rugeley about 11:00...no traffic...

On Friday I took SJ to the Chiropractor and then we headed over to Telford for a spot of shopping. I actually bought some clothes! Its been years since I bought any clothing so for me, this was pretty good.

On Friday night we went to The Barns in Cannock for a surprise birthday meal for J, SJ's friend. It was organised by R, J's partner, The meal was not that good really. The best part was the soup! Overpriced and underwhelming. We didn't carry on into Cannock, we just caught a taxi back home as we'd got to be up early on Saturday...

...or so we thought...SJ was really quite ill on Saturday morning, being sick all over the place...delightful...we eventually managed to get on out way about 12:00. We were heading back down to Radlett as my parents were also heading down to stay with us as we were going to the Ideal Home Show on Sunday at Earls Court. About halfway down the trip, SJ perked up and then seemed to be OK. Whatever it was had gone.

Back in Radlett, my parents arrived about 4:00 and I took them down the town to McNeill Gallery and then round to M & S and Sainsbury's. We came back, had some tea, watched a DVD and then went to bed.

Jobsworth's...

Well we got rid of the mattress at the tip...it was never going to be a long term thing but it's a shame as the dogs did love it...

Had a bit of a lazy day today really...took the dogs round Radlett this morning and this evening and in the middle had some Sunday lunch. Quiet but nice...

Yesterday we took the dogs round Aldenham Country Park. We managed to avoid the ridiculous £4 car parking charge by parking in a nearby lane and walking in. As we were cutting through what is supposed to be the perimeter, one of the wardens came racing up in his new van and berated us for breaking down the "hedge". Now, I have three problems with this:

1. There is no real hedge, moreover just a straggly series of bushes and we certainly did not "break through" anything.

2. There is supposed to be a Public Footpath running through the park which it appears the hedge blocks off very nicely. (We have old maps denoting this right of way).

3. The car park charge of £4 is extortionate. I don't mind paying £1 or £2 but £4 is farsical. I guess they are trying to cover the costs of the small farm there. This is something to be applauded but for regular walkers who have no interest in the farm, why should we subsidise it?

Anyway, rant over...

Last night we went out to Marisha, a restaurant in Radlett. We've been before and this time it was as nice as ever...healthy eating not going well...

Are we sitting comfortably...?

We're having a new mattress delivered for the spare bed in Radlett as the old one is just rubbish...we thought we'd let the dogs have a few days with it before chucking it...I think they liked it!

Back home...

Well we're back and its miserable...it hasn't stopped raining for the last week or so. I've been trying to get round to updating the blog but its been a bit of a struggle to get motivated. We spent the first week back up in Rugeley then went down to Radlett for the next week, coming back up to Rugeley for the 16th as SJ's parents have returned from their 6 month stint in NZ.

We went out for a meal in The Terrazza, an Italian restaurant in Rugeley that just has the most amazing food. We're now back down in Radlett for the next week or so. Plans for the weekend are a little vague at the mo. R & J were supposed to be coming down but their plans have changed. We have asked SJ's parents if they fancy coming down but have yet to hear back. I'm sure we'll end up doing something...

On a separate (more depressing note), I heard today that Heath Ledger had died...what a tragedy, he was a great actor and looked destined to go on to great things...

NB...They're not my pictures above so if anyone has copyright on them and wishes me to remove any, let me know and I will...

Xmas wind down...

Well, I've had a bit of an easy week...all orders are in, well as much as can be anyway. Been to the shops a couple of times but not done a great deal really...mainly just preparing for the NZ and Oz trip next week!

Tonight we're off out...not sure where to as yet - it's a surprise!

We're back up to Rugeley tomorrow and then out in Cannock tomorrow night. Sunday its round my parents for an Xmas dinner (as we won't be here on the 25th), and then on Monday just potter around I think...

Xmas is coming...2

So this week we're down in Radlett. Sunday night we didn't do anything as we were both a bit tired. On Monday I had to go into the office for a couple of meetings and a conference call. The train station was shut and neither of the ticket machines worked...typical...

Monday night SJ was out with some customers so I stayed in, watched a bit of TV...defluffed some clothes (don't ask) and then went to bed...quite boring really!

Xmas is coming...

Saw my Grandad and Lil today. They're going on a cruise again over Xmas so we popped round with their presents. They're looking OK if not a little old. They're away for nearly 3 weeks...very nice!

We then drove down to Radlett in the afternoon. We're in Radlett all week as I've got meetings in Luton for a couple of the days and SJ is in work for most of the week. Back up on Saturday...

Prezzo

Went down to Radlett on Wednesday afternoon. I was supposed to be in Norwich but because of my cold I didn't think that was such a good idea! We went out for a meal at a restaurant called Prezzo...was OK but nothing special...surprising really as it looked superb...

Tofino & CSL

Yesterday & today has been spent in training in our head offices in Luton. These were for a couple of our new products - Tofino & CSL Zone 1 Networking components. Over the weekend, we took the dogs for a walk on one of the routes that Joan (one of the Radlett neighbours) had given to us. Was a really good walk actually - about 4.5 miles. It took us just over two hours so I'm not entirely sure it wasn't longer but still...

Silent Clowns

For the final part of SJ's birthday present, I'd bought tickets to go and see Paul Merton's Silent Clowns. This is something I'd heard about on the radio. essentially, this was to watch the old silent movies, on a big screen, accompanied by a live pianist.

We set off for London on the now ubiquitous train...we arrived in Faringdon and made our way to Smithfields fr something to eat...unfortunately, we were a bit early and all was shut! Anyway, we had a nice walk round and so decided to catch a cab to the Hackney Empire where the show was on. We arrived in Hackney and (starving) tried to find somewhere to eat...well, all the places looked a tad rough but eventually we thought we'd try a Chinese where Chinese people were eating, figuring that it must be good...and good it was...! It was the nicest Chinese I've ever had and I'd definitely go back there! It was worth the trip to Hackney just for the food!

Anyway, meal over, we headed intothe theatre for the show. It was really good...Paul Mwrton introduced his favourite clips of Hrold Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy, etc and it was al plaed on the big screen, live, and accompanied by a live pianist...it was brill...!

We had no such palaver as the ast time we went into London...we got home no problems...

SJ's birthday

Today was SJ's birthday...I'd stayed in Radlett so we managed to spend most of the day together. I bought her a diamond necklace, the Buddy tickets and also Paul Merton Silent Clowns tickets...more on that later.

Anyway, we went into Radlett on the night to a restaurant called Marisha...it was a beautiful meal...oysters, scallops, absolutely fantastic!

I hope SJ had a good day...I know I did!

Buddy - The Musical

Its SJ's birthday on 13th so I decided to take her to see the Buddy Holly show on Saturday. We caught the train into Blackfriars and then intended to catch a cab to Covent Garden...however, here's where our nights performance started! The Lord Mayor's show was on which meant all the roads were shut...no cabs...

We decided to walk as its only a mile or so. We (briskly) walked up to Covent Garden and then tried to find the theatre...slight problem as we didn't know the address as we expected to arrive in a cab...anyway, no matter, we found it. Its called the Duchess Theatre and it was beautiful. As we were (surprisingly) early, we thought we'd go and grab a bite to eat. Second problem of the evening - no vacant restaurants! Eventually we found a table at The Palm Court Brasserie - somewhere we've eaten before, so knew it was nice. And, nice it was! We had Chateaubriand and it was magnificent!

We headed back to the Duchess and lined up for the show. The actual performance was brilliant, we were all singing along and clapping, etc, etc. No doubt helped by the pint of wine we'd both consumed during the interval! As it finished, we thought it'd be a good idea to have some more drinks! Off we trotted to a bar for some Kaprioska's...and they were fine!

By now, we were pretty well oiled so we thought we'd get a cab. No problem except we didn't have enough money. A stop for the cash point later and we arrived at Faringdon. Got on the train just in time and settled in to Radlett.

The next thing I knew, I was being screamed at by Sarah to get off the train...I raised myself from my slumber and slowly realised we were at St. Albans - a stop past where we should have got off...Sarah by now, had jumped past me and shot out of the train doors...I (jumped) up and tried to get out just as the doors were closing...there was no way I was getting out of that train...sure enough, the doors closed, I waved and the train moved on. Now, I should say that at this point, my last image of Sarah was her killing hereslf laughing on St. Albans station platform...I had to walk back into the carriage of people, who by now, were completely awake (from SJ's screaming) and tried to pass it off as if it was the most natural thing in the world...it wasn't, and they all knew it!

Next stop was Harpenden, so my intention was to get off there and just get the next train back. Great plan, however Sarah range to tell me that the next train was at 7:00am...she'd just got into a taxi and advised I did the same...

I arrived in Harpenden and headed for the taxi rank...huge queue so for some odd reason I thought I'd be able to walk it! Off I trotted in the vague direction of Radlett. At this point, SJ rang (who was in a taxi) and basically told me that it was too far to walk (which it was) and that she had a number for another taxi firm. I rang them and, sure enough, they arrived almost as soon as I put the phone down!

The driver took me straight back to Radlett and all was well. Our £7 return (cheap) ticket turned into a £70 nightmare...never mind...twas an experience...!

Radlett & The IMC

Well, I went back down to Radlett on Wednesday as I attended an IMC lecture on the night at MTL. Was great, was good to be back in Radlett. In terms of the journey, it was dead easy...no probs there, no probs back...

The move...Part 2...

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!

The move...Part 1...

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.

Tired...

Went down to SJ's on Tuesday night...we met up first of all in Radlett to have a look round what the place was like at night and then we drove down to London. Radlett is a nice place. I think she (and I) will be very happy there..plenty to do and see and still not a million miles from London.

We went for a meal in Strada when we got back to London. Was OK...nothing really special though...service was awful! The following day I had to be up early as I had to get to Camberley for 9:00. Suffice to say I was there at 7:30 and was a little tired!

Radlett, FTD

Went down to Radlett on Saturday to view SJ's house again. Its still really nice. Very exciting! I think that once the dogs are settled, I'll end up renting the Rugeley house and living down there full time. The main street is great, lots of cafe's restaurants & bars...very cosmopolitan!

Also did the FTD on Sunday,well some of it anyway...was a bit hot so decided to do the green route and some of FTD. Not a bad run though.

Went round Grandad's afterwards, he's looking a little old now. Mind you he had a bad cold so that doesn't help...