The week

I went up to see my lodger in Rugeley on Wednesday. He's fine...should be there till around July minimum. I also saw my Grandfather...he was in the best mood I've seen him for about 12 months. Really good, coherent, logical and good-humoured. I know it won't last but while it does, I'm making the most of it!

I came back down to Radlett on Thursday and SJ and I went out to Tim's Table - a Radlett Chinese restaurant. We've been here a few times but its good food. I had Sizzling, Spicy Beef Szeuchan and SJ had 3 Delicacies. Was excellent...as usual...

This weekend we're down in Radlett - not a lot planned, probably out for a meal tonight but that's about it...

Roxy

A quick post to mark the passing of J & L's dog Roxy. She was a Staffordshire Bull  Terrier, god knows how old but she was old! She was very loving, always wanting fuss...RIP Roxy...

Valentines Weekend

We spent it in Rugeley, having travelled up on Friday night. I cooked the meal...thank god for Sainsbury's recipes...we had scallops in lime and chilli sauce, followed by steak in a red wine sauce with mashed potato and mushrooms. It was delicious...one of the nicest meals I've ever cooked...!

Sunday, it was back down to Radlett for another week of work...

On a somewhat lighter note, my Grandfather has moved into a Nursing Home near Stafford. Its called St Joseph's Convent Nursing Home and it is in fact, a convent. Its really good, exceptionally clean and peaceful with lots of activities going on. He's had a rough time over the last year so I'm glad he's finally somewhere he can settle.

More snow

Last night we had a couple of inches more snow. It was quite amusing to see drivers of "The Ultimate Driving Machine" or BMW (as its more affectionately known) trying to drive up a 5 degree hill covered in approximately 2mm of snow. They simply are rubbish in the snow!

Chief - the ultimate snow dog, has decided that he doesn't like snow...when it falls of the roof, it scares him half to death, so much so that he now refuses to leave his basket whilst that nasty white stuff is around...

Fyne food

On Wednesday night I went out to Loch Fyne in St. Albans. A customer of mine from Israel was over for the week and, knowing he liked fish, decided to try out Loch Fyne. I'd not been before but we'd seen it several times as we wandered around the town. We ordered mussels, oysters and kippers for starters, then salmon, haddock and cod for mains...it was absolutely delicious and pretty reasonably priced. We will be going there again...

I also discovered that The Slug & Lettuce does all bottles of wine for £10 on a Wednesday night - any bottle for £10! That is also something we'll be taking advantage of real soon...!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The UK has been in the grip of a cold spell for the last couple of days. We were stuck in Staffordshire at the weekend, although we managed to get some walks over the chase with the dogs which they loved of course...

I've also got the week off work this week so today I thought I'd do the 9 mile route through Radlett & Aldenham. It was pretty slippy when I started out but was melting by the time I came back.

12.96 Km's = 2hours & 10 minutes, 607 calories

Techincal Certification? Czech...

This week I've been in the Czech Republic undergoing some technical training from one of our channel partners. I flew out of Heathrow on Tuesday, catching a BA flight to Prague airport. A quick taxi ride to the hotel - the Diplomat and I was settled.

Training was intensive then for the next three days. On the first evening we went on a historic tram (1915) ride into the city centre. We then ate at the Pilsner restaurant in the old Municipal House. This was a really typical Czech meal - dumplings, pork etc.

The second night we stayed in the hotel, but the third (and last night) we ate out again...unfortunately I can't remember the name...I'll add it if it comes to me...this was a really nice place with hors d'oeuvres, champagne, gas heaters and a beautiful meal.

The following day, I travelled back to the UK around lunch time, arriving in Heathrow about 13:00.

NYE 2009

This year's New Years Eve we were invited to Matt & Alex's flat in Borough, London. We headed over there ar ound 18:30 and spent a very pleasant (and drunk) evening watching 2009 in with the aid of Boris and his fireworks.

We were worried about returning but there was loads of trains...most of them full of very tired people like SJ and I!

Pizza from Domino's for tea...perfect day really!

Christmas 2008

We broke up from work on Xmas Eve and then...10 days off! Yay!

We cooked dinner for 10 on Xmas Day...very stressful, particularly for SJ, however we battle through. It was really nice, salmon starter, soup, turkey (obviously), veggies, potatoes, loads of desserts and enough alcohol to sink a battleship!

SJ and I decided to buy each other a Nintendo Wii - its's fantastic! Really good fun. We bought the Wii Fit to go with it as well so let's see if we can get fitter!

Did the usual stuff over Xmas - saw family, walked dogs etc, etc. We came back down to Radlett a couple of days before New Years Eve as we were heading into London for NYE.

"Never before has a boy asked for me..."

We went to watch Oliver on Friday night. This was the opening Friday as it was cancelled the week before. It stars Rowan Atkinson as Fagan and Nancy was decided via a public vote on a talent show. It was pretty good, the sets were amazing, however the real star of the show was The Artful Dodger - fantastic performance!!

We had a meal out at one of the West End restaurants beforehand (can't remember which one) but it was OK...nothing special but OK...