24th May 2014

It’s been a fair stretch since I last set my mind to this family blog (7th April, to be precise), but today’s rain hammering on the patio outside the dining room window has thwarted any hope of more productive pursuits. I did give it a try, though, I braved the chilly dampness of the greenhouse to pot on some tomatoes and sow cabbage and lettuce seeds in the propagator, but eventually, I surrendered to the weather.

Sue, however, has valiantly ventured into town for some shopping. Sarah and Lee are in the lounge, busy with the Wii, showing impressive dedication to indoor sports. Nan is gearing up for a dash into town to “have her face done” (her words, not mine), and Jamie, sensing the rain, has wisely opted for a lie-in. Meanwhile, Charlotte and her crew are basking in 40-degree heat under clear blue skies in Egypt, dodging more than just sunburn with the latest round of terror threats!

So, what have we been up to over the last six weeks or so? Well, it’s certainly been a time of milestones, starting with the end of an era for our once-little Sarah, who has officially completed her degree! Last week saw her sitting her final exam, and next week, she’ll be stepping into her first “real job” in Shepshed, supporting people facing homelessness and mental health challenges. But she’s keeping her options open, with interviews for the police and prison service on the horizon. For now, she’s back home and commuting up the M1, one foot in the world of work, but a toe still in the career decision pool.

Jamie, meanwhile, has been on quite a journey with his job in Brixworth, where he was originally hired to manage the warehouse for a company delivering meat products around the Midlands. But with the business expanding, he’s been pulled into planning their new cold storage facilities in Sutton Basset. Come June, the big move happens, and Jamie will officially be at the helm of the warehouse, a satisfying end to all his hard graft in the planning phase.

As for Charlotte, she’s launched a little garden design and maintenance venture with a friend, which seems to be thriving! They’ve found their niche, fitting the work neatly around school runs and other family commitments. They’re so busy, in fact, they’re turning down projects that require too much input. I honestly don’t know how she juggles it all: her own meticulously kept garden, a productive allotment, a hen-house, and a bustling family life. The photos of her work are truly impressive. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she has a team of little garden fairies helping her out!

And so, on to what Sue and I have been up to since the last blog entry. According to our trusty online calendar, it’s been a busy few weeks.

On the 9th of April, we took a drive to Coventry and stayed in a rather grandiose hotel on the outskirts of Allesley, a building that wouldn’t look out of place in Benidorm, though a tad out of place here! We’d planned a walk for the afternoon, expecting a fairly average route, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The day was warm, the skies were clear, and bluebells carpeted the path. We found a bench by a quaint country crossroads for a picnic lunch, where we noticed a curious trend: nearly every passing vehicle was a 4×4 driven by a youngish woman. Whether they were off to exercise their horses or returning from the stables, we never figured out, but we had a lovely time speculating.

The walk took us through scenic villages and fields filled with thoroughbreds. No matter where we wandered, our hotel’s silhouette loomed, an oversized box plonked on the landscape, clearly a relic of some overly ambitious 1960s planning committee with a Mediterranean vision. It would take a particular kind of optimism to think that a Costa Del Sol-style monolith would add a touch of class to the Warwickshire countryside!

Back at the hotel, still buzzing with energy, we decided to set out on foot to explore Allesley. First stop: Allesley Park, where we’d heard there was a “ruined castle” tucked somewhere in the grounds of an elegant retirement home. After a bit of fruitless searching, we tried our luck in the walled garden, which had been charmingly restored. There, we flagged down one of the gardeners who assured us that the “castle” was indeed just a few hundred metres away.

So off we went with visions of crumbling turrets and ivy-covered stonework in our minds. But, alas, “ruined” was, to put it politely, overly generous. What we actually found was a modest mound, a somewhat sad-looking motte cloaked in trees, with any signs of walls, towers, or indeed any trace of a castle long gone. Likely the handiwork of those very same 1960s planners who gifted Coventry its hotel eyesore! Ah, well, one can’t blame them for everything, but it does feel as though a bit of the medieval magic had been given a hard shove into obscurity.

Dinner at the hotel turned out to be a delightful surprise, though we found ourselves queuing for the buffet alongside two coachloads of tourists from Glasgow. Let’s just say, the lively accents lent a certain “je ne sais quoi” to the evening’s atmosphere. Afterwards, we ventured into Coventry for a screening of ‘Noah’,  starring Russell Crowe. The verdict? Well, it was as biblically accurate as a fish on a bicycle, though to its credit, it was beautifully filmed and not badly acted. An evening’s entertainment, perhaps, but unlikely to inspire any epiphanies.

The next morning’s breakfast was nothing short of a mammoth affair, keeping us fortified as we drove back into Coventry for some last-minute sightseeing. Braced for the reportedly “uninspiring” charms of the city, we were instead delighted! Our two hours at the Cathedral proved thoroughly enlightening, a welcome change from the mythical liberties of the previous evening’s film. The Charterhouse, where we lingered over hot chocolate, was genuinely magnificent, Lady Godiva’s statue made quite the impression, and Spon Street’s preserved medieval buildings were a fantastic surprise.

The highlight? The Old Windmill pub, a gem from Coventry’s medieval past that I’m convinced would be my local if we ever moved here. A fine half-pint of stout for me while Sue indulged her softer side at a nearby Teddy Bear shop. A thoroughly pleasant end to our Coventry escapade before we finally made our way home.

The following day, Andy Sullivan rolled up to tackle the leaky garage roof. Over the course of the week, he stripped off the old roofing, re-boarded it with marine ply, and laid down the initial layer of asphalt. As the week wrapped up, he brought in some extra hands to put down the final layers and seal it all with a blowtorch. I have to say, he did a sterling job (no leaks yet!), though Sue did point out that he seemed to be competing for the title of ‘Messiest Roofer of the Year’.

The following week saw Andy back with a mini-digger, peeling away the top layer of gravel from the driveway. Through one of Charlotte’s contacts, we had a hefty 20 tonnes of 20mm gravel delivered. In one full (and quite back-breaking) day, we managed to spread it over the drive to a depth of about 5cm.

Then, with the driveway refreshed, I turned my attention to the rear garden. The gravel from there was ferried around to the alley at the side, where I filled in the muddy patches that regularly sabotaged my morning cycle routes. With that job done, three tonnes of 10mm gravel arrived, which I spread to give the garden a neat, refreshed look.

If you’re struggling with insomnia, I’d suggest gravel spreading. It’s surprisingly therapeutic, yet so tiring you’ll be sound asleep before your head hits the pillow!

That week, Charlotte and Sue enjoyed a thoroughly lively production of ‘Grease‘ at Welland Park College, which they said was a real treat. We also had a surprise visit from Mrs. Meads, my former classroom cleaner back from my days teaching at Meadows School in Wigston, going back over 20 years now! I’d taught her son, Carl, and Mrs. Meads was a talented seamstress who’d kindly crafted several jumpers and tops for Charlotte, Sue, and me over the years. Though she’s popped by a few times since it had been ages since her last visit. We had a lovely couple of hours reminiscing about people I’d known at the school, many of whom are still there, though I’ll admit, their faces are a bit of a blur these days!

On April 16th, I had a refreshing morning walk around Glaston with John Lee, taking advantage of the glorious spring weather. The following day, Sue whisked Lucas and Ellis off to a new farm park in Husbands Bosworth, while I tackled painting the inside of the garage roof. Then came Jamie’s 25th birthday on Saturday. He celebrated in style, heading off for four days over Easter with his friends to a caravan in Mablethorpe. They lucked out with some decent weather, and judging by the photos on Facebook, a good time was definitely had by all!

On April 26th, Sue and I joined a Council-led walk through Bradgate Park, which was a treat for the senses. The woods were carpeted with vibrant bluebells, giving the whole place a wonderfully peaceful air. We paused briefly to watch a steam train chugging past, perfect for a photo op! Lunch at the pub, however, left a bit to be desired. I ordered the Ploughman’s, and while I’d have expected a bit more cheese, I was instead met with a mountain of lettuce, a feast fit for a rabbit! But the day was redeemed by the pub’s surprising little gem: an antique shop attached to it, which turned out to be far more interesting than the food itself!

On April 29th, John Lee and I ventured off to the Wrekin in Shropshire for a couple of days of walking, with a stay booked at the Buckatree Hall Hotel. We arrived around lunchtime, laced up our boots, and set off up the Wrekin itself. Sue and I had tackled this hill earlier in the year, so I was familiar with the views and terrain, but this time John and I took things a step further. Rather than retracing our steps from the summit, we pressed on to the next hill before circling back along a lower path. Before heading to the hotel, we squeezed in a quick geocache near the car park.

Once settled at the hotel, we decided there was no rest for the weary and headed out again, this time exploring Ercall Hill. By the time we returned, the daylight was fading fast. After a hearty dinner at the hotel restaurant, we rounded off the day by unwinding in the bar, watching some European football on the lounge TV, properly tired out but content!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After breakfast the next morning, we drove to the Stiperstones Inn and left the car to tackle the Stiperstones themselves. The scenery was absolutely spectacular, rugged landscapes, sweeping views, and not another soul in sight. It felt as though we had the whole expanse to ourselves.

After working up an appetite, we returned to the inn for a late lunch. I can wholeheartedly recommend their ploughman salad, as well as the beer, top-notch fuel after a good climb! Later, back at the hotel, we strolled around the lake nearby, soaking up the calm of the evening. Dinner that night was a relaxed affair in the hotel bar, where we chatted over our meal until it was time to call it a night. A perfect mix of exertion, scenery, and simple comforts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following morning, we woke to rain. And not just any rain, but the kind of rain that makes you question whether you should have packed a life-jacket. Despite the downpour continuing to pelt down after breakfast, we bravely set off to begin our walk from the Kynerton Arms in Leighton. We might as well have been walking in a cloud because the rain didn’t let up for the entire trek. However, the low cloud didn’t hide the lovely scenery, and fortunately, our waterproofs did their job, shedding most of the water (and a fair bit of our dignity).

It was lambing season, so we did encounter a few unfortunate dead lambs along the way, something we feared the rain might have had a hand in. But, thankfully, we made it back to the pub before the weather had a similar effect on us. A rustic pint later, and we were feeling somewhat human again. Refreshed and somewhat less soggy, we headed back to Harborough. On arrival, John stopped for a chat with Sue for about an hour, presumably to dry off before continuing his journey back to Bourne.

That Sunday, Nan, Sue, Sarah, and I drove over to Wadenhoe House for Sunday lunch. The place is a beautiful Jacobean Manor House, and it’s famed for its superb Sunday roasts. Needless to say, the meal was absolutely delicious. With the sun shining, we took a leisurely stroll around the grounds afterwards to give the rather substantial meal a bit of time to settle (and, let’s be honest, to avoid any immediate need for a nap).

That evening, I headed off to Welford Road to watch the Tigers take on the Saracens. It was a solid win for the Tigers, although they did manage to almost lose it in the final moments, classic nail-biting rugby! But in the end, the right team came out on top.

 

 

 

 

 

The following Friday, May 9th, I again met up with John in Whissendine for a lovely morning walk, followed by a satisfying lunch at the pub. That evening, I attended the Rugby Club’s Annual Dinner, where the guest speaker was none other than Graham Rowntree, former England and Tigers player. It was an enjoyable evening… well, at least from what I remember!

On May 16th, Charlotte and her family headed down to Gatwick Airport to start their two-week holiday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The day before they left, Charlotte had visited with a sickly hen she was concerned about and asked us to look after it while she was away, fearing the other hens would peck at it. We promised to give it our best care. The hen’s name was Spider, and after a few days of our special attention, she made a full recovery, so we returned her to the hen-house, none the worse for wear.

On the same day, the Rothwells flew, I had a ticket for the Saints v Tigers Aviva semi-final. I gave Andy Spencer and a couple of his friends a lift to the match. We had a pre-match curry at an Indian restaurant opposite the ground, which set the tone for what should have been an excellent day. The match itself was a fast, brutal affair, poorly refereed but with a fantastic atmosphere generated by two great sets of fans. Unfortunately, when the Saints scored a try in the last two minutes to snatch victory, it wasn’t quite the perfect evening I’d hoped for. Sitting among a throng of jubilant Saints fans in the dying moments wasn’t exactly pleasant. Oh well, there’s always next year!

On Thursday, the 22nd of May, Lee brought Sarah back from university, with a car full of her stuff. This week, I’d MOT’d, taxed, and insured her car for her, all in readiness for her birthday. That night, Sarah and Lee went to the cinema to see ‘Bad Neighbours’. The next morning, after opening her birthday presents, they both set off for a day at Alton Towers.

That evening, we had booked a family meal at the Turkish restaurant in Rothwell to celebrate Sarah’s 21st birthday. Sue, Nan, Jamie, and I made our way there, as Lee and Sarah were delayed by heavy traffic on their return from Alton Towers. The meal was very tasty, and we finished the evening at home with a glass of my very own white wine, because nothing says “celebration” like a homemade tipple!

And …… now we are up to date!