Month: May 2010

Mal and I went to Vision Express to have our eyes tested. I have to say that it was the most thorough eye test I have ever had. Yes, we both need new glasses.

Mal had ordered some jewellery on line from a jeweller’s in Chester for my birthday, to cut a long story short they took the money and then weeks later said they were not making the item any more. This left Mal little time to choose anything else, apart from the excellent Mediteranean flower book he bought me and also a squezze box (internet radio/ music centre). So, as both my engagement and wedding rings get really tight in the heat in Cyprus, I decided to have them made slightly bigger. My engagement ring was an antique ring bought from Cuttings in Margate  and they made my wedding ring to match it. As they are such a reputable jeweller we went back there. They will both be ready on Friday and Mal also bought me another antique diamond, platinum and gold ring, for my belated birthday present!

We then went back to the caravan and packed yet again and headed off for Coventry where Mal had another meeting the following day at the Hilton. There were no rooms available at the Hilton so we had to stay in the Premier Inn. I have to say we had our doubts but it was excellent and for food you use the restaurant next door, Taybarn….never heard of them but for £7.99, it is eat all you can!!  This includes soups, salad, chinese, grill, carvery, fish and chips, all the deserts and much more!!  We also discovered that OAP’s can eat there during the day for £3.99!! There really are some bargain meal prices to be had in the UK now. So, we had a good meal and a bottle of wine and then back to our room to watch the football. I know England won but not exactly a sparkling game on their part! We had the air con all night as it was still very warm – unusual for the UK in May!

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It was such a hot day (for the UK!) about 28 degrees. Mal was seriously into marking exam papers. For about the third time I went out looking for an outfit for Lou and Rhys’s wedding.  I went to De Bradelei Wharf Designer Outlet in Dover. I tried on a lot of things but I don’t want orange or lime green which the shops seem to be full of and neither am I a size 10!!  No luck. I did buy a new frying pan for the caravan!!

Mal started on his exam papers, I did make a small contribution helping him to tick boxes and other bits of the boring stuff and then I went shopping! I think it took Mal the whole day just doing preliminary paperwork. I always forget when I am here to stop talking to him! There are loads more parcels to come but the picture is how many there are just to start.

We said goodbye to everyone, including Torin’s two dogs along with him, Karen, Scarlet and Jack and packed our bags again and went to the caravan.  It was HOT!!

We opened the door to the caravan and there were parcels everywhere, all Mal’s exam marking. Ther office had put them in the caravan for us. In fact it was a long time before I could unpack as there was little room to move.

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We were up early again, packed our bags and headed for Torin’s. Jack’s chicken pox wasn’t too bad, so we took Jack and Scarlet out to lunch and had a trip to Toys r Us on the way home and then spent time in the garden.

In the evening we had a take away and sat in the garden with a few bottles of wine as it was so warm.

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We left Cardiff in the morning and drove to my sister’s in High Wycombe. Marion cooked us a lovely dinner after which the men sloped off to the pub!

MY 60th BIRTHDAY!!

We woke up to sun…in Cardiff!!  That is unusual but it was a really nice day.

Mal and I left the hotel and went to M and S cafe for our breakfast and then on to see the children. I really didn’t want to do anything special during the day it was enough being with them all. Seeing as we need new screens for around the swimming pool, we decided to go off to Ikea and buy some with Lou, Rhys and the littlies. We all filled our faces with hot dogs and ice creams!!

When the boys came home from school, they gave me my present and later we all went out for a family meal at Cosmo in Cardiff Bay. Brilliant meal. The food at Cosmo is amazing and as you can see from the pictures the kids love it there. It is an eat all you can but has a mixture of Chinese, Indian, Japanese etc foods and the deserts are excellent. I also had fresh cooked scallops. I think everyone ate as much as they could(!) and then we went for a long walk around Cardiff Bay, to walk off some of our excess! Josie even had her party dress on and then slept through the whole proceedings.

Thank you to everyone for all my presents, cards and birthday wishes. I am now looking forward to getting my bus pass, 10% discount in Boots and free eye tests!!  It is well worth reaching 60!

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