Weekend in Liverpool

We spent the weekend back in Lunt as it was Col's nan's 80th birthday. After arriving there late on the Friday night (after a crazy drive in the rain and wind) it was a chillout day on Saturday.

We went to a farm shop and got some nice lamb (having for tea tonight) and then to a couple of pubs, the Scarisbrick Arms and the Scotch Piper (seen opposite).

I'm 24 Today!

My birthday presents so far:










The Magic Numbers Album, courtesy of Will and Chrissy
The Killers Album, courtesy of Will and Chrissy
Shameless Series 3, courtesy of Will and Chrissy
Johnathon Creek, courtesy of Col

As you can see I have done quite well, in addition to chocolates, next vouchers, dorothy perkins vouchers, two pairs of earings and quite a lot of nice text messages.

Not forgetting the weekend before, Colin and Vikki (Saturday night) round for a meal and tapas with 007 (Sunday night).

Even though I have spent most of my day doing revision and waiting for a gas man, all in all I am quite happy and nothing is going to ruin it!

My last day at 23

So it was my last day at 23.

I think I spent it quite wisely, before we went into Reading I noticed some idiot has scratched my car and to make it worse I know who it is grrrrrrr!

At least for my last hours of being of equal age to Col (well till May!) I got a nice tapas meal and a chillout afternoon to show for it.

We also went to go and see the new James Bond film, with what I thought was "a very nice James Bond!" aka Daniel Craig. I was a bit indecisive at first but definately warmed as the film progressed, trailer: www.sonypicutres.com/movies/casinoroyale

Little Man

I am a bit stuck for things to write at the moment, considering all I am doing is revision and erm....revision!

Today was my first day of study leave, so what did I do?

First of all I got up with Col and drove him to work and back, and it was a bit wet! At least I was still back before 9 so cracked on with revision till about 5. Inbetween which British Gas have done whatever it is they keep doing to the boiler (they are now coming again on Monday).

I then went to pick Col up from work, 90 mins later! M4 was so busy, don't think I did more than 30 mph for most of it. I was then supposed to get Cookie some more food and snackaroonies as he is quite possibly due a cleaning (at least the smell indicates so!) but it was closed, doh! Anyway we went to the Stag and Hounds for a quick drink, so it's all good!

Since I have got home Col has pointed out the website www.whenhamstersattack.com which is quite kewl, luckily Cookie is a lot cutier as you can see.

The best bits are the tips on how to prevent a hamster attack, my top 3:

"If you are attacked by a hamster, curl up into a ball and lie motionless on the ground. Most hamsters don’t live past the age of three, so be patient. Chances are you will outlive them"

"If a hamster is chasing you, climb up a tree and hang onto one of the branches. But be forewarned: if the hamster waves at you, DO NOT WAVE BACK (it’s an old hamster trick which might make you fall out of the tree)"

"Stay away from tiny exercise wheels!"

Latest Living Room Purchase

Earlier today after dropping Paul off so he could go on his merry way back to the "Promised Land" we went for a bit of a general wander round Reading.

After a while we went into "But is it Art?" and purchased a full canvas version of the above image, which I think will work quite well above the fireplace as it is already a deep red.

Anyway, the view is of Ullswater at sunset, which I think has captured the "beauty of Ullswater" very well.

Ullswater: The second largest lake in the Lake District boasts many watersports and accomodation alongside the spectacular views, only a short journey from the M6 (J40).
www.ullswater.co.uk

Paper 7 CIMA QBR Day

Well what fun I have had today! Since 9am this morning untill about 4pm I have been answering a variety of questions relating to Financial Accounting.

I did do ok overall, but I also now know there are quite a few things I need to still be practicising.

At least it wasn't a complete disaster, in theory I may have passed, so I can obviously do it after a sort of fashion!

Anyway, going to my only grievance.....a smelly, expensive car park ... grrrr!

That is Garrard Street NCP just behind the station, 50p for every 15 mins and it really stincks of piss!!! What is going on then? Maybe it is the so called impressive "windows" I am paying for?

1st Table Tennis League Match

Well I seem to have survived my first thrashing in the Reading and District table tennis league and it only took 3 1/2 hours!

In all fairness it was against the table leaders who are also fielding players clearly better than the league anyway, not that I am looking for excuses of course!

I think anything other than learning about whatever management theory is behind whatever decision has got to be good!

Unfortunately I was a bit rusty, but after a change in bat and a magic brew and chocolate digestive my mind was set and off I went and gave a bit more of a fight against the number one!

CIMA Revision - Update

Only two weeks to go and it will be the night before the "E" day! I don't really know why it is a problem, not like I haven't done anything, but has it sunk in, that is the question.

I have done the whole reading through things and even spending every evening doing endless questions, fingers crossed it is all worth while.

Well I am doing a QBR session on Saturday, so I guess that will show one way or the other, fingers crossed it's not too bad!

The Real Torchwood

To the left you see the real Torchwood House, situated in Scotland and owned by the MacLeish family, first being open to the public in 1981.

Those of you who have seen Doctor Who Series 2 Episode 2 : Tooth and Claw. Will remember that the Doctor and Rose are visiting Queen Victoria on her one and only visit to Torchwood House. But low and behold there is a werewolf held captive in the dungeons with intention of killing the Royal.

One particular part of the episode had the characters sheltering within the library whose walls were laced with mistletoe oil. For those who are unaware, mistletoe is a sort of warewolf repellant.

Anyhow if you visit: www.visittorchwood.co.uk and have a look in the history section, there will be some very interesting similarities to the plot of Doctor Who.

On the website apart from general information and history of the site is an observatory, most of the options are limited, however, you are able to look at the moon! Maybe this is a potential wedding venue?

Blithe Spirit

Last night we went to South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell to the midnight

showing of "Blithe Spirit" by Noel Coward

[Charles Condomine receives a visit from his first wife Elvira. Unfortunately for him he is now married to Ruth and Elvira is a ghost. Through the use of a bizzare Medium can Charles sort out his little problem. Blithe Spirit is an hilarious comedy which will keep you on the edge of your seat!!! A real Halloween treat] "South Hill Park Website"

It was rather enjoyable, well it must have been if I managed to stay awake throughout, maybe it was the free hot drinks at the interval that made it all worth while. Just a shame it was a very very cold drive home afterwards!