The first of our 2024 cat sitting ventures, this time coupled with a meet up with friends in Nottinghamshire on the way back (of which more later). As usual, we made our customary overnight stopover at the Wentbridge Hotel on the way up to Sunderland; not sure if our expectations have changed but whilst perfectly fine, it no longer appears to be the special treat delivered by previous visits. Anyone else feel the same? No. Just me then đŸ™‚
General
Was It Worth It Then, Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz?
And by “It“, I am of course referring to the money that even a one year stay in the Premiership affords. Not forgetting the parachute payment received after one glorious season in the top flight before a speedy return to the Championship! What first attracted you to the cash cow that is Sheffield United?
Rhone Cruise – May 2024
Returned from last week’s Rhone cruise, which was a first on so many levels. For a start, it was the first time on a flight since September 2019, after which the pandemic forced a blindingly stark retreat into home isolation and very restrictive travel options; and although we have had a number of holidays since, all but one (the Saga cruise) had been on home turf. The flights were also operated by Ryanair, a company I’d always sworn blind I would never fly with again. But, the Rhone and this particular itinerary was always on our list, we could fly out from Stansted and we aren’t getting any younger, so, ermm…. hey-ho!! To be fair the flights themselves were fine – both delayed but I don’t in all conscience blame that on the flight carrier, much as it pains me to say so. Anyway. so far so good.
Local “Landmarks”
Although it was just one at the start, when we decided we shouldn’t keep putting off visits to ‘attractions’ on our doorstep but should seize the day. So, off we went to the “Wherstead Area” to grace Jimmy’s Farm with our presence. However, when we then discovered that even the overflow carpark was overflowing, we decided the time to visit the farm was when the kids were back at school. So, watch this space….
Easter Visit
Didn’t see S&G at Christmas on this occasion so it was good to finally welcome them down to sunny(ish) Suffolk for a long weekend this Easter. They arrived on the Easter Friday and stayed for four nights which was long enough for us to squeeze in a couple of long overdue outings. In no particular order of importance we indulged in the following…
Bowler’s Bum and Other Delights
Should have been in Malta but For reasons that I am not prepared to divulge we had to cancel. As some sort of minor recompense, we agreed to a short break in Norwich ‘instead’. Only two nights, but an early departure saw us arrive at the Bowling Alley in time for the ‘nifty fifty’ three hour session. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I scored both the lowest and highest scores of the day. Naturally, as if I didn’t know (or had conveniently forgotten), I was of course struck down with “Bowler’s Bum“, a particularly savage case I have to say but one I fought manfully for the rest of the stay.
Long Time No See
Finally got to meet up with our “met in China” friends in Colchester. Had been trying to fit in an overnighter but that proved unworkable so settled for a lunch time meal at the Greyfriars Hotel. It was Valentines Day so thought it might be problematic to book but it proved to be spookily easy. …
Annual Aldeburgh
For what has become something of an annual sojourn after the post Christmas festivities, we took our usual trip up to Aldeburgh, for three nights on this occasion. This time around it was the Brudenell hotel, and any cursory search on this site would tell you it is one of the three hostelries in the town that we have previously had the pleasure of staying at. Took the package deal that gave us evening meal on two of the three nights which, given the vagaries of the North Sea “breeze”, we thought was a sensible option.
Christmas Day
For the first time ever, we chose to eat Christmas day lunch at an ‘outside’ venue. As Scott et al are not visiting until Easter, we took the opportunity to secure a late booking (3PM) at the Duke of York pub just outside Woodbridge. We arrived on time, had a lovely table and very good …
The Artist and the Art….
Tangentially prompted by a recent posting in the R&B Q&A section (specifically about Van Morrison and his lack of presence in the Primer section of this website), I have somewhat precariously decided to place an R&B music derived article into the main musings section – although, in my defence, this is fundamentally about more than one artist’s simple inclusion in a fan’s on-line tribute to a musical genre…it goes beyond the specifics of Larry’s question and debates the merits of valuing an artist’s work, irrespective or in spite of the individual’s own personal characteristics. As such, it has a far broader reach than Van The Man and yet he remains very much at its core. A complicated and divisive topic, but I’ve started now…..
The Theatre Return….
A last minute decision to see Kafka’s Metamorphosis in Colchester on the Wednesday night became an overnighter with the addition of a very pleasant break at the Greyfriars hotel, last stayed at earlier in the year as part of Mrs. No Names’ ‘birthday bash’! As far as I can determine, this was our first theatre production since 2018, so a welcome if very belated return.
Old Haunts and Pastimes
Notwithstanding I have never mentioned how this occurred, but earlier this year Mrs. No Name ‘acquired’ her own bowling ball and a last minute decision to get the holes adjusted for a better fit resulted in a hastily arranged overnight Thursday night stay in Norwich. Went to the tenpin bowling centre and ended up playing …