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Birthday excursion
May. 18th, 2019 01:27 pmA few years ago, I started a tradition of taking a day trip to some other city on my birthday, instead of going into work. After Peterborough, Liverpool and Carlisle, this year it was Leicester's turn - a city I've been through many times on the train but never properly visited. The weather was a bit patchy but mostly stayed dry. As days go, it was an odd mix of 15th century history and spaceships, spaceships, SPACESHIPS!
I first of all visited the Richard III centre. The displays are very well done (downstairs telling the story of the Wars of the Roses; upstairs telling how his bones were found and analysed), but it can't quite disguise the fact that they don't have any actual artefacts in there. Still, you get to see the dig site itself, with its holographic skeleton!
After that, I went over the road to the cathedral and saw his tomb, then next door to the Guildhall, which was an unexpected treat. It's a huge timber-framed building with many rooms and actual artefacts, plus a good café where I had pie for lunch :o)
In the afternoon, I wandered through the enormous Abbey Park (finding the abbey ruins, Cardinal Wolsey's grave and the Wolsey Chimney along the way) to the National Space Centre. It was deceptively big inside, with the exhibits each going back a long way. I saw spaceships, Apollo records, moon rock, ISS equipment and all sorts of other stuff. There were a few school parties but otherwise, being a weekday, I largely had the place to myself.
The centre closes at 4pm so I only had a couple of hours there (40 minutes of which were taken up by the planetarium show), which wasn't nearly long enough to see everything properly. I guess I'll just have to go back some time! There's also an old pumping station / industrial museum across the road from it, which looks like it's worth a visit too.
I caught the 5pm train and got back to Sheffield just in time to pop round to Blake Street (where there was Van Helsing cheesiness) before heading pubwards for the Third Friday Social. A good birthday all round! :o)
I first of all visited the Richard III centre. The displays are very well done (downstairs telling the story of the Wars of the Roses; upstairs telling how his bones were found and analysed), but it can't quite disguise the fact that they don't have any actual artefacts in there. Still, you get to see the dig site itself, with its holographic skeleton!
After that, I went over the road to the cathedral and saw his tomb, then next door to the Guildhall, which was an unexpected treat. It's a huge timber-framed building with many rooms and actual artefacts, plus a good café where I had pie for lunch :o)
In the afternoon, I wandered through the enormous Abbey Park (finding the abbey ruins, Cardinal Wolsey's grave and the Wolsey Chimney along the way) to the National Space Centre. It was deceptively big inside, with the exhibits each going back a long way. I saw spaceships, Apollo records, moon rock, ISS equipment and all sorts of other stuff. There were a few school parties but otherwise, being a weekday, I largely had the place to myself.
The centre closes at 4pm so I only had a couple of hours there (40 minutes of which were taken up by the planetarium show), which wasn't nearly long enough to see everything properly. I guess I'll just have to go back some time! There's also an old pumping station / industrial museum across the road from it, which looks like it's worth a visit too.
I caught the 5pm train and got back to Sheffield just in time to pop round to Blake Street (where there was Van Helsing cheesiness) before heading pubwards for the Third Friday Social. A good birthday all round! :o)
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Following the Leeds
May. 13th, 2019 09:50 pmTwo trips to Leeds in the space of a week? Have I gone mad?
On bank holiday Monday, I went with my Sunday roleplaying group to The Great Escape Game, to try to crack King Arthur's Secret. I'd never played an escape room before, but I had a gift voucher from my sister from my birthday last year (Thanks, sis!) which was about to run out...
It was a lot of fun. My expectation that it would be kind of like the mental/mystery challenges in the Crystal Maze was pretty close to the mark. All those co-op board games and roleplaying campaigns had obviously honed our teamwork, and we coordinated ourselves well, divvying up the tasks to solve the puzzles. Having a 10-year-old we could send up the chimney and into other tight spaces helped as well! The game has a 55% escape rate, but we managed to crack it in 32:29 out of our allotted 50 minutes. We all had a great day out :o)
Yesterday, I was back for my second Leeds-based time challenge - the Leeds Half Marathon. Owing to rubbish public transport, I stayed overnight in the Discovery Inn, but it was nice being only 10 minutes walk from the Start/Finish (even nicer after the run!). The crowds weren't as big as for Sheffield, but there was still a good atmosphere.
People had told me this was less hilly than the Sheffield Half Marathon. I'm not sure that's true. The hills might be less steep, but there's a lot of sustained uphill, particularly in the first half. The unrelenting sun, lack of breeze and traffic fumes as we ran along a dual carriageway (with only one of four lanes closed) made the first half really tough. Fortunately the second half made up for it, and was really lovely by comparison. There was more in the way of trees, a bit more of a breeze, beautiful scenery (including running right past Kirkstall Abbey), and a nice lot of downhill.
I had to manage my breathing and a stitch in the last couple of miles, but still felt reasonably okay - and triumphant - as I crossed the finish line. My clock time was 1:42:35 and my chip time was 1:42:17 - just 40 seconds slower than my time for the Sheffield Half, so I'm certainly consistent! I finished in 740th place out of a field of 5,812 runners. Just the big run in October to go now to complete the White Rose Triple...
On bank holiday Monday, I went with my Sunday roleplaying group to The Great Escape Game, to try to crack King Arthur's Secret. I'd never played an escape room before, but I had a gift voucher from my sister from my birthday last year (Thanks, sis!) which was about to run out...
It was a lot of fun. My expectation that it would be kind of like the mental/mystery challenges in the Crystal Maze was pretty close to the mark. All those co-op board games and roleplaying campaigns had obviously honed our teamwork, and we coordinated ourselves well, divvying up the tasks to solve the puzzles. Having a 10-year-old we could send up the chimney and into other tight spaces helped as well! The game has a 55% escape rate, but we managed to crack it in 32:29 out of our allotted 50 minutes. We all had a great day out :o)
Yesterday, I was back for my second Leeds-based time challenge - the Leeds Half Marathon. Owing to rubbish public transport, I stayed overnight in the Discovery Inn, but it was nice being only 10 minutes walk from the Start/Finish (even nicer after the run!). The crowds weren't as big as for Sheffield, but there was still a good atmosphere.
People had told me this was less hilly than the Sheffield Half Marathon. I'm not sure that's true. The hills might be less steep, but there's a lot of sustained uphill, particularly in the first half. The unrelenting sun, lack of breeze and traffic fumes as we ran along a dual carriageway (with only one of four lanes closed) made the first half really tough. Fortunately the second half made up for it, and was really lovely by comparison. There was more in the way of trees, a bit more of a breeze, beautiful scenery (including running right past Kirkstall Abbey), and a nice lot of downhill.
I had to manage my breathing and a stitch in the last couple of miles, but still felt reasonably okay - and triumphant - as I crossed the finish line. My clock time was 1:42:35 and my chip time was 1:42:17 - just 40 seconds slower than my time for the Sheffield Half, so I'm certainly consistent! I finished in 740th place out of a field of 5,812 runners. Just the big run in October to go now to complete the White Rose Triple...
Life according to Facebook
Feb. 11th, 2018 05:10 pm...or, bits of my life according to my posts on Facebook, anyway!
9 January at 21:06:
Snow Nessie was 8 years ago! That was probably the last really big snow in Hillsborough. We need more!
17 January at 18:33:
The pavements were covered in slush this morning, so I wore my snow boots for the walk into work. I'd forgotten how cosy they are - toasty toes! :o)
26 January at 22:26:
A long day at work today, but I did get to go to the top of the Walkie-Talkie, which wasn't bad. :o)
29 January at 18:48:
"Problems" it's nice to have: I have a week's holiday I need to use up by the end of February. Any ideas for how I should spend it? Anyone got any exciting plans for half term or anything?
3 February at 12:29:
Hmm, I think the parkrun results must've got one token out of sync at some point this morning. I was faster than that, and there definitely wasn't 13 seconds between me and the guy just in front at the end. There wasn't 5 seconds between Dan and Bryony's photo finish either!
Ah well, it happens. It happened when I was on token duty too. Still a big thank you to all the volunteers!
6 February at 21:25:
Go Falcon Heavy! :oD
9 February at 23:15:
"Old Macdonald had a Farm" in the style of Tom Waits; "We're All Going on a Brexit Holiday"; a death metal version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"; "Smoke on the Water" played on cow bells - Bill Bailey, you brilliant, utter loon. A great evening's entertainment at City Hall. At times I was struggling to breathe! :oD
10 February at 10:43:
Yeeeah... I reckon I can do a half-marathon... Ran 17k this morning in about 1h25m (or 2 hours including breaks) - Concord parkrun plus the journey there and back. Pleased with that, but boy it was cold and wet though! Clearly a level of insanity going on here!
9 January at 21:06:
Snow Nessie was 8 years ago! That was probably the last really big snow in Hillsborough. We need more!
17 January at 18:33:
The pavements were covered in slush this morning, so I wore my snow boots for the walk into work. I'd forgotten how cosy they are - toasty toes! :o)
26 January at 22:26:
A long day at work today, but I did get to go to the top of the Walkie-Talkie, which wasn't bad. :o)
29 January at 18:48:
"Problems" it's nice to have: I have a week's holiday I need to use up by the end of February. Any ideas for how I should spend it? Anyone got any exciting plans for half term or anything?
3 February at 12:29:
Hmm, I think the parkrun results must've got one token out of sync at some point this morning. I was faster than that, and there definitely wasn't 13 seconds between me and the guy just in front at the end. There wasn't 5 seconds between Dan and Bryony's photo finish either!
Ah well, it happens. It happened when I was on token duty too. Still a big thank you to all the volunteers!
6 February at 21:25:
Go Falcon Heavy! :oD
9 February at 23:15:
"Old Macdonald had a Farm" in the style of Tom Waits; "We're All Going on a Brexit Holiday"; a death metal version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"; "Smoke on the Water" played on cow bells - Bill Bailey, you brilliant, utter loon. A great evening's entertainment at City Hall. At times I was struggling to breathe! :oD
10 February at 10:43:
Yeeeah... I reckon I can do a half-marathon... Ran 17k this morning in about 1h25m (or 2 hours including breaks) - Concord parkrun plus the journey there and back. Pleased with that, but boy it was cold and wet though! Clearly a level of insanity going on here!
Birthday plans
May. 6th, 2017 12:30 pmI will be having an open house party at my place on Saturday 20th May, from noon. There will be buffet.
It's not a significant birthday for me this May, but it is for Star Wars. The party will therefore roll into a movie evening from 4-5pm, when we will start watching a slightly different Star Wars trilogy: starting with Revenge of the Sith, then going on to Rogue One and finishing up with A New Hope.
Other May plans (so far):
It's not a significant birthday for me this May, but it is for Star Wars. The party will therefore roll into a movie evening from 4-5pm, when we will start watching a slightly different Star Wars trilogy: starting with Revenge of the Sith, then going on to Rogue One and finishing up with A New Hope.
Other May plans (so far):
- Lego Brickfest event at Meadowhead School 10am-4pm on Sun 14th
- Going to Liverpool to visit museums and stuff for my actual birthday on Wed 17th
- Julius Caesar is on at The Crucible from 17th May to 10th June - anyone interested in going with me?
- Edy and Rory's birthday celebrations on Sun 28th
Family invasion, round 2
Aug. 12th, 2016 05:47 pmMy sister and three nieces have been up to visit this week. The girls were really looking forward to it, and had been going on about how much they love Sheffield for ages. We had a really fun week. There were mostly games and hugs and laughter, and only a few strops and tears, so hopefully it didn't disappoint! :o)
They arrived Monday lunchtime and we had the traditional lazy first day. They settled in, we ate, then went to play in the park - finding our first elephant en route.
On Tuesday we hit the city centre to go elephant hunting properly. I'd got everyone a trail map and Herd of Sheffield pen to tick them off. It's a shame the weather wasn't as good as forecast and we had to keep sheltering indoors. We bumped into Ju and Jamie on Fargate but failed to meet up with them again in the Peace Gardens. We made it there later and Carly and Lauren had fun in the fountains (although Sophie sulked), then I went on the swing boats with them all. That broke up our elephant trail quite neatly before we resumed to find more. I was impressed with the girls' stamina and enthusiasm - I'd planned shorter routes but we kept going and found 26 large elephants and five little herds, making 60 elephants in total! Afterwards we went home, played with Lego (I'm very pleased they're all converts to the ways of the brick now) and cooked bolognaise for dinner, before settling down for a big screen evening (Zootropolis).
Wednesday was an epic adventure day at Magna. The girls loved the outdoor play area and spent ages climbing everything. They'd have spent all day out there if we'd let them. They also enjoyed all the hands-on stuff in the pavilions inside. Carly was a dab hand with the digger arm. Again I was impressed with how long they all lasted - we got there about 11:30am and didn't leave until closing time (which unfortunately meant we hit rush hour traffic). Lauren had her (early) birthday presents from me in the evening - more Lego of course!
We had planned to take it fairly easy on Thursday, which we did, but still managed to pack a lot in. We went swimming in the fun pool at Hillsborough in the morning. The Chivers (back from their holidays - Carly had been asking after Evie and Toby all week!) came round after lunch. We went to the park again and met up with Ju and Jamie. It was great to see the six kids getting on so well together, for the most part. I notice the three mums left nearly all the kids with me while they stood and nattered... In the evening we all piled back to min for an impromptu Chinese food and movie evening (Despicable Me 2 this time).
This morning we really did take it easy, with the kids lying in untilnearly half seven, which is extraordinarily late for them! I did a cooked breakfast for everyone. We did a petrol run, packed up and loaded the car, and they left around half twelve.
Already planning the next visit! :o)
( Photos )
They arrived Monday lunchtime and we had the traditional lazy first day. They settled in, we ate, then went to play in the park - finding our first elephant en route.
On Tuesday we hit the city centre to go elephant hunting properly. I'd got everyone a trail map and Herd of Sheffield pen to tick them off. It's a shame the weather wasn't as good as forecast and we had to keep sheltering indoors. We bumped into Ju and Jamie on Fargate but failed to meet up with them again in the Peace Gardens. We made it there later and Carly and Lauren had fun in the fountains (although Sophie sulked), then I went on the swing boats with them all. That broke up our elephant trail quite neatly before we resumed to find more. I was impressed with the girls' stamina and enthusiasm - I'd planned shorter routes but we kept going and found 26 large elephants and five little herds, making 60 elephants in total! Afterwards we went home, played with Lego (I'm very pleased they're all converts to the ways of the brick now) and cooked bolognaise for dinner, before settling down for a big screen evening (Zootropolis).
Wednesday was an epic adventure day at Magna. The girls loved the outdoor play area and spent ages climbing everything. They'd have spent all day out there if we'd let them. They also enjoyed all the hands-on stuff in the pavilions inside. Carly was a dab hand with the digger arm. Again I was impressed with how long they all lasted - we got there about 11:30am and didn't leave until closing time (which unfortunately meant we hit rush hour traffic). Lauren had her (early) birthday presents from me in the evening - more Lego of course!
We had planned to take it fairly easy on Thursday, which we did, but still managed to pack a lot in. We went swimming in the fun pool at Hillsborough in the morning. The Chivers (back from their holidays - Carly had been asking after Evie and Toby all week!) came round after lunch. We went to the park again and met up with Ju and Jamie. It was great to see the six kids getting on so well together, for the most part. I notice the three mums left nearly all the kids with me while they stood and nattered... In the evening we all piled back to min for an impromptu Chinese food and movie evening (Despicable Me 2 this time).
This morning we really did take it easy, with the kids lying in untilnearly half seven, which is extraordinarily late for them! I did a cooked breakfast for everyone. We did a petrol run, packed up and loaded the car, and they left around half twelve.
Already planning the next visit! :o)
( Photos )
Family invasion, round 1
Jul. 5th, 2016 10:36 pmMy parents have been up visiting for the last few days. We've been exploring all over Yorkshire and Derbyshire. The summer sun arrived at just the right time! :o)
They arrived Saturday lunchtime, bringing chairs, whisky, dinosaurs and space Lego! (Aren't parents great?) After we lunched, the Chivers popped around for tea in the afternoon as Mum wanted to meet my godson - mostly this resulted in Dad and the Bug building Lego together. In the evening we ate out at Silversmiths, which was as fantastic as ever. I showed Mum and Dad a bit of the town centre, including the new Women of Steel statue, before we went home.
On Sunday we visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and managed to see several sculptures which weren't there or that I missed the last time I visited. Once we were done there, Dad wanted to go for a drive to explore some of his old haunts. We found the house in Shipley where he grew up, as well as his grandparent's house and the green where he used to walk the dog. Then we drove across Ilkley Moor and found the Cow and Calf. It was a good day out (apart from the brief horror when the sat-nav took us home via Leeds!).
Yesterday we went to Bolsover Castle, which I'd never been to before. It's impressive, especially its dramatic location! We explored it thoroughly and had a late lunch at the cafe. Afterwards we went into Chesterfield and had a wander around there before coming home. In the evening we ordered Chinese food and watched movies (and why not?).
This morning was a lazy one. Mum and I had a stroll around the park but otherwise we spent the morning in. Mum and Dad left just before lunchtime.
P.S. - I'm pleased to say I won the money battle and managed to pay for us all, everywhere we went!
P.P.S. - Family invasion, round 2 will be the second week in August, when my sister and nieces come to stay...
( Photos )
They arrived Saturday lunchtime, bringing chairs, whisky, dinosaurs and space Lego! (Aren't parents great?) After we lunched, the Chivers popped around for tea in the afternoon as Mum wanted to meet my godson - mostly this resulted in Dad and the Bug building Lego together. In the evening we ate out at Silversmiths, which was as fantastic as ever. I showed Mum and Dad a bit of the town centre, including the new Women of Steel statue, before we went home.
On Sunday we visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and managed to see several sculptures which weren't there or that I missed the last time I visited. Once we were done there, Dad wanted to go for a drive to explore some of his old haunts. We found the house in Shipley where he grew up, as well as his grandparent's house and the green where he used to walk the dog. Then we drove across Ilkley Moor and found the Cow and Calf. It was a good day out (apart from the brief horror when the sat-nav took us home via Leeds!).
Yesterday we went to Bolsover Castle, which I'd never been to before. It's impressive, especially its dramatic location! We explored it thoroughly and had a late lunch at the cafe. Afterwards we went into Chesterfield and had a wander around there before coming home. In the evening we ordered Chinese food and watched movies (and why not?).
This morning was a lazy one. Mum and I had a stroll around the park but otherwise we spent the morning in. Mum and Dad left just before lunchtime.
P.S. - I'm pleased to say I won the money battle and managed to pay for us all, everywhere we went!
P.P.S. - Family invasion, round 2 will be the second week in August, when my sister and nieces come to stay...
( Photos )
Birthday out
May. 23rd, 2016 08:32 pmLast week, I took a day trip to Peterborough for my birthday.
Why Peterborough? Mostly because I'm an architecture nerd and it's home to the only "A-list" English cathedral I'd not yet been to. Also because it's a place I'd been through many times on the train and never actually stopped at, so I thought I'd see what was there. For 16 quid return I could hardly complain, and it was a gloriously sunny day to go exploring a new town.
The cathedral is indeed impressive, from its uniquely bonkers West Front to the beautiful New Building at the back (Only in England could an extension dating back to 1496 be called "The New Building"!). Entry is free and photo permits cost £3. Katherine of Aragon is buried here, and so was Mary, Queen of Scots (briefly, until James I had her moved to Westminster Abbey). It also contains the 9th century Hedda Stone, commemorating that Horrible Histories favourite - Viking raids on monasteries, and a 13th century painted ceiling. The sunlight pouring in made the stonework glow. I love visiting places like this when it's sunny.
The town centre was very pleasant. The medieval market square has been pedestrianised and modern fountains have been added. I had a look around the city museum, which is pretty similar to every city museum up and down the country in containing a hodgepodge of artefacts from local history and pre-history. The building itself has quite an interesting history though. For a time it served as Peterborough's first hospital. It still contains a Victorian operating theatre in nearly original condition. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take photos inside.
I also took a wander along the riverside. There's a heritage railway and a "Railworld" attraction, which I knew were closed that day, but I had a peek through the fence and a look around the station anyway. Then there was time for a relaxing pint in a nearby pub before heading back to the main station to catch my train home. A good day out. :o)
( Photos )
Why Peterborough? Mostly because I'm an architecture nerd and it's home to the only "A-list" English cathedral I'd not yet been to. Also because it's a place I'd been through many times on the train and never actually stopped at, so I thought I'd see what was there. For 16 quid return I could hardly complain, and it was a gloriously sunny day to go exploring a new town.
The cathedral is indeed impressive, from its uniquely bonkers West Front to the beautiful New Building at the back (Only in England could an extension dating back to 1496 be called "The New Building"!). Entry is free and photo permits cost £3. Katherine of Aragon is buried here, and so was Mary, Queen of Scots (briefly, until James I had her moved to Westminster Abbey). It also contains the 9th century Hedda Stone, commemorating that Horrible Histories favourite - Viking raids on monasteries, and a 13th century painted ceiling. The sunlight pouring in made the stonework glow. I love visiting places like this when it's sunny.
The town centre was very pleasant. The medieval market square has been pedestrianised and modern fountains have been added. I had a look around the city museum, which is pretty similar to every city museum up and down the country in containing a hodgepodge of artefacts from local history and pre-history. The building itself has quite an interesting history though. For a time it served as Peterborough's first hospital. It still contains a Victorian operating theatre in nearly original condition. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take photos inside.
I also took a wander along the riverside. There's a heritage railway and a "Railworld" attraction, which I knew were closed that day, but I had a peek through the fence and a look around the station anyway. Then there was time for a relaxing pint in a nearby pub before heading back to the main station to catch my train home. A good day out. :o)
( Photos )
Christmas seems to have snuck up suddenly and unexpectedly this year, but I'm now starting to get into the festive spirit.
Last weekend, I went with the Chivers and Anne to Lincoln Christmas markets, which were as vast and impressive as I remember from a previous year. They were a little too busy, which made it difficult to get to some stalls, but well worth the trip and I came away with various goodies. The legend that is Brown's Pie Shop was equally busy. We had to wait half an hour for a table even at 4pm but we already knew that would be worth it. The medieval market in the Bishop's Palace was a little quieter (due to the entry fee) and nicely atmospheric. We briefly went in the cathedral before heading home.
In the last few days I've made significant Christmas-related progress: I've got the bulk of my Christams shopping done, written most of my cards, put up and decorated the tree, and started this year's Lego Christmas build. I've also been to the Sheffield Christmas Blitz at the cathedral (which was very well done, and had the odd juxtaposition of carol singers and an air raid siren), Edy's mince pies evening (where the house was new and the baking was as epic as ever), and watched Gremlins and Muppet Christmas Carol :o)
Next week looks promising, bookended by a team Christmas meal (with colleagues up from London) on Monday and the Sheffield work Christmas do on Friday. In-between, there's a new Star Wars movie!
Last weekend, I went with the Chivers and Anne to Lincoln Christmas markets, which were as vast and impressive as I remember from a previous year. They were a little too busy, which made it difficult to get to some stalls, but well worth the trip and I came away with various goodies. The legend that is Brown's Pie Shop was equally busy. We had to wait half an hour for a table even at 4pm but we already knew that would be worth it. The medieval market in the Bishop's Palace was a little quieter (due to the entry fee) and nicely atmospheric. We briefly went in the cathedral before heading home.
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In the last few days I've made significant Christmas-related progress: I've got the bulk of my Christams shopping done, written most of my cards, put up and decorated the tree, and started this year's Lego Christmas build. I've also been to the Sheffield Christmas Blitz at the cathedral (which was very well done, and had the odd juxtaposition of carol singers and an air raid siren), Edy's mince pies evening (where the house was new and the baking was as epic as ever), and watched Gremlins and Muppet Christmas Carol :o)
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Next week looks promising, bookended by a team Christmas meal (with colleagues up from London) on Monday and the Sheffield work Christmas do on Friday. In-between, there's a new Star Wars movie!
Family visit
Aug. 14th, 2015 07:04 pmMy first week of holiday, and my sister and three nieces have been up to visit.
They arrived Monday lunchtime, settled in and we went to play in the park for a bit before Carly and I went to get food from the chippie in the evening.
On Tuesday, since the girls are all water babies, we hit the fun pool at Hillsborough Leisure Centre. The slides were disappointing but otherwise much fun was had. We went to the shops in the afternoon, and suffered a major tantrum from Sophie, but otherwise it was a successful day.
Wednesday was a full day at the Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre, which I'd never been to before and was very impressed by. We met up with the Chivers there. It was a gloriously sunny day and there was lots to do.
On Thursday, Vick had arranged to meet her friend Cath at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, another place I'd never been to before. Fortunately the weather held in spire of the rain warnings. There was much running around and climbing trees. We got back late afternoon, I gave Lauren her birthday presents (Minions!), and then the Chivers popped around briefly to play.
Vick and the girls left after breakfast this morning. They didn't want to go. It's been a really enjoyable (and packed) week. Missing them all already!
( Photos )
They arrived Monday lunchtime, settled in and we went to play in the park for a bit before Carly and I went to get food from the chippie in the evening.
On Tuesday, since the girls are all water babies, we hit the fun pool at Hillsborough Leisure Centre. The slides were disappointing but otherwise much fun was had. We went to the shops in the afternoon, and suffered a major tantrum from Sophie, but otherwise it was a successful day.
Wednesday was a full day at the Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre, which I'd never been to before and was very impressed by. We met up with the Chivers there. It was a gloriously sunny day and there was lots to do.
On Thursday, Vick had arranged to meet her friend Cath at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, another place I'd never been to before. Fortunately the weather held in spire of the rain warnings. There was much running around and climbing trees. We got back late afternoon, I gave Lauren her birthday presents (Minions!), and then the Chivers popped around briefly to play.
Vick and the girls left after breakfast this morning. They didn't want to go. It's been a really enjoyable (and packed) week. Missing them all already!
( Photos )
Long weekend
May. 4th, 2015 08:28 pmI didn't do much over the Easter weekend, so I was determined to make more of this bank holiday weekend. And I did!
The weekend started at Thursday lunchtime with an epic work pub crawl along Sheffield's "golden mile". Starting off in The Blake Hotel, we then had lunch at the Hillsborough Hotel before moving on to The Gardener's Rest, The Wellington, Shakespeare's, The Kelham Island Tavern, The Fat Cat and The Riverside, before eventually finishing off at The Harlequin. That's almost all of my favourite pubs :o)
Sensibly I'd booked Friday off, mostly as a day to recover. But there was also another extremely well attended FFS at the Walkley Cottage in the evening.
On Saturday, as the weather was decent(ish) and I was feeling adventurous, I decided to take a trip to Castle Howard. This has been on my "places to visit" list for years. A train to York and a bus ride from there meant I got a fair amount of Dresden read. Once there I ambled around the grounds in the morning then the house, shops and tea rooms in the afternoon. Mostly the weather stayed fine, and I saved various indoor bits for when it wasn't. I wasn't aware that a third of the house was seriously damaged by fire in 1940, and still shows the scars. It's an amazing place, full of sculptures and other art, and the grounds (including Ray Wood) took several hours to explore fully.
On Sunday I met up with Ju and Jamie for lunch at Istanbul (not Constantinople) on West Street, before we all headed to the Lego Shop to check out the Star Wars Day offers. I wasn't actually all that taken with most of the Star Wars sets, although I did still manage to spend over 80 quid. *Ahem*... Then it was roleplaying as usual in the evening.
Monday was quite busy to begin with. I went swimming in the morning, then did food shopping and headed to the Botanical Gardens for the goth picnic. Star Wars Day itself was commemorated by several lightsaber duels :o)
The weekend started at Thursday lunchtime with an epic work pub crawl along Sheffield's "golden mile". Starting off in The Blake Hotel, we then had lunch at the Hillsborough Hotel before moving on to The Gardener's Rest, The Wellington, Shakespeare's, The Kelham Island Tavern, The Fat Cat and The Riverside, before eventually finishing off at The Harlequin. That's almost all of my favourite pubs :o)
Sensibly I'd booked Friday off, mostly as a day to recover. But there was also another extremely well attended FFS at the Walkley Cottage in the evening.
On Saturday, as the weather was decent(ish) and I was feeling adventurous, I decided to take a trip to Castle Howard. This has been on my "places to visit" list for years. A train to York and a bus ride from there meant I got a fair amount of Dresden read. Once there I ambled around the grounds in the morning then the house, shops and tea rooms in the afternoon. Mostly the weather stayed fine, and I saved various indoor bits for when it wasn't. I wasn't aware that a third of the house was seriously damaged by fire in 1940, and still shows the scars. It's an amazing place, full of sculptures and other art, and the grounds (including Ray Wood) took several hours to explore fully.
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On Sunday I met up with Ju and Jamie for lunch at Istanbul (not Constantinople) on West Street, before we all headed to the Lego Shop to check out the Star Wars Day offers. I wasn't actually all that taken with most of the Star Wars sets, although I did still manage to spend over 80 quid. *Ahem*... Then it was roleplaying as usual in the evening.
Monday was quite busy to begin with. I went swimming in the morning, then did food shopping and headed to the Botanical Gardens for the goth picnic. Star Wars Day itself was commemorated by several lightsaber duels :o)
Christmas so far
Dec. 22nd, 2014 05:00 pmWell, the table's set at least ;o)
This year's Christmas village display was a big project over several weeks. Fortunately, I had help:
I am actually feeling pretty organised this year. The shopping was all done a week ago, cards all dispatched, and I'm about halfway through the wrapping. Plus I broke up from work on Friday. On the social side, so far this Christmas has involved:
- "Duncan Road Christmas" on 30th November with lunch at the Harlequin and a trip round Kelham Island Christmas market
- last FFS of the year
- Christmas Lard Club at Rowsha
- Decorating Gillian's flat
- Watching Gremlins at the Showroom for Nigel's birthday
- Work Chistmas do at the Milestone (plus Shakespeare's plus the Kelham Island Tavern...) on Friday
- A trip to York Christmas market on Saturday
- Edy's mince pies evening
Some photos from York:
I'm doing presents round the Chivers this evening (Thanks to those of you who contributed towards the Goblin's!), then lunch out on Christmas Eve, and then it's the day itself. That came around quickly!
This year's Christmas village display was a big project over several weeks. Fortunately, I had help:
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I am actually feeling pretty organised this year. The shopping was all done a week ago, cards all dispatched, and I'm about halfway through the wrapping. Plus I broke up from work on Friday. On the social side, so far this Christmas has involved:
- "Duncan Road Christmas" on 30th November with lunch at the Harlequin and a trip round Kelham Island Christmas market
- last FFS of the year
- Christmas Lard Club at Rowsha
- Decorating Gillian's flat
- Watching Gremlins at the Showroom for Nigel's birthday
- Work Chistmas do at the Milestone (plus Shakespeare's plus the Kelham Island Tavern...) on Friday
- A trip to York Christmas market on Saturday
- Edy's mince pies evening
Some photos from York:
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I'm doing presents round the Chivers this evening (Thanks to those of you who contributed towards the Goblin's!), then lunch out on Christmas Eve, and then it's the day itself. That came around quickly!
Going to visit a nearby(ish) castle seems to be becoming a theme when work send me to London. I went to Windsor and Rochester earlier in the year. This time it was Dover's turn.
I have to say, Dover Castle is very impressive. One of the largest castles in England, it was in continual military use from before the Norman Conquest right up to 1958 and it's fascinating to see how it's evolved over the years as military technology advanced. There's a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church, a reconstruction of the 12th century court in the Great Tower, medieval tunnels, gun emplacements, barracks, and several miles of later tunnels used in the Napoleonic and World Wars. Operation Dynamo was planned from here, and the tour and exhibition commemorating it are very well done.
Definitely recommended as a day out if you're in that part of the world. It's not cheap, but I was there a solid six hours and still didn't quite get round everything. There are good views over the town and the harbour too; it was a clear day and I could easily see France on the horizon.
( Photos )
Because one castle is never enough, I also swung past the Tower of London to take a look at the growing (and stunning) sea of WW1 poppies.
( More photos )
I have to say, Dover Castle is very impressive. One of the largest castles in England, it was in continual military use from before the Norman Conquest right up to 1958 and it's fascinating to see how it's evolved over the years as military technology advanced. There's a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church, a reconstruction of the 12th century court in the Great Tower, medieval tunnels, gun emplacements, barracks, and several miles of later tunnels used in the Napoleonic and World Wars. Operation Dynamo was planned from here, and the tour and exhibition commemorating it are very well done.
Definitely recommended as a day out if you're in that part of the world. It's not cheap, but I was there a solid six hours and still didn't quite get round everything. There are good views over the town and the harbour too; it was a clear day and I could easily see France on the horizon.
( Photos )
Because one castle is never enough, I also swung past the Tower of London to take a look at the growing (and stunning) sea of WW1 poppies.
( More photos )
Out and about
Jun. 22nd, 2014 05:21 pmFriday's social was extremely pleasant, sitting out in the beer garden until around 11, with it still light(ish) outside :o)
This weekend, I found myself with really good summer weather and no other plans. So I decided to go do a bit of sightseeing.
Yesterday I caught the train to Beverley and discovered it's a scenic little Georgian town. There were morris dancers out in force in the town centre, marking the solstice. The Minster is of course spectacular with some amazing sculptures, new and old. I recommend the roof tour, if only for Britain's oldest man-sized hamster wheel, driven by Fiona Bruce's stunt double (Don't ask!).
Today, I visited Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, which I'm ashamed to say I've never been to before, despite living in Sheffield for... *cough* some years. They're in the middle of a refurbishment (including fixing the dam, so the reservoir was drained), so it wasn't at it's best, but still a fascinating bit of local history with a fair amount to see. I'll have to go back again some time.
This weekend, I found myself with really good summer weather and no other plans. So I decided to go do a bit of sightseeing.
Yesterday I caught the train to Beverley and discovered it's a scenic little Georgian town. There were morris dancers out in force in the town centre, marking the solstice. The Minster is of course spectacular with some amazing sculptures, new and old. I recommend the roof tour, if only for Britain's oldest man-sized hamster wheel, driven by Fiona Bruce's stunt double (Don't ask!).
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Today, I visited Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, which I'm ashamed to say I've never been to before, despite living in Sheffield for... *cough* some years. They're in the middle of a refurbishment (including fixing the dam, so the reservoir was drained), so it wasn't at it's best, but still a fascinating bit of local history with a fair amount to see. I'll have to go back again some time.
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It's been a busy old time of late.
The week before last, I combined a work trip to London with ( a bit of sightseeing. )
Last weekend I went over to Andy and Jacquie's to help with their re-decorating (and to admire their Lego). Then this week just gone has been remarkably busy. Another trip to London on the Tuesday, though without any sightseeing this time.
I was out every evening - to Henry's for a work do on the Monday, board gaming on Tuesday, child-wrangling on Wednesday, then the Rotherham beer festival on Thursday, again with work. This festival is so much better than the Steel City one. Magna is a great location, the range of beer was amazing, and the live music - including a Madness tribute band - were fab.
Finally, Friday was the FFS, complete with Bryony's amazing bee cake!:
P.S. - No, I don't have a new computer yet. The old one seems to have made at least a temporary recovery. I have, needless to say, copied everything of importance off it and onto a memory stick... I still plan to get a new computer soon though, so thanks are still due for your advice on my previous post!
The week before last, I combined a work trip to London with ( a bit of sightseeing. )
Last weekend I went over to Andy and Jacquie's to help with their re-decorating (and to admire their Lego). Then this week just gone has been remarkably busy. Another trip to London on the Tuesday, though without any sightseeing this time.
I was out every evening - to Henry's for a work do on the Monday, board gaming on Tuesday, child-wrangling on Wednesday, then the Rotherham beer festival on Thursday, again with work. This festival is so much better than the Steel City one. Magna is a great location, the range of beer was amazing, and the live music - including a Madness tribute band - were fab.
Finally, Friday was the FFS, complete with Bryony's amazing bee cake!:
P.S. - No, I don't have a new computer yet. The old one seems to have made at least a temporary recovery. I have, needless to say, copied everything of importance off it and onto a memory stick... I still plan to get a new computer soon though, so thanks are still due for your advice on my previous post!
Saturday was match day, Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds. Hillsborough packed with rival fans and police. Er, no thanks. Think I'll go to Windsor Castle instead if it's all the same with you.
Well, I had to be in that London for work on Friday anyway. I like it when that happens. It gives me time to go weekend sightseeing on the cheap. I stayed overnight in a pub near Paddington, the plan being no Tube trip and getting to Windsor quicker in the morning. Alas, this did not work - the line was flooded and I had to take the slower train from Waterloo. But hey, pub. I do like having a pint in the bar then just walking upstairs to bed. Plus full English pub breakfast in the morning :o)
Saturday was glorious and the, er, flooded buildings and football fields of Windsor looked lovely in the sunshine. So did the castle, with St George's Chapel a riot of colour inside from all the sunlight streaming through the windows. I went round all the areas of the castle that were open. Sadly the Round Tower was closed. The State Apartments still had sumptuously-decorated Christmas trees up (Past twelfth night? Terrible!), complete with life-sized corgi statues playing with the decorations on the lower-branches. I stayed at the castle long enough to watch the changing of the guard. I then wandered around Windsor for a bit, including the Great Park so I could capture the iconic view above.
I am slightly disappointed to find, despite sub-zero temperatures, there has been no snow in my absence. That normally happens when I'm away.
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Well, I had to be in that London for work on Friday anyway. I like it when that happens. It gives me time to go weekend sightseeing on the cheap. I stayed overnight in a pub near Paddington, the plan being no Tube trip and getting to Windsor quicker in the morning. Alas, this did not work - the line was flooded and I had to take the slower train from Waterloo. But hey, pub. I do like having a pint in the bar then just walking upstairs to bed. Plus full English pub breakfast in the morning :o)
Saturday was glorious and the, er, flooded buildings and football fields of Windsor looked lovely in the sunshine. So did the castle, with St George's Chapel a riot of colour inside from all the sunlight streaming through the windows. I went round all the areas of the castle that were open. Sadly the Round Tower was closed. The State Apartments still had sumptuously-decorated Christmas trees up (Past twelfth night? Terrible!), complete with life-sized corgi statues playing with the decorations on the lower-branches. I stayed at the castle long enough to watch the changing of the guard. I then wandered around Windsor for a bit, including the Great Park so I could capture the iconic view above.
I am slightly disappointed to find, despite sub-zero temperatures, there has been no snow in my absence. That normally happens when I'm away.
Trip to Durham
Aug. 27th, 2013 07:51 amOn Saturday I completed my Northumberland adventures for this summer, by going to Durham to see the Lindisfarne Gospels. I met up with the Chivers (who were coming down from Newcastle) and after the exhibition we also looked around the cathedral, had a nice lunch and went for a walk down by the river (the Wear with its many weirs!).
The Gospels are in Durham until the end of September, and I definitely recommend going to see them if you get the chance. You need to book ahead, as the numbers are restricted in the climate-controlled exhibition. While the book itself is amazing (and 1,300 years old!), there is only so much time you can spend looking at a single book open on one page. However, there is a lot of other stuff on display and the exhibition is well worth the money. Even better was the free talk in the gallery afterwards, and getting to leaf through a £15,000 (or £9,000 on ebay!) facsimilie of the whole book.
( Photos )
The Gospels are in Durham until the end of September, and I definitely recommend going to see them if you get the chance. You need to book ahead, as the numbers are restricted in the climate-controlled exhibition. While the book itself is amazing (and 1,300 years old!), there is only so much time you can spend looking at a single book open on one page. However, there is a lot of other stuff on display and the exhibition is well worth the money. Even better was the free talk in the gallery afterwards, and getting to leaf through a £15,000 (or £9,000 on ebay!) facsimilie of the whole book.
( Photos )
Concentrated dose of summer
Jun. 10th, 2013 08:01 amWell, if this weekend was summer, I certainly made the most of it: Friday evening sat out in the beer garden of the Walkley Cottage, Saturday afternoon at Paul and Lottie's BBQ (complete with paddling pool and Super Soaker fight!), and a Sunday trip to the seaside at Brid with the Chivers, Dave, Erica, Gillian, Andy, Jacquie and Isabelle. There was much paddling, epic sandcastle-building, fish & chips and ice cream. Thanks to all those who, over the weekend, organised / hosted / gave lifts / joined in :o)
Goodbye 2012
Jan. 1st, 2013 11:59 pmHappy New Year, everybody! :o)
I was going to post this yesterday, but LJ seemed to be a bit broken. Figuring those Russians are a few hours ahead of us, I realised no work was going to get done to fix it for a little while. And I was right...
These end-of-year posts always make me sad, as so many friends always seem to post about what a crappy year they've had. I hope you didn't, and for those who I know did, I hope 2013 turns out to be a lucky number after all and a much better year all round. It certainly seemed to get off to a good start last night!
For me, I'm happy to say that 2012 seemed to be a year peppered with frequent doses of awesome. Well, maybe I'd rather forget the bit where I got attacked by a falling shop sign, but the summer was great and I really got caught up in the celebrations, going to a Jubilee hog roast, seeing the Queen and Prince Philip, watching the Torch relay (three times), hosting an Olympic party, and (best of all) getting to spend a day at the Paralympic Games.
Earlier in the year, I visited Cardiff, and then later in the year, I went back to (a different bit of) Wales and then the slightly more exotic locations of Geneva for work and Maastricht (and Valkenburg) for pleasure. I also gained a new niece (and, just before Christmas, a new second cousin), visited the seaside, and met J.K.Rowling. And I seem to have had a quite ridiculous number of pub lunches, particularly towards the end of the year...
In semi-traditional style, following my round up of films and books I devoured in the first half of the year, ( here's the same treatment for the second (not-quite) half of 2012. )
I stuck to my 2012 New Year's resolutions of starting/finishing work earlier and reading more books, and I aim to carry those on in 2013.
The last couple of rounds of the Christmas season went well, with going out for Dim Sum on the 22nd, Christmas Day with my parents, Boxing Day at my sister's, the traditional NYEE party/barbecue chez Nightingale, and seeing New Year in last night at Flat of Geek. A few glasses of Jura Superstition seemed like a good way to see in 2013 ;o). Then it was a round of pizza, games and movies this evening before it's back to normality tomorrow.
Best wishes to all for the coming year!
I was going to post this yesterday, but LJ seemed to be a bit broken. Figuring those Russians are a few hours ahead of us, I realised no work was going to get done to fix it for a little while. And I was right...
These end-of-year posts always make me sad, as so many friends always seem to post about what a crappy year they've had. I hope you didn't, and for those who I know did, I hope 2013 turns out to be a lucky number after all and a much better year all round. It certainly seemed to get off to a good start last night!
For me, I'm happy to say that 2012 seemed to be a year peppered with frequent doses of awesome. Well, maybe I'd rather forget the bit where I got attacked by a falling shop sign, but the summer was great and I really got caught up in the celebrations, going to a Jubilee hog roast, seeing the Queen and Prince Philip, watching the Torch relay (three times), hosting an Olympic party, and (best of all) getting to spend a day at the Paralympic Games.
Earlier in the year, I visited Cardiff, and then later in the year, I went back to (a different bit of) Wales and then the slightly more exotic locations of Geneva for work and Maastricht (and Valkenburg) for pleasure. I also gained a new niece (and, just before Christmas, a new second cousin), visited the seaside, and met J.K.Rowling. And I seem to have had a quite ridiculous number of pub lunches, particularly towards the end of the year...
In semi-traditional style, following my round up of films and books I devoured in the first half of the year, ( here's the same treatment for the second (not-quite) half of 2012. )
I stuck to my 2012 New Year's resolutions of starting/finishing work earlier and reading more books, and I aim to carry those on in 2013.
The last couple of rounds of the Christmas season went well, with going out for Dim Sum on the 22nd, Christmas Day with my parents, Boxing Day at my sister's, the traditional NYEE party/barbecue chez Nightingale, and seeing New Year in last night at Flat of Geek. A few glasses of Jura Superstition seemed like a good way to see in 2013 ;o). Then it was a round of pizza, games and movies this evening before it's back to normality tomorrow.
Best wishes to all for the coming year!
