We are really looking forward to our holiday to Lindos Rhodes.
Staying at the Lindos Mare Hotel which looks well posh.
Views of the Restaurant & Pool
14 July 2010
08 July 2010
Ickenham Festival - 2010
Jan, Ickenham Festival's number one fan, takes the week off to throw herself into the proceedings and visit as many of the events as possible. Open gardens, strawberry teas, scarecrow competition, sports day, art shows, family rambles and history walks are just the preamble to the Gala Day itself and the parade to Swakeley House and the evening concert, picnic and fireworks. The whole thing nicely finished off with the unbelievably well attended river Duck Race on the Sunday. My duck (number 11) came last. Well done to everybody involved and especially the Committee whos efforts make it what it is... a real community affair. Go to the webpage here if you want more.
79 families made scarecrows for the school kids to spot after school. Then dowm to the fair ground early on Saturday ready for the Mayor to judge ... and guess who won? Yep, Lucy and Jan's interpretation of Gene Kelly 'Singing in the Rain' brings the prize home! The pize of a rather smart bird feeder for a scarecrow competition must confuse our feathered friends somehat ... yum yum bird feed... hang on ...whats that?
We helped out with the sports afternoon, running a static bike challenge...how far can you go in a minute? Everybody loved it ...and the human table football
...and finally, before I bore everybody to death, my entries for the Ickenham Life in 2010 photo competition are sure fire winners and nothing less than first and second place will be acceptable. I've only gone and won it !!! A nice hamper. Thank you very much,
01 April 2010
Lisbon and the Volcano
Minding my own business on a short work visit to Lisbon ... when a friend says to me:
"Des, have you heard they have cancelled all flights in and out of the UK due to a volcano eruption in Iceland?” "Of course they have Jonathan" say I.
One week later my work colleague, Andrew, and I spot the White cliffs of Dover coming into view from the deck of the Santander to Portsmouth overnight ferry.
There are worse places to be stuck than Lisbon. We finally got away, driving up through Portugal and Spain to Santander; stayed there two nights and finally on the Brittany ferry home. Memorable time in beautiful Lisbon with colleagues, with dramatic stories of their journeys home, an interesting 800km drive, stopping in a quaint medieval Spanish village for lunch, arriving in Santander, our wonderful tapas bar and overnight ferry crossing ... all in glorious weather. Getting stuck on the Jubilee Line getting out of London was just taking the piss!
01 March 2010
Wildlife
Apart from the girls we have a variety of wildlife at the house. A visiting Tawny Owl. Frogs tadpoles and something in between, fledgling Jays, dragonfly, bats, voles and rats.
A magpie nest up the chimney, wasp nest in the attic, fish in the pond and green parakeets
Tawny Owl: How do you fancy listening to this all night? But what a treat to have a Tawny Owl in the garden. I'll try for my own photos but don't hold up much hope
I'm jealous of mum who can see the Chiltern Red Kites performing acrobatics in her back garden. Sorry about the rather long distance photo
Eastbourne - World Cup Extravaganza
Its official, I'm part of the OLD FARTS BRIGADE now. Down to Eastbourne with Davey Clark and his Harlow mates for his 55th Bday weekend. A great crack with some lovely lads. Highlights included getting stuck into the beers on Friday, The Atlantis Hotels breakfast , lots of beer, Baechy Head (culture excursion), beer, the curry, Crazy Golf Sunday morning (David splitting his shorts), some more beer, ice cube racing (see photo) and watching us get spanked by Germany ...
03 February 2010
01 January 2010
Burns' Night 2010
The first Burn's Night fund raiser for the Ickenham Festival went very well
and we hope it is kept in the calendar every year. Highlights were the Piper, Doug's renditions, the haggis and too much whisky. My dancing was not a thing of beauty, but Jan was. Thanks to Rose for the photos but not for the video evidence
15 November 2009
Maldives 2009
The chance came up to have a week for just the two of us and we wanted something a bit different. Yes the Maldives are as good as they say! Filetheyo Island, a postage stamp in the Indian Ocean. The colour of the sea and the white coral sand with the palm covered islands are just unbelievable. A long flight, seaplane and local boat complete the journey. Highlights were just doing nothing in such a relaxing place, time with Jan, being looked after so well, the best food, snorkelling with the variety of fish, mantas and turtle, the sunsets, the beautiful beach villa, showering under the stars and far too much beer and wine, meeting the lovely Lee and Anna.
23 August 2009
Wales 2009
Two weeks in Wales with good weather .. who would believe it? A very relaxing time, first at Swansea Marina and then camping in the Brecon Beacons. Highlights included the Gower Peninsula and the beaches. Spectacular caves and waterfalls. Second week based at a small river meadow camp site with its own watermill. The Brecon Jazz Festival, the beacons, more waterfalls (even in the rain). The camping experience. Dinners and breakfast over an open fire, Thanks to friends for loan of the flat, car (we would never have got it all in and the calor gas stove.
25 June 2009
Jan
Heres a few pictures of Jan ... She won't let me put up any pictures of her arse.
Des Gutteridge
How do you fit in all the fun?
