To get a comment about my blog was unexpected, but to be told that the writer of the comment doesn't like what he / she / it reads is just up to them. Simple solution - if you don't like what I write, don't read my blog.
Now that's sorted out, I can get on with the rest of my blog. As you may or may not know, one of my hobbies is horse riding. And I will admit, I've had my share of scares / accidents / injuries over the past few years. Well, it wasn't my turn to go splat.
It was Rachel's turn. Her horse shied at something, and that was it - she was out the back door, and fell back first onto a boulder. Thankfully, she was wearing body armour, but it didn't prevent her being badly injured.
So, I spent a happy time (take that with a very LARGE pinch of salt) at the A&E - in the same room / area where Dad had died. Needless to say, I came very close to freaking out. But freaking out was not an option for me, as I needed to make sure that her sister (who's little girl I am God-mum to) was ok.
Rachel is, as I type this, in hospital recovering from surgery to pin her shoulder back together, and will be in hospital for the New Year. (Much to her disgust!)
Her sister has made me promise that I will take her to the saddler that I use, to make sure that she gets the same body armour as I wear. Ok - I admit it probably wouldn't have prevented the injuries, but it may have prevented them being so serious.
Ah well, that's what you get when you decide to take a hobby that involves dealing with something that has a mind / will of it's own.
Suppose I'd better call this quits - I need to make sure that Rach's operation has gone ok...
Back when I get the chance.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Just a thought..
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If this was used here in the UK, I guess that there would be uproar... But it would bring home the danger of using a hand held mobile phone whilst driving...
And yes - I am quite aware that it has now become a 3 point penalty offence. (Just for the record, you're allowed a maximum of 12 points, then it's a mandatory one-year ban.)
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Bird Bath....
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Another American gem...
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
South East Asia Earthquake & Tsunami...
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I guess I should mention this, as I will admit, this has had me glued to the 24 hour news channel (BBC News 24 - very imaginative name!)
I was heartbroken to hear that Sri Lanka was hit - this was a place that I had planned on returning to, as I'd enjoyed several family holidays there when I was a lot younger (ok - about 12 years old!) And for once in my life, I am going to give to an overseas charity appeal - as I know that the affected countries need all the help that they can get.
Time to call this quits - I'm being yelled for.
Back whenever..
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
I was heartbroken to hear that Sri Lanka was hit - this was a place that I had planned on returning to, as I'd enjoyed several family holidays there when I was a lot younger (ok - about 12 years old!) And for once in my life, I am going to give to an overseas charity appeal - as I know that the affected countries need all the help that they can get.
Time to call this quits - I'm being yelled for.
Back whenever..
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Politically correct jokes? I don’t think so.
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Just another one of my pet hates. Ok – I agree that there should be limits, but when it comes to humour, there are few boundaries I won’t cross. My trouble is, most of the jokes I know are racist, sexist or down right offensive. Or, as a good friend of mine like to point out – if I’m lucky – all three! If you’re easily offended, skip the rest of this post!
I was given the DVD of the self-proclaimed Australian Bard (also known as Kevin “Bloody” Wilson) He of such classic songs / ballads as She’s the kinda Sheila for me, Santa Claus, DILLIGAF (Do I Look Like I Give A F****) and my personal favourite That f*****g cat’s back.
Suffice to say that I was howling with laughter – especially when he came out with the comment about making PC jokes.
“’Cause to me, political correctness has always been a contradiction in terms. If it’s political, it’s a real good chance it’s not correct.” (Or words to that effect!) Needless to say, it has had me in fits of giggles.
There were jokes about fun runs. (Now there’s a contradiction in terms!) It turned out to be a 5k run, which took him 3 days, as there were pubs along the way… “And I didn’t know you weren’t allowed to spend all the money every b’stard had given me.”
The best bit is where he takes a swipe at his fellow countrymen. He asks the drunks in the audience to put their hands up… Only a few people stuck their hands up, so Kevin asks people sitting next to a drunk to put their hands up…. “That’s the Australian attitude – dob your mates in.”
The other thing that’s had me in stitches is a book that Mum gave me for Christmas. It’s called A year in the merde by Stephen Clarke. (And yes – I am quite aware of the title’s translation. French was one subject at school I enjoyed!)
Still, where would this world be, without a sense of humour? In my opinion, it would be a poorer place, especially when you get gems like this sent to you…
http://www.gotlaughs.com/funflash/boobs_hang_low.cfm
And I make no apologies – it’s an old ‘un but a classic!
Time to call this entry quits – I can hear my two furry thugs starting a punch-up with the cats next door…
Back tomorrow.
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
I was given the DVD of the self-proclaimed Australian Bard (also known as Kevin “Bloody” Wilson) He of such classic songs / ballads as She’s the kinda Sheila for me, Santa Claus, DILLIGAF (Do I Look Like I Give A F****) and my personal favourite That f*****g cat’s back.
Suffice to say that I was howling with laughter – especially when he came out with the comment about making PC jokes.
“’Cause to me, political correctness has always been a contradiction in terms. If it’s political, it’s a real good chance it’s not correct.” (Or words to that effect!) Needless to say, it has had me in fits of giggles.
There were jokes about fun runs. (Now there’s a contradiction in terms!) It turned out to be a 5k run, which took him 3 days, as there were pubs along the way… “And I didn’t know you weren’t allowed to spend all the money every b’stard had given me.”
The best bit is where he takes a swipe at his fellow countrymen. He asks the drunks in the audience to put their hands up… Only a few people stuck their hands up, so Kevin asks people sitting next to a drunk to put their hands up…. “That’s the Australian attitude – dob your mates in.”
The other thing that’s had me in stitches is a book that Mum gave me for Christmas. It’s called A year in the merde by Stephen Clarke. (And yes – I am quite aware of the title’s translation. French was one subject at school I enjoyed!)
Still, where would this world be, without a sense of humour? In my opinion, it would be a poorer place, especially when you get gems like this sent to you…
http://www.gotlaughs.com/funflash/boobs_hang_low.cfm
And I make no apologies – it’s an old ‘un but a classic!
Time to call this entry quits – I can hear my two furry thugs starting a punch-up with the cats next door…
Back tomorrow.
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
The day after the day before...
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Christmas. You seem to spend about half the year preparing for the big day, and when it finally arrives, it's almost as if it's a case of is this it? All that work / stress / hassle for this?
Ok - maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age. (And before I get comments - I know I'm only 30, but there have been times when I've felt 130! The morning after my department's Christmas do being one of them! More on that in a later post.)
Having said that, it wasn't too bad - Mum and I had a quiet day - which is what the pair of us really wanted (apart from Dad being with us - but that just goes without saying, really.)
Mum was over the moon with the perfume bottle, and said that it was from a maker that she'd never considered collecting in the past. The foot spa was well received, and Mum put it to the test later in the day, and said that it made her feet feel a lot better.
Me? I got Green Day's new album - American Idiot. I'm listening to it now, and some of the songs are really though provoking - especially Boulevard of Broken Dreams. I will admit - that's one of my favorite tracks, but the rest of the album has the normal guitar riffs and good strong vocals.
The one present that really made me smile was given to me by a guy that I met (ok re-phrase that - got to know better as a person!) at the Christmas do. He gave me a little box that was gift wrapped, and insisted that I waited until Christmas day to open the box, and then call him to let him know what I thought...
He'd bought me a pair of Peridot earrings! They're really unusual, and to say I was speechless was an understatement! I called him as soon as I could, and said that I was really touched, and felt a real rat, because I hadn't gotten him anything.
The reply was something that took me by surprise - "Princess, you don't need to get me anything. You're the only thing that I want for Christmas." Normally, I'd be making comments along the lines of - "Where's the vomit bucket / what are you after, etc"
Needless to say, after that, I was struggling to find words - not something that I usually have problems with - as my friends well know!
Ah well - time to call the entry quits - I'm off to Leek Wooten to see Amber & co...
Back whenever.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Ok - maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age. (And before I get comments - I know I'm only 30, but there have been times when I've felt 130! The morning after my department's Christmas do being one of them! More on that in a later post.)
Having said that, it wasn't too bad - Mum and I had a quiet day - which is what the pair of us really wanted (apart from Dad being with us - but that just goes without saying, really.)
Mum was over the moon with the perfume bottle, and said that it was from a maker that she'd never considered collecting in the past. The foot spa was well received, and Mum put it to the test later in the day, and said that it made her feet feel a lot better.
Me? I got Green Day's new album - American Idiot. I'm listening to it now, and some of the songs are really though provoking - especially Boulevard of Broken Dreams. I will admit - that's one of my favorite tracks, but the rest of the album has the normal guitar riffs and good strong vocals.
The one present that really made me smile was given to me by a guy that I met (ok re-phrase that - got to know better as a person!) at the Christmas do. He gave me a little box that was gift wrapped, and insisted that I waited until Christmas day to open the box, and then call him to let him know what I thought...
He'd bought me a pair of Peridot earrings! They're really unusual, and to say I was speechless was an understatement! I called him as soon as I could, and said that I was really touched, and felt a real rat, because I hadn't gotten him anything.
The reply was something that took me by surprise - "Princess, you don't need to get me anything. You're the only thing that I want for Christmas." Normally, I'd be making comments along the lines of - "Where's the vomit bucket / what are you after, etc"
Needless to say, after that, I was struggling to find words - not something that I usually have problems with - as my friends well know!
Ah well - time to call the entry quits - I'm off to Leek Wooten to see Amber & co...
Back whenever.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
I like this one...
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Blame this on American friends - it had me howling...
Karen.
Do Spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
‘Twas the night before Christmas…
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Not a creature was stirring – not even a mouse. ‘Cause he was pissed like everyone else!
Sorry. Couldn’t resist that. But it does sum up how I feel about Christmas, simply because we finished work at 12:30, and decamped straight to the pub! I couldn’t drink as I was driving, but thankfully, I wasn’t the only one.
OK – you’d got the stupid ones who were determined to drink as much as they could, before they headed for home but they were few and far between.
It was a really good time, with a whole load of friends & workmates, and it was a case of a few of us realising that we’d still got to get food / present for some obscure relative who was going to be coming to the family home on Christmas day.
Thankfully I wasn't one of them, but I did have a visit to make - to my Godsprog! I told the truth - I'd promised I'd see the little munchkin before Father Christmas (or as Amber calls him - Santa) arrived, and there was no dammed way I was going to break that promise.
I wasn't the only one who was leaving at that time - my line manager was also leaving to keep family commitments, and there was much speculation that the pair of us were sloping off together.
He held his car keys up, and said that he’d got his car, and I did the same, as the last thing either us wanted was for our names to be linked at Christmas! I know it would have been done in good fun, but you always get the odd one or two who wouldn’t be able to let it rest.
Admittedly, I did get a kiss – on the cheek! But no more than that, aside from good wishes to the respective families, and “see you on Wednesday”, as the pair of us are working.
The drive to Leek Wooten was less traumatic than I’d thought it was going to be, and Amber was bouncing ‘round like Tigger® on acid! She was being a real menace at times, and her mother was at her wits’ end…
I soon sorted the problem – I threatened to light the open fire in the living room, and give Father Christmas a hot backside. The poor little mite was running ‘round crying “no hot Santa, no hot Santa!” That made everyone laugh, and her mother murmured that she wished she’d thought of that!
Still, I left the presents for Amber and her little sister (no – not the cymbal set – thankfully, Granddad Peter has taken care of that – he’s taken the drum and cymbal set off the two of us (Amber’s aunt and myself!), so he’ll be the one to get earache, not us!)
I found out that Amber is really into the play kitchen set that her Mum & Dad bought for her birthday, and there were several additional sets that would compliment the original set up. I bought one of the sets, and made sure that Amber was too engrossed to see me hand it over to her Dad.
Elian, (Amber's baby sister) I bought one of the Fisher Price® play sets that goes over the floor mat, and has dangling things that she can hit / spin / chew / annoy the cat with.
I made my excuses and left a couple of hours later - ok they weren't really excuses - I'd still got to wrap Mum's present up, and put the ribbons on the foot spa box.
That and the fact that I knew damned well I’d have Fred trying to play with the ribbon and the sellotape, before he finally ends up with it entangled in his fur!
Ah well, nearly time to call it quits – I can hear Mum’s car pulling up on the drive…
Karen. Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
PS - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!!
Sorry. Couldn’t resist that. But it does sum up how I feel about Christmas, simply because we finished work at 12:30, and decamped straight to the pub! I couldn’t drink as I was driving, but thankfully, I wasn’t the only one.
OK – you’d got the stupid ones who were determined to drink as much as they could, before they headed for home but they were few and far between.
It was a really good time, with a whole load of friends & workmates, and it was a case of a few of us realising that we’d still got to get food / present for some obscure relative who was going to be coming to the family home on Christmas day.
Thankfully I wasn't one of them, but I did have a visit to make - to my Godsprog! I told the truth - I'd promised I'd see the little munchkin before Father Christmas (or as Amber calls him - Santa) arrived, and there was no dammed way I was going to break that promise.
I wasn't the only one who was leaving at that time - my line manager was also leaving to keep family commitments, and there was much speculation that the pair of us were sloping off together.
He held his car keys up, and said that he’d got his car, and I did the same, as the last thing either us wanted was for our names to be linked at Christmas! I know it would have been done in good fun, but you always get the odd one or two who wouldn’t be able to let it rest.
Admittedly, I did get a kiss – on the cheek! But no more than that, aside from good wishes to the respective families, and “see you on Wednesday”, as the pair of us are working.
The drive to Leek Wooten was less traumatic than I’d thought it was going to be, and Amber was bouncing ‘round like Tigger® on acid! She was being a real menace at times, and her mother was at her wits’ end…
I soon sorted the problem – I threatened to light the open fire in the living room, and give Father Christmas a hot backside. The poor little mite was running ‘round crying “no hot Santa, no hot Santa!” That made everyone laugh, and her mother murmured that she wished she’d thought of that!
Still, I left the presents for Amber and her little sister (no – not the cymbal set – thankfully, Granddad Peter has taken care of that – he’s taken the drum and cymbal set off the two of us (Amber’s aunt and myself!), so he’ll be the one to get earache, not us!)
I found out that Amber is really into the play kitchen set that her Mum & Dad bought for her birthday, and there were several additional sets that would compliment the original set up. I bought one of the sets, and made sure that Amber was too engrossed to see me hand it over to her Dad.
Elian, (Amber's baby sister) I bought one of the Fisher Price® play sets that goes over the floor mat, and has dangling things that she can hit / spin / chew / annoy the cat with.
I made my excuses and left a couple of hours later - ok they weren't really excuses - I'd still got to wrap Mum's present up, and put the ribbons on the foot spa box.
That and the fact that I knew damned well I’d have Fred trying to play with the ribbon and the sellotape, before he finally ends up with it entangled in his fur!
Ah well, nearly time to call it quits – I can hear Mum’s car pulling up on the drive…
Karen. Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
PS - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!!
Dealing with Christmas cards
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Well, I'm just about finished the Christmas cards. I've sent the e-card to my late father's friends in the USA, and all I've got to do now is post the other three cards (yes - I know I've left it late to post them - but some of us have been busy!)
The hardest bit has been putting the letter inside the card, to let people know what has happened. I will admit, the return cards have reduced Mum & myself to tears on more than one occasion.
Suppose I'd better bring this blog up to date a bit... It's just been a case of trying to find the time and place to put this down onto a keyboard - without getting skinned!
I went on the office Christmas do on Wednesday night - good food, good drink and good company - and a minor hangover the following morning!
Despite that, it was a good night out, and I'm not going to say any more than that, as I don't really want to reveal anything. Well, not yet anyway! *Grin*
I've also been promising a friend of mine, White Wolf, that I would publish a poetry website he publishes on... http://www.allpoetry.com/
He's written some good stuff, and hopefully, I'll be able to talk him into starting his own blog - his outlook on life is very refreshing, and frequently has me howling with laughter when we're on the phone.
Time to call it quits - got stuff around the house to do today.
Back when I get time & peace & quiet!
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
The hardest bit has been putting the letter inside the card, to let people know what has happened. I will admit, the return cards have reduced Mum & myself to tears on more than one occasion.
Suppose I'd better bring this blog up to date a bit... It's just been a case of trying to find the time and place to put this down onto a keyboard - without getting skinned!
I went on the office Christmas do on Wednesday night - good food, good drink and good company - and a minor hangover the following morning!
Despite that, it was a good night out, and I'm not going to say any more than that, as I don't really want to reveal anything. Well, not yet anyway! *Grin*
I've also been promising a friend of mine, White Wolf, that I would publish a poetry website he publishes on... http://www.allpoetry.com/
He's written some good stuff, and hopefully, I'll be able to talk him into starting his own blog - his outlook on life is very refreshing, and frequently has me howling with laughter when we're on the phone.
Time to call it quits - got stuff around the house to do today.
Back when I get time & peace & quiet!
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
On the ramp at Brimingham
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What a sight! This was taken by a friend of my late father's on the ramp at Birimgham Airport
Side view of the world famous nose
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Concorde's world famous nose in the upright position
Nearly down...
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Nose down - the only way that the crew can see where they're going!
Welcome to Birmingham International Airport!
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Comming into land - welcome to Birmingham old girl!
Here she comes!
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Here she comes... Concorde's arrival at Birmingham International Airport on her farewell flight.
Shots of Concorde on her farewell tour - Birmingham International Airport - 20/10/2003
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Concorde on the ground at Birmingham Airport
A few pictures that I found digging around my hard drive... Forgot I had these shots! I'll publish more as I track them down..
For more images & tech spec, etc on this beautiful aircraft, please see http://www.concordesst.com/home.html
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Getting into the Christmas spirit? I think not.
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I'm starting to dread the annual ritual of writing the Christmas cards to people. The family are ok, as they obviously know what's happened, but it's people that we (Mum & I) haven't seen / spoken to since last year that are worrying me.
Why? Because Mum & I are going to have to compose a letter to enclose with the cards, and let people know what has happened - and then wait for the 'phone calls, which I know damned well will upset Mum, as well as me... But I've already had one freak out episode in this so-called season of goodwill already....
I know this will sound crazy, but I had a minor crack up episode on Friday (after I'd posted to my blog.) I wasn't feeling very sociable at lunch-time, and rather than face having to try and make small talk with colleagues over sandwiches / soup and other lunches, I made a choice, that with hindsight, probably wasn't the smartest thing I could have done.
I went to the Crem and "spoke" to Dad. I was ok, until I read one of the Christmas cards that had been left in the Chapel of Remembrance. It was to a Beloved Father, and spoke of how the sender may not have seemed appreciative of his / her father, but that they always knew that they could rely on them when they needed support.
That was it. I burst into tears, and God knows how I managed to drive back to the office. I think that someone must have been looking after me on that drive, and when I got back into the office, my colleagues were concerned, as I looked a wreck.
My mascara had run (I wasn't wearing the waterproof mascara that I'd bought for Dad's funeral - brilliant stuff by Bourjois - it's called Plump up the Volume Waterproof in Brun Solis), and my eyes were all red and puffy.
Thankfully, I was left alone, but I'll say one thing for my colleagues - they all made sure I was ok - including my boss, who was worried about me driving home Friday night.
Admittedly, I wasn't going straight home - as Friday was my Godsprog's birthday, I had to make an appearance. But, I will admit, I was really glad that I did make the effort and go.
The look of delight on Amber's face when she saw the space hopper was something that really made me feel a lot brighter. Not to mention the glee with which she took to the space hopper - and started chasing the family cat!
So, I got home and saw that Mum had left me a note as she was working the late shift... We'd ordered a mower back in September.... Only for the company whom we'd ordered it from to say that they couldn't get the mower, and neither could Mountfield themselves!
So, Mum had the money refunded to her, and the note asked if I could go into Stratford to the mower place on Western Road (Simms) to sort one out - she's already reserved it, and all I needed to do was take the payment into them, and sort out the delivery.
Thanks. I was trying to avoid going out at the weekend, as I've done all my Christmas shopping (smug grin). Ok - I've still got to get one thing - my Secret Santa gift.
For those people (un)lucky enough to avoid this ritual, it basically involves everyone in the office writing their name on a piece of paper, and then someone else drawing it out of the bowl and scampering off to celebrate or drown their sorrows - depending on who they managed to get. But, I digress.
Simms was easy to get to, and get parked. The fun came when I had to pull out of Western Road. Those people who know Stratford-Upon-Avon will know the place that I'm talking about - it's just off the main drag up to the Tesco Superstore.
Which means that the only way to get out onto the main road, is take a chance and push your way out. Or, you could always wait for some kind motorist to let you out.
But, at this time of year, they are few and far between, especially when they've realised that Auntie Mavis is comming for pre-christmas drinks, and will only drink Bristol Cream sherry - which is the one drink that isn't kept in the house!
So, it was a case of speak softly - use airhorns - which had I been driving the Toyota, I would have done. But the Peugeot doesn't do too badly - especially not when the horn is followed with verbal abuse and / or appropriate hand gestures!
Once out onto the Birmingham road (the main drag), I tried to get past the hoards heading to Tesco and the Maybird shopping centre (which has a vaiety of stores from B&Q to Next and Halfords.)
For some reason, the great British motorist seems to take offence when they get the impression that someone might be trying to get ahead of them! They were all turning right - all I wanted to do was go straight on! I lost count of the dirty looks that I got, simply because I seemed to be moving through the traffic faster than I should have done.
Ah well, suppose I'd better log off & bog off - I've got to get the rest of my Christmas cards written...
Bah Humbug!
Back later - if I haven't gotten writer's block!
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Why? Because Mum & I are going to have to compose a letter to enclose with the cards, and let people know what has happened - and then wait for the 'phone calls, which I know damned well will upset Mum, as well as me... But I've already had one freak out episode in this so-called season of goodwill already....
I know this will sound crazy, but I had a minor crack up episode on Friday (after I'd posted to my blog.) I wasn't feeling very sociable at lunch-time, and rather than face having to try and make small talk with colleagues over sandwiches / soup and other lunches, I made a choice, that with hindsight, probably wasn't the smartest thing I could have done.
I went to the Crem and "spoke" to Dad. I was ok, until I read one of the Christmas cards that had been left in the Chapel of Remembrance. It was to a Beloved Father, and spoke of how the sender may not have seemed appreciative of his / her father, but that they always knew that they could rely on them when they needed support.
That was it. I burst into tears, and God knows how I managed to drive back to the office. I think that someone must have been looking after me on that drive, and when I got back into the office, my colleagues were concerned, as I looked a wreck.
My mascara had run (I wasn't wearing the waterproof mascara that I'd bought for Dad's funeral - brilliant stuff by Bourjois - it's called Plump up the Volume Waterproof in Brun Solis), and my eyes were all red and puffy.
Thankfully, I was left alone, but I'll say one thing for my colleagues - they all made sure I was ok - including my boss, who was worried about me driving home Friday night.
Admittedly, I wasn't going straight home - as Friday was my Godsprog's birthday, I had to make an appearance. But, I will admit, I was really glad that I did make the effort and go.
The look of delight on Amber's face when she saw the space hopper was something that really made me feel a lot brighter. Not to mention the glee with which she took to the space hopper - and started chasing the family cat!
So, I got home and saw that Mum had left me a note as she was working the late shift... We'd ordered a mower back in September.... Only for the company whom we'd ordered it from to say that they couldn't get the mower, and neither could Mountfield themselves!
So, Mum had the money refunded to her, and the note asked if I could go into Stratford to the mower place on Western Road (Simms) to sort one out - she's already reserved it, and all I needed to do was take the payment into them, and sort out the delivery.
Thanks. I was trying to avoid going out at the weekend, as I've done all my Christmas shopping (smug grin). Ok - I've still got to get one thing - my Secret Santa gift.
For those people (un)lucky enough to avoid this ritual, it basically involves everyone in the office writing their name on a piece of paper, and then someone else drawing it out of the bowl and scampering off to celebrate or drown their sorrows - depending on who they managed to get. But, I digress.
Simms was easy to get to, and get parked. The fun came when I had to pull out of Western Road. Those people who know Stratford-Upon-Avon will know the place that I'm talking about - it's just off the main drag up to the Tesco Superstore.
Which means that the only way to get out onto the main road, is take a chance and push your way out. Or, you could always wait for some kind motorist to let you out.
But, at this time of year, they are few and far between, especially when they've realised that Auntie Mavis is comming for pre-christmas drinks, and will only drink Bristol Cream sherry - which is the one drink that isn't kept in the house!
So, it was a case of speak softly - use airhorns - which had I been driving the Toyota, I would have done. But the Peugeot doesn't do too badly - especially not when the horn is followed with verbal abuse and / or appropriate hand gestures!
Once out onto the Birmingham road (the main drag), I tried to get past the hoards heading to Tesco and the Maybird shopping centre (which has a vaiety of stores from B&Q to Next and Halfords.)
For some reason, the great British motorist seems to take offence when they get the impression that someone might be trying to get ahead of them! They were all turning right - all I wanted to do was go straight on! I lost count of the dirty looks that I got, simply because I seemed to be moving through the traffic faster than I should have done.
Ah well, suppose I'd better log off & bog off - I've got to get the rest of my Christmas cards written...
Bah Humbug!
Back later - if I haven't gotten writer's block!
Karen
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
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