The Dixon/Morris Christmas Party

Steve and Patricia invited us round to their house for Christmas eats and drinks last night.  Patricia had done a fantastic buffet and there was plenty of booze on offer.  Unfortunately, I'm not drinking and have no appetite because I'm still ill - bummer.  I did partake of a snowball because I'd never had one before - very nice, might have to invest in a bottle of advocaat.

Clint & Emma, George & Andy and Martin & Charlotte were also there although M&C went quite early as M was at work today.  As well as the usual banter and laughing we watched the DVD from when we were all in Munich and we also did a couple of quizzes and discussed appropriate (and some inappropriate) names for ladies furry gardens.  Merry Christmas and God bless us every one!

Christmas day with the Family

It's been three days since either of us left the house but we've made it out for Christmas Day.  K & I started at home with our presents but we didn't get through them all before we had to get ready to go round to the Hickertons for more presents and then lunch.  Penny had put on a fine spread for all (seven) of us - and Pete was the only one who didn't have a cold!

After lunch Martin and Philip went for a walk, the girls watched "Noel's Christmas Presents" and I did anything but watch "Noel's Christmas Presents"!  Luckily I had plenty of new books to occupy me.

At around five, K and I went round to my Mum's for the evening.  Lou, Pat, Olli and Grandad were all there and relaxing after their big lunch.  Olli was passed around and even sat on my knee despite my worries about giving him my cold.  Dad gave Grandad a lift home and then we did yet more presents!

I've had so many presents, I must have been a very good boy this year.

Oh no! Laid up for Christmas!

No sooner was the nativity play out of the way than K's back decided to give up on her.  It's always the same when she's been stressed and unable to exercise because she's busy.  We went to Paul and Suzie's yesterday afternoon and she tried all sorts of positions but it just got steadily worse by the end of the day she could hardly get back in the car and this morning she can't walk unaided.  I'm guiding her along for toilet trips etc but she walks like Mrs Overall.  To cap it all, I've picked up a bug from somewhere and have a temperature in the 100s.  It's like the blind leading the blind.  Roll on Christmas!

All Saints' Nativity - Youth Group and Seekers

It was All Saints' Church family service today and Keren and Pete had organised a performance of a nativity play - with added comedy.  The children from the Youth Group, ably assisted by some Seekers stars, performed in front of a packed church and did a great job.

As well as the play, Charlotte and Martin had organised the singing of festive songs and it was a really nice way to welcome in the festive period.

Well done to all the kids and the adults too!

The A-Z Book Club

Martin's idea - to read 26 books alphabetically by author, each author must be new to the reader.  It's a great way to try new stuff or to catch up on some that have slipped through the net.

Christmas in Amersham

The Hickertons all headed down to Amersham over the weekend for the annual party with the Chases.  K & I were very kindly put up by Emma, Tariq and Leila and we enjoyed a curry with them on Saturday night.

Sunday proved to be somewhat different to what was planned.  Max had had an accident and broken his jaw so S & Q were back and forth to the hospital and couldn't really be expected to host a houseful of people for lunch at the same time.  So, instead, we joined them for presents and a drink before going to the pub for lunch with Carla and Gary.  It wasn't what was planned but it was still good fun and I hear that Max is on the mend.  We'll have to arrange a replacement date in early 2010.

Ling Moor KS2 Christmas Production

I was very honoured to be representing the Governing Body this afternoon at Ling Moor's production of 'An Out Of This World Christmas'.

It was the first time I'd been to a school play since I'd been in one and I thought it was brilliant!  The kids, teachers, TAs and parents had obviously worked really hard and gave a very polished and funny performance in front of a packed hall.

As well as the expected references to the traditional nativity, we had appearances from Bruce Forsyth, Simon Cowell and Jedward!  It was great.

Danwood Quiz Eight

Friday night was Danwood Quiz Eight at the Royal Naval Club in Lincoln.  Keren wasn't very well so I was ably assisted by M&C who did a great job of marking and keeping everyone in line.

As with the previous quizzes, it was a bit of a mixture, some easy rounds, some hard but I think the balance was about right.  We had around 20 teams of four and the winners were from our MPS section.

Unfortunately, there were some people who were using their phones to browse the web - and they weren't very discreet about it which wound up some of the other competitors.  I'm almost resigned to this form of cheating now as I don't think there's much I can do about it.  However, I've emailed everyone that played and told them that if it happens at the next quiz it will be the last.  I don't care about the cheating but I'm not prepared to deal with the complaints!

Weekend with the Houghton/Blackburns

Having a very enjoyable weekend with Jo, Tony & Ivy.  Came down after work on Friday, traffic was easy and we got here in about 2 and a half hours.  Ivy was already in bed, J & T had a pizza ready for us and we watched a bit of telly and had a couple of bevvies before bed.

On Saturday, Tony and I played golf at his local course, Haste Hill.  I played OK, better than usual but Tony's a bit too good for me and he beat me by one hole.  I needed a five on the last for a 99, which would have been only my third score under 100.  Was on the green in three but then three-putted for a six and a nice round ton.  On Saturday night, we watched Strictly, had a takeaway curry and played Balderdash.  We know how to live!

Today we're all off to a pub in Sarratt for lunch with Emma, Tariq and Leila.

1,017 miles later, we're home

The journey from Tobermory to Moffat was very easy.  We arrived at Craignure just as a ferry was loading, it was two hours earlier than the one that we'd booked but we had a word and it didn't matter so we hopped on.  We were sad to be saying goodbye to Mull but our holiday wasn't yet over as we had one more night to go on the way home.  Apart from some roadworks around Glasgow, there were no hold-ups and we arrived in Moffat (Dumfriesshire) at about 3:30pm.  The hotel was getting on a bit but it was OK and the town looked quite nice.

After checking in we went for a walk around town to check out where we could eat dinner.  We had a couple of pints and a game of cards in the Buccleuch Arms and then decided that the best option would be to eat back at the Balmoral then have an early night - which is what we did.  Unfortunately, the rest of Moffat was up for a party and, our room being at the front, we were privy to their music, singing, and shouting.  Thank the Lord for ear plugs - they saved the day (or night).

It's Rememberance Sunday today and there was a commemorative ceremony outside Moffat Town Hall, complete with pipers.  As the Town Hall was dead opposite our hotel we had a good view of the preparations but we left before the ceremonies started.  The drive back to Lincoln was long but there were no traffic problems and we arrived home again at about 3:30pm.

Thank you Scotland for a great holiday.  Looking forward to work tomorrow.

Tobermory

Spent Thursday afternoon, pootling around Tobermory looking in all the shops (there aren't many).  At around four thirty, we hiked up to the Western Isles Hotel (in the picture, it's the large grey building on the hill) for a coffee in their conservatory overlooking the harbour.  There was a wedding party on so we found ourselves surrounded by men in kilts and a bird in a big white dress.

After a chippy tea featuring local cod, we played backgammon and dominoes in our kitchen/diner.  We really know how to live it up when we're on holiday!

Tobermory Golf Club

Wow!  What a course.  It's certainly got the best views of anywhere I've ever played before and I would say it's also the hardest.  There are no bunkers, no water and very few trees - the difficulty comes from the massive changes in elevation.  Most of the fairways were almost terraced in appearance, on almost every shot you were hitting blind over a hill, or off a 'cliff' edge into a valley or over the top of a canyon.  I got more exercise in nine holes round here than I've ever had in 18 anywhere else.  Despite the terrain and my borrowed set of antique clubs, I shot 50 and was pretty pleased to do so.  If you like golf, and if you're ever in Tobermory, you must play this course!

Iona

We drove from Tobermory to Fionnphort, to catch a ferry to Iona.  A 10 minute sailing brings you to a very different landscape, much flatter and with the whitest beaches I've ever seen.  Iona is the place where St Columba established the first Christian settlement in Britain.  We looked around the Abbey and in the museum of stone crosses, some of which were from the 8th century.

K and I walked to a beach at the northern end of the island where we had a picnic atop a rock looking out to sea.  It was a really beautiful place and was helped by the fantastic weather.

On the way back to Tobermory we stopped to take lots of photos of the mountains in the southern half of Mull.  The browns, greens and reds at this time of year are really stunning, I don't believe our photos will do them justice so you'll have to take our word for it.

On our way to Iona

It's sunny!

Monday and Tuesday - Mulling it over in the rain

Yesterday the weather was wet, dry, wet, dry, wet, dry… in 5 minute intervals… all day. We didn't come to Mull in November expecting dry weather and we're determined not to let the rain slow us down so we donned our waterproof troosers and set off for Loch a’ Ghleannain (don’t ask me how to pronounce this, I have no idea). We got drenched, properly… imagine the wettest you’ve ever been, like in the bath, then double it and add some mud. With the car's heaters on full blast, we dried off enough to venture out again and had a wander around Torosay Castle gardens then through the forest to Craignure for a restorative pint. Last night we ate at MacGochan’s, scampi and chips twice and a game of pool.

Today the rain was on/off again but when it was on it wasn’t on as hard or as long as yesterday so we only needed five layers instead of twelve. We went on a boat trip into the Sound of Mull (this is a body of water, not a prog rock band). It was choppy at times but the two crew were very well informed and, as there were only six passengers, we were able to ask lots of questions. We saw grey seals, common seals, herons, shags (stop sniggering at the back) and, best of all, three harbour porpoises which came to within about 10 metres of the back of the boat. Wag, the first mate, said it was very unusual to see them so close as they are normally quite shy. Right we’re off out for a curry now, see you again soon.

Tobermory - we've arrived!

Yesterday we arrived in Mull and had a walk around the harbour.  We had a pint and then went to Cafe Fish for dinner.  Guess what?  We had fish!  K had smoked salmon followed by scallops and I had onion soup followed by seafood stroganoff.  We both agreed it was one of the best meals we'd had for ages (apologies to any of our friends who have been kind enough to invite us round for dinner, your meals were nice too).

Today it was raining so we had a late fry-up, watched the GP and then went for a wet walk around the town.  We finished off with dinner at the Mishnish Hotel.  Really indifferent service in what is supposed to be Tobermory's most famous establishment.  However the food was OK and it was quiz night!  We came joint last.  Must do more revision next time.  Met a father and son from Essex who were touring the Highlands and islands taking nature photographs.

Oban for the ferry to Mull

Who says that the Scots have made no contribution to international cuisine?  Battered pizza (aka "Pizza Crunch") is the future.  You can actually feel your arteries hardening (aka "Scotifying") as you eat it.  The ferry from Oban to Craignure (on Mull) was very quiet - we sat up on deck and enjoyed the bracing conditions.

Loch Lomond

On the way to Mull, we called at Luss (shores of Loch Lomond) and Inveraray (on Loch Fyne).  Dry for most of the journey, some clouds but plenty of blue patches too.  Ticked off another GBG pub in Inveraray!

Glasgow

Four star luxury in Glasgow city centre - don't panic, I got a 'deal'!  We arrived at about noon after an easy drive from Penrith, found the hotel really quickly and they were happy for us to check in early.  It was bit drizzly so we weren't seeing the city at its best.  We had a mission to tick off some of the many Good Beer Guide pubs in the city centre - we did about five.  In the evening we had a really good curry on Sauchiehall Street.  Off to Mull tomorrow.

Welcome to Scotland...

... unless you're a sassenach; yous can all pish off back to England.

Breakfast in Penrith

First morning of our hols. B&B is really nice with top notch breakfast. Last night I treated K to a pizza sat on a park bench then we ticked off two more Good Beer Guide pubs. Heading for Glasgow later.

Button and Brawn are Champions!

Jenson Button's finally done it!  He finished 5th in the Brazilian GP which was enough the clinch the title with one race still to go.  After starting 14th on the grid he demonstrated some brilliant overtaking to charge up the field.

It's a real fairytale of the highest order.  Brawn GP was raised from the ashes of the Honda works team.  In November there was no guarantee that Button would have a seat at all for 2009.  Now he's champion and Brawn have won the constructor's championship.

Click here for the full story.

1st Gainsborough Beer Festival

Saturday afternoon was spent at the 1st Gainsborough Beer Festival in the Old Hall - certainly the most important historic building in which I've got pissed.

My fellow passengers on the train from Lincoln included Mark R and Nick; and we were met in Gainsborough by Ross, Martin and Charlotte.

There were 44 beers on offer and we managed to sample 41 of them.  We were only prevented from completing the clean sweep by three selling out.  Most of the beers on offer were from Lincolnshire brewers including Bateman, Tom Wood, Poacher, Cathedral, Dark Tribe, Fugelestou and Oldershaw.  My personal favourite was Fugelestou's Marsh Mild.

We treated ourselves to chips and gravy in the High Street and were treated to a fight (also in the High Street) by the locals.  A bloke and woman were screaming at each other before she decided to start thrashing him and than stormed off in tears surrounded by her mates.  I'd like to point out that they had nothing to do with the festival, they came out of a ropey looking pub next to the chippy.  Apart from that fracas we had a very good afternoon and I hope it will become a regular fixture on the social calendar.

Curry and Ale in the Lincolnshire Wolds

See if you can guess from the picture where I was on Friday night.  Answers as comments please.

Went on the train from Lincoln, it was brand new, loads of leg room, spotlessly clean, quiet and smooth.  If only all trains were like this.

Arrived in my destination very early and so installed myself in the Red Lion which is a cracking pub.  Open coal fire, friendly staff, free haslet and chutney on the bar :-).  I had all five different real ales on offer, my favourite being the Tom Wood's Best Bitter.  At about 8:30 I met up with the missus and Mark & Lydia and the Gate of India.  Cracking food and service, I can't remember what I had which is probably something to do with the real ale followed by two pints of Lal Toofan.  Stayed over at M&L's for an all round great evening.

79 sausages in 3 days

K and I have spent the weekend in Munich with George & Andy, Clint & Emma and Steve & Patricia. The Bavarians love their beer and they love their sausages. Between us we've racked up 79 snorkers so far. I'll post some pics and video when I get back.

Grrrr

Is it just me or does this pasta look like an angy dog?

End Of An Era

For the past 18 years (give or take a couple of years in London and Hull here and there), I've been playing five-a-side football every monday night at 8pm.  Hundreds of players have come and gone in that time but there have been two constants; Paul "Smithy" Smith and Steve "Fresh" Freshney.  This week, they both retired - this leaves me as the longest serving, currently active player.  I felt old before, now I feel ancient!

There was a really good turnout for their final match, it was almost a testimonial atmosphere and we even let Smithy score from a Fresh corner.  Not bad considering they have a combined age of 163.

By their standards, I should have another 25 years of football in my legs - but I wouldn't count on it.

Laser Combat

It was James' stag do this weekend.  I was only able to make the tail end of it this afternoon.  The best man, Naz, had taken them all out in Sheffield on Saturday, they didn't stop until 5am and then they'd had to be up to get back to Lincoln for 1pm. and by the time I met up with them on Sunday lunchtime there were somewhat "tired".  Tired as newts!

We headed in convoy up to Frontline Laser Combat on the edge of Lincs Showground.  Matthew, the boss, does a great job up there and really looks after his customers.  I reckon everyone had a good time - even those that were sweating neat alcohol.  James and Karen get married on Halloween, we'll be on holiday so can't attend, hope he enjoyed his send off.

Normanby Hall

Played golf yesterday with Alan and Craig at Normanby Hall (Craig's the one in the slippers).  Reputedly it's one of the best municipal courses in the country and I can see why.  It was tough!  Then the wind started to blow... hard... and that made it even tougher.

I got one par, which is always good and scored 112, I was fairly happy considering the course and conditions.  Hit some nice irons off the tee.

Now the nights are drawing in I might not get that much more golf in so my good form will all drain away over the winter.

Dog Racing in Peterborough

Works outing to Peterborough Dogs on Friday night.  It's great set-up there - you can sit in what's basically a restaurant but with all the tables arranged in tiers so you can see the track.  People come to your table between every race to take your bets and deliver your winnings from the previous race.  Couldn't be easier.

I was making small bets in every race and won something in 11 out of the 14 races.  Unfortunately I wasn't winning very much and I ended the night about £5 down.  Had good fun for my fiver though.

Chris Sutton is new Imps Manager!

Lincoln have appointed former England striker Chris Sutton as their new manager.  This was a bit of a bolt from the blue but, as you can see from the photo to the left, he's really excited about it.

Sutton will be assisted by former Blackburn team mate Ian Pearce who will also be registered as a player.

Their first move has been to sack Simon Clark who has been in charge in a caretaker role for the past four matches.

It's Sutton's first managerial post so the club are gambling but experience is no guarantee of success - Jacko proved that!  First game in charge is Aldershot on Saturday - COME ON YOU IMPS.

Ivy's Christening

Spent the weekend in Bucks for Ivy Maeve's christening.

On Saturday afternoon, K and I travelled down to Emma & Tariq's new house in Amersham.  They've got a lot of work to do but I'm sure it'll be great when finished.  I was meeting baby Leila for the first time and she is very sweet and extremely smiley.

Saturday night we picked up a curry from the local takeaway and watched Strictly and Match Of The Day.  Rock and roll!

Sunday morning we headed over to Northwood for the big event.  Ivy was very well behaved and looked great in her new frock.  There were two families christening four babies at the same service and suffice to say it was noisy.  That was before they handed out the tambourines and maracas.

After the service it was back to Tony's golf club to extend the celebrations.  I bagged a table by the patio doors so I could criticise everyone teeing off on the first.  Food was great and plentiful and T had stuck some cash behind the bar - K even drove me home!  Nice.

Great weekend and look forward to seeing them all again soon.

A Load of Balls

Spent the day playing golf with Ross and Lewis. First time I've ever taken a whole day off to play golf, also the first time that I've played 36 holes in a day. Absolutely brilliant!

We started off at Forest Pines near Scunthorpe. Without doubt the most prestigious course I've played and the amount of trees and water, and the speed of the greens made it a daunting prospect. We had a 7:50am tee time (eek!) but it was worth it, for the first 7 or 8 holes we hardly saw another golfer. It was like we owned the course. I'd asked Dad for any tips for the course - he said "take plenty of balls"! I was prepared to lose a few in the trees but I ended up finding one more than I lost so there was a net profit there.

I made one par (on the 2nd hardest hole on the course!) and went round in a total of 116. Given that my usual score on much easier courses is around 101 or 102 I was pretty happy with that. Lewis won the morning session with a 115 so I was still "in the hunt".

After lunch at the Inn On The Green in Ingham it was on to Laughterton for round two. This is a course I'm much more familiar with and I started off well with a bogey on the 1st and par on the 2nd. It all started going a bit wrong for a few holes after that and I ended up on 50 for the outward nine - about average. The back nine however was a different story, I suddenly moved up a gear (I wish I knew how!) and the pars and bogeys were coming ten-a-penny. My score coming in was just 44 (7 over par for the back nine) giving me a total of 94 which equals my best ever round and is only my second ever score under 100. Lewis got 97 so I won the round by three and the day by two.

It seems I need 27 holes (or 166 shots) to get warmed up then I start playing well. I've really got the bug at the minute so am going to Normanby Hall on Saturday with Alan and Craig. Fore!

Langley's Charity Quiz Night 2009

I was on one of Danwood's teams at Langley's (Solicitors) Charity Quiz last night. We've been taking part for several years and last year ended up in third.

This year we fielded two teams and I was on Danwood 2 aka "667, The Fax Number Of The Beast". Despite having only four team members we finished in the top half. The best bit was beating Danwood 1 and Lincolnshire Tourism (both of whom had six members).

It was still a winning night as one of our team won six bottles of wine in the raffle and he dished them out to his team-mates. Thanks Ian!

Nearly £1000 was raised for children's charities so they were the real winners.

Happy Birthday Dad!

It's Dad's fifty-fifteenth birthday today (whether he wants it to be or not!).

Yesterday, K & I went with mum and dad for a late lunch or early dinner at the King's Head in Navenby. I had scotch broth followed by monkfish and accompanied by a couple of pints of Tiger. Brilliant!

Happy Birthday Dad - enjoy your pension!

Dicko's party (hosted by the Walkers!)

Dicko hosted a party last night - I say 'hosted' but he actually managed to invited everyone round to the Walkers'. His reasoning was that they would have to get a babysitter otherwise but I think it was just an excuse to avoid any washing up.

In attendance were S&P, C&E, K&me and G&A. George did the starter (mushrooms in creamy sauce), Emma did the main (sausage casserole) and Patricia did the pudding (chocolate meringue), my contribution was to provide a quiz for after dinner entertainment. It was boys v girls and the boys just nicked it.

K and I drank way to much and wobbled home on our bikes at about 2:30am. Great night out, can't wait for our Munich trip with the same crew.

Ashbourne Camping

Camping in Derbyshire this weekend. K and I travelled over to Ashbourne on Friday after work. It was a nice drive - top down all the way. Arrived at a very busy campsite just north of Ashbourne. Took us a little while to queue up and get checked in but then found the pitch and got the tent up in double-quick time. The Walkers, Hickertons and McGinns were already there and set up.

We headed to the onsite pub for dinner but there was going to be a 90 minute wait for food and, as the kids were already hungry, we didn't want to wait. Instead we nipped to the cafe next door for pizzas, chips etc. We ate outside and I really enjoyed it.

Next morning, we discovered we had a slow puncture in our airbed and we woke up lying on the floor - ouch! After a communal breakfast, M&C and K&I walked into Ashbourne (about a mile) while the others took the kids to the pool. We had an ice cream on the way and then had a couple or three pints in the town before walking back. It seems a nice little place.

We arrived back at around 6:30pm and the BBQ was almost ready. Everyone had brought a selection of food so it was all slung on and devoured. Then we sat up chatting and laughing until about 11 when we turned in. I think it's the fresh air but camping always makes me want to go to bed early. I pumped the airbed up really hard in the hope that it would retain a bit more air during the night but no joy and we woke up aching again.

Another communal breakfast and we drove back to Lincoln - roof down once more. Top weekend.

Jacko Sacko

Shock news, Jacko sacked. City have had a pretty average start to the season but this, coupled with the last few months of last season, has been enough to prompt the board into decisive action. It wasn't a surprise as large sections of the crowd have been on Jacko's back for a few games now.

No news as of yet as to who will take charge with Mark Cooper (Kettering) and Gary Brabin (ex Cambridge) seeming to be front runners. Gareth Ainsworth, John Ward, Ronnie Moore, Stuart Bimson, Keith Alexander, Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all are also being mentioned as candidates.

For the time being Simon Clark is caretaker manager although how he can combine team affairs with sweeping the dressing room and making sure the gates are locked is beyond me. See the Echo for the full story.

Harmstock 2009

Today we celebrated Charlotte's twenty-eleventh birthday with a memorable (if somewhat damp) trip to Harmstock '09.

We started with champagne and birthday cake at Chez Hickerton. Apart from M & C and K and me, there was Pete & Ginny, Clint & Emma, Steve (but no Patricia as he had left her in the kitchen!), Jon, Lou & Dan, Nick & Amy, Becky & Dave and Maria & Dave (and a gaggle of neices and nephews). While we were there, we had the chance to look at some of Martin's photos from Kenya - they got amazingly close to some of the animals and he has some superb pictures to prove it.

The weather was looking decidedly "iffy" (meteorological term) so the original plan to walk from South Hykeham to Harmston was canned in favour of driving to Waddington and just walking the last bit. Some people had to duck out at this point so the walking party numbered eleven. After a bracing snifter in the Horse and Jockstrap we embarked on our trek. Then the rain came! By the time we were halfway to Harmston it was properly p155ing down and those people without waterproofs did very well to keep going without complaint.

We arrived at the Thorald Arms in Harmston to be met by a sea of umbrellas and goretex - everyone else seemed better prepared than us. Anyway, once we had a couple of halves of Sneck Lifter inside us things began to look a lot better. The weather did begin to slowly improve and somebody managed to purloin one of the pub parasols which provided a fair amount of shelter even it involved huddling in uncomfortable proximity. We had been joined at this point by Phil and Ted, Yvette, Neve & Isla; later on Suzie also turned up (having left Paul in charge of baby Phoebe).

The beer and the bands and the company and the laughs were all of top quality and I think Harmstock may become a regular fixture on our calendars.

1st Skellingthorpe International Croquet Tournament

K and I took part in the 1st Skellingthorpe International Croquet tournament today. That's the official name, the unofficial name is the Annual Excuse For A Few Summer Swals At Jon's Parent's House. I realise it's not catchy but you've got to admit it's descriptive.

This year Mr B senior had laid a croquet course on the vicarage lawn. He also instructed the assembled rabble on the finer points of this gentlest of summer games. Jon split the eight or so pairs into two teams and battle commenced.

Some of the participants (Glenn!) were more interested in wrecking their opponents chances than advancing themselves but all is fair in love and croquet. K and I had a good win against Danny and Kirsty (Danny, you are the weakest link, goodbye) but were then put to the sword by Martin and Charlotte - despite Charlotte not being able to properly focus, or even stand up straight on occasion. Suitably beaten, Team Shepherd decided to withdraw gracefully and leave the rest to slug it out. I'm not sure if floodlights were on offer but I feel they may well have been required.

2-1 nuff said

Why is every other driver an idiot?

I think I must be getting old. So much about driving annoys me these days, I feel the need to share my frustrations with the world.

1. Drivers who don't pull over to the left on a dual carriageway or motorway. Unless you're overtaking... GET OVER!
2. Drivers who feel the need to drift to the right in order to make a left-hand turn and vice versa. You're not driving an artic, you're in a bloody KIA!
3. People with convertibles who drive around with the roof up in nice weather. Why did you buy it? If you don't want your hair to blow around, buy a hardtop!
4. People who go through the drive-thru at McDonalds and then eat their food in the car park. Surely there must be somewhere more appealing.
5. Tailgaters - this is just plain dangerous - if you're behind me I will brake test you.
6. People who dawdle along at 40mph when the limit is 60 and then arrive at a village and carry on doing 40 even though the limit is 30.
7. Drivers who overtake on wide single carriageway roads even when there is stuff coming the other way (Newark bypass is a prime example). Have you ever wondered what will happen if you meet another moron doing the same thing in the other direction?
8. People whose cars still sport Comic Relief red noses from 1986.
9. BMW drivers.
10. A lorry doing 50mph overtaking another lorry doing 49.5mph and blocking both lanes of a dual carriageway for mile after mile. All lorries should be restricted to the inside lane and only allowed out at night.
11. People who take up two spaces at the supermarket so no-one parks within 4 feet of them. These are usually drivers of kevved up hatchbacks or rally reps.
12. People who don't notice that their indicator is on for mile after mile. This is usually on the motorway after changing lanes - can you not see the flashing light and hear the tick tick tick? At least they bothered to indicate in the first place.
13. People that don't indicate. Every lane change, every roundabout, every junction, they all need indicators. You'd think it cost money to flick the lever. BMW drivers are the worst (see No.9) - indicators must be an optional extra on all BMWs.
14. People who don't want to overtake (fair enough) but also don't leave enough room between them and the vehicle in front to allow other people to overtake.
15. Drivers who drop their fag butts out of the window. It's still littering you know. There is no difference between your dog end and a KFC carton.

Anyway, rant over (for now), feel free to leave your own comments.

Sunday lunch with Ivy (et al)

Met up in Aubourn for lunch with Jo, Tony and Ivy today.

Food was excellent as always. I had a sausage and onion pie which really hit the spot. T had a piece of cod the size of a small whale.

The company was just as good as the food, a great way to spend a warm Sunday afternoon.

Hanging around the Binns'

It was Andy's birthday party this afternoon. He and George invited us round to theirs for a barbecue. Also in attendance were Clint, Emma & Joel, Steve and Patricia and Craig, Helen and Nicola. We hadn't met the last three socially before although it turns out Keren knew Helen from Robert Patt - Lincoln is a very small town sometimes. It was a sunny, if windy, afternoon but very pleasant sat out in their garden. There was enough food to feed around 50 people (even if one of them was me) and the beer and wine were also flowing freely. A great afternoon - happy birthday Andy!

Des and Daisy's Wedding

K and I were at Des and Daisy's wedding in Cambridgeshire on Friday. I was a great day. The marriage service was at a church in the centre of Cambridge so we nipped for a quick snifter in the Avery beforehand. The ceremony was great with a couple of belting hymns - Lord Of The Dance was one which is definite contender for inclusion on the forthcoming album "Christianity's Greatest Hits".

After the service there were some photographs outside the church and then we travelled by car to the fantastically named Shingay-cum-Wendy for the wedding breakfast. The weather was being very kind so we started with champers on the lawn while more photos were taken before moving inside for the meal. Strasbourg pate, venison and banoffi was served and it was all superb. The speeches were very funny and everyone seemed to have a great time. In the evening there was a disco and much "enthusiastic" dancing.

It was a terrific day all round and I'm sure the bride and groom will remember it forever.