Emma, Tariq and Leila... and Jo

Emma, Tariq and baby Leila came to stay with us this weekend.  We had a lot of fun asking Leila to find her toys by name - pretty impressive for someone that's not even one yet!  She can assume the crawling position but hasn't quite got the actions mastered - won't be long though.

On Saturday night, Jo came round too.  She was visiting Granny Annie while Tony was away with work (although skiing not working).  We had a curry and watched Total Wipeout - sweet!

On Sunday we had look at the ducks and swans on the Brayford and then popped to the Green Dragon for lunch.  Had excellent food and even better service, will certainly be going back there soon.

E&T headed home at about 2:30 and K and I decided we'd have a quick snifter in the Tap and then walk home.  Our plans were thwarted by the pub being closed (how dare they not be open at our convenience!) so we headed to the Brewer instead but got side-tracked by The Collection.  I'd never been in there before (disgraceful for a local resident isn't it?) and was very impressed.  We still nipped for a drink in the Brewer but, by the time we came out, it was started to rain and we decided the bus was a better option than shanks' pony.  What a great Valentine's Day.

Olli's First Birthday

It was all round to Grandma's for Olli's first birthday.  He's getting really big and was showing us how well he can stand (with only a few wobbles).  He got lots of presents but obviously his favourite is the piano from Uncle Mark and Auntie Keren.  Looks like we might have a budding Gary Barlow... or Elton John!

R2 Breakfast Show Sporting Challenge

Check out the body check at 1:05, makes me laugh every time.

Birthday in York

It was my birthday on Wednesday but Keren was away working in York so I postponed it until Friday and went up on the train to meet her.  We had two nights in a little B&B that had great reviews on Trip Advisor and we weren't disappointed - it was superb.

On Friday night (after opening all my cards - thanks everyone) we went out for a tour of GBG pubs and a curry (who'd have expected that?!).  On Saturday we embarked on the sight-seeing.  We visited the National Railway Museum and the Minster before embarking on an amble around the walls.  We then visted the Richard III museum (see pic, right) which was laughably awful.  It basically consisted of a plethora of printed and laminated pieces of paper stuck to every wall and surface.  It's the only museum I've ever been in that didn't actually have any artefacts.  Saturday night featured more GBG pubs and a burger and chips - I sure know how to treat my wife!

On Sunday, we climbed Clifford's Tower before visiting York Castle Museum.  If the Richard III museum was poor then YCM sure made up for it - it's the best museum I can remember visiting.  Full of interesting stuff from Roman times to the present day and all really well laid out - highly recommended.  We left York at lunchtime but, on the way home, called at Cusworth Hall near Doncaster for lunch and a look round.  It's another museum focussing on local history and well worth a look if you're up that way.

Had a great weekend all in all.  What a nice birthday.

Golf at Gainsborough GC

Played eighteen at Gainsborough GC with Alan and Craig.  It's a bit too posh for me (despite being in Gainsborough) - my usual venues are a little rougher around the edges... and easier.  Gainsborough GC is owned by Ping and there are some very testing holes.

As usual, there were some good shots hidden in amongst the dross.  I shot 113, which is not bad for me considering the difficulty of the course and the fact that it's my first round for about three months.

Had a good laugh and we've arranged to play again in a few weeks so I've got a target to aim at now.

Goldsy's View - live from Sincil Bank

Hicko and Goldsy enjoyed the Imps' 2-1 win over Bradford but it looks like it wasn't an entirely satisfactory performance!

You sank my battleship!

Had the lads from work round for a games night, we played a variety of things including my first taste of Risk.  Also demolished a mountain of snacks and lager.  I think I was wearing the loser's hat more than anyone else.

Barnet v th'Imps

A happy band of yellow bellies made their way to North London for the latest ride on the Imps' merry-go-round.

It seems that City were so pleased to have us there that they put our picture on their website.

The sharp-eyed amongst you will be able to see Harrison, Tom, Des, Clint, Ted, Goldsy, Al, me and the peak of Waxy O'Morgan's cap.

The mighty Imps came away with all three points and we felt the need to celebrate by supping Chalk Farm dry.  Great weekend - roll on next season's fake stag do.

Banbury

The canal is frozzed right across in Banbury. I stamped on the ice and couldn't break it!

Hello 2010

Is is 'Two Thousand and Ten' or 'Twenty Ten'?  Answers on a postcard to the usual address please.

K and I saw in the new decade with Jon, Martin, Char, Nick, Amy, Jo, Tony and about 100 other people at the Tap & Spile.  Second year running we've been there and it was just as good as last time.  As before we got there early to baggsy a prime table so we had room for our traditional new year activity - Uno!

They had some fine ales on and a two piece band doing rock covers; and not forgetting Walter, the 120 year old magician who entertained us with card tricks and a dripping schnoz.