Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Monday, 6 January 2020
Term
Today feels like the start of a proper new term, mostly thanks to the significantly increased volume of traffic on the road this morning, as everyone started to face getting back to work or school, unlike those of us who made the effort for a couple of days last week. Still things are warming up a little bit - preparing for things to come as January (and beyond) gradually gets busier.
As the pictures from Saturday's blog shows, we had a lovely start to the weekend. Nicky picked me up from work on Friday, and we drove to the Vineyard pub in Lamberhurst where a dinner and B&B had been arranged. Pub food was good (even better once we'd moved ourselves away from the large table of shrieking ladies), room was comfy, including an entertaining and challengingly tight spiral staircase, and breakfast was full English.
Just under a mile down the road was Scotney Castle. If I'd been there before, it must have been a very long time ago, as I don't remember it at all. Nicky's main story involves camping and D of E expeditions. However, we had a lovely visit in the winter sunshine. Sad to discover that the old castle was deliberately made a ruin when the newer house was built. Where was the National Trust when it was needed the most?! Importantly, we can say that we've already used our NT membership in 2020, and possibly more than we did in the entire year in 2019!
Once home on Saturday afternoon, we set to with dismantling of Christmas trees and packing up of decorations (there's quite a collection on the landing waiting to be shipped back up to the loft at the moment) before risotto followed by crumble for tea (Jake and Izzy's request).
Relatively quiet Sunday: church (final chance at some carols), Nicky took Izzy's luggage over to her house as the rest of the family had just arrived back from NZ, roast with Nan, dog walk, that sort of thing.
As the pictures from Saturday's blog shows, we had a lovely start to the weekend. Nicky picked me up from work on Friday, and we drove to the Vineyard pub in Lamberhurst where a dinner and B&B had been arranged. Pub food was good (even better once we'd moved ourselves away from the large table of shrieking ladies), room was comfy, including an entertaining and challengingly tight spiral staircase, and breakfast was full English.
Just under a mile down the road was Scotney Castle. If I'd been there before, it must have been a very long time ago, as I don't remember it at all. Nicky's main story involves camping and D of E expeditions. However, we had a lovely visit in the winter sunshine. Sad to discover that the old castle was deliberately made a ruin when the newer house was built. Where was the National Trust when it was needed the most?! Importantly, we can say that we've already used our NT membership in 2020, and possibly more than we did in the entire year in 2019!
Once home on Saturday afternoon, we set to with dismantling of Christmas trees and packing up of decorations (there's quite a collection on the landing waiting to be shipped back up to the loft at the moment) before risotto followed by crumble for tea (Jake and Izzy's request).
Relatively quiet Sunday: church (final chance at some carols), Nicky took Izzy's luggage over to her house as the rest of the family had just arrived back from NZ, roast with Nan, dog walk, that sort of thing.
Sunday, 5 January 2020
Cup tie
Jake went to Priestfields this afternoon, as it's not too often that the Gills get to host a Premier League side. Truth be told, he was actually sat with the away (West Ham) supporters, so had to do his best to look pleased when they scored in the second half, and then sealed the victory in injury time.
So, no Gills in the hat for the 4th round draw. At least Spurs are still in it, although we will have to have a replay against Middlesborough!
So, no Gills in the hat for the 4th round draw. At least Spurs are still in it, although we will have to have a replay against Middlesborough!
Saturday, 4 January 2020
Friday, 3 January 2020
Mid season
Time for a quick reflection on this post from back in August, when Jake and I made our predictions for the 2019/20 Premier League season. We took stock at the end of the year, which was approximately half way through the season (and before the games on New Year's Day) to see how we were doing, and it's fair to say that results were mixed!
Overall Jake was winning at that point, with a cumulative error of 72 league places across all teams (or an average of about 3.5 places per team), whereas my cumulative error was 81 places, or 4 per team.
The most obvious surprise is Sheffield Utd - both of us have predicted them to go straight back down, and they are currently doing pretty well in the top half. Then the main reason for the difference between our standings is my dislike of Newcastle causing me to stubbornly predict them in last place, whereas Jake has them in what may turn out to be a more realistic 11th.
We will see ...
Overall Jake was winning at that point, with a cumulative error of 72 league places across all teams (or an average of about 3.5 places per team), whereas my cumulative error was 81 places, or 4 per team.
The most obvious surprise is Sheffield Utd - both of us have predicted them to go straight back down, and they are currently doing pretty well in the top half. Then the main reason for the difference between our standings is my dislike of Newcastle causing me to stubbornly predict them in last place, whereas Jake has them in what may turn out to be a more realistic 11th.
We will see ...
Thursday, 2 January 2020
Recap
To recap on the holiday period, and share a few pictures:
25th - just the three of us - me, Nicky and Margaret, but Nicky did a fab roast beef for lunch, and otherwise we had a pretty lazy day with the Christmas TV.
26th - a much fuller and livelier house, with lots of visitors and an enjoyable time had by all.
27th - a trip to the park with the dogs, including both of them going for a paddle in an alarmingly deep pond. Completion of Christmas jigsaw puzzle.
28th - trip to Canterbury, mostly an excuse for a longer ride in the new car. New winter coat purchased for me.
29th - another trip out in the car - this time to Heathrow to collect the returning travellers after their epic journey all the way back from New Zealand via China.
30th - Christmas day all over again. Presents for those just returned, Christmas dinner no.2 (turkey), and a Disney Christmas quiz.
31st - a low-key New Year at home - J gone to meet up with friends after a fairly long afternoon nap, I not making it to midnight by about three hours due to the jetlag.
25th - just the three of us - me, Nicky and Margaret, but Nicky did a fab roast beef for lunch, and otherwise we had a pretty lazy day with the Christmas TV.
26th - a much fuller and livelier house, with lots of visitors and an enjoyable time had by all.
27th - a trip to the park with the dogs, including both of them going for a paddle in an alarmingly deep pond. Completion of Christmas jigsaw puzzle.
28th - trip to Canterbury, mostly an excuse for a longer ride in the new car. New winter coat purchased for me.
29th - another trip out in the car - this time to Heathrow to collect the returning travellers after their epic journey all the way back from New Zealand via China.
30th - Christmas day all over again. Presents for those just returned, Christmas dinner no.2 (turkey), and a Disney Christmas quiz.
31st - a low-key New Year at home - J gone to meet up with friends after a fairly long afternoon nap, I not making it to midnight by about three hours due to the jetlag.
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
New Year
So, New Year, new post!
Today the Christmas holidays have been winding up, as it's back to the office tomorrow. The returnees from New Zealand are gradually getting back onto UK time (possibly helped by Jake going to one of his friends for a New Year get together last night).
We went over to Bluewater to a cinema trip this afternoon (Jumanji 2) followed by GBK, and are now relaxing (in the new extension) in front of the telly watching Ferris Bueller.
Today the Christmas holidays have been winding up, as it's back to the office tomorrow. The returnees from New Zealand are gradually getting back onto UK time (possibly helped by Jake going to one of his friends for a New Year get together last night).
We went over to Bluewater to a cinema trip this afternoon (Jumanji 2) followed by GBK, and are now relaxing (in the new extension) in front of the telly watching Ferris Bueller.
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