Claire and Tom

No sooner had I returned home from the Ricoh and I was out again, a quick change into my gladrags and I was off to the hotel to help Claire and Tom celebrate their wedding day. Aah Ceri, she was such good company that night, we had a lovely evening positively dancing our heads off till our feet got too hot.




Claire was radiant and looked very slim, people kept coming up to me to acknowledge MY part in the process... I think Claire had told everyone it was aerobics that had shifted the pounds.

Everyone was admiring the cake, it looked delicious!

It even had lights on it...all twinkles and roses...lovely.



It was one of the best weddings I've been to, the buffet was nice (I said I wouldn't eat anything but couldn't resist 6 sandwiches (whoopsie!) the band were fantastic, the bubble machine was fun and the dancefloor was permanently full...CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM BOTH!




They are honeymooning in Singapore (SINGAPORE!!!!! SOOOZE!!!) and Borneo where Claire will undoubtably adopt an orangutan... so I burned them a bread board featuring the Singapore merlion and an orangutan.

Cov v Boro (PUSB!!)

Hats off the the groundsmen at the Ricoh Arena for ensuring no game has ever been postponed! They worked hard to maintain this proud record and on a very snowy Saturday 4th Dec the Sky Blues welcomed the mighty Boro to the Ricoh. Phil and I made our way down the M6 to watch our respective teams, clad in several layers (whoever would have thought that Chester College gymnastics tights would last 33 years??) (33!! remember him??!) and each wearing an appropriately coloured scarf. On the way we passed this magnificent meerkat sculpture made entirely of


haybales

click the above for full story




We met up with Brownie who, as corporate member of the Ricoh, invited us into the Jaguar lounge for a very tasty pre-match fish and chips, with the promise of a soft padded seat on the halfway line, unlimited tea and coffee and a good chance of a nil nil draw.



Amy, a female linesman was running the line, she has been called on to ref the last 20 mins of the game here v Forest last season.



We enjoyed the first half....it was a bit scrappy but it was end to end with City having a couple of shots and then some great excitement on 28 minutes when Boro were awarded a penalty. 28 minutes. 28. Phil had had the time of the first goalscorer as 29 mins 29 seconds so was already spending what would surely be some generous winnings. Leroy put ball on the spot on 29 mins (OMG surely he would make Phil some money) and then proceeded to faff about for a minute and a half ("GET ON WITH IT!!!" "JUST KICK THE BALL!!!" in my right ear) and what happened next was both genius and comedy as Leroy blasted the ball down the centre (after a very dodgy run up) and Kieran made a superb save, sending the ball straight back to Leroy who then smashed it straight back to Kieran from... how many yards???? Fantastic goalkeeping (MOM deservedly) Wotahoot.

Half time NIL NIL

So back inside for my 4th cuppa (OMG what a brilliant afternoon)

We had spotted the current Blades Boss taking his seat at the start of the game and I really NEEDED a photo of him (I like Mr Speed) so we tried a few tactical (childish??) strategic standing positions with Gary in the background...




...until in the end I asked him outright for a photo and he duly obliged and now I like him even more. (OMG what a totally brilliant afternoon)

Ths sky was changing all the time, looking lovely in all different shades of blue and purple...




...the fact that I photographed it indicates how well(?) we were playing... Boro definitely came right back into the game in the 2nd half though never really looked like scoring. Their play in the final third let them down although they did hit the woodwork again.

It was Marlon King who broke the deadlock by scoring the penalty from the same penalty spot that Leroy Lita missed from and for the first time in 4 years City kept a clean sheet for 3 games in a row...

PUSB PUSB ONE NIL final score.

Brownie and I were happy, Phil was understandably disappointed as Boro weren't totally clueless and had made us work hard.



...and we weren't merely happy with the score but also with our £1 bet on Cov to win ONE NIL at 6-1, (Brownie always finds a parking spot with the numbers of the predicted score...we didn't realise and had parked in number 32....3-2? ...a bit ambitious!! but OMG he did it again! WHOOP WHOOP!!)



Another 3 points!! We left the Ricoh with the rest of the 15768 crowd very happy, it was a brilliant afternoon, and Brownie... you do realise I am going to want to do it again don't you.... THANKS FOR HAVING US.

Alison 40th Sammy 21st

Alison has been coming to Aqua for several years now and is like a FISH, she just loves the water and is constantly UNDER it..... she will be so pleased I was able to pop in to her party this weekend.







Alison was first to the table when the buffet was ready!!


40??? I still can't believe it , she looks about 20!


Talk about all parties coming at once.... I then legged it across Upton to Sammy's 21st, she looked so glam.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!

"Happy birthday to Mooooo!!"



Sisterly love aaahhh...




the Bull's Head had a nice glass picture on the wall Drake...



Well she doesn't look 4 years older than me does she... have a great day Sis! xx

Dee comes to Chester

I don't know where the 34 years went to but when my best friend from Chester College came to see me today, it was just like "yesterday", in particular the volume of our voices. (Bubble and Squeak indeed!) I don't think there was more than a 30 second silence between us all afternoon.



We headed off into Chester as Dee had a list(!) (there isn't a Debenhams or a Lakeland near her hometown). It was lovely to see the precinct all sparkly and shimmery and Christmassy.




And then off to the Ferris Wheel.



This 50m observational ferris wheel is part of the newly created WINTER WONDERLAND on the Castle Square giving Chester its most Christmassy feel for years. This family-oriented event has an ice rink, medieval stores, Santa's grotto, bars and hot food, kiddies reindeer rides (aahhh bless) and music. Magical. Dee and I were impressed!




We had 3 circuits round and the views were brilliant despite the fog.





The Roodee looked great from up here.





Dee showed off her superb acting skills...






I can recommend the lemon and lime curd from the farm shop.



Back on the ground, we headed back through town. By now the lights were on...I'm not sure which of these photos is the most accurate, flash off or flash on, but for the first time this year I feel "in" the spirit of Christmas. It was a lovely afternoon.




(This was further enhanced by the football results coming onto my phone PUSBPUSBPUSBPUSB...LAST PUSB)
and Imperial Commander winning at Haydock
(WHOOPWHOOPWHOOPYDOO)
which made it compulsory for me to buy some steak for tea from M+S

mmmm delicious =)

The Tricky Trees v The Sky Blues

The Faulkner Arms has a BOGOF offer on pizzas on Tuesdays so we went tonight to try them, in the knowledge that Forest and the City were kicking off at the City Ground, Forest needing the points more than the City at this point in the season, as we are currently sitting 4th in the Championship.

Hmmmmmm plenty of time for a little arm wrestle...

...with my nice strong arms...

...it was one one at half time (apparently)

plenty of time for more goals tho sonny...



oh darn it...




the least he could do was to make me a cup of tea.

COV, LONDON, ZIZZI'S

Having visited Venice this summer (and loving it) we were keen to go to the new CANALETTO exhibition at the National Gallery in London. Thus the plan was to call and see dad in Coventry on the way...

...and then head off to London.

Canaletto,son of a theatrical scene painter 1697-1768 was born in Venice and is famous for his very precise paintings of this beautiful city. His attention to detail is immense and because I still had my Venice photos on my camera I was able to see for myself his topograghical accuracy. It is a fantastic exhibition and all the better for having visited Venice ourselves.

At the time we went there was an impressive ship in bottle on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square

It was all worthy of a good Sunday lunch!



Which we promptly walked off! (See London IS green in places!)

And just for the record, earlier this week we celebrated my friend's birthday at Zizzi's. It was lovely and Kay was made up.