Unlucky Cardiff

Oh yes, and while I’m here – we were so unlucky to lose the FA Cup final. Glen Loovens goal should have stood – no it’s not sour grapes – but we showed our fatigue in the second half. Never mind – the fact that we were there says a lot for our team – well done lads, it’s an excellent sign for the future of our young team.

I’m Still Here!

Just in case you all thought I’d lost interest in this blog – I’m still here! Things have been SO busy at the Holiday Park with rewiring half the park etc. and I’ve not had the time nor energy to update things here.

As soon as things settle down here I’ll have more time to update things here.

Until then…. cheers 4 now!

Random Rants #2

Things I miss being able to eat but can’t anymore because of the way I’ve treated my body over the years…

1. Cheese & raw onion sandwiches

2. Pasties

3. Hot curries

4. Bacon flavour crisps

5. Loads of garlic

Oh how the remorseful feelings arrive far too late!

The Great Expedition!

Just thought I would share with you the great expedition I had last week. Manda, Abbie & I along with Richie (hi Rich, you’re now famous!) flew out to Malaga to visit Richard & Pauline. They were getting a new car & we had the job of getting the old one back to the UK and to drop our touring caravan off along the way.

Manda & Abbie stayed whilst Richie & I left on Tuesday morning. As I was the only one insured to drive Richie was along to keep company & stop me from falling asleep etc. By the end of day one we had made it as far as Burgos in northern Spain. The Pyrenees awaited & we didn’t want to risk driving through as it was by now, getting on for 10pm. We ended up parking the caravan in a lorry park in some services and staying in there for the night.

We thought we would get some food from the restaurant, but as it was so late there was two bits of meat (unspecified) which we had with some wine. After a freezing night in the caravan we set off before 9 to tackle the mountain passes. It was one of the most beautiful terrain I have ever seen. The weather was cold but dry at least – that was until we crossed over into France!

We drove for hours & hours again until we found a ‘cheap ‘n cheerful’ motel in Roullet for the night. After a nice meal down the road I felt a bit sniffly. The next day I had full-on man-flu complete with temperature & sickness! The next day we dropped the caravan off at a holiday park and continued to La Rochelle. I remember the scenery there from my old French text books in school! After a stay in a ‘Formule Un’ motel we continued up to Saint Malo and stayed in an old country hotel.

The last day saw us drive up to Roscoff and catch the evening crossing on a speed ferry. Oh… my…god! It was the first (& quite possibly the last) time I’d been on a speed ferry. The speed was great, we were only going to take 3½ hours to get to Plymouth. The crossing, however, was far from great! They warned us of adverse weather, and adverse weather was what we had! People were falling over, being sick, drinks etc flying off tables – the waves were coming in from the front corner (sorry, my seafarer’s terms escape me!) of the ferry so we were tipping up at the front, then rolling to the right, then smashing back down to the left.

I was saved by a puzzle book. (Thank you Puzzler monthly!)

We eventually arrived in Plymouth & I made it back to the holiday park, after dropping Richie home, at about 11.30pm. So that was it. Trek over. I was more tired than I’d ever been before. It worked out to be about two thousand miles, including driving around towns & looking for somewhere to stay! Would I do it again…….?

You bet!

I Couldn’t Stop Laughing!

I stumbled across this video when looking for something completely different, and I’m still laughing about it now. The comment that was with it said that her son laughed so much he scared the dog!! I know what she means!

So for everyone else out there that hasn’t seen it yet – here it is….

Random Rants #1

Top 5 annoying things (in no particular order)

1. Drivers who leave it until they are around the corner & blinding you before dipping their headlights

2. Injury Lawyers 4 U adverts

3. Cornish winter weather

4. Parsnips

5. The price of Diesel

Aaaahhh! That’s better!

Great Times!

Well, what a Christmas. We spent it out in Spain with Richard, Pauline, Sam, Adam, The kids, Kath & Ele. We all had a great time. A stray kitten turned up on Christmas Eve, meowing pitifully. It was so tiny & skinny so we fed it (as you do!). It was still there when we left the day after Boxing Day! Being such a festive lot we all named her “Holly”!

Cardiff even had a good Christmas! A win at Sheffield & a draw at Watford. That was followed by a win today at Preston. Whatever next! It must have been something they ate!

Nothing planned for New Year. Just me, Manda & Abbie. Maybe next year we’ll get to go out (can we remember back as far as the last one?!).

So, to whoever reads this (if anyone!), I probably won’t get chance to write anything before next year, so all have a great New Year & we’ll see you in 2008!

Crappy Bus Services

Well, where do I start. I’ve been told to say this is meant without prejudice to protect myself from any incrimination, even though I believe I should say what I feel. Manda was away with the car today, staying at a friends overnight. I decided it would be a great “adventure” for Abbie & me to take the bus into Helston, to Tesco & get bits for tea etc. & arrive back home well before tea time.

We were all set to take the 13:45 bus from Kuggar into Helston. We waited at the bus stop until 2.pm and then I rang Truronian to find out if the bus was late. I was told that the bus was already in Mullion after stopping at Kuggar. I said the bus must have been early and was told in no uncertain terms that the bus driver WAS at Kuggar ON TIME. Funny how my watch was suddenly reading the wrong time!! Perhaps it was wrong of me to assume that the driver missed out the Kuggar stop to make up time as our stop rarely has passengers waiting. Needless to say, my daughter was very upset that her “bus adventure” was over before it had begun (she is only three).

We went home & looked on the bus website for the next opportunity to get to Helston. 2 hours later we went back to the bus stop, 15 mins early, just to make sure, and waited in the cold wind for the bus to arrive. 10 mins AFTER it was due a school minibus from the same company drove past & the driver asked where we were going. Apparently the bus we were expecting had terminated at Mullion (not even mentioned on the online timetable) but he could get us as far as Coverack.

This was the opposite direction to Helston but Abbie was so excited about getting the bus I agreed. Once dropped at Coverack we were told to wait for 10 mins to get the bus that went directly to Tesco in Helston. Half an hour later the bus arrived, just in time because Abbie was starting to feel the cold. If I was able to get us back home I would have done it there and then. We arrived at Tesco almost an hour later (we didn’t mind several detours as Abbie enjoyed looking at the Christmas lights & even managed a 15 minute doze!!).

Eventually we got to Tesco & did our small shop (we only had a rucksack to put things in.). When we left the shop we saw our bus at the stop. Quickly getting Abbie out of the trolley we ran towards the bus. I was struggling, Abbie under one arm, the rucksack under the other. I was shouting to the bus driver “WAIT, WAIT!” (much to the amusement of the 20 or so people at the stop) and as we got to the doors of the bus it drove away, leaving us stranded.

Now, far be it for me to judge, but the driver had plenty of time to see us struggling towards the bus, but pulled away anyway. So there we were, stuck in Helston, with Abbie very tired and very cold, asking why the bus didn’t stop for us. If it hadn’t been for my brother-in-law’s generosity driving 45 mins out of his way, we would have been stuck outside in the freezing cold for over an hour.

Needless to say, I have complained to the bus company, but I wont hold my breath as I have heard from at least 4 other people who have expressed their grievance to the said company, without even a reply. I think the people who preach that public transport should be a priority should try and use such a “service” (used in a loose sense) in an area such as ours.

I apologise to you, the reader, for such an outrage, but I felt that such an awful experience, should be shared to see if anyone else has had such appalling service from someone having the monopoly of public transport in such a rural area.

Fed Up With The Weather!

Okay, enough is enough. This weather we’re having at the moment has to stop! 80mph gusts are not funny at the best of times, let alone accompanied by sideways rain. I honestly thought the park home was going to go in the early hours this morning.

We’ve had a few casualties around the park but nothing TOO serious thank god! A rooflight, patio furniture, kids play area houses etc. It could’ve been worse – mind you, we’re not through it yet. The tv says not until tomorrow! Ho-hum.

First Entry!

Well, this is it. I thought it was about time I bowed to the ‘Blog Pressure’ and create my own! I thought “Simon’s Words” was an apt choice for this, although now it’s on screen in front of me, it does look a little like “Simon Swords”!!!

Oh well, ho hum, this will get updated sporadically no doubt. Watch this space!