nnnn

Absolutely no idea why I've saved a heading with 4 n's in it but there must have been a good reason so it's staying!

Glad My Kids Live in the County and Not In The City

Teachers place Leicester's 11-year-olds in the bottom four

Pupils in Leicestershire are among the best in UK

Author Sue Townsend's new Adrian Mole book goes on sale

Tuesday 27 Oct - Han Visits The Battle of Bosworth Field Or DoesShe?

Han off to Bosworth Field with school today. I'll say more later if I can get her to tell me anything of substance.

Staying with Bosworth this was published in the Leicester mercury today:

The Battle of Bosworth Field was not fought where it was thought to have been, historians revealed today.



The 1485 battle that left Richard III dead on the field was waged about two miles away from the spot in, near Sutton Cheney, where it is currently commemorated, Leicestershire County Council said.

The above map shows where the battle was thought to have taken place.

Wherever it took place it was:

Bye Bye Richard the Third

Hello Henry Tudor

And taking of the Tudors

Han's Halloween Party at Cubs Monday 26 Oct

Here are some photos I took of Han before she left for the party at cubs tonight. I think everyone will agree that she makes a pretty scarey and horribly frightening vampire!

Holiday Report. Torquay - Sat 17 Oct - Sat 24 Oct

Saturday 17th

So, we’re finally off on holiday, only for a week this year and our first break since Spain last year. First things first, sorting out the dog; we took Monty to Riverside Boarding kennels on Middleton St at 9.00am and left him wondering what was going on, he should be fine it’s not his first time. After that it’s off to Sainsbury’s to fill up with petrol and by 9.30 we were on the M69 and on our way to Torquay. Nat, who gets travel sick, was equipped with a bowl for emergencies and Han settled down to play on her Nintendo DS.
We stopped for a break on the M5 around 11.00; after devouring our sandwiches Nat, Han and I decamped for the shops and loos while Deb stayed in the car. What a shame, the lovely little pasty stall, next to the main services building, was shut. We had bought pasties there on our way back from Cornwall in 2007 and they were delicious. Lets hope there will be pasty shops in Devon (there were, lots of them) where we can stock up.
The rest of the journey passed uneventfully and eventually we reached Torquay. Here the Satnav on my Nokia N82 came into its own when we took a wrong turn at the sea front. Punched in My location and Osborne Club and it rerouted us in a few moments, I love Satnav on phones it’s so useful.

We arrived at the Osborne Club at 2.30, found reception, registered and because the key to our apartment wouldn’t be available until 4.00 we decided to explored the grounds and surrounds. We walked through the wooded areas then made our way to the gate that gave access to the seafront below the site. We had a wander on the beach then returned to the club and sat at the picnic tables to finish our sarnies (there was a very high-end wedding taking place that day and, as we munched, we were surrounded by well dressed Toffs swigging champagne and doing their own thing; Han was very jealous of the bridesmaids and they lovely dresses) which were Deb’s homemade BLT’s and they were absolutely scrumptious. I washed mine down with a beer the others had pop. Han went to play on the swings, it was beneath Nat’s 12 year old dignity to consider joining her, while she played I downgraded my phone camera pixel count so that I could sent a photo, via MMS, to Donna. I never managed to get that MMS to transmit, the phone reception in the area was chronic. 3G coverage was non-existent and even the kids 2G phones couldn’t get a signal. This was to prove a continuing bugbear during our stay; again and again when trying to use my phones GPS on our various trips, I’d get messages telling me that there was no coverage.
At 4.00 we returned to reception and took possession of the key-cards to our apartment. We were given the keys to our apartment (No.38) which was located at the top of the stairs on the first floor. There are times when I seriously question the wisdom of our acquiring a timeshare but this concern is immediately dismissed whenever we actually arrive and see the accommodation we’re going to be staying in; No.38 was no exception. A split-level apartment, the bedrooms (3) and toilet facilities (2) were located on the lower level whilst the living area and kitchen were located above. As always, beautifully furnished and equipped. I was very tempted, when we left, to see if I could smuggle out the large flat screen TV.

After we had settled in we decided to go for a drive, partly to reconnoitre the area and partly to stock up on necessary provisions. We had spotted an out of town shopping centre on the drive into Torquay so we back tracked thorough the town site-seeing as we went. Eventually arrived at Sainsbury’s where we purchased the weeks essentials, in addition to the beers we also bought some food. By now it was beginning to get dark and cold so we returned to the apartment for the evening. While Deb has a rest after all that driving Nat, Han and I went to the swimming pool for a quick dip. Lovely pool, there was also a fitness club and sauna next door, which we were lucky enough to have all to ourselves. When we returned Nat and I played “who’s sleeping in which room” after Han had decided she was sharing Deb’s room. In the end I got the double bedroom next to Deb’s and Nat got the single at the far end. I had wanted the single, in order to be as far away from the snoring twosome as I could be, but luckily the walls were thick and with the door closed they were barely audible!

It had been a long day, Deb and the kids when to bed around 11.00; I stayed up a while longer in order to watch some TV in peace and chillax. If you had my kids you’d need to chillax too!!!!


Sunday 18th

After breakfast we decided to take a longer look at Torquay; while we’d driven through it three times yesterday we hadn’t actually stopped to take in the sights. We parked in the multi-story on the sea front and set about exploring. Han was running short of socks, due to Monty eating most of hers, so restocks were in order. We walked away from the sea front and into the main shopping area. Like most towns in the UK these days the shops, in the main, were the same ones you see on every high street but there were some local quirks, being a seaside town there were quite a few touristy shops and tat shops (Nat’s 2nd favourite type of shop) catering for the holiday visitors, best of all there were a number of Pasty Shops….Hooray!! We walked most of the length of the main drag seeing what was what before turning round and spending our way back to the front (an aside:- I counted no less that five mobile phone shops on this one stretch of road, I see and retail implosion on the horizon). Deb took Han into Primart to buy the needed socks while Nat and I wandered further on to take a look in WH Smith’s and Waterstones. The new Sony Touch e-Reader was on display in Waterstones and I decided to take a closer look; I was approached by a member of staff who, noticing my interest, enquiry as to whether I might be interested in purchasing said device. I had a good time "out-teching" the gentleman who eventually beat a hasty retreat after realising I knew more about e-Books than he did. Childish and pathetic to enjoy it I suppose but I really couldn’t help myself. These things are coming to market so thick and fast that it really is necessary to take a step back before committing to buy anyone of them at present. Since this encounter at least three new models have been announced and more are expected shortly. I want one but I’ll wait for now. Eventually Deb and Han arrived and we returned to the car to drop off our booty (booty/socks. get it!). On the way back to the car Nat and I decided to call into one of the previously mentioned pasty shops and indulge in a little West Country goodness, he had a traditional Cornish pasty whilst I had a spice beef one. Munching and marching on, taking lots of photos as I went, we eventually made it back to the car and offloaded our goodies. Then we crossed the bridge from the multi-story and walked toward the harbour. We passed a large water feature on the way that for some inexplicable reason was full of soap bubbles? The harbour dominated the seafront and contained a respectable number of high-end boats. We did a complete circuit of it over the next hour or so stopping for lunch on the way. We stopped at a Harvester restaurant that seemed reasonably priced but were very disappointed with the quality of the food they served. We all had chicken of some sort and without exception it was over cooked and dry. Mine was drenched in an over spiced mouth burning garlic sauce and I somehow managed to finish it all, Deb and the kids left most of theirs. This meal was a classic case of false economy if ever there was one! We picked up a leaflet which asked us to submit comments and offered the chance of winning £1,000 or an iPhone. The comments we submitted were far from favourable so we don’t expect to win!

One of the things we’d bought was a bucket and spade for Han who was now desperate to go to a beach to try them out; after much begging on her part we agreed to complete our circuit of the harbour and make for some sand. We passed a Wetherspoons on the way back and Deb and the kids had to drag me passed it kicking and screaming. I love Wetherspoons pus, they stock good beers and a lot of them are as cheap as chips compared to most other pubs. I was denied access to this beery Mecca on subsequent visits and never did get to drink a pint there. Oh Wetherspoons, I’m sorry so so sorry it wasn’t my fault…honest.

We drove to Babbercombe, which is nearby, to see and hopefully ride on the vernicular railway, this is a cog/winch railway built on an almost vertical slope that takes passengers either down from the cliff top to the beach or vice versa. When we arrived we discovered that it had closed for the season in September and wouldn’t be operational again until March 2010; we decided not to wait! At a loose end we decided to carry on driving along the coast road to see what we could see. We drove until we reached Dawlish. By now it was late afternoon and the weather, which had been fine up till now, was beginning to turn cloudy and overcast. We had stopped a few times on route at Shaldon, where we saw the rather odd “The Ness” pub and Teignmouth which is directly across the bay from Shaldon. The trip was fun but noisy, every statement anyone made was followed by either Nat or Han saying, “Or did we?” “Or were we?” and such like. In the end I was forced to tell them that if they didn’t shut up I would kill them, “Or would I?” On the return trip we stopped at Labrador ?????? where we parked and took some photos of the spectacular view.

Eventually we were back in Babbercombe and there we turned onto the coast road that ran past the bottom of the Osborne Club. We stopped and went to the beach where Han was finally able to use her new bucket and spade. In need of a wee I popped around behind the stairway leading down to the beach to relieve myself. Here I was almost cut-off by the incoming tide. When she realised how much insurance she had missed because of my narrow escape all Deb had to say was “DAMN”!

After Han had finished having a good dig and I had narrowly escaped death by drowning we drove on to the Osborne. Deb went swimming with the kids leaving me to have a break from them, it was Channel 5’s superhero film night so we watched the end of The Phantom and Spiderman. Deb and I watched The Punisher after the kids had gone to bed. Afterward Deb went to bed I went for a walk and came back to watch some more TV before climbing down the stairs to Bedfordshire. Fell asleep listening to podcasts on my phone.

Friday 16 Oct - Nat still off, Ghost Rider, Hooked on Book,

Nat was still off with the lurgies; he and I started watching Ghost Rider but stopped when Deb and Han got home (as of 2 Nov we still haven't finished watching it).
I honestly can't remember what on earth the title "Hooked on Book" related too. Perhaps one day I will.

Thursday 15 Oct - Two Down

I've still got this horrible bug and now Nat's come down with it too. He's off school today feeling crappy. It's only to be expected, after all we are off on holiday on Saturday so we are bound to be poorly! I've spent the night downstairs on the sofa coughing like there's no tomorrow. Time to enter This Mornings competition - A. The Spice Girls.

miss lewis

Henry's Happy Hour - The Dance Version

Han and Deb decide to strut their stuff; this is a song that Han will be performing at school, so look on this as a strange rehearsal, a very very very strange rehearsal!

Podcast Plug

Sick of iTunes or fancy a change then try

Seeing Miss Lewis.

It might be Nat's birthday today but there's no getting out of it, tonight we meet Miss Lewis Nat's form teacher (for the next THREE years) at his new school. He thinks she's the best teacher he's ever ever had (sorry Mr Jordan you're yesterdays news it seems); now we'll see what she thinks of him! he can't be doing too bad, he's got 40+ merits for his school house so far this term.

14 October - Oh My God!!! Nat is 12 Today!!!!! and Warhammer 40K

Nat's 12 today! Where, the hell, has the time gone ? He and Han both up at the crack of dawn to open his presents.

He got £95 in cash and a few small gifts, mainly Warhammer 40,000 related stuff; God he's obsessed with this game which goes to prove that he's a typical 12 year old. And,

Don't forget it's 

WARHAMMER 40,000!!

NOT WARHAMMER

For those who don't know what WARHAMMER 40,000 is click the link and, like me, be astonished that you never knew!

There's one good thing about this obssession, apparently Miss Lewis's (see above) Son is also into WH 40K and she, apparently, very much enjoys painting the models that he buys**.

** If you'v e followed the link you'll see that it's a license to print money!

Seeing Han's teacher

We say miss Hewitt at 4.40 to see how Han was getting on in her new class and year.
Is hid talking about our daughter? Who is this able hard working confident girl she's talking about ? She seemed equally astonished by our failure to recognise her description.
It seems Han can be very different at good and school. The good news is that she's doing really well. miss H says we've got one strong clever little girl on our hands. As she said , she 's going to be a nightmare teenager !

Sunday 11 and Monday 12 Oct - Still Feeling Like Shit & They said WHAT!!!!!

I just can't believe this, the week before I'm taking holiday for the first time in 14 months I get sick for the first time in 11 months (don't count hospital as I wasn't "sick" as such)? Still feeling horrible today and looks like tonights going to be a another no-show. Regardless I have to go in tomorrow at the very least; the problem is keeping awake, I keep dropping off for a couple of hours at a time. I don't even realize I've been asleep until I wake and see the clock. Usually wake up because I've started coughing.
I wish I was better because the kids noise is driving me up the wall and work would be a blessed relief!

Monday

Han came home today to tell me she'd gone to Winstanley Upper School today to play in her schools girls football team. It turns out that she's rather good at football, something she's never mentioned before. Nat, who shares my lack of enthusiasm for the game is not at all embarrassed to tell you he's OK in goal and that that is his best position.

Anyway, back to Han who related more details as the story unfolded; it appears that she had scored 3 goals and was about to score her 4th when the opposing team deliberately tripped her up. Unimpressed by this attempt at intimidation she shortly attempted to score what should have been her 5th goal. Again she was fouled but this time whilst on the floor the one of the opposing 8 year old little girls told her that she was a C**T!!!! I don't think I even knew that word until I was 13 or 14. Little girls today, no wonder they're lining up to get on the Jeremy Kyle Show.

Note: for those of you who hate/love the wonderful/horrible JK there are hundreds of Facebook groups based around him and his show.

Still Ill - Walk the Dog Test

Just tried to take the dog for a walk to see if I felt well enough for work tonight. Got about 200 yards than had to come home as I was exhausted. I don't think I'll be up to it tonight, have to go back tomorrow.

A study at Harvard Medical School in 2001 of 124,000 men and women showed that those who ate the most tomatoes reduced their chances of getting lung cancer by 25%.

Friday 9 Oct - Continued - Holding

“All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.”

SPIKE MILLIGAN.

Now that's what you should tell these people who win the lottery and then say "It won't change my life" If it won't change your life then WTF did you waste your money buying a ticket. All you did was lessen my chance of winning and finding out how it would have changed my life, which it would have done. Therefore, you owe me! I'd call you a C**t but, as you can see, I can't spell C**t.

Friday 9 Oct - Man Flu, Cancelled meeting,

Oh Lucky ME!!!! Last night I started to cough like Deb has been all week. I've been awake down stairs all night feeling like death warmed up with a horrible dry hacking cough. I was supposed to be meeting with the Deputy Head this morning in my role as I.C.T. Governor to get an update of what's been done over the holidays and to find out what's planned for this year. I was hoping to write a report for the next Governors meeting in November. Hopefully we'll be able to rearrange this for next week before half term.

Of course, having avoided this all week it would finally strike on the day when I'm due to start back to work; it's Lem-Sips and sleep for me for the rest of today, hopefully I'll feel a little better by tonight. If not it's going to be a long night!

Unfortunately awoke feeling just as bad as I did when I retired (posh speak for_ "went to bed") I'm not going to make it in tonight. Called John at 9:15 to let him know, seems Hasmukh's still off recovering from Swine Flu. Hopefully I 'll be OK tomorrow!

Medical Note on Man Flu:

Just so you know we men aren't faking it...
Man Flu

1. Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth. This is an irrefutable
scientific fact*.
*(Based on a survey of over 100,000 men.)
2. Man-Flu is not 'just a cold'. It is a condition so severe that the
germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could wipe out entire tribes of
people living in the rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too.
3. Women do not contract Man-Flu. At worst they suffer from what is
medically recognised as a 'Mild Girly Sniffle' - which, if a man caught,
he would still be able to run, throw a ball, tear the phone book in half
and compete in all other kinds of manly activities.
4. Men do not 'moan' when they have Man-Flu. They emit involuntary
groans of agony that are entirely in proportion to the unbearable pain
they are in..
5. Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place much quicker if their
simple requests for care, sympathy and regular cups of tea or coffee are
met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence Nightingale would have done
it
6. More men die each year from MFN (Man-Flu Neglect) than lots and lots
of other things. (Like rabbit attacks or choking on toast).
7. Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more than to get out of bed
and come to work, but they are too selfless to risk spreading this awful
condition amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense, they are
the greatest heroes this country has ever known.
8. In 1982 scientists managed to simulate the agonising symptoms of full
blown Man-Flu in a female chimp. She became so ill that her head
literally fell off.
9. Man-Flu germs are more powerful than Rambo, Batman and The A-Team
combined. They are too strong for weak, nasty tasting 'lady medicines'
like Lemsip, so don't bother trying to force them on a victim of
Man-Flu.
10. While it may seem like a Man-Flu sufferer is just lying around
enjoying 'Diagnosis Murder' it is a commonly recognised medical fact
that the exact pitch and frequency of Dick Van Dyke's voice has
remarkable soothing powers.
Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man-Flu. Women,
all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea or coffee, some
kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just
maybe, we'll beat this monstrous disease together.

Thursday 8 Oct - No Sleep and Dishwasher Repairman

Much as I'd like tp postpone my next surgery until next year that may not be possible. Whilst I can walk reasonably well the problem is that i can't sleep. I went to bed last night and lay in bed in agony. In the end I came down and finally fell asleep on the sofa.

This made waiting for the Dishwasher repairmen even more fun; trying to stay awake after receiving text to say he would be here between 10-12am. Arrived 11.54.

Sciencefollygy - The Dogs Bollocks of Bollocks Rough 1st Draft

Old Mr Hubbard, went to the Cupboard
To found a new cult of his Own.
Dianetics he hollard
Will get me well Dollared
Till I find me a juicer bone.

Now Ron he had him a mission
to find a religious position
If you want to rich, he once said
Writing won't get well fed
You need to invent a religion.

He dreamed up a hell of a plan,
to explain what it was that hurt man
Engrams he said were to blame
brought to Earth in a rockety plane
"I'll rid you of them", he said "cos I can"

So Sciencefollygy was born
the potential; it gave him the horn!
Barnum said one was born every minute
Ron determined to skin it.
A decent man would rather sell Porn!