Way's World

Sunday, 30 November 2003

Birthday Bash!

What a night we had last night!

We had a party in Broadstone for my Dad's 65th, and it was brilliant! Dad got plastered, but then he doesn't get the chance very often and it was his birthday after all, so we'll let him off. My brother came over from Dublin (unfortunately my niece Lucy wasn't well, so she couldn't come), and my cousin & husband came down from up-north (can't remember where!), so it was the first time in ages that the whole family had been together.

We had a disco to kick the evening off, and then about halfway through the evening we had an impromptu gig by Gugge 2000, the band my Dad plays trombone in. The band did my Dad proud, everybody was saying what a great evening it was!

Unfortunately, as I was in charge of videoing the proceedings I never got a chance to take many photo's, but here's a picture of my Dad wearing a police-light cap that I thoughtfully bought for him...!!!

Saturday, 29 November 2003

Busy, busy, busy...

Crikey, what a day!

Linda & I have been to baptism this afternoon - we're now Godparents to Linda's niece, Samantha (who was also our bridesmaid) - and now we're getting ready to go off to a birthday party for my Dad, who's 65 today!

More later!

Friday, 28 November 2003

The end of an era...???

Today is the day my Dad finally stops working after 50 years, and the day he begins his retirement.

Employed for the last 11 years by Dorset Police, first as a cleaner and then a caretaker, my Dad Jim had a leaving do thrown for him by his colleagues. Here he is being presented with one of the many presents generously given to him by his workmates.

Happy Retirement Dad!

Tuesday, 25 November 2003

Home alone...

I'm here at home, on my own (well, Molly's here, but you know what I mean!). I should've gone line-dancing tonight, but I've had a flare up of psoriasis on my leg and it's really painful!

Thought I'd better take it easy, so I've been relaxing on the settee eating crisps, sweets and watching DVD's...!!!

Sunday, 23 November 2003

Christmas is coming...

Linda & I went to Bournemouth today, as I hadn't even started doing any Christmas shopping. The weather was absolutely abysmal, the rain was belting down, but we wrapped up warm and set off round the shops...

I didn't do too bad, although I've still got to go out and do some more (quite a lot more actually). I haven't got a thing for Linda yet, so I'll probably have to venture out to the shops Thursday evening (late night shopping in Poole!) and see what I can find. I really can't motivated to go out and buy stuff at the moment - I think it's the weather, but unfortunately the weather forecast for the week(s) ahead says rain, rain, rain... 8-(

Wednesday, 19 November 2003

Royal Scandal!

Think it would be difficult getting a job in Buckingham Palace? Think again...!

Mind you, the thing that I thought was most scandalous about the whole story was the pay - £11,881 a year? IN LONDON???!!!

I was just wondering...

There's a warrant out for the arrest of Michael Jackson - he's probably the only person who'd actually look like his photofit picture...

Monday, 17 November 2003

The Way's in Woolacombe...

Linda and I have just got back from a weekend break at the Golden Sands Holiday Park in Woolacombe, Devon. We set out on Friday 14th at around 8.30am and got there at around 1.30pm, stopping off on route at the Little Chef just outside Honiton.

We had intended on stopping off on route at Taunton to have a wander round the shops, but the weather was so lousy we decided to head straight to the camp. Unfortunately our apartment was still being cleaned when we arrived, so we parked up and had a game of ten pin bowling and a few rounds of Air Hockey (I won the bowling, Linda won the hockey).

We had expected a caravan but when we finally checked in we were given a chalet, which was brilliant as it had central heating! (Anyone who has stayed overnight in a caravan in November will know what I'm getting at!)

On Saturday, we went to Barnstaple - we wandered round the shops buying bits and pieces for Christmas, and we also headed off to Atlantic Village, just outside of Bideford. It's a factory outlet shopping centre, selling everything from clothes to records, toys to chocolate (in the Cadbury's Shop...!!!!) When we got back to the camp we tried out the swimming pool (lovely and warm!) and then vegged out in the evening watching films on the telly.

On Sunday we popped down to the beach at Woolacombe and had a coffee in the Beachcomber Restaurant overlooking the beach.

We then headed off to Ilfracombe - the wind had picked up again by now, so we visited the local aquarium (not huge, but it was only a couple of quid!) and then had chips in a seafront restaurant. Afterwards we headed back to the camp for yet more games of Air Hockey (Linda won again!), and then in the evening we got a takeaway from the camp restaurant and watched more movies!

We packed up and left at around 9.00am this morning, stopping off at the Little Chef again for breakfast. We then headed off to Linda's parents to pick up Molly (they'd looked after her for the few days we were away) and the came home and unpacked. All in all we didn't do a lot, but it was nice to get away!

Wednesday, 12 November 2003

Film Review - Love Actually

Thanks to the Stella Artois Screen Club, Linda & I have just got in from watching 'Love Actually' at the UCI.

It's a romantic comedy, starring loads of famous people - Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth to name but five! The premise of the story is that, no matter who you are, and regardless of your circumstances, love actually (!) is all around... The story starts five weeks before Christmas, and follows the characters in the build up to Christmas Eve. Their lives cross & intermingle in what could have been a horrible complicated mess, but actually works rather well. From a small schoolboy's crush on the most popular girl in school, to the author who finds out his girlfriend doesn't quite feel the same way about him as he does her, you can't help but like this film.

Although it doesn't sound like a bloke's film I thoroughly enjoyed it, and you can't help watching it without recognising some of your own character traits, realising just how foolish and (obvious) you can be to onlookers when the bug bites!

This is by far the best and most enjoyable film I've seen this year - you must see this film!

Sunday, 09 November 2003

The "Bois" done good!

Well, it's over... Wales are out of the Rugby World Cup. But didn't they do well!!!

The score of 28-17 to England really didn't do them justice - England were all over the place in the first half, and were behind going into the second half. Unfortunately for Wales, England substitute Mike Catt came on for the second half and changed the game completely - he settled the nerves of Jonny Wilkinson (who only made one successful kick in the first forty minutes) who then went on to score another 20 points. But Wales still managed to put three tries past England, who only managed one in retaliation.

Even my brother Andrew (a staunch England supporter) was beginning to get worried!

Thursday, 06 November 2003

New Look!

As you can see, I've changed the look of the site - I hope you all like it!

I've tested the links, but if you find anything that's not working quite how it should, please email me.