Back online

Hello again...remember me? I know it's been an awfully long time, but I can only hope you'll forgive me for mooching about at home for two and a bit weeks. I thought I'd grant myself a little break so didn't bother taking me laptop home for such a short time. It was a good job I didn't really because I had some baggage weight issues on my return...

So the week I left was somewhat dead, which was only to be expected. Mar was at school, Mel was at granny's and I only had Kev to look after.
I had to create a last minute hairdo for Marilie's photos. I am no hairdresser, I apologise for my poor effort.

After I sent her off to school, Kevin and I played Monopoly. However, after a good hour and a half he lost patience and decided to do something else. 

We had Mar back for lunch, but we swiftly deposited her at school and went for a bike ride around the lake. Beforehand, we armed ourselves with white chocolate ice creams (Carrefour's version of Magnum) and tucked into two each. As per usual, Kevin didn't let the side down and absolutely woofled them both up. I, however, am much weaker spirited (and stomached) so tapped out at one and three quarters.

While munching on our "what your mother doesn't know won't hurt her" snack we, or rather Kevin, made friends with a swan. Sadly, he didn't have a name, but Kev happily ran around the water trying to get the best picture he could. Simple things eh?

I saw a little dot waving his arms at us from a few hundred metres away. That dot turned out to be one of Kevin's friends from school, the one that threw snow in my shoe just before Christmas (he is clearly not in my good books). He invited Kev to go and play golf with him, which meant I could have a sit down and relax before we had to collect the youngest from school. We had quite a giggle and I think he really needed a bit of company from someone his own age because he was pleased as punch on the way home!

On Wednesday, I finished packing my bags and headed over to stay at David's house (after being delayed by my host mum (cheers for that!)) They were as welcoming as ever and quickly dished up some dinner for me. The twins were super excited that I was there and wouldn't leave me alone, which was super cute because I desperately miss looking after little ones. David's parents ushered the babies up to bed and left him and I doing a little crafty activity alone. We followed not long after, but proceeded to be woken up quite a few times by one of the twins who seems to have regressed in his sleep pattern (much to my horror!) Nevertheless, I will be eternally grateful for their open arms and generosity, you don't find much of it around here.

David's dad kindly ferried me to the airport, where I was greeted by a delayed flight. Not ideal when you're supposed to have an interview at 3! I grabbed myself some food and munched on it until my flight was eventually called and I could get on the plane. Picture this; there I am finally on the plane, settling into my seat and choosing a few songs to chill out to. Just imagine my horror of being delayed further by a sick woman, who potentially shouldn't have even been on the plane, and needed to be attended to by paramedics. Safe to say I had to reschedule my interview, quelle surprise! 

We even hit traffic on the motorway, just to rub salt in the wound. 

Fast forward to Easter weekend, when Megan had a boy-free house so we decided to 'live it large' or whatever the kids say nowadays. We ordered in a Chinese (yes - I did a little dance to show my delight!) and got cracking with the cocktails. Katie was obviously tasked with making us all look presentable, which is much harder when one member of the team is really bad at making nice drinks, but great at making 'drinks to get people drunk'. Intoxicated or not, she managed to do a pretty nifty job on us all (miracles do happen, especially when Katie is involved). 

The midst of Katie's intoxication

We headed to the usual pub of choice - Spoons, and met up with Gina. I can't lie, we had an absolutely cracking night that ended up with some rather strange shenanigans at Megan's house. I'd replay that night in a heartbeat, over and over and over again.

P.S I am sorry to anyone, namely Katie, who suffered at the hand of my poor cocktail making. I really apologise for how ill you felt the next day, but please do not ever repeat your complaints about a cocktail not tasting of alcohol, because I will most likely poison you again...

The remainder of my time at home was spent with family and friends, or doing adult things, like replacing my broken retainer. Whether it was my spontaneous fridge freezer delivery with Tash, my fab 'coffee' morning with Millie, or my surprise encounter with my favourite teacher in my favourite pub, I enjoyed the time I managed to spend with you all. 
I can't help feeling a little disappointed, though. I almost feel as though I didn't make the most of my time at home and regret not doing more things. Never mind, I'm back in three months!

Now the rest will be a bit of a food diary. Good luck!

Cheese on toast 

Stir fry 

My beloved bacon (oh how I've missed you!)...

In a bacon and egg roll

Chinese with the girls

Mum's Easter roast

Mum's apple and blackberry pie

Turkey roast at Staverton

Apple and cinnamon crumble with custard, at Staverton

Mum's yummy stew

Bob's battered sausage and chips (before the lashings of ketchup)

Lamb espetada at The Kings Head, Napton

Millionaire's shortcake at The Kings Head, Napton

All that's left to say is, I'm back and I've had a change-up of my hair. I am now spending my days resembling the cast of Stranger Things and I'm not at all mad about it. Here's to wavy summer locks...hopefully!