Officially Old

At last! I'm officially old. I picked up my bus pass today, so David joined me (two old codgers) on a tour of Nottingham. We took the bus to Nottingham, of course, then the tram from the centre.

So, the route was...
Bus to Nottingham
Tram to Hyson Green (Asda)
Tram back to town...galleries and shopping.
Bus to Clifton
Bus to Queens Drive B&Q
Walk across Clifton Bridge
Bus to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground
Bus to Radcliffe Road (Davies Road)

Cost: £0:00

Conversations...
College lecturer who is 60 but has to wait another 4years for her pass.
Gallery managers
Bus Drivers
Till operators
Pedestrian...speaking about the gas leak at Clifton.
School children who filled a bus we were on...they finish school early on Fridays.
And with each other...David never stopped!

A good experience.

Well, here we are again.

I last reported (4th Jan) that I'll be off to see Sunderland play Manchester United at the Stadium of Light in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final. I mentioned it would be a tall order for us to win the game.

Well...it was a great atmosphere, a great game and a great result. We won 2-1 and go into the second leg with a goal advantage. Anything can happen at Old Trafford next week, and I really fancy our chances of reaching the final.

The Sunderland visit wasn't all about football.  We spent some quality time with the family as well as two and a half gruelling days of work at Brinkburn, largely taking care of securing the shower base for our tenants.

It was really good to be near the sea again.

The stadium of light. The pitch is below ground level.

I was born and grew up near the tall buildings to the right, by the river.

They make statues of managers who win cups here in Sunderland. Yes, this is the only one...Bob Stokoe I remember it well (as a 21yr old).

Showing United what we are made of.

First blood to Sunderland...and well deserved.

Level terms but still Sunderland playing the best football before scoring the final goal. The place erupted. No photograph can capture the atmosphere. It was special.

Tomorrow's post will feature our Ireland trip.

Film, Football, Flights, Family and Friends.

Enjoyed watching 'Shadowlands' with Anthony Hopkins...actually, it was with my wife and friends... feeling relaxed after a hard day.

Off to Sunderland tomorrow and on Tuesday evening I'll be watching Manchester United playing Sunderland in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final at the Stadium of Light (if Juli & Chris manage to get the ticket). I'd love to see Sunderland win, but I think it's a tall order. I'm looking forward to it all the same.

On Wednesday we'll be off to Nottingham and at the weekend will fly to Ireland in search of my grandfather's family.

We'll then have our annual 'Goals' evening with friends in Nottingham before driving back to Chorley.

Sounds good to me.

Over Christmas

Bev looks happy being with the family over Christmas...and why shouldn't she be?
We travelled a bit, but managed to be with everyone other than Martin & Sarah, Liliya and Grace. Thank goodness for Skype.

 

 Nothing like starting the day with a good breakfast.

Thanks, All...it was lovely to see you and we had a great time as usual.

Tired

I've just enough energy to say I'm too tired to write anything of substance. I've rarely been as tired as I am right now, which is why I wanted to record it.

Our Eli

Our newest grandson Eli, at his first family gathering at the weekend...with grandma Bev.

I was told today to eat better and exercise more if I want my Cholesterol level... which is just a teeny-weeny bit high, to shrink.

"I can give you pills", she said.

Mmmm... tough call. Perish the thought.

Had salmon topped with lemon, a tiny dollop of philadelphia sprinkled with parsley.  A jacket and broccoli were their plate mates. Had a brisk walk.

This is war...after I finish that picnic chocolate bar. Hey, this is about my general diet, not my rare treats :)