Christmas always begins with our traditional visit to Mary in Porthcawl. This year our trip took place on Friday 05 Gail, Steve, Nicola, Rebecca were joined by Oscar. |
On Sunday 07 Gail, Steve, John, Carol, Pete and Karen Visited Hardwick Hall - A part of the National Trust. |
Saturday 13 Gail, Steve, Heather and Bryony went on the Santa Train at Chasewater Railway Museum |
On Sunday 14 Steve Won a Nescafe Dolce Gusto 'Mini-me' coffee machine at 'Open the Box' |
Friday 19 Gail, Steve, John, Carol, Pete, Karen, Paul and Zena all went to see a pantomime - Jack and The Beanstalk at Birmingham Hippodrome. |
This years annual Xmas Family Gathering was held at Carls on Sunday 21st. |
Between Monday 22 until Sunday 28. Daniel and Faustine came over from France to Spend the week here. Stopping with Gail and Steve overnight - during the daytime with Paul and Nicola. |
This years Christmas Day Dinner took place at Toby Carvery, Shenstone. Gail, Steve, John, Carol, Keith, Alison and Annette took part. |
On Friday 26 Boxing Day Dinner was cooked by Chris and Ali for Gail, Steve, Michael and Suzanne. |
Wednesday, January 14. 2015
December 2014
continued...
Our
New year Mini Break began on
Tuesday
30th. This year Gail, Steve, John, Carol, Pete, Karen went with HarryShaw Travel on their London, Cambridge & Windsor New Year Special at Mercure Hatfield Oak Hotel for 4 Days / 3 Nights. |
Itinerary: 30 December - we started with a departure from the One Stop Shopping Centre, Perry Barr. We were taken to Piccadilly in central London. There we took a ride on the London Underground and visited National History Museum, then the Victoria and Albert Museum. Next we went to the nearby Trafalgar Square and also went inside The National Gallery. Afterwards we were taken to our hotel – the Mercure Hatfield Oak. All rooms are well appointed and features include a bar and restaurant. Tonight we had a 3-course dinner and entertainment in the form of a male singer. Day 2 – New Year’s Eve – after breakfast we were taken to the University City of Cambridge. We spent about 5 hours there before returning to the hotel for our 4-course Gala Dinner followed by a disco and dancing through to the New Year. There was a midnight toast with a glass of bubbly to welcome in the New Year. Entertainment continued until approximately 1.00 hours when bacon baps were served. New Year’s Day – 01 January – a late breakfast followed by a leisurely walk to the Galleria Shopping Centre. After returning to the Hotel a 2-course lunch was be served at around 13.00 hours. Later in the afternoon the Hotel laid on a fun general knowledge quiz. Our a farewell evening event was a Winter themed hot and cold buffet and entertainment from 19.00 hours making this a wonderful finale. Day 4 – We were taken to Windsor and visited the castle for about 5 hours. We then Continued our journey home, arriving back just before 2100 hrs.
Sunday, January 11. 2015
November 2014
The Highlights of this month are summarised as follows: On Saturday 8th we went to the Community Centre for a 40's Night. Song sheets were provided and lots of people were in fancy dress reflecting the period of the second world war.
On Friday 14th Paul and Steve went to Walsall Showcase Cinema to watch Interstellar.
On Monday 17th British Gas came to do our annual boiler service. This time it was a bit different because the engineer told us about a computerised heating control system called "Hive". With this system we can turn our heating on/off and set the temperature from a computer or even using a mobile phone app. We could even be on the other side of the world and turn it on/off!
On Monday 24th Christoper, Ali and the Twins went with Gail and Steve to Cadbury World and had a fantastic day out.
Thursday 27th Carol, John, Pete, Karen, Gail and Steve had a "Festive Meal" at the Whitehouse.
Sunday 30th Carol, John, Pete, Karen, Paul, Zena, Gail and Steve enjoyed a day out at Worcester (Victorian) Market.