Sunday

So - we got up at Helen and Paul's - after a good nights sleep! 

Paul again, fed us well at breakfast - then we got ready and went to the beach - I think it was Broad Sands. It was awesome weather - and Helen and Paul took their two Kayak's.

Connor and Emily went out in the double Kayak and I took the single one - and we went for a wander around the coast! it was really run!!  We then chilled and chatted and had a beer! and we stayed until about 3pm - then we set off back home.

Saturday!

So - I don't even remember what I did Thursday and Friday so it cant of been that interesting - actually Friday I sort of felt ill - I could hardly move.  I felt weak and had no energy! I had wanted to get the house all tidy ready for Andy's two week holiday....but I just couldn't! I managed to rouse myself after a few gin and tonic's - enough to have a few games of pool with Andy, Connor and Emily.

Saturday - we were lazy and chilled - until we got ready to go to Helen and Paul's - Connor and Emily came along - we got there, and had a few drinks in the garden and had a BBQ - Paul always does amazing food - he is really good at entertaining - I can never pull it off like he does!  We then got a couple of Taxi's into Paignton and went to the spinny.  Wasn't sure what Connor and Emily would make of the Spiny as it has an older clientele and the live band isn't always amazing, but we always have a good laugh - and we did again.  I think Connor and Emily enjoyed it as much as we did. 

Me and Helen messed about on snapchat - the bottom one here - really made us laugh!!

When it got later - we were talking about leaving - and Helen really didn't want to go! So - she suggested shots - Andy and Paul - went to the bar and got Tequila shots!! 

Just a few random pics:

We always finish the night having a quick wander n the beach in the dark. Then head to the taxi rank via the chippy! lol

We got back to Helen and Pauls and carried on for quite a while - we were in the garden and looking at the stars because it was so clear - we could see the Milky Way - Andy was trying to stress how significant it was - but we were all pretty wasted lol.  I did however try my best to take in the sight!!

Eventually went to bed about 3am.  We'd had an awesome night!!

Wednesday

Hi

So - I went out with the running club last night - just 5 of us in a small group - Michael who leads it said it would be a short, slow run and the pub! and that is exactly what it was.  Too slow to be honest - but I was there and running and that is what counts.  We stopped in the pub and Michael bought us a drink - I had a coke and I had finished it before we sat down at the outside table!  We chatted quite a bit - one woman didn't speak at all!  We ended up on the subject of religion! Me and Michael said we were not religious and one woman said - she does not know how any adult can survive in this world without 'his' love.  Each to their own I guess!  Michael then said to me - Tracey said you live in a big house in Bishops Hull - and I said yeah thats right - and he said - yeah and you nearly bought that other big house on the High Street...and I said - yeah that is the one that got us interested in taunton (I was thinking, why had Tracey been telling him these things - how had their conversation gone? I guess it went like this - That Sam never shuts up about the big house they bought - or the other big houses they nearly bought!  If that is right - I am so glad it was Michael that had brought up the subject and not me or he'd be going back to tracey saying - I see what you mean!!)

Anyway - both Michael and the quiet woman both said they'd been in the house when it was a conference centre (South west Learning), I thought that was cool - that they knew the house (and how big and grand it is muh ahahah).

So anyway I got back from the run feeling great for having gone, got a shower and food and we watched some stuff before going to bed.

This morning I got up - made a brew - was on my laptop for a bit and then and went to speak to Emily about doing the couch to 5k with the running club which starts next Tuesday.  She was undecided and a little nervous but I think I have convinced her that it starts very very slow - mostly walking - and I said I'd do it with her at first because she is nervous about not knowing anybody.  We then continued talking for ages - about diet and exercise, about my brother Andrew and his family and her mum and her grandparents - about lots of stuff.  We ended on - the circuit training we are going to do later today!  I am starting to stick to my diet now that we are doing this together and have agreed to weigh-in every week!  I can't weigh in every week and it not change! lol.  I guess this week will be no change for me however - as we weighed in on Thursday and I didn't change my diet at all until about 2 days ago! When we went to the river at the weekend she had her diet stuff and I was eating pork pies and drinking cider hahaha

She hasn't enjoyed the running so far but likes the circuit training - and I reminded her that she doesn't like the running because it is so hard.  This I think - is the reason to stick with it, because if you can get good at it, then it is a real achievement.  Today however, we are doing circuit training with no running.  If I could fit in 2.6km afterwards though I wont fall behind again on my challenge - but we'll see!

So - just made lunch for me and Andy and it is now 14.37.  I have done nothing whatsoever on the house and I don't like this, but I really don't know what to do!!  I think tomorrow I will get the tile cutter out and give it a go on the small very thick floor tiles that need just 2mm off the side.  Not an easy or pleasant job - but I got to try it!  I might also go out and get all the paint for the dining room. 

So now - I am going to put together a circuit training plan for later. We need to get in gym, showered and organised by the time the football starts at 7pm.  Andy will be a nightmare - he gets so nervous...and if we lose he will be properly annoyed and/or upset.  If we win - we will be in the final against France on Saturday!

see you later!

Mon/Tues

well - I feel a bit out of sorts.  I've done the wallpaper removal  apart from a little bit and I need a new steamer....and I don't know what to do with myself.

Yesterday I started sanding and filling some of the cracks in the wood paneling in the dining room side of the kitchen.  I need small jobs to get stuck into while I wait for the plasterer to do his thing. 

I haven't got anybody to do the floor once he has finished and a guy that was supposed to come and give me a quote didn't turn up.  I've just messaged him and another person who responded to the job I posted on My Builder.

I don't know what to do with myself!!  The white tiles I paid a fortune for have turned up and the colour is close enough but they are slightly too big!!  I need to get my wet cutter out and see if I can take 2mm off!  That won't be easy and I cannot imagine the edges would look right and I really don't know what to do and I have gaping holes in the tiles in the porch and they cant stay like that!

I want to get on with something but I don't know what to do.  I could go out and check out some oils for the wooden floor in the hallway but I dont think I'll be able to buy samples and I have to colour match.  I want to paint in the dining room - but it is a big job to start.  I need to go and take all the measurements again for the door that is supposed to be going into the new annex living room - but I cant really get to it now Connor and Emily's stuff is in there - and that's an excuse really - I don't know why I am not just getting on with it...  I want to go around each room and make a list of jobs that need doing - but I am not doing that either....

So - I am sat here not knowing what to do with myself instead of actually doing stuff.

Connor didn't get any work yesterday but has gone out working today - and Emily just texted - looks like that has a job that starts in about a week and a half. 

Oh....I might just go out and look at stuff for the floor and buy a steamer.  That's better than sitting here and doing nothing.

-----------------------------------------

I went outside to check the spa - as yesterday I tried to fix the hole with gorilla tape - only to discover - in addition to the 1cm tear - there were 5 other puncture holes where the cat tried to get out!  I just checked it and it is half deflated again.  The proper repair kit turned up today so I replaced the gorilla tape but couldn't pump it back up because the thing that pumps it up is used to put bubbles into the water once it is inflated.  I can't take that back out or the water comes out - so I went into Taunton to get a pump!  I also got a burger at KFC, some wax for the floor and some running bottoms!  I got home after being stuck in loads of traffic and I cannot get the air pump to work.  It is a rechargeable one so I assume I cant use it until it is fully charged which is apparently 10-12 hours!  So I can only hope that it hasn't fully deflated and lost all the water by then!  The floor wax doesn't match either.  Guess I will end up with tons of them before I find anything that will match - if I ever find one at all.  I've just ordered 5 different samples from Amazon - and you can mix them to get the right shade!

It is running club tonight - and still hugely hot outside - about 29 degrees.  But - I am falling very behind on my challenge (1018km in a year) so I have to go - plus I have new running pants to try out!

I've not been able to use my SHFT which analyses everything about the way you run and helps you improve because one of them wont charge up - I emailed again and not had a reply in 5 days - so I contacted them on facebook and tried to write a post (which wasn't complementary) but they have to approve it before it gets posted - but this prompted them to take action and now they are sending me a replacement!

Belgium play France tonight - the last deciding game before it gets to the final 4 teams - or....this could be to see which one of them is in the final - actually that sounds right - so if England win tomorrow (unlikely) e will play whoever wins tonight, in the final!

The weekend!!

So - this morning - Connor was picked up by Karl, the plasterer and went off to work - hoping he will get back in time for the England game.  I went off to do the park run - even though the forecast today today is 29 degrees and it was already really hot by 9am.  It was tough in the heat!!  I won't have beat any times, but it won't be my worse time either.  The results are not up yet - but I reckon it was 32 minutes something.  Its weird because I don't really enjoy it at all whilst I am doing it - but as soon as it ends you think Yeah!!! lol.

UPDATE - my time was 32.27 which is not bad considering the heat! Here are a couple of pics.  I really really hope that one day I'll compare park run pics to this and think - wow haven't I lost a lot of weight lol.  I look so chunky!!!

I then went into Tesco and was very appreciative of the fridges - spent too long standing there making the most of the cool air!!  I needed quite a bit because we have Helen and paul coming around later and plan on a BBQ and to watch football - go in hot tub and all that, then tomorrow we plan on going up to tarr steps in the hills for a walk, picnic and a swim in the river!

So - I'll update later - hopefully to tell you what an awesome weekend I've had! lol

So!!  I am writing this on Monday morning - after an awesome weekend! lol.

We got tidy, beds changed and shopping in etc.and helen and paul came around at about 2.30pm - ready for the England game at 3pm.  So - we watched England - had nachos at half time - ENGLAND WON so we are now in the semi-final - one more game and then could be in the final!!  We are usually so crap that it makes a nice change!!  Our TV - or the signal from BT dropped for the last 5 minutes of extra time - so that was a bit crap!! Andy was rather annoyed!!  But we won!

We then went into the garden and threw around an american football - me, Connor and Emily, Andy and Paul - and helen and Eloise went int he hot tub - the weather is still scorching hot!!  After a while i got in the hot tub too - had been int here about 3 minutes when little May did a running jump straight into the hot tub!! I assume she thought the lid was on!  She went straight under the water! then scrambled/scratched her way up the side of the inflatable hot tub to get out and ran away up te garden!!  I got out to see if she was okay - and she was obviously soaked!!  Then - Helen says from the hot tub....have you got a puncture repair kit? great.  Been in the £400 hot tub twice and its now inflating.....we tried a few things to fix it but as it was full of air the pressure was too much so we had to get out and let it go down!

We then came inside and played pool - and did our usual thing - drink, laugh, win, lose....until bed time!

Sunday - me and Helen were up first as usual - Helen normally quite a bit before me!  We started getting ready for a day out - getting a picnic ready etc. At 10am we made sure everybody else was up or getting up.  We were almost ready when I realised than Connor and Emily, still in their PJ's were making waffles and bacon - we'd all grabbed a piece of toast or cereal - and there they are mixing batter etc. lol In the end they didn't hold us up lol.

Off we went to Tarr Steps - Exmoor.  The drive turns into very narrow roads - where you just dread somebody coming the other way as one of you has to find somewhere to shuffle over so the other can get past!  It was weird because we did not head off in the same way I thought we had gone last time - and as we got closer I thought - this is not the way we came last time!  Then I realised - we were approaching Tarr Steps from the opposite direction which meant - no car park - nowhere to put the car at all - unless we managed to cross the river - through the river that is!  Last time we had been there, in March, we had seen land rovers crossing the river - but we were in a Mercedes!  We had a discussion with helen and Paul at the top of the road leading down to the river - where it said - no parking and no turning and decided we'd go for it!  Helen and Paul have a jeep-type car and made it across fine - and then we decided we could do it if we moved a sign and went in to the edge....Andy drove and I watched lol - but he did it!!  We then had a hassle getting a parking space - but eventually we were sorted!

We had an amazing walk upstream in the sun with amazing views - up to a part of the river where it opened up a bit and the water was a bit wider and deeper.  We sat and had a picnic and then wanted to brave the cold water.  The last time I had been there I wanted so badly to be able to swim in this place - I was really happy that I'd come back to do it!  It was very cold at first - but once in - perfectly fine - not cold at all!!  We all got in - although Helen and Eloise sat on a rock rather than swimming around and Eloise started to get freaked out by the flies - they were very annoying!  Then she said OW it bit me and started crying, Helena nd Paul tried to reason with her to ignore the bugs which is what really bothers her - but in the end Helen got out with her.

I had just got out to take some pics at this point - so here is the scene lol....

 I swan around for a while - dead chuffed that I was in a natural river - then decided - okay - I've done that - I'm getting out! The others played around throwing a little american football for a while.

Then we all chilled out in the sun for a while.  Bliss.

After a while - we were getting thirsty and running out of warm drinks - we decided to head back and get a drink before leaving...

Got to admit - I had the best pint of cider ever - I was just in the right mood and thirsty enough - for it to go down very well!!!

We then said our farewells to Helen, paul and Eloise and we all headed home.

We got back - and showered etc. and just chilled.  Connor and Emily went off to their part of the house - and we watched some stuff - got take-out AGAIN....we then realised that May still hadn't come in so we went looking for her and found her stuck up a tree crying!!  To cut a long story short - Andy ended up half way up the tree with me handing him the step ladders - we got may to come down so far - then we moved the step ladders again and she came down the rest of the way!  This was all done in the dark by torch light surrounded by moths and other evil creepy crawlies!  So this weekend alone may has landed in a pool of water, popped the spa, and got stuck in a tree!

Anyway - we then watched a film - and then it was time for bed!  An excellent weekend!

Tues - Fri

Hi

Well I've been rubbish again updating this blog!!

I have to try and remember now what I did.  So on Monday I did go for a run with Connor - and he is much better than me - much faster and didn't have to stop so often but he is 22 years younger than me and cycles everywhere! But it was really nice having him coming for a run with me!  We did 5.5km and it was so so so hot!

Tuesday - Connor helped me strip wall paper in the annex bedroom.  Again, it was really nice having company whilst doing this.... I can't actually remember much else about Tuesday...or Wednesday....me and Connor did the same again.  We also went to the tip, got rid of lots of rubbish and had a look around all the stuff they sell.  They have furniture, bikes...allsorts.  When I get the chance I want to buy some of the old furniture and do it up - either to try and sell or have for the house. After the tip we met Emily at Tesco and they got some stuff.

Oh Tuesday night we watched England play in the world cup...we beat...errr......can't remember who we played! But it went to penalties so was very tense - but we won! We play Sweden on Saturday - and if we win we'll be on the last 4 - I don't expect us to win to be honest!

Thursday - we tried to finish of the last little bit of wall paper stripping but had a problem with the electrics. The sockets were off in the annex bedroom because I'd been moving the sockets down from the middle of the wall (desk height) to the bottom.  So we'd used an extension lead from the socket down the hall - and it wasn't working - it blew the fuse.  The plug looked a bit dodgy so I changed the plug (and taught both Connor and Emily how to change a plug!) but it still didn't work - the extension lead worked from another socket - so assumed the socket had somehow developed a problem.  So - I put the electric back on in the annex room (after finishing moving the last double socket) and when I tried to turn it on the fuse blew again!  I checked the socket I'd put on and used some insulation tape on a metal screw I'd put in - and the fuse blew again.  It made no sense!!  Until we realised that it worked with the drill....eventually we realised that the steamer was the thing blowing all the fuses!!  So - we couldn't finish the striping!  So Connor and Emily helped me clear up all the room - and then as I was chatting for 1.5 hours to Lissa - and cleaned up and did cat litter etc.  Emily did a load of vacuuming :-)

Was really nice to have a nice long chat with Lissa and we really need to do it more often - much better than messaging each other.  I miss her! Adam used to call me for a chat on a fairly regular basis and he doesn't seem to do that anymore - he says he is really busy.  Actually think I'll message him now.....

Me and Emily did our first session in the gym.  After spending a long time drawing a table for us both with our weight and measurements to go on the wall in the gym lol.  We did a really hard session and it was supposed to be a fairly easy one so I wouldn't put Emily off exercise for life.  Emily hasn't really ever had a routine of exercise before - but really wants to lose weight and get in shape.  So we said we would do it together.  She has been keeping to a diet and I haven't at all lol.  So our weigh-in next week will probably be really good for her - but not me!  We did circuit training, interspersed with running.  Was quite tough in the heat - as it has been amazing weather!

Andy was in london today and not back until tomorrow - so I had my usual ham egg and chips lol - and watched loads of episodes of Wentworth Prison!

I bought a side board on facebook marketplace, I sort of bought it by accident as i accidently sent an automatic message to the seller saying - I've PM'd you - (private messaged) and she said great - I hadn't - so I did! lol.  I sent her a message saying - would you take £60 and deliver? (was up for sale for £70) and she said yes!

Friday - so the sideboard was delivered today.  It has been up-cycled.  I was thinking of putting it in the bathroom - but it was too big.  So I put it in the front hallway and it looks awesome!  Very pleased!   So its painted a sort of grey - its here....

Really pleased with it - and it was a bargain!

Spent most of the day fairly bored, as the jobs I need to do are all quite big and I didn't want to get started on something big when I'll have to flip back to the annex once the plastering has been done.  I currently have nobody to do the floor - a guy was supposed to come around today to give me a quote - but didn't turn up.

Around 4pm, me and Emily did the circuit training again in the gym - she is not afraid of hard work in the gym so I am really pleased - she makes a good gym buddy!  Wish lissa was here though - we used to do circuits together and it gave us the chance to catch up too - and we would have such a laugh.  I get on well with Emily but I worry that she feels like she can't totally relax with me because I am her boyfriends mother!  Not that it stands out that she is not herself - I don't know her well enough to know if she is being herself or not!  She seems quite relaxed with me....

Oh! I've been chasing Ray about the plastering - and also about employing Connor - and he called me today to say the plastering will be next week - and asked if Connor could work tomorrow...and said he should have regular work for him.  (I guess he needs to see if Connor is any good first).  So that was good news especially after Connor had been getting angry and upset about what he was going to do because he only has experience in being a chef and he doesn't want to do that.  He is hoping that Ray will keep him on and teach him plastering.  

Andy got back from London, and he was hot and sweaty after spending ages on a hot train with no air-con...but he got changed and we played pool and watched one of the world cup games (Belgium beat Brazil) got food - and chilled.  

catch up

Hi

Well I'm not going to go through each day since I last blogged.  What I can remember is this - I finished the wallpaper stripping in the bathroom - including the ceiling in extreme temperatures!!  I had the plasterer back who is saying it will be better to board it over - so I didn't need to get the wallpaper off lol.   The plasterer should be coming around in the next day or so - will be awesome to see it all plastered.  I got the guy over to give me a quote on the floor - he came back with a quote of £800-£1100 depending in which flooring I choose - but I can get the flooring (Amtico) much cheaper than him - but he'll only supply and fit - but worse than that - he can't do it until September!!

I put the job on a website - find a trade - or something like that and I've had no response (got loads of responses at first when my old address was accidently put in!). 

Yesterday Cash came around and fitted the new lights in the bathroom and got rid of some unwanted electrics. 

I have all the bathroom furniture waiting to go in now - apart from the bath - which is the first thing I need!  They have messed me about quite a bit - but eventually said they'd have it by 2nd July.  Its now 3rd and I haven't heard anything.

The plasterer might be able to offer Connor some work which is awesome - he also knows a floor fitter!

Me and Connor did more of the wallpaper removal yesterday - need to get that finished very soon as the plasterer is due any day.  We didn't finish it because we decided the hot tub was more important! lol

What else.....I've not done any exercise, including running for a week.  Its been scorching hot though....I've also had loads of take-out and alcohol - so I've been totally rubbish.   

On Saturday we decided to buy an inflatable hot tub - we ordered it Saturday - it turned up Sunday and we put it up yesterday (Tuesday).  Me and Connor put it up and sorted it out - including a gazebo to go over it.  We all got in it last night and it was pretty awesome lol. 

So now - I am supposed to be going for a run - just 5km - and Connor is supposed to be coming with me - plan was to get out by 10am - but it is now 10.20 and I haven't got my stuff on or anything! Also - bit dehydrated after we stayed up playing pool and drinking until 1.30am!  This having-too-much-fun-thing needs to stop!!

Right - I'd better get ready to run - and I'll try and post some pics later - of hot tub and stuff and I need to start a post to go in my house renovations thing showing the progress of the bathroom - although I need to make sure Andy doesn't see it - I'm supposed to be doing it all and then having a big reveal!