Fri/Sat - off to Exeter

Hi

Well the plan was to go off to North Devon for a night - and then go somewhere Saturday before heading to Exeter saturday night - ready for my 10k run Sunday morning - but instead we had to take Bitsy to the vets! She could not walk on one of her back legs.  The vet seemed pretty clueless to be honest - but we now know she has a very scabby foot, and sores under her 'arm' pits, she has a sore chin and a scab on the back of her neck.  The other cats seem to have smaller scabs on the back of their necks too...there seems to be some sort of skin condition - but the vet reckons she had stood in something caustic - licked it getting her chin infected with it - and....well...its rubbish!  The vet did take her off and give her foot a good clean though...

So - Friday night we played pool with Connor and Emily - had a good time as usual!

Saturday - we finally got off to Exeter!  I found a room for us in a pub - I thought it was above the pub but it was a hotel attached to it - so it was much better than I expected!  We went out around Exeter - we went in a place called the Rum & Crab shack - just to get a cocktail - and we left hours later! lol.  We ended up eating in there and having a few cocktails.  The vibe was good and it was a fun place to be so we just stayed there!!

 This is Andy in the Rum & Crab Shack! 

I sent Lissa a pic of us both and she sent this back....

So we thought it would be funny to sort of get in the pic too - so sent her this:

then this:

we got Helen and Paul involved and sent these:

then Connor....

Lissa then sent these back....

Haha! That kept us entertained for a while!!

Once we realised that it was quite late, I was quite drunk and had a 10k to run the next morning - we headed back to where we were staying - and went to the bar! hehe.  I was sensible at last and had a pint of coke.  We decided to video message Helen and Paul - which was really funny - we took this pic...

In general everybody thought it was quite funny that I was quite drunk and had to be up and at the place for the run by 8.30am the next morning - I was a little concerned myself!

We went to bed about 11.15pm - I wore ear plugs and had an alarm set for 7.30am....

Mon/Tues/Wed

Hi!

So, Andy is off work for the next two weeks! So - Monday we drove out to Wooky Hole! I was worried it would be really kid-orientated but - although a lot of the stuff was for kids - the caves themselves were good...although not as big or impressive as I thought they'd be.  So it was - alright....a nice day out though!

We got back and cooked a nice Hello Fresh meal and chilled....

Tuesday - yesterday - we did nothing lol.  We tried to arrange where we are going to go as we plan on disappearing for a few days - and seeing some of Devon and Cornwall - incorporating a 10k race I have on Sunday in Exeter.

My new running watch (Garmin forerunner 235) turned up so I spent some time trying to figure it all out!

Last night Paul came around and did music stuff with Andy so I spent all night watching back-to-back episodes of Wentworth Prison lol.

Today - Wednesday - it is 12.30 and I've done nothing but play with my watch! I am now debating going for a run - maybe a 5k - Emily want to go out and do her couch to 5k running - but that will be very easy for me - so I might go out twice.

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So _ went out for a run - just over 6k because I must have missed the usual turn-off!  I struggled today and didn't do a great time...but I got out there and ran!  Then I stayed in my running gear so I could go out with Emily, but when she got back she didnt wanna go! so I binge watched Wentworth again while Andy was in the studio!

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.

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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!