Friends, Family & Red Wine!

Kettering didn’t reveal to me any delights so it was just as well I had no expectations.  We parked easily enough and found the pedestrian centre of town.  There was a bit of a market thing going on, a few banks, I suppose they had a Marks & Sparks, but worst of all, we couldn’t  find any quaint little bistros or any half decent pubs to have lunch.  Kettering, I thought, was a little better than Wellingborough but overall I was disappointed.  Anne Barby told me that there is an Asda on the outskirts of town so that’s something in its favour.

Not being able to find somewhere suitable for lunch, we headed back to our old favourite, The Griffin in Mears Ashby. It was a cold, foggy day on Friday so we were glad of the open fire.  Cold weather means comfort food, which for both of us, was the steak and ale pie. It was nice and we’ve had it before but I would have preferred mash instead of new potatoes.  Fed and watered, we headed home.  Phil wasn’t in the mood to write so he decided to watch some TV whilst I did some washing and went to Great Billing to get the post.  Friday evening’s viewing was the finale of Big Brother.  I haven’t really been following it much this year; I felt they were all a bit boring.  I was surprised that Aaron won as he definitely had a game plan and he bored me shitless. Glad this series is finished.

Our weekend was pleasant and without any surprises.  We got up early and after tea and porridge on Saturday, Phil settled down to write and I took myself to the gym.  DW in Northampton is okay but the equipment is not as up-to-date as the MK DW.  When I got back to the van and Phil had already left.  He was picking up G and there were going to spend the day with Phil’s mum and dad.  G was only back from Uni for the weekend, so it gave her an opportunity to spend some time with her dad and see her grandparents.  It also gave me the day free but I’d already planned to spend the day with Harriet and she turned up in her little black VW Fox about ten to eleven.   Harriet isn’t a confident driver (much like her mum) and the drive from MK to Overstone was a big deal for her.  She had the Tom Tom and had had the sense to print off directions from the AA website as a backup.  She was stressed out when she arrived but she didn’t get lost which was the main thing.

I showed her around the van which took all of 2 minutes and then we got in my car and drove to Bedford as we both wanted to check-out Primark.  Harriet had been before but I hadn’t ever shopped in Bedford, although of course I’ve driven though.  Bedford town centre didn’t do very much for me but I got a few bits in Primark and then we headed back to Northampton.  We had lunch at Overstone Manor and the food was good.  I keep changing my mind about food at The Manor but I think it very much depends what you order on the menu.  I can’t recommend the carvery, not only is it frozen veggies but it’s cooked to a pulp.   But I have had the fish and chips and the steak and they were both of a good quality when you consider the price which is cheap!  I didn’t want Harriet to drive back in the dark so she left for MK around half price three.   She wasn’t keen to hang around at the van and she’s got a real downer on caravan living.  Harriet is one of the gang that thinks me and Phil are completely crazy!  I think perhaps she would feel happier if we were nearer to Milton Keynes and well, so would I if I am to be honest.

Phil got back to the van just after 5pm and was very happy once he’d opened a can of beer and plonked himself on the sofa.  When he’d arrived in Melton, his mum served up a roast chicken dinner and then she presented Phil with a list of jobs.  I think he rather fancied sitting down to watch the qualifying but instead he mowed the front lawn, pumped up the tyres on the caravan and got more stuff down from the loft.   The eBay sale is going well and the caravan bidding is now up to £200!  Poor George still isn’t feeling any better and after trying to help Phil with pumping the tyres had to sit down.  Part of me can’t help but wonder if he will survive this house move but I certainly hope so.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny and after my porridge, I took myself off to the gym.  I tried to coax Phil to come with but to no avail.  When I got to the Overstone roundabout I decided not to go on to the A45 but instead to drive straight over the roundabout and follow the signs to Weston Favell and town centre.  I was a little nervous but I figured 8.30am on a Sunday morning, when the roads were quiet, was probably my best bet.   The road was straight; I found the Weston Favell shopping centre on my right and then just followed the signs to Northampton Centre.  I was very pleased with myself and once in town, I easily found my way to the gym.

I had a reasonable workout but unfortunately didn’t have time for a swim as I had to go to the manor to pick up the mail and buy cream from the farm shop.  Also we had guests coming over, so I wanted to clean up the van.   Cleaning up the van takes 10 minutes tops and that’s what I love best about caravan living.  Of course, once a week I give it a proper going over and dust and polish and give the windows a clean but you really don’t need to this every single day.

Sue had offered to drive and picked up Steve & Jan from their house and driven over to Overstone to join us for lunch at The Griffin.  It was a glorious day and the sun was out in full when they got here, which was sometime just after half twelve.  I had booked the table for 1pm which just about allowed time to show Jan the caravan and to have a drink on our terrace.  Sounds very civilised doesn’t it, but actually, how great to be outside in cardigans drinking wine in mid November.  Jan absolutely loved the caravan, she had seen it unfurnished a few months back but obviously it’s different when you clutter it up with all your stuff.  We’ve still got stuff to do inside and out but this will be done come next spring. 

The boys wanted to watch the start of the Dubai Grand Prix which was fine but we were almost half an hour late getting to the pub.  I had phoned them to tell them we were running late, because for some reason, I thought they shut at half two.  The pub was heaving when we got there, service was a little slow and I hadn’t realised, that on a Sunday, they have a limited menu.  But the food, when it came, was good and freshly cooked.  We all had a starter and a main, which except for Jan, who had baked haddock, was a good old Sunday roast.  Two courses for £9.95 isn’t half bad. 

After lunch, it was back to ours for more wine for everyone, except for Sue because she was driving.  Steve & Phil watched some more of the race and then it was time to go back to MK.  A very nice day indeed, so thanks chaps for coming over.  Phil & I had a couple more drinks, then with the gas fire on, full promptly fell asleep.  I woke up at nine, just in time to fill my hot water bottle and went to bed to watch the start of the new series ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’.  I thought the contestants were all a bit old and wrinkly, mostly has beens, but I shall enjoying watching Mark from TOWIE; not only is he handsome, he is also very fit!  I bet on him to win.