Swimming update...

Think I've been lucky. Had rough night with back but overall avoided immense pain at work!

Felt v pleased with myself until 'work mate' quipped "oh wait 'til tomorrow- it takes 48hrs for the pain to really kick in".

Thanks. Bubble burst.

A feeling of foreboding now lurks...

PS Vanessa biker-chick/vicar's wife combo 's arms were sore last night- but they would be as the clever arse did 30 lengths.
Worse news...
she was fine today...

(Rummages for Prozac whilst saying home-made mantra of "it's good for your back/it's good for your back/it's good for your back". Washes down Prozac with vodka and collapses in a pile of hysterical giggles and hiccups.)

Celia takes to water...again...gasp gasp

Yes. Don't laugh. It runs in the family. My cousin Lorraine in East Kilbride was a very successful swimmer in her teens, swimming for Scotland etc. And as hard as it is to believe (looks at waistline), I was once a water baby, in a racing team for School and was in heats for Lancashire. That was until I had a v bad accident in the pool. Some idiot decided to swim in the racers cordoned off area, and whilst practising a racing dive, this idiot thought it the perfect time to be in the racing lane- not noticing enire squad of flippin' swimmers there! Yep you guessed it- I didn't see him cut across the racing lane as a shortcut and his fist whacked into my left ear as I was entering the water from the racing dive. My coach had to help me out of the pool whilst the idiot got a telling off, and as my ear was bleeding, I was taken to hospital. Cue one entire year of being forbidden to swim by the GP and ENT consultant, and that I should count myself lucky I didn't lose any hearing , and that I only had internal injuries to my ear (due to the force of the blow forcing water in a vaccum into the inner ear and perforating my eardrum (pardon? lol). But when your 13-14 all you think is "that's my racing chances over forever then"

I've swam every so often since, but as it tends to hurt my ear if swimming more than 30 lengths, so my favourite obsession became something I stopped doing.

My Physio Bob Ward (ex Chelsea FC physio) advised me to take up Pilates and swim to strengthen my back muscles. Cue Vanessa, a biker-chick who also happens to be a vicar's wife, who is one of my work buddies along with Hazel (Hazie-babes). Mad as a March Hare lol! Well she asked me last week if I fancied going swimming as she wanted to get fitter and knew I was swimming on medical orders. I said yes, and so today for the first time in ages I had a swimming buddy! (Darren hates swimming). Iwas abit naughty actually as I only stopped antibiotics for an ear-infection (yep the left one) this morning...but I'm sure I'll be fine!

Only managed 15-17 laps (lost count) , so not v pleased, but the longest journey starts with the smallest step etc etc. All I know is that I felt great doing it (except for eyes being burnt out with chlorine- note to self, purchase goggles asap)....but now the rot is setting in.

A little ache here, a little ache there...by tomorrow I shall be bent over like a arthritic hooker.

Coral's housewarming and Jules' visit

Charlie's Angels Reunited...

Hello Charlie!

This is the story of three little girls, who used to all work together as Admin Assistants in the mid 90's...Celia (left) Jules (middle) and Shirley (right). Jules moved back to Torquay in Devon (sob sob) in 1998 and escaped the evils of the Civil Service...Shirls left too and is now a retail service Manager on Virgin Trains. I stayed in the Civil Service and became an Executive Officer (manager to you and me lol).

Shirls and Jules xx

Although Jules lives over 3oo miles away, we still keep in touch. Jules, her sister Josie and her mum Rose, passed through Blackpool on their way to undertake a mission in Scotland...tracking down their family tree. It's really REALLY interesting, and Jules, PLEASE make up a Blog so I can read it and put a link to it! It's a really romantic and dramatic story involving her great-grandfather marrying a maid, getting disinherited because of marrying below his station for love and not money...It's wicked stuff and Jules has managed to get back to 1760. Watch this space for the link!!Josie, Dr Evil and Jules

The pictures are of Saturday night, when Jules, Josie, Darren and I went to Coral's housewarming party. It was brilliant. Full of laughter, fun, music and meeting the neighbours and catching up with old friends. It was amusing when the police knocked on the door around 11.30 asking us to quieten down abit...we asked who had complained and the police replied "the neighbours". Coral asked "which ones because they're all in here!"

Shirls kept on being given champagne and was rather tipsy...at one point she thrust her bottle of champers at me and said "I've had enuff- I'm going to bed" and went to sleep in Coral's bed! D was Dj'ing and mixing with old buddies, and bless him he looked after Andrea when she was sick in the backgarden...

Coral and Andrea

Jules & Josie did some DJ'ing before going into the front room where there was a keyboard, and started playing along with Coral's friend Gary, who could actually play the piano! We joined in on a group sing-a-long, lead by a cracking 77 year old lady who was keeping up with us all! I believe a guitar was in there too, but I didn't get a chance to get my paws on it...

Steve, James' oldest friend (mates since they were 10 bless 'em and one of the few allowed to call him Jim) staggered off around 2.30, starting a four mile walk holding a glass of Jack Daniels and coke with slices of lime, lemon, banana and a strawberry in it.

Gill and James-Shirls' other half

We left around 3.30 rather inebriated (although apparently they carried on until 6 doing karaoke)...we got to bed as the birds were singing at 4.30- but not before Jules was played her Jesus Jones!! A rather excellent night overall, which was made even better by finding that Josie enjoyed singing along with me to Eurovision Song Contest songs- following the words in a karaoke fashion on the screen lol !

Charlotte Elise's Christening

Charlotte Elise's Christening

A lovely and emotional day. All Terry and Ann's close friends and family joined to celebrate Charlotte's Day at St Paul's leafy church in Marton. Aunty Janet and Uncle Patrick came all the way from Lincoln. Charlotte is a very special little girl.

Terry Charlotte and Ann.

The poor wee soul has me for a Godmother. Aww! It feels very real now and I love her loads xx

Dublin!

Top of the mornin' to ya! Yes Darren and I went to Dublin again! It's probably my favourite place and city, and we've been 3 times now. Ahh- the Guinness, Temple Bar, restaurants, nightlife- and of course, culture!!! It's such a cosmopolitan place, and the locals are fabulous and friendly.

The first night was 'interesting' because our usual hotel, the North Star, let us down big time. We arrived to a moody receptionist, who chucked us a few key cards after not even raising her head to our queries. We got upstairs to find they had allocated us a no smoking room, so D went down to correct the problem. A different receptionist then told him to go back upstairs to get my keycard before she would rectify the booking. This he duly did. She then helpfully put us in a crap room in the back of the hotel looking over traintracks to Connelly St Station. it was a bank holiday, so we thought we'd give it a crack- afterall, it couldn't be that busy, surely? Otherwise the hotel wouldn't use the rooms...

Oh how wrong we were. From 05.45, every 10 minutes a train roared past the window until exhausted with lack of sleep, D went down and played merry Hell with the next new receptionist. Lots of profuse apologies emanated from her mouth and then she phoned her boss. D noticed that she only said a few words, for instance " back of the station" and then suddenly, a new room was found for us.

So, within 24 hrs, we booked into our third room. It was a Suite! We enjoyed the suite, don't get me wrong, but after a wee chat to the manager later in the holiday, we were informed as Expedia customers, we shouldn't have been even allocated a rear room anyway. Infact, none of this should have actually happened. So the second receptionist put us in a budget room when we were paying good money (hence the sudden upgrade as an apology) and we found out once we land there, the breakfast is no longer included.

So ladies and gentleman- do NOT use the North Star Hotel in Dublin. We used to love it there, but the shoddy way we were treated and poor service ensures I'd never recommend it to a friend now. Big big shame.


PLACES TO EAT AND GO:

Remember- you cannot smoke cigarettes in shops, pubs and restaurants in Southern Ireland. That's why you see demented and betrodden-looking smokers hanging round outside of shops in the rain (remember this isn't Benidorm. It's Ireland. It rains. Fact.)



Book of Kells/ Trinity College Trinity College is Ireland's oldest University, and the architecture is fabulous. Book of Kells Exhibiton. One word:Amazing. The Book of Kells is over a thousand years old- a monks record of the Bible, with fine art, dazzling goldleaf and calligraphy. The call it 'Picturing The Word'. Absolutely beautiful, and the actual way they've set it out and give lots of visual info as you walk through to see the actual manuscripts is brilliantly done.



The Irish Art Museum There is a wonderful selection of the world's finest portraits and landscapes by prestigious painters from the 18 th century to the present day. At least allocated 3hrs in here- you'll be surprised how big the museum is, and how much there is to see and enjoy.


Dublin Castle a mixture of original Norman castle and 18th century re-building. European Summits, inauguration of the President and even gigs take place here! Gorgeous a must-see.


Enuff Culture- this is what you want...



PUBS AND GRUB



O'Neills (across from the Tourist Information) No, not the replicated chain of pubs we have in the UK...no, this is a REAL pub! The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and the food- it is the BEST Irish pub grub you will find in the city. The main courses start from ten euros; beef, lamb, salmon, chicken, you name it. The set up is similar to a carvery, you take you tray to the gentlemen who then ask what you're having...then they think you're anorexic and need feeding up. Roast, mashed, cubed anything- potatoes, fresh veg, more veg, which sauce...You are left holding a plate so overpacked with homemade marvellous food that your tray cracks under the weight. I like my food- ask anyone- but as yet, I have not managed to clean my plate in there. And they do desserts too- haven't managed one of those yet! It's a cracking place to relax with a beer or to eat. Nice mix of people too- the locals and young professionals on lunchbreak or going home nip in, alongside the visitors- and I guarntee you can always find at least three large visiting Americans in there.

And they can't clean the plate either.
Nuff said.


Temple Bar The Area: The famous Temple Bar area was actually scheduled for demolishion to make way for a bus station in the '80s! The main road- funnily enuff called Temple Lane- is mostly pedestrianised and hosts loads of pubs, restaurants and eateries of every description. There's even a Ice Cream parlour with a lovely cafe attached! Big hint- just go afew blocks any way from Temple Bar St- you'll find the prices of drinks abit cheaper than on the main thoroughfare but still enjoy the atmosphere.


Temple Bar-The Pub. Established 1840! Set right in the heart of the Temple Bar area on the South side of the Liffey, the Temple Bar is lovely- and again, great atmosphere. Pull a first class pint of Guinness- mind you, that's a statement of fact of every pub in Dublin!


Mercantile- A lovely pub adjoined to another one (can't remember it's name). Up towards Dublin Castle 5 mins walk from Temple Bar. It's basically our local when we hit Dublin, even though it's 20 min walk from the hotel and we walk past at least 10-20 other bars. Lovely staff, relaxed atmosphere, a nice place to sit and watch the world go by...or alternatively watch some Pub TV!

Aunt Rose better!

Hiya, just a quick update. Thrilled to say that Aunt Rose has been discharged today from hospital, following a successful Angioplasty (fitting of a stent into an artery) yesterday. I am so over the moon- I was overcome when I heard her lovely singing voice in the other end of the phone this afternoon! She all gave us abit of a fright, but she is a Daly, afterall- a real wee fighter and I know everyone in the family and her friends are thrilled with how she bounced back with such determination!
Needless to say, D and I's holiday has now really begun. We actually went to Dublin Monday and returned today (I phoned Aunt Rose at home on the chance I'd get Uncle Jim as soon as I landed back in the UK-what a brilliant surprise that she answered! Just one hr out of hospital too). So the Dublin trip was a tad overshadowed by my fretting about Aunt Rose. Now we can relax and enjoy our 3 days off work before I return to the Dungeon (or known as 'work' to others lol).

I'll download the photos of Dublin tomorrow and fill you in on what we got up to. Now is a time to celebrate Aunt Rose being home and well, with a few glasses, and a nice meal- and play with Cat! (worry about the ironing tomorrow lol)...