Is a Church a good place for a shop?

Stamford, is a place that is full of Church's... There are so many, that in fact, some have closed. One was a working 'Historical' museum of sorts, but this one, just blew me away. Is it just me, that this is not a good use for the now disused church, OR is it ok to use it for a set of shops? I think that if they had concealed the shops in some way (as opposed to them being so 'in your face', then maybe it is ok. But, from what I heard, inside make no resemblance to what it was originally...

They even moved a lot of headstones to make way for the carpark for the shopkeepers...

So, is this ok, a good use of a church, or could they have done better with concealing the shopfronts??

Off to Kew Gardens next, stay tuned...

Burghley Gardens: - Stamford

I had a trip to a lovely countr estate, Burghley Gardens. Its sort of a sprawling open gardens type of place, until you come up to the house!

Before we headed into the 'Orangary' for lunch, we took a stroll through the "Sculpture Garden". So here is a photo essay of the walk...

Magnetic rock that you throw your pennies at...

Of course, I had to have a formal lawn shot...

Southport and the Penny Arcade...

Today, Aunty Patt took me out to a new place that I had not been before, Southport Pier. This is quite an old pier!

And here is an old aerial shot of just how LONG it is...

Looking back towards Southport:

It even needs it's own TRAM to get out to the end!

There is a wonderful old 'Penny Arcade' with lots of old Penny machines, just for fun!

Even Aunty Pat had a go!!!

Ness Botanic Gardens

Tuesday, Aunty Pat took me across the Wirral to the Ness Botanic Gardens. It is in a very quaint parcel of land across the River Mersey. We got there, by way of missed connections and waiting, but that was OK as the day was lovely and warm...

Upon arrival, I was delighted by the lovely entrance:

Ness Botanic Gardens

Due to our day of missed connections, we were a little peckish, and had lunch in the little Cafe before heading out into the Gardens. I came across a little 'lookout' and the view was grand:

Ness Botanic Gardens

Upon rounding the corner to get to the lower level of the Garden, there was an embankment of (mainly) blue Blue Bells, with the odd white one thrown in as well:

Ness Botanic Gardens Blue Bells

Just a short distance on, there was a great maze mown into the grass as well:

Ness Botanic Gardens Lawn Maze

A short distance away was an amazing Yellow Arbour, and this amazingly blue flower:

Ness Botanic Gardens Arbour

Ness Botanic Gardens Blue Flower

Continuing along the way, we came across a 'Monet' styled bridge and a tricky little carving:

Ness Botanic Gardens Monet Bridge

Ness Botanic Gardens Woodwork

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Ness Botanic Gardens

Tuesday, Aunty Pat took me across the Wirral to the Ness Botanic Gardens. It is in a very quaint parcel of land across the River Mersey. We got there, by way of missed connections and waiting, but that was OK as the day was lovely and warm...

Upon arrival, I was delighted by the lovely entrance:

Ness Botanic Gardens

Due to our day of missed connections, we were a little peckish, and had lunch in the little Cafe before heading out into the Gardens. I came across a little 'lookout' and the view was grand:

Ness Botanic Gardens

Upon rounding the corner to get to the lower level of the Garden, there was an embankment of (mainly) blue Blue Bells, with the odd white one thrown in as well:

Ness Botanic Gardens Blue Bells

Just a short distance on, there was a great maze mown into the grass as well:

Ness Botanic Gardens Lawn Maze

A short distance away was an amazing Yellow Arbour, and this amazingly blue flower:

Ness Botanic Gardens Arbour

Ness Botanic Gardens Blue Flower

Continuing along the way, we came across a 'Monet' styled bridge and a tricky little carving:

Ness Botanic Gardens Monet Bridge

Ness Botanic Gardens Woodwork

I'm here!!!...

After the 14.5 hour flight to Dubai on Emirates A380, I arrived quite refreshed actually! I had a bit of sleep along the way (enough time to get some anyway, right?). I had what I thought to be a fair bit of time to have another look around this wonderful place... WRONG!
I was at the furthest most end of the terminal (to where I needed to be) when I heard my flight had started boarding... I then had to rush through what I was doing (looking for an IPod Touch for my nephew who had just started working and saving...) and walk briskly (running) to the gate, only to find that yes, they had started boarding, but it was only to a holding area where we then waited for another 20-30 minutes!
Once on board, I was nicely settled into my seat, chatted briefly to the lady in the aisle seat, that we were fortunate enough to have the centre one free... But the a local gentleman (loosely named) boarded and started to move everyone else's luggage to accommodate his... We then taxied to the active runway and departed... After about 20 mins the seat belt sign went off and his seat came back. I asked him nicely, if he could just raise it a little as I could not even see the TV screen... A small argument happened, and result was that I would be moved! Up to Business class though!! The 'Trolley Dolley' (aka Hostess) told me later in the flight that they had another issue with him, but more so that the seat was faulty in its recline!
Anyways, I arrived at Manchester, caught the train across to Liverpool and settled down... We did a day trip today, and I will post all about it tomorrow, I'm exhausted!
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Well, I'm here...

After the 14.5 hour flight to Dubai on Emirates A380, I arrived quite refreshed actually! I had a bit of sleep along the way (enough time to get some anyway, right?). I had what I thought to be a fair bit of time to have another look around this wonderful place... WRONG! I was at the furthest most end of the terminal (to where I needed to be) when I heard my flight had started boarding... I then had to rush through what I was doing (looking for an IPod Touch for my nephew who had just started working and saving...) and walk briskly (running) to the gate, only to find that yes, they had started boarding, but it was only to a holding area where we then waited for another 20-30 minutes! Once on board, I was nicely settled into my seat, chatted briefly to the lady in the aisle seat, that we were fortunate enough to have the centre one free... But the a local gentleman (loosely named) boarded and started to move everyone else's luggage to accommodate his... We then taxied to the active runway and departed... After about 20 mins the seat belt sign went off and his seat came back. I asked him nicely, if he could just raise it a little as I could not even see the TV screen... A small argument happened, and result was that I would be moved! Up to Business class though!! The 'Trolley Dolley' (aka Hostess) told me later in the flight that they had another issue with him, but more so that the seat was faulty in its recline! Anyways, I arrived at Manchester, caught the train across to Liverpool and settled down... We did a day trip today, and I will post all about it tomorrow, I'm exhausted! ------

Welcome...

Welcome to my new home... I have decided that, to move on (but NOT forget), I have to have a new 'beginnings', so this is one of them... Plus, a hacker did not really help, but in fact, made the decision for me. I have control back now though, but for the time being, I am going to keep it 'private' but it will return soon... So, I will do a bit if a tidy-up, bring across some of those recent post's since that fateful day back in April tomorrow. It is currently 12.30am here in London at the moment, and after having an enjoyable catch-up dinner with my old boss, I am rather tired! Catch you all soon... B

Life's rolling along...

HAPPY Mother's Day!!!
Well, life is still rolling along here, a bit of a struggle at times, but it is going on... This last week I have had a couple of new arrivals... It was also a little difficult visiting, but on the same note, I would not have missed it for the world...
On 1st May, there was the arrival of Sydney James... He is a little cutie, don't you think?

Sydney James 1 May 2009

Then, on Wednesday, the 'next-sister-down' & Paddy had there second little boy, Jamie Michael. Again, isn't he a little cutie?

Jamie Michael 6 May 2009

Yesterday, I was looking after Max & Will whilst their parents got the house ready for Mother's Day lunch. We had a great day. Today, after having breakfast out here with my mum, I have to head home (quickly...) to pack before heading to lunch at L's family then heading onto the airport for my flight...
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Louise 11 Dec 1969 ~ 15 April 2009

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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Farewell my love...

It is with deep regret, that I have to tell you all, that this morning Louise collapsed in the hall. Ambulance staff and doctors at Westmead Hospital were unable to revive her and she passed has away. Louise was 39.

Rest in peace with your angle babies my dear Louise...
















I will be taking an extended break from blogging, but I will be lurking from time to time...



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How was your Easter???

Well, we hope that you all have had a great Easter. Although we had a busy one, L is still rather sick at the moment... Easter was a great time to meet up with old friends, new friends and family!

We had the Easter lunch over at the MIL's, Roast Pork, Roast Lamb, Potatoes & Veges... And lets not forget about the deserts! There was so much food it was great!

The next sister down, C, is due to have her second baby in a couple of weeks. She went to have an ultrasound, and was in such pain (overfull bladder) that she had to go a 'release' a little! It actually showed then, that this little fella is actually due in a matter of weeks, a couple less than expected!

The last sister down, O, is about 20 weeks pregnant now. She spent Easter with her husbands family, so we missed out on seeing Rosie. But, Riley more than made up for the 'toddlers' in the room!

Our dear friends, B&K, are expecting their little bundle of joy soon as well! They had a 'baby shower' for the little one, and whilst the girls had tea and cakes inside, the boys also were there for drinks and nibbles outside. K was looking well. Good luck you guys, not long now!

We have been doing a lot of nothing over the last couple of weeks. We have even caught up on everything the TiVo had recorded for us! This was no mean feat, as it was deleting some as it had reached capacity! I installed the software on our laptop so as I can bring shows across from the Tivo to watch later. I still need to get the link across to the xBox so as we can store them there and remove it from the laptop! They are taking a lot of space!

The Royal Easter Show is in town again, and we went on Thursday as a 'pick me up', and again on Saturday. Although, on Saturday we were only there for about 2 hours really! We sat in the Members stand, watched the Show Jumping and L was really not feeling well at all so we left. I got her to wait at the entrance whilst I went and got the car, she could barely walk... We got home, and L went to bed and rested up.

We lost our lemon tree this last summer as well. I think it was from an invasion of the Bronze Orange bug. It had a bout of them last year, followed by another season of them this year. I did spray the tree for them, but unfortunately, it was a little late... We now have to look for a replacement one and to go with the Blood Orange, Lemonade, Chocolate Sapote and Lychee trees. Not to mention the vege patch, which has a pumpkin growing and in Bunnings yesterday, I got two Kale for L, she loves it in a stir-fry.

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Some news...

Ok, some people may know already, whilst others may not why there has been limited to NO blogging here. Sorry about this, but we will know more come 6 April. until then, you will just have to wait I'm afraid...

However, having said that, I am going to undertake a 'get fit' campaign starting 1 April. NO, this is NOT going to be an April Fools joke... Since I had my accident way back in 2001, I have become somewhat of a couch potato and have an extra couple of kilos I need to loose. Ok, there is more than a couple already!!! This has probably become worse after having spinal surgery in 2005. Since then, I have been on various medications for pain management of which I think is now, somewhat under control.

I am going to make it my mission to not only loose these extra kilo's, but to return to a fitness level I once use to enjoy! I will start walking a little in the morning before going to work. Cycle when I get home from work, and of course have a spa to cool down afterwards! I may not get back to when I was doing Gymnastics & Trampoline, but to be back into a pant/shirt a couple of sizes down is something to aim for!

In other happenings, my trip to Doha fell through at the last hurdle. I was to have been going there for work, but due to the recent economic downturn, they have decided not to recruit anymore. The position is going to be absolved into the rest of the structure that is in place instead! It would have been a fantastic opportunity, but in reality, I am happy to be staying home now. So is L!

I am looking at travelling to Santiago in July. This is for a work related conference, so I am planning for it now. The fares have gone ridiculously cheap in the last 4-5 months as I had originally looked at fares of around $2500. It is now as cheap as $1200 flying Qantas via Buenos Aires! I must fix some firm dates in NOW!!! :)

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