1510.28 SCHOOL TRIPS AND GET AWAYS

At midnight on Sunday we waved goodbye to our youngest, Rags, as she set off by coach on a 3 day school trip to Paris.

The following morning Morticia and I were driving north east towards Scarborough. This was our first trip together since our honeymoon.

We'd planned this trip some months earlier when Morticia received an email offering a deal on stays in the Grand in Scarborough. Morticia had aways wanted to stay there since she first saw the magnificent building that dominates the bay as a child. We booked and the time came 'round.

We arrived without incident and even managed to park fairly hassle free. After that it started to go wrong. Now I'm not daft, I know the Grand isn't as grand as it once was. I was under no illusion. We entered the reception area and we were immediately impressed with the beautiful architectural features and the impressive staircase which dominated the centre of the large hall. We then noticed how small the reception desk was in the corner, and how large the queue was for it.

The queuing is when we first got an incling that there might be something wrong. The queue was made up of people checking in and people complaining. We got to the front and got our booking sorted out by a woman who looked like she was having a bad day and was passing on the vibe. We were directed to our room which was down what looked like a service corridor to a lift and down 1 level. We got to the room; it was shabby, smelly and it had NO WINDOW! I wish I'd taken a photo just to show how bad it was.

We returned to reception, this wasn't acceptable (I'm normally the kind of person that can put up with most things but everyone has a limit). I joined the back of the queue (again) and waited. The same woman listened to me with a "don't give a toss" look then started the hotel was full and we'd have to put up with it. We were absolutely NOT going to put up with it! We demanded a refund deciding that we'd rather go home than stay in a smelly dump. We emerged back into daylight with the refund back on our credit card.

Upset and angry we were going to spend a short time in Scarborough before heading back but I thought I'd try to find an alternative hotel on the internet. The first one we tried was full. It was a long shot, the place was busier than I'd imagined for the time of year. The second one was a bit further out, just above the spa.

The Ambassador Spa Hotel was on a street filled with hotels. I'd put in a booking on the aptly named booking.com website but this was ultra last minute. I went to reception and asked. The friendly receptionist had a look and with a smile announced that there was one room left. Result!

Relief lead to excitement as we unpacked. The room was clean, a nice size and tastefully decorated. We lost most of our afternoon faffing about getting a room so we were keen not to waste the evening. We were both tired and hungry so a trip into the town rather than the sea front seemed to best course of action. We found a pub called The Courtyard which did food. A couple of beers and a nice meal were consumed before we returned to the hotel for a drink in the bar and an early night.

Breakfast was a buffet which I always like. We went down to the front via one of the cliff trams which Morticia had never ridden on. We strolled on the sea front stopping regularly (a necessity because of Morticia's condition) at cafes and pubs. We had lunch in the chip shop cafe where we ate before with our children. It was so different to not have any responsibilities.

Rough seas on our recent trip to #scarborough. #seaside #shortbreak #yorkshire #beach

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Oct 29, 2015 at 2:11am PDT

Our final morning and we had a greeting from a new friend outside the bathroom window...

Our friend at the #AmbassadorSpa. Our recent trip to #scarborough. #seaside #shortbreak #yorkshire #seagull

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Oct 29, 2015 at 9:08am PDT

After checkout we went onto the front again, unlike yesterday it was pissing it down. That still didn't dampen our spirits. We stuck around until lunch (at Winking Willy's) then went to take a look at the statue of the chap sat on the bench. Then it was time to head home.

We stopped off at a pub on the way home, the Coach & Horses in Rillington. It has to be one of the worst pubs I've ever been in. We didn't stay to long...

Late night Rags pick up. Rags was due back about midnight. In fact they were running early. We tracked her phone up the M1 to Chesterfield before her battery died. She did manage to call us with an ETA. We sat in the car outside school, as did every other parent, waiting. The coach came and a very tired Rags was delivered back to us.

She had had the experience of a lifetime and we had recaptured something from a long time ago and a glimpse into our future.

1510.05 CHARGE OF THE BAGS

The 5p carrier bag charge started today. What a fuss! I've been to Wales many times, they've had it for years any it's such a non-issue. It'll all be normal in a few months and people will either carry reusable bags or pay the 5p. The system works and it will stop the massive amount of plastic bags wasted every year.

1510.04 RAGS FOURTEEN

My baby. My youngest is 14. Bloody hell! As a treat we took her and a friend to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. We did want to take her to Coronation Street but it's booked up until the end of the year (we booked it anyway).

Young tiger at @yorkshire_wp this afternoon #dayout for @raygunragz #birthdaytreat

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Oct 4, 2015 at 1:49pm PDT

1509.13 HOLME MOSS SPORTIVE

I've always wanted to do a sportive...

A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event.

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclosportive

In particular I wanted to do the 65 Roses Holme Moss Classic, why? Because last year whilst I was nursing a broken collarbone and feeling sorry for myself I observed a number of cyclists riding past the end of my road, all had numbers on the front. I did some research and found out it was the aforementioned ride. I vowed to myself then that I would ride this "next year".

I signed up some months ago and immediately began to kak myself. The thought of climbing Holme Moss filled me with dread. What if I couldn't manage it? What if I was last back?

The day came, I was both excited and nervous. I met up with 4 others from my cycling club before the start. The plan was to touch base before the off, not to ride together. The mass start from Magna was an experience in itself riding in large numbers on closed roads. The field thinned out as I got to Thorpe Hesley and from that point I passed and was passed by many other riders.

Fast forward to the object of the ride...

Holme Moss. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holme_Moss

I have to say it was challenging. It was tough. But I got up without stopping, I got up with strong legs, I got to the top and felt invincible! It's not the nicest thing to say but I actually got satisfaction from riding past those that were pushing their bikes up. I made it, I was in my own way, on top of the world.

I was riding with Steve from my club. We'd not planned to team up but we just ended up sticking with each other. He really struggled with the climb. I waited 15 minutes at the summit, he'd ended up pushing most of the climb. After that he was in a bad way. I supported him back through to Sheffield. As soon as we hit the Rotherham border I dropped him (he was happy to be able to follow the route back).

I managed to 105km in 5 and a half hours with an accent of 1666m. Next year I hope to smash that.

1508.31 DON'T WANT TO BE HERE

Coming home is always hard but this year it's been so much harder.

Whilst away, at work they announced that they were placing my role officially 'at risk' and that they were looking to lose a number of people. Add onto this the fact that my family (outside my home) don't give a damn about me and my eldest daughter doesn't want anything to do with us - and I really wonder what the hell am I still doing here. There's nothing if my job ends.

I really want to live in mid Wales, quality of life seems so much better. I need a plan of action.

Supplemental 1510.06; Since writing this things at work have potentially got better with a number of people leaving or with offers of jobs. Still uncertain but there is probably some breathing room. I still feel the same about living out there but hopefully we'll get time to do it properly.

1508.29 POSTCARD FROM CEI NEWYDD

It's taken a while to post this. Not sure why, I've just been sitting on it a while... 

It's been a couple of years since we were last here yet despite a couple of minor changes the place felt immediately like home. More like home than home in fact. We arrived a bit early for check in to our cottage but I'd already arranged to be able to park up in front. 

Previous years we had stayed in the "cottage" that was part of the Hotel Penwig, and we'd had some great holidays there. When there was a change in management it was no longer the same so for this year we decided to try something new. Our home for the week was a 'real' cottage, an old building with loads of character overlooking the harbour. 

We enjoyed the place as we always have, the weather wasn't the best but not the worst either - we managed a couple of visits to the beach. The pubs were largely the same (the Dolau Inn had a slight redecoration) with exception of the Black Lion which had had a major refurbishment. Sadly the Penwig Hotel (where we used to stay) had lost its atmosphere and it seemed all of the regular faces. 

We met up with friends and enjoyed an afternoon catching up. Before we left we booked the cottage for next year. 

The drive home was filled with sadness. Our hearts were lifted as we drove through Bala when the Vulcan XH558 flew overhead. 

Tan y flwyddyn nesaf. 

1508.22 THE JOURNEY

23:10 (1508.21) - I had planned for everything to be packed up and ready for tea time today. That went out of the window hours ago. Thankfully everything is (hopefully) ready and we are relaxing before heading to bed.

06:15 - It looks like we will be setting off shortly, bang on schedule. The car is already loaded and soon we will be on our way.

08:05 - I've been driving for a couple of hours now, pretty uneventful. We got over Woodhead pass and through Manchester without delay or incident. I'm currently parked outside the main doors of Chester services, this is our regular comfort stop off when heading to Wales.

09:45 - We crossed over the Welsh border not long after we left Chester, we all always get excited when we see this bridge...

Photo taken from Google Streetview

Our first stop in Wales was at the side of Lake Bala. We had a picnic in the car whilst the rain fell outside.

10:54 - Our final stretch legs / comfort stop was in the beautiful little town of Machynlleth which became famous recently for the wrong reasons. This was in our thoughts during our visit.

Our drive took us through Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and finally we arrived. Driving on the approach road felt strange. We have had a deep love of our destination for many years, missing the last two had an effect on us all. Passed the holiday park and the road narrows, the familiar houses then the Seahorse Inn (a favourite of mine) where we turn down the hill to the sea. We've arrived, its 12:30 and we are here at our spiritual home.

Welcome to Cei Newydd.

The Journey. #Wales #holiday #carjourney

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Aug 22, 2015 at 11:45am PDT

1508.21 PREPARATION

Preparing for a holiday can be stressful. Not for me, as long as I know where I'm going and I've got clean pants for every day then I'm sorted.

A holiday for me is all about clearing your mind and achieving relaxation. Morticia is going out of her mind worrying about if everything will be done on time. I've no doubt that on Saturday morning we'll be setting off for Wales on schedule.

1508.17 THE ONE HUNDRED

Yesterday was my cycling club's "100 miler". It was a chance for me to really move my cycling to another level. I achieved 2 personal bests, the overall distance which came to 114.6 miles and also the longest/furthest continuous ride (to the cafe stop) which was around 70 miles. 

The ride was from Swinton, South Yorkshire to Narburn, York and back. Adding in my ride from home to Swinton then back afterwards, the ride totaled 114.6 miles. A personal best for distance.

1508.14 FEAR THE CHANGE

This week we moved workplace as government cuts forced our local building to close. We are all now working from a larger facility and if I'm honest I don't like it. I am one that doesn't like change - a creature of habit if you will. Everyone says I will get used to the larger team in time.

The other issue is that it's a far bit closer to my home. Some would say that's a good thing but not if you cycle and enjoy the extra miles (especially the climb).

Maybe I will get used to the change, let's face it I don't really have much of a choice.

1508.05 HISTORY REPEATS

Over a year ago our eldest daughter came back into our lives. Things were good, she moved home and our family was whole again. Then suddenly, I mean like a bolt from the blue, she stated to us that it wasn't working out. She packed a bag and left.

I can try and guess what's going on behind the scenes but I'm not going to waste the energy. My energy is best used holding my family together once more.

She has cut off all ties to us and has not been in contact (apart from replying to a few of my text messages) since she left.

1508.02 THE CLUB RIDE

I've been going out almost every Sunday with my new cycling club. I've made new friends and I can feel the benefits over being a 'lone ranger'. Using my cycling camera and a handlebar mount I managed to capture the essence of the Sunday morning ride.

1507.18 SHAVING - NOT STRAIGHT FORWARD

Shaving. A man's right of passage or a lifelong curse?

I've been shaving since I was about 16. As I got older the frequency that I needed to shave increased. I now shave daily but after a few hours you start to see a shadow. My shaving is compounded by the fact that I now shave more than just my face. Before you start having dirty thoughts you should know (if you know me you know) that I shave my head.

I've always been on the lookout for the perfect shaving system. I've had the Gillette and Wilkinson Sword systems but they are so expensive to maintain (especially for my shaving and frequency). I've gone down the budget systems which are cheaper but not brilliant. More recently I've been experimenting with a more old fashioned approach. Shaving like my great Grandad would have. I'm talking about the good old 'safety razor' together with brush and shaving soap. There is definatly a learning curve, the first time I slashed my head to ribbons. Since then I'm getting the hang of it and an appreciation of the art of shaving. I've still got a way to go to mastering the method but it's a satisfying journey. Plus the blades are cheap.

1506.30 THE ROYAL GEORGE

The earliest mention the Royal George public house was in 1869. Throughout the years I imagine the pub must have served the community well. It would have served miners from the nearby Garrowtree mine and steel worker from the works in Masborough.

Fast forward to 2001, industry is a distant memory and deprivation is common in the area. Houses are built opposite (after many years of being a empty patch of land). It's at this point that I come into the story. It's at this point we begin to have issues with the pub behind our house.

I knew there would be some issues when we bought the house, drunks singing and taxis honking horns, I'm pretty tolerant. The issues we started to get were so much worse than that...

• Customers smoking weed
• Kids playing football
• People climbing into our garden
• Loud music (speaker put outside on sunny days) 
• Rowdy behaviour till all hours

It was really driving us mad, especially since our bedroom directly overlooked it. A lot of communication between me, the council and the police (I'm assuming other residents also complained) got the place closed. I always hoped it would reopen with a strong management to turn it into a community asset. It never did.

There was a planning application submitted to convert the building into a large house which was turned down. Then it looked like it might be a restaurant (which we would have apposed because of potential of parking issues).

Last week a fence went up around it and scaffolding went up. We thought it was about to get a refurb (although no planning had been put in). The next thing we knew contractors moved in and started knocking the building down. So now it's a big open space, I'm keeping an eye out for any plans but for now we have a view down the Don Valley.

I was never a customer of the 'George' but I can't help feel a little sad at its demise.

1506.05 SAN ANDREAS

Captain's Movie Review in Seven Words...

Visually impressive. Lacks story. They kill Kylie!
5/7

IMDb: San Andreas

Ok it's just the usual trip to the cinema except there's a little more to tell. Everyone that knows me knows I don't have hair (on my head) and as such I rarely go out without a hat. In winter they keep me warm and in summer they protect my delicate scalp from the harmful rays. I have quite a collection and last week Morticia bought me a new one when she visited Camden. It was this one I wore to the pictures, whilst we watched the film I set it down in the empty seat by my side. When the film ended we left swiftly. It was when I walked through my door and went to take off my hat I realised it wasn't there and I realised I never retrieved it from the cinema seat. 

I didn't tell Morticia, I felt guilty that I'd not taken care of the gift I'd just received. I fired off an email to the cinema in hope that they would have found it. I waited until lunchtime the next day for a response. I phoned, I re-emailed, and I even telephoned the customer service team. Nothing. In the afternoon I finally got a phone call to say that they had found my hat and I could call in and pick it up at my convenience. 

I'm calling in tomorrow.

Supplemental 1506.06: I called in this morning and retrieved my hat.