Gullible's Travels
Monday, April 28, 2008
Cash Rich, Time Poor
This phrase could have been coined for us. We do not have a problem with work / life balance - we have an equally excessive abundance of both! What we wrestle with is the triple constraint of work / life / hours-in-the-day balance - trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. Hence two weeks without a post.
The last two weekends have had a tidy symmetry about them, both involving mothers and old friends. Last week end was Scotland to visit Mary's Mum, this weekend just gone was Farnham to visit my mum.
Last weekend we flew up to Scotland and did the usual: baby sitting for Mary's sister Sandra and George. Saturday was spent with May, shopping and cooking a meal. Sunday we went into central Glasgow for lunch with a couple of Mary's college friends: Christine and Geraldine and Alisdair.
The McLellan Family Celebrate Mum's 81st Birthday
Jane, Michael, Sarah, Pete, Mary, Mark, Geri, Ian.
This weekend we had my old friends Carmike&Lorna plus youngest son David for a DP. Saturday we saw the last night of "The Importance of Being Earnest" starring Penelope Keith. Sunday we went to Farnham for Mum's 81st birthday. We took our bikes with us on the train and on the way back we cycled 30 miles but that is another story...
This phrase could have been coined for us. We do not have a problem with work / life balance - we have an equally excessive abundance of both! What we wrestle with is the triple constraint of work / life / hours-in-the-day balance - trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. Hence two weeks without a post.
The last two weekends have had a tidy symmetry about them, both involving mothers and old friends. Last week end was Scotland to visit Mary's Mum, this weekend just gone was Farnham to visit my mum.
Last weekend we flew up to Scotland and did the usual: baby sitting for Mary's sister Sandra and George. Saturday was spent with May, shopping and cooking a meal. Sunday we went into central Glasgow for lunch with a couple of Mary's college friends: Christine and Geraldine and Alisdair.
The McLellan Family Celebrate Mum's 81st Birthday
Jane, Michael, Sarah, Pete, Mary, Mark, Geri, Ian.
This weekend we had my old friends Carmike&Lorna plus youngest son David for a DP. Saturday we saw the last night of "The Importance of Being Earnest" starring Penelope Keith. Sunday we went to Farnham for Mum's 81st birthday. We took our bikes with us on the train and on the way back we cycled 30 miles but that is another story...
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 8:57 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Father's Birthday 2008
... this year was on the Monday. So the three of us siblings-plus-partners gathered at Loch Fyne in Farnham on the Sunday for a celebratory meal with Mum and Dad. Followed by the giving of gifts and general chat back at the house.
Mary and I did not hang around over-long as the back bedroom decorating was nearly complete and we were due a guest staying with us Tuesday (last) night. A bedroom needs curtain pole and curtains!
Chatting to a colleague on the Monday and hearing of her family's "X is not speaking to Y" and "I can't remember when we last got together" reminded me yet against how fortunate I am with my lot.
... this year was on the Monday. So the three of us siblings-plus-partners gathered at Loch Fyne in Farnham on the Sunday for a celebratory meal with Mum and Dad. Followed by the giving of gifts and general chat back at the house.
Mary and I did not hang around over-long as the back bedroom decorating was nearly complete and we were due a guest staying with us Tuesday (last) night. A bedroom needs curtain pole and curtains!
Chatting to a colleague on the Monday and hearing of her family's "X is not speaking to Y" and "I can't remember when we last got together" reminded me yet against how fortunate I am with my lot.
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 1:31 PM 1 comments
Mothers' Day 2008
Was spent in Scotland visiting the MIL. The usual routine: Friday evening and night at Sandra & George's, Saturday daytime and night at May's.
The original plan had been the not-usual routine of meet up with friends in central Glasgow but it was not to be. So instead one of them, Geraldine, popped down to May's for afternoon tea:
Mary, Geraldine and May admire a pashmina
Sunday we met up with G & S and their two, Ross and Sandra, for a Mothers' Day meal. Then home late Sunday.
Was spent in Scotland visiting the MIL. The usual routine: Friday evening and night at Sandra & George's, Saturday daytime and night at May's.
The original plan had been the not-usual routine of meet up with friends in central Glasgow but it was not to be. So instead one of them, Geraldine, popped down to May's for afternoon tea:
Mary, Geraldine and May admire a pashmina
Sunday we met up with G & S and their two, Ross and Sandra, for a Mothers' Day meal. Then home late Sunday.
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 1:20 PM 1 comments
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Scales Family Tree
All this family research was triggered by my Mum. She has been wanting to research her family for a while and this year went to St Andrews church in Hertford. There she got a whole heap of births, marriages and deaths plus some census records for assorted Scales in and around Hertingfordbury Road. Having got all the pieces we proceeded to assemble the jigsaw into a family tree:
There were a couple of false starts. For example the gravestones revealed that the earliest Thomas Scales turned out to have married twice which suddenly made sense of the ages of the children. And one of his children by the second wife had two sons both called Thomas: one was Thomas William (sometimes just called William) and one called Thomas (sometimes called Thomas Jnr).
I think we have cracked it now and this is an extract showing the direct line:
Complete family tree as pdf
Genealogy Report as pdf
Genealogy Report as txt
All this family research was triggered by my Mum. She has been wanting to research her family for a while and this year went to St Andrews church in Hertford. There she got a whole heap of births, marriages and deaths plus some census records for assorted Scales in and around Hertingfordbury Road. Having got all the pieces we proceeded to assemble the jigsaw into a family tree:
There were a couple of false starts. For example the gravestones revealed that the earliest Thomas Scales turned out to have married twice which suddenly made sense of the ages of the children. And one of his children by the second wife had two sons both called Thomas: one was Thomas William (sometimes just called William) and one called Thomas (sometimes called Thomas Jnr).
I think we have cracked it now and this is an extract showing the direct line:
Complete family tree as pdf
Genealogy Report as pdf
Genealogy Report as txt
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 9:15 AM 1 comments
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Jazz on a Sunday Night
down at the Park Tavern. Brother-in-law Pete plays double bass and does occasional pub gigs. Last Sunday he was playing at the Park Tavern.
Since it is only 10 minutes walk from home I hardly had any excuse for not popping along. So I left Mary relaxing after a Sunday evening roast and toddled over for a very pleasant hour and a half listening to dinner jazz and drinking a couple of pints of Young's.
The pub has a very comfortable atmosphere almost like being in your own livng room: comfy chairs. roomy, well lit, friendly bar staff and a clientele that looked agreeable.
I got talking a a group of blokes who were obviously a) old mates and b) into the music. Turns out one of them has a trulli down on the coast at Castellana Grotte: http://www.trullicasolare.com/. Small world, eh? ¶ Permanent link: 4:33 PM 0 comments
down at the Park Tavern. Brother-in-law Pete plays double bass and does occasional pub gigs. Last Sunday he was playing at the Park Tavern.
Since it is only 10 minutes walk from home I hardly had any excuse for not popping along. So I left Mary relaxing after a Sunday evening roast and toddled over for a very pleasant hour and a half listening to dinner jazz and drinking a couple of pints of Young's.
The pub has a very comfortable atmosphere almost like being in your own livng room: comfy chairs. roomy, well lit, friendly bar staff and a clientele that looked agreeable.
I got talking a a group of blokes who were obviously a) old mates and b) into the music. Turns out one of them has a trulli down on the coast at Castellana Grotte: http://www.trullicasolare.com/. Small world, eh? ¶ Permanent link: 4:33 PM 0 comments
Friday, November 16, 2007
Sibling Dining in Soho
Saturday it was another siblings and partners dinner*. It was Jane&Pete's turn and Jane wanted to hold it in Soho so we could all see the finished flat (those of us who had not already). The flat is too small and not equipped for supper for six so we met at the flat, inspected and then went off to Le Deuxieme for a very enjoyable meal.
I was down in Farnham last Wednesday doing some family tree stuff with Mum when Dad remarked how much it pleased him that we siblings not only got on well but also enough to want to get together socially. And it's true we do.
* Previously: Sibling Dining, Akira's Cousin, Family Dining, I'm Up on the Eleventh Floor, Family Dining 2, Siblings in Puglia.
Saturday it was another siblings and partners dinner*. It was Jane&Pete's turn and Jane wanted to hold it in Soho so we could all see the finished flat (those of us who had not already). The flat is too small and not equipped for supper for six so we met at the flat, inspected and then went off to Le Deuxieme for a very enjoyable meal.
I was down in Farnham last Wednesday doing some family tree stuff with Mum when Dad remarked how much it pleased him that we siblings not only got on well but also enough to want to get together socially. And it's true we do.
* Previously: Sibling Dining, Akira's Cousin, Family Dining, I'm Up on the Eleventh Floor, Family Dining 2, Siblings in Puglia.
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 4:52 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 15, 2007
McLellan Family Tree
If you are lucky enough to have Scottish ancestry then tracing back your family tree to the early 1800's is something of a doddle. Go to http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ and you can search the registers of births, marriages and deaths plus a load of parish registers some going back to 1553.
Mary is absolutely hooked and been doing wonderful stuff researching her family, both sides and my Dad's family. She has traced back my paternal line to my great-great-great-grandfather who married in 1817.
Going back earlier than that the chain of evidence starts to get a bit shakey but I am sure there will be more to follow...
Descendants of Archibald McLelan
Generation No. 1
1. ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN He married MARRION MCDOUGALL 03 Mar 1817 in Bowmore. She died 24 Aug 1857 in Victoria Street, Govan.
Child of ARCHIBALD MCLELAN and MARRION MCDOUGALL is:
2. i. DOUGALD [2] MCLELLAN, b. 07 Dec 1818, Inchinan, Renfrewshire; d. 12 Jan 1875, Coatbridge.
Generation No. 2
2. DOUGALD [2] MCLELLAN (ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN) was born 07 Dec 1818 in Inchinan, Renfrewshire, and died 12 Jan 1875 in Coatbridge. He married ISABELLA MCLEAN 22 Apr 1845 in Barony (Maryhill), Glasgow. She was born in Tyree, Argyll.
More About DOUGALD MCLELLAN:
Occupation: 07 Apr 1861, Iron Works Magazine Keeper
Children of DOUGALD MCLELLAN and ISABELLA MCLEAN are:
3. i. CHARLES [3] MCLELLAN, b. 09 May 1852, Gartsherry, Coatbridge; d. 17 Oct 1930, Tollcross Road, Glasgow.
ii. ARCHIBALD MCLELLAN, b. 10 Jul 1845, Gartsherry, Coatbridge.
iii. NEIL MCLELLAN, b. 11 Jun 1848.
iv. DONALD MCLELLAN, b. 09 Jun 1850.
v. JAMES STEWART MCLELLAN, b. 16 Jul 1854.
vi. MARRION MCLELLAN, b. 19 Jul 1856.
vii. JOHN MCLELLAN, b. 07 May 1860, Gartsherry, Coatbridge.
Generation No. 3
3. CHARLES [3] MCLELLAN (DOUGALD [2], ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN) was born 09 May 1852 in Gartsherry, Coatbridge, and died 17 Oct 1930 in Tollcross Road, Glasgow. He married MARGARET JONES KENNEDY 06 Dec 1875 in Old Monkland, Lanark. She was born 06 Jan 1855 in Sunnyside, Coatbridge, and died 22 Sep 1930 in Tollcross Road, Glasgow.
Children of CHARLES MCLELLAN and MARGARET KENNEDY are:
4. i. JAMES KENNEDY [4] MCLELLAN, b. 26 Dec 1877, Coatbridge; d. 1933.
ii. DOUGALD MCLELLAN, b. 22 May 1876, Coatbridge.
iii. ARCHIBALD MCLELLAN, b. 03 Aug 1879, Coatbridge.
iv. ELLEN MCMILLAN MCLELLAN, b. 16 Jan 1882, Coatbridge.
v. ISABELLA MCLELLAN, b. 05 Jun 1890, Coatbridge.
Generation No. 4
4. JAMES KENNEDY [4] MCLELLAN (CHARLES [3], DOUGALD [2], ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN) was born 26 Dec 1877 in Coatbridge, and died 1933. He married AMELIA LONG. She was born 1885, and died 1960.
Child of JAMES MCLELLAN and AMELIA LONG is:
i. JAMES MICHAEL5 MCLELLAN, b. 10 Mar 1925; m. MARGERY FAITH SCALES; b. 27 Apr 1927.
For the PDF originals:
mclellan-family-tree.pdf
mclellan-geneology-report.pdf
If you are lucky enough to have Scottish ancestry then tracing back your family tree to the early 1800's is something of a doddle. Go to http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ and you can search the registers of births, marriages and deaths plus a load of parish registers some going back to 1553.
Mary is absolutely hooked and been doing wonderful stuff researching her family, both sides and my Dad's family. She has traced back my paternal line to my great-great-great-grandfather who married in 1817.
Going back earlier than that the chain of evidence starts to get a bit shakey but I am sure there will be more to follow...
Descendants of Archibald McLelan
Generation No. 1
1. ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN He married MARRION MCDOUGALL 03 Mar 1817 in Bowmore. She died 24 Aug 1857 in Victoria Street, Govan.
Child of ARCHIBALD MCLELAN and MARRION MCDOUGALL is:
2. i. DOUGALD [2] MCLELLAN, b. 07 Dec 1818, Inchinan, Renfrewshire; d. 12 Jan 1875, Coatbridge.
Generation No. 2
2. DOUGALD [2] MCLELLAN (ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN) was born 07 Dec 1818 in Inchinan, Renfrewshire, and died 12 Jan 1875 in Coatbridge. He married ISABELLA MCLEAN 22 Apr 1845 in Barony (Maryhill), Glasgow. She was born in Tyree, Argyll.
More About DOUGALD MCLELLAN:
Occupation: 07 Apr 1861, Iron Works Magazine Keeper
Children of DOUGALD MCLELLAN and ISABELLA MCLEAN are:
3. i. CHARLES [3] MCLELLAN, b. 09 May 1852, Gartsherry, Coatbridge; d. 17 Oct 1930, Tollcross Road, Glasgow.
ii. ARCHIBALD MCLELLAN, b. 10 Jul 1845, Gartsherry, Coatbridge.
iii. NEIL MCLELLAN, b. 11 Jun 1848.
iv. DONALD MCLELLAN, b. 09 Jun 1850.
v. JAMES STEWART MCLELLAN, b. 16 Jul 1854.
vi. MARRION MCLELLAN, b. 19 Jul 1856.
vii. JOHN MCLELLAN, b. 07 May 1860, Gartsherry, Coatbridge.
Generation No. 3
3. CHARLES [3] MCLELLAN (DOUGALD [2], ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN) was born 09 May 1852 in Gartsherry, Coatbridge, and died 17 Oct 1930 in Tollcross Road, Glasgow. He married MARGARET JONES KENNEDY 06 Dec 1875 in Old Monkland, Lanark. She was born 06 Jan 1855 in Sunnyside, Coatbridge, and died 22 Sep 1930 in Tollcross Road, Glasgow.
Children of CHARLES MCLELLAN and MARGARET KENNEDY are:
4. i. JAMES KENNEDY [4] MCLELLAN, b. 26 Dec 1877, Coatbridge; d. 1933.
ii. DOUGALD MCLELLAN, b. 22 May 1876, Coatbridge.
iii. ARCHIBALD MCLELLAN, b. 03 Aug 1879, Coatbridge.
iv. ELLEN MCMILLAN MCLELLAN, b. 16 Jan 1882, Coatbridge.
v. ISABELLA MCLELLAN, b. 05 Jun 1890, Coatbridge.
Generation No. 4
4. JAMES KENNEDY [4] MCLELLAN (CHARLES [3], DOUGALD [2], ARCHIBALD [1] MCLELAN) was born 26 Dec 1877 in Coatbridge, and died 1933. He married AMELIA LONG. She was born 1885, and died 1960.
Child of JAMES MCLELLAN and AMELIA LONG is:
i. JAMES MICHAEL5 MCLELLAN, b. 10 Mar 1925; m. MARGERY FAITH SCALES; b. 27 Apr 1927.
For the PDF originals:
mclellan-family-tree.pdf
mclellan-geneology-report.pdf
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 9:16 PM 2 comments
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Mother-in-Law Visits
It has been a quiet couple of weeks with not much of blogworthy note as we have had Mary's mum, May, down from Scotland while Mary's sister Sandra and family were on holiday. So mostly we have been leaving work promptly to go home for an early supper and a evening in watching the box. Weekends were a bit busier in order to keep May entertained.
The first weekend we went over to Ian and Sarah's for a family gathering to celebrate nephew Tom's 18th birthday. Sunday Mary and I took May down to Farnham for lunch with my mum and dad.
The next weekend we took May to a matinee of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Savoy. Musicals are not normally our first choice but May likes them and, as musicals go, this was good. Most of the tunes are instantly recognisable and it introduced me to a piece of history and culture I was ignorant of. See Wikipedia on Shtetl.
This weekend just gone we whizzed down to Bristol to collect Molly and drive her back to London. In the evening we had old friends from Glasgow for dinner. Geraldine and Alisdair were down for a funeral on Friday and came over to stay with us Saturday. We had a very enjoyable dinner party, I faded at one o'clock but Mary and Geraldine were chatting till gone 2. I must pop round to the neighbours and apologise in case our late night music disturbed them.
Sunday it was all off to Heathrow for their return to Scotland. For us it was a relaxing meal and an early night.
It has been a quiet couple of weeks with not much of blogworthy note as we have had Mary's mum, May, down from Scotland while Mary's sister Sandra and family were on holiday. So mostly we have been leaving work promptly to go home for an early supper and a evening in watching the box. Weekends were a bit busier in order to keep May entertained.
The first weekend we went over to Ian and Sarah's for a family gathering to celebrate nephew Tom's 18th birthday. Sunday Mary and I took May down to Farnham for lunch with my mum and dad.
The next weekend we took May to a matinee of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Savoy. Musicals are not normally our first choice but May likes them and, as musicals go, this was good. Most of the tunes are instantly recognisable and it introduced me to a piece of history and culture I was ignorant of. See Wikipedia on Shtetl.
This weekend just gone we whizzed down to Bristol to collect Molly and drive her back to London. In the evening we had old friends from Glasgow for dinner. Geraldine and Alisdair were down for a funeral on Friday and came over to stay with us Saturday. We had a very enjoyable dinner party, I faded at one o'clock but Mary and Geraldine were chatting till gone 2. I must pop round to the neighbours and apologise in case our late night music disturbed them.
Sunday it was all off to Heathrow for their return to Scotland. For us it was a relaxing meal and an early night.
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 8:36 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Architectural Tour of Amsterdam
The reason there have been no posts over the week end is that I have been in Amsterdam on an four day architectural tour lead by Tim Bruce-Dick (in the hat).
Jane has accompanied Dad (in the grey jacket) on a couple of previous tours but this time Ian and I decided to join them to make is a "siblings spend quality time with father" event.
This is also a test of my new flicker account to see how seamless, or otherwise, they are.
We left Mum at home but rang her every day.
Labels: family, the arts, travel
¶ Permanent link: 10:59 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Mum's 80th Birthday
Friday was Mum's 80th birthday so we celebrated twice. I took the afternoon off work as did Ian (and Jane is a "home-maker" as the Americans say). I caught the train down to Farnham where the three of us, Mum and Dad had lunch at the Loch Fyne Restaurant.
Present opening
Then on Saturday we all reconvened at Jane&Pete's place in Reigate where we were joined by most of the grandsons for a great present giving ceremony and birthday toast with a glass of champagne.
Cake with 8 candles
We then had a buffet lunch in the garden and fortunately is was a gloriously sunny day. This was followed by a cake which Sarah had made complete with eight inextinguishable candles - one for each decade.
Nephews: Chris, Tom, Tom 2, Lorenzo, Joe
Lorenzo (Ian's eldest) joined us halfway through the meal. Only Mike (Jane and Pete's eldest) wasn't able to make it as the band he is in (Thumpermonkey) had a gig in PLymouth the night before.
Mum, Dad and Balloons
Friday was Mum's 80th birthday so we celebrated twice. I took the afternoon off work as did Ian (and Jane is a "home-maker" as the Americans say). I caught the train down to Farnham where the three of us, Mum and Dad had lunch at the Loch Fyne Restaurant.
Present opening
Then on Saturday we all reconvened at Jane&Pete's place in Reigate where we were joined by most of the grandsons for a great present giving ceremony and birthday toast with a glass of champagne.
Cake with 8 candles
We then had a buffet lunch in the garden and fortunately is was a gloriously sunny day. This was followed by a cake which Sarah had made complete with eight inextinguishable candles - one for each decade.
Nephews: Chris, Tom, Tom 2, Lorenzo, Joe
Lorenzo (Ian's eldest) joined us halfway through the meal. Only Mike (Jane and Pete's eldest) wasn't able to make it as the band he is in (Thumpermonkey) had a gig in PLymouth the night before.
Mum, Dad and Balloons
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 5:07 PM 1 comments
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Lunch at The Groucho Club
Tuesday Mum and Dad came up to London to see Jane&Pete's flat in Soho and brother Ian came to join us. It had been meant as a family gathering but at the last minute Pete's Aunt Freda and Jane's oldest friend JaneF were added to the roster.
The assembled company marvelled at the transformation of the flat then we went round the corner to The Groucho Club* for a family lunch. Another long lunch catching up on JaneF's French hovels and back to work to make up the hours.
* The name of the club was inspired by one of Groucho Marx's quips; "I don't want to join a club that will accept me as a member"
Tuesday Mum and Dad came up to London to see Jane&Pete's flat in Soho and brother Ian came to join us. It had been meant as a family gathering but at the last minute Pete's Aunt Freda and Jane's oldest friend JaneF were added to the roster.
The assembled company marvelled at the transformation of the flat then we went round the corner to The Groucho Club* for a family lunch. Another long lunch catching up on JaneF's French hovels and back to work to make up the hours.
* The name of the club was inspired by one of Groucho Marx's quips; "I don't want to join a club that will accept me as a member"
Labels: family, restaurants
¶ Permanent link: 1:20 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Lunchtime in Soho
Yesterday I met up with sister Jane to see how their pied-a-terre is coming along. She told me it was one year and one week to the day since they first went to see the flat. And now it is all but finished and they have done a good job on it. Just a few minor tweaks remaining.
It used to be basically one large room with a separate kitchen at one end and a bathroom. The whole place has been gutted and redone completely, new everything. The bathroom is great, all beige and tiled, it looks like a five star hotel bathroom.
The kitchen wall has been taken out and they have gone open plan. The bed area is now where the kitchen was and there is a small kitchen "corner" next to it which partially screens off the bed area. Then a TV and chairs in the actual corner and a desk / home office and storage in an alcove.
Having inspected the premises, we tested out the local Tapas restaurant to see if it would be OK for Mum and Dad's visit next week. Something of a leisurely lunch, I'll make up the hours later.
Previous visits:
• Walking in the Wild West End
• I'm up on the Eleventh Floor
Yesterday I met up with sister Jane to see how their pied-a-terre is coming along. She told me it was one year and one week to the day since they first went to see the flat. And now it is all but finished and they have done a good job on it. Just a few minor tweaks remaining.
It used to be basically one large room with a separate kitchen at one end and a bathroom. The whole place has been gutted and redone completely, new everything. The bathroom is great, all beige and tiled, it looks like a five star hotel bathroom.
The kitchen wall has been taken out and they have gone open plan. The bed area is now where the kitchen was and there is a small kitchen "corner" next to it which partially screens off the bed area. Then a TV and chairs in the actual corner and a desk / home office and storage in an alcove.
Having inspected the premises, we tested out the local Tapas restaurant to see if it would be OK for Mum and Dad's visit next week. Something of a leisurely lunch, I'll make up the hours later.
Previous visits:
• Walking in the Wild West End
• I'm up on the Eleventh Floor
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 8:37 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Moving house tomorrow
And as you might expect the run up to tomorrow's house move has been hectic. Mary's Mum, May, flew down from Scotland on Thursday for a "farewell tour" of the cottage. We drove down Thursday night (with Cleo) and worked from home Friday so we would be ready early Saturday to continue the clearing out.
Primary target was the garage: boxing up the last dozen cases of wine, dismantling the VinoSafe, clearing out the accumulated unwanted possessions (or junk as Mary calls it) and doing tip runs to dump the rejects.
Saturday we went to Plummer's Restaurant with Bob&Lynne and Mike&Lynn. Mike deserves an serious award for good neighbourliness. When he and Lynn lived next door he fed the cats, took in the post, checked for intruders when the alarm went off and generally kept an eye on the place while we worked in various locations or countries Monday to Friday.
Even after they moved (about 10 miles away) Mike still used to do all that for little return apart from our heartfelt thanks and the occasional bottle of duty free malt. We have no way to thank him enough for what he has done over the years but we did offer him (and family of course) a free holiday in Italy.
Sunday was a family gathering: Mum&Dad and Ian&Sarah came down, partly house-cooling and partly because Sarah had never seen the cottage. After they left it was more tidying and sorting till it was time for our supper, traditional Sunday roast pork. Monday Mary stayed down at the cottage with May and Cleo while I drove back up to London for two days work. Back down tonight and the furniture van arrives at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
We shall have deserved our Valentine's meal out by the time tomorrow night arrives.
And as you might expect the run up to tomorrow's house move has been hectic. Mary's Mum, May, flew down from Scotland on Thursday for a "farewell tour" of the cottage. We drove down Thursday night (with Cleo) and worked from home Friday so we would be ready early Saturday to continue the clearing out.
Primary target was the garage: boxing up the last dozen cases of wine, dismantling the VinoSafe, clearing out the accumulated unwanted possessions (or junk as Mary calls it) and doing tip runs to dump the rejects.
Saturday we went to Plummer's Restaurant with Bob&Lynne and Mike&Lynn. Mike deserves an serious award for good neighbourliness. When he and Lynn lived next door he fed the cats, took in the post, checked for intruders when the alarm went off and generally kept an eye on the place while we worked in various locations or countries Monday to Friday.
Even after they moved (about 10 miles away) Mike still used to do all that for little return apart from our heartfelt thanks and the occasional bottle of duty free malt. We have no way to thank him enough for what he has done over the years but we did offer him (and family of course) a free holiday in Italy.
Sunday was a family gathering: Mum&Dad and Ian&Sarah came down, partly house-cooling and partly because Sarah had never seen the cottage. After they left it was more tidying and sorting till it was time for our supper, traditional Sunday roast pork. Monday Mary stayed down at the cottage with May and Cleo while I drove back up to London for two days work. Back down tonight and the furniture van arrives at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
We shall have deserved our Valentine's meal out by the time tomorrow night arrives.
Labels: avon cottage, family, moving house
¶ Permanent link: 12:38 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas wines
Having some time at home over the Christmas period gave Mary a chance to sort out the cellar. We had cases and cases of wine still its cardboard boxes. But no more! And all of this to make it easier to dig out some fine wines for Christmas; modesty prevents me from naming names and vintages.
We had my Mum and Dad over for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and had a fine old time. As always with them the meal is the entertainment with much chat and banter. Christmas Day we had goose at 5 o'clock and then we did succumb to "couch potato syndrome" and watched a DVD of the first 'Pirates of the Carribean' with Johnny Depp. ¶ Permanent link: 7:01 PM 3 comments
Having some time at home over the Christmas period gave Mary a chance to sort out the cellar. We had cases and cases of wine still its cardboard boxes. But no more! And all of this to make it easier to dig out some fine wines for Christmas; modesty prevents me from naming names and vintages.
We had my Mum and Dad over for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and had a fine old time. As always with them the meal is the entertainment with much chat and banter. Christmas Day we had goose at 5 o'clock and then we did succumb to "couch potato syndrome" and watched a DVD of the first 'Pirates of the Carribean' with Johnny Depp. ¶ Permanent link: 7:01 PM 3 comments
Monday, July 31, 2006
Family dining (2)
This weekend we fitted in a double dose of family dining. On our way back from the cottage we called in to Farnham for lunch with my parents. In the evening we went round to Ian&Sarah's along with Jane&Pete for another evening of family dining. An excellent evening; my brother has a wicked wit and had me creased up with a tale of him and youngest son doing "boy looking" in the video store.
Sunday was a bike ride round Battersea Park and Wandsworth Common plus work on the Shed Called Jackson. It was like a Tom and Jerry cupboard - you know - open the door and everything falls out. Now it has a shelf for bits and bobs, a tool rack and several hooks for hanging the paella burner, strimmer cable and such like. So much more ruly. ¶ Permanent link: 10:21 AM 1 comments
This weekend we fitted in a double dose of family dining. On our way back from the cottage we called in to Farnham for lunch with my parents. In the evening we went round to Ian&Sarah's along with Jane&Pete for another evening of family dining. An excellent evening; my brother has a wicked wit and had me creased up with a tale of him and youngest son doing "boy looking" in the video store.
Sunday was a bike ride round Battersea Park and Wandsworth Common plus work on the Shed Called Jackson. It was like a Tom and Jerry cupboard - you know - open the door and everything falls out. Now it has a shelf for bits and bobs, a tool rack and several hooks for hanging the paella burner, strimmer cable and such like. So much more ruly. ¶ Permanent link: 10:21 AM 1 comments
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Thumpermonkey Lives! Dublin Castle, Camden. Thursday 03-Aug-06
Live @ Dublin Castle £4.50 Mit Flyer
Thumpermonkey Lives!
Thursday 3rd August @ 9PM 'til late
94 Parkway
Camden
London
NW1 7AN
map
www.thumpermonkey.com
myspace.com/thumpermonkey
Live @ Dublin Castle £4.50 Mit Flyer
Thumpermonkey Lives!
Thursday 3rd August @ 9PM 'til late
94 Parkway
Camden
London
NW1 7AN
map
www.thumpermonkey.com
myspace.com/thumpermonkey
Labels: family, music, thumpermonkey
¶ Permanent link: 9:21 AM 0 comments
Thumpermonkey Lives! Summer Tour 2006
Thumpermonkey Lives! Summer Tour 2006
Aug 03: Dublin Castle, London
Aug 04: Night and Day, Manchester
Aug 09: Pure, Sunderland
Aug 10 The Crown, Middlesborough
Aug 11: Venue TBC
Aug 12: Edwards No.8, Birmingham
Aug 18/19: Secret Festival (Shh)
A public demonstration of the recent album: "Chap With The Wings, Five Rounds Rapid".
www.thumpermonkey.com
myspace.com/thumpermonkey
Thumpermonkey Lives! Summer Tour 2006
Aug 03: Dublin Castle, London
Aug 04: Night and Day, Manchester
Aug 09: Pure, Sunderland
Aug 10 The Crown, Middlesborough
Aug 11: Venue TBC
Aug 12: Edwards No.8, Birmingham
Aug 18/19: Secret Festival (Shh)
A public demonstration of the recent album: "Chap With The Wings, Five Rounds Rapid".
www.thumpermonkey.com
myspace.com/thumpermonkey
Labels: family, music, thumpermonkey
¶ Permanent link: 9:18 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Bits and bobs
Pied-a-terre: My sister Jane and husband have exchanged on their one-room flat in Soho with completion early next month. So we can look forward to some evenings of jollity in Soho (see "Walking in the Wild West End").
I'm sorry I'll read that again: It must be having done too many crosswords that causes me to parse things oddly. Last time I was in Waitrose I bought a stir fry pack containing "Free Range Egg Noodles".
That's nice I thought, these egg noodles are keep in fields and allowed to roam free, not like factory farmed noodles. Then I re-read and thought Ah I think they mean the chickens that produced the eggs.
Marriage of Convenience: I was amused by Empire Magazine's 'Book of Movie Trivia' suggestion that Whoopi Goldberg should marry Peter Cushing so she could become Whoopi Cushing.
Pied-a-terre: My sister Jane and husband have exchanged on their one-room flat in Soho with completion early next month. So we can look forward to some evenings of jollity in Soho (see "Walking in the Wild West End").
I'm sorry I'll read that again: It must be having done too many crosswords that causes me to parse things oddly. Last time I was in Waitrose I bought a stir fry pack containing "Free Range Egg Noodles".
That's nice I thought, these egg noodles are keep in fields and allowed to roam free, not like factory farmed noodles. Then I re-read and thought Ah I think they mean the chickens that produced the eggs.
Marriage of Convenience: I was amused by Empire Magazine's 'Book of Movie Trivia' suggestion that Whoopi Goldberg should marry Peter Cushing so she could become Whoopi Cushing.
Labels: family, humour, observations
¶ Permanent link: 8:43 AM 0 comments
Monday, May 22, 2006
Michael McLellan limited edition prints
My father is a talented artist and it is not just me who thinks so. His work has been hung at a number of galleries and exhitions, most recently at the Art by Architects "Vision 05 Exhibition" (see also blog entry "Art by Architects"). At the end of last year he was asked to put togther a one-man show at Wolfson College, Oxford this autumn.
At this point Mary and I decided to enter the fine art publishing business. Over Christmas we were at Collier and Dobson in Fordingbridge to buy a pair of Tabitha Salmon prints. We chatted to them about what would be involved in doing prints of my Dad's paintings.
To cut a long story short, I went down to the printers on Saturday with Mum and Dad for a signing and numbering of the first 20 prints of two of Dad's paintings. Fine art prints limited edition of 95 worldwide; Anthony Dobson has done a magnificent job on the prints, the faithfulness and quality of the reproduction is astounding.
The topic of the wording on the Certificate of Authenticity came up. Contact details will be me and Mary as "publishers" but what to put for the web address? We checked it out and michaelmclellan .com and .co.uk were both available. So now, at the ripe old age of 81, my Dad is a dot-com!
If you want to see the paintings please visit "http://www.michaelmclellan.com/". ¶ Permanent link: 8:24 AM 5 comments
My father is a talented artist and it is not just me who thinks so. His work has been hung at a number of galleries and exhitions, most recently at the Art by Architects "Vision 05 Exhibition" (see also blog entry "Art by Architects"). At the end of last year he was asked to put togther a one-man show at Wolfson College, Oxford this autumn.
At this point Mary and I decided to enter the fine art publishing business. Over Christmas we were at Collier and Dobson in Fordingbridge to buy a pair of Tabitha Salmon prints. We chatted to them about what would be involved in doing prints of my Dad's paintings.
To cut a long story short, I went down to the printers on Saturday with Mum and Dad for a signing and numbering of the first 20 prints of two of Dad's paintings. Fine art prints limited edition of 95 worldwide; Anthony Dobson has done a magnificent job on the prints, the faithfulness and quality of the reproduction is astounding.
The topic of the wording on the Certificate of Authenticity came up. Contact details will be me and Mary as "publishers" but what to put for the web address? We checked it out and michaelmclellan .com and .co.uk were both available. So now, at the ripe old age of 81, my Dad is a dot-com!
If you want to see the paintings please visit "http://www.michaelmclellan.com/". ¶ Permanent link: 8:24 AM 5 comments
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Family dining
Mary too had a tough week of "team building" so we segued easily, without breaking step, into a weekend of eating and drinking. Friday night was a repeat visit to the Food Room as we had promised ourselves after our last visit [Eye Contact Avoidance].
Saturday night was a return match for the "siblings-and-partners" meal we had at Jane&Pete's. A most successful evening helped by a fine menu and the best of wines:
• Caramelised Asparagus on a bed of rocket [US: Rucola] and parmesan [US: parmigiano] drizzled with balsamic vinegar
• Oven-baked halibut with fresh vegetables
• Fresh coconut and pineapple with margarita sorbet and toasted coconut ice cream
• Cheese board with two kinds of freshly baked bread
I wish I had time to type up the full recipes like Rosa who blogs a whole heap of recipes. Suffice it to say everything was home made, of course. The ice cream recipe started with a real, hairy coconut and a hammer...
Sunday was Mother's Day in the UK so we went down to my Mum&Dad's in Farnham. We took lunch (fish terrine and bits) with us so Mum did not have to cook. Unfortunately we had not listened to the radio nor switched on the TV for 48 hours and were blissfully unaware that the clocks had changed.
I got a call from Mum wondering what time we were planning to get there. We jumped in the car and headed off. Unfortunately, so it seemed, had half of South London: the Wandsworth Gyratory was not gyrating. It hardly whirls like a Dervish at the best of times but Sunday lunchtime on Mother's day it ground to a halt. The tailback was all the way up East Hill almost as far as the Huguenot church. We arrived somewhat late but then had a fine time chatting of this and that and an opportunity to hug Mum and tell her I loved her.
I have said it before and will say it again. If you can, if it's not too late, spend time with your family and tell them you love them.
Mary too had a tough week of "team building" so we segued easily, without breaking step, into a weekend of eating and drinking. Friday night was a repeat visit to the Food Room as we had promised ourselves after our last visit [Eye Contact Avoidance].
Saturday night was a return match for the "siblings-and-partners" meal we had at Jane&Pete's. A most successful evening helped by a fine menu and the best of wines:
• Caramelised Asparagus on a bed of rocket [US: Rucola] and parmesan [US: parmigiano] drizzled with balsamic vinegar
• Oven-baked halibut with fresh vegetables
• Fresh coconut and pineapple with margarita sorbet and toasted coconut ice cream
• Cheese board with two kinds of freshly baked bread
I wish I had time to type up the full recipes like Rosa who blogs a whole heap of recipes. Suffice it to say everything was home made, of course. The ice cream recipe started with a real, hairy coconut and a hammer...
Sunday was Mother's Day in the UK so we went down to my Mum&Dad's in Farnham. We took lunch (fish terrine and bits) with us so Mum did not have to cook. Unfortunately we had not listened to the radio nor switched on the TV for 48 hours and were blissfully unaware that the clocks had changed.
I got a call from Mum wondering what time we were planning to get there. We jumped in the car and headed off. Unfortunately, so it seemed, had half of South London: the Wandsworth Gyratory was not gyrating. It hardly whirls like a Dervish at the best of times but Sunday lunchtime on Mother's day it ground to a halt. The tailback was all the way up East Hill almost as far as the Huguenot church. We arrived somewhat late but then had a fine time chatting of this and that and an opportunity to hug Mum and tell her I loved her.
I have said it before and will say it again. If you can, if it's not too late, spend time with your family and tell them you love them.
Labels: family, restaurants
¶ Permanent link: 1:14 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Carol Galashan placed 10th in Individual All Around
See the "Women's All-Around Final Results". And Helen is in the finals for the beam on Tuesday. I am most impressed as I never even represented my Infants School in the Egg and Spoon race let alone competed at the level of Planet Earth (Commonwealth Section).
Full results for "Carol Galashan".
Full results for "Helen Galashan".
In my earlier post I mentioned an item in the Daily Record. It was Scotland's First Minister meeting the twins. The story was also used in a press release on the Scottish government website promoting Scotland's bid for the 20014 Games
See the "Women's All-Around Final Results". And Helen is in the finals for the beam on Tuesday. I am most impressed as I never even represented my Infants School in the Egg and Spoon race let alone competed at the level of Planet Earth (Commonwealth Section).
Full results for "Carol Galashan".
Full results for "Helen Galashan".
In my earlier post I mentioned an item in the Daily Record. It was Scotland's First Minister meeting the twins. The story was also used in a press release on the Scottish government website promoting Scotland's bid for the 20014 Games
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 5:31 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Third cousins
Although this could have been titled "Home but not alone 3" [2] [1] or "Spend time with your family 2" [1]. Mary went up to Scotland to spend time with her mum which turned into a weekend of baby-sitting the wee 'uns so that George&Sandra could spend a child-free weekend in Dundee.
At Mary's prompting, it has to be gratefully acknowledged, I went and likewise spent the weekend with my Mum (and Dad, of course) which was much appreciated by Mum. Down to Farnham for Friday night and a meal at the local Italian.
Then Saturday we drove down to Winton near Bournemouth to visit my father's second cousins Ken&Effie (Euphemia) who I had not seen since our wedding in '93. Several hours were spent amusing them with my grasp of Doric (the dialect of Lowland Scots spoken in the north-east of Scotland) thanks to my having married an Ayrshire lass.
Then a quiet Saturday in just chatting and spending "quality time" with the Ageds. And a good thing too. As they get older I am ever more conscious of spending time with them while I still can. So another win for New Year's Resolution #4.
Although this could have been titled "Home but not alone 3" [2] [1] or "Spend time with your family 2" [1]. Mary went up to Scotland to spend time with her mum which turned into a weekend of baby-sitting the wee 'uns so that George&Sandra could spend a child-free weekend in Dundee.
At Mary's prompting, it has to be gratefully acknowledged, I went and likewise spent the weekend with my Mum (and Dad, of course) which was much appreciated by Mum. Down to Farnham for Friday night and a meal at the local Italian.
Then Saturday we drove down to Winton near Bournemouth to visit my father's second cousins Ken&Effie (Euphemia) who I had not seen since our wedding in '93. Several hours were spent amusing them with my grasp of Doric (the dialect of Lowland Scots spoken in the north-east of Scotland) thanks to my having married an Ayrshire lass.
Then a quiet Saturday in just chatting and spending "quality time" with the Ageds. And a good thing too. As they get older I am ever more conscious of spending time with them while I still can. So another win for New Year's Resolution #4.
Labels: family
¶ Permanent link: 3:52 PM 2 comments
