The weekend amused me somewhat looking back. I don't know if it was the 2am bowling tournament that my friend Nick and my Dad set about doing... both quite drunk, or my cousins friend announcing that a man my Dad works with use to be her science teacher! Anyway what ever it was it gave us a lovely random night of chatting, drinking and playing giant garden games.
Sunday was just as random in a way, with a day playing on the wii with Nick and then taking my cousin out to watch the football in town. We however got a little carried away with the pool tournament and continued to play throughout the game... ensuring a nice spot for the tv. However as I keep being told, perhaps next time warn them that my cousin is good at pool!

It seems some time since I last wrote on here, and who knows who reads this really. However I feel like I should keep it up, even if I do ramble on a bit.

I am freshly back from the cottages in Wales, for another year of holidays in Wales with friends and it gets me thinking about it. It must be the 4th or 5th year this year and the only one who has been constant is me, people have come close but have fallen at the last hurdle so to speak. It made me laugh as well, thinking of last year when I came from a BBQ to wales, and this year going from Wales to a BBQ. To most people this would seem quite odd that I mention this but last year was very different and I know it is almost a year ago and stuff but it does not mean that you don't secretly wish that some people were still around a little more, people that made you laugh etc, I am not saying by any means that I did not this year, far from it, but you have to admit things changed a lot. From people moving away to people starting to see others in different light and you not in that way. Last year was different and yes I miss it and them a fair bit, but it is their decisions at the end of the day.

Anyway it seems that I am rambling again, something I do well with some people or if I am aloud to type my own opinions. Perhaps leaving the county it seems alright to say things that normally would not be said, perhaps it is listening to the one album that makes me think of somebody loving me, but perhaps it is just being back at a place where I believed I was really happy.

I while ago there were about three of us sitting in the pub thinking it would be nice to make a bsb race this year. Now with the three of us all going on placement in the coming months it seemed wise to act quickly and take the next opportunity to go. Lucky for us that Brands Hatch Bsb was canceled a few weeks ago due to snow, and who would have thought we would see it on such a hot day!

It was not really decided that we would go until Wednesday that we would 'look into' going. By Saturday we were down to just me and Nick (although bear in mind there were only three to begin with. So at about 3ish we decided that we would stay over the night at the track, problem was I was still in Birmingham so I would not be back till 6.30. One delayed train, a quick basics shop, pick up things stop and we were on the motor-way and heading towards the tracks campsite. The only thing that should have worried us was the fact we did not know what time the campsite closed! Oh well, we kept going, and after a little detour due to AA's instructions not being written well we pulled up at a campsite. To our surprise there was still about three men sitting in the little hut, who seemed a little confused that we looked a little shocked they were still open at 11.30pm. So up went the tent, and we sat around for a bit, I will say nothing about the gas situation!

Up early and in through the gates in time for the pit walk, and to find a good spot. By the first race the track side was crowded with people watching the races. Superteens, although only 6 laps, were brilliant to watch, with a girl winning it. Soon time for bsb and we found a good spot to get a good view so we could tell who was who. By the second bsb race we had found a very good point on a hill that gave us a lovely view of most of the main track.

As you can imagine though the queue to get out was a little hectic, especially after you have wasted a bit of time taking down a tent. But to out delight we could jump the queue via the campsite! About 4 hours and a cup of tea and hot chocolate latter we found our selves back in Codsall, where we had left little over 24 hours previous.

Ireland international airport west - Knock, is where I flew into on Monday morning for an interview. Flying from BIrmingham I arrived in Knock on a cold Irish day that was perfectly gray. Walking through the arrivals gate I was met by the local taxi driver, who the Hotel had sent.

On the 30 minuet drive I found out the history of the airport which I have to say is very Irish! Basically the people of that area wanted an airport as they had to fly to either Dublin or Belfast so they applied for one and it was declined! So not satisfied with this the local priest decided to take things into his own hands. So off he trot to America to fundraise for a airport, he got enough and returned to Knock. He built the airport with the money on top of a hill, next to the shrine where people had once sean the Virgin Mary. Cunningly the airport brings people to the shrine and also to holiday in that airport. But it is one of the smallest airports I have been to (not been to many) but it amused me how basic it was, two ladies open cheek in and the same two opened the gate. I also had to smile at the knock shrine kiosk that was situated near the bar that was surprisingly full for 10 at night in an airport

Personally one of the best toasters ever to toast on our screens. I mean can you think of any other famous toasters that have appeared on any TV series or films? Personally I can't. I mean yes it is one of the most annoying toasters that loves to annoy Lister (Red Dwarf) but who can say that it does not make them smile when ever it appears on the screen and says its most famous words "I toast, therefore I am".

Perhaps this is just me, perhaps I am trying a little bit to get out of doing college work by watching Red Dwarf but I will leave you with this... (utterly pointless but who cares)

Lister, red dwarf series four, episode four (see I am practicing some sort of referencing here )

"...no muffins, no toast, no teacakes, buns, babs, baguettes or bagels, no croissants, no crumpets, no pancakes, no potato cakes, no hot cross buns and defiantly no flat jacks
Toaster ...
So you are a waffle man.
:p

So after really enjoying last years outdoor show with the Bushcraft boys
(video http://www.bushcraftmagazine.co.uk/events.php)
I went back to help out with this years' show. Yes I had about two hours of sleep on Thursday night but I actually got to the show with half hour to spare, and yes it was spent drinking a cup of tea.
Girlguiding this year had four stands of their own, each doing a different activity as well as about 9 other of the shows biggest stalls, each doing an activity. Kids, and adults alike all got a chance to do some of the activities on offer, while collecting a stamp from girlguiding, five stamps got them a free foldable Frisbee (yes I got very excited about this!) And to be fair Girlguiding did a pretty good job this year, especially as we won best in show for our stalls.
The stalls were spread over all of the show and included, building a shelter, a massive graffiti wall, a spiders web to climb through, a water activity (that saw me in Asda at 9pm buying a paddling pool), climbing, ice climbing, high-ropes, fire lighting, mountain bike riding, caving, canoeing, navigation, orienteering, slack-ropes (one of the best things ever) etc etc etc. I think that it is safe to say that there was plenty to do.

Apart from that what more could you want from a few days at a show. I mean great people who give up their time to keep kids and adults amused for hours on end, and I am not just talking about Guiding but also Scouts. We are a bit of a crazy lot I guess, ask someone who has been involved and they will tell you their best bits and forget all the crying kids, the rain, the soaking shoes that you spread out to dry for 50 odd kids at 11pm, the almost setting fire to the hut and the traditional one of losing a kid. But then thats just the leaders and their groups. But then its not all about looking after kids, it's also about being able to go and meet people who are like you, that you can talk to for hours and mess around with, it is about sprinting round a show after they close the doors, trying out the kids activities, drinking, singing, giving you almost unlimited confidence, allowing you to randomly talk to any one, being welcome anywhere, feeling at home at any centre and generally messing around and probably making a fool of myself but who would not want to be involved in this??

As you may have gathered, if you read the Express and Star or have been looking on e bay for High School Musical tickets, there is a lot of money for anyone who wants to sell their tickets.

I happen to have 23 tickets sitting in my room(for the Guides), which at the most are worth about £100 each... you can do the maths. However this prompted a discussion, which came out with the only sensible answer (well kind of)

Basically Ann and me are going to sell the tickets on e bay, run off to Holland and participate in some clog, cycling cheese eating weed taking fun. I am not sure how this came about but it then lead onto another discussion with Beach. This lead to the story of our cheeses eating, clog, cycling, weed taking trip to be made into a film by Disney (same people who did High School) which the lead would be played by Dumbo, the great flying elephant... because he has big ears and should probably be associated with any drug taking trips.

* note .... we did decide to keep the tickets, so please don't think that the Guides are being outdone for cheese. Or Cheese, with a weed topping served in a clog!

So I I found myself on Sunday evening searching for my railcard, knowing full well that I had picked it up and put it upstairs that week.

After giving up, and complaining bitterly to Shaun that I would now have to print a new photo, I started to then look for my i pod, no luck either. Pitty but I was tired and wanted sleep.

Now I came home today and throught i better look for these two things again! So after a very good look, get everything out of boxes etc I give up again and decide to put the washing in the machiene to do in the morning. I don't know who was more supprised me or my Mum when I told her what I found at the bottom of the basket under all the clothes. Sitting there nusseled by a pair of socks was one railcard, one i pod, one external harddrive and a cable!

I think this proves I should worry about myself!!

It is Tuesday night... going onto Wednesday morning and I do wonder what I am going to put in this blog. I know some people feel that blogs are pointless and only certain people write them but I really don't care, this gives me some kind of satisfaction.

Perhaps I will start by telling you about the two great nights that I went on in the last week. Firstly out for Beachy's birthday, which was a very good night out. The next was in Dudley which was a greenday and Blink 182 tribute band... who were very good and kept us entertained dancing at the front all night.

Perhaps thats all I have to say really, I have a week off college and I find myself sitting at home bored today wishing slightly that I could go back to college or even to go to work... anything for some conversation. So it was a relief that I ended up going for a quick pint before Guides with Nick and then drive home with Tori to do Guides.

It can be safe to say that coming to Wales, and to the cottages in Winter is always a bit of a challenge. Usually the challenge is to get the place warmed up, being a slate building this can be quite a challenge and we do not have the luxury of central heating or double glazing! However this time the heating was less of a problem.

I had decided to go up to the cottages on my own, to do some revision and to also tile the back ‘wellie’ shelf. Driving up on Sunday I did not bat an eye lid at the river Seven having burst its banks. I had been told that snow may be forecast for the area but this I douted as I got closer to the cottage. There were no serious floods on the way, in fact coming back in the summer it had been worse! On getting to the cottage I decided to pop to the nearest town, Mac, this I found was totally cut off by the river again bursting it’s banks, great! I have to add that this is the nearest shops of any kind. The only way round was the hill top route (now being used by everyone) that took half hour plus compared to the two minuet route across the bridge!

Ok so Mac was cut off, I turned round and headed to the cottage. Only to discover that because people have not being sending the keys back for the cottages I now did not have a key to number 2, only number 3. This is normally no problem. I slipped inside away from the howling wind and rain of the valley outside and headed to the connecting door in the back passage. This is a old door put in many years ago to allow the cottages to be rented as one or two, the lock is on number 2 side, as this was originally our (homely) cottage, it is never locked and just takes a hard push. Not this time, to my delight the last people here had locked it!!! So back out in the rain with my coat tightly done up I start to climb the hill at the back so that I can drop back down to get to the tiny courtyard of number 2. I get there soaking wet. I should note that I was clutching at straws at this point, but it worked. I managed to get through the back door (and no I am not telling anyone how). I take one step and hear the lovely squelching noise as I tread on the mat. I am standing in one very wet passageway, I look the left and into the bathroom, the tile floor is covered in water! It takes some perswachion to get the connecting door open, without the key but I manage it, this side is wet too.

It was not until the next day when I am sitting in the passgeway tiling the wall with the bottle tops, while the rain pours down that I discover why. The drain in the courtyard of number 3 was blocked, or rather not even visable! The water at this point has just started to seep through the door again threatening to distoy my drying out. So I unlock the door and pull, nothing! It does not even budge, I stand back and realise I do not have a chance, it is a wooden door and therefore has expanded and swelled in the damp. The only other hope is the window in the bathroom that opens just above the drain. So queue me standing in the bath, hanging out of a window with a broom handle getting very wet and trying to unblock this thing from above. I would like to say that I did actually manage it and the water went down surprisingly quickly.

There really was only one casualty in this whole thing, the mat! However I decided to throw it, as it was muddy etc… and I never did like it, I also know it cost a sum total of £1 so I will happily pay for it!