Digital Cameras and Family Do's

As we had nearly half a tank of fuel in the Focus (courtesy car), and it was on empty when we picked it up. We decided to use up some fuel first! So first stop was Stockport County football ground, I knew the general location, so of we set. We went passed a school were I used to work (Ground staff), "yikesss" where has it gone? What was part of the grounds is now a Cinema, and Bowling Ally, and where the school building used to be is a hotel (turns out they sold half the land, to fund a super new school). Across the road is a much changed Refreshments Establishment (Pub) were I spent many a Thursday afternoon, getting refreshment (and which was the scene of the very first time I got legless, and were I got legless celebrating my 21st).

well finally onto the main road leading into Stockport, and as we were going through traffic lights, Nette shouted there's a sign saying SCFC, which was pointing to the right. OK hang a right into the car park of Furniture to Go, and back the way we came,to make a left turn (at this point, I can already hear Mark & Joan piddling themselves, when reading this)up the road we go, and another place from my past had gone!

"I worked for a carpet store, as a Carpet Porter, one day, whilst in the warehouse, the fire alarm went, as we were pushed for time, getting ready for the next days fittings, my oppo and I carried on! The store manager came running up a literally bragged us out! Turns out the local ejits, had smashed the "Gas Main" feeding the building, which was on the outside of the building, and approx 6 ft away from us! When we got outside there was fire engines, and the Police had sealed the area!"

Back to todays events, up the road we go, looking out for the flood lights (how else do you find a football ground?), all of a sudden there they are, once again we'd missed the turning (all right M&J) so turned into a gateway to do a U turn, finally turned left and there was the ground. Quickly grabbed the photo, as the Holy Rollers (jehovas witness)were out in gang force! Up the road turn right and head back to the main road, and into a dead end (will someone go and pick M&J, up off the floor), back the way we came and finally back onto the main rd. Off to the Motorway, and head of to Man U.

Ah Man U, the most famous football team in the world, and according to most, one of the greatest. Not only were we there to get some photos, but to get my daughters birthday present.they have a display on one wall in the shop, with a full team of maniqunes on the wall in full kit for photos, so posed Her in front and grabbed the photo, then it was time to shop! After looking around the shop, she finally decided on a hooded top! Whist we were there, a mother with her kids came in. She left Nette and the security guard, gob smacked! Why? She was only wearing a Manchester city scarf, in the Man U shop! When the security guard approached her, he got "I'm not taking it off, I'm off to the match"! Oh and this was Stephanies, 98th cache.

OFF next to Priory to pick up the car, Nette went into pick up the keys, they had a written report waiting on the car, after a thorough check up everything was ok (as the car is tons better, they sorted out the problems without realizing). Whilst Nette was busy, I took Trixie for a a quick walk, and had a look at the new Kia's (Sedonnas & Sorrentos). Nette opened the car doors, and let Trixie in, then went and asked the sales rep if he would open up a couple of them for us.

Had a look in the Sedonna first! Nette got in, whilst I opened up the door for Stephanie, and there we hit a big problem! Nette siting in the passenger seat, was touching the roof with her head, this one is a no go! Right go and have a look at the Sorrento! Opened up and got in, the first impression was how much space there was. After adjusting the seat to the right driving position, Stephanie who usually sits behind me, had enough room to straighten her legs! A bit more looking round, and yes this is the car of our dreams!

Back at mums and time to get ready for my brother and his family, who were coming for Dinner. After they arrived, I started sorting out for Stephanies 99th cache, the ISS locationless cache. Oh "bl***y hell", I deleted all the pictures on the camera. To say that I was peed off, was a understatement! Time for dinner, half way through, and I grabbed Stephanie, posed her in front of the clock and grabbed the photo. ISS grabbed! And now we were ready for the big day (Sunday)!

Petrol Stations and Mobiles

Once again we have to take our car a Kia Sportage, to the dealer, for warranty repairs, the exauhst is blowing and it's drinking petrol. Sounds easy? Not if you live in Wales, and the Dealer is a couple of minuets from the Trafford Center, thats only a hour and a half drive down the Motorway. Right as it was our daughters birthday on Sunday and special plans were a foot (more in Sundays Blog), we arranged to stop with Mum, who lives in Oldham.

This Morning we packed the car, with the clothes, sleeping bags, mats and not forgetting my pillows (well I've got them how I like them). Sort out the cats for the 3 days we were away (Toilet trays, food for at least six days, and made sure the water container was full), and then we all bundled into the car, including Trixie, and off we set. The first stop was for Nette, to make a call of nature, finally we got onto the M56. And you guessed it, a stop at Chester Services for another call of nature (at least this time it didn't involve stopping on the hard shoulder).

Finally we arrived at Priory (the dealers) who are part of the Co Op, and always give good service, we started to unload the car, whilst Nette, went and booked the car in, and got the keys for the Focus (courtesy car). What a performance, transshipping all the stuff, and time to finally head for Mums. Back down the Motorway, and yep I did it again, I took the wrong exit (don't tell Mark and Joan). and we ended up on Palatine rd. At least I knew were to go!

As we were going past Manchester Citys ground, and Stephanie has a TB (Travel Bug) which wants to visit Football clubs. We made a pit stop to get some photos. We finally arrived at Mums, much to the relief of Trixie, who didn't like the Focus.

Well the door was opened, and Trixie, shot straight into the Kitchen, food time. Despite words to the opposite, she dotes on Trixie, and spoils her.My Uncle has recently been released from hospital, were he was close to death! So I volunteered to take Mum down to see him, as other wise it would mean two long bus journeys for her. So Mum, Stephanie and Trixie and I, set off. First stop petrol. As I'm stood there,filling the car, my mobile goes off. Which is in a pouch on my hip. Well I grabbed it, shoved it into poor Stephanie hands, and closed the car door on her. Oh no it was Nette, the car was ready, well there was no way I was giving them all that petrol. So we continued to my Uncles, oh my what a difference, he looked like a skeleton he's lost that much weight, and he was gob smacked when her saw Stephanie. As she was a little tyke the last time he saw her.

Once again, back at Mums, and it was time for some of mums, brilliant home cooking. Ah exstacy! And a quite night afterwards.

Frightened Yelp to start the day!

Well you might have remembered me mentioning our poodle Trixie (4PawDrive). As I was sat at the computer, she was lay in the dog basket, which is located next to the computer desk. When all of a sudden she sat up whilst admitting a "frightened yelp", as this was about 12:45 in the morning, it frightened the S***T out of me.

At first I thought she'd had a bad dream, but when I picked her up,she was trembling. At first I could not find anything wrong with her, and was starting to worry, but then it struck me, she would not move her back leg. Well time to take her into the bedroom and get Nette to have a look at her, the muscles in her back leg were knotted up, and she could not straighten her back leg, and the other was slightly Knotted as well. Ten minutes of massage later (lucky Girl) and the muscles had loosened enough for her to be able walk, time to get her walking around, so out with the bone, to incurage her to move. Well not being daft, she kept siting down, which was easing the pain, but doing nothing to loosen the muscles. Right time for plan "W" (you know that magic word all dogs recognize), so we throw some clothes over our nite wear, and jump into the car, and head off to the beach.

Unfortunately the Sea was coming over the wall, the winds were blowing it over, luckily there is a pitch and putt, next to the beach, on the other side of a sand dune. So we parked up here, and out I got (notice the word I)with Trixie, a few minutes later and the exercise seemed to be doing good, right time to get back into the car to warm up, while Trixie continued her constitutional. Whats this I'm locked out, and its freezing. If you had been paying attention, I mentioned "We" when mentioning puting on clothes, yes thats right Nette was with me, and had locked the door, because of were we were and the fact that there are no lights there. After knocking on the Door, she finally opened it, I happened to look out across the links, as I had left the car headlights on full beam, I was able to spot a couple of rabbits shot across into the sand dunes, Trixie did not spot them and was upset when I told her that there had been rabbits (one of her regular walks is Talacre Dunes, which are riddled with rabbits), and her favorite past time apart from chasing Smudge the Cat is chasing rabbits (she never catches any, they are to crafty for her, and taunt her by waiting to the last second, before disappearing into a run or burrow). So when we got back it was 01:45, and time for bed.

As my son has been complaining, that the pains have been getting worse (he suffers from CFS [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome] which is also known as ME), Nette got him in to see the Doctor (who is brilliant). Result He has been put on Cod liver Oil Capsules, which research seems to indicate might help, I had to joke that it all seemed a bit "Fishy". But Nette had payback ready for me, she'd only booked me and our Daughter in for the Flue Jab. Hell has no fury as a woman scorned in love, or who knows full well my warped sense of humor!

Mark text us this afternoon to tell us that the LNB had arrived, what a quick service, and many thanks are due to him for helping us out.

On a lighter note, Eckington, and Lacktodorum have changed their minds aout resigning from GC, so stability will return to the UK GC, community. Unfortunatly even though I welcome the news, I feel unable to make any posts on there, but I'm lurking, just picking which topics I'm reading.

I spent the evening chating in one of the G:UK chat rooms, regarding our own listing site,several good ideas have come out of it, And I am acting as front man for the idea, I have a couple of threads to post on G:UK, in the .Discusions on UK listing Site section, especialy created by Dego. The result is things are progressing well, and I have a couple of people to contact.I'll post more when I'm able, especialy when firm developments have taken place.

What have I started now?

Well the day started off quietly, or so. We had a text from Mark to say that he'd gone onto Ebay for us,and got the Quad LNB, so that Stephanie might have Sky TV in her room, Mark the treasure had ordered it when he got up for work, at 5am.

As we were nipping into Chester to get some bits, and bobs for Stephanies birthday.And I, had a few minuets to spare before going, I sat down at the computer to post an idea on G:UK., Opening a Uk Listing site, open to all?". I was not expecting to get much of a result, more likly to be shoot down.

Well of to Chester we went, were we called into a jewelers, and got a Silver Ring and a couple of bracelets, for Stephanie, and one for Stephen. Had a look at a few shops, before calling into McDonalds, for Breakfast/Lunch. And then time for home. but first we had to pop into Rhyl, to pick up some model board, from Lightfoots Model Shop, on arrival, he was closed. Oh no one upset Stephen, who wanted to make some scenery for his WarHammer.

Back home and onto the forums, to see what was happening, all I can say is WOW! What a response to my idea, the no who seemed for it and had posted, out weighed those not in favor, with several of the more well know names in the UK community behind the idea. The result is that had been hinted at over the last couple of years, to no success, has started to roll down the hill. With hopefully what might be a permanent chat room running every night at 8, in the G:UK chat rooms.

Because I've had such a great success with my idea, I still can't get my head around it, so only a short Blog tonite, my mind is just not into concentrating.

TOTALY GUTTED

Have a read of Joans Blog which expresses both mine and Nettes feelings about losing our two UK reviewers, who feel that they no longer have the support of the GC Reviewer community. To everyone who reads this, I would like to take the chance of saying that these two lads, have done the UK Geocaching community over the last 2 years "PROUD", they have fought in our corner, and have brought a expanding UK community forward in leaps and bounds, and as the title says, I was totally gutted when I read the news.Lads when I finally get to meet you both in person, "I owe both off you several pints"!

As a result of this several UK cachers have started to look at alternative ways of listing their caches. Unfortunately the choices are, Navicache, a site which most wont use, as it is user unfriendly, and clunky, and even though it has been around for several years, has only manged to list about 125 caches (not all active now) in the UK, or they can list on Terracaching,. Which is open to membership, only by sponsorship of 2 members, and whose listing site is closed to non members.

As a result I have posted a idea for other members of the UK Geocaching community to think about on G:UK called Opening a Uk Listing site, open to all?, hopefully community members will think about what I'm suggesting, with out dismising it outright!

On other fronts I had a email from another cacher, who currently lives in another country, asking if I wished to adopt one of his caches, as he is archiving all his GC caches, and re listing the ones in his own country, on another site. Another Welsh cacher, emailed me to ask what the hell was going on, he'd had a email from this same cacher, asking if he wanted to take on his Welsh caches, and he also read the news about Eckington & Lactodorum, and as he had obviously not been on the forums over the weekend, didn't have a clue what had happened. I emailed a brief synopsis of what happened, which turned into a long email!

On a totally happier note, our friend Joans first day at her new job, went well, and she is looking forward to going back tommorow (well as I write this, later on this morning). Whilst Nette was talking to her, on the phone, she could hear WW III, in the back ground, followed by what sounded like one of Joans babys (her Lancashire Heeller) being murdered! It Turned out that poor Mr Bean (the only male) had been picked on by Meggi (typical female), who in turn was picked on by Emma (hurray, for Emma sticking up for Mr Bean), well Meggi, put on the act of the century, possibly the Millennium, with her squeals (once again a typical female)!

Time to go to bed, as we're going to Chester in the morning, and I need my beauty sleep (oh alright, Ugly sleep).

Good Food, and Special Friends, what more do you need?

To continue our day out. Well after getting back to the cars, it was decided that I would lead the way to the restaurant (big mistake!), if you have ever visited the Boat Lift, you will be familiar with the car park. the enterance/exit is down a short drive way from the car park, but continues along side it, with a fence separating the two. I set off in the lead, and turn left (told you it was a big mistake me leading), ups ended up heading back into the car park again! Mark who was driving, waited at the turning, knowing full well you have to turn right, both he and Joan were splinting their sides with laughter. Finally our Birthday scouting party was headed of to check out a restaurant. After a short journey we arrived at the Stanton Arms (next to jct 10, M56) and parked up, off we went into the restaurant, unfortunately leaving Mr Bean and Trixie minding the cars. The first impression was a well laid out, and very clean establishment, things were looking ok! First stop was the bar, with the 2 drivers Mark and myself, sticking to the non alcoholic drinks whilst the girls hit the hard stuff. Joan had a glass of Guinness and blackcurrant, whilst Nette had a glass of Larger and Lime. We found a table and sat down, and started to peruse the menu, now things took a turn for the worst, it was a Haute Cuscine type of menu, and out of the sort of range that we were looking for(remember there will be 2 teenagers with us on the day), so it was decided that as good as the food looked, we would scout out the restaurant on the other side of the junction. The TreeTops, so back to the cars again. With me leading again, and finding the exit with no problems.

The TreeTops has a big sign at the entrance 2 for 1, well things were looking up, also it has a "Wacky Warehouse", which means the menu caters for kids. Once again we parked up and left our canine friends, minding the cars, and headed into the Family entrance. This time the interior was a bit more crowded, but was well presented and clean. We found a table and sat down, and started to peruse the menu, Joan finally decided on Pie with Ale gravy, Nette had a 8oz rump steak, whilst Mark and I had the man sized 16oz rump steak. Mark and Nette went to order (well Nette does come in hand for something), and then took a second trip to get the drinks, this time all of us we on the non alcoholic choice. Finally the food arrived, and what I thought was going to be a small portion, turned out to be quite large, whilst eating we had a relaxing chat, and the time just flew by. Before I knew it, we had finished our meals, not forgetting the doggy bags, for Mr Bean and Trixie. Then the discussion started about desert, which ended up with Mark having a Very Berry Surprise, Joan had a Crunchie Surprise(a bit like a humongous McFlurry), and I had a Warm Chocolate Fudge, with Nette being the only sensible one, and having non. Well after the meal time to head home, but first our 2 canine friends had to have their doggy bags.

Joan had mentioned the Mr Bean was very well behaved, and that if she left a plate of food on the floor, he would not touch it. Today he had his mischevius head on, Joan was sat in the car and had put the doggy bag on the dash (remember it had steak in it), well Mr Bean went onto her lap, something he usually does not do, of course he had a ulterior motif. It was so he could reach the dash to try and get the doggy bag. After the treats had been eaten, it was time to say good bye and thank you for a wonderful day, and then head home.

On arriving home sorted out, Nette went to bed (remember she has CFS, and was very tiered), and I ended up crashing on the couch a sleep with Trixie. Once I woke up, I decided to catch up on things, horror of horrors, I had a problem with G:UK forums, every time I tried to log in, I was unable to. Well after using the system restore 3 times, sending an email to Mark and Joan, asking them to contact one of the admins on my behalf, I had a brain wave, I cleared out all my cookies. Hey presto I was logged back in. after sending another email to Mark and Joan, it was time to get down to the serious business of logging our cache find & TB, writing another epic days Blog, and catching up on whats happening on the forums. Oh and reading Mark and Joans Blogs, to see how they "outed" me over getting lost in the car park. Tomorrows another day, so hopefully will provide a short Blog, and give your eyes a rest.

Me and my big mouth

Well I opened my big mouth again, but more of the later. Up early due to having to drop the lads off home before we went to meet Mark and Joan. After droping off the last one, and still running early, as we were to meet at the Anderton Boat Lift Car park, at 12, my phone started, I'd got a text message, yep thats right it was from Mark, asking where we were? Guess what? They'd read my Blog, in which I mentioned that we were leaving early to? Yes thats right beat our 2 early birds, who decided that they would be even earlier. Nette phoned Mark and asked him were they were, during the conservation, she realised that they were already there, so my big mouth, got me a telling off. Finaly arrived, and missed the enterance to the car park, (ups they didn't know that)luckily having been there before, I knew there was another enterance slightly down the road, so we used that one. What a change, what was a muddy lane is now tarmacked. Got to the car park, and there they where, with big grins. Decamped from the car and said hello to MR Mr Bean one of their Lancashire Heelers. Off we set to find their re placed cache An Uplifting Day Out, Nette borrowed Marks 60CS GPSr, and led the way (to her very first cache, that she's found herself), we got to the cache location, and there it was, Marks creation, Expanding Foam, "Busted". Nette signed the log, and put it back, we then headed back to the cars, for the next part of our day out. I'll continue our day out later on.

The secret meeting

I'm still up and it's well past one in the morning, the lads are watching a film. Nette and I are meeting those uber cachers Mark and Joan (Cave Troll & Joan) to find a cache of theirs thats been trashed, and then we are all of to scout out some local establishments, for My daughters 14th birthday, checked out the route on thePC, as Nette wants to be early for a change, about a hour early. I intend to quiry that troll (Mark ) about what he's doing with Expanding Foam, I'm sure he's got some devius cache in mind. As I can't stop yawning, time for bed I think! More after we come back from our planing meeting, and you never know, I might have the inside info, on theTrolls new cache!