Getting it all off my (small) chest...............

I hate writing a blog when I haven’t written anything for what seems like ages, a) with my grey matters, it’s hard to remember what I’ve been up to, and b) I write so much that I go on forever.  Today, I promise not to deliver an essay.  The week before we went away was a busy one; I got my car serviced (£188), met up with Jan at the OU for lunch, went to the dentist for some deep cleansing (£55) and waited in for most of the day on the Thursday waiting for the Aut Glass to turn up to fit me a new windscreen.  They phoned mid-afternoon to cancel.  This was fine because as it happened I’d promised to loan my car to Ann whilst I was away.  It only cost me £12 to insure and it helped Ann out no end.  Whilst I was at the sheltered housing, I popped in to say hello to Janice.  I refused a cup of tea because otherwise I would have been there all afternoon.

Dad's photo boards

Friday (24th of Jan) was my dad’s funeral; amazingly it was a fine sunny day which was amazing seeing as all the rain we’ve had.  We had a good run down to Suffolk and arrived at Louise’s house at just after 11am.  Mark was there, well obviously because he lives there and so was Julia.  This was the first time we had seen Mark & Louise’s house; Louise has done nothing but moan since they moved, but both Phil and I thought it was lovely.  Okay much smaller than their old house and only a patch of a garden but the room sizes were good.  Anything feels like a mansion compared to our little flat.

We had a cup of tea and beef and horseradish sandwich, and then me, Julia and Louise walked down to Marie’s house to wait for the funeral car.  I was worried that Marie might have a tantrum but she was quite friendly and normal which was slightly unsettling.   The funeral car arrived and Marie, Auntie Jackie, Louise, Julia and me went in it.  Louise had ordered flowers in the form of a cat but I wasn’t that impressed, suppose it was different from the norm.

There were loads of people at the crematorium; in fact it was packed out.  I never knew my dad had so many friends but then, I didn’t really know him very well at all.  The sisters together with Auntie Jackie did a good job with the service.  Tina the civil celebrant was lovely, the tribute written by Jackie was touching but truthful and thankfully there were no hymns.

The wake was back at The Bull Hotel in Woodbridge, there was so many people that we practically took over the whole pub.  The food looked good although I didn’t have any of it.   I spoke to uncles and aunts and cousins but most of the people I didn’t know.   It was a bit weird seeing step dad no’2 family there, I hadn’t seen them in years.  I feel very uncomfortable and wouldn’t have got through it if it wasn’t for Phil who was brilliant, talking to everyone and buying them drinks.   The wake went on to after 9 o’clock and of course we were one of the last few left.  This really wasn’t strange because we had booked a room at the hotel for the night.  Not cheap at £87 but then this is Woodbridge we’re talking about.

Ex brother-in-law Ian, Nephew Jack & Uncle Brian

Auntie Jackie,69 and doesn't she look great? 

Sister Julia and step dad no 2's sister in-law, Kym

Sister Louise

Brother-in-law Mark

The Flowers............

We were both feeling a little rough the following morning and welcomed the full English breakfast which was lovely.  After breakfast we packed up and headed for home.  I decided on the journey home that I will not be returning to Suffolk. I never really felt part of my dad’s family even though I lived back in Suffolk for 5 years as an adult. My dad’s wake confirmed that indeed I do not belong. There is no point in forcing yourself on relatives that don’t give a toss.  From now on I am going to concentrate on my own family and friends, of which of the latter I am lucky to have many.  As I always say, you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.  Bottom line is that I have my fill of deaths and funerals and family that I am not close to.

Phil made good timing and we got back to MK before midday.  I was in a strange mood and didn’t feel like doing anything much so we ended up having a takeaway and a duvet day.  On Sunday, we drove to Melton to see mum, we managed to persuade her not to cook and instead we went to lunch at The Harborough hotel.  Three roast dinners please and very nice it was too.  We didn’t linger though because I wanted to get back to do the packing for the holiday.  Not very organised I know but it didn’t take me long to throw a few things into the back pack.

We flew to Fuerteventura from Gatwick which is my least favourite airport.  We left the car at Days Hotel in Horley and got the shuttle to the north terminal.  Just time for a couple of drinks and get sandwiches for the journey and we were on our way. Our Easy Jet flight was on time, the private transfer was smooth and check in was quick and efficient.

 I know this sounds ungrateful but I really wasn’t looking forward to our week away.   The reviews of our hotel on Trip Advisor were dreadful although I have been back on Trip Advisor and the recent reviews were good so I think management must have made some changes. My first impressions of the hotel were good and I wondered what people were moaning about.  Our room was lovely, great views and a separate bedroom.  Phil loved the 'his n hers' sinks and our first dinner in the restaurant was good.

Unfortunately the following day and on closer inspection, our hotel wasn’t as good as we thought.  The Geranious Suites & Spa was obviously built in style but the slump in the economy and well lack of guests, lack of money and it hasn’t been maintained.  I didn’t like the red wine, watered down and chilled but the G&T’s were good as was the beer.  Phil managed to fill his belly at the food but I was disappointed.  Breakfast was good but I was disappointed with lunch and dinner which was basically pork chops every day, a mush of foods that weren’t easily recognisable.  I felt that I went hungry but a jump on the scales when I got home tells me that I have put on 5Ibs.  Must have been all that nice French, crusty bread that I pigged out on, something that I don’t usually indulge in at home.

My boy Phil, in the crap Spa.........

It was just a shame that we were very unlucky with the weather.  We had rain on 2 days; it was windy all the time, and one day the sun didn’t come out at all.   This is unusual for the Canaries and bizarrely on our last day, it was wall to wall sunshine and blue skies all day.  Still a break away and I understand it was really cold at home.  The entertainment at the hotel was laughable but I had a bop a couple of nights.  I didn’t really talk to that many people, Phil & I both got on with a couple of elderly Belgian ladies and I did meet a French lady who I took pity on.  She’d lost her husband and had come on holiday by herself.  I am always a sucker for a sad story and I felt so sorry when she told me all she had done was be cold and cry in her room.

To be honest, the hotel was much better than I thought it would be.  Certainly not 4 stars but you gets what you pays for and we paid very little so at the end of the day, it was very good value for money.  We paid 20 euros on our last day to keep our room until half four which well worth it. The private transfer arrived on time but checking in our bags was tedious with only one desk open so we didn’t really have a lot of time before boarding. We were sat near to the family from hell, only 20 minutes into our flight home when the kids starting throwing up.  I mean throwing up, picture over filled sick bags, it was so bad they had to replace the seats.  Still, at least we arrived on time and the baggage wasn’t delayed.  Phil called a taxi and we got to the hotel near Gatwick around midnight.  We watched 10 minutes of crap TV to unwind and then it was lights out.

We got held up on the M25 on the way home and it was midday by the time we got back to the flat.  Sue bless her cotton socks, had stocked up our fridge, picked up free newspapers and post from the doormat, and more importantly had whacked up the central  heating.  It felt good to be home.   I unpacked, washed, dried, spent hours ironing and we caught up with recorded TV.  Phil dropped me off at New Bradwell and I picked up my car from Ann.  She, very kindly, had cooked us a homemade quiche which was very sweet, but unfortunately as nice as it tasted for tea, it gave Phil really bad heart burn and he was up for most of the night.  Just a shame that he had to go back to work on the following day.

On Wednesday I did some domestics and then went shopping.  My credit cards are maxed out and I am forced on an economy drive.  I tend to think that I am quite thrifty anyway, but I shopped at Aldi instead of Asda and I think I saved us a fortune.  There were a few things that I couldn’t get but it was no biggie.  Aldi, Lidl and the odd shop at Asda or Tesco is the way forward. 

Even though Phil was tired he still went out with the Wednesday night boys, and so I found myself accepting an invitation from Sue & Ian to join them for dinner at what used to be Prego in Newport Pagnell.  It’s under new management and not called this now (can’t remember new name) but I recommend going.  We had pizza and salad and it was very nice.  Sue had been there the week before with her friend Carol.  They are in early days (the restaurant) and I’m afraid we were a little picky, we sent the red wine back, I complained about the lightning and Ian hated his dessert but all in all, a good night, with great company. And thank you my very generous friend Susie Sue for treating me. Beforehand I did worry that I might be the gooseberry but I’m ashamed that Sue and I had so much to catch up on, that it might have been Ian that was the gooseberry!  I apologise Ian and thanks so much for the lift home.  Will make it up to you on the 22^nd! Promise!!

Phil didn’t sleep very well again last night although I don’t think this time that it was due to the indigestion.  I think he must be worried about something.  I felt bad waking him at 8.15 am this morning because he was dead as a dodo and snoring for England but needs must and all that.  I was slow going this morning; I did a wash, made a Shepherd’s pie and then set off to Overstone to pick up the post.  It was a bit frustrating because they have major road works going on in Newport and it took me 35 minutes just to get from the flat to the other side of Newport.

I don’t know about anyone else, but this miserable weather is getting me down, so down that I almost wish I was back in Fuerteventura or even Marrakesh for that matter.   I had to literally force myself out this afternoon to go to the gym but these extra pounds are sitting heavily and I need to lose them and fast. I don’t know if I am the same as everyone else but when the weather is horrible I crave comfort foods and the more carbs the better.   Right now, I need to publish this post and get me an early night.  Tomorrow morning, I am going to Melton to see mum and must be on the road by half seven at the very latest.   My 400 thread real Egyptian sheets beckon right now.  Goodnight folks, next time I promise not to leave it so long.