Monday Bowling League etc.

A turkey each, the first two games won and a lead of 76 pins. Our opponents, Ryan and Simon, stepped up a gear in the last and managed to claim a draw. Two games, two draws and last year's champions to play next. The wonderful world of bowling!

We had such a lovely evening on Sunday. About ten of us sitting around a table at Bar San Juan. A hard one to blog as 'you had to be there' but lots of laughter. It was an impromptu farewell to Scott as he's off back to England on Tuesday. He will be missed.

An Early Night?

I was going to go to bed a little earlier tonight but when I remembered that the clocks go back an hour, I thought I'd make the most of it and blog! Let's hope that it stays in my head until the morning else we will arrive at the bowling far too early!

Having spoken to Katie earlier in the week, there's good news on the camera front. Sony have repaired my poorly sick one and it's winging it's way back to me. How I've missed it and I can't wait to see it again. Thanks Katie xx

Which leads me on quite nicely to the monthly photo competition. The subject is 'Kids Stuff' and I decided to enter this one of Maisie which I took at Easter. I didn't have high hopes for it as I'm just using stock stuff, but it's winning!!

A Wednesday Wander

Out of bed, horrible Weetabix eaten, chores done, showered and dressed and now what?! I checked out all my normal internet sites, such as blogs, forums and emails and then played Mahjong for an hour or so. Bored out of my brain!

I suggested a walk and as 'im indoors was bored too, we set off out with Clio. First call, Antonio's bar to watch the world go by. A little activity outside the Clinic, which kept us interested for a few minutes, followed by major stuff at the bus stop. The biggest, fattest, English family that I've ever seen struggled to get aboard the bus! Obviously on holiday, looking at the white legs. Thank goodness I'm not staying in that hotel!

We decided to sneak a peek at Chrissy's Bar as rumour has it that it's being refurbished and is due to re-open soon. Not a lot going on..........move on.

I was hoping to introduce Clio to the sea but the tide was out on the 'doggy beach'. Never mind, we called for another beer at Bar San Juan, met up with Caron and Charlotte for a little while and home for tea. Liver Casserole and the dreaded boiled spuds!!

Heartburn!

I awoke yesterday morning in a similar situation as the other Saturday. Severe pains etc. The clinic had already said that my heart was ok and my blood pressure, so what could it be? I've never had indigestion this bad before.

After doing an internet search on my symptoms, I came up with heartburn which is usually caused by eating fried foods late in the evening. We do tend to do that.

I'm having Weetabix for breakfast, with hot water, because I don't do milk. Chops and chips are out, and so it's now grilled stuff with boiled spuds for dinner. A tablet to take before bed too.

All a bit grim but I've felt so much better today. At least I know what it is!

Sunday Bowling etc.

I haven't blogged the Sunday bowling for ages but as Doreen and I beat Jeff and Brian 8 - 0 today, I thought it was worth a mention. Jeff blamed his rugby hangover and Brian's excuse was a sore thumb. The truth was that we beat them fair and square. Wonderful!

Not a very good week for England though. I didn't watch the football but was talked into watching the rugby. I did try to understand it but it's completely beyond me. I was sorry to see them lose though.

As for the motor racing......I decided to keep my nose out, just in case I was the jinx. Poor Hamilton, but things might change after the enquiry. We shall see.

The dreaded photo comp. There was a little problem with my pork chop pic as some vegetarians complained. Their choice, I suppose but the moderator decided to keep it into the competition and I ended up joint second. The best place for a chop I reckon!

Next subject. Kids stuff.

The Digibox is Back!

When these things arrived on our island around three or four years ago there were a couple of options. You could either rent it for a monthly fee or pay outright for the system. The latter included a yearly maintenance charge of 90 euros.

We enquired but were told that our balcony wasn't high enough for the aerial to receive a signal. Anyway, as reported on an earlier blog, we tested one out, earlier this year, and it was perfect. Lovely telly since: well almost!

It was just our luck for the man in charge to find a way of encrypting the system. No 90 euros, no tv. Brian went off to sort it today and found that last year's fee hadn't been paid either.

Still, it was worth it as I could curl up on the sofa and watch The Tudors. Hopefully, matey won't go bust before next October.

How Stupid

I've been researching my Family Tree for quite a few years but, during recent months, it has been on the back burner. I really need to look at Parish Records and living in Spain sort of makes it a little difficult!

Having a few hours to spare today I decided to start it all up again and came across this! Immanuel Church was the one which most of my Yates' ancestors were 'hatched, matched and dispatched' so to speak and as I delved further, I found that it's records were now being transcribed. Such a brilliant find.......or so I thought.

On checking out the burials I noticed an entry for Betty Brindle, one of my favourites. I have her down as being born in 1836, marrying Ralph Yates in 1856 and carting on until 1903 after bearing several children. I got the wrong one! The one I've been researching died aged seventeen!

So much time wasted and back to the drawing board!

Wonderful Stuff!

The first match of the new Monday Bowling League season and Ros and I are officially sponsored by 'Bar San Juan'. No-one can miss us in our bright yellow shirts!

We were a little disappointed to find that we had to play against Jeff and Ian who were amongst the leaders at the end of last season. After a little pre-match confidence boost.......we aren't into 'group hugs' yet............we decided to go for gold.

They beat us by fifty odd points in the first game, but we took the second. I had a 166!! All to play for in the last game.

Jeff seemed to lose a little of his flair as he hates being beaten by a girlie and we went on to win that one too! Unfortunately, as they had gained so many points in the first, they were awarded the total overall and it ended up as a 4 - 4 draw.

We were pretty proud of that.

PS. Doreen and Barry beat Dave and Mary 6 - 2. It's never been heard of!

So Frightened!

I awoke during the early hours of Saturday morning with chronic pains in my chest and left shoulder. I really didn't know what to think or do but decided it was best to wake 'im indoors.

He was ready to get the ambulance but as I'm so scared of doctors and hospitals, I wouldn't go. I spent the rest of the night sitting on the balcony, not daring to move.

The day dragged on. I looked after Charlotte as best as I could but was really relieved when it was time for her daddy to finish work. The pain didn't ease and by four in the afternoon, I was frightened enough to face the Emergency Clinic.

Within two minutes of arriving there, I was attached to an ECG machine which chucked out a till receipt. This got whisked off to the doctor. More scary moments. Next, blood pressure which she didn't seem too happy about but put it down to my stress. I was given an injection in my rear end, told to dress and sit calmly outside, with Brian.

After about twenty minutes my blood pressure was back to normal and I was given the all clear.

I managed to understand seventy percent of the Spanish but was so glad to see Caron walk in. She could question them in greater detail and I was relieved to hear that my heart and blood pressure was all ok. Happen it was indigestion.........I don't suppose I'll ever know.

A scary time, but I'm sure I had the best treatment I could ever have. Three cheers for the Canarian Health Service!

Spanishness Day

This is the first time I've come across this Bank Holiday and have no idea what it signifies. I did hear that the King and Queen of Spain have been celebrating and our local Guardia Civil had a bit of a march around the village this afternoon, but that's all I know.

There's a sports centre just down the end of our road which has been taken over for the day. The locals are all outside, singing and dancing along with a very loud band! The later it gets, the louder it becomes.

Wow, either I've gone deaf or it has stopped! I might get some sleep after all!

Remember This?

I blogged this ages ago to show the size of the Tenerife pork chops but decided to resurrect it this week for the photo competition. The subject is 'anything to do with pigs' and not having pig ornaments or living within striking distance of the live variety, this was my only option.

It has one vote already but that's probably for the humour factor!

So Sad

My daughter rang today to tell me about the death of her old school mate, Katrina. They were best mates at Junior School, but drifted apart in later years. It appears that she had an accident and her heart couldn't cope with it. She was thirty three years old.

Strangely enough, her elder brother, Phil, lost his life at the same age. We went to his funeral and the village church was mobbed.

I'm really feeling for their father tonight as he has lost his wife, his eldest son and his only daughter.

Mike, Ian, Lisa and Tucker.....our thoughts are with you xxx

Missing My Mate

My friend, Caron, has a new job which means that I don't see her half so much as I used to do. She is a receptionist at a hotel now and has to work until eleven pm three nights a week and day shifts over the weekend.

We've been lending a hand because nursery closes before Charlotte's daddy finishes work. It's our job to collect her and keep her amused until he can pick her up. We do her homework and she tells us about her day. I quite like it.

The Saturday morning shift is a little harder. How do you keep a six year old happy for four hours? We've done the Barbie site to death, crayoned, cut and pasted magazine pictures and played with Clio.

Hopefully, I'll come up with something new before the weekend.

The Weekend

It wasn't too bad even after my early start on Saturday! I managed to keep Charlotte amused for the morning and then all three of us, plus Clio, walked down to the local for the Manchester United match.

Just before we got there, a filofax flew past us. It had obviously been placed on the top of a white van which we had noticed going by. Now what? No contact details that we could see and I did feel a little awkward going through someone's stuff, but remembering when mine went missing during our burglary, I knew how important it could be. Thankfully, I spotted a mobile number tucked in the back and within the hour, the filofax and it's owner were reunited. He was very grateful............didn't buy me a beer though!!

Bowling this afternoon which is getting really boring and not worth commenting on.

We heard a story from Terry this afternoon. He got stopped by Traffico on Friday allegedly for speeding. As he was driving inbetween a Titsa bus and a coach it seems a little impossible but he was fined 70 euros, payable on the spot. Not having the cash on him, the police offered to drive him to the nearest cashpoint. He didn't have a card either and had to call a mate to bail him out. His car was returned to him and he watched the traffic officer throw his copy of the receipt away. We think English cops are bad!!

Oh, I did manage to save Pooky!

I Don't 'Do' Early

For some strange reason I have been waking up at six for the past few mornings. It makes it such a long day as I don't usually have anything particular to do. I've been playing a stupid game called 'Save Pooky' for the past hour!

As it happens, I've arranged to look after Charlotte this morning. Peace will soon be shattered!

Rain? Happen Not!!

I was sitting here thinking that it might be nice to have some rain but having found this video, I reckon I've changed my mind! This was filmed, just up the road from us, last November.

Happy Birthday Dean!

My brother, Ray, and his wife Alison's son who is thirteen today.

Have a brilliant birthday, mate.

Two teenagers in the family........look out!

Fun Bowl

It was our usual end of season Fun Bowl for the Monday League today. I do enjoy the bowling against the bumper for the highest score but am completely useless at getting the lowest! All good fun and lots of chuckles!

Doreen organised a superb buffet but it was really abused. Those who finished first, tucked in and had even gone back for seconds before a couple of other lanes had finished. I even spotted a couple who were sitting at the buffet table eating directly from the main dishes.....how rude is that? They deserve to be sick tonight.

By the time I got there, all the meat had gone as well as the chicken tikka but some of the quiche and cheese thingies were left. I flippin' hate CHEESE!!