The Gadgets go on holiday

We're off to our favourite Brittany campsite tomorrow. The trike is back together again and running better than before and the trailer is packed full to the brim as usual, just the bicycles to go on, the cool bag to fill, and the tuna mayonaise sandwiches to make. Decided to go from Poole this time, much cheaper and a shorter journey over to St. Malo.

So to all of you that pop by......fare thee well for the next 3 weeks.

Ps......Gadgeteen is behaving himself pretty much for now, maybe he realises just how much he was pushing us, or maybe all his friends are away for the summer, either way.....we have a reprieve for now and he's actually being quite helpful at times.

Right ..... now ..... back to the checklist ..... camera and charger ..... check ..... Euros and cards ..... check ..... passports ..... check ..... ferry tickets ..... check.

Pps....Just noticed that the above post has Saturdays date but I posted it on Monday and now it's Tuesday and we're off now....byeeeeeeee!

Gadgeteen, alcohol and the local A & E

Earlier on this evening I answered my mobile....

'Is that Gadgeteen's Mum?'

'Yes, why?' - heart already in mouth.

'This is a paramedic from the London Ambulance Service. We've got your son here, drunk and lying in his own vomit. We're taking him to hospital and have to inform you because he's only 14'.

Oh my god!

Turns out that he's been home today whilst we were at work and picked up Gmans almost full bottle of Blue Label Vodka, and gone off into town again.

I have been to the, get this....'pediatric' A & E, that made me laugh, and sat with him for a while. He didn't seem to know who I was. I've obviously spoken to the doctor & nurses, who have sent me home whilst they sober him up. I did ask if they would pump his stomach but they said that they don't use that method anymore. Nowadays they fix 'em up with a line 'n drip and rehydrate 'em. We expect a call any moment to go and collect him.

Gadgeteen goes AWOL again

Fate has been testing my resiliance since I stopped smoking in several ways, but funnily enough every stressful situation seems to involve Gadgeteen, so I guess it's not fate really.

The most recent test was during this last weekend.

Gteen had promised to collect Gadgetgirlie from school on Friday because they both finished earlier than usual for the last day of term. To cut an even longer story short - He didn't. Gadgeteen wasn't even answering his mobile or texts and I didn't have a clue where he was.

This was the Friday of the torrential rainfall in our area and the subsequent flooding to all the underpasses on the A3, which naturally resulted in the A3 being closed in both directions. I use the A3 to get home, and the journey usually takes me about 15 minutes from work.

So I had Gadgetgirlie stuck in an empty school with the last of the school staff still there finishing off bits and pieces. My last resort to getting her collected, was calling our neighbour, but I didn't have their number so I had to get the school to ring them, their daughter being in the same class as Ggirlie. I knew they wouldn't be best pleased as they had already collected their daughter and deliberately left Ggirlie because they knew the Gteen was collecting her.....Still, nothing else could be done until I got home....

My journey then took an hour and a half of driving slowly in the general direction of home, along the detour that everyone else was on. Aaaaaaah!

....I rushed over to our neighbour as soon as I arrived, only to be greeted by a very angry neighbour, who had a good old go at me for having to go back up to the school to collect Ggirlie. He went on to tell me that five minutes before the school had called him, he had received a call from his brother saying that his neice had just been involved in a car accident whilst crossing the road, and had broken her leg quite badly. He was cross and stressed, and worried that he might need to go and look after his other neices and nephews.

I felt so humiliated and ashamed at being told off and having a son that had let the side down like that. I collected Ggirlie and came home very cross and upset with Gteen.

The neighbour said that he had even seen Gteen at lunchtime, and it was obvious by the dirty crockery, that he had eaten lunch at home so I knew that he had deliberately gone somewhere and purposely switched off his phone.

Grrrr! I really wanted a cigarette many times that evening I can tell you but somehow resisted.

Through a friend, (Lala actually), whose number Gteen wouldn't know, we eventually found out that he was okay and somewhere warm and dry, then he hung up on her.

Saturday was Gman's parent's golden wedding anniversary and they had a huge party organised for family and close friends, to celebrate their 50 years of marriage. We were all expected to be there of course.

Gteen didn't get home before we left, so we decided to lock the house up really securely so that he wouldn't be able to get in if he did return during the day.

At the party everyone asked where Gteen was and all we could tell them was that he had done a runner and we didn't know where he was. We had a lovely day and the rain stayed away for most of the afternoon. We got back home well after dark to discover no Gteen, but signs that he had been sitting in the porch for a time. He eventually came in about an hour later. He disappeared up to bed straight away and we decided to deal with him in the morning.

Lala was 14 only 8 years ago and was a bit of a rebel herself. She was great on Friday evening, calming me down from my extremely angry state and offering her two cents worth of advice, which was a much calmer response than the way I felt like dealing with him.

We've dealt him a few consequences and banned him from a few things and told him that if he wants to live with us then he needs to follow the house rules that we all live by. If he wants to do something like that again then he can go and live somewhere else. If he thinks that he can do better with his friends then with us at home then don't bother coming back. Hope that he will take what we say seriously and realise that we love him and care for him and are the better option for his well being.

Calshot & beyond

Yesterday I dusted her off and wiped away the cobwebs, for a day out along the south coast, led by me, to ensure that we don't have to do any 'U' turns.

We all met up at the Gadget home and left Gadgetman rewiring the trike.



Then headed down to Calshot for lunch, where Lala pulled on Fazermans jacket....and pulled them both backwards off the bench seat onto the ground, that was funny. Then she went off to meet the sea.....that was funny too....



......Fazerman unsuccessfully avoided a photograph



....then posed for me in front of Calshot castle, keen to get back on the road....



Off we rode, through the New Forest, and saw lots of wild ponies, which thrilled Lala to bits because she'd never seen wild ponies before. Then we sat behind lots of traffic and didn't get over 40 mph, the limit in the forest because of the ponies and their foals. The sun shone and we passed through picturesque countryside.

Somewhere near Lymington we stopped in a petrol station where I filled up and we rehydrated ourselves. Fazerman made Lala's bike disappear whilst she was in the shop. She had to go and find it and we thought that was really funny and all laughed.

Then we came to the sea again, Milford-on-Sea this time, for the view of The Needles off the end of the Isle of Wight.



and the houses that have the view of The Needles



Lala met the sea again and got really wet....that was really funny and quite entertaining....



She liked the Needles very much but said that this would be the closest that she would ever get 'cos she doesn't 'do' boats.



My intention for our final stop for the day was a place that I remembered visiting that I thought was Sandbanks, just on from Bournemouth. After a long ride there through lots of traffic, I realised that it wasn't the place that I had intended after all, and after looking at the map again I realised that Mudeford was in fact the place that I remembered, with a spit of land and a ferry and an ice-cream shop.

So we had an ice-cream on the beach and watched beach volley ball for a while.....Lala enjoyed the view with the boys.....



so did lots of other people....



Robert did come with us, as you can see, but he was so well behaved that he doesn't really get a mention. It goes to show that those that shout loudest, get heard, and in this case....seen! Robert and I laughed a lot at the antics of Lala and Fazerman, so were an appreciative audience.

By then it was well after 6, and we were meant to be back at the Gadget house for 7 to meet up with all the 'other halves', for a chinese take away. We weren't going to make it but blasted our way illegally up the A35, A337, A31, M27, M3, A322 and the A3 until we got home at 8, absolutely shattered after a 230 mile days ride.

Britishexpats forum meet & picnic

Last weekend we met up with a bunch of people that are members on the expats forum that I am also a member. This was our 3rd meet for a chat and a picnic and each time we've met in a different area so have met different people.

The 1st meet was in Sherwood forest at the Major Oak. We waved huge Canadian flags around in the car park and attracted loads of attention from everyone visiting but at least we all met up. The weather was great, about 15 couples & families turned up from all points of the compass and we nattered away all afternoon about our plans and dreams of life in Canada. A few of us stayed in a B & B so enjoyed a few bevvies in the evening too. We felt like we'd known each other years because of the contact on the forum.

The 2nd meet was in Arundel near the castle, again we had a lovely sunny day and the kids played in the playground whilst we chatted the afternoon away. We ended the day with a pizza express meal for 12.

This 3rd one was in Shropshire near Bewdley in Upper Arley, on the river Severn. We went up on Friday evening and set up camp with another family on a campsite with a fantastic view across the valley with the river below.



No, this isn't our tent, just Gadgeteen's 'room with a view', his feet smell and he snores, so we put him away from us all!

Those meeting us for the picnic could hardly miss us.......




Except that 'someone', whom I won't name 'n shame here, forgot which way up a maple leaf goes!

Everyone found us, well, lots turned up anyway....



Some us wandered up to Arley station, though unfortunately the steam train can't run at the moment because the recent storms have caused about 40 breaches to the track.



The river was swollen with flood water too, some of the river paths were submerged, with many riverside trees and bushes underwater. It was flowing extremely quickly as you can tell by all the swirls on the surface.



We had a super-hot day and all caught the sun. It was fab to meet so many others from the forum that we've not met before, one particular family will no doubt remain friends in Canada in the future too. They are heading to Alberta, so not a million miles away and we have a lot of contact on the forum.

The kids had great fun in the field because the grass was so long, we frequently had to go off looking for lost Frisbees, balls and small kids too.

Gadgeteen got himself slightly lost whilst insisting on running back to the campsite ahead of us. The only problem was that he didn't know when to turn away from the river to climb the hill to the campsite, and he just kept walking/running along the riverbank. We got quite worried about him because he didn't turn up for dinner. we went back down to the river looking for him and Gadgetman went out in the car too. Eventually he turned up on foot about two and a half hours later than he should have been, just before dark .....and looking rather sheepish. If he had waited for me and the other mum, we were walking back too anyway, and he would not have had the long walk that he did, but his pig-headedness got in the way as usual.....

I'll post the rest of the weekends photos in flicka

A healthier me

I can't beleive that after 28 years of smoking I am finally free from my addiction....well.....on the way anyway.

Zyban is helping by dealing with my cravings, and I have changed a few routines as well. I no longer drink copious quantities of coffee, (in fact I've not had any today).
I chew lots of gum and suck on sugarfree sweets during the day, and I swim and go to the gym on alternate days.

I'm only at the end of day 5 but my feeling is that I don't want to smoke anymore, rather than, oh just one cigarette a day won't do any harm, which is what is happening to a colleague.

I can still be around people that smoke but I just don't want smoke. Isn't it weird how Zyban can take away the thoughts about wants and cravings like that. The course is 7 weeks long, by which time I should be completely cured.

So that's an extra £5 a day in my pocket and £140 per month! Jeepers-creepers that's a lot!

I've had few of the side affects that are listed on the instructions. My mouth/lips are a bit dry, I've had nights of broken sleep with weird and disjointed dreams, and I seem to need to wee more but that's probably be down to the 2 litres of water that I'm drinking every day. My water bottle goes everywhere with me, it's becoming a comfort thing. Green tea is my evening drink now, full of powerful antioxidents to fight off free radicals apparently, a bit too much info for my head but it tastes nice enough.

I am seriously dieting too, I really want to shift this excess weight and get back to feeling comfortable about me. I don't intend to eat badly just because I'm not smoking so figured that to avoid doing just that I would work on both at the same time.

Mistaken Identity?

'What happened here Gadgeteen?'

'Dunno, wasn't me. Why do you always blame me for everything? Gadgetgirlie must have done it.'

'You're having a larf, Gadgeteen, no way could she have done that, come on, own up, what happened?'

'I DID NOT DO IT' (shout, shout, strop, strop, stomp, stomp)........

Below is the visual evidence so that you guys can decide on who the guilty party is for yourselves.

Gadgetman had actually spent quite a time filling in holes, (in anticipation of the redecorating that still awaits), left by 1) the old stairgate on the right, from years and years ago that got bigger somehow, and 2) the old cat flap-sized hole down on the left, that disappeared through to the cupboard behind, up a ramp, and to a window, where there was a cat flap for the previous occupants disabled cat! I hasten to add that the said window was in fact 5' above ground....Work that one out!

The 3 B's 'Only fools and bikers' Rally

The 3 B's are a bunch of bikers that live on the borders of Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, and 13 years ago they held their first rally in the field behind The Mucky Duck at Effingham, (Surrey), otherwise known as The black Swan. Such was the success that they now are on their 3rd site due to the popularity of the rally, evident by the numbers that show up year after year.
The site is within the grounds of Headley Park, near Borden, Hants, with lots of flat grassed area for campers, a large stocked pond for fishing, and woods with walks around the pond.






Gadgetgirlie enjoys the view of the pond.



The kids get together for 'footie'




A biker arrives for the Saturday evening entertainment, laden with camping gear.



Another couple arrive at the gate.



The bike show is well attended, with 10 categories for us to vote for on our voting slips.

Love the paint job.



Awesome engineering and radical look.



Another example of a V8 trike, adapted for a family of 4 from Moseley, though unfortunately his gearbox went on the way down to the rally, (like ours did a few weeks ago).



Some other bikes on show...



...or hidden around the back of the stalls



Lots of viewers stand around discussing what they're looking at.....



An original Indian, sounded great...when she eventually roared into life after lots of fiddling and about 12 kickovers....



Detailed paint job.



Live music played in the beer marquee, there was a huge firework display organised by the pyromaniac section of the club, and a brilliant fire to sit around after dark o'clock.






We had intended staying for the weekend but school shoes had to be bought on Saturday morning, so we arrived in time for the bike show during the afternoon. Gadgetman won a £50 tattoo in the raffle, (for which he will have to make a special trip to Kettering for), I bought some new bike gloves, Gadgeteen and Gadgetgirlie had loads of money off us, met some old friends and made some new ones, and Gadgetgirlie lost her brother's football. We met up with Stan & Jane who organise the Isle of Wight rally, and were actually able to sit and chat with them for a while, nice to see them relaxing at someone elses rally and able to just sit!

Fazer and Lala rode down to see what a rally was all about. Fazer had a bit of a shock at the gate when one of the 3 B members, who'd had quite a bit to drink, demanded a ride down to the marquee. Fazer has never had anyone as pillion before, let alone a pissed someone! The trouble was that the route to the marquee was grassy and slippery and muddy, (tee-hee), and the route to parking for day visitors was dry tarmac. Lala then followed Fazer down the slippery slope....assuming that it was the way to the parking area....then they both had to make 'u' turns and come back up again. Good test for their riding skills....I really don't like muddy slopes on a bike....Next year Lala is keen to come and camp for the weekend, Fazer would probably get bored and want to go off for rides during the day...
All in all a great day out.

Bike fun at last

It's been a long time a coming, haven't been out on the bike for yonks and yonks, what with my broken leg n' all.

For the last few weeks I've been building up to this day, just waiting to be comfortable with the strength in my ankle.

I've had to buy new protective clothing too. My leathers won't fit for some time yet due to the size of me at the moment so that was a quick exit of £180 from my meagre bank balance, then there was the matter of insurance and tax. Comp insurance was only £122 so there are advantages to being a dinosaur after all. I remember paying £800 TPFT when I first started on my 750cc Honda.

So....charged up the battery, warmed her up, replaced the tax disc, put some air in the tires, filled her up and rang GSX guy.

I met him in the hospital, where we were following each other around with our crutches having our casts off, and x-rays, and then trekking over to the physio dept. He was a boy racer on those crutches and I was the one with 'L' plates. I'd been well looked after during my time in cast but he'd had no such luxury. He lost weight as a result and I'd gained a ton.
He had fallen on the first day of his skiing trip somewhere cold and snowy, and broke his tib & fib. He had to have a plate fitted, so had a scar running down his leg to hinder his recovery too. We got chatting, as you do, and gave him a lift home afterwards to save him a bus journey.
Turns out he has a bike too, also sitting in his garage gathering dust, waiting and waiting to be taken out for a ride.
A week later we took him out for the day on the Trike down to Littlehampton and nattered away easily. I said I'd keep in touch, so that I could drag him out, kicking and screaming in protest, for bike rides,...if he'd even consider riding with a Harley.
So, today was the day, I was well excited, champing at the bit I was. GSX guy turned up on his GSXR 600 and deemed me suitable company for the day so off we rode, leaving Gadgetman working on the Trike.

A few weeks ago the gearbox seized, and since then he has had to take the gearbox and engine out, send off the box for repairs, and yesterday he picked it up again. Next weekend we are off to a bike rally so he is keen to see if he can get it back together before then. So much for a relaxing fathers day today for him.

I got that buzzy happy smiley feeling as we rode along the familiar roads to Newlands Corner, my bike responded beneath me to every curve and straight, she felt so good, she sounded great, I felt at home and at peace within.

Time flew by as we sat with our coffees at Newlands in the mid afternoon sun, then we headed off down the A281 to Devils Dyke, down near Brighton. The A281 is actually a really decent riding road, lots of little villages, a fair few open stretches of road to open up on, some nice bends, plenty of over-taking opportunities, (which is just as well cos Sunday drivers were out in force), uppy-downy bits, and the big hill at the end.

Yet again I missed the turning for the top of Devils Dyke, so took the long way round. The pub at the peak is so poorly sign posted, only those in the know can ever get there. There are lots of sign posts outside carparks for 'Lower Devils Dyke' this and 'upper Devils Dyke' that, but none that indicate the way to the top. You'd think that I'd be one of those in the know by now, considering that this was my 3rd trip up there, but each time I've got it wrong, and too much time has passed between each trip for a blonde like me to remember.

It was chilly up there today, the sun of Surrey was replaced by the cloud of Sussex, and the chill of sea air. Nonetheless we sat outside with our soup and coffees, and enjoyed the far reaching views. Box Hill, Leith Hill and The Hogs back lined the horizon to the north, and the South Downs stretched east and west into the distance. Walkers dotted the hills, and kite flyers took advantage of the breeze.





Time passed quickly by as our bikes sat and cooled in the car park, then we just had to start northwards again. We discussed blatting back up the M23, but opted for the same route back because of all the Sunday day-trippers that would clutter the M23 and get in the way of a blat. Not a lot used the A281, only locals really, so lots of vehicles travelling at 40mph and turning off to go home. We broke up the journey back with a pit stop at Box hill then headed off to our respective homes.

Catch up time

I've been spending all my spare writing time on the Britishexpats forum, writing this and that and posting on others threads.

We have decided to apply to immigrate to Canada via the long term/slow route, which is under the skilled Worker Permanent Residents route. This process could take between 36-48 months because the Canadian High Comission in London only has an annual quota of 16,000 visas to dish out but 32-48,000 are applying.

We sent off our application last Friday the 8th June, and just to get an Aknowledgement of Receipt takes about 4 months, but at least we can get in the queue now that it's in.

The reason for this change of approach is for the financial security that we will have in 3 years time. That's not to say that we won't both have to work anyway, but that we will be elligible for a small monthly income and a lump sum that we wouldn't get if we went now.

My cast is a distant memory, but getting rid of all the swelling and getting back all the movement that I had there is taking alot longer than I anticipated. lots of physio and exercise is helping. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a heffalump now, I put on alot of weight whilst being immobile and nothing fits anymore, apart from my flexible friends, elasticated everything!

I've yet to get back on the bike again but the pangs are getting too much and I have just been out and bought some LARGE sized protective clothing, insured the bike again, and am waiting for the docs to come through so that I can get the tax sorted. I also have to take her for her first MOT within a month. She is sitting in the garage covered in dust so needs some tlc too.

Big apologies to anyone that still bothers to see if I am writing but check out the forum if you want to see what is drawing me away from here.