Poppy's first birthday party and more

Had a busy few days. Poppy had her first birthday party last Saturday in Maidstone. A good turn out from 40 mates. I got a foto of her raiding the fridge which of course is totally allowed on ur bithday! Anyway Ive posted a few pics which will show you what I mean.The Para wives were there sadly the lads are all over in Afghan now for 6 months. Fingers crossed they all return. Me and Gill are sending 5 of them...Shauns mates who have been so helpful some boxes of bits and a mate of mine is doing them a Xmas cake since one of the lads put in a special request. Not sure what state itll arrive in but whatever. We also send them blueys of updates . they are all free of charge (and so they should be)! Took Gill away for a couple of days this week to a hotel near Ipswich..why Ipswich...dont ask!It was Poppys official birthday yesterday so Laura brought her over and stayed the night too. Excellent it was. The Popster is now confidently walking and into even more. lock all ur stuff up above a metre! Laura is hoping to exchange on her house next Friday so fingers crossed.Had a bit of a reunion over Poppys birthday. Pam and Eric and the family all came and stayed for a cpl of days. Great to meet old friends and chat and laugh...life can be sooo simple.Starting our prep for New York now so thats all progressing well.....and off to the Millenium for the Oz game a week Saturday.A poor welsh team now through injuries but we shall see. Not hopeful but should be a good sing song.

Update update...

The car remains at the repairers and I should pick it up on Tuesday. Laura's goes in tomorrow. Back training at Bannatynes..early enthusiasm continues. Managed 3 in 3 days and hopefully will do it again tomorrow. I had to leave it for 10 days while the tattoo sorted itself out and I will probably leave the swimming for another 2 weeks or so. Worked out with Tom and Dave his mate this morning. I did a 40 minute cardio while they did rather large bench presses..the posers! Tom got his dog out at Crawley football yesterday who were playing Notts County.Bit of a scrap. A lot of growling but no biting and 'Maddock' did well too!
I went to UFC 120 last night all by myself . Im past caring if I go to sports events by myself or not anymore. I get a lot out of them with lil ol me or with Gill etc.Anyway last night was something Ive always wanted to do so I did. Had a great seat 18 rows from the front and 8 seats from where the fighters enter the arena. Slightly spoilt by some gob sh*t scousers who were more football supporter types than rugby. I almost educated them but there were 4 of them. Isnt beer and cocaine wonderful. Was I ever as big a tw$t when I used to drink? Possibly..no I dont think so! Anyway saw some good fights from half 5 until 11pm. Then watched it all again recorded on ESPN HD this afternoon.I was close enough to watch it without needing to use the big TV screens.
So..me and old Mottram are off to Paris with Roy Tanner for the rugby and to Rome with each other for the Italy game. Its ok its seperate rooms despite Tim's protestations to want to sleep with me! I can understand his enthusiasm but its a no Tim ok!So I'm on the search for tickets for us all. Jeff can't guarantee any and is already going as a 4some with Pat to Rome the old romantic. Fancy taking the Mrs on tour. U can see Gill doesnt read this cant u. If she ever does at least I should now know about it!
Went over to cut Lauras lawn in Maidstone on Friday and we went to Ashford shopping. Had some great fun with Poppy..shes a good little girl but then I would say that wouldnt I ...doting grandad..but she is! I gave her some fruit in a coffee shop and came out looking like Id been in the stocks! haha

Results

Had some good news this week...managed to get a top ticket to the UFC120 at O2 this saturday half price on ebay..and Tim Mottram has booked flights to Rome in the new year to see the Taffs v Italy so we are going over and staying in a 4 star in central Rome. Im on the plot for tickets. Me , Tim and Roy Tanner are all off to Paris for the welsh game too.3 weeks before the Italy game.Isnt retirement wonderful..poor old Gill.We might be staying in a mate 's (Robin Barrassfords) chateau he has just bought in the Cognac region 3 hrs on the train from Paris. We shall see!
Had an electrician round to do the alarm. He put some crap down the bog and the masserator is knacked..only 320 quid to replace. Costly old business!Ive a sense of humour and he is a nice guy!
Meeting with an old mate for lunch tomorrow...Alan Costello who is just back from Luxor where he has a penthouse just finishing being built. Saw Royce and Denise this week for coffee and a good old chat and catch up. Havent been able to work out due to my tattoo healing. Will give it til Monday to be safe.Seeing Laura and Poppy on friday since Im going over to Maidstone to cut her lawn. Went with Pascoe (the old swot) to the photography course last night..got a bit lost but will pick it all up!Gill thinks she may have a surprise Ofsted next week. Last thing she needs!

Another week

Quite a quiet week..hurray
Had Poppy on Thursday for 4 hours while Laura went to the builders at Hellingly to decide the spec for everything on the house she is buying. She met up with Tom and Emma there. Anyway the bottom line is that she has chosen everything and is happy and me and Tom will do her a patio ...Mills and Son! Exchange early November and hopefully move in in Feb. I think Tom and Emma would move in next door if they could!
In the meantime me and Poppy went down to Scotts in Pevensey and Poppy played with Maya who is nearly four. She enjoyed Scotts 'cheeky chickens' which is good since ours have all been eaten. So you fox loving animal rights people can come round the Mills residence to protest and we shall see who wins..huh?
I also met with Stephen Lloyd Eastbourne's MP. We worked together when he was in 'opposition' and I found him a keen enthusiastic guy who has the best for Eastbourne at heart. Unlike the previous incumbent. Anyway he wants me to be his police adviser...a voluntary role to examine things local and national and advise since actually that is what advisers do! Ive accepted and am keen to assist Eastbourne which I have a soft spot for. I really enjoyed my policing there and know I really made a difference....even when I had to cycle to work! HaHa.
I put some oak shelves up yesterday above the Aga. We had them specially made and they are floating shelves. This means that u cant see the brackets since they come out of the wall and into the rear of the shelf and the shelf sits on these rods of steel. Anyway there were 8 rods to get into the back of these two shelves with little tolerance! It took me 4hrs..on/off/on/off...move a rawlplug 6mm.....what a session.I got an 'is there really any need for that' from Gill as the expletives flowed...laughter. Character building some would say...pay someone to do it next time I would say! There was indeed little tolerance!
Car goes in today to have its bodywork done which will take all week. I think Lauras goes in next week! Im also spending the morning with Royce so will catch up on things over a cha. Would rather like to workout and have a swim and steamroom but the Tattoo isnt ready until the latter part of this week. I dont know old boys and their tattoos! Perhaps a game of golf calls either pm today or tomorrow. It can be hard being part of the retirement set!I'll settle for it.