Ginger Karate Blog
Thursday, May 01, 2003
Phew! That's the last mortgage hurdle now out of the way. The nationwide needed to know about whether we wanted to go with them for the building and contents insurance. I had a quick look around, and decided 'yeah, why not'. Now that that's done the application can be sent to the underwriters for approval. Should now only be a matter of days before we get the written documents through. Hopefully be in by the end of May :o) I just have to get the solicitor to stop being a passive twonk.
Hello to Darryll if you're reading this (as it transpired on Sunday, nb he was the lazy arse I was referring to), and shame on you for telling Alicia about the house, after we told you not to! Jo's gunning for your testicles now boy.
Off to see my Mum on Saturday. She has a new kitten, Lillie (strange spelling), to keep her company since she and Dad are no longer together. Jo and I also hope to get another viewing on the house, so we can take a few photos, and refresh our memory of what we're buying. Recieved some bumf from the solicitor yesterday. Good news: The previous owner is leaving a hell of a lot of furniture, which means we can sell anything we don't need. Woo! Bad news: The field across the road from us has planning permission for 800 homes, to be built over the next 4 years. I say bad news as it 1) Spoils the view, 2) will be noisy for a while and 3) means extra traffic. It will be beneficial hopefully though as 1) Nearby shops 2) Nearby schools 3) Nearby pub? and 4) May push the price of our house up.
Then on Sunday I'm off to the cinema to see X-men 2, which I've been drooling over for months now. After all the glowing reviews I've read my expectations are pretty high, so I hope I don't come out disappointed.
Plus we've Monday off. Yet another bank holiday! Woo hoo!. Hope it's sunny so we can go cycling again. Incidentally I cycled to Weight Watchers last night. I put on a pound and a half (not surprising as I'd binged on Friday night, and not been that bothered about my weght this week after last weeks achievement). It only took 10 minutes, which is probably the same it takes in the car (except the car has to go the long way round). Just have to get Jo prepared and able to cycle there now! :o)
Sigh. More back and forth with the mortgage company. We'll get there in the end. In the meantime, here's a pic, inspired by the latest b3ta challenge (nuns) and last night's "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here" programme.
Righty-o, I've gotten some photos in a fit state to show. We start with the important news. Jo was injured last night! The poor thing burnt her fingers making dinner. Didn't seem too bad, but the NHS helpline suggested we visit A&E to have it checked out. After a 3 hour wait the doctor decided to dress the wounds. Jo now looks like this. In an effort to make it seem more normal I kindly drew Jo some fingernails. I'm big hearted like that ;o)
Now for a couple of London pictures. Here's me with a surly Yeoman. He was actually putting it on and I was trying not to laugh during the photo. I really enjoyed the day. As Jo says, the Tower wasn't fantastic, but it was very well preserved. The tour guide was very entertaining too, with constant shouts of BLOOD! in a Brian Blessed type way. I thought the Tower Bridge was great. I got a little nervous coming out of the llift at the top. I was convinced I could feel it swaying. I soon got over that though. I was quite interested in how they'd made the architect of the bridge into an altruistic hero. A documentary I saw on the various designers competing for the construction work made him seem something of a tit.
Here's Jo and I on a Thames cruise boat. You can see the Tower Bridge behind us. We ended the day with this. Shame it was a little moody on the day, but it was still one of those things you have to do when visiting London. Also saw the new London Assembly building. It's quite strange in shape. Jo refers to it as "The Easter Egg".
Had Luke and Hannah to stay on Friday night. Was great to catch up with them, and reminisce over old times. Had a bloody delicious steak in Bar Med in town. I had chips with my dinner, now that I'm officially no longer on a diet. As of Wednesday I hit 10 stone 12 lbs. 3 lbs under my target weight. I am therefore now gorging like a bastard. Not really. I'm being good. Any gorging will have to be done at work, where I won't tempt/piss off Jo :o)
Saturday saw us down in Swindon for a book fair Jo had been invited to by her book club. I wouldn't say it was a waste of time, as we enjoyed the journey somewhat, and got to look at a few decent shops in the nearby factory outlet, but the book fair itself was laughable. There were about 10 tables with books piled on, plus the chance to meet an author, and have her sign a copy of her latest novel (if you'd cared to buy it). Her name escapes me as she wasn't that famous. Quite a poor spectacle of an event really. (plus a warning - Vanilla Diet Coke is the Devil's milky wee - avoid at all costs).
We had hoped to visit the new house on the way back, to snap some photos of the interior, which we could then have a play with, see which colours would work. The agents couldn't accomodate us unfortunately as they were chocablock all day. I bet if we'd been new clients interested in looking at a property they'd have made time for us. Gits. Still, I'll try to get us a viewing next weekend. We should have heard from the Nationwide by then.
Finally, some pictures from last weekend. This is of Jo and I by one of the lakes in Dinton Pastures Country Park. I was getting vary daring by cycling with my top off. I got a slight tan out of it, and thankfully didn't burn.
On Saturday evening we went to the Steam fair in Prospect park. Not much there unless you like rickety rides and rip you off carnival stalls. Jo and I stayed for about 15 minutes before getting bored. As we left I had a go on the hammer sideshow. Didn't ring the bell though :o( I did however 'win' an inflatable hammer,as demonstrated by Jo. (I say win as it's the prize everyone gets for paying the stall owner a pound!).
Anyway, got to sign off now. Jo and I are heading into town for a bit. We were supposed to be meeting a friend, but the lazy arse is probably still in bed and hasn't confirmed yet. Toodle oo.
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