The World Keep on Turning

They tell us autumn has arrived, well I agree it's certainly on it's way.

Earlier in the week we remembered the passing of Mr Fink's mum who has now been gone a whole year - doesn't seem possible.
The three of us enjoyed a lovely bike ride (power assisted in mine and Mr Fink's case) down a disused railway line - apparently you don't forget how to ride a bike, but something must happen as I was scared witless for some of the time by the speed we were going!
'Meet The Tutor' at Little Fink's school was encouraging - all good reports about her from her form tutor. She has been picked to attend a special reward weekend in March for continuous effort in PE and she will be a 'tour guide' for the upcoming open evening at school.
On Saturday we journeyed to Wroxham to meet up with 30 members of our family to enjoy a day out on The Norfolk Broads to celebrate the Pearl (30 years) wedding anniversary of my cousin. What a wonderful day, beautiful weather, lots of larks (Shouty Grandad throwing water from his boat onto ours, me throwing bread onto his boat to make the seagulls and ducks dive-bomb them, Nanny even had a go at driving a boat!), lively children and terrific scenery. Thank you all for a memorable day. xxx

Autumn? I'm not finished with Summer yet!

Well, autumn is officially here and the weather appears to have made it's mind up too. The summer holidays have been well spent ) and now we are ready to face the new school year, Little Fink looks amazingly grown up in her blazer (She will need a new name soon I fear).

Today I took Nanny to a metal detecting dig in the North of the county, she had a great time and even found a long cross hammered coin but I don't know how old as it still had the mud on, could be Elizabethan, or older.
While she was digging I sat in the car reading.... I'll explain why I wasn't digging in a moment...Mr Fink phoned me, "What should I use to clean exploded rhubarb wine off the kitchen ceiling?" Apparently Little Fink had been nearby when the airlock on the new rhubarb wine demijohn became blocked with fruit and blew the bung out - she said it scared her half to death!

I wasn't digging today as I can't put my boots on for another week or two, I had a tattoo inked onto the top of my foot last Monday and it must not rub while it is healing. It is of an Egyptian blue lotus flower (as shown above) a symbol of rebirth and enlightenment. It is a tribute to the memory of Astral, Mr Fink's mum who died last year. The lotus and the nine petals have a significant meaning in the religion she found comfort in.

Well the summer holidays are nearly over, this might be the last year that I spend more of it at home than at work as I'm guessing Little Fink won't need me here quite so much next year?

Walk With The Stars

Last week, Astral spent her second week in the local hospice. what a beautiful, serene, 'happy' place. While I was visiting on Monday, I came across a leaflet, "Walk With The Stars" raise money for the hospice by completing a sponsored 5 mile walk. "I'll do it." I thought.
I registered, i set up my sponsor page and as an incentive I said, if I were to get £100 I would do the walk in my pyjamas. The next thing I know, The Foggs (and many others) had sent £100, just to make sure I wore my pyjamas. I said If I were to raise £200 I would carry Graham T Heron round with me on the walk. My work chums pitched in and Graham was on the team. Lastly I said if I raised £400 I would wear the flashing bunny ears. Friends, family and old school chums didn't let me down and the picture shows what I looked like as i set off on my very first sponsored walk.
I was terrified, I didn't know how far 5 miles looked like, could I walk that far? How would I explain if I couldn't make it? Anyway. I met up with Bionic-Woman (had a new knee and a new wrist) and she and I walked the 5 miles. It was hard going for the last little bit and i have a decent sized blister on the ball of my foot which gave my gyp, but I did it. I walk 5 miles in 1 hour 30 minutes and felt a huge sense of achievement. (Mr Fink went to bed early as he had a Father's Day golf game in the morning) so The Glums had kindly offered to 'pick me up' and take me home. I shared my triumph with them and went home to bed.
Just one thing makes me wonder - I wonder what people would have asked me to do for £1000?

Catch Up

Well, what a busy few weeks.
First up - The Further Adventures Of Shouty Grandad. Every week, three times a week, Shouty grandad goes swimming. Last week he received a verbal warning. "What for?" I hear you cry. Splashing the Lifeguard. I kid you not. Grandad's response was to go and see the manager and tell him the lifeguard should be sacked on the spot. Needless to say the lifeguard is still there (and a little dryer as Grandad has gone on holiday!)

We've been mudlarking again, didn't find anything of note but nanny really enjoyed it. We've enjoyed a great couple of nights out with Silver Surfer and Astral. Once to see Pam Ayres - very funny lady, and once to see Elvis - brilliant. We've celebrated George's 18th birthday - doesn't time fly and it was lovely to catch up with some family I don't get to see half as often as I would like.
Yesterday we saw Little Fink and J1 off to Cub Scout Camp to Blackburn in Lancs. for the week.(see pic above). there were 8 minibuses, 2 lorries and a couple of vans in the convoy. they have masses of activities planned and their progress and daily podcasts can be followed at http://www.leverstockgreenscouts.org.uk/.

Right, I'm off to enjoy the peace and quiet before Mr Fink gets back from golf....it's a hard life!

Shouty Grandad V Sainsburys, who would you put your money on?

Shouty Grandad has been at it again. Today we had a gathering of my mum (Nanny), my dad (Shouty Grandad), Astral (my mother in law) and The Silver Surfer (my father in law). We had lovely food (made by Mr Fink) and listened to yarns and tales of Shouty Grandad's adventures.

He told us a few of his classics, The Keys From the Van, Selling Paint to people from Luton and the Money in the Shoe ones to name a few. I mentioned that I wouldn't be surprised if the local shops had his picture up next to the ASBO kids with a warning note next to it saying, "trouble". Then he said with indignation, "I went in Sainsburys the other day and they wouldn't even slice my bread". Cue hilarity all round. Apparently, he went to the supermarket to buy his usual 1000g uncut loaf which he always gets them to slice for him. This time however, when he offered it up to the chap on the bread slicer, the chap declined to cut it. The reason? the bread was too big!

Well, Shouty Grandad went into his, "I've been coming here for 20 years and the bread has always fitted before" speech, the manager was called and between them they managed to get the bread sliced. The chap put the bread in a bag and handed it to Shouty Grandad. Shouty Grandad looked at the bread, "Where's the end gone?" Apparently the tiny sliver from the end crust had fallen off the loaf and into the machine, from whence it could not be retrieved.
"I can't buy this bread, it's underweight so IT'S ILLEGAL!!" was Shouty Grandad's parting shot.

I wonder if Sainsbury's have a customer hit list?

Another busy week for the Finks

Gosh, lots to catch up on. Shouty Grandad and Nanny arrived safely in Australia, dad's leg has swollen a bit, could be fluid, worst case scenario DVT. On Saturday night we had my brothers and sister-in-laws round with their partners for a night of fun and frolic. As they came in Woogie (my brother in law) noticed the 3 piles of various rubble, plasterboard, sanitary porcelain strewn about the garden ready for transfer to the tip. "I like what you've done with the garden." he offered. "Yes," I replied, "it's Neoclassical-gypsy."

Mr Fink's rendition of a monster in Guesstures was a sight to behold as was Hi5's impression of a statue. Class. This Friday we went to Astral and granddad's house to play poker. Astral is doing well, cracking sense of humour and still has a lovely bright smile and twinkling eyes. I won the first game and Grandad and I shared the second. Good fun all round.

Saturday we had the Glums round for food and games. The children were in a funny old mood and the game never really got going, we enjoyed our dinner and has a lovely chat, we were even joined by Percy (Thrower - expert gardener) from next door and we listened while he remembered his childhood and how bombs destined for the local munitions factory, in the 2nd world war landed on his house. Interesting stuff and lovely to hear Percy tell it with such clarity.

Last week I was looking to join a new metal detecting club, I sent an email to the membership coordinator asking,

"I'm interested in joining your club and I'd also like to know the general areas you manage to dog in. I'm hoping they are close-ish to my home in ...."

Oops! I meant DIG, not DOG! Doh

The Rollercoaster trundles on

This week Mr Fink's family had some news about his mum's medical condition, not good news. If you know mum and want to know more, call us.

Yesterday the plumber removed the shower from Fink Mansion so the 3 of us trooped along to Shouty Grandad's house for a shower each - how happy was he? He's on a water meter!!!!

I was first up, I offered Mr Fink the choice of towels, our old blue scabby large one or the newer smaller purple one, he said he didn't mind so I took the smaller one and had my shower. Very refreshing.

Mr Fink headed off for his wash and brush up. About 10 minutes later a cry from the bathroom, "Mrs Fink, come and help me!" When I arrived I found that I had accidentally brought the towel the cat sleeps on and subsequently, as Mr Fink had wiped the water from his face, he had spread discarded cat hair all over his damp skin. Face, neck and body. He said it was like being covered in itchy cobwebs. He had lumps of cat hair velcro'd to his beard. Euwwww.

Needless to say I broke down in fits of laughter and he went and he had another shower - (sorry about that Grandad, just think, "It's only money!")

In other news, Liam the Ovenu guy came round and did a sterling job cleaning my cooker (for the third year running) despite having a bad cold. Thank you Liam! I left the oven light on all evening so i could see the cooker gleaming.

New Year's Day

The first day of the New Year. A beautiful clear sunrise on a crisp, frosty Winter's day. I collected Nanny (Shouty Grandad chose to stay in bed), rounded up Little Fink, Mr Fink, Asterix and the Silver Surfer and we all headed off to Walton-On-The-Naze for our customary New Year's Day trip to the seaside. Unfortunately, The Glums were still laid low by the lurgy and couldn't be with us this time.

We went for a walk along the pier, through the spooky deserted fairground, with Little Fink making spooky 'oooooooooooooo' noises all the way through. Mr Fink and Little Fink walked all the way to the end of the slippy wooden pier while Nanny and I waited on the not so frosty part! Then we went off for fish and chips and a wander back to the cars to collect the metal detectors. Asterix had a trip. Silver Surfer drank her complimentary cup of tea and Nanny and I went detecting. Nanny found 2 X £1 coins, 2 x 20p and a couple of 5p's. I found a pound and 2 x 5p! Little Fink spent a couple of happy hours playing in the sand with a spade she found. Bliss!

At 5pm we headed back to the cars, drank tea and ate mince pies and then set off for home.

The frost was starting to get heavy and by the time we got home, the air temperature was registering, "Flippin Freezing".

We all had a smashing time and felt it was well worth the 2 hour drive to spend some time in the fresh seaside air.

Oh mum you are so funny

Mr Fink's mum, Astral, popped in to see us this afternoon. Later on Mr Fink took her back to her sister's house, (Aunty Joanie). A few minutes later my mobile phone rang. It was one of those calls where the other party has accidentally dialled the first person in their contacts list.

I could hear Astral chatting to Auntie Joanie about her day - all nice things of course - so I shouted down the phone, "Astral, you've dialled the phone! Hang up!" I then heard her say, "Joanie, I can hear voices!"

Once she realised we all had a good laugh about her ability to hear voices! Who needs a mobile phone.

Hasta Manana

View out to sea from The Stupa at Benalmadena

see this link for further details

Marsha, Astral-Asterix, Silver Surfer, Little Fink (weird floating witch child) and Mr Fink (Mrs Fink safely behind the camera).

Our Spanish holiday was perfect (apart from Mr Fink's food poisoning). We started out on Saturday morning with some local 'colour'. A local Finkleton resident had had too much sun and decided this was the day to stand on the roof of the garages and shout at policemen. They shut the road and fire engines, ambulances and local chavs got a good morning's entertainment. Marsha arrived with her tiger skin luggage and we broke through the cordon and headed for the airport. As we wandered through the airport, Marsha's dad, Bambi - who had dropped us off, sent a message "Got lost on way out, went up a one way road at the airport". We were stopped at baggage check in by the attendant who asked if we had permission to take Marsha out of the country? Luckily we had thought this might happen and produced a signed note to say we did have permission - I thanked the guy for checking - very reassuring. The flight passed uneventfully, Mr Fink and I busily boning up on our Spanish language, the girls listening to music and complaining about poppy ears.

We arrived in good spirits and Grandad Silver Surfer picked us up from Malaga airport (next to the San Miguel factory, you can't miss it!)

Sunday The Fink clan headed for the beach, had a quick dip and then were summoned up to The Drunken Sailor for a sumptuous English Sunday Dinner, served by Rose and Dave. We met some lovely friends, Terry and Lou, Maureen and George and a host of others - mostly Cockneys! After dinner we explored the beautiful Marina at Benalmadena (pronounced Benal-madn-a, only tourists call it Benal-ma-deena apparently). In the evening we put the girls to bed and had a game of poker - we decided the winner at the end of the week would collect the pot.

Monday we headed for the beach again. I showed Marsha how to snorkel and we headed off, saw sea-cucumbers, black spiny sea-urchins, hermit crabs galore, sea bream, sea bass, little fish and jelly fish (I got stung on the leg by a little one!). Unfortunately I spent a little too long in the water and burned my back. (typical, I'd been nagging the kids and Mr Fink all day to be careful in the sun - Grandad burned his tum too).

Tuesday we took the girls to the SeaLife centre, Little Fink had got info that her Blue Peter badge would get her into the centre free. Bravely I pushed Mr Fink to the front of the queue and waited for him to explain that in his pidgin Spanish.. He did very well. In the afternoon we went for dinner and i had my dream meal - we had 2 enormous plates of seafood and fish, langoustines, clams, mussels, huge prawns, fried baby squid (the girls were eating them like sweets!) calamari all delicious and fresh, with garlic sauce and salad. Hmmmm my favourite.

Wednesday we went to Mijas up in the mountains and were entertained by flamenco dancers in the town square, explored the bull ring, walked around the town and saw beautiful vistas, we had Spanish tapas at a little cafe. All was lovely. The famous Mijas donkey taxis were around but to our English animal-loving eyes, they didn't seem very happy.

Thursday we called on Terry and Lou to borrow their pool as Nanny and Grandad's pool had not been safety checked by the council and was closed. The pool was lovely, the grass green and sumptuous. The girls really enjoyed themselves, playing dolphin and dolphin trainer for hours. There were only 3 other people around so we pretty much had it to ourselves. At dinner that night, Grandad cooked a lovely paella, delicious. We had word from Marsha's parents, The Glums via text message that they were at the Ritz enjoying dinner!

Friday we went to Aqualand at Torremolinos (if you go, remember to print off £3 off vouchers before you go or get them from shops before you go) it was terrific. It is a theme park with rides but everything is water related and done in your swimming cozzy. Armed with hats and shirts to protect us from the sun (you can tell English people a mile off, they are all bright red and burned to a crisp) we went on the rides. I ventured on the black hole (a tube ride in the pitch black, 2 to a dinghy!) with Marsha and ended up upside down with grazed knees in the pool at the end! The others went on all manner of things, 80ft vertical drops (Mr Fink) twister slides (Little Fink, Marsha) and we all went on the Crazy Lanes, 4 lanes of slide, into a deep pool at the end, it looked quite high but otherwise not too scary. How wrong could I be? We sat down, I crossed my feet and my arms across my chest and set off. I went like a rocket on the film of water under me. I hit the pool at the bottom at a hundred miles an hour. The leg of my swimming costume usually residing in the crook of my leg had migrated 12 inches and was firmly buried under my armpit. i was not wearing a thong which was splitting me in half. this wasn't the worst part - the delicate among you should look away now. I realised the I had hit the water so fast that it had defied gravity and entered places water should never go with out medical supervision. Gravity was now reclaiming it's hold and I needed a toilet fast! we renamed the ride, The Double Enema.

Saturday Mr Fink was unwell so I took the girls with Nanny and Grandad to the Marina for some present shopping, a go on the bungees and a last meal at The Drunken Sailor, we were serenaded by Reuben and his Spanish guitar at the table and everything was lovely.

We packed our things, paid Grandad his poker winnings and headed back to the airport and home to a chilly night and a rainy rest of the week. Spain never seemed so far away. A beautiful place, full of kind and patient people, gorgeous scenery and terrific food and culture. We can't wait to return. Thank you Nanny and Grandad xxx

A Bit of a Do.

This weekend, Mr Fink, Little Fink and I travelled to Hastings for a gathering of the clans. Mr Fink's brother was getting married. This brought about another addition to the number of women in the country with the same name as me. There are now 5 Mrs *****'s! 3 of whom stayed in the same Travelodge for the wedding, hence the following confusing phone call from GWTBO - father of the groom. As we were travelling past Battle en route to Hastings, Mr Fink's phone rang, it was Grandad With The Beard On,

"Where are you staying?"

Me (as Mr Fink was driving)"Travelodge, Hastings."

"What name have you booked the room under?"

Me.............................."?", "I'll give you three guesses, and the first two don't count!"

Anyway, it turns out he was only aware of 3 rooms booked under the family name, his room, Woogie & Nancypants' room and Doner (Woogie's brother - he has been given the 'nom de guerre' Doner as they both look rough on a Sunday morning) &AB's room.

"I booked the family room for us." I said.

"Oh, I'm standing in the family room, drinking the coffee!"

Anyway, the rooms were sorted, I asked for some bed linen for Little Fink and a duvet cover and pillow cases for our bed, as they only had white cotton 'protector's on, when the lady arrived she only had linen for Little Fink.

"I was hoping for a duvet cover and pillowcases for the bed."

"You've already got them, we only have the cheap ones here!" Ho hum.

We went off to the wedding, the groom was nervous and the bride stunning. I was fine until the Bride started to say her vows, her voice wobbled with emotion and that was it, all the women in the room were toast! The reception was lovely with children enjoying themselves, lovely food and good company.

I jitterbugged the night away with my father-in-law, GWTBO and a good night was had by all.

The next day we had breakfast and arranged to take the Silver Surfer (Mr Fink's step dad) and Astral (Mr Fink's mum) home with us, so we quickly had a walk along the sea front at Hastings before setting off. We decided to stop off for lunch and went to the Airfield Pub in Hatfield.

The meal was well received and the bill duly arrived. Now I don't know about you gentle reader, but us Finks are plagued (in a good way) with friends who won't take no for an answer! Mr Fink was going to pay for this meal as a parting gift to Astral and SS before they returned to Spain.

SS offered to pay but Mr Fink said,

"It's ok, I'll pay, it's not very expensive." he might as well have said...

"Next time we go out you can pay and we'll go somewhere NICE!" good ole Mr Fink always got at least one of his feet in his mouth!

A wonderful weekend, spent with wonderful family and friends. The stuff of life. Bring it on.