Captain Dog's World Of Love

2012-01-22T19:34:00.000Z

Parkes starts week 36 tomorrow. We think the baby has turned and may have this confirmed tomorrow, as we have a scan at QEQM.

2012-01-21T19:03:00.001Z

Broadstairs: Spent a brill evening, with these fab cats, in the pubs of Broadstairs. It was great to catch up with them. Need to do it a little more often, although could do without the hangover.

2012-01-21T18:18:00.000Z

Broadstairs: Tongues

Week 34

2012-01-10T21:30:00.000Z

Corr, doesn't time fly!?! Week 34 it is and Parkes has been furiously nesting. We have a scan at the start of week 36 to see if the baby still lies breach. If so, it will be delivered by c-section. If not, a vaginal birth will be possible. Parkes and I will be going to a vaginal birth workshop at QEQM hospital on Friday night. Not sure whether to eat beforehand.

New Year

2012-01-03T21:05:00.000Z

Happy New Year to one and all. We had a very quiet one. Parkes has just started week 33 of her pregnancy and very soon the Blog will be flooded with new baby pictures (hopefully). Will it be a boy? Will it be a girl? Who knows?!? As long as it's healthy we don't really care. The nursery is being readied and slowly, but surely, we are getting things together. We are so much more relaxed about this baby and if we haven't got things by the time the baby is born, we'll buy them when we need them.

In the meantime, we'll be getting as much sleep as possible!

Testing

2011-12-28T13:12:00.000Z

Beth kindly tested the new pram to see if it was comfortable.

The only way is.....

2011-12-27T20:23:00.000Z

Herne Bay

2011-12-20T11:34:00.000Z

Fruit with genitals.

2011-12-08T20:36:00.000Z

Ramsgate: Beth was a fabulous shepherd in the school Christmas play, and the whole cast sang their hearts out.

Father Christmas

2011-12-04T18:12:00.000Z

Beth met the big man himself on Saturday, at the school fair- it was kind of him to pop in, busy man.

Massive milkshake.

2011-11-26T18:14:00.000Z

I didn't think Beth would get through this milkshake, but she did!

Cousin Ella

2011-11-26T18:13:00.000Z

Beth took this pic on my phone, it's a cracker!

Dry Nights

2011-11-21T20:53:00.000Z

This morning, Beth had her first dry nappy!! It's a bit early to say whether we have cracked it but, hopefully, drier times are around the corner.

First time round!

2011-11-20T21:10:00.000Z

Beth went on a roundabout for the first time on Saturday and actually stayed on it as it went round. A breakthrough in the world of funfair rides!

2011-11-12T20:47:00.000Z

Dumpton: Bekie hits week 26 on Monday - only another 13 to go and with Christmas coming up, the time is certain to fly past. The baby has been much more active than Beth was in the womb so, maybe, it'll be a supercharged child. Who knows?! All will be revealed in due course.

2011-11-10T20:34:00.000Z

Dumpton: Ladies and gentlemen, I present into thee and desert of beautiful colour and taste. When I was a child, I used to put three scoops of ice cream into a bowl and cover it with yoghurt. I used to call it a "Florida Sunset", or a "Californian Surprise", or something like that. What is slightly concerning is that I am still doing it. Tastes nice though and Beth likes it.

2011-11-05T11:35:00.000Z

Dumpton: Skool must be doing good things with Beth. I switched the computer on this morning (as it was wet and nasty outside) and she started using it and the mouse like a pro. Her teacher says she has settled well in her class and is progressing very nicely. Top girl!

Lazy Sunday

2011-10-27T19:47:00.000Z

Last Sunday we ventured down to Ramsgate beach to find loads of motorbikes and quad bikes racing across the beach. Noisy and stinky, but great fun.

Jogtastic

2011-10-24T08:51:00.002Z

Had a good run on Saturday that hurt quite a bit, with a biting cold wind blowing into my face on some of the long uphill slopes. It is now Tuesday and my leg muscles feel like jamón ibericos.

Route: Thanet Stroll
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/953a/a8cc/4d39/1278/Runmeter-Run-20111022-1551.kml
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/pfoyl4
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/953a/a8cc/4d39/1278/Runmeter-Run-20111022-1551.kml
Run Time: 1:45:34
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 11.50 miles
Average: 9:11 /mile
Fastest Pace: 8:14 /mile
Ascent: 863 feet
Calories: 1577
http://www.runmeter.com

2011-10-15T16:51:00.000Z

Dumpton Gap: I fancied an image change but I'm not sure this is a good one...

2011-10-10T20:47:00.000Z

Margate: We had our 20 week scan today. Everything seems fine (touch wood) and we saw the unborn one yawning and shuffling about. I couldn't see a winky so I think it is a girl. This little one may have their Dad's nose (poor kid).

2011-09-28T12:02:00.001Z

Ramsgate: It's Buno!

Strings' Wildlife Garden

2011-09-26T19:02:00.000Z

As soon as we bought our house, I bought two bird hoppers and hung them up on the same tree in our back garden. However the birds have been giving it a wide berth and I was beginning to think that the local cats were spooking them. Three months later and with not a bird in sight, I decided to move one of the hoppers to our cherry tree, which is quite leafy. On the second day after the move, I spotted a Great Tit plucking seeds for the hopper. Whoooopeeeee!! Finally some bird action. Hopefully the feeder is in the right place now and I may have to move the other one.

2011-09-24T20:06:00.000Z

Margate: International Kite Festival. Lots of kites and very pleasant weather. Margate is definitely starting to grow on me.

2011-09-24T19:59:00.000Z

Margate: Strange birds.

2011-09-23T09:45:00.001Z

Canterbury: Steve welcomes one and all.

2011-09-23T08:39:00.001Z

Canterbury: Kent Food and Drink festival. Stall almost ready. Roll on the punters.

Yomp Fallout

2011-09-20T18:47:00.000Z

We all had a brilliant Yomp; there was lots of male bonding, a few pints of ale and some good, honest sweat. However, there were two sour notes. The first was Steve's trainers. These trainers have been on planet Earth since the dinosaurs were tearing up trees but, unfortunately, they walked their last steps on Saturday. Steve was devastated and will have to look for a replacement pair for next years Olympic Yomp. The second is Keith's feet. Keith powered his way around the isle but his feet are now retaliating. Large, ugly blisters are giving him grief and we wish him better.

Drumming

2011-09-19T16:53:00.000Z

And the award to the most serious drummer goes to........... Beth Stringer. Whilst down the harbour on Saturday, we popped in on the Firefly festival and Georgia, Beth and Jed each had a drumming lesson for five minutes. Top fun

2011-09-17T16:29:00.000Z

Pegwell: Yomp almost over.

2011-09-17T08:07:00.000Z

Broadstairs: Yomp on!

Isle of Thanet Yomp 2011

2011-09-14T20:08:00.001Z

On Saturday we will be yomping our way around Thanet. Steve, Kaiser Keith, Eddie and myself (and maybe even Deano) will be risking blisters and cramp for the satisfaction of completing a marathon walk of about 22 miles. Hopefully Parkes will be able to join us at some point, to inject the female point of view into our conversation. This will be the fifth time we have marched around Thanet and the event never seems to lose its appeal (well, maybe for Steve and myself).

2011-09-11T21:01:00.000Z

Dumpton Gap: Beth starts school tomorrow. Where did the time go?? The parents are quite chilled about this as she has already done the school-thing in Spain and she coped brilliantly. We think she is ready and will love it.

2011-09-08T14:35:00.000Z

Ash: It was the East Kent Golding hop harvest down on the farm in Ash today. The wheels of industry were turning rapidly early this morning and we were gathering large amounts of fresh hops for Gadds' Green Hop ale. A good crop this year? We'll have to wait and see, but the smell coming from the copper today suggests things should be just dandy.

2011-09-08T14:31:00.001Z

Ash: Ladies and gentlemen; I present to you the Hop Picking Machine.

2011-09-08T14:29:00.000Z

Ash: The hop picking machine hoists another vine skywards. There was a lot of romance in seeing a machine, used for many decades and for many harvests, cranking away. Did I feel safe? Yes, I think so.

2011-09-08T14:26:00.001Z

Ash: Drying the hops over hot air. Eddie looks on lovingly.

2011-09-06T20:25:00.000Z

Captain Dog's ears may be getting larger and hairier but they don't compare to this pooch. He'd have trouble trying to find headphones to fit him.

Singapore Noodles

2011-09-04T21:22:00.001Z

Over the last four evening I have solely eaten Singapore Noodles (3 M&S dishes and 1 courtesy of Mr Charles Oniye). I had better learn how to cook this dish as buying ready meals costs too much.

250g rice vermicelli noodles
vegetable oil
150g pork fillets , cut into strips
12 raw peeled tiger prawns , fresh or frozen
3 garlic cloves , crushed
2cm piece ginger , grated
1 onion , cut into thin half moons
1 red pepper , sliced
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
300g beansprouts
4 tbsp soy sauce
1 bunch fresh chives , chopped
4 eggs , beaten
2 red chillies , sliced
2 limes , quartered

Soak the noodles following the packet instructions and drain. Heat some oil in a wok and fry the pork until it is browned and just cooked through, tip onto a plate. Add the prawns and fry until cooked. Rinse out the wok.

Add a little oil to the wok and fry the garlic and ginger until light brown. Add the onion and pepper and cook until just beginning to soften, then add the spices and cook for a minute. Add the bean sprouts, noodles and about 2 tbsp water and toss everything together.

Add the soy sauce, some seasoning and chives and stir for another minute. Push the noodles to one side of the wok and drop in the eggs. Cook, stirring for 1 minute then stir through the noodles.

2011-09-01T14:14:00.000Z

London: Beth with crisps and film.

2011-08-30T18:15:00.000Z

Margate: Spent the last few days in QEQM Hospital getting Beth checked out. She hasn't been well and hopefully we are close to finding out why. Natalie, Linda and the rest of Rainbow Ward staff have been brilliant and hopefully it will be only a couple more nights before we are home.

Somewhere????

2011-08-28T09:55:00.000Z

Popped to the Monty on Saturday night for a couple of jars with Strings and found this double rainbow- beautiful..

End of Summer / Future Projects

2011-08-28T08:38:00.001Z

The summer seems to have fizzled out - intact I am not even sure whether we had a summer or not. However, I am really looking forward to the autumn months. I have lots of things that I am planning to keep myself occupied with;

1) The Isle of Thanet Yomp on September 17th is something that always challenges the body. Really looking forward to this and maybe we'll have some new yompers this year.

2) Improving my beer and brewing knowledge. We'll be brewing brews I have not seen or tasted yet like Dark Conspiracy and Green Hop Ale. Not to mention casking the Doppelhop.

3) I have just started my Linguaphone Spanish course which I bought 15 years ago and never started. The coursework itself was compiled in 1976 and really is quite different from 'modern' Spanish courses; it predominantly uses 'usted' rather than 'tu' and is very conservative. I am also listening to Radio Nacional de España each morning to improve my real flaw which is my listening/understanding.

4) I am hoping to start using my camera a little more in the autumn. With the trees turning all sorts of wonderful colours, it should present a good photo opportunity. Parkes also starts her camera course in September, so hopefully it is something we can do together.

5) Finally, we will be readying the house for the new arrival in February. Can't wait!!!

2011-08-24T07:08:00.001Z

Bier festival in Antwerp. Something definitely to aspire to.

2011-08-23T11:55:00.000Z

Ramsgate Brewery presents......Mr Clive "Atlas" Stow.

2011-08-21T16:17:00.001Z

Dumpton Gap: Busy afternoon (and a band too!) at the Gap.

Scan

2011-08-20T16:02:00.000Z

Parkes had her 12 week scan at QEQM on Thursday and got confirmed as being pregnant with kiddy number 2. Everything seems in order and we have another scan booked for October. Exciting times! Not sure how Beth truthfully feels about it but I'm sure it'll all work out. Beth starts school in a few weeks so I think her mind will be elsewhere.

Meanwhile, at work, everything is going really well. New seasonal brews are afoot and getting to smell and taste lots of new things.

2011-08-14T08:51:00.001Z

Dumpton Gap: Little Trev 1 Fitted Wardrobes 0

Too much

2011-08-13T15:33:00.000Z

When it all seems like a bit too much, just sit back, relax and catch some flies...

What's up Doc?

2011-08-12T20:09:00.000Z

2011-08-07T19:13:00.001Z

Dumpton Gap: It's a double first for Beth today. We picked up her glasses from the opticians earlier. She seems to be getting on well with them. Also, she is sleeping tonight without a nappy. Could be a wet evening but I reckon she'll be okay.

2011-08-07T06:47:00.001Z

Ramsgate: this time last week I was up with the lark, selling my wares at the Haine Road boot fair. I made £80 which was pretty good considering the rubbish I had.

Broadband Ahoy!!!

2011-08-04T18:21:00.000Z

And then there was broadband. And it was good. Finally we have a broadband connection at our house. God, it has been a long wait but finally our lives can continue as normal. It has been six weeks since our house move and we have done loads of stuff. Parkes has started her new job at M&S, which she seems to be enjoying. Beth and Parkes have celebrated their 40th and 4th birthdays respectively. I have been to the Kent Beer Festival and the Great British Beer Festival in London - both of which were thoroughly enjoyable. I have also been to the Open Golf championship which was wet and windy.

Beth starts school in September and we are in the process of purchasing uniform, shoes, name tags etc for the new term.

Meercat

2011-07-22T18:13:00.000Z

I now have my very own meercat called Beth, it's house trained, well almost.

Isle of Thanet Yomp 2011

2011-07-10T08:27:00.001Z

This year's Yomp will take place on Saturday, 17th September. Participants are Deano, Steve, Keith, myself, and this year Parkes, Eddie and Coyote Chris will be joining the throng. Hope the weather will be dry and the chat invigorating.

Messing about on the water

2011-07-05T16:47:00.000Z

Day at Herne Bay beach- what a scorcher!

2011-07-03T08:26:00.001Z

Hop Farm Festival 2011: Sheikh Abdullah Abdullah.

Exchanged!

2011-06-21T20:24:00.000Z

So, we have exchanged contracts and move on Friday (hopefully as we have changed our addresses on almost everything). We will be moving to a Broadstairs address but I still think it is more Ramsgate as it is on the Ramsgate-side of Dumpton Gap. It will be sad to leave our current house as we have many happy memories and it's where Beth spent her baby days. However, our new house will be a proper family house and it is still within easy reach of The Monty. Phew.

We have also just been to the information evening at Beth's new school. Scary times - where did those four years go?

2011-06-13T21:05:00.000Z

Castleton: Granny B took us all to Castleton in the Peaks. It's a lovely place with a good number of pubs and lots of walkery-types. We managed to dodge the showers and explored the town. We also took a drive through Winnat's Pass which was very pretty.

Beach hut

2011-06-01T17:35:00.000Z

Borrowed the Silks beach hut this week, Beth seemed to like it...

2011-05-30T17:36:00.000Z

Margate: Bikes, people, bikes, people, bikes, oh, and a steam fair. Loads of stuff going on in Margate and the seafront really had buzz about it.Great to see - let's hope the Margate phoenix will rise sooner or later...

2011-05-30T17:30:00.000Z

Margate: A nice day for a walk in Margate. It really does have a lovely beach.

2011-05-22T08:27:00.001Z

Ramsgate: Had a lovely morning at the Royal Temple Yacht Club open day. Martin and Jo, skippers of Magnum took Keith and I out on the water and showed us some sailing bits and pieces. Although I'm not sure sailing is for me, I really enjoyed the experience.

2011-05-20T19:57:00.000Z

Ramsgate: Beth making oatcakes.

2011-05-15T08:49:00.000Z

Ramsgate: Beth and a long-overdue appointment at the hairdressers. Lank hair out - fringe in. Looks so much better and she can now see!!

Updaaaaate

2011-05-10T17:59:00.000Z

Not much to report really (like always). I'm working very hard in the brewery but enjoying it. Parkes is still looking for work but things seem to be picking up. Beth has another ear infection and has more antibiotics. The Eurovision Song Contest takes place this Saturday. Oh, and we've bought a house in Broadstairs! There goes the neighbourhood.

2011-05-01T21:49:00.000Z

Cranbrook: Happy birthday Molly-Mae!!

2011-05-01T21:45:00.000Z

Cranbrook: Steve and Archie.

2011-05-01T21:41:00.000Z

Cranbrook: JC in touch with his soft side.

2011-05-01T21:34:00.000Z

Cranbrook: Joanna looking very grown-up.

2011-05-01T21:29:00.000Z

Cranbrook: Molly-Mae's 3 birthday party. Was a lovely event. Nice to catch up with JC, Kirsty, Tan and Steve.

2011-04-28T21:15:00.000Z

Ramsgate: Ellington Park in bloom. The blossom on the ancient isle has been fab this springtime.

PHEW!

2011-04-28T21:07:00.000Z

Finally we have broadband. God, I've missed it. So I can now start updating the Blog a little more frequently and posting some of those happy (and not so happy) snaps.

Life is moving so quickly at the moment. We have sold our house and are scouring the estate agents' files for a new home. Beth has started back at nursery school. Bekie has joined the gym. We have bought ourselves a second-hand Ford Ka which we think is great and have called it Little Trev - it was sold to us by Big Trev. My work at the brewery is going well - hard but rewarding.

Good luck to William and Kate tomorrow. Hope they have organised a decent DJ that doesn't play Frankie Goes To Hollywood all night.

2011-04-24T20:00:00.000Z

Ramsgate: Beautiful portery-type brew. Subtle flavours and gorgeous aftertaste.

Work

2011-04-23T12:10:00.001Z

Working at the brewery is great. It's hard, sweaty work but there is a great end product, great people and no bullshit.

Easter

2011-04-21T20:49:00.001Z

Planet Thanet Beer Festival looms like a giant jug on the horizon. Parkes will be working there tomorrow and I'll hopefully be there on Friday night. Over the weekend we'll be going on egg hunts and sneaking the odd beer. Hmmmmmm.

Ramsgate

2011-04-20T19:39:00.000Z

Someones please to be home...

Broadstairs

2011-04-20T19:37:00.000Z

Inbetween job hunting, Parkes has been busy down the beach, gorgeous...

Back In The UK

2011-04-17T20:53:00.000Z

We have been back in the UK for just over a week now and things are ticking over. I started work at Ramsgate Brewery on Monday and it's a fine place to work. Parkes is looking hard for work. We had our house valued on Saturday and will probably put it on the market by the end of this week. Beth went back to her old nursery on Thursday and enjoyed it - she'll be back for more this week. We still have no car but we seem to be managing. This coming weekend is the Planet Thanet Beer Festival and, hopefully, we'll be there.

In Summary

2011-03-29T21:02:00.001Z

Well, we are coming to the end of our second stay in Nerja. It has been eventful, sometimes a bit scary, but we will look back on this period of our lives with fondness. On Friday 8th April we will land in the UK and life will pick up again. Here are some of the good things and bad things about Spanish living;

Good:
1) Weather. South of Spain generally has a dry, hot climate and the winter has been very good to us.
2) Food. Love Spanish food. The fruit and vegetable produce is generally fresh and delicious, unlike the UK which most of the time has to import from further afield.
3) Fiestas. Spain loves to party and their celebrations are fabulously excessive. They work hard and party hard.
4) Community. We have felt part of a community here - something we haven't necessarily felt in the UK. Maybe that comes from us living in the south of England - I have detected more of a community feel up north.
5) Attitude. The Spanish have a fabulous attitude towards life - it can irritate some but the relaxed nature works for me.
6) Religion. I love the way the fear of the Catholic church seems to pray on the minds of the Spanish people. Religion stills seems to be part of many peoples lives here - even if they are not all regular church-goers.
7) Doctor's waiting rooms. Everyone says 'hello' when you walk in. Very friendly.

Bad:
1) Dog crap. Dog crap in the streets does seem to be much worse than at home. People just seem to tolerate it as part of life.
2) Recycling. Recycling food waste is well supported here. There are even bins for waste food products which I have not seen before (sure Spain is not the country that does this). The only trouble with this is that most people seem to put whatever they feel like in them - items such as furniture, dog crap, boxes etc etc. Not great.
3) Cost of living. Shopping costs pretty much the same as the UK. Not helped by the weak pound.

Last two weeks!

2011-03-27T10:00:00.000Z

2011-03-27T08:06:00.000Z

I think Beth is looking for more ice cream in the bottom of the cone..

2011-03-25T20:47:00.002Z

Nerja: Beth and Nat plotting something in the park.

2011-03-25T20:43:00.001Z

Nerja: Beth, post ice-cream and desperately needing a hair cut.

2011-03-25T20:39:00.001Z

Nerja: Picture from the carnival earlier in March. Two revellers dressed in police outfits. And a clown.

Altar

2011-03-20T08:58:00.001Z

Nothing like a sedate centrepiece when praying...

2011-03-17T17:25:00.000Z

Nerja: The weather is going to be twenty-something next week. What better a way to celebrate this but to build an ancient Britain fertility mound in the sand for my lady wife. What woman wouldn't appreciate such a gift.

2011-03-13T17:49:00.000Z

Nerja: Granny B departs for the final time tomorrow before we come home in a few weeks.

2011-03-13T08:54:00.000Z

Nerja: La Bodeguilla. Fab taps.

2011-03-13T08:52:00.001Z

Nerja: El jefe in Los Barriles. Best bar in the world.

2011-03-09T18:32:00.000Z

Almuñécar: Afternoon at the aquarium with the sharks and a dark seahorse.

Carnival

2011-03-05T20:09:00.000Z

One of the floats at Nerja carnival today, only just misses the dangling electric cables.

2011-03-05T13:48:00.000Z

Jerez de Los Caballeros: We visited Jerez de Los Caballeros in Extremadura. Lovely place, quite interesting. It was here in the thirteenth century that 13 knights of the Templar variety were beheaded for doing something naughty. It takes a very brave man to kneel and place his head on the block facing imminent death...

2011-03-05T13:42:00.000Z

Jerez de Los Caballeros: ...it takes an even braver man to eat fried tench. I remember my Dad and I catching these from lakes and gravel pits when I was young - they were always very slimy.

Morcilla

2011-03-03T21:05:00.000Z

This tapas is morcilla con cebolla which basically translates as mushy black pudding with caramelised onion on toasted bread. Three words come to mind. 1- heaven, 2- heart and 3- attack.

Tapas at the hotel

2011-03-03T20:58:00.000Z

We have sampled for the second night in a row, the most amazing tapas. Washed down with local wine, which has surprised us as it is very very nice. As you can see....

Pignuts

2011-03-02T21:16:00.001Z

The family is current holidaying in Zafra in the Spanish province of Extremadura. It is a wonderfully understated place, very charming and with fabulous cooking and wines to keep out the early springtime chills. We are staying in the Hotel Los Balcones de Zafra which is gorgeous and very friendly. Our chief aim of the trip was to sample the best jamón in the land and I think we have managed to accomplish this feat. Pics will be posted.

On arrival in Zafra

2011-03-01T21:03:00.000Z

Local wine to wash down some local food.

2011-02-25T19:59:00.002Z

Nerja: Zumo! The choice of drink for the discerning 3 year old.

2011-02-20T20:04:00.000Z

Nerja: Hottest day of the year so far - 21 degrees centigrade. We spent the morning at the donkey sanctuary and the afternoon at the beach (rude not to).