Well I've had a very pleasant and unusual Saturday today.
The mooselets were awake pretty early - always a slightly frustrating thing on a Saturday - but I always think that kids that want to get up and do things has to be good, right? They'll probably make up for it as teenagers!
Mrs Moose said to me in bed over a cup of coffee...why don't we go up to London today. The eldest mooselet has been doing the Great Fire of London - would be good for him to see the Monument and Pudding Lane.
So we went, did the fire stuff, including the 311 steps to the top of the Monument - extra weight training for the Moose as the littlest mooselet gave up after about 200 steps and needed to be carried the rest of the way. (Aside - he weighs 2 stone. If I compare the difference between walking up with him and without him, I am going to feel GREAT when I've lost another 2 stone!!!)
Then we went and walked around the outside of the Tower of London, saw Tower Bridge, ST Katherine's Dock, then took the river boat to Westminster, to show them the London Eye and Houses of Parliament. Queues were too long to go into the Aquarium or the Eye, so we headed back via Trafalgar Square and then a top deck bus ride back to Kings Cross.
Went out for a meal in Stevenage before getting home with 2 sleeping mooselets and having had a fabulous day. I had no alcohol and a double espresso, so I am now completely buzzing!!!
In short:
- the table for 4 was only just about big enough for 2 (not even the waiters could get to some of the tables)
- they took forever to take our order, bring our order, clear plates etc
- they were totally clueless about kids (no kids menu, no immediate offer of options, no straws for drinking etc etc) Ok it's not a family diner type of place, but you can only go to them so often...
- the mooselets pizza did not taste good at all.
- they finally brought me completely the wrong bill. If it had been small I might even have paid it and left!!! (actually unlikely - I can never seem to do stuff like that. I was embarrassed on Friday when the caterers were selling off their stock for 10p for all cans, chewing gum etc. I was buying a can for a colleague and a cup of tea for me. I jokingly said "Is the tea 10p too?" and she rang only 20p into the till and refused to take more!!!)
Do you know who it is yet???
30 comments:
Cathmel?
Gaby?
Don't know why but I'm sensing Matt from Rudgewick?
Moose - have just read Chapter 1 - fab. I've sent you some comment to say why I think that.
Everyone - hope the weekend is treating you well.
DWNB & Susan S - I've e-mailed you re possible Scottish meet. Remember Moose's offer to use his OAMC blog if we won't to.
Bye for now.
EG
Message for MfR:
I do apologise - I think I put an extra 'e' in Rudgwick.
EG
I think it's Anna
blimey - that's where you all are.
have been refreshing for a couple of hours on the last blog and at last I have hit the right button
right...let me see - the mystery blogger
...uuummmm
absolutely no doubt in my mind that it is Moose?
I love guessing games : )
absolutely no doubt in my mind that it is Moose?
I love guessing games : )
ooh, I hope two rights don't make a wrong?
EG (Scotland)
I hope the weekend is treating YOU well too : )
I rather like the 'e' in Rudgewick : )
Moose - your trip to London sounds lovely.
Mary - how are you this weekend xxxx
good nitol
x
Morning all,
A strange thing happened to me last night on the way to sleepsville.....
...I hadn't switched my 'phone off as one of my daughters was staying overnight somewhere (sleepovers for adults would be such fun). The 'phone rang at half midnight...it was a mobile number I didn't recognise, but as daughter was away I didn't hesitate to pick it up. It was a bloke who said ' hello.....my wife is just on her way'. That sort of comment seems to contribute to a common theme in my (failed) love life : ) Anyway, I hung up and then it rang again, same number, and I answered. This time it was a cab driver in Slough asking me if I had booked a cab!! When I said 'no'. He retorted 'Are you sure?' How bizarre. He was insistent that I was lying - I was insistent that I was lying in my bed, a few junctions down the M4, in my PJ's and really hadn't ordered a cab.
Friends, I believe that I posted an anecdote on here yesterday, which was prompted by a tune a heard on the radio. I fear lest the story will leave you feeling I am a desperate woman - in search of a male mate. Not so. The strange action I took with my younger ex-manager was about 6 years ago. I have grown up since then!! I am enjoying my singledom - by that I don't mean lots of dates and flaunting it. I mean concentrating on my kids and my family and friends. I have not had many relationships since me and ex-hub split up. Right now, I am really happy not being in one. I thought I had found 'the one' last august - but no. Anyway, just wanted to clear that one up.
little ms Gabs
xx
Moose
I am struggling to 'send' an email to you. It keeps saying the postmaster general (or someone or other) says that it has failed to transmit. GRRRRRrrrrrrrr
Gaby
Good morning friends xx
My first thought was Matt but then on examining the evidence ie the description you gave for he OMAC and the fact you like blondes I'm guessing that it is you Mr Moose.
EG - I would also be up for a Scottish meet. My email is marywkane@blueyonder.co.uk - you are all welcome to use my email.
Gaby - Thanks for you msgs. Hope you are well and enjoying your weekend. Strange events with the calls - hope he found his passenger!
I'm feeling fine thanks. Had my hair done yesterday, which always makes me feel good :-) Then the beauticians, the pain we put ourselves through :-)) and afterwards a touch of retail therapy, finished off with a cosy night in!
Today I do my befriending for the Social Work. Not sure yet what we will do, it's a young boy I take out and I usually let him decide, his life is controlled by family circumstances so its great for him to have a day where he gets to choose what he wants to do.
Update on wee Max - Doctor's think it is a viral infection but they are keeping him in to do more tests. Thanks again to all for their thoughts and prayers. xx
Moose - if you need anymore readers I would love a sneak preview.
Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.
Mary xx
Mary
So pleased you are feeling a little better.
It sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday. It is amazing how much 'the hair being done' helps me too. In fact as I was just drying mine I thought how much mine needs doing - especially if we are going to start playing 'guess the blogger' : )
I hope that is good news regarding Max; ie him having a viral infection, rather than something else. It is shocking how much those infections can take hold making everyone think it is something much more serious. I do hope he gets better very quickly.
Have a lovely day with your friend.
Gaby
x
What a good day out Moose... However it is always tinged a bit off when you have one of those restaurant experienced. We often have a day out in Newcastle... Son wanting to worship at the Shrine of St James, which as you can imagine is a bit of a trek from Ayrshire along the blooming awful A69...after 1.5 hours on the A74, but anyway I digress. Last time we booked at a restaurant...the service was abysmal, the food even worse, and I wrote to the restaurant (who didn't reply) and copied it to CEO.... TA DA. £40.00 voucher for another meal.... However the local branch of the restaurant which has just opened has had REALLY bad reviews in the press re "service and food". O M G. What are they doing wrong?
We go so wrong here in the UK with service industry. They really need to take a good look at US and see how to do it properly. All restauranteurs should be made to visit US and Sit in restaurants and be SERVED.
Hel
Only on for 2 seconds - should be getting dressed for church, but I'm still in bed and Charis is playing with the water in the bathroom!
I think it's Mary!
Back later! Will get in touch with all re Scottish meet!
Hugs, Susan <><
Changed my mind. I think it's Hazel. Is there a prize!?
That's us dressed and scrubbed and heading out the door!
Will we be seeing any photos of the trip to London?
DWNB
So agree with what you said about service. There just doesn't seem to be any pride anymore. The attitude seems to be 'job done' and 'who cares how'. Well, WE, THE CUSTOMER, care!!! : )
I have always had jobs which entail communicating with the public and maybe that's why poor service annoys me even more.
Re. the blogger pic - in the words of that great philosopher, Shaggy, "It wasn't me".
Gaby
Aftrenoon Moose! How was your morning? Charis wanted to go by trike to church, so it was a brisk walk! Communion today and a guest preacher - very moving!
Glad you and the family had such a fun day on Saturday. I remember doing the Great Fire of London when I was in Primary school! Where is the Monument? We'll need to look out for that on our next trip down.
Charis is now 2 stone too ... you freaked me out saying that's equivelant to what you need to lose! You and me both!
Haven't been on a river boat either. Do you get a good view of everything? Sorry the restaurant was such a disapointment - and well done for complaining! I've posted a link below from our last trip to London.
http://www.xanga.com/Citril?tab=weblogs&fid=0&nextdate=12%2F5%2F2006+1%3A49%3A31+PM&direction=n&bflag=
EG - I'll get onto dates for a meet of the Scottish branch!
Mary - adding you to my OAMC folder for emails! Glad that you had such a good day yesterday. Continuing in prayer for Max - it's such an emotional rollercoaster when wee ones are ill. Enjoy your day out with your wee pal.
Gaby - you could never come across as a desperate woman!
DWNB - we have Ayrshire relations living in Newcastle! Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo!
Good afternoon friends
Just back from a fab day in London.
We stayed at a swanky Mayfair hotel and went to see 'We Will Rock You'. Wasn't sure if it was going to be my cup of tea - I don't mind Queen, but I don't like 'musicals' - but it was rather good actually.
We then had dinner with the work team at a 'private dining club' before heading back to the hotel for a nightcap and some late night entertainment watching drunk celebs falling out of Nobu.
Moose. Will give you my feedback later.
Please put us out of our misery by revealing the identity of the dashingly handsome man and his beautiful lady!
MfR
Matt,
I think you've just given the game away!!!!
Well done to EG who correctly spotted Matt from Rudgwick and the lovely Mrs MfR!
No prizes this time.
Will try to get some London photos on later, but at the moment I have one pressing priority...TAX RETURN.
Have to get it submitted today.
Cheers
Oh, this is so exciting! only half way through Ch1, but you've gripped me already! I hope you don't mind - hubby is an avid reader too so I'm letting him have a read. You've got a winner there, Moose! I would pick this one off the shelf!
“Oh, can we be in your book, Moose?” asked Susan excitedly.
:)
wow...EG(Scotland) - well done for guessing Matt and his beautiful lady.
I love games - what's next?? : )
Tax return - ewwwww, 'orrible Mr 'udson, just 'orrible.
Susan S - thank you so much for your reassuring comment that I couldn't come across as one clutching at straws. I think I was reassured by the exclamation mark at the end of the sentence? : )......
We have just had a lovely, bracing walk along the Thames - not all the way along, you understand, just the posh bit at Henley. There is a tea-hut there on the grass next to the tow path. It's simplicity is just wonderful. You can sit inside if you prefer, or outside. The place is spotless. It is simple, the service is awesome (!) and there is a lovely paradox (not sure if that is the correct use of the word) brought about by it's presence in such a posh place as 'enley-on-Thames. You can even have chips if you like - and, whatever the weather, the brown and red sauces are always positioned outside on a spotless table, for your convenience : )
The fresh air has made me sleepy - and the fairies don't seem to have carried on with the domestic chores while we were out, so , somehow I need to summon the energy to get the rest done. : )
Have a lovely evening friends.
gaby
x
Sorry Moose, vanity got the better of me!
That was a particularly sunburned MfR with Mrs MfR in Dubai, April 2006.
Well done EG (Scotland), I shall present you with your prize at the 2007 Global OAMC Convention (venue tba).
OK, who's next to reveal themselves?
Consider the gauntlet thrown down.
MfR
Matt! The minute I read your comment I knew it was you! What are you like!? lol Glad you had a good time in London.
Gaby - what a lovely day you've had! And yes ....it was a positive exclamation mark!
bummer. I didn't get it. huh. No point in me submitting me, cause I'm on my own web and if you've visited you'll have seen me already.
DWNB
Woooooohoooooo. That's probably the first competition I've ever won. Bring it on.
MfR - I've started to write my acceptance speech for the 2007 Global OAMC Convention already. Thinking of the Oscars and the Emmys - what will I get - will it be a Moose or a Googly (or is that cricket?!).
I'm scooting off now - early night. Road work problems mean that I'm up at 5.15 to leave at 6.15 to be in work for 7am - the only way to avoid the jam. This is the third week of such nonsense and the bags under my eyes are now at my knees.
Enjoy what remains of the weekend everyone - and have a good week.
Cheers.
EG
Bugger.
I was going to say MfR, and then instead of just doing it, I read all the comments.
Bugger.
BUT? Does Mrs MfR known that she has been revealed to us all in all her beautious loveliness? OR NOT?
Following on from Chapter 2, I could now walk up to either of them (or indeed be sitting next to them in Cheers) and say 'Hallo, you are Mr and Mrs MfR!'
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