Phantom of the Opera, again, LOL

Yesterday, myself and Keith gave ourselves an early Xmas present.
We went up to London to see The Phantom Of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre.
We had originally brought front row tickets in the balcony, from previous experience of the show, the higher you are the better view of the special effects you get, yes we have seen it over a dozen times, mostly in Las Vegas.
We were moved by the theatre to what they said were better seats, I guess they did not need to open the balcony up as it was a matinee, and not fully sold out.
The seats we were given were in the second row of the Grand Circle, more expensive, but very disappointing, as you could not see the front of the stage, and with just one person in front of you, if they leaned forward, our view was nearly blocked completely.
So if you intend going, be careful where you actually purchase your seats.
The performance itself was as amazing as ever, thankfully the music overrides the need to actually see the performance.
2 roles were the best we have ever seen, Christine and Carlotta, and I have to mention the orchestra, they do not get as much praise as I think they deserve.
All in all a great day out, but such a shame such a great musical is in a theatre that does not do it justice, mind you it still regularly sells out, just wonder how many people would return if located in a better theatre.
We were obviously spoilt by the Las Vegas show and purpose built theatre, sorry to say the show has now closed in Vegas.
Keith has now got to put up with me singing some of the songs from the show, he says earplugs are needed, LOL.

Frankfurt Xmas market

Not everything you see can really be true, we had a wonderful day out at the Frankfurt Xmas Market, seeing young Jake so excited was great, so many stalls, nearly blew the diet, wonderful donuts, chocolates, cakes, and that was just the sweet items.

Many other stall selling savouries, but they were not as much fun, LOL.

Other stall were selling fancy items, very nice.

Now you might have wondered just how we managed Frankfurt in a day, well we cheated, this xmas market is now on in Birmingham, England, just over an hour from us on the train.

Jakes new hat also caused a few laughs, cheeky chappy.

Really good day out.

Storm Sandy

Our thoughts and prayers are with all our friends in the US and Canada that have been affected by the storm.
Maureen and Keith

Breast charity bears

A very big thank you to those who supported my charity auctions this year.
Both bears have now found loving homes in the USA.
The total raised was over £115, again, thank you very much.

Breast Cancer Charity bears

You are so kind and generous.
A BIG thank you to Deb who adopted Miles on Ebay and raised over £89 for the Charity.
Morgan, who is now on Ebay, finishes on Sunday, I hope she finds a lovely new home.
Thank you
Maureen

Miles, Breast Cancer Charity bear on ebay

Miles is now Ebay, as my Breats Cancer Charity bear.
item number 251163340937

Thank you for your support.

Bletchley Park, amazing place to visit

Myself and Keith have often said about visiting Bletchley Park, it is only around 20 miles from our home, but have never actually made it , that is until yesterday.
What an amazing place, so much more that just a secret location for code breakers during the 2nd world war. That part of the park was really mind blowing, the machines were so cumbersome, yet so very effective. Very interesting reading about some of the people who were at the park during the war, including Ian Fleming, 007's writer, so know we know where his ideas came from.
There is so much to see, including probably the world largest collection of Winston Churchill artifacts, truly vast.
The old Post Office was set up as it would have been, days in days gone bye.
So much to see and take in, another visit is now due soon, especially as when you buy your main entry ticket is lasts a year, for as many visits as you want, what a great idea.
A real thought provoking visit, can't recommend it highly enough.
Well done to everyone involved.

Jake - happy 4th birthday

All dressed up in his SWAT uniform Jake is still fascinated by bubbles, and the trip with him to the Natural History Museum was well worth it, although he did change back to normal clothes to go there, LOL

Olympic park, what a day

Firstly, sorry about the photo of Keith doing a "mobot", something a two time gold medalist GB runner does after his races, well done Mo Farrah.
What a day, we had arrived at the railway station just got all the tickets and were waiting for Keith's son, his partner and our grandson Jake to arrive.
Keith's phone went and his son said his car had just blown up and caught fire on the motorway, can I come and collect them.
Off we went and realized that the car was only half a mile from the exit junction, and we had to drive all the way up to the next junction, then come back on their side of the motorway, got there picked them up and went to the nearby service area to await the car recovery service.
They told us to go and enjoy the day at the Olympic Park and they would return home in a pick up truck.
Well, Jake thought it was great, a trip in a pick up truck all the way home, my son and I were not so happy as it meant him getting anew car...
Feeling a little guilty we went up to the park, what an experience, we have never seen so many people in one place, everywhere you looked there were thousands of other visitors.
We had a great time and although crowded there was plenty of room for everyone.
Really good seeing the park and all the now famous sights there including the Gloriana, which was used in the Queens celebration.

Now we are both busy getting ready for Hugglets, London teddy fair this weekend.
If you are going please come and say hello.

great day out at zoo

What a scorcher of a day, real fun taking Jake to the zoo, at nearly 4 years now he took everything in and completely wore out me and Keith.
From the top photo he was on his dads shoulders watching the penguins being fed. When he got down he came out with the saying that he had fizzys in his leg, he had in fact got pins and needles, LOL.
I loved seeing the bears, and they looked so healthy, a real chance for everyone to see them for real.
A great day out, rather expensive, but worth it.
Now for a day of rest to recover, a nearly 4 year old has far more energy than I have, LOL

barbara's collection

Thanks to Barbara from Coventry for sending this photo of her mawspaws creations

Olympic Torch Relay

What a very special time, Myself and Keith were so lucky to have witnessed the torch coming through our town of Aylesbury.
The crowds where we stood near Stoke Mandeville Hospital were amazing, so many had turned out, and all in great humour.
Well done to all the torch carriers including
Jessica Gibb nos.77 and to Neil Heslop nos.81 and his helper.
A very special thanks to everyone who has organised this and to all the police involved, a job really well done.
Bring on the Olympics now.

Smile

Hi, I have just added my latest creation on to my website, she is called, Smile, I hope you like her.
Bearst wishes, Maureen

back from break, wonderful old bridge

Whilst we had a short break in Newmarket, we came across this medieval bridge, which was to help pack horses across a ford when it was flooded.

After all the rain we have had recently we were surprised to find that there was no need to use the bridge.

Myself and Keith were up and out by 6am every day so that we could watch the race horses on the gallops, we spoke to many of the top trainers, who were all so friendly, and saw a few famous horses preparing for Royal Ascot, we even saw the Queens horse Carlton House, pictured above with Jamie Moore the top jockey, trained by Sir Micheal Stoute, who was himself in fine form, although slightly out of tune with his singing, LOL, the Queen was busy so she missed the early morning start.

We did miss Black Caviar, an Australian wonder horse, she came out at 430 in the morning, to early for us.

Sea, Seals, Horses plus, our April break

Myself and Keith have just returned from a short break, we visited my sister in Sutton on Sea, and also visited Newmarket, a major horse training venue.

Whilst we were at my sisters we went to the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary. What a fabulous place to visit, not only rescued seals but many other animals including many birds of prey and also the owls that are in the photo above, should you be in the area it is really worth a visit.

The sea was very rough and not a day to sun bathe on the long sandy beach.

Whilst at Newmarket we got up early and saw the horses working on the gallops, the photo above shows one naughty horse that managed to get loose, happy to say he was soon caught and not injured. What a sight, race horses everywhere.

We also did a tour of The National Stud, very interesting, especially because there were plenty of foals to admire.

Now it is back to work, so new creations will be on the website soon.
If you want to see more photos, yes, as usual Keith took a lot of them, the link is below.

http://photobucket.com/aprilbreak2012

War Horse - New London Theatre

Just returned from London after see the stage version of this amazing production.
The puppetry is 1st class, so much so that you only take in what the horses are doing and don't really see the people being so clever that move the horses.
A very thought provoking show, in a very small and friendly theatre.
A wonderful night out.

spring flowers and Phantom

At last some wonderful colours and plants are appearing in the garden, the white daffodil above is glorious.
If you saw the Phantom of the Opera 25th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall recently on the TV here in the UK, wasn't it great.
I had a surprise when Keith brought me the DVD , so now we can watch it without all the adverts.
It is my favourite musical and this production is just magical.

Not much work being done, LOL

With spring coming, Keith has found some great wildlife live webcam, we have been watching a great tit making her nest in a nesting box, and also watching Peregrine falcons, absolutely fascinating, but not good for getting jobs done.
The link below is for the bird boxes

https://www.wildlifewhisperer.tv/live-cams/1234

This link below is for Peregrines

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversity/falcons/index.html?campaignid=falcons#

Spring is here

At last, we feel as if the winter has gone, and spring has sprung, and Yipppppeeee, flowers in the garden.

Ive let Keith go into the garden

Here is a sneek preview of what Keith looks like when he is doing the gardening, LOL

Only joking, Keith does not have a beard.

I have always wanted a gnome for my garden and luckily we won Gnomeo in a prize draw.

He is looking for his Juliet, but she is proving hard to find.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

could spring be here

The first flowers of the new year have made an appearance in the garden, I hope it is the sign of things to come, such a wonderful time of the year.

I cant wait to get back into the garden.

Happy 30th wedding anniversary

Wishing my sister and her husband a very happy 30th wedding anniversary, congrats.

in choccy heaven, LOL

I promise not to mention my birthday anymore, but just had to show you what has just arrived, a large box of wonderful chocolates, yummy, and blow the diet, LOL.
Thanks Keith, Martin, Leona and my little man Jake.
Its now back to work after a great 4 day birthday party.

Thank you

A really big thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes, I really do appreciate them, Thank you, does not really put it in words, but they all mean so much to me.
I have really been set up by Keith and my sister Elizabeth, what with the newspaper announcement, then to my great surprise, Elizabeth turned up at my front door to come and stay for a couple of days. She has taken me shopping and tonight the 3 of us will be having a nice meal.
I had some wonderful presents, and have been told that the postman is bringing some more later on in the week, can't wait.
The bad news is that I can't get my bus pass for a couple of years yet, what a cheek, changing the rules when you get older.
Thank you all so much.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

me and Maureens sister are in trouble, LOL

Keith here, I do not know how this appeared in our local paper, LOL.

You wouldn't believe this was Maureen when she was much younger, hehe.

Thanks to Elizabeth for the photo, hopefully that gets me out of some of the trouble, or else no tea for me today, LOL

Happy Birthday