Lark Valley Trail

We, Bro' and I, set off today, along the public footpath that starts between Anglia bodyworks and the Somerfield Supermarket, along Mildenhall Road, at about 10am. Destination - Flempton Greyhound.

At the beginning of this trail, behind the Padley factory, there was a horrendous stench in the air. Not sure what the source of it was, but maybe you could blame the river and ditches being in flood.

The amount of water in the river was pushing through really fast, and we were starting to experience rain and sleet as we walked along the river Lark towards Fornham, (Fornham Sluice, above).

On from Fornham, behind Hengrave, we come to Culford and walk through the School grounds back down to the river, and this bridge spans the river (above), and the view down stream from the top of it (below).

Carrying on along the Lark Valley Trail (that goes all the way to Mildenhall) got a bit tricky not far from here. The Trail diverted us around a fenced off area, signed as a biological area for the school, through a very boggy field, where we needed to step/jump between clumps of reads to keep our feet out of water.

Having climbed over this style, first, out of this boggy field, I started to laugh at the next sign to greet us on the other side of the fence, much to my brothers puzzlement. " Why weren't we warned of this entering the field!"

Maybe this was what the smell was along the river behind Padley's.

Having emerged out on the road in West Stow, the church bells chimed twelve. We turned right, then left, and walked the road up to Flempton village, and to the Greyhound public house. Once in the pub, they had an open fire going in the public bar, and after a couple of pints of Woodforde's Wherry, my sister-in-law arrived to give us lift back.

No.5

Why Is Easter When It Is

Easter falls on the first Sunday, after the First full moon, after the spring equinox (March 21st). This can fall between 22nd March and April 25th.

No.5

Happy 50th Birthday Steve

Happy 50th Birthday Steve

In the Moreton Hall pub

No.5

Waiting Room Magazines

I had a check-up appointment with my dentist today, and picked up a Motorboat and Yacht magazine while I sat in the waiting room, and I have two different things to mention.
The first being, as I sat there thumbing through the magazine, I realized the person in "my" dentists chair (not the type you have alcoholic spirits squirted into your mouth) was a neighbour who lives across the road from me. When he came out of the room we shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and I jokingly asked him if he was having his teeth whitened (as does Jeremy Clarkson, about Richard Hammond, on Top Gear).
The second thing I want to mention is I've always dreamed of an ocean going motorboat. And I now know I need about £400k to have something a little bit luxurious, so I got a lucky dip for the lotto tonight, on top of the usual ticket I buy for each draw. Monaco here I come.

No.5

Food Poisoning

On the way home from Cambourne, on Saturday, we stopped off and got a takeaway which involved Chicken. There was some left over, and on Sunday night, about 8pm, I zapped it in the microwave oven, against my wife's warnings, and ate it.
Well boy do I wish I'd listened to her. At about 2am Monday morning, I woke up and didn't feel right, and not being able to get back to sleep, I thought I'd get up and watch a bit of TV to take my mind off it. I went back to bed at 3:30am, not feeling better but not any worse either.
It wasn't long though, before I was thinking that I would be better off in the bathroom, and in this situation, I was glad the hand basin is close to the Toilet. I was back and forth a couple more times, before I had to start getting ready for work at 7am.
When I got to work a fever started to affect me, the sort you get with flu, the alternate shivers and sweats. At 10am I left work, in the rain and gales, knowing that I could get the 83 bus home at 10:10 from outside Palmers. When I got to Palmers I was shivery so I stepped inside the store, I then felt like I was going to pass or black out, so I went back outside and the cold air helped, but was still feeling weak on my feet, and crouched down.
Then the bus didn't turn up ! I gave it 10-15 minutes after the bus was due to arrive, and walked to the Taxi rank. I look in the first cab, no driver, I look in the second cab, no driver, I go to the next cab parked round the corner of Specsavers and explain this to the driver and he blasts his horn, "he doesn't need to scare the crap out of me" I thought to myself.
"Can you just get me home please, I don't feel good" "they are probably in the betting shop" the cabbie replies, "I can't wait for them" I said, and he drove me home.
Once home I took some ibuprofen and zantac and took up residence on the sofa, with a blanket for the shivers, and wished the aching neck, headache and fever would go away.
I'm dozing off in the afternoon, and the house phone rings waking me back up, its a voice message reminding me I have a dental appointment on Wednesday, I know I have an appointment as I can't afford the fine for missing it !
I sipped some water occasionally and at about 6pm, felt I should try to eat something and I heated a can of soup and had toast with nothing on it, and had more ibuprofen. Thankfully the soup and toast digested ok.
I headed off to bed about 10pm, watched TV in bed for about 30 minutes, but still felt like I wouldn't be going to work the next day, but in the morning I felt much much better and went in, all day.

No.5

Cambourne

I went to Cambourne, today, with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew to visit a mate called Jon, his wife and three children. With the plan to leave the two women and children at Jon's house while my bro' Jon and I went to his local, The Monkfield Arms in Cambourne.

Here is the pub with the two of them loitering outside each window, while I get a picture for the blog.

Cambourne is a new estate with about 3000 houses, similar to the Moreton Hall estate, and still growing.

It is supplied by a large Morrisons supermarket, and has a small shopping precinct, which includes Chutney Joe's Indian takeaway, a Chinese, estate agents and other businesses.

We chose to meet up today, to coincide with the rugby (Scotland v England), and this trip was to replace the Christmas shopping trip that never happened due to Bro's illness at the time.
In the Monkfield Arms, while watching the rugby, a huge washing up bowl size tub of ravioli/chili-con-carne with ladle and plates was brought out for a local rugby team, drinking in the pub. It did smell good, but that was as close as we got to it.
After England lost the rugby, and a few beers had been drunk, we returned to Jon's and later my sister-in-law drove the four of us back to Bury.

No.5

Beans Means...

If you like the sound of Slow cooked Boston Baked Beans you have to click on the link and look at the recipe, it looks Grrreat. I came across these bloggers while searching for a sloe Gin recipe, and have been popping back to follow life at "their place" occasionally, since then.
I fancied a big dollop of them on my Pizza as I read about it.

No.5

Amusing Work Story (3)

I was serving a gentleman last week, with a transaction that requires the submission of two identical photographs with the application form.
He past everything through to me and I started to read through the form, and having read the first page, I turned it over to read the second.
Inside the second page, somebody (who the gentleman informed me was probably a work colleague of his) unknown to him, had gone to the trouble of making two identical photocopies of a Monkey, and post-it noted them to his form.
So I kindly pointed out to him that they unfortunately didn't look like a true likeness of him. Anyway he had his proper pictures with him so I was able to continue.

No.5

February 29th

There are a lot of things to question at about this date. The main one is obviously if you are born on it. When do you celebrate your birthday before the next "leap" year ? I would choose the 1st of March, because you weren't born on the 28th, and its the day after it.
Then each "leap" year, would you then think about condensing four years of parties into one biggie. Next, when you are applying for anything like a mortgage, insurance, goods guarantees and anything that requires a date of birth, are all computer programs geared up for this ?
Here is my next question, being male, women (apparently, for some reason) get the chance to propose marriage on this date. Why ? I did wonder whether it is because (females might like this) that us men need 1460 days to come up with a good reason between "leap" years, why not to take the plunge.
Anyway there are a couple of benefits I can think of about a "leap" year, you get an extra day on your road tax and TV licence. Any others you can think of, post a comment, cheers.

No.5

Moreton Hall Pub - Ember Inn - Photo update

Last night the pub re-opened at 7pm after its refurbishment, and with an invite to the preview and a free drink, I went along.

A smoking hut has been added near the rear door, the bar has been extended to the kitchen door, varnished and new pumps. The curved partition has been removed and replaced with a wine display cabinet.

New carpet and furniture throughout, and decorated inside and out.

It looks really good, and the prices have remained the same.
Verdict, very nice.

No.5

Where's George

I found a U.S $1 bill on Monday that had www.wheresgeorge.com stamped on it and the note serial number highlighted, L17630850L. So I decided to look up where Mr.Washington had been.
Having put in my location, serial number and issue date, the website tells me what exotic places this note has travelled around.
Lakenheath. Recorded at 0.4 miles per day to get to Bury St.Edmunds, since the one and only time it had been registered before. How disappointing.

No.5

Sloe Gin

I have been thinking about making some Sloe Gin. Although it is the wrong time of year to do so now, I thought I'd research recipes and methods and came across this Forum and a blogger who'd posted a recipe, called Cottage Smallholder.

Most of the recipes basically use these quantities

Using one empty 1 litre bottle

• add 400 grams of Sloe's, approx fill half the bottle
• add approx 150 grams of sugar
• top up with Gin, approx 500 ml

Remember to prick the sloe's, this should traditionally be done using a thorn from the Blackthorn bush, otherwise a cocktail stick or fork would do (Beware of staining to clothes).

Leave space for air in the neck of the bottle, so you can turn it occasionally to dissolve the sugar, and leave in a cool cupboard for a few months, 3+.

Many say the cheapest Gin will do, and you will need to filter into another container the resulting liquor, apparently coffee filters are good.

No.5

Bury St.Edmunds Pubs

I posted Seventeen pub pictures, and the Brewey, back on the 13th July 2007, on a picture trail slideshow. Today I decided to cycle around the other ten and picture the rest.

Along the way round on the route I took, I decided to take a couple of pictures of other places that have been developed in Bury. These are the town houses that now stand in Cotton Lane, where the Chicken processing factory was.

The first photo I took today was of "The Gaff" formerly the Ipswich Arms. Its now called or classed as a bar and grill, so decide for yourself if its still a pub or not. I've not been in there since its refurbishment, so I haven't made my mind up. These are the flats that now stand on Station Hill, across the road from Club Brazilia.
Cycling around taking the photo's was a funny experience, because people seeing you with a camera, seem to wonder what, and why, you are taking pictures of an unusual topic. I felt that while I was taking a photo, I may have been capturing someone who shouldn't have been there, on a weekday.
Having Photographed seven of the ten pubs I'd set out to photograph, I stopped at the eight for a pint. This was the Glad Abbot. I decided to stop here because it was the most out of the way one, for me to get to, and I was knackered by this point, and a rest was needed.
After a pint of Carling (£2.90) in there, I passed along beside the river linnet, which had ice on it in places, through the Horringer Court estate, down to the Spread Eagle. From there I headed up to Hardwick, and the Macebearer. It was tricky to picture the Macebearer, because of railings infront of it, the lower level of the car park the further you get back, and the low sunlight.

Having snapped this pub, I popped into Coral's on the Hardwick precinct, and had £2 on Climate in the 4.10 at Lingfield taking odds of 8/1,it won, paying me £18 back. With my local closed now until the 28th February, I met up with a mate in the Ramada hotel for another pint. I haven't been there for ages, and I forgot to take a photo.

No.5

Are You Man U You.

I met up with a bunch of people I know from the Moreton Hall pub tonight, which incidentally closes tomorrow night for about 10 days for refurbishment, to watch the Man U v Arsenal game, in the Queen's Head.

Before I went in the "Queens", I called into Corals betting shop and put £1 on Man U to win 5-0 and £1 on Man U to win 5-1. Now after about 65 minutes Man U were winning 4-0, much to the annoyance of the Arsenal supporters I'd gone with, who knew about my bet, and the Man U fans couldn't care less how many they were winning by.

So for 25 minutes I was pleading for one more goal, "D'oh", as Homer Simpson would say. The odds on those two bets were 100/1. So I lost £2.

No.5

Valentine's Day

I got 52 cards on Valentines day. I just need to learn a few games and how to shuffle them now. I surprised the wife with an MP3 player. She loves music and was a bit taken aback, I came up with such gift.

Not a massive outlay, just £13.22 inc p/p from Amazon. She's seen the invoice in the box it came in, which was big enough for the cat to get in, for such a tiny device. Its only 1GB but will hold up to 240 songs, so I've loaded it up with some of her favourite music, Poison, Guns'n'Roses, Bon Jovi.

No.5

Oh, For The Life Of a Cat

Here's my two, enjoying the sunshine today. "Jack" in his favourite spot, on the back of the armchair, and "Tiggy" watching the world go by.

No.5

Joke : What is Jargon ?.....

....its when you go out for a run after work, in Norfolk, (Jogging).
I was walking (not staggering) home from "the local" at tea/dinner time last night, on the footpath, when I rounded a bend near a roundabout, and was nearly bumped into by a Jogger. Yes he was wearing bright yellow, but I didn't see him coming until the last second.
To me the words fun and run should never be used, one to describe the other. And sometimes I see people "jogging", that I can keep up with walking. They puzzle me. Could it be an excuse to wear some uncool gear, or have they been horizontal jogging with someone they shouldn't be, and need to look sweaty when they get home.
I saw someone I know jogging once, I said "got your number, 118". He doesn't know the No.5 thing or he'd have the perfect reply.

No.5

Sudbury

I went to Sudbury today, with the wife, and we called in at "Roy's of Wroxham". I bought a sponge to wash the car with for 49p, a broom head for £1.49, and a pair of over trousers (waterproof) for £4.99 for cycling to work in, because every time it rains I get soaked in my old pair, which are now in the bin.

No.5

Superbowl XLII

I stayed awake last night to watch Superbowl XLII, (That's 42 if you don't know your Roman numerals). The game (between New York Giants v New England Patriots) kicked off at 23:30 UK time.
This features four periods of play lasting 15 minutes each, known as quarters, and the game finished at about 03:00 this morning.
This was not a problem because I have one week annual leave this week, but its just not football, or should I say "Soccer".
There's roman numerals, when there are no Italians involved. Shoulder pads, when there are no Dynasty actresses on the pitch. No need to touch the ball down, to score a touchdown, and about three and a half hours to play 60 minutes of sport.
If its designed to increase Beer and pretzel sales, it probably works in the US, but it drags on so long, on the wrong night of the weekend here in the UK, due to the time difference.
Who won ? the team that went 16-0 through the season ? No, the Giants did, in MMVIII

N0.5

Hand Wash

One evening last week I decided to hand wash my favourite merino wool jumper, along with another jumper that could probably have gone in the washing machine, but didn't want to take the chance of it shrinking.
Having rinsed out the kitchen sink, I put the plug in, ran the taps and added some colour care liquid, squished the jumpers around for a while, then left them to soak for a few minutes.
Returning to the sink I squeezed out the water from the jumpers and put them in the washing machine, first on a freshen up program that adds fabric conditioner, then on a spin.
Once done, I put each one on a hanger, and and hung them on a clothes hook, that goes over the top of a door, to air dry in the house, and they smelled great.
My favourite merino wool jumper I'd probably had for at least 6 years, and had always in the past been sure not to wear it if I was going to a pub (pre smoking ban) and it had never gone bobbly, with those little wool balls.
So when I got home from work the following evening, and looked at my jumpers hanging up, I was a bit annoyed, to say the least, to find at least a half a dozen small holes ripped in my favourite one.
The only thing I can think of, is that it was caused by the other jumper in the washing machine, because of jealousy (joking), no, because it has a metal zip I had left undone....GGGrrrrrrrr.

No.5