Aug 2008 a

Note: It's Jen here... I should say first off, the following is pretty Jen-centric, since Steve isn't here to help fill in his side of what happened this fortnight.

Sun 03 Aug 2008
This afternoon Steve, Jen, Soph and Kev all headed over to Edith and Nick's place. The boys did a trip to the rubbish tip and once they returned, we sat about chatting amiably, and later on enjoyed a tasty dinner thanks to Edith. The trip to the tip was the main reason for coming over, as Edith and Nick had been told the landlord was trying to sell their flat. Subsequently, a few days after this, they've been informed the flat will be on the market for 2 months, after which, if it hasn't sold, they'll have the option to sign on for a further year's lease. Fingers crossed for them.

Mon 04 Aug 2008
It's our 7th Wedding Anniversary! So we stayed home in the evening and enjoyed each other's company.

Wed 06 Aug 2008
Jen visited the chiropractor for her monthly 'adjustment', mainly to crack her neck back into place again. Steve (if we recall correctly) went to the local SCA fighter practice. (an easy 15 min drive from home)

Fri 08 Aug 2008
So today is 08/08/08! The Chinese kicked off the Olympics today in grand style. This evening Jen watched the Olympic opening ceremony (which Edith had recorded) with Edith and Genevieve(Elizabeth), while all the male counterparts enjoyed a "beer and beer" outing. They went to the Beer Festival at Earl's Court, run by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ales). The men-folk had a very fine time indeed!

Sat 09 Aug 2008
We spent the weekend together all four of us (with Soph, and Kev). Trips into and exploring town.

Mon 11 Aug 2008
Tonight Jen phoned her Dad to wish him a very happy birthday.

Tue 12 Aug 2008
Today Jen carried out a 'team building' afternoon for her workmates, visiting three inner city gardens. It was a little bit of orienteering, getting to each surprise 'hidden' garden location, and also fun doing team bonding activities in each garden. The first garden visited was Barnsbury Wood Nature reserve, Islington. It's less than half a hectare, but a lovely slice of wilderness in the city. It's open 2-4pm Tues and Sat. It's surrounded on all sides by the back of terraced houses. In Spring apparently it has a stunning carpet of native Blue Bells, so we'll be heading back there next year.

Above: Jen's workmates in Barnsbury wood.
The second garden is a very short walk from St Pancras Eurostar train station. It is Camley Street Nature Park, 2 acres in size, and is on the banks of Regent's Canal.


Above: The team trying to figure out a string trick.
The final garden we visited was St Dunstans-in-the-East, a short walk from Monument tube. Edith showed Jen this one ages ago, and what a beauty it is! This Christopher Wren church was ruined in WWII and later turned into a public garden.



Tonight we had Choir practice. Jenni (from Jen's work) turned up for the 1st time (hopefully not the last) and sung really well with us.

Thu 14 Aug 2008
The first gift Jen got for her 33rd birthday (today) actually was given two days ago by workmate Jenni. Knowing full well that Jen isn't fond of framed embroidery art, Jenni gave her this fridge magnet she made herself. So, while the thought was there, it also wasn't!!! :-)

Soph gave Jen a card, some vouchers to a great fashion shop, and also Coldplay's latest CD!!! Steve gave Jen a fun bubble making gun (below)


....and Steve also ordered a DVD set she's been wanting for ages and ages (Alain de Boton's 'A guide to Happiness'). She got a bouquet+card from her workmates, and finished the workday with an eye exam, and thankfully doesn't need glasses yet.


Sat 16 Aug 2008
To celebrate Soph's birthday we took her out to Les Miserables! She was well pleased.




Sun 17 Aug 2008
Soph's 25th birthday! She had a selection of friends come around for a full-on breakfast feast.


Above: Nick and Edith, Jenni (from Jen's work), Soph, Kev.
In the afternoon Soph, Kev and Nick headed into town to check out the National Portrait Gallery.
Jen helped Steve pack for his 6 days in Australia. He's off to spend time with his Mum and enjoy her 80th birthday party with the family!
The 3 wanderers were back later in the afternoon in time to farewell Steve, and Jen drove him to the nearest station to see him off.