Keep Calm!

To all my family and friends wherever you are this evening, have a peaceful New Years Eve x

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Pops On The Decks

What a find yesterday! Pops on the decks in his broadcasting DJ days back in the late 60's in Malta.

For all u budding DJ,s this is how it's done and Pops if u whip out your headphones you could do it all over again tonight seeing in the New Year in Malaysia!

Happy New Year Ma & Pops, enjoy the firecrackers and mayhem that can only be Cactus! X

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When Priscilla Wed Pops!

Couldn't find this earlier, but amazing what abit of domestic slavery can find!

Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary Ma & Pops! X



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45 Glorious Years!

Yep posh n becks aka Ma n Pops have reached another milestone today...their 45th wedding anniversary!

Two gorgeous children and one gorgeous grandchild later who would have thought it!

We may be far away from you today as you eat cake, play scrabble and bask in Malaysian sunshine but we're thinking of you and are sending lots of love.

Congratulations on this very very special milestone xxx



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A Little Older

The birthday boy is still in bed after a night on the tiles last night pre birthday via a curry house with some of his workmates.

Obviously older but not wiser. Me thinks his head is a tad sore this am after the early morning run for the headache remedies!

Happy birthday das captain!


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A Right Nautical But Swooper Day

This was the view yesterday as we took a stroll post our lobster and fishy fest across Plymouth Hoe.

The rain stopped so we took a route march to walk off what we had eaten. Flat calm day except at the breakwater where it was totally submerged and waves crashing across.




Das captain and his new gopro hero 3!


We had a great day yesterday, das bot looked festive and we all got into the spirit of it over some bubbles and beer.







Very quiet here on the marina, just as we thought it would be, hopefully today we,ll crack open the swails and get a spin out across the sound, now that would make it a perfect Xmas.



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Merry Chrinklemouse 2012

In true form it's blowing a hooley here, wind howling and rain lashing down!

To all my family and friends wishing everyone a very peaceful Christmas wherever you are x

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Deck Das Bot With Tons of Holly...

Quiet run down this evening post work into a very quiet marina.

She may not be decked out with holly but she is as warm as toast and well stocked now for the festivities bar the main course which is coming down with the in-laws tomorrow as its too big for the fridge!

We have a tree (albeit) a small one and the usual farce as at home with bulbs not working but it's glowing now.

No sprouts or veg to prep just chilling before popping out later for a beer and maybe some good old Barbican fish n chips! Perfect!

Merry Chrinklemouse Eve everyone from us all aboard RedSnapper x

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Tinsel

I have a total allergy to this stuff and thank the stars that it's only a once a year job. It's like parsnips, the devil incarnate.

At work I have politely declined to enter offices adorned with it, for fear of coming out in a rash. It just doesn't do it for me I am afraid.

No tinsel in our house, not now or ever. Apologies all you tinsel lovers everywhere.





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Water Water Everywhere

This was the scene at the family home village yesterday in Braunton.....carnage as the flood defences were broken and the river poured in.

Just up the road from these scenes is where my parents live, luckily their house and the rest of the close is ok. Made for a few scary moments from their sunbeds in Malaysia!







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You Would Think That The End Of The World Is Nigh

Mayan came and went and we all survived but you wouldn't think so here in Exeter today!

It's bonkers with everyone on a mission, me included but I am just passing through. The monsoon rains (yep it's miserable) and the river full to about to burst have not deterred anyone at all. It's going to be an awful Xmas for some as there is more rain to come and I can't see a flood being avoided again.

Whilst I sort the final bits for chrinklemouse das captain has gone to see if das bot is still ship shape after being neglected over the last few weeks and check/ turn up the heating so it's as warm as toast when we arrive on chrinklemouse eve.

At this rate we,ll be going down the A38 on the ark.




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Mega Wrap!

Phew....... well almost as there still is more to do! At the crack of sparrowfart I started and when my in-laws arrived to assist das captain with the guttering I had another cellophane holder helper aka my Ma-in-law to speed things up.

I love wrapping and the collections of ribbons, cellophane , bags and wrapping paper over the last year have come into full force today.

I have wrapped for blighty but all looking good with just the sloe gin to bottle and sort next weekend!

Nautical But Nice produce despite the lack if it this year is looking mighty festive!
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Chrinklemouse Work Party

Cracking night had by all last night @ The Olive Tree. Some of us may have got there with moments to spare and slightly harassed from the joys of a hospital creaking at the seams from norovirus but that didn't dampen the Christmas spirit.

Vino flowed, fodder fab and the most amazing pass the parcel game that almost lasted the whole night and had us in stitches.

NHS times are tough at the mo and will be much much tougher next year but there is nothing like a good bit of r n r with a fab team to let your hair down, recharge the batteries in time to get back to hostilities on Monday!



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Darn Those 'Copters

It's now an official epidemic in our family and spreading.

We are on babysitting duties this evening for the gorgeous George but he is not so gorgeous at the mo as he is flying a zupped up copter over my head and trying to land it on my head.......for a laugh!

Das captain has copter envy as G,s is a better version than his plus the fact that an eleven yr old has superior copter flying skills than him!

U did start it das captain.......
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The Elusive Cranberry

Fresh ones or even frozen cranberries have been very elusive this year, symptom of the weather I am sure like most produce this year. Having almost given up on finding any, I spied some yesterday on my saturday travels (fresh) and bought the lot.

Cranberry and Cointreau relish.....done...this afternoon and jarred up. Irony of it was as I was hubbling and bubbling in the kitchen the phone went, a friend who knew I was on the hunt for some to say she had found some frozen ones....spooky!

The relish is one of my fav recipes, we had some last week as part of our family Xmas. That one was a year old now and just scrummy.

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Chrinklemouse Markets

They are all the rage these days and the one in Exeter has had a revamp. It's nothing like the traditional ones I used to go to all those years ago when I lived in Germany but the revamp onto cathedral green is an improvement on what there was before.

It was heaving yesterday as the flocks gathered, you would have thought the world was coming to an end including running out of gluwein!

The aromas in the air were lovely on a very cold and crisp day, the selection on the food stalls were fabulous and where the majority of the flock spent their time.

Worth a visit, had heard mixed reviews, it's here until the 16th and then the battered old green will be left in peace.

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Wrapped Up & Ready To Go

It hasn't quite been the usual marathon cake baking bonanza this year as just haven't had the time, but two chrinklemouse cakes decorated last night and wrapped plus a few more cakes baked for good measure.

Love making chrinklemouse cakes and nurturing them. Used the same old favourite made with cider brandy but for the second used some Tia Maria that was lurking around.

Lovely dark texture and colour to it and it smells absolutely delicious even though I can't stand the stuff!

A couple of hampers to wrap with all things Nautical But Nice now and then I am off to do my bit for charity today....

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Frosty

It's quite magical at the top of the mountain this morning, thick frost and beautiful sunrise.

No sign of the gritters, no surprise there and thick coat and scarf for me as its brrrrrr.

Das parents should just be landing in KL after jetting off into the sunset last night on the A380 for their winter vacation. We had a great family Xmas lunch on sat with everyone, including the usual disputes over rules in the logo game!

Won't be long now until we join them, it may be two months away but time will fly as we are in the thick of it at work as winter pressures kick in.

Job list for the rest of the week is chrinklemouse cake decorating as its the annual Xmas fayre in sat and I have not been my well organised self this yr.

Wrap up warm though more frost and possible snow to come, at least for me there will be some sunshine at the end of it.



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Ssshhh....Secret Santas About

Part 2 of the festive season officially begins tomorrow....yep it's our family Xmas. Das parents are galavanting off to the far east for a few months for their annual vitamin d, we shall join them for their last few weeks.

So tomorrow it's Xmas at my sisters with festive cheer , food and off course the annual treat that is Trivial Dispute.

Highlight is Secret Santa, we don't do presents for all any more just Secret Santa, mine is fab and oh boy am I going to be in sooooooo much trouble!

Looking forward to catching up with everyone and getting into the festive spirit.

Italian Christmas

Yep the festive season has officially started for us! On a very soggy Sunday it was over to the cousins for a swooper roast lunch and catch up with family that are over from Italy. So not quite the true traditional Italian Christmas, but fab nether the less.

No game of Trivial Dispute this year but the Logo Game, where team Roffe / Pucas Pidley thrashed the Jacks in a non competitive way of course despite being made to answer the last round of questions...once no twice!

Great afternoon, swooper food and of course being with family which is what it's all about.

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Sad News

The rain has reeked havoc overnight here in Exeter with river levels rising again and banks breaching. Exmouth flooded and cut off as well as some of the peripheral villages.

Worse though is a 20 year old has lost her life walking home late last night after a tree fell on her just outside the main city centre.



The rain has stopped for now, let's hope it stays that way, one lost life is too many.

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Wet N Miserable

It's all abit wet and miserable here in Blighty. Bracing ourselves for what the elements will bring today again although we are safe here at the top of the mountain. As we go down though towards the river you can see the torrents that are having difficulty in containing themselves.

It's grim and it's been tough for large numbers of Devonians this week, here's hoping this weekends forecast doesn't live up to expectations. No swailing for us, just keeping well wrapped and warm.

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Girls Night Out

We will be tame racing drivers tonight as it is a school night but it is a special occasion. So early doors tonight post work, the ladies will be off to celebrate....41 years sis, here is wishing you a very very happy birthday!


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An Ode To French Toilets

As we have left port I thought it safe to discuss the one issue that has provoked the most indignation and laughter from us both all week.

La toilettes francais are in a world of their own.

Our observations :

Don't expect to find them where they are signposted, they won't be there.

There is no such thing as separate male and female toilets, in my experience all week they are unisex and don't expect the locks to work as interruptions from the opposite sex is the norm.

Light switches are not put in the usual place and you may end up incontinent trying to find it or caused yourself a head injury tripping over the toilet in the dark.

The doors open the wrong way round ie outwards.

This is one that caused most indignation from das captain, 220 volt sockets next to sinks with leaky taps.

The decor is either loud (that's if you find the light switch) or some 70,s floral pattern.

The flush invariably is some homemade gizmondo that takes several attempts to be successful.

It is an experience but we both feel wiser and enriched as a result and have survived!



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Location:La Manche

Homeward Bound

Well we've had our last supper in France although about to head out shortly for la petit dejeuner before hitting the hypermarket.

Super last night was in a quaint bistro in the old time. We ventured away from all things fishy for a change well almost das captain opted for an assiette de peche which included the customary fish soup which we have come to love over here. Swooper steak and heavenly pudding we were well feasted after a long day on the road.

Roscoff is a beautiful old town and we staying in the heart if it. Lovely to wake up the sound of the sea outside and a view to die for.

So last minute shopping and then ferry bound , back in daylight hrs this time, forecast is calm and only a fourth minute drive on the other side.

We have had a cracking week, so glad we came and can't wait to do it again in four yrs time to see the Vendee and hopefully by bot next summer.





















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Small World

So after a hearty breakfast we headed up the coast towards Roscoff. Pitstop was Cameret Sur Mer which has always been on the pitstop summer swailing route.




We arrived bang on lunchtime after a two hr drive, almost deserted and the sun almost came out but you can see why this is on the coastal hop after crossing la manche.




There are two marinas in the harbour and as we wended our way down to the first we recognised a bot from our home marina....prop furred up after not so much use of late but in spanking condition after an extensive refit this yr, there she was in all her green and yellow glory. No-one aboard but one of many British yachts in the marina.



Quaint harbour and beaches can see why people rave about it and can see why it is totally packed in summer. We took some lunch in one of the few restaurants that was open (not our best french meal) and then hopped up the coast to Roscoff.













Last night of the hols......it's flown by. Great room view to see us off tomorrow.




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Location:Camaret Sur Mer

Breton Treasure: Ker Ysta

This was a real find, courtesy of Sawdays of course where there aren't many places listed for Southern Brittany.



A gorgeous renovated Breton longhouse adjacent to the hosts house where breakfast and supper are served. Some real love and attention has gone into this as the room standard is exceptional. We didnt make use of the communal lounge but that is a quirky addition which if we were staying longer would get some use.








Supper last night was cooked by our host and was French cuisine at its best, a beautiful four course supper of all things fish....the chocolate and caramel fondant was to due for.

Wish we were staying longer but Roscoff calls via Cameret Sur Mer, some nostalgia for us as that was one of the planned stopovers on our ill fated trip a few years back! First though breakfast calls, I wonder what delights Yolande will have cooked up this morning!




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Location:Erveden

Could Be The Yealm!

So we left base camp this morning and wended our way along the coast. St Nazaire we continued to drive through as the submarine pens that das captain wanted to view were closed so we carried on through and stopped at a gorgeous town called La Roche Bernard for some lunch, it was stunning and I almost felt transported back to the Yealm for a moment.

Lots of English yachts berthed there, although hardly a soul about, it was so peaceful.



















We took a stroll along the river before heading further up the coast to Carnac and then down to Etel.

Etel


We are now chilling out in our Breton longhouse plotting where to go enroute to Roscoff tomorrow. The standard of accommodation here is swooper, so another great internet find by Mrs Roffeeeee! Looking forward to our traditional Breton supper later aver a crisp vin blanc.

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Location:Erveden

Leaving Base Camp

Yesterday we headed out for the day along the coast to Saint Gilles Des Croix de Vie, famous for all things Beneteau! The factory is based there and on the route in any available spot has constructed hulls under wraps.

Gorgeous sunny day in complete contrast to the day before, quaint town which we took our time to stroll around.

Wicked lunch with the best moules I have ever tasted and then another stroll to walk it off before sitting and watching the world go by or more importantly watching the boats head out to sea.






On the Vendee front it's claimed it's first casualty....Safran has retired, hit something and lost its keel.....cripes at least it happened here and not around the Southern Ocean, gutting though for the skipper and base crew.
So as for today, we are leaving base camp heading up to Saint Nazaire and then up the coast towards our Breton longhouse for the night before leaving for Roscoff via the coast on Tuesday. Time flies when you,re having fun.
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Location:Saint Gilles Des Croix De Vie