Tours

14 hour tour to reach Glacier Lagoon              

Cold and windy at Glacier Lagoon

 

Ice on beach

Looking through sheet of ice

No words needed

 

EasyJet to Iceland 🇮🇸

3rd-10th January 2017 - Easybus to Stansted Airport. Plenty of shops to while away the time before boarding 2:45pm flight. Full plane. Since 2010 when the volcano erupted in Iceland, it has become incredibly popular with tourists. Iceland has a population of just 334,000 people but receives over one million tourists each year. Flight took 3 hrs 12 mins. Caught Flybus (Reykjavík Excursions) to apartment. Emma the lady that owns apartment was there to meet us. 

Reykjavík here we come      

Our apartment complex. We're on 5th floor.    

Harbour front.

Can see top of church tower from our apartment.

Snowball fight

 

   

Time in the countryside

27-31 December - Spent 3 nights with our dear friends Louis & Dorrie at wonderful Moss Cottage.  Went on some great walks. Visited the Martin Mere RSPB Sanctuary. Also had one night in Manchester to visit the National Football Museum where Ben became a tv star.  He was participating in a soccer skills session and BBC were filming and interviewing kids and parents about possible banning of heading the ball for Under 10 year old kids.  Needless to say the thought of being on tv had Ben queuing up to say something, unlike his Mum who was very quick to say no thankyou when asked.  Was told it would be on BBC1 the next morning between 6am-10am.  Finally came on at 9-45am.  Recorded it using iPad and camera but unfortunately haven't found way of inserting clip on blog.

Walk through the woods with Louis                  

Woodpecker outside bedroom window              

With Dusty Duck at Martin Mere RSPB            

Ben & Louis up Darwen tower

Ben's CR7s from Sports Direct        

Learning to light a fire at Moss Cottage      

Holding Premier League cup.    

The FA cup

Fun coach at soccer skills session

 

      

NYE & Rubbish Ref

Went to New Years Eve fancy dress party at cousins house. Jo and Trev now back from holiday in Oz. Nice to catch up with friends hadn't seen in ages.  2 Jan back down to London. Went to West Ham v Man Utd. Could have been a cracker of a game had it not been ruined by referee Mike Dean and cheating Man Utd player Jones. After just 17 mins, Dean decided to give our player Feghouli a straight red after both players went in for the tackle. That just killed the game for us. Needless to say, Jones was booed by all West Ham supporters every time he touched the ball. Game ended 2-0 to the officials favoured team after their second goal was clearly offside. Paid £120 for tickets for this game.   Couple of days later, red card was rescinded. FUMING 😡😡😡  

NYE - Sir Bencelot   

The 3 cousins

Still smiling. Obviously taken before kickoff.

 

Leading up to Christmas

After returning from Llandudno, we spent the time leading up to Christmas in Nantwich, Cheshire. Went to see panto "Aladdin" at Crewe Lyceum Theatre.  Christingle service at Acton Church on Christmas Eve.  Christmas Day lunch cooked by Chris and Emma.   

Ben's Christingle candle. Sweets didn't last long.    

Ben's wish for Christmas jumper was granted.  

All seated for Christmas lunch.

Out & about in Nantwich on Boxing Day.

 

I do like to be beside the seaside

Standing on pier with Great Orme in background.              

Up the Great Orme.

Some of the wildlife

Little Robin Redbreast was so tame.                      

Alice in Wonderland One of the many characters from the story.          

Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum      

White rabbit

  Had 3 nights in Llandudno, North Wales with Auntie Ei.   

   

Another Match, Another WIN

West Ham v Hull Saturday 3pm kick off. Nicked it 1-0.                 

Pre-match drinks with Ben's new mates            

Our hotel room door at Lion & Key Hotel.

 

 

Overnight at Knights Village

Warwick Castle.    

Our accommodation in the Knights Village

The Royal bed. Sir Bencelot had his own room with double bunks.    

Sir Bencelot in action

Enjoyed medieval feast followed by lessons for Ben on how to use a sword    

Horrible Histories Maze

Maze exit    

Unfortunately the thief escaped and is still travelling with me    

Did receive some punishment though. Warwick Castle is now owned by Tussauds, So wax figures here and there.     

 

 

A Full Day

 Started day off at Ragged School Museum in East London. Then on to Theatre to see "School of Rock" the musical.  Excellent performance. Ended day with our first game at London Stadium under the lights to see West Ham v Burnley.  Kick off was 7:45pm.  Excellent seats on half way line.  Score was 1-0 West Ham.

Washing clothes at Ragged School Museum  

New London Theatre

"I just don't think you understand"

 

       

It's all about the football

Wasn't going to be long before we were off to our first match. Lucky enough that West Ham were playing Liverpool at Anfield which is just 35 minutes on the train from Crewe. Crewe is 4 miles away from Nantwich my home town in Cheshire. Was well worth the journey as we drew 2-2. This time round Ben has become very vocal at the football. Due to people standing at the game, Ben stood on his seat through the entire match. This meant his foghorn voice carried quite a distance. Reckon when he's older, he will be one of those that start off the songs and the other fans join in. His Dad would be so proud. 

Ben daring to show his colours outside Anfield    

As the sun sets we cheer on the team  

West Ham people that my Auntie lovingly knit