Tony Kofi jazz saxophonist concert

Went to Tony Kofi Quartet concert in Chapel Arts Centre in Bath. Nice evening.

http://www.myspace.com/tonykofi

Week of 19 Jan

Yesterday went for nice bike ride after Sunday lunch of roast beef and excellent yorkshire puds. About 25 miles from Tormarton to near Malmsebury & return.

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Physics exam for George on Monday.

Wagamamas for dinner

Paris - SSDM Workshop, start of GCSE exams

First GCSE exam (Biology) for George on Monday. Next was Chemistry on Wednesday afternoon.

Workshop in Paris this week for my programme - Simplified Software Development Methods.

Monday morning caught 08:00 plane from Bristol. Had nice lunch in brasserie La Chope in Rue Daguerre. Roast poisson, glass of wine, chocolate pudding and coffee - €26. Headed on to the office for the afternoon. In the Evening stayed at new hotel L'Aiglon in Montparnasse - small but nicely decorated. Worked in evening preparing for workshop. Went for walk to Les Goblins (30 mins) and pizza for dinner. Cold and clear outside.

Tuesday - morning in the office and final preparations. Most people arrived after lunch and first deay went well. IN teh evening went back to Rue Daguerre @ Denfert Rochereau and had morrocan for dinner with 3 others - one from France, two from Spain.

Wednesday - workshop all day and again went smoothly with good participation. Left early eveing with Dave from UK and headed back to airport - stopping at Notre Dame on the way. Back home about 11:00

KJO & Viennese Waltz Ball

George played in Kingswood Jazz Orchestra at Viennese Waltz Ball at the Guildhall in Bath. Article in Bath Chronicle. George not in picture.

While waiting to pick George up, saw the interesting sights of Bath on a Saturday night.

Back at school and cold

Georgina back at school on Tuesday. Very cold (-7C) , but clear this week. Went into work a couple of days - rest working from home

Italy for New Year

Friday 26 December - Boxing day

The morning was spent packing, clearing up and getting ready for trip. Drove to Bristol airport for flight at 16:45. Arrived at Milan to cold weather and some snow on the ground - a good sign. Easy drive to the apartment, stopping for dinner on the way. Not much open. Took about 3 hrs.

When we arrived at apartment the central heating wasn't working again - pump had seized up. Hot water OK though. Into bed about 1am

Saturday 27 December

We forgot the cellar key so had to call in at Catherine's, pick up the keys and get the plumber around. He arrived late morning and after a quick tap of the pump with his hammer it worked OK. Cost €30 - still I know what to do next time. Did some food shopping and got the apartment organised. Takeaway pizza for dinner - yum. No credit cards taken

Sunday 28 December

Potted around the apartment and did some reading. Baked some chocolate muffins. Prepared a beef caserole. Made minestrone soup.

Angela & friend came around late afternoon. At 9pm went to a place called Vico - above Bagnone. Old medieval village and they have a 'real nativity'. Basically people of the village dressed up and doing old crafts - weaving, bread making, shoe making, blacksmithing etc in some of the cellar rooms in the village. Very realistic, friendly and lovely. Also a Mary & Joesph, baby Jesus (with a dummy!), donkey and cows in the stables. Afterwards some nibbles, cake & mulled wine. Delicious.

Monday 29 December

Headed to Cerreto Laghi for skiing. Had to buy Snow Chains. Got there about 12:00, had lunch and then after sorting skiis and boots (€16) bought an afternoon pass (20€ each). George & I had a great time skiing, Jayne read book in a local restaurant. Weather was mainly foggy with sun breaking through at the top.

Sausages, Rocket & pasta for dinner.

Tuesday 30 December

Nativity scene - Bagnone

Beautiful sunny but cold day. Jayne & I wandered out to Aulla for a little shopping. Coffee & pastry in Bar Nello. Went into bike shop to look at shoes. More expensive then UK. Sorted out new bank account in Bagnone. Very efficient bank manageress. George mainly stayed in the apartment doing some study and reading. Went to laundrette to wash towels & sheets. Dinner was chicken, stuffed with green beans and mozzarella.

Wednesday 31 December 2008 - New Years Eve

Post office first to pay water bill and post card to Mum & Dad. Coffee & pastry in Bar Nello. Went to Aulla for some food shopping - very busy. In the afternoon prepared some chocolate puddings for dessert. Went to try and find english speaking people in the village to see about chimney. Found a lady from Israel (Manuela)

Started to rain in afternoon.

Angela phoned saying her friend was sick. Original plan was to go to their house on the coast for New Years Eve, instead we went to Angela's @10:00pm. Cotechino (like a salamie) and Lentils were our traditional dinner. A couple who were staying at the B&B came around for pudding and seeing in the New Year. Lovely evening.

Thursday 1 January 2009

Lazy morning packing and tidying up the apartment. Left about 2:30 to drive back to Milan. Easy trip back. Car wouldn't start when we picked it up. Had to get it jump-started. Quite cold -2C. Back home about 10:00pm