Brandon's 12th Birthday

Brandon & I celebrated his 12th birthday this year by visiting our favourite place to eat at, Pizza Hut!

We have been going there since he was very young and it is our favourite food.

We had a great time as always.

Later on we called in to see my mum so Brandon could open his presents.

How the years have flown by, I can't believe he's 12 already!

Happy Birthday Brandon x

Manchester Open Snooker Tournament 2015

Once again it's that time of year in January where the Manchester Open Snooker Tournament begins.

With me being seeded through, my group stages were held at Hazel Grove Snooker Club on the 28th.

My good friend Paul Lythe was drawn in the same group as me and we drew our match one each.

Sadly, Paul did not make it through to the knock out stage although I progressed.

On Wednesday 11th February, I won my last 32 match 4-2 and progressed to the last 16 where I will play last years winner so I'll need to be on top form.

I will update my blog again throughout the latter stages.

Germany

Louize and I headed off to Germany for her birthday in January. This is a country I have never visited before, but after my experience there, it is definitely a country I would return to.

We stayed in the capital Berlin for three nights at The Park Inn hotel right in the centre which I would recommend to anyone planning to go.

On the 17th, we had a day out visiting Checkpoint Charlie and the museum. It was very moving finding out about the history and the war that took place in Germany.

On the 18th, our final day there, we walked from our hotel to the main area of where the remains of the Berlin Wall still stand to this day. There were lots of tourists like us present when we discovered the wall. We had a break in a cafè across from the wall which separated East and West Berlin throughout the war.

London

At the end of November, Louize & I took a long weekend break to London.

We travelled down on the 28th which was Black Friday not anticipating how busier it would be. The journey there was not too bad until we approached Oxford St.where we were at a stand still for over 30 minutes at which point we decided to walk & head for a tube!

We had a lovely time there which included walking along The Thames where we browsed the markets & stalls and also had our tea at Waggamammas.

During our stay we also visited Greenwich observatory which is famous for the meridian line.

Italy

Mid June, Louize and I took a weeks holiday to the beautiful country of Italy.

We travelled to Desenzano Del Garde where we stayed for three nights. The weather was very hot & the food was delicious & the people were very friendly.

We spent our time there relaxing, walking & taking a boat trip which called at several different islands. We also browsed the Sunday market which had an array of good selections, I purchased a leather wallet & various other things.

We then travelled over to Verona where we stayed for three nights also. Louize had booked us a beautiful villa overlooking the centre of Verona which was very picturesque and busy with people milling around.

Louize had also booked us tickets to watch the opera Carmen which was an absolutely wonderful experience which we both enjoyed.

On our final night the weather changed dramatically where we experience thunder & lightening and heavy showers.

 

Crucible Theatre

On the 26th April 2014, Brandon & I headed over to Sheffield for our annual visit to The Crucible Theatre to take in some LIVE snooker!

We had a great day and were very fortunate to acquire two seats on row C which were situated directly in the middle where the dividing curtain comes down so we were lucky enough to be able to watch both matches simultaneously.

Dominic Dale was outstanding against Michael Wasley playing some top quality snooker taking a 7-1 lead after the first session. On table two, two veterans, Alan McManus and Ken Doherty were battling it out for a place in the quarter final.

We had a great time and are already looking forward to returning in 2015.

My 42nd Birthday

My wonderful Louize informed me that we were going to Paris for my 42nd birthday. I had already booked a few days off work prior to us going away but I had no idea where we were going or what she had in mind for me. 

We had a wonderful time in Paris taking in the amazing views & visiting some beautiful places including Notre Dame & The Eiffel Tower.

This was a wonderful birthday which I will never forget, thank you Louize x