November....where did you disappear to?
When I was younger, I used to constantly hear the adults saying how quickly Christmas used to come around. As an adult myself, I couldn't agree with them more. November has been a blink and you'll miss it month for me. I've had a very fun month, our wedding party, two football matches, a dinner party, a half marathon, a birthday breakfast as well as getting our Christmas shopping well and truly underway. These are the days!
The first weekend of November was football intense. I support Sheffield United and my husband supports Watford. We're both season ticket holders & we work it well with our fabulous family so Megan had some time with her cousin whilst I travelled up to Sheffield to watch the mighty Blades come from behind & defeat Hull City 4-1. November has been a difficult month if you're a Blades fan. On a drizzly Tuesday evening, the 21st - I took the train from Bletchley up to Sheffield to watch us play Fulham where we lost 5-4. It was a thriller from start to finish, but ultimately, our defence was poor and you definitely shouldn't be letting in five goals on home turf. The journey home was long, especially as the M1 was partially closed, but I still find it an awesome experience going to watch my football club live as many times as I can. Watching them on the TV just doesn't cut it for me, you have to be there at the ground breathing the air, hearing the chants and seeing the action in front of your eyes. At Sheffield United, we open every match with our version of Annie's Song by John Denver. Affectionately known as the greasy chip butty song, each time I am there and singing along with the crowd, it brings me out in goosebumps. And you don't get those from sitting on your armchair being a TV supporter.
Our wedding party was pretty spectacular. We hired the Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine, very much an outdoor-sy venue and made our second weekend in November very special. We had over 100 people come and despite a few people who weren't able to come, we felt very loved being surrounded by our family and friends. We stayed the night in a gorgeous B&B in Moulsoe - The Carrington Arms - and for the price we paid, it was great value for money. There was food, quite a few drinks, and a lot of laughter. I got to meet some of my husband's work colleagues and we got to re-acquaint ourselves with friends and family who we hadn't seen for ages and for some family members, in much happier circumstances. Despite having no gift list, we were in awe of the kindness of people - monetary contributions, alcohol and thoughtful keepsakes. I know December will be busy with writing thank you cards as well as Christmas cards. The exciting part now is to decide which photos to use on our thank you cards now our wedding is over. My wedding was one of the best days of my life and I felt incredibly privileged having a second celebration. I'd highly recommend to others who are planning to get wed...any opportunity to wear your wedding dress again!
Running is another big part of my life and I completed my first trail run on Saturday 18th November. The Leighton Buzzard Dirt Half Marathon and what they don't tell you on the Runners World reviews is that you can have the best time running the first half of the race & the worst time running the second half of your race. The first 6 miles is along the canal - a stretch from Leighton Buzzard to just before Stoke Hammond. It diverts up through Bragenham & into Rushmere & Stockgrove, incredibly undulating & painful on the hamstrings. However, its a gorgeous place to go for a walk, incredibly kid and dog friendly. I struggled, I wasn't in shape and my husband who absolutely adores this race found it a struggle this year. We finished - in 2 hours 23 minutes - but considering I was unfit and Dan was carrying an injury, I was pleased as anything. Despite the fact I didn't enjoy the race whilst participating, I'm seriously considering entering next year.
On the final Sunday in November we celebrated my father in law's birthday. And because breakfast is fashionable, we took him & his wife for breakfast at the Knife & Cleaver at Houghton Conquest, a place not too far from Ampthill. It was relaxed, possibly too relaxed but overall we had a lovely time. Our daughter behaved impeccably remembering her manners & I think my father in law appreciated his new Graham Taylor book. By the end of November, I noticed the Christmas decorations were starting to appear and New Year's parties were being advertised at every public place we visited which brought me round to saying, where has this month gone? And when I reflect back, I've done a lot in November. And the time is honestly flying past because of all the fun I am having.
The best thing about Christmas coming round quickly? The time I can spend with loved ones, enjoying quality food and relaxing ready for the start of a new year.
The first weekend of November was football intense. I support Sheffield United and my husband supports Watford. We're both season ticket holders & we work it well with our fabulous family so Megan had some time with her cousin whilst I travelled up to Sheffield to watch the mighty Blades come from behind & defeat Hull City 4-1. November has been a difficult month if you're a Blades fan. On a drizzly Tuesday evening, the 21st - I took the train from Bletchley up to Sheffield to watch us play Fulham where we lost 5-4. It was a thriller from start to finish, but ultimately, our defence was poor and you definitely shouldn't be letting in five goals on home turf. The journey home was long, especially as the M1 was partially closed, but I still find it an awesome experience going to watch my football club live as many times as I can. Watching them on the TV just doesn't cut it for me, you have to be there at the ground breathing the air, hearing the chants and seeing the action in front of your eyes. At Sheffield United, we open every match with our version of Annie's Song by John Denver. Affectionately known as the greasy chip butty song, each time I am there and singing along with the crowd, it brings me out in goosebumps. And you don't get those from sitting on your armchair being a TV supporter.
Our wedding party was pretty spectacular. We hired the Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine, very much an outdoor-sy venue and made our second weekend in November very special. We had over 100 people come and despite a few people who weren't able to come, we felt very loved being surrounded by our family and friends. We stayed the night in a gorgeous B&B in Moulsoe - The Carrington Arms - and for the price we paid, it was great value for money. There was food, quite a few drinks, and a lot of laughter. I got to meet some of my husband's work colleagues and we got to re-acquaint ourselves with friends and family who we hadn't seen for ages and for some family members, in much happier circumstances. Despite having no gift list, we were in awe of the kindness of people - monetary contributions, alcohol and thoughtful keepsakes. I know December will be busy with writing thank you cards as well as Christmas cards. The exciting part now is to decide which photos to use on our thank you cards now our wedding is over. My wedding was one of the best days of my life and I felt incredibly privileged having a second celebration. I'd highly recommend to others who are planning to get wed...any opportunity to wear your wedding dress again!
Running is another big part of my life and I completed my first trail run on Saturday 18th November. The Leighton Buzzard Dirt Half Marathon and what they don't tell you on the Runners World reviews is that you can have the best time running the first half of the race & the worst time running the second half of your race. The first 6 miles is along the canal - a stretch from Leighton Buzzard to just before Stoke Hammond. It diverts up through Bragenham & into Rushmere & Stockgrove, incredibly undulating & painful on the hamstrings. However, its a gorgeous place to go for a walk, incredibly kid and dog friendly. I struggled, I wasn't in shape and my husband who absolutely adores this race found it a struggle this year. We finished - in 2 hours 23 minutes - but considering I was unfit and Dan was carrying an injury, I was pleased as anything. Despite the fact I didn't enjoy the race whilst participating, I'm seriously considering entering next year.
On the final Sunday in November we celebrated my father in law's birthday. And because breakfast is fashionable, we took him & his wife for breakfast at the Knife & Cleaver at Houghton Conquest, a place not too far from Ampthill. It was relaxed, possibly too relaxed but overall we had a lovely time. Our daughter behaved impeccably remembering her manners & I think my father in law appreciated his new Graham Taylor book. By the end of November, I noticed the Christmas decorations were starting to appear and New Year's parties were being advertised at every public place we visited which brought me round to saying, where has this month gone? And when I reflect back, I've done a lot in November. And the time is honestly flying past because of all the fun I am having.
The best thing about Christmas coming round quickly? The time I can spend with loved ones, enjoying quality food and relaxing ready for the start of a new year.
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