In Pursuit of Peace and Quiet
Ah, the sweet serenade of silence! This past weekend, tranquility finally graced our humble abode as the two youngest troublemakers ventured off to Whitby with The Boys Brigade. One embarked on the adventure bright and early at 05:30, joining the advanced party to set up camp, while the other followed suit at 10:00. Our only request: a simple message upon arrival. But alas, we received but a solitary text from the youngest, a succinct “Here Bye”! Well, it’s a step up from previous years’ radio silence, and as long as they’re frolicking and having a grand old time, we’ll revel in the peace and quiet 😉
A Culinary Interlude
With the dynamic duo away on their escapades, we seized the opportunity to dine out with a pair of comrades-in-arms who were also relishing in the tranquility, thanks to their own offspring being whisked away to BB camp. Our destination of choice? An Italian gem nestled on Bolton Road, Blackburn, by the name of Alghero’s. They too basked in the “peace and quiet,” though their respite would be short-lived, as their youngest returns home come Monday night.
The fare at Alghero’s proved to be nothing short of exquisite, matched only by the delightful banter that accompanied it. For those traversing through the area, a pilgrimage to this culinary haven is most certainly warranted.
A Birthday Celebration
Prior to our gastronomic exploits, we made a pit stop at my daughter’s humble abode to celebrate her birthday over a leisurely lunch. Upon our arrival, it became abundantly clear that my grandson had developed an acute case of attachment to his mother, Sam. His distress at being separated from her was palpable, hinting at a potentially arduous summer ahead for Sam, who finds herself on a hiatus from the grind of work. Nonetheless, I have every confidence that young Harry will relish the company of his mother during these sun-drenched days.
Raindrops and Revelry
After a prolonged spell of dry, balmy weather, Saturday night heralded the arrival of rain, which persisted intermittently into Sunday. While the parched earth rejoiced in the much-needed moisture, it was with a heavy heart that we bid adieu to the warmth of the sun 🙁
Come Sunday evening, Michele and I embarked on yet another culinary escapade, this time a tête-à-tête. While I indulged in a succulent rib eye steak, Michele opted for the perennial favorite—chicken, once again.
Of Faces and Festivities
Work last week bore witness to a delightful surprise. A missive from our esteemed CIO landed in my inbox on Thursday, inquiring about my presence in the office throughout the day—a presence duly confirmed. It was a pleasure to finally put a face to the name after countless phone calls and virtual meetings. Our interactions revealed him to be a genial soul, who graciously devoted a chunk of his morning to our acquaintance before vanishing into the ether of meetings.
Later that evening, a serendipitous reunion unfolded as I rendezvoused with my former team leader, who had traversed oceans from Hong Kong for a well-deserved vacation with his kin. The old gang reconvened at Port Street Beer House, reminiscing over bygone days. However, a tad too many libations resulted in the direst of consequences—an excruciating hangover, the likes of which I hadn’t encountered in eons. So, let this be a cautionary tale: steer clear of potent brews on school nights, lest you find yourself in a similar predicament!
