Racing at Warwick

Today we finally got the opportunity to use our annual membership of Warwick Racecourse. We would have stayed longer but my back doesn’t like me standing still for long periods and it was a bit chilly too, but we got a taster and watched 2 of the races.

One of the horses being led around the parade ring prior to the race.

The big screen either showed races from other courses, the odds for upcoming race or the whole race, which is handy when they are around the back end of the course and are unseen from the stands.

The first race we watched started just before the stands and finish line so this was their first time passing us on their way around the track.

Jumping the final fence before the finish.

And the winner is…………………. the one at the front!

I do like how the bookies these days have digital displays with the odds, much easier than chalk and blackboard.

The 2nd race at the final fence.

and the winner crosses the line.

Because we are annual members we were able to stand in the annual members section of the stand which is the white railed area in front of the Totepool office top right corner of the photo.

Next time we go we will take our telephoto lenses and see what results we get from them, but for this first time we just took our standard lenses. We returned back to the boat and we watched further races from there on Channel 4, much warmer.  

Keith.

Ricoh Arena.

On Friday Keith went into hospital for 24 observations and he is still in there, because with it being a weekend, there is very little done. The consultant is also waiting for the results on tests done on Friday. All’s we know is he has an infection in either his Liver or Bilary Tree, so I will update when I know more.

A few weeks ago we booked tickets with a friend to go and watch Wasps take on London Irish at the Ricoh Arena. It was to be Wasps first match in their new home. Unfortunately Keith could not make it due to him being in hospital, but he said I should still go as we had paid for the tickets. Fortunately a buyer was found for his ticket.

We set off for the Arena at 11.45 am and when we got there we parked and then walked to the stadium, which was very busy, but well organised. There were helpers along the route giving directions and advice for those who required it.

We have seen the Ricoh Arena from the Canal, but now I was standing outside of it wooo hoo.

We had a look around the fan zone whilst we waited for 9 other people to join us.

The ground filled up very quickly. There were 28,254 people there to see a fantastic game. Jake Quickenden was there singing, he sounded amazing.

The mascot did the rounds.

The first half was a quiet a fair with penalties swapping ends, with Wasps going in at half time in the lead 18-16.

No game in the two decades of Premiership rugby has been watched by more people. There were old and new Wasps fans me included, watching a heart warming match on cold winter's day in Coventry.

Andy Goode was man of the match. He set a new Premiership points record on his home patch as Wasps overpowered London Irish to make a dream start to life at the Ricoh Arena.
The Coventry-born fly-half scored 33 points, bagging a try and kicking eight penalties and two conversions in a terrific performance. London Irish in the end were over-powered by a better team, but I also think the crowd made a difference.

It was my first ever rugby match and it will not be my last.

Maria dropped me off at the hospital on our way home and I sat in with Keith for a couple of hours and told him all about the game. I felt so guilty him not being there, but we will go again I am sure.

A Very Happy Christmas.

We hope you all have a wonderful festive time and that 2015 is kind to you all.

I have not posted this much over this year, because as you will all know we have not been on the move due to Keith being poorly. We are hoping to be out and about next year, so you can expect more posts.

Update on Keith. He had an appointment with his consultant on Tuesday this week and the consultant was not that happy with him, and wanted him in hospital. The consultant suspects there may be a stone in the Liver or tubes, left over from his Gallbladder removal. But the hospital has the Winter Vomiting bug and four wards closed and a bed crisis, so we are waiting a for a bed. In the meantime, he has had blood tests done and an MRI and we await to see what happens next. It appears we are ending the year the way we began it, with the hospital at the top of the list for Keith. 

I will update when we know more.

Top of Hatton Flight

Today we walked up the Hatton Flight and this time we got to the top.

The C&RT depot near the top of the flight.

The Café at the top of the flight.

I got my cup of tea that Jo promised me if we made it to the top.

St. Mary’s Church in Warwick lit up in the Autumnal sun.

Keith.

Victorian Evening & Christmas Lights Switch-on

Jo and I went to this years Victorian evening and Christmas lights switch-on dressed in our Victorian boater’s costumes.

We met and chatted to Vic Minett from BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Radio and we were both interviewed by her live on the radio. We also won a years membership to Warwick Racecourse (worth £250.00!) for our Victorian dress. We are looking forward going to the races during this winter and spring.

Keith.

Another Nice Day for a Walk

After lunch we set off up the Hatton flight again, we got as far as lock 37 this time, 5 more locks than last time 3 weeks ago. Next time we will takes some money with us and have a cuppa at the café.

Keith.

It’s been a While

It has been a while since posting on here, but there isn’t much to report at the moment. The Physio Dept. of Warwick Hospital has signed me off with my back, although I am still suffering from it, but nothing more they can do.

Jo and I took Paddy and Marmite to the vets today for their annual boosters. Paddy has put more weight on and is now at a suitable weight for his size, which is good news, and his anaemia has disappeared which also good news.

Keith.

Rosie & Jim Mandarin

Our Mandarin ducks have their full adult plumage now, Jim is looking magnificent.

Keith.

Walk up the Hatton Flight

We decided to take a walk up the Hatton flight to see how far I could manage. We got as far as lock 32 where I felt I had had enough and we returned back to Hadar.

Keith.