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  • Published on

    Christmas Thoughts - Darrell Martin, my husband and partner for 23 years!

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    "Now don't for one second think I'm writing this because I love Christmas. Christmas is something we always would treat as extra days off to have a party or go out. I never had family in the UK so it definitely was a free chance to get over the eight weeks of "Christmas in retail" exhaustion.

    Twenty years of having man flu Every Christmas makes an Australian quite bitter. But it's very different here in Australia. Only 4 weeks and I'm happy about that and more than anything I'm happy I get to spend it with my mum in her last months. I've bought presents and cards and got into the spirit a little. Please don't assume I'm born again it's just my mum made Christmas great for me as a child. I can now return the favour at a time that's crucial.

    Everyone should go home for Christmas because even if you don't care for it, a close member of your life may be waiting for you to come home. Mum waited for 22 years and I refused to buy a ticket that time of the year due to being too Croatian about money. I guess these months will make up for it. I'm very lucky my best friend came to my mum every year for Xmas. I will never forget her good deeds and that is the spirit of Christmas. Don't forget.

    So unfortunately I cant be with Luke this year and all our extended family in the UK. We were never really close to the family before but I can see the change coming now. Pretty sure its old age that's doing it. So I best get used to buying presents in the future cause in many ways I need family more than I ever imagined now. I get the presents thing now. Its actually just plain old polite manners. Especially if your being fed and given a bed. But you could say that about any old day couldn't you? Wishing you all a happy any old day and no loneliness xxx"

    Darrell Martin

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    A Manic Few Days, Before We Reach Christmas Eve!

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    Just a short blog this evening; I haven't blogged in a while as I have been busy, busy, busy! For the past few weeks readers to 'Roaming Brit' have been publishing their Christmas thoughts, which has helped me out tremendously. Their words have struck a chord with many of you. This is the busiest time of year for me, work wise and in truth, I haven't stopped, constantly on the go. Today I have been grafting hard at Tesco, bringing home the bacon as it were. With only two days to go before Christmas, the shop has been manic, heaving with customers. I have enjoyed the adrenaline rush that comes with working in a fast paced environment, but I don't mind telling you, how tired I feel and I still have one day to go, working at Tesco from 9 am and finishing on a shift at the pub around midnight. Tomorrow is going to be an extremely full and exhausting day, once again.

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    Last night I was also working at The Newcome Arms, after a long shift at Tesco. Portsmouth were playing at home, so when I arrived at 5.30pm, the place was packed to the rafters with drunken football supporters. To be honest, I wasn't really in the mood for the onslaught at the bar, but after half an hour or so I soon got into the spirit of the evening, chatting and talking with the customers. As usual these days, the subject turned to my sexuality, which does seem to be the only topic of conversation for some people. I don't mind discussing my life of course, I have always been an open book, but some people's views do tend to wear a bit thin. We live in the modern World, where sexuality, race and gender are irrelevant to most people, so I don't understand why they have a problem with who I am, but clearly they do. Luckily they are in the minority, I am not in their life; they are the ones with the issues not me. In truth I don't let bigoted views get me down. Writing this blog is a fantastic way to offload my annoyances, that's the only sounding board I need!

    I have been in a positive mood otherwise, looking forward to Christmas Day, although am always mindful of my Mothers current state of health, spending Christmas in Hospital. Mum is awaiting equipment to be installed in her and Dads home, a hospital bed and a hoist, so life can be a little easier for them. In between work, I have been rushing backwards and forwards to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, checking on her progress; a few days ago we had a scheduled meeting with Social Services and a consultant about the way forward for Mum and Dad. They have been advised they will have to pay for carers to attend Mum up to four times a day, to ensure she is as comfortable as she can be, when she goes home. We are unsure about the exact costs involved but they could be as high as eight hundred pounds a week, significant for most people. As a family we have discussed the alternatives and will be seeking legal and financial advice as soon as we can!
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    My voluntary job at Cancer Research has taken a back seat for a few weeks, while I work over this festive season. I just haven't had enough hours in the day to facilitate my position at the shop. This week alone I will be working close on eighty hours and whatever spare time I have, I need to relax and chill, even for a short while, just like tonight. Rest assured I will be back with the team in January; the reality is, I enjoy my time here and regard it as a mechanism for unwinding, so am eager to get back as soon as I can.
    So tomorrow, I can expect more of the same, working sixteen hours, as well as celebrating Christmas Eve. At the moment, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am, like all of our family here, looking forward to Christmas day and hoping it will be a day to remember. As January approaches, I know I will finally be able to breath a sigh of relief, until then, it's all about knuckling down and earning the pennies. Enjoy your Christmas Eve, wherever you are and whoever you are with!
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  • Published on

    Christmas Thoughts - Amanda Wren-Grimwood!

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    "My Christmas thoughts?

    I really thought that I would still be living in France this year. Christmas Eve would be long queues for huge boxes of oysters with French families, having a chat while the staff brought around glasses of Pineau de Charentes, an aperitif, at 10 O’clock in the morning! This year it will be different as we have just moved back to the UK and to a totally new part of the country. It has been exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

    My boys are now adults and my eldest son has recently got married. Christmas is no longer about toys and gadgets. We exchange token presents and concentrate instead on family time for when we can get together. There’s nothing better for me than pottering in the kitchen cooking with my boys or my daughter in law. I’m not talking about buying expensive food or spending hours in the kitchen either. I’m a food blogger and I spend a lot of time developing recipes, so I will be taking some shortcuts and popping into the shops for something frozen and ready made. We do always have a free-range turkey but there won’t be a fancy way of cooking it!

    My Christmas day will involve a long walk with my Weimaraners, a walk down to the pub for a few drinks and back for lunch and games for the three of us. I used to have eleven for lunch every year and regularly managed to stress myself out trying to make everything perfect for everyone. Nowadays I’m looking for any excuse to put my pyjamas on and chill out.  If anyone moans about being hungry, I direct them to the fridge!

    My message to everyone would be to look after yourself this Christmas. Enjoy time with loved ones but don’t try to please everyone all the time."

    Amanda Wren-Grimwood
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    2019!

    Reviewing 2018 richard-guy Running
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    Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!

    Hey everyone thanks again for checking out my latest blog post and the last one of 2018.
     
    What a year 2018 has been – some good stuff has happened and some not so good stuff.

    I’ve decided not to focus on it too much and instead focus on 2019 instead. I’m really excited for 2019 already and some of the possibilities and challenges (good ones) that I will face.
     
    I think the last few years have proved how resilient I can be and how I can adapt quickly.

    Going forwards this is going to be key for 2019 and especially when I tackle the ultra in August – I know there are going to be some really tough moments during the event where I question my ability, question my reasoning, and question my inner-strength to carry on. I also know that I can overcome those tough moments and get through them and get to that finish line.

    As I’ve said in previous blogs if the ultra goes ok, I remain injury free, and the motivation is still high then in 2020 I’ll do a 100km (62 miles) event!!

    With some time off over the festive period I am hoping to get in some decent training runs which are a bit longer than I’ve already been doing – it’ll also give me a good reason to eat a few more mince pies!!!!
     
    I’m hoping to get back into the hills and mountains again next year. There is nothing I like more than being in that kind of terrain – I just love the vastness and the tranquillity of it.

    One trip already spoken about is a trip to Snowdon to tackle Snowdonia. It’d be great if I had some time to do at least one long trail run there as well.

    I have unfinished business on Ben Nevis and am considering heading up to Scotland to tackle that.

    I have spent time in the past on the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District and am also considering some time in either area (or both).

    With the South Downs and New Forest nearby as well I need to take advantage of those areas as well – both would be fantastic places to train on.
     
    I’m also looking forward to the usual stuff as well – going to football with my cousin and friends, spending time with family and friends, seeing The Specials at Victorious festival, and just enjoying the things I enjoy doing away from training and working.
     
    I’m determined to make 2019 a memorable one and for good reasons. This time next year I want to be able to look back and have no regrets and feel that I couldn’t have given it anymore.
     
    Happy holidays and see you in 2019.

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