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STW Christmas survi...
 

[Closed] STW Christmas survival thread 2017

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Ahhh part of the STW tradition this thread. It’s almost like we’re a family innit.

I was going to say 'yes, a family that constantly argues and hates each other more often than not', but that's just a normal family really 8O.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 7:43 pm
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Ha amateur the lot of you. We pulled up at the outlaws, got the dog out who had a pee (only a pee and still outside). MIL not happy flailing arms, shaking if the head at the window. Back in the car and home, not even 1 word spoken and we've fallen out.
The Boxing Day fillet steak for tea I think.

Posted 3 years ago

I see oldschool is still active on the forum. Any chance of an update on this anecdote? Will you be visiting the MIL this year?


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 7:54 pm
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I received my first festive bollocking this morning, because I didn't have time to do The Thing before I left for work.

Needless to say, The Many Other Things I did achieve this morning and last night (keeping me up past midnight after a 7 am start at work) figured not one iota.

Presently sulking over a solitary beer in the pub.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 8:21 pm
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I’ve had the lurgy past few days, hoping to shake it off before Xmas as I’m cooking.. MIL and BIL are terrified of being around the slightest cough so now they’re saying they may not come ! Turkey for 6 anyone?

Plus I’m on call Xmas day, but only need to answer the phone if it goes.

Hoping then for a few days riding after Xmas...my new P7 has been out as much as it should ....


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 9:18 pm
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My loose plan-

Christmas Eve: visit my folks with little miss breadcrumb.

Christmas Day: I'm looking forward to watching my daughter unwrap her presents, she was only 3 months old last Christmas so it's a bit more involving for her now.

Boxing Day: hopefully a nice family walk, either round Buttermere or up Dodd.

Then squeeze a ride and boys curry into the rest of the holidays.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 11:02 pm
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23rd, a wedding, that’s right a wedding. Not happy. Anyway, we’re getting hammered and that’s that. Zwift ride before we leave hopefully.
24th, hangover, then present wrapping, then beers.
25th, run first thing then off the the in laws for lunch (all good, love them to bits). Followed by a shed load of booze at home with just me and mrs lunge
26th, zwift then lunch with my family then to the pub.
27th, work.
28th, work.

It’ll be reet as long as I get some time alone and the chance to exercise.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 11:36 pm
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I’ll be cooking and cleaning most days until 27th as we are hosting everybody & I’m in charge of food. Boxing Day will be a curry feast, mostly slow cooked starting xmas evening!

After that I’ll be out with the dogs walking, and riding off the excesses of xmas!

Drinks wise, it will be Argentinian Malbec & Japanese whisky - benefits of being a long haul airline pilot.


 
Posted : 22/12/2017 11:41 pm
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It's lost it's sparkle not like it used to be.

STW Christmas ruined again by PC gone mad.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 12:37 am
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Bikebouy even Google can't help me work what plotting and interrogation of Saxon Churches is.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 1:18 am
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This will be the first year for a good few years I will not be working so I am a little at a loose end. I shall go for a bike ride I think. No xmas lunch - not had one fo0r 30+ years. No family toi see - they are all used to me working.

It'll be great. a day to myself with no obligations.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 8:50 am
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I'm in Lapland. Guaranteed white Christmas! Just me, the wife and the kids. It's great!


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 8:59 am
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Well it's my last Christmas down here in Tassie and it's currently raining 🙂

Last night (Friday) started at lunch time with the co working office crowd, beers, followed up with some Gins in the local good spirit bar then up to the local to Drink the Taps Dry as they shut until the new year - think we got 7/10 done leaving the staff the Triple IPA and Goze for today.
Sat/Sun will be packing mostly as I have a month left. Beers and Pizza with some mates Sun evening
Christmas day, lie in, nice breakfast and then off to my mates place for a quick spin on the bikes and a bunch of us will be having a BBQ and drinking for the day

Boxing Day - the traditional drink beer and watch the massacre of English Cricket from the MCG.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 9:07 am
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uphillcursing - Member
Bikebouy even Google can't help me work what plotting and interrogation of Saxon Churches is.

It’s simple, plotting where they are, even the long since defunct ones.. on a map (not all are marked on OS maps) then interrogate the history, the art icons painted on the walls in some is still visible and needs to be seen. Then try to find out what part the churches played in the local and wider community, some were just built where they now stand for no reason, some formed part of old villages or hamlets.. then try to plot the old footpaths and bridleways between them, pilgrims ways.. then photolog em’


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 9:08 am
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Off to my parents for a few days from Christmas Eve! My parents adore my wife, and she loves them so that is good. The children are really excited, and I will be continuing a tradition of drinking a bottle of Kraken every time we get the chance to sit down and have a chat!

The only downer this time is that my Nan was supposed to be joining us for Christmas lunch, but she died last week and we are burying her on the 27th! So it is going to be tricky balancing missing her but making sure the children still have a fun time!


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 9:17 am
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New category this year: slowest broadband speed. 0.5 Mb/s at parents house, which is mildly infuriating. Taken about an hour to download the app for my Dads new ‘ring’ doorbell.......


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 3:19 pm
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It’s simple, plotting where they are, even the long since defunct ones.. on a map (not all are marked on OS maps) then interrogate the history, the art icons painted on the walls in some is still visible and needs to be seen. Then try to find out what part the churches played in the local and wider community, some were just built where they now stand for no reason, some formed part of old villages or hamlets.. then try to plot the old footpaths and bridleways between them, pilgrims ways.. then photolog em’

That sounds fascinating bikebuoy and must give a real appreciation of the endeavours of our forefathers.

I had started plotting little bike rides visiting churches in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. There's still plenty left to see in Wiltshire and Hampshire and have really enjoyed what I've seen including some real surprises.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 3:29 pm
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Well it's my last Christmas down here in Tassie and it's currently raining

Where are you moving to Mike?


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 3:30 pm
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In-Laws live 6000 miles away 🙂

In fact out nearest family live about 1000 miles away. We'll have a Christmas with family later in the year, when the fuss has died down.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 3:48 pm
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I'm heading up Manchester way in the new year. Just need to stop procrastinating and get packed.


 
Posted : 23/12/2017 10:05 pm
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Went xc skiing today, came back and ate Nigella.

A recipe by nigella, mirin salmon. Played poker with the in laws but my wife got embarrassingly pissed. Now sleeping on sofa. More of the same tomorrow I suspect. Insert smiley


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 12:02 am
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3rd hangover in as many days, a dry day today methinks 😀


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 8:46 am
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cinnamon_girl - Member
It’s simple, plotting where they are, even the long since defunct ones.. on a map (not all are marked on OS maps) then interrogate the history, the art icons painted on the walls in some is still visible and needs to be seen. Then try to find out what part the churches played in the local and wider community, some were just built where they now stand for no reason, some formed part of old villages or hamlets.. then try to plot the old footpaths and bridleways between them, pilgrims ways.. then photolog em’
That sounds fascinating bikebuoy and must give a real appreciation of the endeavours of our forefathers.

I had started plotting little bike rides visiting churches in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. There's still plenty left to see in Wiltshire and Hampshire and have really enjoyed what I've seen including some real surprises.

I love it.

Odd, because I’m in no way a religious person. I do love to find out why they’re there, how they’re built and what of, how the community was built around them or whether the church appeared after the community and to some extent who the community were, I’m fascinated by the communication links (drovers roads, bridleways, footpaths etc.) that link them all together but mostly it’s the artworks that really spike my interest. I’m a sucker for an icon image, whatever that depicts and in whatever medium it’s in. For instance St Michaels in Up Marden has icons pained on the walls dated from 5-600 BCD, and found when the roof leaked and took the whitewash off the walls to reveal one large one... so they’ve been carefully taking off years of whitewash... amazing.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 9:06 am
 beej
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bikebouy's project is lovely, and entirely unfitting for a thread where I come to read about drunken fights with relatives.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 9:31 am
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I will rouse myself from my week long slumber to undertake my annual 5 minute raid on Boots' 3-for-2 deals to satisfy the minimal christmas present requirements.
And then I will return to my slumber.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 9:46 am
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Just sent the missus out to Tesco. I feel truly sorry for anyone who gets in her way...


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 11:38 am
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bikebouy,
Have you read 'The Voices of Morebath' by Eamon Duffy?
It's based on the parish accounts of the village of Morebath between 1520 and 1574. Like you, I'm not at all religious but it's an amazingly detailed account the church (and therefore the village) which I found fascinating.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 11:48 am
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I'm heading up Manchester way in the new year. Just need to stop procrastinating and get packed.

Good luck with the move though you're kinda brave coming back here! Go on, tell us what you've missed. 🙂

I love it.

Odd, because I’m in no way a religious person. I do love to find out why they’re there, how they’re built and what of, how the community was built around them or whether the church appeared after the community and to some extent who the community were, I’m fascinated by the communication links (drovers roads, bridleways, footpaths etc.) that link them all together but mostly it’s the artworks that really spike my interest. I’m a sucker for an icon image, whatever that depicts and in whatever medium it’s in. For instance St Michaels in Up Marden has icons pained on the walls dated from 5-600 BCD, and found when the roof leaked and took the whitewash off the walls to reveal one large one... so they’ve been carefully taking off years of whitewash... amazing.

I can really relate to that. It's a real treat when you find in a church a booklet detailing the history, to be fair it's often quite brief.

Did you know that the church with the most (historical) graffiti in Wiltshire is Imber Church?


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 12:00 pm
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Rich_s - Member

Just sent the missus out to Tesco. I feel truly sorry for anyone who gets in her way...

Since when have you started wearing the trousers 😉


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 1:43 pm
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since he was told he could 😉


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 8:58 pm
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I’m absolutely knackered, I’ve made 3 trips to the shop for stuff we simply couldn’t survive without for 24 hours, cooked a buffet for 10, had a house full of screaming kids with too much chocolate and new toys and I’m half cut and waiting for the kids to go to bed so I can snooze on the sofa.

I can’t believe it’s only Xmas eve!! I’ve got to do it all again tomorrow.

I’m going to punish my bike at the next possible opportunity, ride it till something breaks.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 9:37 pm
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Just got back from carol shouting at our favourite pub - the only way to start Christmas x x


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 9:43 pm
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Just saw someone I know on facebook put a picture up of the presents they got there kid (only have one)... there are at least 50 FFS 🙄

I dont know what is worse the kid being so spoilt, they are never going to appreciate all that stuff getting it in one go! or the whole posting all this on facebook, is it really just a competition of who spent the most on their kids


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 11:55 pm
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Well sat here with my bacon and sausage sandwich and cup of tea, off for a ride shortly and the sun is out down here in Hobart. Had a chat with my folks online who don't really get that this is just a few days off to chill here and I really don't go in for all the Christmas crap. Happy for the holiday just take it more as a long weekend.


 
Posted : 24/12/2017 11:59 pm
 rone
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Eve: Bailed ride to parents-in-law-in-peaks. Too much Brandy. Tired. Michael Mac shit TV. Bed. Indigestion. Xmas Day: Up early, presents too slow and polite. Dog walk. Presents part II. Lunch too late but nicely avoiding Queen. Ready for effing bed. Great turk and tatoes though.

In-laws good this xmas despite serious illness and shit TV options.

Dark bloody early.


 
Posted : 25/12/2017 5:16 pm
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Appropriate beer...

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 25/12/2017 5:59 pm
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Well , my host is not pleasant to his parents.
So a little tricky here .
He actually went to bed for a power nap before a the cheese course!
Currently working on extit strategy.
Oxtail stew was grand though,..


 
Posted : 25/12/2017 7:28 pm
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On our last of 10 nights in Tenerife. Had to work on one of the days as it couldn't be avoided, but spent the rest of the time with the kids and missus , swimming, playing mini golf and 5 aside football . Topped off tonight with a plate of lobster , langoustines and Iberian sirloin.
Gonna miss that sun !
Merry Christmas


 
Posted : 25/12/2017 8:31 pm
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Well nobody has parked in front of my dropped curb,and I don’t have any topsoil to shift, so things could be worse.


 
Posted : 27/12/2017 10:07 am
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i always read these threads and wonder how the hell folk manage to get out on their bikes on xmas day, especially with kids... well this year i did too! only for an hour or so, using the dog as an excuse - but it made my day!!


 
Posted : 03/01/2018 1:12 pm
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Any Christmas misery has now been firmly put in perspective, now I've had to return to work :?.


 
Posted : 03/01/2018 1:54 pm
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two highlights of xmas for me. Family meal in restaurant my mum looks at crankbrat and says he's really tired you should get home, to which i say i can't leave as they haven't brought the bill yet and i need to pay our share my mum looks to my Brother and says "can you sort the bill out" me and brother assumes she means get the bill now and work out the split so he says "of course" , my mum turns to me and says "its ok you can go he is paying." Genuinely funny as my brother has stayed for a week and eaten and drunk and made close to zero contribution.
The second highlight was seeing the meteor/comet over leeds on New Years Eve genuinely strange and otherworldly.


 
Posted : 03/01/2018 2:03 pm
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