Sunday and Monday

Sunday morning I was up bright and early ready for my busy day. I washed my hair and did all my beauty things ready to just get changed later.

Jon was in the shower and Mark, the decorator, turned up. I was not looking forward to the confrontation but I needn't have worried as he was fine. We had a chat and he had to call the people from the website and I had to speak to them and tell them he had given me the money as they would not put him back on the website until I did. He is a nice guy and it was really unfortunate and to be fair I think his father is the cowboy and wants things done quickly and caused most of the problems. At least it does not seem so bad now that we got some money back from him. It is still not a good job though and I will have to do something about it but not just yet with so much other work to do.

We went out for an early coffee and then came back and took the dog out for a walk. It is better taking her out after dinner really as then she does not wake me in the early hours to go out.

Heather and Jon went to Halfords as Heather has decided she now wants to do longer and more frequent bike rides so thought she ought to buy a helmet.

When they got back she got her things together and set off to bike to Soham to see Jane, brave girl.

I got changed and waited to Kirsty and James to pick me up. I was ready but they were late but Kirsty had been working in the morning.

We then went to pick Kirsty's friend Sarah up and we set off. I was glad I took some Sea Legs as I did feel pretty ill in the back of James' car as I find it feels like it rolls a lot and I was very glad when we arrived at Wembley. James had pre booked parking and we got a space very close to the entrance.

In the email Kirsty received it said we could not collect the tickets till 3.30 and it was 3.00 but it was open so we went to get them. It is a first come first served basis. We got the tickets and the girls said to come back for 8.00!!! The email said 6.00 ah well!

We decided to have a big lunch and a snack later so went to TGI Friday which was OK and I enjoyed my lunch. That used up two hours but we still had three to go so we went to the shops. Unfortunately, we didn't have long as it was Sunday opening hours so they all closed at 5.30!

Next stop was a little street café where Sarah and I had a cup of tea and a piece of cake, James had a milkshake and Kirsty had a glass of wine and we sat out in the sun till it was time to go down to the arena.

There were lots of people outside but at least everyone had a ticket so no pushing or shoving. They were doing some interviews with some of the acts outside the venue but we couldn't hear what they were saying. We also saw a few groups of camera people with the acts and their families, all set up to be casually walking along the street!!!

We finally started to move along in a queue, very long, and got inside not much after eight.

Our seats were pretty good, at the side but first tier and on a level with the judges and close to the stage. There were five thousand people there.

A warm up guy came on and he was very entertaining  and told us what was expected of us. We had to do a standing ovation and it was filmed with the camera sweeping around. We then did a very big round of applause which was also filmed. He told us that this was to be used on the opening night and they will use the standing ovation and the applause clip over and over so what you see on TV for applause may not be the applause for the act or in his words. 'If you see a shite act on TV and it gets applause this is what it is'!!

Finally it was ready to start and we saw Dermot O'Leary do a link and then we didn't see him again. The judges then came out and everyone was very excited and then Simon comes out on his own.

We were surprised when they said we would see 20 acts and then knew we were in for a late one. It was all good fun but they kept breaking for make up re touch and for Cheryl to have her hair combed and sprayed. The person who had least done to them was Louie.

As it got later and later and people had to leave to catch the tube they kept filling the empty front seats up with people from the back and I suppose about half must have left by the time it finished at 12.30!!!! And these people do this for four days on the trot. I would be brain dead, no wonder they can't remember who they have seen. Simon was very Good and thanked us all for staying for such a late show. He does appear to be very nice.

We saw some good acts and three really rubbish, funny ones who didn't get through. One girl had lost her voice and they told her to come back on Monday but not sure how much difference one day will make. Pretty much all the end ones got through and not sure if that was coincidence or they let them through as they had waited so long!

We left and were soon in the car on the way home. Just as well we had a big lunch as nothing at all was open from 10.30 not even a vending machine. We all fell asleep and poor James was left to do the driving. I remember getting onto the M11 and didn't think I had slept long and when I woke I saw the sign for the Newmarket junction!

We dropped Sarah off and then me and Kirsty came in to use the loo before they headed home. It was 2.25!

MONDAY

I had a nice lie in this morning and was woken by a car alarm going off in the street but it was 8.30!

I had my shower and breakfast  and then stripped the bed and put on the washing.

We went out for a coffee and to get some shopping and then came back and I got stuck into my last bit of painting in the living room. I also managed to get a coat of paint on the kitchen windowsills  as the builders will be here tomorrow and there will be a lot of dust. I took off all the masking tape from the floor and there were a few places where the paint had seeped under that I had to clean up.

Jon put the curtain rail up and I started to iron the new curtains. I did one and then when I started on the second I saw it had lots of dirty black marks on it like it had been stood on. I did try to sponge them off but it wouldn't and as they are dry clean only I couldn't wash them. I rang the shop and they had another pair so I went down and exchanged them.

Back home I ironed my second pair of curtains and we hung them up. Unfortunately one of them is just one inch shorter than the other which is a real pain and as they just touch the sill it is very noticeable. If I was in NZ I would just take it along to the very nice lady at the dry cleaners and she would have it done in next to no time or my friend Carol! But here! I don't know anyone with a sewing machine so I will need to ask my friend Mary if she can point me in the right direction. Such a pain! I have yet to start ironing the big ones for the French doors!

I cooked spag bol for dinner and both Jon and Heather really enjoyed it as we haven't had it for ages.

I brought my washing in after dinner and ironed the sheets and made the bed again.

We had a call from the builder to say they had backed their van into something and the tow bar is bent so they won't be able to start the work tomorrow. Can't be helped but it is a nuisance as Jon had cleared the patio of all the plants ready for them to start.

The carpet fitter rang to say he will pop in on Wednesday and see how much underlay we need and then come on Friday to re fit the carpet in the hall and landing. I just hope being rolled up for so long it won't look a mess.

Heather had bad tummy pains so went to bed to watch a film and Jon and I took Totty out. It was very noticeable that the nights are drawing in. So sad, it means the summer is coming to an end and I am not looking forward to our first winter back here!



WEATHER
Warm and sunny both days 23 degrees