Hello everybody. It's nice to see you again. Only another 8 days to go until Christmas is here on our doorstep. I hope your all ready? I hope that for those of you that celebrate it, have put up the decorations and wrapped all the pressies? I am ready and can't wait. I love it this time of year. It can be such a happy time for everyone. Seeing family and friends, giving gifts and making people happy. I don't think we will get any snow this year which is a shame. Maybe next year?





I've been spoilt this week. I had two days off, which was really relaxing. I was determined to enjoy some time away from work. I lazed around in bed until late which I really needed. One of the days off (Wednesday) me and my mate Nas went to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. It was great. It has to be my favourite of all the London museums. It is so old and I love the dinosaurs too.

So I met Nas at Kensington High Street tube and we walked the short distance to the museum. It was a nice day actually, the weather was just right. It was a crisp, bright morning. Nas had never been to the Natural history Museum before and it was nice to show someone the place I used to visit when I was a kid. It's amazing to see the real bones of something that roamed the planet a long time before we did. I was surprised how busy it was. Right now they have put up an ice rink outside and a little winter market place. They have got a few new exhibits right now. A really good 'new world' exhibit which has an earth quake simulator which was wicked. But I was happy to see all the old dinosaurs. Whoever cleans those big monsters is pretty good. You never see any dust on them. I wish you could say the same about my house right now. What with the bathroom redecorating seems to have come so much mess. "Do you think I've been spotted? I think the bear can spot tasty meat when he See's it!"

The Natural History Museum first opened its doors to the public on Easter Monday in 1881, it was started a guy called Sir Hans Sloane, who left his collection to the nation in 1753. Sir Richard Owen, head of British Museum’s natural history collection at the time, persuaded the Government that a new museum was needed. It was decided that South Kensington was the place. The land was previously occupied by the 1862 International Exhibition building, once described as ‘the ugliest building in London’. A rising young architect from Manchester, Alfred Waterhouse designed the building. Waterhouse designed the building in a German Romanesque style, creating the beautiful Waterhouse Building. By 1883 the mineralogy and natural history collections were in their new home and this still stands today.

I think the best bit about the museum for me is always the T-Rex. He is wicked. Although he is only a robot I know. Imagine being chased by this thing? It must have been terrifying out there.

On Thursday I chilled out at home and finally got around the wrapping all my Christmas presents. I didn't realise just how many I had brought. I think I went a bit mad this year. No wonder I'm so skint!

Now I wasn't too sure where to put this bit but I think this is an appropriate break in the week to talk about the Leicester gang and there pre-Christmas drink up. I heard it all from Raks. I have to apologise for actually being the only responsible one out of the lot of ya! I was fast asleep and in bed Friday night by 6pm and did'nt stir until the following morning at 6am. So that's why my phone wasn't on. I would have loved to have chatted with a few of you and heard your voices. But at least I got some piccies (I hope you don't mind me posting them on the Blog!) So here are a few snaps.

These girls are hot aren't they? All I wanna know is do they come as a pair? He He only joking girls. You both look really nice. Your b/f's are very lucky guys.

And here we have lovely Eileen. Who I must say looks a bit p**sed but I'm sure a respectable lady like you wasn't really? Finally here is Steve looking all pleased with himself and his plate of food. Thanks for the pics it was nice to see you all having fun.

On Saturday it was Christmas party time again. Every year Tom, Guy, Phil and Kim and me all get together for our ritual Christmas dinner meal. We went to a nice little pub called the Rod Mill which is in Eastbourne. Phil and Kim are friends with Tom and Guy originally but through them I have got to know them too. They are a lovely couple who married a couple of years ago. They are great fun to be around. This year though we had some extra guests come along too. Kim's Children from a previous marriage and partners etc.... So quite a full table.

We had a really nice evening. as usual it was all a bit random. The pub for some unknown reason had a karaoke night on but it was karaoke with a twist. The DJ and his mate who were doing it were Elvis impersonators. I think to be honest though they were a bit past it. LOL.... With there slick back jet black (dyed) hair and long side burns we had renditions of love me tender sandwiched in between the classic drunken "It's raining men" and "I'm coming out" NOT sung by me before you get thinking!

It is Phil's 54th Birthday in a few weeks time so many happy returns to you Phil. I hope you and Kim have a lovely Christmas!

I don't know if any of you have some really over the top houses near where you live that just go mad with all the Christmas Decorations? Well there is this little Cul de sac near where Tom lives in Uckfield that must spend a fortune on the electric bill in the last quarter of the year. Take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think!

It looks more like a MC.Donald's Drive thru than a house!

I have been quite busy today. I got up fairly early and had to do some of the household chores that were piling up around my ears. Then on Sunday evening I went to the movies with my mate Chris. It's been ages since we went out for a meal and movies. He recently moved back from his job in China and I'm really glad he is home again. We went to see Casino Royale at the Roxy cinema in Brixton. It's a nice little cinema slap bang in the centre of Brixton.

I've been told that the movie was good but I didn't expect it to be THAT good. If any of you haven't seen it yet. You gotta go watch it on the big screen. I really enjoyed it. I was getting fed up with all the old Jame bond movies that were coming out. They all seemed the same but this one is really fresh and interesting. I really enjoyed it.

I guess that's all for this week. Just want to say 'Hi' to Todd. Sorry I kept missing your calls over the weekend. I hope your OK. Thank you for your e-mails and I will let you know when I get my Christmas gifts. I hope you get yours in time too. Big shout out to all you boy's and gal's in Leicester too. I hope you've all recovered from your pre-Christmas get together thanks again for the pictures. I have a quiet week next week in the run up to Christmas but you know what my life's like, you never know what could happen! Make sure you come back to check out what been going on.

Stu

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