On our Way

It took quite a while to get out of Kampala, we had hit rush hour on a Monday morning, so the city was more than hectic! As we gradually left and entered the countryside, there was a huge difference between the two. One thing we noticed which was so good, was that Uganda is so green.

The weather wasn't great, it was raining but it was still warm.

We were on our way to the Queen Elizabeth National park, which was quite some hours away. We stopped off at the equator and had our photo and then went for some breakfast.

Steph bought a traditional African drum (she's always wanted one after seeing them at her Grandparents house when she was growing up). We were a little worried that it might be too big for the luggage, but as we found out at Entebbe airport on our way home, we had absolutely nothing to worry about. Our drum was tiny compared to the drums a group of Americans had!

We reached QEP by late afternoon/ early evening because we made quite a few stops to look at the beautiful scenery. Also, we started to make our first sightings of Uganda's wildlife. The animals were quite far away, but the real safari started the next day...

Uganda!

Kampala

One of the quiet roads, just outside the Hotel Triangle

Our long awaited trip to Uganda finally came and before we knew it we were on our way to Heathrow airport. We flew out of Terminal 5, a new experience for the both of us. We have to say that it was a good experience and there was plenty to do before our flight. On our way to our gate, Steph saw people waiting at other gates and was already deciding on our next trip!

Andy found it difficult to sleep on the plane, but Steph had no trouble at all! We had extra leg room seats which was better for Andy being 6ft 1". Landing at Entebbe was very different to Heathrow, first of all there was so much green and a much, much smaller airport. We had no trouble at Entebbe, a little wait at immigration but that was about it. Andy is always nervous as to whether our luggage has made it with us, but again no need to worry.

Maria, our tour company guide was waiting for us and drove us to our hotel in Kampala. This was our first time in Africa and there was so much going on all around. It was a Sunday and Maria said it was quiet, it did not seem quiet at all! Kampala was just crazy, the traffic lights just seemed redundant and all the moto bikes were weaving in out of all the mini bus taxis. Steph thought she'd seen 'mad' traffic in Asia, but this was something else! Surprisingly not scary, just so crazy you couldn't help but watch.

We were staying at the Hotel Triangle for one night before we left on our safari the next day. We went to our room and caught up on some sleep. The rain hammered down while we were sleeping and we awoke to a very soggy carpet by our door. We went for a wonder around the streets outside the hotel, but didn't go too far as we had already planned a city tour on our return from our safari.

Andy was pleased to find that the hotel played the football, so we settled for the evening watching a game before bed.

We woke early to be ready for our safari. The hotel was comfortable and the staff were friendly and helpful.

Hamid our guide for the safari was waiting for us to begin our first African safari.

Our first impressions of Africa were very good and we were excited to continue our trip.

We stayed at the Hotel Triangle in Kampala. We booked a double room, en suite with air-con (we found that we didn't really need the air-con) $120 per night including breakfast.

Andy's 30th

Andy turned 30 on 3rd November. Being a Wednesday, we had a family meal. We cooked Andy's favourite, Steak, Chips, Onion rings, fried eggs and pepper sauce. Then for afters we had Smarties chocolate birthday cake. It took a while to get it all cooked because we were cooking for 9 people, but it all turned out well and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Andy finished off the evening by giving a speech under the influence of helium, which was hilarious!

On the Saturday we held a cocktail party at home for Andy's birthday. We had a buffet, chocolate fountain, vodka jellies and of course lots of alcohol and mixtures to make the cocktails. The favourite cocktails on the night seemed to be Blue Lagoons and Seabreezes. Although Steph made her favourite cocktail, a Singapore Sling. The Tequila Sunrises didn't go down very well as no one could hack the Tequila! maybe the glass was too small making them too strong.

Chewy stayed by the buffet table all night cleaning up anything that was dropped, needless to say that he is now on a diet! Spike was very over excited due to the amount of people throwing his ball for him!

The party went down really well, lots drank and lots eaten! A couple of people had a few too many of the Baileys and Amaretto shots and were suffering the next day with a hangover!

At about midnight everyone departed into town to carry on the party.

Andy's main present from Steph was a Song Gigajuke Hi-Fi system.

Update

It's been a while since we last posted. We've been to Uganda and had the best time, such an amazing place. We have also celebrated Andy's 30th birthday. We will post about Andy's birthday first and then about our trip to Uganda. Here is a photo of one of the amazing Mountain Gorillas of Uganda we visited.

Tomorrow: Andy's Birthday.

Walking the Pack!

On one of our many dog walks, we had on this occasion invited Steph's dad, sister and brother, who have dogs as well. Between us all we were walking 5 dogs! Luckily all the dogs know each other and get on fine. We walked up Haughmond Hill in Shropshire. There are several routes to the top and we decided to take the longest route. We met many other walkers on the way and more dogs. Everyone just seemed to get on well, so it was a really lovely walk. When you get to the top, you are rewarded with a beautiful view. At the top we stopped for a picnic. We had some treats for the dogs and Steph's sister handed them out. It was quite funny as she is petite and was completely surrounded by 5 dogs in varying sizes from medium to large!

Spike entertained everyone by gathering sticks and small logs, where he tried to carry as many as he could.

Overall we walked for a good couple of hours which was just enough for the dogs.

Happy Anniversary!

A selection of photos from our wonderful day.

Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary and it has been a really good two years! We got married at All Saints Church and had our reception at the Albrighton Hall hotel. The wedding was quite a large one, but we both have fairly large families. The day before our wedding we had torrential rain and Shrewsbury flooded. It usually takes Steph 10-15 minutes to get to her dads house from ours in the car, but the night before took her about an hour as all the roads in were flooded. She had to risk it and ended up driving through a severely flooded road, but she made it.

The next day though, the rain had gone, luckily! But the roads were still flooded and made Steph and her dad 30 minutes late for the church, which made Andy a little nervous! They got a message through and Andy was able to relax a little.

The church service was wonderful, filled with our family and friends. During the signing of the register, the choir sang Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, which was fantastic.

We were a little rushed when we arrived for the reception because we were behind with the timing a little, so were uber organised getting the photos done. The photographer asked Steph to climb on a tree trunk, she was up there like a shot, we didn't want to keep our guests waiting and wanted to get on with the party!

There were no real hitches except that the cake collapsed! The cake maker had iced the cake warm, and therefore it sunk. We weren't that bothered because if that's the only thing to go wrong, then we felt very lucky.

We had a fantastic DJ who got the party really going. Spike and Chewy were present at the reception, which the kids absolutely loved.

If we could do the day again, we wouldn't change a thing, it was a brilliant day made special by the people there.

Update

Thought we'd give a little update seen as though there isn't any planned trips between now and Uganda in October.

Steph has unfortunately been made redundant. The charity she works for has had it's funding withdrawn by the UK government. The withdrawal was originally going to take place over 10 months but that has been reduced to 4 months leaving the charity with too little time to find alternative funding. It's a great shame as it was a good project helping a lot of people. Steph can find a new job, but the people that were benefiting from the project won't have the help they were getting, again.

Andy is managing another football team for the new season as manager and coach, they are called Oswestry Boys FC, so we'll be keeping an eye on their progress. Managing this team will also give Andy the opportunity to do the FA level 2 coaching badge.

Spike has just had his birthday, he is 7 now. Chewy is well and still doesn't seem to be too affected by the arthritis in his front leg joints. They had great fun at the weekend as a couple of our friends came to stay and they have a young daughter who had great fun playing with Spike and Chewy.
These friends of ours are off to paradise because they are moving to Bermuda! Lucky things!

Steph is back to netball and the knee seems to be holding up well. Two more essays to go and that's another year finished at University for Steph. 2011 will be her final year.

We have had holiday invites for next year, so a bit spoiled for choice, but no plans as yet. We've been invited to Bermuda to stay with our friends and another friend has just moved back to Thailand and has invited us over as well. We'll have to see what 2011 brings!

We're looking forward to Uganda in October and Andy's birthday in November.
Speak soon!

Germany 4 v England 1

Not much to say really than the obvious which was that Germany just simply out classed England. Germany deserved the win and finished the game with a real chance for reaching the final. There was of course the controversial decision where Lampard's goal was disallowed. This went and brought out the ever long dispute over whether technology should be brought into the game. We think it should certainly be trialled instead of just ruling it out completely. We think all teams would welcome a trial.

We couldn't help but wonder along with the rest of the country that if Lampard's goal stood, then would it have been a different game? What we do know is that England need to step up, their whole performance was just not quite world class.

On and upwards to Brazil!

Slovenia 0 v England 1

We did it! Through to the last 16. Ok, there was only one goal, but it looks like the team are back to their old selves, so good news all round and we can only get better. We thought the whole team played really well and Milner was superb. We felt for Rooney though, he is so desperate to score and we hope he does in the next round. Not a lot to say apart from that we are so happy for the team.

Our next game is on Sunday 27th June and it's against Germany. We think England have a good chance. If England win against Germany then they could meet Argentina and Spain in the next rounds, a very tough way to win the World Cup, but you never know.

We'll be watching the next game with family and another BBQ, you've got to make the most of the good weather when you live in England!

England 0 v Algeria 0

Well what can we say? We don't look like a winning team. The players looked lethargic, there was no compassion. Whose the Wayne Rooney look-a-like because it certainly isn't the same Rooney we all know and love. Again, we can only choose two players we thought did their job, for us it was Ashley Cole and David James.

It was a very disappointing match, but fair play to Algeria. What did we think of Wayne Rooney's comment after the match? Well he was obviously angry, but you can't blame the fans for booing. Its costs the fans thousands to be in South Africa and they don't get the chance to let the players know their individual comments, so the only way to express their disappointment is to boo. The England team need to sort out whatever it is that is wrong and they haven't got a lot of time to do it in. We know they are better than their previous two performances.

Things could be worse though, we haven't lost any games and we could be in a complete revolt like the French team.

On a more lighter note, British comedian/ actor/ presenter, etc... James Cordon has launched a national campaign. All men to 'Back the Beard' for the England team. Andy has been growing his and has even made it through the itchy stage! What do you think?!

COME ON ENGLAND!

England 1 v USA 1

England played their first group game against the USA yesterday (12th June 2010).

We had a little get together at our house with a couple of our friends and Steph's dad. Andy lit the BBQ for a pre-match meal since the weather was lovely and pretty hot. To join in the spirit of the World Cup and England we put a few flags up, wore our shirts and the dogs wore their England bandanna's.

What can we say about the game? Well we if we're honest we have seen England play a lot better. The beginning was superb with Gerrard scoring a brilliant early goal, but this start was not to be carried through to the end. We can easily point out a few players who played their part brilliantly and we can also point out a few who did not. Of course Green made a huge blunder but you could also point out that the rest of the players didn't help correct that by not scoring any more goals. Rooney seemed to only come in the game in the last 20 minutes. Heskey was taken off but for us he could have got man of the match. Heskey was always busting a gut to win the ball and we felt he played very well.

The worst point of the game for us was the fact that we never got to see Gerrard's goal, the reason was down to a huge error by the tv channel, ITVHD. Someone cut the game and put an advert in and when it went back to the game, Gerrard had already scored! What a mistake to make.

The interview with Gerrard after the game shows he felt they can play better as well. We have every hope in the team and know they should qualify from their group. Fingers Crossed!

Well, to bring up the past, England drew their opening game at the World Cup in 1966 and went on to win the whole thing, so you never know!!