Couldn’t not wrap up this football-centric year without a quick look at England’s 2026 World Cup roller-coaster journey. Who’d have predicted the final score of the third-place playoff when England started the 2nd half 4 goals to nil? But first, here’s a here’s a quick recap of our team’s performance since their first world cupContinue reading “Dashed Hopes – Unexpected Victory”
Author Archives: jroauthor
Sophia’s Choice
Bit of a break from the holiday reminiscences – mainly because today was spent down south at my fabulous daughter-in-law’s baby shower, then a mad dash up the M40, arriving home just as the England-Norway game began – more about that later. Yep, finally gonna have a grandchild, making me Granny Gray. And her choice?Continue reading “Sophia’s Choice”
Hot or What? – Mid Spain
We didn’t discover Spain until 96, and in the dozen years until 2007, we only missed two years in Spain (North and Middle), but sadly haven’t been back since. 1998 saw us France’s Green Venice and in 2005, we spent our August week in Ireland – more about that in a few weeks’ time. InContinue reading “Hot or What? – Mid Spain”
Hot or What? – Northern Spain
Our first impression of North Spain was it felt an awful lot like Wales (mountains, beaches and lush greenery) but with heat. Our favourite patch was the Asturias, between Ribadesella and Llanes, about an hour’s drive west of Santander. Our last visit was made memorable by the wildlife – we saw a scorpion and aContinue reading “Hot or What? – Northern Spain”
Hot or What? – Southern France
So many of our holidays began on Brittany ferries, and we spent many a happy hour playing cards in the Commodore Lounge, having sussed early on what a different experience you could have by paying a little extra. I love this first photo, showing how protective Chris was of Jo. Lake District The one andContinue reading “Hot or What? – Southern France”
Hot or What? – Mid-France
Loire Valley We spent many October half-terms in gites in the Loire valley when the kids were growing up, and it’s the place I hanker after most when our ability to travel is restricted. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep detailed records of all the places we visited, but a quick tot up says there were atContinue reading “Hot or What? – Mid-France”
Hot or What? – Northern France
Brittany My first experience of France, was a family trip to Brittany in summer after finishing my a levels. Grateful to discover I had reasonably good sea legs on the ferry, I joined in with fascination as we discovered warm seas, stunning sights and scrummy crepes. I was particularly taken with the fortified island inContinue reading “Hot or What? – Northern France”
Hot or what? – My Greek Love Affair
In light of the recent UK heatwave – rarer on a bank holiday than unicorn droppings, let alone hen’s teeth – I thought I’d revisit some of our awesome holiday destinations. Any excuse to look through the holiday pix. As it happens, I’m currently having great fun remembering some of the fabulous experiences on GreekContinue reading “Hot or what? – My Greek Love Affair”
Who are you? …
… and what have you done with Jacky Gray? I know, right? This is probably only the third year in my life I’ve been anywhere close to doing something with football. The first was 1987, when Coventry City won the FA Cup. I wouldn’t have called Brian an avid fan, but the opportunity to supportContinue reading “Who are you? …”
Doppelgangers – Female
Women you never rarely see in the same room: Geraldine McEwan – Born May 1932 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 1978 – Jean Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves 1991 – Mortiana Marple 2004 – Miss Marple Maggie Smith – Born Dec 1934 Hook 1991 – Granny Wendy Sister Act 1992 – Mother SuperiorHarry PotterContinue reading “Doppelgangers – Female”
JRo Author 