I have been struggling with what I should write as my introduction to the ‘Today is all about’ post for May. So I thought I would take my inspiration from the British summer weather.
Short and sweet. So….enjoy!
Monthly Highlights
Me, Myself & I
Why bother?
Do you look at every aspect of life and then think "Why bother?". That’s where I am right now and things have to change!
Talking Points
Crazy Golf
After taking up living like a hermit, I decided that I would venture out for some fun.
For part of Matt’s birthday celebrations, a gaggle of gays descended on Junkyard Golf.
I have never been here before, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I played crazy golf. So my skills were as you would expect…shite!
The group was split into two, and we seemed to have been split according to how we tackled the courses.
One group were more serious in their approach. The scorecards were out, the rules were followed, and the seriousness and desire to win were visible.
The other group was just there for the shits and giggles. I was in this group!
We did start with good intentions with the scorecard, but it came to a point where we were all on different holes creating havoc!
It was nice to get out of the house, socialise and hang out with mates for a few hours. Even with me not drinking.
Alton Towers
The last time that I went to Alton Towers was in 2018, so when I got asked if I wanted to go, I said yes.
The latest news coming from Alton Towers was the re-opening of Nemesis. So this was where we headed first, thinking we would have a huge queue to contend with. The fact is, we were on the ride in less than 10 minutes.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what had changed, apart from a giant eye being added to the ride. Maybe they replaced the tracks, but the ride itself was the same as the previous one.
It looks like going to the park in May is the best time of the year, as it wasn’t that busy and the queues weren’t too long.
The average queue time was 10-15 minutes. I think the longest we had to wait for was Smiler, but even then, it was less than 20 minutes.
Plus, we got on nearly everything that we wanted to. We would have got on everything if it wasn’t for two factors.
The weather
Midway through the day, the heavens opened which meant we had to duck for a cover on a few occasions.
Not only did the bad weather prevent ride time from happening, but it also closed down some rides for a while, which included Rita.
The early close
During the quiet periods, understandably the place shuts earlier. Just too early.
The 5pm close is related to the park shutting, meaning the rides were closed an hour before that! It kind have felt like we lost an hour in the park, which would have meant that we could have got another ride or two in.
Excuse me, what?
The whole reason for the trip to Alton Towers was due to Carl’s Australian niece being over for a visit.
However, our meeting was off to a very rocky start, when I learnt that Lily, an actual Aussie I should reiterate again, had never heard of Neighbours!
I know! I was as shocked as you are.
I know the show isn’t popular in its own country, but to not know about the show?
Neighbours is a show that has been around for nearly 40 years. Was all over the media (including Australia) in 2022 after being cancelled and then uncancelled 4 months later. The show is one of Australia’s most successful media exports. Some of the country’s biggest stars made their name from the show, including Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Delta Goodrem and Margot Robbie to name a few.
So not knowing about the show’s existence baffles me! How big is the rock you’re sleeping under Lily? Was it Uluru/Ayers Rock by any chance? ????
Jackson
May also saw our family grow by one, as we introduced a ginger tom to the clan.
When Todd passed, the husby has missed having a ginger cat in the house. After saying “no” more times than I can remember, a moment of weakness happened and I agreed to a ginger kitten.
Before I had even finished “okay” the husby was at Millstream Animal Shelter looking. Who am I kidding, he had been searching way before I even agreed!
However, ginger cats are generally limited, or quickly adopted as soon as they are available.
That’s not ginger!
After a few weeks of searching for a ginger tom, the husby would send me a link to a kitten up for adoption. I’d look and respond “That’s not ginger!”
I know my eyes are awful at times, but even I can tell the difference between a black and white cat and a ginger one.
“That’s still not ginger!”
He even decided to try his luck with a calico cat, but I reminded him that the agreement was for a ginger cat. He responded, “It has a lot of ginger in him”!
I know for a fact that if I agreed to this, The husby would continue to pester for a ginger cat, and I refuse to return to a four-cat house!
That same day as we were travelling to my bother’s 50th, a litter of ginger kittens were released for adoption and reserved. We were too late again!
We were destined not to get a ginger cat!
While at the party, the calico cat was being shown around, and the husby wanted this cat. I agreed to the car, on the agreement that this was instead of a ginger cat.
He agreed, but while trying to sort out the adoption, the cat was reserved by someone else!
Rules have changed
However, this little update to the terms and conditions, meant Chris showing me any colour cat, but he was pushing the boat by trying to get me to agree to two cats!
That was a firm no. Not happening. “I will divorce you before I have four in this house again!”
We decided to visit Millstream as we wanted to drop off some donations for their tombola, as well as food donations for the cats. For info, they still need food!
Chris also decided to bring the cat carry with us “just in case”. It was clear he wanted to return with a cat…ginger or not!
While we were travelling Millstream, a litter of kittens was advertised for adoption, including a handful of gingers.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried to message someone so quickly, explaining that we were actually on our way and were interested in one of the gingers. Alas, we were too late and all were reserved.
When we arrived at Millstream, they recognised who we were and explained that unfortunately all had been reserved. However, they do have another ginger kitten that will be going up for adoption the following week.
And that is when we were introduced to Jackson, and we fell in love with him straight away.
Jackson comes home
A week later, we picked Jackson up and the bonding period started.
To begin with, he was a little nervous, but he soon settled in and playing with us. He is quite inquisitive and searching everywhere, trying to get into every nook and cranny.
It was also clear that he was going to be a climber. I learnt that the hard way when he used my leg as a climbing post!
He has bonded really well and loves to sleep between us, which is so freaking adorable. And apart from a few incidents, we’ve been able to sleep all the way through.
As for the bonding with the other cats. Well, that’s going to be a slow process. Let’s just say, I don’t think either Maki or Tia are impressed with the new addition.
Tia has started to accept Jackson and is happy to be in close vicinity of him. But that is it. Maki is just being a grumpy old man and wants Jackson to keep his distance, which Jackson likes to test every so often.
Apart from a few warning taps, the house has been relatively harmonious. *touches wood*
‘Today is all about…’ photos
