Chippenham's finest!

Lauren and I were sitting at home after a wonderful day with great company debating what we were going to do for dinner. Due to the extreme nature of the day we were both shattered and neither of us could be bothered to cook anything.

After ages of diliberation (about 10 seconds!!) Lauren says "Let's get a pizza!" and I suggested renting a movie. So I suited and booted myself to brave the outdoors (for those of you stateside, it is FREEZING here!) and set off for Domino's. If only I knew what awaited me....

My first stop was Blockbuster. I grabbed my Blu-Ray (Dinner for Schmucks) and headed over to the till... The queue was HUGE! Still, I took my place and waited patiently whilst the CSA ludites bashed at their keyboards offering special deals of empty promises to any and all that would listen.

Half the queue down I started listening in to some of the conversations others were using to pass the time oh, how I wished I hadn't. Among others, these were some of choice excerpts:

"Aw! I LOVE Cadbury's Quality Street!" "You do know that they're not made by Cadbury right?!" "WHAT! You're kidding me? That has blown my world!"

"Angelina Jolie is a pretty good actress... for a girl"

I shook off my disbelief (after sending a quick text to Lauren) and made off with my Blu-Ray and my sanity and made my way to TESCO. Unfotunately I hadn't made it out of crazy town. As I grabbed my bread and Fanta I was once again met by a queue of my fellow shoppers. It was only when I looked over the shoulder of the person nearest to me that I realised that although there was a queue of about 15 people no one was using the "self checkout"....  don't mean to be rude but.... Really?!?

I saw my opportunity. As swift as an eagle diving for its prey I shot past my fellow shoppers and dove for the scanner..... *Beep* I was in!!! Needless to say I didn't look back.

As I exited the store I was met by an unusual sight but it fit in quite well with the night's antics...

Yep that's right people a dog walking itself!! WOW!

By now I was ready to get home, cuddle on the sofa with Lauren and partake of our spoils. I collected our Large Meteor pizza and stepped outside and headed to the car. On my way I had some delightful young man lean out the back of his friends "sensibly" driven automobile and exclaim how he "really" wanted my pizza....

Just to put your minds at ease, I made it home safely just in time to write this blog before we put the film on.

New years resolutions

I know I’m a month out people but it is that time of year again when we’re given an opportunity to look at ourselves and think of all the things that we want to do, become or even change. 

Many people say that a goal is not a goal until it is written down so I thought I’d share my new years resolutions with you all and immortalize them on the waves of the internet super highway.

Goal number 1. Keep a journal

There have been several chapters in my life where I have attempted to record the “highlights” of my life. Unfortunately for myself I end up rambling on for pages at a time and consequently end up losing interest... tragic I know! So in an effort to combat this never ending cycle I have thought of a plan....

To over come the “boredom” that seems to work its way in to my lacking of a creative streak I am now creating posts on my blog to keep track of the important events of my life.

So hopefully with 4 posts down on my blog and many ideas of ones to come I’m actually enjoying documenting the important points of my life. Plus, this way I get to share these moments with you guys ;-)

Goal number 2. PC prep

Even though Wiltshire police has put a hold on their plans to recruit it doesn’t mean there’s nothing I can do to prepare! I have already approached some people at work but if anyone else is willing to lend a helping hand, let me know ;-)

Goal number 3. Find a “quiet time” hobby

For ages now I have wanted something to do in my spare time that doesn’t involve technology for example playing on the playstation or watching TV/movies.

Thing is, Lauren LOVES to read. In fact she amazes me at how much she does read when she puts her mind to it. She reminds me of Johnny number 5 from the film Short Circuit! 

I have tried to get in to reading many times but I can only seem to properly immerse myself in a book when I’m on holiday! Weird huh?! So I have decided it isn’t for me.

Now... After deliberating about what I could do when Lauren is engulfed in the pages of literature I thought back a few years and remembered that I enjoyed painting Warhammer models. Now don’t judge! I actually got quite good at painting the lil critters so for my birthday I asked for some paints and brushes and, well.... tell me what you think:

4th and final goal... The same old same old...

Yes that’s it people, much like many of the Christmas bingers I too am now willing myself to be more active and get back in to some kind of fitness regime. Something like, you can lead a horse to water comes to mind. 

It is a simple case of will power and I shall get round to doing it but for now I am content with 3 out of 4!  

Wishing all you guys a happy new year and hopefully this has inspired some of you to make some of your own new years resolutions ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Well, it is that time of year again when the day of days comes round. Yes peeps on January 15th 1983 a little baby boy was born to a very welcoming and loving young couple; Adrian and Sheena Rowe. Unfortunately for this little boy he was their first....... one word....... Guinea pig!

Yes, that's right it was me! Since that day to this I have lived 28 wonderful years, some of those years have been happier than others, but I am grateful for what has brought me to this point in my life.


Back to the day of the celebration of my birth!

I went to bed actually quite excited knowing that there was a big pile of cards and presents from loved ones downstairs on the coffee table. Still I managed to put those giddie feelings aside and drifted off dreaming about what wonders awaited me.

Before the sun had time to rise I was awoke by a tiny "DAD DAD DAD DAD DAD" murmur from across the hall. before I had a chance to open my eyes I was pounced on by my beloved who exclaimed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" in my ear. The next thing I know I had one very awake lil boy on me and was surrounded by the presents I was so fondly dreaming of.

Still I was a very spoilt boy and got lots of wonderful things. I got a remote control car/truck, Madden NFL 11 for my ps3, 2 x Blu-rays, a selection of Warhammer paints (don't judge!), some yummy chocs and a top from hollister. I also got some monies too!

I was also blessed with many cards from special peeps. (The Spider-man card has stickers in it!!)

I was surprised by my wife's baking skills as she took me in to the kitchen to reveal this masterpiece! apparently the cake was called "passion cake". Charlie wasn't as impressed as we thought he'd be having never seen a cake on fire! but I couldn't wait to get stuck in! (It was very yummy!)

Although I had to work 2.00pm - 11.00pm I had a fab birthday and was reminded by so many of my friends and family (via txt, facebook etc) just how loved I am. 

Thank you to all who made my day special. Love you all! x

Happy Pre-Birthday to me!!!!

It is that time of year once again to celebrate my day of birth. Sadly, I'm working on my birthday so Lauren wanted to celebrate it on Monday 10th January, my birthday being on the 15th (for those that don't know).

I felt bad as I don't usually get too excited about my birthday due to the fact it is so close to Christmas. But this year Lauren had other plans. The thing was, they were secret plans! 


It wasn't until I said to her that I was going to be out that evening at a works do that she admitted that she was going to wake me Monday morning offering me train tickets to London. 
Still we came up with other plans to go in to Bristol so that we could go to the cinema, eat out and do a bit of shopping.


We'd managed to get a babysitter for Charlie for the day so, without being mean, we were at our own leisure to do as we pleased. We headed in to Bristol around 10ish and decided to get a hot chocolate as it was freezing! (I mean CHILLED TO THE BONE!). We then headed to the cinema and had a choice between "The King's speech" or "Season of the Witch".

As it was my birthday I pulled rank and chose the latter. So we got our tickets and headed in to make ourselves comfortable. As we were there at 11am we had an easy time picking our seats as 6 people (including ourselves turned up).

So, we'd got our tickets, we'd got our seats and we were set. I was quite looking forward to getting a sneak peak at what was due out but as the trailers started we were met with horrific films about exorcisms and murders! Lauren and I looked at each other wondering what we'd let ourselves in for but decided to persevere. 
Well, the opening scene was three "supposedly" innocent women being accused, in a very monty pythonesque way, of being witches! As the scene progressed I felt Lauren squeezing my hand tighter and tighter. The scene concluded with one of the women being a witch who proceeded to kill the priest reading her her last rights. When the gore had finally ended I looked in to my wife's terrified eyes to hear her whisper "The King's speech would have been nice!" LOL!

As it turns out, it was a very entertaining movie and it was nice to get back to the cinema.

After we'd composed ourselves we travelled to one of our favourite restaurants FLAVOURZ. This is a place (kinda like The Golden Coral Hesbs) where you can go and stuff your face full of Chinese, Indian and mexican cuisine. Plus they have a killer desert section!! Lauren's favourite section is the chef that cooks chow mein made to order.

For my final treat, Lauren took me to Cabot Circus (a nearby mall) where I could shop till I reached my budget. The ironic thing is, we looked in so many shops but I only ended up buying a new shirt/hoodie from Hollister. 


All that being said, I still have birthday cards to open on my birthday and some presents in the post so I consider myself extremely blessed to be loved in the way that I am. 
I would like to say a BIG thank you to my wonderful wife for already making my birthday so special. I love you! X

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life...

Well, as it's the start of a new year and, with much persuasion from a certain sister-in-law (love you hesbs) I thought it was about time that I shared our eventful life with you all!


We are just getting back in to our regular routines after an amazing Christmas break.


As we were off to Salt Lake in Utah we had a Pre-Christmas with Nana Rowe.
My mum had come down to spend some time with us and take us to the airport. This was just the beginning of Charlie being thoroughly spoilt!
Unfortunately the inevitable happened... Charlie was more interested in the wrapping paper!

We had a horrible scare on the way to the airport. As we were driving down the M4 we noticed a white van man swerving all over the place!

As we watched in horror as this WVM drove within inches of his neighbours a moral sense of responsibility came over me like when superman hears the cries of an innocent bystander! I immediately reached for my phone and dialed 999! (Not quite as dramatic as superman I know).


Luckily we arrived safely but the drama didn't end there! We were told that our flight to Chicago O'hare had been cancelled!!!! Fortunately the lady at the desk was very nice and managed to get us another connecting flight to LA!!! 11 Hour flight! still we were on our way!

As Charlie had never been on an airplane we were a lil anxious as to how he'd find it. As we entered the plane we realised we were sharing the row with someone and concern and worry immediately entered our minds. Was Charlie going to behave? Was he going to scream? was this person going to end up telling us to sort him out? Fortunately for us the air-stewardess gave this lady an upgrade so we could have the whole row. Charlie was most grateful.

We finally arrived at our destination after A LOT of flying and 5 hours of dealing with a very grumpy Charlie. Turns out Charlie doesn't like flying...

We quickly got settled and in to the swing of things and relished in the company of our family on the other side of the pond.

I can't believe how much we fit in to our time in America. We went to the Salt Lake Christmas concert (featuring David Archuletta & Michael York), The Saviour of the world theatre production, visited lots of friends and family, visited BYU campus and visited the local eateries.... 

Even the infamous Red Iguana mexican (that didn't give me fries even though they were ON the menu!) You can see my reaction below.

Of course, we found time to celebrate Christmas. Thanks to Dianne we had a wonderful Christmas dinner despite the fact she was really ill.

And of course there were the presents!!!

All in all we had a fabulous time and a wonderful Christmas. Thank you!