Latest News
December 31, 2009 - Happy New Year!
Its
Mexican New Year at the Kings house.
For the full story click here...
News Archive - 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
2009
December 24, 2009 - Happy Christmas!
Its
a Happy Christmas at our house.
For the full story click here...
December 5, 2009 - Its Yuletide market time again!
Its
nearly Christmas and therefore time to look round Lincolns festive Market.
For the full story click here...
November 8, 2009 - All the way from Death Valley
Finally
he was here! At 6ft 10" and weighing 299lbs its the dead man
himself, The Undertaker.
For the full story click here...
October 29, 2009 - Welcome to Arty Towers
Back
at Alton Towers and this time going all arty.
For the full story click here...
October 24, 2009 - The Pop Divas Just Dance
Months
of practice and all the Pop Divas had to do is "Just Dance"
For the full story click here...
August 22, 2009 - On Holiday in South Wales
Our
holiday didn't start off to well but we did have a good time by the end.
For the full story click here...
August 16, 2009 - Sky's not the limit
Glorious
HD TV arrives and a hard drive gets upgraded, why?
For the full story click here...
July 18, 2009 - Midsummer Madness
Diva
Mum and Diva daughter dance at Ilkeston's Midsummer Madness.
For the full story click here...
July 8, 2009 - Turns out Ilkeston's got lots of it!
Its
the big final of Ilkeston's Got Talent!
For the full story click here...
July 1, 2009 - Has Ilkeston really got it?
Its
the age old question, has Ilkeston really got talent?
For the full story click here...
June 13, 2009 - Its Carnival Time in Ilkeston
For
the second year running Leah and Tracie perform at the Carnival.
For the full story click here...
May 13, 2009 - Mum and Dad on the Orient Express
Kev's
Mum and Dad celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary by going on the Orient
Express.
For the full story click here...
Apr 19, 2009 - Welcome to WrestleMania
Kev's,
Chris' and Leah's passion for people in lycra continues.
For the full story click here...
Apr 16, 2009 - Alton Towers
A
cold day in April and we go to Alton Towers.
For the full story click here...
Mar 6, 2009 - We are parents of a teenager!!
The
teenager years have arrived.
For the full story click here...
Feb 5, 2009 - Playing in the snow
Proper
snow means its time to go sledging.
For the full story click here...
2008
December 31, 2008 - Good Bye 2008, hello 2009
Food,
games, singing, drinking and dangerous fire lanterns are all present at our New
Years do.
For the full story click here...
December 21, 2008 - Last Christmas in Germany
Not
only do the Kings have to live in Germany but they have to put up with us
visiting too!
For the full story click here...
December 19, 2008 - Dancing on Ice
Do
Nottingham's very own Torville and Dean have new competition? Well, no but
Tracie and Leah still have a go.
For the full story click here...
December 5, 2008 - Lincoln Christmas Market
We
go to Lincoln Christmas Market, after all it tis the season to be jolly!
For the full story click here...
November 12, 2008 - Lots of wrestling but no Big Daddy
The
World Wrestling Entertainment Survivor Series comes to town.
For the full story click here...
October 25, 2008 - Kev's Ferrari Frenzy Day
Its
not every day you get a go in a Ferrari, this is what happened when Kev
got a chance.
For the full story click here...
October 5, 2008 - Pop Divas "Entertain You" 2008
The
months of
practicing are over, its time for the Divas to entertain us.
For the full story click here...
August 4, 2008 - We go to Orlando, Florida
This
years big holiday was with Chris, Kerry and Carys as we go to Orlando, Florida
to help Chris celebrate his 40th birthday.
For the full story click here...
July 12, 2008 - Ilkeston has Midsummer Madness
The
Pop Divas perform at the Midsummer Madness Festival.
For the full story click here...
July 6, 2008 - Kev unveils a Silverstone surprise
Did
Kev and Chris watch the F1 British Grand Prix in front of the TV or did they
actually go to Silverstone? A long planned surprise is revealed.
For the full story click here...
June 22, 2008 - Dancing at the Ilkeston Carnival
Tracie
and Leah dance and Kev eats chips. Its all the fun of the fair at the
Ilkeston Carnival.
For the full story click here...
May 26, 2008 - We go round the Windmill Route
One narrowboat, 2 kids and a map get us round the Windmill Route.
For the full story click here...
May 21, 2008 - Grimroper goes all RSS
But
what does it mean and what can it do for you?
For the full story click here...
May 15, 2008 - We have a new kitchen.
The
title says it all, we have a new kitchen.
For the full story click here...
May 1, 2008 - Say cheese!
We
enter a Labyrinth and, warning obvious joke alert!, are a-mazed with the
results (sorry!)
For the full story click here...
March 28, 2008 - Tracie is back at school and needs your help!
Back
at school, joining Facebook and needing your help! But why?
For the full story click here...
March 6, 2008 - Leah is one year away from becoming a moody teenager.
Leah
turns 12 and the teenage years loom before us!
For the full story click here...
March 1, 2008 - Grimroper wants you!
Do
you own a Playstation 3? Do you play games online? If the answer is
yes, want want you!
For the full story click here...
February, 19, 2008 - Pimp My Internet Connection.
How
can you improve your broadband connection without having to hang with the
"Big Dog" Tim Westwood?
For the full story click here...
February, 16, 2008 - Operation "Bathroom" is a success.
It
took a while but it was worth it, our bathroom has been transformed.
For the full story click here...
February, 9, 2008 - WSCC 2007 Speed Series Awards Evening.
Held
at the swanky
Moor Hall Hotel, Sutton Coldfield
the end of Season trophy presentations had a surprise for Kev.
For the full story click here...
January, 21, 2008 - Our garage hides yet more savings.
It seems
our cheeky garage was hiding yet more savings in electricity.
For the full story click here...
January, 14, 2008 - Our garage hides a big saving in electricity.
We
managed to drastically cut our electricity consumption for all the things we
have in the garage.
For the full story click here...
January, 7, 2008 - We watch our waste
Just
how much rubbish do we create? Well we are sad enough to weigh it and find
out.
For the full story click here...
2007
December, 21, 2007 - Christmas in Germany
We
go back to Germany for Christmas with all of the King family.
For the full story click here...
December, 14, 2007 - Skating in the Square
We
all go skating in the Old Market Square, well all but Kev.
For the full story click here...
December, 1, 2007 - Is it a bird?
Kev
spreads his wings and goes indoor sky diving.
For the full story click here...
October, 27, 2007 - Does making your car more powerful, mean it uses less fuel?
We
try to make our Mini more economical by making it more powerful. Sounds
odd but does it work?
For the full story click here...
October, 25, 2007 - Our electricity is green, what colour is yours?
Sticking
with our theme of trying to be eco-friendly we now have green electricity.
For the full story click here...
October, 19, 2007 - Pam and David go sausage side.
They may have turned into Germans but we still visited them in their new home.
For the full story click here...
October, 3, 2007 - Isla India Roper.
Isla India Roper is born.
For the full story click here...
September, 29, 2007 - We are a Non Starter at Loton
The
first sprint we applied to enter was the last one of the Season, a hill climb at Loton Park
in Shrewsbury.
Sadly due to illness we never even set off and so my first season as a racing driver ended.
I really enjoyed the whole thing and at the end of the season I had managed to finish third in the Class E Novice Championship. Not bad for a first go I think!
For a summary of the entire 2007 season click here...
September, 15, 2007 - We go Sprinting at a Stately Home
Second
to last Sprint of the season sees us at the beautiful Thoresby Park, racing in
between the trees and hay bales.
For the full story click here...
September, 9, 2007 - The Pop Divas perform at Nottingham Castle
The
Pop Divas help Age Concern celebrate turning 65 by performing at Nottingham
Castle.
For the full story click here...
August, 18, 2007 - Back at Curborough again, but was it the same old story?
Our
third time at Curborough saw sun, rain, a fan club and a surprise result.
For the full story click here...
August, 13, 2007 - We go to London, Las Vegas and Los Angeles
Its
finally here, we go on holiday to the 3 L's. London, Las Vegas and Los
Angeles.
For the full story click here...
July, 15, 2007 - Who ran the Race For Life?
Leah,
Lorna and Tracie run the Race For Life in Newark.
For the full story click here...
July, 14, 2007 - Now we have two Divas in the family!
Tracie
and Leah perform at Ilkeston's "Party in the Park"
For the full story click here...
July, 11, 2007 - Our quest to save electricity moves to the Spare Bedroom
Electricity
usage has been monitored and changes made.
For the full story click here...
June, 24, 2007 - The WSCC Curborough Sprint
Kev
and Peter returned to Curborough for the WSCC Curborough Sprint.
For the full story click here...
June, 23, 2007 - Want to be a Worm Keeper?
Its
been two months since we got our Can-O-Worms so is it working? and have we
learnt anything?
For the full story click here...
May, 19, 2007 - Leah the Pop Diva.
Leah
and the other Pop Divas dance in a car park.
For the full story click here...
May, 13, 2007 - We race at the World oldest motor racing event
Our
first Hill Climb of the Sprint Series season at Shelsley Walsh sees us getting
incredibly wet and Kev making an imprint in the scenery.
For the full story click here...
May, 12, 2007 - What are we doing to reduce our electricity consumption?
We
are still working on
our plan to reduce our carbon footprint, this time by reducing the amount of
electricity we use.
What have we done and does it work?
For the full story click here...
April, 28, 2007 - What have Kev & Stirling Moss got in common?
Sprint Three of the 2007 WSCC Speed Series at Aintree, Liverpool gives Kev a Second in Class and a link to Stirling Moss.
For the full story click here...
April, 25, 2007 - We open a right can of worms!
What kind of chaos have we been causing this time? Well none really, its all a strange tale about compost!
For the full story click here...
April, 22, 2007 - Kev, third in class in Speed Series.
Kev surprises us all, and himself, by being third in Class in the 2007 WSCC Speed Series.
To see the latest Championship points table click here...
April, 15, 2007 - Kev scares himself at Cadwell.
Our second race in this years WSCC Speed Series took place at Cadwell Park in Lincoln, and Kev gives himself a bit of a fright!
For the full story click here...
April, 9, 2007 - Kev and Pete do the Croft Sprint.
We took part in our first Sprint of the 2007 WSCC Speed Series at Croft Circuit in Darlington.
For the full story click here...
April, 3, 2007 - The PlayStation is set free!
After
years of being captive in the conservatory, our PlayStation 2 has been
released onto the internet.
One Network Adaptor purchase, a little bit of fiddling to connect it to our wireless network and some "Net Play" games later it was all done.
Welcome one and all, to the world of Online gaming!
Oh, and we upgraded our Internet Connection to a 5 meg one while we were are it!
PS. If you want to see how fast your internet connection is, use this handy little Broadband Speed Checker.
March, 29, 2007 - Operation "Bathroom" begins.
After
getting two ridiculous quotes to redo our bathroom, we have decided to go it
alone. Operation "Bathroom" has begun.
For the full story click here...
March, 13, 2007 - Kev, Pete and the Curborough Sprint Course.
At
last the day has arrived and Kev finally gets behind the wheel of the Westie.
For the full story click here...
March, 9, 2007 - Tracie receives School Caring Award.
Leah's
school gives out awards for kids that look after or help someone. They
do this by nominating the kid who then gets presented with a Certificate
in assembly.
Normally this is just for the kids so its quite odd that Tracie was nominated by the kids she was helping with their sowing.
Sadly, Tracie wasn't able to collect the award in person due to prior commitments, so Leah did it on her behalf.
March, 3, 2007 - Pop Stars in a surprise visit to Ilkeston.
What
were Hannah Montana, Gwen Stefani, Joss Stone and a suspiciously pale
looking Michael Jackson doing in Ilkeston?
The answer? They were all here for Leah's "Pop Star" Birthday party.
For the full story click here...
March, 2, 2007 - School allocations are published, what did Leah get?
Surprisingly considering that anyone with the surname Roper usually gets forgotten, misplaced or given the exact opposite of what they ask for, Leah got offered a place at the school she (and us) most wanted. Ilkeston School.
February, 27, 2007 - What's happening with Kev's racing career?
No
it hasn't died a death, in fact lots of things have happened. Me and Peter
went to the Autosport Show at the NEC in January where I managed to get my
helmet (Bell), race suit, gloves, boots, underwear and balaclava (all Sparco) and
get a good discount in the process.
We have both successfully entered the first race of the season at the Croft sprint track on 9th April and have got the new race tyres. We have bought a bullet cam so we can record our "performances" on the day.
Finally we have a practice session, possibly my first time driving the car, booked at Curborough race track on March 13th.
February, 25, 2007 - What have we done to use less gas?
Continuing
our plan to reduce our carbon footprint, changes have been made to our central
heating system to get it to use less gas but keep us just as warm.
What have we done and does it work?
For the full story click here...
February, 3, 2007 - Entry into Croft Sprint Accepted.
Kev
has successfully applied to the Darlington & District Motor Club for a place in
the Croft Sprint, race one of the WSCC 2007 Speed Series.
The race takes places Monday 9th April 2007.
January, 13, 2007 - Tracie thanked for sponsorship efforts.
Cancer
Research UK wrote to Tracie thanking her for her "wonderful donation of £1170"
the amount she raised by running the 2006 Robin Hood Half Marathon.
This puts the total raised by Tracie for Cancer Research to over £2200.
January, 9, 2007 - Entry to 2007 WSCC Speed Series confirmed.
"We
confirm that your entry to Class E has been accepted" states the letter from the
WSCC. Also received the Series Registration Card and "WSCC Speed Series Driver" sow on
patch.
Kev is quoted as "Very pleased"
2006
December, 28, 2006 - Off setting with Target Neutral.
We
cant get rid of our cars and start riding donkeys everywhere but we can
off set what comes out the back of them.
For the full story click here...
December, 21, 2006 - Our Carbon Footprint is calculated and its not at all dainty!
It
turns out not to be the delicate footprint
we had hoped for. Instead think of a pair of huge hob nailed boots
trampling its way across fields, destroying trees as it goes.
For the full story click here...
December, 14, 2006 - Westfield measured up for Roll Bar modifications.
Went with Peter to the garage where his
Westfield is having a motorbike engine fitted, as we
need to get the
Westie's (As they appear to get called) Roll Bar raised cos my head sticks out above it, and if it rolls its going to be me rather than it saving the day!
Garage man to weld hoops to the current Roll Bar to make it higher.
December, 3, 2006 - WSCC Membership confirmed.
Got confirmation of my Membership
to the WSCC, so am now able to apply for my MSA Racing Licence and submit my application to take part in the WSCC Speed Series.
December, 1, 2006 - Kev to become racing driver.
Following on from my recent success driving a Mini Cooper S round the Rockingham circuit, ok I was crap really, I am now to become a proper racing driver.
What started as a conversation between me and Peter Cox about doing some endurance kart races next year, ended up with me agreeing to share a drive in his Westfield sports car and so become a full fledged (if unproved and probably talent less) racing driver.
So despite the fact that a, I don't own a Westfield and b, have only sat in it once, and then it wasn't moving, I have entered the Westfield Sports Car Club Speed Series in 2007.
For the full story click here...