Happy 70th Mum

My dear old Mum turned 70 yesterday. Well done to her ! She spent a quiet Saturday at home with Dad on her 70th, but today her peace was disturbed when all sons, wives, and grandchildren descended on Eightlem for a few hours today to wish her many happy returns.

It was difficult to know what to give Mum for her 70th. In the end we all decided on a collection of photographs in book form, giving her a family pictorial history. Mum seemed pretty pleased with the outcome. We have been busy scanning old photo's over that last month or so. Marks daughter Carmen put them all together into the book format.

It has been a while since we were all together, and it was great to all sit, talk, and joke. We should do it more often. Here are the three bro's, and then their three, long suffering wives.

Justine has been recovering from a recent op... it was good to see her looking well, but we couldn't make her laugh too much... we didn't want to open the stitches !

Here are the grandchildren, Nikki at 20 is the oldest, and Ellie at 10, the youngest.

And some other piccies from the afternoon.

This morning Tricia paraded with the Brownies at the Remembrance Service at Winslow. I went to church at North Marston for our local Rem. Service. It always makes me think of my two Grandads, who both saw service, one in World War 1, the other in  World War 2. I thank my lucky stars I have never been required to go to war, and can only think of my Grandads with respect.

Nikki has had a mixed week. She scored three tries representing the Uni Ladies rugby team, but then her car broke down on the way back. On Friday she saw a sports doctor about her ongoing back complaint, and is pleased with the outcome. She is looking trim and fit at the moment, with all the training she has been doing, so it is important to keep up her regime, which is why it is important for her that the back holds up. It seems she could qualify for some private physio treatment through the Brit Olympic Assoc, so she will pursue that. She also has a new friend, Phil, who plays rugby for MK. They went out Friday night, and on Saturday...oh, and then when we get in this evening, out again !

Ellie bought some new boots today with her birthday money, so she was happy. Rob has been busy with his school art work.

Last Saturday night we had a halloween quiz in the village hall, this was a fundraiser to help with Nikki's training costs for the GB Bobsleigh team. People were generous and we raised approx £400, which should cover a training session in Switzerland in early December. Here are some photo's from the event... of course we all dressed for the occasion.

It was hard work preparing the quiz, and Tricia provided a chilli supper for 60 people which went down well. But worth it in the end.

I have been getting plenty of cycling in lately, about 60 miles this week, and 80+ last week. I must keep it up. Tricia has been doing plenty of gym work as well, and has shifted a few pounds, and feels better for it.

Oh well, off to bed for me.... busy week ahead. Nikki's 21st next Saturday.... seemingly, never a dull moment. I have 8 days leave left to take this year... I might need some of them soon.

Happy Birthday Ellie

Hard to believe she is 10 years old... where oh where has that time gone ? She has grown quite a lot over the last year, and is getting a tall young lady. As is tradition she climbed into our bed on Monday morning and opened her cards and pressies. With some of the money she was given for her birthday, she is eyeing up some new boots... Ellie loves boots. Today a parcel turned up from Deb and Carlos, with a new set of pj's, which she has worn to bed.

The last week Ellie has had a tooth hanging on by a thread, but she wouldn't let anybody touch it or try to take it out... thankfully it came out on Sunday, which was a blessed relief, as she will now stop giving us a continual running commentary on how the tooth is doing. Even though Ellie is aware the tooth fairy doesn't really exist, we still had to go through the charade... anything for a pound.

I toodled off to watch Chelsea Reserves play West Ham reserves last night. The game was taking place at Brentford. I really should know better now than to put myself through such misery... Chelsea won 4-1. It was cold, and I was late home and to bed. Oh well.

My brother Steve was 46 last Friday. Happy Birthday to him. Here he is with me, sometime in the 60's, pointing at something. What sweeties we looked... butter wouldn't melt etc.

Robbie has

Has a month really passed ?

  Seems I haven't blogged for nearly a month... And I really don't know where to start. I think a brain dump will just be the best. It is likely to be a chaotic Saturday. Tricia is doing the catering for the Waddesdon school autumn ball, so the house is full of food, and will soon be full of people assisting with the preperation. Me, I am going to keep a low profile.

Ninja comes back...

The major news this week has been the return of Ninja the pussycat. Now Ninja was last seen in mid August, 8 weeks ago, just before we went on hols. When we came back, we did walks around the fields calling for him, Ellie put up posters, and as the weeks went on we gradually started to think he wouldn't return. Then Nikki turned up with two new kittens, almost to make up for the loss... On Thursday morning this week, apparantly Ellie was all upset about him not coming back, as we had suggested taking the posters down. Then in the evening, Ellie was in the bathroom cleaning her teeth, when who should appear at the window and come in as if nothing had ever happened. Yup, Ninja. Ellie was beside herself, there were genuine tears of joy. When she finally settled down to bed that night, Ellie told me she had prayed for him every night he was missing, and God had kept him safe and bought him back. What can you say to that ? Ninja himself seems in very fine health. Wherever he has been, he has been fed, and looked after. He doesn't look like he has been roughing it in the fields. I can only assume he has another house he goes to. And I don't suppose it will be the last time he goes on a 'big explore'. Next time I will have to make sure we don't allow any new cats into the house. Believe me, 4 is more than enough. But then again, I sometimes believe 1 is more than enough

Ellie

Ellie is settled back into school, and is doing all her usual activities. She is in her last term as a Brownie, and will finish at Christmas. She has been made a 'sixer' and so is pleased with her new status in life. She is also back at dancing classes, going twice a week, doing disco and rock'n'roll on a Wednesday, and on a Friday she does Latin American. With Strictly Come Dancing back on the screens she is a happy girl. This week in assembly she was presented with her Level 2 badge for cycling proficiency. She has been doing cycling classes, where she is taught how to look after her bike, keep it safe, how to ride safely etc. Of a group of about 10, they only awarded the Level 2 to 4 of them, so Ellie is (rightly) pleased with herself.

Safari Supper

Twice a year, Tricia and I organise a 'progressive supper' where, with a group of friends you go around to each others houses for different meal courses. Previous suppers are here www.safarisupper.co.uk, and we always have a theme. This summer, we celebrated 40 years of Woodstock, by having our own peace festival, 'Marstock'. We started with some music, Robbie's band played, and then a local lad did a couple of numbers, and then the girl next door sang a few numbers. Some people held starters courses in their tents (which is what Tricia and I did), and the evening ended back in the field, around a fire. There was an awful lot of work to be done organising it, and Tricia worked really hard to get it all set up... another fun evening.

Robbie

Robbie has been enjoying getting back involved in his art and graphic design at school. He has been doing a number of scenic paintings. The cricket season has finished, and he was one of the top wicket takers at the club over the season. He starts doing weight training sessions with Tricia next week, which he is looking forward to getting back into.

Nikki

Nikki is back at Uni. She has moved into a new house, and is pleased with her new housemates, who it seems are prepared to do their fair share of keeping the house clean and tidy. She was in Frankfurt a few weeks back with the GB Bobsleigh squad, and whilst she just missed out on teh senior squad, has been picked for the junior squad, and will go to the junior world champs. She had a great time in Frankfurt and is looking forward to more bobsleigh adventures. Over the summer Nikki has also been acting as physio to Milton Keynes rugby club, and has been pleased that some of the diagnosis she has come up with for injuries has been accurate. Nikki has a nw boyfriend, Ryan, who I have now been allowed to meet ! He seems like a nice bloke, but is a Liverpool supporter unfortunately.

Tricia

Tricia has left Milton Keynes athletics club, she was unhappy with a number of things over the summer, and has decided to move on. She still coaches at Aylesbury AC, but is going to wait till the new year to decide on which club she will affiliate to. She has been busy over the last week building up to doing the catering for the Waddesdon school ball, which involved feeding 156 people. It went off very well, although we are all a bit jaded today as it was 2 am before we got to bed. Nikki and Robbie helped with the food prep and in the kitchen on the night.

Me

Well after a lot of rehearsals, and the safari supper last week, and the Ball last night I am feeling a little jaded and like I never have any free time. Still, I chose to do the play so I can't moan too much. It is performance week coming up, so this time next week it will be all done and dusted. I play John Watherstone in The Winslow Boy. I am supposed to be a younger man than I am... so I have had to use something called 'Just For Men' to try and remove all the grey. I did it this aftermoon....and it looks pants.

I managed to get back on the bike last week and cycled into Watford . I won't have much chance this week though as I need to get back for play / rehearsals each evening.

Back to school...

Robbie and Ellie went back to school this week. Tricia enjoyed the peace and quiet during the day  Rob was keen to get back and catch up with some mates, and get cracking on his art and graphics work. Ellie was less keen, but enjoyed her first few days back.

I went to school as well... twice. First was at Robbie's school, where I am governor. First meeting of the new school year lasted nearly 4 hours. But, I do enjoy being a governor, and helping in some way to contribute to the life of the school. I sit in on 2 committees, one for curriculum, and one for school admissions, as well as being the link governor for maths and computing.

The fact that I have a governor responsibility for maths, is a constant source of amusement for my old school friends. Speaking of which, I met up with some of them on Saturday in Reading. I have been in touch with Carlos and Julian over the years, but we also met up with a guy called John Preston yesterday who we hadn't seen since 1977.... 32 years ago. You do wonder if you would recognise someone after all that time, but as soon as he walked in it was obvious. We sat talking about school days for a good few hours. When we had finished, Carlos and I went and had a look at our old school, Presentation College, so that was my second school visit this week. It changed hands a few years back, and beacme The Elvian school, but that looks like it has closed, and there was a planning notice outside which looks like it may get pulled down and replaced. Old memories flooded back... Here are Carlos, John and Julian.

The house has been full of the smells of Tricia's chutney this week. She made over 80 jars on Friday, and when I walked in on Friday evening after seeing my Mum and Dad (both looking well), the aromas of chutney making were in the air. Nikki was at home on Friday, as her car was being repaired from a recent knock and having a few other items sorted out. She helped Tricia do the chutneys. Tricia has all the ingredients to make a load more this week. Tricia had a stall at an event in Northampton on Saturday, whilst I was in Reading. Nikki was in Bath, with the Bobsleigh team. She was pleased with herself as she bettered her times from the previous runs. At least she didn't fall out of the Bob this time! Next weekend she is in Bath both days for trials for the full senior squad.

On the Bank Hol Monday, Tricia and Robbie went up to London to visit some Art Galleries. They went to the National Art Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Art... all to help inspire Robbie.

Today Robbie played cricket for the final time this season. North Marston won, beating Mursley, by about 100 runs. Robbie bowled 7 overs and took 3 wickets. Next season, the new village cricket field will be open, so he will be looking forward to playing some home matches. Whilst Robbie was playing cricket, I was rehearsing for the play I am in. Tricia was in Milton Keynes officiating at an athletics event, Ellie was at a birthday party and then a friends house. Nikki was at work at Homebase... usual quiet Sunday then!

Waking the Dead makes a welcome return to BBC1 tonight... so we will be tuned in at 9pm.

Two new little furballs

When we went away on hols, one of the cats, Ninja, decided to go walkabout. He did this when we were on holiday last October. He was missing for between 2 and 3 weeks, and we had just about given up on him. Then one morning he turned up out of the blue. This Saturday he will have been missing for 4 weeks.... So, last week when Nikki phoned Tricia, and said that the manager at the Homebase Nikki works at, had a cat which had produced kittens which they were looking to get rid off..... she couldn't resist.

So we now have Lily, and two new kittens... so back to 3 cats. Lily disapproves, and shows her disapproval by hissing at the kittens. And of course there is still the possibility that Ninja may turn up. And then there will be 4.

Anyhow here are the two new pets. I refer to them as the 'stinky minkies'.. but to be fair to them, they have been using the cat tray pretty much straight away, so no complaints on that count yet.

Here they are sleeping on a shelf in the unit in the conservatory, which is pretty much where they live at the moment. There was perfectly good cat baskets to sleep in, but no they chose a pine unit. When we are happy they are to be relied upon with the cat litter tray, we will let them explore a bit more.

They don't have names yet, one is going to be Dave or Daisy, the other Todd or Tabitha or Scamp.. They are about twelve weeks old.

The above photo is the minkies playing in the conservatory. The below photo is Nikki's leg, which is gradually healing. The scrape on her ankle is the one taking time to heal, as it keeps getting rubbed by footwear.

Rob is a bit down in the dumps, he and his girlfriend had a falling out and split up. But, he is back to school tomorrow and looking forward to meeting up with his mates and getting stuck into his art and graphics again. Ellie had a wobbly tooth come out this week, and has a bruised arm where she 'fell off' a slide at the park... she wasn't messing about she says .

Tricia went and bought a few million jars today, and then one of the villagers dropped off some bags of plums and apples from their trees, so it looks like she will be busy on chutney making over the next few days.

I went to the doctors today. I have been struggling with a back problem for the last two months. The doctor reckons I slipped a disk  but that it is healing nicely... might explain why I could barely walk at some points. Perhaps I should have gone earlier. It is definately on the mend, but it is still sensitive and I know I can't risk lifting anything at the moment. I am going to be given some physio for strengthening the core back muscles... to help avoid doing the same in the future.