It has been a very busy week. I had a lot of work on, combined with the fact that I was doing school visits as part of my governor duties, and that it is safari supper week, with a lot of preparation for that, and that Nikki was leaving for uni.
On Friday, I worked early from home, and then went on into school, where I was assigned three ICT lessons I had to sit in on. Then I was back home working for a few hours, before going back to the school and picking up Robbie. Robbie is due to be doing a work experience week in October, and he has been offered a week in an office doing graphic design, subject to an interview. Now, fortunatley the opportunity is very close to the office I work from. So I had to pick Robbie up from school, and take him to his interview. Which went well, and they are pleased to have him for a week. Then it was into the office for a few hours work before going home.
Friday evening we had the first read through of ‘Allo ‘Allo… there were tears and howls of laughter. I really hope we can pull this off.
On Saturday Trish took Robbie and Ellie off for their usual Saturday morning exercise, Ellie doing trampoline, and Robbie doing circuits / weights. Nikki went off to play hockey, before driving across to meet them, and going onto Hatfield to pick up the key for her room at uni.
Saturday evening we had our village safari supper. 15 couples took part, and our theme was the Jane Austen era. So we all dressed as best we could in the dress of the period.
This is Trish and I at the start of the evening. Trish made my waistcoat. The tails aren’t quiet period, but the best I could get. Trish made her dress and coat.
This is a group picture. As you can see, there was a lot of effort to dress up. We started the evening at 6:15, and didn’t get home until 1 in the morning.
Suffice to say, it was a slow start to the day. The major event today though was Nikki packing her things and moving out to uni. It doesn’t feel as if she has left, and she is back next weekend for a christening in the village (Nikki has been asked to be a Godmother), and I am sure we will see her some Sundays when she needs either feeding or washing done. Or both.
But. My little girl has gone, and will spend most of her life away from us now. 
Paul's life... too boring to be of interest to anyone 
Great costumes and I love the pose but I’m afraid you don’t beat Colin Firth
I was once conned into being a school governor with the line “It’s only a couple of meetings a term” HAH!
Which uni has Nikki gone to? It must be a very strange experience for a parent but once again I suspect I’m a terrible mother because I already have designs on my pair’s rooms for when they go.
PS re BARF. I’m sure the lady who came up with the acronym did so just after preparing an offal meal.
Nikki had gone to Herts uni (Hatfield), which isn’t that far away, about 50 miles. Ellie is the one with designs on Nikki’s room. Nikki has half painted her room, I guess I will have to finish it off. We have told Ellie she can go in there when it is her birthday next month. Nikki will have the smaller room when she is at home.
I am back in school tonight, ‘prospective parents evening’, so I have to go and be available for parents to speak to. I do enjoy it to a degree, as I feel I am putting something back in for society, so to speak. But it is more than a couple of meetings a term… this is the 5th so far and they have only been back at school a few weeks.
Love the outfits…. Tricia is extremely talented, not only with cakes, but clearly also with sewing! You guys look great!
I can completely empathize with the “moving out to college” thing… and even though they are home often, it’s definitely a step in the separation direction. Even home for the summer, it feels (because it is) temporary. It’s sad, but something we have to do. I feel for you guys….
Re House. I dind’t discover it until series two which is why I’m trying to catch up with the first series now. Hugh Laurie is fantastic in it and couldn’t be further from Bertie Woosterish. The premise is pretty much always the same – someone has a weird illness, no one can work out what it is until House has a stroke of genuis and cures them – but it’s his character that keeps it enthralling. He is the most obnoxious person going and yet somehow you can’t help liking him. There are so many times when you sit there going “I can’t believe he just said that!” Definitely worth a watch.
PS were any of the London dates any good for you? Dad says you’re quite far out of London so I’ll understand if it’s not to be.
I have ‘mislaid’ the message we swapped on dates – w/c 15th I think? Which is Robbies work placement week, which is likely to complicate things.