Ellie is off school today, complaining about a sore throat last night, and feeling poorly this morning. Please keep it to yourself Ellie, no need to share it around the rest of us.

My Dad was at the hospital yesterday for a check up. He had stomach cancer three years ago. What with the surgery, and the chemo, he was an ill man for a long period of time. To look at him now you wouldn’t know he had been as unwell as he was. He was signed off yesterday for another six months, the hospital was pleased with him, and remarked how well he has done. Well done Dad.

As we were away on Saturday night, we didn’t change the clocks back an hour in the house until we got home Sunday. I discovered this morning that two of the clocks hadn’t been changed.

I was up for work at the correct time, and left just before 7am. I got a mile up the road and realised I had forgotten my mobile. So I turned round and went back home to collect it. When I got in I found Tricia (who had been planning to sleep till 7:30) awake…. apparantly Ellies alarm clock hadn’t been changed, and went off at 8am, except it was 7am really. Tricia, hearing Ellies alarm looked at her clock, which also said 8am. Moments of panic ensued as she thought they had overslept… only they hadn’t.

Saturday evening we were all over in Market Harborough to celebrate Simons 18th. It was quite a hectic day. In the morning I took Nikki over to Bicester to play hockey, then went to do some quick shopping before getting back to see the second half. Nikki played well, and her team won 8-1 (Nikki got a goal), and are now top of their league. Then it was back home, where I had to load the car up with all sorts – plates / food etc – Tricia was doing the catering for the party. Then a drive over to Mkt H.

At around 4pm a number of us decorated the hall for the party, and we all wore t-shirts with pictures of Simon from his earlier years… me, I chose a picture of a naked 2 year old Simon standing in a paddling pool. I won’t put it on here, that might be a step too far.

The party theme was ‘the movies’, so there was some fancy dress. The disco was good, and it was a terrific party. Well done to Deb and Carlos for putting it on, and congrats to Simon. He is a smashing lad.

Deb telling us about her son, before a rousing ‘happy birthday’ was sung.

Charlies Angels apparantly. Claire in the middle, with Simons brother Matt on the right, and Robbie the other. Matt and Robbie were proudly wearing boobs….

Nikki and Andrew… as Daphne and Shaggy from Scooby Doo. This is one of the only times you are likely to see Nikki in pink boots! Ellie claimed to be somebody from ‘High School Musical’… not sure who though. Ellie danced non stop for hours till she finally ran out of steam, and went off to bed at 11:30.

Here I am with Jan, who went as a fairy godmother… after all she is one of Simons godmother’s. Me, I went as a blues brother (lack of imagination on my part). Nikki and Claire giving it some ‘air guitar’.

And here are two of ‘Charlies Angels’, looking like a right pair of Charlies.. I reckon these two photographs will be worth something in years to come. Whats that I hear you say…. blackmail. Absolutely right. (removed Robbie – pressure after archery!)

Where are the photo’s of Tricia ? Sorry haven’t got any… Tricia was the one with the camera. She did do the cake though.

Simon’s father, Carlos – an old school friend, we have known each other since I was 11 – is from Portugal. His mum, Deb is English, so he had wanted both flags on the cake. When he was a boy, Simon lived for tractors, trains, and lorries. Hence the tractor and the train. He supports Liverpool, so that explains the football crest, loves his music – hence the ipod, and has appeared in numerous plays over the years, and is now studying the technical production of stage management, hence the theatre masks.

A late night, was helped by the clock change on Saturday night, which gave us an extra hour. We all got back early afternoon, very tired. However Tricia and Nikki went off to watch Andrew (aka Shaggy, see above) play rugby for Berks at Stowe this afternoon. Unfortunately he was on the losing side. Then Nikki went back to Uni, and fortunately, her car got her there this time, after its recent ailments.

It is now Sunday evening, and I am worn out…. Next weekend I am doing nothing. (I hope).

Nah mate, Luton ‘ospital.

Robbie and I went and collected Nikki last night, after she had finished her shift at Homebase in Hatfield. On the way back she was telling us that she had her first placement come through. In January she will be spending two weeks working with respiratory patients at Luton hospital.

Nikki hasn’t made the final cut for the kayakking squad, so that particular avenue to the olympics is over. It has saved her having to make a big decision about whether to drop out of uni or not, and she seems more settled for knowing that she is staying at uni.

After being in Hull for two days earlier this week, I had to spend Thursday and Friday in Wakefield. So I have seen more of Yorkshire than I really wanted, and have had a fill of the M1 this week…

So what I need is a relaxing weekend. Except, tonight Robbie and me have been helping Trish prepare a load of food for an 18th birthday party tomorrow. The eldest son of our good friends Deb & Carlos – I have known Deb for 30 years, and Carlos for 35 – is having his 18th tomorrow. Tricia is doing the catering, so all hands to the pump so to speak. Shortly I am driving off to Hatfield to pick up Nikki.

Here are Nikki and Simon 17 years ago. Nikki moving in for a kiss.

Tomorrow we are off to the party, helping set up, get the food out… then party! Somehow I don’t think I will be feeling refreshed and relaxed come Sunday evening.

Having not been home for a few weeks now Nikki was finally forced into doing some washing for herself. She proudly texted us last night she had managed to wash her clothes… of course now she has to iron them. But, one step at a time.We also managed to confirm yesterday that the NHS are paying her tuition fees. Before Nikki went to Uni we believed they would be, but after a couple of confusing letters and calls last week where it appeared they may not, we have confirmed they will be. Phew.

Tricia took Ellie to Ikea yesterday where she spent some of her birthday money on a new desk for her room. Ellie definately has the shopping gene.

I am in Hull today. .

At least the traffic wasn’t too bad. 

to say many happy returns for my brother. My brother Steve turned 44 last week. Steve is a Sgt in the Thames Valley Police. Happy Birthday Stephen. It is somewhat disturbing when one of your younger brothers is 44…

I apologise to my team, West Ham, who I suggested might lose on this blog yesterday. They won 3-1, although they were somewhat fortunate. It keeps us comfortably mid table, away from the relegation area. Next Saturday though we play Portsmouth (Pompey), my Dad’s team… so we will see who gets to enjoy the victory.

Tricia has pretty much put the garden to bed for the winter. The good autumn weather we have had has allowed her to get the garden straight, and spring bulbs planted.

So it wasn’t to be. Tricia and I watched the rugby world cup final at the house of some friends. There were 8 of us, we all sat and cheered, jumped up and down, and finally had to accept England weren’t going to win. They worked really hard, and gave it their all, you can’t ask much more.

Here is Ellie with friends at her birthday tea on Friday evening. Afterwards they all watched the Bridge to Terabithia, which they enjoyed with popcorn and noise.

Apart from the rugby, Saturday was relatively quiet. Nikki is at uni, and Trish went off coaching, Robbie went along to do the circuit training and weights, and Ellie to her trampolining. I did some wallpapering, and some OU work. Robbie is doing well with the circuit training and weights, and is a lot fitter and stronger than he was six months ago.

It should be a peaceful Sunday afternoon, but Robbie has ‘band practice’ (loud racket). I will hide myself away to the living room shortly and watch West Ham play Sunderland. We should win. But being West Ham that means we will almost certainly lose.

A very excited girl was up early this morning…

Happy 8th Birthday to Ellie

Robbie played a gig with his band Blood Red Sky on Saturday night. Here is a photograph of him taken on stage.

Tricia printed a t-shirt for Robbie with ‘Hells Drummer’ on it – part of the image you understand – which one young lady acquired after the gig. Needless to say Robbie enjoyed the adulation he received from the girls.