A usual manic day here. I took Robbie in with me this morning, dropping him off for his ‘work experience’. He seems to have enjoyed the day. Then I picked him up at 5, and had to dash home (observing all speed regs I would like to point out), so as to to see Ellie’s teacher, as part of a parents evening. Her teacher is very pleased with her, and she is progressing and working well. Then I had to drop of Ellie at Brownies, whilst Trish went off to run her brownies. After tea, it was off to pick up Ellie….

Robbie disappeared straight upstairs and onto msn when he got in… so as to correspond with the new girl in his life. I have just managed to get him out of his bedroom (2 hours later), to come down and commune with the rest of us. A promise of apple pie and ice cream seemed to do the trick.

Some photo’s from Nikki’s day ON the water.

and IN the water…..

and IN the water.

The other night when we couldn’t find Ninja the pussy cat. We eventually found him in bed with Ellie, in the carry seat for her baby doll.

Rugby World Cup final fever seems to have gripped a lot of people. With South Africa winning last England have a very tough match ahead of them. SA have to be big favourites. England have an outside chance but they will have to be right on top of their game, and hope the Saffers make mistakes.

Well the dilemma was a clash in the calendar between the rugby world cup sem final, and the local harvest supper. The harvest supper started promptly at 6:30, and it kicked off with some games for the kids – it was a family supper – then food was served promptly, the organisers only too aware that they were going to lose a lot of people at 8pm. At 7:48 the first man made a run for it. Inspired, pretty much the rest of the men followed (and a number of women who wanted to watch as well). I got in the door just as the game kicked off, and made it into the living room in time to see Josh Lewsey go over the line for the first and only try of the game. A very tense game – a war of attrition. England edged away in the last 10 minutes. I would imagine if you were a neutral it may not have been inspiring, but if you were English or French it would have been gripping stuff. At the start of the tournament England looked hopeless, now, they have made the final. Good luck to Argentina tonight in the other semi final. I don’t think England could beat South Africa.

Robbie arrived back in the early hours, enthusing about the success of his bands showing at their gig. He got a lot of people coming up to him and congratulating him on the bands and his performance, so he is on a high now.

Nikki was in Nottingham yesterday with the kayyakking (is that a word?) squad. They were put through their paces in gym work and set out on the water. The squad will be wittled down again, and we wait to see if Nikki gets through to the next stage. However, this will deliver a big decision point if she is to progress. She would be wanted in Nottingham full time for 11 sessions a week, and becoming a full time athlete as such. It would mean giving up her uni course, and doing a degree on a part time basis instead. A major life decision. We will have to wait a few weeks first. Tricia went with Nikki and said she did very well.

For around 30 years my Father has produced a weekly family newspaper. It is called the ‘eightlem news’, eightlem being an address abbreviation.

Here is this weeks copy.

As you can see, a terrific way of keeping track of family life.

From October 32 years ago…

Whilst the more modern version is more upmarket, with colour and more detailed drawings, it is great to look back… 32 years ago I had been off school with a cold, my brother had got himself in a fight at school, the tortoises had been put up for the winter… and there was some consideration of moving up from a black and white tv to a colour one. It’s a different world these days!

Nikki called today to say she had been picked for the uni first team at hockey. She went to the trials last week and was told today she made the first XI. So well done to her. She also told me that she had been eating well, a salad today, and pasta and rice etc etc… no mention of the cider or funny coloured vodka then.

Robbie had band practice for the second night in a row. Band practice = prolonged noisy racket. The band he is in, ‘Blood Red Sky’ have a gig on Saturday evening (when I am at a harvest supper, and not watching the rugby), in a place called Thame, about 10 miles from here. Actually, they are starting to sound quite good. At least it is a cohesive racket.

Ellie has gone up to a new dance group so feels good about that. She was also given two certificates for her trampolining at the weekend. 

Earlier this year I was given glasses for the first time. Mainly to assist with reading at the end of a day when my eyes are tired. But I have misplaced them, and can’t find them..

Off to Manchester tomorrow. All the exotic places.

This coming Saturday evening, Tricia has bought tickets for us to go to the ‘harvest supper’ at the village hall.

The very same Saturday evening, England are playing France in the Rugby World Cup semi final.

Now, despite the kids seeming to think that I can easily be in two places at once, I am faced with the dilemma of where to be. I don’t think I will get away with ‘I am just going to the gents’ and then reappearing 90 minutes later. Not if I want to continue living with all my present appendages.

My only hope at the moment, is that most of the males at the dinner will want to be watching the rugby as well… and so, there must be something done to accommodate. I hope.

I don’t  intend to spend too much time reflecting on England’s splendid victory over Australia in the Rugby World Cup, but I derive a great deal of pleasure looking at the scoreline. According to most pundits, and certainly all Australians, we were supposed to get hammered. Whilst the game wasn’t exactly free flowing, and it was a result England ground out with the forwards, it was nice to see England beat Australia for the third time in a row in World Cup competitions. Good luck to Scotland tonight.

I spent much of last week working in Hull, not getting back till Friday evening. Tricia had a quiet week. With Robbie away in Germany, Nikki at uni and me in Hull, it was just Tricia and Ellie in the house. Tricia remarked that it was highly unusual, in that once she had tidied the house at the start of the week, it pretty much stayed that way all week! Robbie is now back, and really enjoyed his German trip. He is sporting a new t-shirt that says ‘Survived – Oktoberfest 2007’, the family he stayed with took him.

Friday evening I went to rehearsal for Allo Allo, and I have to say, spent most of the evening laughing. Nikki was coming home Friday evening after finishing her shift at Homebase. (20:16 update. Argentina 0 Scotland 3). She only just got home, with problems with her car overheating. So, Saturday morning, when I should have been decorating, I took Nikki to Bicester where she was playing hockey. Her team beat Milton Keynes 8-0, and played really well. Nikki was given ‘player of the match’ by her team. She played well, her stick skills, dribbling, and pace and movement were all good, and had a hand in most of the goals scored, without getting a goal herself. She just lacked luck in front of goal, she hit one particular shot from the edge of the ‘D’ that absolutely fizzed and hit the post. Tricia and I played hockey for Bicester for many years, I played for them from ’88 to 2002, so it is good to see one of the family still playing. (20:24 Arg 3 Scotland 3). She is training with the Uni hockey team as well.

Saturday evening we all went to Market Harborough to attend a ‘race night’ (video taped horse races – which you can bet on). This was to help raise money for out godson, Matt, who is off to Vietnam next year as part of a trek. We had great fun. Ellie was thrilled to win a lamp in a raffle, which will go into her new bedroom (Nikki’s old room).  (20:30 Arg 6 Scotland 3)

Today, Tricia’s parents came over for lunch. It was Tricia’s Mums 65th birthday, so best wishes to her.

I also learnt over the weekend, that it is 50 years since my Mum and Dad first went on a date. Congratulations to them! October 2nd 1957.

Half time, Argentina 13 Scotland 6. I’m off to watch the second half. The Scots conceeded a sloppy try, but they are not out of it yet.