Earlier this week, Nikki was at a club with some friends celebrating a birthday. It seems that whilst on the dancefloor some woman in stilletos accidentally stood on Nikki’s ankle, drawing blood and leaving her with a very sore and swollen ankle. So, she is not best pleased. With a number of her friends away for the weekend she is feeling a bit down in the dumps. On Friday, Ellie twisted her ankle in the playground and ended up missing her dance class in the evening.

When Saturday comes it is nice to relax a bit. After getting home from work, last night it was a quick turnround, food then costume and props, and off to rehearsal. It went quite well, and with 11 days to go I am feeling a bit better about giving a good performance. I have a heap of lines to line, but the real issue is the cue’s. On three occasions the ‘poloceman’ says ‘Good Moaning’ and I have to give three different replies. Normally you can learn a response to a line which you say almost instictively, but in this case I can’t. But, we will get there.

Today, with no time pressures it has been a relaxing day. I started with a bike ride. I used to do a lot of cycling, and have done a number of charity rides, such as London to Paris over 4 days. But, I haven’t done much in the last few years. Having given up my gym membership because of the job change, I decided to get out and get some exercise on the bike. What a fantastic morning it was, clear and sunny. I really enjoyed it. The only blot on the landscape of my relaxing Saturday is Robbie’s ‘band practice’… you have to realise that this is a sustained racket and din. They can play and are pretty good, but there is a limit to how long you can listen to it in your house. I had agreed with Robbie they could practice between 12 and 2pm. It is now 4:30 and they are still at it…. words will be offered pretty soon.

Lent is going well. No wheat. No alcohol. No cakes / sweets / puddings etc. I am also doing 50 press ups  and 150 crunches daily… but giving up caffeiene..good grief. I am having to wean myself off. I am down to a cup of tea a day. Just stopping gives me withdrawl symptoms like, like the aches you get when you are unwell. Nearly there, but Monday I should be complying with my lentern promise fully.