It seems everything is broken, or not working, these days. There was the washing machine, then Robbie’s laptop, then Nikki’s laptop, then one of the tyres went on Tricia’s car, I then noticed that the back tyre on my bike was flat, then there was the boot on Nikki’s car which decided not to shut…. and so it goes one.

After spending many hours trying to find the correct washing machine to replace the dead one, Tricia and I finally decided on a Siemens model, which seemed to tick all the boxes. So, having got agreement from the house Chief Executive (Tricia), I went online to the Comet web site. ‘Sold out mate’ it said. ‘Nuts’ I said (well, I said other things as well that I can’t put here). So, I tried everywhere else but could not find the particular model. I phoned Comet up. Apparantly they will be getting some more, but it sounded like sometime next century. They tried to interest me in other Siemens models that were substantially more expensive. I politely declined.

Needless to say I felt like kicking a cat. I should point out I didn’t, but you get my gist. Anyhow, a further 3 hours was spent online on Saturday morning, till I came up with an alternative model. We are now getting an LG model. I won’t bore you with all the specifications, but I am sure it could make a cup of tea if you asked it. The good news is that it will be getting installed on Wednesday. After having sorted out the washing machine replacement, I changed the tyre on Tricia’s car, then changed the inner tube on the bike.

Robbie’s laptop works for about an hour before shutting itself down. Looks like some sort of overheating problem. Nikki’s laptop won’t even start up. It’s not a power pack problem and it isn’t the hard disk… but I con’t know what the issue is. My task for the week ahead is to try and sort these issues out.

Today I tried to sort a problem out with the boot lock on Nikki’s car…. after much cursing, I managed to get it to lock, but it was symptomatic of a troublesome week. Nikki has a bit of a cold, and so returned to Hatfield this evening less than enthusiastic ahead of the start of the Uni again tomorrow. However, yesterday she was buzzing. She was competing for Milton Keynes athletic club in the National League at Peterborough. Nikki loves her athletics and loves competing, and has got very frustrated over the last 2-3 years that a back problem has stopped her competing. She was once nationally ranked, but is now way off the pace…. BUT, and it is a big BUT, she competed successfully yesterday, doing High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Putt, Discus, and ran a leg in the 4×100 relay. She got through the day with no injury, her back was fine. No pb’s, but decent performances, particulalrly high jump where she did 1.50. More importantly, she enjoyed herself as well… which is the main thing. Tricia and I hope that she can continue to compete, we know her performances will improve. Next up is the county champs in two weeks. Despite feeling like she is going down with a cold she went off training this morning… her commitment can’t be faulted, she deserves some success.

Last night Tricia and I went next door to help our neighbour Rachel celebrate her 40th birthday. This was a good evening, there were about 20 of us, and we had a good laugh and a some drinks. It wasn’t a particularly late night, but was after midnight, so it was a sluggish start to the day. I spent most of this afternoon at rehearsal… I did well with my lines today, so that was pleasing. Tricia was at a craft fair, selling jams and chutneys and did well.

And so, the weekend finishes, and another week beckons… But more importantly, my bed beckons.,

The washing machine is dead…

Long live the new washing machine… if we ever find one.  Last Monday, after 7 years of loyal service, the washing machine repair man, consigned our washing machine to the classification of, past it, kaput, an ex washing machine. It has worked extremely hard over the years. As you would expect with a family of five, it has seen lots of work. In fact, I am sure that if the washing machine had a tongue, after some of the marathon washing sessions it has had, the tongue would be hanging out and it would be gasping for breath.

The expired machine is a Hotpoint. The washing machine repair man, having quizzed Tricia as to why our machines are always knackered, asked ‘exactly how much washing do you do’. On being told, he recommended a Bosch. Because apparently Bosch make more robust washing machines. He said Hotpoint machines are only good for 5 of 6 loads a week. Whilst we appreciated the advice, the mind does boggle. No salesman is likely to say, ‘great washing machine, just don’t use it too much’. It would be like buying a new car, and being told not to drive it too much. Anyhow, Tricia and I started the search for a new washing machine, which should be simple you would think. Except that, like humans, who have evolved over time to be taller, washing machines seem to be taller since we last bought one. Most now seem to be 85cm high. Whereas the hole in the kitchen where the washing machine lives, is 84.7cm high. So, that seems to rule out about 80% of all washing machines. The useful item we found on the expired washing machine was a ‘time saver’ button, which, as far as we could tell, reduced the length of time that a wash lasted without affecting the cleanliness of the items when they came out. It seems not many have a time saver button now either. It also seems, that in the age of the internet, you can’t just go and buy a washing machine and take it home with you, as they don’t hold much in stock in these large electrical warehouse type shops.

I also made the mistake of  looking at Which reports, which seemed to criticise some machines for not being good at washing, or rinsing, or spinning. The thing is, the people at Which are obsessed with, and make a living from, assessing things like washing machines, and there is a tendency to believe the reviews… even if the difference between a rinsed, and well rinsed item is negligible to a human. 

So, at present Tricia is doing runs to and from her parents using their washing machine, whilst we dither, cogitate, and get frustrated in trying to make what should be a simple choice.

The weekend was manic as ever. Tricia was catering for a kids party on Saturday, and providing a buffet meal for a 100 on Saturday night. She also seemed to have to make about a million cakes last week. Hence, Saturday was hectic with all the food prep. Tricia employed Nikki and Robbie for the day, along with a chap called Clayton who has helped before. They also waited at the function. To make schedules complicated I had agreed sometime previously to reprise my role as Rene Artois at a local event on Saturday evening. Tricia was pleased with how the catering went, and got loads of excellent feedback.

Sunday, there was a mountain of washing up, and packing up of all the catering stuff. I managed to sit and watch ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’ in the afternoon, after all the work, I needed a sit down. It was a recent version with Martin Clunes in the main role, and I thought he played it very well. I was very tired on Sunday evening, and was in bed before 10pm. I saw something of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, which Tricia, Nikki and Robbie were watching, but which really should be called ‘Britain’s Got Very Little Talent, and loads of Idiots who think they have Talent’. Apparently this passes for popular TV viewing.

My bike is in for service this week. Which is a shame, because the weather is lovely, and I should be taking advantage of it.

Oh well. Mid Year Resolution…. Must do less, and Rest more. Oh, and get a new washing machine.

It has been a long week. I started the week with the start of a cold, which developed into a horrible head cold. I worked through the week, although I worked from home on Wednesday, but felt grotty for most of the week. Unfortunately Tricia picked the cold up, and by Wednesday was starting to go down with the cold as well. This weekend we were scheduled to go and celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of our good friends Deb & Carlos. Tricia was doing the cake, and looking forward to the weekend, as she normally needs no excuse to go and party. So, going down with the cold on Wednesday was not good.

Anyhow, Tricia finished the cake. Deb had wanted a cake similar to the one she had on her wedding day, so working from a photo, this is what she came up with. The bouquet of flowers are iced ones that she created. It amazes me how terrific they look, and are a testament to her patience.

Deb was pleased with the outcome, and that was what counted.

We all travelled across to Market Harborough early afternoon on Saturday, driving at a cautious pace in order to make sure the cake wan’t damaged in transit. Tricia really wan’t feeling her best at all, not helped by having had a poor nights sleep on Friday night. We helped decorate the hall for the party… well, I watched and had a beer with my mate Rob, and kept out of the way. Then 20+ of us all sat for a meal in the hotel we were staying in, before going on to the party. Deb was wearing the same outfit she wore on her wedding day.

I have known Carlos since I was 11, we became friends at school, and we have been good friends since that time. When I was 16 I switched schools, and I met Deb. At a school event in December of 1977 I took Carlos along, and he met Deb for the first time. And whilst it took a little while before they started going out, and till 1984 before they got married, one of my little pleasures in life is being able to say I was instrumental in their first meeting. We had a special evening when they got engaged just after midnight on Xmas Eve (technically Xmas Day) 1983, and I spoke on behalf of Deb’s father at their wedding in April of 1984. I first introduced them to Tricia not long after I met her, and they took Tricia as a friend immediately. Over the years we have watched our families grow and continued our friendship. So, being present to celebrate their 25th was rather special.

The party itself was great fun, although Tricia was struggling with her cold, and at one point took herself off for 30 minutes, before coming back to the party. Here I am dancing with Ellie. Ellie loves her dancing, and didn’t stop all evening. I suppose it won’t be long before she won’t want to dance with her Dad.

This is Nikki with Andrew. Andrew is the son of our friends Wendy & Rob. And a picture of Nikki with Robbie.

At the end of the evening, all the teens plus Ellie slept over at Debs house. Tricia and I went to our hotel room, and thankfully we both slept well. I think we were both so tired we just crashed out.

Today Deb and Carlos had a blessing at a small service in the church. Again I was honored by being asked to do a reading. All in all the service lasted about 30 minutes, but it was very nicely done, their son Matt sang a solo, and their eldest, Simon, did a reading. We then all went and enjoyed a buffet meal, when it was great to catch up with friends, particularly Debs Mum, Yvonne. This was the front of the order of service, with a photo from their wedding day. Deb looks the same, Carlos is thinner on top !

Then there was the adventures with the helium filled balloons. After tidying up there were a load of balloons left over. Ellie laid claim to some, and they presently in her bedroom. The rest, Matt and Robbie released in two bunches to the heavens, and away they flew.

And they are probably still going….

Of course, it is Easter Sunday. So Deb had organised for a little Egg Hunt, and after the buffet meal we went back to Deb and Carlos’s house to pick up her eggs / chocolate, before we headed home. We had a splendid weekend, and enjoyed being part of the celebration. Everyone is a little ‘snoozy’ this evening, so we should all sleep well.

I got through pretty much the whole winter without a cold… and then I woke up this morning, a beautiful spring morning I would add, with a sore throat, and a bunged up nose. I am sat here on Sunday evening, and trying out a chilled glass of white wine as a cure. Last Monday and Tuesday I felt a bit low and rundown, but had picked up or so I thought.

It doesn’t seem that there is much to report. I survived a trip into London on Wednesday, I didn’t get caught up in any of the G20 protests. Nikki came back Saturday morning. She has finished for Easter. She is however, going back to Hatfield on Tuesday for a few days, and taking Ellie with her. Ellie told me this morning that Nikki is the best big sister ever…which is nice to hear of course. Robbie is a little lost at the moment as his laptop is not working. I will have to find some time to see if I can sort it out.

He went across to the sports field yesterday and helped put the cricket nets up for the new season. Tricia went and helped with some work on the nature trail…. me, I tackled the European ironing mountain. Tricia has been busy all week with catering, and cake orders, so I said to leave it and I would do it. It took hours and hours… In the afternoon I was helping my neighbour put a roof box on his car, and when I had explained to him I had done this massive pile of ironing, he said ‘wow, does that entitle you to loads of sex as a result’…’no, I said, but Tricia did make me a bacon sandwich for lunch’. It seems I am easily pleased!

Nikki is one of life’s walking accidents. She only has to look at things for them to fall apart, break etc. So it was no surprise in the week to get an e-mail from her to say that her mobile phone wasn’t working because she had accidentally dropped it into a toilet. 

Ellie has had a wobbly tooth for a week or so, and it was starting to drive us all nuts, as it seemed to be her only line of conversation. Thankfully the tooth has finally come out. Not so good, was that she came and told me that her tooth had come out at 3:45 am this morning. Good grief. She has told me that whilst some people think there are not really tooth fairies, and that it is the parents who put the money under the pillow, she thinks there are tooth fairies. Which was a roundabout way of saying, Dad please put money under my pillow in exchange for the tooth.

At 9:15 this morning I took Ellie for her Rock’n’Roll dance exam. She thinks she did well. I cooked Sunday lunch, and then flopped and watched sport. Man Utd beat Aston Villa in a good game of football, and then Andy Murray won the Miami Masters. Yesterday, West Ham won… woohoo.

A short working week ahead, then next weekend, my old friends Deb & Carlos celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. We are all looking forward to the party. Well done Deb. 25 years with Carlos… someone had to do it!