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.,