Nikki’s party seems an age ago. The week after her party passed in a blur. Friday night I had to lead a rehearsal, as I am director for the next village play… well, I say director, one of the cast already has been calling me Attilla the Hun.  At least she know who the boss is. Saturday was chaotic. In the morning I was at Robbies school, helping at the Xmas fayre… I cooked millions (well felt like it) of sausages, and bacon. Robbie was on a stall selling Tricia’s jams and chutneys. Meanwhile, Tricia and Nikki were at home preparing food. Tricia had a catering job on Sat evening in the adjacent village, feeding 70 people at a 50th birthday party. When Robbie and I got back, we helped…and when Tricia and Nikki returned from the catering job at about 11pm, it would be fair to say we were all exhausted.

On Sunday, Nikki went off to play rugby for Thames against Thurrock. Phil went along to watch her… Nikki came back with a bruised nose and eye , but she had scored a try. Tricia, Ellie, Robbie and myself did family prayers in church. When all the tidying up, putting away of all plates, and catering stuff was done, it was good to sit down. Tricia has been feeling under the weather this week, so has tried (as much as Tricia can) to take it easy so far this week.

But she is catering for a ball at Haddenham this weekend, for about 120 people… and there is also the village Xmas fayre on Saturday, and one in the Claydons on Sunday. So another busy weekend ahead. Today Nikki was at the NEC where the Good Food Show is. Mrs Crimbles are sponsoring the British Bobsleigh team this year, and Nikki was asked to go along and represent the female bobbers as part of a meet and greet with the sponsors. She came back with a bag full of freebies.

I am feeling bloated and heavy at the moment. So, I had a brisk 2 mile walk this evening, and will try to keep doing some walking when I can’t get on the bike, in order to get the blood moving and get some exercise.

That’s all for now folks…

Not sure where all the time has gone, but my little Nicola is to be 21 on Tuesday. I became a Dad for the first time, when Nikki arrived at about 10 to 1 in the morning of the 17th November 1988. In spite of any pre agreement Tricia and I had on names beforehand, within minutes of being born, Tricia decided she was a Nicola…. which later in life Nicola changed to Nikki.

So, we all celebrated on Saturday night. Family and friends came to the village hall in North Marston. It was good to see all the McSweeneys together again, only a week after they last had a get together …. it seems our get togethers are like London buses. Our ‘extended’ family were there as well, Deb and Carlos, Wendy and Rob, as well as friends from the village. It was an excellent evening, lots of singing and dancing… even my Mum and Dad danced. The party finished just after midnight, and by the time everything was cleared up and we were home, it was really quite a late night.

We had a house full overnight, bodies sleeping on the floor etc, and then a big breakfast on the Sunday. After everyone had gone their ways, Tricia and I, with some help from a tired, and slightly hungover Robbie, managed to get the house tidied and straight before we collapsed in the living room.

Nikki went off with Phil to be physio at MK colts rugby (and apparantly was very busy !) wearing her new Leicester Tigers rugby shirt that Robbie had got her. She came back later, and had some tea before returning to Hatfield.

I have a day off today… just an opportunity to catch up and rest up. Ellie slept in, catching up on sleep after her late Saturday night. Robbie bought in a welcome cup of tea at 7am. He had gone to bed on Sunday evening during the middle of an episode of House…. he must have been tired, he wouldn’t normally miss House. Tricia has been up and busy already today… after doing lunch boxes and despatching Rob and Ellie to school, she has changed the beds, been to Thame for some items she needed from the cake shop, and now she has gone for a work out at a gym in Tring.

Me…. I’m just keeping a chair warm.

Some pics from Sat night…

Nikki with Simon and Andrew, and then with her godson, Freddie.

Nikki withClayton, who she has been friends with since primary school, and Brian her coach. Then one of Nikki with Tricia, Dad, Ellie and her friend Jess.

And a rare picture of Robbie enjoying himself at a party ! Then one of Nikki with Jade, who like Clayton she has been friends with through primary and secondary school. Jade is a supporter of West Ham, which is another plus

These are Nikki with Phil, who she met at MK rugby club, and one of Mum looking on.

Here is Dad putting Carmen through the paces on the dance floor, and me and Nikki dancing to ‘Baggy Trousers’ by Madness.

This is me with my nephews and niece at the end of the evening singing a Queen song, and one of me with Nik.

Here is Dad with Carol and Scott…. and one of Steve.

Blimey I must have filled up the internet with all those photo’s… must go and do those couple of little jobs Tricia left me with before she gets back.

My dear old Mum turned 70 yesterday. Well done to her ! She spent a quiet Saturday at home with Dad on her 70th, but today her peace was disturbed when all sons, wives, and grandchildren descended on Eightlem for a few hours today to wish her many happy returns.

It was difficult to know what to give Mum for her 70th. In the end we all decided on a collection of photographs in book form, giving her a family pictorial history. Mum seemed pretty pleased with the outcome. We have been busy scanning old photo’s over that last month or so. Marks daughter Carmen put them all together into the book format.

It has been a while since we were all together, and it was great to all sit, talk, and joke. We should do it more often. Here are the three bro’s, and then their three, long suffering wives.

Justine has been recovering from a recent op… it was good to see her looking well, but we couldn’t make her laugh too much… we didn’t want to open the stitches !

Here are the grandchildren, Nikki at 20 is the oldest, and Ellie at 10, the youngest.

And some other piccies from the afternoon.

This morning Tricia paraded with the Brownies at the Remembrance Service at Winslow. I went to church at North Marston for our local Rem. Service. It always makes me think of my two Grandads, who both saw service, one in World War 1, the other in  World War 2. I thank my lucky stars I have never been required to go to war, and can only think of my Grandads with respect.

Nikki has had a mixed week. She scored three tries representing the Uni Ladies rugby team, but then her car broke down on the way back. On Friday she saw a sports doctor about her ongoing back complaint, and is pleased with the outcome. She is looking trim and fit at the moment, with all the training she has been doing, so it is important to keep up her regime, which is why it is important for her that the back holds up. It seems she could qualify for some private physio treatment through the Brit Olympic Assoc, so she will pursue that. She also has a new friend, Phil, who plays rugby for MK. They went out Friday night, and on Saturday…oh, and then when we get in this evening, out again !

Ellie bought some new boots today with her birthday money, so she was happy. Rob has been busy with his school art work.

Last Saturday night we had a halloween quiz in the village hall, this was a fundraiser to help with Nikki’s training costs for the GB Bobsleigh team. People were generous and we raised approx £400, which should cover a training session in Switzerland in early December. Here are some photo’s from the event… of course we all dressed for the occasion.

It was hard work preparing the quiz, and Tricia provided a chilli supper for 60 people which went down well. But worth it in the end.

I have been getting plenty of cycling in lately, about 60 miles this week, and 80+ last week. I must keep it up. Tricia has been doing plenty of gym work as well, and has shifted a few pounds, and feels better for it.

Oh well, off to bed for me…. busy week ahead. Nikki’s 21st next Saturday…. seemingly, never a dull moment. I have 8 days leave left to take this year… I might need some of them soon.