Joggers nipple is something that occurs to runners, when the constant moving (whilst running) of the nipple against the shirt / t-shirt / running vest etc causes some soreness. I have never been much of a runner so it is not something I am really familiar with. However, as is my custom so far this year, I went out on Saturday morning and did the 6.5 mile route I started walking in January. Well, I have over the last few weeks, progressed to running parts of the route. Last week I was in London all week, and couldn’t get time to swim or exercise, so I was quite well rested by Saturday. I set a new pb, doing the 6.5 miles in 1 hour 14 minutes, and I must have jogged about 4 miles of the route. I was very pleased with myself… but had two sore nipples at the end of it. I am told putting vaseline on the nipples before running is the thing to do.

So, I have had a week in the ‘big smoke’. Apparantly large cities in the late 19th century were given the label big smoke because of the coal fired industry in the cities at the time. These days however, that is no longer as appropriate.. except of course for those actually smoking. And I have to say I was surprised just how many people were smoking in the streets. I had cause to complain to Chiltern Railways… not once in the 5 days of travelling to London did they get my ticket correct… often the ticket wouldn’t go through the machines on the underground. Very frustrating. So I have written a complaint, and I await an answer.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to my dear Mum. When I spoke with her earlier today she wasn’t a 100% and thought she might have a cold coming on. Hope you feel brighteer soon Mum.

Tricia was treated to cards and pressies by her offspring today. Nikki was out in Hatfield until the early hours but managed to get up and get home on Sunday morning. She joined us in time to go to church where we were doing the family prayers this week. Back at home Nikki cooked the roast lunch, aided and abetted by Robbie. Rob also cooked some scones for tea – and they were pretty good. Nikki was supposed to help him, but she had crashed out on the sofa.

Nikki has just returned to Hatfield. Uni seems to be going well for her at the moment. She was also lifted by an e-mail from Nikki Minichiello, who was a world champion for GB in bobsleigh last year – she wants to catch up with Nikki to work out summer training.

Robbie has just receieved an offer of an interview at Portsmouth uni, and is looking forward to that in a few weeks time. Tricia has a butchers in Haddenham now selling her chutney.

Oh and the bath has leaked and we now have a stain on the ceiling downstairs. Grrrr.

Thats all the news from here at the moment, hope you all have a good week.

 My blogs are like the proverbial London buses… none for ages, then 2 in two days. A pleasant evening at home last night. Tricia cooked steak and chips for my birthday tea, and with Nikki home, it was a full house, and I was a happy man. It seems my Friday night cake wasn’t the only one, as another one was produced, Saturday evening. Here is Ellie bringing out the cake, and a picture of me showing how technically proficient I have become at blowing out candles. Having had so many birthdays now, I am well practiced.

Today was the day of Carlos’s surprise 50th lunch. Carlos hadn’t wanted any fuss for his 50th (see previous blog), but Deb, Simon and Matt thought otherwise. So they organised a surprise lunch in Market Harborough. We were actually organised and out of the house on time, and arrived in Harborough on time… unusual for us. The drive to Mkt H takes us through Northampton, which has a different meaning to us, now that Rob may be going to Uni there.

Carlos enjoyed his surprise, and it was good to catch up with friends. Tricia had made the birthday cake. For his birthday, Deb had got Carlos a juke box. So, the cake had an iced 45 on top. Deb had suggested that Carlos might be interested in some old 45’s for his juke box, so we got hime some. I knew that in the loft at home I had some old 45’s that had belonged to Carlos once – he was getting rid of them so I took them off his hands. This was way back in the 70’s. He had written his name all over them, so there was no mistaking who had them originally. So, they were returned to their original owner, as part of the package of 45’s. As it turned out, Carlos said that one of the 45’s was the first one he had bought. Here are some pictures…. one of the cake, one of Nikki sitting on my leg, and then Carlos.

Nikki has gone back to Uni now, Ellie has just gone to bed, Robbie is in his room on the computer, and Lark Rise to Candleford is about to start, so I am off.

Today I enter my final year in my 40’s… I remember being surprised how 40 had come along so quickly, and now the 40’s are disappearing. Last night was curry night. On a Friday once a month six of us get together, get an Indian takeaway and have some laughs. We haven’t had one for a while because of the play, as we rehearsed on a Friday night. Tricia had done a cake, so they all sang me happy birthday, which was nice.

Of course whilst I hit 49, my friend of 38 years, Carlos, turned 50. He hit the landmark on Wednesday. Other than a little less hair on top, I think he is much the same as when he was 30… Carlos is having a quiet 50th, no party. He is in denial about the whole thing…says he will celebrate 50 when he feels like he is 50. I told him he looks 50, but that didn’t seem to help I won’t make the same mistake next year when I hit 50. I will celebrate, I intend to have a ‘fifties’ 50th. Lots of rock and roll, and lots of dancing.

I am having a quiet day today. I was given cards and pressies by Tricia, Robbie and Ellie this morning. Nikki is coming home later, so we can all have tea together. Tricia has been coaching at Brunel Uni this morning, and Robbie is over at his mates Zak. I went out and did my 6.5 mile walk / jog this morning. It was hard work as the body is a little tired with all the swimming I have been doing as I build up to the swimathon in April. But I know it is doing me good, and I also know that there aren’t too many 49 year olds who can swim a mile in a half hour, so I am not doing too bad.

Robbie’s uni interviews went well, and in fact, based on his predicted grades, and the portfolio of work he presented, Northampton uni have offered him a place. So he is pretty pleased. Northampton have excellent facilities for his subject. It isn’t that far from us, only about 40 mins, and at the moment it looks like that is where he will go. He is quite ambitious and wants to work in America, as that is where he sees the best opportunities. We will see.

Nikki thought her rugby season was over, but there is a cup competition her uni team are in, and so she played at Leicester in the week, and they won. Nikki scored two tries, and converted them as well. Ellie had a dance exam last Sunday, doing roack and roll. It will be a few weeks before we find out how she did.

With all this birthday talk, the one thing I want to happen on my birthday, is West Ham to win. Of course this is not in my power, or anybody elses, apart from the 10 men in claret and blue (the goalie will be in yellow) who take to the field in a while against Bolton. Come on you Irons !

Meanwhile… Portsmouth, in a financial crisis, and having sold nearly all their decent players, and being bottom of the Premier League… are winning 2-0 against Birmingham in the FA Cup, and will go into the semis. You couldn’t make this sort of stuff up !