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 !