With all the swimming I had been doing recently, I decided to get some ‘pool shoes’ or some footwear more commonly referred to as flip flops. The idea being that they would mean I wasn’t barefoot around the pool or changing room, which meant I wouldn’t pick up any foot issues from someone else (fungus / verukas etc), and also that I wouldn’t slip on the poolside.

Robbie tried to get me some for my birthday, and unfortunately the company he ordered from are no longer stocking the ‘pool shoes’. So I went into JJB sports and purchased some.

Today after 60 brisk lengths, I left the pool, put on my flip flops, and went off down a few steps toward the changing rooms, whereupon my left flip flop slipped forward, me with it and I landed on my big toe, and going over on it. OUCH. And a few other words. The flip flops are now in the bin.

So, beware flip flops. I am likely to lose he toenail, whch is a shame as it has only just grown back up after a mishap last September. And I am starting to see some interesting colours around my foot…

Ellie joins the Guides

Having waited patiently on the waiting list, Ellie got a call last week to see if she wanted to join the Winslow Guides. And so she started as a Guide on Tuesday evening. A photo will be posted of Ellie in Guide uniform when she gets it.

In other news, Tricia has enjoyed the lovely spring weather, and been in the garden. She has planted, onions and beetroot amongst other things. In fact she was rather reluctant to go training this evening, preferring to go back into the garden… however, she had promised to take Robbie, so off they went.

Perhaps ‘old stagers’ is a little strong, but to us ‘young’uns’ 50 years of marriage is quite an achievement. We all congregated in Bracknell on Sunday to celebrate their achievement. It was a beautiful sunny day, which made it all seem perfect. We all dined at Peacock Farm, and then it was back to 8Lem for the evening.

Tricia had made a cake for Mum & Dad, replicating Mum’s Brides missal, and also her bouquet. As always Tricia made a splendid job.

And we all congregated for some group photo’s in the garden.

All in all it was a great afternoon, and it was great for all the family to be together. Thanks to Mum and Dad for a splendid day. And thanks to Mark for the laugh of the day – he emptied Dads bottle of non alcoholic lager, and put water in it. Everyone it seems was in on the joke.. and was giggling when Dad took a swig and then gave his bottle a funny look as if to say, that didn’t taste quite right. Ellie couldn’t help herself and in the end told Dad the big secret

On Saturday I completed the Swimathon. It was all a bit anti climactic really. I had hoped to under 1:30, but there was some chaos over lane organisation, and I was in with swimmers who were slower than me. And so it all got a bit congested, and I only did 1:35. When I was able to swim at my normal speed I was doing 53 seconds for 50 metres, which would have been a 1:28 time. Still never mind, the objective was to do it, and raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, and all told I shold raise about £1500. Next year I am determined to do under 1:25 though.

Last year my old mate Bard, one of the Mystic Wizards, was writing music for a new album and was looking for some lyrics. So, I wrote Charlbury Moon. Bard put it to music and recorded it. His album has just been put onto iTunes, where Charlbury Moon, sits at 79p, alongside all the great music of the last 50 years. My little (titchy) claim to fame. Chuffed with the song being on iTunes, I called Ceri, who was the daughter of the landlords of the White Hart in Charlbury, where the Mystic Wizards used to stay. She is well, and a mother now. I haven’t spoken to Ceri for around 10+ years. Her Mum and Dad recently celebrated their 50th as well. It was good to catch up, and I wish I had called before now.

Nikki is back at uni. She has this years final exams coming up, so she is starting to get twitchy about exams. Robbie has just got a job. The village pub has just been refurbished and re-opens on May 1st. Robbie had an interview today to work there, and was offered the job. Suits him, as the walk to work will only take a few minutes.

Well that’s a quick catch up. I had better get to bed… work tomorrow.

I didn’t realise I hadn’t blogged for quite so long… it is Good Friday afternoon, there is just Robbie and me in the house… I had just heard the rumble of thunder, a sure sign that Robbie is about to have a drumming session, and so I retired to the study and thought, ‘I know, I will blog’. As you do. Tricia and Ellie are across in Dunstable, looking to buy a new set of tablecoth / napkins etc. Nikki is working at Homebase in Hatfield today, and is pleased to be getting bank holiday rate.

So, where to start, so much to catch up on….lets start with the celebrations.

Happy Birthday Dad

My dear old Dad has reached 74. And when you consider he has peeped at the grim reaper through the curtains a few times over the last 10 years, he looked in fine fettle and good health on his birthday. In fact you would never know that he had been quite so ill. A testament to the NHS, his doctor, and of course his nurse (Mum). He has been keeping himself busy and just completed a diy project on the shed. I am sure my Mum has plenty of other projects stored up for him to keep him busy.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Mum & Dad

On the 26th March Mum and Dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Quite an achievement really, when you consider the marriage failure rate these days. They have stuck together, and been fine role models. I don’t think it is any coincidence that me and my two brothers are all in stable marriages, as we had good examples set. Tricia, and my sis-in-laws, Justine and Carol are all from stable families as well…. Mum and Dad had a quiet day on the Friday, as Mum had not been too well lately (but is feeling better now), but made it to church on the Sunday, and the priest gave them a blessing at the end of mass, and they receievd a round of ‘apples’ from the congregation. We all get together for a celebratory meal on Sunday April 18th. 

The day before… which would be, er, Saturday April 17th, is when I do the Swimathon. I have been working very hard at my preperation for this. I went to the pool this morning and swam 200 lengths, which is the distance I will have to swim on the day, and I did it in 1hr 31minutes. Not bad for a bloke who is 50 next year! In fact, it was the fastest I have ever done the distance. The last time I did a Swimathon was in 1997, when I did the swim in 1 33. I did the first 100 in 44 mins, and hoped to do the whole 200 in under 1 30, but the swimming lane I was in got busy, and I could also feel some leg cramp so had to hold back a bit.

The whole focus on swimming and being careful with the diet, has meant I have lost a stone in weight and so when I went to buy some new jeans today I had to buy a waist 34… can’t honestly say when I last did that but it may not be since the early 90’s. The thing is to keep it up.

Robbie didn’t feel his uni interview at Portsmouth went to well. Seems they think he could do with a bit more experience first …  so why invite him for an interview in the first place ? Whatever. His final uni interview is at Falmouth in a few weeks. At 9am in the morning. Good grief. That is an overnighter for Robbie and Tricia then.

Ellie had a dance competition a few weeks back, and whilst she didn’t win anything, she got through a few rounds, and danced very well. It was a long day for Tricia and Ellie, they left home at 8 in the morning and didn’t get home till 8 in the evening. She also recently did a dance exam, and was in the school talent show during the last week.

Nikki has been at uni, so we have not seen too much of her. She set a new pb for a back squat wight lift in the week.. which I assume is good. She has a rugby tournament comin up, and is also planning her attack for the county athletic champs next month.

Tricia has been busy with the catering company. She had a funeral to cater for a few weeks back… this was the one that she was pre-booked for some months ago! Don’t tell the police, sounds suspicious to me. She also recently made a ‘fairy cake castle’ for her niece’s birthday. Here are a couple of piccies, quite a work..

Tricia has also started coaching again at Aylesbury athletics club. The dishwasher recently packed up, so I have to order a new one (as we are all getting fed up with washing up !) … trouble is, we have the same issue as we had last year with washing machines. They all seem bigger. I am sure if Darwin was still alive, he would write an evolutionary thesis on how kitchen appliances have got bigger ! Anyhow, I think we have found one that will fit.

Reading my last blog, I had just finished a course in London. I had an exam at the end of it, which I have to say I found quite tough… but good news – I passed! I can now call myself an ‘ITIL Expert’ as that is my official qualification. Apparantly I will get a badge as well.. but I won’t wear it. That is a little geeky.

Last weekend Tricia and I went to a village event, a pre-boat race dinner, which is raising funds for the church restoration. I had to speak on behalf of Oxford, and explain why people should support them. My main argument was that Cambridge seemed to breed traitors and communist spies ! 

I am looking forward to the return of Det Gene Hunt to the TV tonight… Ashes to Ashes is back