So, on Monday morning, Tricia and Nikki took Ellie off to the hospital to have this op to pin the break in her arm. They arrived at 7:30 am, Ellie had her pre med, and was due to see the anaesthetist when there was big conflab, the result of which was the paediatric doctor saying she didn’t need the op. And so, Ellie was let home. Not that they returned home, they went off shopping, getting bits for Ellies birthday party. In case there is anybody left in the world that she hasn’t told, Ellie will be 11 on Tuesday. Ellie has to return to see the paediatric doctor on Wednesday of this week, when the plaster will be taken off, the arm looked at, and plaster put back on. Ellie is hoping she can have pink plaster this time!

Monday evening I went across to Winslow to help take down the set from the play I was in last week. Then on Tuesday night, I had the village acting group around (MADS) and I presented a play to them I have chosen called ‘The Village Hall’, which I will be directing and will be put on next Feb. 

During the nights I was being woken by Ellie as she still needed painkillers. So on the back of the play last week, and the visit to a&e on Sunday, and evening activities, and oh yes, don’t forget I work as well, by Wednesday I was starting to feel cream crackered. Fortunately I had the day booked off. Ellie was back at school… Tricia was out doing various tasks… Rob was at Uni, and Nikki was in Bath at the season press launch for the GB bobsleigh team. I had the house to myself… I could have sat and watched tv, and just rested. But… I had intended to do some fence painting before the winter got here, and I had started on the Sunday before going off to a&e with Ellie. So, instead of resting I went out and painted (well, put wood protector on it if not paint) the gazebo and then some of the fence panels. It was a pleasant enough day, and I had the radio on with me, and got quite a bit done. However, in the evening, what with being in the fresh air all day, I could barely stay awake.

Nikki had a good day in Bath, and picked up a lot of GB kit, before going back to Hatfield on Wed evening. On Saturday I met up with Carlos, and went across to Reading to see some old class mates from my time at Presentation College. A pleasant afternoon.

Today was Ellies birthday ‘party’. So, after church we took her and some friends for lunch at a place called ‘Frankie & Bennys’, which is where she wanted to go. The four young ladies (Ellie, Jess, Helena and Lucy) discussed topical items such as who they wanted to win X factor, and made observations about the boys in their class, one of whom has ‘anger issues’ I was informed… They also had competitions to see who could make an ice cube last longest in their mouth. It was at times more entertaining than the TV ! They seemed to enjoy themselves which is the main thing. Here they are…

This afternoon I spent between three and six doing more fence panels. It was a pleasure to be outside. Warm enough to work in whilst wearing a sweater, and just a beautiful autumn afternoon.

Next week promises to be hectic… Tricia is catering for a wedding on the Saturday. Nikki and Rob will both be back for the weekend… Ellie has the small matter of her birthday. And I have loads of work to complete.

I have a week off from Nov 8th… Tricia is allowing me to escape to Hay-on-Wye for a few days. Hay on Wye is bookshop heaven, and not a place therefore she is particu;arly interested in. So I will spend the Monday and Tuesday trawling through the multitude of bookshops and just generally chilling and reading. I am in need of a break, so I am looking forward to it.