Well Nikki is now a fully fledged GB athlete, having competed twice this week. On Thursday an extremely nervous Nikki took her first run in GB colours. They finished 14th overall, which was a little disappointing as in both runs they managed to get quick starts – top 6 in the phase of pushing, sprinting and jumping in the bob, but they lost time coming down the run. Nikki’s partner Gillian is a World Champion – in 2009 – but she was brakeswoman then, now she is the driver, so it is a learning experience for the both of them. So, 14th was pretty good in that context.

On Saturday they had the second run, also in Austria on the same track. They had a slight improvement and finished 13th. Nikki was pretty pleased because they improved the start time again, which is her main job. They have now moved onto Cesana in Italy for the third race before she returns home.

Needless to say we are all proud of Nikki, and fulfilling her ambition of representing her country… She won’t be at the 2012 Olympics, which was her main aim a few years back… but maybe with hard work, and some luck she might make the 2014 Winter Olympics.

It has been an odd weekend. A busy Friday at work, then I dashed home… saw Tricia briefly before she went off for the weekend. On Friday evening she went down to Thatcham and stayed over at our friends Wendy & Rob, before going onto Cardiff on Saturday where she met up with others that had been to New York last year. Of course Nikki wasn’t there, she was required elsewhere.

I did rehearsal on Friday evening for the local play I am producing / directing, then Saturday morning I was at the Waddesdon school Xmas bazar … Ellie with me. On Saturday evening we went next door and had a take away curry. Today has been quiet. Ellie and I went to church, where we were doing the prayers. I then cooked Sunday roast for the three of us, and had a quiet afternoon.

Not much news from Robbie, but he has spoken to Tricia a couple of times, so we know he is ok.