uring October, and even some of September, I had been gradually rededorating the main bedroom. Shuffling furniture about etc, which when you are moving beds and furniture cam be something of a pain. Well on Nov 7th, not only was it my dear old Mum’s birthday, but it was the day we had a new carpet fitted in the bedroom. The old carpet had been down since before we arrived in Jan 97… and so had seen better days. The new carpet was luxurious compared to the old one… almost a pleasure getting out of bed.

On Nov 8th I took part in a murder mystery evening at the pub, a few of us local ‘actors’ were there as characters, answering questions… a fun evening. An elaborate plot made it challenging for those who were drinking during the evening.

Of course November brings with it it’s usual collection of items, Tricia did remembrance day parade, there were birthdays not only for my Mum, and Tricia’s Dad, but also for Nikki who turned 25. Scary thought having a daughter of 25!! Nikki was travelling to Park City on her birthday so not really much of a celebration.

Jordan came for a visit in the middle of the month, him and Robbie were at Milton Keynes college, doing a talk on digital art. Jordan stayed around to gop off an do airsoft with Robbie. Ellie was full on with rehearsal for Cats… the performances went ahead week commencing the 18th, and it was a splendid show. Tricia’s Mum and Dad came over for tea one evening before we all went to watch Ellie.

Since the end of the summer we had been without the main bathroom shower. There had been a crack in the shower tray which had leaked through. The plumber we originally asked to do the job, had up till that point been quite reliable. But for some reason, after looking at the job, he stopped responding. I had found and then purchased a new shower tray, but it took till November to find another plumber to come and do the job. And a good job he did to.. it was good to have the shower back in action, because the en suite shower tray has now got a crack in it … oh well.

Towards the end of the month we were taken out for a nice meal by Tricia’s brother David and his new wife Manda. This was a thank you meal for all the help, particularly to Tricia, for doing a large part of the organising. A very pleasant evening was enhanced by the news that Manda is expecting.

Ellie had a parents evening,which Tricia went to. Full of glowing reports. I missed it as I was supposed to be attending a retirement dinner. I was driving there with two new front tyres I had had replaced the day before when I hit a pot hole, and … flat tyre. I didn’t get to the retirement dinner and I had to replace the same front tyre twice in two days. Towards the end of November we started to hit the pre Xmas bazaars, fayres etc. On Saturday 30th I was at Granborough Xmas bazaar, whilst Tricia was at Buckingham market between 1 and 8pm – it was a cold day for her. Robbie helped for a while. But she did have a new portable gazebo which she ran her stall from which helped.

A picture to sign off with…. taken by Nikki at Utah Olympic Park…