The Sunday morning after a safari supper is normally a subdued affair. However, it was a bustling Sunday morning. I was getting ready for my trip to Scotland for my Uncle’s funeral, Tricia had to take Ellie across to Quainton and drop her off at one of her friends – they were going birthday shopping in Milton Keynes – and then Tricia had to go to Milton Keynes with Robbie to pick up some art work from one of Robbies old student friends. Steve came and collected me about 10:30, and after a quick tea we were in the car and making our way north. Onto the M40, then on to the M42 and M6. My Dad and brother Mark were making their way up to Dundee by train. There is never a shortage of conversation with Steve, whether it is reminiscing or talking about current situations. By mid afternoon we were up and driving through the lake district, and pulled off the M6 for a sandwich, cup of coffee and stretch. We pressed on, over the border, through heavy rain and sleet, eventually arriving in Dundee at about 10 to 7 in the evening. Mark and Dad were already there. After quickly putting bags in rooms, and finding a pair of Marks pants on a pillow – which was to be expected – we sat in the bar and had a meal, a few drinks and some chat. A long time since that had happened.

We had a good evening, but we were all tired after our respective journeys and so disappeared to our rooms around 10:30…. I found it hard to settle and sleep, but eventually dropped off. I woke at just before 7, and was quite parched and so went off for a walk in the mizzle to a nearby Tesco’s where I got myself a couple of bottles of water. I drank most of it before breakfast, and seemed to spend the next hour visiting the loo every 5 minues :-(. Breakfast was similar to the previous evening, lots of leg pulling and banter… Dad observed ‘I have never known brothers so suspicious of each other’. 🙂

Just after 10am we were sat parked up near the cathedral, and the first game of i-spy took place. Around 10:30 we walked down into the cathedral. It was, as funerals go, a lovely service. It seemed to be pitched just right, a catholic service, appropriate and reflective of my Uncle’s faith, his grandson looking sharp in his uniform and reading impeccably, the canon spoke of my Uncle’s bad jokes… a sense of humour not too dissimilar to my Dad’s…, and spoke of his commitment to his family. To top it off there were two marine buglers who played the last post. Very touching. My Dad was a bit choked at this. It was then off to the crematorium.

We all gathered at a hotel then for refreshments and it was an opportunity to catch up with my cousins and aunt. Mark and Dad then decided they would come back in the car with Steve and me, and so we all set off just after 2:30pm.

We gradually wound our way south, getting over the border around 5’ish, and after getting down near Carlisle stopped for a cup of tea. We had intended to have a meal but there wasn’t anything really open. We drove on for another hour, and stopped for something to eat…. then back in the car we started the next game of i-spy… things such as ‘mbm’ (more bloody motorway) etc.. a high quality game! I was dropped off around 11:15pm. I had enjoyed the company of my Dad and brothers over the two days, pity it was such an occasion that brought it about. When I got home it was a full house, although everyone was in bed. During Monday Tricia had picked up Nikki from Wendy’s.

So it was late to bed, and then up early for work. I was at my desk for 7am. Come Tuesday evening I was shattered. Wednesday was the day for Tricia’s op. I worked from home in the morning, and we left for the hospital abou 1:15pm. The appointment was for 2pm… and it was virtually on time, Tricia was in at 5 past. The op to remove the carcinoma took about 45 minutes, then she was out, stitched and platered up. It seems there may be another one to remove at some point. On the way back we booked an appointment for Tricia to have stitches out. They seem to have done a tidy job. Tricia had some discomfort, but not a great deal. The difficulty was in trying to sleep ‘the other way’ to how she normally does.

Friday night was a ‘curry night’… so Tricia and I met up with Alan and Rachel and went round to Pete and Sara’s. It was fun evening, but at the end of it I could feel my throat getting sore. I eneded getting up on Friday night to gargle some paracetomal. On Saturday I was at the barbers for a long overdue haircut, but could feel the cold coming on then to accopany the sore throat. Over the lunch time I enjoyed watching West Ham beat Swansea… a rare victory! Meanwhile Ellie was baking… it was the ‘great village bake-off’ competition, and she had entered. She did some cupcakes with iphone apps iced on the top. Looked good, and the sponge for the cupcakes was excellent… but sadly she didn’t win.

Sunday was a quiet day at home for Tricia, Ellie and me. I was full of cold now, and grumpy with it :-)… As I write this on the Tuesday evening I can say I am only just starting to feel better. Just as well as Ellie and me are in the Winslow Panto on Thu, Fri and Saturday. On Sunday Robbie went off with his airsoft mates to shoot each other with yellow pellets. As always he was shattered when he got home.