Last week I spent most of my time blowing my nose, trying to clear my nose, breathing occasionally, coughing, spluttering and producing some interesting matter off of my chest. Not a good week to get a cold, as it was performance week for ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in Winslow. I was playing King Basil, and Ellie was the Fairy Primrose. There were rehearsals every evening until Thursday when we had our first performance, then Friday night, and three performances on Saturday. Saturday felt a little bit like groundhog day… no sooner had you finished one performance, than you seemed to be needed back on stage for the next one. Performances at 1pm, 4pm, and 8pm. A long day. Ellie, who by Saturday had got my cold, and me were both shattered. Ellie did enjoy it though. She made new friends and enjoyed being on stage.

Recently Ellie went to audition with a youth theatre for a production of Annie at Aylesbury Theatre. The good news for Ellie was that she got a letter on Monday to say she was offered a part. It will be in the ‘chorus’, but she is very pleased with herself. The performance will be in June.

Ellie has also had a splendid school report. Performing well in all subjects, and ranked 5th out of 146 pupils in her year. What can you say to that 🙂 A big hug for Ellie.

Tricia has had her stitches out. She was worried for a few days that when she yawned the scar might open up but it is now looking barely noticeable, she has healed very quickly.

Nikki is in St Moritz doing bobsleigh taxi runs with her coach – the coach drives, then there are two paying members of the public, Nikki pushes the bob off and then jumps in. Her coach is a former Olympic medallist, so she is in safe hands. She is trying to ignore the Olympics as it hurts her a bit that she isn’t there.

My team, West Ham have been struggling all season, and looked like prime candidates for relegation from the Premier League. But after a hard fought draw against Chelsea a few weeks back they have all of a sudden put 3 wins together and all of a sudden they are 10th. It is all very tight, and they are by no means safe, 12 games left and they need about 12 points to stay up, but they have given themselves a good chance of doing it 🙂

Some pics… One Nikki posted up of her and Kevin, one of Ellie and Nikki, Ellie with the fairies, and waiting to go on stage… and King Basil… nice wig 🙂