Well, relatively quiet. The mid week was busy for Tricia who had a large order for Elliot and also for the shop, so she was busy… and so was Nikki who helped out. It was Nikki’s first week in her new job on the Eco farm, part of the week working in the kitchen and part with the livestock. She seems to have settled in quickly, and is enjoying it. Today being Mother’s Day she was flat out in the kitchen.

I went over to Bracknell on Saturday morning to see my Mum, and wish her a happy Mothering Sunday. Watched some of the rugby on Sat afternoon with Nikki, then in the evening Tricia, Ellie and myself went to the theatre in Aylesbury, where we saw Dreamboats and Mini Skirts. Lots of early 60’s music which I enjoyed.

This morning Tricia, Ellie and myself went to church, we were doing prayers. This afternoon I snoozed in the armchair, but caught most of the Chelsea v Southampton game, which was a good game… pity I couldn’t stay awake for all of it. Robbie was out at Airsoft for the day, and with Nikki working, I did the roast for this evening. Ellie cooked a terrific cake for Tricia, a Mango, Blueberry, Coconut cake… she spent hours on it. Tricia enjoyed it. Sadly I couldn’t as it was on my Lent list. Over half way now. 2 weeks and 6 days to go! This weekend has been a bit of a struggle, really fancied a glass of wine… but kept going.

Some piccies…. Tricia got out into the garden a couple of days this week, and started some tiding up in the borders. Of course she had some help from the cats… And a couple of pix of Ellie’s cake.

Monday 23^rd Feb saw me start a new job. In October I had been told my job was ‘at risk’, and then in December I was told my role was being made redundant, and would be leaving the company on March 3^rd. However, in the same meeting I was also told there would be some new jobs created I could apply for… and fortunately I landed one, and so I continue to work in BP. A different team, but it is still essentially IT Service type work. Two weeks into the new job I am staring to get my arms around it.

On Wednesday 25^th, Ellie was taking part in ‘Rock Challenge’, a dance competition. Ellie was part of her school’s troupe, competing against 8 other schools… they came 2^nd, which they were really pleased with, the best result they have had entering the competition. It was a long day for them all, I picked Ellie up at about 00:45am, and we got home and to bed about 1:30am… :-(. It was an odd day for me as well, I had been in at the school for assembly first thing, and then a meeting with the Head. I came home and then worked till 3pm, and was then back in the school for a further two meetings. I came home, had my evening meal, but was then back out again to attend a read through of a new production Winslow Players are doing. I then came back, snoozed on and off on the sofa for a while, before going to get Ellie. Needless to say, both Ellie and myself were tired on Thursday.

Lent has been going well. It took a week to get the caffeine out of my system, all the usual withdrawal symptoms, headache, aching legs etc. Come the Friday evening of the 27^th though we had curry evening here. As usual, Alan and Rachel, Pete and Sara, were here…. Lots of talking, silly stories and …. loads of wine. But I was a good boy, and the only one who wasn’t somewhat under the influence by the end of the evening. Tricia and I were then at Pat and Clive’s on the Saturday evening. As well as us there were Bob and Carole, Peter (aka Tinky Winky) and Jane. Peter and Jane brought along a board game about Gnomes, which we played until 1:30am…. Another late night, and another alcohol free night. Here we have the intensity of the Gnome game… and me just about to read a story about Pat and Clive, in the style of Wogan’s Janet & John stories. Lots of innuendo. Seemed to go down quite well on account of the laughter it seemed to generate.

Earlier on the Saturday, I had gone over to Bracknell to visit the folks and take them shopping, whilst Tricia had played hockey for Bicester for the first time in many years. She had been saying for a while she would turn out for the team as a ‘one off’… Ellie and I watched on, and have to say Tricia did really well, her natural speed, strength and fitness helping her. One comment was ‘the old birds still got plenty left in the tank’ ! 🙂

Sunday morning and Tricia could feel some soreness in her upper legs where she had used muscles she doesn’t normally use. We were having lunch at Wendy & Rob’s, where Deb and Carlos, Jan and Trevor would also be. It was a busy dinner table, and good to catch up with all. After lunch, ‘the men’ went to the pub to see the rugby… With West Ham being thumped at home by Crystal Palace on the Saturday, the English cricket team being beaten by Sri Lanka overnight, I was hoping that the England rugby team could save the ‘sporting weekend’ for me…. Not a bit of it. England spent most of the first half looking like rabbits caught in the headlights, the Irish were all over us. England rallied in the last quarter and played ok then, but by then the game was as good as over… Carlos wore green and white, so he was happy. He was about the only one though…. Carlos turned 40-15 this week, that is 55 to most people, but Carlos is determined not to be in his 50’s yet…. the card I sent him this year said ‘Happy Denial’ instead of Happy Birthday !

Whilst all this had been happening, Nikki was over in Germany competing in the Bobsleigh World Champs. Nikki was selected as a brakesman, doing the pushing. They had a good start on the first run, but the driver was late in the bob, they caught the side and lost time and ended up 16^th and last after the first runs. Over the next three runs they lifted themselves to 14^th. But it was a disappointment, their start times were top 10, and if they could have held that on the way down the result would have been better. Still, the coaches were pleased with Nikki’s pushing.  On Monday this week Nikki came home, and has enjoyed some of the home comforts this week. She had an interview for a local job on Tuesday, and learnt on Friday that she was given the job, and starts next week. So she was pleased about that. On the Monday Nikki came home, Roy the local handyman, was painting a lot of the skirting and doors in the hall, dining room and landing. What with that disruption, and the bags Nikki brought back all over the place, it was a bit messy for a few days, but all sorted now. Here are Nikki, and Vicky (the driver) at the push, and after.

And so to Friday, and my 54^th birthday. I worked during the day, Nikki cooked us a steak meal in the evening. It was my ‘Lent off day’ so I had a glass of wine with the meal, and a piece of birthday cake Nikki made. Then Tricia and I went off to see ‘Arcadia’ in Aylesbury … a Tom Stoppard play. It is set between two era’s, the early 1800’s and present day, and somewhere between a tragedy and a comedy. It was quite funny in places, but it was fast paced and so needed a lot of attention. Not sure how I got to be 54, I am sure I am still 21! Here I am blowing out the numerous candles… and the cake.

Yesterday, I took Ellie to the gym, whilst Tricia and Nikki went off to Newbury to play Hockey… Nikki enjoyed her game, but Tricia said that would be her last. We will see! Robbie made a shield and had a driving lesson. He is pleased with his progress. A quiet day today, Ellie and I went to the gym, Tricia went to church and then when I came back I cooked lunch – a standard Sunday roast. Nikki and Tricia went off on a ‘Lent walk’ this afternoon… I struggled to stay awake in the chair :-). Here is Nikki having a break… Tricia took Basil, and Nikki to Mack. It’s great to borrow dogs and give them back afterwards :-). Also a picture of Tricia enjoying a cup of tea outside for the first time this year, along with the obligatory cat on her lap… and Robbie, playing a new game he has called Attila. As you can see he is dressed for the occasion. He sat and ate his evening meal dressed like it…. don’t ask me to explain….