I worked from home on Monday… still blowing out the cold I had the last week. Tricia went off to MK to do a shop at Costco. At lunchtime I took the opportunity of some dry days to cut the back lawn… a quick cut, leaving some length, to tidy it up. I was in the office early on Tuesday, determined to catch up on work that has been backlogging. I got home in the evening early enough to take Ellie to the gym. Tricia was out for a meal with her watercolour friends, celebrating a birthday. Wednesday I worked from home. Tricia went out for a long walk with Basil… but got texted on her way with a big order from the Green Dragon, so when she was back she was straight into the cooking. Ellie and I went to the gym again…

Thursday was a long day. I started off going to Bracknell. I dropped in an Easter card, and Anniversary card with some flowers. 56 years married for Mum and Dad… that is some considerable time. I then took them shopping, before heading into the office. A long afternoon of meetings meant I missed the opportunity of getting on the road early, so I stayed till about 6:45pm, thinking the roads would have cleared …. wrong. I got snarled up on the M25 in all the Easter holiday traffic. I got home around 9pm… I was not happy.

A gentle start to Friday was the order of the day. I went up to the church for a short service in the morning, before going on to the gym with Tricia and Ellie. We got back in time for Tricia to go off to another service with Elizabeth next door. Saturday I was up early, and went and did some shopping at Tesco’s. Then it was over to Curry’s, where I purchased a new printer… the old one was having constant problems, and so I got a Canon printer that had been reduced. Ellie was at work and Tricia was cooking at a village event, so I did the housework and some ironing whilst watching England play Sri Lanka… they had a good score, and then got Sri Lanka to 15-4… but in true style let them back in the game. With 2 overs to go Sri Lanka looked like they could force a win… but England kept their nerve and got the win, and qualified for the semi finals. In the evening, England came back from 2-0 down against Germany, in Germany, to win 3-2… and played very well. Two good wins for England in the same day… doesn’t happen often.

Easter Sunday arrived…. Tricia, Ellie and me had a traditional boiled egg breakfast… and for Ellie it was followed with a creme egg :-). I then took Ellie off to work, came back and went up for the Easter service with Tricia. I then dashed back to start prepping the lunch. Rob and Amy came over, and Gran and Gramps, and we enjoyed a roast lamb lunch, folowed by trifle… or Ellies homemade honeycomb ice cream… or ginger sticky toffee puddings. Blimey… all the effort of lent was in danger of going south in one sitting! Nicki and Matt were busy lambing and so not able to get across, but we are going over to see them for tea tomorrow. Here we have Ellie’s homemade ice cream, and everyone sat for lunch.

The first day of March, was the second day for me in London at the Microsoft Cloud Roadshow. A dull day, and I didn’t last the full sessions, coming away early. Wednesday and I had a long drive to work via Marlow. I had to pick up a BP colleague, who for medical reasons couldn’t drive at the moment. After work I dropped him back in Marlow, and then drove onto Bracknell. I popped in to see Mum and Dad, dropping off a Mothers Day card and a gift. Friday I went to the gym first thing, and then worked from home for the remainder of the day. Tricia was entertaining at lunchtime, a ‘Lent lunch’. Clive was around helping, as they produced a parsnip and chorizo, and leek and potato soup. I stayed out of the way. In the evening Tricia and me were at the Williams for curry night… and received an early birthday cake … well, cake of sorts, a roulade with candles in it :-).

Saturday evening,  after picking up Ellie from work, we went over to Nikki and Matt’s, where Nikki cooked us a roast lamb dinner. And very nice it was too… the lamb was perfect. Nikki and Matt have been busy lambing… putting in a lot of hours.

The same evening, Amy and Robbie were at a party near Thame… all poshed up.

Sunday I turned 55… I really can’t believe I have got to be so old. When I look in the mirror and see the grey hair, and the developing jowls it is no mistake that I am 55, but I am just not 55 in my head. A quiet day, Tricia and I went on the Lent walk in the afternoon, and Ellie made me a gluten free birthday cake which we had in the evening.

Monday I worked from home, as Tricia was taking me to the theatre in the evening for my birthday. We went into Aylesbury, and had a nando’s, and then casually walked down to the Waterside. It was only when we were in the theatre, that we realised we were in the wrong place… we should be in Milton Keynes. We dashed to the car, raced to MK, and managed to get in the circle seats and only miss the first 20 minutes. At the interval we were able to get to the stall seats we were supposed to be in. The play was Hobson’s Choice, with Martin Shaw playing Hobson…. which he did brilliantly. Tricia was of course mortified over the mistake, but I had a great evening. Memorable :-).

Tuesday the 8th was another trip to work via Marlow, and then back again to Marlow. This time though I was off to Reading afterwards for Governors training session. It was a long day by the time I got home. Friday evening Tricia, Ellie and myself met up with Amy and Rob in Aylesbury … we had a nando’s and then saw Deadpool. The film was ‘ok’… although I nearly fell asleep during it.

Saturday evening Tricia and me met up with Juliet and John for a meal at the Black Boy in Oving. Nice company for the evening, but the meal wasn’t all that. Tricia and I both had lamb, and the meat Tricia was given was very fatty. Sunday afternoon, Tricia, Ellie and myself went across to Tring. Amy and Robbie cooked us a Sunday roast.

Monday 14th I worked from home… and could feel a cold coming on. From a small sniffle, are great and horrible colds founded. By Monday evening I was full of head cold… and so my week  was wasted. I had a few days off work, and I had to miss a GB mtg, and an appeal I was supposed to go to… but I wouldn’t have been thanked for sharing the cold with anyone else. On Saturday evening we went out to Milton Keynes theatre to see Chicago. The right theatre this time :-). I thought it was a terrific show, but I had to keep looking around the bloke in front of me who was large, and had a particularly fat head. On the way home Tricia drove… and went the wrong way. She has been somewhat unnerved this month to discover she is no longer infallible.

Then on Sunday we went over to Bracknell, via Tring to pick up Robbie, to celebrate my Dad’s 80th. Nikki and Matt joined us there… all the family were present, both my brothers and all their families. Eightlem was full. Dad said a few words, and even got a little choked up. Considering he has had a peep through the curtains a couple of times at the grim reaper he has done well, and is pretty  fit for an 80 year old.

The start of February saw Nikki and Matt on a well deserved holiday. Off skiing in Andorra. Not quite the same as bobsleigh, Nikki enjoyed herself nonetheless. Whilst they were away, Tricia went across to feed the horses one day… and the piggies of course!

I have spent many years acting, and going on stage holds no trepidation for me. As long as you have learnt your lines, done the rehearsals, there is nothing to fear. However, doing an assembly in front of a 990 students, always has me feeling somewhat nervous, worried I may something that I shouldn’t… and I do have a track record for that. On Wednesday 3rd Feb I was in school to do an assembly. My subject was around the changes that have taken place in IT in my lifetime, from computer disks the size of washing machines to small flash memory disks that hold substantially more. The assembly went well… so I breathed a sigh of relief. I was back in the school later in the day for a curriculum and student well being meeting. On the way back, driving down the back road I hit a pot hole… and boom… tyre gone. I managed to nurse the car back home, but very frustrating to lose a tyre. This meant wasting time in Kwik Fit on Thursday morning. Grrr. Thursday evening I was back in the school with Ellie and Tricia for parents evening. She is doing well, and there were lovely comments all the way round.

On Friday Tricia met up with her Auntie Sue and her Mum etc at the half way pub between here and Purton. This was the culmination of all Tricia’s work in securing the legacy of their cousin. A lot of hard work… but some closure. Saturday evening Tricia and I went to the Waterside in Aylesbury to see Claire Teal. She mainly performed swing / jazz numbers… lovely voice and a good show, but there were not many people there. We did see Ken Bruce of Radio 2 fame though, he obviously came to see a fellow Radio 2’er. Sunday afternoon was rehearsals for Ellie and me… we were only a couple of weeks away from the first performance of Cash on Delivery. I was struggling with my lines, both in terms of volume and also the repetitive nature of them… and so were others. Sunday evening was a quiet affair… the three of us sitting down to ‘Call the Midwife’.

Tuesday the 9th… I had to take Ellie to a ‘World Challenge’ mtg at the school. Then when I was home, it was the 4th round cup replay with Liverpool. Possibly the last cup game at the Boleyn. We had already beaten Liverpool twice in the league, and drawn the first cup game at Anfield, surely we wouldn’t do it again. A tight game, 1-1 after normal time… then with the last minute on the clock, and penalties looking a certainty, Payet puts a free kick into the box, Ogbonna leapt like the proverbial salmon and headed in the winner . COYI :-).  Wednesday saw the start of Lent. I was doing my usual, no caffeine, wheat, sweets, cakes, alcohol etc… Tricia was doing no cakes, and Ellie decided on no meat! Nikki started to school her horse ‘Diaz’… the schooling was a Christmas present from Matt.

On Friday my car was in for a service, and so with the knowledge that Tricia and I would be walking the Pennine Way in June, I thought I would get some miles in my legs. After booking the car in I walked the 8 miles back home. Where I found Tricia giving her first cookery lesson to Clive. Clive is due to retire soon, but Pat will be working for another 18 months, and decided that he should cook :-). When I got in Tricia was showing him how to make a vegetable lasagna…. resplendent in the new aprons Pat had bought them ! One for the Head Chef… and one for Clive. The trainee.

After collecting my car in the evening, I drove onto Tring to pick up Robbie, and bring him home. He had a driving lesson on the Saturday morning. When back, Pat and Clive came round and we consumed the vegetable lasagne. Very nice it was as well. After we sat in the living room, where Clive, who is not an animal person, ended up with Ninja sat on his lap. Ninja was very happy there… Clive somewhat less comfortable.

Saturday the 13th was a somewhat sad occasion. One of the teachers at Waddesdon School passed away… Jeremy had served the school for 25 years, was a lovely man, and sadly a victim to cancer. I went to the service in Amersham. It was very cold outside and raining, but the service was done very well. On the way home it was a quick visit to Amersham town to get some nice chocolates for Tricia for Valentines Day, and then Aylesbury to get a ‘floral dress’ to wear on stage… got a funny look from the bloke in the charity shop. After all I was buying it to fit me.

Sunday meant more rehearsal.. and the start of the production week. Ellie and I were flat out. I had just about got on top of my lines. Monday and Tuesday evening rehearsals, rest day Wednesday, and then three nights of performances. On the Tuesday evening Tricia went across to Oxford to meet Deb to see a play – Toast – that she had a spare ticket for. Deb then came along on Thursday. Tricia and Deb went to Oving for some lunch, then had tea with us, before coming to watch first night, which went down an absolute treat. Lot of laughter all in the right places!

Friday was Clive’s next lesson… this time it was a sponge, and a Victoria Sponge. And of course his new friend visited him… Mr Ninja.

Saturday my work mate Peter came along with Sandra and his sister and husband to see the play, as did Nikki and Matt, and Rob and Amy, and a load of Ellie’s friends. Not quite sure they will look at me as chair of governors in quite the same way again. Again the play went well.But boy was I glad it was over, it had been an a lot more hard work than I had imagined. Sunday morning was pulling the set down. I had originally said I would go on the Lent Walk with Tricia in the afternoon, but tbh I was knackered… oh, and West Ham were on the TV in the FA Cup 5th round. For a while I thought it may have been a bad decision when Blackburn scored first… but it soon turned round and West Ham scored 5 in reply. Next up … Man Utd. eeeek.

Into the last week of Feb, and I was enjoying not having to keep looking at lines. On Wednesday I had a couple of Governing Body meetings, followed by the 6th form open evening with Ellie. On Friday, Clive ‘Gordon Ramsey’ Robinson had another cookery lesson. This time it was a vegetable curry…. In the evening we all went round to Pat and Clive’s to enjoy the curry… and it was good. On the Saturday evening Tricia was at a Guiding meal, which was a thank you for the work she has put in over the years. Sunday, Tricia and I did the Lent walk, which was more of a ramble than a walk. Monday 29th I was in London at the Excel arena for a Microsoft Cloud Roadshow… travel by train seemed to take forever, and some of the subject matter was somewhat dull.

I am writing this blog somewhat after the event…. so I can’t really remember if I made any new years resolutions, but if I did I seem to have forgotten them already. New Years Day was something of a slow start after an enjoyable NY celebration at the Webb’s. I was getting a little treat though… in the afternoon it was off to Northampton for Nikki and me to see the Saints play rugby against Exeter. Nikki’s employer has a box at the ground, and had invited her and Matt, but he was busy lambing so I got to go. Nice! It was great to see live…. even though it was wet and cold. Mind you we were under cover, and the box had a supply of hot coffee :-). Northampton edged victory in a tight game. The downer was when I got home and found I had lost my glasses :-(. Nikki got back to find that whilst she had done lambing in the morning… Matt had got off scot free. No lambs in the afternoon.

Saturday the 2nd in the evening we went next door to Elizabeth’s, for a social. A pleasant evening. On the Sunday we had our final feast of the Christmas period, enjoying a beef wellington followed by Christmas pudding. As Tricia said on facebook… ‘Finally celebrating Christmas after having the lurgy over the festive season’. The beef wellington was exceptional… and as you can see, the Christmas pud lit well.

Sunday evening was the culmination of the World Darts Champs… Gary Anderson against Adrian Lewis. A good tense final… Anderson won, which was about right, he was the best throughout the tournament. I am looking forward to next years tournament already.

Then we entered a period of dust… We had had some tiles on the kitchen floor crack over the last years, and Tricia wanted them replaced. Enter Jason, a local handyman, and he proceeded to drill out the old tiles and lay the replacement ones. Even with taking dust precautions, it was everywhere! Tricia ended up doing early spring cleaning. The replacement tiles, which were in the garage have a slightly different colouring, but hopefully they will blend. Eventually. I was left with an issue where the tile cement did not match the grout that had originally been used, so we had an odd mismatch. I eventually solved that by painting the grout with masonry paint… and it now looks a lot better and cleaner. But goodness, painting lines of grout is enough to send anyone boss eyed.

Wednesday evening, Amy took Robbie to see Bill Bailey … this was his Christmas present. Rob is a big Bill Bailey fan, and really enjoyed the show. On Thursday it was a very early start. The 7th was the day of Dad’s eye op. I was up at 3:30am, left the house at 3:50am and got to Bracknell for 4:55am… With Dad and Steve on board it was off to the East side of Central London to the eye hospital. The weather was horrible… driving rain. It was dark… and driving through unfamiliar territory. But we got there. I dropped them off outside and went in search of car parking. Then had to walk about a mile back in the driving rain. Thank goodness the hospital had a costa coffee. Steve and I had a few cups whilst waiting for Dad to have his op. I worked online for a while whilst Steve went and sat with Dad… then we had lunch. We had a little concern for a while that the doctors may operate on the wrong eye. but eventually they operated, and there seemed to be an improvement. It had been a general anaesthetic for Dad, and he was a bit wobbly after the op. When he was allowed to leave we piled him into a wheelchair… then into the car, and so began the long journey back. I got home just after 8pm. I think that is what they call a long day!

Friday thankfully I worked from home. We had to ensure the house was dust free for Saturday evening, as we were entertaining. The Robinsons, Webbs and Docwras, and it was ‘desert island disc evening’… Tricia and I had done this before with other friends, and thought it would be fun. Fun… it was fantastic, a laugh from start to finish. Jane Docwra posted on her fb, ‘very big thank you to Paul and Tricia for a wonderful evening. So many laughs, a fantastic meal and a great game of desert island discs. Who would have thought of those choices!… It went down well. It was a late night, with lots of wine drunk… and loads of laughs. At the end of the evening we gave Pater and Jane some silly presents  for their NZ/AUS trip they would be going on shortly. Looking forward, we will all have another evening together in April.

Week beginning the 11th Jan was pretty quiet… rehearsals for Cash on Delivery were picking up, now twice a week, Wed and Thursday night. West Ham won at Bournemouth in the Prem League… after going one down, they came back with 3 in reply. The team starting to play well again with players coming back from injury. Wednesday was the dreaded ‘mock results day’ for Ellie…. she went off to school very nervous but came back beaming, having done well, and if that had been the actual exams would have done enough to get into 6th form, so she was pleased with herself. I also had to be in the school for a long admissions meeting. So whilst it was relatively quiet, it was busy enough nonetheless. On the Saturday Tricia had some time out with Cathy over at Bletchley Park.

Monday 18th there was a little snow. Didn’t last long, although Nikki’s hoses enjoyed a run around in the snow. On the 19th and 20th Ellie had back to back school trips. Lord of the Flies in London one evening – which she really enjoyed, and then was in Oxford the next day. At the end of the week Tricia and me went off to see the ‘Glenn Miller Story’ at the Waterside theatre in Aylesbury. We had intended to take in a Nandos beforehand, but they were packed, so ended up in Kingsbury square at the Italian… which was very nice. Tommy Steele was playing Glenn Miller. Yes, that’s right, cockney 79 year old Tommy, was playing American 40 year old Glenn Miller. So, there had to be some suspension of belief, but it was a good show, and the orchestra were good. Before the show we were amused to get a text from Alan and Rachel, saying that Helen and Diz had turned up for the Safari Supper a week early! Sunday morning I got something of a surprise… I got up, put my slippers on… and found one of the cats had done a wee in one of them. It would be fair to say I was livid, and was considering mass catocide for a few days. It took three washes till I was satisfied I could wear them again.

In the final week in January Tricia picked up some new glasses, had a day out in London on the Thursday, and lunch with Robbie…then had lunch with Sara on the Friday. In the evenings she was enjoying winter watch on TV… which the cats also took an active interest in! On Friday evening I picked up Robbie, he was staying at home overnight for a driving lesson on the Saturday. Rob cooked a meal, and then we went to see The Revenant before coming home. Good film. I had enjoyed the book and the film… even though the film strayed from the book somewhat. Some pics from Tricia’s visit to London, the cats watching tv, and Robbies old room after Tricia had refreshed it.

Saturday evening was Safari Supper evening, and the theme was Eurovision. We didn’t have a full attendance, a little light on numbers, but we had a good fun evening anyway.

Between Christmas and the New Year, Lemmy from Motorhead died. I had seen them play at Hammersmith in 1980. Then as the New Year kicked in we had a spate of losses. David Bowie and then Glenn Frey from the Eagles. Lesser knowns, the drummers from the Specials and Mott the Hoople died…. I was a fan of both bands. The actor Alan Rickman died as well… another favourite. All of a sudden it seemed that heroes from my late teens were all passing away. Then on the last day of January, the news that Sir Terry had gone as well. That was a surprise, and a sad loss. Great voice and presence, a gentle humour, and always prepared to laugh at himself.  Not a good month for celebrities.

December came… Matt celebrated his birthday on the 1^st, and on the same day Rob and me went to Bracknell after work to visit the folks. People started opening advent calendars, and so the festive season kicked off. It became the month of mass mince pie making for Tricia…

Friday Dec 4^th, and Tricia was catering for another funeral. There had been a few lately.  In the evening though, it was out for some fun as it was ‘curry night away’. We went with Pete and Sara to the Fort in Buckingham, where we were joined by Nikki and Matt. Then on Saturday, it was the North Marston Christmas Bazaar, so Tricia was on duty there. Then it was onto Waddesdon manor in the evening for the lights. Not as cold as last year, but a still chilly and windy, we ended up enjoying a free burger courtesy of Elliott, and a nice ‘flat white’ coffee for me as well.

Sunday morning Tricia and Nikki met up with their old coach Brian for a catch up. Then in the afternoon Tricia and me went to our first Christmas social, drinks at the Docwras. Very pleasant :-). Meanwhile Rob and Amy enjoyed a day out at Whipsnade Zoo.

On Monday the 7^th, Ellie was starting her ‘dreaded’ mock GCSE’s. Two weeks of stress… and as much as she wanted to look forward to Christmas, she knew she couldn’t until the mocks were done. Credit to her though, she has declined the opportunity of a trip to Munich as it would have fallen in the middle of her mocks, and she decided it wasn’t the right thing to do and that her mocks were more important. Also on Monday there was the Brownie Christingle… Christmas was coming quick! Tricia got the fireplace decorated…

On the Wednesday I went to the ‘end of year’ event at work. End of Year… FGS what can’t they call it a Christmas event. Changing the name just so as not to offend anyone…. Makes my blood boil. Anyhow, this was a subdued, afternoon event. We had just gone through a round of cuts, and se we were all losing friends from the organisation… we didn’t feel like celebrating. I had survived… twice in a year. But not so lucky for my good friend Peter. He had been given notice and would be leaving at the end of Feb. On Thursday I had to sit in on the Waddesdon AGM… a fairly light affair, but a job done.

Then it was Friday… and Tricia and Nikki were off to Munich for the weekend. With Ellie dropping out, Nikki agreed to go with Tricia. So I dropped them off at Luton airport on Friday afternoon. I picked Robbie up from Tring on the way back… he was staying over to have a driving lesson the next day. Rob was pleased with himself, he has just been nominated as ‘employee of the year’ where he works. Not bad! On the Saturday morning Robbie and Ellie jumped in the car with me and we went and purchased a Christmas tree. Ellie was dropped off at the Green Dragon on the way back… she was an elf at the grotto in the lead up to Christmas. In the evening I dropped Robbie off at Tring, and then went on to Wargrave, where I met up with Steve and Mark for a curry and a catch up.

On Sunday, I dropped Ellie at work, and then went in search of some holly…. I managed to get some and then finally put the advent wreath together. It was the third Sunday in Lent, so a little behind schedule. I put the tree up, and managed to get the lights on the tree outside. Tricia arrived back late Sunday evening, Matt picked her and Nikki up. She had had a good weekend but was tired. It was good for her to have a break in between all the cooking demands she had. They were later than expected because of delays taking off due to fog…. and they sat on the runway… and because it was Nikki and Tricia somehow they managed to get an opportunity to go and sit in the cockpit!

On Monday the 14^th, I worked up in London for the day, and then in the evening met up with my old Pres school mate Julian. Then on Thursday evening it was The Waddesdon school carol service. I always enjoy this, and to add to it this year, Ellie was doing one of the readings. It pretty much marks the end of school term. Ellie finished her mocks on the Friday, and happily finished for Christmas. Tricia finally got her cards written… and celebrated with something bubbly…

On the Saturday , it was the real or ‘Living Nativity’. We started at one end of the village and worked down to the Shotton’s where we finished, having collected shepherds and kings along the way. It was fun… I am a bit old for playing Joseph. But Mary was older than me 🙂 …  In the evening we were at Lisa and Bradley’s for drinks. A pleasant evening. Here is the nativity… even featured in the Bucks Herald.

Then all of a sudden we were into the week before Christmas. On Sunday the 20^th, we went to see Star Wars at the cinema. It was ok… Tricia was busy of course, not helped by having another funeral to cater for on the 22^nd. I picked Robbie up from Tring on the 23rd. Rob and Amy had had their Christmas then…  Christmas Eve is a day I have always enjoyed, sometimes more than the big day itself. I was working, but ‘working from home’, so found time for a haircut :-). Late afternoon we went to the Robinsons for drinks, before Ellie and I went up to the church for the carol service. I had to do a reading. After, Ellie and I went and collected a Chinese meal, and we sat and enjoyed that with Tricia and Rob. Tricia was all in… weeks of working flat out, and didn’t feel up to going to midnight mass. Here are Rob and Amy… with Xmas hats of course 🙂

We had a quiet Christmas Day. Stockings first, then presents after breakfast. Lunch at around 2pm, and then Nikki and Matt joined us later in the day. Tricia though was not feeling good… a cold had taken hold. On Boxing Day we were supposed to be hosting Tricia’s family… but she wasn’t well enough, so Rob, Ellie and me took the food to Highfield Road and we had the day there. On the 27^th, we had been due to join Scott for his 18^th meal in Bracknell. But Tricia wasn’t well enough for that either…. We left her in bed, and the three of us went down. Here we have Christmas morning… seems we didn’t just get a visit from Santa… but Elf as well.

Tricia started to pick up on the 28^th… and on the 29^th we had Harry Potter day. We started at 8am, with the first film and went through to 3am to finish the lot. Pat joined us for part of the day, Amy was with us… Pat didn’t make it to the end. Nor did Tricia. Just Ellie, Rob, Amy and me at the end. Needless to see the 30th was a quiet day… caught up on the darts and snoozed in the chair.

And so to the 31^st. New Year’s Eve was celebrated at the Webbs, pretty much the same group and in the same way as the last few years. Tricia, myself, Ellie and Robbie and Amy. I did a little quiz. Bob did his present game, and we played charades… the usual format for our NYE parties.

And that was 2015.

It was back to work for me on the Monday, and certainly straight back to it for Tricia who was catering for a funeral. Tricia was pleased to get some help from the locals, and all went well. As the week progressed, so did a cold I had picked up. I had been due to go out with some old work colleagues on Thursday the 5^th, but didn’t go and stayed at home and felt sorry for myself instead. Tricia was busy in the kitchen, this weeks product bullace jelly.

Of course, as is always the way with these things, I passed my cold on to Tricia. On Friday morning I went to Bracknell, took the folks shopping and gave my Mum a birthday card and pressie, and wished her happy birthday. Friday evening was a rehearsal for the ‘real nativity’ I had got myself involved with doing… and I was also involved in the next MADS production. So much for having a break from learning lines.

I had been due to meet up with some old Pres school friends on the Saturday, and Tricia was going to help Robbie with his move to his flat in Tring. But with Tricia feeling unwell, I helped Robbie with his move instead. A couple of trips with his belongings moved him in… We had some challenges over cables for sky box connectivity, and then internet connectivity for Robbie’s computer, but we got there in the end. At all times Amy was keeping an eye open for any armour being sneaked in by Robbie :-). It was the end of an era with Robbie moving out. Sunday saw Tricia up and at the Remembrance Parade in Winslow, before a final run with a few bits for Robbie.

The following week had a quietish start. Tricia had a girly night at the pub, and then her first Xmas fayre of the season at Oving on the Friday morning. Saturday was mainly a day of prepping – with a large volume of guests expected for lunch on Sunday. Tricia cooked beef, and I did roasties, and we had 19 somehow squeezed into the dining room, over spilling into the kitchen area. Robbie and Amy where there, as were Nikki and Matt, Matt Narciso visited with his girlfriend, Granny & Grampy (with obligatory trifle) the Greens and the Robinsons…. We celebrated Nikki’s 27^th birthday, and had a good time. Matt treated Nikki to a tweed coat, a ski jacket… and two piglets which they called smoky and streaky. Any chance he is trying to turn her into a farmers wife? Here we are, all squeezed in.

In the evening, as we relaxed on the sofa, catching some Sunday evening TV, Ninja rested in the most odd position… Doesn’t look comfortable does it. But he was purring away.

And here are the infamous piggies…

And then, in remembrance of those killed in the Paris attacks on Nov 13… we flew the French flag at half mast.

Monday 16^th Tricia had her car serviced, all ready for the winter. Then on the Wednesday, Tricia was at Oxford in the day, pursuing the probate for an old relation, on behalf of her mum, aunt etc. She was relieved that after months of frustration with it things were finally moving forward. In the evening we went across to see Ellie in a school performance of Macbeth in Luton. This was part of the ‘Shakespeare schools festival’. There were three schools performing, Waddesdon did Macbeth in 30 minutes…. And it was very good. Ellie playing the role of Ross. Jess came along with us to watch. It had been the end of lot of rehearsals for Ellie, and whilst she was pleased with her performance, she was also pleased for it to have finished. Here she is on the bus, and a picture taken of her on stage.

Friday evening, the 20^th, was the village ‘poetry evening’ at the village hall. A mixture of silly and serious, we went from the sublime (Ali Perrett doing a serious piece), to the ridiculous (Pat doing a poem about her knickers). It was a fun evening… in which we entertained ourselves. Saturday morning was very welcome… I had my hair cut :-)… always makes me feel good.

Then we were into the last week of November. A busy one for Tricia with cooking preparations for the Christmas period and mass scale mince pie production, and then at the end of the week, I set up stall at Granborough for their Christmas fayre, whilst Tricia was in Buckingham. The weather was not good… at least I was indoors, Tricia was in the wind and rain under her gazebo. Fortunately David came down to help Tricia take it down in the evening. In the evening Ellie was babysitting for Ian from the Green Dragon. When we found the house that was :-). Some of the TLC Christmas output…

Sunday morning, Tricia and I went out to Hoggeston, where we had a farmhouse breakfast. Very nice it was. It was also the first in advent. In the afternoon, Granny and Grampy came across for tea, and we had a birthday cake for Tricia’s dad… I sat and watched songs of praise, where they covered the beginning of advent. At the end of a long week, we hadn’t quite managed to get our advent wreath together. Here we have Grampy blowing out his candles. 80 for him next year! And a picture of Robbie as drawn by his colleague.Nikki and Ellie at Grampy’s tea…and yet another one of Ninja in a rather uncomfortable position!