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!