October opened with a big day for Tricia. Her first triathlon. She had supposed to be doing it earlier in the year, but the combination of sinus, and tooth extraction etc had stopped her training. On the evening previous she had traveled across to Brackley with Sue, her friend who was doing it with her, taking bikes across. The triathlon went well, Tricia completed it… and is now considering whether to do another. Nikki went across to support her. I was in Bracknell. An old school friend who now lives in the States was across for a visit, and it was the only chance to have a catch up. I was back late afternoon for a rehearsal.

The Winslow Players production of Wyrd Sisters was in full swing, and with the first night on Thursday 5^th, we were rehearsing it to death. As is the way with Players.  My old workmate Peter came across for the first night. Tricia came on the Thursday as well, as she was away on Friday for the Girly weekend. This year they were in Hastings. The play went well. I had great fun playing the 4 different characters I was allotted… bang up my street. I can’t claim to be a Terry Pratchett fan… and this didn’t change that, but it was fun.

Some of Tricia’s weekend in Hastings

The following wee Tricia had lunch on the Tuesday with her old Guiding friends Pat and Pauline. Then on the Wednesday evening, we went to see the Small Faces musical at the Aylesbury Waterside with the Webbs and the Docwras. Ironically we were booked in at Gourmet Burger. This time they delivered food that was awful. Refund was given again. We won’t be going there again. Ever. The musical was good though – really enjoyed it.

Friday the 13^th… yup, one of those, was the village poetry evening. Good fun, I did a double hander with Bob that went down well. Saturday, Tricia and I spent a whole day in the garden. We did prayers in church on Sunday morning, then came back and did more work in the garden. Stripping back, pruning, digging out etc etc. On the Monday Tricia was away on retreat for a couple of days. Then came the big day….

Thursday October 19^th. Ellie became 18. An adult. Tricia and I no longer have children. We just have adults. We had a lovely meal at the pub, Robbie and Amy, Nikki and Matt came over, Pat and Clive and Alex came along. A good evening, with Ellie centre of attention. Which is how she likes it.

Friday evening was West Ham at home to Brighton. I abandoned Tricia, leaving her doing prep for Ellie’s party, and met up with Bob for our trip to West Ham. We kept with the general ritual, having worked out what we thought was the best route from Stratford to the ground, a pasty off the van, and settled down for what should be a win and three points for West Ham. Except it didn’t work like that. Three goals for Brighton, none for West Ham, a loss, and 3 points for Brighton. Oh bollocks. We are in serious doo dah now. Only a matter of time till Bilic gets the boot. It was a depressing trip home.

Saturday was all about Ellie’s ‘pink and fluffy’ party. She had friends, and family all over. Adrian did the disco, and I have to say it was pretty good. She had a whale of a time. Sunday was breakfast with hungover friends of Ellie, Deb and Carlos came in… and then back to the hall to finish off tidying up. Tricia and me were exhausted at the end of it.

But it only takes a week to recuperate, and the following Saturday we were entertaining again. This time a murder mystery evening with the Robinsons, the Docwras and the Webbs. Great fun.