Friday June 1st was cataract day for Tricia’s mum, all went well and she has reported significantly improved clarity already. Seems it is a theme at the moment, Jennifer H has also had hers done this month, and my Dad has his scheduled for July. Friday evening was curry night, we trooped round to the Williams house with the Grays. We had thought we might be able to eat outside, but it was a bit too chilly out for that. Saturday morning I was across in Buckingham early for a spin class… good workout, but not always best advised after a curry night!

Tricia was full on with getting work done for Elliot, and Sally came round to help on the Tuesday. But this week heralded the start of Ellie’s A Level exams with the first one on Thursday. She had been studying, but it had got to the point she just wanted to get on with them. Wednesday evening Tricia and me went across to the school to see the Art exhibition.

Saturday was the church fete. Tricia was feeling uncomfortable after jarring her back and hip whilst running, so I set her stall up on Friday evening. Lovely day on Saturday for the fete, but not a lot of business for Tricia. Sunday was a practice walk, we picked Robbie up, and went for a walk around the Ellesborough area, and up Combe Hill, about 8 miles.

Tuesday 12th was a sad day… (Great) Granny’s funeral. Ellie couldn’t come across as she had an exam at the same time. Robbie had stayed over the Monday evening before, and set off with Tricia and me. We picked up Nikki en route, and arrived in Royal Wootton Bassett at 11:30 and caught up with everyone before the service at 12. There were sniffles and tears, but it was a nice service. Afterwards it was good to catch up with family that we don’t see too often.

Friday Tricia was looking after Isobelle in the morning, and then in the evening Tricia and me went over to the Fort in Buckingham for a curry with a group from the gym. Saturday was Tricia’s 53rd birthday… and we were booked into a restaurant in the ‘walkie talkie’ building in London, called Sky Gardens. The Grays and the Williams were with us, and we had a wonderful meal, and enjoyed the terrific views. Sunday was ‘family lunch’ being hosted by Nikki and Matt… BBQ, Rob, Amy, Ellie, Gran and Gramps and David and Manda came over.

Monday 18th was Ellies last exam…. And a huge sigh of relief. She flopped on the sofa when back home and overdosed on the dreadful ‘Love Island’. It was also the first game of Englands World Cup campaign. I went up to Peters (Tinky Winky) and joined him, Bob and Malcolm and watched England edge a game 2-1, that should have been a more comfortable victory. Tuesday evening the three of us went across to MK to see what was an excellent production of Matilda. A few G&T’s helped . Tricia was adding to her back woes, with an infection above one of her teeth. The dentist prescribed antibiotics, which seemed to bring her out in a rash, and make her feel like she had had the flu… not good. And she still didn’t feel good on Thursday when she had to drive Nikki and Ellie to Gatwick. The two girls were off to Morocco for a holiday. Loads of traffic on the M25 meant that having left at 1:45pm, she didn’t get home till 8:15… and was very tired. After speaking with the dentist, she was told to stop taking the antibiotics… and within 12 hours the rash was clearing and she was feeling better.

Saturday was another one of our practice walks. This time we picked Robbie up, and then met Rob, Karen and Sue at Dunstable Downs. Lovely weather, we did about 10 miles. In the afternoon I did the garden and we started to get ready for holiday . Sunday I sat and watched England stuff Panama 6-1… good grief. And then England finish off Australia for a 5-0 ODI series victory. Has the world gone mad.

And so to a mad dash to get ready to depart and do the coast to coast … Tricia packing, ironing, cleaning etc. Monday evening I went for a read thru at Players for ‘Tomb with a View’ which is being put on in October. I was in it when I was at Safeway, playing Lucien. Let’s see who I end up with this time. Tricia went to the dentist and was given some more antibiotics. Tuesday evening was quiz night at the pub, which was good fun. Wednesday I was at a governors meeting which threw up a few issues. But come Thursday morning we were ready for the ‘off’ to do the coast to coast.