February started with some snow, not significant but enough to remind us it was still winter. Tricia had lunch with Juliet, once on the main roads it was clear from snow, so didn’t stop Tricia getting out. On the Saturday we went over to Rob and Amy’s to look at a problem Rob had with his bathroom extractor fan. Whilst Rob had a new extractor, there was condensation leaking down from the extractor pipe, so that needed a clean out first. On Sunday morning we had a trip to the vets for Reg, to get his stitches checked out. In the afternoon we went across to Brackley Antique cellar with Rob and Amy… we had tea, and it was a pleasant afternoon. We then had cake… a Tiger cake Robbie had made… for Amy’s birthday.

Monday it was one of the big games of the season. West Ham v Liverpool… An evening kick off, I travelled off with Bob, knowing that defeat was the likely outcome, as they could win the title this year. Liverpool took the lead, with what looked like, and was later confirmed, to be an offside goal. Oh dear… but West Ham showed great character, equalising before half time, and matching Liverpool in a good game. 1-1. We left happy. The rest of the week was run of the mill, Tricia went to the Wesley Flicks, and caught up with her old mate Pat Pitts. On Friday the 8, with the Robinsons now recovered we went to Malcolms and celebrated the New Year again. Saturday, Tricia was at a meditation lunch during the day. In the evening I went across to Winslow Players and did box office for the evening performance of the panto. Afterward, we all went around to Pat and Clive’s for drinks. Sunday was a family lunch… after which everyone helped clear the dining room, in readiness for the ceiling to be repaired.

Monday the 11th the builder arrived to start work on the shower / bathroom, after the leak. Things were slowed down by finding the old shower tray, which we hoped to reuse, was cracked… So, we managed to get Steve the plumber to source and fit a new one. End of the week though, the shower area looked better. End of the week, Tricia and me went into London to visit the Ashurbanipal exhibition (BP sponsored) at the British Museum. After we went and did some ‘jeans shopping’ for Tricia and then had a meal at Bill’s near Baker St. A nice day out. It was our late Valentines day out :-).  Sunday morning and Tricia was leading the service at the Wesley Centre. In the afternoon it was a long rehearsal for me…. MADS and ‘Keeping Down with the Jones’ was imminent.

It was half term week now…not that it means much to me and Tricia now. But Feb half term means MADS, and so it was rehearsal every evening, and the play itself on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Tuesday Tricia went to look at flowers with Amy, who stayed and helped Tricia with the cakes after. Deb and Carlos, Amy and Rob came to the first night of the play, and all went well. Friday, I had a day off and I drove up to Lincoln to pick up Ellie and bring her back for the weekend. Tricia, Ellie and Matt (and Matt’s parents), Nikki and Matt, Tricia’s parents and Sally all came along to the play. Saturday… the decorator was in to paint the dining room walls. Using a premium paint, it bubbled and blotched, and so the guy abandoned for the day while we took stock. Tricia went up to the church to see Pip Randles wedding. Ellies Matt played rugby for the first time in years and did his ankle… In the evening it was something of a sluggish audience and a slow end to the MADS shows. I was glad it was over, and am now determined to have a little break from learning lines. After the play I was off to Buckingham Golf Club where everyone else was, to celebrate Dave’s 40th. Sunday was the usual work to get the set and stage down… the set was so good this year (better then the acting) that we took forever in doing so. After a roast lunch it was then on the road to Lincoln to drop Ellie off and return. Long weekend. Knackered.

We finished the month with the pub quiz on the Tuesday. Tricia had been to RHS Wisley with Janet G during the day. Then on Thursday 28th, it was off to Malcolms with the Robinsons, Webbs and Docies for a social evening. Alright for those retired who didn’t have to work the next day!