The start to the New Year was a sedate one as usual, if only because it had been a late one the night before. For me though it was a day with sporting conflict. West Ham were at home to Bournemouth, but we wouldn’t get back in time to see the World darts final, between Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price. So, I decided football with Bob and phone off till I got home so I could watch the darts, hopefully without knowing the score…. The football went very well, a nice comfortable 4-0 victory to West Ham. Have we turned a corner? Then home to watch the full final… and well played Snakebite, he outplayed and out thought Gerwyn Price to win a well deserved title.

A quiet few days were enjoyed before the return to work, which included all those post Xmas tasks, like taking the decorations down. On the Monday the 6th I dropped Matt and Ellie off at Heathrow, so they could go to Budapest for the week.  Tuesday 7th, Kevin the Upholsterer returned two chairs that we had recovered. Upcycling, its the way to go. We slipped into the usual routine again. On the Wednesday Tricia took her Dad for another hospital appointment, on the Thursday I did a school assembly at Waddesdon. On Friday Big John came for a visit, I also picked up Ellie and Matt after their trip, which they both enjoyed. West Ham were robbed of an equalising goal at Sheff Utd… VAR finding an accidental handball. It’s a conspiracy I tell you… One of the upcycled chairs.

On the Saturday John and me went over to Oxford to watch them play football against Rotherham… I really enjoyed the game, featuring a West Ham loanee (Holland) and former West Ham player (Browne). They lost 1-3, but it was good to watch. Tricia was at a meditation lunch. In the evening we had a meal at the Pilgrim

On Tuesday the 14th, Tricia too her Dad to Marlow hospital for more tests, but they had a 2 hour wait for the appointment. Just what an 83 year old ill man doesn’t need.  On the Friday, Tricia drove over to Great Bowden with the easels used at Rob and Amy’s wedding, Charlotte wanted to use them. Saturday, Bob and I set off in hope again… This time West Ham were doing well, leading 1-0. And yet again they let a goal in, and the game ended 1-1.  We had a quick turn round when back, as it was Burns night… We were hosting. A really enjoyable evening. One of the highlights being a memorable laughing fit by Clive!

And a couple taken at Debs.

The following week was a quiet one, Tricia had the History Club AGM, and another trip to Stoke Mandeville with her Dad. On the Saturday Tricia and me went into London for an exhibition on Eastern art influences at the British Museum, and then met with a group including Pat, Bob & Carole, Peter and Jane, for a meal followed by seeing ‘Girl in the North Country’, a musical set in the American 1930’s, all to Bob Dylan songs. It was very good.

Sunday afternoon was spent at Elizabeth’s celebrating her 70th. On Wednesday 29th Bob and I set off in hope again. Which was stupid really because we were playing Liverpool…. And we lost 0-2. It’s all looking a bit grim at the moment. The month ended with a Friday night curry with the usual suspects…. And the UK finally left the EU.

Some pictures Nikki’s horses, and of course the obligatory Reg pictures from walks with Tricia.