Well, I keep meaning to go back and update the blog with the missing months, years, but I guess I just have to accept I won’t seem to be able to find the time to do that. Not at present anyway. So I may as well just try to carry on and blog regularly, and try to keep going.

Last week was busy, leading up to a hectic weekend which included 80th celebrations for Tricia’s Mum, aka Granny, and also the departure of Ellie and Fin on their grand tour on Sunday. Ellie had not been well during the week, down with a cold. She finished at Tory Burch on Friday. Fin had finished a week earlier, and was a man ‘between jobs’ :-). Friday morning I had a client presentation to do, which went well, and then it was full steam helping Tricia get the house ready. Reg was consigned to the kennels for the weekend, as we felt there was just too much going on to fit in walks, and he is not particularly good with loads of people around, he goes and hides. Ellie said her goodbyes to Reg on Friday morning.

Friday evening Les, Les and Dan arrived. We met them at the Black Boy in Oving for a meal. Tricia, me, Ellie and Fin, and Nikki and Carl. Saturday, we had a brunch in the morning, and then in the afternoon we all went for tea in Woburn. Everyone arriving ahead of Tricia, myself, Gran and Gramps. Gran thought it was just the four of us, so she was surprised and a little overwhelmed. We finished tea and left around 7pm. We were all a little tired, and after a little sit and chat we all retired. Amy and Rob stayed over on the Saturday evening.

Sunday was busy – a Sunday roast for 17. All hands helping at some point, but Tricia delivered a lunch on time. Birthday cake for Gran and also Ellie brought a few tears. Les, Les and Dan left around 3pm, followed shortly by Rob and Amy…. then Dave, Manda, Sarah and Izzy. At 4:30, it was a tearful farewell to Mum, Gran and Gramps as Nikki and myself took Ellie and Fin to the airport.

We had music and laughs on the way. On parking at Stansted, we made our way to the Terminal. As the bag drop looked like it may take a long time, Nikki and me said our farewells. Mixed emotions. I want hem to have a great time and a wonderful experience… but at the same time, my girl was going off and I wasn’t sure when I would see her again.

At the time of writing this, they have arrived safely. A long journey, but they are now in Methven, on the South Island of New Zealand. At home we have been getting the house back to normal… putting things away, clearing a mountain of laundry etc etc. Today, Tuesday, Tricia went to Peterborough Cathedral with Janet G. I went across to Bracknell to see my Mum.

Well here is something novel… a blog. I have been meaning to catch up the blog at some point, but never seem to get the time, and of course the longer I delay the catch up, the more there is to do. So, I have resolved to start blogging again and then rework the site. I will try and create separate pages for years, as there is so much history now, trying to find something takes an awful lot of scrolling.

So Christmas was planned and anticipated. Then on the 23rd Ellie tested positive for Covid. Fin and then Tricia tested positive. I prevailed, but on the 31st I tested positive. Not the kind of way to welcome the NY in. Nikki avoided the house and spent 3 nights in hotel accommodation, including Christmas Eve night. She wanted to avoid the plague as it would have compromised her Bobsleigh trip into Europe.

Christmas Day was spent with distanced parcel opening. Just the four of us, I still extended the table out so we were distanced. Not that it made much difference in the end. Boxing Day with Tricia’s family had to be cancelled. NYE we should have spent at the Docwra’s but that was cancelled. Ellie put together a quiz which we did, but I didn’t last till midnight.

We all had coughs and splutters, runny nose, heady cold and aches type of Covid. And we are all clear now. I had my first clear lateral flow test today. But I have been having some ‘gastric’ issues and can’t seem to keep anything in. Any other description would be ‘too much information’.

Ellie returned to Uni on Monday. Just Tricia and myself here. Me feeling a little sorry for myself. Tricia is freshening up the kitchen as it is quiet for her at the moment. Nikki had a pretty good run as a pilot in Igls, finishing 8th in her first race for many years. She has now moved onto Winterberg and races this coming weekend.

Recently I have been blogging a month at a time, but having caught up with my blog I thought I would do one for the week… but of course it is another lockdown week, so we haven’t really gone anywhere or done anything. The news is grim, we have over 4k death from the virus in the UK now, and we are hiding away. The end of March was a pain, I was slightly agitated about getting financial accruals done for work. I have also spent the week redoing a budget so that we can get on with work, whilst giving up a portion of my investment budget…. because business is very flat. So a difficult working week, I was pleased to close the laptop down on Friday. I am however grateful to still have a job, I realise it is worse for others.

It has been a blessing having Nikki and Ellie here for the lockdown. Neither can see their boyfriends at the moment, but fortunately they get on so well, they can support each other. Nikki has been doing what she can with the pilates side of her work, doing live Zoom sessions. Ellie has finished a Uni assignment, and kept up some running.

Reg is getting loads of walks. It is our opportunity for getting some exercise outside, so he is one fit dog right now. I think on Saturday he had about 4 hours of walking time, Tricia, then Ellie, then me, took him out.

Tricia’s Dad was taken unwell in the week, and had to be taken into MK during the night. Her Mum couldn’t go with him because of the risk of the virus, and we weren’t allowed to go over and see them. He had one night in MK, they have stabilised him, changed his beta blockers and sent him home. We just hope he didn’t get exposed to covid-19 whilst there.

The evenings have been nice, we have sat down for meals together, and sometimes played games. I won at Scrabble and Ticket to Ride, so not sure I will be allowed to play more games :-).

March 1st was a Sunday. A day of rest really, but I was up promptly, walked Reggie, and mopped the floors before 9. Tricia went off to church, whilst I cooked the Sunday roast. Lamb in red wine, one of our favourites. Nikki and Charlie joined Tricia and me for lunch. In the afternoon Tricia did the Lent walk. I was tired and watched a bit of football half snoozing. Nikki made some scones for tea, including some decent GF ones.

On the Monday Tricia was off to Berkhamsted to meet her old art colleagues, and did some sketching. Tuesday Nikki was starting a new Pilates class at the Wesley Ctr. Friday came along and I turned 59. Not sure I want to admit to that. I had the day off work. In the morning I went over to Buckingham and bought Carlos some old 45’s for his jukebox as his birthday present. In the afternoon I went into Aylesbury, and got two tickets to see ‘Frankenstein’ at the theatre. I also bought the latest Hilary Mantel book, ‘The Mirror and the Light’, the final part of the Wolf Hall trilogy. Tricia and me met up with Amy and Robbie for a meal at 6pm, so it was good to see them on my birthday. Then around 7:20 we went down to the theatre. It was a good production, I really enjoyed the play.

Saturday Tricia and me were off to Great Bowden for Carlos’ 60th birthday. We arrived late afternoon and met up with Wendy and Rob, before everyone else arrived. There was around 12 of us sat down to a meal, all telling stories about the ‘old feller’…. Then other friends arrived. A lovely evening. Sunday was a slow start, and then over to Deb and Carlos’ for breakfast. We left around 11, and wound our way back home.

The following week was a quiet one. Tricia went to the theatre with some of the ladies from the village to see ‘Menopause the Musical’ which she really enjoyed, saying it was really funny. But the news now was that the Coronovirus was starting to spread, and with it all sorts of things were being cancelled or postponed. All football was suspended, so my football on the Sunday was off. Ellie came home Thursday evening. She had a fund raiser for her charity she is doing the London marathon for. It went ok, but she didn’t raise what she wanted. People were starting to lock themselves down. I took her back on the Sunday evening. Then Monday 16th, the Uni said that they were moving to ‘online lectures’, effectively closing down. So, on the Tuesday I went back to Lincoln and pick her up, and most of her stuff up. Tricia should have been on a retreat for the Mon and Tues… But that was cancelled. Instead on the Monday she went for a long walk close to the Cotswold Way with Reggie. Picture here is of Tricia with her Dig Deep charity for the Kilimanjaro climb. She was fundraiser of the month. The climb is now postponed to next year. Then a picture of Reggie on a walk in a field that is more like a lake. Then a couple from Ellie’s ‘charity bake off’ fundraiser. The London Marathon is now postponed.

BP told staff to work from home till April 15th unless their job needed them to be somewhere. Like an oil rig I suppose…I had to send my Dad a birthday card, not being able to go and see him for fear of passing something on. Same for Mothers day, I sent my Mum a card. We were due to have a family lunch at home…. But we cancelled that. Then Boris put us into Lockdown. And so the last week it has just been Tricia, myself, Nikki and Ellie at home.  Tricia has used the good weather to get out in the garden, so feels she has been productive. She has also been helping the local village support network to help people in the lockdown… organising prescription collection, and shopping and delivery.

We were supposed to have been celebrating my Mum and Dad’s 60th wedding anniversary this last Sunday. A big lunch with all the family at the Cricketers’ near Bracknell had been planned, but was cancelled a few weeks back as it was felt that it may be a risk, but that was before lockdown was announced. And so Mum and Dad had to spend that day on their own. A big achievement, 60 years, and we couldn’t give them a hug. Here is Mum, thru the kitchen window… with her Diamond wedding anniversary card from the Queen, Mum and Dad on their wedding day, at Peter’s wedding and from the Eightlem News.

Some pics from the lockdown… games in the evenings.

And Tricia’s progress with the garden, and clearing the patio, the Mothers Day cake Ellie made, and the Girls messing about before doing some weights.

There have been over a thousand deaths in the UK. It looks like the lockdown will be with us for some time yet…

February only had two home games for West Ham, the 1st and the 29th. Bob and I started the month with the home game against Brighton. A key one, a must win one. And we started well enough, leading 2-0, and then 3-1. But, we only drew 3-3 and we were lucky to get the draw in the end. We collapsed, and it isn’t looking good for survival. Sunday was a family roast.

On Monday Tricia was off to Chatham for some jars, Nikki and me had rehearsal in the evening. Tricia had started sniffing and feeling like a cold was coming on the Monday, and by the Tuesday she had a full blown cold, picked up we think from Rachel who came to curry night with a cold. So on Wednesday morning I took Gramps across Amersham for a hospital appointment, rather than risk passing it onto him. West Ham lost at Man City. Some pics… looking for an old dress to wear for MADS, Nikki came across Tricia’s wedding dress, and put it on! Regpoking his head up between my legs, then Reg on walks, with a large stick in one… and Janet, who joined Tricia on her trip to Chatham.

Friday evening was the Kilimanjaro quiz night. Tricia had done the Chilli, I had prepared the quiz, and all went well. I had prepared some video clips which almost went wrong, but we got there in the end. A successful evening fundraiser for Trish. Saturday and Tricia was off to a meditation lunch at Mad Helens. I picked her up from there and we went off to Jan and Trevor’s where we were going to see Trevor in his local play. Deb and Carlos were also there, a lovely tea beforehand and some giggles in the play, it was a pleasant evening.

Coronavirus, or Covid-19 as it has become known is starting to hit in the UK. Starting in China it is now spreading to other parts of the world. Not only is it here, we now have 3 recorded cases in the UK. Monday 10th, and Nikki and Tricia went off to IKEA. Tuesday was a rehearsal for Nikki and me … the play was getting close now. Wednesday another rehearsal, Tricia had the hygienist, Wesley lunches and Yoga in the evening. Thursday evening I drove off to Lincoln and then back, picking Ellie up so she could be home for Valentines weekend. On Friday Tricia and I exchanged Valentine’s cards and chocolates. At lunchtime Tricia had Elliott and his crew across for pie tasting… the new venture.

On Saturday I helped Tricia set up the Wesley Ctr for Sunday mass. Ellie and Matt went off to the Checkers for their Valentine evening out. On the Sunday Tricia and me led the church service, and Ellie and Matt cooked up a fine roast. In the afternoon it was first rehearsal on the stage, before I did the round trip to Lincoln taking Ellie back. Meanwhile, Mark and Carmen were filming an episode of Pointless!

Then it was performance week for MADS, Merriweathers Murder Mystery. Nikki and myself were at rehearsal on the Monday and Tuesday evening. Tricia and Amy had a baking afternoon on the Monday, whilst Rob finished painting the backdrop. Wednesday was a night off for MADS, so I went to audition for the latest Winslow Players production. Not a comfortable audition, I felt that to some extent the players had already been worked out. There was one part that I felt I was being pushed for, but not one I wanted to do. Sure enough a call from Helene on Friday offering me the part I didn’t audition for and that I didn’t want to do. For once I said no. No point sitting in rehearsals twice a week for two months doing a part I don’t want to do.

First night of MADS went ok, but we were all a bit sticky in places. Friday morning I was up early and off to Lincoln to pick up Ellie, so she could see the MADS prod. Big John came over later for the weekend. Tricia and me had a meal with him at the Pilgrim before I went to the MADS Friday evening perf. Saturday morning, I dropped Tricia and John, and Reg over at Claydon so they could walk him back, whilst I dropped Ellie in Buckingham and she ran the 10 miles back home … all part of her marathon work.

We had 10 for tea In the evening before going up to the village hall for the final performance. Which went really well again. Tricia, John, Charlie, Ellie and Matt, Gran and Gramps came across. John came up the pub with me afterwards for a few drinks. It was a hectic Sunday morning, getting the stage down and the roast cooked. John helped on both counts. Nikki and Charlie had departed for their trip to the IoM. We sat and watched the England v Ireland rugby, England winning, then on the road to Lincoln again. On the way back I listened to a re-run of the Tyson Fury fight. Fury winning convincingly. Some pix of the play, Nikki in the red dress, and a picture of part of the scenery Robbie painted. Then one of Sunday lunch, Tricia, John, and Gran and Gramps.

Monday 24th, Tricia had a full work out, doing Body Pump, Abs and Pilates. In the evening West Ham were on Sky at Liverpool. We were 1-2 up, but couldn’t hang on under the pressure and lost 3-2. On Tuesday Tricia took her Dad to JR for his pre-op but it didn’t really resolve anything. He has just been referred elsewhere for his kidneys. In the evening it was the Quiz at the pub. I had a sore throat so stayed home, Tricia went up with Elizabeth…. And kept texting me about what was a hard quiz. Wednesday and Tricia went to Yoga with Robbie and Amy.

Thursday, Nikki and Charlie arrived back from the IoM after a nice break, they certainly had better weather than we did. I had met Rob and Amy for a coffee, when I got back it was an evening meal with Nikki and Charlie. They had had a long day, with the ferry crossing and then drive all the way down to Hartspury for Nikki to do a presentation as part of her degree. Then they drove back to North Marston. On the Friday, Tricia and Sara went out for the day, visiting MK museum. Then in the evening  we went to Alan and Rachel’s for curry night, and played cards against humanity, although the evening will always be remembered for the night Mack had a dump on the dining room floor! Here are a couple of pics from when Nikki and Charlie were away… goodness knows where the clear skies came from, but we didn’t have them. And then Tricia and Sara at the MK Museum.

And so to the end of February, and off to football again. Bob and I enjoyed this one… A nice and much needed 3-1 victory at home to Southampton. Bowen got his first, and looked quality. Whilst it was tense at times, it was a deserved victory. The month ended with the first recorded death of a British person from Coronavirus. They were on a cruise ship in Japan… But still, gloomy news.

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.

The final month of the year started with Tricia and Nikki putting up the lights on the large conifer at the front of the house. The bush had been trimmed up the month before, Tricia’s bush as we call it, always looks better after its annual trim! A fine looking display at the front… last year we were late getting the lights up and people kept asking when we were going to put them up. This year, all done Dec 1st. In the evening I picked up Rob and Amy from the airport. On the Thursday the 5th, we had a Xmas meal at the Pilgrim, with the Webb’s, the Docwra’s, Robinsons, and Malcolm. Very pleasant as well, and as you can see, they even did a GF Xmas pud for me 🙂

On Friday Tricia went up to Lincoln to see Ellie and go to the Xmas Markets. Deb, Carlos, Matt and Charlotte joined them on the Saturday. Me, I stayed at home and wall papered… Trying to get the hallway, stairwell and landing decorated before Christmas. Sunday I did the reading in Church, and had a mummers rehearsal.

Monday 9th Tricia went off to Oxford to meet up with Sybille who was over in the UK. In the evening Bob and I went off to see West Ham play Arsenal. 1-0 up at half time and playing well… But lost 1-3 after 10 minutes when Arsenal turned it on. Tuesday Bob and I were out at the Samaritans in MK with the Mummers to do a show at one of their meetings. A good final dress rehearsal in a way. On the Wednesday I was in the office and had a flu jab. Here is Tricia with Sybille.

Thursday was my team Xmas meal… At Wagamamas. For goodness sake. Of all the places, but that is what the team wanted. Thursday was also General Election day… Boris won a thumping majority. 80 seats… He subsequently passed his bill to leave Europe, which we will do at the end of Jan. Friday and Tricia and Nikki went out to Brackley in the morning, visiting the antiques centre. Then when she was back, we went off to Kew Gardens with Pat & Clive. The light show was great, and enjoyable… Then afterwards we went for some food in Richmond. At Wagamamas. On the Saturday Tricia decorated the church Xmas tree, and then met up with the meditation group for a lunch at the Bell in Winslow. I wallpapered. On Sunday Nikki went with Charlie to go and collect Ellie from Lincoln and bring her home for Xmas. Tricia took a drive over to Stanton to collect her brolly after she left it there on the last retreat. Here we are at Kew, and eating Wagamama’s… Clive doing his finest Humbug impression.

On the 16th Tricia hosted a ‘girls night’ at home. On the Thursday was the Mummers show… Quick fire, we started at Weedon, then North Marston, then Quainton, then Oving, and then back to the Pilgrim. I played John Bercow and loved it… Great fun.  Friday was Carols at Caroles… Again great fun, and very festive. I was now finished with work for Xmas and not due back till the 6th Jan. There was no football on Saturday, the Liverpool game postponed due to them being in the World Club championship. I wallpapered instead. In the evening all the family were in for a Xmas curry.

Sunday, we did family prayers in church, Ellie coming along to take part. But then back home, and we had a call that Grampy wasn’t well, the ambulance came out and he was taken into Wycombe hospital. He was kept in and stabilised. On the 23rd Tricia took her Mum to the hospital, and again on the 24th. Pumped full of antibiotics he had improved and was allowed home on the evening of Xmas Eve. The downside was that they identified a ‘aortic abdominal aneurysm’ that will require an operation. On the 24th I cooked gammon egg and chips for all, including Clive before going up to Church … I was doing the final reading at the Carol service. A privilege. In the beginning was the word…  Tricia returned from collecting and getting her Dad home. She was tired, but still helped get some prep done for Xmas Day, and then went of to midnight mass. Ellie had been baby sitting at the pub, and when she finished she sat with Matt and crew and enjoyed Xmas Eve in the pub.

We had Xmas morning breakfast with Matt and Ellie. They then went to Matt’s parents for the day, Tricia went to church. I walked Reg, and then started the Xmas day dinner. Nikki and Charlie joined Tricia and me for Xmas lunch. In the evening Matt and Ellie came back. Boxing Day we hosted as usual, Ellie and Matt, Nikki and Charlie, Rob and Amy, Gran and Gramps, David & Manda with Isobel and Sara. Oh and Dave and Manda’s puppy. In the evening we scarpered up to the Pilgrim for the quiz. Then it was the 27th…. My favourite day of the year. No cooking, just left overs…. And world darts on the TV. It was a glorious, relaxing day. Here we have some Xmas pics… A Merry Xmas flag from Robbie, which we put up on Xmas Eve, Ellie modelling an Elf jumper, Father Christmas (Peter York) doing his now famous Xmas Eve tour round the village, Reg trying to get to the dog biscuits we put in a big Xmas bauble, Reg guarding the turkey cooking in the oven, then we have Tricia, Ellie, Nikki and Charlie on Xmas evening… cheese and biscuits on the table, below that Reg on a glorious Xmas morning walk, then Nikki with Reg on Xmas morning… then Ellie with Reg on Xmas morning, Lily the cat on Tricia’s lap, me opening a present, Matt opening a present, Ellie and Nikki playing a game…. and finishing with a picture of Amy and Rob on Xmas day, not with us but thinking of us. Phew.

Saturday Dec 28th I went off to see the football with Bob, home game against Leicester. We went a different route, driving to Hangar Lane and then catching the central line into Stratford. We lost. Tricia went to the pictures with Pat to see Cats. Sunday 29th, Pat & Clive came across for a meal. On Monday 30th, Tricia took her Dad to Stoke Mandeville for some blood tests. I hit a pothole and took out two tyres, front and back… I was not very happy.  New Years Eve, Tricia walked Mathews Way with Reg…. I finished the NY quiz… we watched Paddington 2 which was quite funny, and then we saw the NY in at the Docwra’s in what is now a traditional way. Here we have some pics from NYE… Tricia with Pat, me and Clive, Rob and Amy, some shots of the room, a blown out tyre, and a little tribute to Martin Peters outside West Ham stadium… A world cup hero, and West Ham legend, he passed away over the Xmas period.

Sunday the 3rd, and we had a quiet day. In the evening we went across to Oving for a Pantaloons performance of Othello. Which was excellent, except for Tricia who found the change of temperature in the room affected her coughing, so she went home at the interval.

As mince pie season started for Tricia, my dear old Mum turned 80. I recall her being pleased to have reached 60, so she surprised herself getting to 80. We went across to Bracknell on the Sunday to see her and wish her a happy birthday. Before that on the Friday we met up with Juliet and John for an evening meal at the Broad Leys, in Aylesbury. A very pleasant evening. On the Saturday we were at the Village Hall for a Church ‘Thank You’ party. West Ham continued their dive with a 3-0 defeat at Burnley.

Monday 11th and Tricia’s car was in the Mazda garage. Mon and Tuesday were major mince pie production days, Nikki helping. On the Wednesday Tricia met up with Pat Pitts, her old Guiding friend for a catch up. Friday on was ‘church maintenance weekend’, with a number of the church community looking to freshen up, deep clean the church. On the Sunday we had a family lunch, and had a little celebration for Nikki’s birthday. In the evening I had a ‘mummers’ rehearsal…. That time of year was approaching.

Monday 18th was more  mince pie making. On the Wednesday I had the hygienist in the morning, then in the evening Tricia and I were off to see the Troy exhibition at the British Museum, courtesy of BP. A pleasant evening, the exhibition was excellent. Saturday, and Bob and I toddled off to the Olympic Stadium to watch West Ham lose 2-3 to Tottenham. This in the evening we were at Pats for dinner. Sunday and we were off to Jan and Trevor’s for a pleasant  lunch.

The final week of November meant quiz night on Tuesday. On Wednesday Tricia went up to Lincoln to see Ellie in her Uni show. She stayed overnight and came back on the Thursday. Thursday evening and I took Robbie and Amy to a hotel near Heathrow airport, in the morning they went off to Vienna for a long weekend, their ‘mini-moon’. Friday evening was curry night, and then on Saturday Tricia went to a meditation lunch, and in the evening the Beaujolais evening at the Village Hall. The Beaujolais was excellent… As was West Ham’s performance at Chelsea, coming away with a 0-1 victory.

The first week in October saw successive rehearsals until the Thursday evening when we had the first performance of Tiptoe through the Tombstones. Performances went well, although I didn’t really enjoy the character I was playing. Recently I have just been getting odd characters or cameo’s to play, and I would like to be doing something more substantial.  Tricia came to see the play on the Friday night.  A highlight for Tricia was finally getting her bridge in place. All that dentistry finally finished. The first week in October also saw the return of rain… much needed, but with a vengeance. Some parts of the country got a week’s average rainfall in an hour.

On the Saturday Tricia and me went off to Oxford for dress and suit shopping for the wedding. It was a reasonably successful trip, and a nice day out. We saw an extinction rebellion demo take place in Oxford, I wanted to go up and introduce myself and say who I worked for… but Tricia told me to behave myself. West Ham’s decent start to the Premier League season faltered. I left for the play and we were 1-0 up against Crystal Palace, but ended up losing 1-2.  On Sunday, I had to help with the stage tidy up and then after a family lunch I went off to meet up with Mark and Steve for a curry.

Monday 7th Tricia was off to Stanton St John for a few days, but came back with cough and cold a little worse if anything, and took to the bed on the Wednesday. On the Tuesday evening it was round to Bob’s to discuss what we would be doing for MADS in Feb. Nikki came along, keen to be involved with this one. On the Thursday I met up for a coffee with old work colleague, Paul Michaels, at Costa in Princes Risboro’ and then met up with Rob and Amy for another coffee in Aylesbury on the way back. Friday 11th we went to a quiz in Oving. Good quiz, we didn’t win but I enjoyed it, and the gluten free fish and chips were good. Saturday 12th Tricia was off to a meditation, and then in the evening we went to the village poetry evening at the Wesley Ctr. Normally Guy would mess about during the evening, but with his passing, there were a number of little tributes to him. His daughter came to listen to some.

I was now down with the cough and cold, and missed work on Monday and Tuesday. I had been due in to London for an event on the Thursday, and even though I felt better than I was, I decided not to travel in. Friday I went and picked up Ellie from Lincoln to come back for her birthday weekend. Saturday was the 19th, Ellie’s 20th. We went up to the Pilgrim for a meal. Then on Sunday, I took Ellie back. On the Saturday West Ham lost 2-0 at Everton. In a highly unusual move Parliament sat on Saturday 19th, for the first time in decades, as Brexit options continued to be discussed. The Government are now forced to request a delay to Brexit to Jan 31st.

The following week, on the Monday, the 21st, Tricia takes brownies swimming. On the Tuesday I had a small dent repaired on the drivers car door. Tricia went across to Winslow for the funeral of Jean Dale, who Tricia had known through Guiding for many years, and had also been the photographer at our wedding.

On the Friday evening we went to Pat and Clive’s for the evening. Saturday and I was off to football with Bob. Surely we would put our recent losses behind us, we should beat Sheff Utd. We were 1-0 up, should have been more, but they got back into the game and equalised. 1-1. Clocks changed in the evening.

It was now the week before the wedding. I helped both Amy and Robbie get there vows completed. They were writing their own, and it seems I was the man to help. Whilst I was pretty much over my cough and cold, Tricia was still struggling with hers, particularly the cough. She battled through the week, working hard on the cake. MP’s have voted to have a general election in December. So, Brexit is deferred to Jan 31st, and we have to vote for a new government. It would seem we are no further forward, but an election may give us a majority government so something will happen.

Ellie came back for the week, the Uni allowing her time off for the wedding. She met up with Jess on the Tuesday and they went into London for a gig. On the Wednesday Tricia, Nikki and Ellie had their nails done. Then Thursday the 31st, Robbie’s last day as a bachelor. He was over at the wedding venue most of the day prepping the venue, Jordan and Clayton helping. Nikki helped as well. In the evening we all had a meal at the Pilgrim ahead of the big day.

The month started with Ellie and Matt going off to Paris for a weeks holiday. But not such nice news on another front. After over four years together Nikki split with Matt. I don’t want to go into detail in the blog, but it made for a difficult month for Nikki, it was her decision, but nonetheless there was upset.

On the 8th, Rob was doing a demonstration in Aylesbury. Rob was of course dressed up. Tricia went to see the display, and he got the nickname of ‘Mr Fancy Pants’. Meanwhile I was driving Nikki to Luton airport, she was off to Spain for a few days with her friend Becca. Then on the 9th, Ellie… back from Paris… had a visit to the dentist, all was ok. In the evening I was at a team meal, my boss being over from the States. Then on the 10th, Ellie was back up to Uni. Tricia took her up and stayed overnight.

On the 12th Tricia had an eye test, and new glasses, before going off to Devon for the weekend, and continuation of the coastal path walking she has been doing this time of year over the last few years. I spent a good chunk of the weekend taking down the back fence, clearing undergrowth and then putting them back up… hard work in the heat.

The week beginning the 16th saw three days in the office for Paul, as he was on a an internal course. Tricia was back at the dentist on the Tuesday, the 17th. More bridging work preparation, and a sore mouth for Tricia with the needle. On the Thursday I had a health check at Winslow surgery. The good news was that my cholesterol level had dropped since June. Saturday 21st, Tricia was a Pax Lodge in London with the Brownies. On the Sunday I was off to football with Bob, where West Ham beat Man Utd 2-0. Normally cause for great celebration, but it was a strangely subdued atmosphere, neither side playing particularly well. Whilst I was watching the football, Tricia was attending a Mamma Mia sing a long as a fundraiser for the church. I was grateful for the football, as it gave me an excuse for not being there.

Final week of September meant the pub quiz on the Tuesday… and we won :-). Always nice. Earlier in the day though Tricia had her bridge fitted at the dentist. A long protracted, and for Tricia painful episode at times. On the Thursday I picked Rob up after work and we went over to Bracknell to see the folks. Friday was a curry night at ours, then on the Sunday Tricia and me travelled over to Deb and Carlos, at their new house, and met up with Wendy and Rob, and Tina and Ransford. Tina celebrating her 60th.

The weather in September continued to be dry, and hot. The ground was getting parched, and cracked, and we certainly needed some rain. Parliament raged in battle over Brexit. Boris Johnson lost his majority in the House of Commons when an MP went across the house, he took the whip off of a bunch of Tory MP’s, said he didn’t want an election, then said he did. John Bercow announced he would stand down as Speaker on October 31st. A bill was passed that suggested we would not leave the EU without a deal. Parliament was prorogued and then recalled…. The best soap opera going. The Ashes series ended as a draw, 2-2… which mean Australia retain.