New Year’s Eve

Got things sorted for the skiing trip and pottered about the house during the day.

Went to the Millar’s in the evening, Wayne and Kerry picked us up because Sharon really wanted Tash to have a drink!

It was just me & Tash, Wayne & Kerry and Jason & Sharon. Laura and a friend of hers were there for some of the evening as well.

We drank and talked and soon played a couple of games that was fun. The first one called Linkie was really enjoyable, worked in couples and had to answer x4 questions and then work out the connection (link). We won, it was very close and went down to the last card, it was quite challenging but at the same time not overly hard that it wasn’t fun.

We then played ‘Bad People’ and that was a good laugh, you have cards that provide a statement and you have to determine who best fits that card – I was getting quite a lot of them…worst one was who’s put on weight since getting married – unanimous pointing at me! Didn’t like that…truth hurts…

Midnight came and went and we had a sing song and stayed until about 2.00am and then got a lift home.

Really lovely evening that we all enjoyed and thankfully didn’t overdo it with the long drive ahead of me on New Year’s Day!

An end to a very eventful year, as always, we wonder what’s in store in the new year…we shall see soon enough!

Ice Skating at Winchester Cathedral

Hangovers for Charlotte and Mum this morning – seriously ill and being sick everywhere!

I got blamed because my Gin measures were a bit too generous!

Spent the morning clearing up and sorting things out and then around midday drove down to Winchester with Wayne & Kerry and the kids for the annual ice skating trip. Winchester is a really nice place – really impressed with it and would go back there at Xmas time in the future.

Had some quick food from Macs to help with the hangovers and then went to the cathedral where the ice skating was being held. Nice set up but the rink was pretty small – it was fine though and we enjoyed the hour on the ice.  Didn’t fall over and looked fairly fit – I think – it was good though.

Meal at Ask Italian afterwards and that was lovely, then back home in the cars and an early night – everyone was knackered!

Good fun as usual

Dark Side Bar Opening

The Dark Side Bar officially opened today!

I had a practise run a couple of weeks ago where I stayed up all night and got absolutely hammered but this time other people were invited!!

From about 3.00pm onwards we invited people to come over – it was nice, there was a steady trickle through and everyone was really impressed with the bar set up and we all crowded into it. Drinks were flowing and it was a great afternoon and evening.

As per usual we overdid it and stayed up until about midnight and got steaming drunk – including getting out the smoke machine and strobe lights.

A good start to life with the new bar – realised there are a few things we need to add to it but as things stand and as a beginning all is good so far. Looking forward to getting more use out of it over time!!

Panto visit

Went to the panto this evening – in Aylesbury as usual.

Parked no problem and then met up in the pub opposite and had something to eat, a few people not feeling too well because of colds/flu but all was fine

The panto wasn’t actually all that to be honest – it felt flat and not very enjoyable. A bit boring actually.

The water guns was mental this year, absolutely mad

We had a couple in front of us who had learning difficulties and it was hard not to love them! She kept being so wrapped up in the show and what was happening and making comments it was so lovely and innocent to listen to her making remarks and suggestions for how the princess could survive and marry etc.

Had the usual photo outside afterwards and then made our way home

A nice evening and great tradition but it wasn’t as good as usual – perhaps we’ve built it up too much!

Derek Moved into Nursing Home

As the title suggests – he was moved into the Triangle Nursing Home today being transferred from Didcot Hospital

Mum and I had obviously reviewed the place and felt this was the best one for him and it’s fine – he will settle in no problem hopefully.

None of us went up today but we will do so over the weekend and see him.

A shame it’s come to this but it’s necessary sadly, no idea if he will ever recover to be able to leave the home or not, time will tell

It’s good it’s only Wheatley as Mum can get up there easily enough

Derek Moving to Nursing Home

Mum has been given a date (Friday) for Derek to be moved to the Triangle Nursing Home

I went with her yesterday to check out the room and when we got there they advised he’d been allocated one of the ground floor – so no decision was required, we much preferred him to be downstairs.

We checked out the room and it was adequate, a little small, but on a good location so we were happy with that.

He moves there tomorrow, he’s got an appointment for his hearing aid at the JR in the morning and then instead of going back to the hospital he’s off to Wheatley instead.

Mum is bearing up well and is happy with it, hopefully Derek likes the move as well

Derek – Nursing Home

Mum has been advised by the hospital that Derek needs to go to a Nursing Home now because he can’t be cared for at home when released.

They gave her a couple of options so she and I spent today going to them. We had three and went to Wheatley in the morning.

It’s not nice, people just sat in the living room watching TV and nothing happening – except ‘waiting’…if you know what I mean.

Staff were lovely and we had a good tour and it’s small so only 24 residents. We liked this place and with it being close to Mum is very convenient.

Went to Greater Leys in the afternoon – not so nice. It was fine but 3 times as big and less personal. We weren’t there long, I think we’d already made up our minds for Wheatley, and we decided not to even bother with Bletchingdon because it was too far away.

So that’s decided then, over £1k per week, but I think this will be paid for by the NHS and not Mum/Derek.

It’s all a bit depressing and sad, it really is. He’s too young and fit to go into a home, but we could never have seen this happening.

I think he is improving ever so slowly, but as usual it’s ups and downs – but compared with when I went about 2 weeks ago he’s much better.