Finished the Assassin Farseer Trilogy book at long last!

Still not feeling good with my ear - very frustrating - hopefully it will improve soon. I was up early and instead of working like I normally would I spend the time reading my book and I finally finished it. It was a good ending and it was well written - enjoyed it. Robin Hobb is the writer.

All that before 7.45am and then it was time to work. It's a bit quieter this week as it's half-term and I've done well to catch up with things and get up to date. We had a new starter begin this week as Daniel's replacement - seems okay, very, very similar to Amar.

I walked Bess at lunchtime as I was too busy first thing, but then it was a pretty uneventful day and I finished on time and sorted dinner and got a few jobs done that I wanted to sort out.

The evening I worked on my diary - that took bloody ages - and it looks like I've sorted the curtain rail for the front door, it was too late to drill so I'll do that tomorrow. We're going to have Tiff's kids tomorrow evening for a sleepover and firepit which will be nice - they're good kids.

Almost finished my book after 4yrs!

I'm not feeling too good — I think I have some sort of ear infection, exactly like when there's a pressure build up. I do wonder if it's having the earbuds in so much. I'm going to go without them for a bit to see if that helps. It hurts to touch and it's annoying and aching too.

Work was normal — nothing to report.

Tash had been pumpkin picking in the morning and ALL the Bicester clan had gone. She’d got Tiff's kids as they're on half-term and Tiff obviously can't drive, so they had a nice time and they all had their own pumpkin. Tash couldn't imagine Tiff doing it with them, so they came back here and I helped carve them during my lunch break — they were pleased with them.

Bootcamp in the evening — wasn't too strenuous today for some reason. Came home and watched some more of the Ed Gein story — it's a bit sick as you'd expect, but it's also just playing too much like *Psycho*. Interesting enough though.

Oh, I am finally getting close to finishing my book, *Assassin's Quest*. It's been on my bedside table for a couple of years at least and I want to get it completed so I can move onto other books.

**Reflection:** A fairly ordinary day overall, but the ear pain is nagging and definitely pulled the mood down a bit. Still, nice to do something with the kids at lunch and keeping up Bootcamp is a positive.

End of Birthday celebrations

Clocks had changed (an hour backwards) and I was wide awake around 6.30am so got up and went off to golf.

A bit busy down there but I found a slot and set off for 18 holes. I wasn't playing particularly well and as I came to the 9th hole it was 9.00am and all the round up were there – about 10 people – so I thought "bugger that" and came home.

Jobs to be done here of course so I got on with them, things like cutting back the trees and tidying stuff up, went well. Then we made our way over to Sue's as I needed to work on cutting back trees for her too.

Got it done but still loads needed so there will be a few more trips back there. Unexpectedly, she had made us dinner so that was lasagne which was good.

Made our way home and walked Bess and sorted out the Airbnb and settled down to watch some TV in the evening.

**The end of my birthday weekend! It’s been a good one – I've enjoyed it and we've done so much.**

More birthday celebrations - Manchester and The Cube

We planned to leave by about 7.15am so I was up around 6.00am and went up the road to get milk and then sorted things here. Mum arrived on time and told us the A34 was closed so we stopped Charlotte from leaving as we'd need to go past her house – picked her up and then dropped Bess off at Sue's.

We were on a time limit because we had the Cube booked for 11.00am and the detour had made it VERY tight.

Journey up there wasn't too bad and we got parked and to the place – we needn't have worried, they were very flexible and we had plenty of time to work with. Ah well, lesson learned, I don't think I broke too many speeding limits.

Didn't really know what to expect (partly because I've never really watched much of The Cube) but it was really enjoyable. We broke into teams of two: me and Mum, Tash and Jack, Charl and Miles, and you went round to each cube and were given the challenges – all of which were simple enough to grasp but the pressure made them harder. It was challenging but not impossible and not easy – a good mix.

Me and Mum came last, not far behind Charl and Miles, but Tash and Jack stormed it and ended up 4th on the weekly leader board – very impressive.

After that, we had some food and then made our way to Lewis and Emily's (and Frankie!).

Relaxed and chatted – more presents – they gave me some really thoughtful things (a lovely mug) and then loads of baby cuddles. Frankie is still small but feels more solid and he was smiling at times. I managed to make him smile a few times so that was good!

I had a snooze (I was shattered) and then after 40 minutes we went out to the local pub (about 5 minutes away) and had a really good meal.

Back to Lewis’s for coffee and more relaxing and then about 7.00pm we said our goodbyes and made our way home.

Journey back was fine and only 2.5 hours – we picked up Bess from Sue’s, dropped Charl and Miles off and then Mum at our house.

I watched a bit of TV – MOTD – and then went to bed as I want to play golf tomorrow morning.

**A really good day – enjoyed it.**

My Birthday

Up bright and early with nothing planned except work. I got a few things sorted and then opened my birthday presents — I already knew about the trousers and jumper, but I also got a T-shirt which I’m pleased with. Tash headed off to work and I continued with the day as normal. Didn’t mention it was my birthday and nobody from work said anything — that’s how it is with this company.

It wasn’t a desperately busy day, so that was good, and I was able to clock off at the usual 4:30pm. I went to collect Sue and brought her back to ours, then my mum arrived, and Charlotte and Miles came too. We had a nice evening together.

A couple of beers - early start tomorrow — and fair to say I’d had enough last weekend anyway. Really nice presents all round, and Charlotte and Miles got me something from my 50th list: a bus tour around Oxford with a few pub stops included. Should be great — really looking forward to that.

It wasn’t a boozy or late night — I think everyone left around 9pm — so I went on Facebook to check messages. Nice to hear from people I don’t usually interact with. Watched a bit of TV and then off to bed.

Reflection:

A simple birthday this year — nothing over the top — but good company, thoughtful gifts, and enough to make me feel appreciated.

What day is it?

I got up this morning nice and early, got sorted and then came into the office and started working as normal around 7.45am. After raising a few tickets and sending emails, I noticed that the dates on these — and on my laptop — were showing as Sunday 12th October.

I checked with ChatGPT what it might be and reset some settings and restarted the laptop, but no effect.

After about 45 minutes, I messaged the group on Teams with a screenshot from my laptop, because when I opened my personal one that was showing the 12th as well. Luckily, Josh replied saying, “erm, it is Sunday 12th!”

I was honestly shocked — I genuinely and completely believed it to be Monday and a normal start to the week. I made a bit of a joke about it, but at the same time, it played on my mind that it might be something more than just a blip. I was so sure.

Then I came in and stood on the sofa to open the curtains, slipped, and fell — not a great start to the day!

Anyway, Jack was around, and then Charlotte stopped by after her gym session, so it was nice to have them both here for breakfast and catch up. Jack told us everything about the issue with him and Jodie. All very worrying for their relationship — I really hope they sort it out; she’s so lovely.

When they left, we got Jenny’s trees done — quite pleased with them, I must admit, managed to get them looking good.

Did a few more jobs in our garden and then had a quick walk around Shotover before heading home for dinner and a quiet evening in.

Watched some TV and then had an early night — kept worrying about Jack and Jodie. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

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Reflection:
A strange start that properly threw me off balance — literally and mentally! But by the end of the day, things had settled and it was nice having both Jack and Charlotte around. Still, that mix-up about the day has stuck with me; a reminder that I might need a slower start sometimes.

Win of the Day:
Got Jenny’s trees sorted and looking great — proper job, that one.

Menorca Golf Weekend

Friday

Didn’t sleep well Thursday night — bed after 10:30pm and alarm set for 1:15am! Up and out on time though: picked up Paul Creed in Kennington and then Wayne in Risinghurst before heading to Gatwick. Great airport pickup — smooth and easy — and we were soon through security and in the pub having a pint and breakfast at 4:30am.

Short flight and picked up by Paul and Pauline. Nice catch-up on the way to the villa. Me and Creedy sharing again — I brought earplugs this time: strong tactical move.

Straight up to Son Parc for golf: paid for 9 holes but managed to sneak another 9 — success. Sadly no t-shirt available this year which was disappointing. Tough course with different grass, and I struggled more than I hoped. Tried to stay positive but truthfully felt a bit deflated after looking forward to it all year. Wayne and I played the full 18 while the two Pauls left after the 10th.

Back to the villa, quick shower, then down to BJ’s for 6:00pm for the official start and team draw. Nice to see familiar faces. Paired with Jack Everton (excellent golfer), plus another Adam West (Batman!!) and a lady called Sue Rogers. Fish and chips, a couple of beers (first fish was still frozen — typical!). Early-ish night.

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Saturday

Slept well. Up early, breakfast, and off to the course. I teed off about 90 minutes before my slot, so had plenty of time to practise and watch the earlier groups.

Our team for the main event: me, Jack, Adam, and Sue. Putting challenge first — no one holed out unfortunately. Then onto the first tee: I hit a solid drive down the middle which set Jack up to properly go for it — that became our pattern. I was “steady Eddie”, letting Jack take the hero shots. Felt good that a lot of my shots counted. Sue struggled but she was great company and we had a laugh in the buggy.

We made a lot of pars but not enough birdies. Played better than Friday though, so happier overall.

Finished around 4pm and I bought the first round at the bar. Then back to BJ’s where everyone gathered, beers flowing, great atmosphere. Quick dash back to freshen up then back out — got properly drunk. Wayne & Amanda arrived and joined in. Ate next door then back to BJ’s until closing (well, me at least!).

Walked home alone and, once back, stuck headphones on and had a private “afterparty” with a couple more beers. Apparently I was singing now and then and Paul and Pauline could hear me — they were in stitches. Absolutely steaming. Bed after 3:00am.

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Sunday

Woke late. Lads went for a walk but I tried to sleep off the hangover. Eventually went for a wander to the beach myself, grabbed a coffee, very windy — storm coming.

Then down to BJ’s for presentation day. Started drinking again (topped up quickly). Results were incredibly close — we came SECOND! Only half a point behind first. Very happy with that. Creedy’s team won and Wayne’s came third — big day for the Oxford lot!

Tapas and more beers served. After that, the memory gets hazy… I know there was pizza and a bit of pool. Back around midnight. And yes — another late headphone session outside by the pool.

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Monday

Rough morning. But no day off, so set myself up in the front room and worked all day while the others went out. Wouldn’t have been able to do the trip without working, so fair enough. Maybe next year I’ll book the Monday off too.

Power nap (not much sleep). Group meal out in the evening — I stuck to shandy/coke and couldn’t face food. I paid as a thank you to Paul and Pauline. Back to villa and bed. Fingers crossed I didn’t make a total idiot of myself the previous two nights…

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Tuesday

Home day. Up early and left at 7:30am. Smooth airport experience. Skipped food — didn’t trust my stomach and the paninis looked awful anyway! Slept most of the flight. Car collection easy and dropped Creed and Wayne off before heading home.

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Reflection

Just a brilliant weekend — great golf, amazing company, loads of laughs, a strong finish for our team… and perhaps a touch too much celebrating! Would absolutely love to do it all again next year.