Peters work lost today…

Worked at Peters Books today and was called into the office at the end of the day and told I’d been given a months notice. Claire was apologetic and all that but it’s not the point. That’s money I really need and I said as much that I don’t have any work currently. Really pissed off about it, but they do need me still for some work so I will quote for ad-hoc work and rate and see what comes about from that.

I really feel a bit lost at the minute, where is money going to come from to pay all the holidays and breaks that we’ve got coming up? Even this weekend we have things lined up in terms of going out to the Perch for a beer and cider festival and then everyone round to our house for a BBQ on Monday.

I’m getting stressed just typing it!!!

Not sure when I’ll tell Tash, will get the cinema tomorrow out of the way first!

Also, I’m being ignored by people and Hodder owe me thousands and aren’t answering my emails for payment – this is really worrying me, I have a horrible feeling they’re going to refuse some of the costs I’ve charged them, this is a nightmare.

I’m sure it’ll be okay but it’s not ideal and I really don’t need these problems.

Natasha’s Birthday Celebrations – Part 3 – and Jack’s end of era of Youth Football

Hangovers all round this morning! Didn’t get much done.

Jack had football in the afternoon so I went along to that – it was his last match of the season and in fact his last match as a Youth Team player. They were playing against Milton and everything was at stake, if Oxford City won or drew they would win the league, if they lost then Milton (their opponents) would win the league. Sadly, City simply weren’t at the races and ended up losing about 4-1, a real shame for them. I was disappointed, I’d have loved for Jack to win that trophy as well.

I came back a bit earlier from his match as there was a gathering at Sue’s for Tash’s birthday, all the females in the family came along – shame that Gareth doesn’t make an effort and always there is an excuse for him not to be over at either ours or Sues – ah well, his loss. Dinner was fine and Tash had a nice time, a few more wines!!

It wasn’t a late one but it went well and it was nice for her – she’s had a good birthday celebration I reckon

Bluebell Woods & Vicky’s 50th Party

Bit of a slow start in the morning initially and then worked in the garden and around the house

In the afternoon we took the dogs for a walk in the Bluebell woods and that was a good decision, they were in full bloom and looked great. Nice walk, although I was struggling to get around to be honest, my back is hurting!

Back home in the afternoon and we crashed out and fell asleep in the afternoon, sat outside in the sun we were knackered.

Went up to the White Hart in the evening because it was Vicky’s 50th birthday celebrations,  John Bampton was there and we joined him and saw loads of old faces. Caught up with Matty Timberlake (Scatty) and that was really nice to see him. It as a really good night, enjoyed it loads, got quite drunk…again and then wandered home about midnight I think…probably a bit later

Vicky enjoyed it though so that’s the main thing

Tash’s Birthday Celebrations – Part 2

Friday Worked at home today and didn’t get too much done

In the evening we got Charlotte to drop us in Summertown where we met Nikki and Gaz at the Dew Drop, they’d been there for a meal already and then we got to the serious part of drinking!! It was a nice evening and we did get through a fair amount to be honest. What was nice is that they don’t kick you out at 11.00pm anymore, there is not that stress and we were there until about 12.30am in the end!

Left and they missed their bus as usual, they got Jess to come and pick them up, she’s just passed her driving test so that’s great news for everyone

Tash and I just walked home – bit drunk!

Natasha’s Birthday Celebrations – Part 1

So up and about early and we handed out the presents to Natasha in the morning, not a lot this year really but she seemed happy with what we’d got her. Then off to work for everyone, I was at Raintree today as I’d changed my working day so that was nice to be around. Left usual time and home by 5.00pm to Charlotte and Miles cooking a chilli. Tash home and we started straight away. For some reason, I still don’t get why, Sue told Charlotte that she wasn’t going to come round and see her and gave Charlotte her present, she’d also told Tash as well so she was a bit upset about that, it pissed me off so I messaged her and she replied that she was coming round after all. Very odd indeed!

Whilst eating there Wayne and Kerry also came over and then my Mum as well – nice crowd, we quickly finished our food and then went outside to sit in the garden. It was bloody cold but it’s what she wanted to do so we wrapped up in blankets, got the patio heater(s) on and got the drinks out! Nobody stayed very late but the drinks were flowing and it was a really nice evening – it actually warmed up a bit once the wind died down. Gave up about 10.30pm and off to bed, I think Tash might have a heavy head in the morning! But she deserves to relax and celebrate!

Easter Saturday – Book of Mormon

Woke up around 9.00am and everyone was hungover! Lewis was in a bad way, no surprise there really and slowly we all got going.

Around 10.30am we got on the road to London, I went and picked Mum up from home and Lewis and Jack just slept in the car! We drove so slowly waiting for Tash to catch up but they didn’t until we got to the actual parking place which was so odd, I could not have driven any slower! I know they have the black box but I was 60mph all the way there! Anyway, we booked a parking place near Marble Arch which was cheap and convenient and walked to Marble Arch and went past Claudia Winkelman washing her car with her kids so that caused a bit of excitement!

At Marble Arch we were greeted with the strangest sight, there were no cars to be seen at all and it was a tent city wherever you looked. It was part of the Extinction demonstrations which are part of the global peace warriors initiative. Or something like that! It’s taking place all over the UK and the world which has been in the news but it was so interesting to see it in place – there was no way any traffic was coming through these areas and the police presence was really high, we walked through the middle of it and it was interesting and we made our way to Hyde Park. Today is also 420 Day which is the universal weed/drug day as well…so that was good timing!

We found a nice spot and had our picnic which included Moet Champagne which Lewis struggled with! Bit of relaxing and then walked down Oxford Street (empty!) to Regent Street down to Piccadilly Circus where the theatre was for our show – The Book of Mormon. We got in as they were calling people to their seats and our seats were very good, high up, but we had a decent view so we were all happy with that.  I had heard reviews about the show in that it was supposed to be hilarious but didn’t know what else to expect…and bloody hell, was it a shocking surprise. As suggested, it focussed on the Mormon church and teases religion and racial stereotypes and prejudices. But it was disgusting! I can’t describe the songs or the dances, it was just simply appalling bad taste but very, very funny indeed. The shock value was turned right up to ten! I later found out it was written by the guys that write South Park so that put it all into context for me/us.

After the show we all agreed it was brilliant and we loved it, but at the same time could understand how it could infuriate and disgust people of a different constitution. I would certainly consider wisely anyone that I would recommend it to!

Afterwards we started walking back towards the car  but took the back streets parallel with Regent Street and found a nice pub/bar to stop for food and drink and we had a couple of pints in there. It started to get a little cold because it was in the shade so we walked on further down Carnaby street and then down Oxford Street again and we found another pub and two more pints in there. I kept extending our parking end time and it was great because there were no extra charges for doing so, excellent value for money. We finally gave in and walked to the car properly going through all the protesters again and near an incident where the roads were all cordoned off by the police but luckily it wasn’t our way out so didn’t affect us. Tash drove as I’d had a couple of pints…and Lewis and I slept all the way home…nice!

Stopped for MacDonald's on the way back in Headington – although my quarter-pounder wasn’t included and then went straight to bed, everyone was knackered!

Outside the pub after the show…

Wishing Happy Birthday to Lewis in Hyde Park before the show…

Lewis’s Birthday Weekend–Bank Holiday Easter

I didn’t write this at the time, instead I had bullet points from the weekend that were listed below – I will try my best to detail what we did!

1. Thursday - Lewis down - drinking until v late

Lewis came down from Manchester after work and we got on the beers, not too sure how or why but we ended up watching TV and stayed up very late. He fell asleep eventually but as usual I carried on until I fell asleep but not after spilling drink on myself – not a good role model really am I?

2. Friday - late up, jobs in morning, chicken roast and drinks all afternoon, Zoe, John and Pauline - meal in evening Hugh and Dierdre

Yeah so we didn’t get up very early at all, the drinks in the afternoon was fun. The weather was really nice and after doing some stuff in the morning we had a lunch and then suggesting having gin and tonic, one thing led to another and we got really drunk! Zoe turned up and joined in and then Paul and Pauline did as well. All this happening and we knew we were going out at 7.00pm! Everyone left about 7.00pm and Tash and I cycled up to Cutteslowe for a meal at Hugh and Deirdre’s. They’ve done a lot of work on the house and were keen to show it off. It was lovely and they’re right to be proud of it. I think (hope) we did a good impression of relatively sober people for a while. Jill Partridge was there as were a couple of other women and it was a really nice evening. Lovely food and all that and we enjoyed it. Cycled home without incident and straight to bed, hopefully Lewis was okay as he also went out having drank all afternoon with us!

3. Saturday – we went to London for Book of Mormon – there’s a proper diary entry for that one!

4. Sunday - Lewis birthday, fry up, Easter egg hunt, pottering about, home early, dinner at Sue's, pub with friends

Lewis’s actual birthday – as the points about mention we had a nice big fry-up and also they had an Easter Egg Hunt and were fighting over things as per usual! We went round to Sue’s for Easter dinner which was nice and then Lewis made his way back to Manchester as he was going out with friends in the evening but I think he enjoyed being down here with us. Then walking back we saw Vicky and Geoff walking up to the pub so after being at home on our own for about 20 minutes we decided to go up the pub and join people. Sat in the garden and it was all very nice, only had a couple of beers but it was a nice evening

5. Monday - punting with Tash and Ivy

I went and collected Ivy from Bicester, got a lovely welcome from both her and Woody so that was nice – “JULIAN!!!” – when they saw me on the doorstep! Ivy and I then met Tash down at work and we went to the boatyard and got the punt out. We left left this time towards Marston and it was pleasant enough chuntering along and avoiding people struggling to steer their punts. We went past the pub in Marston and realised neither of us had brought cash or cards so we pulled over later down the river and had our packed lunch. Ivy was really enjoying it all, she got more and more adventurous and was dangling her feet in the water and then walking up and down the punt, she loved it. Bess fell in which was amusing!

Came back home and had a BBQ and then dropped her home.

All in all a really lovely weekend

Jack – Cup Final Match Winner!

We went down to Oxford City and went in the side entrance and got away with not having to pay £15.00 to watch!! Oxford City we’re playing Chinnor in the County Cup Final and it was a tight affair. They were very direct and had big lads but we had the pace to match them. Jack was up front and he was a handful throughout. Playing good first time balls or dribbling- each time he was making the right decision.

There were few chances throughout but he did have one great run from his half right to the 6 yard box but didn’t make the decision to shoot or pass, it was neither unfortunately. The second half was similar and it was getting feisty but then Jack received the ball on the edge of the box, shaped to shoot and threw a dummy that fooled two defenders, he then cut inside, opened his body up and just calmly passed the ball into the back of the net, it was a very good goal and I was pleased as punch to see him score it.

The game kept going backwards and forwards and he was causing them problems constantly.

Here’s his goal that I’ve watched time and time again…!

Vic & Danny’s Wedding

Tomorrow is the day that the Vic & Danny tie the knot. Everyone is pretty excited for it so that’s pleasing, should be a good day. We’re filling up hip flasks which is a bit sad but there you go!

I wonder how it will all go, I am sure it will be fine but there’s been various dramas for this wedding and also the relationship – so I will keep my video camera handy in case anything kicks off and is decent to record!

I am joking of course, I am sure it will be a brilliant day with not hitches – fingers crossed!

Where’s the tree gone?

So when we worked on our garden to add the new shed and make the new area we chopped down the trees inside our boundary. Today I looked out the back and one of the trees in the Mill site was removed – I rushed round to the site and went straight in (contravening all Health & Safety regs) and tried to speak with the relevant foreman to find out what the hell was going on. They were removing the trees to make way for drainage and it was only us affected. Really quite pissed off because it means when the houses are built they will be able to see straight down into our area – we will have no privacy at all. Wankers!

Working in the garden again

Was up and awake early and down to the bottom of the garden and the stump was still smouldering but still loads of it left so I decided to get an axe and have a go with that. Popped down to Wickes and got one and that made a huge difference but it was hard work, I have splintered all the wood and now it’s in a position to try and chainsaw it, we will see.

The rest of the day I completely emptied the stable and there is tons of stuff. I was very harsh with a lot of it and made the trip to the dump with a full car, but we were still left with so much to squeeze into the sheds. I left Tash do most of that and she did brilliantly. I worked on my tools etc and somehow, I don’t know how, we got all we wanted to in the two sheds. Very full but it’s done now and we can get Barry to come round and start on his work for the conversion of the stable into my office…exciting!

This again took us all day. Watched some TV in the evening and a new student, Michelle, from Switzerland arrived. She seems very shy and nervous but I am sure she will soon settle in and be fine, she’s with us for quite a while.

So a good weekend’s work all in all – as the photos below show!

Working in the Garden – Burn Baby Burn

Woke up with a big hangover today, not at all sure what happened last night, just drank myself stupid and woke up having spilt a bottle of beer on the sofa. Went to bed and hardly stirred when Tash left and woke up at about 10.00am. Not good – need to address my drinking “problem”. It might well be a proper problem and I don’t recognise it as such. Anyway, enough of the psycho-analysis!
When I finally got out of bed I watched a bit of TV and then got working in the garden. Wasn’t really in the mood but the list of jobs from Tash was as long as my arm…to save you reading much more…I didn’t do very well.

Sorted out the shed at last and then set fire to this bloody tree stump, and that genuinely took me all day, I had to keep the fire burning and then digging away the charred wood for new wood to be exposed and burn, it was thankless and a horrible job because the smoke just followed me around, really pissed me off. I had some breaks throughout the day of course but I didn’t get to do much else, it was so hard.

I did start on the stable garage and moved some shelving down to the shed but I am really concerned about how all the crap in there is going to get into the shed.
Anyway, stinking of smoke and not feeling on top of the world I gave up about 6.45pm when it was dark and made Jack some dinner.
Tash cam home and didn’t say too much..she was tired from being down with Chrissie in Exeter all day with Lucie so she’d had a nice time

Building a new shed…

Set the alarm for early this morning but was already awake with the intention of working out the in the garden and I was up and out, more snarky comments so I just took myself out to the shed and worked on that all morning…it was bloody hard work and took me ages to get anything done. The instructions weren’t the best and it was a bit of a nightmare. In fact, to cut a long story short I actually ended up getting it added the wrong way around which mean the roof bearing bars were too short. I had to go to Wickes to get some new wood that would reach! I then had the hard work of getting behind the shed to work on the roof…it’s at the stage now that I need to finish the sides which I will do on Monday or Tuesday, I ran out of time and energy in the end!

Jack had a football match for Oxford City in the afternoon and we went along and watched a bit of it, we had the student leaving and Sue coming over for dinner so we had to be back at a decent time meaning we watched about 30 minutes. They were playing Cumnor in an important match that could affect them winning the league, we left at 2-1 to City and Jack was doing okay up front, when he got home he said they’d won 3-2 in the end and he’s scored the third goal which he’s pleased with as there was skill on the edge of the box and he then rifled it into the top corner – so he was pleased about that!

Sue came over about 5.00pm and I stopped working on the shed around 6.00pm, I was shattered. Tash and Sue had already opened the bubbly so I had some of that and a new bottle was later opened! Dinner was lovely and we then sat chatting – it got a bit heated because Sue is adamant that she wants to sell the house and move to Bicester, but we can’t see the reason behind doing so and think it’s a huge mistake. I am keeping quiet to be honest, it’s upsetting Tash because she knows that Sue (and Bella) won’t get the support from the Bicester-based families that we give. We won’t be doing the Nando’s meals and all that, we do the boring side like taking Bella out and things around the house. This doesn’t get seen and it’s winding Tash up and also I think making her sad that her Mum is so keen to go running off to be closer to her other sisters after all the work she’s done for her. Selling the house is not the problem, it’s where she’s going to move once sold!

After Sue left, we sat and watched a new series on TV – called Cheat – which was good fun and had a few more drinks, I opened the flavoured Vodka but it was just nice – not a drinking session.

So the end of another eventful and enjoyable weekend, work early tomorrow as it’s off to Birmingham with Peters Books

Tash to see Lewis in Manchester & Charlotte in Nottingham

Tash was up bright and early as she was going to Manchester to see Lewis and was taking Zoe so I wasn’t going to go. She left about 9.00am and I just sat in bed reading Twitter and watching videos – just wasting time. I had a long list of jobs but only really got one sorted which was sorting through the footballs and I’ve now decided to get rid of all my kit but the rest of the morning I just pottered around and played my records and didn’t achieve much at all. Had some lunch and then went to Jack’s football, we stopped at the garden centre first to get some compost and then I went at sat in the bar at the clubhouse and had a couple of beers watching the rugby and reading articles on my laptop. Had a chat with a few parents from Ardley (Gilo and Waz) and then when the game started I was outside watching because Jack was starting.

Unfortunately the wind was blowing a gale and it made for difficult playing conditions, the game was fairly even and Jack was doing okay but it was hard for him to get involved and it was frustrating to watch, Wayne Holden also came along to watch so he and I stood together chatting and then at half time went inside for a drink. Second half started and after only about 5 minutes Ardley scored a wonder goal from about 7 yards (wind-assisted!) and Jack was substituted – that didn’t make any sense at all and pissed me off. It did mean we didn’t need to go back outside anymore and had another pint instead! The game finished 2-0, Ardley could easily have scored more, Abingdon are a poor side sadly and it frustrates me that Jack doesn’t get more minutes playing – I am sure it’s because they see him as the young player and don’t yet trust him. Waited for him to get changed and we left pretty quickly once he’d had some food and went back home. I drank a few more beers in the evening and just sat watching the rugby and a film and didn’t do anything else – very lazy! Went to bed at 10.00pm!

I lack any sort of enthusiasm to do anything at the minute, I think I am spending far too much time on social media so need to address that but also too much drinking as well which isn’t doing me any favours. Tash had a nice time with Lewis in Manchester and that was successful and she then also took a detour to Nottingham to see Charlotte as she lost her phone last night whilst out and very, very drunk. Really disappointing that’s happened, not good at all. We had a spare iPhone so Tash was taking that to her. When Tash got in around 10.45pm she made some snarky remark but I wasn’t in the mood to argue so ignored her, turned over and went back to sleep!

Mum over for dinner

I worked at Raintree today having changed my days around for the holiday and training I did on Thursday and it was a nice day there. Got a lot done but it was quiet there, I think there were 6 people including myself! Left early as usual and home to help with the meal as Mum and that coming over in the evening.

I must admit I was tired and not too talkative but we had a nice time and the meal was good, Tash did a new chicken one and it went down well. Grandma’s hearing was better today so she was engaged more in the conversations so that was pleasing and they were gone by about 9.45pm. Jack and I stayed up to watch a film and I then watched another after he went to bed so went up myself about 2.00am!

Homeward bound from Morocco

The alarm went at 4.20am, up and quick shower, last packing and downstairs for 4.45am. Surprisingly, and with relief the taxi was waiting for us and we were off straight away. The hotel is only a 15 minutes drive so that was nice and quick. Through passport control and immigration with no issues and then found somewhere for coffee and croissant and then waited around killing time. Flight boarding was on time and we were off at 7.20am – just over a three hour flight and we slept the first half but then listened to music for the last hour or so which was enjoyable.

No hassles and then we’re in Stanstead, again through customs and passport control and collecting our bags really quickly, got the coach and I was driving us home. The girls fell asleep and then we were home and saying our goodbyes. We had a great time and we all loved it, I’d happily go with them again for another break if it’s suggested.

Tash dived straight into housework, I was less keen to do work but I got some done as I have training sessions planned for Thursday.

Sorted a few things out, Charlotte came home so we caught up with things – she has an interview tomorrow which is why she’s down here again. I was tired so ended up going to bed around 9.30pm for once.

A great break, wish I didn’t have to work!!

Black Box

So today we have a black box fitted on Tasha’s car! The man came round and it didn’t take long.

The reason being that Jack has had so many prangs since he passed that the insurance was mentally high and we couldn’t afford it, so the only option was to get a box fitted and that reduced it to something like £500pa now. Hopefully that means that the driving standards of all in the car will improve now…we’ll see. I think we’re able to monitor it online or on an app now, so that will be interesting

A bit of a pain in the backside though and not something we need, but if it’s going to make Jack a more responsible driver then it will be a good thing!!

Derek’s 80th Birthday Celebrations

Derek was 80 this weekend, quite a milestone!

Friday – worked in the morning and then Jack, Charlotte, Miles and I went down to Tasha’s work, left the car and walked down to Gloucester Green, Derek and Mum were waiting and he was quite surprised to see us there. He had no idea where he was going to who with, so we told him and I think he was looking forward to it. The coach came and we settled down and chatted, I was getting a bit anxious about the time as I understood the Shard to be quite officious with their bookings and when the traffic got bad at London we got off a couple of stops early (Westfield) and used the Tube. We got there with minutes to spare and all was fine, there wouldn’t have been a problem…but you just never know! We were taken to our table and the view from the restaurant was stunning. It is very much an upmarket place and we were fortunate to have a set meal offer and decent choice. Ordered drinks and food and just enjoyed everyone’s company and it was lovely. Food was great and the service and we took loads of photos, it was excellent and would recommend to people.

I ended up paying the bill, £345.00, didn’t quite expect it to be that much and I paid it all…bit taken aback, especially as at the minute work isn’t exactly booming for me right now, I kept quiet though.

We left there and fancied a couple of drinks so we walked round the corner to Borough Market and found a pub and got seats and stayed there for a couple of pints, Derek appeared to be getting tired so we got the Tube back to Victoria and Miles and I went and got some beers for the coach journey home. That was enjoyable, we got quite drunk! Mum and Derek got out at Headington and we continued into town and Jack drove us home.

A really lovely evening and we had a great time.

Sunday – Lewis and I went to The Britannia in Headington and Lewis was struggling big time, kept throwing up on the walk up Line Walk – light weight!! When we got to the pub it was Mum, Derek, Louise and Molly. We ordered and that took a long time to be delivered but it was fine and it was a nice atmosphere chatting and catching up. Tash wasn’t there because they’d taken Zoe on a spa day for her birthday but it was fine. Derek seemed to enjoy himself and he said how much he’d enjoyed the meal on Friday so I think that went down well. Had a full Sunday Roast and Treacle pudding and that was it, time to leave. Said our goodbye’s and they wandered off towards home and we went back down Line Walk to retrieve the car. It was nice that we went and we enjoyed it.

Got home and Lewis just crashed out on the sofa and I watched TV! He left about 5.00pm to go back up north and Tash was home about 6.30pm – they’d had a nice time so a decent weekend all in all.

I think we’d helped Derek celebrate his 80th in style  

Fatboy Slim

Dropped Tash off to work this morning so the cars were all at home and then went shopping to Aldi and that was surprisingly pleasant because it was early and not many customers in the shop!

Went home and worked but didn’t get a huge amount of work done during the day because of the concert in the evening. On Twitter there were quite a few videos of the show last night at Wembley and it looked great, so

I was working but half watching other music videos and the like. Got stuff done but also distracted!

Had some food and then got things sorted and went and picked up Tash around 3.30pm. Miles arrived on time as well and we drove to London, took just over 2 hours because of the traffic but we weren’t far behind John and Pauline and we dumped our stuff in the room and were down in the bar! Went across the road for some food and then a taxi to the venue

Loads of space and we just had a few drinks there and then the acts came on, even as early at 7.50pm we were dancing – the DJ was Hannah Wants, she’s local and she was good. Then the main event at 9.20pm with Fatboy Slim coming on, and wow, it was amazing! Didn’t stop dancing at all, absolute banging tunes and videos and lights and fireworks. It was everything that I wanted it to be and more. It was so good. Got some videos and they’re good, we were right at the very front and it was no hassle, loads of space and we were dancing away. Loved it. Buzzing now writing about it! Would definitely go and see him again if the chance arose.

We left the venue and went across the road to a bar and had more drinks – there was a great atmosphere in here and we had a laugh, bit of dancing and saw a fight so all good fun! Got a taxi home but took a detour to McDonalds for a drive through and then back to the hotel to crash out

The following days I check social media and there are some great videos from the night – loved it

Meal down the Cowley Road and nice weekend

Not much to update this diary on to be honest, feels a bit of a routine at the minute, I think it’s the usual come-down from Xmas and being flat throughout January and can’t be bothered to do much. But this was a nice weekend in that we went out with Wayne and Kerry on Friday night down the Cowley Road, started at Be At One and had some good cocktails, best one being a Jaiger-Mega Drive – lovely! We then went down the road to the Syrian Restaurant, the Walnut Tree. Starters were lovely but the main meal less so, I had a stew which was okay – a tagine? – but I’d not be in a hurry to return there. We then walked back towards the plain and went in the bar we went to with Charlotte and Miles and that was really relaxed and nice and we had quite a few pints in there.

Jack picked us up about 12.30am and dropped Wayne and Kerry home before taking us home but not before a detour to the kebab van for him!

Saturday I felt slow and ponderous nearly all day, a cross between the drink and the food I think, Tash was the same! There was no football because of the snow we’d had yesterday so I worked in the garden and Jack helped me with building our new log store, looks okay and we’re pleased with it, also cleared a path for the trees being chopped down later this week by Merlin, that’ll be a sad sight! Walked the dog and our student left whilst we were out which was a shame as I think she wanted to say goodbye to us, she’d enjoyed her stay, Mica from Argentina. Jack still had football training and when that finished we met him in town and we did some shopping for the wedding, I got some new shoes, not for the wedding but I needed some new black shoes which was pleasing, and we got Jack a shirt etc. I ended up with a tie but it cost £45.00 – I was shocked! I was surprised we were even looking at the £27.00 ties so when this ringed up for that much I was speechless, far too much however nice it looks.

Back home I watched the second half of Ireland v England in the first game of the 6 Nations rugby and we won so that was pleasing. Had a nice dinner and then Tash spent the evening doing her puzzle and we watch House of Cards and other things on TV, a nice evening.

Next morning I helped Jack with his applications for apprenticeships, that was tough going and we took the dogs for a walk over Shotover, still some snow around so it was a nice picturesque visit, back home we had nice dinner, did more with Jack’s work and then watched a film and more TV again with a couple of bottles of wine.

So a nice weekend in the end