5th May 2008

On Friday night, Sarah and I went to see 10cc in concert, a long-time ambition of mine, finally fulfilled. They didn’t disappoint. It was Sarah’s first-ever concert, and she loved it. We’ll be booking more, though I may draw the line at anything requiring glow sticks or earplugs.

Afterwards, I popped into the Rugby Club for the annual dinner. By the time I arrived, the festivities were in full swing, or rather, full stagger. Everyone was already verrrrrry merry, and I soon found myself escorting a particularly wobbly friend home. On reflection, I’m quite glad I chose a night of musical nostalgia with my daughter over another round of beer-fuelled rugby tales.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and Lucas had come to stay, as Suraj was off gallivanting in Tenerife on a stag weekend with friends. On Saturday afternoon, Sarah and Charlotte headed into Harborough for a spot of shopping, while I spent the day working in the garden and Sue battled valiantly with the washing and ironing mountain. Unfortunately, young Lucas was sick in the afternoon, either due to overindulgence or having eaten something he really shouldn’t have. As a result, the family plan to see a local band in Lubenham was altered: I went along with Roger, and the girls stayed in with Lucas and a film. I suspect they got the better end of the deal.

Sunday followed much the same rhythm: me back in the garden, Sue continuing her one-woman campaign against laundry. I finally got around to fitting locks on all three toilet doors after repeated (and increasingly vocal) complaints from the womenfolk about a lack of privacy. Domestic harmony now restored. Lucas, Sarah and Charlotte kept themselves entertained on the trampoline, providing a cheerful soundtrack of laughter to my weeding and hammering.

Bank Holiday Monday brought a real treat, glorious sunshine, the sort that makes everyone optimistic and slightly overambitious. I seized the moment to tackle the shed and made multiple sweaty trips to the tip, clearing out a year’s worth of accumulated junk. The rest of the family had a rather more enjoyable outing to the farm park in Desborough. Sarah returned, saying she now wants a duck for her birthday (as you do), and Lucas had his moment in the spotlight when he bottle-fed some lambs… only to be startled out of his skin by a cow that let out an impressively loud MOO! He wasn’t keen on the cows after that.

As for Jamie, he spent the day moping about the house. Harriet was away in Skegness, and it seems absence really does make the heart grow sulky. Teenage love, eh?