11th May 2008

What a scorching week it’s been! I managed to play tennis twice on the Welland Park courts with a few ex-rugby chums, though now we all move at a noticeably slower pace and conserve energy with the enthusiasm of seasoned professionals.

At school, I administered the Year 4 optional SATs. This always seems to coincide with the best weather of the year, something of a tradition, it seems. All that remains now is to write their end-of-year reports. I must say, they’ve been a lovely class, and I’m rather pleased to be ending my teaching career with such a pleasant bunch.

Back at home, the greenhouse is thriving. The cucumbers and tomatoes are coming along nicely and give me hope for a bumper crop this summer.

Midweek, Sarah and I decided to test out our new canoe (or should I say kayak? Still not sure of the difference),  a bright Sevylor inflatable. We set off at 9.30 am, paddling from the marina in Market Harborough along the Grand Union Canal, and eventually pulled out somewhere near Kibworth around 5.30 pm. A long day! We stopped at Bridge 61 at Foxton Locks for a light lunch and some much-needed rest.

One of the unexpected highlights of the day came when Sarah cheerily greeted an elderly gentleman through the open window of his narrowboat; unfortunately, he was sitting on the toilet at the time and probably hadn’t counted on visitors via water. Sarah was mortified, and I couldn’t stop laughing.

Later, we found ourselves stalked by an enormous and distinctly aggressive swan, which flapped and hissed menacingly before launching an attack. I fended him off with a paddle, which seemed to do the trick, and we fled into the safety of a dark, slightly ominous canal tunnel. Despite being completely off the beaten track, Sue somehow managed to locate us when we finished. We returned home tired, sunburnt, and rather pleased with our little adventure.

Over the weekend, Jamie hosted a pool and BBQ party in the garden with a group of mates. Although things got a bit merry (as teenage gatherings tend to), they behaved well enough, and, most importantly, there were no complaints from the neighbours. A success, by teenage standards!