11th May 2009

Since returning from Italy, the sun has been putting on quite a show, but it’s been partnered with a gale-force wind. Venturing outside has felt less like a spring stroll and more like an Arctic expedition. Still, the fruit trees are blossoming, the vegetables are pushing through, and, fingers crossed, we could be on track for a bumper crop. Just so long as Jack Frost doesn’t come sneaking back for an encore.

Sarah has been deep in the revision bunker ahead of her GCSEs, though we’ve seen a fair bit of Matt at weekends, who’s either offering moral support or escaping his revision schedule. Her first exam is Religious Education, which starts tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ve been banished to silence in the study; my rock music vibrations are interfering with her concentration. It’s an odd experience when your daughter tells you to turn the music down… I thought I was the one supposed to be doing that.

Jamie popped up to Thurcroft to measure Nan’s room for a walk-in wardrobe. He was there for less than two hours before heading home again. Let’s hope the actual build takes slightly longer, or she’ll be left with a walk-in shoe box. On the motoring front, Jamie managed to crunch the sill of his car by catching the kerb at a petrol station, no surprise really, as he’s lowered the thing so much it’s practically kissing the tarmac. He then set about respraying the damage and, to be fair, seemed rather pleased with the result. Less pleased when I pointed out that if he had left the suspension alone, he wouldn’t have had to play bodyshop in the first place.

Bank Holiday Monday brought a lovely surprise; Charlotte, Suraj, and the ever-energetic Lucas popped over unexpectedly. We headed to Welland Lodge for lunch, followed by a turn in the play barn. Lucas went at it like a caffeine-fuelled kangaroo and was still bouncing off the walls two hours later. I can only hope the car journey home involved a nap, preferably for the sake of the parents.

Later in the week, I drove to Thurcroft to take Nan to another eye appointment. She’s doing brilliantly, reading the charts better than I can (not that I’m bitter). We watched Sheffield United draw with Preston in the play-offs on Sky; frustratingly, it was one of those “should-have-won” matches. On the plus side, the potatoes and onions I planted in Nan’s veg patch earlier this spring are doing really well and should keep her supplied for much of the summer.

She did, however, fall foul of a classic cold-caller trap and bought a bath lift for £600. Now, I’m no expert, but unless it comes with champagne and mood lighting, that’s at least £400 too much. Still, it’s in, paid for, and presumably works, though I’ll remain grumpy about it on principle.

Finally, on the only calm day we’ve had in what feels like an age, Sue headed off to Saddington for the car boot sale and returned triumphant. We are now lighter by a loft full of clutter and heavier by over £100 in takings. During the afternoon, I took the chance to shuffle some plants about the garden and sow a few hopeful seeds in the greenhouse. With any luck and fewer gales, we can look forward to a rather splendid summer ahead.