15th August 2010

As the title suggests, our great British weather is living up to its soggy reputation. As a child, I remember long, hot, sunny days that seemed endless. I’d lie in fields of daisies, buttercups, and cowslips, watch poppies ripple across cornfields, and see farmers harvesting under a sky of unbroken blue. I’d walk all day, stopping at houses for a glass of water (secretly hoping for lemonade, and often getting it), and take family seaside holidays where the water felt warm. I’d even sit on the wall at the end of the road jotting down car numbers, on a good day, maybe ten would pass. Back then, it never rained.

Fast-forward to now, and it’s a different story. Since arriving home last Monday, the rain clouds have been playing their daily game of “Catch me if you can”. You glance outside, bright skies, drying ground, slip on your outdoor shoes, take two steps, and plop… the first drop falls. Within five minutes, it’s bucketing down.

Last Monday, Sarah and I drove to Thurcroft to see Nan. David dropped in to collect his stolen laptop (I’d been recovering its data) and we chatted for a while as Sarah escorted Nan to the hairdresser. David left soon after and returned to Bulgaria on Tuesday. Later, Sarah and I lunched at the Royal Elephant Thai restaurant in Dinnington before heading to Newark to see Ellis David. We even squeezed in a bit of impromptu carpentry on their hall floor. Ellis changes with each visit; he’s filling out nicely, unsurprising given the amount of milk he downs. By 7 p.m., we were heading back to Harborough… in, you guessed it, more rain.

Charlotte is slowly improving, though we still worry. Suraj has taken a job in Thrapston, meaning either a long commute or a move. Lucas is refusing to come back to Harborough, leaving me with a bored granddad status. Charlotte and Suraj have officially become the Palmer-Shahs, which should clear up future confusion.

Sarah is loving her new Ford Ka and is doing well learning to drive, producing some textbook hill starts the other day. Sue hasn’t yet summoned the courage to be her passenger. Lee passed his driving test earlier in the week and is keen to drive over to Harborough to see her.

Sue and I have started drinking copious quantities of beetroot juice, thanks to the glut of garden beetroot made enormous by all the rain. It’s meant to be life-preserving, though I suspect it mainly preserves a pink tint to our hands.

This week I booked flights for Nan, Roger, and me to see David and Genya in Bulgaria (10th–19th September). Travel insurance for an 82-year-old wasn’t cheap, but I managed it. I also booked a Manchester hotel for Sue’s birthday so she can visit her Uncle Stan in Salford, and we will go on the 23rd of August.

Jamie recently helped his friend Tansley get a job at the recycling plant. It is decent pay, and they would help with travel costs. It is certainly good for his family’s finances. Sadly, on day one, Tansley was sick three times (understandable, as the smell takes getting used to), and by week’s end, he was sacked for laziness. Credit where it’s due, Jamie did his best to encourage him and even warned him about the likely outcome. These days, Jamie works 12-hour shifts, even when unwell, has taken on extra responsibilities, and is now the company’s Fire Officer. He also attends a management course at Leicester College on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Dare I say it… the boy’s growing up and we are proud of his attitude.

Jamie and Harley went for a Thai meal in Leicester this week and are already planning a return trip. Unfortunately, Jamie also managed to pick up a £60 fine for driving without an MOT, as it had expired only days before. Ironically, Sue and I forgot ours earlier this year and drove around for three months out of date without being stopped. I suspect the difference is that Jamie drives a hot hatch with a boom-box exhaust at 1 a.m. on Sundays. Regrettably, I doubt the lesson will stick.

Sarah and I went to see Inception, a long film with a complicated, dream-bending plot about a thief stealing secrets from people’s subconscious minds. Worth the mental gymnastics.

Meanwhile, Sue and Sarah visited Twin Lakes near Melton Mowbray to meet Lucas and Suraj. Jamie and Harley had planned to go, but a parking fine had left Jamie short of cash, so he stayed home with Nan and me.

Charlotte and Suraj are looking into part-exchanging their house with a national builder putting up an estate in Desborough. It could be the solution to their move, depending, of course, on the deal.