6th February 2011

As I wrapped up my last blog entry, Jamie and Sarah were both laid low by a particularly vicious sickness bug. That evening, when I rang the Rothwells for a natter, I found they too had fallen victim. Sue and I fully expected it to become a whole-family experience, but as the days passed, it became clear that our generation is forged from sterner stuff, and the pestilence passed us by.

By Wednesday, Sarah had recovered enough to tackle revision for her final exam of the session. Too unwell to return to school, but not ill enough to avoid homework, she soldiered on. The subject was Psychology, which I quickly decided was not my cup of tea; it was far too modern and full of “pointless” theories for my liking. Nevertheless, on Friday, she headed off for the exam, later ringing to report that the very topics we had revised had come up. She was quietly confident, so we now enjoy a few weeks’ academic ceasefire.

Sue worked on Monday and Thursday afternoons, leaving Wednesday free for coffee and cake with Lynne Keene (who had once been Charlotte’s babysitter) at Emerson and West’s in Harborough. The following day, she went to the cinema with Brigitte to see a 60s-era film. I was reassured that it “wouldn’t appeal to me”; always good to be spared two hours of cinematic suffering.

Friday night was a lively one. While Charlotte popped next door to Doreen’s for a reflexology session, I prepared a rather fine chicken korma for the family. Jamie and Harley arrived, as did Brigitte and Jim (though they declined the curry). England were playing Wales at rugby, so I had set up the projector in the lounge for the big-screen experience. Thankfully, the visitors took the hint and departed, leaving Jim and me to enjoy the match with the traditional beer and nuts, and the sweet taste of an England victory, while Sue and Brigitte had a civilised, rugby-free chat in the kitchen.

Sunday saw us off to Rothwell for a late lunch. Charlotte produced roast chicken with parsnips cooked in duck fat (utterly delicious) and a pudding selection. I opted for apple crumble, though the memory of what others chose has been lost, possibly due to the “special” beer. We dined at a sturdy table newly reassembled by Suraj from its Newark exile, and despite our cautious perching, it proved earthquake-proof. Coffee followed upstairs in their second-floor lounge, and we departed for home around 9 pm.

Charlotte has sold her Discovery and bought a Ford Fusion, a sensible choice. Suraj sold his Saxo and acquired a BMW, which, being untaxed, meant he was “borrowing” the Fusion for work. This left me ferrying Lucas to playgroup in the afternoons, fitting in some odd jobs around their house, wallpapering, shelving, and drain-tinkering. One Wednesday, I couldn’t help, as both our cars were in for MOTs. Miraculously, both passed. By Thursday, Suraj’s BMW had been sold and replaced with a Smart car.

The following week brought tremendous gales, which continue as I write. No major damage here, though our frost-killed trees now look pitifully leafless, and my shed roof survived thanks to a quick patch-up job and a strategic weighting down of bricks. My allotment shed fared better than my neighbour’s, which was flattened and shredded. As I arrived to check, he and his sons were battling to rebuild it in the wind; I left them to it, quietly pleased that my rickety old hut has the staying power of Yorkshire grit.

Saturday afternoon found me refereeing in Leicester’s Victoria Park. The game ended 40–0, which says it all. Injuries included a broken leg and a dislocated shoulder, making me wonder why on earth I ever played this sport. I returned to Harborough to watch the Scotland game at the Club, then home to find Lee had arrived for the weekend. He and Sarah played Monopoly into the evening before heading out for a thoroughly unhealthy KFC. He left Sunday morning, just as Sarah headed to her job at ‘Savers’ to earn some pocket money.

Today’s plan was a long-promised “Snowdrop Walk” at Maidwell Hall. Naturally, the weather intervened, too windy, with rain in the air. We’ve been saying we’d do it for years, but when we finally make the effort, nature wins. Perhaps next year.