23rd May 2011

Monday marked Sarah’s 18th birthday. The day before, she and Charlotte had been to Eden Hall for a pampering spa day, returning refreshed, relaxed, and looking suspiciously clean. That evening, the whole family gathered for a Chinese birthday banquet at home, complete with the usual over-ordering and “I’ll just have one more spring roll” moments.

During the week, Sue covered a couple of days at Church Langton School for the Deputy Head. The current Head was off sick, and the newly appointed Headteacher was shadowing to see how things were done. Hopefully, he didn’t notice any of the pupils testing their “new head, new rules” theories.

On Friday, I drove to Thurcroft to collect Nan and brought her back to Willow Bank. That evening, the Rothwells joined us for a BBQ which, thanks to the weather, was more “British stoicism in the cold” than a sunny garden party. Jamie popped in briefly to drop off his washing before vanishing to a party.

Saturday afternoon was spent at The Angel with my rugby mates, watching Northampton lose to Leinster. I support neither team, but it was still an excellent game, and a good excuse for a pint or two.

On Sunday, I accompanied Doreen on a drive to Leicester to visit her husband in hospital. She’s not confident behind the wheel these days and wanted me to sit with her just in case she had problems. She was fine, a bit slow and rusty, but hopefully will now be brave enough to manage the trip solo rather than pay for taxis. Worryingly, Peter may be discharged on Tuesday as the doctors say there’s nothing more they can do for him.

The rest of the week was largely consumed with watering both garden and allotments. We had a short shower one night, but it barely dampened the dust, never mind quenched my thirsty plants. My potatoes are looking decidedly underwhelming compared with those of my fellow allotmenteers, and I never see them watering!

The week ended with mechanical misery: Jamie’s car broke down again on Saturday. It’s the same fault as before, the engine dies on idle and only runs at full throttle, which in a 1.6 GTI is less “nippy runabout” and more “hold on for dear life”. I’m now hunting for a garage to fix it quickly, as the alternative involves me getting up at 5 a.m. to take him to work.