5th November 2012

Family News: Sarah came home for half-term, then dutifully returned to university on Monday. Sue, ever the stand-in, had her company to Kate Crawford’s 60th birthday bash at The Angel. With over 70 guests in attendance, it was the sort of event where one wonders whether the champagne was cheaper by the barrel. They sat at Sean and Karen’s table and, by all reports, the evening was a roaring success, though outside the heavens poured down relentlessly.

A confused Charlotte, meanwhile, attempted a school run only to discover Lucas’s school eerily deserted. No abduction, no flu epidemic, just a teacher training day. Lucas no doubt thought the teachers were being “trained” in how best to ruin parental schedules.

Sue continues her Nan-shuttling duties. A trip to the doctor on Friday turned out to be a farce worthy of Carry On Up the Waiting Room. Nan, convinced she had an eye scan, turned out to be three months early. The doctor’s staff were remarkably accommodating, even calling the hospital. Back home, the truth was revealed in black and white; the appointment letter quite clearly said “January.”

Nan redeemed herself later by taking Sarah to the Canal Basin restaurant. Sarah enjoyed her food, but Nan was unimpressed; her fish and chips were soggy, the mushy peas weren’t green enough, and dessert lacked sparkle. When the pudding fails, one knows it’s serious.

Saturday was far more successful: chestnut gathering, roasting over the fire, and hot dogs for tea at Willow Bank, before braving the fireworks at St Joseph’s. A night of icy noses and numb fingers ended with the whole gang huddled around the fire like Dickensian orphans.

Suraj has been less fortunate, with two trips to Kettering Hospital for abdominal pain. The cause remains a mystery, and a dodgy curry is still the prime suspect. Fingers crossed it’s nothing worse.

Jamie is “between girlfriends” (a phrase which suggests it’s a recognised career path). His latest achievement? Attempting to consume a 5-kilo steak. No word yet on whether he conquered it, but if he did, I expect Kettering Hospital may be seeing him next.

Halloween went down a treat, literally. The grandchildren returned with sacks of sweets, and Sarah joined in the fun, no doubt stealing a few jelly babies along the way.

Bulgarian News:  The pool saga drags on. We wildly underestimated the job; what looked like a weekend task has turned into an epic fit for its own chapter in War and Peace. The recent rain gave way to sunshine, so we’ve been working dawn to dusk in sweltering heat. Banjo has entered into the spirit of things by leaving paw prints in the freshly grouted tiles. If he weren’t so charming, he’d be stewing in one of our evening hotpots by now.

Saturday’s Dryanovo market haul included:

• A sharpener for the chainsaws.

• Another kilo of walnuts, Banjo and I have formed a breakfast partnership.

• An assortment of vegetables destined for the cauldron.

Milen lent a hand today. He took one look at David’s grouting efforts and promptly demonstrated the Bulgarian method, which turned out to be faster if not prettier. David was sceptical, but the two of them set to work on hundreds of grout lines under Banjo’s supervision. My inspection afterwards concluded: not “tidy,” not “perfect,” but at least “fit for purpose.” (Just below acceptable, in other words.)

I’ve also booked my flights and train for the return. I was due to leave sooner, but since it’s David’s birthday on Saturday, and he asked me to stay, I’ll be departing on the 12th instead. Lucky him.