16th April 2013

Way back in June 2007, my nephew, Simon Wadsworth, was the spark that lit this whole blogging lark. Fresh out of university and not yet shackled to the “sensible world of work,” he set off backpacking across the globe. His blog kept us all in the loop, allowing us to travel vicariously from the safety of an armchair. Reading about his escapades, I often thought, “I’d love to do that,” or occasionally, “Not on your life.” Inspired, I began my own blog, mainly chronicling Curry Nights and family antics, with the odd stolen snippet from Facebook and a calendar entry that may or may not be accurate. Fortunately, if I get a detail wrong, I can always sneak in a quiet edit later!

Now, six years on, Simon’s packed his rucksack again, resigned from his job, and jetted off to China. Clearly, some people just don’t like routine.

Back on home soil, we’ve swapped Southend “drug busts” for the promise of spring at last. Sadly, my tulips haven’t survived to enjoy it. Every last one has vanished, leaving neat little holes where red blooms should be. Google insists foxes don’t eat tulips, but I suspect there’s a rogue Reynard out there with unusually refined taste. Thankfully, the daffodils remain intact, poisonous and therefore, for once, useful.

Monday was a medical sort of day: I finally had the blood test postponed from March, then ferried Nan for her diabetes check, while Sue enjoyed a far more civilised lunch with Lynne Keane.

 

Tuesday saw Charlotte bring the boys over after lunch with Nan. While the ladies set off on a “slipper mission” (three hours for footwear, surely a record), I entertained Lucas and Ellis. We launched a full-scale ant-hunting expedition in the sun lounge, capturing 22 of the “deadliest” ants in plastic cups before relocating them to Sarah’s ant farm. David Attenborough would’ve been proud.

On Wednesday, Charlotte and Suraj went off for a pampering break at Fawsley Hall, leaving us with Lucas and Ellis. Sue and Sarah took the boys to a Corby play park while I gave the lawn its first cut of the year, dug the veg patch, hoovered out the pool, and chopped wood. They returned early, poor Ellis having been sick in Sue’s car. The rest of the day was fairly subdued, ending with both boys fast asleep by 8 pm. That didn’t last long. At 2 am, Sarah brought Ellis into our bed, where he dozed peacefully; until 5 am, when he unleashed the full contents of his stomach over my pillow. There are wake-up calls, and then there are wake-up calls!

Thursday evening brought an unexpected caller, Lee arrived at 9 pm with a friend in tow, stayed half an hour with Sarah, and then drove back to Nottingham. Clearly, he’s rather smitten with our girl!

Friday was Thai Night: green and red curries, fish cakes, and, mercifully, no repeat performances from Ellis. By Saturday, Sarah was off to Nottingham to spend the weekend with Lee’s parents, while I enjoyed a reunion lunch with old Kibworth RUFC teammates. The 1st XV put on a fine show against the Vipers, despite a biblical downpour in the second half. That evening, Jim and Bridget Hankers joined us for wine and a screening of my Brazil video, which looked even better after a couple of glasses.

Monday brought glorious sunshine and my blood test results, happily all normal. I celebrated by planting onions at the allotment, adding them to the tomatoes, lettuce, and other greens already underway in greenhouse pots. With the weather turning, it feels as though spring (and the gardener’s sap) is finally rising.

But the week wasn’t without sadness. News came that a former colleague’s husband had passed away. A keen cyclist like myself, I often saw him pedalling about, though in recent months less steadily than before. Sue and I will attend the service on Friday.

And then, yesterday, Nan brought more heartbreaking news: my cousin Thelma, named after Nan, and a year younger than me, had collapsed at home and later passed away in the hospital. She’d battled a serious chest infection, and the family had to make the painful decision to remove life support. Thelma leaves behind four sons. Though we hadn’t seen each other in years, I have fond memories of us as children, playing together by the lake up on Brymbo Mountain with her many brothers and sisters. She was the eldest of the Prydderch brood, full of spirit, and she will be dearly missed.