Jamie returned from Dubai on 10th October, excited to share with the family that he had set his wedding date for 29th May in Cibottola, Umbria, Italy.

Coincidentally, the following day, Sue and I met up with our friends Joan and Phil from Italy, who had rented an apartment in Oakham as a base for exploring the country. We decided to make the most of the opportunity by driving to Oakham and visiting Oakham Castle, a place I had never been to, and one Sue hadn’t visited in years.

Known for its impressive collection of horseshoes and widely regarded as one of the finest examples of domestic Norman architecture in England, the Great Hall, built between 1180 and 1190, was a fascinating discovery. As the only surviving structure within the castle’s ruined walls, it is beautifully preserved, with well-curated displays that vividly bring its rich history to life. A cosy coffee shop tucked behind the hall, popular with locals, offers a tempting selection of delicious treats.

We spent just over an hour exploring the hall and its grounds before meeting Joan and Phil at their accommodation. From there, it was a short drive to the Old Buttercross pub on the edge of town for lunch. It was lovely to catch up and share our news. Although we would have liked to stay longer and perhaps explore the town with them, we needed to be back in Harborough by 3 p.m. to look after Harry. After dropping them off near their accommodation, we made our way home.

We had originally planned to look after Harry for a couple of days while Charlotte and her family travelled to the West Country for Lucas’s open day at Exeter University. However, after booking a hotel near Exeter, they realised the campus they needed to visit was actually 117 miles away, in Falmouth!

When we arrived home, Charlotte and Harry were already at Willow Bank. After a brief chat, she set off to collect Ellis and Lucas from school before meeting up with Suraj, who had just returned from a course in Chester. From there, they would all make the journey south to Exeter.

To add to the whirlwind, the day they returned to Rothwell, they headed straight off again, this time for a much-needed, all-inclusive holiday in Mexico!

On 15th October, Jamie booked a suite in a Sheffield hotel for three days to prepare for a 24-hour live trading session on YouTube, running from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., using the Mogwai Reversal Strategy. He chose not to do it at home to avoid disturbing Ruth and Joey, who had work and school the following day.

Over the past week, I’ve been collecting photos from Sean, Jim, and Suraj in my spare time and putting together a video of our adventures in Romania. The final result is titled:  Transylvania: A Dracula Tour.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and her family had a fantastic time in Cancún. In addition to making the most of the all-inclusive hotel and several beaches, they explored UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins, took a rainforest walk in Tulle National Park, and snorkelled in a cenote, a natural sinkhole formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing the groundwater beneath. While snorkelling, they had the rather unusual experience of ‘fish nibbling’!

 

 

 

 

This week, I received another call from Jamie regarding his upcoming wedding in May. It seems the Italian wedding planner organising their nuptials had disagreed with some of the couple’s wishes, resulting in her being ‘let go.’ While the wedding remains scheduled for May, the venue has now changed, from Umbria to Bali.

Sadly, on 18th October, I attended the funeral of my old rugby friend, Martin Dyke, who had bravely battled a brain tumour for many years before passing away a few weeks ago. I knew Martin as a teammate, coach, and committee member, a true friend who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He was the very essence of a rugby man: charismatic, motivational, and always great company. It was no surprise that the crematorium was packed to standing room only, with stories of rugby woven throughout the service.

Martin was a player who left his mark across the country and was undoubtedly one of the finest rugby club tourists, ever smiling, often mischievous, and never far from a laugh. Those fortunate enough to have played alongside ‘Dykie’ will always remember his spirited renditions of Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West), a fitting reminder of the joy he brought both on and off the pitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve been looking after Harry and Mia while their owners are away on holiday. Mia arrived on the morning of the 17th, brought over by Sarah and Archie to keep Harry company. They stayed for lunch but left soon after, as Archie was teething and not in the best mood for eating. The following day, Sarah and her family set off to Blackpool with Lee’s parents for a weekend break.

Over the past year, I’ve been struggling with a sore ankle, which has recently limited me to short walks. However, taking both dogs out for three longer walks each day has noticeably improved my mobility and reduced the pain for most of the day. I’ve really enjoyed returning to familiar spots and chatting with other dog walkers along the way.

In a twist of weather-related coincidence, the final day of our daughters’ respective holidays saw the UK battered by ‘Ashley’, the first named storm of the season, bringing winds of up to 80 mph, while Cancún was hit by the tail end of a hurricane.

Rather worryingly, both daughters returned feeling under the weather and ended up spending some time in bed recovering. Lee and Archie came to collect Mia on Monday, the 21st, and Charlotte and Suraj picked up Harry the following day. After a week of having two dogs trailing me around the house and garden, it now feels strangely empty without two pairs of unblinking eyes watching my every move. Sue, unreasonably, refuses to sit and stare at me while I eat or watch TV, apparently not feeling the need to help me feel wanted!

Despite feeling unwell, Charlotte managed to complete the installation of a wood burner in the garden. It looks fantastic, though I can’t help but feel it might have been better placed inside the house.

Shortly after returning from Dubai, Jamie received international recognition as the Best Forex Education Provider UK 2024 and was invited to the awards ceremony at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai on 7th December. He kindly asked if Sue and I would like to accompany him, but unfortunately, we’ll be in the Caribbean at that time.

On the evening of 23rd October, Sue and I drove to Waltham on the Wolds to discuss Jamie and Ruth’s upcoming wedding. We enjoyed an excellent meal at the Grade II-listed Welby Arms in Denton, which dates back to 1662. The wedding is scheduled for 6th to 8th April at a jungle resort in Ubud.

As the end of the month approached, the Rothwells and the Newbold Verdons were in full swing with their Halloween preparations, transforming their homes into delightfully ghoulish sanctuaries. They adorned their halls and porches with pumpkins and a dazzling array of seasonal paraphernalia that would make even the most stoic of ghosts green with envy. From cobwebs seemingly spun by the arachnid equivalent of a mad scientist to skeletons that probably have a more active social life than most of us, it was a festive frenzy! I can only imagine the frightful fun they’ll conjure up for trick-or-treaters this year.