20th May 2018 I remember way back in 1981, 37 years ago!, when, to avoid the much-publicised wedding of Charles and Diana, a like-minded friend and I fled to Towyn, Wales, hoping to escape the relentless coverage on TV, radio, and in newspapers. Even then, I had a nagging sense that no good could come… Continue Reading

29th April 2018 It rained yesterday, it’s raining today, and there’s no rugby on the television or at the club, at least none worth watching. And it is a Saturday! Mia stayed with us overnight while Lee and Sarah were in Peterborough racing, cheering on much slimmer and faster versions of their Mia as they… Continue Reading

30th March 2018 Leicestershire had snow and freezing temperatures from the 16th of March, which thwarted my attempts to dig over the vegetable allotment. Instead, I busied myself with cutting, stacking, and burning the wood I had collected over the summer. The once-huge pile of picture-framing wood I had bought on eBay was beginning to… Continue Reading

15th March 2018 The adult members of the Rothwell and Braunstone branches of the family, along with Jamie, thoroughly enjoyed the Murder Mystery weekend in Grantham that I had gifted them for Christmas. Unfortunately, Ashton was unable to accompany Jamie, having become the latest victim of the flu virus. She spent a week in bed… Continue Reading

22nd February 2018 After retiring from playing rugby, I decided I couldn’t completely walk away from the sport that had shaped so much of my life. I first dipped into coaching and then took up refereeing to stay involved. The game has given me countless memories and a camaraderie that’s hard to find elsewhere. Sharing… Continue Reading

1st February 2018 I recently learned that germs can survive for two days or more when sneezed, coughed, or wiped onto a surface, lying in wait to be passed on. Door handles, bannisters, light switches, these are the primary culprits in this insidious transfer, though until recently, I had given them little thought. Of course,… Continue Reading

12th January 2018 A cruise to the Amazon was Susan’s Christmas present. Sadly, from the 28th of December onwards, both Sue and I became very unwell, and on the 3rd of January, we had no choice but to cancel the trip after Sue’s GP strongly advised against travelling. In truth, we had resigned ourselves to… Continue Reading

28th December 2017 Sarah seemed to have weathered the worst after her spell in hospital, while Sue appeared to have turned a corner once the antibiotics started to work their magic. We’d kept the rest of the family at bay to avoid exchanging any more bugs, or, worse, making the poorly even more ill. Fortunately,… Continue Reading

17th December 2017 Why is it that the month before Christmas always brings with it a wave of bugs, infections, and NHS shortages, along with the usual horror stories? This year has been no different, though I suppose I can be blamed for kicking off this season of ‘infestivities’ with a dose from my Italian… Continue Reading

16th November 2017 A couple of days after Sue and I returned from a delightful week in Italy, the Rothwells jetted off for two weeks in Phuket, Thailand. They had booked a hotel that proved ideal for Lucas and Ellis, offering excellent children’s facilities. The rest of the family followed their daily adventures with envy,… Continue Reading