8th June 2018 We breakfasted on coffee, blueberry muffins, bananas, and an apple. Not my idea of a full English, but that was what was on offer, and it filled the same hole. While we ate, we chatted amiably with the young man in Reception. He had once been in the Navy and now ran… Continue Reading

7th June 2018 Again, I rose well after Sue and Gwenda and found them sitting in the small dining annexe, drinking tea and chatting merrily as I descended the stairs and headed to the kitchen to prepare my own brew of robust coffee. Annoyingly, I spied a lovely day through the window, no dark clouds… Continue Reading

5th June 2018 Breakfast was to be taken at the Subway conveniently located next to our hotel. Bright and early, Sue, Sean and I sat outside waiting for it to open at 9 a.m. Sean clutched a breakfast voucher for the three of us, triumphantly acquired from reception at the NU Hotel, as though it… Continue Reading

3rd June 2018 They say retirement gives you the freedom to do what you want, when you want. Lovely theory, except in practice, “freedom” still involves more planning than a military operation. Since my last blog, most of what Sue and I have been doing is preparing for our Canadian adventure to visit Aunt Gwenda.… Continue Reading

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