18th September 2013 Alarms were set for 7 a.m., but Banjo’s early-morning “business meeting” at 6:30 am had me up and about before the racket began. Why the crack-of-dawn start? Because Sevdolin, the local powerhouse, was due at 8 am sharp. True to his word, he rolled up on time. A big lad with an… Continue Reading

17th September 2013 After a blissful night’s sleep, I awoke to a breezy but sunny morning, the kind of day that whispers “get things done” but doesn’t quite shout enough to stop you lingering over coffee first. Banjo and I enjoyed a gentle game of fetch before I wandered around the house and garden, mentally… Continue Reading

16th September 2013 The journey to see David went reasonably well, by British transport standards, at least. On Saturday morning, Sue dropped me at the station, and, to my astonishment, the trains all ran on time. Less astonishing was the fact that, despite having reserved seats on all three legs to Manchester Airport, I found… Continue Reading

9th September 2013 The weather has been remarkably obliging, and as a result, the fruit and veg are flourishing like prize-winners at the Chelsea Flower Show. Local farmers, clearly inspired by my humble efforts, have had their combines buzzing non-stop around Harborough for a fortnight. Meanwhile, Sue and I have stuck with our trusty buckets,… Continue Reading

Skegness Shenanigans: The Palmer Invasion The Palmer Clan descended on the East Coast for a well-deserved break, minus Jamie and Suraj, who nobly stayed behind to work and keep the economy afloat. With Sarah and Charlotte at the helm, they’d managed to book a caravan through one of Lee’s relatives just outside Skegness. So, on… Continue Reading

4th August 2013 Philippa and Paul held another Open Garden Day, but unfortunately, the weather was far too pleasant. On the hottest day of the year (so far), most potential visitors clearly preferred sand between their toes to soil under their fingernails. Even so, sixty determined plant enthusiasts braved the blazing sun. Those who had… Continue Reading

13th July 2013 Amid the usual family business, I should clarify the title of this post lest anyone think catastrophe has struck. Rest assured, the family are fine. The real drama involves birds and our windows. For reasons best known to the avian brain (or lack thereof), our house has become a magnet for feathered… Continue Reading

28th June 2013 Harborough lays claim to a brewery just outside the picturesque village of East Langton. They produce a range of beers that, I must confess, have yet to impress me or any of my friends. Still, when the Harborough Chamber of Commerce sent an invitation for a BBQ and brewery tour, I rounded… Continue Reading

18th June 2013 On the 23rd of May, Sarah headed back to Sheffield for a university friend’s wedding. The next day, I boarded a Tigers’ supporters’ bus to Twickenham for the Aviva Premiership final against Saints. Thanks to a road accident in Northampton (Saints HQ, of all places), we were stuck in traffic for four… Continue Reading

24th May 2013 It seems winter has staged an unwelcome encore. Outside, it’s cold, windy, and raining sideways, with reports of snow up north just to really rub it in. Only last week, we were basking in a brief fling with summer warmth, the veggies in the allotment shot up in hopeful optimism, and now… Continue Reading