Wednesday

Spoke to Barry and Dawn yesterday - Dad had another fall in the morning and Barry again was called away from work. Dad's OK, but it's becoming an increasing factor. Dawn has raised the possibility of moving to the new Erskine House just up the road and initially he seemed to quite like the idea, but when the Social Work team discussed it with him, he said he just wanted to stay in his own home - dilemma!

I played football last night - but it was only 4 a side and it was on the hard floor of the school - I was absolutely knackered - I really felt my age!

Valentine's Day and I'm babysitting Luca tonight whilst Gary and Carole go to see AFC v Bayern Munich - using my tickets! Gary really knows how to treat a girl! Jo's having her hair done so I'm on my own. Carole's already e-mailed me with a detailed list of instructions for tonight!

Weekend aftermath

I reverted to e-mails to show what I got up to this weekend and you'll have seen most of the photos by now, so I won't add any more at this stage.

They've some across a bit of a snag with our stairs and are going to have to get a blacksmith in to get the stairs approved by the building authorities - he will also weld the joints of the handrail at the same time. Don't yet know when this is going to happen, but I'm going to get our painter at work to come out and do the insides anyway. We had a bit of a discussion last night and Jo thinks we should just paint the bare wood on the new doors - just as we did with the new front window when it went in a couple of years ago. We may get the kitchen and some other rooms done at the same time.

After a little nagging, Ross finally delivered (by hand) his acceptance of the job offer - talk about laid-back!

Great weather here this week - frosty starts, but beautifully sunny days - I should be golfing! Still, Cape Town beckons next week.

Weekend of football

Back at work today after a weekend down south watching Premiership football - Sunderland v Wigan on Saturday then the Manchester derby on Sunday - very enjoyable, but tiring - a lot of travel - and there's a lot more to come - this was the first of four consecutive weekends away from home for me - Cornwall next then Cape Town!



This is Dave and I in the Jolly Sailor in Whitburn, just outside Sunderland. It's a pub that used to be owned by Dave's great-grandfather, so it was a bit of a nostalgic trip for him.

More to follow.