Friday/Saturday

We had a fun evening to celebrate Colin's and Jack's 60th birthdays - the team photo was over-exposed by the sun and no amount of software manipulation could fix it unfortunately. A few beers in the Stag and then the Douglas (where we played with their Wii for a while) - the off to the Derbar for a curry.

Felt a bit sore this morning - both in body and head - but still played in the first medal of the season - we had all 4 seasons' weather - bright sunshine, showers, sleet, snow, hail - you name it! Started well - 3,3,3 - but fell away to a mediocre finish. Forecast tomorrow is even worse - could be a day for the Sunday Times and the TV - maybe even some squash.

Ross has been getting very frustrated at the internet service and has been reporting faults galore - hope it gets fixed soon.

Catching up

I've been trying to upgrade the OS on my laptop to Vista but finally gave up and just zapped it and installed Vista from a standing start. You always forget how much hassle it is any time you either get a new PC or change somehting fundamental like Windows or Office. I'm still adding programs and getting things back the way I like them.

Anyway it was the start of our midweek golf on Wednesday and it was a pretty nice day - above is Dick, Dave and I waiting to tee off. It was even nicer on Thursday - 19 degrees - and I was home early and able to sit out on the balcony with Jo once she got back from lunch with her school pals in Aberdeen. Carole had arranged for her car to get serviced in Banchory today (Friday) and also had a hair appointment in Aberdeen in the afternoon, so I said I would take Jo's car to work and Carole could use mine (she's not insured to use Jo's). Lo and behold, Jo then volunteered to clean out her car for me to use - I couldn't believe it, but the evidence above is clear!

Ross hadn't any money when it was our birthdays but he fairly made up for it yesterday - he bought me a new replacement for my old Archos DVR (he's installing it above) and a new flat screen for Jo's PC (also above). Way over the top for birthday gifts, but thanks anyway Ross - hope he uses some of the rest of his salary to spend on himself.

Tonight is the much delayed outdoor veterans football match to celebrate Colin's and Jack's 60th birthdays a few weeks ago. We're having a meal at the Derbar afterwards - should be fun.

Jo back home

Looking a little tense and tired (although I don't know why - she flew business class!), Jo got home in good time and with her bags - thank God she wasn't flying with BA through Terminal 5! She had a good sleep last night and seems to have recovered well from her short trip to the West Coast.

Jo's return

We don't have any curtains or blinds up yet, but as we're moving in to summer, we don't mind the view looking out through the bare windows from our back room to the embankment.

Jo managed to get the upgrade we had requested, using her United miles, so I hope the journey home was a bit more pleasant than it might have been in cattle class.

As I write this, she's waiting at the gate at Heathrow so she's managed to negotiate all the changes in terminals successfully. I'll be heading to the airport in an hour or so to pick her up.

Weekend

It' been a much nicer weekend than any of us would have believed after the weather we experienced for most of the week. I managed 2 rounds of golf in fairly pleasant conditions - at one stage this morning it was very nice indeed.

Bill Miller returned from his winter at his house in the Alps and John Davies was up from Worcestershire for the weekend for a wedding, and they joined us for a beer after golf - it all felt like the start of spring.

Today was also the last day of our Winter Grand Prix Sunday morning golf - and I managed to win it - so that's another trophy for the shelves!

Jo'll be on her way back now - just got an e-mail from United to say that her plane was due to land at SFO at 10:31 am, which is well ahead of schedule so she should have no problem making the connection to LHR.

Ross has done the big tidy-up of his room and toilet in advance of his Mum's return!