wet & wild

The end of our holiday. It rained every mile of the 320 miles back home - and we missed a crash on the M6 which would have caused serious delay by a matter of seconds. 6 hrs in the car with 3 small children surprisingly went much better than you'd think.

It's good to be home - I no longer need to duck every time I go through a door.....

stratford

We had a fairly quiet day today. I took Joseph into Stratford to pay for the house in Welford and we also went to M&S to get some food for this evening. Managed to get a salmon for 4 people..ooops. Joseph was grumpy as soon as he got into any shop and we got an absolute soaking from the shop to the car (like you wouldn't believe). Tourists must hate this country.

In the evening, I went with Joseph and Grace to drop stuff of at Q&L's that we'd borrowed (stair gate etc.). Grace now in the front of the car seems very grown up......

National Trust bonanza

Kenilworth Castle (ok so it's English Heritage), Baddesley Clinton & Packwood House up near Warwick. The weather was actually pretty good....

Chippenham

Visited the Matthews family down in Chippenham - a place that I've lived very close by but never actually stopped.

sunday lunch at the Thomas'

Sunday lunch at Quentin & Lynne's. Grandpa & Grandma joined us. Grace enjoyed playing with Charlotte & Henry (although feigning to be shy to start with).

the long drive to Welford

317 mile drive to Welford on Avon in the Cotswolds. Made good time with a stop for an hour. 6 hrs door to door.

Arrived to discover no hot water and it's been raining (a lot). Kids grumpy. Joseph managed to fall down the stairs twice in the first couple of hours that we got there. This could be a very long week.....Wondering why we bothered coming in the first place. Finally got the kids off to bed - but it wasn't looking like being the best night's sleep for anyone.....

nanny interview

This evening we interviewed a potential nany (we are not even sure we want one). This was quite a terrifying ordeal as she clearly knows more about kids than we do. Intimidated? Oh yes. She was very good, competent, but a bit too Norland nanny for our likings, so we'll be re-thinking. It was (I think) a good exercise as it has helped to clarify our thoughts (or should I say Catrin's).

safari

It was absolutely chucking it down this morning - and  as much as I tried to put off the inevitable, I had to get on my bike to get to work. Within a few hundred yards I was soaked - but consoled myself with the benefit of a free breakfast as it was National Cycle day (which I was blissfully unaware of) so got a cereal or porridge......hmmmmm. I'd rather have a free fry-up - but I guess that's hardly taking the healthy lifestyle option.....

Loaded Apple's safari onto my laptop this evening. I am a fan of all things Apple - it's so well presented with better fonts and is easier to use......this is in contrast to my experience with BT Broadband. Today I received a BT Hub phone - but no Hub. They have no record of me having ordered one. They are kind of chicken and egg - i.e. you need one with the other - and they should have been sent together. I had a rant at the chap at the other end of the phone - for which I felt considerably better. If I'm organised enough, as soon as the hub arrives (another 7 days) - I'll then cancel my provider and find someone else who actually is able to organise a piss-up in a brewery....because BT cannot.

a grim day

Cat was at Olivia's funeral this morning - and she said it was a pretty harrowing experience.

In the evening I got a text from Andy - whose dad had died after a heart bypass - so today has been a grim one. These events put your daily troubles (children misbehaving, internet problems etc.) into persepctive.

speak English!

This evening I had the unbridled joy of speaking to someone from India trying to fix my internet connection. Now - before I'm accused of being a racist xxxxxx, and although his English was probably as good as mine - his diction was not. There's only so many times that you can ask "sorry, can you repeat that" before both you and him get seriously pissed off. The computer language/jargon doesn't help - so it's like talking to an Indian while you both try to converse in Martian.

After 47 minutes (I have a timer on my phone) - he decided that there was bugger all he could do and so I am still without wireless technology......a big fat waste of time. Had the chap been from the home counties - we'd have discovered in a third of the time, that there was bugger all they could do. So, I'm now back to traditional broadband (not wireless) - which works and is quicker than if I were wireless. Only problem is that someone is bound to break either a neck or leg when they fall over. Sod's law it'll be me.

Daddy's Day

I was woken this morning to Grace thrusting a present in my face (I can think of worse ways to start the day). Joseph had made a card for me (with some help I understand) - as had Grace - but Catrin had managed to lose it. Fortunately, Grace didn't seem too bothered.

Grace had told me at bedtime last night that there was a surprise that she wasn't allowed to tell me about - but then proceeded to show me where my present was hidden. I was waiting to see whether she could resist temptation and not tell me what was inside - she clearly wanted to - but was as good as her word to her mummy.

After church, we went home and Catrin popped out as part of my "special" day was to get a round of golf later in the evening. Grace and I played "Rain or Shine" which is really one of the most stupid children's games about - random luck - which annoyingly you can't even deliberately lose...and so I won both times. Grace not happy.

When Cat got back we had the briefest of excursions - to Lucas and Starbucks before the rain descended. A quick dash back (with Grace on my back) just about killed me.

Golf was undoubtedly the highlight of the day for me (sorry family!). I played unbelievably well - going round in level par - 71 - my 2nd best score ever. I even managed to hole some monster puts with my new putter. A very happy camper.

Barber's for lunch

Joseph and I popped out this morning to do some errands - the weather was crap so we headed out to the VW garage to get some oil (it had been flashing and my dad had been hassling me to get it looked at) - apparently they use more oil before engine gets run-in.....we also popped to M&S and Boots before heading back for lunch - as the Barber family were coming over.

Jeannie, Andrew, Phoebe and Isabelle duly arrived and it was lovely to see Grace and Phoebe play so well together - Grace was delighted that they had their own dining table - after my broken chair episode the day before.

Sod's law that Andrew mentioned that I hadn't called him recently with any IT problems (he's a bit of an IT geek - well he does it for a living so you've got to use these people haven't you?!). This evening I couldn't log onto the internet - server down grrrrr.

broken chair

Had a bit of a scare today. While sitting having lunch - holding Poppy - my chair collapsed (it split in 2). Now I know I'm not exactly super-slim - but my weight was not the problem - the chair was rotten and simply collapsed. I had to do a bit of a juggle with Poppy as it was all in slow motion....got a sinking feeling and I didn't know what was going on - but I held Poppy in the air - fortunately she avoided being dropped or hitting the table as I went arse over tit.

This must have looked quite funny - but both Grace and Poppy were in floods of tears and didn't find it a laughing matter. Neither did I at the time.....

The only other excitement today was me registering at Catrin's Doctor (so we are all at the same place) and having to pee into a very small container (which I did very well, I might add).

Grace had her usual swim - complicated by the fact that there was some triathlon the following day so we had to park miles away (we nearly aborted) and were subsequently late - we weren't alone - as the place was virtually empty).

new sofas!

Our 2 new sofas arrived this morning. The jury was out on them when I left for work - but now that we are both getting used to them - we are happy with our purchase. The photo makes them look lighter than they are. Our only dilemma now is that we think we need to redecorate the sitting room (wallpaper + get a new rug). Also coming round to the conclusion that the utility room is the final (and only untouched) room to be done......more scratching of heads.

dentists and doctors

A family trip to the dentist today - it doesn't get much more exciting than this.....this was the first time for Joseph to see the dentist (and one that he didn't particularly like - I heard screaming and I'm not sure whether the dentist actually managed to prise his mouth open....). Grace was superb - quite happy and both she and Catrin were given the all clear. I was reasonably confident that my teeth were in good shape - even though I've only visited a dentist 3 times in the last 15 years (and the last 3 times have been in the last 2 years) - something I'm not very proud of. However, I was absolutely gutted to discover that I need not one filling - but 2. I've never had any fillings in my life - which isn't a bad record - but am not looking forward to the inevitable pain and suffering with needles etc. Needless to say Catrin thought this was hilarious......

After this bad news - I then went to the Doctor (another profession that I don't visit very often - about once every 10 years). I have a lump on my wrist and was half-expecting them to tell me that my hand needs to be cut off immediately or else that I've got 3 months to live. No such drama. I have a ganglion cyst.

Phil came round in the evening to help me take a couple of sofas to the roadside for the council to uplift. I had hoped I'd be able to offload them to someone on gumtree - but the toe-rag who wanted them failed to turn up. You can't even give stuff away these days - ungrateful sod. A couple of very pleasant (but expensive - £3.20) pints followed at Montpelliers where Andy joined us. Good to have some male chat- although this was at the expense of missing the final of the Apprentice. Managed to get some lovely photos of the children before we put them to bed. If snot were gold - we'd be millionaires - poor Joseph has so much of it.........

house viewing (again)

Mum & Dad left this morning - and we went to church - where for a record 3rd week on the trot I was not doing children's work. I went out in the afternoon on my own (Cat told me that I needed some time away from Grace who has been driving me nuts) to view a property on Braid Avenue. This was one I'd seen before (about 3 years ago) but this time it was even more tempting.....

After getting back home, I told Cat to go and see it herself.

John & Imogen came round - with Madeleine - they'd been to the Taste of Scotland festival on the Meadows - which they said was good - but expensive. I think we are both exhausted from my parents visit so today was pretty low-key.

ice cream at the botanical gardens

Jospeh needed some activity (he's constantly picking up a jacket/coat and pulling you to the front door - very much like a dog that wants to go on walkies....) so Grandpa and I took him to Bruntsfield Links where he kicked a ball for a short while - although he was more fascinated by a dog. He did howveer walk all the way back - no mean feat and pushed the trolley too (with some help from Grandpa). This will have worn him out! But he's on great form.

Had a lovely afternoon with children and grandparents at the Botanical Gardens today. We all enjoyed watching Joseph taste everyone's ice-cream (that lad's not daft) and then watch them shout and run round the rest of the gardens.

traffic wardens

I've never been a big fan of traffic wardens. There can't be many children out there who think..."one day I want to be a traffic warden" - or if there are I've yet to meet them. I'm not going to bore you with all the details - but my beloved wife and my parents have both received parking tickets this week - and both have had valid tickets displayed.

In Catrin's case - she had 2 tickets on her dashboard - and the warden only noticed the first expired one. Innocent mistake perhaps. It shall be contested.

The one today was even more ridiculous. We have permits outside our flat. I have bought a book for visitors for permit holders. Tickets were carefully filled in this morning - making sure that we had the right day, date and year as well as time. Or so we thought. Apparantly when you are staying all day - you are supposed to put one time (the start) - i.e.8.30 for all 6 tickets (which last 90 minutes each - and therefore cover until 5.30 when the permits apply). What we did was to put the times in that each ticket lasted (i.e. 8.30, 10.00, 11.30, 1.00, 2.30, 4.00). This is incorrect - and even though we have bought the tickets and displayed the tickets - we have a £30 (or even a £60) fine.

Fucking stupid. (sorry for that bit of bad language - but we are rather pissed at them). Had we removed each expired ticket every hour and a half - we'd have been ok and not received a fine. There is a lesson here somewhere- and that is that the council is run by a bunch of moronic, money grabbing tossers.

The other excitement of the day was one again nearly losing "Lamby" (no not Botham's friend) but Grace's dearest toy that she's had from birth in John Lewis. Grace was really quite upset (probably helped by my anger at her droppng it) - but after about 20 minutes of looking, praying and asking, we had discovered that it had been found and handed in. Grace was almost as relieved as I was - but the day would get worse when dad would atke a closer inspection of their car. Faith in humanity oce again put to question.

mum & dad meet their final grandchild

Mum & Dad arrived this evening to meet Poppy for the first time. The flat is about as clean as it's been in quite a while which hopefully give them a better impression than the reality of normal life.

At work I had the delirious news that the committee on which I work will be chaired by a numptie and have quite a lot of numpties serving on it. All sharp implements were taken away from my team as we were immediately placed on suicide watch. This really is rather depressing as it mean that the next 4 years is likely to be dealing with people who'd rather not be there and have no interest whatsoever in what they'll be doing. Fantastic. Really makes it worthwhile getting up in the morning.

the apprentice

I don't watch a lot of tv - there's not much that is that good - but this evening there was some top telly. I am a bit of a fan of The Apprentice - a "job interview" on tv that last several weeks - where the criminally insane try to out-do each other every week. Tonight's was a masterpiece of drama - and I must say that Alan Sugar played a very dangerous but clever game with one of the contestants. Quite simply it was magnificent and made for great tv. Sir Alan, I applaud you.

The rest of the day was not so exciting (unless you think that Staples stationery is a good night out) - for that is where I went. Light-bulb fitting was also on the agenda and was successfully completed - but I still don't think I'd make it as an electrician.

The children were in good form - Joseph is a hoot at the minute and we are looking forward for him to show off to his grandparents who'll be coming up in a couple of days time.

facebook

Have started playing around with facebook - a social networking thingy which is for people who need their ego massaged and who have nothing of value to do (that'll be me then) as well as way too much time on their hands at work (ditto). I can see how this sort of thing could become addictive if you have no life and don't get out much. Should be right up my street then....

gumtree

Yesterday evening I put a coffee table onto gumtree and within 24 hrs I have got rid of it (ok, so it's free) - but who cares? The aim was to get shot of it before my parents arrive on Thursday afternoon, as it's currently sitting in the spare bedroom. For anyone out there trying to get rid of stuff that you no longer need and it's too good to put on the dump - give gumtree a whirl - it's environmentally friendly and it's a win/win scenario.

property viewing

Managed to get a whole sermon this morning in what was an emotional service - especially as we were thinking of Olivia's family and the church that they attend - Morningside Baptist Church meeting at the same time. Very sobering.

I tried to see 3 properties this afternoon - Grace was out at Georgia's house - meaning that we had a window of opportunity - especially with Joseph taking his nap and Poppy still in good form and fast asleep....The only property I managed to see was on Blackford Rd (the other 2 - one was sold and the other didn't have Sunday viewing). Very interested. Now have to go and do some maths to discover whether we can afford it (we probably can't).

oops...I did it again!

Grace had another birthday party today and Cat was out with Poppy at a "girl's breakfast" (women gossiping about men forum). This meant that it was, yet again Joseph and me (remember this JoJo), and he was pushed around Mornigside in the Lordly manor that he enjoys, as well as a trip to St peter's Park for some fun on the swings.

I picked Grace up from the party at Craiglockhart - and managed to make the fatal man mistake of congratulating someone when they are pregnant - when they are evidently not.....I may have got away with it - as the said person either pretended not to hear me or dismissed me as a moron (probably the latter). I've done this before. I really ought to know better.

After a nap (I was knackered after all that walking) - we all went to Hermiston Gait where I bought myself a new putter - Grace was playing up at the time - and my purchase was surprisingly met with no resistance from Catrin. I must remember to ensure Grace is in a foul mood every time I want to buy something to deflect the attention onto her while hoping to buy something shiny in the future....

bank account

Poppy has opened a bank account. (Well I opened the account for her). This, I am sure will be something that she will be eternally gratefulk for - especially when the day comes (which isn't far off) when all 3 of our children have more savings than their parents (currently this applies only to Grace- but Joseph isn't far behind). To be fair - this isn't hugley impressive when you consider the meagre amoun of cash that we actually have in savings. This thought process then leads you to worry that you ought to have some savings - and that wonderful cycle of worry and depression has started. Joseph (for it was him that I took, and not Poppy) had a great time in HSBC - wondering around as if he owned the place, entertaining the staff - and he was in remarkably good form on the bus in both directions.

Jo & Andy came round in the evening, once the kids had gone to bed. It was good to catch up - we've not seen them in ages - but I guess we have been busy getting used to a new arrival. Hopefully, in a few weeks we'll have some sort of (albeit depleted) social life once again....