Category: Family

Pic of the week 22/8/21

It is with great sadness that I write of Granny Woodhouse’s passing, on Thursday 19 August 2021. She was 98.

A fiercely independent woman, she had continued to live at home, on her own, until a recent fall hospitalised her.  Following her discharge from hospital, she was in care home, awaiting a suitable “care package” to be put together to allow her to return home.  However, 10 (?) days or so ago, following an infection, she deteriorated, lapsing into a deep sleep from which she never recovered.

She was very much loved by Becky, and that love was reciprocated. She was tremendously proud of her grandchildren, Sam in particular (a boy thing!) and was delighted that he was (at last) off to university.

The world is a better place for her passage through it.

Pic of the week 8/8/21

Tuesday was our 25th Wedding Anniversary.

I am rather proud of that achievement, but from my perspective it has been easy – I just can’t imagine not being with Becky and loving her is the easiest thing in the world.

We went out to Ask in the evening, which was lovely, and our two weeks in Corfu were a bit a present to us both, but we certainly won’t wait another 25 years before returning!

^^This is now, this was then:

And, as always, hot on the heels of our anniversary comes Sam’s birthday. Can’t believe he’s 19. Always a “happy drunk”, last night he was declaring that he had had a great night (in ‘Spoons with his pals) – hard to believe it was only a year ago that he first discovered pubs.

Pic of the week 27/12/20

For many, this would have been a very different Christmas, Covid Christmas with strict limitations on how many families could mix (two) in one household. But for us, that was always the plan for this year, as it has been for the last few years.

And it was, once again, a great Christmas.

We rose at a sensible hour, settling down for breakfast at around 9 am, and opening the first gifts from our Christmas bags. Back in October, we all agreed to not spend (waste) lots of money buying gifts that the recipients may not want or like, so we created a few categories, drew lots and then you bought gifts for everyone from your two categories.  It was fun, probably a lot more targeted and, on the whole, everyone was happy with most of what they received. (The exception was Becky’s top/t-shirt. I was drawn to buy her this, and it quickly became apparent why, in 25 years of marriage, I have nvere bought her clothing. She wasn’t impressed, but hopefully we’ve created a memory that will be shared by the family long after the T-shirts have been worn for the final time.)

We ate like kings* and enjoyed each other’s company throughout the day. A good Christmas!

(*I do now need to take action – after three weeks** of inactivity due to my back injury, coupled with gorging like a gorgon over the festive period I am becoming “gordo” and need to start shedding some pounds – the boxing day scales had me tipping 13 stone 5 pounds.)
(** Yesterday I went for my first run since November. I did 5Km in a slow time, not sure if it was OK for my back: it was a bit sore at times during the day, but today has been fine. Went for a longish walk today, and did some yoga on my return and all is feeling good. Shan’t run tomorrow (tutoring) but aim to pound out a few miles on Tuesday.)

 

Pic of the week 6/12/20

On Tuesday, Becky was pootling around town in the MIcra when suddenly the brake pedal couldn’t be depressed. Using her driving skills and the handbrake she was able to limp safely home.  A quick bit of fault diagnosis and inspection soon revealed the problem to be the brake servo – it had rusted through on the front side, resulting in a 1cm (ish) hole (once I cleared away the flaking rust). This side is supposed to have a vacuum (from the engine), whilst the pedal side is at atmospheric pressure, thereby giving a pressure differential to allow you to push in the brake master cylinder via the foot pedal.

With the hole, the front side no longer has a vacuum, so no pressure differential, so you can’t depress the pedal.  I have fashioned a temporary repair by taping over the hole (it helps that the vacuum is inside: therefore atmospheric pressure helps to keep the tape in place) – it works and have taken the car for a short test drive. But my fear is is that the tape would fall off, putting you back to square one.  I have ordered (and received today) a replacement master servo from ebay for £35 (they are about £200 new) and will aim to fit it when I break up. Shouldn’t be too hard:  6 bolts, one pin and a hose connection …

My back hurts.

I think I tweaked it on Friday, and then yesterday I aggravated that tweak and yesterday and today it has hurt. With management – hot, cold, ibuprofen, yoga, goo posture – I am just about coping and it does seem to be getting better. But there are times when I feel stuck – transitioning from seated to standing, for example, often hurts – and times when my back “gives.” Will take it easy for a few days and hope it resolves itself soon.

On Saturday – Becky, Sophie and Sam went to Cornwall for the day, visiting, hence the pic of the week.

 

 

Pic of the week 29/11/20

So last Sunday, Sam returned home from work tearful and bandaged up. I’m still not sure exactly what happened, but a metal hose was winding back into a metal drum and Sam thought it was running away out of control, so he tried to grab it (this is the bit I’m less sure of: I think he grabbed the drum, but could have been the hose). Anyway it lacerated his hands quite badly. He did get up and go to work the next day, and the day after – but on that day the school nurse sent him home (via minor A&E) as his cuts weren’t healing. Anyway, he’s now had a few days off and has gone back into work today, but a nasty injury.

La mano de Dios.

Whilst we talk of hands, on Wednesday, Diego Maradonna passed away, famous for his footballing brilliance, infamous for his “hand of God”, or, more correctly, la mano de Dios because he would, of course, have said those words in Spanish.

Saturday was a “duvet day” at school – no lessons on Saturday so a day off, and it was wonderful. Certainly what I needed, and I’m sure all students and staff alike. An extra lie in, a chance to recharge after a busy and difficult four weeks, a chance to grab a quick breather before the final two weeks of term. After glorious cold, but frosty, days on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, this weekend we have been shrouded in fog, so Becky & I curtailed our plans to ascend Dundon Beacon and went for a quick waltz along the Poldens.

And because its such a wonderful picture, I though I would include the above from Becky’s rambles earlier in the week.

Pick of the week 15/11/20

So yesterday was Becky’s big birthday – she turned 50!

We should have celebrated in Plymouth (!) watching Deacon Blue – we booked the tickets and made plans a long time ago – that fell victim to virus, along with pretty much all other plans (eg a day at the seaside today) when we entered into lockdown two a couple of weeks ago.

So it was a family affair, a lazy day.

The children (well, Sam, to make amends for being sick on his duvet in the night – el perro de booze strikes again) treated her to McDonald’s for lunch (I was working) and then, on my return, after opening her presents, we had a Chinese meal together, which was nice.

And it was all finished off with her wonderful cake baked by Sophie.

So not fireworks and fiesta for her birthday, but I hope (I think) she had a nice time as we celebrated another birthday under the constraints of Covid.

Pic of the week 16/8/20

Thursday was A level results day, when Sam got his grades from his non-exams.

He came away with a B (maths), C (chemistry) & D (physics) and he has been done over by “the algorithm.”  His teachers had given him a B in Chemistry and C in Physics but, in a scandal that is rocking the country, many students, Sam included, have had their grades reduced by a computer algorithm to standardise results.

He’s stoic – he would have got better had he sat the exams, he was just beginning to ramp up his work rate when lock down came and he is a victim of a year’s idleness (which he recognises and admits.) The chemistry was a particular blow as he has been on course for a B in it for some time, long before Covid reared its head.

He’s going to resit (or, more accurately, sit) Chemistry and Physics in October in an attempt to improve upon these grades – he has promised that work starts tomorrow.

In other news, it is worth noting that the first half of this week was hot, mega hot – into the thirties for a prolonged period. Although I do enjoy the heat, this was too much and the rain that came to clear the air at the end of the week was a welcome relief.

 

 

Pic of the week 9/8/20

Hard to believe, but Sam is now 18!

It was his birthday on Friday – he mainly got money (which is what he really wanted) but also 18 bottles of Corona, a microphone, a couple of T-shirts …

I think he had a good day, the sun shone, we ate, we ate again, and then he headed of to his pal’s (Tom) house, only to return two days later!

So no children in the house now, just four adults all living together in perfect harmony! Next week we get his A level results …

Saturday was set to be the hottest day of the year and, although when we first got up at 6.45 am the Tor could not be seen for low cloud, it didn’t disappoint as Becky and I headed off for another lovely day at Burton Bradstock. We arrived by 9am, with the tide still coming in, and the beach relatively empty, although this didn’t last for long.

The sea was deliciously refreshing – I do think that swimming in the sea of Burton Bradstock has been the best thing I have done since lockdown. The day was hot, hot, hot and by about 2pm we upped sticks and headed home topless in the mini. A lovely day.

Pic of the week 21/6/20

Father’s Day!

A rather typical Sunday in lock down Britain, but I’ve had a lovely day.

Ran my 10K in the morning, ate my breakfast and lunch with Sophie (if Becky’s not home, we all tend to eat at different times – it avoids congestion in the food preparation area) and just generally pottered – mowed the lawn, established that at least 2 glow plugs are defunct in the Micra, and one is good (can’t access the fourth) and then enjoyed a family tea.

Was given a Spanish book: ” ?Me voy o me quedo?” (should I stay or should I go) and plenty of chocolate & Bombay mix. Perfect.

Other news – we have decided to cancel our hols: have asked for vouchers from EasyJet for the flights and the booking for the villa in Majorca has been rolled over to next year.

On the whole, I feel a lot more positive and upbeat than I did last week. Perhaps its the prospect of those long summer holidays ahead?