Tag Archives: andrew

22 September 2007

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This is a special spot for us – about a third of the way down Gley Ey in Scotland. A couple of larch trees guard the ruins of an old settlement in a valley that was once quite well populated. On our first visit to the Glen this is as far as we got; this year we went all the way.

Andrew went into his new home, The Langleys, on Monday, and so far all seems well. Reports from the manager and from his social worker are good. On the same day we had our central heating serviced and discovered it needed a powerflush, which is what I thought you got anyway when you reached about my age. As Dot and I are both over 60, we qualify for a £300 discount. So clearly if a General Election is called I will vote for Mr Brown. Probably would do anyway.

Lost my first chess game of the season – also on Monday – so I am at 50 per cent so far. Made a mistake in the opening and never really quite recovered, though it was close at one point. On Tuesday we had three new people at the weekly meal – 11 people altogether. And on Wednesday I went to Hull.

Furthest I’ve driven in a day, I think: well over 400 miles. Got there almost exactly on time after stopping for ten minutes for a sandwich. Start 8am, arrive noon. Saw all four trainees, who did better than I expected, and left at 5pm. Felt very tired but at first intended to head home down the shortest route, the A15 – as an experiment. But police had closed off the A15 for some reason, and I went back to the original route. Suddenly felt very tired and tried to get a room at the Doncaster services on the M18, but they were full. Had a burger instead – not very inspiring, but after a short walk I felt more like driving, and I headed south, with the intention of probably stopping for the night nearer home. But the driving was quite easy and I kept going until Wisbech, where I stopped for a toasted teacake and mug of tea. Waitress called me Darling, which was quite invigorating, and I made it the rest of the way by just after 10pm.

Since then I’ve had a filling replaced, pretty much painlessly, and written my page for the EDP. Took some clothes and other stuff to the charity shop (Break) with Dot on Friday. Last night I watched France hammer Ireland at rugby and today I’m about to watch England try and avoid losing to Samoa.

15 September 2007 (b)

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Terrible trio at the Braemar Gathering. Front row, of course. Left to right, Dot, Ella and her husband David, complete with kilt.

Holiday was followed of course by a huge rush to sort out post and e-mails and write my page for the EDP (www.back2sq1.co.uk). Also squeezed in visit to dentist before travelling to Caddington late on Friday evening for a family party – Oliver was 5 on the 11th. The other grandparents and uncle, aunt and cousin arrived midway through the following morning, while I was taking Oliver out on his main present from his parents -a rather impressive scooter. He got the hang of it very quickly.

Later in the weekend he watched a mountain bike downhill sports event on TV and got very taken by it. He had to go out and demonstrate technique on his bike: he’s very confident.

His other grandparents bought him a train set, which necessitated a trip to the DIY shop to obtain chipboard to mount it on. I left this to the experts – Dave and David. Lovely party – Oliver and Amy were on good form. We returned late on Sunday, having got diverted on to our old route because of a roundabout being shut on the A505.

On Monday Dot and I went to John Rayner’s memorial service. Lovely man, and a packed Surrey Chapel. He was 74. Stayed afterwards and spoke to his wife and daughter, both of whom I know quite well. In the evening played first game of chess of the new season at a new venue – -the Gas Social Club! Won knockout tournament game against Colin Payne.

On Tuesday Phil and I went to Coventry to take Andrew to look at a possible new home for him – The Langleys in Stoke Green. He reacted very well, and I liked the people in charge. Now it seems he will be moving in on Monday, which is pretty fast-moving after months of doing nothing much. Got back in time for our regular Tuesday meal – six of us.

Dramatic new haircut on Wednesday. Number four razor. Quite amazingly short on top, but I think I like it. Most people have made favourable comments, but they may be afraid I’ll hit them, as I look a bit hard. Also on Wednesday a church meeting at Horsford which went very well – oh, and England beat Russia 3-0.

Went to Bally on Thursday to meet Annette and Rupert to discuss InPrint matters (www.inprintartsandpoetry.co.uk) following the relaunch of the poetry vending machine. It seems that something concrete may be about to happen. In the evening we went to the Archers to give them some information on Normandy, whither they are hasting in a fortnight. In return they gave us a meal, which is more than fair, especially as they had to look at our pictures.

On Friday I wrote some of my sermon for Sunday and generally caught up on my in-tray and other things. Walked into city to pay in a cheque and almost went to the cinema, but instead stayed in and watched England lose 36-0 to South Africa at rugby. Could easily have been 50-0.

And now today, here I am finishing my sermon, catching up on my blogging and scanning in some photographs. I shall shortly install some new software. Meanwhile Dot is visiting her gang down at Metfield and is having such a good time that she is staying longer than she meant to. I am about to check the football results.

2 April 2007

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This picture was taken in 1950, when I was five. My father’s car is on the left, and St Andrew’s Hall is in the background. I think I have a faint memory of the event – may even have been in the car as it paraded round the city – but I can’t be sure. When the picture is blown up, there seems to be someone sitting in the passenger seat of the Vauxhall, but it’s too faint to make out.

Dot hasn’t been at all well for the last week or so, and had to stay in bed over the weekend, with an unpleasant cough and screwed-up sinuses. She’s up today, but still not really well. Nevertheless, we’re going to Caddington tomorrow to look after the grandchildren for three days: maybe they’ll be a tonic!

I’ve had a very busy few days – seemed to be overwhelmed with things to do. Spent nearly all Saturday working on stuff for Ambient Wonder, then after church yesterday I was at InPrint studios in the afternoon, making plans and influencing people. Have agreed to work on a large piece of work with Bronwen, and a collaborative poem with the other four poets (by e-mail). Am also doing stuff with Annette, who has just returned from South Africa.

On Friday Phil and I drove to Coventry to see Andrew, who is in hospital. He looked extremely gaunt, but was cheerful and very talkative. Quite confused about very recent things, though. Spoke to doctor, nurses and social worker, then called on Gareth. I think Andrew will be in hospital for a few weeks yet – they’re going to do an MRI scan to see if there’s an organic problem.

Some blue skies recently, and the odd warm today, but at the moment the wind is chilly.