Joining a Christian Order in Freemasonry

A very long day today. Sara went off early this morning for a meeting at the Clarendon Team Office with Linda to go through her CRB paperwork for leading the Junior Church and afterwards went on for coffee at Sam B's. I worked on the lecture for Civic Lodge and dealt with some correspondence. After a light lunch of crab salad, I set off by car for Brighton to attend a meeting of the Rose Croix Chapter where I was perfected into the 18th Degree of this Christian Freemasonry Order. One has to be a Trinitarian Christian to be a member. A fascinating ceremony and it was good to extend my masonic membership beyond the Old Testament stories into the New. I arrived in Brighton in good time and sat and worked further on my lecture using my netbook whilst drinking a cup of tea in the bar of the Sussex Masonic Centre. I was then called in to participate in the ceremony of my perfection. Afterwards I enjoyed an excellent dinner. I had ordered fish instead of the chicken and ham pie and was served with an excellent lemon sole grilled to perfection - how appropriate. The dinner finally ended at around 9.30 p.m. and I arrived back home in Wiltshire at 11.30 p.m. I have to say that I was extremely tired when I got back - the ceremony and the dinner had been tiring not to mention the long drive to Brighton and back.

Team Service at Whiteparish

I woke early this morning (around 6.30 a.m.) but didn't really feel like getting out of bed because it was so cold. I made tea for Sara and myself and got back into bed. Neither of the children were stirring which is hardly surprising as Tom had a long day with me at the football match and Mary was with Sara until late babysitting for some neighbours who had gone to the village Burn's Night thrash at the Village Hall. Today there was no service at either of the village churches but a Team Eucharist at Whiteparish. As the only one up and breakfasted (grilled bacon and mushrooms) I set off at around 9.40 a.m. to drive the five miles or so over Dean Hill to Whiteparish. I followed two cars over the hill containing some of the Winterslow parishioners and the church was pretty full by the time I arrived. I sat at the back with Spohie from West Dean and the new ordinand. The service was quite long containing the re-commissioning of the the Lay Pastoral Assistants and the signing of the training contract for the new ordinand. I had some lovely chats with people after the service and must say I really did enjoy the whole service. After a lovely chat to Maggie D and Lucy N, I returned home thinking that we were all going over to Southampton this afternoon to meet up with our Titanic friends, Dave and Sue, who were having a stall at the Novotel Transport Fayre. However, when I got home I discovered that Sara had phoned Sue, to wake her up in fact, to be told that the Fayre was next week! Slightly disappointed but it did mean that we had the afternoon to ourselves and could have a traditional Sunday roast at home - chicken with all the trimmings. Tonight I was really tired and after watching a TV documentary about UFO abductions went to bed at the ridiculously early time (for me) of 10 p.m. I read for a little while before falling into a deep sleep (I didn't hear Sara come in). I must have been incredibly tired. I have a very long day tomorrow as I am attending a meeting in Brighton tomorrow night and won't be back until quite late.

FA Cup Fourth Round

Up early again today - quite a day too! After Tom and I had breakfast - just a grapefruit for me today, we went up to the Hill Top Grill car park to meet up with the other players and their parents for yet another match between Winchester Youth and Clarendon Juniors. Again I was asked to lead the convoy to the Winchester ground. As I have done this journey twice already in the last few weeks I didn't bother to switch on the SatNav as I know my way there easily now. The wind was biting cold when we arrived and the temperature gauge in my car was reading just above freezing. Tom didn't get to play in the first half but Clarendon were up 1-0 at half time. Tom came on for the second half and he managed to double Clarendon's lead by an excellent run at goal and a powerful shot at their goalkeeper who was unable to keep his hands on the ball = it slipped into the goal. Winchester pulled one back towards the end of the game but the final score was a 2-1 win for Tom's team. After the game we drove down to Southampton and parked the car for free by some garages off The Avenue thanks to the Lion's Head landlady, Julie, giving me permission in the pub last night to park there. This saved me over over £6 car parking fee and she has said we can park there again for Saints' matches. It was a longer walk than normal but I enjoyed that = especially as I need to earn some more Weight Watchers' activity points this week. Tom and I walked to the St. Mary's Street chippie and I had an excellent haddock and chips (removing all the batter from my fish!) and Tom has sausage a chips. We then took a long walk around to the ground via St. Mary's Church arriving there a good three hours ahead of kick-off. We went into the shop to warm ourselves and also had a long chat with Nikki who sells the programmes. We walked three times around the stadium to keep warm and watched and waited as the Manchester United coach arrived with the players. Tom and I displayed the banner "Remember 1976? History Repeats Itself" which Sara had made last night using an old bed sheet and some excess red paint. It caused much interest and many people photographed us with it. We were even filmed by the TV crews and the banner appeared at the beginning of the match coverage on ITV this evening. Tom and I were interviewed for the Saints TV as well! The atmosphere was tremendous and we were treated to some excellent football by Southampton. A cracking goal by Richard Chaplow just before half time saw Saints going into the dressing room 1-0 up. However, as expected, Manchester United turned up the gas in the second half with the final result being 1-2 to United. Still we had a really good day out, the excitement of seeing Chaplow score against United and a bit of fame on TV! Feeling really tired as I write this. Too much excitement for one day for a pensioner!

Another Farewell Do at The Boathouse

Another day spent mainly at home. I received a text inviting me to attend the farewell drinks party of a former work colleague and client at The Boathouse this evening which I accepted. As I would be going into Salisbury this evening to take Tom to his football training at Sarum Academy this would not require me to make any extra journey. I did some work this morning in the study and began to write my lecture for the Civic Lodge meeting on the 7th February - I will not be attending that meeting due to a prior commitment at Tom's school but have promised to write a lecture for another brother to deliver in my absence. The topic will surround the biblical story of Jephthah and his destruction of the Ephraimites in the Book of Judges. The day seemed to pass very quickly today. Sara did her stint at the Lord Nelson whilst I researched my lecture and as arranged I took Tom to his football training and then joined ex-work colleagues at The Boathouse. It was nice to see some old faces and many people said how much better I looked for having shed a few pounds. Encouraging words to keep me focused. I must say that everybody who has left my old company looks much younger and healthier and those leaving seem delighted to be going. After returning to our village I walked down to the Lion's Head to join Richard, Klynn Chris and two of Chris's colleagues from Diego Garcia. We spent a very pleasant couple of hours chewing the cud with amusing anecdotes from Chris about some of his adventures in the Royal Navy. Seems to have been quite a long day today with still so many things left undone.

Up for the Cup!

Quite a busy day today. After seeing the children off to their respective schools, Sara and I drove over to Stockbridge for this week's "Fat Fighters" weigh-in. Despite my rather indulgent weekend in Liverpool and Sara having attacked the chocolate biscuits I brought back with the Christmas presents we both each lost 2lbs. I was delighted for Sara - she is now back on the road to weight loss recovery and embarrassed for myself as I was quite convinced that either I would have stayed the same or put some on. Now only one and a half pounds to the two-stones marker. Should do that this week if I behave myself. After a protein based breakfast, I took Sara's car out to refuel it and also called in at Phipson's, the local garage, to replace her offside headlamp bulb. They were able to do it there and then and it was replaced in a matter of about ten minutes. This afternoon I picked up Tom from school, again in Stockbridge, and we drove down to St. Mary's Stadium so that he could meet some of the players (Chaplow, Lallana and Do Prado) and have his photograph taken alongside the FA Cup. I also asked Sara to take a photo of me (Sara and Mary joined us later) which is shown in this blog. After this we all met up at the MacDonald's in Ower where I had a small chicken wrap (9 pro-points!) and Sara had a chicken and bacon salad. I left the rest of the family there to drive to Alderbury for the Joint Team PCCs meeting where we spent an hour discerning potential lay worship leaders before breaking out into our separate PCC groups. It will be very interesting to see who the discernment process picks out. Richard and I ended the day in the Lion's Head discussing the meeting and some of our own domestic topics.

A quiet day at home

My first full day back at home following my sojourn "up north" and I deliberately made it a fairly leisurely day. Tom was off school today as he had only got back late last night (about midnight) from a school trip to the Apollo Theatre in London and all those who went were given a day off. He spent most of it down the "rec" playing football with some other lads. I caught up on my correspondence and did some consultancy work this morning and then went into Andover to bank some cheques and get a few items from Sainbury's. This afternoon Sara attended her first training session to become a lay pastoral assistant in the church and came back feeling very positive about the whole thing. I am really pleased. It is a ten-weeks' course leading to a commissioning in church once completed. I collected Mary from school and enjoyed the walk into the village and back despite the drizzle which came down on the way back. I had a littler snooze this afternoon - all that driving is finally catching up on me - and this evening Sara and I watched two episodes of the new Upstairs Downstairs television drama which we both enjoyed immensely. Feeling a bit apprehensive about visiting Weight Watchers tomorrow as I have rather indulged myself whilst in Liverpool. If I have not put on any weight I'll be pleased but if I've lost any I'll be amazed!

Back down to Wiltshire

Woke up early and had another leisurely morning at Mum's. We had smoked haddock and poached egg for breakfast - Mum is now getting used to my new healthy eating regime - and we spent the morning chatting. She is clearly worried about her oven having broken and will need to get a specialist in to look at it. It may not be the fuse after all. After another light lunch of cold meat salad and an orange I set off for Louth to see David Kaye, the 82-years old author I am helping in his discussions with his publishers over a new book. I spent a fascinating hour and a half with him telling me stories about his travels throughout the British Isles (trips to Lundy, Scillies, Orkney and Shetland) and his early days as an archaeology teaching. He was really pleased with the book I gave him about The Blitz and in return gave me a lovely model of a Wolverhampton trolleybus as a thank-you for the article I wrote recently on the Wolverhampton and Walsall trolleybuses. I shall treasure his gift. I left Louth at around 3.20 p.m. and plodded along the A16 and A43 through the Fens and down to Northampton and Oxford arriving back home in Wiltshire at around 9.00 p.m. It rained for a good part of the journey and the onboard computer signalled that the tyre pressure in one of my tyres was low - thankfully not punctured. I filled up with air and fuel in Boston and, thankfully, all seems okay. I was glad to be home and it was a delight to see Mary opening the birthday and Christmas presents I had brought back with me from the family. Feeling really tired tonight after that long journey and went to bed around 11.30 p.m.

Afternoon in Cleethorpes with family

Woke up reasonably early this morning and made tea for Mum and myself. I then spent a little time reading my devotionals and in reflective prayer. Mum cooked bacon, mushrooms and scrambled eggs - a good Weight Watchers' start to the day. A new client phoned me wanting some urgent advice which I was able to give quickly over the phone. I then walked briskly to Blundell Park where I spent an hour with a coffee whilst accessing the Internet through their free wireless hotspot and was able to post my blog and deal with some Facebook traffic. Returning to Mum's we had thick vegetable soup before I drove off to Cleethorpes to visit untie Mim and Harry. I also met some cousins who had called in because it was Harry's birthday. I spent a lovely three hours or so with Mim - she is such a good hostess and a positive individual. Her family have been beset with such awful health problems - both her grandchildren struck down with tumours and now her granddaughter's husband has kidney problems. Mim's stoic positive nature is an inspiration. The three hours went so quickly. Tonight Mum cooked a roast beef dinner but, unfortunately, the main oven went off before the end with a bang - it seems that one of the internal fuses must have blown - that's my diagnosis anyway. We watched some TV before Mum went to bed quite early. I followed not long afterwards but couldn't get to sleep immediately. I read for a little while and then forced myself to sleep - I have a long journey back to Wiltshire tomorrow.

Visiting friends and family "Up North"

Woke around 7.30 a.m.and set about writing up my blog and reading my devotionals after having made myself a cup of tea. Malcolm was up a little later and we had a fairly leisurely morning until it was time to go off to church for the 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship service at Christ Church, Toxteth Park. In fact, we had such a leisurely morning that we had to walk quite briskly in order to get there on time. The service was led by Chris with Annette preaching. Chris, himself, only arrived three minutes before the service was due to start, after, he later told me, having to sort out his warring children. It makes me feel much better to find that even he has to deal with parental problems from time to time. Annette gave a good sermon on the topic of Jesus's calling of the disciples in Galilee and the general idea of change. It spoke well to me in parts as it also did to Caroline who sat next to me. Caroline and I had a lovely long chat after the service. It has been really good to see and talk to old friends. They are a friendly bunch who make me feel very much part of their congregation even if I only go to their church about three times a year (and probably less in the future). Malcolm and I had lunch at Maranto's in Lark Lane - roast beef and all the trimmings (I gave Malcolm my Yorkshire pudding) with vegetable soup and ice cream. A bit heavy on the pro-points but not as bad as yesterday! I set off for York at around 2.15 p.m. and arrived at my sister's at 4.15 p.m. to deliver Christmas and birthday presents and to have a cup of tea and a ham salad roll and a nice long chat. It was nice to see my niece and nephew (who is also my godson) and we spent a pleasant couple of hours together. I set off from Grimsby at about 6.30 p.m. arriving at Mum's at 8.15 p.m. Mum and I chatted until about 11.30 p.m. over a glass of wine. I was quite tired by then after a long day and a long drive across the country. There is no wireless here so will need to go to MacDonald's tomorrow in order to post this blog.

Meeting Friends and Old Colleagues on Merseyside

I didn't wake up this morning until 9.30 a.m. - must have been either the long journey up to Liverpool yesterday or the red wine last night. Either way, it was nice not to have to rush anywhere or cajole Tom to get ready for football. I ate fruit for breakfast and had a leisurely morning before Malcolm and I went off for a four-mile walk along Otterspool Promenade. The tide was just turning and there were a few anglers who told us that there were cod back in the Mersey Estuary. As we walked along a coastal freighter came up close to us - the Linnau - on its way to pick up cargo at Garston Docks. Back at Malcolm's flat I had a light lunch of chicken soup (only 4 pro-points) before we drove into Liverpool and through the tunnel to Birkenhead for the Tranmere Rovers v. Saints game at Prenton Park. Southampton supporters made up a large contingent of the spectators and we were looking forward to a good game which could strengthen Saints position towards the top of the table. Unfortunately, as so often at Tranmere, Saints played poorly with Tranmere blocking any attempts by Saints to play fluid positive football and two defensive blunders by the Southampton team produced a 2-0 win for the Birkenhead side. Fortunately, I had come up to Liverpool to see friends and the match was incidental, but for those who had paid a lot of money to come up it must have been heartbreaking. Amongst those was Matt R, my former colleague from Friends Provident who had caught the train up with another colleague. We had a chat on the terraces and gave them a lift back to Liverpool Lime Street Station after the game. It gave me an opportunity, too, to get up to date with things at my old company. This evening Malcolm and I walked the half mile or so to the Light of Bengal Indian restaurant on Aigburth Road where we met up with our old good friends Geoff and Alma. We had an excellent meal - sorry my diet went right out of the window - and a lovely chat. such nice people. Alma chatted to Sara and the phone and we shall continue to keep in touch through Facebook. Despite the dire football match (typical of my trips to Prenton Park) I've had a really lovely day. Must get back on track with the diet though as I feel really "podged" at the moment!

Up to Liverpool

Another early start today as I attended the Ambassador's Business Breakfast at the Grasmere Hotel this morning at 7.30 a.m. I had a hearty breakfast of bacon, black pudding, sausage, two eggs and some mushrooms. After the meeting and filling my car with the most expensive fuel ever, I returned home to complete my packing before setting off for Liverpool. In fact, I didn't get away until about 11.30 a.m. I had an uneventful journey up to West Bromwich where congestion made me decide to come off the motorway and head through Wolverhampton and up the A41 through Whitchurch to Runcorn and then over the Mersey Bridge to Liverpoool. I stopped briefly at Morison's and the Mersey Retail Centre in Speke (where I had a coffee) before driving to my friend Malcolm's flat in Sefton Park. Mum rang as I was driving through Mossley Hill to tell me that the results of her medical tests were negative and that she was much relieved to find she had no malignant ailment. I had prayed a lot for her health and felt quite confident that she had nothing to worry about. I am so pleased that all is okay as I do worry about her worrying. Tonight Malcolm and I walked to the Aigburth Vale chippie where I bought a prawn chow mein for supper. I had no lunch so didn't feel too guilty about having such a meal. however the wine and Irish whiskey probably haven't helped my weight loss programme. We spent the evening catching up on how life has been for us over the last twelve months and how we see things panning out in the future. Looking forward to a good night's sleep and the Tranmere v. Saints game tomorrow.

Another successful Fat Fighters Weigh-In

Up early again today with the usual breakfast/tea ritual. Off to Weight Watchers in Stockbridge for the weekly weigh-in - we were both delighted to have lost weight - myself:2.5 lbs; Sara 2 lbs. It hadn't been my best week but a loss of 2,5 was very good. Only need another 3.5 lbs for my 2 stone loss marker. Feeling really good and a bit surprised as I had been a little more lax over this last week. On investigating my wardrobe I now have several pairs of trousers I can no longer wear for fear of them falling down! After the W/W meeting we drove to Andover to do a bit of shopping and to have a latte in Caffe Nero in the Market Place. This afternoon I dealt with some correspondence and sent out a reference for my old assistant Nasir to apply for exemption from some of his assessment/practical experience to qualify as a solicitor. He needed me to sign off a reference/work schedule in respect of the work he did for me when employed by FP. He will make good and ethical solicitor, I am sure and I am pleased to be able to help him. Tonight at House Group, we studied the minor prophets Jonah and Obadiah with some new interesting insights into the Jonah story. Afterwards, Richard stayed behind for a glass of wine and we discussed a number of pressing church matters with important meetings coming up. I have a long day tomorrow with an Ambassador's breakfast and a drive up to Liverpool for the weekend. Must close now as it is after midnight.

A Fast Roller-Coaster sort of a day

An incredibly busy day today - one of the busiest I think since I "retired". Up at 6.30 a.m. and cooked Tom's breakfast and made tea as normal. I then had to drive into Salisbury for an early morning appointment with Ann, my dentist, to have a small cavity filled in one of my upper teeth. Having an injection meant that my upper lip remained swollen for most of the morning but it didn't prevent me from calling in at Caffe Nero to dribble a latte coffee and read The Times. It was interesting to read that The Kings Speech was expected to receive 14 BAFTA nominations - and so it should! Back home for about five minutes with a quick chat to Sara and then I walked up Gunville Hill to Richard's to attend the Church's Standing Committee meeting to set the Parochial Church Council agenda for next week. A meeting which I had been informed was likely only to take half an hour to an hour lasted two! Should expect this by now! I returned home by way of Rosemary's (to get a cheque of hers for her bible study material amended) and had some smoked haddock chowder for lunch with Sara. I then drove up to the Rectory for an important meeting with Nils, the Team Rector, which lasted just under an hour but which proved to be very fruitful and thought-provoking and left me feeling very positive and focused. This afternoon, when I got back, we learned that Tom had been attacked by another boy at school over an incident which I will not record here but which has given Sara and I some cause for concern - why is it that whenever you are feeling on a high something comes along to bring you back down again? Tonight, Janet C looked after the kids whilst Sara and I drove to Stoford on the Salisbury-Warminster Road to attend the Ambassadors' "Christmas" Dinner. A really lovely evening with good food and excellent company. A lot of laughs too. My mind is buzzing at the moment as I write up this blog at 2.30 a.m. What a day it has been!

The King's Speech

Getting up early is now becoming quite a regular habit. Usual ritual this morning of making Tom his breakfast and Sara her tea. Spent the morning in the study writing and dealing with correspondence whilst Sara worked in the dining room. Having read the reviews of the new British film "The King's Speech" I decided that I would take the afternoon off and go to the Odeon Cinema in Salisbury to see it. I am so glad that I did as it is an outstanding film and I really do hope that it picks up a few Oscars in due course. It has already won awards at the Golden Globes and is set to do well at the BAFTAs. I don't think I've enjoyed a film so much for a long time. Felt a bit old watching it as 85% of the audience were of an age who would have heard and understood the speeches of King George VI. Brilliant. When I got home I phoned Mum, a great Royalist who was born close to Sandringham and remembers well the death of the King in 1952 (and his speeches), to say that she must make sure she goes to see it before it is taken off the big screen. She hopes to go tomorrow - even if, like me, she goes alone. Tonight Richard and I met in the Lion's Head and chatted about quite a few things connected with church and families. He is such a good friend to have. I told him how good the film was and reflected on the fact that I have spent the whole of my life under one monarch, Queen Elizabeth II (so I'm an "Elizabethan") whereas he was born in 1950 and is thus a "Georgian". Siuch is the inaneness of our discussions sometimes!

Report Writing Day

I woke up early again today and made Tom his grilled breakfast of bacon and sausages. After the big meal yesterday I decided to have just an orange and a cup of tea for breakfast. The rain was pouring down again this morning and I took Mary to school in the car calling off at the post office on the way back to post some letters. This morning, feeling quite energetic, I set about completing the Mission Giving Report for the Church's Annual Report, completing and sending out the summonses, minutes and dining slips for the next Sarum Lodge masonic meeting, completing my blog and updating its pages and writing my "flag" article for the Parish Magazine. After a light lunch of mushroom soup I drove into Salisbury to bank some cheques, get my hair cut and buy some more fresh fruit from Tesco's. Tonight I cooked the family grilled chicken breast with Chinese Five Spice and wrote my Night Sky article for the Parish Magazine. Very pleased with all the work I got done today although my intention to start the clear out of the study will need to be put back until tomorrow. I will need to file the accounts for my three dormant companies tomorrow before that gets overlooked too. Rather a mundane day today really with not a lot to report. An early night again beckons.

Sunday Roast

Another grey January day today. I woke at around 7.30 a.m. and made tea for Sara and myself. I was the only one from the family who went to church this morning - a very good Eucharist service given by Nils on the topic of relationships. After the service I had a very pleasant chat with him. This afternoon Sara and Mary went to Bournemouth where Sara was attending a wedding fair at the Wessex Hotel with one of the Vie colleagues she went to Birmingham with. This left Tom and me at home where we watched the Liverpool v Everton derby game (result 2-2) on SkySports TV. I also prepared and cooked the evening meal - roast pork with all the trimmings which we ate when Sara and Mary returned - a lovely family meal but a bit heavy on the propoints I think! I rang Mum this evening. She had been out for lunch at her friend's, Freda's, house on the other side of town with some other friends. She'd also had a phone conversation today with my sister so that was nice for her. I shall be seeing her in a week's time when I call in for a couple of days after my weekend in Liverpool. I went to bed quite early this evening - feeling quite tired although I actually didn't fall asleep for some time.

No magic for Saints today

Tom was not playing football this morning so Sara and I were able to have an unusual lie-in - such a rare event these days. Sara left the house about 11.30 a.m. with Mary to go into Salisbury for Mary's ballet lesson and Tom and I left about an hour later for Southampton to watch Saints play Notts County. If the results went the right way for Southampton today they could top the league table tonight. They didn't! Our pre-match ritual followed its normal pattern - parking at College Street, fishcake and chips at the St. Mary's Street chippie (with the additional event of me spilling curry sauce over the lower part of my bench coat and my trousers!) The game itself didn't live up to expectations either. After Saints' thrashing of Oldham midweek (0-6 away) the Notts County game was a slow grind. With frequent interventions by a whistle happy referee and Notts County's obvious deliberate ploy of playing for a draw by blocking all attacks successfully, the final scoreline was the inevitable 0-0. Portsmouth lost in the last few minutes of their game at, ironically, Nottingham Forest which became the highlight of the afternoon for the Southampton fans. It appears the Lallana may be out for two months which will not help us at all. Tonight we lie third in the table. Tonight we all watched some great vintage comedy on TV from Tommy Cooper - such a genius. We decided on an early night tonight.

Lunch with the Lads

Tom was feeling unwell this morning and so didn't go to school. Although I still got up quite early I didn't need to make him any breakfast. I had three small Lidl's reduced fat sausages myself. I spent the morning working on a couple of cases and giving advice as well as writing up the blog for yesterday. Chris and Richard called round at 12 noon and we all walked to the Lord Nelson's Arms for lunch and to congratulate Roger on his election success yesterday. The pub was very full this lunchtime which was pleasing to see for Roger but kept Sara very busy. I had a simple meal of egg and chips (rather naughty but nice) and just one pint of fairly weak beer. After walking back home I decided to go for a two and a half miles walk to East Winterslow to work off some of my lunch. It was a really pleasant walk (lasting an hour) and I met and chatted to Anthony S. up at the dairy farm as I walked along Mill Lane. Returning to Winterslow the rain started to fall and blow into my face and the last half mile was not at all pleasant. I returned quite wet. Tonight Sara was helping up at the Youth Club and I went to Sarum Academy to sort out the subscriptions for the Clarendon Under 14s Junior FC taking my little netbook with me. Fortunately I was able to collect some outstanding subs from the first half of the season which should please the committee. Back home Tom and I watched the Colchester v Bournemouth game on SkySports 3 HD with a pleasing result of Colchester 2 Bournemouth 1. This result will help Southampton's consolidation in an automatic promotion place if they beat Notts. County tomorrow.

Silver Award at Fat Fighters

Weigh-In day today at Fat Fighters. I tried to convince myself that I must have lost weight as we drove across to Stockbridge but also know that I have enjoyed my wine (and beer last night) and eaten quite well during the week. My target was 2 and half pounds but was convinced that I had blown it. The car park at the Grosvenor Hotel was absolutely full so we had to park in the main street in Stockbridge. When we got to the Weight Watchers' room it was absolutely brimming with new "fatties" and once again we had to queue to be weighed - adding to the agony. Sara went first and had put on half a pound - not bad seeing that she had been to a gala dinner and had been nibbling this week. I was shocked again to discover that I had lost another 3 pounds (half a pound more than my personal target for the week) which meant that I had reached my 10% loss target and chalked up a total loss since I started eight weeks ago of more that a stone and a half! I was presented with a silver award by the leader, Karen which is a silver keyring upon which to put my gold key if and when I reach my ultimate target weight - some further two and a half stones to go I might add! Felt really chuffed with myself. The reason that I feel especially pleased is that it does show that when I put my mind to something and work hard I can achieve my targets. This is something I intend to continue with other things in life. Being focused is the answer. I have been lucky as I haven't gone backwards and now feel I must use my own motivational mood to help Sara get back on track herself. Today Sara and I cast our votes in the Parish Council By-Election. This evening I led the House Group in a study of the Book of Micah which we read through completely. Parts of it were quite easy but much of it we found quite hard - challenging us to question the full nature of the prophesy and its implications for us today. Micah suggests that God punishes the unfaithful - those who turn away, yet that does not square with New Testament reading. This is always the difficulty when reading something from the old covenant with knowledge of the new and we concluded that it was important to understand Micah within the historical context. Fascinating stuff. Just before going to sleep we learned that Roger Stanwell, the landlord of the Lord Nelson's Arms had won the by-election. We are so pleased for him and the village. Richard, Chris and I must go down tomorrow for a drink to congratulate him.

Bring it on Man Utd. Saints fans are waiting for you! (in the rain!)

Another very busy day today. Once more the weather was very wet. Peter M called to say that he and a couple of builders would be coming over at lunchtime to have a look at the work they would need to do to build our extension over the garage. As I was likely to be out at lunchtime, Sara agreed to be around to see them. Sara then went off to Morning Star after dropping Mary off at school in the car. I spent an hour or so dealing with some legal case work (in particular engrossing a referral agreement) and then set off for Warminster to drop off a piece of my masonic regalia for alteration and to pick up a new collar for a Christian Order. The weather didn't get any better as I then drove along the A36 to Southampton to secure tickets for Tom and me for the Manchester United cup tie on 29th January. When I arrived at St. Mary's there was a long queue standing in the rain back from the ticket office booths to about halfway along the Northam Stand. I had no choice but to join the dripping masses. I enjoyed a nice chat with a pensioner who had been a Saints supporter since the 1960s and we discussed football in that way any football club supporter knows - chatting about our team - its ups and downs (mainly downs!) One thing which did annoy me was that Southampton FC have installed car parking barriers and charges - the first half hour free and then £1 for every hour. As it happened, it took me precisely 59 minutes from entering the car park until leaving with my tickets which meant I had to pay a £1. One more minute in the queue would have cost me £2. I think the club should have been more generous and let us into the car park, on this occasion, for free. We are spending enough on this tie as it is. I called in at Trethowans, solicitors, on my way out of Southampton. Their offices are situated in the same road as Sara's old Secondary Convent School - St. Anne's. Tonight I attended a planning meeting for Food for Thought - the Church's Fresh Expressions outlet - in the Team Office. There were seven of us, including three clerics, and a plan was drawn up for the next six months. In fact, the meeting only lasted an hour and a quarter which is a great achievement. I was fearful it would last much longer. Richard and I met in the Lion's Head at 9.30 p.m. and continued discussing church matters over three pints of beer and a packet of porky scratchings each - my kind of meeting! It was a very fruitful meeting from my point of view as it cleared up a lot of thoughts and ideas in my mind on what I should be doing. My new weight loss seems to have me focussing my mind more sharply too - which reminds me - it's the big Fat Fighters' Weigh-In day tomorrow and I have just had three pints of beer and those non-fattening (not!) porky scratchings. Hmmmm!

Sara back home - Saints on form away

A much drier but windy day today. Was up with the lark and after waking Tom up made him his usual breakfast of sausages and bacon. Sara is still away in Birmingham. Mary was up at 7.45 a.m. and got herself ready for school. For once she appeared to be in a pretty good mood for so early in the morning. Tom got off alright and Mary and I walked up to school together and after buying a newspaper I walked back home. Quite a bit of work to do this morning with a new client in the home maintenance business requiring some redundancy advice. I needed to draft a letter to send out to his staff. Sara phoned just before 11 a.m. to say that she had set off from Birmingham and should be at Ower around 1 p.m. I met her there just after 1 p.m. and had coffee with her and her Vie colleagues in The Vine Inn - Jane and three of her other direct reports. Back home, Sara picked up Mary from school after we had a light lunch (soup for Sara and a king prawn salad for me). I dealt with some more work and cleaned the car after which I had an enjoyable soak in the bath. Tonight Sara was out at Janet C's for a Jamie at home kitchenware party. Tom and I watched SkySports News to follow the Oldham v Southampton game. Saints managed to equal their best ever away scoreline (that of 0-6 at Wolves - we were there!) with six separate goalscorers. I feel very confident, now, that we will overtake Brighton and snatch the League One Champions Cup by the end of the season. Sara and I celebrated that and her homecoming with some champagne - well why not. I have got quite a lot of weekly and activity ProPoints in hand and weigh-in is only 48 hours away!

Choices! Choices! Choices!

My alarm went off at 6.15 a.m. and I then went into a light slumber until 7.20 a.m. In a mad panic I woke Tom up and hurriedly made him a grilled breakfast of sausages and bacon. Fortunately he got off on time. I woke Mary at 8.00 a.m. to receive a grumpy grunt but she did come round and was all ready for school and a light breakfast of waffles by 8.30 a.m. I drove Mary to school this morning and was back for a coffee by 9.15 a.m. After checking emails and dealing with some correspondence I spent most of the morning cleaning and tidying our bedroom until it was time to go off to Debbie's to pick up Ben for his midday walk. I took him out for about an hour today - down Witt Road and into Bentley Wood walking our short circuit which takes us down the hill and through the picnic area back to the Witt Road gate and home. Debbie and I have agreed that I need only take Ben out when I want to and not as a definite commitment. This means that when I want a dog to help me exercise Ben will be available. Apparently he has only been getting short walks recently because his owners have been ill. He certainly seemed to enjoy his 2-mile circuit with me today. This afternoon after a lunch of cold roast beef salad, I put all the Christmas decorations back up in the loft with the exception of the dismantled Christmas tree which doesn't seem to want to go back into its designated box. As Sara got it out, I have left it in the family room for her to assist me get it back in! Sara seems to be enjoying herself with her Vie girls in Birmingham.T onight is a gala dinner so I don't expect to hear anything from her until tomorrow. This evening I took Tom and Mary to Tom's school where there was an open evening for parents and pupils to discuss the GCSE options for Years 10 and 11. We spent about an hour and a half visiting different departments but the problem seems to be that there are timetable clashes for subjects Tom wants to take. At the moment it looks like French, geography, religious studies and drama or physical education together with the four main core subjects - English, maths, science and ICT. We will need to have a family conference on Sara's return. I think Tom is realising that his strengths are with the written word - something which I would be delighted about as I enjoy writing very much. Feel quite tired today having earned 10 activity points and so far consumed well below for my daily allowance. Think a glass or two of wine and some goats cheese is in order before I turn in for the night.

Down the Romsey "Rabbits"

Up early again this morning - a cold, frosty but dry morning. Sara and the children stayed at home when I walked the mile to church to attend the Morning Eucharist. Elizabeth took the service and gave an excellent and quite long sermon on John the Baptist and the baptism of Christ. Most interesting and well put together. After coffee and a chat with one or two people, and learning that Dawn is moving to Louise's cottage which Louise is leaving to go and live with her boyfriend, I walked back home with Chris (who has now finished his assignment in Diego Garcia) and his some Seb. I learned that his other son, Ollie, is now acting as a lifeguard at the popular water leisure centre Romsey Rapids which Mary used to call, when she was much younger "Romsey Rabbits". The "Rabbits" came up in conversation when I told Chris that I was planning to take Mary there this afternoon. Back home I cooked grilled bacon and sausages for us all as a kind of brunch before I took Sara and Mary to Romsey (Ower actually) for Sara to be picked up by her Vie manager, Jane, to take Sara and other Vie ladies to a two-day shindig in Birmingham. Somehow Jane managed to squeeze herself and four other ladies, and all their bagge and Sara's mattress (don't ask) into her BMW 3-series car for the 120-miles trip to Birmingham. Once Sara was on her way, Mary and I went to Romsey Rapids where we spent an enjoyable hour and a half splashing about and I also managed to get a bit of serious swimming in too as part of my exercise regime. After stoppong at Waitrose to buy a beef joint and accompaniments we returned home for the Fourth Round Draw of the FA Cup. Southampton have been drawn at home against .... Manchester United!" Again!! This evening I cooked the children and myself roast beef with Yorkshire pudding (I didn't have any!), mange touts, carrots and roast potatoes with gravy. I am delighted to report that every morsel was eaten! After such a busy day I was hoping to relax this evening but I still seem to have so much correspondence to deal with. I'll not to go to bed too late tonight. I'll start early tomorrow with getting some of the correspondence away.

Cup Ties in Hampshire

Up early again this morning as I had to take Tom to Winchester for the Clarendon Juniors FC game against Winchester in the Cup. I made breakfast for us both and loaded up the car with everything we would need for the day as after his match we would be driving down to Southampton for the FA Cup Third Round game which Saints were playing this afternoon against Premier League outfit, Blackpool. Tom played well for the first half of his match but, unfortunately, developed some pain at the top of his right leg and had to be substituted. It was quite an exciting match - with a final score of 2-2 the game was decided on penalties which Clarendon lost. After the game we drove into Southampton via Portswood and Bittern Park and parked at our usual spot in College Street. We walked to Kingsland where I bought some pomegranates and we each ate fishcake and chips - a special treat for me. We had seats in the Kingsland Stand (unfortunately the seat to my right was occupied by a guy who must have weighed 25 stones or more and who needed not only his own seat but a portion of mine too! Saints were on fire again and beat Blackpool 2-0 quite comfortably. It really is a good time to be a Saints fan. Tonight I had a light supper of fruit and crab pate with lettuce. I ended the day watcghing the FA Cup Third Round highlights on the TV.

Expedition to Tesco's ("I may be some time")

Yet another miserable wet day today. It was so dark and horrible when I woke early at 6.00 a.m. today. After showering, dressing in my suit and making Sara a cup of tea I drove to my fortnightly breakfast business meeting at the Grasmere Hotel where I had a protein loaded breakfast of sausage, egg, bacon, black pudding and mushrooms. After that I spent the rest of the morning in Tesco's getting in the week's groceries - how I hated it. I spent a total of 2 hours and £120 chasing up and down the aisles to find the items on a list which Sara had emailed to me on my BlackBerry! How sad is that? The only worse experience I can think of is being in IKEA! At least there you can find a good restaurant facility and Swedish meatballs! No respite in Tesco's. How so much more I prefer Waitrose. I can find things in there okay. Here in Tesco's I had to ask about six or seven times where things were and seemed to go backwards and forwards to find things. I think I gained as many activity points in those two hours as I would have done on a five mile hike! Eventually I got everything on the list and drove back to Winterslow where I called in at the Lord Nelson to see Sara and enjoy a half a pint of bitter - Hopback. Back home, and after putting away all the groceries I enjoyed a shrimp salad lunch before getting down to some more work in the study. Tonight I took Tom to his football practice at Sarum Academy where I had a long chat with Gary before sitting down to read. On our return Sara had cooked a chicken and roast vegetable dinner which was absolutely delicious. Roast vegetables taste so sweet these days. An early night is called for as tomorrow Tom and I have to go to Winchester for a Clarendon JFC match in the morning and the afternoon at St. Mary's to see Southampton play Blackpool in the third round of the FA Cup.

Weigh-In Day

A miserable rainy day today - again! These January days are so bleak. After dropping Mary off at school Sara and I drove into Stockbridge for our weekly Fight Fighters meeting. After all the excesses of New Year's Eve we were both feeling quite apprehensive and I certainly felt that I had put on some weight. When we arrived there was a host of new members signing in - obviously those who had decided to make weight loss a New Year's resolution - and we had to prolong the agony of waiting until we were called to be weighed. It was quite clear from comments around us that most people had also put on weight. Sara went before me and was congratulated on only putting on a further one and a half pounds and when it was my turn I was shocked (as was the leader) that I had, in fact, lost another two pounds! The exercising must really have done something to help. My total loss for the seven weeks we've been going is now 1 stone and 5 pounds - just under an average of three pounds per week. Only another two and a half pounds to go to my 10% loss target. I really would like to make it next week because it will be another milestone achieved and see me half-way to my ideal weight. I will also be close to the weight I had when Sara and I first got together. In fact, the total weight loss for the group this week was three and a half pounds of which I had contributed two! This afternoon I did some work in the study and also prepared for the House Group this evening. We read and studied Habbakkuk - a most interesting book of the Old Testament - one of the twelve "minor" prophets. We only had a small group, Sara and I and James and Susan. It was a very pleasant evening around the log fire. James stayed behind for a couple of glasses of wine which my weight loss programme allowed me to have this evening. A satisfactory day despite a few problems on the work front which are now, hopefully, resolved.

Down to the Gym (and the Sauna!)

A miserable grey day today - one of those horrible January days when you feel very lethargic, don't want to get up and don't want to do anything - despite knowing you have things you must do. I convinced myself that I must have put on weight overnight especially as I found it hard to sleep last night and got up to watch some of the Ashes Test and also watch two Air Crash Investigation programmes I had recorded whilst nibbling cheesy Wotsits - need to free up the HD+ digital recorder by the way. Sara had the heating going full blast today as she found it cold - that did not help my lethargy as I like colder temperatures, what I call "fresh" but which she refers to as "polar", which wake me up. I worked in the study this morning on some consultancy work whilst Sara took herself off to Morning Star - giving me the opportunity to turn the radiators down too! However I was still feeling jaded at lunchtime. In fact, this afternoon, to get myself out of this bloated lethargic feeling, I drove into Salisbury - visiting the amenity tip and off loading some of the excessive refuge which has accumulated, then parking at the leisure centre. I walked from there to the High Street (a journey of just under a mile) and back in the pouring rain to deposit some cheques with the Halifax. That really did wake me up as I got drenched! Once back at the leisure centre I spent an hour in the gym (and the lovely hot sauna) before returning home via Waitrose. An amusing incident occurred in the sauna. Two young lads and a young girl (English) came in and started to talk suggestively in French whilst I sat there quietly being sauteed. Just before I got up to leave I started to speak to them in French to their utter surprise and embarrassment. We all had a good laugh. Tonight we ate Weight Watchers chicken curry and a lovely naan bread (an horrific 11 pro-points - total 19 pro-points!!) Well if I have put on some weight may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. Just hope that the cycling and walking earlier in the week will help - after all I still have some points left over for the week and tomorrow is the big weighing-in day. Another early night.

Pink Panther Strikes Again - although not as funny

Tom returned to school today after the Christmas break but Mary remained at home - she has another day off before she returns to Winterslow Primary School. The weather has turned chilly again and we had a few flakes of snow this morning but nothing settled. Richard called round at midday and he and I went up to All Saints Church to remove the Christmas tree and decorations it being Epiphany on Thursday. This afternoon I drove into Andover to do some shopping and banking but other than walking around the shops had little exercise compared to all the walking and cycling I have done over the last few days. Sara bought me a pair of 36-inch waist jeans which I was able to get into (admittedly they were a bit tight) - something I haven't been able to do for a few years. My target is to get into them comfortably before Easter. I am so pleased that I keep finding old clothes I can get into again - quite a number of suits, trousers and jackets - not to mention my old waistcoats. I have been a bit frugal on eating today as I am sure that I have made no weight loss this week. I just feel that it has slowed down. Tonight Sara and I watched the new Pink Panther film starring Steve Martin. Although it did have its moments I did not find it as funny as the original Blake Edwards films with Peter Sellers.

A Long Cycle Ride

No one got up particularly early today as it was another bank holiday. Spent the morning at home with Sara and Mary going into Salisbury to do some shopping later on. Tom and I watched the Huddersfield v. Sheffield Wednesday game with Huddersfield winning 1-0 to displace Southampton from the second spot (for a couple of hours at least). As soon as the game had finished I set off on an eleven and a half miles cycle ride to East Grimstead, Dean and back to Winterslow. It was an easy ride down to East Grimstead and along the Dun Valley to Dean to a bit of an uphill struggle on the way back. It was bitingly cold again today with sleet as I set off. Still I managed the circuit in two hours - walking parts of the route where the hills were quite steep. That earned me 12 pro-points and a small bottle of wine later tonight. Tom and I watched the football news when I got back and we were both delighted that Southampton secured another win (this time away to Dagenham & Redbridge) - 1-3. This put them back up to second place with a wonderful +17 goal difference. I had a lovely bath once back to ease my muscles - in fact, although I haven't cycled eleven and a half miles for many years, all the walking has helped and and I haven't ached at all - yet! Unfortunately our Internet server went down today and I was unable to write this up last night. We lost all Internet device use. Sara and I watched the first of a two-part serialisation of the life of the Emperor Augustus - starring Peter O'Toole.

A long walk to Pitton

We were up early today as the family were acting as the sidespersons for the morning Epithany All Age Eucharist service at All Saints. The service was taken by Cynthia who had put together her talk with a congregation of young children in mind - unfortunately very few young children were present today. After the service I put on my walking shoes and kit and walked the two and a half miles to Pitton across the top of the ridge and had a pint of very good Sussex Ale for only £2.90 a pint at the Silver Plough pub. I stayed there for about half an hour enjoying the rest and the pint in the warmth before setting off back home along the valley road returning via Dunstable cross, Cobb Lane and up Middleton Road. A total of 5.54 miles which took me about two and quarter hours of walking. I would have got to Pitton earlier had I not taken a wrong turning on the top of the ridge and ended up in a farmyard instead of down in the village. At least I'll know the proper way next time. Back home I ate one of Sara's excellent cottage pies for lunch then had a nice warm bath before watching some Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads episodes on the DVD player. Having an early night again tonight as I have some more work to be getting on with tomorrow. I am enjoying my walking and hope to gradually increase my trips so I am walking about ten miles.

Saints second from top!

Didn't wake up until 10 a.m. today! Had a strange dream that I was attending a seminar at Spring Harvest about the morality of receiving referral fees from solicitors! Not sure what all that was about! After the excesses of yesterday my breakfast consisted of an orange and a cup of tea. We all went into Southampton today and parked the car at IKEA. WE had lunch in IKEA's restaurant - oven baked fish and chips - with Anthony Tom and I leaving Sara and Mary to look around the shop whilst Tom and I went to St. Mary's for the Saints v. Exeter match and Anthony went to the station to get a train back to Salisbury. We were treated, this afternoon, to a wonderful game of football. Southampton were on fire and scored four goals without conceding any. Thanks to two late goals by Carlisle United, who were playing Huddersfield at Brunton Park, this evening Southampton found themselves in the second automatic promotion spot with a game in hand but still six points behind Brighton who managed a 5-0 win against Leyton Orient today. Saints play Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday evening (the Daggers are currently third from bottom) and a win there would help consolidate them in the automatic promotion spot. Nigel Adkins, however, wants nothing less than the championship. Grimsby Town also did amzingly well today wiyh a 7-2 home win against Mansfield Town! Feeling really tired tonight and will be going to bed early.