Wootton Bassett says goodbye to its "Goodbyes"

A really long and busy day today.  I got up this morning at 6.00 a.m., made tea and showered and was on the road to Dorking by 6.45 a.m.  I had a meeting in the Surrey town at 9. 15 a.m. which I made easily.   The meeting lasted until 11.30 a.m. and after a short stroll around Dorking town centre to stretch my legs and drove to Arkle Manor on the A25 road to Reigate for lunch with my former colleague, Belinda.  We had a pleasant chat by way of catching up on what each of us was now doing over some lovely food - in my case salmon and crab fishcakes.  Following a coffee and then drove along the M25 and M4 to Membury Services where I got changed into my masonic morning dress and over a mug of tea dealt with some phone calls and emails with my BlackBerry.  I then drove on through Wootton Bassett (the High Street of which was filled with TV and satellite equipment) which today was seeing the last repatriation cortege from RAF Lyneham as repatriation of bodies of servicemen from Afghanistan will, in future, revert to RAF Brize Norton.  I was on my way to Calne to attend the Installation Meeting of the Wiltshire Masters' lodge - the most prestigious lodge in the Province of Wiltshire.  Our Provincial Grand Master was being installed as Master and I was being invested as his Junior Warden - a great honour.  following the installation we had a short talk from the Assistant Provincial Secretary on Masonic Etiquette and an excellent dinner of smoke salmon, beef chasseur and a savoury pudding of mushroom stuffed with Stilton cheese.  The meal ended with cheese and biscuits.  It was a long meeting and I didn't finally arrive home (after driving across Salisbury Plain) until 11.30 a.m. feeling quite tired after such a full day.

Swindon Cup Tie

I spent most of today at home catching up on paperwork after my four-day trip away up north.  The cats have met and are tolerating each other but it will be a few weeks I think before they are both fully prepared to accept each other. The young male, Leo, is a bit of a "lad" as he provokes the older female, Ginny, mercilessly and is in to everything.  Tonight Tom and I attended Southampton's cup tie at Swindon. We left our car at Luella's an Ben's and they drove us to the ground. Saints won the game quite comfortably 3-1.   They will now face either Charlton or Preston North End at home in mid-September.  There was an interesting situation that developed at the end of the match when one of Swindon's strikers refused to go down the tunnel after an altercation with the fitness coach and the Swindon manager Paulo Di Cannio. The player, Clarke, stayed out on the pitch anmd we were well on our way home before he came in.  No doubt there will be a further enquiry.  Swindon are doing badly at the moment in League One and the contrast between their perfomance and that of Championship side Saints was noticeable.

Bank Holiday by the Seaside

Another leisurely morning today.  I woke early but dozed.  Again the weather promised to behave.  I made tea for Mum and me and then read my devotionals and also a chapter of my latest Dan Brown novel - "Digital Fortress" which I had borrowed from Peter's son Neil.  His novels are so easy to read as they have very short chapter making it easy to pick up and put down the book in the course of a day.  I really do wish that Tom would share my love of reading.  Mum cooked us a breakfast of sausages, beans, bacon and fried egg.  After this Tom and I walked down to the newsagents to buy a morning paper and a Grimsby Evening Telegraph for Mum.  I did a couple of small jobs for Mum this morning - replacing her upstairs smoke alarm and fixing her electrics in the garage and door bell - the main fuse had blown which required me to have a trip out to Homebase to buy fusewire and also isolate some cabling to a light in an outbuilding (my old laboratory/greenhouse) which had had its roof removed by high winds allowing rainwater to seep into the electrics.  It took me too attempts to ensure that this cable and appliance was properly isolated before I could be certain that all was fixed.  After about hour an hour her freezer and doorbell were working agian and she had a light in the garage.  We then drove into parking the car in Prince's Road and walking the 150 yards or so to the seafront where we spent an hour or so in the amusement arcades - Tom won a plastic pig statue on one of the penny falls machines.  We had an excellent fish and chip lunch at the Ocean Restaurant in St. Peter's Avenue - the 2011 winner of the Fish & Chip Restaurant of the Year Award - before I picked up the car and drove round to pick mum Mum and Tom.  We drove back to Mum's along the seafront to Humberston - the resort heaving with trippers from, I guess, Yorkshire and the Midlands.  Tom and I left about 4.15 p.m. and listened to the Gateshead v Grimsby Town football match on Radio Humberside on the way back.  Grimsby lost again (1-0).  We also heard on Radio Lincolnshire that Lincoln City also lost against Darlington and Boston United drew 0-0 against Halifax.  We travelled back south via Boston (where we hit the football traffic), Spalding, Peterborough, Northampton and Oxford.  We arrived home at about 9.20 p.m.  so just over 5 hours to do the 250 miles.  I was glad to be back after so much travelling.  It was great to see Mary with the cats which are learning to tolerate each other.  A busy day tomorrow.

Across the Pennines

Woke up quite early this morning but dozed.  The weather was much better today with the sun shining and no rain falling.  Tom found it hard to wake and so I left him dozing.  I wrote up yesterday's blog and drank a cup of tea.  Malcolm eventually got up himself and joined me for tea.  The morning seemed to go quickly and we drove round to Christ Church for Morning Eucharist which was being taken by Mark with Chris preaching.  A good service with a couple of my favourite hymns (There is a Redeemer being a particular favourite) .  Chris's sermon was good - on the theme of Matthew 16:21-28 (taking up your own cross and following Christ) using the example of Anna Hazare's fasting in India as an anti-corruption protest and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  After morning coffee at the back of the church we returned to Malcolm's flat to pack up our things and put them in my car before meeting up with Chris again at Maranto's for a traditional Sunday roast dinner - cream of vegetable soup, roast lamb and trimmings finished off with apple crumble.  Tom had barbecued ribs and a chocolate fudge cake - the latter defeating him.  We set off for Grimsby at about 4.15 p.m. along the M62 from Liverpool across to Manchester, Leeds and Doncaster and then into Grimsby on the A180.  We listened to Arsenal's crushing 8-2 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford most of the way across.  What an interesting and unusual weekend of football we've had!  We arrived at Mum's at around 6.30 p.m. Tonight we watched some TV before Tom took himself off to bed at about 10.30p.m. and I followed just before midnight - quite tired after my 150-mile drive across the "backbone of England".

Saturday Football in Lancashire

Woke a bit later than expected this morning - 8.30 a.m. on Malcolm's sofa and Tom was still sleeping soundly in Sam's spare bed.  Sam was up and away by 8.30 a.m. to spend the day with his girlfriend in Liverpool.  I made myself tea and wrote up yesterday's blog.  We had a leisurely morning.  Malcolm went out and bought newspapers and Tom managed to connect his laptop up to Malcolm's wireless system.  The Farmer's Market was on but as it was still raining heavily this morning we stayed in - only Malcolm ventured out on his shopping trip and brought back some rather tasty Lancashire cheese.  Tom wanted to visit the Liverpool FC shop at Anfield so after stopping off at Greggs in Allerton Road to buy sausage rolls and a cake for lunch (good job I can't go to Weight Watchers; next week) we drove along Smithdown Road and through the area of the riots of a couple of weeks ago and on to Anfield.  Liverpool were playing Bolton Wanderers at 5.20 p.m. today but the area was still buzzing with football souvenir vendors and burger vans etc.  The ticket office announced on a sign that all tickets were sold out.  We spent twenty minutes or so in the shop before returning to Malcolm's car for the trip up to Preston to see the Preston North End v. Notts County game at Deepdale.  We arrived in Preston in good time and had a look around the PNE shop (I still always read it as the PINE shop!) before the match kicked off at 3 p.m.  It was not a particularly exciting or skillful game from either side but PNE managed a 2-0 win with a second fluke goal from PNE's goalkeeper.  Ian Taylor, the goalkeeper, made a drop kick from the PNE penalty area which travelled all the way to the Notts County penalty area where it bounced over the head of the County goalkeeper into the back of the net! The goalie had come out of his area in response to a rushing forward by the PNE striker, Mellor, who had the good sense to see what was happening and let the ball travel unassisted into the County goal. During the game Luella kept me informed as to how things were panning out in the Saints v. Leicester game.  Saints lost this 3-2 thanks to an own goal by Ricky Lambert. Tonight Tom, Malcolm and I joined our friends Alma and Geoff in the Red Fort Indian restaurant on Lark Lane.  An excellent meal.  Tom has had a really good day today and was very polite and sociable tonight.  Malcolm and I spent a couple of hours this evening chatting in the flat after Tom had gone off to bed.  Church tomorrow and the trip to Grimsby.

Up in Liverpool

A day of travelling today.  Woke quite early and packed.  I drove up to the village shop to buy rolls to make bacon butties before Tom and I left for the 220-mile drive up to Liverpool.  The journey started well but we heavy traffic around Birdlip and an accident on the M5 and further traffic alerts meant that we cam off the M5 and drove through Worcester, Kidderminster and Wolverhampton before joining the  M6 at Stafford.  The traffic was then stop-start all the way up to the M56 junction in Cheshire.  We eventually arrived in Liverpool at 3.15 p.m.  Malcolm was up in Preston visiting his sick elderly mother and so Tom and I took the train into Liverpool city centre and spent three hours wandering around the city and Albert Dock where we stopped off and had a drink in the Old Pump House.  Tonight we visited Steve's for the usual prawn chow mein and, in Tom's case,  quarterpounder and chips.  We were entertained this evening by an amazing thunderstorm show with accompanying torrential downpour - on a tropical scale.  The thunder and lightning were very close indeed.  After Tom and Sam had left for bed (Tom to sleep and Sam to watch TV in Malcolm's room) Malcolm and I chewed the cud until 2 a.m.  Tomorrow we are going up to Preston to watch Preston North End take on Notts County in League One.  Saints are away to Leicester in the Championship.  Tom has been great company today.  Very pleased with him and his behaviour..

Building Mary's wardrobes

I woke early this morning in Hove and had hardly time to drink a cup of tea before Peter and I were on the road back to Winterslow.  In the back of Peter's car were all the MDF segments for Mary's built in wardrobe which Peter was going to spend the day constructing.  We made good time until we were a mile or so from Arundel where an accident appeared to have caused severe queues.  We turned round and then drove south onto the A259 and along to Littlehampton and Bognor Regis (in fact following the line of the railway I had taken yesterday afternoon).  Once back on to the A27 at Chichester it was fairly plain sailing - an appropriate metaphor as we encountered torrential rain along the A27/M27 to Ower.  We drove by way of West Dean where I picked up my car.  Once back home I cooked bacon sandwiches for Peter and made myself a cooked breakfast with a cup of coffee.  Peter put up the new door between the utility room and Sara's study and I went into Salisbury to buy hanging rails for the wardrobe.  Whilst in Salisbury I picked up the study guides at Sarum College for the House Group (a commentary on Hebrews) and went to the bank.  Peter left us about 6.30 p.m. to return to Hove (he flies out to Majorca tomorrow!).  This evening we let the two cats see each other through the glass doors between the longe and dining room.  A very small amoun tof hissing and grumbling from Ginny but Leo seemed more inquisitive than scared of the marmalade female.  I think they will get along just fine.  I watched some of the exciting Football League Cup tie between Scunthorpe and Newcatle United which ended in a 1-2 win for Newcastle after extra time.  Scunthorpe played exceedingly well. 

On the train to Portslade

Today Sara, Tom, Mary and Harry went with Karryn H to spend the day at Thorpe Park Leisure Park in Surrey leaving me at home to finish off the settlement arrangements for one of my cases which was executed successfully.  This means that I no longer have to spend three nights away in Croydon during the week after next and can attend a couple of masonic meetings which I would otherwise have had to give apologies for (and have done so for the last couple of meetings).  That accomplished, I made sure that both of the new cats were comfortable before driving to West Dean (where I left my car) to catch the 1508 train to Portslade where I had a meeting with members of Brighton & Hove Civic Lodge this evening.  I caught the train as I would be returning to Wiltshire by car with Peter tomorrow morning.  The journey was quite epic - taking three hours with changes at Southampton and Barnham.  At one point it appeared that the train to Brighton had been cancelled but if it had, I managed to pick up a connection at Barnham after only a ten minute wait.   After arriving at Portslade, I had a light supper with Peter and family before the meeting which ended around 9.30 p.m.  Peter gave me an excellent bottled beer to drink which had been brewed in Edinburgh - Innis & Gunn - highly recommended but which is unlikely to be found very far from Scotland.  Bristol City lost to Swindon Town tonight in Round 1 of the league Cup meaning that the Saints will have an away tie against Swindon in Round 2.  This will mean that I shall be able to take Tom and Harry to that game as it is midweek but not very far to drive.  An early night tonight. 

Welcome Home Ginny

A wet miserable day again today.  I walked up to the shop sheltering from the rain under the trees which cover most of the pathway up to the village centre.  The news today was that the rebels had broken through to Gaddafi's compound in Libya and the end of the regime was definitely in sight.  I bought a newspaper and some rolls for breakfast and on my return, after a sausage bap, sat and read the newspaper for a little while.  The children were happy playing with Leo.  At 12 noon I went off with Tom, Mary and Harry to Ferndown to pick up Ginny.  We arrived in good time and had a lunch at MacDonald's before going on to the Cat Protection League's premises in Ferndown.  We picked her up and she seemed very contented on the journey back.  We have put her in the Family Room with her own food, bed and litter and she seems a most adorable cat.  She was a little shy at first but is gradually coming out of her shell.  This afternoon/evening saw quite a few developments on one of my cases which seems likely to settle.  Hooray.  Not an easy case and it will free up quite a bit of my time.

Feline Hide and Seek!

The day started with an absolute fright.  I came downstairs to the kitchen to make tea and couldn't find the cat anywhere.  Fearful that he might have escaped through the gaps left by the new garage door or into the cavity wall I was convinced that Leo had gone for good.  What a great start - and how do I explain that to the Cats Protection League - lost in less than day!  However, cup of tea and a bit of logic made me think that perhaps he had found Emily's favourite hideaway - behind the cases of wine and behind the kitchen cupboards.  A torch from the car revealed the tabby fur and two bright shining eyes looking up at me from Emily's hole.  Leo had probably been enticed by the smell of Emily and found it a lovely dark secluded place.  Sara and I were overjoyed to find him.  We really didn't want to have to tell the children that their new cat had disappeared already.  Mary spent the morning with Leo (Tom was still at Harry's) and I did some work in the study.  I received a phone call about midday from the Cats Protection League giving me the okay to adopt Ginny whom we will pick up tomorrow afternoon. Sara went into Salisbury and picked up Tom and Harry (who is staying with us for a couple of nights).   Mary and I went into Andover this afternoon to pay some money into the bank and to pick up essential items for the new cat - another bed, litter tray etc.   Tonight we all ate a roast beef dinner (originally intended for Sunday) and this evening I went to bed quite early to read my morning newspaper (which I hadn't found time to read earlier) and catch up on the news.  I finally called it a day when I got into a mess with the Sudoku puzzle.

Welcome Bobbles/Leo

I went over to All Saints, Whiteparish this morning to attend their Team All Age Eucharist whilst Sara and Mary went to the Team Eucharist with Baptism at All Saints, Winterslow.  I enjoyed the service with some contemporary hymns and use of drums, piano and other instruments rather than the organ.  Cynthia led the service whilst Jane, Doreen and Anthea (other ministers) enjoyed being in the congregation.  I had lovely chats with Lucy and Bill afterwards.  Once back home we all drove down to Ferndown, just outside Bournemouth to visit the Cat Protection League's premises to view some of the cats they have in their care.  It was difficult to choose - at one point he children wanted a couple of kittens but I managed to dissuade them saying that adult cats are more road savvy and require less attention in the early days.  It would be difficult and wrong to go off on holiday in October whilst the kittens were still young.  Eventually the children chose a 1 year old male tabby called Bobbles which the children want to rename Leo.  I also rather liked a female marmalade cat called Ginny and so, in the end, we decided to have both.  We brought Bobbles home and Ginny (who is rather an independent cat) is remaining for 48 hours to be assessed for her suitability to be housed with another cat.  Bobbles was somewhat frightened by the noise of the traffic as we drove home and is quite shy - hiding in corners and under chairs.  It must all seem quite strange to him.  This evening I joined Richard at the Lion's Head for a couple of pints (my first alcohol this week as I am trying to get my weight down again by more careful tracking).  It was very quiet in the pub and I'm sure that not much money was made last night.  Sara was not feeling too good when I got back and went to bed relatively early for her.  I shut the cat up in the kitchen with his litter tray and food and drink.  

Saints go marching on at the top despite Millwall

An early start this morning as I took Tom to the village shop to pick up his papers for his paper round and then dropped him by the Lion's Head.  I made tea and then rejoined Sara in bed with the morning newspaper.  This morning Sara was providing the make-up for a wedding in the village and made two trips to see the bride before her big event this afternoon at All Saints.  I walked to East Winterslow and back on an errand to see Hilary S (a total walk of 3 miles) and by the time I walked back into Middle Winterslow it was drizzling with rain quite persistently.  Tom and I left to drive to Southampton at about 12.45 pm. arriving at our complimentary parking spot just off The Avenue at about 1.30 p.m. We walked to St. Mary's for some chips before entering the Stadium with about half an hour to go.  There was a large police presence around the city today as our opponents today were the notorious Millwall.  It wasn't the easiest of games but an early goal by Do Prado in the eighteenth minute (and a cracker it was too!) was sufficient to secure a 1-0 win and 3 points to keep Saints on top of the Championship after 4 wins out of 4 games.  Saints now have 12 points on the board and the first month of football is still not over.  Millwall nearly scored three times in the second half but some tight and at times desperate defending ensured that a clean sheet was kept.  There was some crowd trouble in the Northam Stand after Saints' goal and again at the end of the match when Millwall supporters starting throwing stones and coins on top of the Saints fans as we walked under Northam Railway Bridge.  We saw nothing further and kept well away from any trouble.  On the way home we heard of the tragic crash of a Red Arrows' aeroplane at the Bournemouth Air Show with the loss of the pilot.  Very sad indeed.  Tomorrow we hope to visit the Cats' Protection League's premises at Fernwood (quite close to where the crash occurred) to look at some rescue cats.  Tom  will also be staying tomorow night with Harry at Natasha's. 

Cricket and Brahms

An early morning start with an attendance at Ambassadors' Breakfast Club at the Grasmere House Hotel.  Following the meeting I called in on John and Audrey in Harnham and delivered John's Wiltshire Provincial Tie.  I joined them for coffee in their conservatory and we talked about my recent visit to The Hawk Conservancy as both are very keen amateur ornithologists.  Following this visit I stopped off at Texco's to buy a roast for Sunday and some vegetables and fruit.  Sara had a Junior Church Leaders' meeting this morning and Mary was still in bed when I returned.  Sara was also working in the Lord Nelson pub this lunchtime too and Tom went with her to play darts and have some lunch there.  I wrote my monthly column for the Parish Magazine over lunchtime and this afternoon dealt with some incoming mail and telephone calls.  I walked up to the post office to pay a bill and post some letters mid-afternoon.  This evening I helped Sara finish off building Tom's bedroom desk.  He is delighted with his new bedroom now that it is fully furnished.  There are still quite a number of crates on the landing containing his possessions and some of the contents removed from my study.  Once we can move stuff in to Sara's study we can build my new desk and then cull some of my own possessions.  Tonight I watched the highlights of the day's 4th Test Match against India on TV with Pietersen and Bell putting on a record partnership against India of some 350 runs before Pietersen was caught for 175.  Bell is still at the crease tonight on 181!  India really are getting a hammering again.  After the cricket highlights I watched the Brahms' Prom Concert with his 3rd Symphony and 1st Piano Concerto (two of my favourite pieces from this composer).  Bernard Haitink conducted the European Chamber Orchestra with Emmanuel Ax as soloist in the Concerto.  Two grand old men of music who showed that age matures the artist like a fine wine.  Excellent performances.  A real joy to watch/listen.  It's amazing to think that Haitink is 82 years of age - the same age as Mum.

Films and Popcorn Day

I woke up this morning to torrential rain beating down.  Other than a list of still to be completed paperwork from yesterday I had no specific plans at all for the day which was as well.  After a breakfast of bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms, Sara, Mary and I decided to go into Salisbury to the cinema as we could all join the children's matinee showing of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for £5 in total (plus the cost of popcorn and drinks of course!).  We left my car at the Park & Ride in London Road and caught the bus which dropped us outside the cinema - handy when it is raining so hard.  Quite a number of other parents had the same idea and we queued for about 10 minutes to get our tickets.  The film which is a screenplay adaptation of  Jeff Kinney's successful book was very entertaining dealing  truthfully, as it does, with teenagers and sibling rivalry.  A pity that Tom didn't want to join us.  After the film I did some banking and paid our telephone bill at the post office before meeting up with Sara and Mary again at The Boston Tea Party for a pot of tea.  They then went off shopping and I went to Sarum College bookshop to buy a couple of books and ordering more for our House Group when it meets properly again in September.  We will be studying the book of Hebrews.  Sara thinks I must have the gift of prophecy because I said to her that I suspected the kitchen would be in  a complete mess as a result of Tom's attempts at cooking himself lunch.  I was correct.  The remnants of a pasta dish and a heavily burnt saucepan were evidence that he had cooked the ubiquitous pasta and overcooked popcorn!  He was made to clean up the mess and scrub the pan.  Tonight we were due to have House Group and Sara chose the Peter Seller's Oscar-winning film "Being There" - the last film released during Seller's life.  In the end we watched it ourselves as nobody turned up for House Group tonight.  I think quite a few people are having a break and as we are not studying scripture but watching films people feel they can miss an evening.  We enjoyed the film immensely over another bowl of popcorn.  It's a good job that popcorn is so low in points for Weight Watchers as I need to get focused again on losing weight.

Paperwork

A busy day at home today - in fact another day when I did not venture outside the village.  I went to Midweek Eucharist at St. John's this morning - there were only four of us including Cynthia who was presiding.  I gave the old Testament reading from Judges which I had already read in bed over tea this morning as part of my daily devotions.  It was nice intimate and friendly service and we took communion together all standing around the altar table.  Whilst I was at church this morning, we had a visit from the Cats Protection League to confirm our suitability for another cat.  I am pleased that we were found to be satisfactory and so it is hoped that the children will have a new cat soon.  Of course, no cat can ever replace our lovely affectionate Emily but a new cat will mean that the children will be able to focus on something positive.   I spent nearly all today in the study dealing with paperwork - mainly two tribunals for Complex and issues arising out of my meeting in London on Monday.  I have been able to get quite a lot of annoying little tasks done today and as I write this feel much freer than for a while.  Still a few things to do tomorrow but it would be nice to spend a bit of time on something more physical.  All this new work means that I am finding it difficult to fit in walking, cycling and going to the gym which I need to do to keep my weight down.  A new regime of careful eating started today.  Still haven't read today's newspaper so think I'll take myself off to bed to read it.  Spoke to Mum this evening.  She seems in good spirits and I've arranged for Tom and me to go up for a night after our proposed visit to Liverpool next weekend.

The Hawk Conservancy

It was difficult to get up this morning after a long day in London yesterday.  I was determined to have a day off but needed to deal with some urgent mail (which was unattended yesterday) first and also wanted to catch up on my daily devotionals which I read in bed first with a cup of tea.  Yesterday I finished reading the second of two pre-training books (thanks to the train journeys and my time at The Hub) and I am now reading a third on the topic of Reader Ministry being a bridging ministry.  Hard to believe but there are only another three weeks to go before I start my formal training.  As we had elected today to be a family day we spent the latter part of the morning and most of the afternoon at The Hawk Conservancy near Andover where we had the opportunity of seeing birds of prey in flight (including a Siberian Eagle Owl) and flying our own Harris Hawks - an amazing experience.  I was very impressed indeed with the Conservancy and only wish I had visited it before.  I had seen signs for it every time I drove along the A303 but until we got the Group On voucher had never been persuaded to give it a visit.  In total we spent about six hours there having a picnic snack by the car.  Tonight we watched some Father Ted DVDs and followed the Saint's match away at Ipswich.  Southampton won 2-5 and having firmly secured their place at the top of the table with three consecutive league wins this season and 9 points.  Grimsby, on the other hand, had their second crushing defeat at the hands of newcomers, Braintree - losing 0-5.  It's not looking good for my old home team - but Saints certainly keep marching on.

Notting Hill Gate

I was up early this morning and on the 08.59 train from Grateley to London Waterloo for a meeting with fellow executors in respect of the will of an old friend and client.  Having arrived quite early in London I strolled to The Hub at Church.Co.Uk  in Kennington Road where I bought a cappuccino and spent an hour or so with my netbook using the free wi-fi available.  It is always a nice tranquil setting and with the wi-fi means that I can do some work over a lovely cup of coffee.  I received a text message saying that my co-executors were running late so I had a pleasant leisurely morning in London.  I caught the tube from Lambeth North (across the road from The Hub) and after a change at Oxford Circus arrived at Notting Hill Gate at around 12.40 where I met up with my clients.  We spent the afternoon at a family member's house in Ladbroke Road going through acres of paperwork before having a beer in the Churchill Arms (Fuller's Chiswick bitter) and an excellent meal at the Portobello (Italian Restaurant) in Ladbroke Road - to be fully recommended although a bit pricey.  We stayed there until I left at 8.30 p.m. to catch the 9.20 p.m. train back to Grateley.  An interesting day in London.  Having not been up to London for a little while I was amazed to see the progression of so many new skyscrapers in the centre including The London Bridge Shard which is springing up and which will be the tallest building in London.

BCP Eucharist and Pub Quiz

As there was no service at All Saints today I decided to visit West Grimstead for the Morning BCP Eucharist which was taken by Elizabeth.  Only a handful of people there today and it has been many years since I took the Eucharist under the BCP liturgy - even at Old Clee we only ever took it once a month.  After the service (there was no coffee this morning) I drove to Salisbury railway station to purchase my Travelcard for my trip to London tomorrow - I shall be there all day trying to sort out a probate dispute.  We ate roast chicken for lunch which brought more tears as we remembered how Emily would sit at the table for her favourite food - chicken.  It seems incredible that only a week ago today she was pestering us for roast pork.  It seemed so strange to be scraping the leftovers into the bin rather than picking off the chicken to give to her.  How we still miss her. Mary lit a candle on her grave as she remembered her mealtime antics.  Molly came round with Sarah this afternoon to pay their condolences and respects and stayed most of the afternoon.  I discussed church matters with Sarah as she may join the PCC.  Tonight it was the monthly pub quiz and so I joined James and Richard at the Lion's Head.  We were in the lead throughout the evening until the very last round - which was a picture round showing modern day celebrities as children.  We scored 2 out of 28 which resulted in us losing the quiz by only 4 points - which shows just how far ahead we were.  Apparently one team scored 19/28 in that round! Mary is still not sleeping and still upset about Emily.

Visit to a lost village in Dorset

It rained overnight and although the weather was cooler it was certainly muggy.  Tom went off to do his paper round early and on his return Sara took him into town to have his hair cut and buy some clothes.  Mary stayed behind with me and after breakfast and dealing with the day's post, we decided that we would go out somewhere for the day together.  As it is August I thought it would be interesting to drive down to the Dorset coast and visit , a village which was evacuated during the Second World War for tank practice, and never re-inhabited.  In fact, it remains in the centre of dangerous firing ranges and can only be visited at certain times of the year - the month of August being one of them.  After filling up with fuel and getting some picnic items, we set off driving down through Blandford and Wareham to arrive at Tyneham at about 2.30 p.m.  After our picnic lunch we wandered all over the village taking photos and visiting the church and school which are now indoor museums.  Having wandered through the streets and cottages, we then walked down to  Worbarrow Bay where we walked along the beach to the Cow Rocks to see if we could find any fossils.  The only thing I found of note was an from the Cretaceous Period although I had been hoping for something a little more exciting from the Jurassic Period.  We spent a couple of hours on the beach walk returning to the car about 5.30 p.m.   We drove back through Bournemouth and Christchuch stopping off at Stanpit, Mudeford for fish and chips from one of the best chippies in Dorset.  Indeed it has been going so many years that I remember that as a family on holiday in Mudeford in the 1960s we had fish suppers from there.  They are truly excellent as is evidenced by the huge queue waiting to be served.  They actually have a numbered ticketing system.  Mary and I arrived back at home at around 8.45 p.m. feeling quite tired after our long seaside walk.  Early to bed I think.  Good news tonight was that England won the Third Test against India resoundingly (they were all out for 244) and Southampton won away against Barnsley (0-1) placing them on top of the Championship League!

England in a strong position at 710-6 declared

Another quiet day today but as some cheques had arrived in the post I did go into Salisbury briefly to bank these and also visit Staples for some stationery supplies.  England continued with their batting until after tea when Cook was finally dismissed for 294 runs and England declared at 710-6.  Tonight the Indians are 35-1 and things looking very much as if they will be going England's way tomorrow.   Sara went into Salisbury herself first thing to get the week's shopping from Tesco's but wasn't required at the Lord Nelson at lunchtime as Roger was unable to open through technical problems.  Sara was out at the Lord Nelson this everning though for a Calendar Girls social event which was only attended by five other of the models.

Another day at home

Another day spent at home today watching cricket mainly and sorting out some paperwork.  Still feel quite down about Emily and so didn't do a great deal today.  Enjoyed the cricket though with Alistair Cook still batting all day for England.  Fantastic score seems on the cards for England.  Wrote up the blog and dealt with a little bit of Complex work but didn't leave the house other than to go to the village shop.  I usually walk or cycle to the shop but as it was spitting with rain I decided to drive. This evening nobody turned up for the House Group so we watched a few episodes of Father Ted before watching the Carling Cup Second Round Draw.  Southampton will be playing either Swindon or Bristol City away.  Bristol are our fellow Championship Club and Swindon, although now two leagues below us, are always a side we struggle against.  Should make for an interesting match which I hope will be played on a night when we can go.  Tom particularly likes away games and perhaps we can take Harry too.

A quiet day at home watching the Test

A sombre day today and it seems so strange not to have Emily around.  Sara didn't go to morning Star this morning but three Calendar Girls arrived for the final shoot - at the Rose and Crown where Sara and I had our wedding reception.  Tom and Harry got up late, made themselves breakfast and went off the play football.  Mary joined them later in  a game of poker!  I did some work in the study today and this afternoon cut the bank and the front lawn whilst Sara took Harry back home and took the children with her.  She went shopping in Salisbury with Natasha leaving the children at home with Marc.  It was nice to have some peace and quiet and so after I had mowed the lawns and done some garden tidying up I sat down with a cup of tea and watched the first day of the Third Test at the new Edgbaston against India who were all out for 224.  At the end of the day's play, Strauss and Cook had put on 84 runs.  This evening we watched Parent Trap and I dealt with some more emails that had come in.  It was pleasant to spend the day at home but very strange without Emily.  I ate some prawns for lunch and, out of habit, hid the prawns away from Emily whilst they were defrosting.  I still keep thinking she'll appear around a door any moment.  Tonight I thought I could hear her out in the kitchen.  We are all so gutted.

Emily - RIP

 We were still all very sad and tearful this morning.  Tom and Harry spent the first part of the morning playing games and football and Mary was again up late and still feeling the loss of Emily really badly.  We conducted a funeral in the garden late in the morning burying Emily near the fence between our garden and the neighbour's where she spent so much of her time.  We wrapped her in her favourite blanket, Mary placed a card and her food fork in the grave as well as a copy of this prayer which I wrote for the occasion:-

Dear God,

We thank you so much for the life of our dearly loved cat, Emily, who during her time her on Earth with us gave us so much pleasure, fun and companionship.  We remember all the funny things she did, like waiting at the table to be served, snuggling up to us in bed, saying hello in her own special way when she came into a room, eating the best seafood and fish, always being there to greet us when we came home or back from holiday, and attending all our house groups.  We thank you for all those precious moments which we shall remember with a smile.

We know that you created her, that she belongs to you and that she now must return to you.

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity for her to be a part of this family and we will remember her with fondness always.

May she find eternal rest where prawns and fish are always there and where she will always have a place at your table and a warm bed on which to snuggle.

Amen

This evening I took Tom and Harry to St. Mary's Stadium for the Saints v. Torquay United match in the First Round of the Carling Cup.  Saints won 4-1 with excellent goals from De Ridder, Lambert (free kick), Chaplow and Forte.  After the game Tom and Harry managed to get quite a number of autographs from the Saints' players including a photograph of them with Ricky Lambert (see above).  There were only 6,500 spectators this evening and the city centre was quite deserted.  The rioting on the streets of England has continued tonight with rioting in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Salford, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Gloucester, Leicester and Nottingham.  Southampton has been spared and it feels like the Blitz must have been in the 1940s - which city will be hit next?   Tom and Harry came back this evening feeling very pleased with their wonderful evening out.   Harry intends to make Southampton his second team after Chelsea!

Tragedy Strikes

One of the gloomiest days ever today - a day which started so well.  Harry and Tom spent the morning in Tom's room playing on the gaming consoles and Mary slept in after another late night.  Peter came over and fitted the new door between Sara's study and the garage and this evening I took Tom and Harry to play golf at Grateley.  As we left, Emily, our cat, was happily stalking something under the front hedge.  Harry had a really good time and enjoyed his golf.  We left the course in good spirits and phoned Sara to say we were on our way back.  Sara didn't answer the phone at first and we phoned again to find her in tears.  The awful news was then broken to us - our beloved Emily had been found dead in the neighbour's garden.  I screamed in anguish (using some pretty un-Christian words) in utter disbelief.  She had been fine only two and a half hours ago.  We got home as quick as we could and Emily's still warm corpse was evidence enough that her short life had come to an end.  Her collar was missing (later recovered in the neighbour's garden) and it looks like she must have been run over in the neighbour's drive - probably she was hiding under the undergrowth.  Tonight we are in a complete state of shock.  Emily was such a lovely cat, a real member of the family who would wait at table, join us for meals, snuggle up with the children and had an uncanny knowledge of when the children were not happy.  There is not a dry tear here tonight.  Emily, we loved you so very very much!

Another sporting triumph in Hampshire

Up early this morning and off to church with Mary.  Tom did his Sunday paper round and Sara stayed at home to cook an early roast pork lunch.  After church (Parish Eucharist with Jane presiding) Mary and I drove over to Tasha's to pick up her cousin Harry to bring him back for lunch and then take him, with Tom, to the T20 Quarter Final cricket match at the Rose Bowl.  We left for the cricket at around 2.00 p.m. and managed to get parked across the road from the ground.  It was another exciting and triumphant match for Hampshire with the Royal winning the toss, batting first and achieving 154 for 6 after the twenty overs despite being 0 for 1 after the second ball!  Durham really struggled against the wonderful Hampshire bowling - especially from Briggs who ended up taking six wickets - a T20 record for him.  Durham didn't even make a 100 after being all bowled out in the eighteenth over for 99!  Tom and Harry managed to get quite a few autographs from the Hampshire players before we left the ground.  Another KFC supper in Southampton (not good for the diet) and as we left the restaurant the heavens opened with torrential rain and close-by thunder and lightning.  We drove back through along the main motorway and A36 as the rain, flooding and darkness would have made the narrower side road quite treacherous.  We got home a little after 10 p.m. after another great sporting day in Hampshire.  Let's hope we can make it three out of three when we go to St. Mary's again on Tuesday night for the Carling Cup tie against Torquay United.

Fantastic Start for the Saints

Today saw the first full Saturday of League Football as the 2011-2012 Season begins.  I spent the morning doing some tidying up before the builders arrived to put in the new french window in Sara's study.  they also removed the scaffolding from the extended chimney and the plasterboard between the garage and Sara's study.  They will be returning tomorrow to undertake some more work but this afternoon were going to spend the rest of the day looking around Salisbury Cathedral. This afternoon Tom and I went into Southampton for the Championship match against Leeds United.  We arrived early, parked in our free space off The Avenue and then walked into the city centre for a KFC lunch before going to St. Mary's.  We were in for an absolute treat with a wonderful 3-1 win for the Saints - the first win on the first day of a season since 1999 and the first win at home of the first day since 1988!  Southampton played good exciting football throughout at it was only a disputed penalty in the dying seconds of injury time at the end of the match that prevented them from keeping a clean sheet and sharing the top position with Ipswich Town.  As it is, tonight, they lie second place In the championship.  Hopefully a good omen for a fantastic season.

Championship kicks off

Drier but cooler today than yesterday although the weather still remains "muggy".  I was up very early today to attend the breakfast meeting of Ambassadors at Grasmere House Hotel.  I stopped off at Halford's on the way back home to pick up some car cleaning products and also popped in to Lidl's for washing liquid.  Once home I dealt with a huge post which, unfortunately, included a hefty phone bill.  Upon close examination it appeared that this was caused by heavy broadband usage and is down to Tom having switched from our Orange provider for his gaming sessions to BT (because he said Orange was too slow) and thus exceedingly our BT limit for which we get surcharged.  I was not amused.  It's a good job that I've been using Orange for our business use otherwise we would have been stung even more.  I spoke to BT on the phone and changed our option to unlimited use which is still far cheaper than being surcharged.  Sara was working at the Lord Nelson this lunchtime and I took the kids down there for lunch.  i had an excellent Thai-style prawn soup and a glass of Guinness.  I am not used to drinking in the middle of the day and had a little snooze this afternoon - no work in today.  After my snooze I did some pruning in the garden and cut up some logs for seasoning ready for use in the fireplace over the winter.  This evening Tom and I watched the first Championship football match of the season - Hull v Blackpool which resulted in a 0-1 win for Blackpool.  It's certainly going to be a tough season ahead in the Championship.  Saints play Leeds at St. Mary's tomorrow.  Can't wait!

The Odd Couple

Woke up this morning to find it was raining heavily so no opportunity to do any work in the garden today.  Tom's desk and chair arrived in flat packs this morning as a did a ladies' bicycle which we had not ordered!  Sara put up Mary's curtains which no make Mary's bedroom much cosier.  Hopefully, at the weekend, she will have her wardrobe installed.  This afternoon I went into Salisbury to another farewell drinks do to a former work colleague.  This time it was at the Royal George close to our office and was well attended by many from the Customer Services Division - current and former employees.  Rick, who had been at Friends for over 30 years, was retiring early and seemed very relaxed to be going.  It was good to meet up with so many former colleagues from Salisbury, Exeter and Manchester.  Tonight only Ivan joined us for the House Group and we watched The Odd Couple - a film her had not seen before.  Certainly a favourite of mine and Sara's.  I think we often think that we live the film out in reality.  We also watched another episode of Outnumbered - another reality show!

Sandwich Making

Sara woke up with a painful shoulder this morning - although she doesn't think that it was caused by anything which happened to her yesterday at .  It was agreed that she would take Tom to the doctor's this morning and that I would do her stint at Morning Star.  Sara dropped me off at Morning Star and Bev prayed over her shoulder which did, as the morning progressed, seem to get better.  I spent the morning in their kitchen making rolls (corned beef and pickle, cheese and lettuce and coronation chicken) as well as cutting up and wrapping slices of cake.  All this was achieved in a peaceful and tranquil setting with just UCB Radio to accompany the work.  I felt quite relaxed and felt I was achieving something very purposeful in the simple act of cutting bread and cakes and making and sandwiches and rolls for the homeless of Salisbury.  I walked back down the track to Witt Road and called in at St. John's Church where I spent a quiet contemplative ten minutes or so in silent prayer before returning to the hustle and bustle of life at home.  This afternoon I drove into Salisbury for shopping and banking and called in on Natasha and family on the way back.  I had a cup of tea with them and we chatted for about half an hour about the perils of having children off school for six weeks and discussed how they were settling in.  We've agreed to have their eldest son stay over with us from Sunday until Wednesday next week which will include visits to the Rose Bowl and St. Mary's Stadium.  Back home I put up Mary's curtain pole which was a relatively easy task - no problems at all which is most unusual for me!  Tonight we ate an Indian takeaway from Tesco's and spoke to Sara's Dad and Andrea on Skype.  The temperature over in the States is 110 degrees Fahreinheit (or 43 Degrees Celsius).  Here today it has been 29.5 Degrees Celsius (or 85 Degrees Fahreinheit) which is, for us, quite hot enough!  At least in America they can stay inside their air-conditioned houses.

Family Day out

Today we had the first of our "Family Days" out - having agreed that we would take one day out each week away from the pressures of work and other commitments.  Today we decided to go and spend a couple of hours at Splashdown in Poole which is a poorer imitation of the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas - nevertheless on a scorching hot day like today, it was a great relief and there are a number of quite exciting slides and tubes to use (see picture from the tower).  Sara wasn't so keen - she certainly isn't a "water baby" but both of the children enjoyed it.  Unfortunately they have been spoilt by the their trips to Nassau and did keep comparing it.  We both emphasised to them that for many families a week's holiday down in Bournemouth and Poole is their equivalent to our trips to the Bahamas.  After we finished at Splashdown when went into Poole Town Quay and ate fish and chips by the harbour followed by a trip around Poole Museum where they were able to try some cakes made from World War II recipe books e.g. scones made from oats and carrot marmalade.  We left Poole at around 5.30 p.m. after eating delicious ice cream and were back home at 7 p.m.  Tonight we all played a long game of Monopoly which I think I narrowly won over Mary.  The first of our "Family Days" over, its back to work tomorrow.

Nose to the grindstone

Tom has got some extra work this week as he is covering for one of the weekday paper lads who is on holiday - so he was up early again this morning.  I had a full day of Complex work today and had little time for much else.  It was sweltering hot too today - something I don't like.  I therefore spent most of the day in my study ploughing through paperwork and working on the computer.  I had a snatched lunch of mulligatawny soup with Sara before continuing working.  I was due to attend a Bible Study meeting this afternoon but gave my apologies and stayed at home.  I briefly ventured out to the village shop on my bicycle to buy stamps and to get a padlock for the newly configured garage door which Peter and Ian fixed yesterday when I was at church.  I realised just how hot it was as I cycled along.  This evening Sara went off to Karryn's for another Calendar publicity photo shoot and I decided that I needed some exercise after a day in the office so I drove over to Grateley to play nine holes of Par Three golf.  I am afraid that my day sitting down at a screen showed its toll by my appalling game - the worst I have ever played on that course with the ball finding every bunker, tree and inch of rough it could.   I consoled myself with a pint of Cornish Tribune Bitter which is a nice light ale to drink in this hot humid climate we are experiencing at the moment.  After a full day at work today we are having a family day out/off in Poole tomorrow.  Hurrah!  We watched an episode of Outnumbered this evening.  No need to watch it really.  It is happening all about us all day everyday!