Update from the garret

Sorry for the long delay between posts, I don't know where the time is going to.

We had a lovely week camping with the pups in Cornwall last month. The weather was kind to us and the change of scenery did us all the world of good. We came home with the best of intentions, getting the hall redecorated, have lots of trips away in the van and check out the job boards for a new contract for Dave.

Well the hall/landing/stairs is very nearly finished, only the floor left to lay and a few finishing touchings here and there. Dave has been for an interview for a contract down in Reading and will probably hear if he has it next week. Mind you he's not too fussed either way, Reading is a long way from home so he would have to stay down there all week and just travel home of a weekend but the money is good and they are talking about the job taking 18 months so he thought that he would take a punt. I have very mixed feelings about him taking the job but most of my concerns are probably just me being all silly and girly. It would be great if he could find a 3 month contract more local so that he could come home every night but beggars can't be choosers!

Dave's Mum is in hospital at the moment so he has been traveling backwards and forwards to London for the past couple of weeks. She seems to be on the mend but it could take a while for her to be well enough to be discharged. In the meantime he is commuting between London/Reading and Cheshire on what seems to be a weekly basis - so much for taking things easy from now on....

The pups have recovered well from their operations ( they have both been 'done' - there was no way I was taking the chance of them having puppies) but I doubt if they'll ever forgive me for making them wear plastic hoods.....they were not happy bunnies.....lots of pictures on Puppy Tales as evidence that they did find the paint tray on the landing!!!

Lesley's Home

I can't believe how busy the past few weeks have been.

The conservatory roof has finally been replaced, at long last. After all the site visits from the builders I am now on first name terms with them all, know all about their partners and kids and have learnt more about racing pigeons than is healthy for any woman.

Luckily they made a very good job of the roof because since they finished it hasn't stopped raining...........I'm not moaning though, at least we haven't been washed away like the poor folk in Sheffield.

On the day of the floods I was in York visiting Lesley. Needless to say we got absolutely drenched walking around but at least we had a good excuse to have a long lunch in a very nice little pub. The problems started when I went to the station to get the train home. York station was in meltdown. Crowds of people were milling around the information desk trying to find out if there were any trains running to anywhere. The short answer was NO and we were all advised to try and find a hotel room for the night. So my little shopping trip to York turned into sleep-over, not complaining, we had a great time and can heartily recommend Weatherspoons breakfasts, great value and very tasty.

Dave and I had spent the weekend before my York extravaganza in the van on Anglesey. We were lucky with the weather and only had rain overnight. This did however, highlight an issue with the van, we discovered that in a storm the side door leaks. I woke about 3 o'clock in the morning thinking that I had wet the bed.................We are getting this fixed asap!!!

James drove over to York on Saturday to collect Lesley and move some of her stuff to her new flat. Dave and I spent the time hurriedly making room in the garage for the rest of her things. It took a while before we were able to unload the car as they had brought the Yorkshire rain along the M62 with them. But she is all unpacked and settled in now. It is strange having a full house again, but lovely to see the kids (sorry young people) back home, if only for the summer.

I don't know how James managed to get up so early on Saturday morning as we had been to Mike's 40th Birthday party the night before. It was a smashing party and I know that James enjoyed catching up with his cousins, it was just a shame that Elaine, after managing to find an escape route out of Sheffield, was poorly and couldn't make the party.

I am only sorry that I missed David's speech. By all accounts it was one of the highlights of the evening, but for my money you couldn't beat the floor show. It was truly inspired to have Mike recreating the 70s by Disco dancing to Abba and The Monkees. I was just a bit disappointed that he didn't get a chance to wear his white suit for a John Travolta tribute but he certainly gave the Eileen Phillips dancers a run for their money......................Just waiting for Sue to send the photos.....................

(P.S As usual Sue, ably assisted by Nita and Helen, prepared a wonderful buffet, they really should think about doing it professionally)