17-Sep to 23-Sep 2011

Sat 17-Sep: Popped along to Earith Lakes to see what success Chris and Connor had with their day's fishing... nothing had bitten when I arrived. Took some conkers with me, here's Connor lining up his aim. On the way there amazing cloud formations were rolling across the Fens and heavy rain could be seen approaching from miles away like a grey curtain touching the ground. I was lucky, really warm and sunny while I was there with loads of dragonflies hovering around. Connor had welcomed me with one in his hand.

Sun 18-Sep: I guess quite a few of my images will be about beating my sons at the various sports we compete in. Here's the final result of the darts & pool match at the Legion. I'd got a commanding lead at darts and think David & John had almost given up during the pool, especially since John had to go at 21:00 so we only got 45mins at each. And David didn't take much money out of the games machine. This result means the score for the year is me 19, John 10, David 7. I put it all down to the slug of apple wine I take before climbing on my bike to wobble down to the Legion.

Mon 19-Sep: Had a right good tidy up of my wardrobe & drawers, marking yet another stage in my transition from young, thrusting executive to doddery old age pensioner. So out went all the formal cotton shirts, silk ties, sombre trousers and jackets not worn since I took early retirement from AXA seven years ago. Then went all the less formal shirts and trousers not worn since I retired from the District Council in March. Also did a sensible cull of all the T shirts I'd retrieved from son John's last clear out... did I ever really think I'd wear that T shirt with the image of The Terminator on the front? So now I'm down to a single wardrobe of T shirts, short sleeve shirts, casual trousers and fleece tops as well as some squash and allotment clothes. Oh, and of course the birthday hat... and the hairy wig (on the chest of drawers) I'll be wearing at Connor's birthday on Saturday, trying to convince the grandchildren it really is my new wig. Suppose the final stage will be the purchase of trousers whose waistband comes up just below my chin. Was a bit miffed when I found Linda had filled up all the vacated wardrobe space with her excess stuff!

Tue 20-Sep: Knocked on David's door at 08:00 this morning for the bedroom window to open, a head appear and the door keys to be flung out for me to let myself in. Wrestled his dog Jazz to the floor to get the lead on and then off we happily trotted to continue the Jazz:Sammy love in as described in the Allotment Heaven post 'Walking the dog'. I wait with Jazz about 50 metres from the point where Sammy first appears so Jazz can bound enthusiastically towards Sammy when he first sees him. They then stare lovingly into each other's eyes for a few minutes before running off towards school side by side. Here's Sammy giving Jazz a tickle on the tummy. You can see from Jazz's adoring gaze just how much he loves Sammy... and Jazz deserves all the credit for transforming Sammy from a kid who would shimmy up your leg to get out of the way of anything on four legs to someone from whom no dog is safe from a patting, no matter what the size.

Wed 21-Sep: This is the point it all went Pete Tong during my weekly pitch & putt game against David. I'd been ahead by a few strokes but had just pitched my ball into a tree. David's pitch landed on the green and in response to him putting the ball down in 2 strokes I decided to take the scenic route, bouncing my ball off a tree trunk, getting on the green after 4 shots and taking another 5 to putt the ball. Much carping by David as he managed to stay in front to the end. My putting had gone back to the old days, when the ball would go at right angles to wherever I was aiming. It's sad John can't play all that often due to his working hours. In the early days he was top dog since he'd played a bit before, but gradually David and I caught and overtook him. Now whenever he plays his club lands in a tree at the latest by the 4th hole... so however badly David or I are playing there's always John bringing up the rear !;0)

Thu 22-Sep: Here's the grandsons in an agony of indecision after our squash session, in front of the vending machine that's forming an increasing importance in the weekly proceedings. But nothing ever goes according to plan. Even before I picked them up panic had ensued as Sammy lost his £1 while washing up with Connor to both earn 20p from Becky. Having added 40p so Connor had enough he pressed 301 instead of 201 and got M&Ms rather than the mints he was after... cue another 60p from me. But he put the first 20p in too early after Sammy had a go, needing more cash stumped up. He didn't really like the mints in the end, but they hadn't finished yet. Another cash input from Sammy saw his can get stuck and we had to call for assistance. Far more drama at the vending machine than there ever was on the squash court!

Fri 23-Sep: With Linda & Becky off shopping to Huntingdon in the morning I decided to go on one of my favourite walks from Kings Ripton. Lovely and peaceful, didn't see another soul during the three hours. In the middle started thinking of my dad, who passed away in July, and seeking his presence in the rolling Cambridgeshire countryside, warm sun's rays and gentle breeze. I'd have given anything to have pulled out my mobile 'phone, called home and heard my mum say 'I'll just pass you over to your dad'.