12-Nov to 18-Nov 2011

Sat 12-Nov: With Linda, Becky and Beth off to a Christmas fair this afternoon, Barry up to his eyeballs in kitchen units and Chris at a Top Gear show in Birmingham, I 'babysat' the grandsons. Off we went to Monks Wood for a spot of den building. Once we'd got the frame in place Sammy started to think about making it more homely... he knew where he could get a waste bin and a small settee (his mum's) and volunteered his services in cleaning the toilet (what toilet?). Other discussions between them included how unfair it was to be banished to hell if you didn't believe in God, how boring heaven must be if it's the same all the time and various other philosophical topics. Here they are proud as punch outside the part built den as darkness started to creep in. Felt a bit guilty as we wandered back in the growing darkness on a narrow path through the woods. Deep in conversation ahead of me (Sammy didn't want to take up the rear in case he was grabbed) they didn't notice me hide behind a tree until they were about 10 metres away. There was a minute's silence (the first in the whole three hours we were together) until I decided I'd better reveal myself before they panicked.

Sun 13-Nov: On the menu tonight after the Legion was pizza for a change. Don't think it'll be back on any time soon. Having persuaded David to give it a try in preference to the usual burger or kebab, Vesuvios must have sent out to Italy for it, they took so long. I then put the box in the my bike basket while we walked around to the back of Poundland, where there are steps we sit on while scoffing. Having first opened the box upside down, when opened right way up the contents indicated it wasn't such a good idea to put the box on its side in my basket. Maybe the clue was in the text on the of the box shown above. At first David didn't fancy it, but then forced himself and managed to stuff down three quarters.

Mon 14-Nov: New set of specs today from Specsavers, in the futile hunt to look more intelligent, interesting, handsome... anything but bald and sixty. Chose them in SAS black. Do you think they make me look a bit orange?

Tue 15-Nov: Don't know what I'd do if I didn't have a good book on the go. Managed to find a few minutes peace after a day of decorating the dining room and getting beaten at squash again, just before the sons arrived for tea and football on telly. At present the book is Germinal by one of my favourite authors, Emile Zola. He's kind of a French Charles Dickens.

Wed 16-Nov: On a beautiful Autumn afternoon on the allotment, as the sun broke through the grey clouds, noticed the garlic cloves planted last month had started to push up shoots, shown here in the foreground. Love growing garlic... when you plant in October you can dream of harvesting the bulbs on a hot sunny July afternoon the following Summer. Can see from this photo I'm going large on onions this year.

Thu 17-Nov: Having got all excited about the unexpected delivery of a pile of manure for the allotment, this is what awaited me when I hurried up to the plot before any blighters helped themselves... no manure, just a dark stain in the grass to show where it had been. For the full story click Allotment Heaven: The Mystery of the Missing Manure.

Fri 18-Nov: Off to the theatre in Cambridge today to see Nigel Havers in 'Basket Case'... an 'hilarious new comedy by Nick Fisher'. Won't be going back to see any more of Nick Fisher's plays, or anything containing Nigel Havers if he judges this effort worthwhile appearing in. Full of 'smart' dialogue rather than anything properly funny and in several instances pretty crass attempts at humour. Too much unnecessary effing as well. Nevertheless had a nice few hours wandering around Cambridge in the afternoon. In most cities posters on railings would be considered a nuisance, but they're a feature of Cambridge and one of the many things I love about the place. They're all about really interesting things to go and see for very little, if any, cost. Plays, concerts, recitals, talks, shows... I'll have to find out if they're all listed on the web anywhere since I'd love to go to some of them. PS... update posted regarding successful end to the missing manure mystery on Allotment Heaven: The Mystery of the Missing Manure.