26-Nov to 02-Dec 2011

Sat 26-Nov: During the week I'd promised the grandsons I'd take them to see a steam train the next occasion one came through Huntingdon. So was really excited to see there was one due at 13:17 today on its way from Newcastle to Kings Cross, to see the actual train due click here. Got there in plenty of time. Intention was to stand on the footbridge as it passed under, getting the full benefit of the steam... but I forgot the footstool to enable Sammy to see over the footbridge barrier. Still, we could see it coming from some distance away as this image shows... including Sammy holding his favourite killer whale soft toy. Unfortunately it never arrived... it had been cancelled. Had to console the sausages with some bubble gum, a trip to a local play area and a promise to try again soon. Did ask Paige if she wanted to come, but her and Izzy are into shopping and chocolate.

Sun 27-Nov: Popped down town late afternoon to see the Christmas lights switched on. Had a wander around the Italian market, with delicious cheeses, olive oils and cakes, then around the Dickensian market at the other end of town. In between both was a funfair and stage. Escaped to the Dolphin for coffee and to meet up with Beth, Chris and the grandchildren... and to get away from the unbelievably loud speaker volume that accompanied the singer on stage in the town centre. By the time we arrived for the switch on all was calmer... until Paige dropped her huge half eaten hot dog sausage. Chris had to get her another, but I reckon it's a ruse by her to get one and a half hot dogs. Boy, can Paige eat!

Mon 28-Nov: Could have shown a photo of the four leaf clover Connor found today, or the last of the cow manure it's only taken me four days to move to its final resting place on the allotment. Even a snap of the large polycarbonate cold frame I aquired for free that would have cost me over £100 new. But no, after musing on the topic at the beginning of the month I took the plunge this morning and made a slipper related purchase. Here they are in all their glory, furry inside, warm and very comfortable. Think the trouser line has just moved up a couple of millimetres.

Tue 29-Nov: A grey day and with Linda spread out on the settee with a bad cold I decided to break the back of the bedroom decorating. So spent most of the day on my knees painting. The one thing retaining my sanity is the radio, specifically my wonderful Pure Evoke 3 radio. Enables me to listen to all my favourite radio programmes recorded in the last week or so.

Wed 30-Nov: 'Babysitting' the four grandchildren while Becky popped to the dentists early afternoon (teachers on strike and Becky looking after the sausages). Sammy had sent a message beforehand saying they'd set up a fairground in his bedroom and I had to bring the entrance fee of £2.20. Spookey that... the exact money he and Connor need for the Thursday squash vending machine to get sweets and a can! None too happy when I arrived asking for change from a £5 note drawn on The Bank of Grampy. Sammy said I could go to gaol for that. After getting spinned around on the chair of doom they were even more unhappy when I broke their cardboard box that represented the roller coaster (sit in large cardboard box, get violently tipped over, get violently tipped back). Had to stifle a laugh at the sight of Sammy giving Paige a helping hand on her bottom assisting her climb on his bunk bed. If she fell she'd have squashed him!

Thu 01-Dec: Lots of thoughts about dad, who would have been 86 today. Called mum last night to say I'd be thinking about her today. She told me she was going to Pitlochry with Anne to put flowers on dad's grave, visit Pitlochry Theatre and the golf club and have some lunch at one or the other. They also talked to someone about a memorial tree and bench. Here's a photo from Anne of the position of either a rowan or silver birch tree that's going to be planted with a current group of three trees next March on the golf course and will be visible from the club house.

Fri 02-Dec: Wandering back to the car after a trip to the market in St Ives, Linda and I mused on whether the dining room curtains might arrive earlier than the forecast date of 15-Dec. When we arrived back home what should be awaiting us but the curtains, left behind the garden gate by the postman. Here they are in all their glory. Just the Ercol furniture to arrive now, due February. No chance of that being delivered before Christmas (is there?).