11-Mar to 17-Mar 2012

Sun 11-Mar: Today was officially Shorts Day 2012... the day when I was first able to don a pair of shorts and not feel like my kneecaps were about to freeze off. Changed after mowing the lawn (oh yes, it was First Cut of the Grass Day 2012 as well), spent a couple of hours composting on the allotment (also First Visit to the Allotment by Becky & Izzy Day 2012), went for my Sunday squash thrashing from David and still felt comfortable with naked knees after 17:00. Only a week or two more and it'll be shorts all day every day.

Mon 12-Mar: Quiet day at home today after my last but one dose of chemotherapy. As indicated in the image, looking back it's certainly feels like a steep climb to get here after what will be 30 doses over four years. So lots of library book reading in between dashes to the loo. I'm sat here wearing several layers of clothes, a couple of blankets and a hot water bottle to stave off the flu-like side effects. Will have to think of some way of celebrating next week once the effects of next Monday's last dose ever have worn off.

Tue 13-Mar: In spite of the hundreds of froglets erupting from the pond last summer there's not been a single returnee yet. Getting a bit worried since they're supposed to produce frogspawn in February or March. Maybe there's not enough cover, thought I. Messed around with logs acquired a few weeks ago, finally laying one across the entrance of the pile of logs to the left of this image. Now I've read frogs aren't sexually active until three years old... just as well I found out otherwise would have been a long wait! I'll have to get another bucket of frogspawn from Colin's pond to keep the tadpole spotters (grandchildren) amused.

Wed 14-Mar: Linda off shopping with Becky again this morning, so ambled off on the five mile walk through the countryside north of Earith. Here's the first feature of the walk, the Old Bedford River, a man made watercourse dug in the 15th century to help drain The Fens that runs straight as a die for thirty miles to Downham Market. Was a bit cool and grey.

Thu 15-Mar: Having recced Crow Wood out a couple of days ago to ensure it was suitable, took Connor and Sammy there with bikes to ride the hilly tracks through the trees. Used Beth's cycle rack on back of the car... Becky questioned if there was a risk of the Panda toppling over! As we set out from the allotments all went well for the first few yards... until Sammy's legs got tired and I had to push him all the way there and back, with a brief interlude while he coasted around. Here's the terrible twosome, stoked up after mega quantities of bubble gum and Coca Cola from the newsagents, a substitute for the squash vending machine.

Fri 16-Mar: Here's the score card for what's likely to be the last game of pitch & putt for some time. John hasn't played for ages, too busy with work and girlfriends, and David starts his new job on Monday and it's going to be hard to persuade him to give up some of his weekend. He'll manage to find time for squash, him being so far ahead in games it's embarrassing... but I'm 5-0 up at pitch and putt so not the same incentive for him. This afternoon's game wasn't one of the best... hadn't played for some weeks, they'd spiked the greens so putting was difficult... I've got a few more excuses, how many do you want? I'll have to drag Linda round for a walk and play myself, since I really enjoy it. This card will now go with all the others I've kept for every game played over the last three years.

Sat 17-Mar: Although the weather forecast wasn't too promising, off we set for a walk to The Thicket. The sun broke out briefly, so on we walked to Houghton. Was the Houghton Mill National Trust cafe open? Yes it was! In fact, it's first day open this year, so here's the lunch we scoffed sitting beside the river... sweet pepper soup, roll, cake and coffee with the addition of an odd raindrop or two. Then off home via a footpath we'd never realised existed, in fact a whole new walk through woods and fields along the tributaries to The Ouse. Just about a perfect day.