Day 118 - Boing Boing

Wednesday August 12th

Got out for a run this morning and decided to do a time trial around the Water Meadows. Surprised myself with a 5:58. That would come down a bit on a track so not in bad shape.

Ted and I cemented the rotary dryer in this morning. This was a somewhat tense affair as the cement was harder to mix than I thought and my arms were aching but I couldn't stop as it starts to set after 20 minutes. All worked out and Mrs N now has a nice solid dryer in the flower bed.

Followed that up with constructing the trampoline in the front garden. It's massive and with the new safety net it's a bit of an eyesore. However, we promised the kids and it was free so what the hell. Helena and Alex stayed over for a sleepover.

Day 116 - Plumber's Mate

Monday August 10th

James Hoy the plumber came today and Mrs N was very attentive. Not your average plumber, more of a housewife's delight. Anyway...he fixed our hard water problem, plumbed in the washing machine (I could have done that but I wanted to be absolutely sure) and ordered a new toilet and taps.

The Spensers arrived as he was leaving and we had a whirlwind afternoon. No Roger or Thomas but we headed down to the Water Meadows for a good 2 hours of cricket and football. Julia and Alice gave as good as they got in the drizzle. Had fish fingers, baked beans and crumpets for tea and waved good bye past 10.30. Whew, busy day

Day 115 - Beer Can Chicken

Sunday August 9th

Went out for an early run this morning and found a glorious circuit that took me up and along a ridge to the south of the City. I had a great view of Winchester and a nice downhill run through Compton. Got quite a pace up as well.

The Fearns came to visit

for lunch which was great Luke is my Godson and Benj is Alice's Godfather. We supped rose in the garden and had two beer can chickens on the grill followed by a stroll along the Water Meadows. Ted was brilliant with the Ollie and Luke. Ellen was noticeable by her absence. Curious as there were small children in the house

Day 87 - My Daughter went for a Walk...and Survived

Sunday July 12th

Brutal 9.5 mile run this morning. I was fine for 7 miles, in fact was doing some steady 7:20s but then I hit the inevitable hill back up to Kings. I tried to find a route back from St Cross and ended up at Sainsbury's. 2 miles later I staggered home and felt faint for the rest of the day. The answer: more hill work!!!!

Retraced my run with Ellen and Ted for a long walk into town. They hardly moaned the whole time and we discovered some fun stuff - a walking bridge across the railway, the Water Meadows, streams, cows, cricket pitches...all good stuff for them. Tried and failed to get them mobile phones again

Day 84 - Jargon, Jargon, Jargon

Thursday July 9th

Short run this morning. I am beginning to find out that you cannot run anywhere in Winchester without encountering some kind of hill. This has obvious upsides and downsides. The downside is that the house we live on is on the top of one particular hill and whichever direction I run in I end up with a nice uphill to make it home. On the plus side I am finding my way round some lovely parts of Winchester. Discovered the Water Meadows today...beautiful (see photo)

Back to school today and spent it with the Pupil Support Department. Here is where it is important to understand the jargon and be very careful with the words you use. Basically, PSD work with kids at the school who have special needs related to their learning. Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) work in the classroom with them and make sure they have what they need to be included in the mainstream. Kings' is the lead school in the area for physically disabled children, some of whom I spent the day with. Without exception, these kids were amazing. They are just part of the school and no-one treats them any differently from anyone else. I met Andrew, Will, Jess, Kerry and really enjoyed sitting with them and watching them get through the school day. Feeds the soul.

Ellen was very brave today and went to Swimming Club at the school. She was very hesitant to get in the pool and I kept telling her that she just had to jump in and get on with it. She finally did and had a great time.