A bit of a lazy day on Monday but I did take my walking boots to the Tilehurst Cobbler to get them fixed. Amazing place full of stuff just like an old style cobbler and they'll be ready in 2 weeks. 

An AFD. Did a ride with Kelvin on Tuesday. The original plan was to go to Oxford and get the train back but we changed our minds at Wallingford and just cycled back. Did 35 miles. Made pancakes for a rare dessert. Went to see URZ draw 1 1 with third placed Bolton in the evening. We went 1 0 up through Marriot in a fairly even first half but were under the cosh in the second and finally conceded in the 96th minute. Kelvin borrowed Ralph's ticket and we had a couple in the Hop Leaf afterwards like old times. Walked over to no 81 on Wednesday to pick up James' mandolin. Another AFD. Went swimming on Thursday morning. Had early evening drinks in the evening with Penno, Clive and Al Wilkinson. Had a rehearsal with Tony on Friday. Tom came over with Edith on Saturday afternoon. Sally was in France for a few days with Fiona and Anna to watch Florence And The Machine. We went to the park and then JAMO came over for roast chicken. Tom and Edith went back early afternoon on Sunday.

Went to get a couple of sets of guitar strings on Monday afternoon so did an extended walk along the Kennet and Thames. There was a bit of flooding on the Thames path and I saw my first goslings of the year.Popped into RSAC on the way back to pick up the wireless mics as there was a problem on Saturday and I wanted to investigate. James came over later to stay the night as he needed to get the 6 45 train to Perth on Tuesday. An AFD. I gave him a lift in the next day but unfortunately the train was cancelled sovhe had to get a later one. We picked Madeline and Owen up from nursery later and Amy came round for tea. Went swimming on Wednesday morning. We did the Retreat quiz in the evening with Kelvin and Fiona. Came 3rd. Went to the hygenist on Thursday morning. Kevin and Adrienne arrived late afternoon. They were staying over as me, Kevin and Penno went to to Tracy Insley's leaving do at thr Lord Raglan in Wokingham. It was good to catch up with old work mates even though I retired in 2019. Had a swifty in the Greyfriars on the way back, a bit of a late one. We noticed that the eyes in the mural by the station blink.

Finished off the paving stones on Monday and replaced the wood  around one of the raised beds. An AFD. Can't remember doing much on Tuesday but it was another AFD. On Wednesday did a ride with Kelvin out to Yattendon and had lunch in the cafe at Bucklebury Farm. We picked Madeline and Owen up from nursery later and James came round for tea. Amy was in South Africa with work. In the evening went to see a chap called John Wesley Harding also known as Wesley Stace at South Street. An amusing singer songwriter. He was supported by another called David Lewis and they did some stuff together as they are old friends. Went with Kelvin and also saw Stuart and Mary there. Went swimming on Thursday morning, my first one since ghetto cataract op. Did first Thursday drinks in the evening at the Greyfriar. No JR or Russ. Had to complement them on the music being played. One band sounded like The Byrds but I think they said it was The Gin Blossoms. Had a band practice at Pirate on Friday for Tribute Night. On Saturday drove over to Alex and James' for a belated Kelly Xmas do. M went with James and the kids and I went in our car as I had to leave early to get back for  the Simon and Garfunkel Tribute Night. One of the new guys. Emre, helped out on sound along with Graham. We played as Slime'n Carbuncle and did Homeward Bound and Keep The Customer Satisfied. Did OK, a lot there and they ran out of beer. Only Fosters left at the end. We nearly won the prize for best band name again. There was decider between us and Reading Bridge Over Troubled Thames Water, We was robbed A lazy day on Sunday.

M went over to no 81 on Monday morning to look after the kids as they had a viewing for their house. I went for a follow-up appointment with the consultant (Mr Constable) about my cataract op. All looking good and he's put me forward to have the right eye done. Tony came round for a rehearsal after. We played the Castle Tap Open Mic in the evening. Did Can't You See, White Rabbit and Rooster. All on the dobro. Jake joined us on fiddle for White Rabbit. Their were quite a few there and some new faces. A lot of dreary stuff though. Tony had filmed us so spent Tuesday editing the video down to 3 separate tracks. Went to see URZ draw 2 2 again this time to Exeter. Just me and Ralph as usual. A cold wet and windy evening. On Wednesday I tried out Sunday's society walk and it was very wet. James came round with the kids for tea. Amy was up in Scotland. An AFD. Tried a drier version of the walk on Thursday. Had some paving stones deliver from BnQ. Met up with Penno and Clive in The Allied early evening. On Friday we started laying the paving stones.I popped over to RSAC early evening to help set up for Atilla The Stockbroker. He'd said he wanted a Bluetooth connection so I took along  couple of receivers to if they would work but he didn't need them in the end. On Saturday we went up to London for the annual Shenanigans. This time it was a Hidden City treasure hunt all done on the phone. Great fun and arounfvtge inns of court area. Here we are planning except for Sue

James brought the kids round on Monday morning as he was looking after them and their car needed to go in for a service. Picked up some framing from Ralph after. Tony came round later for a rehearsal. An AFD. Popped down to RSAC on Tuesday to take some stuff down the tip. Another AFD. Booked up some more of the Canada trip on Wednesday. Another AFD. Met Mike and Judy for lunch on Thursday at this newish pizza place called Zia Lucia. They do different bases including a charcoal one.

Tony came round in the afternoon for a rehearsal. Did a couple of songs on the dobro. An AFD. On Tuesday it was Carolyn Webb's funeral. It was family only but we watched the cortege leave the house and then went to the wake afterwards in The Rising Sun. They had framed pictures in the bar. A good turn out.

Took down the Christmas decorations on Monday. James popped round with the kids for an hour or so in the afternoon as they had the cleaners in. Went to a meeting at RSAC in the evening. An AFD. Had a bit of snow on Tuesday morning. When M was tidying up the old office she found that the futon mattress had been nibbled a bit. Hopefully this was down to the mice we had  while ago. Anyway I took it down the tip. Another AFD.