Drove up to Sedbergh on Friday for the annual trip away with the walking group. Food provided by June in the evening. Probably had too much to drink. Did a walk from the house organised by Stuart on Saturday. Food provided by Becky in the evening. Had a few games of shithead later. I organised the walk on Sunday to the Brigflatts quaker meeting house followed by lunch at The Dalesman. Me Steve and M had a pint in the Thirsty Rambler before walking back. Had  a few games of come up after. On Monday we planned to drive to Smardale nature reserve to walk but the road was closed so did a circular walk from the house instead suggested by Becky. Last time we came here at the same time if year there were lots of lambs. This time they are later but we did see some.Stopped off in Sedbergh for a pint in the Red Lion. Chilli in the evening provided by Jane and Dave. Had a sing song later with Fiona, M and Steve. On Tuesday did the walk we planned to do on Monday. It was a lovely day. Sausage and baked potatoes provided by Clare in the evening. Had a sing song with Andy and briefly Dave. On Wednesday we were joined by Kelvin and those of us who fancied it walked into Sedbergh and then up the big hills behind. Hard on the knees but a beautiful day the great views up there. Met up with the others afterwards for a pint or two in the Dalesman before walking back. Nice sunset.Leftovers for tea sorted out by Dave then more come up. On Thursday we drove to Dent and did a walk organised by Steve. More lambs. Had a meal in the evening in the Red Lion. Another lovely day but clouded over later. Drove back on Friday.Good trip. Meanwhile the Eberlins had landed.

Did a bit if garden maintenance on Monday then picked up Madeline and Owen for a couple of hours in the afternoon as Amy had to fly up to Scotland. Took them to the Courage park then back here for a bit. Took the car in for a service and MOT on Tuesday morning. Picked up pastels de nata front De  Nata on the way back.

My left eye had become quite blurry after the cararact op so I contacted the consultant's secretary on Monday morning. She told me I needed to go to the optician's for an eye test. I booked that in the afternoon and they said it was a problem with the macuia, probably as a result of the surgery, so referred me back to the consultant. In the mean time i took the dobro in to get a pickup fitted. Popped into RSAC later to retest the monitor in situ and all good. It had been reported to me that the FOH speakers we used instead if the monitor wasn't working and it was completely dead. Very odd goings on as working fine on Friday. It was a nice day and Amy had cycled round with Madeline and Owen but unfortunately I missed them. An AFD. It was John Rees' funeral at the crematorium on Tuesday morning. His daughter Jodie gave an excellent speech.

Tony came round for a rehearsal on Monday afternoon. In the evening we did the Castle Tap open mic. Quite a few in but a lot left before the end. We did Everything Is Broken, Losing My Religion and First We Take Manhatten.

 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.