Now the bad bits. On the way up the train was 30 mins late due to a tree on the tracks. I then noticed my phone was dying so switched it off as my ticket was on it. As ever its impossible to find out about stage times at these venues for some reason. Asked the guy on the door who didn't really know but thought 9 and wasn't sure whether there was a support act or just a DJ. So went for an excellent Pizza Pilgrim and went to venue about 8 30. My phone died just as I was about to show it on my way in but that wasn't a problem they just asked me my name and checked on a list. A pint of IPA was £6.80 which I didn't think was bad considering where it was. There was a support act but can't remember his name or find it anywhere. Got 3 rows back so had a great view. Left at 10 30 in plenty of time to get the 11 32. I managed to get a seat but it was crowded with a lot of people standing as it had been reduced from 9 to 5 carriages. Then there was an announcement that the train would be delayed due to a missing member of crew. The train then crawled along and eventually came to halt just before Slough. We told there was a broken down freight train ahead and although it was on a different track we couldn't go past because of a potentieal fire risk. Eventually we moved to Slough where passengers for Reading were advised to get on another train. This stopped at Maidenhead where we were told we'd have to reverse to get onto the main line. Shortly after a train went through on the main line which I think is safe to conclude was the train we'd just got off. We got to Reading at 1 50, almost 2 hours late. All this time I'd had a flat phone so nothing to read or do. Had good band practice on Thursday. The first one for a while. I was going for fish and chips after but found the car battery was dead. Called out Harry Seaman on Friday. He checked the battery and said it needed replacing. Found the receipt eventually with help from this blog and took the car to Halfords where they replaced it without any hassle. Then went for my first swim for a while. M was supposed to come but was stuck in the 18th centuary. Applied for a partial refund for the late running of the train on Wednesday. Fairly straightforward assuming I get one. The kitchen sink was blocked on Saturday mainly coffee grounds by the look of it. Went to watch URZ v top of the table and already promoted Burnley. It was a very enjoyable 0 0 draw. Good atmosphere with a big crowd. Lots of school kids. They just seemed a bit more positive. Still in the bottom 3 though. Went over to Rob and Anj's for an excellent meal in the evening. On Sunday we met up with the Lutonians in London for a delayed shenanigans. It normally takes place around Christmas but we haven't had one for a while because of covid apart from a couple of zooms. We met in the Lamb and Flag near Covent Garden and did a mistery tour which involved a walk round that neck of the woods solving clues. We took in a couple of other pubs, the White Hart, French Horn (which only sold halves) and the Sun and 13 Cantons. We then went to Zedel for a meal. Great fun.Went up and back on the Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Rd.

A good start to the day on Sunday, had the everyman done by 9 30. Started cleaning up the side wall for repainting. I was hoping the jet wash would remove a lot of the loose bits but it didn't so had to do by hand. Amy sent ys a recipe for delicious looking short ribs that we thought we'd try but could only get boned and rolled rib. I fojnd a very simlar recipe and it was delocious. Had a bit of a lazy day on Easter Monday. Although it turned out to be a sunny afternoon I decided to watch URZ on the box v PNE. They really didn't look very good but made it to half time still 0 0. They conceded in the second half but remarkably pulled one back with about 10 minutes to go. They couldn't keep them out though so lost 2 1 and are still in the bottom 3.

We attempted to get to the botanical gardens in the afternoon but didn't get very far. Cooked a chicken tagine. Saturday was my 70th birthday lunch at Cail Bruich. They only do a tasting menu which was brilliant both in terms of food, service and ambience. There were also some delicious petit fours not mentioned on the menu. It was difficult to pick the best dish but probably the langoustine if you had to pick. JnA's friend Anna and her daughter Lily babysat for Madeline. We then headed back to JnAs to chill for a bit after the meal. Madeline tried to escape so we took her to the park again. 

Tried to go for a pint in the Doublet on the way back to the AirBnB but the front bar was full and it was noisy in the lounge so didn't bother. Hadn't realised how big it is. On Sunday we took Madeline to the park again and then met Andy for lunch at Cafe Andaluz. He'd bean on a walking holiday to Glen Coe and was staying with friends David and Madeline. Good fun and we met up with JAM in the botanical gardens after. Then went back and cooked roast chicken. A really sunny day on Monday. We took Madeline to the park in the morning. M had a nap whilst Madeline had hers. I went for a stroll. Found a street in Finneston that was dedicated to music.

Apart from the sax shop there was also a violin and a drum shop and just up the road was band supplies. Couldn't resist Tantrum Doughnuts.Wondered back past the art gallery.