Wednesday 3rd Apr

A beautiful crisp spring morning and I’m up and out earlier than usual to do the papers. In fact I’m out while both teenagers are still in bed - true it’s not a great surprise as it’s the school holidays. When I return the youngest is up watching YouTube on the computer but the eldest isn’t seen for at least another hour. I pop round to the outlaws to return the decorating gear I’d borrowed, and to give my mother-in-law some computer advice. Though to be fair she’s getting pretty good these days, which is more than her other half is, who doesn’t seem quite to have got to grips with the technology as well. Interestingly, it’s the other way round with my folks.

I make lunch for me and the youngest who then goes out to play football with his mates. It’s great to get that old fashioned feel as he goes out the door at lunch and I tell him to be back for tea, knowing he’s off to do something healthy and sociable. The eldest is having friends around and Mrs P made food for them last night and bought in additional supplies. My job is to get it prepared and on the table, then get out of the way, and tidy up afterwards. Something I accomplish with panache, whilst also fitting in the ironing.

I then get tea ready for Mrs P myself and the youngest, who returns with a proper appetite just in time for tea. Mrs P thinks he smells of “outdoors”, which is nice. Pop out for a walk with Mrs P and the eldest in the evening and return shattered and wanting my bed, it must be my age catching up with me.

Yours dreaming of summer

Jay