Friday 23rd August

General discussions take place today with the teenagers over whether they should go to the cinema, or we should go for a bike ride, or to play some tennis. As a parent I like to give them a bit of choice, even when they don’t seem too keen, to be seen out with me! In the end the decision comes down to tennis at the local leisure centre, but the eldest decides not to play, as she is going out this evening, and needs to get read; and as we know that can take a while for teenage girls.

It used to be I could manoeuvre the rest of the family around the tennis court without breaking into a sweat, much less a jog. Oh for those halcyon days to return. The youngest is hitting it far too hard for me now, and I really do have to decide which balls are worth chasing. Another variable is the fact we have three tennis balls with us, all of varying bounce. So you’re never quite sure what you are going to get. In the end experience triumphs over youth, but only just, and I leave the court sweating, and thinking that next time I might not be so lucky.

That was the fourth day out of five this week that I’ve broken into a sweat. I do believe it’s something of a record for me, and quite possibly not to be repeated.

Yours not troubling Murray.

Jay

The house husband will be back next month ...