Last weekend was good fun for all of us, although Jude and, to a slightly lesser extent, Martin had it harder. The church “Pathfinder” group used our house for a 24 hour fast. Most of the day time they used the conservatory, in the evening they took over the attic room, where they slept. On Sunday morning they all worked on the boat for half an hour – I was particularly impressed by two of the lads who showed a real interest. Jenny and I decided that cooking an evening meal on Saturday wasn’t fair on the fasting group, so went out to Darlington’s new Chinese Buffet – not nearly as good as Middlesbrough’s or Durham’s, and pretty excruciating live music – oh, and it was more expensive, but still, pleased we tried.

The house saga dragged on, with the buyer’s cheque taking until Tuesday to clear. I think it’s all sorted now, though, and we are no longer the owners of a house. With all the time and costs, we must have been the only people in the past few years to have lost money by buying and selling a house! But we did have the use of the garage and control of the neighbours, so we did benefit.

I’m still trying to catch up with school paperwork, and really ought to show an interest in what to do next – I guess I’m pretty complacent because I know there’s work out there, but I must ensure I have all the forms filled to be able to take anything offered. Jenny’s still making the most of her part timing, including a Wednesday afternoon drive out to Ferryhill to look at a walking frame thing for Mum. Mum bought it, despite misgivings about whether she really needed it, and thinks it will be a great help getting round the garden. Mum also made the journey up the stairs to view the completed attic. It is so much better and should be more useful.

The record collection is gradually being transferred – with new hard disk and, more importantly, increased memory, I can now record from record and use the computer for other things at the same time. Before this upgrade, while the computer was recording the computer was fully tied up, which led to a great deal of running up and down stairs. I’ve been looking through our collection – and wondered who the five or six ABBA albums came from. Should I include them in the project? Perhaps, but they’ll not be a priority! At this very moment, we are recording “Jesus Christ, Superstar” while Jenny sends emails. I’m typing this on Jenny’s school portable. Who’d have thought years ago we’d have such IT options available today?

Mum was booked to travel by train to Wendy’s on Friday 28th, but a train strike intervened. She’s rearranged for Saturday, and Jenny is also travelling down to Surrey for a meeting the same morning (but much earlier). Saturday will be to myself after I get rid of Mum!

Jenny’s not managed to play her oboe all week – it needs to be out where she trips over it. Much like my keyboard which has been unplayed for months, and I think I’ve forgotten all the musical knowledge I was beginning to develop. I was asked at school on Wednesday to name a note on a stave, and got it wrong. Oh dear. In fact, my music is not moving on at all – I play the guitar every day, but only the same three chord welcome type songs. Right. The keyboard needs a stand so it can remain out all the time, and I’ll make one this weekend (if I get around to it)! Jenny is heavily involved in music at church which, while it may be fairly simple for her, at least keeps her up to date and playing new stuff.

Work on the boat proceeds slowly. Varnishing has started, but I’m struggling to fit a new strap into the centre plate. Can’t really launch without this, but I may have to work from underneath, which means lifting the boat. Crane hire is very expensive, so I need to use the launching machine. More or less decided the boat must go in favour of something cheaper to run – a large dinghy which can live on a trolley at the club rather than needing a pontoon. Also should be easier to move around behind the Punto. Looking out for something cheap and interesting!

Well, Thursday evening is drifting away, and I need to slap another coat of varnish on, so that’s it