Flooding

 Much better than Sunday but not looking likely to be at the club for some time as there is more rain forecast

This is the racecourse not the rugby pitches.  They're much better.

Continuing our journey in Hell

 

Gambling, I got the top score

Chicken and sweetcorn chowder

 I was supposed to cook this on Sunday but with all the fun with the power cut it was postponed.  I cooked it last night.  Pretty good, but have done better.

Rugby

 I played my last game of rugby of the season on Saturday.  Was it my last???  We won 7-50.  They scored first.  I was the oldest back by at least 15 years. I have to admit it was a struggle keeping up with kids!  We had 4 brothers playing in the same game.  All 4 of them scored!  I didn't...

There are two more games I could possibly play but with the operation in a few weeks I thought it wise not to make myself available.

AC/DC cover band

 We went to the Forum, Tunbridge Wells last Friday to see an AC/DC covers band.  They were pretty decent.

Operation date

 I have my shoulder operation date confirmed.  3 weeks today.  I've also got a CT scan on my nose (sinus) tomorrow.  I saw the consultant and he stuck a camera up my nose.  He's recommended a CT scan to take a more detailed look so am booked in.

Power cut = Chateaubriand

 We got back to a house without power after from watching TJs ladies winning on Sunday so we popped to our local Italian / French restaurant for dinner instead.

Tonbridge floods

 The water is very high in Tonbridge at the movement.  The rugby pitches have been flooded to protect the town.

Rat!

 With the river water so high in Tonbridge at the moment, looks like we have a rat!  Bloody hell that was big.

Ass blasters

Spotted these in a shop near me on Sunday.  I'm going to get some! 

ENT appointment

 I'm seeing a ear, nose and throat specialist at 5 later today.  It's been 10+ weeks since i've had clear a sinus, and that's after 2 lots of antibiotics.  Hopefully this guy can help.

Well, looks like training on Sunday is off

After a pitch inspection this morning it has been decided to cancel the training session for the minis.

Probably wise

We're having to play our (TJs 3s) home game over in Sittingbourne now.  Urgh.

Not happy

 Whilst I've been at home 4 days a week I've been talking Arwen out for long walks at lunch. Today it was heavily raining and she was not pleased.

Operation

 I had a consultation with a shoulder surgeon yesterday and he recommended shoulder surgery to try to fix my sore shoulder.  Just waiting to get a date from his secretary and i'll get it sorted.

New lights

 Over the Christmas period we had to 3 sets of Christmas lights up in the front room so was a lot brighter. Once we took them down the room seemed too dark with it;s one standard lamp (we tend not to use the ceiling light).  April found these wall lights in a sale and put them up on Tuesday.  I think they look great.

Level 17

 We levelled up to level 17 in our d&d campaign, the casters can now cast level 9 spells.  I can chanell quivering palm (an additional 10d10 damage or reduced to 0 on a failed con roll).  We're also in hell.

Flooded

 As what happens every year, our rugby pitches have flooded again.  This Sunday we trained at Vizards, the artificial pitch at a nearby school.

Crazy golf

 April booked us into Bogey's in Tunbridge Wells in Sunday afternoon and we had a great time.  I was the winner!

Lancashire hot pot

 I made this last night and it was pretty good

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks

 I took Arthur to the O2 on Saturday to see a Hot Wheels Monster Trucks show.  He absolutely loved it.  

Rhinomite (his nickname at the rugby club is Rhino) won the whole thing, which Arthur was very excited about.

Flat cars

Health

 I've got a couple of ongoing health issues that need sorting and this week things are moving forward.  My bad shoulder needs another look at and am now booked in to seeing the same consultant that gave me the pain injection last time.

I've had a sinus issue for 6 weeks and my GP is writing me a referral to see a specialist.  Hopefully I can see someone in the next week or so.  It would be nice to get this sorted too.

Chilli beef tacos

 I made chilli beef tacos last night, and they were pretty decent.

I made the kids take off their jumpers and ties before eating.

Yummy!

Arthur had the brainwave to put nachos inside to give it a bit of a crisp.  Great addition.

... and this spot

 

She also loves this spot!

 

I think she likes her present

 Josie's favourite place at the minute is by the radiator in my office.  I've now bought her a cat bed.  I think she likes it!

Shoulder problems

 I've been having trouble with my right shoulder for over a year now.  I had the pain injection last summer and it I think it really helped out but i've hurt it again playing rugby and it's now fairly painful again, although not quite as bad.  I think i'm going to have to see the consultant again to see what he thinks.

Sinus trouble

 I've had trouble with my sinus (behind nose) for 6 weeks now and last week I finished my second dose of anti-biotics.  It hasn't helped.  Now i'm getting a bit of a headache when I blow my nose.  I've been in touch with my doctor and I believe she is sorting out a referral for me.  Other than the sinus I feel pretty good though.

Tonbridge snow and ice

 It started snowing this afternoon.  Not really enough to settle but it was nice to see out on the dog walk.

Snow!

The Medway nearly froze solid!  Not seen that before.

Finally

 I finally got the flexible working request approved yesterday after waiting a month since my appeal and a total of 3 since I made the first request.  I chased it up yesterday and it looks as if they didn't do anything to progress it over December.  My statutory right is to get it resolved within 2 months from start to finish.  The fact that it was nearly 3 meant they had no leg to stand on so have had to give in to my request. It's great that I've got the flexible working agreement but it really didn't need 3 months of annoyance and stress added to me.

A bit of a scare

 We went up to Oundle on Saturday for a nice meal with my Dad and his wife Anne.  The trip up was good, although the range on the new car meant we had to charge up mid way and also on the way back.

I missed the turning for the charging point we were supposed to stop at so risked it and went to the next one.  With careful driving at 55 miles an hour and the air con turned off, we coasted into the charging bay with 4 miles left in the battery!

Pre-rugby dog walk and pitch inspection

 

Back training the u6s

 After a few weeks off, Sunday we were back training the u6s.  It was -5 overnight so the ground was rock solid.

Dead

I went into the office on Friday 2nd and the whole office was dead.  In total around 12 people out of 300 odd.  The office didn't even have heading as we were the only company in the building that was open.  What a complete waste of time.  And I am still waiting for my flexible learning appeal outcome.  It's nearly been a month!  And 3 months since I initially applied.

New Years eve at the Clarks

We had the Hunsleys and the Petersons round on New Years eve and their kids stayed over at ours over night.  We ordered a food box from somewhere near Sevenoaks.  It was mostly done for us, we just had to finish it off and plate it.

Monkfish

The girls had a mini spar party

The chefs

The end of 2025