Its been nearly a week since I have been online. My laptop which I admit wasn't an expensive one, bought from Tcheibo has died. It did me good service for nearly three years and now I have a new one. Steve ordered it online about midnight last Wednesday and it arrived on Friday and we didn't even pay for express delivery.
Its been a really busy time. The weekend before last it was the sailing club centenary and I was invited along with Elaine and Jane onto Roshann and Richard's boat. It turned out to be a very luxurious yacht, certainly 'my type of sailing', particularly the champagne lunch, so much more pleasurable than the last time I was out on the water.

On Sunday we attended the christening of Ellie, granddaughter of my longest friend Janis. It was a lovely to be part of this lovely celebration and to be with Janis and her family.

Work continues to be manic, each month we have a meeting with our manager to address the staff shortages and every month she makes a work plan and goes away again for another month. Does anything change? Yesterday she came and went the same as usual. One of my colleagues asked me if I'd like to join her on a march in Brighton to protest at our pay award. I said no, I;m not militant and actually more than pay is the real issue. Staff shortages and resources are what affect my colleagues and I most.
Last weekend Linda was here and we had an enjoyable time. She returned back to Bedford on Sunday night, with a bit of glow to her skin. We hadn't realised how warm the sun was on Sunday as we walked along the seafront, there was a heavy wind which made it feel quite cool. Linda and I went to Lymington & Lyndhurst in the New Forest on Saturday and in the evening we stayed at home and watched the film 'The girl with the pearl earring'.

Steve had a really busy weekend as he was responsible for arranging a class event at the sailing club for laser 2000's. Because the wind was 'windy'! not too many competitiors took part, but those who did, really enjoyed it. Steve was happy that it was successful.
It was Steve's birthday yesterday and we celebrated with breakfast at 'The Bluebird' a seafront cafe. Steve sails on a Tuesday, so we wouldn't have had time to celebrate last night. Bacon sandwiches before work was a nice treat, certainly shouldn't become a habit. Next year Steve will be 50, so there will be bigger celebrations.

Friday the 13th and I'm not particularly superstitious, but it didn't start well!

Steve was awake from the early hours with his heart in an irregular heartbeat. We decided to visit the nurse at the surgery to get a trace as the consultant said it would be useful to him in his treatment of Steve's condition. The ECG was done, it showed Steve's heart wasn't in A/F but it was behaving in a very peculiar manner. Back home Steve rested for a few hours, he didn't improve and was feeling very unwell. We have been back and seen a locum GP who was very thorough. Steve's heart rhythm was this time in A/F and he's been sent home to rest. If he gets worse or becomes more unwell I have been advised to get him to hospital! Am I worried? Yesterday I spent the afternoon doing resus training, fingers crossed that I won't have to put it into practise.

Gosh, what a week. Work is absolutely manic, staff off sick, staff on secondment and staff off on annual leave. I worked four days this week and even popped into the office to make some calls this morning while Steve was in with the nurse.

On the A front it has gone a bit quiet. Steve had a nice e mail from Christo, saying that when he and his girlfriend have their new home straight, they only moved in last week, they would like to invite us over for a meal. I have resisted even reading his Mother's blog and thank God I didn't ever tell her of mine!

Ian is due back in Sheffield today after his trip to Japan, I'm sure he had a wonderful experience.

Matthew rang excitedly in the week as he has been promoted and has had a 7k pay rise, not bad, he's been there six months and this is the 2nd raise in that time! I'm very proud of him as he is obviously working hard and has proved himself to his employers:).

The morning after the weekend's sailing and I had to go to work which is an unusual occurrence for a Monday. I was awake early as I had slept very soundly. My whole body ached when I got up and eight hours later it's aching even more. Let my resolve never to go in a single handed dinghy remain strong, I just need to remember the pain. Fortunately I had only to go to work for a half day which I was spending out with a colleague from the mental health team. We had a good morning visiting her clients, it was ok sitting in houses or being driven in Sue's car, but oh I could have cried when I had to walk up three flight of stairs to her office and it was even worse coming down. The last time my muscles ached this much was when I climbed Mount Lomond!

I have reached the conclusion that dinghy sailing isn't for me. I have spent the weekend doing the RYA course. The weather has been beautiful, two warm sunny days spent on the Solent or at times in it. The first day we were sailing in larger dinghy's with two students and an instructor, at the end of the day I managed to capsize the boat and we all ended in the water. Today was the time when we took to the water in singlehanded boats, all on our lonesome. I spent a great amount of time getting wet. Twice I fell out of the boat and endless times I capsized the boat. The most spectacular capsize was when I Collided with another trainee and not only turned turtle my boat, but that of his as well. Fortunatly Chris took his dunking by me in good spirit. The culmination of the course was to beable to sail a triangular course, this I failed miserably. I won't be taking the opportunity to do the assesment again. It took me four goes to pass my driving test, the conseqences of not succeeding would have caused me great inconvienience.
I'm bruised and batterred, my muscles ache, I have been hauled unceremoniously out of the water into the rescue boat. I'm happy with my descision to quit while I'm in one piece, the consequences of not getting the level 2 will have no lasting effect on my life.

This weekend I will be doing my second sailing course, last year I did level 1. Over the course of the weekend I will attempt to get level 2. I'm not certain that I will get the certificate as I shall have to take a small boat out on my own. I have just been sorting out my stuff. Pink wet suit, Pink jacket and Pink buoyancy aid.
This morning I visited a particularly manky house, which didn't bother me too much, that is, until I discovered that I picked up some chewing gum on my skirt and got it all over the car seat! Steve thought I was having a senior moment when he found my skirt, bagged up in the freezer.
Tonight we are having fish & chips from the local, excellent chippy, we don't have them very often, but tonight three friends will join us. I bought some really nice sparkling wine from Lille and I think tonight we shall drink some.
It's been another stressful week, Steve is feeling it too, which is unusual as he doesn't let things get to him. This week he has been insulted and now accused of harassment!

I have just come back from 'Rainbows' to find Steve up in the study and as he said he's busy with his new hobby! He is replying to another e mail, he has now become the target for a certain ladies vitriol. We have taken legal advice and it seems that there is no case against us, but then we knew that. Its just sad that its come to this.

Steve went to Graffham Water in Cambridgeshire for the weekend to take part in a sailing competition. He and and Stu his crew went on Friday morning and returned late on Sunday evening, they had a great time and were triumphant in getting the 'endeavour' trophy, not for actually winning the races, but for their efforts, sportsmanship etc. Well done, especially to Stu who has only just started crewing for Steve.

I had an equally enjoyable weekend. Two nights alone in our super king sized bed, sheer heaven!

On Saturday I had a day out with friends Elaine & Janet. We shopped at Gunwarfe, helped Jan purchase a fabulous outfit for a forthcoming wedding. Sat for hours in the sunshine drinking wine outside 'Cafe Rouge'. We then headed to the cinema where we watched 'Sex & The City'. It was a really fun film which we all enjoyed. We finished the evening eating Italian food before heading home on the Gosport ferry. On Sunday I had a very long lie in, before walking up to see my Mother. On my return home I spent a couple of hours pottering in the garden and a couple of hours reading.

This morning I have spent three hours clearing out cupboards, wardrobes, drawers and the airing cupboard. Its very satisfying now it done, bags and bags for the charity shop, but there was that moment, when surrounded by chaos I thought I should have never started. Clearing out is something I tend to pitch in and do when something is causing me angst. I have received an e mail, threatening action against me if I fail to resolve satisfactorily things between me and A....! I have ignored the email, I just don't know how I can make things right for things which happened before I was born. I am being accused of metering out diabolical treatment and of emotional subterfuge!
There is I know a time when I need to speak to my Mother about this as I'm sure this lady is bound to make contact with her again.

Ian is now in Japan, I had a long chat, but didn't mention the above to him as I don't want in anyway spoil his trip. Ian will be attending a conference where he will be giving a couple of presentations.
I had a lovely Chat with Matt yesterday. He is sounding very happy with life:).