Week 26: Storm

The Covid shackles are off – and just in time for a busy week of birthdays in the family.
L and I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day: it falls the day before C’s birthday which is a day before hers. An Ocado meal deal and bottle of Prosecco after the children were in bed are fine.
I took the day off work for C’s birthday: his fourth. We started with soft play at DJ’s Jungle and then back home for a party with five of his little friends. I was on food duty, safely in the kitchen as the chaos unfolded. He loved it. Top presents were Numberblocks toys – his current obsession.
L’s birthday the next day was less boisterous. Her parents drove over from Wiltshire to spend the day with her and the boys, and babysat while we went for dinner in Welwyn at The White Hart.
Before the birthday dinner I took H to his football training at nearby Gosling Sports Park’s astroturf pitches. It was the first time I’d been able to go. In increasingly blustery conditions I was happy to be there to see him score his first goal. He’s got good pace and tackles well. Proud dad.
With isolation over I was clear to visit the office for only the second time. It was busier than last time, but still pretty empty. We’re preparing for a two-days-a-week in the office hybrid policy from next month which, commuting aside, I’m looking forward to.
Friday brought Storm Eunice. It rattled my office roof, broke the clothes line cover and knocked garden furniture about, but thankfully no serious damage was done. We stayed inside and, unlike many, didn’t lose power.
Our parents weren’t so lucky, and both sets have been without power (or reduced voltage) for 48 hours now. They’re all healthy, but are in or approaching their seventies so you start to worry. We had mine over for a hot lunch and they showered at my sister’s house; Laura’s have a wood burner and candles for reading.