The lyrics of the John Lennon song seem particularly poignant this year. Christmas has come and gone and despite everything we still managed to have a good time. There were some really funny moments – one of which involved a stout middle-aged woman (who shall remain nameless) dancing like nobody was watching, but unfortunately they…
Catering is getting a bit sneaky in his old age, and I’m not sure I like it. Towards the end of Lockdown 2.0 I had to pop into the office to sign some thank you letters. I said I’d be home by about 10.30am but, due to the lack of traffic on the road, I…
The Spicer household is the proud possessor of an artificial Christmas tree. It was purchased 23 years ago (in the UK and then flown to Tokyo, so the air miles will probably take another 23 years to offset) when we lived in Japan. I got tired of paying US$ 200 for a tree (albeit a…
More frighteningly this means my youngest child is 21! A detail guaranteed to make you feel ancient, that and the fact that I have been offered a flu jab for the first time. As a result of COVID-19, we had already been forced to reduce the 21st celebrations to a family affair, with a couple…
I always go to the Italian shop in Maidenhead in the run-up the Christmas, together with the Granary in Watlington and Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, it is part of my personal Christmas rituals. It is like a cave of wonders and I am just like a small child in a sweetie shop – except…
Shortly after Boris said it was unlikely we’d have another lockdown I decided we needed a holiday. COVID-19 has resulted in the cancellation of two holidays so far this year and so not wanting to risk another disappointment, I opted for a week in North Devon – a few nights at the cottage, followed by…
I’d like to know why we can’t make a puncture proof tyre. The roads around the Spicer residence are afflicted with small, sharp flints, which I am beginning to realise are the mortal enemy of cyclists. I for one am growing a little tired of puncture repair (though my technique has improved vastly with practice)…
So it begins, Lockdown 2.0 started today and unlike last time we are on our own as the Smallest Boy has moved into the flat in London and Alex is back at University in Bristol. So far it’s been fine, however it has only been 18 hours and we were asleep for most of those…
So I did it – I stayed sober throughout October. It surprised me that after the first 30 days I hardly missed alcohol at all. Joking aside, there was only one evening where I really (and I mean really) wanted a drink and bizarrely it wasn’t the usual drink I would choose (a glass of…
I have done this once before (a couple of years ago) and a bit like pregnancy/childbirth, the minute it’s over you forget what a pain it was, until you decide to do it again. Lockdown saw the Spicer family move from aiming not to drink at home from Monday to Thursday, to aiming for alcohol…