TUESDAY 21st FEBRUARY

Clare's Birthday!  Happy Birthday Darling!

Pancake Tuesday,  Shrove Tuesday,  Fat Tuesday,  Mardi Gras( that's French for Fat Tuesday!).  Call it what you will,  I still think pancakes are lovely!  I went to Clare's for tea, slow-roast ( 6 hours) pork and all the trimmings, Yum! Yum!  followed by several pancakes with lemon and sugar.  Delicious!  Watched Dan Snow and his programme of the influence the Royal Navy had on the civilised formation of the world as we know it, which was excellent, followed by  "How to build a Jet Engine".  Always wanted to know how, didn't you?  It was all about the fabulous Rolls-Royce Trent series of jet engines.  A teriffic programme,  and a clear demonstration of the enormous skill,  dedication and utter pride the company has in it's product.  The enthusiasm of the workforce was over-powering.  I think I will watch that programme again on my iPlayer.  Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday ( First day of Repentance,  dressing in sack-cloth and ashes) the First Day of Lent indicating that Easter is but a few weeks away  ( Good Friday April 7th ).   The FT remains in excess of 5900 and Greece has another bail-out from the bank sufficient to see them through till 2014.  Supposedly!   Let's see how they fare?

MONDAY 20th FEBRUARY

A dramatic change in the weather from a glorious Sunday.  Rain,  rain and more rain.  More rain continuing into the week but becoming progressively milder.  Some good work to get on with. My grandsons  Jack and Sean  managed to win the Sunday League playing for the "Big Kings".  Many congratulations! I have heard that there are to be new tenants soon at the "Little Kings" in the form of Steve and Anita.  I wish them every success,  of course.  Greece is to get another massive hand-out and the reaction is an improvement in the FT lasting the day entirely above 5900. I went out to a meeting in Ulverston at 7, and it was very good with a meal afterwards and a couple of cans of "Boddies" followed by a walk home in the rain.  Don't forget about PANCAKE TUESDAY tomorrow!

SUNDAY 19th FEBRUARY

I woke up to beautiful sunshine streaming into my bedroom!  Up and followed my regular Sunday morning routine of a LDSB  but this time,  just for a change, it was followed by MK's and a pot of strong coffee.  Absolutely delicious.  Got all my biking kit on and then up to the garage for a ride out on the Bandit.  Went out to Devil's Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale where there was a massive turn-out,  all enjoying the spring sunshine.  I met several lads from Ulverston including Tony and Paul Arnold,  Mike Wood,  Peter Joyce and John Croskery.  Mike had his brand new BMW tourer. What a fabulous machine that is.  We all enjoyed our chat and Mike ( bless him)  bought the teas.  That burger van must be the most profitable in the entire country as the queue never diminishes.  There are 4 inside the van working feverishly.  The original gold mine?  Had an excellent ride back in a bit of a convoy and then put the Bandit away,  ready for another day.  Home then and W&P to meet up with the gang for Cocktails @ 5.  Willy One-Eye and Sue are living it up in Devon so they were absent,  as were the Stantons.  ( But no note from their mummy ).  Sue's run of luck on the ponies came to a sudden and abrupt halt,  so Willy has the onerous task of selecting the horses next week.  We all enjoyed our evening with much fun and friendly banter.  Had the last one in the Capitola and made arrangements for Gold Cup Day of Cheltenham so Wendy and Vicky will provide a tasty spread for us all in teh Capitola.  Home then,  a bit of tv and a hot chocolate,  and contentedly, off to bobo's.  A very nice weekend.

SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY

What started off as a rather grimy morning soon developed into a glorious spring day.  Lots of sunshine and clear blue skies.  Mild,  and particularly pleasant when in direct sunlight.  Gorgeous.  Plenty work to get on with and finished around 2,  nicely times for my Chaneel 4 Racing.  My horses did ok,  and the star was certainly Binocular.  What a class horse!  I was lucky enough to visit Nicky Henderson's stables last year and met Binocular,  Long Run, Punjabi and Bobs Worth.  A very special day.  Alan called and persuaded me to meet him for a teatime snifter in the Farmers. The place was packed.  Dave and Sue Seeley showed up and the NR's were in.   Home after just 2 and had a very nice tea and then I settled down for my regular "Saturday Night In".  I watched some boxing with Kid Galahad.  I like that boy and he did a splendid job going the full 12 rounds.  there was a  great show on about Frank Sinatra,  surely everyone's favourite.