A long, busy day.

A weird alien voice disturbs me from my slumbers at two o'clock in the morning, it is the virus protection software on my laptop, which I have left on and tells me that I have one hundred and sixty nine problems that need fixing. Unfortunately the licence expired last week and I need to find my credit card to renew it, so it has to wait until morning. The phone wakes me at about a quarter past seven and when I answer, it is my granddaughter, Alice, asking if I will pick her up after an all night prom party from a farm near Woodmansey. After a quick wash and a glass of orange juice, I drive there, it is about five miles from Tickton and down a small farm track that leads to the house. In a paddock beyond the house, is a mini Glastonbury, where the girls graduating from Beverley High School have held their Post Prom all night party and boys from Beverley Grammar School and Longcroft college have also put in an appearance. Alice is sat in front of a pop up tent with three friends. "Grandad, could you give my friends a lift as well?" She pleads. By half past eight, Alice and her friends are safely home and I am able to address myself to the urgent need for breakfast for Norman and myself, which we eat in the garden, as it is turning out to be a pleasant day. I had planned to look in on my other granddaughter, Laura's sports day, before seeing Felicity and co at the Poppy Seed, but my schedule is out of kilter. I phone Sam and arrange to come to sports day for the prize giving, just before lunch and then drive to North Bar, where I park, before walking Normy to the Poppy Seed. Felicity is tucking into a plate of scrambled eggs when we arrive, but unfortunately for Norman, manages not to spill any today. Hanne is still on holiday, but we are joined by Thelma and later on by Annie. Normy and I take our leave at eleven, make our way back to the car and then drive to Molescroft primary for the last hour of Laura's sports day. The school gates are locked, but some departing mums tell me that the way in is through main reception, so tucking Norman under my arm, I make my way through the school. As I pass reception, a lady tells me that she isn't sure if dogs are allowed. "He isn't a dog, he is a pyjama case!" I plead and almost get away with it. All girls are suckers for Norman, but in between cries of "he is so cute!" someone decides to consult the head teacher and we get a very firm no. Poor old Normy has to be tied to the school railings, under the shade of a large willow tree, before I am allowed onto the sports field. I quickly find Sam and Laura, explain about Alice and Norman and then just have time to see my granddaughter compete in "tossing the basketball", before watching the final relay races. Before I leave, it is agreed that I will collect Laura from school tomorrow and that we will make Calzone Pizza for dinner. Norman is waiting patiently by the railings for me when I leave the school, and trots along happily by my side, as we make our way back to the car. When we arrive in Tickton, I give the old boy some biscuits and a large bowl of water, which he drinks completely. I put on some coloured washing in the machine and then read through the stuff I downloaded for Gino. Around two o'clock, I climb on my bike, in order to cycle to the leisure centre, after first hanging out my coloureds on the line. I arrive in the pool at half past two, the school children have just left and so I have a lane to myself. After a 400m mixed medley warm up, I swim 3 x 300m Individual,medleys, followed by 4x 100m IM and then warm down on an easy 400m split equally between backstroke and freestyle. I am starting to get the feel of the 300m IM, and my times are coming down, as I am becoming better at judging the pace, initially swimming too slowly on the butterfly leg, for fear of running out of steam. Gradually, as confidence builds, I am able to relax more and settle into the rhythm and cadence of the stroke. In the cafe, they are out of scones, so I have to fall back on my default snack of a toasted teacake. The cafe is full of young mums and their children arriving for swimming or gymnastics classes. Around half past four, I cycle into town and call into Boyes' store, where I buy a pack of three, secret trainer socks. These are the sports socks with virtually no ankles, which I am starting to wear with trainers, as I can't fit orthotics into the sandals, which I normally wear with shorts. I cycle home via Beckside and up alongside the River Hull, it is about a mile further than the more direct route, but in rush hour, much more pleasant. When I arrive home, my washing is dry, so after gathering it in, I decide to run the mower over the lawns. The grass isn't really long, but rain is forecast for tomorrow, I have my "safety awareness" course in Barton on Humber on Friday and baby sitting duties over the weekend, while Sarah goes to London. It doesn't take long and afterwards I make lamb burgers, salad and pitta bread for dinner, accompanied by a glass of Shiraz. Suddenly the long day catches up with me and I decide to lie drown for half an hour on the bed and then sleep soundly, until I am woken by my next door neighbour, Kath, who reminds me that I have left my bike unlocked, leaning against the wall. It is half past ten and almost dark, so I thank her, put the bike in the garage and then undress, put on my pyjamas, and go back to bed. Having first let Norman into the garden for a final toilet.