A weekend visit from the family
WE had my parents up this weekend. My parents and my sister actually.
My parents, my sister and her two sons (13 and 12) to give them all a shout out.
With them living exactly 141 miles away in sunny Rochdale, visits from my family are few and far between.
My mum brought Jacob’s birthday present with her, all wrapped and ready to open – in six weeks’ time.
I guess we won’t be seeing them again before that.
And because of the distance they all like to pile up together in one car. Share the petrol costs.
They were actually up to help out this weekend as Mary and I enjoyed a rare night away from the kiddies.
I have had a night away from the kiddies when I had to get my car done by one of my dad’s drinking buddies back in Rochdale, and Mary had to go on a hen weekend last April, but we’ve not been child-free as a couple since - well, when we were child-free.
My mum jumped at the chance of helping out. She loves spending time with her youngest grandkids and is full of sorrow that we live away.
My dad was just miffed that he had to miss his golf. It also meant forking out for three nights at the nearby Travelodge for everyone.
My sister turned 40 in December, but it’s my dad who still manages to be landed with the bill when they all come up.
I can talk. I still owe him the best part of £2,000 when he bailed me out to get a new boiler.
I genuinely keep making attempts to pay him – and then have to renege on when something else comes along to swallow that spare cash.
Last month was all about clearing Christmas debt, this month I’ve been landed with road tax and a new car battery. Next month is Jacob’s birthday.
So he was especially pleased to be driving 141 miles to babysit, while I spent his money on bed, breakfast and meal at a nice hotel in Craster.
Still, at least he could sit in my house and get use of his boiler.
They stayed Thursday to Sunday, when my dad wanted to set off early to beat the traffic.
Mary and I only stayed away Friday night, as we had a date with Fireman Sam at Whitley Bay Playhouse on Sunday.
We were going to take Benjamin, but thought he’s a touch too young, so just took Jacob and asked my folks to extend their baby-sitting stay.
My dad wasn’t too happy – and it cost him more when my nephews demanded yet another go in the arcades.
Still, at least he got some more use out of his boiler.
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Weather for Jarrow
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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