Work is still going strong. We now have practically all the pending files into the lodged category, which has been a major undertaking. Hopefully, we won't be in a bad predicament when the end comes on 31 March. It's looking good for us. A number of us had planned to come in this weekend to work, but there were upgrades going on with the system over the weekend, and also checks to be made on the system for when we move to our new building over the Easter break. We will all be consolidated into one building from 4, which will be a new thing for Corries. It's a beautiful new building outside the walls. Originally named Stuart House, the name has been changed to Alexander House. Steve Cartwright has done an outstanding job of planning ahead, getting things done ahead of schedule, and so it looks as though all will be in order for the move. I am looking forward to our getting there, as it will be wonderful.

Monday broke gloriously! It was a picture-perfect day, with beautiful blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and the temperature was just right! Same for Tuesday. Reminded me of the musical "Oliver!" when the women in the street were singing "Who will buy this glorious morning?" The pansies and yellow daffodils are all in bloom, and it seemed as if they were welcoming these beautiful days like the rest of us. After work, I met up with Paul Cain, Rachel Addison, Mike Kendall and Karen Whiteley at the Old White Swan. I'd not seen much of Mike after New Year, as he goes on a three-month streak of not drinking, and therefore, he's not in the pubs. However, on Tuesday that was to end, as usual, with the beginning of the Cheltenham Races. Therefore, we knew we'd not see Mike for the rest of the week. Karen and I made plans to go to dinner the next evening.

On Tuesday I had a quick pint with Bruce at the Red Lion, and then Karen and I walked up to Siam House for delicious Thai food. It's one of Karen's favorite restaurants, and Arliss and Toppy Watson and I had enjoyed a meal there when they were here in October. Karen and I had quite a nice time just catching up with each other and enjoying the excellent service and food. We walked down the road, and at Pavement split up and headed home, about 7:30pm. Now, I'd just worn a very light jacket to work that day, because as I said, it was such a gloriously beautiful day.

On Wednesday, what a change! It was cold again! I bundled up and headed to work, and after work it was raining a bit, and so I went off home to get some things done, etc.

Thursday and Friday were chilly days as well, and we had quite a bit of rain on Friday. I came home and Liz Kirby was here, having a glass of wine. I'd just settled down with her when Bruce arrived! We sat there chatting and laughing and having a good time. However, my friend, Kevin Iresom was coming round for dinner, and I needed to go to the market to buy some things. He was also going to check out my computer and get rid of many of the popups that keep appearing. Well, as we sat there having fun, it became apparent to me that I was NOT going to make it to the market. Liz bid her adieus, and then Bruce a bit later, and in fact, he and Kevin ran into each other in the hallway. I'd quickly called Tapas Taberna to see if they could fit us in, and of course, they could. Kevin arrived, and off we went to Tapas, and we had a good time there. It was nice to see Lynne, the owner, and the food was delicious, as usual. We walked back to my place afterwards, and Kevin got my computer sorted. He has a website that might be of interest to many of you who have travel plans in the future. The address is www.york-united-kingdom.co.uk with all kinds of information on York, etc. Really nice. He also has information on Edinburgh, Paris, London, Madrid, Nice, etc. Have a look, if you are planning a trip to any of these places.

Saturday dawned with gale force winds and driving rain. It was the hardest I have seen it rain since I have been here. I'd been feeling poorly with a stuffy nose and scratchy throat, and I felt even worse that day, but I needed to get to Direct Tile Importers to pick up samples of the marble and granite for the bath. The plumber, Wayne Miller, had come round that morning, and we had everything sorted for what all, price, etc., except for that. Finally, I got to Liz's home, got her and off we went. The car was shaking and shivering from the winds, the rain was pelting down, but we found the place. It was a corrugated tin building, and there were times we thought it might come apart from all the wind and the groaning of the building! Fortunately, we found what we liked and were out of there quickly. We needed to make a run to ASDA, and we stopped by Bruce and Sally Corrie's home on the way. ASDA was a mistake, as today is "Mothering Sunday" (Mother's Day) here, and the store was heaving. We got just bear necessities and left! I'd been meant to go to Fibbers that evening with Karen, Paul, Rachel, etc. to hear Colin in a band that was playing, but because I was feeling so poorly, I elected to stay in. Glad I did, because I feel much better for it!

I woke up this morning to rain and wind, and the news reports say that a number of the motorways were closed because of wrecks, trucks turned over, trees on the roads, etc, and that many of the trains were delayed due to stuff on the tracks due to the high winds. Finally it stopped raining, and I took a wander into town to buy a birthday gift for Lilias Sutton, who works for Corries and in the same group as I do, and wouldn't you know it, it started raining again! However, it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been. Now I am back home, and the wind has picked up, the rain has stopped, but who knows what is in store?

Anyway, that's another week here in York. Hope you enjoyed it.

Cheers,