So here we go again.

The daffodils are in full bloom, and it is a lovely site to see. Along the city walls, on the outside and in, there are large patches where their beautiful yellow color lets you know that spring has arrived!

Work is going well, and we can see daylight at the end of the tunnel. We have very few claims that have not been lodged, and that is a GREAT thing! So far, the scheme has not been extended by the government, and we just know there will be people calling up after the deadline of 31 March saying they want to put forth a claim, just as there are still people calling wanting to put forth a claim for the previous claim that ended in October, 2002. We will just deal with it.

Tuesday was Lil Sutton's birthday, and I'd ordered a big cookie from all of us in the department instead of a cake. It was delicious. Michelle Jones had given her some large sparkly pink fluffy rabbit ears, and she told her she had to wear them at lunch. One who is always up for a good laugh, of course she did it! After work I went to Paula and Nigel's home to pick up a suitcase for my impending trip to Bilbao, Spain. I am going to visit Connie Kirkland over our Easter break. I will be there from Thursday, April 8 until Monday, April 12, and work resumes on April 13. After that, I went by Kevin's to pick him up, and we went and had Chinese at the Royal Dragon. At present, their car park serves as one of the car parks for a number of people who work at Corries at the offices along Walmgate and Fossgate, which are the same street, really, but when it curves, the name changes! I work at one of the Fossgate offices. We had a very nice meal, but WAAAAY too much food, and we were both feeling it afterwards.

On Wednesday I journeyed with Peter Gibson to his and Gareth's home in Thormanby after work, and then we went across the road to Pam and Dana's place. It is a lovely old place as well, and it, too was a former pub. Their gardens are lovely, with two large fish ponds with fountains and waterfalls. We had a delicious meal of steak, a wonderful American-style salad (Dana is from California, and had done the cooking!), chips, asparagus and a frothy chocolate concoction for dessert. We finally waddled home and to bed, and the next morning, Peter and I were up and on the road to work.

On Friday Paul Finney arrived from London right at 5, and he, Lil Sutton and I walked up to Harkers (which is across the street from Betty's Cafe & Tea Rooms,....

....a Yorkshire institution) for Kim Daniell's do. Kim is a solicitor for Corries, and she is getting married over the Easter break. I can't be there, unfortunately, but she and Phil, her partner, said this was the closest Friday for them to have the pre-wedding "hen night"/stag night combo. Kim had on a tacky veil with a red tiara on it, and Phil allowed as how it looked just fine, and why not just use it instead of spending all that money on another one! We had a good time, but Lil, Paul and I had planned to just stay for a couple. We left and accompanied Lil down the road where her husband was to pick her up in a few minutes. Then we continued back to my flat and got ourselves ready for dinner. We went to La Piazza, and once again, Emilio and the staff took wonderful care of us.

Saturday morning I was up early, as Paul had to get to Manchester for a wedding! So coffee was made, and he was out of the house and on the road by 8:30am. I went to the store and did some shopping and then back and got my washing done, as Ian was coming for dinner. I made chicken piccata and noodles, green beans with lemon juice, and chopped salad and a dessert of summer fruit, double cream and demarara sugar. We had a nice evening, and all too soon, it was late, and he had to drive home!

Sunday dawned grey and cloudy, but that did not dampen spirits. Liz and I had made plans to go shopping when Richard left for the rugby game at 11, and sure enough, we talked, and she came to fetch me. We headed to ASDA, of course, and we got all our bits and bobs. Then, it was over to Liz's so I could watch, again, the week's recording of Footballer's Wives. When we finished that, it was back to my place, but with a stop at the Red Lion for a pint. Now I am home, dinner is in the oven, and it is nearly ready. So, I will be watching some telly, eating, and then to bed and back at work next week.

Here's hoping all of you are doing well. OH! We are now back on Daylight Saving Time here.

Take care,