Happy New Year

A slightly belated Happy New Year to all my readers, if there are any, which I doubt.

The last few days have passed in a blur and the holiday is now over. I have proved myself a master of Wii Sports Golf - on the beginner level anyway - and also won at Monopoly, possibly for the first time in my life. There happened to be a few quid riding on it, against my wishes, although Sarah suspects it focussed my attention. In turn I pointed out the double standard that she will happily play a board game for money but opposes my intended entry into the world of matched betting on the basis that it's gambling.

We also went to a soft play, completing my personal set of three such venues in the area, and I ventured onto a drop slide for the first time in my life. In my early 30s this probably isn't something I should be proud of but the fact is I haven't had the opportunity since Flambards theme park nearly 20 years ago and on that occasion I was far too much of a coward. I don't like the free fall at the beginning but once on the slide it's exhilirating. Adam, far braver than me at either his age or 10 years older, went on it twice (sitting on my lap) before deciding he wasn't keen on the experience. Daniel showed no interest, mercifully. Instead he went off into the smaller maze and after a couple of minutes not being able to find him I was starting to become concerned. Eventually I found him in the only blindspot, sitting patiently by the other slide waiting for me to accompany him down. It was a sweet moment.

I also faced the dilemma of how much interaction with other children is acceptable in such an environment. There was a boy of about five who wanted to go on the drop slide but not alone. I didn't know him from Adam (well I did, but you know what I mean) and although I would have happily taken him on the slide, or picked him up if he'd fallen, or helped him around the maze, you never know how parents will react. As it turned out he was a late arrival to the same birthday party we were at but I erred on the side of caution and left him to his own devices. It struck me what a sad state of affairs that is.

Finally we had a New Year's Eve party, which went pretty well for the most part if you overlook the large amount of red wine consumed by a small number of people and the usual tensions introduced by the arrival of certain guests who shall remain nameless, plus a stranger to whom most present took a dislike. The greatest joy for me was going to collect the boys from their grandparents yesterday and seeing the beaming smiles at my arrival. I felt rather guilty that Daniel had declined to sleep in his normal docile manner but it was good to have them back.

Today I go back to work and will miss my family desperately.

Andrew's money-saving tips #3: Reduce your phone bill by getting your friends to ring you.