Bank Holiday Weekend

Saturday 26 August:- Train to Peterborough, taking full advantage of the over 50s offer, met at station by Mandy and Dave. Lunch (ciabbatas) then the first of several expeditions to DIY shops, but then it is a Bank Holiday weekend. Not sure if we actually bought anything or if that all happened on the Sunday and Monday but a good time was had by all. When the tile shop was closed we realised how late it was and returned home for Mexican and a beer before heading off on foot for the Peterborough Beer Festival! A once in a lifetime opportunity to sample some of the finest and weirdest tasting beers from around the country and even a perry (Mandy and I only, the men stuck to bitter!). The big disadvantage was that you had to stand up all the time and Mandy made a mental note to take chairs if they go again. The highlight of the night was a Robbie Williams tribute band (possibly Robbin Williams?) who Mandy assured us was similar to the real thing. At least it was loud enough for me to sing along to without annoying anyone else!
Sunday 27 August:- The DIY activities started in earnest after M & D revisited DIY shops with Mandy tiling part of the bathroom walls and Dave tiling the en suite floor. John did lots of lawn mowing and bush trimming whilst I acted mainly in an advisory capacity but also did a few odd jobs in the garden and bathroom! We went to the Botolph Arms for lunch, scampi for Dave and roast beef for the rest of us then back to the grind. Dave's job also involved plumbing as there was a leak under the shower and the tiles had to be cut on a very noisy electric saw! Mandy excelled herself with the small tile cutter and I was amazed as usual when the cut tiles fit the spaces (well, almost always). We slouched in front of the TV for a while in the evening then off to bed exhausted.
Monday 28 August:- Pancakes from Dave for breakfast then the really interesting part of tiling began i.e. grouting. Mandy and I grouted happily whilst Dave, with some input form John, continued with the tricky job of sticking down the floor tiles with a strict 15 minute deadline before the adhesive set solid! All was achieved before a quick baguette lunch and return journey on a crowded Bank Holiday train. Mel met us at the station and Mandy later reported that the bathroom had been painted and the shower screen was in the process of being erected. All in all a very good weekend and lovely to see Mandy and Dave and to help out a little. As Mandy said, it's all good practice if they ever go into the property market...watch this space!