Deep Water, Deep Sleep

Day off work today but no lie in for us fitness freaks, we are up at more or less the usual time and running round the pond and park with Doggo. Three miles or so in a leisurely fashion, thanks to a dog who's more stop than go. Then we head off to the pool for 30 minutes there. I flounder my way to 20 lengths; L does more than that naturally. Apparently an early morning workout is good for your libido. So we head off home, hopefully back to bed and to test out that theory.

Life is never that simple. All of this running, swimming and hopefully shagging is to the worrying backdrop of the thought that the man from Whirlpool could turn up at any minute to fix our freezer. We get home and we haven't missed him, so, so far so good. I ring Whirlpool who assures us we have a morning appointment.

Another complication in the cunning plan is that the kids are off Christmas shopping with their father at 9am but he is naturally as late as late as ever. At 9.30 he rings to say he's on his way. Kids eventually leave, only one hour late.

No sign of Whirlpool, so, with one eye on the road outside for the expected white van, we leap (well kind of) back into bed and indulge in a spot of frantic, against the clock, sex. L doesn't work well under pressure. Normally in these kind of situations, if ever there's an interruption, poor old L ends up being frustrated but today she plays a blinder and we finish with seconds to spare before a van pulls up outside. I hurriedly get dressed to let Whirlpool in while L is still recovering in the bedroom.

Whirlpool man diagnoses the problem in about 5 seconds, our three-week-old freezer needs a new compressor, sounds like he's on the ball, so should be a quick job. Afraid not, he doesn't install compressors, we need another man for that! Could be after Christmas we're told. However a few phone calls later, another man is on his way down from Mansfield to sort us out.

Thirty minutes later, the man arrives and sets about replacing our dodgy Brazilian (no not that kind) compressor with a better Italian one. L hides Doggo in the back room in case he turns ferocious. He has a random dislike of some people; how he differentiates we can't quite work out. The man finishes the job and Doggo decides he loves him after all and both quickly become good friends.

We head into to town to get L's Xmas present, boots this time. Unlike our last shopping trip it is over in minutes as L is more decisive about her boots. We ponder on dress shopping and although it is a spectator sport that I quite enjoy, well the stripping off bit anyway, we decide things will most probably be cheaper in the sales. Something to look forward to. I have now being shopping more times with L in the last week than in the previous 10 years.

We head to the Bell to celebrate and have possibly our last ever H&H Rocking Rudolph.

Later that night we go see the film Deep Water and have a Hopback beer in the bar first. The beer is decidedly dodgy and I have to finish L's half.

The film is about Donald Crowhurst bizarre participation in the 1969 competition to sail around the world solo without stopping. The film includes 16mm footage shot at the time. Almost immediately his boat started leaking. It would have been suicidal for him to continue but returning home meant humiliation and financial ruin, so he faked his journey but then topped himself anyway.

The film is good but either doesn't hold L's attention or the combination of our hectic day has done her in because despite numerous digs in the ribs from me, she sleeps through most of it. I fill her in with all the details afterwards, so that if anyone asks she can sound knowledgeable about it.

Later than evening L seems slightly more awake so we head down the Plough for a couple of Sooty Stouts. Then have a glass of wine back at home.

Fishnets

Alarm goes off. Radio informs that England are doing better in the cricket, so miracles can happen. Can't hear any rain. Am on my bike today. Ought to get up but L is doing something with her hand which prevents me doing so. Last night L was complaining that things are so hectic as the moment that she's isn't getting the best deal, sex wise. This morning she seems to be making sure, I wonder if the Brazilian effect is kicking in. Would be rude to turn her down, I'm just going to have to pedal faster.

Damp roads but no rain and a very good ride, perhaps I am getting fitter after all. Although I have to pedal quickly because L's fiery chicken curry, good though it was, is playing havoc with my stomach.

Fantasy league is going to be horrible this week. I have a change to make but I so many players out again this weekend, I don't really know where to start. Oh well it's only a game.

Decent enough bike home and my quickest time for some time.

In the evening we go to L's Xmas Meal, which is being held at the house of a colleague of hers. L is reluctant to go; she is never keen on socialising with work colleagues. I can't talk, I'm not even going to mine which takes place towards the end of the month.

L has bought a new dress for the evening, a cheap one she assures me. I get the pleasure of watching her try various combinations of things to wear with it. The top of the dress is very open and she opts to wear another top under it, if she didn't the evening could have been very interesting. The fishnets and Daughter's boots that she wears with it look great. With her looking so good, it's a real shame we have to go out.

In contrast to my gig earlier in the weekend, this time I am the youngest one there. Everyone is very nice, the food ok and I drive and stay AF. We have a lively debate with someone who reckons the Raconteurs supported Kylie Minogue on her Showgirl tour at the NEC back in 2004. No, no, not possible, will check this out on the internet.

We get home and have a couple of glasses of red wine. So not totally AF.

Obviously relieved that her ordeal; that wasn't really an ordeal after all; is over, L is terribly compliant as I take her to bed. I do not let her remove any of her outfit and then I take my time unwrapping her. L does some unwrapping of her own, she seems to be keen to do some catching up this weekend, that's fine by me.