A lot has happened since my last post, and I'm not really sure where's best to start...

My granddad died on 30th October, so we've spent more time than usual down in Southend helping Mum and Dad (or trying to) and also going to the funeral, which was on 7th November. It's difficult, I'm not sad he's gone to heaven since he was suffering so much here. He had various things wrong with him including Bronchiectasis and his spine was damaged as well, causing a lot of pain. He'd been in hospital for about 6 weeks I think. In the end he had a heart attack. You tend to think that someone's great because they're your granddad, but it became apparent that everyone else thought he was great too. Whenever we went somewhere people were genuinely sad he'd died. He was just so good-hearted.

He and my nan were living very frugal lives and giving everything they had spare to charities, writing letters and praying for missionaries all over the place... The more we've gone through their house the more amazing the depth of their love for everyone else became apparent. My nan's gone into an old people's home now for good (the one she was in while granddad was in hospital). She's got Alzheimer's so she doesn't remember many people. I don't think she really knew what was going on at granddad's funeral. Anyway, that's the big thing that's happened since I last blogged.

Holly the hamster died as well, but after granddad that doesn't seem so important. I mean, I miss her being around and making rustling noises and falling off stuff, but she was only a hamster. I expect we'll get another one. So that's the second hamster of our marriage gone.

I've also been to two concerts, both of which were very good. Not that I've really been in a brilliant mood for enjoying them. The first one was Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. He had a few 'special guests', one of whom was Marc Almond. He sang a rather entertaining version of 'Tainted Love' in a jazzy style. The other concert was The Feeling. It was a bit polished for me, maybe, very showy. But it was entertaining enough. And they did interesting covers of 'Take on Me' and 'Fight for your Right'. At one point the lead singer, Dad, crowd surfed to the back of the hall then came up onto the balcony where we were sitting (with the old people) and sang a song, so that was something unexpected.

I think that's pretty much it for now. I have to do lots of cleaning today. And maybe cook some pumpkin. Someone gave me a GIANT one and I have to think of things to do with it!