The camping trip never happened. Public transport to Helsby would have cost us a fortune, and the only time we could hitch a lift was Friday morning - since I had work on Friday, and Jason had a college then hospital appointment, it just wasn't doable.

Unfortunately, all this came to light after I'd bought a tent, double sleeping bag and some provisions for the weekend. I was left over £50 out of pocket.

Ah well - at least I still have it for when I go to Ireland. My stepdad Geoffrey suggested we camp up Slieve Donard one summer, so I've got part of what we'll need already. Plus there's nothing to say I can't kidnap Jason and take him to Ireland one summer; he could tag along!

As a result, I've had to change my plans for this weekend. As is usually the case when an exciting plan falls through, I had to think of something to compensate. Something that would keep me busy and distract me from the thoughts of what could have been. I got thinking pondering wondering and decided that I'd work on gathering a little compilation of my best writing to give to Jason, since I've told him so much and shown him - well, nothing. It would be nice to see him read some of my work; to gauge his reaction.

I also went on a job today, interviewing a local fellow for the paper. Eddie McConville, 80, has been involved in voluntary work all his life - he helped found his local residents' association when that kind of thing was unheard of. He's got an affinity for animals and has always helped to rehome sick and neglected animals. He's worked with the young and the old, forging vital links between the community, the housing association and the police force. He's got over 35 years of experience to his name, and today he's been given a Volunteering Award during an event that marks the beginning of Adult Learners' Week.

And you know what? He was so humble. So modest about his achievements; he managed to talk about his work in a way that suggested such selflessness was innate for him, and yet had not a trace of self-righteousness about him. He had some fascinating tales to tell, at that; it was a joy interviewing him. I just hope I can write a cracking article now that does him justice.

So yep, that's pretty much been my day. Other than that, I've been looking forward to Monday (Jason and I are going out when I'm done with work), watching Planet Earth with Nathan (and doing our obligatory running commentaries) and watching Neil Gaiman's episode of Doctor Who - which was fantastic, by the way; exactly the kind of episode I love and a definite improvement on last week's.

I haven't posted in a few days so I suppose I ought to do a few retrospective entries... Thursday and Friday were entirely different beings so it's not hard to differentiate between the events.

One bonus point of not going camping, before I shoot off to do those: Anna texted me last night saying how cold it was - well, I was bloody freezing just being in my own house. I am ridiculously vulnerable to the cold. I think if we had been able to go, I would have spent the whole day huddled up against Jason, frozen and trembling. Not that he would have complained. :)

Wow! I thought I was tripping out last night when I logged on and saw the little bar at the top of people's journals had changed, but apparently LiveJournal have been tinkering again. I'm on the fence about this latest edit; I don't really give a toss either way.

Last night, Anna invited Jason and I to a weekend bike rally with live music and alcohol. Great, thought I, remembering the two-man tent we had sitting around at home. Why not?

I was really up for it. Motorbikes, music and booze; come on, that's my idea of heaven. With added Jason, so it's actually better than heaven. I made a note to myself to check the tent in the morning to make sure all the bits were there and went to bed.

We don't even have the buggering tent any more.

When we lived in the old house, one of the local dweebs ruined it. Son of Eight; that kid couldn't let anyone have something he didn't have. Apparently he got in one day, jumped around inside and tore right through one of the walls.

So now I have to fork out for a reasonably-priced tent. If I'm honest, I'm a little bit irked as I hadn't expected that I'd need to spend anything on a tent. I thought I'd only be paying the £15 admission and then booze money. But because one little twerp got selfish a couple of years ago, I'm going to have to dig into my bank account. Again.

I think Wilkinson's might sell affordable tents - especially the big shop they have in St Helens that's right by the office. If not, there's that huge cash-and-carry on Baxter's Lane, Just the Job. That place is fantastic! I just need to find out when it closes to see if I can get there on time.

Happily, I'm going to TNG today to have two more bus tickets refunded. So I won't be as out-of-pocket as expected. What I get refunded should cover admission money and a tenner for booze, which is more than what I typically spend at the pub anyway.

It'll all be worth it, though, without a doubt. It'll be mine and Jason's first whole weekend together!