Although it's been wonderful to get home, with all its many comforts, I'm also starting to understand why Mariacristina always enjoyed coming to the hospital. After a long day at work, she would get to the Ruth Myles ward, unload the various cheese, juices and ready meals she had bought for me, before collapsing in … Continue reading How to be a domestic god
Risky business
Life is full of risks, and we constantly balance the risk of undertaking, saying or even avoiding something against the benefits as we get through every day. A lot of the time we do it without thinking, particularly for the little, everyday moments such as walking down the stairs – where clearly the benefit of … Continue reading Risky business
Home sweet home
After several months of unsuccessful house-hunting in Balham, Wimbledon, Tooting, Colliers Wood, Clapham and various other areas after we got married in July 2011, I asked Mariacristina where we would end up living. Out of left field, she came up with Streatham – by that point one of the very few zones in the locality … Continue reading Home sweet home
Decisions, decisions, decisions
The luxury of time Given my domestic indecisiveness and patience (what Mariacristina would call my snail-like speed at getting things done) on the one hand, and Mariacristina's decisiveness and, erm, insistence on getting things done as soon as possible on the other, it's a small miracle that it was I who proposed to her, and … Continue reading Decisions, decisions, decisions
Unexpected fillings… and leukaemia
We Norton children used to be ferried to Emsworth every six months or so to visit the dentist, a family friend who seldom spent more than a couple of minutes looking at our teeth or less than half an hour exchanging news and gossip. Although we didn't all escape orthodontics (I had train tracks, removable … Continue reading Unexpected fillings… and leukaemia
Always take the weather with you
Unless it's an unexpectedly hot summer's day, Mariacristina firmly believes in the need in the UK for a vest; a scarf; preferably a jumper and a coat; a hat; and gloves. Even if the weather's fairly mild, she'll insist on the need to have at least most – or even all – of these accessories available, … Continue reading Always take the weather with you
Something definite this way comes
I remember in July 2010 sprinting through King's Cross station – with Mariacristina not far behind me – and reaching our train to Edinburgh for my sister's wedding just as the conductor was walking towards us down the platform slamming the doors shut. We had no plan B, so had we arrived a few seconds … Continue reading Something definite this way comes
It’s all about me (and Mariacristina)
I remember having to argue the case for 'I would send my son to Downside' when debating in the Upper Sixth; as a proud Gregorian, I thought it would be easy to reel off all the fantastic opportunities I had had – and made the most of – during my time at the school. Meanwhile, … Continue reading It’s all about me (and Mariacristina)
Mariacristina posts: Our life, upside down… NOT
Some of you might think that since we got the news on George's relapse our life has changed dramatically. I assume so, at least. However, as my former manager Laura used to say: by assuming you make an ass of you and me, so maybe I'll refrain. Either way, what I would like to explain … Continue reading Mariacristina posts: Our life, upside down… NOT
Routine manoeuvres
The Starbucks concession at work closes at 4.30pm every day, and it wasn't long before I found myself regularly appearing at 4.25pm for a cappuccino (and usually a frothless latte for lovely Lou – WITH NO BUBBLES) to get me through the last hour and a half – or longer – of work. I always … Continue reading Routine manoeuvres