Winners (and Losers)

This week has been mostly about winning, and not just because Chelsea beat Manchester United in the Carling Cup. Good news has been flowing in thick and fast:

The younger brother has had his feet “done” – something that requires the National Health Service and carpenters tools (yes, planes, chisels, drills), but the result of which pleases his neighbours (and the wife) enormously.

The cat has made a miraculous recovery having been virtually given up for a “goner”. Rather similar to the younger brother she had had “claw problems” which had not been properly dealt with.

The sister-in-law has had her teeth fixed, or at least some of them.

The sister is planning a visit at the weekend bringing no less than six bottles of wine and fizz for my professional scrutiny. This is in view of her forthcoming nuptials. May my judgment be unclouded!

Cousin Tim is returning to Northern France in April, this time without his bike (see passim) and this gives an excuse for a trip to Montreuil (have to visit the new Wine Society premises anyway).

I have terminated my long-standing relationship with Weybridge Automobiles whereby every four weeks or so I deliver my vehicle for another five hundred pounds- worth of essential servicing and repairs.

I have succeeded (with a little help from the accountants, the wife and some rather expensive motor cycle couriers) in getting both personal and corporate tax papers filed minutes before their deadlines and consequent fines.

We’ve managed to sign up with a sensible medical practice in Petersfield (I’ve yet to hear back about the “sample” I gave to their Gloria), and they at least are taking interest in the wife and my respective blood pressures.

I discover that I have accumulated (over 58 years) some 678 air miles – enough for a return trip (on my own) to Amsterdam.

I also have enough American Express points for the wife to come to Amsterdam too, but on another airline.

But most importantly I have discovered the secret of succeeding in business. However little there may be in the bank, however illogical your business plan may be, you will always succeed if you have an absolute, positive belief in the future of your business (are you listening, Kevin?). In other words, get on with it and be damned.