I have been quite busy recently juggling a few different things and my girlfriend felt I deserved a bit of a treat as a reward for my hard work and as opportunity to have some down time and unwind. She surprised me a couple of weeks ago by booking a massage for me to enjoy at Champneys in St Albans. Lynda picked me up from my house and drove me to the spar. At this point I knew I had a surprise coming my way but I had no idea what it was. We arrived a little bit early for the appointment so we were walking around the high street while I was still trying to work out what she had organised for me.

Eventually we turned a corner and were right outside Champneys. At this point I guessed what it might be that I was doing. We went in and walked up to the reception area Lynda confirmed the booking. I must have looked a bit shocked as the girl behind the counter said something along the lines of he did not know about this then? I was also a bit taken aback as I presumed she had booked us both in but they only had one slot free that afternoon and she got it for me. It was a fifty minute personal full body massage. While I went in for my session Lynda went for a look around the shops. A gentleman may have given her his credit card and told her to buy herself something as a thank you, for my gift, however I did not do that!

The massage was amazing, I could choose the muscles that were the main focus but I decided to go for the standard timings they offer to have the whole body unknotted the best they could in the allocated time. As you would rightly expect for such a quality establishment it was all perfect from the temperature of the room, to the background music to the scent of the oils used. It is so relaxing having any stress just rubbed out of your body. I spend a lot of time sat at computers typing so my back, neck and shoulders are always very tight. I always ask for quite a lot of pressure as unless I can feel all the knots being worked on I do not think that I am getting my money’s worth or in this case Lynda’s.

When I walked out and met back up with my very generous other half I felt so much more chilled and relaxed than I had when I had entered the place. I am pretty laid back and easy going at the best of times but there is zero chance of me making any decisions at all after a massage. It was a nice day so we did have a walk down to the local pub when we got home to have a drink in the sun, I had a bottle of water, well I needed to rehydrate after my workout. We only stayed for one then went back for some food. All I could manage that night was to watch a bit of television as a good massage can make me feel quite sleepy.

The other great thing about having a massage is that it always gives me a brilliant night’s sleep afterwards. I felt great when I woke up the next morning. I really should try to have them more often I think they are good for the body and the mind. Although next time I will be organising one for the both of us as she was way more awake that me after I had mine so I think it is only fair and best if we are both in the same zen like state. I have had two massages this year which is a new record for me already, but I think one every four months or three times a year could be the way forward.

Last Saturday Lynda threw a birthday barbeque for her mum. It was the second one she has done this year. She really enjoys doing them and always prepares extra culinary treats. This time we had chicken marinated in tikka masala which was amazing, not to mention an array of salads and other sides. There were about eight of us there in the end. It was a lovely afternoon just enjoying a few drinks and lots of great food. I always end up eating loads at these things as you just have to try everything and I have no will power. I like how when you are in good company the time just flies by without you realising. It was nearly ten o’clock before we finally came inside to continue the party for a little bit longer. Once again I went to bed full of food and happy.

The Premier League football season has now ended then. For the first time this season I watched Soccer Sunday as it was with Jeff Stelling. I think it is a good programme but I rarely watch it as I am normally at the game. I needed to keep across the Spurs score and all the other games and they were showing all the goals from all of the matches being played. Tottenham needed to draw at Norwich at the very least to guarantee that they would be in the Champions League next season. In January that looked unlikely but by this final game we had managed to get in a position where our fate was in our own hands.

We hit form at about the right time after a bit of a worrying blip. Luckily for us Arsenal and Manchester United who were our two main rivals for fourth place both slipped up! We beat Norwich fairly easily in the end by five goals to nil and from very early on in the game the result never looked in doubt. That victory means after missing out last year we will be back in the Champions League next season. They are great nights under the flood lights in the week. I am looking forward to the biggest teams in Europe coming to our place once again. It is also the sixth season in a row that Tottenham have finished above Arsenal, which is a pleasing statistic.

Well done to Heung Min Son who shared the Golden Boot for being the Premier League’s top scorer with Mo Salah. I have witnessed him score so many sensational goals since he joined us. He really is a top player and bloke always happy and smiling and ready to get the fans going. He is one of those players who creates’ an air of excitement every time he gets the ball. Antonio Conte has been brilliant for us and exactly the type of manager we needed. I have so much respect for what he has achieved in his short time here. I really hope he is with us next season and it does look like he will be as I think he could achieve something historic, the guy is a winner!

After starting to watch it a little late I have now caught up with the current series of Taskmaster. How Alex Horne is still coming up with these weird and wonderful challenges is very impressive. It is such an odd and off the wall show the way him and Greg Davies host it but somehow it all just works. Once again they have attracted a great selection of comedians to play the games. I have been a big Chris Ramsey fan since I saw him play a small gig in Aylesbury and got to chat to him after briefly. He was very funny that night and always makes me laugh now. I probably want him to win, although I had kind of forgotten how funny Ardal O’Hanlon is, I like the way he counter argues the reviews of the tasks, it is hilarious. The other thing I like about it is the general silliness and the fact it is easy to watch even if you are a bit tired say after a massage.

Next weekend then it is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend. She has been on the throne for seventy years, which is an amazing achievement. Personally I am a big supporter of the Royal Family well most of them there are a couple of exceptions. The Queen is my hero though, what she have lived through and steered the country through should be celebrated. Although she cannot be political when she speaks, she makes much more sense and seems wiser than many of the people who are actually running the place at the moment. I like the idea of a figurehead. The money generated through tourism related to the Royal Family is worth a lot of money to the countries’ economy. Plus I think the Queen adds a sense of identity to the United Kingdom that we would not have without her.

I remember when we were at Primary School the whole class wrote a letter to the Queen. I was so delighted when her lady in waiting replied to us all, in fact I still have a copy of that letter. As I had a bit of time on my hands during lockdown I decided to write a follow up letter, well she had not heard from me for nearly forty years so I presumed she was interested in an update to see how I was getting on. Everybody in her inner circle suggest she has a great sense of humour so I will admit I put things in there that I hoped would make her giggle if she did actually read it. I did again get a reply for her lady in waiting. As a result of my two correspondents I fully hope to get an invite to a garden party or at the very least an OBE.

I will be watching some of the events being held in her honour and will raise a glass to her over the weekend. She has always carried herself with such dignity. I always enjoy seeing her arrive at Royal Ascot every year and she always waves at me. I hope she can carry on for at least another five years it does feel like she might just be indestructible. It will be a bit of a watershed moment when there is a change at the top. She was very young when she was thrust in to the position she has now occupied for so long, the nation has watched her through every stage of her life. And while certain other very high profile people were seemingly bending the rules she sat alone at her own husband’s funeral. Happy Anniversary Ma’am!

We are off to Manchester this weekend to catch up with some friends. I have not been out there for several years, so I am looking forward to it. I will let you know what we got up to next time we speak.

A quick reminder that you can listen to me every Saturday afternoon between 2pm – 4pm on Radio Ninesprings https://www.radioninesprings.co.uk/

Have fun and we will catch up again soon. Stay safe! Cheers Neil.