Hooray!  The bathroom is finally finished.  The builders reckoned they'd cleaned up after themselves.  Now, I'm no Mrs Mop but their idea of clean and mine are quite different!  Smeary grout all over the tiles, dust and polyfilla on the floor, and the airing cupboard....!  Full of brick dust and lumps of plaster!  Would your wife want to put her clean towels on those shelves?  I don't think so. 

Anyhoo, spent the next two days cleaning like a mad thing.  Bathroom, landing, stairs, hall.  Looks good though!

Strictly update!

Back to the studio after last week's Wembley special (phew!).  Tess was wearing a navy skirt and a cerise pink bandage top - a bit Fifth Element - with loooong dangly earrings.

Anita & Brendan (rent-a-pro stepping in for Robin, who had an injury) did a cha-cha to Uptown Girl.  I enjoyed it, lots of content, loved her dress, very swishy.  Her technique's not as precise as it could be, but she sells the routine every time, one can't help but enjoy it as much as she obviously does.   (score 30)

Holly & Artem did a very funky foxtrot, to a Jessie J number, and very sexy it was too.  I wasn't sure about the music when it started (being a bit of a traditionalist) but it suited Holly much better than a frothy romantic foxtrot. (score 34)

Alex & James did a charleston, very cheeky & goofy, I liked the swimming action bit.  Judge Craig didn't like it at all, called it "med-i-ocre" and said she'd taken a step backwards.  Who rattled his cage!  (score 29)

Robbie & Ola did a samba to Hot Chocolate's You Sexy Thing with a trouser strip/rip at the end just like the Full Monty.  I thought he had a good bounce action but too much gyration.  (score 25)

Chelsee & Pasha did an Argentine Tango to a Gotan Project number (love Gotan Project!).  Wow, really good!  Superbly intricate footwork.  The judges thought it lacked passion, Judge Bruno thought she could have been "badder".  In the pre-dance VT, Chelsee complained that it was difficult to summon passion whilst tangoing with Pasha....hmm....the lady doth protest too much methinks.  (score 35)

Jason & Kristina also did a charleston, full of energy, great fun, lots of good facial expressions on Jason's part (I was going to say "gurning" but seems a little cruel!).  He went wrong in the side-by-side kicks again - a la Jive!!  No more side-by-sides Kristina! (score 36)

Harry & Aliona did a quickstep - so quick, almost manic!  But great frame held throughout and wonderful sway.  AND no mucking about with props and what not.  Superb!  They got 3 10s!  (score 39)

Then they had something called a Swingathon (car keys in the bowl, lads).  All the couples were on the floor at the same time, lindyhopping, and were eliminated one by one.  First to go scored one point (Robbie & Ola), last couple standing scored (Harry & Aliona) seven points.

Leaderboard  (out of 47)

Harry and Aliona – 39 + 7 = 46
Chelsee and Pasha – 35 + 6 = 41
Jason and Kristina – 36 + 4 = 40
Holly and Artem – 34 + 3 = 37
Alex and James – 29 + 5 = 34
Anita and Brendan – 30 + 2 = 32
Robbie and Ola – 25 + 1 = 26

Bottom two were Anita & Brendan and Holly & Artem (second time for both of them).  I feel guilty!  We were out Saturday evening, had a family meal round the local pub, so I recorded the programme and wasn't home to vote for my favourites.

Anita & Brendan were the couple to leave this week.  Aww, I'll miss Anita, she's been one of my favourites from the start.  She's such a pro and seems a lovely person. 

Uptown Girl Anita - photo from BBC's Strictly webpage

Anita on her way out - photo from BBC's Strictly webpage

Check out Pasha's dreamy gaze...now do you think that's aimed at Anita or Chelsee?