Evening Hicky.

Much cooler and cloudy here today. Plus more rain this evening.

Got some work done anyway.

The gazebo roof is coming along great it seems Hicky.

Hope the council is reasonable about the dropped kerb.

It might have been better to replace all the batteries at once, but I've 5 units, and only had two 9v batteries spare, and one of those turned out not to work (the alarm still went off). Think they'd been sitting in the drawer for a few years?

I'll get some from the supermarket this weekend, but I think I'll just replace them as and when they're needed.

Aisleyne seems to have buried the hatchet with Marc for now. Not a fan of Marc, but don't want Ash's last couple of days to be marred by any more rows.

Not sure if her rather lame attempt to go over the wall was genuine, or if she was trying to emulate Brian.

Thought it might be a bit awkward having Sara Mclean on the BOTS panel, as she and Ash were great pals, then had a big bust up over some bloke.

But luckily (or by design?) they didn't ask her about Aisleyne.

Evening emptybox.

It's been pretty hot here.

Put the wood around the gazebo so thats done.

I'm making a high frame on top of the gazebo so i can get on the roof to work on the top of each of the 6 sides.

I'm using the big planks that i had for the walkway around it the other day.

I want to put a sort of handrail about 3ft high oner the section i have the ladder attached to.

O/H did 2 trips to the recycle place taking bricks and rubbish.

I'v got 5 pallets to cut up now to get in the car for the recycle place.

Have ordered another 3 tonne of 20 mm crushed slate, should get that Monday..

All being well i want to finish the gazebo off tomorrow.

My Lad brought one of his little ones today, he was finding peas that he could eat, there is going to be rather a lot soon.

The batteries should come with about 8 years of life in them, they are all dated when they will expire.

Not sure who will go tonight, Harry is fave then Jack, but it can change like last week.

Will have to watch last nights BB, i'm usually a day behind, don't watch many BBBots though, hard to skip past Rylan.

both x

Hicky

hope the weather is ok for you to finish your gazebo.

Sounds like both you and your OH have been busy moving rubbish. Mind you don't overdo it in this heat though.

Hope your cathetar is holding up ok.

Emptybox

that is good weather was ok for you to get some work done.

Very warm again here. How are you now? Hope you are feeling fine now.

Well Ais has gone, and I think she was good as a HM, but still think she is weird, like she has 2 characters (perhaps she doesn't know herself!)  especially the way she loses control with rows when she has had a drink and chased Danny like she was a teenager.

I bet you enjoyed seeing her Emptybox. Did she not make even you cringe a little at times though?

Think she looked good on her eviction interview though.

Been a busy day for me again, so much washing to do with 5 of us and mum's too (fresh sheets daily for her), but at least in summer I can dry it outside. Then did a bit of food shopping, resisted buying clothes this time.

Am taking doggie out early for her walks but she is dragging her paws. She doesn't cope well in the heat, so it is a slow stroll at the moment.

Enjoy the show. x

I have enjoyed this hotel task.

Gosh I HATE that outfit of Harry's she looks ridulous, and in this weather the rubber must be so irritating.

Emptybox

just read your post that I couldn't see when I posted, (it was hiding on previous page), and I see even you too found Ais annoying at times. But I suspect you enjoyed her eviction interview? (and outfit?)

Hicky

just seen your previous post too. How annoying the nhs teams don't communicate better. That too has been my experience, so much time wasting through bad communication. Let' s hope they sort your problem out properly soon.

Gosh I am surprised Mark went.

Am not pleased we are still stuck with sulky nudey Harry now.

Hi guys.

Lovely sunny day here, and the heat is staying into the night, so I think it might be uncomfortable to sleep.

Got quite a bit of work done. Will do some more on Saturday, if it's good weather, because my van goes for it's MoT on wednesday, so I might lose it for a few days, depending on what's needed.

Really surprised Marc was voted out, I thought he would be there at the final for sure? Didn't bother voting myself.

Yes Mollie, the Hotel BB task was a good one. Almost like one of the classic testing tasks of old; if it hadn't been for the outside guests.

Loved Aisleyne's exit and outfit. She looked gorgeous IMO.

She seems to be one of these people who make-up works wonders on. But I think she looks cute without make-up too.

And she came over well at both interviews, and expressed herself fairly intelligently I thought.

I think overall her time in there was a success? She pulled it back in the last couple of days anyway.

But yeah there were times in there where I was thinking "Oh Aisleyne, don't do that "or "why did you say that? "

She's a contradictory character. But I love her.

I agree about Harry's outfit. That was the one she came in wearing, and looks like she wants to go out like that. But it does nothing for her.

Feeling relatively well at the mo. Seem to have recovered from my bad bout of last weekend. But I'm aware I could have another one any time.

Hi Hicky. Glad you are making sure you are secure whilst working on your gazebo roof.

Hope you get it finished tomorrow as planned.

Gosh, that's a lot of loads for the recycle place.

The two batteries that I had were dated as best before Mar 2016. As I said one worked but the other didn't seem to.

But the instructions that come with the alarms says make sure there is at least two years life left in the replacement battery, or it may not correctly power the unit.

Evening Both._

Been having problems wit the catheter, but because i checked the last one that blocked i can have a go at freeing the blockage.

Friday morning it was blocked, i rang the nurses and a short while later i passed some water around the tube so i massaged the pipe and pushed any blockage to the wide end, a few minutes later the water was going into the bag, i rang the nurses and cancelled the call.

this happened a few more times, it happened last night at midnight also, i managed to unblock it again.

I'll just have to see how it goes.

Anyway, Gazebo almost finished, just the last 1ft to do on 6 sides.

We went to garden centre for shrubs and compost etc for the front, £250 worth, they deliver Monday.

Slate should come Monday as well.

Glad Marc has gone anyway, he was a pain.

This next task should be interesting, cash.

Hi Hicky.

Sorry to hear you've been having more catheter problems, but at least you've been able to fix it yourself, for the time being.

Great that your gazebo is almost finished.

Very wet here overnight and this morning, so I didn't get any work done. Brightened up late afternoon, and we had a sunny evening though.

Not as warm tonight though. Probably better for sleeping.

I think the cash task is just a swizz to save Channel 5 money? They seem to have lost two thirds of the prize money already.

Was great seeing Aisleyne's last day in the house. She was really good in the therapists role.

I could detect the TV Presenter course she went on a few  years ago finally being of some use to her.   (only a one day course)

The video of Jack's one is really good.

http://bigbrother.channel5.com...leyne-problem-solver

Evening Emptybox.

More catheter problems, it's been fine till this morning then it became blocked and i couldn't unblock, some water came around for a while but had to ring the nurse, she came about 5 hours later.

It seems my Doc is in a different area and they all get confused and ring the wrong places.

will try and order more stuff tomorrow.

Didn't do much in the garden, apart from feeding the plants some home made liquid feed.

The bladder problem stopped me getting on the roof as i had to keep rushing to the loo.

Haven't seen last night BB as i slept in a bit, didn't get out of bed till 7.30.

Haven't seen any cash game yet.

Will watch it soon.

Hope Mollie is not too stressed, she must be worn out though, all that washing is bad enough.

Hi Hicky. Sorry to hear you've had more problems with your catheter.

And 5 hours is a ridiculous amount of time for them to come out to you.

Coincidentally I was reading this article on the BBC news site this morning, saying catheters are overused after operations etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33256507

Not bad morning here, but heavy rain later on this afternoon. Luckily I got back from the supermarket before it started.

Evening Emptybox.

I read the article, i don't think they are used on people not needing them much.

The problem seems to be the size of the hole running through the catheter, it's about the diameter of a small needle, or the size of a .5mm pencil lead.

I ordered more stuff this morning including the water pumps for trying to unblock the catheter, and more catheters but they say it might take 2 weeks so i may have a problem because i used the last one yesterday.

There is always this worry of infection.

My slate came this morning, 2 x 1.5 tonne loads, the stuff from the garden centre came as well but it rained ever since.

I turned off the water tap before so my watering system wouldn't activate today.

My new watering computer came as well, will fit that tomorrow, put batteries in and set it up, you can do that in the house.

The ex bosses daught says she will come and see me again next week, she hasn't seen the back finished.

You were lucky escaping the rain, at least my water butt is full again.

Hi Hicky.

Not bad day here. Cooler than last week, and mostly cloudy, but got some work done.

Light rain this evening.

Why do you have to order stuff for the catheter? Surely you should be supplied that on the NHS?

Yes, there's always a risk of these things getting infected.

Glad your slate came. Pity it was too wet to let you get on.

Hope the boss's daughter isn't needing more administration help?

Made an optician's appointment for next Thursday.

My Van has it's MoT this Wednesday, and I've got a dentist's appointment next Monday.

But I might get some work done inbetween.

Evening Emptybox.

Pretty cool here as well, showers all day, got some work done on the front raised flower beds.

Put all the compost etc in450 litres, put weed protector in the bottom first, also fitted damp course to the sides and end, someone must have left it here.

Put all the flowers in as well.

I can order the catheters etc, it's on the NHS anyway.

It's the 2 week delay i'm bothered about.

When the nurses come here they don't have them, think i am supposed to get them myself.

got a phone call this morning from Clatterbridge Hospital, they had a cancellation tomorrow with the Urology consultant, at 4pm, yes please.

That was so unexpected.

O/H spread the slate but i took 4 buckets into the back, some places need a bit more.

O/H then just spread the rest, instead of leaving the excess in one place.

Think the Bosses daughter just wants to see the garden finished.

You are going to be busy then, Optician, MOT, Dentist.

Hope they are all painless.

Weather not been good enough to finish the gazebo roof.

Got an email off the council regarding the drive in, they will come within 15 days to see what is required.

both

sorry not been around for a few days again, hardly get any time to go on my lappy lately, but fortunately have managed to watch BB each night, and am really enjoying it.

hope you are too.

Busy with mum taking her out whenever possible because she tends to grizzle now when in the flat, but is better out in her wheelchair, and the agency are real short on staff now, so I can't even get in any extra care hours at all.

Added to that son has had a few end of year concerts, another one Sunday, and we have viewed the house again, Will put in a low offer as it really needs loads of work, but has plenty of room for us. You wouldn't believe how old the decor is, eg...it has a peach coloured bathroom suite.

Hicky...how much did you have to pay for re-wiring? We are pretty sure it needs doing and it is a big house. And a new boiler too, so have to work out what we can afford to go up to if they refuse our offer.

off to read back what you have both been up to but thought I would post this first incase I get interrupted by family or the dog.

Emptybox...

fingers crossed the van passes its MOT tomorrow.

I actually agree about Ais, she looked good on the evicition, and despite behaving awful when drunk she did improve in the last couple of days. Wonder if C4 staff had a word with her to watch how she was behaving? She does need to keep off the booze a bit, especially as she is no young teenager, it is harder to overlook how she behaves when she goes off on one after a drink.

But she did make an interesting addition to the house.

I too enjoyed watching her doing the therapist task, she was good at that.

Glad you have been feeling better recently, hope it continues.

Hope your dentist appointment goes better than my lads did today. He had a filling fall out a few days ago and the dentist said she can't save the tooth. It had decayed under the filling, it was one (like daughter had) that had grown through not right, at a funny angle and they can decay because of this, so I will take him for extraction in a few weeks.

Hicky

I am sorry to hear you have continued to have such an awful time with that cathetar, and the time they keep you waiting for the nurse is ridiculous. But that cancellation with the consultant tomorrow is real good news for you, thank goodness, hope he sorts your problems out for once and all. Maybe you should type and print out everything that has happened concerning this problem in a diary sort of way, and give it him to read. In my case I have found the consultatns liked me doing this, as it saved them asking me lots of questions, then having to write it out, as they just took my copy off me, and it also meant I didn't forget to tell them anything. Good luck. xx

Shame the weather wasn't good enough to finish the gazebo roof but I think the forecast is better for the rest of the week. Sounds like you and OH have been real busy in the garden doing other things though.

Are you getting a drop kerb so you can park out the front of the bungalow. Do the council charge to come out to see you?

Going to watch that new Virgin show on itv now, then BB.

have a good evening both xx

Hi Mollie and Hicky.

Wet overnight, but a dry morning, but rain came on again at about 3pm.

Didn't get everything I wanted to get done, before my van goes for it's MoT tomorrow, so just hope they don't need to keep it for more than one day, or I'll need to stick my small mower in the boot of the car.

That's good news about the last minute appointment with the Urologist Hicky.

Hope he's more use than my one, and can get you the help you need.

I would have thought the nurses should bring all the equipment with them. It shouldn't be up to you to order new catheters etc.

But if it works that way, I suppose.....

Well done getting all that work done on the raised beds and your OH spreading the slate.

Hi Mollie.

Pity you are having trouble getting carers to do extra hours at the moment.

Hope you can work out a successful bid for the house you like.

Sounds like it would need a lot of work done though.

Bad luck to your lad, needing a tooth extraction.

Not much interest for me in BB now Aisleyne has gone.

Bit annoyed this evening.

Took my van down to the garage for 8am, then walked the 2.5 miles back. It had been very wet overnight, but luckily the rain stopped for my walk, but came on again soon after.

Did my invoicing and accounts, than at 3pm got a phone call to say "sorry, we won't have time to do your van today, can we rebook it in for next Tuesday?"

So I had to walk all the way back down for it, bring it back, and put all my tools back in. And I'll have to go through the whole thing again on Tuesday.

At least it was too wet today to have got any work done, but next week's more tricky, as I already have a dentist and opticians appointment, and actually more work on than this week.

Just hope the weather next week is better.

Evening Both.

Had blood in the water all night, and all day.

Weather awful, windy cloudy wet.

The blood cleared just before i got to see the Urologist, i took him samples of blood, a kidney stone and a sample of what blocks the catheter.

I gave him a rundown of my Ops, starting with the 'AAA' in 2007 and about my Kidney stones.

He checked my Prostrate, took a blood sample but it was too late to do the Pre-Op procedure.

He said i need the Op, the one where they operate on the Prostrate.

After that, which was at 4pm, but he was running late, we for a meal to the Boat House again.

He is going to put me down as urgent, it can take months.

Anyway, Mollie, sorry to hear you been so busy,

Can't remember the final figure but we gave him a deposit of £3k inc vat.

Of course we had over 51 downlighters with LED's inside and outside the house, the garage, floodlight loft light, dozens of sockets, sockets for broadband and TV throughout, light sensors so some lights come on when dusk falls.

security sensors for outside house lights, with override switches for all outside lighting.

the drop Kerb is so we can gain access into and out of the drive and front parking area when people are parked over the road.

I think the council will charge £25 because it's a re-quote.

Emptybox, thats a blow, all that walking, ah well, nothing you can do.

I watched BB at 5am as O/H was going out then so i thought, why not, will have to get to bed now.

At least with watching next day there's now adverts, it's fantastic.

Hi Hicky.

Sorry you are still getting all this trouble with blood in your water. But sounds like your consultant took you seriously, so hope they fast track that prostate operation, if that's what you need.

Don't envy you that though.

Hope you had a nice meal out afterwards.

Evening Emptybox.

I don't seem to have another good option, a TURP it is.

Finished the Gazebo roof, did the kids roof as well.

fell over getting onto the decking when i had just stepped off with 2 pieces of roof felt for the kids thing and realised i hadn't taken the backing strip off and turned round to get back on the decking and tripped, hurt my left knee, grazed in 2 places.

Just made a beef and mushroom for tea, used Ribeye steak.

Hi Hicky.

Hope your knee will be OK. 

It's still not long after your hip op, so you still have to be a bit careful.

Yeah, I guess the TURP op would be your best bet.

Quite a cold night last night, and quite cold this morning.

It warmed up when the sun came out this afternoon, but is cool again now.

The grass was dry though, so I got quite a lot of mowing and strimming done.

They all seem to be arguing about the money on BB (which I suppose was the whole idea).

Not sure I want any of them to win TBH.

Evening Emptybox.

I have big plasters on my knee, took the skin off in 2 places, quite big areas.

Good job i landed on my left side, probably with having 2 heavy 1m lengths of roofing felt in my left hand.

Not a bad day really, lots of sun. it wasn't too cold early on, i was out in the garden at 7am as usual, didn't need my jumper either.

Had some big Strawbs yesterday, quite a few peas ready as well.

I'll watch the eviction tonight with a half hour delay, so i can cut out the adverts.

Not bothered who goes.

Hicky

sorry to hear you have been having such awful health problems, what a good job you had this specialist cancellation appointment though, so he can recommend where you go from here. Shame you have to have another op, but if it is the best option to get you well again, best to get it done ASAP. I hope they don't leave you waiting too long, but if it is classed as urgent, it shouldn't be.

Oh dear, fancy falling and hurting those knees. As Emptybox says, extra care is needed, especially after your recent op. I hope it heals soon, and doesn't affect your sleep.

But well done on finishing the gazebo and kids area. We are due some new photos soon I hope?

Gosh rewiring is so expensive, isn't it?

not sure we will go for this house, I am finding it so exhausting now looking after mum and OH working in Bristol to take too much on.

Emptybox

what a flippen nuisance the garage were with your van, it is not going to be easy with your appointments coming up. Could you not re-arrange them until you know your van is sorted ok?

Yes lots of money arguements, Choloe seems particularly obsessed with the money.

Would like to see Harry go tonight, she has such a nasty mouth on her and is such an attention seeking sulker. Nick is such a drip with her.

But I am still enjoying the show.

Shame it finishes next week, a long wait unti January to see the celeb one too.

Real tired, had headache all day, it is so horribley humid again here and my hayfever has made me feel all blocked up in the head. Also had to go to Cardiff hospital for check up today. Had to wait hour and half to be seen, and it was so hot in there.   All ok though, they have me a green card, one you carry around to say you have a medical condtiion. (the blood clotting thing).
 Good job mum had day centre and some lovely carers to put her to bed today
looking forward to BB now....Enjoy the show.

going to get a magnum now to cool down.

Evening guys.

Thought that was really bad that they evicted Sam against the public vote.

They did something similar last year.

Totally against the spirit of BB.

Do we have to wait till January for the celeb version Mollie?

Didn't realise they weren't having a summer CBB this year.

Not bad day here. Cool this morning, but quite warm this afternoon when the sun came out. Raining now though.

Chilly now, I definitely need my sweater on this evening, and I was a bit chilly in bed last night with just the summer (4.5 tog) duvet.

Obviously a huge difference in temperature between the north and south of the country.

Doesn't feel like July at all, up here.

Got my couple of big jobs done today, so I can have the weekend off.

Hi Hicky. Sounds like you got off quite lightly in your fall.

Well done on finishing the gazebo.

Mollie, sorry to hear you had a headache today because of the humidity.

But glad you got the all clear at the hospital. They always keep them too warm, don't they.

I guess the green card would come in handy if you needed to be treated by a paramedic, or something like that?

Don't want to rearrange my appointments with the dentist or optician. I'll use my car for them anyway. I'll just have to work around them next week.

Hopefully my van will only be off the road for Tuesday.

Pity Andy Murray is out of Wimbledon. That'll take away my interest in the Men's final on Sunday.

Still quite looking forward to the finals though, and Jamie Murray could still win the doubles title.

Evening Both.

Not a bad day, my lad came round with his lot, he stacked the big planks up that were laying about after using them for the Gazebo roof.

His young ones were eating the peas, and some of the Mangetout which are massive, you just eat the lot, no need to open them.

If it's nice tomorrow i'll start making the stand for the Manure Butt, it's only a 100 litre one but it should do, just need it higher for the flow.

Mollie, yes, my left knee is a bit of a mess, have got big plasters on it for now.

the wounds are about 4cm across each so i'm using the biggest plasters.

A good job i had finished the roof or i wouldn't have been able to.

As you say, going for a house while you are so involved with mum isn't really possible.

It's not good having a head ache all day either, glad your checkup was ok.

I wasn't surprised Harry went but it was a bit unfair on Sam.

But BB didn't want Chloe to go so by picking an envelope it was obvious who would go.

Emptybox, There is a CBB after the normal one and before the normal one, we have 2 CBB's a year.

Quite cool here today, 15C but didn't need my jumper on.

Glad you can have the weekend off.

It was light rain here around 5pm.

Hope your mot goes well anyway.

Shame about Murry but he played awful, he made so many unforced errors, and his 1st serves were dreadful.

And Jamie Murry failed as well.

Hi Hicky.

It was a bit warmer here today. Short sleeve weather.

Got my own grass cut.

Sounds like your lad's little ones like their peas.

I love eating raw peas straight from the pod as well.

I buy sugar snap peas from the supermarket. You eat those pod and all, but the peas are bigger than mangetout.

Hope your knee heals well.

Enjoyed watching the tennis, even though I was wanting Mugaruza to beat Serena really.

Pity Jamie Murray didn't win the Men's doubles, but I was really pleased that Martina Hingis won the Women's doubles.

Haven't seen any info about a CBB after this BB, but I suppose there could be one?

Morning Emptybox.

Raining here today, now as well, mainly cloud anyway.

Had to get the nurses out again last night, catheter blocked again.

The stuff i ordered hasn't come yet so i couldn't try and flush it out.

The nurses left me a spare flush though.

It's only 8 days since i had the last one fitted.

Had to put netting over the Strawberries as the birds are eating too many.

Biggest so far is 1½Oz.

I have Sugar Snap, Mangetout, dwarf and normal peas.

Just watched BB, saw Jack take the money he was offered.

Saw the Hingis match, she and her partner were fantastic.

Hi Hicky.

Sorry to hear you had catheter trouble again.

Hope the stuff you have ordered makes it easier, when you do get problems.

Wet day here, so no work done. And my van goes into the garage again first thing tomorrow, so I won't get anything done then either.

Went to the dentist this morning. Just a check-up. Nothing needed, apart from scale and polish.

Enjoyed the tennis again on Sunday.

Didn't see all of the Men's singles, as I went to the supermarket, but enjoyed the mixed doubles final (Hingis again )

And then there was some wheelchair tennis. Hadn't seen that before.

Yes, the birds can devastate ripe strawberries, if you don't have a net.

Evening Emptybox.

Rained most of the day, no sun.

My catheter stuff came, they only sent me 2 catheters, probably because they are supposed to last 3 months.

But at least i got the flush stuff, it's knowing when to use it.

The man came from the council to measure up for the dropped pavement, he'll send a quote.

O/H also got a quote of the relation who built the walls to render the whole bungalow, O/H doesn't like the brickwork, it's got some slight deterioration and it's red brick, she wants the bungalow Pale Lilac.

Have had to recover all, or most of the tubs as the rain can effect the fruit, i water the trees from the bottom saucer so if it gets rain it can split the fruit.

Birds still trying to get the cherries and strawberries, these blackbirds don't give up, O/H's sister was telling me the blackbirds bring their young to the fruit and leave them there.

At least your didn't need any expensive work on your teeth, hope your cars mot is the same.

Enjoyed the wheelchair tennis, they are so good.

Hope Mollie isn't too worn out.

I was watching last nights BB at 5.30am this morning.

both x

Hicky

sorry to hear the catheter blocked again so quickly, let's hope it lasts longer next time.

Emptybox

good job your dentist visit was problem free.

weather real bad again here today, rained all day yesterday and again today.

Getting real hard caring for mum now, she had a cough and was fighting for breathe today, it was awful, so had ambulance out, decided against taking her to hospital, her mental health nurse said not to, as it would distress her and she probably wouldn't get out again. So they got GP out who has given me some atni biotics but he said she had no chest infection, so probably thinks it is her dementia, but would try som anti biotics. I have signed a Do Not Resucitate for her. I had spoken about this with the mental health nurse and think it is the kindest thing to do.

Enjoying watching BB now, then OH has to drive me to mum's to check on her and take medicine over.

Wonder who'll win now?

Goodnight both x

Oh dear, sorry to hear your Mum is in such a bad way Mollie.

As you say, the DNR may be kindest, at this stage.

Thinking of you.

Hicky.

Glad your catheter stuff came. Hope you work out how to use the flush.

I'm sure a lilac bungalow will look very....lilac.

Evening Both.

My next Hospital appointment came, next Thursday 23rd for admission, 11am, thats handy.

I was reading about the Flush's use, it says best using 2, doing it twice I'll try 1 Friday, and then Tuesday if it is ok, I've read the instructions.

Put my Manure tank raising block in place, heaven it's heavy, made from 4 x 2" wood and some decking pinning the parts together.

I have 30 mtrs of hosepipe on the hose reel, undid it all and the manure came through so thats great, went round feeding the plants, it reaches the whole garden.

Mollie, sorry to here about your Mum, she can only get worse, it's so hard for you.

Still no idea who might win BB, it keeps changing.

Think CBB will be in August.

Emptybox, yes, the catheter gear come when i am going into Hospital.

I leave all colour schemes to O/H, don't get involved.

Latest betting.

Latest BB betting.

Joel 15/8
Jack 2/1
Chloe 3/1
Danny 9/1
Nick 14/1
Cristian 40 /1

Hi Hicky.

Is that hospital appointment for your operation? Or for pre-op checks etc?

Well done getting your manure tank blocks in place.

Yes, very wise leaving the colour decisions to OH. That way you can't be wrong.

Have my van back, but it needs more work to get through the MoT.

Needs both rear leaf springs replaced and rear brake cylinders as well.

They've done the servicey bits, but I'll have to take it back once they get the parts in.

He's sourced second-hand leaf springs for about £250 the pair.

New ones from Ford would have cost about £650 the pair, and that's before fitting.

Still the whole bill is likely to be £600 or more.

These vehicles are bloody expensive to keep on the road.

Was mostly a damp drizzly day, but sunshine from 3pm, so I could have got something done, if I'd had the van.

Still at least I've got it back in the meantime.

So Joel's the current favourite?

TBH I'm not caring who wins now.

Evening Emptybox.

They seem to have missed the pre-op, they did take my blood while i was at Clatterbridge.

This appointment is for the Op. but it's at Arrow Park.

Strange needing leaf springs, have you been overloading them? didn't know they went like that.

Thats an expensive mot.

The weather was better than i expected tbh.

No idea who will win BB, it will be decided depending on how they do this week.

I've ordered the guttering for the Gazebo, don't know when that will come.

That's very fast for the op then.

But I guess you'll be anxious to get it over with, and on with the recuperation.

Yes, the MoT will be more expensive than I was hoping.

But I think it's only younger vehicles that get away with cheap MoTs. 11 year old vans are bound to need stuff done unfortunately.

Fairly sure I hadn't overloaded the van. Haven't carried anything different recently anyway. But I had noticed that the back was more clattery when going over rough ground, so I suspected that some suspension bits would be needed.

Surprised the leaf springs are so expensive though, as they a fairly old, simple technology.

both

Hicky

glad you have an appointment through from the hospital for the op. It will make such a difference to you when this problem is sorted. Let's hope you don't get any blockages in the meantime. 

Emptybox

that is a lot of money for you to find, what a nuisance.

We too have had 4 days of rain,

forecast better now though, so hopefully it will dry up so you can get some work done.

Mum a bit better last couple of days thank goodness, because a carer has offerred to come in on her day off to look after mum Thursday. Me and daughter have arranged to go with OH to B'ham today as he has his work meeting there tomorrow. Got a good deal on a hotel and he can claim it back. So must go now, have train to get, be back in few days.

Enjoy BB,

Evening Both.

Quite a nice day here, cut 6 wooden pallet's in half so they will go in the car.

Potted about in the garden, it's easy to find stuff to do.

Went out for fish & chips for tea, had it on the Prom.

Emptybox, didn't realise leaf springs went that easy.

It might be the rough ground thats done it.

Mollie, Yes, it will be great to be back to normal, funny how you get used to having the catheter.

Glad your mum has been a bit better.

Enjoy your Birmingham trip, i remember working there in 1958.

I was in a Lucas factory, we were replacing some massive copper bars used for electroplating.

The only way we could get food at the weekend was to go for breakfast with the homeless, there was a place you could get a meal.

Evening.

Not bad day here. Cloudy this morning but sunny afternoon.

Got some work done for a change.

I can't really think why my springs have gone this year Hicky.

I do have to go up some rough farm roads. And the road down to my cottage is pot-holed. But I've never had a problem before, in the 8 years I've had this van.

And before that I had an Escort van, that had virtually the same suspension system, and it never had a problem with the leaf springs.

Just one of those things, I guess?

Glad your Mum is a bit better Mollie, and you could find carers to let you take a break in Brum.

Enjoy yourself.

Hicky. Glad you had the good weather to let you potter in the garden.

And enjoyed your fish & chips on the prom.

Was Birmingham closed at the weekend in 1958, that you had to eat with the homeless?

Or did they not pay you enough to allow you to buy food?

Enjoyed seeing Jade back in BB.

Don't see the point in having BOTS live from the House really.

Evening Emptybox.

A nice day here really, my Guttering came so i fitted all that on the gazebo.

Driving over rough ground for a period of time would probably ruin leaf springs, they are preformed and too much weight or bounce may cause them to lose their shape and tension so they will flex more.

The problem in Birmingham was, the digs we were in didn't do food at the weekend, and the shops were all closed at 7am so we had nowhere to eat, the place were the homeless ate opened early, which was great.

My Pre-Op is Tuesday 21st at Clatterbridge, the Op is Thursday at Arrow Park.

Just going to watch last nights BB, didn't watch it this morning.

Hi Hicky.

Nice sunny warm day here.

Not sure if you've watched the BB final yet, so I won't say the winner, but I'm quite pleased.

Went to the optician this morning. Didn't need new specs, as my prescription hasn't really changed.

And as the eye test is free in Scotland, it didn't cost me anything.

Got a phone call from the garage to say they had the parts in now (springs and brake cylinders), and booked it in for next Tuesday to get them fitted.

Glad you got the guttering done on your gazebo.

Ah yes, I guess there weren't many shops open at the weekends back in 1958 (the year before I was born ). Would have thought there'd be a cafe or something though?

Not long before your operation now.

Morning Emptybox.

a cooler day here 19C, might get a bot of sun.

Had a little rain earlier but not enough to test my new guttering.

Ordered the Water Butt last night.

Paid the Council to do the dropped pavement, £1,792

Watched the Final later last night, I didn't mind Chloe winning.

At least you can get the van fixed now the parts are in.

In 1958/9 you couldn't find a cafe that opened early at the weekend, we started work at 8am.

Not long now, did another catheter flush this morning, well i have the gear now.

Will watch some of the Golf, not much else on.