Hi Hicky.
Dull and cold here with just a hint of sunshine here and there.
Went for my papers this morning, and to the supermarket this afternoon.

Bought the new Star Wars film on Blu-ray. Only £12.

Yes the blossom looks more like apple flowers, but the leaves are cherry type as you say. The apple tree next door to it has leaf buds only just coming out.
I'm sure I've seen little unripe cherries on it in previous years though? I'll keep an eye open for them later on this year, then maybe we can tell for sure.
I guess it's kind of academic in any case. It seems to thrive regardless.

My Uncle is always urging me to buy organic chicken, but it's quite a bit more expensive than the other type, when you buy the breasts anyway.

Watched The Durrells then something on BBC2 about alcoholism.
Not a good night for the telly.

both

Hicky

hope your OH is pleased with the trellis. I think they look so lovely when the plants grow up them. In our old house OH grew some plant  whose big leaves change to a lovely golden brown in autumn, it looked very nice. Yes the last couple of CanBB have been excellent. Looking forward to the new one that should be on today.

Emptybox

glad to hear you are up to date job wise. Nice to see the photo of your tree in blossom, even though it remains a bit of a puzzle as to what it is!    Was it warmish there over the weekend? They said it was going to get cold over the weekend here, but it didn't get cold at all here, we did without coats any way, Now they say again it is going to get cold this week, let's see if they get it right this time. Perhaps not time to ditch you wooly hat yet?

Had a very busy weekend with my mum's sister and friend. Rainy on Friday so we spent some time in mum's flat with her then Saturday and yesterday it was lovely and sunny, so we were able to take mum out down the seafront in her wheelchair, which was nice. I showed my aunt some of mum's old photos, some  from the 1940's, which we all enjoyed. I didn't know who they were but she did! We were pleased that mum did appear to recognise her sister, and even said her name. Poor mum can only say the odd word now.

All 7 of us went for a meal on Saturday night, after the carers had put mum to bed. I was a bit nervy as it was a pub we hadn't been to before and it was cheap. But tripadvisor said food was good , even though the pub;s decor was not brilliaint.  They were right, plenty of good hot food, but didn't rate the carpets! So no complaints from anyone.

I agree about BGT, what a waste of a gold button!

Have a lot to catch up with after being out most of the weekend. We went to Costco yesterday after my aunt left, and we certainly took advantage of the free food samples!

Have a good day both xxx

Hi Mollie.

Yes it certainly was cold here over the weekend and today. With quite a heavy frost on Saturday morning.
Today is very wild and woolly; blowing a gale, with snow and hail showers. Little glimpses of sunshine in-between, but I decided not to go out and get blown to bits, as I'm up to date with work.

Glad you had the nice weather while your Aunt was there. And nice your Mum still recognised her sister.
That's good that Trip Advisor were correct about the unfamiliar pub, and you were able to get a nice meal.

Looking forward to The Island tonight, to see how that chap got on after his fall.
I know you won't be watching Mollie?

Good Evening.

I'm on my own here.

A strange day, 10C but windy and sunny with showers all day.

Didn't do much, just tidies the covers on the tubs up, trying to get the cover to keep more sun off the water, in fact i will see if i can work out what to use to make skirts for the tubs, that would do the job.

I can hear hail stone on the window now, it's just set the car alarm off over the road.

I walked the garden a couple of times, just keeping my eye on the flowering, still waiting for a couple to flower, buds opening on Mulberry, hope they are flowers, they look as if they are, some don't flower until they are 7 years old, not sure how old this one is.

Had some of my bacon for brekkie, had a pack of prawns in shell midday, had a Tinned steak pie for tea, lovely, the Fray Bentos ones.

Watched episode 24 of BB Canada today, Nikki is the pawn this week.

Might order a crab apple tree Thursday, one in a pot as they grow quicker.

Hi Hicky.
Sounds like you had a similar day weather-wise to me? Perhaps not as cold.

Not sure why you want a crab apple tree? Mine's rubbish. It just needs pruning every year, and doesn't even give you anything you can eat.
(just kidding, I'm sure it'll be lovely )

I had a steak and kidney pie myself tonight. It didn't come in a tin though. It came in a box.

Evening.

Lousy day here, 8C with cold windies and some rain and sun, on and off.

Couldn't do much really, too cold to bother, not much better all week by the looks of it.

Made a strange meal for tea, had some pasta with olive oil, tinned salmon, lemon juice and salad cream, edible just, didn't want to waste the pasta.

It was like Tuna pasta without the Tuna.

Hi Hicky.
Yes, a horrible day here too. Wind rain and snow. The snow was even lying for a little while. A wee bit sunshine as well. 

Ripped more of my Blu-rays and did a big pile of ironing.

That sounds a nice meal Hicky, pasta and salmon. I'm not keen on tuna, so I'd much rather have salmon.

Last episode of The A Word tonight. I recorded Drive and Tribal Teens to watch later.

both x

Hicky

that is good you are still enjoying your own bacon. Good idea to make up a strange tea if it means you don't waste food. Hope this cold spell doesn't affect the plants/trees who are ready for spring.

Yes I saw that episode of CanBB. Now I wonder if Nikki is safe, but sometimes the pawn does end up going? Hope she is safe. 

Emptybox

Yes you are dead right, I didn't watch "The Island", it was bad enough seeing that nasty fall on Gogglebox.

Odd how we have snow this time of year, but I guess winter was real late starting this year. No snow for us, but we did have a hail storm. Gave you chance to catch up on your Blu-rays and ironing though.

I too watched the last of the A word, I enjoyed the series, a great actor that little lad was. I heard the 2 main characters on "This Mornng" say they shoot most of it when he is tired out, as normally he is lively, and he needs to be quiet to play the part.

Looked after mum yesterday, but have a night off tonight. On Monday the carer forgot the call, so I had so much hastle trying to sort it, as the bus took 3 attempts to drop her off before a carer turned up. Keeping mum out of a nursing home is an exhausting and stressful job.

I see this site has been decorated with party streamers  It looks very nice, I wonder what they are celebrating? 

Have a good evening both xxx

can't believe it is May in a few days. The lovely light nights are wonderful.

Evening Both.

Not too bad a day, better than i was expecting.

Went to Costco early on with a shopping list i made out.12 big cans of tomato's £3.39, 1kg of coffee mate £2.99, 2 big chickens £6.99, a big pork belly for my bacon 7.92, plus other bits as well.

Have set the watering system for the tubs into auto running now.

Emptybox, you've had your fair share of cold weather but snow is a bit much, we've had some sleet.

At least you have things to do if your rained off, yes it looks a bad week all round.

Mollie, Yes, it will be interesting with Nikki on the block, she should stay, but we don't know who will win the next trial and if used who will then go up against Nikki, hope she will be ok.

It's a strange decoration on the page, it's like wood shavings.

Hi both.
It's Gagajoyjoy's 7th anniversary, hence the decoration.
I see it's our thread's 7th anniversary on Friday as well. (we must have arrived two days late )
Wouldn't have guessed we'd been here as long.

Far less windy today thank goodness. Dull with some snow showers this morning, but a nice sunny afternoon, so I got a couple of jobs done.
And a lovely warm evening, with sun flooding through the windows.

Pity you had a mix up with the carer yesterday Mollie.
Yes, I can imagine it's very stressful.
That's interesting about the way they filmed The A Word. Wonder how they got him to learn all those lyrics?

Hi Hicky. What are you planning to do with all those tinned tomatoes?

Watched GPs behind closed doors, now Scott & Bailey

Evening Emptybox.

Another cool day here, 8C with showers most of the time.

My Strawberry plants and hanging baskets have been dispatched, thats good.

Something has been digging in my raised beds, lost some carrots and some spring onions, i suppose it must be the squirrel but i haven't seen it this year.

I've taken the bones off the belly pork, and eaten them, have made the next piece of bacon, it's 1.1kg a nice piece, still go loads of the last piece i cut up.

The bare root gooseberry i've just planted has got some buds showing all ready, happy about that.

There's  a tree cutting company coming Saturday morning to cut the big tree down which is in the bottom left corner by by fence, it's in a small piece of land with no entry but my neighbour is going to put new fence up to the bottom of his garden and the old one is in a bad shape so you can get through for now, it has 2 main trunks which must be 40ft high so it will be better for me in the summer as they must give shade in the early part of the day, more so when it's covered in leaves of course.

The weather seems to warm up a bit from Saturday, for a week.

Just noticed episode 25 is online now, must go watch.

both xx

Hicky

hope it stays dry for the tree man on Saturday. That is a shame the squirrel appeas to have got at your carrots and onions.

I really enjoyed episode 25, and liked the animals.   Do you think Nikki will go? HOpe not.

Emptybox

I watched GP behind closed door. Amazing every week most people never seem to have had anyting wrong when they sum up at the end. Wonder how many hypochondriats these docs see?

Hope weather was ok today so you don't get behind work wise. Cold here, we had a hail storm.

Went to see mum's day care centre manager today and saw mum in the day centre. She is so well looked after there.

Daughter just made some rapberry and white choc cake, very nice too.

Watching Secret Life of Puppies now, so cute.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Mollie.

I'm going to make more squirrel proof wire mesh covers to try and keep them out.

I hope Nikki stays, they would be soft to keep Jarod in wouldn't they.

I watched Doctors as you, it was ok

I had to ring up twice about my strawberry plants, they are 2 weeks late.

That Raspberry & white choc cake sounds nice, yummy.

Glad they are looking after your Mum well, it's so difficult.

Evening Mollie and Hicky.

Dull and cold morning but dry, but the rain came on after lunch. Still, I got a couple of jobs done anyway. Not looking good for the next few days, but at least it's due to get a bit warmer.

That's good that your strawberry plants and hanging baskets have been sent Hicky. Also good that your gooseberry has got buds on.
Pity about something digging up your plants.
It's not clear from your post whether you ate the pork belly or the bones? Hope it was the former?

That's a big step, having the big tree cut down. Is it your tree, or are you sharing the cost with your neighbour?

That's great that your Mum is so well looked after in the Day Centre Mollie.
Raspberry and white chocolate cake sounds good.
They do sometimes show you patients that don't have a happy outcome, on GPs behind closed doors, but I guess they want to show that they are doing all the right tests to make sure there is nothing wrong?

Watched Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it, then Emma Willis's Miracle thing, now The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis on +1.

Evening Emptybox.

Not too nice, 8C again with rain and wind.

Have planted the 20 strawberry plants into the special hanging baskets, i used some of my own compost i made, together with sphagnum moss, they are hung up and the watering system set up.

I cut the bones off the belly pork then boil and roast the pork ribs, i have made the bacon slab and vac sealed it for a week.

The big tree, we are told belongs to the School, not sure how as they don't have access, mind you no-one has, but they are paying the tree man to cut it down so thats a bonus.

Have got episode 26 to watch now.

Hope Mollie isn't too stressed.

Hi Hicky.
Horrible day here. Rain wind and freezing cold. I had to put the heating on during the day.

Got my end of year accounts done anyway.
Had a new customer call up. I think just for a one off tidying up job, but you never know? Going to have a look on Monday.

Glad you managed to get your strawberry plants in.
That's handy that someone else is paying for the tree to come down.

I hope I'm not posting any spoilers if I say that Nikki got evicted from BB Canada. It's all over social media anyway.
She seems to be staying on to do a lot of appearances over there.
Didn't watch any episodes myself, but I've been following it via Twitter.

Watched George Clark's Amazing Caravans, now watching Ben Fogle. Will watch Gogglebox on +1.

quick hi from me as it is late and I have busy going to Cardiff today, then Toby for tea, then got home and have  engrossed in watching episode 26. What a shame she is gone, but at least she was well liked by the audience and played such a fair loyal game. at her not wanting to hug them when she left, she knew that would of been 2 faced though.

Hope Joel does win it, he is such a nice guy and she will be so pleased if he does.

goodnight both x

Evening Both.

Not too bad a day, had some hail but it cleared up and was fine.

they cut the tree down, all gone, very pleased about that, that gets rid of the birds and shade in the winter.

Didn't do much, watched them cut the tree down, rather them than me, wow, it was scary just watching.

Emptybox, Sad Nikki went, thought she was the pawn, she will do ok out of all this though.

Yes, she has some dates to fulfill in Canada, she will enjoy that.

Mollie,  You are a busy Bee, don't wear yourself out now.

Yes, Joes is nice, he could win if he's not evicted, it's getting tighter now with them getting less and less.

Evening both.
Was a a mostly sunny day here as well. Apart from a heavy rain/hail shower mid afternoon; just when I was in the middle of a grass cutting job. So I got wet, but the sun was out again as I was driving home.

That's great that your tree is down Hicky. Presumably they took it down in stages, from the top down?
Yes Nikki seems very popular over there. Watched her exit interview, and one she did for a morning prog.

Hope you had a good time in Cardiff yesterday Mollie, and enjoyed your Toby tea?
Did you have a relaxing day today?

BGT was good. Wish we had Walliams' Mum on the panel instead of him?
The crossbow act looked dangerous, unless there was some kind of trick?

Also watched The Sweeney movie, and am now watching Metallica on Film 4.

both

Hicky

Glad the tree job is all done now. Are you and your OH having Sunday lunch and are the family coming over I wonder? Hope you can get in your garden today.

Yes I am sure Nikki will do well over there after this. She did well in the house, and was popular.

Emptybox

Pity you got caught out by the showers yesterday. I did today, it started lovely and sunny, had 3 washloads out then had to rush to get in it again.

Day at home today, or do you sometimes work on Sundays in the gardening season?

Yes thanks we did enjoy the Toby. There were 4 of us, so we had 3 roast dinners with help yourself veg, son has gammon sandwich with roast potatoes and yorkshire, 2 help yourself cokes, 2 fizzy waters and a big piec of choc cake with ice cream for £25! A bargain when you use their vouchers.

And yes thanks I did have a more relaxing day yesterday as I went to the theatre with son to see Adams Family, as some of his friends were in it with it being an amateur production. Gave me chance for a sit down for a few hours anyway.

Looking after mum this afternoon, raining which is a shame as I like to take her round the fair ground now it is opened again. Let's hope it dries up later.

Have a good day both.xx

Shame CanBB ends this week as I have really enjoyed it.

I fancy watching that new show of Paul Mertons about trains that starts at 8pm C4 tonight though.

Evening Both.

A rather rainy day here, not working outside.

Went out midday for a beef roast, saves cooking.

Emptybox, Yes, it was scary watching the one up the tree, climbing to the top of each branch, way above the ground, he lowed the bigger branches down by rope, the small ones he chucked into the school grounds, there was 3 of them, they took about 4 hours in all, it sure looks funny with the tree gone, it had 2 branches from low by the ground, each one about 40cm across or more.

Watched episode 26 was it, such a shame, she was set up by the brothers, to go against Joel.

recorded BGT, forgot to watch it as yet.

Mollie,  Didn't realise BB Can finished this week, will miss it.

Will watch Paul Merton tonight, should be interesting.

Bank Holiday tomorrow, it shouldn't effect me though.

Evening both.
Dull and breezy here, but not as cold as before.

Mollie I never work on a Sunday. Just because i like a definite day off.
That sounds a good price for a meal for 4 from the Toby.
Glad you enjoyed the theatre yesterday.
Pity the rain stopped you going to the fairground.

Pity you had rain Hicky, but at least you got a roast lunch out.
Sounds like a bigger job that I thought, taking the tree down? 3 men for 4 hours must have cost someone a lot?
The bank holiday doesn't mean much to me either. I'll have to work if it's good weather.

Watched the Durrells then the film 'Elysium' on 5.

Evening both.
Wet this morning, but a nice afternoon and evening.
Hope you are both enjoying the Bank Holiday?

Got a bit of work done and went to see the new customer about the one off job.
Unfortunately they don't want it done for a few weeks now. So will just be a couple of hours work at the beginning of June.
It's a bit of garden that this person walks their dog on, but is owned by someone else. She wanted to tidy it up, as a thank you to the owner who allows her to take her dog onto it, but unbeknownst to her the owner tidied it all up over the weekend, so her 'thank you' has had to be postponed.
Oh well.....

For a Bank Holiday there's not a lot on telly, but I'm enjoying the last episode of The Island.

Evening Emptybox.

A bit wet this morning, it cleared up though, quite warm 13C.

We went out for brekkie this morning with my lad and his lot, made a change.

Not a lot to do in the garden, made another cover for the raised beds from the steel netting and some bamboo canes to keep the sides straight.

Just been watching the snooker.

Got lots more blossom opening each day, lots to come yet as well.

Pity your new customer isn't that fruitful, never mind, always more.

Missed the Island, i watch the fist thing that takes my interest.

I've got all the info needed for my tax return now so will have to ring accountant and see if i can email it or go and see him, it's only a 20 minute drive, each way.

both

Hicky

I bet the blossom looks lovely in your garden now. Nice to go out for brekkie with your lad and family. Did you go to Toby for brekkie? Well done getting your tax return info all together. Is it lighter in your house now the tree has gone?

CanadaBB...yes such a shame those brothers got Nikki out.

I hope they don't win!

Emptybox

that is a good idea to have a fixed day off on a Sunday. Shame the surprise job didn't work out as planned, but at least it is a little extra job for you in future.

Can you believe it? I sorted carers all day for yesterday's bank hol so we could all go out to the zoo and it blooming well rained all day, and then at th end of the day, the sun came out and is still out! 
So we ended up going to Costco, so we did at least get a few food samples ,then we met my friend for coffee in M and S. 

Let's hope we get good weather this weekend and not just in the week.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening Mollie.

Yes, lots of blossom, still waiting for some, lots to come from apples etc.

No, we didn't go to Toby, just one in Hoylake, it's quite cheap as well.

The tree was at the bottom of the garden so nowhere near the house, we don't have anything overlooking the bungalow or garden.

I was sorry to see Nikki evicted but the brothers fixed it so she would go, such a pity they won POV at the time.

It was quite a good day, nothing much to do, baby figs still growing no leaves started yet.

Evening Mollie and Hicky.
Nice sunny day here. A bit breezy, if I'm being picky.

Was at a job this morning and the client came out (I don't often see her). She was gushing "Oh it's so nice to see you! We're so pleased to have you helping us again this year. You've made such a difference".
I must have looked a little nonplussed because she said "Aren't you pleased to be back?", so I mumbled something about it being nice when the sun was shining.
Silly woman. I do gardening, not enthusiasm.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be appreciated if it's genuine, but this client always gushes like that.

Pity your bank holiday plans were spoilt by rain Mollie, but at least you got to meet your friend for coffee.
I see Nikki will be on the jury that decides the BB Canada winner, so she can maybe get her revenge?

That's very quick work getting your tax return info Hicky.
I've got my business info, but haven't got all the info about savings interest etc yet.
Glad you are getting more blossom, and you got your raised bed cover made.

Watched the final of Drive, then Surviving the Island, then the thing about Millionaire Chinese in Britain.

Evening Emptybox.

A lovely day here, 15C and not a lot of wind.

Didn't do much, just put some string up on some trellis O/h wanted for her climbers.

O/H bought a childs bike from Costco the other day, she went back yesterday to order a cake as it's one of my grand childs Birthday, think he's 5.

They saw the same bike only this time it said instead of about £60 inc vat it was £35, very strange so she took the bike back as a return and then bought the other one for £25 less, it's the same bike.

Nice having a client so pleased to see you, bet not many act like that.

Yes Nikki in the Jury house till it finishes, she is only 1 vote though but could have influence.

For my tax return i only needed the pension info, the P60 came from the small private one, i've emailed them to the accountant, i rang him to check.

I saw the millionaire Chinese program, a lot of then are loaded i see.

I stopped the 3rd Dizzyness tablet last week, this week i'm stopping the evening one to see how things go, have got a dull pain in my thigh were the hip op was, not sure what it is, will have to monitor, had it a week now.

emptybox posted:

Silly woman. I do gardening, not enthusiasm.

 

Aaaww don't be such a cool guy,...go on.... take that bit of appreciation from the lady.

Best your customer is a gusher and pleased to see you, rather than a miserable git!

both

Hicky

glad you got a nice day. we did here too. How I love this nice weather and long light days.  

Well done on getting the bike cheaper. Costco tend to do this, we got caught out by an office chair that was reduced by £15 the week after we bought it, but unforutnately we had used it by then so couldn't take it back.

Is your OH pleased with the birthday cake? We love their cakes, I like the way you can choose and persomalise it all online beforehand.

I hust noticed you too said it is nice for a client to act with enthusiasm, so I think we both agree..... Emptybox should just embrace the moment and enjoy this lady's enthusiasm and take it for what it is.

Glad you are able to stop another dizzy tablet, shame about your discomfort in your thigh. Hope it clears soon. Do you think it is just a weakend muscle pulled?

So how does this jury house work? Is it just those on the jury who vote for a winner? And I wonder how many they will have to choose from?

Hopefully you too Emptybox have had this nice sunny weather today.

I took mum down the seafront in her wheelchair after she got home from day centre. It was hot in the sun, we both had ice creams on the sea front. Mum had blueberry ripple and I had cofee, very nice.

WAtched GPshow and Supervet tonight.

Lookiing forward to watching CanBB tomororw.

Have a good evening both xxx

Hi both.
Would have been a good day here, except it was blowing a gale for much of it.
Had to retrieve my hat a few times, so switched to my woolly 'beany' type one that stayed on. The wind made it quite chilly, so I wasn't too warm in it.
Still, got quite a few jobs done.
Think it was supposed to be 12C here, but the wind made it colder.

The wind had died down by this evening, and it was quite sunny, so I took my car down to the garage and left it, ready for it's MoT tomorrow.
Quite a pleasant walk home, if a little breezy. Saves me getting up super early tomorrow.

I don't really like these gushing, over enthusiastic types, as I don't know how to deal with them. And they never seem to understand dour pessimistic types such as myself.
If it's a clear blue sky, I'll be the one that points to the cloud on the horizon.....They don't seem to like that, for some reason.
Plus I know she's not very genuine. On the first day I worked for her she came out and pointed to a bit of the garden and said "You've made such a difference there" (must be one of her favourite phrases). And I had to say "Er...I haven't actually done that bit yet". So she said "Oh... I'm sure you'll make a good job, when you do".
So I know she's full of nonsense.

Hicky, you must have bought the bike just before a sale? But that's good that they accepted it back and sold your OH the cheaper one.
Pity you are getting a bit of pain in your thigh. Hope it's not related to your op.

In that millionaire Chinese programme I felt a bit sorry for the main girl. She seemed a bit awkward, and never seemed to be able to please her father. Plus she seemed prone to having lipstick on her teeth.
Also that suit boss seemed rather hapless. And even though his suits supposedly sold for up to £30,000 , the one he was wearing didn't even seem very well fitting.

Glad you had ice cream weather Mollie.
Yes I really love the long sunny evenings, even though it hasn't been that warm up here yet. I still need the heating on low for a few hours. I might turn it off this weekend though?
Don't know how the BBCan jury works? Probably similar to the one on BBUSA?

I also watched GPs Behind Closed Doors, then turned over to BBC2 to watch Mary Beard's prog on the Roman Empire, then over to CH4 to watch the Katy Piper thing on people who never go to a doctor.
Quite a good night's telly.

I'll have to remember to vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election tomorrow.

Evening Both.

A beautiful day here again, saw 1 cloud today so was a bit disappointed.

Had a midday meal in the gazebo, just burgers and sausages.

So hot in the sun, didn't do much, watched a bit of tv to get a break from the sun.

still waiting to see if i have flowers on the Mulberry tree.

Have set the evening watering to 3 minutes for now, just enough to make up for the water evaporation from the leaves.

Mollie, Very strange how the bike price dropped from £60 to £35 in a couple of days, the cake is ordered, pick it up Saturday, they are big cakes and for about £12 it's crazy.

I'm not sure about the discomfort in the thigh, don't think i've banged it, it doesn't hurt when i walk or anything, just a dull ache all the time, may have to go to the Doc if it doesn't go soon.

I'm sure it is just the Jury that votes for the winner, not sure on any rules but don't think the public are involved at all.

Your mum would enjoy ice cream on the prom

I'll have to see if the next episode is out for BB Can.

Emptybox, You've had some bad weather at your place, those winds are so annoying and cold.

Hope your car doesn't have much trouble to get through the mot this time.

I was sorry for that girl as well, her father didn't seem interested in what she was doing.

That seemed crazy prices for suits, they must be mad paying that.

That was funny, the woman saying you had done a good job and you hadn't done it, so funny.

Hi Hicky.
I envy you your hot sunny day. It was dull and chilly here.
Got quite a few jobs done though.

Bad news about the car. It would have cost over £1000 to get it through the MOT.
Brakes, suspension, exhaust, welding and all sorts.
Plus he showed me underneath and it was rotten in places and rusting away. It would just have been more money after more money, so I've decided to cut my losses and not to have any work done.

I'm going to try and sell it as an MOT failure (spares or repair), or scrap it.
I've already listed it on Gumtree, so I'll see if I get any nibbles. I'll maybe try it on Ebay as well.
The current MOT is still valid till the end of the month, so someone could drive it away if it sells quickly.

It's a pity as it's a lovely car to drive, and is only 12 years old. But as the guy said, they don't make them to last nowadays. Not like the classic Jaguars.
In fact I'm not sure they even made the classic Jags to last?
(sorry Hicky, I know your old factory made them).
The old Mercedes I had got to 19 before I had to get rid of it, and I think it may be running still.
And although it needed work done on it, it didn't need the amount of work that the Jag has needed in the last few years. Even though it hardly does any mileage, it seems to go through brake and suspension parts like nobody's business.

I may buy another (more economical) car in due course, but for the moment I'll get by with just the van. 
Not too sad. Just more relieved that it won't be draining my finances any more. Although I'm sure I'll miss driving the car, and it was my Dad's.......

Glad you got a meal in the gazebo, and are tinkering with the watering system again (Summer must be on the way ).
Hope the pain in the thigh just turns out to be something muscular.

Watched Kirstie and Phil, and then the thing on the Invictus Choir.
Now watching a bit of the election results before I go to bed.

Evening Emptybox.

Cloudy today, warm 18C but hazy sun, nice though.

It's nice watching the baby figs growing, no leaves yet but the figs are just bigger than a pea.

Still can't tell if I've got flowers on the Mulberry, it's very late flowering by the looks of it, mind you some apple trees are only just coming into flower.

Going to start making the special liquid food, will make 50 litre of concentrated and add 50 litre of rain water to the tank, I have a hose reel attached so I can feed each tree in turn.

That is bad news about he car, but you can only spend so much, you should check it's value at the scrappy, these days they probably pay you nothing so make sure you can drive it if it comes to that, it seems to have some weaknesses, brake, suspension etc, you shouldn't have to keep renewing them for a start.

Yes, get a diesel auto 4x4 with winter tyres and you won't go far wrong, they make some crackers now.

Don't know about my thigh pain, it seemed ok in bed last night, my arthritis was more of a problem, it's probably a muscle but I don't think I've banged it so not sure what it is.

 I saw some of the election results, nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Last week I stopped the 3rd sickness tablet, this week I've stopped the evening one, it seems ok so far anyway, worth a try. Hope Molly isn't too stressed out.

Hi Hicky.
A warm sunny day, but got chillier towards late afternoon.

Well believe it or not I've got the car sold.
A guy rang me at about 7pm and came to look at it, and took it away with him (he brought his father with him). Didn't give me a lot for it - £250 in cash, but it's better than nothing.
He's a mechanic, and had a wrecked X type that he could get parts from. So it's probably worth his while to do the work himself and get it through it's MOT.

Had 2 or 3 messages about it from time wasters as well. One from a Polish guy, that I couldn't make head nor tail of.
I rang the scrappy earlier in the day, and he said if I drove it in he'd give me £25, but if he had to collect he'd only uplift for free. So there's obviously no value in scrap nowadays?

Not sure what car I would get next? I'll wait and see how the van does in it's MoT in July first.

I think the result of the Scottish election was as good as could be hoped for. The SNP won as expected, but they didn't get an overall majority, so can be held in check if the other parties all vote together.

Must be interesting watching the figs grow. What it is to be retired eh?
Glad your thigh pain wasn't bad last night.
Hope you are successful cutting down on the dizziness pills.

Didn't watch much TV tonight. With this guy coming this evening, it made me late with my supper, so I really only watched the News.

both x

Hicky

sounds like your figs are going to do well. But I am sure the rest of your crop will do well too as  you look after it so well all year. So glad you are doing ok with stopping those tablets. That's good your thigh is ok in bed, but how annoying the arthritus then plays up. I saw a glucosamine cream in Home Bargains, wonder if that would be worth trying for your arthritus? It was £1.99 a tube.

Emptybox

what a shame about the car as I know you liked it mainly because it was your dads. But that is good you did not send it for scrap, because not only did you get your money from it,but  you know someone is going to work on it.

Shame you missed gogglblox and the new Windors show on C4 after it. Some of the Royals on it were very funny. Bet some of the Royals feeling like locking the producers in the Tower for this programme.

Have you watched CanBB? They explained the jury a bit. They said that the Canadian vote would be one part of the jury in replacement of the guy who had to quit for family reasons. So looks like all in the jury has one vote and the Can public has one, as to who wins. Unless the jury in the house have to decide between them who they are voting for? Looks like they keep 4 for the final.

I will miss it when it ends, but then downhill to ours.

Had busy few days with mum and sorting day centre, carers etc. Am also having to work on the VAT.

We went to Toby again for tea last night as it is such good value with the 20% off.

Looking forward to BGT tonight.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening Both.

Another nice day, hazy though, no hot sun, 20C though, no wind.

My lad dropped one of his little ones off while they went to Costco to pick up the Birthday cake.

Going to my lads in the morning for brekki so we can be there when the birthday boy opens his presents.

Emptybox, Glad you sold your car. it's better to get as much as possible.

I've set the watering to half, 3 minutes for now, it's easy to change it.

Leaves opening slowly on Fi tree outside, Rhubarb coming on fine, just waiting for the rest of the veg to come in 2 weeks, Toms, Cucumber & Celery, all grafted.

Mollie, I used to take Glucosamine tablets but stopped as I couldn't tell if they worked, I take the Omega3 Oil capsules still.

I don't know about the cream, I would need an awful lot.

Have got 3 episodes of BB Can to watch, haven't had time yet.

Good Luck with the vat etc, the Toby again, great stuff.

Glad yo sorted day centre for your mum, such a busy time for you.

Will remember to watch BGT tonight

Evening both.
A horrible foggy drizzly cold day here. Don't know where the promised heat has gone! South by the sound of it?

Didn't do much. Planted my tomato plants out in the greenhouse.

Kind of missing the Jaguar parked out front.
I tried parking my van in the same place, but it's a bit of an eyesore, and blocks my view of the garden. I think I'll park it back in it's usual place.
But yes, it's good to know that it hasn't been scrapped and will still be on the road.

Mollie, I'd seen trailers for that Windsors prog, but hadn't realised that it was on last night. I'll maybe try and watch it back.
Pity you are having to work on the VAT. Luckily I don't need to bother with that.

Hicky, I hope you enjoy your grandchild's birthday tomorrow.
I take a combined cod liver oil and glucosamine capsule every morning. Can't do any harm anyway. I used to get some pain in my knees, but haven't since I've been taking glucosamine. It's also supposed to be good for the prostate.
I hear it's best to avoid tablets that include chondroitin though, as that's been shown to increase chances of prostate cancer.
Not sure if you have to worry about that now though, after your TURP op?

Watched BGT, now watching the Shakespeare thing on BBC2. Not sure why?

Evening Emptybox.

A lovely day here, very warm, 24 in the shade, too hot when sun out.

Had a lovely brekkie at my lads, the young one had a lovely birthday, then they went out to a party in one of those kiddies places, O/H went as well, I didn't.

Have planted one of my small Fig trees, will plant other one tomorrow, I get too out of breath.

Yes, you will miss seeing the Jag, the last time I had on was probably 1962 or 3, the mark 1.

I se you've planted you tomato plants out into the greenhouse, i'm planting seeds out direct or getting the grafted ones delivered.

Started making my Compost Tea today, got a lot to make though.

I will look and see what Glucosamine they have Costco next time we go, the ones I used to take had Chondroitin in them as well.

I watched BGT, its ok.

Hi Hicky.
What a difference a day makes? Today I finally got the warm weather. Lovely sunshine and very warm. Must have been about 20C. At least 10C higher than yesterday. A very welcome change.

Got my own grass cut and did some other gardening, then went to the supermarket.

Glad you enjoyed the kiddies birthday party.
Yes, I guess you have to take it easy when doing the heavier work in the garden. Not good to get out of breath.

Those early Jags (Mark I and II) were really beautiful. I envy you.

I used to take a combined glucosamine & chondroitin capsule and a separate omega 3 capsule, but I read about chondroitin not being good for the prostate. I then noticed that Sainsburys had these combined cod liver oil & glucosamine tabs, so as cod liver oil has lots of omega 3, I thought this would do better.
TBH if they had a pure omega 3 & glucosamine tab then I would prefer that, but the cod liver oil is an OK compromise.

Watched The Durrells then some of the TV awards.