Hi guys.

Sunshine and showers today, same as yesterday.

Just got back from the supermarket.

Enjoyed my day across at my Brother's yesterday, We went out for lunch to a garden centre, and then had a homemade curry for supper.

Took their dog for a walk in the afternoon, but it was a bit too cold and windy to enjoy it.

Trying without a Tamsulosin pill today, and then will take one again tomorrow.

Glad you got some nice new summer clothes in Cardiff Mollie.

And your son got a new case for his bass.

Missed BB yesterday. No stand-out characters for me yet anyway.

The weather for next week doesn't look too promising.

Evening Both.

Not very sunny today, cloud 99% of the time, still no rain though.

I can use hosepipe for some of the ground runs instead of the plastic 12mm pipe.

The problem with that is that with it coming in a coil it doesn't want to lay flat, so in some cases i had to tape a cane to it to keep it straight.

Will do some testing on the first part of the water system, that covers 21 tubs, 3 rows of 5 and a row of 6.

Still got quite a lot to do, a row of 7 tubs, 5 raised beds, 3 lots of 2 tubs.

O/H got me another 10 barrows of slate today.

Only need another 6 barrows or so.

Have screwed down the decking by the double doors, another job done.

Am sorting out what goes in what shed/summerhouse, small one is for garden stuff, big one if for tools.

The garage is still full.

I need more racking for the big summerhouse, but there's non spare in the garage.

Mollie, that is good news, having hubby not too far away for another 6 months.

 As you say, your daughter will gain in confidence at college.

That pub looks nice anyway, you did well going there.

Emptybox, I suppose a flat roof counts as the roof, it must be to stop damage.

Didn't watch the timebomb, too boring, i recorded it not sure whether i will bother watching it.

Liking all the HM's though, so far.

both

Emptybox

glad you had a pleasant day at your brother's. Nice you went out to lunch, but  you haven't told us what you had or given us a link so we can see? Bet you enjoyed the home made curry. 

Yes not too pleasant walking the dog in these cold winds we have now. The sun would be very warm at this time of year if only the wind went down. But at least we had no rain here today.

That is good that you are reducing your meds starting today.

Hicky

I see you are still very busy in your garden getting things sorted, and your OH is still busy wheeling away. Keeps you both fit though, nothing better than fresh air and excercise. Trouble is that always makes my hungry and I eat too much after fresh air and exercise.

When are you due to see someone about sorting out the catheter? Are you having any less problems with it recently?

I am enjoying BB, but as you say Hicky, parts of it are boring because they seem to keep repeating what happened the night before. Plus early days now, and too many HM's for us to get to know who we like, but I think it will improve soon.

Have a good evening both xxx

Hi Hicky.

I'm sure you'll soon get to grips with that watering system, just as you did at the old place.

Your OH must be building up her muscles, barrowing all that slate.

Mollie, I had a bowl of broccoli and stilton soup with a crusty roll for lunch. Also a caramel chocolate slice and a glass of fizzy orange.

Here's a handy link to a pic of a bowl of soup.

https://foodiefrolics.files.wo...05-2012-18-47-40.jpg
Looks almost exactly like the one I had, even down to the white bowl and plate and napkin.

ETA: I was being silly before, but I've actually found a link to the garden centre.

http://www.dobbies.com/find-a-...centre/clyde-valley/ 

Glad that you didn't have rain today. There was quite a lot here.

both

Emptybox

thanks for the links, glad you found one of the place you went to. I find it interesting seeing different places we visit, especially as the 3 of us each live in a different "country". The soup looks yummy, good job you only went for soup as you had curry later.

Is it dry enough today for your gardening?

It was raining here earlier, but dried up now... still cool and windy though. Dog doesn't seem bothered about going out, nor am I though.

Hope the weather has been dry enough for Hicky to get in his garden and do his watering system. (with his OH wheeling away I expect!).

Not much happened on BB last night, still enjoyed watching it though.

Have a good day both. xxx

Hi Mollie.

Sunshine and showers here today, but I did get a bit of gardening done.

Much colder than it should be mid May though.

Although I've got the heating turned off now, I find I often have to use an electric heater in the sitting room of an evening, for an hour or so.

Not much on tonight, apart from BB.

Evening Both.

O/H went to a funeral today so no barrow work for her.

I was sorting out stuff from the garage to sort it to were it will be kept.

All tools in big summerhouse, all garden stuff in small one, all the rest stays in the garage.

It rained most of the night and morning as the water butt is full again, it dried up this afternoon but rained again later.

I've seen lots of grow lamps for raising my seeds/plants early, no good for this year though, too late now.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-P...1WAKVVCJ2ABSPNHM139V

There seems to be a lot of them around.

Mollie, i've been watching bits of BB recordings etc, but find it hard work, at least i don't have to put up with those dreadful adverts.

I've still got quite a lot to do on the second area for the watering system, have it planned though.

Emptybox, there's a Dobbies in Liverpool, never been but i believe they are very good.

Got them coming to change the 2 meters tomorrow for special ones.

I think the meter tells you what you are using all the time.

Probably got a remote wireless display.

Hi Hicky.

It's been very wet here this morning. And a couple of hail showers as well.

That grow lamp looks very high tech.

Also those new meters sound like they'll be very useful.

That Dobbies garden centre that I went to is one of the largest in Scotland I think? Would take a long time to walk round it all anyway.

Perhaps not feeling quite as well since I started taking the meds every second day. Will carry on the experiment for a bit, but might have to go back to one a day.

Been on them for nearly 6 months now without any particular harm, so suppose it wouldn't be a tragedy if I had to keep on taking them.

So Adjoa, Sarah and Eileen up for eviction, and it's vote to evict.

TBH I find Sarah to be one of the most sane and grounded ones in there, so I hope she stays.

Evening Emptybox.

A mixed bag of weather here.

Had sun and showers all day.

A gas man fitted the new meter equipment, wow, never seen anything like this.

we have a display that is mains driven and can tell you whatever you want in relation to the gas usage/Electric & cost, it transmits to the gas/electric boards so they don't need to come and read them any more.

You can see your usage for the day, also the days cost, or you can see it in KWH, you can also see the tariff that we pay.

It also can tell you the cost to the nearest penny of what is being used now.

Been out for tea, a pub someone found, very cheap food, under £6 for 2 course, very nice too.

A relation who has moved down south when his wife dies has told us we can go and stay for a break when ever we want, he's bought a big bungalow.

so thats interesting.

both

Hicky

that was a bargain tea out.   What did you have?

How handy a relative has invited you to go for a break. Whereabouts in the south are they?

Funny enough I had a letter today off electric/gas people asking if I wanted a new meter. Do they put your charges up if you have one? Hope the weather is ok for you to carry on with your watering system today.

Weather better here today.

Emptybox

sorry to hear you are not feeling quite right, maybe it will take a short while to adjust to cutting down on the meds. Hope you feel a bit better today.

Yes we could do with not losing Sarah, she has potential to be a very interesting HM. I'd rather the other girl who is rather sleazy around  the other girls go. And I think Eileen is rather an interesting HM too. Don't want her to go. Fancy them all nomming her just because she is "old". Thought they had to give valid reasons for nominating, that reason seems a bit of a cop out to me for them all to copy each other.

Am tired out today, brother came to see mum yesterday. So was busy organising that, It is complicated now mum is in a wheelchair, but decided to leave her routine in day centre, took him to viist her after she had had her lunch there, then took him to see her flat, as he has never been there before. He was most impressed how well looked after she was, and he treated me and daughter for lunch at the carvary, so can't complain. He thought everything was dead cheap here compared to London.

Time to put more washing out, had 3 loads for mum today and 4 for us, but at least it is a good drying day.

Going to see son's college concert tonight, the first one he will be playing bass.

Then home to relax and watch BB.

Yes Hicky at least you miss the ads if you record.

I do prefer to watch live and do odd jobs whilst ads are on though, but I don't like it being on as late as 10pm.

have a good day both xxx

Evening Mollie.

Not too bad a day in the end, it didn't rain but was mostly dull and windy.

Finished taking the slate to the back, O/H couldn't do any more as her foot and knee are too bad.

I just took it easy and tried not to exert too much.

The Meters are called Smart Meters, they take a few hours to install, the send the usage etc through to the gas/electric board so you don't have anyone coming for the readings.

Don't think the put the price up.

Here: http://www.britishgas.co.uk/sm...gy/smart-meters.html

On the display you get you can select whatever you want to know, usage today, yesterday, last week, all month.

How much you have used today, and the cost of today.

I thought he lived down South, it's really Suffolk, 4 hrs away, over 237 miles.

I thought he was further South than that, just as well he isn't.

His daughter lives local and has married a rather rich feller.

At the Pub yesterday I had Chilli Beef and Rice, with an Apple Crumble and Custard for afters, or i could have had a starter, but O/H didn't fancy any of them.

Here's the Pub, £5.45

http://www.shipponspubandkitch...o.uk/#!/main-course/

That was nice to go out with your brother for lunch, you can't beat a carvery.

Thats a lot of washing to do, no wonder you are worn out, apart from everything else you have to do.

Evening folks.

Been a lovely sunny day here, so i got a lot of work done.

There was a bit of a breeze, so it never got too warm.

You might be right about needing a little time to adjust to a lower dosage of the meds Mollie? Not feeling bad today anyway. I'll keep on with the experiment.

Those gas meters look very useful Hicky. I could do with those as my electricity supplier (Scottish Power) keep using estimated readings for my bill. They used to email me when they wanted me to read the meter, but for some reason they stopped that, and I keep forgetting to read it myself every two months or so.

The meters here haven't been changed in the 23 years I've been here.

Glad your Brother was impressed with your Mum's arrangements Mollie.

At least you got a free meal for it anyway.

Hope your son does well using the bass in the college concert tonight.

Suffolk's a nice place for a holiday Hicky, if you get the urge.

My Brother's pal has a house there, and my cousin also lives there.

Course I'm a Norfolk boy myself originally.

I think the eviction will be between Adjoa and Sarah. Hope Sarah stays, as I said.

Evening Emptybox.

Not too bad a day here.

The new meters look nothing like any i have ever seen.

The display is cool, it says we have used £2.27 today.

Of course that is gas and electric, and i have the heater on when it's not too hot.

The hob is electric so is the oven, but of course that is more efficient as it is thermostatically controlled, unlike the hob.

Need more watering bits to finish the water system.

I tested the 1st 21 tub system and is worked perfect, not even a leak.

Had an email saying they have posted the grafted peppers, probably get them tomorrow.

We went and ordered the argent stone for the walls etc, also the blue brick that is needed.

That job gets started in June.

Seen some greenfly on the Asian Pear tree, so will make some spray up tomorrow.

Adjoa is miles ahead in the voting, if she stays it's a miracle.

Hi Hicky.

Wet here this morning, but it dried up a bit this afternoon so I got a strimmimg job done.

I suppose that's a reasonable daily amount for gas and electric combined, for the two of you.

But I suppose the beauty of the new meter is that you can immediately tell when you are saving money by cutting back on something.

Hope your pepper plants come tomorrow.

What are you going to use blue bricks for? Or have I missed something in a previous post?

Think Chloe is my favourite at the moment, on BB.

both

Hicky

you are doing great with your watering system.

Hope the pepper plants have turned up.

The new meter sounds real high tech, think I will get one as it is free to install.

Emptybox

lucky it dried up so you could get a bit of strimming done at least. Are you working over bank hol?

Hope the reduced meds are fine as your body adjusts to them. I have carried on decreasing mum's and she is doing better, eating better and walking a little again, so they were making her dementia worse. All of the carers agree with me that a few tears when she is tired is better than the anti depressants making her like a vegetable.

I am really enjoying BB this year. I think they have spent some money on graphics and well planned out tasks this year, so hopefully it should carry on being good. I am a BB fan when they do funny tasks, so really  at Wednesday's episode in "the hole", a really funny task.  
  Nick was funny with his being in bed with a supermodel comment...   I really like him as a HM, and Jack's comment about his jacket, as the sick came on it...
And Eileen and the teddy bears  

Bank hol again, OH finding this job really stressful, and a 120 round commute over the bridge not easy, so this long weekend will be great.

Hopefully Sarah and Eileen will stay tonight, as I think they are the most interesting ones.

have a good day both x

Morning Both.

No pepper plants as yet.

Was up at 6,30 spraying the fruit trees as i saw some greenfly last night, it was too windy to spray, this morning the air was still.

Used Neem Oil & the soap that goes with it.

Emptybox, the Blue brick are going at the back of the wall, the facing stone is too expensive to do a 9" wall so the inside will be blue brick, the stone comes in 90 block sets so we are getting the other 40 stone blocks in the lighter colour as it costs £65 to split a pack.

each stone weighs over 18kg.

Also the bottom row of bricks will be Blue as well.

And the gas cupboard in the front is going to be rebuilt as well.

Mollie, have had to order some more 13 x 13 x 4mm tee pieces as i don't have enough to finish the watering system, i bought 50 originally but used some in the garden i left.

That is a long commute for hubby, but whats the alternative?

Sarah and Eileen will stay tonight, Adjoa is 8-15 on.

Evening.

Dry here. Mostly cloudy but warmer than of late.

Got a lot of work done so I can probably take the bank holiday off.

Quite glad Adjoa went, although I'd have been equally glad if Eileen went TBH.

Glad Sarah stayed.

Hi Mollie. Glad your Mum is doing better on her reduced meds.

I seem to be doing OK now. No worse than before anyway. The experiment continues.

That's good that your OH will get a little respite from his long commute over the bank holiday.

Pity your pepper plants didn't turn up Hicky.

Ah I see, the blue bricks are for the wall in the front garden. Should look good.

Beautiful day here, and nice and warm.

Did a lot of work in my own garden - strimming, mowing and weed killing.

Glad Sweden won Eurovision. It was my favourite song.

Hope you are both having great weekends?

both

Hicky

hope the pepper plants have now turned up and that the weather is ok for you to get into the garden. You will have to send us a photo of the new blue bricked wall when you have finished it. Sounds nice.

Emptybox

i am glad the meds experiment is going well. Hope it continues.

Yes Sweden's song was good, and I liked the graphics too.

That is good you got a lot of work done, so probably feel able to take the bank hol off.

Lovely day here yesterday, so mum ended up going for ice creams on the seafront twice.  Once with me, and once with the carer. Cooler today so the carer is taking her out for coffee now.
Son is with the littlies all day again today helping them out with their drama production (Pinoccio).
Last night we went to see guitar boy's college concert at a local legion club. It went well, son not so nervous now as he used to be. Late night for us though, and I missed BB, hope to catch up on it later if I get chance.

Enjoyed a couple of glasses of rose, and some peanuts.

Hi Mollie.

Dull and coldish today, with a bit of wind.

Supermarket as normal for me today.

Definitely think I'll take tomorrow off from work.

Glad to hear your Mum is kept regularly topped up with ice cream.

And your guitar playing son is conquering his nerves now.

Not keen on those twins on BB.

The ploy of giving some of them luxury food has certainly caused a divide in the house.

Good Afternoon Both.

The Pepper plants did arrive, i've cut the top off as i want to make them into bushes, each stem that grows will be cut at 5 leaves also.

Been busy in the garden while the weather is fit.

Finished all the watering system, used hosepipe for some as the plastic 13mm tube just wants to stay in a circle.

Got all the framework done and down for the decking, need to make drill and fit wood blocks to support it from the concrete blocks it is standing on.

Have now got 3 shelving sets in the big summer house, got all my tools etc in there now.

In the small summer house is all the garden stuff, keeps it all together.

Slowly sorting the garage out, still a lot to do.

Emptybox, the blue brisk is for the first layer of bricks going onto the original base of the brick wall, and also for the inside half of the finished wall, the fancy expensive blocks are just for the outside wall (which you see from the road) and also for the posts, 3 off.

Am recording all programs now as skipping through the adverts save an awful lot of time.

Mollie, it's good that your mum can get to the seafront, nothing better than an ice cream as well.

Glad your son wasn't so nervous at the concert, glad it went well.

Haven't seen much of BB, been so busy and still can't stay up at night.

Still up before 6am, making brekkie at 7.

Hi Hicky.

Glad you got good weather that allowed you to get on and finish the watering system, and the framework for the decking

Pity you can't find a way to adjust your waking schedule, to allow you to watch TV at night.

Quite good weather here as well. Quite a lot of sun, but not particularly warm.

Got some work done, but managed to damage my hedgecutter.

I was cutting a bush from the top of my steps and managed to fall off.

I didn't hurt myself as I tumbled and rolled, but I noticed my hedgecutter was still stuck to the steps.

Somehow a screw from the steps had punctured the petrol tank. Not the pointy end, but the head of the screw. No idea how that could have happened?

I've bodged a fix by using a soldering iron to 'solder' a patch of thin plastic over the hole. Melting the edges onto the plastic of the petrol tank.

No idea if it'll hold for very long though?

Watching Aisleyne on BOTS.

For once I don't have to watch from behind the sofa.  She seems quite sensible tonight.

Don't agree with her about the housemates, but that's neither here nor there.

She seems to like Eileen and the twins and doesn't like Jade, whereas I like Jade and don't particularly like Eileen and the twins.

Good morning both

Hicky

glad the weather is being kind so you can get on in your garden. I bet it will be lovely when the summer house and decking is all ready.

At least your early rise gives you plenty of time to get in your garden now we have these nice light days, but shame it interferes with your evening tv viewing.

Shame you haven't had chance to watch much of BB, I think this series so far is much better than last year, not so much bad arguments, and more interesting HM's. I usually end up having to watch on catch up the next day, especially because I am trying to follow BGT too. But as you say, at least you can skip all those boring adverts.

I am enjoying BGT as much as I am enjoying BB.

Emptybox

that is not good falling off the top of your steps. A good job you did not seriously injure yourself. I bet you felt a bit shook up after though. Did any  bruising come out after? But a pity you have now damaged your hedgecutter. Let's hope your diy fix it job lasts well.

That makes a change if Ais behaved on BBOTS. I expect after her behaviour last time they warned her to tone it down.

I am with you on who you like on BB. I like Jade and think she is a very interesting strong HM, but don't like those twins.

Had a nice walk with dog as the weather was warm and sunny this morning. Hope it is where you both are too.

Half term all week this week. Son is at theatre all week helping with the drama clubs Juniour production, he is helping look after 150 kiddies between ages 5 and 14, he was out for 12 hours yesterday and came home exhausted, but at least he enjoys it.

Nice for the other 2 not to have the early morning college rush and nice for me too, not to have to make sure they are up on time.

have to catch up on 2nd half on BB today, before watching tonights episode. So must get on with some jobs now.

Have a good day both xx

Hi Mollie.

Wet today so didn't get out to do any work.

No I wasn't hurt or shaken up yesterday, as I felt myself falling and jumped, so I landed on my feet and rolled on the grass.

Just a hazard of using steps on uneven ground.

That's good of your son, helping out with the juniors at drama club.

Don't like it when BGT is on every night. Bit of an overdose. I'll be sick of it by the end of the week. They should have spread the semi-finals and finals out over two or three weeks.

Still don't know for certain who is up for eviction on BB this week yet, as they still haven't announced the nomination twist.

Hope Jade stays whatever happens.

Evening Both.:+))))))))))))))

A miserable day here, no sun really, just had a little rain before.

Sprayed the trees this morning, 6.30, no wind again, used a sprayed concoction from the USA

My big sprayer has packed up, also my battery screw driver has also.

Have ordered a new screwdriver though as my big drill is pretty heavy to use.

went to B&Q, got some miniature spray heads as i had ran out, got some packs of bamboo canes as i have used all the ones i had.

I went to a garden centre as well, got 2 Asparagus plants.

I had an email saying my grafted Tomato and Cucumber plants have been dispatched.

Emptybox, that was lucky, being able to jump saved a problem.

Strange how the screw pierced the petrol tank, hope the patch works ok.

Mollie, watched bits of BGT but not that interested, i just watch recordings, can't stand all these adverts.

Hi Hicky.

Doesn't sound like you had very good weather either.

Pity your sprayer packed up, but at least you got your trees done.

Glad your plants have now been dispatched.

Have you tried asparagus plants before? I think they take a bit of time and preparation before you get results.

Also having a problem with my mower in that I can't get the blade off. The bolt that holds it in is jammed fast, and any attempt to loosen it just burrs the edges of the bolt head.

Shouldn't matter too much at the moment, as I can use a file to sharpen the blade in situ, but I might be in trouble if I have to replace the belt or one of the cables, but I'll worry about that at the time.

Not keen on this eviction twist, with four up.

Means Sarah is very much in danger this week.

Plus I don't want Chloe to go either.

both xx

Hicky

hope the weather has improved today, so you could get in your garden.

Was pouring with rain here this morning, but brightened up later.

Shame both your sprayer and screw driver have packed up, it is all expense replacing this stuff, isn't it?

Hope your tomato and cucumber plants came.

Yes lots of adverts on BGT, but I still enjoy the show. I especially like it when we have a good variety of acts.

Emptybox

how are you feeling now? Hope you are adjusting well to the lower dose meds.

Fingers crossed that lawn mower stays working now, as I know you are bang in the middle of your lawn mowing season.

The good thing about the eviction is we get to keep Jade. This year I think I prefer the woman too, as they are interesting HM's. I would prefer Chloe and Harriet and Sarah to stay, over that bore Danny any time.

I am glad to see the back of that Aaron, his behaviour was so inappropriate, yet the HM's seemed to be actively encouraging it.

I am really liking the well thought out tasks this year.

Did you notice how they struggled to read the times on the clocks? I guess youngsters only use digital clocks now.

The little kiddies were so cute in the Pinoccio play yesterday. No wonder son has been "done in" working on this all week. Some of them were as young as 3 years old. Son's name was on the programme as an "Assistant Stage Manager", which I hadn't realised, so that is good to go on his CV.  Despite various little mishaps, eg  a couple of littlies being "cut short" toilet wise with the resultant puddles,  Pinoccios's nose falling off,   a little girl's finger being caught in a swing door, and a couple of little lads in a bit of a scrap, all went well.

Been out to the carvary for tea tonight. I have lots of "help yourself" veg with Yorkshire puddings. Only £4.95.

Looking forward to the evictions tonight.

And think we have a good mix of variety on BGT tonight.

Carers met mum off Day centre bus, and put her to bed, so I had a night off. They look after her so well though.

Have a good evening both xx

Hi Mollie.

It was a really funny day weather wise.

Some warm sunshine interspersed with really heavy hail showers.

One minute I was happily cutting grass in the sun, the next I was freezing cold, soaking wet and covered in icy white hail.

Didn't get everything done that I needed, so I'll have to work tomorrow.

Feeling good at the moment. After the initial hiccup the reduced meds seem to be suiting me.

Not keen on the twist at all as it means we lose my favourite Sarah, but at least Chloe stayed.

The new girl Sam seems interesting.

It says on the site that she comes from Cardifff, but she had a Scottish accent?  But her accent seemed to come and go, so maybe she was putting it on for some reason?

Not keen on the other newbies on initial impressions, and that 'Showbiz' fella had better settle down or I'll be reaching for the mute button.

That's good experience for your son, being an Assistant Stage Manager.

Had to laugh at the kiddies being caught short and scrapping.

Morning Both.

A bit of a wild wet day here yesterday, it cleared up later.

My plants came, re-potted them into 9cm pots and supported them.

they have posted the Melon plants as well.

Went out to brekkie at Witherspoons with my lad & his lot as he was going on holiday later.

Went to Parkgate for Fish & Chips, place has been done out.

Went out for a Chinese Banquet last night as well.

Ordered the rest of the decking wood, that comes Tuesday.

They delivered the pallet of 90 Wall stones to the retailers but the crane driver dropped the load and they smashed, over £300 worth, they are going to send another load.

Emptybox, bad news about your mower blade, are you using a socket set, don't use a 2 sided spanner as it will round the edges of the bolt/nut.

The Asparagus is in Flower at the mo, but i just wanted to watch it grow, one is normal, one is Purple.

Loved the eviction twist, don't care who went, it's only a game show.

Will be interesting to see how the newbies get on.

Mollie, assistant stage manager, wow, how good is that.

The play sounded interesting.

Like you, i love a good Carvery, always so popular.

Haven't watched BGT, will see the final lot.

Hi Hicky.

Lovely sunny day here, so I got all my jobs done. 

A good day for meals out for you yesterday? Breakfast, lunch and tea.

Where is your lad off to on hols?

Glad your ordered plants came.

How clumsy of them breaking all those wall stones.

At least you don't have to stand the loss, but means your order is late.

Yes I'm using a socket set, but the bolt seems incredibly soft, and the edges are just burring. If I need to get it off I'll try filing it down so the next smallest socket fits it, but it might still stay jammed.

No doubt there'd be some way of getting it loose, if it came to it?

I kept forgetting to watch the BGT results shows, so i don't know who ended up inn the final, but I'll watch it anyway.

Spag bol (gluten-free spag) and beer tonight.

Evening Emptybox.

My Lad and his lot have gone to Majorca, warm enough for them.

I've re-potted the latest plants, the Melon ones came today.

I've built a framework of canes around the 5 Raspberry Tubs, they need protecting from the winds when they get tall, last year they grew to about 7ft.

Have you sprayed the bolt with WD40, as far as you can, also, sometimes it pays top try and tighten the bolt first, it can sometimes loosen it's grip.

Also, hit it head on with a hammer, you have to try and break the seal.

I need some more of the Asparagus i got the other day, but whether i can get back there is another matter.

Hi Hicky.

It was wet here overnight and through the morning, but it's brightened up now.

Just off to the supermarket.

Majorca certainly sounds nice and warm.

Wish it would warm up again here.

Haven't tried spraying with WD40 or bashing the bolt yet, but I will when I really need to get it off.

At the moment the socket that's supposed to fit it just turns when you put any pressure on it, so I'd have to file the bolt head down to the next size, or find some sort of universal socket that would fit it tightly.

I'm sure you can get something that's supposed to fit nuts/bolts, even if they have the edges burred off?

But the mower is cutting fine at the moment, so I don't want to risk breaking the head off the bolt, and then not being able to secure the blade back on.

Then I'd be in more trouble.

The BB newbie Marc seems to be causing conflict?

The Sam one says she was originally from Dundee, but now living in Cardiff, which explains the Scottish accent (and perhaps why it sounds a bit put on to my ears?).

Hi Emptybox,

          I haven't read back much, but would something like this be of use?

It opens and closes the jaws to whatever size you want/need and the inside surfaces are ridged for grip.

Something like that might work EFFT.

But it might not have enough leverage to shift it.

I'll have a look in my shed. I might already have something like that.

My Dad had all the tools in the world (not literally), but I'm useless with them.

You can get them in different sizes as well. So one that would open up for a 2 inch head would have longer handle than one designed for a 3/4 inch head. thus greater leverage. Mind you, a squirt or two of WD40 certainly wont go amiss. If you do use WD40 remember to leave it a few minutes in order to work its way into the screw and round the thread.

both xxx

Emptybox

Glad you are still dong well after the change in meds. Hope the lawn mower continues problem free, and you find a useable tool in the shed.

That is interesting about Sam, and explains the accent, as I thought she didn't sound like she was from Cardiff.  But accents are a funny thing, we left Oz a long time ago, but my daughter still has an Ozzie accent.

Hicky

Glad to hear you are enjoying a good variety of "eat outs".

that poor crane driver dropping all those stones. Hope he wasn't in trouble with his boss for that. £300 worth is a lot to lose though.Hope the weather is good for when your decking arrives tomorrow. I bet it is very warm now in Majorca for your son. Is he is the son with the young family? Even though it is June now here, it just has not warmed up yet. The wind is so cold.

Had a busy weekend, went out shopping in the mornings, then looked after mum in the afternoons. Luckily it was nice enough to take her out for an ice cream on Saturday on the sea front. On Sunday we took dog walk on seafront but too cold and windy to take mum Sunday.

enjoyed watching BGT, and am still enjoying BB, but these new characters do seem a bit OTT. Jade acting stranger than ever, especially regarding Marc, but she is an interesting HM.

OH thinking of putting some of his wages into private pension, to help tax wise. It is so confusing though. I know you said you had one Emptybox, how did you decide where to put yours?

On itv at 9.30pm tonight, "Off their Rockers" blue badge special should be funny. "Viscous" is also back for a new series at 9pm, so I will watch that too before BB.

have a good day both. xxx

Hi Mollie.

Glad you had a reasonable weekend, with your shopping trips and walk on the seafront.

Horrible day here for the first of June.

Blowing a gale, rainy and very cold.

Had to wear a fleece jacket and woolly hat to go into town.

Plus not feeling so good today. Had a bad night and felt 'off' all day. So didn't go out to work.

Hope it's just a temporary blip.

Funny your daughter still having a bit of an Aussie twang after all this time.

Mind you, I suppose I've still got mostly an 'English' accent, even though I've lived in Scotland since I was 7. It's probably half way between TBH.

I started contributing to the private pension when I was in my late twenties Mollie. Just did it through a local Financial Advisor/Insurance Broker.

It's been with 3 different companies over that time, but for the last few years it's been with Standard Life.

It's not done too badly. I just put in £160 a month (topped up to £200 by the Government).

Might watch that 'Viscous' thing as well.

Morning All.

Emptybox.

About your mower nut, to use any spanner with 2 sides on a nut that doesn't budge is what ruins the nut, you have to have a spanner or socket that touches all flats on the nut.

If the nut flats have been rounded it is usually with using the wrong tools.

It's also like screwing a screw in with a battery driver, even with the right bit if you don't keep the pressure onto the screw then the bit will slip and can round the edges in the screw.

If you say your socket slips on the nut i would say it is the wrong size or that the bolt is a different type, check what thread the bolt is, with metric and imperial threads it's easy to think you have the right socket.

The correct socket doesn't have any slack, it fits snug.

Weather has been awful, had to keep my new plants under cover, should be better Wednesday.

Was out at 7am spraying again as there was no wind.

Have ordered another 10 Asparagus plants.

As you say, Marc is sure going to be a pain to the HM's, He just seems pure fake to me, it's just an act he's putting on.

Mollie, hoping my decking arrives today, garden is more or less finished now, except for planting out some plants that are still under cover.

The lad on holiday is the one that lives local, he's taking his lads but his step daughter is going elsewhere while they are away.

Glad you could get to the seafront with mum on Saturday, this wind is a problem.

Couldn't be bothered with BGT, that David ruined it for me.

They say the dog that did a tightrope thing was a stunt dog anyway.

There is no doubt that you need hubby in a pension scheme, you really need 40 years of saving, the less years you have till you retire then the more you need to put in.

In the old days it used to be that for every £21,000 you had in your pot you could get £20 a week pension.

both

Emptybox

sorry to hear you had an off day. Hope you feel more yourself today. Interesting that you still have English accent,even though you left as a child. I am thinking maybe the accent you have as a young child, is one you get to kmainly keep as an adult. (going on my daughter's young age when we were abroad). Is it very windy up there?

Hicky

hope your decking has arrived today, and the weather is ok for you to get on with it. It will be nice to see some photos when you garden is all finished. Hope your lad and family enjoy their holiday.

It is still not like June here at all. It is still cold and very windy here. Even the doggie didn't like it, and soon dug her paws in and turned round wanting to come home again when we took her out for a walk this afternoon.

My hubby and I were in a final salary pension scheme before we went abroad, but aren't in one now he works for himself. So we don't have many years in one unfortunately.

I will have a look at the place Emptybox is with.

Where was your pension held Hicky?

I have had to nick OH's lappy today....my flippen one broke last night and I haven't had it for long.    It was plugged in, then suddenly just went off, and there was smoke coming from the side plug socket bit of the lap top where the lead for the electric thing plugs into it. 
What do you think that was?
do you think it is worth trying to get it repaired, or is it past repair now?
can't switch it on at all now.  

Hi Mollie.

Sounds like it could be the power supply on the laptop has overheated and failed.

Should be relatively easy for someone to replace the power supply, but the question would be, has it done any other damage to the motherboard? In which case it might not be salvageable. Was it plugged in at the time, or was it running on battery power?

Is it still under guarantee?

A great nuisance anyway.

Dry with some sunny spells here, but very windy and cold. Similar to you.

Feeling a bit better today, after a better night, so I got some work done anyway.

Not sure if it's connected to my being on reduced meds, but I'll see how I feel tomorrow?

If the pattern is one day feeling well, the next not so well, then I might have to go back to one tablet every day.

Pity, because I thought I was doing so well on the reduced dose.

However, we'll see.

Some people seem to keep an accent all their life, and some seem to change very quickly to where they are living. Not sure what it depends on?

Hi Hicky.

Hope your decking came today?

It's the points on the bolt that have rounded, rather than the flats. And it is definitely a 14mm size as that socket fits it snugly.

It's just that if you put any pressure on it now the socket just turns.

My brother says you can get sockets that grip on the flat rather than the corners, but I don't think I've got any of those.

Haven't had a proper look yet TBH.

This is actually a replacement bolt, as the first one did something similar, but I did eventually get it out, so I replaced it with the bolt from my last mower (same model), because it had always worked perfectly with the 14mm socket.

However that might have been a mistake, because there must be something funny with the threads in the hole to lock two bolts like that.

One of these days I'll figure a way to get it loose.

Yeah, I wasn't really impressed with the BGT final. There was nobody that inspired me to vote for them.

Didn't think the dog act was a patch on Ashley and Pudsey, even before it was revealed they used a stunt dog.

And I thought the magician in second place was rather lame.

I would have preferred if a singer had won, but the best one fluffed his words a bit.