Hi both.
Repeat of yesterday weatherwise. Dull and windy but warm  (17c).

Got a job done this morning, then came home at lunchtime to see if there was any progress with the broadband. Found a message from EE to call them, and when I did they said that Openreach had informed them that my fault had been resolved.
However i told them that my broadband was still as dead as it ever was, so no idea what Openreach are playing at? Perhaps they think if they pretend they've fixed it, then the problem might just go away.

EE have now scheduled an engineer's visit to my house tomorrow morning, so I'll have to wait in for that. maybe they'll be able to get to the bottom of the problem, if Storm Ali doesn't get in the way.
Either way, it's another night without broadband for me.

Went out again this afternoon and did some more work.
Doubt if tomorrow would be suitable for work anyway, as it's supposed to be high winds and rain.

Hicky. That's good that you've got a lot of fruit ripening now.
You seem to have remembered your OH's birthday this year.

Mollie. Yes, I can see a jar of Dolmio being needed to feed your family of 5, but I think Hicky had one for just himself?
I usually get a 500ml jar, which make 4 or 5 portions, but last time I got a 750ml jar, because it was actually cheaper, and it made 6 portions.
It's only one ingredient though. I use mince and mushrooms and olives and pesto and all sorts.

After liking the Brazillian girl (Anamelia) on the first night, she's now one of the ones I don't really like. Far too full of herself.

Evening Mollie.

A rather windy day, 18c cloud and sun but gales of 48 not nice.

My big gas deck heater blew over onto an apple tree but with me having a cane framework to support the branches it may be ok, quite a few apples and pears on the floor.

Found 2 part eaten apples again under the Falstaff tree, and a bunch of grapes has been scoffed, i thought a few bunches has a few grapes missing, though it was o/h at first.

Had bacon and black pudding for brekkie while o/h had her hair done somewhere, then we went to Burley Dam, got a few bits and some chutneys, and a bag of seeded flour.

for tea made a Singapore Laksa, had the kit and prawns with egg and rice noodles, it will do me 2 days at least.

Got o/h a birthday card for Thursday and an anniversary card for November.

The last loaf was ok, nice toasted.

Going out for lunch tomorrow, o/h has booked a place.

It looks like Emptybox still got internet problems, he could have a power cut as well, i heard some mention on the news.

both xxx

Emptybox

typical of Open Reach saying they had fixed the problem, and yet nothing had been resolved! hope they did turn up today and manage to fix it.

As Hicky says, some have power cuts up there, so hope you don't! You have had enough problems lately.

I can see why you liked the Brazilain girl the first night, she looked very beautiful. however as time goes on, it looks like she is trouble!

Hicky

I am well impressed how you remembered to get OH a birthday card now, and an anniversay one in advance. I hope she has a lovely birthday   and you both enjoy your meal out together.

Hope the canework saved your gas deck heater so it still works ok, and not too much more of your produce gets nibbled! 

Not a bad day here today, a bit windy but not much rain and the car was showing 22c when we drove to Cardiff.

They have opended this new stall in the shopping centre that sell small Portugese hot custard tarts and they are delicious. I had an applie and cinnamon one, OH had lemon and son had choccie. £1.40 each, lovely flaky pastry, so a nice little cheap treat.

I went to aqua fit even though my friend didn't go, but daughter did come and help me with locker etc, so that was good.

Am enjoying BB and the coin game.

Fancy the Polish guy being the only one to get the general knowledge stuff right...even knew the colours of the Scottis flag. I heard some of the other British ones say they didnt' even know that!

Goodnight both. xxx

Evening.

At last I have my broadband back.

The engineer rang at 8am on the dot, to say he was on his way, but didn't get to the house till 10am. He went to the exchange first, and found that was where the fault was. It needed something to be replaced on my line seemingly.

He was actually very good, as when he came to the house to check the line, he agreed to fit a proper master socket, with an inbuilt filter, as I didn't have a proper master socket before.

All seems to be working fine now.

Very high winds here. Luckily the worst of them didn't come on till after the engineer had left. Also heavy rain at times. The wind died down a bit late afternoon, but I thought it was too wild to do any work.

I don't think I have any damage, and the power remained on, but my lawn is covered in twigs, and at one point one of my wheelie bins was being blown towards the bank at the back of the house, until I retrieved it.

Hicky. Hope your garden heater is OK?

The squirrel is still hungry I see.

That's good going, getting a Birthday card for your OH, and an anniversary card so far in advance.

Mollie. Those Portuguese tarts sound nice.

Glad your daughter was able to chum you to the aqua class.

Yes, the Polish guy surprised me with his general knowledge, and they weren't all easy questions either.

both

Emptybox

so glad you at last have your broadband back. What luck the engineer was a good one and the storms didn't affect him fixing it. Hope the weather has calmed down there now.

Hicky

Happy Birthday to your OH.     hope you both enjoyed your meal out.

Did you get round to making a loaf today? 

Was the weather ok for you to get in your garden today?

Ridiculous how the weather forecasters keep using this stupid American names system just to say we have our usual autumunal weather of rain and wind! For the last 3 days. First  we had Helene, then some name beging with an A yesterday, then today Bromagh!

It is still quite mild here, not a bad day, not windy at all today, but quite dry most of the day. Raining now though.

I met mum's ex carer and her friend for coffee and a chat in Sainsburys today. Daughter came too.

I liked the money games thing on BB, but am getting a bit tired of the rude stories many of the HM's are gving. All probably exagerated or made up just to get air time! I reckon they have put the show back to 10pm because the HM's have been told to talk dirty.  The tasks so far have been good though.

Got some food shopping from Asda, the Merryteasers are back again,....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MALTE...e-Case/dp/B00P0X6X3U

So of course in anticipation of Christmas   I had to get one. (son had one too).

Have a good evening both xxx

Evening Both.

A cool rainy day today, gales of 48, so stronger gusts.

a lot of grape bunches have been damaged by the squirrel as it shows where the grapes used to be.

Didn't have brekkie as knew we were going out for a meal at lunchtime, went to Thornton Hough to 'The Red Fox' had lovely food, so busy, you can't get a table without booking, even in the week, plenty of tables etc for snacks.

Just had some left over soup from last night, not the portion i froze, had it with a piece of toast.

My Lads o/h in Oz has gone into hospital, baby due very soon.

Mollie, That may be the first birthday card, have never had the time really, mainly because i forgot the date.

I think the heater escaped damage because on the top is the heater section with the canopy reflector which landed amongst the support canes of the multi type tree, some sunset came off though.

Those hot custard tarts sound great, wow, the coin game is interesting on BB.

Ozy LI finishes this week, loved it. 

Emptybox, Glad you got your broadband back, if you didn't have a filter in the original box then you needed one before each land-line is connected as it only separates the the 2 signals, so it doesn't really effect anything.

Yes, the fault was in the exchange, what he did in the house was just for appearances.

We saw a squirrel running down the pavement when we were on our way to the meal, so they are around somewhere.

I was going to make a card but when i got the opportunity to go to a garden center i knew they had card racks, hundreds of cards.

Hi all.

Dry and relatively calm here today. Cool though at only 10c.

I got a couple of jobs done anyway.

Mollie. Yes, the Openreach engineer was very helpful. He said there was a chance I might get a fibre connection within the next couple of years.

That was nice, meeting up with your Mum's ex-carer for coffee in Sainsburys.

What do you mean "in anticipation of Christmas"? Surely you aren't thinking about Christmas already?

I don't really mind giving the storms names. At least you can say "Did Ali do any damage?" Rather than trying to remember which days the high winds were on.

And 'Ali' is my Brother's name, so I can have a laugh with that when he phones at the weekend.

Hicky. Pity the squirrel has damaged your grapes. Very brazen of it to be walking down the payment.

Really glad you and OH enjoyed her Birthday lunch at the Red Fox.

That's great that the arrival of your Aussie grandchild is imminent.

Glad your heater wasn't damaged.

Previously I only had what was in effect an extension socket, so it didn't even have a test socket. Now I have a proper master socket.

Yes the engineer himself said that there wasn't much point him coming to the house, as the broadband was either on or off, and he could have just phoned from the exchange, but he has to do line tests from the house before he can sign off the job.

Lucky for me he did come to the house, or I wouldn't have got the new master socket.

Watched Michael Palin in North Korea. Very interesting.

Evening Emptybox.

Cool today 14c cloud rain sun and gales all day, wind at 49 still till 8pm.

Didn't do much because of the wind, got a few more Kiwi Berries off, gave them to o/h as they are very good when you look them up.

Had an omelet for brekkie, bacon, shrimps with 3 eggs, nice.

Only had a small shopping list, not a lot i need at the moment, i just check what i need for the week.

Watched a couple of recordings while i was stuck in the house.

For tea i decided to try the sourdough pancakes, they were ok, won't be making them again though, had them with honey and lemon juice.

No word yet from my lad in Oz, she is still in the hospital.

At least you got a couple of jobs done, 

I'm sure thats how i got the new box on the wall with the 2 sockets in for broadband and phone line, we lost the broadband and they came out, it was an exchange problem again, or it might have been when i changed to fibre.

I saw Palin in North Korea but considering it's all planned and orchestrated it told us nothing, when you have 2 minders it is a joke really, they don't have the internet, they can't criticise the government, noone will tell the truth, they can't so what is the point.

both xxx

Emptybox

let's hope the engineer is right and fibre is not too long arriving for you. You are right that it was lucky you got that master socket done.

Gosh yes, I am thinking and planning Christmas as we are well into September now. I have bought a few Christmas pressies, an on the shelf elf, looked at Chirstmas magazines (only flicked through whilst on the supermarket shelf, but not bought any yet as only the posh ones are out so far), phoned up about the Christmas steam train, even booked New Years Eve party as it is so popular. We get both Tom Jones and Elvis plus 2 course carvary this year.  

The storm names annoy me as we always seem to have to copy what the States do, and we keep getting these dire warnings, but so far here we have had nothing resembling a storm at all! Just a bit of rain and a

Yes I too enjoyed Michael Palin, fascinating seeing streets empty of cars and a wake up call through the city and people having to wear badges....interesting eEven though as Hicky says we obvously are only allowed to see the part of the story we are allowed to.

Hicky

Glad to hear you had such a nice birthday meal. Having to book and always being busy is a good sign that a place supplies a good meal.

What a nice suprise your OH got her first birthday card ever off you. One of the joys of being retired is having time to remember things like that.

Pity your grapes have been nibbled and the wind prevented you doing much outside.

I take it the sourdough pancakes were not as good as the normal pancakes then?

How exciting the arrival of your grandchild sounds imminent. HOpe you get some good news soon.

I enjoyed BB a lot more last night, a good well planned task that took up most of the show and made the HM's think. Not bothered who goes really as we don't really know any of them yet, so can't say I am keen on any of them yet either.

Went to viewing day at auction and couldn't believe our luck...., they had a great free food buffet and hot drinks. I had a variety of tasty cheeses and biscuits with grapes, cheese and pineaple on sticks, onion barji, dips and veg, cheese and onion and cheese and pickle sandwiches , cheese and onion quiche. Daughter and OH also had beef and bread ham rolls, sausage rolls, chicken squewers, pasty, samosas, Welsh cakes etc.

Handy because I then had to go to hospital for ultra sound, so didn't need to get lunch. He couldn't find anything obviouls on that test, but wants me to have an x ray again as he thinks there is a problem with my ankle.

Looking forward to BB and Gogglebox tonight.

Won't be around a couple of days as we are going to the midlands and staying in Holiday Inn. Son and daughter are going to this, ....

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/...-things-uks-13276623

and me and OH are just relaxing in hotel and going round shops.

Have a good evening. See you when I get home again.

Evening both.

Dry here up until 4.30pm when torrential rain started. Luckily I'd just finished the job I was doing, so didn't get wet.

Some sunshine, but also a very cold wind. Got up to 10c at one point, but mostly felt much colder.

Padded gillet and woolly hat time.

Hicky. Pity the wind put you off working outside much.

Still waiting to be a new Grandpa?

Must say I quite liked those N.Korean lady traffic police, doing their funny march.

For some strange reason they put me in mind of Nicola Sturgeon.

Mollie. Enjoy your relaxing time in the Midlands.

That was a bonus, getting a buffet at the auction.

I suppose it's good news in a way, that they didn't find anything on the ultrasound test, although you probably want to know why it's still not right.

Maybe the X-Ray will shed more light?

I'll gloss over all your Christmas mentions.

Quite enjoying BB. I think my favourite is that Polish guy Tomasz, believe it or not.

Anamelia out, which is probably right, although she was very attractive.

Evening Both.

Calmer here today, Cooler as well 13c light cloud light winds, glad the storms have passed.

My heating came on earlier, with my new controller, took some more raspberries of the canes but if it rains it spoils them, have cut them down will dig them up when weather nicer.

Had some pictures from my Lad in Oz, mother and baby fine, born early this morning, have another granddaughter, Elara 6lb 12 oz.

O/H's last day of her weeks holiday so we had our own cooked breakfast cooked by the resident chef, sausages, bacon, tinned toms and fried eggs, loving these new frying pans, amazing, the best ever.

Watched last nights eviction this morning, liked Anamelia though.

still got to watch the final of Ozy LI, will watch tomorrow.

For tea decided on a curry from the freezer with oven fries, very nice too, the chips don't absorb all the liquid like rice.

O/H working 4 hrs tomorrow so i'm cooking a roast for a change, rack of lamb, cabbage, carrots, roast spuds and gravy for when she gets in at 2.15pm.

Watching the dancing.

Mollie, That restaurant had a very comprehensive menu for a weekday lunch, can't imagine what the night one is like, the choice is amazing, i had 2 starters, soup and a plate of battered squid and stuff, for main meal we had a fried whole plaice with pots etc, nice.

i put a reminder on my mobile for o'h birthday, also the cards coming were a hint.

Yes, the BB tasks are real good this year, hope it continues.

No wonder you went to the auction room viewing, for food like that i would have gone myself, how lucky was that, wow.

Have a good couple of days away, Holiday Inns are pretty good, have stayed in a few.

Emptybox, I see you have miserable weather as well, at least you got some work done, yes, you'll need to keep wrapped up were possible.

I couldn't believe the way they have trained those N.K traffic girls, how crazy to have such methodical movements, i can imagine the training they would have to go thorough, if they make a mistake they probably get locked up for 10 years.

Hi Hicky.
A better day here. Quite a lot of sunshine and warmer than yesterday. It reached the heady heights of 12c.
Got a couple of jobs done to keep up with work.
I've still got a busy schedule for next week, but after we get into October things should slow down.

Not sure the storms have passed? They are predicting bad weather for your area again tomorrow.

Congratulations on your new Grand Daughter.
That's a nice name.

I had to have a heater on in my sitting room last night, but it's been OK tonight without. Have to warm my bed up with the electric blanket though, or it's too chilly getting into bed.

Pity your OH has to go back to work tomorrow, but i bet you do her proud with your cooking, for when she gets back.
Almost forgot that my SiL's Birthday is in a few days, but luckily she posted something on FB about an early Birthday treat, so that reminded me.
I'll get her a card at Sainsburys tomorrow.

Watched X-Factor. Not too bad, but nobody stood out.

Evening Emptybox.

Cool today here, max of 13c, cloud rain and sun, winds of 9 to 18 later, it's sunny again now as well.

Just had a round of toast for brekkie as was setting up for a roast dinner for o/h when she gets in.

Peeled and pre-boiled the spuds then roasted them, cooked the 4 rib lamb rack, did carrots and sliced steamed cabbage, chicken gravy.

Made a smaller seeded loaf, and also made an apple crumble with Bramleys, oh was pleased as having a roast dinner ready when you come in is good.

Have taken some of the apples off the Ellisons Orange tree as some are falling off, tested each one, if it came off in my hand i put it into the box, they are in the garage now.

Been watching the darts on BBC2 today, it's on tonight as well, will record BB anyway for tomorrow.

Have changed from XL to medium eggs as they seem better.

Have ordered one of the egg cutters, you can get one from China for less than £2 but you have to wait to long and it could be junk.

This is the one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProCo...inless/dp/B072BN2C8J

At least you got a couple of jobs done, with the weather closing in it will dry up, maybe not the best term to use.

There's always another storm following at some time, like buses.

Hoping to see the granddaughter early next year sometime, probably depending on how o/h's op goes and after care.

I set reminders on the phone, 3 of them, o/h's birthday, repeat prescription, and credit card payment, we just keep it going as it's handy if you are stuck when away so we just keep it ticking over, don't really need to borrow, it's just convenient, we used it all over the world for food and cash, so handy.

Haven't bothered with X-Factor really, not up with music, like BGT when it's on.

Darts on at 6.30 so wil watch that.

Hope Mollie enjoying her trip to Birmingham.

Did i show you this Restaurant in London i went to when on a course at the ETU College in Esher Essex, it was probably in the 60's, i was studying time and motion study, not sure why but it was interesting and it got me 2 weeks away.

This is the Restaurant, still there as well, pretty expensive, when i went i was in a party of about 12 lads, i mistook the chilly sauce for tomato ketchup, wow. http://www.veeraswamy.com/ this what you call the best you can get in Indain Food.

Hi Hicky.
Quite sunny here today, although we've just had a bit of rain. Quite cold though.
There was a grass frost first thing, and it was only 4c when I went for the papers.
Warmer this afternoon in the sunshine, when I went to Sainsburys.

Glad your roast was a success.
If I'm in Sainsburys I get the mixed eggs, but if I get them from Lidl I get large, as they are cheaper there.
That egg gadget looks interesting. More precise than hacking at it with a teaspoon I suppose?

Yes, you'll look forward to seeing the Granddaughter when you are out there in January (OH's op permitting).
That's a very swish looking Indian restaurant. Been there since 1926 according to the site. Probably one of the first in Britain?
Yes, probably not a good idea using chilli sauce as if it were ketchup.
It would be a different sort of 'motion' you would worried about after too much of that.

Evening Emptybox.

Not bad today, 14c sunny spells and light wind.

Dug the last few raspberry canes up, picked some toms for my neighbour, picked 3 bags of Kiwi Berries for o/h, gardener and neighbour, gave gardener some apples as well, he's going to come here in a couple of weeks and sort a few things out.

Had bacon black pudding and beans with toast for brekkie, made a pan of stew for tea so i can try the mixed pickle, enough for a few meals, had 2 bowls tonight.

No rain forecast here for 2 weeks at least, hope you have similar, wow, you had frost all ready, not good, heating came on when the temperature in the hall dropped below 19c, although the night setting is 17.5c, can easily change the setting when o/h has had the op, may need it warmer.

I'm getting good at the roast dinners, mind you i cheat using the thermometer for the meal, but as i can't tell when food is cooked by looking i have to use it.

I was reading a about the eggs, it seems the large ones have more of the watery stuff than the medium, if you get the expensive outdoor fed medium the brown ones the yoke is so lovely.

I am assuming the egg topper works with raw eggs as well, they seem to, but i usually use a knife to cut the top off boiled eggs so this should be good.

I saw some more pictures of the granddaughter, so cute, they are all home now.

That Indian restaurant is very special, don't think you could get a better one anywhere, It's a good job i love chillies.

Hi both

Emptybox

gosh frost already, it was cool here first thing, but of course we don't mind a cool start when we all get a bit of sun later. (which we did too today).

Hope you remembered to post SIL's card after having a lucky escape from nearly forgetting it all together.

Don't worry there will be plenty more Christmas mentions from me to come now.   I bought my first Christmas magazine yesterday.

Hicky

Congratulations on the birth of your new grandaughter. Glad to see they are home and keeping you well supplied with photos as they change so quickly that age.

What a lovely name,you probably already know, but I see it is from Greek mythology and also a name for one of the moons of Jupiter.

Gosh 3 bags of kiwi berries, as well as all your other stuff, you are doing well.

Yes a credit card can be very handy, your phone remiders sound very usefull too. I will have to learn how to set them up on mine.

That Indian resteraunt looks lovely, I bet you had a great time out with all those people there.

We had an ok weekend as the kids did enjoy their game thing, but mum's sisters had colds so we didn't see them and with all the stairs and walking, my ankle was really painfull. It has definately got a lot worse recently. I was limping badly when we walked for dinner out at nandos and could couldn't eat much by the time we got there as the pain was making my heart thurd and feel dizzy. But I did eat all the mash. It was torrential rain in Wales when we left, not nice on the motorway,  but it gradually cleared just to the occasional light shower. Ankle a lot better today but haven't done lots of stairs and not so much walking. It was also painfull in Oxford, so it looks like I can do day to day walking but the bad pains start  when I do around 10k (5 miles of steps). My son has a step counter, so tells me how much we have walked for me to try and work out when the pain starts. I am trying to work it all out ready for when I have to see phsyio, doc told me to 2 weeks ago, but not got round to it yet. I thought my aqua fit would cure all, but nurse at hospital said I need it checked and have to be carefull in case the exercise I am doing is making it worse!

Did about 7 washloads today, as I was behind from going away and wanted to wash all my scarves ready for autumn. and went food shopping. Emptybox, I noticed Lidl have lots of garden equipment for sale this week, so might be worth you checking their online leaflet for your store.

Watched BBC2 Monkman and Seagull genius travel tonight. (they are the geniusies from University challenge). So funny how they go on their travels and analyse everything. A great series, worth you catching up on iplayer.

I am not still not really taken with any of this years BB HM's yet. But enjoy the money task.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Nice day here. Mostly sunny and up to 16c. Chilly again tonight.

This morning I dug my remaining potatoes. Not a very good crop. A lot of small ones. Think it's because I always plant them in the same patch. Next year I'll plant them in a different place.

Then I went into town to do some banking and post SiL's card.

Did a big grass cutting job this afternoon.

Hicky. That's good that you were able to get on in the garden, and give away more of your produce.

Your stew must have been good if you had two bowls of it.

Hope there is no rain for a couple of weeks. Looks like the forecast for here is similar.

Hadn't thought about the eggs, but I find the medium ones a bit small if I'm having a boiled egg.

Mollie. Pity your ankle played you up so much when you were away. But you did do a lot of walking. At least it's been better since you got back. But you'll have to make sure you don't overdo the exercise until you find out exactly what's wrong.

Pity you didn't get to visit with your Mum's sisters because of their colds.

Thanks for the Lidl heads up. I'm going there on Sunday, so perhaps I'll have a look then. Not really looking for anything specific at the moment.

Never heard of Monkman & Seagull. Are they a couple of comedians?

No, I'm not particularly keen on anyone in BB either.

I'll look forward to all your future Christmas mention. 

Evening Both.

Didn't do a lot today, weather good at 16c sunny and light wind.

Had scrambled egg for brekkie today, with toast.

Did my washing and got it out, with a slight breeze and lovely sun it was fine.

for tea had 2 more bowls of the stew, yummy, it makes a change.

We may be going to a garden center tomorrow, o/h took her mum the other day and saw some shirts and zip tops which i need.

Need a trip to the butchers as well so may get there as well.

Mollie, Thank you, she is a beauty, so chuffed, it will be lovely to see them all when we can get over there.

I didn't know where the name came from, it's a wonder it wasn't the name of a stone, considering there jobs.

Yes, loads of Kiwi Berries just now, they are all ripening, lovely as well.

The app i use to remind me is called 'To Do Reminder' it's very good as well.

That restaurant is fantastic, a person in Indian dress controls the seat as you sit, and pushes it in after for you, never seen anything like it since, it's the cream of Indian dining.

That was an interesting weekend then, wow, people ill, you walking too much, 

7 wash loads, are you doing the washing for all the road?

I saw that Monkman etc, not very interesting.

I like the BB coins lark, enjoying all the HM's though, still recording the shows, not watching Rylan though.

Emptybox, I think with all veg you should have a 3 year rotation, as far as i know, but usually from Costco i used to be able to buy a whole sack full for a couple of pounds, not worth growing them.

The stew was fine, used 500g of flank and a big dish of veg from the freezer, took some from each bag, i have all the veg possible, boiled some cut up spuds separate and put them in when the meat was cooked, for a stock i used gravy granules then thickened it a bit at the end.

The medium eggs seem to hold better in the pan if fried, had 3 scrambled this morning, such a lovely colour when the hens are roaming around.

O/H just doing an online shop at Sainsbury's, will be going to the butchers tomorrow anyway, need sausages, black pudding, pies, Beef Rib and beef mince.

both xxx

Emptybox

that is good the weather was good enough to get a big grass cut job done.Hopefully the good spell of weather continues for us all.  Pity your potatoes are not so good this year.

Hicly

glad to see you are enjoying your stew. Did you use plain flour to thicken it up as well as the gravy?

HOpe you manage to sort the clothes you need at the garden centre tomorrow.

We too often buy clothes from our garden centre. It is called cotton traders the make there, and quite good especially when we only pay sale prices like I did last time.

Yes your next visit to Oz will be real special with a new grandaughter to meet.

I'll have to look at that "to do" reminder, sounds good.

Yes Monkman is not meant to be very interesting as they are both such geeks. (very intelligent ones though). Last night they were in the area of Snowdonia where my OH comes from.

I went to aqua fit again today, ankle did hurt when I did some of it though, so still not sure wheather it will help that or not. I might go to physio tomorrow (as doc told me to) and can ask them.

Did 4 washloads today, and like HIcky, it all dried nicely.

Wonder who is up for eviction?

Watching Bake Off now, those bicciy chandaliers look good. I liked the butterfly one best.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Colder and windy here today. In fact it got quite wild. About 12c.

Got a couple of jobs done, but wasn't helped by the wind. One of them was cutting a high hedge, which required me to climb a ladder.

The other was a grass cutting job, and the wind kept blowing the sheet I collect the grass on away.

Hicky. Glad you got the good weather.

Hope you manage to get the clothes you want (or your OH wants), in the garden centre tomorrow.

The stew sounds lovely.

Yes, I think a 3 year rotation is about right. I'm only growing things in gaps in the flower bed though, so don't have much choice.

Potatoes are fairly cheap, so not much point in growing them, but my Uncle is always urging me to grow more, so I've got to humour him.

He thinks food in the shops is going to get scarse, so we should all grow our own.

Plus he believes home grown veg is much more nutritious than farmed stuff.

Mollie. Good idea to consult the Physio about which exercises would be best for your ankle. The aquafit should be good for your general fitness though.

I watched Bake Off as well. Think I like the French girl best.

Evening Both.

A busy day, weather good at 18c it said cloud all day but it was sun all day, strange, winds of 14 to 8.

Didn't have brekkie as we were going to get a hot pork pie later, went to the garden center first, got 4 long sleeve rather lovely shirts for £50, got 2 zip up jacket thingies, got 2 pair long pants with pocket zips extra pockets, wow, lovely. and a rainproof jacket for the garden with a hood.

we then went to the butchers, got  1kg steak mince, 12 long sausages, a 1.6kg Rib Beef joint, 3 pork pies, 3 black puddings, 1.17kg bacon ribs, very pleased and o/h got some sliced cooked ham etc, then we went to Sainsbury's for me to get the meds.

For tea i found a bag of chicken Pakora so got a tray of oven chips ready and made a sticky sauce which i put the hot Pakora in, it is tomato sauce, soy sauce, chili powder, water, flour.

Mollie, I probably should have used ordinary flour but used corn flour, not sure why.

We have a cotton trader at the local garden center but think it. womens clothes.

I think that whatever you do, if it hurts then is it doing any good, i wouldn't think so myself.

Saw Bake off, they looked like wind chimes to me not chandeliers, very interesting though, but i do think they should keep the place cooler as nothing sets in that heat.

Emptybox, You collect the grass on a sheet, never heard of that, 

Your Uncle has the right idea but for you with the limited time you get to do it and the room you have isn't ideal, the chances of being self sufficient are about nil, i just grow stuff because i like to see it grow, if there is a benefit then great, one problem is that different veg want different conditions.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

gosh just you be careful doing ladder jobs in a strong wind!

I reckon your uncle is quite correct and home grown veg are full of vitamins compared to supermarket ones. And of course they taste great too.

Hicky

that sounds like you are well kitted out now for autumn.

and of course you aren't going to go short of meat either now.

Oh yes those bake off biccies did look like wind chimes.

Well I did get up the courage to go to physio and he says I need treatment there, ,so has put me on his list. He says I have damaged tendons and ligaments and my  walk is not right, so this needs to be corrected ASAP else it will do further damage. He said not to do exercise that hurts eg aquafit, but to do his exercises even if they do hurt, and not to walk over on one side, even if that hurts!

Gosh my knee/ankle were so painfull when he moved it, but at least I am getting help now. I have lots and lots of leg/ankle execises to do now.

Lovely sunny day so sat in garden on swing chair, which i needed after physio as it had made me feel questy.

BB time now, not enjoying this lot of HM;s much at all though.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Hicky.

Dull and windy here, with occasional sunshine. But unusually warm. 18c most of the day, but I saw 22c at one point. I presume it's warm wind coming up from the South. Very pleasant anyway.

Got a lot done. A few small jobs, then a big 2 hour strimming job to finish off.

Pity you had to forego your brekkie, but glad you are pleased with your new togs.

Sounds like you cleaned out the butchers as well.

There are clothes at my garden centre as well, but think it's mostly Womens' stuff. Haven't really looked.

It's just a square plastic sheet  with handles at the corners, that I empty the grass onto. It takes three or four baskets full. Just means I don't have to walk to where I'm dumping the grass so often.

If I have to take the grass away to dump it, then I have a big hessian bag that I put it in.

As you say, I haven't really the time or space to grow a lot more veg. My Uncle would have me dig up the lawn to grow more veg, but not sure the landlady would approve?

I do enjoy going out to the greenhouse first thing to tend to my tomatoes. But if I was growing more it might feel more like a chore.

Watched the Supervet, and now BB.

Oh Hi Mollie. You popped up before me.

Well done for plucking up the courage to go to the Physio.

That's a shame that you have damage to your ankle. But hopefully the exercises you have been given will help.

Sounds like you've been walking abnormally to make it less painful, and that hasn't done it any good.

Hopefully it'll start to get better soon.

Does this mean that you can't do the Aquafit for a while?

Evening Both.

Cooler but sunny all day, 16c light winds.

Didn't do a lot just a few little jobs, had bacon and black pudding for brekkie with a round of toast.

The shopping was delivered today by Sainsbury's, all correct, it saves someone walking around the shop for an hour or so and carrying it as well, and with her coupons, a £12 voucher, and her staff discount we saved £50.

Had the bacon bones for tea with some cabbage, these bones we get are the best ever, loads of meat on the bone.

Mollie, Very pleased with the clothes i got but it means i can wear more of the older stuff for the garden now.

You can only do the exercises they advise but if it hurts, well it's not easy to do stuff that hurts.

I had a swing as well, will have to wrap the swing up for the winter as well.

Emptybox, Glad the weather was kind to you so you could get some jobs done, good.

This particular butchers is always busy, the meats etc are really good, the pork pies are the best i've ever had tbh so are the black puddings, and everything else as well, it is the shop for the section that it has in Claremont Farm, quite a lot of staff as well and of course they do a delivery ever week as well.

I see what you have for the cuttings, i thought you would have one of those 1 tonne bags that they deliver stone etc in, they have handles so you could tie it to a tree if it was windy.

It's a problem when the place isn't yours, not a lot you can do to change it, unless you get the ok but while you are working it would be hard to find the time to look after it anyway.

I watched 2 x Supervet yesterday, 1 on 4 and 1 on 14 (more 4) he has 40 Surgeons and 8 operating theaters. 

Hi Hicky.
Not as nice here today. Not windy for a change, but cooler at 14c and dull and drizzly at times.
Got one hedge cutting job done.

The hessian bag I have is one of the one tonne builders type ones, and I used it today to take away the hedge cuttings. It's very useful, and I can just about carry it on my back as long as i don't fill it too full.
But as you're filling it you have to keep opening the top to put stuff in, as it's always wanting to close up.
The plastic sheet is flat, so much easier to just dump stuff on it.....as long as it isn't windy. Both are useful in their own way.

I've also got a couple of these pop-up bags in the van, for if there's only a small amount of stuff to take away.
www.screwfix.com/p/pop-up-garden-bag-690-x-560mm/

That's good that your Sainsbury's stuff was all there. And that's quite a discount you got. I suppose mainly because your OH works there?
Sounds like a great butcher.

TBH I've been here for 26 years, and the landlady has never looked at the garden, so doubt if she'd even notice or care if I dug up some of the lawn. But it's a good excuse to give my Uncle, when he asks why I don't grow more food.

Location, Location, Location tonight, followed by Michael Palin in NK then BB.
I'd like to see Lewis F evicted on Friday. He's far too whiney and annoying.
There's something about his slug like eyebrows that really annoy me (speaking as someone who has no eyebrows to speak of )
But I guess the other Lewis is more likely to go, and he's annoying in his own way too.
Yes, The Supervet certainly has a big set-up there. I think he gets referrals from all over the country.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

that is great you too got the warm weather so managed to get a good amount of work done. Hope you had the same today.

Yes you are right, the physio said I had develped an abnormal walk because of the pain in my ankle/leg. So he said I shouldn't really do aquafit or gym etc if it hurts my ankle, until I have had the treatment sorted out from the physios. I might do aquafit, but avoid standing on bottom of the pool with my sore leg, I can do that if I go in deep end. 

HOpe you got nice weather again today.

Hicky

glad you got good weather too.

It was 23c here on OH's car, so really warm in the sun.

Gosh what a good saving you got by using your Sainsburys delivery.

That is a good idea to wear your older stuff just for the garden, and keep the rest for meals out etc, or maybe you planned some for your hols?

Does your OH have a date yet for her op, or have they just told her November some time? Did they give her any exercises to do for her knees or does she just need to rest it till the op?

OH was ready to put our swing chair away a few days ago, but I am glad I stopped him as the warm weather returned so we have made use of it again.

I never realised Supervet's practice was so large. What a wonderful vet he is.

Well I did my exercises last night, but then woke early this morning with the pain of cramp in my calf! I am drinking my Indiain Tonic water now as that is supposed to prevent it as it has quinine in it.

I went with my friend to hospital today. She asked me to go in with her as she was so nervous about a bladder check up. We could see the picture of her bladder on a screen. Fortunately all was clear, so the doc thinks she just had a real bad water infection but is sending her for a scan next to double check her kidneys. And she has been told to drink lots of water!

BB....Am starting to get a bit bored with the HM's as I don't really have a favourite, but did enjoy seeing the competitive task.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.

Yes better to take the advice of the Physio as regards Aquafit. I guess exercising in the deep end wouldn't do any harm though.

Hope the quinine helps with your leg cramps. Hadn't heard of it being used for that.

That's a pity your friend has a bad urine infections and needs all these tests. I can sympathise.

That's good that you are still getting warm sunny weather, and can still sit out on your swing chair.

both xxx

Emptybox

Didn't realise you had been in that same house for all those years. So as you say, it is highly unlikely the LL is likely to venture into your garden after all that time.

Hope the weather was ok for you today to get some work done.

I too watched Michal Palin, really enjoyed this series, even though there was a lot he couldn't say. But of course we could see with our own eyes how odd that airport set up was. (and some of the others stuff too).

i too am not bothered who goes on BB, not keen on either of them, or any of the others either!

Hicky

hope you got good weather today, so could get in your garden.  Brekkie at home or out today?

We went to view at the auctions again today.

Some real interesting stuff there this week and lots of it too.

Might buy something if the bidding doesn't go too high.

Am watching Gogglebox then BB (if I can stay awake that is, as BB is on so late!).

Went to costco for a bit of shopping, lots of nice free food samples which was nice.

Goodnight both ... time to do my exercises.....

Evening Both.

Not a bad day weatherwise, only 14c but sun all day which is nice and no wind.

Had Bacon & Beans for brekkie, watched a couple of BB recordings.

Decided to make some spring rolls for tea, cooked half and froze the rest.

We are eating in tomorrow, i'm making brekkie for when o/h gets in from work at 10.40 am then will be making the Sunday dinner again, Roast Rib beef with roast spuds, carrots, cabbage and gravy.

Mollie, When we change from summer to winter i put away the summer clothes from the drawers and replace with winter stuff.

O/H does have a date, November 20th for the Op all being well, the pre-op checkup is Oct 22nd.

I don't think they gave her exercises to do, she is limping so i can't see her doing any exercises before the op.

I think we have another couple of weeks before we wrap up the swing, if the suns out i have a swing for a while.

Yes, the Supervet has the best equipment ever, 3D CT scans, he even gets the parts he uses using 3D printers, fantastic, but with 200 staff thats an awful lot of money to find a week just for wages, and 40 Vets aren't cheap, and sleeping area's for up to 56 animals a day.

Hope your friend with the water infection is ok, very worrying for her.

I'll watch my BB recording tomorrow, can't stand all the adverts, not bothered who goes really.

Emptybox, I see you use the builders 1 tonne bag, i see what you mean about it closing, if it was mine i would make a frame that goes inside from a few bamboo canes, by cutting 4 canes the right length and drilling a hole by the end then the 4 could be joined to make a square, and by cutting 4 more the inside hight of the bag and drilling holes in the end they could have a piece of wire or cord through each to fasten around the canes which will keep the top of the bag open, if the vertical canes are fastened in each corner then the whole lot should fold up and go in the van when the bag is taken to the van.

I have a few of those pop up bags, very handy, i use them to collect leaves.

I find it strange that your landlady hasn't been to visit the house, you would think they would take interest in you looking after it.

I'm not too bothered who goes from BB tonight, will watch my recording tomorrow.

On Supervet, people come from many countries over here to get their pets treated, think they do 150 ops a week.

Hi both.

Nice day here. Calm and sunny and up to 13c.

Got 3 jobs done. Strimming, mowing and tidying up.

Got plenty done this week, so won't have to work tomorrow.

Mollie. Wonder if you'll buy anything at the auctions this week?

Yes, Michael Palin had to be careful what he said about NK. But the place looked more normal than I'd have thought, and the minders seemed very friendly. But I guess they were trained to deal with foreign visitors.

Hicky. I'm sure you'll do your OH proud with the meals you are making.

That's a relief that she's got a date for her op.

That framework for my bag sounds a good idea. Worth thinking about.

I think the reason the LL doesn't visit is that she knows there are a lot of jobs she should be doing at the house, including replacing windows whose frames are rotten etc. And if she visited I might point those out.

Evening Emptybox. :

Not bad today, 15c sunny and light winds.

Did brekkie for us both for when o/h got in from work at 10.40, bacon, egg, sausage, black pud and tinned toms with toast, getting good at this.

Didn't do a lot else really, gave the window cleaners some apples and Kiwi Berries.

Got a Beef Rib roast to do tomorrow, and make another seed loaf, watched F1 practice etc, the race is tomorrow late on.

At least you got your jobs done so you don't need to work today.

I see what you mean about your LL not coming round to your place, yes, could be embarrassing.

Saw my recording of BB, glad Lewis G is out.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

glad you got another nice day so got your work done.

weekend off now?

Yes I am sure you are right in that the minders on Michael Palin are extremely well versed as how to handly foreign visitiors.

Do you like anyone on BB in particular, or like me this time, am not keen on any of them?

Typical LL, they are never too keen to spend any money on their "investments" so you must be right, that is the reason you never see her!

Hicky

glad your OH has a firm date now for her op. Do you have any idea when she will be ok to fly out to Oz. Was it around January you were planning on going?

Yes your OH probably won't be given any exercises as she is down for an op. Phsyiso said I had to be carefull not to do wrong type of exercise incase I did more damage.

Hi both.
Forgot to post last night.

Been a nice sunny weekend here, and not too cold either.
Yesterday I got quite a lot done in my own garden, strimming and generally tidying up.

Today I'm just about to go to the supermarket (Lidl).

Unfortunately I'm having trouble with my kitchen drain again. It's only draining very slowly, and overflowing if I let too much water down it.
I've tried one batch of drain cleaner without success, so I'll buy another lot this afternoon. But if that doesn't work I might have to call the LL anyway.
She'll just send one of the farm workers to try to clear it though. She won't come herself, or pay for a professional

Hicky. Glad your OH appreciated your brekkie efforts.
I've heard on the news who won the F1, but I won't say if you haven't seen it yet. 

Mollie. You do seem to like your Elvis festival. Seems a funny thing for a small Welsh seaside town to host? But I guess it takes all sorts, and brings in the visitors?
I suppose he did have some good songs, right enough.

No I don't have any favourite on BB, which is a shame if it's the last ever.
Sian, Kay and Brooke are attractive, but not sure if any are particularly likeable?

Evening Both.

Cool today, 12c light cloud, some sun, winds of 15 to 20.

Didn't do much, was preparing to make the Sunday roast, had egg on toast for brekkie, got some apple spring rolls from the freezer for pudding, have the home made caramel i made, will have some of that.

At the docs tomorrow for the Flu jab, the hospital Tuesday for the eye test.

Have taken the rest of the apples off a couple of trees as they are falling now.

Cut all the Grape bunches off the vine, got a heaped bucket full, will have to destroy them as the squirrels did so much damage and i can't take a chance, they have been at most of the bunches.

Mollie, I think the trip to Oz is on the back burner, it might depend on o/h recovery.

The Elvis festival sounds good, an Elvis competition for 5 hours, i could do that long, an Elvis dog competition, what next.

Emptybox, Oh dear, drainage problems, have you checked the S bend under the sink, thats the first thing to sort.

F1 highlights not on till 6.45 tonight, should be an interesting race with Bottas on Pole.

Hi Hicky.
The drain problem is outside, the sink is fine.

For some reason they made the pipes leading from the kitchen drains too narrow, and they easily block up with fat etc.
It's not so bad if the neighbours are affected as well, as the farm-worker can get his rods in and unblock them all, but this time I think it's just my branch that's blocked, and it's very difficult to persuade the rods to go into that from the usual access point, so it might mean my yard being dug up to get access to the pipe.

I've just put another dose of Mr Muscle drain un-blocker down, and I'll see if that helps. It's worked on some past occasions, but not others. It depends on exactly where the blockage is I think.
Luckily I've got another sink and draining board in the back kitchen, which goes out of a different drain, so I could do my dishes in there in the meantime, but it's not as convenient.
The water is draining away slowly, so there's not standing water or a smell as yet, but it's very annoying.
Has happened numerous times in the years I've been living here.

A medical week for you, what with the flu jab tomorrow and eye test on Tuesday.
That's a pity you can't salvage any of the grapes. Pesky Squirrels.
I suppose it's understandable that your Oz trip is up in the air, until you see how OH is going to recover from her op.

both xxx

Emptybox

that is lucky the good weather lasted long enough for you to get your own garden done.

Oh dear, sorry to hear about your drain problem, that will be a bit of an inconvience if they have to dig the garden up. Hope the Mr Muscle helps sort it out.

Yes I think the Elvis organisers were as shocked as anyone else how this Elvis thing grew to the biggest in the world in such a short space of time and in such a small place. The guy who organised it said he got the idea when he went to some special needs kids Stars in Their Eyes type show in the town. There was a young girl dressed and performing as Elvis who won the show. So the idea of getting Elvis imperonators to the town took off. They come from all over the world now, and this young lady still performs there each year now. 

BB....Zoe is my favourite HM. As you say, those girls you name might be attractive, but i too don't find them really likeable. Not keen on any of the guys either though.

Hicky

home made caramel and apple spring rolls for pudding sounds real yummy.

Hope you are ok after the flu jab tomorrow. Do you have a lift or have to get a taxi? And hope the eyes are doing ok when you go on Tuesday for the eye test. 

What a shame you have to destroy the grapes. Hopefully your apples are ok and you have plenty of them to enjoy though.

I can understand you putting your Oz plans aside for now to see how well your OH gets on. At least this way she can take her own time to recover without any time constraints.

Went out for brekkie this morning. Then went to the Elvis festival to see an hour of the live radio show. Son's ex tutor was playing on stage for charity , so son came with us too.

A lot cooler today in the wind, but it was dry.

Enjoyed x factor, watching some bbc1 drama about a baby now, then will watch BB.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.
That's interesting about the Elvis festival being almost an accidental success.

I watched that BBC drama as well, mainly because of Jenna Coleman. But it was a wee bit dreary, with the baby crying all the time. Also it was hard to keep up with as it kept zipping backwards and forwards.
But I'll probably watch it next week, but i doubt Jenna is going to cheer up any time soon?

Evening Both.

A cool day, only 12c sunny intervals again, winds of 7 to 13.

Jusr had som of my toast from the new loaf, wow, it was good, SIL had some as well, she loved it, used the DIY settings on the breadmaker, it gives you 4 knead settings and 6 rise setting so you can choose the times for all, and of course the bake temperature and time, i gave it extra knead time and rise times, i think it's my best loaf yet, i even had a crust last night as i couldn't wait, yummy.

Showed SIL around the garden, gave her some Bramleys to take home.

she brought me a jar of crab apple jelly she made, she used the jar of Marmalade i gave her as it was empty.

Had my Flu jab, she also gave me the Shingles jab, and i have booked a blood test for Wednesday as you need one every year.

When the shopping came a bag of carrots was in it, the week before o/h ordered carrots and 1 came, not sure what she did this week but 2.5kg came, i'm going to blanch and freeze mos.

Also she ordered Mushrooms, she wanted baby ones, not sure what happened but we have 2 bags arrive, bit mushrooms and each bag is over 2 kg, am going to make cream of Mushroom soup, never had so many.

for tea i decided to put spuds in the oven while i was out at docs, and defrosted a chicken curry to go with them, nice anyway.

We had a Skype show today with my lad and his o/h in Oz, he had the baby, she is so lovely, a week old, spent about an hour, so good when you can see them on the Lappy, o/h's is a 17" so a good picture.

Mollie, O/H took me to the docs, which was good, got to get a taxi to the hospital tomorrow as o/h will be at work.

Yes, a blow about the grapes, very hard to protect outside as they cover such an area.

I've put a lot of the apples in the garage as they would just fall off now anyway, i will leave the Bramley on longer, they keep well as well.

Will have to see how the recovery goes for the Oz trip, could be a problem if you don't book it though.

Not watching x-Factor, don't like the judges or the format now.

You going out for brekkie, good.

Emptybox, Oh, i see, an outside drain problem, the way they put some of the drains in doesn't make sense, one at our last place curved around from one angle to a manhole a couple of feet away, even with the cover off and trying to push rods down the curves where too tight, i have to use some of my 13mm water pipe i use for the watering system to clear a path through, it was grease and hair from the upstairs shower that had clogged it, a night mare.

Surely you will have a manhole close to the grid or whatever it is before the water or waste goes into the main drain system.

Yes, not sure if the hols will be booked or not, i'll leave it to o/h, my lad said it wasn't a problem when ever we go as they don't have a winter and he will get 3 months off to look after the baby as his o/h will be going back to work.

both

Emptybox

hope the kitchen blockage has gone or is really on the way out.

Did you get some work done today? I expect it won't be long till the end of your grass cutting period now? Ours is still growing like mad.

You are right,that drama did jump around rather a lot in time, and looks like Jenna is not going to play a cheery role in this one. But like you, I will watch next week to see how it goes.

Here is the Mail's write up in where I spent most of my weekend. They did get the bit wrong saying it was a "city", as it is just a small coastal town.

We saw the big dog with the Elvis sunglasses, he was so cute.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ne...pay-homage-King.html

Hicky

Was your yummy loaf the seeded one? Glad your SIL appreciated it too.

Your bread maker certainly sounds a clever machine.

Good to see your SIL is making good use of your jars and you get to benefit with her gift of crab apple jelly too.

Hope you feel ok after having had 2 jabs. Don't blame you taking the shingles one too as it made you so poorly. My neighbour's elderly mum has just got over it, and she said how painfull it was. Why do you need a blood test each year? Is it to do with your eye problem?

That is a big jump from 1 carrot to 2.5 kilos. My daughter's rabbit would be in his element. If you are making creamy mushroom soup, I bet your OH will be glad she over-orderd mushrooms.

I can understand these order mishaps as quantitites are hard to get right when you first start online shopping for food.

Good job the holiday dates are flexible as far as your lad is concerned. As he says it will be warm all of those months so I reckon that it will do you both good after OH is over her op.

Lovely day today, I met my son at lunch time and I had a spicy pumpkin latte from Gregs whilst we sat out in the sun and he ate his lunch time sandwich.

Caught up with paperwork, but couldn't be bothered with washing today, nor much tidying.

Was busy bidding on auction, bought a few historic things and a designer dress for £10, it still had the label inside showing £290....£10, fingers crossed it fits.

Think I will watch Paddingto station before BB. Hating the 10pm start for BB. Ejoyed that nick a coin challenge last night, very interesting to see how they are playing the game.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Not bad morning. Some sunshine and about 12c, but the rain came on about noon, and it stayed rainy for the rest of the day. Wasn't forecast.

made a bit of progress with the drain this morning. Put my hand down (with rubber glove) and found a lot of fat build up at the end nearest the kitchen. managed to shift that by hand and by using a plunger, but I think it just shifted further down the pipe where I couldn't reach. But i tried some more Mr Muscle and it seems to have worked to an extent. It's not perfect, but I can now let away a sinkfull of water without it coming over the top of the drain, which i guess is all I need.
So maybe I'll get away without having to call in the LL?

I've ordered a flexible unblocker wire thing from Ebay, which may or not be any use. It may be too thin for the drain, and just spiral round without doing any good, but it might come in useful for something.
It's just about the only thing that I could see being able to get into the drain from the kitchen end, due to the sharp angle on the pipe.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-Drain-Unblocker-Flexible-Rod-Auger-Snake-Pipe-Cleaner-Plumbing-Tool-7-6M

The system is crazy. There's no manhole for the kitchen drains, but there is a manhole for the drain coming from the guttering down pipes.
When they need to rod the kitchen drains they have to dig a hole down to the pipe to where a hole has been made in the top of the pipe and covered over with a bit of plastic, and put the rods in there.
The farmworker who usually has to do it says he keeps asking the farmer/LL to put in a manhole there, as it blocks so often, but so far they haven't taken any notice.
All the drains do eventually join up with a bigger drain that goes down the back of the cottages, but that never seems to block. It's always the kitchen drain at the front that does.
The two neighbours are better off because their drains only have a short straight stretch till they meet up with the main kitchen drain, but my one is much longer and has a sharp turn in it, so almost impossible to get rods to go up it.
Anyway, enough about my drainage problem.

Hicky. That was good that you got your OH's seal of approval for your bread.
Nice of your SiL to bring you something back after you've given her so much of your produce.
Good idea to get the shingles jab at the same time as the flu jab, if they are offering it.

Seems they've messed up your shopping a bit this week, with all the carrots and mushrooms?
That was lovely having a Skype 'chat' with your new granddaughter.
Fortunate that your lad will get so much time off to look after the baby.

Mollie. Thanks for the Elvis link. I think the dog was the best thing on it.
That's nice that you had a lovely day, and was able to meet up with your lad for a pumpkin latte (whatever that is?), and get some paperwork done.

Strange that your grass is still growing strongly? Must be because it's been much warmer down there. The grass round here has more or less stopped growing now.
A great bargain from the auction, as long as the dress fits.

Strangely I seem to be developing a liking for Kay on BB, just as she seems to be becoming unpopular, and will probably be out.