Evening.
A nice sunny day here after a damp start with a grass frost. My van was only saying 7c this afternoon, but it felt warmer because it was calm and sunny. I still needed my padded gilet, but i teamed it up with my sun hat.
Got a couple of jobs done anyway.

Hicky. Glad SiL liked the loaf you'd made.
Hope your Chipatis turn out OK.

I guess there probably is a certain amount of fake news put out around shares, but that sort of thing is strictly illegal, and would lead to prison if caught, similar to insider trading.
I think by and large the system is fair and fairly well regulated. It's just that human nature being as it is, a lot of dealers just slavishly follow the trends, which makes owning shares more of a roller-coaster ride than it should be, if it was simply following the true economics.

I've watched this week's episode of Doctor Who a second time, and enjoyed it more the second time around. I think the series is going to be a big success.

Mollie. Don't think I bought anything unusual at Lidls. I looked at a packet of scallops, but decided they were a bit expensive.
Oh yes, I remember that fish shaped pastry on Bakeoff. He made it silver coloured, so it looked rather unappetising.

At last that Hussain on BB has done something right and put horrible Lewis up for eviction, with no chance to save himself.
Mind you, he'll probably end up going himself, as I think it's him Lewis and Isabella up.

Evening Mollie.

No Emptybox tonight yet.

17c here cloud all day, slight sun, winds of 9 to 12.

Didn't do much really, Last night i cooked the 3rd chicken breast as i had a lot of sauce, then added it to the lot i was going to store, i had enough left for 4 tubs to freeze.

Took 1 of the tubs of butter chicken to have for tea, made chapati's to go with it, i was very pleased, a small amount of dough makes 4, but to eat the food with it you break it into 4 anyway, i let the butter chicken thicken a bit on the stove which makes it easier to pick up with the chapati.

My shopping arrived by delivery van, o/h had given the wrong time so she was out, had put it all away by the time she got home.

Got a load more leaves to collect, mind you an awful lot to drop yet, still getting toms, the dish in the kitchen is full again, i keep it so.

I was reading on the Allison Flour site that they do a very strong white bread flour, and it says it makes a better loaf, rises better and is lighter, well, i can't get any for a while because i have at least 7kg before i need some, which is a lot of loaves.

O/H is going off the idea of the meds deliveries, she doesn't like using Royal Mail for them and you have to be in to sign for them, she is going to order a couple of months at a time instead, like we did when we went away.

I thought i had some wholemeal bread flour which i could use to make the Chapati's but couldn't find it, must have used it, will get some Chapati flour.

That was nice meeting up with son for lunch break, and a bit of shopping.

I must try and catch up with BB, think i'm 2 days behind.

I saw the 4 yr olds with the old lovely, very nice, i'm sure it helps.

I try to catch up with recording, but have so many.

both xxx

Emptybox

that is brilliant the need for the sun hat came back again, and also meant you got some work done. Gosh 7c is a low temperature though, but with sun and no wind, not so noticable I guess.

Glad to hear you enjoyed Dr Who the 2nd time around again. I guess you see bits you missed the first time round as it is a complicated programme.

Bake Off...Yes that was it, the sliver fish that I thought was a horrid looking snake!

BB....Well that gamechanger is going to prove to be very important as far as Hussain is concerned because as you say, he could end up going, so maybe he made a mistake putting Lewis up ?  But if he wins, he will save himself i would think.

Hicky

sounds like you have been busy cooking and freezing again.

Good job you were home when the shopping came.

Not surprised you have lots of leaves to collect, it looks like peak leaf falling time round here right now.

Yes that is right, you do have to be in to sign for meds.

Glad you got to see the 4 years olds with the elderly, such a lovely idea and a great show.

The BB task got real good now,, so you have to try and catch up with it. The true game playing has started now, and it is interesting to watch.

Not a bad day here today, bit cooler with just a bit of drizzle.

My neighbour texted me this afternoon and asked me if I wanted to go with her to shopping centre when she took her mum to optician, so I did. We had coffee in M and S and I bought a few blouses from T K Max.

Enjoyed Bake Off tonight, it looks real hard to get Danish Pastries just right.

Looking forward to BB next.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Bit dull today, but a bit warmer than yesterday.
Got another couple of jobs done. That's all i can really do at this time of year, as everything is soaking first thing, so needs some sun or wind to dry it up a bit, plus it gets dark fairly quickly as well.

Hicky. Glad you enjoyed your Butter Chicken and Chapatis.
That's handy that you were in to get the shopping put away before OH got home.
Yes, the windy weather has meant there's a lot of fallen leaves around here as well.

I suppose that would be OK to get the prescription every two months.
They are supposed to be slowly bringing that in at my pharmacy, but they are still issuing mine every month.

Mollie. I wear the sun hat any day it's not too cold. Not really specifically to do with the sun. I need to wear a hat  to protect me from vicious trees etc, seeing as I'm folically challenged.

That was fortunate, getting a call from your neighbour to go shopping. Allowed you to get some new clothes.

I see Tomasz is also up for eviction, so I think he is in danger as well.
Pity that Manon went on Bake Off, but she been on borrowed time for a few weeks now really. Think I want Briony to win now.

Evening Both.

14c here, mostly cloud, some sun, light 7 to 10 wind.

Didn't do too much, had chopped up bacon with beans on toast for brekkie.

Fitted a section of Ally angle to the sides of the door opening so i can put plastic cord across each side to the other support which is there, had to take the glass out to drill the frame, the stuff i have hanging from the vine supports needs to be moved to the end of the greenhouse away from the vine area, it only took an hour or so.

Picked up another bucket of leaves, i will be covering the raised beds for winter with leaves as a mulch, i might as well use them up, have plenty.

Was going to have chicken curry for tea but o/h mentioned that we could have belly pork with crackling, mash, sprouts and gravy and i could make some apple to go on the pork, which i did, o/h cuts the meat, i do the rest.

The bit of apple thats left i will have with some cram later.

Been watching the 5 year olds, so good.

The Apprentice tonight, ordered my repeat meds online, o/h can pick them up Friday.

Mollie, Yes, it's handy doing a cook and making 4 or more meals, makes it worth while, it also means i always have food in the freezer.

It's interesting watching the children with the elderly, they seemed to enjoy the children being with them.

Must try and catch up with BB before Friday.

That was one way to get out of the house, with your neighbour, and you managed to get some clothes as well.

Yes, enjoyed bake off, the pastries were hard to do, who goes, they decide so it's never who we want.

Emptybox, I was watching a video of growing potatoes without digging them in, just with straw, was wondering if it would work with leaves instead.

Here is the video, worth a look.

Some Doctors do 2 monthly or 3 monthly meds, not sure about ours as it's new to us.

Watching Strictly: it Takes Two, now.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

that is good you got a couple of jobs done, always a gamble this year as you say, with it getting drak earlier and damp grass.

Oh yes, good idea to wear a hat at all times with the threat of runaway branches.

I think Briony stands a good chance of winning Bake Off. She has been doing well. (unlike this lot selling these rubbish donuts on the Apprentice tonight!).

It did end up not being so fortunate going out with my neighbour, as the cash machine in the shop went funny and ended up displaying my PIN!! So I had to ring credit care people who told me to go to cash point to change it, and that was a 15 min walk! And it started raining, and it was stressfull trying to change it , let alone locate where the cash machine was, as it was an area I didn't know. Mabye I wont' bother going far again without the family. The credit card people wouldn't even tell me if the purchase I had made was problem free when I rang them, as OH is primary card holder!

Hicky

Good idea to use all those leaves for mulch and your apples to go with your pork dinner.

Are you going to try and do potatoes with leaves? That would be interesting to see if it works.

Really enjoyed BB again, and am looking forward to the gamechanger tonight. All to play for this week.

Did anyone vote for the save or evict? I voted Save as I thought it would get rid of the more boring ones.

Went to aquafit today as my kneew were aching after so much rushing around yesterday.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening.
Not too bad day here. Warmer at up to 13c and some sunshine. Had some drizzle at lunchtime, but it didn't amount to much.
Got 3 jobs done anyway.

Hicky. That's good that you were able to do some work on your greenhouse.
Good idea to use the fallen leaves as a mulch.
Interesting video. I suppose leaves might work instead of straw/hay, but they might rot down too quickly?

Mollie.  That's a pity you had that problem with your card. Do you mean it displayed the actual numbers of the pin rather than just asterisks?
Probably nobody would have seen it, but better being safe than sorry, and change it.
Didn't realise you could change the PIN at a cash machine. Sounds like it was stressful though.
Sorry to hear your knee was aching because of it.

I voted to leave it vote to evict, as i wanted to evict Lewis. Doubt if he'll go though.
I think the right one went on the Apprentice. He seemed a bit of a wet lettuce.

Evening Both.

A strange day, 13c bright sun all day, no wind.

Had Sausage and tomato for brekkie, was going to have a curried chicken dish for tea but o/h wanted baked spuds with steamed cauliflower and cheese sauce, so i decided on baked spuds and put a frozen cauliflower cheese in the oven for me.

Am making out my Christmas meat list as it goes into the butchers from November 1st, delivery is Dec 22nd, o/h orders her own meats but on the same list, she likes Turkey and chicken more than me.

O/H gave me my Christmas Advent calendar, this year instead of chocolate it is Pork Crackling, yummy.

Mollie, I might try the potato growing using leaves.

Saw The Apprentice, some really are stupid, so annoying poor LS.

I watched last nights BB recording, not liking Hussain.

Hope your knees stopped aching after the water treatment.

Emptybox,  At least you got 3 jobs done yesterday, strange weather at the mo.

Leaves don't rot down very fast, but they lay rather flat, not sure what to grow next year yet, always grow Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Onions, & Peas but not growing any in the greenhouse next year.

both xxx

Emptybox

glad you got on well job wise.

Hope the weather was kind to you again today.

Yes after I put all 4 pin numbers in, it was dispayed and not just as asterixes on the machine. So I thought it safest to change it. No I never knew you could change it at a cash machine, but now I know you can afer having done it. You can also check your balance which I also never realised you could do with a credit card.

Hicky

jacket potato and coly cheese sounds a nice choice to me, and healthy as well.

I am sure you will really enjoy your pork crackling advent calendar this year.   I love the broad choice of advent calendars they do now. I had a nail varnish one last year.

I agree, the Apprentice lot do seem so stupid this year!

It will be interesting to see how you get on with the potato growing and leaves.

Lovely day, I sat on the swing chair for a read for awhile in the lovely sunshine. And got about 5 washloads dry. Long may this good weather continue.

Watching Ambulance on bbc1 what a wonderful job they do. So stressful.

Looking forward to BB, really getting interesting now. Isabella did well on that big ball endurance game.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Nice day here as well. Mostly sunny and up to 14c.
Got another couple of places done. Probably cutting them for the last time this season though.

Hicky. Didn't realise ordering meat was similar to ordering furniture. "Order now and it'll be delivered before Christmas" the adverts say, when it's still the middle of summer.
You must have to order the meat before the animals have even been born?
Pork Crackling Advent calendar? Whatever next?

Yes, I suppose the leaves go very flat when they start to rot. You'd have to keep topping them up.

Mollie. I didn't know you could check a credit card balance at a cash machine either. Mind you I haven't put a credit card into a cash machine for years.
If I need cash I use my bank debit card.

That was good getting all that washing dried. And got a swing in the sunshine.

I seem to be rapidly losing interest in BB just as you are getting hooked?
I do agree that Isabella did well though.
I seem to be able to have only one TV obsession at a time, and at the moment it's Doctor Who.

Evening Both.

Not a bad day, 15c sunny intervals, light wind of 8.

Didn't really do a lot, only had a few things on the shopping list for o/h with shopping being delivered Tuesday, just got some easy peelers and shrimps, smoked salmon and meds.

We had brekkie together again, the usual but o/h enjoys it when i make it for her, but for tea decided to have a light one so had crackers with tinned Ox tongue.

Did a bit more in the greenhouse, re-routed one of the vine cordons that are growing, need to pick up more leaves as well.

Mollie, I will be adding more cheese to the packet cheese mix next time, o/h couldn't taste any, but we had cheese to add.

I'm excited to try my advent calendar, love pork crackling and you get 24 packets inside the windows, mind you it's a big box.

I get carried away with 24 hrs in A&E, love it, not sure why, and Supervet, with.

Yes, Isabella did well, will record the eviction though.

Emptybox, Yes, you won't be cutting grass for much longer.

The butchers start taking the Christmas meats list from the 1st November so we will get it in for then, we like to have a good Christmas and not sure how mobile o/h will be, but i can do it so no problem.

I believe they stick my order direct onto the animal, oh, maybe not as it's a lot of different ones.

the leaves would only be a mulch over the potatoes, but o/h only like Vivaldi ones, not sure if i can buy that type to grow, will have to look. 

both xxx

Emptybox

glad you too got the nice weather, all helps for you to catch up work wise. We too got it again today, so went out for awhile on swing chair to read (with short sleeves again too, great for October, that!).

Yes I would never use a credit card for cash as it is so expensive, so that is why I too never realised you could use them to do these things at a cash machine.

I only really like the games stuff on BB, as I find most of the HM's this year dislikeable. Even the ones I thought I'd like in the beginning, eg Brooke and Zoe, I do not like now.

That is good you are enjoying Dr Who so much. How long is the series?

Hicky

that's good you got nice weather..... looks like all of the country has been lucky weather wise.

Good idea to get organised nice and early for your shopping list so you don't forget anything.

I too usually find I need to add extra cheese to the packet cheese mixes else it is rather tasteless.

You really have something nice to look forward to each day in December up to Christmas now with that advent calendar. We will look forward to hearing about it each time you open the door.

I too like 24 hours in A and E, I enjoy how they tell us a bit about each of the patient's family life.

Another lovely warm sunny day, can't believe it this time of year. A bit more sunbathing on swing chair, so can't complain.

Went to auction viewing again, gosh so much stuff there, it is really growing, must be all those shops they are closing down.

Went food shopping in Tesco so was done in after that.

Looking forward to watching the eviction, then a new eviction straight after. Wonder how the HM's will be nominated for the 2nd eviction.

Have a good evening both xxx

Evening both.

Not as nice today. Dull and windy and only up to 10c. A few glimpses of the sun though.

Did one job this afternoon.

Hicky. That's nice that you and your OH are enjoying having brekkie together.

Crackers with Ox tongue doesn't sound like a substantial supper? But I suppose it depends how many you have.

Yes I like 24hrs in A&E as well.

I'm sure you'll be able to buy Vivaldi seed potatoes.

Mollie. Glad you got another nice day.

Yes the games on BB have been quite good this time.

There are 7 episodes left of the Doctor Who series, and then an Xmas episode.

Ah, so it's not just a straight double eviction? I was hoping Lewis would just go straight after Hussain. Still a chance he'll go I suppose.

Evening Both.

Nice really today, 15c mainly cloud but a few sunny spells, wind only 8.

Made an omelet for brekkie, filled with mushroom, bacon, tomato and onion.

Watched by BB recording, interesting viewing, so now the newbies have gone.

Did some work in the greenhouse, not a lot, heard my neighbour shout while if it, she had fell onto her flags while putting the washing on her rotary maiden, went round to help, she had hit the side of her head and it was bleeding, got a pillow for her head, she has a button on her arm to press for help so they were on their way but with everyone so busy even getting an ambulance is hard, one medic arrived from Medicare but needed another to use the inflatable chair lift so we could only make her comfortable, got some blankets from her house to keep her warmer, later another care helper came and they managed to get her up and into the house, later a n Ambulance came, her bleeding stopped, she is on blood thinning tablets so was worried about that as well, her o/h is in bad health as well.

For tea i decided on a soup, i made a chicken sweetcorn mix i had, just added and egg and a few spices.

Been watching a new video from Grandpa Kitchen, it's Crispy Fried Shrimp, Prawn really, as thats what they call them, the recipe will go in my recipe book.

Mollie, We always get an order in for the Christmas meats and the butchers will deliver this year, very pleased with that as o/h won't be able to drive.

Yes, 24 hrs in A&E sure lets you see how busy all the staff are.

If you enjoy looking into the auction rooms then go for it, it's a good hobby and passes some time as well.

Enjoyed the eviction recording, better than usual.

Emptybox, O/H enjoys having breakfast together at home, of course we used to go out for brekkie at times but she wants to save money, also she is trying hard to watch what she eats with having the op coming up and the pre-op Monday.

I only had the tin of Tongue with crackers to mix my meals up, i eat too much really so now and again try to control the intake a bit.

Yes, 24 hrs in A&E really is interesting viewing.

Will look into the Vivaldi spud situation.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

pity it was not so nice there yesterday, but at least you managed to get one job done. Weekend off, or did you work today?

That is good news you have quite a few Dr Who episodes to look forward to and a Christmas one too.   I knew there was to be a Christmas one, though via a bit of gossip my son told me a few days ago. He went to get his hair cut and the hairdresser told him she saw them filming Dr Who on the local beach, and she guessed it was a Christmas one because she saw the Christmas trees.

Hicky

That was a good variety of fillings in your omlette.

Oh dear your poor neighbour having such a nasty fall. How lucky you were around and heard her calling and how nice of you to offer all the help you could. It is most concerning how overstretched our ambulances are now. One day we went shopping and a lady had fallen on the bottom of an escalator. They had stopped the escalator and shoved a pillow under her head, but she was still waiting for an ambulance around an hour later when we went past again. Another lady had a fall in the High Street and she had people around her, someone covered her in a coat and again, she was still there an hour later when we went past. Shame the government won't put the money into the NHS that they put into bailing out all those damn banking mates of theirs, who then just went on and awarded themselves millions of our tax paying money in bonuses!   No wonder your poor neighbour was worried about the bleed if she is on blood thinning tablets. Hope she is ok now. Unfortunately as I found with my mum, it is so easy to take a fall when elderly and the carers weren't allowed to pick her up. Hope she is recovering now.

I can't believe the size of the recipes Granpa Kitchen makes. You do well to convert it to the size you want.

Yes it is very important you get all your Christmas orders sorted nice and early with your OH recovering from her op. I noticed most big supermarkets have leaflets for Christmas deliveries out now, as they will go quickly. I got one from M and S and Sainsburys recently. I think the home deliver slots go real quick too all through December, so you will need to book those as soon as they open. I think the slots open around 3 weeks beforehand. I was told they get lots of extra customers in December they dont' normally have, eg offices for booze delivery, so regular customers can miss out.

I enjoy the auction but my OH especially likes the auction as a hobby as he likes fixing stuff, and you often get stuff at auction that doesn't work quite right.

It must be hard work for your OH having to watch her diet before the op. I sympathsise as I put weight on easily. No wonder really though as I went out for brekkie again at Weathespoon today with OH, son and my friend.

After we went a walk on Barry Island seafront, and it was like a summer's day. T shirt weather again. Full of families, doggies and kiddies in the sea. The sun was real warm. OH's car showed 19c, incredible for this time of year.

Came home and sat on swingchair to make the most of the sun again, pegged out a couple of washloads, then went to shops with daughter who is buying stuff to make the local kiddies Halloween bags for next day.

Enjoyed X factor tonight, I like the live shows. My favourite was Scarlett. I thought the "Make Under" they gave her made her look lovely. The other girl Shan was also real good. How odd those girls did so well and their mentor Simon wasn't even around.

BB....pity we didn't get rid of Lewis, I really did not want Isabella to go, thought she was nice and would of preferred Hussain to stay over Lewis.

Goodnight both  xxx

Hi both.
Not bad day here. A bit dull but dry and mild. Some glimpses of sunshine.
Did some work in my own garden. Ran the mower over it, mainly to pick up the leaves. There's still plenty to fall yet though.

Needed to fix my Mounfield mower. I'm trying to find a way to fix the belt guard on as I have lost the original screws and can't find any that fit. It's still a work in progress.
My kitchen drain was blocked again this evening. Seems I've got more work to do there as well.

Hicky. Oh dear! that must have been quite an ordeal, having to deal with your neighbour's fall. Made worse by her blood thinning meds. Really bad they couldn't get an ambulance to her quickly. Sounds like you had plenty of help, but not ideal.

I'll try and watch the Grandpa video later, but that big dish of prawns looks good in the pic.
Ah yes, your OH is doing well to try to watch her weight.

Mollie. Glad you had another 'Summer's' day there.
A Wetherspoons brekkie and a walk on Barry Island sound just the ticket 
That's good that your OH likes fixing things that he's bought in the auctions.

I'd seen leaked pics of the Dr Who filming on the beach with the Christmas trees. Hadn't twigged that it was close to you though.
We don't know yet if it's going to be broadcast on Christmas Day as usual, or if they are moving it to another day around Xmas? There was some talk of it being on New Year's Day, but we'll have to see. I still think the 25th is most likely.

Quite enjoyed X Factor, but nobody particularly stood out. Maybe the bald lady in the overs? Or the wee boy with the high pitched voice?
Scarlett? That's that large orange girl? Mustn't have been paying attention when she was singing because I can't remember how she did.

Evening Both.

Not to bad today, 15c cloud, slight sun, winds at 10 to 15.

Started to watch my recording of Strictly as i was watching F1 pre-race shows last night, realised that i was late starting the recording so had to find the show on demand, a good show.

Just had a piece of toast and marmalade for brekkie as was going to make a roast dinner for when o/h got in at 2.15pm we had Chicken, Stuffing, Mash & Gravy, yummy.

Didn't do much else today, took a walk around the garden, always planning the next move, so to speak, will record strictly results, am recording BB anyway for tomorrow.

Will be using less prawns for the Crispy Fried Prawn recipe, say 2 packs of raw king prawns should do to start, have entered it into my recipe book now, it's No. 29.

Have found Vivaldi seeded potatoes i can buy, have also found a fantastic tomato, it's called (Mule Team) a prolific grower, and some big onions, Show Master, it looks good, not growing the Peas next year.

Mollie, My neighbour has fell many times, it is when she is doing something then turns round, not sure how she turns round but she loses balance and falls, she is all bruises from falling, not sure what causes it.

O/H has even got all her Christmas presents in as well, very efficient.

O/H eats a lot of salad stuff, and like me she makes all her own meals, unless i make a communal meal for us both, she makes all her own stir fries etc, eats a lot of chicken, she eats quite healthy really, don't think i do, but i eat a vast variety of food. 

She has had loads of pictures from our holidays made online, they just charge postage, also she has beautiful cushions made with pictures of our holidays on them, unbelievable.

That was another brekkie outing you had, so nice to all get together and not wash up.

Emptybox, The screw thread on the mower should really be a metric thread, either m4, m5, or m6, can you measure across the hole to get an idea, or put a bit of paper over the hole and rub it with a pencil or something to get an imprint then measure that, you can buy a pack of assorted bolts etc off Amazon i would think, if you have a set of metric drills, see which one fits in the hole tight and the screw is probably the next size up.

Oh dear, kitchen drain again, it's not going to go away, it really need sorting somehow.

The Crispy Fried Prawn recipe is pretty simple, not a lot of ingredients, Dish-1 Prawns, Dish-2 Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Black Pepper, Dish-3 Eggs, Milk, Dish-4 Breadcrumbs.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

thats good the weather was fine for you to get your garden done.

Day off I expect today? But I expect you have had to spend time fiddling with that damn blocked drain yet again! What a nuisance, hope you can sort it without too much problems.

And hope you can get that mower fixed too.

That is interesting you already saw the leaked Dr Who Christmas tree stuff. Yes Dr Who is filmed in ou area, oddly enough if that episode is shown on Christmas day, we will be on that same beach that day!

Hope you enjoyed tonight's episode again.

Hicky

I bet your OH enjoyed the roast dinner you made for when she got home.

Sounds like you are well sorted for you next move with all your forward planning now for future produce.

That is so hard for your poor neighbour if she keeps falling like that. I think it is quite common with some elderly. My mum had a fair few falls for seemingly no reason at the time.

Well done to your OH being so organised for Christmas. All helps her to get a good rest in whilst recovering if she doesn't have to worry about getting things done.

What a nice idea to get holiday picces on on cushions. A couple of years ago , daughter got me a lovely one of the doggie walking on the beach. Very clever how they can make such personal things.

Nice day here till about 3pm, when it went cloudy but at least it didn't rain. Got my washing dry anyway. Went to costco for a bit of shopping, lots of nice free food samples today.

Watching X factor, then waiting to see how BB is going. Not many HM's left now.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Dull and drizzly this morning, but brightened up a bit this afternoon when I went to Sainsburys.
Put some drain cleaner down the drain last night, and it's a bit better this morning, but still very slow.
Might try my new gizmo sometime on it when i am wearing my work clothes. Didn't want to do it on a Sunday.

Hicky. That was nice that you and OH shared a Sunday lunch that you had made.
Raw King Prawns are quite expensive in Sainsburys. I like a king prawn curry, but only as a treat.

Yes, I've think you've said about your neighbour falling before. A difficult situation, if her hubby isn't well either.
That's good that you've found a source for the Vivaldi seed pots.
Good idea to have loads of photos of your holiday on display.

It was special screws that held the belt guard on to the mower. I did find ones that fitted the holes, in my shed, but they just unscrewed themselves after a few hours, so weren't really suitable.
I tried wiring it on, but the wire just got loose very quickly, and allowed the guard to rub against the back of the blade.
I managed to fit a bolt in, but i could only find one bolt long enough. Guess i could buy more though? I never thought of that. My Dad had so much stuff in the shed that I like to try to use it up, rather than buying anything new.

Mollie. You'll maybe be able to give me Doctor Who spoilers in the future, if you happen to see them filming something.
Is that the beach that they do the Xmas Day swim on?
Yes, I enjoyed the episode tonight. But Jodie is my favourite thing about it. I love all her wise-cracking and funny expressions. And Bradley Walsh too.
Glad you enjoyed your Costco free samples.

Liked the way Akeem almost bankrupted himself to buy the puzzle piece, and BB only seems to be feeding him lame bits of info that don't really do him good knowing.

both xxx

Emptybox

hope the drain cleaner and new gizmo (when you use it) does the trick and unblockes that drain.

Yes the Dr Who beach is the same place they do the Christmas swim. Glad you are enjoying Jodie and Bradley in the show. Oddly enough Bradley was on itv the same time he was on Dr Who, so it seems Dr Who enables him to multi task on tv too.

Yes that was a bit of a dirty trick by BB to play on Akeem ... the info was just useless as they went and told all the HM's it was positive nominatios before they nominated too.

Hope you had a good day HIcky. Wonder what recipes you made today?

Chilly start but a glorious sunny day all day today. Lots of washing dried and a nice long sit on my swingchair before I made dinner. Cant' go wrong.

Looking forward to seeing those cute  4 year olds with the old people tonight on C4. Followed by BB, hope they have a fun task lined up for them.

I take my lappy to upstairs bedroom at 10pm now to watch BB where it is quiet, as I have to do my exercises before bed. I also read and post on twitter at the same time to relieve the exercise boredon, as it takes me around to do all these exercises properly! I do have to take quite a few pauses though.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Both.

13c sunny intervals, winds of 10 to 14.

Made a rather nice loaf, o/h loved it, it was a rather special bread mix with seeds in and nibbled malted wheat, also barley malt flour, have ordered some of the ingredients to see if i can replicate it somehow.

Ordered most of the veg for next spring, from Marshalls seeds.

Made that recipe of Crispy fried Prawns, wow, a lot of work, used 2 packs of raw king prawns, it made rather a lot, gave o/h a plate to try, she loved them, gave her another plate, she said, my best creation yet, and can i make some at Christmas, ha ha.

Her Pre-op went ok, all fine, all on track for O-Day.

I've cut all the tomato plants down and put the tomatoes in large flat bowls for o/h to pick what she wants, when she wants.

They really are good tomatoes as when they get ripe they stay sturdy, they don't go soft.

Mollie, O/H enjoys a meal when she gets in from work sometimes as she doesn't have brekkie ans of course shes hungry when she gets in after 4 hours.

Neighbour has been falling a lot the last few months, it was normally because she went dizzy, it's a dreadful thing to keep happening, in the house and outside.

Missed Dr Who so had to watch on Catchup or something, missed It takes two as well, got to find that now.

Think i have 2 BB shows to watch now, oh dear. 

Emptybox, No, you must not get dirty on a Sunday, the thought of it, dreadful. Lol.

I did some searching for veg items for next spring and found that if i searched while on the Marshalls web site i could get all the items i need, i can get the Water Melons, Tomato, Cucumber, Vivaldi, Onions, Jalapeño and Fertiliser, delivery £4.99, very pleased and with delivery dates.

I see what you say about the bolts/screws for the mower, but your dads screw/bolts with be the wrong thread as they were imperial sizes not metric, if you want a bolt to stay in, first it has to be the correct thread, then you need to fit a knurled washer under the head, if it's a nut and  bolt the knurled washer would go under the nut.

Hi both.
Cold and windy today. Some sun this morning, but dull and threatening rain this afternoon.
Got a few small jobs done. That's some more places finished for the season.
Wasn't very nice in the cold wind though.

Didn't touch the drain today. I'm waiting for some motivation. I might be waiting a while?

Mollie. Yes, I suppose that's the advantage of having a time travelling pal. It allows Bradley to be in two places at once.

Glad you got another nice washing drying day.
That's good that you are diligently doing your exercises. Hope they are doing some good?
Also good that you can multi-task at the same time. Reading, watching BB and posting on Twitter? Very impressive.

Hicky. Glad your OH liked your loaf, and well done making that prawn dish. Sounds like it was a big hit.
Glad her pre-op went well.

I've brought all my remaining tomatoes inside, as frost is forecast for the end of the week. They are sitting on the windowsill. I'm hoping most will ripen, but there's a few that are still green.
Haven't cut the plants down yet though.

Glad you can get most of your veg from the one site.
Think my Dad's stuff is a mix of imperial and metric?
Sounds like you've got a lot of telly to catch up with.

Evening Emptybox.

Weather not ideal today, too windy so i mainly stayed in, 13c with cloud, gales of 40 then dropping to 22.

Had bacon and black pudding for brekkie then got some stuff ready for o/h as she wanted baked spuds, lamb chops and spaghetti for when she got in at 1.50pm, it was ready for her, very nice as well.

Have found another recipe, Cauliflower Masala Curry from Grandpa Kitchen.

I watched my 2 BB recording, loving this coin lark, it is so versatile, it's uses are endless, could even be used as a rule break threat, or to buy food, it really is a show changer, have a feeling that the show could be bought and put on again.

Reading about BB ratings, it seems that C5 is gambling because ITV could be making a bid and it could air on ITV2 like Love island, and the chat is that it could be snapped up as early as next year, read here. https://tellymix.co.uk/reality...ngs-despite-axe.html

The pre-op at the hospital gave o/h a list of all the leg exercises, she said she does them anyway, which is good, she needs to build up the muscles etc.

I just leave the tomatoes in the kitchen, they turn red pretty quick, i might have to make some soup with them as there is rather a lot.

My Lad in Oz sends video clips of the baby, she is so lovely, a month old now all ready.

O/H has booked a meal for our 45th Anniversary next month at 'The Red Fox' they have a fantastic menu here, https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/redfox/homepage/

I can see you are easing down for the Winter, not a lot more work needs doing, it will give you time to sort your machines out.

Be careful you don't leave the drain problem too long as the weather could hinder you.

When i looked up the first frost for here it came back as December 1st, rather strange.

I want to get the old plants out as i want to get the gardener to put the compost heap in the raised beds so i can cover it all with leaves.

My fertiliser has been dispatched but the veg plants etc will all be sent at different times, which could be a pain.

hi both xxx

Emptybox

well done getting some more end season jobs done and dusted.

Yes I can imagine drain sorting would take some big motivation to start on that job.

Sounds like a good idea to get the tomatoes in, going on the forecast we have starting in the next few days.

Hicky

that is good you perfected the bread now and your OH enjoyed it too.

Glad the pre-op went ok and that your OH is being good doing her exercises. I find it hard to motivate myself to do them, which is why I try and do them during BB so I can get in the habit of doing them regular. How long has she been doing the exercises for? Did they give her to do before the op, or did she just do them for overall fitness before the knee op was lined up?

The physio I saw a few weeks ago showed me mine and gave me an exercise sheet and bright orange band for my ankles.

That is good you got a nice cooked meal ready for when your OH got home.

That is great you got to see videos of the baby, they are so cute at that age.

That pub menu has such a good choice , that will be a nice special treat to celebrate all those years of marriarge.

I'd go for the cheese, potato and onion pie with carrot puree, seasonl veg and gravy. Sounds delicious.

Hope the veg plants delivery don't cause you too much problem.

Nice day again today, sunny but a bit cooler.

Went to the lady who was mum's carers house as someone was visitng her about putting a stair lift in. They cost about £1600, but she has to try and find out now how much it is to install! Then had a quick sit on swing chair before preparing veg for dinner.

Watching Bake Off now, gives me an urge to eat cake though!

Looking forward to BB. I agree Hicky, the coin thing is just brilliant. That would be brilliant if BB is snapped up by next year. Good idea to go to itv2, as it works for Love Island with all the viewers and coverage they now get.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening.

Not as cold today, but still a very high wind. Mostly sunny though.
Got a couple of jobs done, but had to choose not to do any cutting back type jobs, as I'd have been chasing the cuttings around the garden because of the wind.
Unfortunately that meant I did a long weeding and forking over job that involved a lot of bending over, and I've got a sore back tonight.

Hicky. I see you were bothered by the wind as well.
Your lunch sounds good.
That would be good if BB was on ITV2. I've also heard a rumour that Netflix could buy it, but you'd need a subscription for that.

I haven't got enough tomatoes for soup. I think I've got about 25 to eat. I have them in salads, and have been having a couple with my fried brekkie on a Saturday morning. When I had more of them i would have a tomato sandwich for my lunch one day a week, but haven't enough left for that now, plus they are not as juicy as they were in the summer.

45 years married eh? That looks a lovely place for a celebration meal.
My Bro and SiL have been married for 30 years now. Doesn't feel that long ago that i was their Best Man.

They're talking about frosts and snow on high ground for Halloween.
Hope your plant deliveries don't inconvenience you.

Mollie. Why did your Physio give you bright orange coloured bands for your ankles. Is that to stabilise them, or just a fashion accessory?
Stair lifts are very expensive new. I've got one here that was put in for my Mum years ago. We tried to sell it after she died, but no-one was interested in a second hand one. I guess they've got to be exactly right for your flight of stairs?
Not sure what I'd do with it if I had to move?

So Briony is off Bake Off. Not sure who to support now? Maybe Kim-Joy?
Lewis at his most annoying tonight on BB.

Evening Both. :

Cool today at 12c and just cloud winds of 15.

We were going to have dippy eggs for brekkie but only had 2 eggs left, i just had a round of toast.

 We went to the butchers, wow, it cost £85, the biggest butchers shop yet, got some nice stuff though, will be putting the Christmas list in next week.

Couldn't think what to have for tea so settled on a Rib Eye steak with mushrooms and onions.

Called in at The farm for some veg on the way home from the butchers.

did a bit more cutting down of old veg plants but it wasn't very nice being outside so cut that short

Mollie, I think o/h had been talking to a person who had had the op and since then has been doing the exercises, it seems that you shouldn't fly either within 3 months of the op.

Yes, the last time we went to The Red Fox i was amazed at the menu, a good selection, of course with me liking anything it's a lot easier.

We moved house so we wouldn't have to fit a chair lift, the beauty of a bungalow.

Saw Bake Off, not impressed with the cakes.

Hope BB is snapped up, a great show, best year ever.

Emptybox, Oh dear, all that weeding, yes, big strain on the back, anything like that and i get my stool out.

Waiting for more toms to colour, o/h bought some today and must have left them on the counter, oh dear.

My Fertiliser came today, veg start from Jan which is Potatoes, o/h just buys Vivaldi as we love them, will be great if i can grow some.

Yes 45 years married, was married for 12 years the first time, a devil for punishment.

Yes, the frosts, it's getting cooler now here but i can't see any yet, i only have the Bramley apples to pick, only got 4 left now i think. 

both xxx

Emptybox

good idea not to do any cutting jobs in the high wind, else you would of been exhausting chasing after those cuttings!

But sorry to hear the other job has set off a back ache now.

Could you not of done the long weeding job over 2 days? Or is it not practical with travelling? Hope the back eased when you got home and rested.

How nice your brother chose you to be best man for him all those years ago. Are they doing anything special to celebrate? My neigbhour is celebrating her 30th anniversary by a visit to New Zealand, very nice. They are going in January so it is mid summer there. I am going to look after their dog for a couple of weeks.

The physio band isn't a fashion acessory as the NHS don't pay for fashion items. It is like a giant elastic band you have to pull inbetween the 2 ankles to exercise the ankle joints. You can buy the bands online, so I might buy one, as although I do like the colour of the nhs one   ...... it is not that good, as instead of being one round piece, it looks like they are just cut offs from one big piece as they are tied by a huge knot in the middle.  Can't complain though as it was free and I know nhs are strapped for cash.

Hadn't thought of that, but as you say you probably can't sell a stair lift if they have to be custom fitted to suit the stairs. I have  a feeling fitting it is going to be pricey.

Bake Off.....Shame Briony left, I like Kim Joy  too and her animal type creations.

Hicky

pity you ran out of eggs for brekkie.

£85 at the butchers! You must certainly have a full fridge now.

Shame the weather wasn't nice enough to do much outdooors today.

Didn't realise flying was out for 3 months post op, so I guess you can't think of going to Australia till at least February now as it is such a long flight? That is good your OH managed to find out from someone else the exercises already. It should help her recovery to strengthen muscles up first.

What a shame your OH left the tomatoes on the counter, easily done and very annoying when you do it!

Are Vivaldi the small pototes? I know some potatoes taste much better than others.

Didn't realise you were married that long to your first wife. Gosh 67 years marriage is a long time , but wonderful you have been married to your present OH for 45 years!

Did you have any children with your first wife, or just your current one?

OH picked up a new handbag from the auction for me today, except he had to buy 4 the same! Never mind, he only paid the same for 4 as he would of done for 1 in a shop.

Lovely sunny day, so got my washing dry and sat in the swingchair and read my book for a while,  before making a roast dinner for family. Its my son's favourite, so I got it ready for when he got back from Uni, (he gets home late on Wednesdays), his fave are the Yorkshire puddings.

Dog loves sunbathing whilst snoozing in front of the back patio door.

Apprentice time , then looking forward to seeing the Gamechanger on BB. I love the tasks this year. I thought the wardrobe malfunction in the diary room for Tomasz so funny last night.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Not bad day. Quite sunny but again the high wind.

Didn't work, but went into town to the bank, and had another go fixing the Mountfield mower. Now have 2 bolts holding the belt guard, but not sure it's secure enough yet.

Hicky. Didn't realise your OH wouldn't be able to fly for 3 months after the op? That's a bit of a bind.

That's a substantial order from the Butcher.

Good idea to curtail work outside if it was cold.

Pity your OH wasted money buying tomatoes when you have so many of your own.

Mollie. When I said a long weeding job, it probably wasn't more than an hour, but felt much longer because of my back.

It's still bothering me a bit tonight, but not too bad.

Not sure if Brother and wife are doing anything for their 30th? They are on a diving holiday in Egypt just now, so that might have been an Anniversary celebration? But they go every year, so who knows.

That's nice of you, offering to look after the neighbours' dog.

Ah, I can picture your ankle band now. I had thought it was one band for each ankle. I suppose if you put it on while walking the dog you'll have legs like Ussain Bolt in no time?

That's good that your OH got you 4 handbags for the price of 1. Are they different colours, or all exactly the same?

Glad you had a nice day today, and the dog got a bit of a sunbathe.

Enjoyed The Apprentice. Think the right one went.

Evening Both.

Didn't do a lot, just had bacon, black pudding and eggs for brekkie with toast.

Had bacon ribs with steamed cabbage for tea, have got a pork pie as well, o/h gave me it, we got them at the butchers, we have one each when we get back in the car as it's still hot and yummy.

I sent a letter to Heinz the other day asking why the spaghetti in the microwave snap tubs is different to the stuff in the tins, same with the beans, they got back saying it's because the packaging is different, so i got back to them, not happy with their poor explanation and expected a big company to find a way of putting the correct ingredients in the tubs, not changing the ingredients to suit the tubs, not happy at all, will never buy those tubs again, it's a scam, the stuff they put in the plastic tubs is not the same as the tins, which is fantastic, the tubs are that bad i though they were fake.

Had another email from HMRC, what a waste of time they are, wanting to help me with the tax return i don't need, and the paye i don't have and the national insurance i don;t pay, and when i check what i owe for 2017/18 it says they haven't worked it out yet, although they have had the info they need for 6 months.

On The Apprentice, the one that left really was hopeless, if you are a sales person then you should be able to sell anything anywhere, i think they are all hopeless at this stage.

Sainsbury's are delivering the shopping tomorrow, it save o/h legs and she had another £12 voucher.

Mollie, Yes, the butchers bill was big, they have such great food, Rib Beef, Lamb Chops, Black Puddings, Pork Sausage, Steak Mince, Sirloin Steak, Bacon Ribs, Cheese, Free Range Eggs, Boiled Ham, Ox Tongue, Roast Turkey, and Pork Pies, we don't go short, we live well, onto my Christmas list, i will add a whole cooked Ox Tongue, a whole cooked Ox Heart, for Christmas day, i'm having a 2 KG Rib Beef Joint, o/h is having a Turkey Crown.

Yes, the 3 month delay for o/h will put back our plans some but nothing we can do, the only hurry is that o/h wants to get over there.

Vivaldi are Albert Bartlett, they are baking potatoes, we get them in packs from Sainsbury's, they really are good, thats the only ones o'h likes.

I was married for 12 years, then 45 which comes to 57 total, i had 3 children with my first wife but one was premature but couldn't get an Ambulance because the drivers slept at home and you had to ring them, but they came in the end but forgot the incubator so ti was a disaster and without an incubator she had no chance, she only weighed 2 LB, the 2 lads are ok though.

BB finishes on the 5th Nov as far as i can see, it's a Monday though

Emptybox,  Yes, the no flying is to do with the leg op, circulation, she would have to wear the tight stocking for a few weeks but think the plane is a risk until all healed.

She bought the big shop toms because she said mine weren't ready.

I'm glad those on The Apprentice don't work for me, where do they get them from, the same every year, truly awful.

both xxx

Emptybox

hope your mower stays secure now you have done a fix on it.

Egypt! Gosh that is a long way to go each year, but I guess if it is somewhere they can do their hobby of diving, it is worth it for them.

No I don't think I will be putting the band on whilst walking the dog. In fact I just have to turn my ankles in and out with it on and that is hard enough. I just googled who Ussain Bolt is, and no I can't see me ending up with legs that bear  even a slight resemblance to his....I have far more flab than muscles on my legs!

The 4 handbags are exactly the same, so I will probably give one to niece and one to a friend and have a spare for me when mine gets too scruffy.

Hicky

I see you had bacon twice today, I bet you enjoyed that. My OH and daughter love pork pies, but we have never been anywhere you can buy them hot.

Yes those tubs of beans/sphagetti are not pleasant to eat. Odd that.

Well that is just the sort of "help" you could do without from HMRC! What a shower they are!

Gosh your OH is doing well getting all those £12 off vouchers for the shopping. I am sure you don't have too much trouble deciding what to spend it on.

Sounds like you are not likely to go short of food over Christmas. We plan a few food treats from M and S.

Yes I am sure your OH can't wait to get to Oz especially with the new grandchild, but as they go into autumn, it is probably a better time to go than mid summer. Schools go back in early February too, so flights should be quite a bit cheaper after then.

Oh yes I know the potatoes you mean, when I go to Sainsburys, we get them and they are delicious.

That is so sad about your baby girl, but as you say at a mere 2lb, she didn't stand a chance, especially all those years ago.

Fancy BB finishing on Guy Fawkes night! Odd night being a Monday to finish.

Lovely sunny day here today up till about 2pm, then a bit cloudy. But can't complain as it showed 17c on the car. It was real cold this morning though, we even had a frost.

At the moment I have a whingy crying shaking dog pacing around our kitchen! He has separation anxiety from his owner, (my neighbour). , He was like this last time he came. It took him 2 hours to wear himself out last time and sit in his basket! It was time for him to go home by then. I have offerred to look after him when they go to India to take her elderly mum back. Last time they left the dog with a dog sitter and it cost them £700! He lost a lot of weight with her and another dog bit him. He is so sweet, so I will gladly look after him for free, as I know I will be rewarded with a few excellent home cooked curries when she returns. Gosh the last selection she gave us of her Indian cooking was incredible.

Not much on tv tonight, but am looking forward to BB.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Not bad day here. Much calmer than the last few days, but still mild. A bit of sunshine this afternoon. Forgot to look at the temperature in my van, so can't enlighten you there.
It's due to get colder from tomorrow though.

Got another couple of places finished for the season.

Hicky. A pork pie fresh from the Butchers sounds yummy.
I haven't had Heinz spaghetti for years but regularly have Heinz beans, and can't say I've noticed any difference between the plastic snap pots and tins? I just get what's cheapest.
Perhaps they are taking some flavour from the tin, or perhaps I'm just not that discerning?

Pity HMRC haven't worked out your tax yet.
I'm always getting HMRC emails inviting me to various 'webinars' about tax matters, but I don't think they're particularly directed at me. I just ignore them.

Good for you, spoiling yourselves at Christmas.
Ah yes, I've seen those Albert Bartlett potatoes in Sainsburys. Didn't realise those were Vivaldi ones. Think I've tried them once, but usually just get the generic white potatoes.

That's really sad about your first daughter. Don't suppose it's something you ever really get over, but as you say, the health service was more primitive then.
Mind you, whether things are hugely better nowadays is questionable.

Mollie. Yes Bro and SiL have really got into scuba diving in recent years. As well as going to Egypt they also go to Malta, and are going to Thailand next year.
Brother is taking early retirement at the end of the year (and he's my younger Brother ).
They used to be into skiing, but he busted his cruciate ligament and needed an op, and although he has been skiing since, I think that knocked the shine off?

Pity the handbags are all identical, but as you say you have a spare, and can give the others as presents.
Remember flab is just muscle in waiting.

Hope your neighbour's dog will settle when they are away for a longer time. Does he get on with your own dog?
Some genuine Indian curries would be a fitting reward for looking after him.
That's good that you got a nice day in the end, despite a cold start.
It was too cloudy here for frost.

Watched Rich House Poor House before BB.
I can see why the poor ones go on it, but not sure why the rich ones do? Must be well paid by CH5?

Evening Both.

10c today, rain, hail, sun and wind of 17.

Te shopping was delivered, a couple of items missing as it said they had non, a 2pint plastic bottle of milk and 3 packs of Jolly Hog smoked back bacon.

When o/h came in we had brekkie, sausages and tinned toms, yummy.

Didn't do anything outside, it rained in the morning and later it was heavy hail stones.

For tea i'm having a bowl of the ham soup i made, and a madras beef curry and rice.

The malted flour i ordered should be delivered today, a bit late.

Mollie, Yes, the tubs of Heinz food is completely different, the spaghetti is nothing like whats in the tins, o/h can't stand it and she told me the beans in the tubs are not even the same beans, i replied to their useless email.

Yes, the HMRC email subject was, Business help and support, can we assist with your tax return, i give up, i said in my comment to them, i'm 79 not 21.

Just catching up with BB recording today, half of one to go. loving the tasks etc.

They give us a £12 voucher with each delivery now, how good is that.

Still loving Supervet, also, 24hrs in A&E, and started watching Children's A&E now as well.

Emptybox, It's very easy to see the difference on the Spaghetti tubs, but with o/h eye's taste buds and smell, she stopped eating the tubs long ago and only eats tins now, or maybe i should say eats the beans from the tins.

I've had them asking about Seminars, you can talk to people but they aren't allowed to take any details so they aren't really talking about your case, so whats the point i ask myself.

One of the problems with the daughter i had was that when they took her to the hospital, after a couple of days i rang up to see if i could go in to see how she is, they said, oh sorry, she didn't make it.

They didn't have any of the baby monitoring equipment then, very primitive i expect, they had to ring the driver, only one anyway, and he had to go to a garage to get the ambulance, we had to phone a midwife and o/h was sitting in a chair holding the baby as it had fallen out while she was on the loo.

both xxx

Emptybox

so glad the good weather is still enabling you to conclude your end of season jobs.

Oh gosh, I can think of nothing more boring than an HMRC webinar! No wonder you just ignore them.

Very nice that your brother is taking such early retirement, allright if you can afford it and feel ready to. They certainly like their travel. Not surprised he ended up getting injured if he was a skier, I have heard many get injured doing that sport.

My flab will have a long long wait to change to muscle,  even though I did go to Zumba Aqua yesterday, and it was so quick moving, I was done in and still achy today.

Not sure how the two doggies would get on, as we kept them well apart due to my neighbours dog getting so stressed. I think me and the family will just pop over there a few times a day, and take him a walk and feed him instead of him coming to our house, as he is more settled in his own home when I have looked after him there.

Hicky

gosh hailstones! No wonder you didn't go out.

Pity there were a few things missing in your shopping. But as you say, it is brilliant you get £12 off!

Gosh that hospital treated you so cruel at the time you lost your daughter. you both must of been devastated.

Nice and sunny most of the day, but a really cold wind now. At least my washing got nice and dry though.

Went to view at the auction, took my friend (mum's ex carer), her friend and her daughter to show them where the auction was. They loved it, we walked round for about 2 hours I pushed my friend in her wheelchair as she has arthritus in her knees. She wants my OH to bid on some handbags for her if they dont' go too high.

Then later went to asda to get some new warm, black clothes for son, as he is working all day tomorrow on a Halloween presentation for kiddies. The Uni students are doing the scary sound effects for the walk in the woods. Then I got some food shopping. Can't believe the amount of milk my family get through!

Looking forward to BB tonight, that jail task last night was really brilliant. Wonder why all of a sudden the task team have got such good tasks? They have obviously spent money and taken on people who have expertise in this field. I wondered if maybe it was to impress buyers, so they could sell BB to someone for a higher price?

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Not nice today. The morning wasn't too bad, but very cold, but we had rain and high winds this afternoon.

Stayed in this morning to do my monthly accounts, then couldn't go out this afternoon because of the rain.

Got a phone call this morning from a new customer who wanted me to tidy up a rockery. Maybe just a one off job? I'll go and see her one day next week.

Hicky. Don't see why they would change the recipes in the pots from that in the cans? Possibly they might need more preservative in the pots, because they are not as securely sealed as the tins? But I've genuinely not noticed a difference.

They are definitely both haricot beans, but I guess the sauce recipe might be tweaked in one or the other?

The only thing I can find online is that the ones in tins are baked after they are sealed in the can. That might not be the case with the pots?

Pity you had some items missing from your shopping, and you had to endure some hail.

Wonder why you get a £12 voucher? Is it because OH works there? Or just because you buy so much at a time?

Sounds like a lot of things combined made it very difficult for your baby to survive way back then.

Mollie. Hope the Zumba Aqua does you good, even though it tired you out.

Yes, probably best to keep the dogs in separate houses as any tension between them would add to the stress.

That's good that your friend enjoyed the auction as much of you.

They've had that sort of task in BB before, but not for a few years. I think it was part of their trying to get back to more classic BB. Probably too late to save it.

Really glad that Lewis has been thrown out. The most miserable HM for years.

Hope we get to find out why he had to go.

Evening Both.

Cool today at 8c max, started at about 4c when i went outside, sunny intervals help, winds of 13 though so no work done in the garden.

Made us brekkie, the usuaul, pork sausages, bacon, eggs, black pud and tinned tomes with toast, tasty.

Watched the BB recording, very good, a very clever prison task, well thought out and good for the HM's.

for tea i'll be having crumbly cheese with shrimps, smoked salmon, mayo and a type of cracker.

F1 this weekend, just highlights though, some tonight and the race late tomorrow night.

My malt flours came so will make a loaf tonight with a new recipe, will make one up.

Sorry to see Thomas evicted, i wanted him in the final, wonder what Lewis said

Have ordered a few more items, S hooks, a tea strainer, not for tea, vine clips and a Granite Mortar and Pestle.

Mollie, O/H picked up the missing items this morning, just a pain in the butt.

If i viewed an auction i would be bidding on everything, so i don't go.

I have all my treats in if children come around, enough for a lot of children.

I think you could be right about the BB team thinking ahead about selling the show, this has been a really memorable one for me, the best ever i think, it would be a shame if it ended but i can't see that happening, but it could go pay to view.

Emptybox, Late to get a new customer, strange, but you could suggest other jobs that are needed you know, don't be shy.

You are right about the Heinz Beans, of course the pot ones couldn't be cooked in the tub so have to be pre-cooked that would make a difference, not sure about the sauce, and the same for the spaghetti but the pasta used in the tubs is nothing like the pasta in the tins, most food in tins is cooked in them, the fish like salmon is, most meats will be.

I think the £12 voucher is because of the amount that is spent on the order, o/h gets a discount as well and if she has any vouchers they count also, this week she got £28 off total which is handy on a pension.

Talking about the hospitals years ago, when i had my Appendix out they wouldn't let me home and i didn't understand why, on the Monday i asked why they kept me in the weekend, they said if you had gone home an emergency might have taken your bed and the one who was having an operation today would have the operation cancelled because of no bed.

both xxx

Emptybox

Pity the weather beat you so you couldn't get out to work, but at least you got your accounts done.

That's nice you got a new customer, hope it isn't just a one off. Personal recommendation was it?

Hope you enjoyed your sphag bol and beer tonight.

Hicky

pity you couldn't get work done in the garden, but I guess this late in the year, we are due for the bad weather.

It is so lucky you get a good discount at Sainsburys. As you say, it all helps now you are on a pension.

I agree the prison task was really brilliant. I really enjoyed the whole thing.

Yes I can remember the rich/poor prison type thing before, I always like these well thought out tasks and we have had plenty of them this year. As you say Hicky, a really enjoyable series. The HM's might not of been my fave ever, but the tasks certainly have been.

Can't believe how stupid Lewis has been to say/do something to get himself chucked out at the final hurdle. Idiot boy was the fave to win too. They should of showed the viewer what it was though.

We had a frost this morning, but then it was a nice day. Very cold though.

My son has been working in the forest since 12.30pm today, finishes around 10pm. They are doing a scary walk for kiddies and his Uni are doing the scary sound effects. I hope he enjoyed it and didn't get too freezing.

Me and OH had a nice short walk round the forest when we went. OH got some colourful leaves to paint for his college course.

Then we went to the Christmas shop. I bought 2 things with my aunts names to hang on their trees. It was real busy there, some people buying trolley loads of decorations.

Had onion barji, sweet potato mash and sprouts for tea. I was glad to see the tiny sprouts were on sale when I went to Lidl today and they were delcious.

We are visitng mum's sisters tomorrow for her birthday and are staying overnight. OH and son will do a few odd jobs for her and help her fix a few things on her lappy. She is in her 80's so does real well with her online stuff. She is treating us to lunch at the pub, so that will be nice.

See you both Monday.

Have a good weekend. xxx

Hi both.

Cold here today, but no frost because of the clouds. Some rain again as well.

Didn't do much, but fiddled about updating a computer.

Enjoyed my usual spag bol and beer.

Must admit I've succumbed and had the heating on for the last two nights. I was trying to wait till the clocks go back, but it was just too cold yesterday.

Much more comfortable watching telly in the warmth.

I was recommended to new customer by an existing customer.

I may have to tread a little carefully though, there might be some politics involved.

She actually lives 2 doors away from another gardener, so not quite sure why she didn't ask him?

It occurs to me that she might have fallen out with him, or perhaps he has dropped her because she's a bad payer or something?

The thing is, I actually get on well with the other gardener, so wouldn't want to tread on his toes.

I suppose the sensible thing would be to ring him up and ask, but I don't know him that well, plus I hate phoning people up .

I suspect I will just play it by ear.

Hicky. That's an interesting tea. I suppose cheese with seafood does go, but I probably wouldn't have thought of it.

That's good that your malt flour came. Hope your loaf was a success.

Wonder what you are going to use a tea strainer for if not for tea?

It's very different in hospitals today. They try and kick you out as soon as possible.

Mollie. Enjoy yourself with your Aunts this weekend.

I'm sure they'll like their personalised Xmas decorations.

That's good that they have a laptop and can use the internet.

That sounds like a long day in the forest for your son, making scary sound effects. Kind of a bizarre way to spend a day though?

Didn't watch Strictly, but saw the clip on Youtube of Stacey Dooley doing a tango with a Cybernan, dressed as Jodie Whittaker.

Evening Both.

Had a busy day, did 2 loads of washing, and hung them out as the sun was out although it's not very warm, and not a lot of wind either, 9c today, sunny with winds of 9.

Also had a Rib beef joint roast dinner to make with 3 veg, i take to beef to 66c which seems ideal, i boiled the carrots and steamed the cabbage and cauliflower, i made mash as o/h didn't get any online, it seems it's easy to delete something you want if you try to change it.

Brought my clothes in to air as it started to go cooler outside and the wind dropped.

Took the last few apples off the Bramley tree as i am expecting -1 tonight,

Enjoyed Fridays BB, shocked at Lewis, didn't think Thomasz would go.

Enjoyed strictly as well, such good dancing, loved the costumes.

Mollie, I loved the prison task, it was even funny, very clever and a good set.

A scary walk in a forest is not for me, in the summer maybe.

O/H loves sprouts, i used to find them too strong but the ones o/h gets from Sainsbury's are lovely.

Enjoy your visit tomorrow, see you when you return.

Emptybox, Yes, could be awkward with the new customer, something doesn't seem right.

I wouldn't say cheese goes with seafood, but as i eat anything in any order it doesn't bother me, sometimes i check the fridge for what dates need eating and the shrimps needed eating as i have 2 more packs, i just love crumbly cheese and wanted some with my ploughmans pickle, on the crispbread i put butter then mayo for the shrimps and pickle for the cheese.

Will make a loaf tomorrow with a special recipe, my own.

Hi Hicky.
Very cold here today, but as it was raining and hailing all night, there wasn't any frost.
But the van said 2c when I went for the paper this morning, and only 3c when I went to Lidl this afternoon.
Needless to say i didn't spend longer outside than necessary.

That was good that you could get some washing  even partially dried outside.
And good idea to pick the last of your apples. I think -3c is forecast for me tonight.

I think a cheese topping goes OK with a creamy fish pie type thing? But as you say, you'll eat anything anyway.
Yeah, I'm a bit suspicious about the new customer, but I suppose as long as she pays in cash, it should be alright.
Just wish she'd called earlier in the year, because i don't really like weeding when it's so cold.

Really enjoyed Doctor Who tonight. An episode with scary spiders.
BB obviously aren't going to reveal what Lewis said, but if the Sun is to believed (probably not), it was fairly tame, I would say.

Evening Emptybox.

A cold Monday here, 8c max, sunny light wind of 7.

Didn't do a lot, had fried bacon, egg, black pudding and Chorizo with left over cooked Cauliflower, a bit unusual i suppose, as most of my meals, but it was ok.

Did a little work in the garden but it was chilly so only spent 10 minutes

Made a loaf and added some of the new malt flour to it, but i took it out before the final rise to get the paddles out, it looked fine just before the bake cycle but later on it collapsed, when i took it out i didn't notice that it wasn't cooked, i am trying to do extra baking, if it doesn't work i will make another one tomorrow.

My Mortar and Pestle came, it's granite, it weighs 2kg, i had one at the other place but left most stuff behind to save packing it.

Will have to turn the outside watering system off now for the Winter, a low of 0c here tonight.

Yes weeding is one of those awful jobs, you probably need your kneeling pads on your knees or take the loose pads to kneel on.

The Dr Who was ok, like spiders, maybe not that big, interesting though.

Strange about Lewis, he must have said something pretty bad though, don't think i would believe that paper.

Thought i would have a light see so had soft boiled eggs, tried to recook the loaf in the oven but don't think it has succeeded.