Evening.
Not very nice day here. Dull windy and a bit drizzly.

Had a man from the electricity company at the door wanting to look at my meter. I have a white meter tariff, but he says I would be better off with a single price tariff, as i don't use much electricity overnight. Of course that would mean a new meter and therefore a smart meter.
Probably just a ploy to get me to have a smart meter, but TBH I don't mind getting one, so i guess that's going to happen. May not be for a couple of months though.

Hicky. That was handy of your OH getting three months medication.
Good idea to fix the camera to the fence.
Hopefully you've now got rid of whatever was living under your gazebo?
I've had a windscreen cracked by a pigeon flying into it, and it had to be replaced, but it didn't shatter luckily.

Mollie. That's great that your Mother's estate is finally settled. Gives you a bit more security knowing you can now look for a house, and your Mother's money will be used well.

I hope you are right, and they can't do much with my details. I suppose they could just conceivably try to make a fraudulent claim on my insurance? But hopefully the paper will be recycled before anybody thinks of that.
I'm annoyed with myself for being so careless.

Watched a bit of the Brits, but I realise I'm no longer in touch with current music, as i hardly knew any of the artists.
Also watched some of 'Skint Britain' on CH4, before watching the film 'Outlaw King' (about Robert Bruce) on Netflix.

Evening Mollie.

Nice today, 14c sunny and wind only 8, so could get in the garden.

Finished zapping all the rest of the leaves, wow, glad of that, was trying to fix thew Trail Camera, the strap thing is useless, so i tried to fix it with screws but it doesn't seem to be designed for that.

On studying it i worked out that the camera must separate from the rear fixing section, i found a very very small 1mm screw which seemed to be holding something, took it out then realised the camera can be pressed against 2 spring clips and then can be removed, which i did, had a job to fasten it to the fence with screws as the slots are not external to the body so had to jam it between 4 screws with washers, then you clip the camera in, did a test video this morning to see it's working ok, put the sd card into my computer card reader and watched the video, it's ok, going to turn it on for an overnight test to see if anything likes my empty garden.

Went to see the Neighbour, oh dear, they are away at their caravan for Easter so won't be back till 15th as he drives a special needs school bus, will have to ask another neighbour tomorrow.

Had sausage and egg for brekkie, was in the middle of making Crisps when o/h said she had left me some fresh salmon, mash and broccoli spears for my tea, so i have had that, now to get back to the potato Crisps.

I'll give you the flight numbers before we go, didn't realise, the Terminal 3 at Dubai is just for Emirates flights, Terminal 1 is for everyone else.

Yes, love Border Force, hard to believe what people try to bring through, then often say their mother put them in and some of the stuff stinks as it's fish etc.

Glad they have sorted your mums estate, wow, it takes so long.

Off to make some Crisps, worth a try, saw a video of what to do etc.

both xxx

Emptybox

they are being very pushy with these smart meters, theykeep leaving me messages and emailing, but I just ignore. Could you just get a cheaper tariff without the nuisance of having someone to come and replace the meter?

I guess if you are worried you could inform your insurance people someone may have got hold of your details and ask them to alert you if a claim is made or any of your details changed on your account?

I didn't watch the Brits, am fed up of all these award nights now.

Tv quite rubbish again tonight, like it was last night.

Hicky

that's good you got nice weather. Pity you are having a struggle getting the camera sorted.

Let's hope your other neighbour can sort you out.

Hope your crisps turned out nice.

Look forward to getting your flight details when you are ready.

My neigbhour gave us some home made strawberry cheese cake and stuffed peppers she made, as a thank you for looking after her doggie, which was very nice.

My aches, now my back as well as knees have been getting worse lately, so I went swimming today. Think it got worse when I had a cold and couldn't go to the pool as often. Am hoping it helps improve things.

Very warm here today for February, I heard it is due to wind and air coming from the Canaries. . No complaints about that, it was good to shed the coat and go to the pool in my sandals.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Another dull windy day here. It was supposed to be mild, but felt distinctly chilly to me.
My cold has got a bit worse again. My nose has been streaming today, and I've been coughing a bit.

Hicky. That's good that you've finished the leaves.
Pity it was so tricky to fix up that camera, but hope you get some good nighttime shots.
Hope your other neighbour can help you with the onion delivery after your disappointment with your first choice.
Making your own crisps sounds interesting. Hope they turn out OK.

Mollie. Yes, I didn't want to request a smart meter, just in case something went wrong, or it ended up costing me more.
But as it's essentially their choice to fit it, it's their responsibility.
Hopefully it'll save me a little money each month, but if it turns out more expensive, I can always switch supplier and they'll lose out.
It's only supposed to take about an hour to fit it.

At the moment I've got an old style analogue meter with two counters; one for night and one for day. So to go on to a single price tariff I need a new meter, and nowadays they are only supplying smart ones I believe.
Anyway, i haven't got anything against having a smart meter, as it'll save me having to submit readings online every 3 months.

I've yet to receive the documents back from the insurance company, so if they don't turn up soon I'll give them a ring, and maybe mention that I 'misplaced' their envelope with all the bumf in it.

That was nice of your neighbour giving you cheesecake and stuffed peppers as a thank you.
Pity your aches and pains are getting worse. I thought the CBD you were taking had improved things?
But yes, getting back into regular swimming should help.

Watched bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, then 'They Lend It, You Spend It'.

Evening Both.

How did i miss that post of yours Emptybox, just seen it now after my last one.

Nice today, 14c sunny and winds of 10.

Just had egg on toast for brekkie, was going to have something from my freezer when o/h suggested a roast pork tea using a piece of pork she had bought, potatoes and a small cabbage and cauliflower with my rather nice gravy i make.

I made some apple sauce with the last 2 of the Bramley apples, i had 2 at Christmas and 2 left, very nice, a bit over so just had it with some custard.

I went to see my neighbour, last hope hotel, they agreed to take the onions in and look after them, so happy with that, rang the suppliers and changed delivery address, but got to ring them when i come back to change address back as they don't change it for 1 item, it's changed for ever.

Did a bit more work in the garden, forgot to turn the trail camera on again, oh dear, no more holes in the raised beds, mind you most are covered with galvanized chicken wire to keep things out, to stop birds digging for insects and worms.

On my new itinery sheet i have made i was checking the flight times and discovered the times of the flights on the return journey don't match the times given on the Emirates schedule site, strange, let my lad in Oz know so he can check.

I tipped a glass of coffee over my leg, lucky it had gone cold, so went outside in the sun to dry off, only took half an hour, and it was only 1 leg so lucky really

Mollie, Yes, onion delivery sorted, crisps not very successful, even though i dried them out as much as possible still far too wet, also might have been too thick.

That was nice food from your neighbour for looking after doggie.

The aches and pains are such a problem, i notice if i sit in one place for a while i tend to seize up.

Yes, i'm also enjoying the warm weather, getting me ready for Oz.

Emptybox, I've got the smart meter, saves me sending the readings of gas and leckie to them, the first meter failed but this one seems ok, i have a little device in the hall that show me what i am using how much or what the cost is for the day so far, also many other things.

I'm pleased o/h could order 3 months meds, but they only had one inhaler, since then o/h has forgotten to get the other 2 for me, i will leave her a note in the hall for the morning.

Oh dear, bad news if your cold has gone worse.

This is the only year i have been able to zap the leaves into bits, and if successful will be doing same again.

Yes, pleased next door can take the onions in and look after them, save the gardener messing around, will have to ring him.

Crisps not as good as i hoped, i ate them of course but not as crispy as i wanted, maybe they were thicker than required so won't try same again.

Hi Hicky.
Relatively mild day here. Up to 10c when I went out in the van this afternoon.

A customer texted and asked me to pollard a few willow trees. I texted back "yes" then googled to find out what that was. I watched a Youtube video on it.
Luckily the trees are fairly small so I shouldn't need a ladder. Might take quite a bit of sawing though.

I rang the insurance company to make sure they'd got my cheque, and i said I had misplaced their previous envelope, so they are sending me another copy of the documents.
I didn't mention anything about possible identity theft or insurance fraud, as i thought that was maybe a silly fear.

Roast Pork and Apple sauce sounds nice.
That's good that your other neighbour has come up trumps about the onion delivery.
Pity you forgot to activate the trail camera, but sounds like you didn't have any little visitors last night anyway.

A bit strange that the flight times don't match up, but I'm sure it will be easily sorted.
Good job that coffee that you spilled over your leg wasn't hot.
Pity your crisps didn't turn out very....crisp.

That's good to know that you already have a smart meter. Has it saved you any money, or are your bills more or less the same?
My Brother has one, and he said to begin with they payed a lot of attention to the portable room device, but now they keep it in a drawer and hardly ever look at it.

Watched Vera tonight. Still good, even though it was a repeat.
Then I watched an episode of Star Trek Discovery on Netflix.

Evening Emptybox.

Pretty warm here, 15c sunny with a wind of 13.

Just had a full English for brekkie, waited till o/h came home from work though, it was 10.40am.

Did a few jobs in the garden as it was lovely, did more on the watering, not much left to do now,

For tea i did mushroom soup then had battered Squid rings, did them in the wok, i made a dipping sauce of Mayo, Salad cream, 2 types of mustard and a few drops of wine vinegar, and a little toamto sauce, not bad.

My lad sent me the fast track details for Manchester, and a meet and greet in Dubai.

I had to look up Pollard as well, never heard of it.

Did the original insurance docs arrive and you cant find them or didn't they arrive and could have been delivered to someone else by mistake.

Glad i got the onion delivery sorted, forgot to start the night trail camera again, darn it.

I still don't know why the flight times have changed on the return journey.

I have gone back to using coffee mate and only have decaf after midday, saw something on a program that said have decaf after midday.

The Smart meter remote display sits on the hall electric cupboard, it comes on at 6am until 10pm it shows a number of things depending on what you pick, it has a menu, you can look at what you are paying or turn it to kw and it will show the load of the devices running, if you turn everything off in the house and take a note of the kw usage then turn on a device and you can see the loading or cost, i like it, not that i use it apart from being nosy, i wouldn't say my bills are less, but they could be if you took more notice of what was costing you money, but it saves me telling them the readings all the time.

Watching Border Security, The Voice soon as well.

both xxx

Emptybox

sorry to hear your cough has been bothering you again. How is it today?

Oh yes of course....., I did hear if you switch supplier, the smart meter can't be used, so good idea, if you don't like it, you can dump it that way. But as you say, at least you won't have to sumit readings every 3 months. I don't think they are any cheaper, as I heard their ad say quiclky at the end, that savings can only be made with it if you cut back yourself what you use, by paying attention to your useage from the meter- ie they are not on a cheaper tariff.  So you do still need to check you are on the cheapest tariff. I had an email recently to say y 1 year fix had ended, so I need to contact them again. What a pain it is having to keep checking you are not being ripped off with these more expensive tariffs. No wonder these utility companies are making a fortune.

That is good you too have the mild weather. It was 15c here today and very pleasant. I even got to sit in the garden for awhile to read my book , minus a coat.

Yes odd my knees seemed to improve with the CBD, but now my back is playing up. Maybe I have been doing too much, and just need to rest a bit more. I walked around 4 miles the other day, as I just missed a bus, with my bag on my back, so think that set it off. Damn annoying. Had to take painkillers again today, but have been out a lot.

Hicky

so glad you got the onion problem is sorted.

How odd the flight times don't match up. HOpefully your lad will sort it soon. Good job you noticed it. Meet and greet will be ideal as these busy airports can be confusing.

Good idea to make your own mix of dipping sauce, sounds like it would be nice and tasty.

Its nice you too got such a good temperature there. For this time of year, 15c is great.

Took doggie  a little walk this morining them all 5 of us went for brekkie in Weatherspoon today. Then OH watched football whilst I sat in the garden for a little read. Then we all went to Costco, got some food and son got a new T shirt from TK Max that he needed for his play next week. Of course we had to take advantage of the £1.50 jacket potato in their cafe for tea.

We are going to start viewing houses if we see anything, but not much around. Viewed one yesterday, too much work needed for the price and very steep garden. So ruled it out. Not in a rush though, important to get it right.

Time for The Voice, so glad for that. I have not been impressed with tv lately. But I was glad to see Gogglebox back again last night.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi guys.
Quite nice day here. A sunny mild morning, but the wind got quite high this afternoon.
Hardly needed any heating on this evening, so that'll save a bit of money.

Hicky. That's good that you could get on in the garden.

When I looked up pollarding I realised that the customer had done the job themselves 3 or 4 years ago, so I know what to do.
This is the place that the old customer sold to their step-daughter, but obviously the new owner wants me to do all the work, whereas the old one liked to do a lot themselves.

I received the original renewal documents, and I sent the cheque off to renew my business insurance, but when I looked for the envelope a couple of days later it wasn't anywhere to be found in the house.
I think I must have laid it down on the place I put the recycling papers before i put them in the wheelie-bin while I was getting out an envelope and stamp to send off the cheque and then just completely forgotten about it. And then, later that day, I put the papers into the recycling bin without checking them. That's my theory anyway. Better than thinking that someone stole them.

Mollie. That must have been interesting, going to view a house yesterday.
As you say, there's no hurry to find something.
That's nice that you could sit out in the garden today, and take the dog a walk.
Wetherspoons and Costco meals out sound good.

Pity your back is playing up. But that was a lot of walking that you did.

I thought I was on a fixed price deal till 2021, so not sure how this new tariff and meter will affect that? Hopefully the new lower price will still save me money.
As you say, it's difficult to keep track of all the different tariffs etc.
But if I end up paying more then I will just switch, so the supplier would be stupid to have suggested this change and have to pay out for someone to fit the new meter only to lose me as a customer.

The Voice is a bit better now they are into the battle rounds. But I haven't found anyone I want to support yet, and without that I'm never very interested in these sort of things.

Evening Both.

15c today, sunny with winds of 6 to 9.

We went for a walk this morning in New Brighton, o/h did 2 circuits to my one, i stopped part way around for a breather, it was very foggie so good job i took my raincoat, only a lightweight one. we had brekkie in a rather nice cafe, there are so many open every day, crazy, the one she chose was massive, i couldn't finish it, 2 sausage, 2 bacon, 2 eggs, hash brown, mushroom, black pudding, tomatoes, beans, 4 pieces of thick toast, wow, o/h had a small one and we had tea, £17.

Checked the Emirates times again, still didn't match, had a chat with a Emirates customer service team member, when he checked he said the times match my ticket, so after he went i checked again, they don't match from what i can see, i will have to chat to them again.

Did a bit in the garden and set my phone alarm to turn the trail camera on.

O/H made a roast chicken dinner so that saves me getting my own meal, nice.

Mollie, Yes, the meet and greet should help, even if they only have wheelchairs, the Terminals are just too big for me to manage.

I don't blame you all going to Weatherspoons for brekkie, a great idea.

Costco food as well, you are spoilt.

It's not easy finding a house that suites what you want, in an area you want, facing the right direction, best of luck.

The Voice was ok, DOI now.

Emptybox, That place that wants Pollarding looks like a nice contract to get, if they want more doing than previous owners.

I understand what you did now with the insurance docs, easy done, you've put some recycle paper on top, then picked it all up.

both xxx

Emptybox

that is a good start to your season in that the new customer wants you to do extra work.

Yes sounds like you accidently put the papers in the recycling, meaning they are probably shredded up or pulped now. But at least you were able to ring for a new lot.

Good news if you can hardly need any heating in February, especially as you are so far north.

Well your fave Saara just made it through by the skin of her teeth didn't she? But I thought she skated well and deserved it.

Hicky

how nice you and OH got a walk in New Brighton and such a large brekkie out too.

How odd Emirates say the timings are ok, but they dont' match on your tickets. Do you think it could be something to do with time differences?

Nice of your OH to make you a roast chicken dinner , bet you enjoyed that.

OH had arranged for an ex work colleague of his to come and visit us today, Quite a journey for her as she lives in Bristol but the weather was so nice that we decided to meet her at Cardiff Bay, so we had a nice walk round the Bay. Plenty of boats and yachts out today, and lots of people walking and eating outside the resteraunts, as the weather was so lovely. We went to the Weatherspoons there and I had a halloumi wrap. Very nice.

Weekend gone too quickly again and now OH has to pack his bag again ready to go away for work again all week.

Enjoyed DOI.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening.
Frost first thing but turned into a nice day. A high of 12c when I was at Sainsburys this afternoon.
I was still in a fleece jacket and woolly hat, but there were a couple of blokes there in shorts T-shirt and flip-flops. I mean, I know it's mild for February, but it's not Summer yet folks.

Hicky.  Your OH was doing well to walk twice as far as you. Not surprised you couldn't finish all that brekkie.
Wonder why the airline thinks the times match, but your ticket doesn't?
Hopefully, if you've set the camera timer up right, you'll get some good shots tonight.

Mollie. Yes, I'm ecstatic that Saara got through.
I thought the way the judges were marking her, that they thought it was time for her to go. Specially when they marked her last in the Battle.
But TBF her skate off was definitely better than melody's. Her main dance was good, but a bit on the safe side.
At least now she's reached her natural position in the competition, and anything else is a bonus.
I think there's a good chance she could beat Brian to third place though.

That was good that you had a nice day when your OH's work collegue was visiting, so you could take her round Cardiff bay.

Evening Both.

Nice today, 15c today, sunny all day, light wind of 8.

Had sausage and bacon for brekkie, with a slice of toast.

the last loaf i made the other day i tried a few changes, on the manual setup program i set a total of 30 minutes for the knead, then an hour for the rise, the problem was i should have baked it in the oven, the machine doesn't seem good at backing bread.

For tea, if you have seen my tweet you will know i decided on Nacho, have a couple of packs, 2 meals of it left, i did 2 layers, nearly ate it all.

In the garden i did a bit more on the watering system, just a final coupling to do now, made up the new section, just got to connect it.

I had another chat onling with the Emirates team as i still couldn't find my return flights, i had 3 links to the schedule that shows changed times, after a while he said you must have old links, strange as it's the Emirates schedule site, anyway, he said he just checked by going into the new booking system from Sydney to Manchester and the flights are there, after we closed the chat i tried again to pretend to book the flights but it came back with different times again, after they finish the chat they send a "how did the chat go survey" i filled it in then saw a new tab appear on the window, clicked that and it came to the new booking page, i entered the route and it came up with my flight times, strange as it had been added on at the end of the list, a long way from numerical takeoff times.

I looked at what my trail cam had caught, not very good, it was set to take a picture but i wanted a video, anyway, that is sorted now, the lens where all Covered  in dew with all the cold and humidity, i have found a good method of fixing the backplate as well, with the camera separated from the backplate i inserted a small aluminum plate drilled with 4 holes into a recess in the backplate then drilled through the 4 holes, inserted 4 screws, sorted, have turned it on for the night.

O/H has finished work till after the hols, she had hols at work owing.

Forget to say, my elbow isn't healed so i am putting plasters on with Honey, i have ordered some special large honey impregnated gauze stuff, 10 x 8cm but i can cut it, and some very large type of plaster to cover it all., will have to see how it goes, hope it isn't infected, honey might sort that, problem is not sure how it can heal when the skin seems to be like scar tissue, oh well, if all fails it's back to the walk in center in the summer. 

Mollie, We will probably be going for a walk again tomorrow, it could be fairly often.

The times on the tickets are the times local to the country they are in.

That was nice meeting up and having a walk around the bay, this weather is crazy.

Weatherspoons again, you lucky lady.

Emptybox,  It's not even Spring till 20th of march, unless you work for the BBC weather system.

Strange how the Emirates bloke said i must have an old link, i will give you the link, see if you can see the flight times from Sydney flight EK417 / EK017 leaving @ 16:05 arriving at Manchester @ 12:05 we change from the outgoing flight no. EK417 to the new flight no. EK017 from DXB Dubai.

https://www.emirates.com/engli...chester?ddate=150419

This link doesn't show my flights at the original times, it shows them at 16:55 arriving at 11:20, but looking at a link he sent i did see my flight, so strange.

The night vision picture was very dark, couldn't see much, well, with my eyes, very little.

Enjoyed DOI, very clever, Jason really shouldn't be there, he was marking James down for not being a good enough fictitious character,  what a clown.

both xxx

Emptybox

glad you too are getting this good weather right now.

12c is rather cool for flip flop/shorts.

But in our back garden it must of been in the 20's and away from any wind, so today was sun dress and book on swingchair for me, and a sunbathing doggie in her basket.

Yes you have a point, the marks the judges gave did make it look like they wanted  Saara gone. Good job they ddin't get their way. I think she does deserve to beat Brian.

Hicky

shame your bread didn't turn out so well in the machine.

Sounds like you are doing well fixing up your watering for the garden.

Gosh those Emircates flight times sound complicated for you to work out. I will look up your flights, but what date do you go?

That is good your OH has finished work as she had holiday owing, I am sure she will be busy with your hols not long now.

What a nuisance your arm is not healed yet, hope the honey dressing helps.

Lovely day today, warm too, got lots of washing dry, then enjoyed a read in the garden.

OH left at 5.30am and he said it was thick fog most of the way.

Going to watch the new Martin Clewnes comedy at 9 on bb1 called Warren to see if it is any good tonight.

Son not due home till late tonight, he has to be in the theatre from 10am till 10pm every day this week because the performances start on Friday night.

Goodnight both. xxx

Hi both.

Misty start today, but probably the mildest it's been.
Stayed in and did housework as I'm getting a visit from Brother on Wednesday. Just him on his own on his motorbike, but still thought I should have the place tidy.

Just found out this evening that my kitchen drain is blocking up again. I heard a glug glug noise as the sink was draining, and sure enough the water was starting to overflow the drain. Bloody thing.
That's only a few months since it was all dug up. I think it was around October time?
It's draining away slowly, so not totally blocked yet, but no doubt I'll have to get on to the farm about it again.

Hicky. Had a look at that website. I can only see the 16.55 flight, as you say.
Yes, I saw your tweet about your Nacho tea.
Pity your bread maker isn't good at baking the loaf.

Hope you get the hang of the night vision camera, and can work out how to get some good visible shots or video.
Pity your elbow is not playing ball. Will be a nuisance to have to bother about honey dressings while you are away.

Mollie. Glad you are getting the warm weather. Yes, it was supposed to be the warmest February day ever today. It's gone quite cold here tonight though.
Your son is working overtime in the theatre. He must be very keen.

I watched that Martin Clunes comedy. It was OK, but certainly not his best work. Rather forced comedy IMO.

I found this website,

https://drhyman.com/blog/2011/...e-health-care-costs/

wonder if these simple sumplements would help some of our ailments? I am already taking Vit D, and try and get in the sun as much as I can, but I notice they mention a type of supplement for muscular degeneration. Is that the eye problem you have Hicky?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref...utein+and+zeaxanthin

Off to meet some friends for lunch in Toby carvary soon, so time to put washing out and choose what to wear and do make up.

HOpe you both have the good weather we have here today.

Evening Both.

Rather nice today, 16c sun all day, wind only 8.

Just had a walk around the block as o/h went out early and had her massive walks while out.

Had egg on toast for brekkie, and had some battered prawns for tea o/h had bought, also had 5 small spring rolls, they were apple, nice though, made them when i had loads of apples.

Did some more jobs in the garden, finished off the watering system, put canes in place for the plants that come in May in the raised bed.

Set the camera going again, only got a small video today, and think that was when i walked over to get the camera this morning, but Windows Media Player wouldn't play it so i downloaded VLC player that plays anything.

Another person i chat to on the other thread from Ireland has a trail camera and shes trying to set hers up the same.

Mollie, We leave Manchester on the 14th March on flight EK018 at 10:10 then change in Dubai to EK414 at 01.55 on the 15th, both flights are Airbus A380 - 800, arriving in Sydney at 22.30 on 15th Mar.

My new delivery of the honey dressing and big plasters arrived today, so will look into how to put some on tonight.

Not surprised your o/h had fog going to work, most places had it early on.

Not sure why they have to rehearse for 12 hours a day, think it defeats the object if you get tired.

Had a look at the sites you posted, interesting, that Lutein & Zeaxanthin is interesting, wonder why it doesn't get prescribed? i could get some off Amazon, maybe NHS doesn't prescribe supplements.

Emptybox, Thats bad news about your drain again, it could be from your neighbours that the problem comes, i can't see it being from you.

On the return flight problem, when you try to book a new flight, my flights show up, strange.

The return flights are EK417 & EK017 leaving on 15 April at 16.05. this is the link, the 5th flight down: https://fly4.emirates.com/CAB/IBE/SelectPrice.aspx

Will try again with the bread, it is getting better.

Yes, my elbow is a pain really but it does look like i will have to take dressings with me.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

any special reason your brother is visiting mid week and on his own? If the forecast is right, then tomorrow is the last sunny day for awhile, so he is timing it right. I am guessing he is only coming to enjoy your company and won't pay too much attention to the standard of your house work,   so don't overdo it.

What a pain that kitchen drain is playing up again. You could do without messing about with that again, especially as it hasnt stayed unblocked for long.

I too watched Martin Clunes comedy. It was ok but as you say , not the best. Might improve though. Did you watch Alan Partridge after? , I enjoyed that.

Hicky

many thanks for your holiday details, I will enjoy following your flights (when it is not my sleep times).

Good idea to take the dressings with you just incase.

At least it was a nice day for your little walk and your OH's mammoth walk. She certainly is making good use of her new knees.

I think you are right and NHS probably can't prescribe supplements, but if they aren't too expensive and give no ill effects, I think it is worth a go for something as simple as these supplements are.

Yes 12 hours a day at the theatre (with a break for lunch and tea) is tiring. But if they want to be part of a show with a paying audience it is what theatre life is, and is good preparation for those that want to go into it professionally. They all seem to enjoy being part of a show so much, even if they do end up exhausted after.

Met my friend (mum's ex carer) and her friend at the carvary for lunch. One of them has just started kidney dialasis, so I hadn't seen them for a few weeks as it is so time consuming. Poor thing, her kidneys have been failing for some time now, ,so dialasis is a life saver for her. Son and daughter came too as it is half term.

Also got time for a bit of a sunbathe in the garden as it was so nice in the sunshine. And I got all the sheets dried nicely too.

Think I'll watch Naughty Dogs, then A and E tonight.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.

Nice day here after a cold start. I was out in my garden in the afternoon pruning my apple tree, and it was very warm. I worked up a sweat and had to take my jersey off.

Had a go at my drain this morning. My neighbour says she thinks hers is fine, so I think it's just mine this time. It probably wasn't properly cleared last time. I tried that snake thing that I bought, but it wasn't too much use. I was able to push it in quite a long way, so I think the blockage is near where my outlet joins the shared pipe. But when the snake met the blockage it just twizzled round back on itself rather than pushing through it. I'd need something more rigid, but then I wouldn't be able to get it round the bend in the pipe.

The only solution might be to break into the pipe to get rods in, but I couldn't do that myself. I'd have to call the landlady.

Think I'll buy some drain cleaner and try that first.

It is letting some water through. If I'm careful I can put a washing-up bowl worth down before it overflows. So it's not too serious. And I've got sinks in the back kitchen that I could use if I want.

Hicky. That's good you got a little walk in the sun.

Well done finishing the watering system.

So was it just you that activated the camera? Yes VLC is best for playing any format of video.

It's annoying that you'll have all the bother of dressings etc when you're away.

Mollie. Not sure why Brother is visiting on his own really? They are due a visit, but are going to Thailand for a couple of weeks in a few days. So perhaps he thought he'd take the chance of a quick visit.

He's retired, but SiL works during the week. They could have come on Saturday, but perhaps they are busy.

Yes I watched the Alan Partridge thing after Martin Clunes.

That was great that you got the weather for a sunbathe. I think Wales has had some of the hottest weather this week.

That's sad that your friend depends on dialysis. But at least she could get out for a carvery meal.

Watched something on the new BBC Scotland channel, then Shetland at 9pm, then 24 Hrs in A&E on +1.

Evening Both. :

15c here today, wall to wall sun, light wind of just 4, a fantastic day.

Well, i say that, last night i had a look at my elbow, to me it looked dreadful, my shirt had blood all over the elbow, so this morning i looked online to see if i could get an appointment for the doc, none available so at 7:50 i told o/h i would be phoning the docs at 8am, she said i might as well take you to the walk in center at Arrow Park Hospital, so she did that, after an hour or so i saw a triage nurse who looked at the elbow and said it looked good, no infection or anything, wow, i had only put the new honey dressing with a new large plaster last night and it looked lealed, she said i will get the dressing nurse to see you, after half an hour is saw her, she put a Cosmopor E 10cm x 8cm sterile dressing on it, also gave me a few to take away to use, i looked on Amazon, they are only £8,96 for 25 so have ordered a pack, have got everything else, also a pair of blunt nursing scissors.

I went for a walk around the block this morning, no problem,  then i had bacon and eggs for brekkie.

I checked the trail camera, nothing only a video of me going to turn it off this morning, will try another night using time lapse mode.

For tea had a beef fried rice from the inside freezer, i will be using up as must stuff from the inside freezer and fridge so i don't have to buy any ingredients till after the hols. 

Mollie, The NHS has stopped prescribing Paracetamol as well, so they aren't going to prescribe supplements, i might inquire at the eye hospital if they have heard of them.

I see what you say about your lad and the 12 hr sessions, it's hard to tell if its making use of the premises or they don't have the time to do 8 hr sessions, think its more of a habit now as they all seem to do it, often because the equipment is hired so they have to use it efficiently.

That was nice to go for a carvary with your mums ex carer, not nice having her kidneys fail, is she waiting for a transplant?

Sunbathing eh, i hope to be doing that soon as well, my Bench swing is still under the covers and out of position or i would have been swinging on it today.

Emptybox, at least you got your apple tree pruned, another job ticked off.

Strange how your neighbour doesn't have any blockage but that could be because the length of pipe means the blockage hasn't reached them yet, depending on where the blockage is, the main cause of blockages is fat and hair, the fat sticks to the pipe and the hair sticks to the fat, it then builds up, very hard to stop that unless the sink/basin trap has small enough holes to stop the hairs leaving the house.

I had the VLC player once before, it is very good.

I took a picture of my Lizzie Plum Tree in Flower, it looks lovely, so early.

Hi Hicky.
Quite frosty here this morning. Still frost on the grass at 9am. But turned into another nice sunny day.

had a good visit from my Brother. He was a little late arriving as the roads had been gritted, and that actually made it more slippy for his motorbike, so he had to go carefully. He had a nicer ride home in the warm, on dry roads.
He arrived at about 11.30am and left at 3pm, so was only here for 3 and a half hours. But we had a nice chat and soup and ham sandwiches for lunch.

What a nuisance that elbow of yours is. But at least you know it's OK, and have some new dressings to take on holiday with you.
With the camera taking videos of you coming to turn it off, at least you know the motion sensor is working properly.

My drain doesn't seem too bad, so I'm inclined to leave it at the moment, and see if the neighbours one has trouble. As you say, the blockage may not have reached them yet.
My apple tree is next to a cherry tree, and i noticed yesterday that it was starting to produce leaves and flowers similar to your plum (they are both genus Prunus)

Watched 'The Junk Food Experiment'.

Good Evening Emptybox.

Cooler today here 10c light rain more or less all day, some clear at midnight.

It looks dry tomorrow but no sun till late afternoon, better the weekend.

Didn't go out apart from bring the wheelie recycle bin back in.

Had Salmon and mash for brekkie as i didn't have it last night, for tea found an old prawn tagliatelle in a freezer so used it up, for supper having the last of the tongue i cooked at Christmas, got lots of snacks off that, it was so big, will get another when i come back.

Found a place to get Alaskan king crab legs but at £106 a clucter, which is 3 or 4 legs cooked or £150 raw they are pretty expensive, that makes it about 4 times the price i can buy them in Australia.

Washing my hair this morning and got my elbow plaster wet, had to take it off so i replaced it with 1 of the spare ones the nurse gave me yesterday, i showed the elbow to o/h, she said it looked fine.

Have been sleeping better with only having decaf coffee in the afternoon as i only get up once in the night.

 That was a short visit from your brother, nice to see him though, pity you can't talk him out of having a motor bike, doesn't he have a car?

Yes, i thought that as well, the camera must be working, i have altered the sensitivity of the detection to see if it's better, didn't put it on today with the weather being miserable, going to try it on Timelapse as well.

That drain will have to be looked at again, can't understand why they don't build a grid area access around it once and for all.

My trees are the same, i can see many with buds getting ready to open, many have cracked the outer shell all ready.

Hi Hicky.
Misty dull and damp here all day so I didn't go out. Much colder again as well.

That's good that you are using up some of your freezer food before you go away.
Those crab legs do sound very expensive. You'll have to take full advantage of the cheaper ones while you are in Australia.
Good idea to stick to decaff if it helps you sleep, and you don't need to get up so many times.

It is a bit worrying with my Brother having this new(ish) hobby of riding powerful motorbikes. Normally i don't know when he is riding them, so don't worry. But yesterday he was half an hour later than he said he was going to be, so I had started to wonder.
My dad was into bikes, but only classic ones that just putt-putted along.
I don't think I'd like to ride a motorbike, but wouldn't mind getting an electric bicycle or moped. But then you'd feel vulnerable from cars, so i don't know?

Yes you're right, the drain will inevitably have to be dug up again at some point sooner rather than later. The trouble is, you can't actually persuade rods to go up into my branch from the place they usually dig down, so you'd really have to break into it at a new point to properly clear my bit. That's why i say that my branch wasn't properly cleared the last time.

Doesn't seem to be much to watch on telly tonight.

both xxx

Emptybox

glad to hear you had an enjoyable visit from your brother. Despite the early frost, good job the rain stayed away for his ride. How long is he in Thailand for?

That drain constantly playing up is such a nuisance for you.

Hicky

what a lovely photo of your pretty blossom. The blossom has come out very early too here after the warm spell.

You did the right thing going to check your elbow. Do you think it was solely down to the honey dressing that it had improved so well so quickly? Lucky you thought to order some of the dresssings off Amazon too, so you are well prepared for your hols.

Sounds like it iwill be a good idea to feast on Alaskan king crabs whilst on holiday, as they are so much cheaper than over there.

Yes I think it is mainly the cost of using the premises and equipment (plus wages of stafff skilled to use the equipment) that means the theatre people have to work long hours when they are putting on a show.

My friend has not mentioned if she is down for a transplant, I think she is too old, or maybe because she has diabetes.

Yesterday, the dog and I spent ages in the garden in the sun, as I know the forecast said it was due to end today. It was so hot, the dog was panting and had to get in the shade. I got so sweaty , I had to have a shower as soon as I came in and I was only wearing a sundress. So weird for February. Back to normal today with rain in the morning and a coat and scarf needed.

I went swimming today, as it does help the aches and pains.

Last night I went with my neighbour to visit a family who moved here from Syria because they were in danger. My neighbour is helping them with their English. It has been very lonely for the family fleeing for thier lives, the husband leaving a good job and lovely home, that were destroyed by war, to move somewhere with no family or friends. But they were very grateful to be here in safety. They were very welcoming to us when we visited , and the wife dashed off to make drinks and give us home made cakes, after we refused a full meal. The older children are picking up English well but it is a slower process for the parents.

Son still at rehearsals as it is the first show tomorrow night.

OH should be able to get away from work at lunch time tomorrow, which is good. Then we go out for tea at the pub.

As you say, not much on tv tonight. Decdied on Brits Abroad and some show on C4 after about triplets.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.
Brother will be in Thailand for a fortnight. Some resort near Phuket, on the Andaman Sea as they will be diving.

Pity it was back to normal late Winter weather for you, but sounded like you needed a break from all that sunbathing?  
The swimming should do you more good.

That's good of your neighbour teaching English to the Syrian family.
Yes, it's a tragedy what has happened in that country.
Did you go along to keep them company?
(or had you heard about the free cakes?  )
That's good that your OH will be able to get home early tomorrow.

I watched the Brits Abroad as well, but didn't want to watch the triplets thing as I'd seen them on a previous programme. I watched the Ross Kemp thing about armed police instead.

Evening Both.

11c today, mainly cloudy, did see a few glimpses of sun, wind almost zero.

We went to Claremont farm for brekkie and got a few bits and pieces, o/h going to Sainsbury's in the morning to finish off what we need.

For tea we had a half beef rib we bought while out, i made chips to go with it, it was very nice as well.

Have put the trail camera out, set it to Time Lapse to see what happens.

I have been testing the heating setting for Manual as i just wanted to set the heating for a single time while away instead of altering the 6 auto setting, this morning i set the manual to 19c and it's it's still at that as by now it would be on 21c in auto, it shows day 5 but the time zone that usually shows isn't showing in Manual so thats good, i'll leave the test till sometime tomorrow then put it back to normal, i only have to press 1 button and it's back to normal, love this device, once you know it, the instruction page is a bit hard to follow / understand.

Have found some more King crab leg cluster at an online fish place and half the price of the other supplier at about £56 each, so could be doing some shopping after hols as they have all the stuff i would want.

Mollie, I'm just keeping the dry dressing on my elbow for now to see if it heals, have to give it a chance.

We will be getting some of the crab when i get to Oz, they love it as well.

Thats good going swimming, it all helps, thats what the Supervet uses for his animals to get fit again, it's the best thing for any leg muscles etc.

Yes, to lose everything to flee here from Syria, what a challenge, but to be safe at last, how incredible, they need all the help they can get.

Hope the 1st show for your lad goes well, they put in so much work for it.

It will be nice to go to the pub for a meal when your o/h gets home.

I've been recording Child Genius, wow, how clever are they, it's the 8 to 12 year olds, have got quite a lot of stuff to watch now again, the F1 starts this month but i will be away so not sure if i will be able to record it as the race is on the 17th.

Emptybox, Not sure if having decaf after midday is why i am sleeping better and only getting up once at about 4.30 ish but can't think what else has changed.

I wouldn't advise going on the road with any type of 2 wheels really, the amount of serious accidents and fatalities is not really given on the news as they must be scared to give out the true facts, the figures must be horrific, i watch 24 hrs in A&E and they expect to get one in on every shift from either a bicycle or a motorcycle, there are far too many aged people driving these days and they wont see you and they pull out, my next door neighbour was hit pulling out of our road last year, it was a scooter, he tried to go round the front of her, bad move, he was in a terrible mess, she has given her car back now, she could hardly walk, she must be about 90.

I think drain rods only work on the straight, they aren't flexible enough to go round the bends by the grids, withought local manholes you don't stand a chance, at the other house i had a manhole about 3 foot from the kitchen grid, there were so many bends the only thing i could get round them was a semi flexible pipe i had for the watering system, it was 13mm diameter but it worked.

Hi Hicky.

Dull here as well, but dry and calm. Up to 6c.

Went out and did that job pollarding the willow trees. Took about 2 hours to do the three of them.
Unfortunately I managed to break my favourite little hand saw. I had another one in the van, but it didn't work as well, so made the job a bit longer.

Left quite a pile of branches at the place. The customer had said "if you know someone who wants the branches you are welcome to take them", which of course is code for she wants rid of them.
But tough, there were far to many to take away in the van, so they'll have to stay there. Maybe have a bonfire at some point.

The grass there could do with a cut, and they've got some holiday-makers coming in for a week from the 21st, so I'll have to get it done before then.

That was nice, going to the Claremont farm for brekkie.
That heating setting sounds very complicated, but I'm sure you'll sort it out.
A bit of luck, you finding the supplier with the cheaper crab legs.

If I did get an electric bike, it would only be for going between here and the village, or to the nearest town at the furthest. However I think they are trying to bring in regulations that would require you to have insurance for them, so might knock the idea on the head.

The wooden drain rods that the guy from the farm uses can go round a wide bend, but not a very sharp one. I have a bit of thick wire that my Dad used to use for the drain, but that is too rigid to go down from outside my kitchen, so not much use.

Watched some of the Athletics on BBC2 then the Vera repeat in ITV.

Hi both xxx

its been a busy few days for me with son's play yesterday and today, eg.. been having to wash and dry his stage clothes at 11pm when he gets back ready for the next day, or rush to do it the next morning. And other son's trip to Nashville coming up (on Tuesday night) but for which he has done zero organisation! Me and his sister keep nagging him to think about what he will need and to start putting it in his suitcase, but my lads do seem to always leave stuff to the last minute, whilst letting me or their sisiter remind them.

Also busy sorting OH's accomodation and stuff for the accountant.

Emptybox

Oh dear, what a shame your hand saw broke. Hardly worth you doing the job as you now have to use your wages for such a small job to pay for a new saw.

Yes I did go to the Syriian family as an extra to occupy the children, and the cake offerings were a bonus  (but not a bonus to me as I don't like choccy cake, so I had to ask if I could take it home so I wouldn't offend. It was either that or shove it in my pocket!).

I had to at your customer suggesting you might know someone who would want some cut off twigs. As you say, ,definately a hint for you to take them. Fine if she pays for yoour time and petrol to go the tip a few times, but doesn't sound like that was on offer.

Wouldn' tbe at all surprised if they did introduce insurance for electric bikes, asi its an extra way insurance companies can make money. As HIcky says being on two wheels does make you vulnerable to others on the road.

Hicky

that is good you managed to get to the farm place for brekkie.

These central heating systems are so complicated, we have a timer but none of us can work it out, so we just turn it up and down to suit.

That is good you have found the king crab somewhere at least half price.

I hope that dry dressing does help your elbow now.

I too do not drink caffeinated drinks after late afternoon as i find I just can't sleep.

Last night we had a lovely meal in the pub,I had the vegan cottage pie, so tasty. OH had chicken with peppercorn sauce , son had masala chicken curry with chips, rice and naan bread and daughter had fish, chips, peas. All nice big portions.

Then we went to see son's show. No wonder he was exhausted, so much dancing involved. The stage full of golden jackets and hats looked really good. I am going this afternoon again to take my neighbour and mum's ex carer who wanted to see it.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening Both.

12c today, some sun mainly cloud, light rain as well forecast & wind is 9 to 21 with gales coming Sunday afternoon.

Had bacon and egg for brekkie, o/h got me some fruit and more decaf coffee.

Been watching the darts this afternoon, watched the cooking show this morning.

Planted the potatoes into the 3 tubs, just realised i won't be able to keep putting the leaves over them, in the next dry period i will plant the Vivaldi seed spuds as well.

Watched by recordings of Child Genius, wow, are they clever or what, the final tonight.

Cooked a chicken this afternoon, just to pick at, for tomorrow we have more beef rib called Jacobs Ladder and a piece of belly pork so they should make a nice meal.

Mollie, I think thats the way lads are, do everything at the last minute or let someone else do it, mine were the same.

I was happy with the test i did on the heating stat, press 1 button once and thats it, it changes to manual and you can change the temperature that shows to what you want and that is then used to control the heating from then on, i pressed it once again last night and it returned to auto, so pleased with that.

The fish place a rang to complain about their website and they said they would give me 10% off my next order, well i looked on the site last night and it has improved a lot, still some work to do but it's better, i will talk to the lady who controls the online section Monday when she will be in.

This is what they have that interests me, Salt Cod, Whitebait, Jellied Eels, King Crab legs, Canadian Snow Crab meat, Smoked Eel fillets, Plaice fillets, love all those, this is the site: https://bradleysfish.com/produ...oducts/crab-lobster/

I only drink Decaf cooff after midday as was suggested in a tv program.

Those pub meals sound good, the masala chicken curry would do me.

Glad you got to see your sons show, and again with your neighbour and mums ex carer. 

Emptybox, Glad you got the Pollarding done, how did you break your saw, what saw do you use for branch pruning?

Yes, you have accidents between vehicles and bikes etc that don't have insurance so the companies have noone to claim from if they caused an accident, everything on the road should be registered and insured really, but the ones that come off the worst are obviously those with out the protection of a car and crash bags.

Yes, drain rods are made to go round a specific radius but some of the bends are such that they have no chance.

I remember one of my lads a had a blockage at the back of his house so he bought a set of drain rods, we cleared the blockage with the pusher plate that we put on the end ot the first rod, but when we pulled th rods out the end was still down the pipe, oh dear.

Hi both.
The day started OK, but turned into a nasty windy wet day.

Mollie. Sounds like you've been really busy with one son and his theatre production, and the other one preparing to go to Nashville (or not preparing, as the case may be. ).
Glad you could get a meal in a pub, and enjoyed his show.
I'm shocked that you don't like chocolate cake? I love it.

I doubt I'll replace the saw. Although the spare one I had wasn't much good I found another small saw in my Dad's worksop that should be useful.

If it was just some twigs to take away i would have done it, but we are talking about branches, some of them 15 foot long. fairly thin though. In order to get them in the van I'd have to saw them in half and it would fill the van four times at least.
I've put them in a place where they are not in the way, and i could set fire to them if I get the time, and that is what they want.

Hicky. Well done getting some potatoes planted.
That's good that they are taking heed of your advice on their fish website.
And getting 10% off your next order as well.
Yes. Not a good feeling when you are using rods and realise that one has been left in the pipe.

It was this type of small folding saw that I broke.
www.amazon.com/EverSaw-Folding-All-Purpose-Pruning
Only it was one with a wooden handle that my Dad had made.
It had quite a rigid blade that cut well. However the blade snapped when it got stuck cutting a tricky branch.
I've kept the handle as my dad had made it. May fit a new blade at some point.

My spare one was the same type, but just with a plastic handle. And the blade is more flexible and won't cut properly.
I had a bigger saw there as well, but you can only use that when you are clear of other branches, and the branches on these willow trees were very close together.
However I got them all done in the end. I could get the thinnest branches with my loppers.

Didn't watch The Voice, but hear there was a good duet between Jennifer whatshername and Tom Jones, so i may watch that on catch up.
I watched Casualty instead.

Evening Emptybox.

11c today, rain all day so stayed in, winds of 10 to 18 till 7pm then gales of 41 to 48 till morning.

Had bacon and eggs for brekkie, o/h made a roast dinner with a beef rib (Jacobs Ladder) and roasted a pice ot belly pork and made some apple sauce with a Bramley she bought.

Watched Sunday Brunch then Darts, Darts on at 7pm as well, recorded The Voice, will watch another day.

Yes, the drain rods screw onto one another but i think the pusher disk had come of the end, don't think we lost a rod, nothing we could do.

I recognise those knives, i have 2 of them myself, they are what the tree surgeons use for the smaller branches, they are ground 3 ways but you can sharpen them yourself, i used to, pretty simple really, they are cheap enough to buy new, i asked the tree surgeon which one they used so bought the same.

Need to get more potatoes planted but the weather doesn't look fit on the forecast.

Hi both xxx

Emptybox

Glad your dad's workshop came in useful as you have found a small saw.

4 vanloads of branches that big. No wonder she "offered" for you take them away forfree. Make sure she pays you for your time if she does decide to get you to burn them.

Was it shopping today? If so budget Lidl or Sainsburys?

Hicky

let's hope the weather improves so you can get your potatoes done. Not good here at the moment thought, very windy.

Glad you sorted out your heating timer. Are you planning on leaving the heating on low when you go away? Or do you think no heating will be ok as it will be spring?

Yes me and daughter laugh at the lads leaving everything to the last minute. (until the last minute that is, then it is panic stations!).

If there is still work to be done on the fish website, maybe you could get another discount on your current offer to help them again? That is nice they must of listened to your advice and it has improved already. Looks like they have a good variety of fish there.

Very windy here tonight now, they did say it would be though.

Son's show very good, all the family and friends I took enjoyed it, so the endless hours rehearsing paid off. Don't know how son and the others managed to memorise so many dance routines, and have the strength to do them for 2 shows in a day. The scene where the lines of dancers all danced in their gold jackets with gold hats, all taken on and off in unison, was excellent. No wonder my son has been losing weight, but doing such physical activity meant he couldn't handle much food, nor did he have much free time to eat. Need to feed him up a bit now, as he is so skinny.

Have now sorted other son's travel insurance out, with the help of Gocompare. His lecturer has given me all the flight details, so I can follow it on the day. He has a coach journely to London at 3.30am, then a 8 and half hour flight to the States, then a near 3 hour internal flight. So it will be around 24 hours with no bed. 

We all went to the pub for tea again, as too busy to do a meal and OH had to pack his bags to leave for work again tomorrow. I had a nice Sunday roast , the nut one, daughter had the beef one, delcious it was, and good value for £12 for 2 roasts.

Am  watching "Race Across the World" on bbc2 now, looks really good, might be worth you watching on catch up if you can.

I bet you are pleased with the DOI  result Emptybox.

Who would of thought when we watched episode 1 she would of made the final? But you never gave up on her.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Not a bad day to begin with. Much calmer than yesterday, and sunny this morning. 9c when I went to Lidl this afternoon.
But then it started raining and the wind got up, then it turned to heavy snow for a while. I've got about an inch lying, but it's wet, so doubt if it'll last long.

Also my satellite boxes are saying "no or bad reception" tonight. Not sure if it's the snow, or whether the wind has blown the dish out of alignment? I'll see what it's like tomorrow.

Hicky. Hope you don't get any damage from the gales.
That was nice of your OH, making you both a nice roast dinner.

I think the little saw that i found in the workshop won't be any good for branches, as it's really for sawing up dry planks etc. I've got a feeling I'll have to buy a new folding saw after all.
I would think there'll still be time for planting potatoes when you get back. I don't plant mine outside up here till about mid April.
But I guess you want to get in early ones now.

Mollie. Sounds like all this dancing is really keeping your son fit.
That's good that you've got your other son's travel insurance sorted and you'll be able to follow his flights.
Glad you enjoyed your pub tea.

Delighted that Saara is through to the final of DOI. Her performance of 'Defying Gravity' was wonderful.
But Brian was doing well in the skate off, until his fall, so she was lucky to get through.
I presume she'll end up third, because it's all down to the public vote now, and they've consistently been voting for James and Wes over Saara. I think James deserves to win, but I guess anything could happen.

Missed that Race Across the World thing. I think I remember there was a previous series?

Worried about my Uncle. Phoned him this evening and he was extremely breathless. He hasn't been able to throw off the Pneumonia and the anti-biotics haven't done him any good. Not sure what they can do now?
Still, it was him that answered the phone, and he was able to speak a bit, so there's a bit of hope yet.
I've heard from one of my cousins that he's refused to go to hospital up to now.

Evening Both.

Rather stormy overnight, i could hear hail on the window, 9c today, sunny most of the time, till 1pm, got 2 washing loads done and hung outside.

Had bacon and egg for brekkie again, as it was nice this morning i planted the rest of the potatoes, think early and second early get planted end of Feb, lates probably go in later, if you look on the web it tells you.

Used up what what left of a chicken i di yesterday, made a curry, added a couple of chopped onions and cooked some rice and made fried rice, have enough curry Madras for a few meals to freeze.

Will have to get a taxi to the hospital in the morning for the eye test as one of my lads should be coming for a quick visit but we don;t know what day or what time.

Mollie, I will set the heating to 19c so if the temperature drops to 18c the heating will come on and take the temperature to 19.5c, but i could set it lower, it was winter last time i went and i left the temperature at 12c and it took 3 days to warm the place up, bad move, but i could set it to 18c and the heating probably wouldn't come on at all.

Rang the fish place up, spoke to the same person, she said she had done some of the changes i suggested and had more to do, i said, the site was better than it had been, i told her i would order when we get back from Oz, i have added more to my list i would like and it comes just over £200 and it's free delivery over £100 as well anyway.

No wonder your lad has lost so much weight, but is that good!!!

Thats another good job done, travel insurance so necessary for your other lads trip.

A shame one couple fell in the dance off, but thats life.

Emptybox, Snow for you at last, unexpected no doubt, as you say, it won't stay around.

Best treat yourself to a new folding saw, it will be worth it.

Potatoes planted now, a bit bothered about the earthing up though as i can only do it before i go.

Hi Hicky,
Still a good covering of snow when I got up, but it had all gone by 2pm, except for some on the hills. Quite a lot of sunshine.
Luckily my satellite reception is back to normal, so it must just have been the snow last night that knocked it out.
Yes it's strange that I get no snow all Winter, then get dumped with some just as it's supposed to be the start of Spring.

That was good getting two loads of washing done. A long way to go to catch up to Mollie though.
End of Feb would be too early to plant potatoes up here i would think, because if they poke their leaves above ground when there is a late frost they will just go black.
April is early enough for my maincrop ones.

Pity you have to get a taxi to your eye test tomorrow. Hope it goes fine.
That Fish place woman certainly seems to be taking your objective criticism of her website seriously.
Yes, I'll look out for a good folding saw with quite a rigid blade.

Think it'll be Traffic Cops tonight followed by Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

both xxx

Emptybox

yes odd indeed how you get snow now winter is nearly over. Mind you, I cant believe how cold the wind was here today, and a few hail storms, when just last week I was sunbathing in my sundress. Talk about one extreme to another.

Sorry to hear you are concerned about your uncle. Wonder if they will up the antibiotics to help him?

Hope you didn't miss out on too much tv when your satellite went funny. Good job it was ok again today.

Pity you have to buy a new saw after all. Hope you can find a bargain.

Hicky

that's good you managed to get weather ok to plant the rest of the potatoes.

Good idea to use up the remainder of the chicken in a curry. My family like to do that too .

Pity you have to get a taxi to hospital tomorrow. Hope the hospital visit goes ok.

That is nice the fish people apprecaited your comments and acted on it.

I should think 18c should be ok the time of year for when you are away. As you say, it was far too low last time you went, and you will notice the cold as you are going to a hot country.

I went for the comedy on tv tonight, Warren followed by Alan Partridge.

Son is out again tonight rehearsing for his next production.

This is a video of the final scene he had to dance in, as you can see, it is so important all of the dancers keep in sequence with the hats, as well as legs, else it would stand out if you didn't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...p;list=RDtyZeGOsR9IA

We now have a redundant gold sequin jacket hanging in the wardrobe.

Met uni son in his lunch break and he had pepperoni pizza and I had tomato soup from Gregs.

He has at last started packing his suitcase, and managed to get his assignment in on time today.

Only 4 washloads for me today. So around 4 more outstanding to do, as I have OH's for the full week and son's many changes from his dance rehearsals.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.
Only 4 washloads today? You're slacking a bit aren't you?
Mind you, I suppose that's good going, if you had to get them out between hail showers.

Not sure what's next for my Uncle.
He should really be in hospital on a drip and with oxygen, but I think he's afraid he won't come out again.

No I didn't miss out on any telly, as I've got Freeview as well as Freesat, and the terrestrial reception was fine. It was just the satellite that was affected.

Son already on to his next production.
Must admit, when you were describing the number I had pictured a line of blokes in gold jackets, but I couldn't help notice that some of the 'blokes' in that video had very shapely legs.
(I was expecting a home video shot on your phone).
I would have thought they would need the costume back for their next production?
At least your other son is at last making preparations for his trip.

That was good on Millionaire, when the guy won £500,000.
When he had to use a lifeline at £2000 i thought he was going to be a duffer.
(not sure why I'm telling you, as you didn't watch it)

Evening Both.

O/H took mr to the eye clinic this morning as it was pretty early, things ok, AMD stable, have got a little like blood blister by my eye which i asked the doctor about, she went to get a specialist/surgeon who said she could operate on it when i get back from hols but she is concerned about a minute lump below that which she said she would need a biopsy.

When i was ready to come home my lad was there so she said just get a taxi.

We then went out to a restaurant for lunch, a bit of a disaster really, i had Nacho for starter, not freshly made mind, we decided on the Fish and chips, oh dear, the batter was dreadful, so dark, it looked old to me, anyway they didn't charge us for the main meal.

On the way back we called in Sainsbury's as SIL & o/h is coming tomorrow for a sandwich and coffee so we got a few bits, including pancake mix so we had those just before, very nice, i made of course, 2 packs gives you 6 each.

Mollie, Yes, 18c will probably keep the heating off as the bungalow doesn't lose much heat at all, with having no upstairs area for all the heat to go up.

Wow, that final scene is something, fantastic, how on earth you remember all that i have no idea, i was trying to count how many in the lineup and i ended up with 17, a great routine, no wonder they lose weight, i lost a pound watching.

Wow, you need an industrial washer for all that washing, like the hotels have.

Emptybox, I wonder why the snow knocks out your Satellite? thats not normal, something wrong somewhere around your dish.

The real Spring starts on the 20th, the other starts are just the weather people so they can split the year into 4 nice pieces.

I was forgetting you are so much further North, what a difference it makes, my Lizzy Plum tree is in full bloom now, i'll have to check if frost can damage the blossom.

I asked in the shop if they had any Jellied Eels, they said they tried them once but not a good seller in this part of the world, strange how they are so popular in London areas, we used to get them every Sunday when we were working at Dagenham Ford plant.

I didn't know those folding saws could break, it's usually only the teeth that are hardened/tempered say and if they are you can't really sharpen them, not sure why the blade back would be brittle.

Hi Hicky.
Nasty wet day here, raining most of the day. And cold too. Only 3c when I went for my prescription this afternoon.

That was good that your OH was able to take you to the clinic this morning.
Bit worrying that you have a little lump they are concerned about, but at least the specialist is on to it, so it should be dealt with soon after you get back.
Pity your meal was disappointing. But nice meeting up with your lad anyway.

Don't think there's anything wrong with my dish or cables. I'm now getting 100% quality and strength on the main channels. Think it was just the snow storm and low pressure that was affecting the signal.
The baldes are strong in the one direction, but if they get stuck in the groove and band the wrong way then they can be brittle.
Never tried Jellied Eels. I would think they were an aquired taste?

Watched a bit of Celebrity Bake Off, but i can't stand Russel Brand. Then I watched Millionaire, then I watched 'London 2000 Years' on +1, then I watched Holby City.
I missed Shetland, but will catch up with that tomorrow hopefully.

both xxx

Emptybox

gosh only 3c, that is a cold one again. Not that it is exactly warm here but not that cold.

Good job there is nothing wrong with your cables/dish, hopefully you won't get another snow storm too soon now!

I can understand your uncle worrying if he gets in hospital, he won't get out again. I wonder if he would agree to have the district nurse visit him? She could monitor his medication and if it is strong enough. My mum's nurse advised me to keep her out of hospital, and to only get treatment at home. But of course she did have dementia, so would of found hospital very scary. Hope the meds do help him shake it off.

I had to at you noticing the shapely legs in the dance video. Not many lads wanted to do this play, maybe because they didn't see the gold outfits as masculine enough, or maybe because it was so physically exhausting?  But of course the benefit to my son who chose to be in it, meant he got to work with lots of girls, then got to go to the last night post show party in the hotel pub after with them. He told me it was so good, that they stayed there till they got chucked out at closing time after 1.30am.

Hicky

Hope you enjoyed your SIL'S visit today. Did she get any of your home made bread?  I know she is a fan.

glad you got a lift to the clinic. Shame they found a lump they want to look at, but lucky they were able to get a specialist in to check it at the time.

That is not good your meal was so disappointing. Have you been there before? I guess you won't be in a hurry to return? Did they not charge you because you complained about both the nachos and the fish?

Luckily on my mum's recommendation, we bought a Miele washing machine, and they are great for constant large loads.

Son and i dropped other son off at Uni this morning at 3.15am. He is on his way to New York now, so am following with flight tracker, like I did with Hicky. He is currently flying over Canada. He gets another 3hour flight to Nashville from New York.

As anticipated it was chaous last night, as he realised he had forgotten to measure his back pack, and it was too big! The lecturer had sent them all the measurements, but he hadn't read that bit of the email! Can't complain too much though, as he works so hard on his Uni work, even if his organisation skills outside of his academic work are not so good.   So we had to hunt all over for another back pack. But when we tried to go in the garage for another one, the damn garage door broke, and we couldn't close it, it stuck half closed.   It was chucking down with rain, and one son who is good at DIY was still at drama. So when he came home we were out in the pouring rain trying to close it. Other son was panicking as he hadn't packed his bag! So with daughter's help, all 3 of them had to get a tarpulin and ties, to tie in front of the garage, and then park the car right next to garage, as garages round here recently have been robbed. So they all got soaked and in the end, there wasn't even a suitable back pack in the garage for him! So son ended up having to borrow his sisters back pack and put his own in his hold lugggage. 
The pancake mix daughter had made ended up not being eaten, the mix is still in the fridge.
Am exhausted from lack of sleep as well as stress from last night and dreading ringing the LL. Will have to leave it today, don't feel up to it today. But at least son got off on time.

Not long till you go now Hicky.

Didn't get chance to watch any tv at all last night, hopefully I will tonight.

Have a good day both xxx