Crikey moses it was a wet day here! I think it was wetter in the west, but it was heavy rain here all day.

I had to go into town to see my solicitor to sign my Will, and the fields were flooded along the way.Thankfully the roads were OK, but if we have any more rain, they may well flood.

While I was there, the solicitor said "I might as well give you this", and handed me a cheque for the bulk of my Dad's estate. That was a surprise, cos I thought it would take longer to wind up. It's only taken just over 3 months
There's still a bit more to come, but i think I can afford to buy an extra couple of bottles of my favourite beer this week.

I watched a bit of the Jungle, but mainly watched the CIN concert on BBC1.
Leona Lewis was good (ain't she pretty), and Katherine Jenkins, and Lily Allen.
I think there were some fellas singing as well?
Actually Paul McCartney was good at the end. Just shows you how well those old Beatles songs stand up.

BTW Mollie, I had another portion of crumble tonight. Heated it in the microwave, and had it with cream, and it was just as good as the first time.
It had set a bit hard round the edge, but that didn't matter.

Hi Mollie.
I'm not very good with dates, probably the same with most fellers.

The casserole wasn't as good as expected, O/H doesn't like sauces etc so I was limited to what I could put in it.

Aaawww Emptybox
I am sure your dad would be so pleased to think you had used some of it to buy yourself a treat.    Glad to hear they processed it quickly, I know how slow some solicitors can be.

Oh dear, the weather sounds bad there, lets hope you dont get any more rain for a while.

Glad to hear you are still enjoying the desert.    I think it is a nice way to eat porridge oats, and fruit, both of which are good for you.

Yes, you are right, most fellas are no good with dates.  
That's a shame the casserole wasn't too good.
Sounds like your OH is a bit like me, in that she is not keen on spicy sauces.

time for me to tidy the kitchen, and then off to bed.

Goodnight all

Night Mollie & Emptybox.

I'll get to bed, just got the kitchen to do.
No work tomorrow anyway.

I made one of those homemade soup thingies, you get thetub of mixed veg from the supermarket all ready.
You add 560 ml of water and a few stock cubes, boil for 15/20 minutes then season and put the machine in it to make it into a nice thick soup.
Very nice it is too.

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Corrie's Blanche making "steady recovery"

Friday, November 20 2009, 14:31 GMT

By Daniel Kilkelly, Entertainment Reporter

Coronation Street veteran Maggie Jones is making a "steady" recovery following her recent health scare, the soap's lead producer has announced.

Show boss Kim Crowther updated fans on the 75-year-old's condition as she took part in a live webchat yesterday on the soap's official website, confirming that she is looking forward to seeing Jones back on set.

Crowther commented: "Maggie is making a slow and steady recovery and we wish her all the best and can't wait till she comes back to work."

She did not offer any firm details on when Jones will return to screens and said: "Hopefully Maggie will be with us when she can be."

Jones, who plays Weatherfield battleaxe Blanche Hunt, was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery last month. Though she was originally said to be in a critical condition, she began to recover shortly afterwards. Full details of the incident have been kept private.

Honeymoon Heartbreak?

Steve and Becky went on a belated honeymoon after she was cleared of all charges, the ones the bent copper threw at her. They went on that Greek Island holiday that she'd won. Something happened on that holiday, a row, something that caused Becky to flee to Romania to the comforting arms of Roy and Hayley. Of course, not having seen the video yet, I don't know if there was any other explanation other than a row so I'm going on that assumption. Knowing these two, it could have been a real blazer. They are both back in Weatherfield but something's up. We haven't really seen them together at all. Becky seems quiet and thoughtful and Steve seems to be sort of drifting. Post-honeymoon, you'd think they'd be all loved up or at least we'd see them continuing the row. Having them both so quiet and possibly avoiding each other seems out of character. Am I reading more into this? I hope we get to see some scenes where they talk about it or make up whatever rift seems to be there.

POTD: Helen and Barry return to Weatherfield

Friday, November 20 2009, 14:40 GMT

By Kris Green, Soaps Editor

Michelle Connor's parents Helen (Dearbhla Molloy) and Barry (Frank Grimes) return to Coronation Street during tonight's episode, following the shock revelation that their daughter-in-law's new fiancé killed their son Liam last year.

Devastated by the disclosure about how his uncle died, Ryan (Ben Thompson) claims that he's going to live with his grandparents in Ireland but after a chat with them on the phone, he informs his mother Michelle that they're at the airport.

When they eventually arrive on the cobbles, they're shocked as they listen to Michelle explain how Tony (Gray O'Brien) had Liam killed out of jealousy following his affair with Carla.

How will they react to the news? And how will Maria cope in the aftermath of Tony's confession?

Coronation Street airs tonight at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV1.

Proof that Mariah Carey is the most ridiculous diva EVER!

Good evening all
At last we had a nice day, and I got my washing dried out in the wind, and the odd sunny interval.
How awful for all those poor people in those floods in Cumbria, and the poor policeman who lost his life.   I hope it dries up there soon for them.

Hicky.. thanks for the news items.  I am glad Blanche is recovering well, she is a great character on the Street. Your soup sounds great. I never thought of bying prepared veg.  Good idea because some of the veg for soup are so hard to chop and cut.  Where did you get them from? Are they in a plastic bag with the fresh veg?  Or a plastic carton ? I will look for some from Asda tommorrow.

Emptybox... how is your workload going?  I guess you dont have to worry about lawn mowing now?
Looking forward to double Corrie tonight, and IAC, but I hope we see some more of the other contestants, and not just Katie Price most of the episode.

Hi Mollie.

The worst floods in 1,000yrs, so that's how bad it is.
I saw some on the news, a nightmare really.

I got the soup mix from Sainsbury's, think it's a fairly new line.
It was in a tall round clear plastic container, not sure which area it would be in, may have to ask a staff member.
It's probably with the prepared veg.
It's not very expensive, and it makes enough for 2 people.

Just watching Children in need.
Will have to get my gear ready for the morning, can't go looking like a tramp.

Evening guys.

Is that your trip to London to see 'Little Voice' Hicky, or have I got that wrong?
If so, have a great time.

The floods in Cumbria seem to have been very bad.
We had some floods here today, but not as bad. The road between me and the village was flooded, but I got out the other way, and it was a nice day apart from that, so I got a bit of work done.

I was in town at lunchtime, and I often have my sandwiches in a carpark overlooking the river Tweed. Today it had burst it's banks, and had flooded the path/road that runs along it.
There were loads more people than usual taking photos and videos of the river.
There was even some numpty who had a couple of little dogs running about off the lead, only inches from the brown, swollen, fast running water. If they'd fallen in they would have been swept away and lost.

Been watching a bit of Children in Need, and a bit of IAC...

I've still got plenty of work Mollie, although, as you say, the grass cutting is finished for the year.

Good evening all

Emptybox...Well remembered by you, but  I forgot today was Hicky's day out in London, so forgot to wish him a nice day. I hope him and his OH have had an enjoyable day, and I hope he has rememberd to set his Sky+ for X Factor and IAC tonight.
sounds like the really bad floods just missed you Emptybox. Coudn't believe how bad it had been in places when I saw the news.
What sort of work do you do whilst there is no grass cutting?  Do you dig borders/trim trees type of stuff? Have you had a dry day today?  We had a bit of rain today, but not loads. 

I fancy growing some of my own veg, I'd have to use a grow bag though, because the landlady wouldn't like me to make a veggie patch out of the lawn.

Time for X factor.
Enjoy it Emptybox.
 Wonder what time Hicky is back?

Hi Mollie.
It was wet today, so I didn't do very much. In fact I can't remember doing anything at all, but I'm sure I must have done something?  
Had my usual Speghetti Bolognese tonight,

Yeah, I do all that sort of stuff Mollie, and I've still got quite a few hedges to cut.

I watched X-Factor again. Stacey was good, but not as good as last week.
And Cheryl was right. That Danyl did sing flat IMO.
I think the one at the end was the best.

I just watched the IAC extra show on ITV2.
Reminded me why I liked Nicola McClean when she was on.

Good Afternoon Everyone.

Will be with you after I catch up up with some recordings, missed SCD, X-F & IAC, but it had to be done.

Had a brill day in London.
Had loads of spare time, arrived about 4 & 1/2 early for the performance, went on a 2 hr tour of London on one of the topless buses, very good anyway.

I'll tell you a bit more about the show later, just to say it was worth every penny, I was speechless for the whole way through, Diana was an actress for 2 & 1/2 Hours, Wow, don't know how she does it, I had a tear in my eye the whole time, and when Diana was taking off singing  stars it was like she had become them, she emulates Julie Andrews, Marilyn Manroe, Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, Marianne Faithfull, Dusty Springfield, Judy Garland, and the power in Diana's voice, in nearly lifted the roof off.

There wasn't even one empty seat in the Stalls, every one was taken up, they absolutely loved the show.
The stage set was great, a split house part revolving set with 2 floors, all the Stars of the show were fantastic, Mari her Mother (Lesley Sharp) was fantastic as well, with Mother & Daughter on stage for virtually all of the 2 & 1/2 hours.

I was surprised looking at the Audience, they were of all ages, I rather expected some youngish fans with it being a Matinee , but they were all a bit older than that, think it's a must for all her fans firstly, but for shear entertainment it was a fantastic show for everyone, pretty adult language from her Mother.
Glad I was able to see the show anyway.
I would mind going to see it again as well.

Hi Hicky.
Sounds like you had a great time.
Sounds like a complicated stage set-up as well.

It's a good job you were "speechless for the whole way through".
I doubt if they'd have welcomed chatterers while they were trying to act.

Another wet day here.
I was hoping to rake some leaves and wash my van, but no dice.

Got some ironing to do in a bit.

Good evening all.
Welcome back Hicky.
Glad you had such a good day out, and that you really enjoyed the show. Sounds like Diana has proved she has real talent.
I thought you might be busy catching up with all this good tv we have had lately.
That is good that you even had time to do a bus trip of the sites in London too.


Emptybox...Yes I too thought Stacey didn't sing as good this week as last week but Joe sang great.   In fact I think most of the others sounded a bit out of tune this week.
Shame the twins have left because they were more fun than Lloyd, who I think is dull and can't sing well.
Pity, it was too wet for you to do the leaves, but I guess you at least got the ironing done. 

It started to pour when we took doggie out for a walk this morning, so we came home.  Then this afternoon, it was was blowing a gale down the seafront when we took son to drama, so we passed on a walk there too.

What have you done today Hicky?
I bet you have been busy catching up with tv recordings.

Hi Emptybox and Mollie.

The stage really was good, was a bit worried that Diana could fall from the 1st floor, which was her bedroom, there wasn't a side to it, if she tripped she would go over the edge with a big drop.

In one act when the house was on fire she opened the bedroom window and got out onto the top of a cherry picker that a lad who liked her had put up to the window when he saw the fire.

Had a busy day catching up.

Work in the morning as well.

Loving Stacey, just wish they would give her the best songs.
She has a lovely voice really, and will always get my votes this year.

Oh, of course. It was the X-Factor result show tonight. I forgot about that.
So the twins finally went, did they?

I was watching the Antiques Roadshow.

Hello people, hope you are all ok?.


I'm so gutted John and Edward have left, but I know they will get lots of offers and will be very successful.. I'm looking forward to their interviews they are so genuine and funny, full of charisma and personality. Thats it now Joe to win for me he's nice and has got the voice.. Danyl is my fav but it's in his best interests he doesn't win because of all this publicity, he will do better in the long run.


I live in a madhouse it's so busy and it's fun, keep on top of my work so I get lots of free time and I love it.

Good Morning Darloboy.


Not sure what the twins can do yet, they are signed to Simons lot till March anyway.

I'm still rooting for Stacey anyway., but good luck to them all, think they will all do OK, it's often better not to win, if you win your options are limited of course, what you do is mapped out and you have no choice.
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Jordan quits I'm A Celebrity after being voted for 7th bushtucker trial

By Mark Jefferies 23/11/2009

Good morning all
Very windy and heavy showers here today.

Hicky
did you catch up with all your viewing?
Hope you aren't too busy at work today, and you got your brekkie ok.
I bet that stage for the show you saw took a while to construct.

what a horrible piccy of Jordan. I heard on the radio she had gone, thank goodness for that, we might at last see some more of the other contestants now.

Emptybox...
yes the twins went, big shame, they were great entertainment.
Hope it is a bit drier for you today, to get those gardens sorted. Good job it is no longer lawn cutting season.

Time to catch up with the washing and ironing for me now.
I made some cranberry sauce yesterday, It keeps a while in the fridge.

Hi Mollie.
I did catch up, took some doing, you get so far behind.


It was a very clever set design, the kitchen slid back out of the way while the house turned anti-clock to let you see the front door and the pavement on the left of the stage, and LV was running up and down the stairs for the whole time, she must have been worn out.


Not sure how I can get to see it again, don't think O/H would go with me, I'll have to think about it.
The total for that was £400, but that included food, the tour bus 1st class fares, Taxi's, everything really, but it was worth it to me.

I could have gone 3 hrs later and come back a couple of hours earlier really.

Been a bit busy this morning.

It looks like the public has driven Jordan out of the Jungle anyway, think that was their intention.

Wonder how much they paid Jordan to storm out? Could have done the same to J&E a lot earlier.. (Well everyone is entitle to an opinion, sorry darlo)

Hi James. Not a fan of the twins eh?

Afternoon.
It was a nice morning, so I got a hedge cut, but the rain came on at lunchtime.
It did dry off by 2.30pm, so I got my own leaves raked off the grass.

It's a pity Jordan left IAC. I thought she was begining to cope with the tasks better?
Wonder if she keeps her fee?

Hi Emptybox.

Been rather busy today, they are trying to get their moneys worth.


About Jordan, think she was really missing the kids at home, don't think she was much interested in the Jungle.

ormer Corrie star Angela Griffin takes on Loose Women  

She is hoping to use men to up her ratings, instead of bashing males her show is about embracing them.

She told the Daily Star: "I think it's really important to get the man's perspective on things.

"We certainly don't bash men on our show. Loose Women can do that but it's just not what we're about.

"I might have the odd moan about my husband if he does something to annoy me but that's about it."

She added: "Having a man on the show definitely gives us a bit of an edge.

"You get a different bloke on our show each day - which I think is really good.

"It means that you're not only getting the bloke perspective but different blokes giving their opinions on a daily basis."

Griffin continued: "It's really interesting seeing where they come from on certain issues.

"It's not just women who watch daytime television.

"My husband is at home with the girls while I go out to work. I've even had him on the show, speaking to us via the webcam at home.

"So I'm sure there are loads of other blokes at home during the day.

"We're ­really trying to change people's attitudes toward daytime TV. I'm really enjoying ­myself."

Gordon Ramsay to cook Christmas dinner for the Beckhams

By Nick Owens 22/11/2009

Gordon Ramsay will cook dinner for the Beckhams as their two families get together on Christmas Day.

The F-Word star normally provides a chef from his restaurant empire for his pals, but this year there wasn't one available so Ramsay, 43, has agreed to step into the breach.

It means that the chef, his wife Tana, 34, and their children - Megan, 11, twins Jack and Holly, nine, and Matilda, seven - will spend the day with David, Victoria and their three sons at their Beckingham Palace home in Hertfordshire.

A source close to Posh and Becks said: "Gordon wasn't going to leave his friends in the lurch. There is no one better to be cooking your Christmas dinner, so David and Victoria can't wait.

"They're great pals and their kids get on brilliantly together. So they are delighted they will all be around the same table with their families on Christmas Day."

By inviting the Ramsays around, the Beckhams are actually returning a favour. Last year David, 34, Victoria, 35, and sons Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, seven, and Cruz, four, were invited to Ramsay's restaurant Claridges' in West London for an exclusive Christmas Eve party. But David didn't have to cook.

Good Afternoon Everyone.

No work today.
Been making Toasted sandwich's with my new sandwich maker, in fact I bought 2, 1 square & 1 round, yummy.
Used to have them years ago, looked at the electric ones but couldn't see a good one when reading the comments, that put me off.

These 2 just go on the gas, bit of a nuisance but better than nothing.

Have to go and get a new Yale lock insert for the front door, it's getting harder to get the key in, will go to B&Q soon.

Got to go and get some shopping in as well, with O/H.
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►*♥*♥* Hope you all have a lovely day *♥*♥*◄
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Michelle turns rock chick!

Good Evening Everyone.

Hae got trouble with my very big fitted oven, it keeps going off, but it seems to come back on after a while.
Not sure what's up.
Have my Halogen new one anyway, so things aren't too bad.
They are coming to repair/look at it next Monday.

Having trouble with the front door lock as well, we have an outer PVC dor but it's the lock on the inside wooden one.
It's won't let the key in for ages.

Bought a new Yale barrel at B&Q and was getting 4 extra keys made at a key place on the way home, they cut 4 keys which I tried in the new lock when I got back to the car, they didn't go in the lock.

I took them back into the shop, the lads looked everywhere for a key that fitted, they had thousands of keys on boards around the place.
A feller rang and he must have been in the same business because the lad in the shop was telling the other bloke about this new 6 pin Yale barrel and that he couldn't find a blank key, the bloke just said try a YAX5 and it fitted, how great was that, I was gob smacked, they had to cut another 4, I'd already talked them into giving me a discount originally of £2 and then they lost 4 keys.

I'd already had to replace the innards of one of the Toilets cisterns because it was losing water level and kept refilling every few minutes, it tends to get on your nerves after a while.

Anyway, not to worry , could be a lot worse, look at all those people further North (Cumbria) who have been under 5ft of water.
Now, thats what you call bad luck.

Good afternoon all

Emptybox
glad it was dry enough for you to get a bit of work done, and your leaves sorted at last.

Hicky..
what did you have on your toastie?  My fave filling is cheese and onion.
did you manage to get the lock done, and did you avoid the B and Q hamburger van?  When we took the dog a walk today past B and Q, our dog eyed up the man eating his B and Q burger as we walked past.

bit windy and showery here today, but could of been worse.

Looking forward to IAC now Katie had gone at last. Now at least we can get to know the others. If she left because she is missing her kids, why is she staying on and holidaying with her mate Michelle Heaton?  I saw them both on This Morning. I do not like Michelle Heaton either. Michelle said to Jordan on tv this morning "you have to chuck him" about Alex.  Very strange thing to say in front of the cameras.    

time for IAC already, and I havent tidied the kitchen at all, after dinner yet. OH gone to college to get daughter.

enjoy IAC all.
Shame Lucy went last night, I thought she was quite nice.
I loved watching Joe and Kim on the task last night.

that's strange Hicky...
I didnt see your earlier post until after I posted mine.
Hicky... you do seem to have trouble with a lot of things working round the home at the moment. Hope you sort them, but as you say, things could be a lot worse. I cant imagine how awful it must be for all those people up north without their own comfy homes to go to.

Evening.

Been very wet here today, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is more flooding in Cumbria.

Didn't do much, but I went into town to arrange a new ISA to put some of my money in.

There seems to be a lot of talk about banks closing branches all over the place. :Also, all these banks and building societies seem to be inter-related now. It's difficult to know who you're dealing with.

Internet banking is great in it's way, but they haven't worked out a way to pay cheques in through your CD tray yet, so we need our local branches.

Hope you get all your technical probs sorted Hicky. Good job you're technically minded.

As to IAC..I think Katie realised how much she misses Pete. That's why she chucked t'other bloke. Think it's too late for her and Pete to get back together though?

Me and my brother have decided to try to sell my Dad's vintage motorbike.I've got a guy coming on Sunday to see it.

Hi Mollie.

I had one toastie with grated cheese, ham & egg, and the second one had cheese and onion, and made a cheese and onion for my O/H as well.

Didn't get a burger, it wasn't easy though.

Just watching ITV2 now, watched ITV1 nothing very exciting going on.

ITV1 not on tomorrow, not sure about the ITV2 show.

I'm not really bothered about any of them, used to like Sam that's about it.

Hi Emptybox.
The banks wouldn't even take a fax copy of the cheque either.

As you say, it's difficult to know who owns a bank, probably the state.

Don't think Katie ever wanted Alex, she wants Peter, but think he's had enough, which is a big problem for her.

She's in no-mans land again, in more ways than one.

Don't forget, Vintage gear is an investment, and if there's money to be made it gets made by the last one that sells it, and as time goes by the value goes up.
So make sure you look into it's real value and what the yearly growth percentage is, if any, because the banks interest is awful.
And collectors items very seldom lose value.

What you say has some truth Hicky, but vintage bikes need constant maintenance if they are to keep their value.
My Dad kept it in concourse  condition, and was always tinkering with it to make sure it was running smoothly etc.

I just don't have the skill or interest for that, unfortunately.
No point having it rusting away in the garage, and I don't have a licence to ride it.

I always thought it might be fun to get a 50cc scooter for getting about, but this one is 500cc, so I wouldn't even be allowed to learn on it.
Better that it goes to someone who will care for it as much as my Dad.
The guy that is coming to look at it is one of my Dad's old friends anyway.