Evening.

Yes it was a nice day here as well, and I got some work done.

Hicky,  Nigella broke the tail off a prawn and ate it, shell and all. Perhaps she likes the shell?

I watched the end of Strictly tonight. Kara Tointon was something else. Even though she stumbled a bit. 

I had a look at that mower, it seems fine. Looks like it has the grass box on the back, which is unusual for cylinder mowers, but more convenient.

I've put my heating on, now it's October. Only for a few hours a day, but I don't see the point of shivering in my own home.

Hi Emptybox.

There's some fine girls dancing, some being guests others pro's, but who cares.

They have the grass box at the back on that mower so you can get nearer to the edge of the lawn by obstructions, it will do me anyway.

Can't imagine why Nigella would eat the tail of the prawn as well, it has sort of scales which could lodge and cause problems.

The air is getting a lot colder these days, it's about 16deg in the house, I'll just check outside in the road with my Laser, 13.5 on the road, 14.8 on the car roof.
It has been raining all morning, looks like it will stop, is clearing up, sky a bit lighter now.
Not sure what to do this afternoon, got to get fuel for the car, don't want to stay in though.

Hi Hicky.

It's wet here as well.
I was thinking of cutting my own grass, and perhaps trimming the hedge, but there's no chance of that.
My thermometer says it's about 18 degrees in my house at moment. That's without the heating on, so it's not too cold at the mo

I'll be going out for my weekly shop in a bit.

I see the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth games is on this afternoon.
Might be worth giving that a look. If only to see if any bits fall off the stadium?

Well, the opening ceremony was actually quite good.
And quite professionally done.
Perhaps the Games will go off without any mishaps?

Hate to think what Glasgow will come up with in 4 years time? 
Massed Rab C. Nesbit lookalikes, reeling about drunk in the middle of the stadium, to a bagpipe accompaniment perhaps?
(hope naebdy fae Glesca reads this thread ) 

I did my weekly shop earlier, and I bought some Chinese stir-fry mix. So i think I'll have King Prawn Stir-fry for supper.

Hi Emptybox.

Had to reboot, couldn't post, couldn't get the reply box.

Have put the heating on, well turned control up to 18 and it turned on.
Have got the boiler repair chaps coming Tuesday, the system keeps losing pressure, the rads should stay at about 1 Bar or so.
Pretty sure it's the blow off valve through to outside, but the seat isn't reseating and keep having to let the main water in to re-pressurise it.

Didn't watch the Ceremony, don't bother with that lot.

I put a covering of tree bark in the top of the temporary tree pots, birds decided to root through it and made a mess, now have blue slate dashed with tree bark.

Good Afternoon Everyone.

Stuck at work, no idea what the weather is like.
Been fairly busy with it being the end of the vat 3rd quater just gone.

Have you seen Diana's latest Video, love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxR7ZlCs9k4

Good evening all

Hicky
hope you aren't too tired after your busy working day today.

Emptybox
hope you enjoyed your prawns, Yes I didn't like the way Nigella cooked and ate those huge prawns.   I'd of enjoyed the roast veg she did, on their own, minus the seafood though.

It was  a lovely day here today, got lots of washing dried nicely.
Hope it was nice and dry for you to catch up with your gardens Emptybox.

I enjoyed X factor. and also that Downton Abbey programme. I love to see the old costumes and the settings on that show.

We went to M and S yesterday, we love their food.

have a good evening xx

Good Evening Mollie.

Didn't get away till 6pm, they are so busy, tons of work on.

Yes, X-Factor was good, Downton Abbey makes a change from the usual programmes.
Thats probably exactly how it was.
Haven't been to M&S for a while, there isn't one by us but only a 10 minute drive.

Had some chicken and chips with spaghetti, tried to make Salt&Pepper chips, was using French Fries and sliced the chicken and added it to the salt & pepper chips.

Think I added too much Salt & Pepper.
It was flaked sea salt and cracked pepper corns.

Evening.
Yes. it was a nice day here, so i got plenty of work done.
Haven't done much else though.

That's a very quirky 'Diana' video Hicky.
They seem to be marketing her as a sort of British Lady GaGa? It'll probably work as well.

Chicken chips and spaghetti Hicky.? That's sounds like a strange combination?

Haven't watched Downton Abbey Mollie.
I watched  the film 'Layer Cake' tonight on Fiver. Haven't seen it before.

Hi Emptybox.

Not a bad day here today, had a little rain.
The new Diana track is available to download from the 17th, it's called "My wicked heart", it's about fancying a one night stand with no strings.

I added the spaghetti to the chicken and chips as a sort of gravy, was going to have beans but I eat a lot of them.
I don't eat any particular combinations, just eat anything.

Repair man came today, replaced a safety 3bar pressure release valve, think it has been leaking as we have been losing pressure so had to keep building it back up again.

Just going to get myself another Crab sandwich, love them.

Had a lovely Fish this afternoon in "New Brighton", it's on the sea front and they always have the most delicious Battered Fish.
Then had a big ice cream, Rum & Raisin, yummy.

Work tomorrow, oh well, what must be must be.

Hi Hicky.
Was mostly dry here with a few short showers.

Glad you got your heating firing on all cylinders again.

Spaghetti gravy? That's new one on me.
I had a chicken stir-fry. I had to use up the rest of the stir-fry mix. That's the drawback of catering for one.

Diana's very difficult to understand, so i didn't get the meaning of the song, but the outfits were very colourful, and it's very catchy

Good evening all

Hicky
fish and chips seem to be always the best from the seafront.   Glad you enjoyed them.
 I made a family size caulifloweer cheese tonight, and a fruit crumble. The family had some chicken with theirs.
Glad your heating is all sorted.
It seems to of reverted to summer yet again here. Back to the summer clothes. I am having a long wait this year to get my jumpers out.
hope you aren't so busy at work tomorrow, as you were yesterday.

Emptybox
Glad to hear the weather has been ok for you work wise.
Did you watch 7 days tonight?
I did, but I am giving up on it now, I got bored.

I get my Heat delivered, and on the front page is separate pics of Chantelle and Preston, with a big headline saying "Sham"... "how they planned their shomance months ago, Desperate chantelle told Preston, "this will make us rich".......oh dear,
I must admit I never did think he was interested in her at all in the house, but do you think it is as contrived as the Heat is saying?  Or are the Heat cheesed off because Chantelle took her story to OK?

I will read the full article in bed now.

goodnight all

Hi Mollie.
I wouldn't say it was summer here, but it's not too cold tonight.

I saw that Heat headline, and a synopsis of the article, but I don't set much store by it TBH.
I do think they would have known they were both going to be there, and would have known there would be press interest afterwards, but at no stage have they pretended they were getting back together. Chantelle genuinely wanted to I think, but Preston was never interested. 

Preston has made a blog, setting out his position.   http://samuelpreston.blogspot.com/2010/10/xx.html

Good Morning Emptybox & Mollie.

It looks like the heating problem hasn't gone away, the pressure dropped again overnight.
Will have to have a rethink.

I don't think that what Heat printed is fact, they just made that up.
Chantelle isn't like that for a start, and Preston wouldn't go down that route either.
They are both straight people, the mags print anything.

We'll just have to see what transpires, I wouldn't be surprised if they got back together, if not just yet.
Tehy want thhe media attention to go away first.

Good morning all

Emptybox
gardens day for you today?

thanks for the Preston blog link. It confirms as we guessed, he is not interested in getting back with her, you could tell that in the house, because he was so cool around her. And I dont think he will ever be interested in getting back with her.And  I agree, and think they both knew the other was going to be in the house.
I do think the poor girl was hoping to get back with him though, I dont think she is capable of  putting on fake tears, and that unhappy look she often had on her face, when talking about her marriage break up. 

Heat says their agents were phoning offering to set up pics of them together, and that they could sort out them pretending to be..  eg on a holoday together, or having a meal out together, to stage these pics.
Oh well, I guess you cant blame them trying to keep some money coming in from their appearance on UBB. But I think they went too far, if they were trying to pretend this romance was still going on for the mags. (which I think many other BB contestants have done in the past...I suspect  John James and Josie are, because he didn't look like he ever fancied her in the BB house).

Hicky
hope you are not too busy today at work.
Shame you havent worked out that heating problem yet. Hope you can sort it soon.

Yes I think C and P need to put this media attention behind them now, and just get on with life.And  I think Chantelle needs to find herself someone else though, because he does not sound interested in her.

It is another lovely day here today, Hope it is where you are too.
Looking at the forecast, it seems we have a bit of Indian summer to look forward to.

Don'g forget that the Apprentice is back tonight.   Let's hope we get some likeable interesting contestants.

have a good day. xx

Good Evening Mollie.

I feel sorry for Chantelle, hope she finds someone to love and look after her.

I was pretty busy in the end, they have so much work on the books, never seen anything like it, it takes nearly all day sorting and printing emails etc, but I have enough to do without them.

The forecast seemed to show some good weather for a week, that will do me.
Have been having a bit of trouble with the modem again, ever since I turned the power beaker off because the man doing the boiler wanted the power off, and didn't want to switch it off in the false ceiling in the kitchen.
It didn't like it and has been playing up since.
I've got it on again now it seems.

I've got a new modem/router if need be anyway.

Am watching The Apprentice anyway.

Here's Josie & John-James on Studio 5 live today.
And a load of video's of them in the house as well.
http://www.dailymotion.com/vid...-studio-5_shortfilms

Evening all.

It was very wet overnight, but turned into a good day.
Quite warm as well.

Watched the Apprentice. Quite good, and quite a few promising girls, but nobody stands out with the boys?
The girls' sausages looked good, but i wouldn't have touched the boys' ones.  
Did he not have Karen Brady last year as well? Wonder why he announced her as a new member of the team?

Wonder why your router is playing up Hicky? Lucky you've got a spare. 

It's good that your company has got a lot of work on, in these hard times.
Does that mean the car industry is picking up?

Thanks for that video Hicky.
They are quite good together. Not sure if it'll last though?
It also reminds me why I liked Kate Walsh on the Apprentice.

Morning Emptybox.

Dry here and the forecast from Saturday looks pretty good for a whole week, showing Sun & some cloud, not all that warm though, around 12 in the day and 9 at night.

Didn't fancy the boys sausages either, but a good sausage has 95% meat in it, what on earth theirs was like I don't know.

My router seems to be working ok now, didn't put my new Belkin 'N'300 on, will save that for when needed.
BT has said they are upgrading the speed again so that will be good.
I'm running an isposure program they said i SHOULD USE AND IT TELLS ME THE SPEED ALL THE TIME AND REPORTS IN ANON back to BT, it says 6.78 Mbs at the Mo.
Sorry about th caps, lock jumped on, fancy having the Caps lock button next to the Shift key, crazy, and also crazy having the Control key next to the shift key, the problems that cause are uncountable.

I think we are busy at work at the mo because of the new model that's coming out next year, it makes a lot of changes to a factory to add a change/extra model and integrate it into the system.
We will have to start turning down work now, we just don't have the capability to manage, engineer or manufacture/design or install any more, the order book is bursting at the seams now.

Must go, got to go looking at more floor laminate.

Evening.
It was a beautiful day here. Sunny and warm.
Got quite a bit done.

Glad your router is working again Hicky, and that's not a bad speed you're getting. Twice as fast as my connection anyway.

Yes, the old QWERTY keyboard is not very well suited for modern computing. It was actually designed to slow typing down in the old manual typewriters, because the levers with the letters on them used to lock together if you went too fast.
They've tried various redesigns, but none have taken off.

Re The Apprentice, the boys' sausages were more than half rusk (biscuity, bready stuff, I think), and they looked yellow and horrible too. I'm surprised they sold any.  

It's great that the business you are in is on the up and up.

Good evening all

Hicky
yes I too feel sorry for Chantelle, she would obviusly like to settle down with a fella and start her own family, I hope she finds what she is looking for, because I dont think she will find it with Preston.
Well, that is a good thing if your company has a big order book beause it keeps you in work during the recession. . Glad you sorted your router ok.

Emptybox
Glad it is hear nice and warm up there for you too. All helps save your heating oil. Do you have a full tank ready for winter?

Yes i too enjoyed the Apprentice. I was not keen on the blokes group, especially the one who got thrown out,. Far too shouty and sweary..
I thought you fellas might of beent taken with the pretty lady with long straight dark hair, the one who we saw in the trailer walking out of the room, sayind she has had enough of theme (arguing?)..It looks to be a promising series.

Just watched An idiot Abroad, So funny.

We went to Asda tonight. The kids saw a game I wanted advertised for £15 on the tv, managed to get it. It is called Dance on Broadway, and you get to sing and dance to Broadway songs on the Wii. Should be good fun exercise for me , with winter coming.

Off to have a look at your link thans Hicky.

Goodnight all xx

Hi Emptybox
glad your Indian summer is carrying on up there too.

I would be lost without a QWERTY keyboard now , because I did the old touch typing at college.  We used electric typewriters then, because computers just starting to be used. How quickly times changed when they came in.

Yes those sausages of the boys team looked awful. I am suprised they sold as many as they did.

Daughter just baked some coffee cakes from her Hairy Bikers recipe book. Absolutely delicious they are too.   Hope they dont keep me awake now, because I usually only have caffeine in the mornings.

Hi Mollie.

Hope you enjoy your new game. Don't think broadway songs would interest me, but if they had a Heavy Metal version......

I've no doubt that I shall find a favourite girl, on the Apprentice, and knowing me, it'll be a slightly bossy one.  , but nobody stands out as yet.

Although it was hot during the day, it's quite chilly tonight. I had to put the heating up a wee bit.

Crikey, I like coffee cake as well. Not surprised you couldn't resist.

I can't touch type anyway. i have to look at what i am typing, so I could probably get used to a different layout quite quickly.

Good evening all

Hicky
was it a work day today?

Emptybox
I think the closest thing  to a heavy metal game we have is that guitar hero game the kids play. We have 2 guitars so they can play it together. Good game it is.  But I am hopeless at it.
Yes I am sure you will find a girl you like on the Apprentice.

We went out for dinner at the Harvester today. Very nice and good value for about £5 each. I like the help yourself salad cart.

Still very warm here for October, think it was about 20 degrees today.
Saves on the gas bill though. Hopefully this mild weather will mean your oil lasts longer Emptybox.
Hope HIcky has got his fixed by now.

goodnight all.
hope you have had a good day.

Hi Mollie.

Yes I've played Guitar Hero, my nephews have it. I only tried an easy song that I knew, but it was quite fun. I couldn't keep up with my nephew though.

Dryish here, but very dull and cloudy. Not too cold though.
The heating hasn't had to work too hard yet luckily.

Glad you enjoyed your meal out.
I've just had mince, potatoes and broccoli. Tomorrow I will turn the rest of the mince into my bolognese.

I'm still a bit behind, so I'll have to cut some grass tomorrow if it's a good day.
I was trying to cut a hedge today, but my hedgecutter was playing up again, so I had to abandon it. I think I've managed to fix it tonight? The fuel line had developed another split, so I cut the end with the split off, and reconnected the end to the nozzle. It means the fuel pipe is a bit shorter in the tank, so i might have to keep the tank topped up more often, but hopefully it'll work.

I still haven't got round to cutting my own hedge, but luckily it backs onto a field, and the farmer came round today with a tractor, and cut the field side and the top, so I've just got my side to do.

Good Evening Emptybox & Mollie.

Wasn't working today, had a bit of trouble with router again, have put the new one on now.

The BT side says it is 9.89Mps now but the wireless link says 65.0 Mbps.

I went to the garden centre and got some more blue slate, just 4 bags.
Have been reading about the pruning of the fruit trees, and when to do it.
Also finding out about the right size tubs and what compost to use.

It was dry and warm today, a bit too much wind for me to spray the decking though.

Have bought some spring onion sets, also shallots and garlic, I might as well plant something over winter.

Chap coming in the morning to measure up for the new French Windows and back door and 3 front windows.

Hi Hicky.

I thought you might be having problems again, but you're fair whizzing along now.

Hi Emptybox.

Man came to measure up this morning.
Nipped out at 19.30 to get my repeat prescription, then went to Morrisons for brekki as it's in nthe same village (West Kirby), had an Early Starter, you get 2 Sausage, Egg, Bacon Tomato and Fried bread, I also order a round of toast as well.

Planted some Spring Onion, Shallots and Garlic this morning, don't like to see the plots empty.
Don't know whether to leave buying the new big tubs for the plants till next spring, it's also a load of either big stones or some type of crock to let the water out of the tubs, need about 100mm deep.
Also need 100 litre of the correct compost for each tub as well.

The base speed from BT has gone up again, it's now saying 12.61Mbs x 8 = (100.88 Mbps) my usb adapter is running at 65Mbps. But it says the WAN connection is running at 8.0Mbps, confusing eh.

It must be SCD & X-Factor on tonight.

Still waiting for a calm day to spray the decking, no luck yet.

Hi Hicky.

I see you managed to get quite a bit done in the garden, despite the fellow measuring up your windows etc.

It was misty and dull here, and quite a bit chillier, but I managed to get one of my big grass cutting jobs done.

Those BT figures do look confusing. I doubt if you are getting over 100Mbs from your broadband? They manage that in some countries, but not here yet. You're probably getting 12 Mbs (as a maximum) though, which is very good. I could only dream of that.  

Watched a little bit of X-Factor. The girl right at the end was excellent.

Hi Emptybox.

Another lovely day, gentle wind so sprayed the decking, it says 1 3 litre container will do 36 sq metres, it took almost 4, and at £33 each that is ridiculous.

O/H wants my 50" TV mounting on the chimney breast with a pipe in the wall to carry all the wires with the Sky boxes etc sitting on a glass table in the area which was the fireplace.

Looking forward to the SCD results, although I knew who was leaving last night, a Birdie on twitter told me, just shows the show carried on last night, tonight is just a recording.

X-Factor on at 8pm on the other side as well.  .

Hi Hicky.

What were you spraying on your decking again? Was it wood preservative? Seems a lot anyway.

Watched Downton Abbey tonight. hadn't watched it before, but it was very good.
I'll have to try to remember to watch it next week..
I also watched the X-Factor results.

Mounting TVs on walls is becoming very popular Hicky. Just make sure you don't put it up too high, or you'll get a cricked neck watching it.
I think the idea is that your eye level, when seated, should be in the top half of the screen.
Obviously if you are putting it above a mantlepiece, that might be tricky? 

I did my weekly shop this afternoon, and gave my vehicles a wash, then I did some ironing while watching the Commonwealth games round-up.

I've been feeling a bit off the last couple of days. A bit of a tummy upset. Not too bad, but I hope I'm not getting a bug.

Good evening all
Seems I forgot to post last night, with all that good tv to watch.
Harry Hill followed by a long, but enjoyable X factor. and good tv again tonight.
X factor , then Downtown Abbey. Anyone else watch Downtown Abbey?
at the randy Turk deaded in the young mistress of the house's bed. Who dun it?   The young mistress? The crafty butler? Or a sudden heart attack from over excitement?

Hicky
Do you have all the slate you need  yet?  How many bags have you bought in all now? I reckon you must have a fair area covered by now, but at least you dont have to cut grass there now.
You have been busy with your planting too.
Good idea of your OH's to have a pipe thing to hide all thoe cables. I like to see a tv on a chimney breast, so that should be nice. 
When do you get your new windows?

Emptybox
Yes guitar hero is good fun, I am hopeless at it though.
I enjoyed playing my Broadway dance game last night, but I do need to practice some moves though because I am clumsy. .   I kept whacking the chandelier thing, and the dog ran and hid under the table to hid away from me dancing. .

Can you remind me how you measure your speed thing on the net? I think ours is slow because of phone restrictions round here.

Lovely afternoon here today weather wise, so the dog went paddling through all the rock pools, then a walk on the beach. The seaside was absolutely packed with people sitting outside. This morning we went a walk to collect some new conkers. I like to put them round the house to put off spiders. OH says that is an old wives tale, but I still like to do it, just incase.   And we did have less spiders last year, the first year I had done this.

goodnight all
hope you both had a good Sunday. xx

Posted together again Emptybox.
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well.
that is unusual for you.
I hope you feel better soon.
Have you been in any crowded places you could of picked up a bug?
Or did you eat any food out that could of upset you?

Glad you thought to watch Downton Abbey, it was good tonight.

Hi Mollie.

I'm not too bad. Just my stomach feels a bit heavy, I have a slight headache, and I feel a bit achy.
It hasn't stopped me doing anything though, I just hope it doesn't develop into anything.

I thought it might be a bad idea getting my shopping this afternoon, in case I gave something to other people, but I was running out of things, and I haven't got anyone else to do the shopping, and I thought i might be worse tomorrow.
It might just be something I ate? Just have to see.

The easiest way to check your speed quickly is this site
http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/
Just try and do the test when nobody else in the house is on the internet.
Also worth checking at different times of the day, as it does vary.

My current download speed is 2840 Kbps, and my upload speed is 372 Kbps. Not very impressive, but it allows seamless playback on BBC iPlayer, which is the important thing.

Glad your dog enjoyed it's seaside walk. Perhaps it made up for it being scared by your dancing.

Never heard of spiders being put off by conkers?
I would imagine your average spider would treat an encounter with a conker with a certain nonchalance?
But you never know? Perhaps they give off an aroma or something?

Morning Emptybox & Mollie.

Tried to post last night at home but it wouldn't let me, would have had to reboot the lot.

It was good preservative, dear enough anyway so it should be, looks good though.

Didn't see Downton Abbey watch Extra Factor instead.

The TV to be mounted on the chimney breast will have the fire, fireplace etc all removed so it can be fairly low.

Sorry to hear your not feeling too good Emptybox, wonder what is causing that then?

Hi Mollie, Amount of slate, well I had 25 bags to start, that I took up in the first place, got an extra 2.25 tonne, then got another 8 bags, then another 8, then 4 bags, need some more really for the parts where it is a bit thin, but no hurry, will just pick some up when I'm at the garden center.
I suppose that adds up to about 135 bags.

Not sure when the French windows etc will be fitted, probably at the end of the month, have to get the radiator moved, will have to get another this one is too big to go in the alcove. 
Use this Mollie to test your speeds.
http://www.mybroadbandspeed.co.uk/


I see Emptybox put a speed checker up, I tried that but it didn't come up so I put this one, probably the same anyway.
Hope I'm not too busy today, liking this nice weather, looks like we are getting another week of it.

Afternoon.

I haven't gone out to work today because I feel a bit worse. Feel a bit nauseous, and have a nice yellow coating on my tongue, so I presume that means I've definitely caught something.
Hope it doesn't last long, because I don't want to get too far behind.  
I haven't actually been sick or anything, but I'm off my food a bit as well. Just had a little soup for my lunch.

That's a good idea Hicky, to get rid of the fire surround etc. Gives you more flexibility with where you put the telly.

Mollie I would try both speed checker websites. The one Hicky pointed to is giving me a higher result than the one I pointed to. I don't think they are all that accurate, because it depends on many different variables, but they should give you an idea, if you do a few tests over time.

I see there's a programme on Channel Five at 10pm tonight on What John James and Josie did next. Might be worth a look?

Evening Emptybox.

Bad news about your sickness/cold/flue hope it doesn't last.

Just checked my internet speed, down was 13962kbps 1.75MB's or 14Mbps, not bad though, up was 616kbps, 77KB's.

I'll be watching Josie & John tonight, the fly on the wall show might be extended, not sure yet.

Was a bit busy at work as well, that's life.

Good evening all

thanks to you both for the broadband checker, I will get OH to try ours when there is no-one else using it.

Emptybox
what a shame you are unwell.   You must rest to try and knock it on the head as soon as you can. I hope you feel better soon.   I wonder where you picked this bug up from? I have heard there are quite a few viruses around at the moment.
Thanks for telling me about the J and J show , I missed the first half, but am watching it now.
Yes, someone told me about this conkers and spider thing. OH says it is just an old wives tale.

Hicky
hope you have had a relaxing evening after your busy day at work.
135 bags of slate, no wonder you have been busy lately, wth all that lot to sort out.
Does your preservative last awhile, or do you have to replace it again soon?

It has been a lovely day again today.
That is good HIcky, if they say it is to last all week.
Having an Indian summer does make the winters seem shorter.

goodnight all xx

Evening Mollie.

Just tried the broadband checker again, 16008 Kbps which is 16Meg bits which is a lot, have never had more that 6 before, BT are right they have increased the speed by loads, they said they would over a couple of weeks.

I enjoyed the Josie/John fly on the wall program, think they will get to make a lot more, they are very popular.
It probably depends on the viewers it gets.

We could be having some good weather, I'll show you my forecast.
http://www.weather.com/weather.../UKXX0083?dp=windsdp

Nighty Night then.
I'm off tomorrow as well, and one of the canteen women brought me in one of those sprays the SOS ones Avon fly keeper off ones.