Hi guys.

Rainy here, so no work done.

That's funny about slugs sabotaging your gizmo Hicky.

Glad you got it sorted.

Surreal tyre change video. Made all the stranger by the music.

Pity you're not at your best Mollie. Hope you're better tomorrow.

Watched Jamaica Inn again.

Evening Mollie & Emptybox.

Mollie, Oh dear, thats not good, your health must come first.

It's sure hard to do it all all in your position.

don't post while things hurt, not worth it.

Emptybox, It was strange about the Slugs, was going to buy a new unit as thought it had developed a fault.

That video was strange wasn't it, to have 5 people on the side of the car, how on earth did he do that?

Good afternoon both xxx

Hicky

how weird is your slug tale, but glad you worked out what was causing your problem.

at that tyre changing link, That certainly looked awkward to say the least.

Emptybox

showery here today, wonder if you manage to get your gardens done today?

I expect the mix of showers/sun really brings the grass growth on this time of year.

The moles are back in the middle of the lawn.  As I guessed the gardener's diesel idea has done no good except....

1) ... make a bigger mess of the lawn than the molehills had done originally and 

2) ....cost the LL extra to pay the gardener to do it.   

I'll get one of the lads to move the pile of earth, so gardener doesn't notice it.

Luckily after a nights rest, my rib pain is gone now, so am trying to pace myself today, in the hope it doesn't come back tonight.

I bought one of these, as pushing our usual vacuum around was triggering off my rib muscle pain and it is excellent. So light to push and no bending over to plug and unplug it in, and cleans up the dog hair that my other vacuums didn't.

Thought I'd show it you Hicky as it is supposed to be a good help for those with arthritus.

here it is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gtech-...r+ram+vacuum+cleaner

Have a good day both xx

Evening Mollie.

Glad your pain has eased.

That was so strange about the slugs, nearly threw the unit out and bought a new one.

I do like to take things to bits to find out whats happening.

Have planted quite a few flowers today, all types of Marigold.

They really are lovely as they flower all year, and so distinctive.

That vacuum cleaner looks good, wonder why no accessories with it?

Working tomorrow with there being a bank holiday.

Very pleased with the garden so far, it's so funny watching the figs growing when the leaves are about 1" long.

But if i'm right i may be having an awful lot of figs.

And i've got my fingers crossed on the round pears being ok, they are about 6mm at the mo.

Evening both.

Not bad day here. A small shower mid day.

Got some gardeneing done anyway.

Glad you are feeling better Mollie.

I've been thinking about a cordless vacuum cleaner myself, so I'll keep that one in mind.

Didn't think the diesel would do much against the moles.

Hi Hicky. Hope you get a good crop of figs.

The marigolds will look great when they are fully out. We used to have a lot in the bed at the back of the house, but they haven't come up the last few years, for some reason.

I've got the bats back, nesting under my roof slates. Making a noise in the bedroom when I'm trying to sleep. Just noticed them the last couple of nights.

They will probably be here till September now. Means I'll have to keep the bedroom window shut, or they get in.

I had set up one of those ultrasonic pest stop devices in the room next to the bedroom, but it obviously hasn't had any effect on them.

It's supposed to deter mice etc, but it mustn't work on bats.

Watched the last episode of Jamaica Inn.

Evening Emptybox.

Just off to bed.

I planted a lot of Marigolds a couple of years ago because they keep a lot of pests off certain veg etc.

O/H fancied some more, they are such a lovely colour.

Those bats are a problem aren't they, not sure what you can do really.

Evening All.

Not too bad a day at work.

Had some work to do but got time to watch some pruning videos.

Have ordered another set of padlocks with common keys for my sheds as last years seem a bit rubbish.

Have ordered another oven food timer, also Seal & Heal tree branch cut sealer, also some Jam spoons.

O/H had made a lovely Chicken dinner for us.

Good evening both xxx

Emptybox

oh dear about the bats again. Looks like you are going to have to get used to them if they have made themselves comfy in your home again until September. Shame the pest stop didn't deter them, it will be annoying not being able to open your windows in summer. Was it nice enough to go gardening today?

Hicky

I agree marigolds are lovely, so pretty. I never knew that they deterred pests. Handy that is for you with all your fruit and veg.

Have you viewed any more bungalows lately?

We are viewing houses most weekends, to see what is going, and if any are suitable for our big family needs.

Lovely day here today, so was able to take mum as far as the seafront. She liked that, we sat and had ice creams. I like it when it is school holidays. There were children building sand castles, some swimming and surfing in the sea, and even some canoes. And the donkeys and a horse, and a trampoline on the beach to amuse the kiddies too. Oh and the fairground was open. i am done in now, as it is hard work getting mum out and about, in addition to my own jobs. But I have been careful to have some sit downs today, so ribs seem fine.

How are your knees/hips now Hicky? Are you getting around ok with the stick?

I saw this article today...amazing how the internet speed varies around the country. My son whinges about ours as it is not very fast for a gamer. 

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tec...download-a-film.html

I think you can do a test somehow to find how fast it is in your own area, can't you?

Do either of you know what yours are?

Not much on tv tonight.

Friday with Gogglebox if my fave night, especially as Rob Rhydon is on after. And Saturdays too now because of BGT.

Have a good evening both xxx

Evening.

Cloudy morning, but heavy rain this afternoon. In fact I got rained off.

Hi Hicky. I didn't know marigolds kept pests away? They don't work on bats, do they?

What was wrong with your previous padlocks?

Glad you had the good weather Mollie, and enjoyed your walk on the beach, but didn't overdo it

My download speed is about 5 Mb/s. Nothing spectacular, but usable.

You can check your speed on this site

Watched Posh Pawn, then a programme on fungi on BBC4.

Emptybox

thanks for the speed checker.

Ours is similiar to yours, it says it is 5.19.

Shame you got rained off, hope you are not getting too far behind now.

Hicky

how nice your OH made you a nice chicken dinner, bet that went down well after your day at work.

I like this link, how cute is the Prince?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/u...rince-george-3419912

Goodnight both xxx

Evening All.

Mollie, Marigolds are friendly in your garden.

------------------------

Annual Marigolds can be used anywhere to deter Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, thrips, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. They are also known to repel harmful root knot nematodes (soil dwelling microscopic white worms) that attack tomatoes, potatoes, roses, and strawberries. The root of the Marigold produces a chemical that kills nematodes as they enter the soil. If a whole area is infested, at the end of the season, turn the Marigolds under so the roots will decay in the soil. You can safely plant there again the following spring.

------------------

O/H keeps her eye open for Bungalows all the time.

Now wouldn't be a good time to try and move my garden.

Glad you could get your Mum out to the seafront.

My Hip/Knee are ok round the garden because i have loads of seats to rest on.

But to walk any distance i take the walking stick.

Just tested my download speed, 14Mb/s down, 0.8 up.

Using this.

http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/?&again

My lads download speed is 65Mb/s, now thats fast.

Might watch Gogglebox, after GBM & M then NW.

Emptybox, we had a lovely day yesterday, but today have cloud and light rain.

One of the last 4 padlocks won't unlock, another was hard to get the key in and out, i need a good set for the Hols so with the price being low with free delivery i can't turn that down.

Here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-...E-KEYS-/330909183458

Good evening both

Hicky

very interesting about marigolds, I never knew they had so many qualities.

That is good you have plenty of places to sit in the garden. Hope you can find a bungalow you are happy with if now is the best time for you to move.

Those look nice bright coloured padlocks.

I used the broadband checker for us and it is only ...

download 2.63 mb/s and upload 0.686 mb/s.

Looks like my gamer son has a point about it being too slow. How strange it is, how it varies so much area to area. I think it is to do with the structure of phone lines, isn't it?

What is your speed now on Hickys link Emptybox?

Emptybox

hope it was dry enough for you to get some work done today.

OH said motorway was busy today to get home.... holidaymakers going back north from the south west I expect.
Nice day, so me and OH took mum walk to park late this afternoon and OH got us ice creams. My fave is the coffee one.

Have a good evening both xxx

So glad it is Gogglebox tonight. 

Hi guys.

Not good weather here at all. Drizzly this morning, and raining properly this afternoon, so I'm getting a bit behind with the grass cutting. But it's still early in the season, so I'll just have to plough on.

That's interesting about the marigolds Hicky. Especially about digging them in to cleanse the soil.

Hicky's speedchecker link is exactly the same as mine, so I get a similar speed on it.

You get the highest speeds if you can get fibre optic cable broadband. That's probably what Hicky's son has.

If you can't get that then you can get up to about 20 Mb/s, but it depends on the distance to the exchange and the quality of the copper lines.

Also some lines are shared between properties, which limit the speed.

And the speed also depends on the demands on the network, so varies throughout the day.

You'll probably find that when you got the 5 Mb/s speed you were the only one using a computer, but when you got the lower speed perhaps one of your children was on the net as well?

I'm relieved to say that both my tax disks arrived, so the transaction must have gone through after all, despite the website crashing and no email confirmation.

At least I don't have to phone up some horrible automatic phone line about it.

Gogglebox good as usual.

Now watching some recordings.

Evening All.

Mollie, I've planted Marigolds in 5 pots in the back and 2 pots in the front.

Counted the Figs on one of the Fig trees, 40, very pleased with that, could be good if they all ripen, the other trees must have that many or more.

I used to have the same problem coming back from London on a Friday, it was a nightmare, it gets even worse as the summer approaches, sometime we couldn't even get into a service are and park, crazy.

Enjoyed Gogglebox last night.

Emptybox, Weather not so good here this afternoon, lots of sun but a couple of showers.

Grass needs cutting again, but think it will have to wait another week, but with all this rain it will probably put a spurt on.

We can manage with the speed we get on the Broadband.

Glad your Tax discs came, could have caused a problem if it hadn't gone through.

Got another 6 eggs from my neighbour, they now have about 8 Hens i think, so they get rather a lot of eggs as they are all laying.

My 12 Strawbery plants came today, the ones i wanted to replace those that died.

Only needed 8 so with give the other 4 to my neighbour.

My neighbour at the back that i gave the last crop of Rhubarb to gave me 2 dishes of the pudding he made, yummy.

I have never seen so  many little pears on a tree, there must be a thousand, i suppose a lot will fall off before too long.

I'm fascinated looking at the little Asian pears from the grafted branch i did 2 years ago.

Evening folks.

Disappointing morning, damp and cloudy, but we had some sunshine this afternoon.

If it had been a better morning I was going to do some work, but as it was, I cut my own grass this afternoon.

Sounds like you are going to have a good crop of figs and pears Hicky.

Could be the basis of a tasty pud?

You've got a good little barter system going with your neighbours there.

Just watched my recording of BGT. Not sure there were any outstanding acts tonight?

Evening Everyone.

Emptybox, Not too bad today, quite a lot of sun, plants doing well.

Counted the rest of the figs, 1 tree has 22, the next 40, last one 67.

Never had crops like that before.

Got flowers of my Strawberries, the early Raspberries are going to flower soon, they are the shoots that come from the wood that was left from last year, the buds give branches that bear early fruit while the shoots that grow up from the roots with bear fruit late summer till first frost.

The apple trees are in flower, that will last for a couple of weeks by the looks of it, all the flowers don't open at once.

We went out for brekkie to the usual place, went to my lads for a cup of tea, got Diesel abd stayed in the garden.

Got the tubs ready for the Tomato plants when they arrive.

Have got some more stuff being delivered.

Pruning paint, Jam spoons, a new oven food probe system, 4 new locks, 24 pair of soft top socks, can't have elastic tops as they give me problems, and a new pair of hair clippers.

Going to order a new pruning saw, i like the Felco 600.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Felco-...el-600/dp/B000IAZDAO

As you say, nothing special on BGT, but do enjoy watching the show.

Hi Hicky.

Glad you had good weather. Wasn't so nice here. Bits and pieces of rain.

I've got a couple of those little folding saws. Very useful for smallish branches.

Supermarket as usual this afternoon.

Enjoyed watching Vera on ITV1 this evening.

hi Both x

not had a good weekend. My mum has been admitted to hospital for further tests. I didn't get home till well after 10pm. Hospital think she may have a small stoke or/and a chest infection.
She has been extra, extra confused over the last 24 hours, real worried me...
neighbour found her at 10pm last night going out the front door of the flats...she has never done this before. Mum told neighbour she was going to going to catch a boat with my dad.  Neighbour said she told her to get back in the flats at once, else she would call the police. (neighbour is lovely and was  worried for her, as a lot of drunks hang around there Saturday nights).
Twice today mum has emptied all her things out of the wardrobe and drawers ready to leave the boat she said,and she sounds a bit drunk when she talks too.
At least I know tonight she if being watched over in hospital though. I now know I can't cope with this on my own anymore and will have to have carers in.

To add to my woes doggie is sick again... son said she was sick and had the runs times whilst I was sorting mum out. 
OH said he would knock a day off tomorrow (so loses a days pay)... he needs to take day off though as he waited at hospital with me all that time and we have to go visit mum and go to vets now tomorrow. We had no lunch or tea, and it was too late to eat when we got home, so he needs a break too.

Emptybox

thanks for the broadband info, that explains why the speed of mine was varied, and why it varies place to place. Glad yoru tax discs arrived, these government web sites are not going to get any better with all these cut backs.

I agree BGT good, but no special acts, Seemed rather too many singers to me, I like to see a bit more variety.

Hicky

Emptybox is right, you seem to have a lovely bartering system with the neighbours going.

Looks like your fruit/veg crops are coming along nicely now.

Haven't had chance to watch any tv at all today but doesn't look like i missed much.

'OH managed to fix son's guitar, let;s hope it is ok now, The screw fell out and we couldn't find a replacement the right size, so OH bought a cheapo saw and sawed one to shape.

Goodnight both xxx

Oh Mollie, sorry to hear your Mum has got as bad.

At least you know she's in the right place at the moment.

Sounds like your OH definitely needs a day off tomorrow.

I guess the last thing you need is for your dog to be sick at the same time. Maybe she can sense anxiety and it's upsetting her too? Hope the vet can give her something to settle her stomach.

Was that the screw holding holding the lug that you fit the strap to, on your son's guitar? One of those worked loose on my guitar, and I had to fit a slightly bigger screw to hold it in place.

Hope you have an easier time of it tomorrow.

Good morning both x

Hicky

hope work is not too busy today. Do you still manage to get away early?

Emptybox

OH said the screw that came out was part of the bridge that affects the pitch. You are good at fixing stuff.

Warm weather forecast for your area I hear.

dog been given injection and medicine at vets, and hospital said mum is waiting for consultant to see her, and I can visit this afternoon.

Me and OH off to view house now, so he doesn't waste a day off. 

have a good day both xx

Well, they must have forgotten to tell the weather then, cos it's chilly, cloudy and drizzly in reality.

The grass is soaking wet, so I'm holding off to see if it'll dry up a bit.

Hope the consultant has good news for your Mum this afternoon.

And hope the house is suitable.

Ah yes, the little screws on the bridge are much more important than the one that holds the lug on. Much more intricate.

One of the pickups on my guitar buzzes if you touch the surround. I think it's not earthed properly, but I'm loath to take it apart to try to fix it. It would almost certainly require a bit of soldering, which I'm not good at.

Doesn't really matter as I'm only playing for myself, but if I was trying to entertain other people it would be annoying.

Don't think there's any danger, as they are passive pickups.

Good Afternoon Everyone.

Mollie, Oh dear, not good about your Mum, strange the things they do when the mind plays tricks.

She could have had a mild stroke i suppose.

slurred speech is usually a tell tale sign.

And the dog as well, thats bad news, not good having to keep O/H from work.

Your not missing anything much off the TV, just general stuff.

Work isn't too bad today, will get away at 2pm, thats great really, it even means i can call in at B&Q if i need something on a Wednesday, for the 10%.

Emptybox, Sounds like your getting some bad weather, it's not too bad here, on and off rain but nice in-between.

I like soldering, if you get the solder with flux inside and a good electric soldering iron, and wait till the iron is the right temperature before trying so you can make a quick on/off to the point and try to tin the ends or positions you are going to solder first.

I've got to Fast tonight as i have Bloods at 8.55 in the morning.

That won't be a problem though.

Just winding down for the last hour, will watch some more pruning vids.

Hi Hicky.

That's good that you get home early.

Good luck with the phlebotomist tomorrow.

I've got a couple of soldering irons, or at least my Dad did.

Never found any solder, but I guess it would be easy to buy.

Trouble is, I wouldn't know what to solder to what else, to fix the guitar?

I could google and learn though.

Watched Classic Car Rescue on CH5, about the Mercedes SL.

Now I'm watching some progs on UFOs.

Good Afternoon Emptybox.

Bloods went fine, quite like needles, had thousands i suppose over the years.

A beautiful day here.

Made a great Spag Bol last night, must tell you what i did.

I did the recipe on the Dolmio Bolonese Sauce Jar, a 500g one, it said 300g mince, 90g Spaghetti, cook mince, add sauce heat & add to Spaghetti on plate, i did add a chopped onion though.

That Dolmio Sauce was fantastic, must admit.

this one, so cheap as well, http://www.tesco.com/groceries...etails/?id=253538414

Not sure how any Spaghetti could tast better really.

Been working in the garden, doing odd jobs, changed to locks over on the sheds etc, 4 off.

Couldn't get the lock off one shed so got the drill gear out and drilled it until it fell to bits.

Couldn't cur the hasp as it was hardened.

wished my Lad in Oz a Happy Birthday as he's about 35 today i think.

I watched a program where they restored an old Land Rover C4 8pm, For the Love of Cars, there's a similar one on again tonight on C5 restoring a Merc.

Hi Hicky.

Lovely day here as well. The grass was dry to cut, for once.

Glad your blood tests went well.

I always use that Dolmio original for my bolognese as well. Except that I make the mince the night before, with the mince, onion, celery, mushroom and condensed mushroom soup. Then the next day I add the Dolmio, more mushrooms, black olives, pesto and a dash of chilli powder. Oh nearly forgot, I put a couple of cloves of garlic in the mince.

In my experience Birthdays aren't approximate things. They are fairly definite. So either your lad is 35, or he isn't.

Yes I watched that one about the landrover as well. The one about the merc was last night, but repeated at lunchtime today.

Hope Mollie's Mum is OK?

all

well fortunately mum has not had a stroke, which means unfortunately the demetia is bad, and she has been referred to the mental health unit. They let her out of hospital, but she has had to come here to stay with us,  as she can't be left alone. I am finding it hard work already. She is moving stuff all the time and doesn't remember moving it, so looks like I won't be able to find anything anytime soon.

Luckily the dog is a lot brighter, fingers crossed she stays well this time.

Hicky

glad the bloods went fine. you like needles. I don't!

Happy birthday to your lad in Oz.   Did you speak to him via the skype?

that is good that the weather was good enough for you to get into the garden, but not good you had trouble with the lock.

Emptybox

that is good the grass was dry, so you won't get too behind. That sounds like a complicated job to fix your guitar, but maybe with google's help you can fix it? You like HIcky seem quite good at DIY.

Haven't had much chance to watch tv again, now have mum to run around after, but am trying to watch the Call Centre on pause now.

Goodnight both xx

Hi Mollie.

Unfortunately it seems the time has come when your Mum can't cope living on her own.

Not good that more work falls to you though, when you have to make sure you don't overdo things.

I'll be thinking of you.

That's good that the doggie is better though. One worry less.

The difference between me and Hicky is that if he does something, he wants to do it properly, with the correct tools etc. He's like my Dad in that respect.

I'm more of a bodger.

Watched that new drama 'Happy Valley' on BBC1 with Sarah Lancashire.

Good Afternoon Everyone.

Been busy so far, with hmrc vat, invoices, orders etc.

Emptybox, why add the soup to the mince for you Spag Bol? i suppose i should have added some mushrooms and chilli.

My Lad is 35, with having 5 lads i can never remember their ages or birthdays.

I missed the Merc program, must have been something else on.

Mollie, It's strange how your mum is acting, is that general for dementia then?

It's going to be hard for you, you can't be watching her all the time.

Glad the dog is picking up, 1 worry less.

My O/H speaks to my lad on skype, i've got it but never used it yet.

Got all the new locks on now, what a job to drill the old one off.

It looks like some more cold weather coming here, am trying to get the watering system activated but can't if there's going to be frost.

Evening Hicky.

Wet all day here. Horrible weather.

And more cold to come, as you say.

That was just my Mum's recipe for mince Hicky. I supposed the condensed mushroom soup makes it just moist enough, and adds more mushroom flavour?

I like it anyway.

Glad you've got your lad's birthday sorted out now.

I've got skype as well, but have never used it. Nobody to skype really.

My Brother skypes or face times his family when he's away from home, but we just use an ordinary phone to speak to each other.

Think I'll just have a steak pie for supper tonight? With potatoes and brocoli probably.

Evening Emptybox.

I see why you added the mushroom soup now but not sure if the mushroom flavour would come through with the Tomato sauce being so powerful.

For tea i made a few burgers with the mince that was left over, added some chopped onion and salt, pepper & dried chili, added some egg to bind them.

Had some mash & sweetcorn, made some gravy as well, burgers were lovely.

Then i had a tail of fresh Salmon, just fried that.

Good afternoon all

Emptybox ... the bodger...I like that word.

As long as the item works after, nothing wrong with a bit of a bodge job.   My OH is always doing this.

Hicky

it is no wonder with having 5 lads, that you are not sure now when each of their birthdays are.

Sounds like you are busy at work right now, good job you get away early though.

That is good you have the lock done now, even though it was a bit fiddly.

They are forecasting frost here too, so you are wise to still be cautious with your watering system. 

Yes this dementia is real strange, one minute she seems ok and another comes out with utter rubbish...eg yesterday when I went shopping told my son she was walking around looking for a lost child at the football, and then when we got home from shops, asked my daughter if she enjoyed football match.   I expect I will find more out about it when we go to hospital psychiatrist with her.

I use skype an awful lot now OH is working away. We just use the typing bit, not the talk bit though. It is easier for OH to type stuff into skype to ask me things than to ring in an open plan office. But I have used the skype phone a couple of times when a friend rang me from Oz.

Very busy now with mum to look after, but expect I will adjust and get into a routine. I have to feed her little and often as she is so underweight, she can't take big meals and I give her frequent weak coffees but with a spoon of coconut oil in. Supposed to be good for dementia.

Me and OH viewing a house on Saturday. We need extra room for mum and hope to get one with extra entrance so I can get carers in when I need to go out.

Doggie eating again, but still quieter than normal. I think having the dog around is doing my mum good.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening.

Another horrible damp day. Can't believe we are into May.

Hi Hicky. The mushroom soup is for the mince. I have a portion of mince and tatties before I make the rest into bolognese. You're probably right, that the taste is masked by the tomato.

Hi Mollie. It's strange the way your Mum's mind plays tricks with her. Hope you can build her up a bit, but I know it can be a struggle to get elderly people to eat properly.

Didn't realise you could just type in Skype, like a text message?

I thought it was mainly used for video calls?

Watched Posh Pawn, then Parking Mad.

I think the forecast is OK for tomorrow and Saturday, so I'll have to try to get plenty done.

Evening Mollie.

I cover the pea plants at night with some fleece, i folded a 1m length over about 6 times fastened to 2 x 2ft pieces of bamboo cane, i then wrap it around the frame that surrounds the pea plants, 2 tubs like this.

It will be a lot of work looking after your mum, but with care places costing so much money a month then i don't know what the answer is.

Ordered a peach tree, the one that is more resistant to Peach Leaf Curl.

All my sock have arrives, got 7 packs of 3 pairs, they look good.

My new hair clippers have come as well, they say they are professional ones.

Although the factory is working Monday i am working Tuesday & Thursday as my boss is going to be off Monday.

Sprayed some of the trees today, the ones that don't have open blossom, used the Neem oil & soap, you mix it in warm water.

Got some flowers starting all ready on the raspberry plants, these are the early onmes from the old wood left after cutting them down last autumn.

Also got flowers on the strawberry plants, lots.

The main apple tree is full of flowers, and the baby Asian pears are looking good, so far.

Went to the Tyre place to see why 2 of mine seem to be losing air pressure, they were leaking around the rim, it's a problem with alloy wheels.

They changed the valve and reseated the tyre then balanced them.

Good evening both

Hicky

bet your trees/plants all coming up in flower look lovely.   I think flowers in general this spring have all been lovely..eg there seemed to be lots of bright daffs this year, and now there seems to be lots of bluebells.

You certainly have a good choice of socks now.

Sounds like you are going to be dead smart too when you get to use your professional hair clippers.

Emptybox

shame the weather has not got better for you yet. Hopefully it will soon. Been a bit cloudy here today too, but not too bad, managed to get plenty of washing dry anyway. Fingers crossed you do get a couple of ok days now, so you don't get behind with your gardens.

Yes skype is excellent for typing messages and sending links instantly to each other.

So glad OH is home for a long weekend right now.

Viewing a few houses this weekend, mum needs her own enclosed small place, but close to her us (eg annex), to help her not get too confused. She spends most of the day losing and moving things. But she is eating well little and often with me to check on her. I am all done in though. Have to make her a bed up on sofa each night.

But am looking forward to seeing Gogglebox tonight.

I managed to get out to town/bank when OH got home today , and son "granny sat". Whilst we were there we saw lots of caravans in car park, recognised them as filming ones for "Stella". Then we saw that an empty shop space had been repainted and was a fake cafe, next door to a fake pound shop, and the crew were set up there, with the big spotlights on.
So we hung around awhile and were lucky enough to see one of the main characters, arrive, have his make up adjusted, suit dusted down and enter the "cafe", we even heard part of his lines as he want in..
this is him..he played David Brent's boss in the Office.


OH and kids gone to see Derren Brown, which I am pleased about as it has not been an easy week for them. Mum can't even remember who they are half the time.

Time to watch Corrie now.

When I get time, I will tell you the tale about my bank. (remind me if I forget).

Have a good evening both xxx

Evening Mollie.

Not so good today, pretty dull but warmish.

Had the window cleaners here, not for the windows though,

They had given us a price to clean the gutters out and to clean all the plastic windows window frames, window ledges, and the high level plastic panels.

It took them a few hours but it looks like a new house now.

I made them cups of tea and bacon on toast sandwiches.

Went to the recycle depot with some old steel and plastic rubbish.

Made a nice pork roast for tea, crackling was nice, had carrots and cabbage, made some stuffing as well because i love it, had a nice thick gravy, did some small new spuds as well.

Got flowers on some strawberry plants and got a few on the raspberries, expecting a lot though soon.

Must remember not to do any raspberry pruning next year until Feb.

It's good to have your O/H home for the extra day, can give you a hand looking after Mum.

Hicky

You certainly looked after your window cleaners, food wise. Glad you are pleased with their work.

When you say small spuds, were they Jerseys. i was so pleased to see the Jerseys back in the shops again. I bought a big bag as I love them.

Goggle box was so funny tonight.

Goodnight both xx

Evening guys.

Lovely day here for a change, so I got a lot done.

Sun most of the day and quite warm too. Mind you, I think it's supposed to be below zero tonight.

Hoping to get more work done tomorrow, and then another load on Monday, to try to get caught up.

Seem to have pulled something in my neck/shoulder though, which doesn't help.

Hope you manage to find a house with a suitable annex Mollie. Certainly not ideal, your Mum having to sleep on the sofa.

That was interesting, you seeing that filming.

Can't remember if I've seen that show though?

Wonder what might have happened at your bank?

Hi Hicky.

The tyres on my Jag lose a bit of air as well. I have to pump them up every few weeks. Alloy wheels, as you say.

Glad your new toys came. Well your clippers anyway. I would imagine there's only so much fun one can have with a sock?

Hope your peas etc get through any frost undamaged. Luckily my potatoes aren't through the soil yet, so they shouldn't be affected.

Bet your house looks good, now the outside has been valeted.

Watched Gogglebox, then a recording of a Top Gear episode.

Evening both.

Mollie, The whole outside of the house looks brand new again, shouldn't have left it so long.

Yes, Jersey royals, we only get the 500g bags.

Loved Gigglebox like you, so funny.

Emptybox, Not too bad a day, had a nice BBQ this afternoon, saves cooking in the kitchen, my BBQ sauces go well with it too.

Having another tomorrow, my lad and his lot coming, got plenty of BBQ food in though.

Sorry to hear you've hurt your neck, hope that doesn't hang around.

They can sort you tyre leaks, cost me £30 for the 2 to be redone with new valves.

The clippers are for my beard/face hair, they all seem to pack up or run out of battery life so got some mains ones.

Haven't had any frost here at night, have been leaving the fleece off.

My new Pruning knife came, the Felco 600.

Evening Hicky.

Glad you enjoyed your BBQ.

Bit cloudy and chilly here, although no sign of frost. It stayed dry anyway, so let me get some work done.

It's th tendon that goes from neck to shoulder that I seem to have hurt. Must have done it two to three days ago somehow? It's a bit better tonight anyway, so not too bad.

I used to use a different clipper for my beard, than the one for my hair, but I just use the hair one for everything now\days. It's more powerful. I still use the beard one for trimming round the edge in between times.

Just about to watch my recording of BGT.

Evening Emptybox.

Been cloudy all day here.

Had brekkie out though.

Had tea on the BBQ, it's so easy, went to change the gas bottle and put on some burgers, sausages and lamp chops, yummy.

Glad your neck is a little better, my knee was very painful today, keep forgetting to take the tablets at the right time.

The Wahl Clipper is thios one, the Super Taper one.

It's got a lever which draws the cutting blades away from the end of the clipper.

I was using it with the lever giving a longer cut, didn't use the clip on combs so it's nice and neat, not really bothered how long it is as long as i don't have to shave every day.

Shaving seems to be going out of fashion, tbh i don't know why we have to shave anyway.

It's just giving people jobs.

I'll have to try doing my hair, i usually get that done at the hairdressers, do you do your own hair?

BGT was good, but always like it anyway.

Going to have another BBQ tomorrow as well, thats the beauty of having the BBQ inside the gazebo, the weather doesn't matter too much.