Hi Mollie.

Lovely day here as well. Lots of sunshine, but not too warm to work.

The strimmer lives to fight another day.....just.

I managed to get it started, but it's still coughing and spluttering a bit. Managed to do a job with it anyway.

I also managed to cut a conifer hedge with my Lidl rechargeable hedgecutter.

It wasn't a very thick hedge, but still, that's good going for a rechargeable.

That's was a good tip you gave me to buy it Mollie.

Found a manual for that stationary engine, so might have another go at fixing it, before i try to sell it.

We're also trying to sell an old petrol concrete mixer that my Dad restored. And I can't get that to start either.

Well done to your son for passing his grade 3 with distinction.

That comment about you and you daughter being the Ugly Sisters isn't appropriate at all, and really unfair.

I mean, you aren't sisters.

Haven't watched the Great British Bake Off. I don't mind programmes like Masterchef etc, but cakes just don't excite me for some reason.

Don't mind eating them. but cannae get excited about them.

Evening Both.

Had a good day out, went to SIL's, she took us to Lytham St Annes, we had a coffee in one place then a Fish & chips in a fish restaurant, then an ice cream on the sea front, then back to her place then we got the car home.

weather was great.

Emptybox, yes, the computer seems fine, haven't tried all the programs yet.

Water works behaved fine today, didn't need to go mid journey, very pleased with that.

Yes foot nurse was pleased with my feet, see her in November next.

Bad news about your strimmer, can't you strip it down?

Mollie, Poor Mum, having sore toe nails is nasty, hope they can sort it for her.

I was paying for my feet at one time £25 a go, went to docs, that sorted that.

Water works seem to be running a lot clearer, not clear as such, a bit cloudy, something is clouding it slightly, could of course be a little blood, i can't see it but O/H has better eyes than me.

If it's the same next Monday i might see if i can see the doc.

I think it's nice to be an Ugly Sister, children don't see the name as we do, ha ha.

That certificate was a close one, no room for error there.

Thats another distinction though.

Been watching the bake off, i'm not a baker though, get mine from the shop.

Hi Hicky.

Sounds like you had another good day at your SiL's.

Glad your waterworks didn't let you down.

Cloudiness could be puss or blood in the urine? As you say, better to mention it to doc if it persists.

I have heard that some have prostatitis for a while after the op.

Yes I can strip the strimmer down. In fact I already made a start, stripping part of the casing down with my steel toe-cap boot (in frustration )

Putting it back together again however would be a completely different matter.

It's still got the same spark plug it came with, because I've never found a spanner that would get it out.

Just been standing outside trying to see these Perseid meteors.

It's a perfect night, very clear sky, can see all the stars, but not a single meteor.   What a swizz.

Evening Emptybox.

Not a bad day, was expecting rain, didn't arrive.

Very cloudy though with sunny spells.

Had a good night last night, only got up a few times, maybe because i didn't drink all that much yesterday.

Just pottering about in the garden, always lots to do really.

You can probably get a plug removal tool, not sure if Halfords would have one.

A set of double ended box spanners would do.

Like this, £3.

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-42...DIpscCFYvKtAodIzQFdQ

Only an idea, probably get them on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=...f=pd_sl_50scic4b65_b

the spark plug gap may be too wide if it's never been out.

I don't look at Meteors, just the sun.

Hi Hicky.

Was a lovely day here.

Expecting rain tomorrow though.

Glad you had a good night, and enjoyed your day's pottering in the garden.

The box spanners might do it. There may be some around here actually. I'll have to have a look.

I've got 2 or 3 different plug spanners, but none of them seem to quite fit.

It's probably not the plug that's the problem anyway.

I went outside about 3 times last night, for a few minutes at a time, but not a sign of a single meteor. Perhaps you had to get up before dawn to see them?

It's cloudy tonight, so no point looking.

Watched Location, then Who Do You Think You Are on BBC1.

Morning Emptybox.

Pouring here all morning, should stop soon.

Another reasonable night.

I think you should check the plug, you should put a new one in anyway.

If you can't check the plug is working then replace it, they only last a certain time, either the gap gets too big or the carbon shorts the circuit out.

Not sure what to do today, with all this rain it's rather miserable.

that really made me laugh, I love your sense of humour.

Good afternoon both

Emptybox

glad you are pleased with your rechargable cutter. Always a bit of concern if you tell someone about something like that in case it ends up being rubbish.

Pity you didn't see a meteor, and I thought your area was one of the best to see one, so no hope here I reckon. But I forgot to look anyway.

HOpe you get the mixer and engine to start ok. If you and your brother are intending to split the money you get from selling the stuff, I reckon with all the work you have done on them and the fact you have stored them, you are entitled to the greater share.

Hicky

So glad you are doing so well now and even coped with the journey to SIL's. I bet you are so pleased you had that op done to sort this out. I have heard Lytham St Annes is a lovely place.

You have me wondering now if I can save mum her £24 for her feet if I go through docs. After all she worked all her life and paid into nhs, and now we have to pay all her blooming care fees, so she hardly used any nhs money at all. Chiropodist was good though, dressed her foot, reckoned one of the carers must of tugged her sock on and broken the nail back so she would of been in pain. No wonder the day centre told me she has been weepy that day. Awful illness this dementia as they can't tell you if they are in pain.

Yes had been wet here today, not as wet as some areas though, but hopefully if the forecast is right , a good weekend weather wise to come.

Tv so bad, can' t even remember what I watched last night.

have a good day. xx

Is it next week CBB starts? HOpe so 

Hi both.

Raining here all day, so no work done. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Was going to go into town, but that's no fun when it's raining either, so didn't bother.

Did a pile of ironing instead.

I'll definitely have a try on the spark plug for the strimmer Hicky.

Had another go to try to start the cement mixer yesterday. Took the spark plug out of that (easily) and sprayed some Easy Start in, but no joy. There's compression, but it just won't kick into life.

Mind you, the whole mixer bowl turns when you turn it over, so no wonder it's difficult to start. There doesn't seem to be any clutch mechanism.

Might have another look at the Stationary Engine as well, but I'm no engineer.

Took pictures of both of these, ready to list them for sale (probably on Gumtree).

Mollie, my bro helped me move them when he was here, plus he half owns anything that was my Dad's.

Also a few months ago he sold an old trailer that my Dad had restored, and I got half, so 'sonly fair I split any proceeds.

Yes Mollie, that is a very frustrating aspect of dementia, that they can't communicate properly any more.

Think I'll watch 'Celebrity Fifteen to One' on CH4 then 'Ripper Street' on BBC1 tonight.

Thurs 27th August CBB launches, so still a couple of weeks yet.

Evening Both.

The rain stopped early, it was 2pm, still cloudy though.

Had to put a net around the family pear tree as i think a bird is taking bites but because they aren't ripe they leave the beak-full on the pear.

Mollie, whatever i have to put up with it's better than the way i was.

I rang the hospital because i haven't heard from them about the follow up clinic appointment, they said it's in 3 months so i should hear about October.

It seems that the Chiropodist takes you on for a series of sessions, my sessions ended and she had to reapply to my Doc for a repeat session.

Didn't realise Dementia effected communication like that.

Emptybox, Raining there similar here, it stopped at 2pm though,

You should always try and test if the spark plug is working, we used to lay it on the engine and see if it sparks, you shouldn't put it back in the engine if you don't see a spark, plus you need to check the plug spark gap, it's usually minimum of 15 thousands of an inch, not sure what that is metric, and usually 30 max.

There's only a few basic points to check, if it's not firing then the plug should be wet with fuel when you take it out, if you get a spark then it must be fuel, if you get fuel you have to see that the air is correct but thats only after it runs, also you need to check the choke is working, many engines like the choke on before they will start, car chokes are automatic but if what you have is manual you need to check it is working.

I am watching The great British menu, then i will give that 15 to 1 program, watched the Hairy Bikers.

Evening Both.

Not a bad day really.

Went out for brekkie to a Sainsbury's about 10 miles away, did a nice food shop as well, called 'Cheshire Oaks'.

Am moving a few trees around in the garden, as they grow some need more space, it's easy enough to rearrange though.

Made a Rendang Lamb curry for my tea, yummy.

I've planted the Olive tree into a 50L tub now and moved it, need to move the Blueberry plant as well.

I think CBB starts on the 27th X-Factor on the 29th.

both

Hicky

glad it has been nice enough for you to get into your garden today.

hope your olive and blueberry trees do well. Yes it is good you are so much better than you were now. Sounds like you are able to get out and about, and do things in your garden problem free now.

Emptybox

hope the weather was better today now you have done your ironing. Do you work at weekends or take them off at the moment ?

Hope you sell the engine and cement mixer ok.

Yes you are being very fair to split the sale proceeds, but your brother is too if he split the trailer proceeds.

Had a bit more free time with family today as other care agency had mum this afternoon, so all 5 of us went to see these little waterfalls and old tin works that national trust own. There used to be a lot of making of tin in south Wales. I felt compelled to try a slice of lemon cake at the little cafe that used to be the old school house there.

Yes HIcky mum can only say the odd word or phrase now, she is double incontinent, can hardly stand up, and we have to feed her, although she can still drink herself at the moment anyway, this is indeed a cruel disease.

Which is why I am so glad I have such nice carers to cheer me up as I have to witness this.

Guess what I saw on tv tonight? The CBB trailer!

I expect you have seen it, but incase you missed it, here it is..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zguDxdwFjcc

I only saw the abbreviated one on tv tonight though...

I am not surprised by the theme though, as we do seem to be getting a lot more American HM's recently.

So CBB and X factor start real close together, at least it will give us something decent to watch, tv been so boring lately.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.

Not bad day here. Started a bit wet, but some nice sunshine this afternoon. Got a couple of jobs done.

Mollie, I usually have to work on a Saturday, depending on what jobs need doing, and the weather. Never work on Sunday though.

Glad you had some free time with the family to go and see the tin works attraction, and enjoy the lemon cake.

Yes I've seen that CBB trailer. Must mean they are going to have even numbers of Brits and American HMs? TBH I don't usually like the Americans, with a few exceptions.

Sorry to hear your Mum is in such a bad way.

Hi Hicky.

Glad you had a good day, and had brekkie out.

Pity the birds have been at your pears.

I managed to get the spark plug out of the strimmer with a box spanner (there was a set here). Actually I think it was the plug out of my old hedge trimmer that I could never shift, not the strimmer

It seems to be starting OK, it's later on that it coughs and splutters.

Anyway, at least I know I can fit a new spark plug to it, if required.

Watched The Saturday Night Show on ITV, about Saurday night telly through the years, then the film Red on CH4.

Evening Both.

Weather not too bad, sun most of the day and just cloud some of the afternoon.

I moved a few trees around today to re-space as they grow.

Mollie, glad you got to see the waterfalls and tin works.

Didn't realise your mum had got that bad, no way you could look after her on your own.

It is good she has such great carers.

I hadn't seen that video, it does now look like a 50/50 split on the UK/US HM's.

Emptybox, Had brekkie out this morning in Hoylake.

If your strimmer starts ok then splutters i don't think it's the plug, it's lack of fuel  i think, as if the carburettor is giving out fuel to the engine faster than it's getting it from the fuel tank.

Hi Hicky.

Similar weather here. Sunshine this morning, then cloudier this afternoon.

Cut my own grass then went to the supermarket.

Hope you enjoyed your breakfast in Hoylake.

Bet your neighbours are confused with all your trees constantly moving around?

You're probably right about the fuel in the strimmer. I thought at first it might be dirt in the carburettor, but I don't see why that would clear and then give trouble and then clear again.

The air filter is damaged, and I can't remove it. That might have something to do with it?

Anyway. I shall soldier on with it, until I'm forced to buy a new one.

Watched Fake or Fortune on BBC1 (with Fiona Bruce), followed by Partners in Crime.

Evening Emptybox.

Hope you are getting some me time Mollie.

Went to Liverpool this afternoon, John Lewis's, wanted some soup plates, got some nice pasta plates, when i have my meal on a normal plate it is too shallow and the meal cools too quick when i have curry or gravy and it wants to spill over.

With these plates they are 4cm deep so they are great.

Had a meal then went to Costco, didn't get much, just some more chopping boards and some Nectarines, and a few cakes.

Moved my Blueberry Bush and Mulberry Bush.

I watched the squirrel climb a line of fruit trees looking for a meal, think thats who has been sampling the pears.

both

Emptybox

good for you taking each Sunday off, not sure I agree with shops trying to open  all hours Sundays.

Let's hope your strimmer at least sees out the season before it gives up the goat.

Hicky

I like John Lewis. I know it is a bit more expensive, but some nice things there. We bought one of these see through toasters, it is great, toasts all sort of breads, bagels, even one side only, and it comes out nice and crisp on the outside, but still moist inside. We got a yellow one as it was cheaper than the silver one, and John Lewis was cheaper than Amazon or Argos for it.

http://www.johnlewis.com/magim...lour=Brushed%20Steel

reckoned it was worth spending a bit extra on as we use one several times a day, and getting bits blocked then burnt on them drive us mad.

Your plates sound nice, what colour are they?

Did you have any food samples in Costco? We enjoy going for the food samples.

Nice weather the last few days, so have been busy drying washing.

Mum having real trouble standing now, finding it hard work getting her out of the car. Not sure she knows me now, occasionally comes out with the odd random sentence. Her day centre took her to the coast for an ice cream, which she enjoyed they told me, so I am glad she goes there.

Watching Travel Guides now where they send people to test out holidays, Tenerife today. Went there years ago.

It was our anniversary yesterday, I bought OH a card and some chocs and I got my usual, nothing because he forgot. Don't care really, the main thing he is nice to me all year, so can forgo a card.

Goodnight both x

In case you are interested on 20 August it is gardening week in Aldi, and like Lidl I find their stuff good.

here are the details...

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-20-aug/

Hi both.

Lovely, very warm and sunny day here.

Got a couple of jobs done.

Hi Hicky. Hope your plates are a success.

Yes, probably more likely a squirrel going for your pears.

Hi Mollie.

I can see my strimmer giving up the ghost. Not sure where the "goat" comes into the picture?

I'm in favour of shops being open on a Sunday, so I can go shopping when I'm off work.

Course that means shop workers have to work.......

Sorry to hear your Mum may not know you now.

But at least she can still enjoy her little trips out, to some extent.

Pity you didn't get an anniversary card.

The nearest Aldi to me is about 20 miles away, so not as convenient as Lidl. In fact I don't think I've ever been to it.

Enjoyed 'Under The Dome' tonight.

Evening Both.

The Squirrel eating my strawberries on the raised beds.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtqqx_WEAALGKI.jpg

Not a bad day, started off cool but warmed up some.

Didn't rain anyway.

Altered the pipework for some raised beds so the pipe is running along the top beam.

went to New Brighton for fish and chips, very nice as usual.

Loads of road works around, no wonder we can't get our pavement done.

Mollie, that toaster looks great, very expensive though, but worth it.

The plates we got are white as that matches what we have already.

I didn't sample any food in Costco as they all seemed to have run out as i got to them.

Sorry to hear your mum is having trouble standing, her muscles must be getting week.

At least it's nice if she can get to the seaside.

Happy Anniversary for yesterday, i never remember ours either.

O/H doesn't like going in Aldi, she is so fussy where she buys food.

emptybox, Yes, the plates are so good, will be good for my roast dinners as well as the gravy won't run off the edge of the plate, and of course it keeps the food hotter for longer.

Think the goat was to keep the grass short, instead of mowing it.

Watching Hairy Bikers, then Great British Menu.

both xx

Emptybox

hope you had weather good enough to get out and about. Is your van working well now after all the money you spent on it?

Yes 20 miles too far to bother with Aldi, I don't go there either, but do go to Lidl now and again, especially for their bargains if I fancy anything.

Hicky

what a great photo, that squirrel looks like he really is enjoying your strawberries. You did well to get such a clear photo in daylight, I thought they only came out for food at night.

Your plates sound great, I hate it if the gravy flows off the plate.

Exhausted again after taking mum home and helping carers put her to bed. Luckily son and OH helps me.

Been nice day here, so got lots of washing dried, and managed a bit of long overdue sunbathing. Need to stock up on my vitamin D before autumn.

Unfortunately weather forecast not so good for here now though.

Goodnight both x

Evening both.

Rained all day here.

That wasn't forecast at all. Very disappointing.

Got my accounts for last month done, and posted the adverts for the cement mixer and stationary engine up on Gumtree.

I've given up on trying to start them,

Hicky, I see you've caught the little culprit in the act of eating your strawberries.

I often get squirrels on my back lawn in daylight. There's a Beech tree there, and I think they pick up fallen Beech nuts from the grass. They look quite comical.

It always seems to be grey squirrels now, but just a few years ago I often saw red squirrels in the tree. They were more shy though.

Glad you were able to get some work done on your watering system.

Fish & chips in New Brighton sounds delicious.

You might be right about the goat?

I see Mollie has chosen to gloss over it.

Mollie.

Glad you were able to get a bit of much needed sun bathing in, after looking after your Mum.

Yes, my van is going fine now after all the money I spent. Does seem less rattly over the bumps, with the new springs fitted.

Watched a very interesting doc tonight about conjoined twins in Canada; two six year old girls, joined at the brain.

Good Morning Both.

Had a reasonable night, only got up 3 times for a wee, didn't get the urge, just precaution i suppose.

It's not a bad colour anyway, it seems to be settling down, very pleased anyway, so much better than how it was before the Op.

The sun is out at the mo but forecast says rain this afternoon.

had a couple of rounds of toast and marmalade, love this brownish bread with seeds makes such delish toast.

O/H is going to bring a hot loaf home with her from work, thats if they have baked them when she leaves.

Mollie, yes, this squirrel is hard-faced, at one time i was standing by it and it just kept on eating.

I haven't seen them at night but often see them during the day.

The deep plates are ideal for what i use them for, it's really a Pasta plate but they make tons of soup plates that i didn't realise they did.

I have lots of gravy and am always limited by the plate, these solve the problem.

Sunbathing eh, can't be bad, not sure what happened to summer, think it has been missed.

Emptybox, hope the stuff you have put on Line sells ok, worth a try.

Never seen a red squirrel think the grey ones got rid of them.

I've put sticks criss cross on the bare ground in the raised beds to try and deter the pesky cats from using them, it should make it hard for them to walk as the canes with slide around.

worth a try anyway.

Hi Hicky.

Nice day here. A bit cloudy this morning, but warm sunshine this afternoon.

Got plenty of work done.

Glad you had a good night.

Bit strange that you are not getting the urge to urinate?

I really like seeded bread as well, but I now get gluten free seeded bread (made with rice and tapioca flour, rather than wheat).

That's because gluten is supposed to irritate the prostate.

I certainly find that eating wheat pasta or wheat based pizzas make me feel not so good, but the odd slice of wheat bread probably doesn't do any harm.

I like gravy as well. Tonight I had steak and kidney pie with mashed potatoes and broccoli, and lots of gravy.

I've never had any problem with it spilling over, so I guess my plates must be quite deep, 

Hope those sticks keep the cats off your raised beds.

Not had anybody enquiring about my ads yet. Suppose it's only been a day so far.

Evening Emptybox.

Had a good night last night, only got up 3 times, water a good colour.

Have a feeling that i could go a lot longer in bed without needing to go, i just wake, not because i need to go, probably because i don't want to get caught out.

But it's so much better than it was with the catheter that i am very happy.

We went out to Park Gate for Fish and chips at lunch time, wow, what a fish, fantastic, then we went to a garden centre and got some heat proof mats for the hot pans to sit on, we had a trifle while there.

I bought some Eccles cakes as i love them.

It means i can go for quite a while in the car without needing the loo, a bit like it was before all this trouble.

Gave my neighbour some spring onions to go with the cucumber i gave her.

My SIL loved all the fruit and veg i took her, she said the golden beetroot were lovely, as well as all the other stuff i took for her.

I think i'll take a few of the beetroot up and boil them.

The onions are a good size, they will be coming up soon, loads of them.

the Raspberries are coming on as well.

Got some massive Apples, probably 9cm across and not ripe till September at the earliest.

I've been drinking Decaf free coffee and tea as it's better for the prostrate as well.

My stinging is more or less gone now, so glad.

I'm addicted to Pork Scratchings, just love them, have some while watching the TV in bed at night, trying to stay awake a bit longer, or in the morning.

You won't have a problem with your gravy if you don't put too much on the plate, i love lots of gravy.

I can see my strimmer giving up the ghost. Not sure where the "goat" comes into the picture?

 

is it really "ghost"? I honestly always thought it was goat!

I always get sayings wrong, and don't usually get jokes either.

and at Hicky saying the goat keeps the grass short.

both xxx

Hicky

it is so good to hear how much better you are now.   and that even the stinging has gone. 

Good job you got that op when you did.

Nice to get out for fresh fish and chips.

It didn't take you long to get those fruit and veg grown and ready again.

Emptybox

thanks goodness the van appears improved after all that money you spent on it. How nice you get squirrels to look at in the back too.

I can't stand living where we live now, small garden, hardly any birds let alone other wild life, but there is a constant noise of traffic from the M4. Plus the weather is so much worse than on the coast where mum is, as it gets all the rain/cloud from the valleys. Just staying for convenience at the moment.

Hope you can get some response to your ads soon.

Good job we can get so much gluten free foods now.

I can't eat white bread/pizza in the evenings, as it affects my breathing overnight. Fortunately chocolate doesn't have a bad effect though.

Carer and care agency rang me this morning to say mum looked a bit unwell this morning, but they still sent her to the day centre. However she seemed fine, and ate her dinner. So hard when they can't tell you if they feel unwell.

Thank goodness OH working from home tomorrow, took him nearly 2 hours to get home as part of motorway closed.

All this rain so annoying, I resent spending having to put washing in a tumble drier mid summer.

Hope it dries up a bit for the weekend.

Not long till CBB now, thank goodness, so bored with tv right now.

goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie and Hicky.

Nice day again here. Able to get on with my work.

Sounds like it's going to be a good year for all your produce Hicky.

Bet your neighbour and SiL are grateful for it.

Good news that you're able to travel further in the car without worrying now as well.

Yes, caffeine is another thing that I have to avoid now. Also very spicy food.

Mollie, the gluten free stuff is good, but very expensive compared to normal stuff.

Sainsburys do ordinary Cherry Bakewells at 6 for £1 (about 17p apiece), but the gluten free ones are 4 for £2 (50p apiece).

Also the gluten free loaf I buy costs £3. And a gluten free pizza is twice the price of a normal one.

Unfortunately the Lidl near me doesn't do any gluten free stuff.

Glad the chocolate doesn't have any bad effects on you Mollie.

Pity the place you are living in isn't ideal.

Yes it's definitely "give up the ghost", as in die, or give up the spirit.

Good that your OH is working from home tomorrow, so he can escape the problems on the roads.

Hope you get some nice weather over the weekend.

Think it's not supposed to be so good up here by then.

Watched Location, Location, Location, then The Wonder of Britain on ITV1 with Julia Bradbury.

Evening Both.

A pretty miserable day here, raining on and off.

My next 2 trees came, 1 apple, 1 plum, will have to get more John Innis 3 now.

Made a lamb curry for tea, it was neck fillet, lovely in the new dishes.

Bought 6 jars of Rendang curry paste from Sainsbury's yesterday, with coconut milk tins and stir fry sauces.

Mollie, can't believe how good it is now after the 2 operations, it's really put my life back on track, still trying to get used to doing things i couldn't do.

It is bad when your mum can't tell you what the problem is, don't know how you get round that.

Emptybox, Yes, going in the car now doesn't seem to be as bad as i thought, if things stay as good as this i'll be made up.

Having Decaf tea and coffee isn't really a problem, not sure if i'll keep it up.

Aaaww I am so pleased for you to hear that.

It must feel wonderful for you to be able to do those things you enjoy again.

Good evening both

Emptybox

glad to hear you did get a good day weather wise so you could get some work done.

Rain or drizzle all day yet again here.

that gluten free food is more expensive. But worth it if it helps keep your health problems at bay. How have you been lately?

Your ghost explaination makes sense now, so hopefully I should get it right from now on.

Hicky

sorry you too got this bad weather, I know it holds you up in the garden.

I see you are still adding to your fruit trees.

Day off from looking after mum today, so we went for tea tonight at the Toby. I only pay £4.95 for help yourself to as much veg as you want.

Cauliflower cheese, peas, carrots, mash, roasties, cranberry sauce and gravy...yummy.

Watching Katie Price story before bedtime.

Goodnight both xx

Evening.

Not too bad day here. Nice and warm and dry, but cloudy.

Got a lot of work done, and may have picked up a new customer.

Pity you both had rain.

That's great that you feel your two ops have been worth it Hicky, and you're able to do a lot more than before.

Not sure going gluten free has kept symptoms away Mollie. I've been a bit up and down lately.

I feel more or less OK for a few days, then have a couple of days with symptoms, then a few more days feeling OK, then repeat.

That just seems to be the way it is.

Have felt not too bad today though.

Mollie, glad you had a nice tea on your day off.

I watched Ripper Street on BBC1 then that Katie Price thing on +1

Evening Both.

A bit of a mixed bag weatherwise, rain on and off, had thunder and lightening before.

Didn't do much with the bad weather, made a nice meal tonight, chopped up a Ribeye steak and an onion with mushroom and peppers, added a sachet of chilli and ginger stir fry sauce and had it over a bed of boiled rice.

Mollie, Yes, i'm amazed at what life changing things they can do in hospital.

The amount of time you used to spend in hospital compared to now, it's a production line of miracles.

I never believed i could go back to were i was before all this happened.

Hoping to go out for brekkie in the morning when O/H gets in from work.

Need to order a load of compost to plant the new trees.

That £4.95 is a good price at the Toby Inn.

Emptybox, Yes, i'm still realising what i can do, when you get used to not being able to do things it's hard to start to do them again.

I was kneeling down the other day, had forgot that i wasn't able to, now i can.

how do you find out if you are Gluten intolerant? because you really need to know, something is giving you problems, you can solve it once you find out what is causing it.

Hi Hicky.

Not too bad weather here, but a few light showers.

Didn't need to do any work, but went into town for fuel etc.

Really glad that you are able to kneel, and do all the things you couldn't before.

Lucky that you had a good experience in hospital, apart from the food of course.

That sounds like a tasty supper.

Enjoy your brekkie out tomorrow.

I don't think I'm gluten intolerant as such. Never had any problem with it before. It's just that I have found that large amounts of wheat give me symptoms the next day.

I don't avoid gluten completely, as it's in cakes and pies and all sorts, but I have given up wheat pasta, pizzas and wheat bread.

The odd slice of bread doesn't have any effect, but I'm sticking to gluten free bread when I can.

I also find that a very spicy curry - enough to make your mouth burn, gives me symptoms. but a mildish curry seems to be fine.

Some of the symptoms I get are urinary i.e stinging when urinating and needing to go every hour at times. But also there are symptoms in the colon, with things seeming to do somersaults in there at times.

I also get overheated and sweaty at times.

These are all symptoms of chronic prostatitis.

Watched The Saturday Night Story, then The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, now watching The Chase.

Evening Emptybox.

Not too nice here today, some heavyish rain, some lighter showers, couldn't really do anything in the garden.

The vine eyes i ordered came yesterday, going to convert the trellis area of the vine section bed to the normal wire supports, bought 36 eyes, need 20 for one bed and maybe the rest for the overhead supports for the Kiwi plant.

Have ordered 30L tubs for the trees in the front, have ordered 25mm furniture glides to raise the benches off the decking as worried that the legs may rot if left standing in water.

My Lad and his lot came earlier, too wet to go in the garden though.

O/H cooked a chicken so been eating that, was going to make a dinner but ran out of time.

Had a lovely brekkie this morning, then went to garden centre and ordered 12 bags of John Innis 3 and 2 bags of grit.

Not sure how you find out what exactly is causing your problem.

If the symptoms come and go you really need to make a chart of what you are eating each day, you then write down at the side what you are like regards to the loo etc.

This way you may be able to tie down certain foods or drinks that make you worse or not.

You then transfer the data onto a chart sheet big enough to cover the area under test.

you need to end up with a chart that you can join the dots and create a graph which may show what foods etc line up with bad nights or days.

Only a thought but unless you can tie down the problem you will just go on having good and bad days.

both x

Emptybox

Pity your symptoms are still up and down.

Do you think an adjustment to meds might help if you go see the GP?

I guess it takes some time to work out what foods suit you and which ones don't. I know it did with me after those 2 big ops. I can't do spice, no more spicy than a korma curry, have to be very careful with white bread products, can only have a litte early mornings, can't eat anything with peppers in, and avoid sweets too. Hicky's chart sounds an excellent idea. I think in a lot of medical problems it is true in that we are what we eat.

Even my dog can't eat commercial dog food, it nearly killed her with pancreatitus when she was 2. Ended up on a drip in doggie hospital. She only has fresh chicken and boiled rice now. A couple of times I have tried some doggie food and it has made her ill again, so we just cook her chicken and rice now.

Hope you are successful in getting another client. Nice to have your Sunday off.

Hicky

not nice most of the day here too, but dried up by 4pm in enough time to take mum for an ice cream. I had a nice latter. Hard work pushing wheel chairs up and down slopes and in and out of the flat security doors. Done in now, lucky daughter had made my tea for me though.

Hope we get some dry weather this week so you can get in your garden and sort your vines out. You certainly have to do a lot of orders for your garden. Shame it was too wet for the young ones to go in the garden today. Let's hope we get an Indian summer.

I am watching Dragons Den now.

Hope it dries up soon, want to peg washing out instead of tumble drying in summer.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi guys.

Lovely day here, very sunny and warm. A bit windy though.

Pity you both had rain.

I think the forecast for next week isn't very good.

Interesting suggestion about keeping track of food Hicky.

Not sure if I would do a formal chart, but I'll definitely take more notice of what I'm eating on a 'bad' day.

But one of the aspects of the condition is that you can have a bad day without any apparent cause. It's not just about food, stress and other things can set the prostate off.

Hi Mollie. Interesting that you can't take spices and peppers. Is that sweet peppers as well?

I've a feeling that radishes have an effect on me. I like them in salads, but may have to give them up as well. Hopefully sweet peppers are OK, as I like them.

Strange that your dog can't take ordinary dog food, but can only cope with chicken and rice.

At the moment I am on one tablet of Tamsulosin  a day. You can only take a maximum of two a day, so I'm reluctant to go to that, as if I still had symptoms then there'd be nowhere to go. At least at the moment I have the thought that if I get worse I have the option of increasing.

Hicky. Glad that your vine eyes came.

Pity it was too wet for the youngsters to go in the garden, when your lad's family came round.

Watched quite a bit of the World Championship Athletics today. Great that Mo Farah and Jess Ennis won golds.

Good Morning Both.

Just dropped in to post the link to the new CBB house, also shows on the side the new Strictly & X-Factor news.

http://www.tellymix.co.uk/gall...d.html#ixzz3jfkl8jJq

See you later.

both x

Emptybox

glad you got some sun.

Hicky

thanks so much for the link, the decor of the house looks great.

The swimming pool decor is brilliaint, and the dining area looks like Ed'sdiner.

Looks like CBB is something for us all to look forward to.

busy morning, friend calling over, lots of jobs to do before mum arrives here from day centre.

Evening Mollie.

It's been a lovely day here, sun all day.

Wasn't expecting any sun really.

SIL and MIL popped in for a coffee and a look around the garden.

We went for a Carvery then.

Converted the raised bed that has the vines in it to horizontal plastic 3mm supports instead of the trellis as i have the vine clips that fit the 3mm cord.

The 12 bags of JI3 came this morning so i can get on planting the new trees now.

It hink the CBB house looks fab, think the HM's will love it.

Only 3 more sleeps till CBB.

Hope all goes well when your Mum arrives.