both xxx

Happy Summer Solstice

Hicky

that's good you seem to of got rid of that infection at last. Hope the hospital appointment is straight forward now.

You did well finishing the greenhouse pipework now.

I bet your oven looks nice and sparkly clean now after using the kit.

Emptybox

Your 20 degrees yesterday sounds lovely, the 30 pluse we got was horrid!

That's good that even though the bats are around, this time they have chosen to reside elsewhere than your roof.

A Jublee is a frozen orange ice lolly, that is a pyramid shape so not a lolly. It is in a cardboard casing, so you squeeze the ice block up and suck it . When we were kids they were huge, but are a lot smaller now.

Yes although I was on Rebecca's side, it is a shame she is so loud, as that doesn't help her case against that rude man Joe. I hope she doesn't leave though.

Yesterday I had a salad roll and cereal for tea.
The boys had a tin of ravioli with cheese bread as I too couldn't face the cooker.

Last night I stayed in the chair downstairs till 2am, then went upstairs for a quick nap and was up again this morning by 6am to tidy kitchen before the sun comes on it. So had a better night than the night before. Looking forward to this awful heat breaking so I can get a nights sleep again.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening Emptybox.

A hot day, even without any sun, 26c with light wind.

It's 25.6c in my office room, and humid, very stuffy, my arms stick to the desk.

Tested the new watering in the greenhouse this morning, it was fine for now.

Went out for brekkie, went to Gordale Nursery's, O/H bought some flower pots complete to put in the front garden.

She wants to put artificial grass over the decking now.

Just cooked some sausages on the BBQ again, it does them so good.

Tasted the 3 gooseberries off the 3 plants, they do ripen at later stages, the 1st one seems ripe, will be making a gooseberry crumble soon.

The Bats may be casing the joint.

I do think my prostate needs looking at, those blood vessels that are on the inner surface can keep bursting all the time, but i'll see.

I'm just waiting for some of the toms to ripen, wont be long.

Wow, how the plants grow in the greenhouse, supercharged is the word.

Had a drop of rain before, not much though, so quick i missed it.

It will be interesting to see who goes out of Chan, Joe, Reb, Han.

Hope it's Joe. 

Evening both.
Raining here this morning. It dried up this afternoon, but was cloudy and not sunny.
It was quite humid and warm though.

Yes Mollie, it has been the longest day today. All down hill from now on.
Being cloudy it wasn't as light out tonight, so I didn't go out at 11.
Haven't noticed the bats this year before. I suppose the insects must gather near the house, and that's what they were after.
Hope they weren't looking for a way in Hicky.

Don't think I've ever come across those jublees before Mollie? Don't remember them from when I was young.
That's bad if you are only getting 4 hours sleep. Hope the heat eases for you soon.
I haven't had any problems sleeping recently, but there was one night in the May heatwave that caused problems and I needed a fan. Hasn't been as hot up here this time though.

Hi Hicky. Hot for you as well. Glad your greenhouse watering system passed the test.
Don't think artificial grass would look good on decking? Can't envisage that.
I suppose if your prostate is in danger of bleeding, they have to be careful of it.

Yes I agree that it should be Joe (or Hannah) that goes.
Two new girls gone in. Like the look of the Irish girl.

Evening Both.

Didb't do a lot, most of the time weather was drizzle, 18c though, but 13c in the house.

O/H fancied a takeaway so i ordered and went to pick it up, she doesn't like waiting for the delivery much.

I had Beef & Tomato with chips, it was good.

Have made some wood brackets for the greenhouse, drilled a hole through the wood so the pipe goes through and i screw the jet into the pipe, the wood is screwed to the wooden shelves i fitted, they are easy to move and the jet is over the centre of the pots, the wood pieces are 40x25x300mm.

I have just seen your post Mollie, it must have appeared after i posted last night, darn it.

Mollie, Yes, oven looking good, going to start putting the parts in the dishwasher, i'm sure they could be kept clean like that, worth a try.

I was up a few times in the night, just hot really, i have a duvet cover over me, too hot for a duvet but O/H said she couldn't get a bedsheet.

Emptybox, 2nd day of Summer really.

It was O/H that mentioned the fake grass over the decking, probably because my lad in Oz mentioned were was the grass, i just don't like it and don't want to look after it.

I think i am supposed to see the consultant this month, will have to see, i do think it needs sorting, can't have it bleeding now and again as it is.

I neve complain when new girls go in, can't have too many for me.

Hope Joe goes, get rid of the fellers first.

Live Thursday Eviction tonight don't forget.

both xxx

Emptybox

are you up to date work wise now as the weather has been ok? And is your back completely better now?

Yes, getting darker from now on. Never mind, still lots of long days to look forward to yet.

Hicky

good idea to get some of that artificial grass, no work involved, but it looks so good.

Glad you enjoyed your take away, I do enjoy it more when I don't have to cook it.

Mmmm, gooseberry crumble, sounds good, now if you were just round the corner from me, I'd definately pop in for afternoon tea and a pudding.

Hope your appointment turns up soon as you think things need checking.

Well what an awful day weather wise yesterday, the heat was off the scale, well over 30, hottest day since 1976! But today it is just wonderful, a lovely cool breeze, I am so much happier as are the rest of my family and the pets too! They were so off colour yesterday, hardly touched their food.

How odd to have an eviction tonight, wonder if it because it is Glastonbury this weekend?

Yes I too like the 2 new girls, wow that Irish girl is so pretty, she is so tiny at times she reminds me of Nikki. And what a lovely accent she has.

Enjoy the show, I think we all agree and want nasty Joe out.   xxx

Gosh, can't believe Rebecca has gone!

Who on earth is voting for Joe to stay?

Hi both.
Yes, I can't believe Rebecca was evicted.
I thought she was good in her interview and on BOTS.
Nice to see the original Chanelle on there too tonight.

Cloudy and dry here today, and up to 20 degrees, quite muggy. The sun came out after 6pm.
The grass was a bit damp from yesterday's rain, but got plenty done anyway.
Glad it was a much fresher day for you Mollie. Hope it's much more comfortable for you and the pets tonight.
Pity you got the drizzle Hicky.

Glad you enjoyed your takeaway Hicky, and got some work done in the greenhouse.
Artificial grass might look OK in the right place, but I would think it would just look like a carpet on top of decking? Perhaps I just can't picture what it would look like? (no doubt you'll supply photos if you get it done )

Mollie, I'm more or less up to date, as long as I can get a full day in tomorrow. Not being bothered by the back at all at the moment. But it's something that comes and goes.
Not sure why the eviction is tonight? It's the same next week, then goes back to a Friday after that.
Yes, the Irish girl is certainly easy on the eye.

Evening Both.

Got a shock when Rebecca was kicked out, the public girls seldom kick fellers out do they?

Cool here, 17c mainly cloudy, 17 mph winds as well.

Didn't do much, checked the greenhouse watering was ok, turned it off early as it was so much cooler, the principle worked ok though.

Picked more raspberries, got 465g now towards the 1kg to make Jam, found i had a 1kg of Jam Sugar in my kitchen cupboard as well.

My shopping arrived this morning, good service i get, all present and correct, i didn't have much on the list.

I've been using the sandwich clamp thingy which i bought to go with the new toaster, it can hold half a big bun and of course when it's toasted you just lift the toast holder out of the machine, so easy and it stops it getting stuck inside the toaster, but with only having one i have to toast the other afterwards.

It has special elements as i can't see them, even when on, it's sure a special toaster, you can replace the parts anyway, thats handy, and it toasts so even, unlike most toasters.

Mollie, I'm not keen myself on putting fake grass over decking, you have to put an under liner down first but i think the decking will just rot.

Some Cherries are ready as well, 1 of the cherry trees aborted all the fruit for some reason, it was fine last year.

O/H's sister coming Monday, all being well, hope she comes in her new Electric car, that will be nice to see, think she was getting the charging unit put into her garage today, but the garage isn't attached to the house, it's quite a way away, not even on her property.

Yes, if i don't hear from the consultant i'll have to see the doc, although when i was writing down each time i thought the water was pink, it might not have been, the other day i thought it was pink and showed O/H, who has good colour perception, unlike me, she said, thats just dark, not pink, drink more.

With it being cooler last night, i was up in the night putting the duvet back on.

I like the new girls, the more the merrier for me.

Emptybox, They couldn't have the eviction today, Friday as BB is on at 10.30.

I'm like you, can't imagine what the fake grass would be like on the decking, they say the decking gaps has to be no more than 1cm or the gap has to be made smaller.

I think i had Bots on but wasn't watching it, can't stand Rylan, missed Chanelle, saw Nikki the other night.

At least you got loads done, thats the main thing, but the weather isn't doing you any favours.

I undid the side fixing on the vine cover so i could get underneath and route the growth along a wire, it all wants to grow up, the funny thing is, in the US all vines grow down, in Europe all vines grow up, did you know that?

Glad your back isn't effecting you at work at the moment.

both xxx

Emptybox

Hope you got the weather today so you could keep up to date with your workload. That's good that your back is fine at the moment.

Yes I agree Rebecca was really good in her interview. I am finding that little clique of guys who think they are so macho really annoying. So with Rebecca going, the addition of the 2 new girls was important. I thought you might of noticed how pretty the Irish girl is.

Hicky

hope the weather was ok for you to get in your garden. Any eat outs or take aways today?

We went to the Toby carvary as we had a voucher with 2 roasts for £10, and then I just paid £4 something for my veg only meal. So good value for the good food we get there.

I had a bad night last night, ,woke up gasping for breathe about 5am, so I made a docs appointment.
He has put me on daily repeat prescriptions for anti histamines and a nose sprey. He said all the catarrh has acumalated in my ears and throat, and my throat is tighter after the op, so I need to work to keep the phlegm down overnight. He is hopeful nose spray for a month and daily dose of these tablets will reduce it.

Oh dear, no BB till 10.30 and not much to watch inbetween!

I might watch the Tracy Ullman comedy at 9.30 on bbc1.

OH is due to start a new contract soon, so we are going tomorrow to see his family in North Wales and staying for 2 nights in Llandudno. The lads are staying home with the pets.

So I doubt I will be around much, although I may pop in if I can get internet. If not see you Monday.

Have a good evening. xxx

Hi both.
Not a nice day here at all. The morning was cold and very windy, then we had a very heavy shower at lunchtime. I got soaking wet trying to finish a job, and the water was streaming down the roads. It finished the day quite sunny, but too late by then. High of about 14 degrees.
So I didn't get done all I needed to.

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Mollie. . Was it very hot and humid?
Hope the nose spray and anti-histamines help keep the catarrh at bay.
Nothing worse than not being unable to get your breath at night, specially if it's jot and stuffy.  

Glad your rasp collection is growing Hicky.
Glad you are pleased with your new toasting gadget.
I'm interested in electric cars as well, but can't see that plug in ones are ever going to be practical for most people. Useless if you have to park your car on the roadside.

Yes, if you have any urinary or prostate problems you have to be careful that you get enough to drink, as concentrated urine can have bad effects, as I found out to my cost a few weeks ago.
I'd never heard that about vines? I would have thought they would grow towards the light.

Mollie, that's good that your OH has another contract.
Enjoy your weekend away.
That was good value at the Toby carvery. You always seem to be able to find the bargains.
I watched the Tracy Ullman show as well. She is very good, but not as good as she could be. Some of her stuff falls a wee bit flat.

Evening Both.

A cool day, mainly cloud, sun later on, 17c again with slight wind.

Watched F1 for most of the day, Lewis Pole again, picked some more raspberries for the freezer stock, picked a few cherries for O/H, peas not far off, toms have 4 trusses on the go, not far off now.

Might get a dualit kettle, rather super and can replace element if you ever need, it has a cup setting to stop waste water boiling, also quiet boiling and it matches the toaster, love that, going to get another toast part so i can do the 2 halves of a balm/batch at once, love the front loading full width crumb tray and the sealed heater elements so food can't get touch them.

Mollie, No, we haven't been out for a meal lately, not sure what to have for tea either.

That was good getting a good deal at Toby Carvery.

Bad news about your breathing though.

Enjoy your stay in Llandudno, hope the new work contract is good, see you when you get back.

Emptybox, You don't need to charge the electric car at home, you can charge in many places, some places charge, maybe £6.50, that would take 30 minutes.

At home with the night electric rate it would cost about £3, on normal rate about £5, she is Leasing it.

I should see one Monday when O/H's sister gets here.

O/H fancies getting a Vauxhall Mokka X AWD Automatic, think she wants to Lease.

I was surprised about the vines, but when reading such a lot online and watching so many video's i realised there are 2 types, it's probably down to the type, it's probably been bred to grow down, mind you the top wire is six foot so maybe it has no choice.

The plants in the greenhouse are growing like mad, just remembered i must feed them.

You really are having crap weather, you defo need to move.

Oh, Dynamo on Dave at 6pm, fantastic. 

Hi Hicky.
Decided I could leave the work till Monday, because it was very strong winds here, and I'd intended cutting a hedge that is on the roadside, and I could just imagine the leaves blowing away down the street before I got them swept up.
Quite warm though.

You seem to be becoming a bit of a kitchen gadget geek, if you don't mind me saying so.
I just buy cheap kettles and toasters, so if they go wrong I just buy another.
Haven't had to buy a toaster yet, but I think I'm on my third kettle since I started living on my own.

Trouble is, if you don't have a charging point at home for your electric car, you'd always have to make sure it was charged before you went home, which would be a nuisance.
But I guess if they had a longer range between charges, that wouldn't be so much of an issue?
Always fancied an electric van, but wouldn't be practical as my only vehicle. I'd also need a car for longer distances. Maybe if I win the lottery?

That Moka looks good. Is it what they call a "crossover" vehicle?
You wouldn't mind driving that I bet?

My toms are at the 4 truss stage now, but still only about two thirds of their eventual height. Some little toms coming on the bottom trusses now though.

Just re-read your post and see you said "Dynamo on Dave". On first read I thought you said Dynamo Dave on at 6pm. I was expecting a prog on former PM Mr Cameron.
Looking forward to Doctor Who tonight and then BB at 9pm.

Evening Emptybox.

A cool cloudy morning 15c with slight wind.

Went out for brekkie to a garden centre, picked a big boy tomato plant up while i was there, only because i have a spare tub in the greenhouse, repotted it into one of my special split pots so it can come out without turning it over, it's too early to put into a 30ltr tub.

Watched F1 for most of the rest of the day, nothing else to do, for tea just had a Hollands steak pie and 2 samosa's.

Been sorting an old battery screwdriver out for a neighbour, it is very old and she had her lad look at it but he couldn't get it to work, she was going to try and get it repaired, i said let me look at it, anyway, the plug connections needed cleaning and the reason it wouldn't work was, it has a built in shaft lock so you can use the driver as a normal driver, the lock was on, it is only a 2.4volt one and the battery only had 1.2v in it so am charging it, will give it back tomorrow, it's the strangest thing i've ever seen, it is a Bosch PSR 2.4v, they don't make it now, it must be over 10 years old.

This is the kettle, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duali...=dualit+kettle+72815

Have ordered another sandwich cage as well, https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/San...ZCRTPBWAKW7RXEJ7YTBC

And a warming rack that fits in the toaster, https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Bar...14ZFDKAND0K7FPMWH4Y4

This model O/H's sister is coming in tomorrow has a distance of 155 miles, as you said, it would be awkward with no home charger, unless you lived by a garage who has one.

I don't think the Mokka X is a crossover, you can get petrol or diesel, All4 drive. but O/H likes petrol and i hate petrol because you can go on fire in a crash.

I have lots of toms on the plants outside, just waiting for some to go red, the plants in the greenhouse are growing at high speed.

Love Island and BB for me tonight. 

Managed to get online to say to you both xxx

Emptybox

don't blame you having a break from work whilst it is so windy.

hopefully your tomatoes won't be long now they have started growing.

Yes tracy Ullman was good, but a few parts not quite so good.

Are you watching Glastonbury? just saw Barry Gibb, thought he was good. Jo Willey never seems to age, does she? She must be well into her 50's now but doesn't look it.

Hicky

glad you went out to brekkie, as your meals out seemed to be slipping lately!

That's handy you could sort your neighbour's old screw driver thing out for her.

Do you have a bit of red/green colour blind, so can't distinguish whether your water is pink or brown? That is good news if it was wasn't pink at all, beause as your OH says, brown is easy rectified by drinking lots water. Consurltnat told my OH when he had stones, that the ideal colour of your urine should be clear. My 2 lads have red/green colour blind.

Your toaster and acessories looks good. I can never seem to get a toaster to toast evenely. Do you only use those cage things if you have a special filling on the toast? Doesn't the filling drip out to the bottom of the toaster?

That will be interesting seeing your visitor's electric car tomorrow. Whereabouts does she live? I saw the Wirral again, as we drove up here the coast way as we are staying in Llandudno.

Does it work out cheaper for your OH to lease a car? I guess now you don't have a car and she works, she really needs a reliable one.

It has been nice to spend some time with OH's  family this weekend, but now we have the long journey tomorrow back! My knee (the one I fell on) is still swollen from the journey up here. Oh well, just have to put up with it, better than staying home.
We all had lunch in Weatherspoons Llandudno today, real good value and nice food. £5.25 for the meal with a drink too. Had a huge glass of cranberry juice with veggie burger and mash. We took our 5 year old niece to the pier so she could go on the Minions bouncing castle, then my daughter looked after her in the park whilst I sat on bench and OH and her parents went shopping.  So lucky with the weather. Bit of drizzly first thing then dried up, not too hot with a cooling breeze.   I can clearly see the Snowdoinia mountains from the window.

Looking forward to BB.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
A nice sunny day here, but still a bit breezy.
Just supermarket as usual.

Glad you got a brekkie out Hicky.
There's a battery operated screwdriver here that belonged to my Dad. Not sure if it still works, as I haven't charged it for years. Can't remember what make it is.
That's an expensive kettle Hicky? Think my last one cost about £15 from Sainsburys.

I think an electric car would need a range of more than 200 miles before it could compete with a fuel car for a distance journey. Can't see someone wanting to sit for half an hour in a petrol station waiting for it to charge. I guess in a motorway services, if there was plenty of charging stations, you could go for a snack or coffee while you waited?
I think diesel cars will die out now Hicky, as they'll tax them out of existence. So the only choice will be petrol or electric.
Commercial vehicles might be different, as they are more or less all diesel at the moment.

Hi Mollie. Glad you could get on and are getting good weather there. Pity your knee is swollen though.
I watched a bit of Glastonbury. I watched the Foo Fighters yesterday and a bit of Chic early this evening.
Yes, i always think that about Jo Whiley. She's 51 but certainly doesn't look it.

Well BB was certainly lively this evening. Not sure Lotan should have got thrown out as he only sprayed them with some drink? Didn't like him anyway though.
Some of those girls got very aggressive.
Think Charlotte came out looking the best.

Evening Both.

A mainly cloudy day really, some sun 17c with very slight wind

O/H's sister came with hubby and Mother, love the car, might get one, didn't hear it arrive though, with no engine it sure is quiet, it's automatic so O/H could drive it, no tax either and no charges in London, if you lived there.

 She too me and O/H round the block, really strange, the only sound was the air con, and it has sat nave, rear camera for reversing, tons of extra's, very interesting, don't think  they make a 4x4 though.

They brought food with them as well, which was handy as i didn't bother with brekkie, knew they were bringing it.

We had, fresh salmon, meat pies and bread with some salad stuff.

They enjoyed tasting stuff from the garden, peas, cherries, raspberries.

Mollie, Glad you could get online, Yes, i have trouble with thin lines of colour, shades of colour, and unless i am in good light i have even more trouble, it depends how big the article is and how much light there is, when i had some colour tests in the military police i failed as when you have thousands of coloured dots with slightly different colour dots interposed to give a letter or number i couldn't see them as i couldn't separate some of them which wasn't good enough to pass the test, i must admit i did mess some of it up on purpose as everyone was trying to get out of the army using whatever method they could.

If i use the toasty rack to put a sandwich in the toaster, the base of the holder which opens ot is not open so nothing can fall down, when you close the toasty rack it holds the bread all round, not the top much but that doesn't matter really, but nothing can fall out.

O/H's sister lives in Parbold, about an hour away, outside Liverpool.

The thing about leasing is, you can put it in after 3 years and get another one, if you buy one you have the massive depreciation problem.

Yes, that was nice for you, spending time with O/H's family, makes a change.

Weatherspoons is usually good food for the money.

Emptybox, Yes, the kettle seems expensive, but it looks good, we had just bought a new one from Sainsbury's but love the look of this one.

Yes, very concerned about changes to diesel car tax etc, might look at the electric as we don't go far anyway, but more and more charging points are available and the car tells you were the charging points are if you ask it, so you don't have to search yourself, and a lot are free to use.

I was glad Lotan went, he was becoming more and more aggressive and if he hadn't gone i feared someone getting hurt.

It will be interesting this week with all up and vote to evict.

Hi Hicky.
Very cloudy and dull here all day. Was threatening rain but it didn't arrive.
Didn't get all my jobs done because I had to wait in for a plumber.
I'd reported a dripping bathroom tap to the LL months ago, and nothing had been done, then out of the blue she phoned to say there was a plumber coming today.
He was only here for 20 minutes, but I had to wait in for a couple of hours or more.

Plus my back is sore again, well more my hip really, so I wasn't very enthusiastic about going out to work.

That was good your visitor brought her own food, but I suppose she grazed from your garden as well.
I think an electric car would be great in your situation, if you don't go far and there are plenty of charging points.
You can certainly get a plug-in hybrid 4x4, but not sure if there's a pure electric 4x4 out yet?

That's interesting that you have some problem with colours.
One of my cousins wanted to go into the RAF when he was a teenager, but he found out he had red green colour blindness, so couldn't get in. He went off the rails for a bit after that. Not sure it was connected? (just thought of that)

So after all the nonsense yesterday they are all up for eviction.
Not sure who I want to go? It would be out of Hannah, Deborah, Chanelle or Isabelle. Probably Hannah as the others have at least some redeeming features. Not sure Hannah has?

both xxx

Emptybox

what a nuisance you had to wait in for the plumber. bet you thought your landlady wan't going to bother with the job though after leaving you waiting!

Sorry to hear you have an achy hip now. I think that sometimes happens, if one place has been aching, you compensate, then overuse another area, so that then aches. HOpe it has eased a bit by now.

Interesting your cousin had the red/green problem too, what a shame it stopped him with his chosen career, that seems very harsh. Yes it is very common I believe in males, but not females who just carry the gene.

Hicky

the electric car does sound like it might suit you well now.

My lads were tested with that spot thing for colour blind when they were children and were diagnosed with the red/green blindness. But at you trying to mess up on purpose. Sounds like you didn't need to try though, as you really do have the problem. Did the condition mean you avoided the army then?

Have you heard about your hospital appointment yet?

I too was glad Lotan went, a very unpleasant character, as are quite a few others too.

Yes should be interesting with them all up for eviction.

Really tired today after all that travelling just for one day, even though it was lovely to see the family. And I didn't even do the driving! OH did and he is tired too. It is also very humid today and warm, so that is tiring.

Managed to get lots of washing dry though as it stayed warm and dry.

Have a good evening both xxx

Evening Both.

A cloudy day here, 17c again some slight wind also.

Didn't do much, picked raspberries, plenty of peas to pick, and cherries.

Will have to try and find the small jam jars i had, had a box full, can't remember seeing them since i moved house, oh dear, may have to buy some more, much almost have a kilo now, got a load today.

Expecting rain tonight, well at 2am.

Emptybox, Nothing worse than waiting in for someone, at least he turned up.

Don't think you can get an electric 4x4, it probably needs too much power plus the floor is covered with batteries and there's no room for another drive train.

To get a Mokka with all the extras would be very expensive, and i wouldn't really want to get a watered down version just because they are cheaper, also, don't think diesel would be good these days with all the trouble over new emissions.

Not sure if my colour problem extends to other colours but it must do as most shades of colour aren't recognised as a particular colour, and outside at night i can't tell car colours.

It will be interesting to see who goes this week on BB, with it being vote to evict it could involve most of them racing to the line as i can only see Raph getting few votes.

Mollie, It was funny really, i always knew i had a massive colour problem but in the army i was so good at all the drills.marching, weapons training etc that they didn't know what to do with me, so after a holiday they sent me to Londone, Woking for training in the RMP, that was hard for me as i couldn't leave the camp because the guards wouldn't let me out with the clothes i had, also got into trouble for going on parade without the white gloves, when asked were they were, i had they had been stolen, he said well steal someone else's then.

I had no money to go home at the weekend anyway as i'd spent it all getting a coach home from Catterick camp, it was £5 return, so on a Saturday morning i borrowed some shoes to go home and had to thumb a lift, i got home at 8pm at night and had to leave at 6am to get back to camp.

After getting kicked out of the police because i failed the colour tests i was sent back to Catterick for more training, they asked me what job i wanted to do and where i wanted to go, i put down as far as possible and i took a job working with a small troup of signals in a special detachment  in Singapore, but our office was in a concrete bunker, all communications by phone or intercom as noone was ever allowed in, it was interesting and probably the best ever job ever given to a National Service person, i was looked after like a god really.

The funny thing was, the Captain who was supposed to open the office in the morning could never open the door, it had a 2 foot lever but the combination thingie had about 4 or 6 sets of numbers, 0 to 99 and left/right combinations but if you stopped before the actual number on any rotation you didn't know till the end that it wouldn't open, the 4 staff waited for him to open the door, he never did so i used to go over and open it for him, the problem was, if someone was by you it never opened, not sure why, but you had to be on your own, also, if you came out and tried to go back in because you forgot something it wouldn't let you back.

Heard nothing from the hospital at all.

I thought it wouldn't be long before Lotan was kicked out, the way he was acting, he was unstable.

Hi both.
Heavy rain here all day, and cold as well. Also dark by 10pm. Winter seems to be drawing in early.
Got my monthly accounts done, and some ironing.

Back/hip not as bad today, but I used a stick in the house to take the pressure off. Seemed to help to get rid of it last time.

Mollie. I think 8 % of males have red/green colour blindness.
Funnily enough this morning I saw a clip of Prof Alice Roberts talking at Glastonbury at the weekend, about colour vision in animals and humans, and red/green colour blindness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juxKNCN3SV8
It cuts off a bit abruptly at the end, but is very interesting.

Hicky. That's an interesting story about your Army days.
It seems very disorganised, but I guess at the time they had loads of National Service people that the Army didn't really know what to do with.
So probably very lucky that you ended up with a relatively good posting to Singapore.

Quite enjoyed tonight's BB.

Very windy and cold here. 10 degrees at most. Didn't quite have to resort to woolly hat and fleece, but I needed my quilted gillet over a sweat shirt. Not a nice day at all.
Got some work done, but again it was too windy for hedge cutting.

I see Isabelle is favourite to be evicted tomorrow, but that could change.

Evening Emptybox.

A wet day here, don't think the rain has stopped, 14c with slight wind.

have turned the watering off in the greenhouse, it was only set on a drip rate anyway but with no sun it won't evaporate at all.

we decided to go to New Brighton for a Fish & Chip late lunch, thought with it being so miserable it would be easy to park, wrong, god knows were everyone was, did find a space though, this place only cooks the fish when you go in the shop, which is how we like it, we then sat overlooking the mersey eating them, yummy.

Have been practising making toasties, do love them, just made a cheese and red onion one.

We are now back to considering the electric car, the Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kw model with all the extra's, about £28k i think, would get it on lease though if we can.

I was going to pick peas and cherries today but with the weather like this i didn't bother.

At least you got your accounts done, i have put the heating on to test it, don't like it off for too long as some valves in the boiler can jam up like they did at the other house.

Don't forget, use the stick on the opposite side to the bad hip/knee/leg.

Yes, in Singapore, i did enjoy being driven round in a Landrover with a Machine gun on my lap, we of course had to deliver and receive communications from the Captain of ships as they docked, we met the Captain on the quayside and took whatever we collected back to our bunker.

Yes, BB has changed somewhat since Lotan left.

Yes, i don't want Isabelle to go at all,  it's nothing like the betting, never known it so far off before.

That was cold by you, i thought this was cold here, but if it's 12c outside it's still over 19c in the bungalow without the heating on.

Hi Hicky.
Pity it was wet by you, but at least you enjoyed your fish and chips. 
It is cold in the house now here. Well, not cold as such, but I've certainly needed my 10.5 tog duvet the last few nights.
Really it's just like Autumn.

Yes, it's always when you come to put the heating back on again after a long break that you get problems.
Is the Government still giving grants for buying electric cars?
I've seen a Nissan Leaf driving around here.

That sounds like it was dangerous in Singapore, if you needed a machine gun?
I've actually been using the stick on the same side as the sore hip. It seems to work better that way strangely. 

both xxx

Empytybox

gosh it must be getting chilly if you need your higher tog quilt. Let's hope a bit of summer comes back for you soon, and hope you don't get behind work wise.

Thanks for the colour blind link, will watch that after I post. Gosh 8% of males having it is high.

Hope your back/hip continues improving, good idea to use a stick to help recovery. Daughter suggests I get one to help when my knee I fell on plays up, you can get ones that look like umbrellas, which would suit as I dont' want to look like I am disabled.

Hicky

hope your weather clears up too, it was not too bad here yesterday, and is dry again so far today. Good for you going for fish and chips.

I love reading your tales from the past, so interesting.

at you driving around with a machine gun. You could write a good book about your life.

I really hope Isabelle doesn't go, I think she is one of the most interesting HM's.

Been busy helping OH sort out the complicated paperwork we have to do each time he gets a new contract, and need to sort the business insurance out too. Hopefully we will go out later when all that is done.

Looking forward to seeing who goes tonight, will be mad if it is Isabelle. Would like to get rid of Tom or Joe.

Have a good day both xxx

Hi Mollie.
Horrible horrible day here. Pelting with rain and blowing a gale.
I am now getting behind with work, but can only go out when the weather allows.

Not sure if I could carry off a stick shaped like an umbrella? But I'm sure you could.
Back not too bad today, but was experimenting with the stick. I think Hicky is right, and if you are walking then it's best to have it on the opposite side to the leg you are trying to protect, as long as you co-ordinate it with that leg.
But I'm just using it in the house, so it's more to lean on than to walk any distance.

Hope you get your paperwork done, and can get out.
I'm not keen on Isabelle. I'd rather Hannah had gone, but it seems it's between Savannah or Isabelle, so I'd much rather Isabelle goes than Savannah, who I like.

Evening Both.

A lousy day again, mostly rain with a few breaks, no sun some wind and 16c.

Just picked a few raspberries

Wagon cam round with bags of compost, he comes every year, i got 5 bags at 2014 prices, with an extra pound off, will put it on in the autumn.

Emptybox, We have decided against the electric cars because of a few small details, distance and the charging points in the country are not standard, also to pay you need a special card as the power is run by independent companies and they have their own payment card.

Am now looking at the VX New Crossland X

It wasn't really dangerous in Singapore for most, it was that we were handling top secret communications and materials and it had to stay in our possession, and i was well trained with machine guns so i sat in the open back of the Landrover for each journey.

If you have the stick on the same side as your bad leg you are putting even more strain on your good leg so in the end you will have 2 bad legs.

Mollie It was interesting sharing guard duty with a wild police security Alsation, it was pretty scary, if it got me it would have killed me as they were killer dogs, i was guarding a ammunition depot that had a walkway around it, each half was separate, the dog had half and i had the other half, each time it saw me it flew through the air at me, i was on the other side of the wire, at night the dog had all the walkway to itself.

That was the walkway when i had been given dinner, ate half and the ants took the other half away across the ground, the building and walkway were 3ft above ground.

Didn't realise you had to fill in all this paperwork when O/H got a contract, why is that.

Yes, i hope Isabelle doesn't go, have a feeling she might stay.

I have loads more stories from the Army.

Will have to record Love Island.

Hi Hicky.
Really sad that Savannah went, as I thought she was a lovely girl.
I suppose we've got 4 new ones, so who knows how they'll get on.

That's good that you got some bargain compost.
Yes there are still question marks about electric cars. A bit of a risk at the moment.
Sounds like you were more in danger from a killer dog in Singapore than from any humans?

Evening Emptybox.

another dull day here, warmer at 17c but some wind as well, a few drizzle showers.

Didn't do much, picked some peas for a neighbour and some cherries.

Window cleaners came to clean out the gutters and wash them, as well as the windows and frames.

O/H made a roast dinner with a Sainsbury's roast in the bag chicken, that worked fine.

My delivery of the new kettle and toaster warmer came, also with another toasty maker.

Had 2 toasty's for brekkie, grated cheese and red onion.

It was between Isabelle and Savannah who went, the public must have softened to Isabelle as time passed.

The compost seems ok, been getting it for years, it seems so long to make my own, got bags of leaves tied yo on the fence, with the leaf shredder now i will be able to use that on the raised beds.

Yes, the new electric one from Nissan is supposed to double the distance to 340 miles, plus the amount of recharge systems should be taken care of, this problem of needing many cards to access the chargers seems a problem.

Yes, the guard dogs would even kill the handler if it got the chance, it was muzzled until it was in it's guard position, and,  i was outside the cage which was outside the depot, so i was guarding the 2 dogs, of course they were seperated or they would have killed each other.

Sometimes we were in the cage and the dogs were roaming outside the cage guarding us, at night it was just the dogs, in the cage and outside the cage.

It was frightening at times as we walked in the area outside the cage as the dogs would charge at us and flew through the air and into the wire mesh fence, that made you jump.

both xxx

Emptybox

hope the weather improved today for you, ,its a pity if you get behind work wise now as you have been doing well keeping up so far.

How is your back/hip today? Yes Hicky is right, you should hold the stick on the opposite side to the side that is bothering you. I know that because I saw the physio teach mum to use a stick after she had a fall. Here is one of the umbrella sticks, they don't seem to have girly type ones, but just manly type ones, so more suitable for you really than me.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Walki...lking+stick+umbrella

It says the top is made to lean on and is discreet. (so no one knows you have a problem I guess).

In case you are interested, I see there is ....20v Cordless hedge trimmer £49.99 and petrol 4 multi tool £129 in Lidl from this Sunday.

Hicky

Sounds like your neighbour did well again, with some more produce from you.

My family loves those roast in a bag chickens, daughter says they are so clean and easy for her to make, she likes the BBQ one the most.

Yes sounds a bit complicated to risk going for an electric car just yet.

those security guard dog alsations sound very scary!

As you have plenty of them, keep your army stories coming.

Yes every time OH gets a new contract his work is through an agency, so we have to read pages and pages of stuff to check there is nothing untoward in it. And we have to get the business insurance sorted for it, and the insurance company have to check it over too. Often the agency will have to ask him to get several points changed on the contract too. Luckily this time, it was ok, and I am glad OH's contract for this new job is based close enough for him not to have to stay away.

You were right about Isabelle staying, but  its a shame the other girl had to go I'd of preferred Tom or Joe going.

What sort of toastie maker did you get? do you mean another cage type one for your toaster?

Not a bad day here today.

Spent about an hour on the phone with daughter trying to sort student finance out... why oh why, do they make it so complicated that no one we ring seems to understand it? Even the letter they sent out was completely wrong! 

Then went to vets to get a precription for doggies eye stuff, vet said that it is cheaper to get it online than buy direct from vet, so that is why she did it like that.

There was a lady talking to me in the vets and she had a dog which was a mix of a poodle and cocker spaniel. Very cute it was. She told me the breed was called a cockerpoo, but her dog was more of a cock than a poo! I could see my OH from the corner of my eye sitting there, whilst trying not to snigger and laugh. 

After I got food shopping from tescos and I had a few slices of cheese and pickle bread, a new one in the bakery section there and its real yummy. 

Looking forward to BB tonight to see how the new HM's are settling in.

Enjoy the show. xxx

Hi both.
Wet again all day. Not hard but persistant.
And it looks like next week it's more of the same, which makes my job impossible.
And it's very cold. I've got 3 layers on tonight, and I've just put my electric blanket on to warm the bed up, as it was like ice when I got into it last night.

Hicky. That's good that your window cleaner does the guttering as well.
Making good use of the toasty maker I see.
A 340 mile range on an electric car would make it a practical proposition, as long as all service stations had charging points.
Seems those guard dogs were more of a liability than a help?

Hi Mollie. My back has been a bit sore again today unfortunately.
Think you'd have to be a city type to not look strange carrying that umbrella?
Plus what do you do if it starts raining? You'd have to stop using it as a stick.
I just saw an advert on telly for the Lidl hedgecutter, so thanks for the tip. I've got two rechargeable hedgers on the go at the moment, so not the right time to buy another one.

That's good that your OH's new contract is closer to home.
Pity there's so much paper work involved though.
Difficult not to chuckle about the lady at the vets and her Cockerpoo.
Not that keen on any of the new HMs.
Savannah looks beautiful on BOTS.

Evening Both.

A better day, sun till 5pm, some wind max 15mph

picked more raspberries, O/H bought me 6 small Kilner jars for the Jam, will have to weigh them, must have 1kg now.

Will pick peas for dinner tomorrow, gave neighbour a pint of gooseberries and 2 Little Gem lettuce.

Made up a 14 spice curry mix, then browned 1kg of chicken thighs, and chopped a couple of onions, used my heavy cast iron pot to cook it in, just had a meal, will thicken it as i use it, will put it into the clear plastic storage dishes to freeze when it cools.

Undid the cover on the vine to sort out the growth, wow, everything is growing like crazy, it's getting harder to walk around now, i will prune some of the trees in August anyway.

If it's raining how do you use the umbrella to aid your walking? or is it only a stick in dry weather?

Mollie, I suppose thats the price you pay for using an agency, can't be helped i suppose.

Thats a bonus if he can get home at night as well.

It was just another of the toastie cages because i only had one and when i do a split roll/bun/batch i had to do each side separate.

The warmer is good, i can use it to warm a plate as well.

Why do they mix these breeds, surely it's not in the dogs best interest, i think it's crazy.

The lads were pretty wild, i spent some time working on theatre productions, helping out, for free of course, probably for my Captain, can't remember now, but sometimes we were out in a massive American car and when going home they used to have a vote whether to stop for red lights or not.

Emptybox, The guard dogs did what they were trained for, they didn't make friends easy, i know that, when you see it flying through the air at high speed it tends to get your attention, if the fence wasn't there you would be knocked back at high speed with an Alsation clasping your neck, not ideal.

This thing about 1 of the 4 newbies getting £15k Joe is sick, he must think he could win, crazy feller.

They are giving one the £15k because they won't be able to win the big prize, is Joe that stupid, but it sure will give competition amongst those 4 Andrew, Sam, Simone and Sue.

Hi Hicky.
Much better day here. Started off sunny and warm, but quickly became cloudy and windy, but at least it was dry all day, so I was able to get on and get some jobs done.

You're making quite a collection of raspberries.
That sounds like a nice curry you made. I made a batch of my Bolognese. Had one portion tonight and will freeze the other 4.
That's interesting that you were involved in theatre productions during your National Service.

Watched BB. I think Charlotte is my favourite at the moment.
Now going to watch my recording of Doctor Who. It's the series finale.

both

Emptybox

glad you managed to get a bit done at last yesterday. HOpe your back was not too bad afterwards. Day off to get papers/go shopping today, or do you feel you had better get some work done?

I reckon the stick/umbrella is meant to mainly be a stick, but is for people who don't want to be seen with a stick. because as you say, when it is an umbrella it is no longer a stick.

I too think Charlotte is lovely, but going on what they said last night, looks like they have her as a target for eviction, which is a shame. I am finding Andrew quite interesting as i can't really work him out at the moment.

Hicky

glad to hear your produce is doing so well now, you have become a real expert at this now, and I think it is a great thing for you to do now you are retired.

Yes to get a contract OH has to go through an agent, even when he got a job himself once through a work contact, the company wouldn't pay him till he went through their agency. Many of the contracts were public bodies, so it is all an utter waste of public money, as these agencies take a huge chunk of the daily wage. I know they use agencies in nhs too,, eg nurses, so nhs wastes a lot of money paying agencies their cut. The hardest thing for OH is setting his daily rate as you don't know how much the client is paying and how much the agency are taking, eg for this job he quoted a rate, then the agency tried to make the offer at £50 a day less! Until he reminded him that is not what was agreed before he had the interview with the client. If he hadn't been on the ball, the agency would of just pocketed the £50 a day in addition to what else they already are taking.

How interesting you were involved with the theatre productions. Did you help backstage or appear in the cast? at the guys voting to skip red lights!

I think I heard that the cross breeds of dogs are supposed to fare better than the pure bred ones, eg those ones like bulldogs who have breathing problems because of the squashed faces.

Yes Joe is just making himelf look ridiculous moaning about the £15k. I think it is a good idea as it makes the show more intresting.

A lovely day here yesterday so we managed to sit in the swing chair and lovely again this morning. Have lots to do this morning as I have mum this afternoon.
But because weather is nice, I  can get washing out, then make sandwiches for mum (I make a whole loaf to last a few days then carer makes them in the week). Then prepare veg for dinner so daughter can cook it for when I get back.

Now the question is...can I resist a hot do-nut when I take mum a walk down seafront and through the fair?  They always smell so nice so we buy a bag for the family to share.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening Both.

Not too bad a day, 17c with sun all day, a few clouds no problem, slight wind.

Picked peas for the roast, tip pruned 2 fig trees, should do it end June, some of the other trees have got 2ft of new growth, will prune that in August.

Emptybox, Glad you got some jobs done, nothing worse than getting behind.

Yes, the batch cooking is a good idea, making 4 meals at a time is handy, not too much room in the freezer, but it's probably all mine, can only put more back now when i eat some.

Charlotte seems nice but Ellie is in top spot at the mo, with Joe last.

Mollie, The agencies probably charge double what the client gets, but it keeps any dispute etc away from them. if they have 10 clients then the company only has to deal with 1 company instead of 10.

I was back stage in the theatre, can't remember if i was doing sound or lighting now, think it was all volunteers.

I always used to get a bag of hot doughnuts, can't beet that, also the seaside burgers always tast fantastic with the fried onions.

That reminds me, i had a twin burger for brekkie, had cream cheese on Ciabatta Biscuits midday, then a lamb roast with my fresh peas.

Evening both.
Another dry day. Some sunshine but mostly cloudy and windy.
Got my own grass cut and went to the supermarket.

Hi Mollie. My back is still bothering me at times. Strange that it's lasting as long. Usually it goes away after a few days. But it's not too bad most of the time.
I make a point of not working on a Sunday, because I need one day when I know I can get housework and shopping done etc. I have broke that rule on a couple of occasions, but it would have to be for a very good reason.
They seem to have changed the forecast now anyway, and it looks like it'll be mostly dry next week.

Pity your OH has to get work through this agency. Sounds like it's a bit of a racket.
Glad you're getting nice weather to take your Mum out. Wonder if you resisted the doughnut?

Hi Hicky. That's good that you got some stuff done in your garden.
Had some nice food today I see.

Yes I heard them targetting Charlotte. I guess if it's vote to save she would be in danger as they are mostly editing her out. But I like her in the bits we've seen of her.
Not keen on any of the newbies.

Evening Emptybox,

Not a bad day really, 16c sunny spells and slight breeze of 12mph variable.

Didn't do much, had a nice brekkie, only bacon fried tomato's and egg with toast.

my raspberry collection is up to 1350g so if i get another 150g i can put 1,5kg towards the Jam.

Roasted a piece of belly pork, it only cost £4 and we added some salad and it made us a wrap each, the problem is getting the crunchy crackling right, still needs more work in that corner.

Did i tell you i was watching video's of pruning cucumber and pepper plants, i'll see if this method works.

One of the gooseberry bushes is rather nice, the fruit turn red when they are ripe.

i sprayed all the trees last night, was just going to come in for the night when i realised that the wind had dropped, so i quickly made a 3 litre spray full of one of my all round bug killers, one from the USA and sprayed the trees, had to convert the US Oz to ml.

It's a good idea to have a day off, your body need to recover.

With Charlotte up with Joe and Tom i hope she stays in, Tom or Joe should go long before Charlotte in the betting anyway.

The audience has dropped real bad, everyone must be watching Love Island like me.

No, same as me, one of the newbies might get kicked out as her past has been revealed now and she was in prison for 6 months on assault charges (Simone)

both xxx

Emptybox

that;s good you managed to do your own garden. Shame your back still not quite right. Time to maybe reconsider a TENS machine or to try applying heat from your hot water bottle? As Hicky said it is probably best to give your back a break now and again though.

Let's hope the forecast is right and you can get up to date when you need to this week.

Hicky

sounds like all your trees are doing well.

Glad you are still enjoying your brekkie burgers.

Yes you are probably right, I bet the agencies charge double what my OH gets....  and for not doing a lot either! 

Hope your pruning you have seen on the video works out well for you.

Sounds like you worked hard late last night spraying all those trees.

Although they haven't yet said who is up for nomination, we are guessing it is Charlotte from what they said in that prism thingie. Such a shame as I too like her, but would like to see Joe or Tom go. I am also finding Chanelle a bit irritatiing too. So weird was her crying reaction to Ellie kissing Sam, I am guessing that Chantelle only likes it if she is the one getting all the attention and most of the camera time! 

Had a nice walk yesterday with mum in her wheelchair, the dog in her pram and the family and as it was so sunny we went to the harbour, and round the fair, where of course I didn't resist a hot donut!

Looking forward to BB tonight. it is a lot more interesting with the new HM's giving us a bit more of a story. Enjoy the show. xxx

Evening both.
Not too bad here, some sunshine and quite warm. Got a lot of jobs done.
I think they've now decided it's going to be wet for me tomorrow, which won't be good.

Hicky. That was good that the wind dropped and allowed you to get your trees sprayed.
Don't think I've seen red gooseberries? At least you'll know when they're ripe.
I've started to buy pork belly strips rather than pork loin steaks. They're a bit cheaper anyway.

I saw that about Simone, which has put me off her.
I see it's vote to evict, which hopefully will mean that Joe is more likely to go than Charlotte?

Hi Mollie. Yes, my back seems to benefit from having a day off work, which isn't a problem with the horrible weather we've been having up here. It hasn't bothered me today anyway.
Glad you got a nice walk yesterday, and enjoyed your doughnut.

Evening Both.

A cloudy day here slight sun 18c with slight 9 mph wind.

Picked a few more raspberries, need another 75g now, picked a pint of gooseberries and made a crumble, having some later.

Fixed a rawlplug and screw for a drain pipe bracket that had been left off.

Am making a new roof for the insect hotel, O/H says whe saw a program where they had the roof covered in moss and some type of rockery plants, so am going to do that, i made the roof and put a ledge all round then realised it is too low.

Gave all the trees some feed as the gardener never came, it didn't cause me a problem so was pleased about that.

I'm excited about the amount of fruit coming on the Kiwi Berry vine, if this lot reaches full term i will be very happy, i just with the lateral growth grew where i wanted it to, it's got a big area allotted to it for growth but it wants to use a space the size of a bin lid, i've got a 6ft x 8ft area which is 6ft 6" high and covered in rows of 2.5mm plastic cord so the vine can grow over it.

Mollie, with Charlotte, Joe and Tom up i have one of the last 2 go.

Yes, Chanelle is very ott, does wear you down after a while.

The Do-nuts are so hard to pass up, i could never walk past them either, that was nice for your Mum, dog and all going down to the Harbour.

Emptybox,  Never seen these red gooseberries before Pax is the name, at least you can see when they are ripe, O/H said she has seen them in the shops.

I just like the crackling of the pork, not a pork lover unless it's on a bone like ribs, it's so cheap as well.

Yes, with vote to evict sure hope it's Joe or Tom, don't like either.

Made an Omelette this morning with fried mushrooms, bacon, Chorizo and 3 eggs.

Tonight O/H brought me fish and chips with curry in as she had been out with her mother all afternoon.

both

Emptybox

glad your back has improved after that day off work.

Was it wet today? If so I guess the only bonus is you got to rest your back.

It was wet here first thing, but then changed to hot and sunny, and forecast hot for next few days, so maybe the weather  will get better for you too? 

Hicky

I bet your red gooseberry crumble was delicious. Did you have it with custard or cream? I too have never heard of nor seen red gooseberrys.

Your and your OH's design for your insect hotel roof sounds nice. Pity it was too low though. That's good you got the feed sorted out ok. 

How nice your kiwi berry is doing so well too.

That's good your OH didn't forget your tea of fish, chips and curry sauce, as she had been out with her mother, I bet you enjoyed it too.

Either of you watching Alex and her hotel show tonight?

It's brilliant tonight, gosh the owner is so eccentric, but lovely, she hasn't a clue about making money, but loves giving away free stuff, eg bet the customers couldn't believe the free bar all night.

And she calls the hotel "The HOuse, quiky B and B", it says on the sign and "Come Sleep with Us" both on the sign and their towels.

No wonder she has 5 stars from trip advisor with all the freebies...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/...omerset_England.html

Yes its good it is vote to evict, I so hope Joe or Tom go and not Charlotte.

Is it eviction Thursday or Friday? Odd how they changed it from the usual Fridays.

Sat out on my swing chair today, it got too hot later on though, so didn't stay out for long.

Enjoy the show both xxx