Evening Both.

An interesting day, weather beautiful, sun all day with hardly any wind, 10c wind 13-5.

My LED lighting in the bungalow i chose when we redid the place, there were 3 options of lighting colour, Cool white, Warm white and Daylight white, not thinking too much i decided on Warm white as i thought the white light would be too fierce for room lighting, anyway after a few years o/h has decided i picked the wrong light so have ordered 35 of the daylight GU 10 5 watt ones

Was at the dentist, in and out in 10 minutes all done, no problem, £20.50 not too bad.

On the way back with it being sunny we decided to go to a farm shop, it sells everything and is so good, got more of the tubs of curry, had them before, very nice, got lots of lovely stuff, big sausages, brisket, and because i want to make more pickle i got got 3 massive cucumbers and a bag of big shallots so may be making pickle in the morning, oh, forgot, bought 2 meat pies and 2 big Scones, had the pies and one scone with my jam, love it.

Mollie, Hope the work you have done is enough for what is needed for the carers, hope it goes ok.

The secret life of the 4/5 year olds was good.

I see the I'm a Celeb starts November 19th, can't wait but will have to record some.

Emptybox, O/h had a crown done a few weeks ago but one of the teeth that had a chip had parted with the mended bit the same as mine, they sorted that for her though, then mine did the same, but all is fine now, not sure how long for.

Yes, with skype everyone can stay in touch, communication is something they have tons of, never had anything like that when i was young, no mobiles, no laptops, no anything really.

Hi Hicky.
Very frosty start, but quickly melted, leaving a nice enough day.
Got a couple of jobs done. Did some mowing at one place. It was a bit too wet to make a good job, but it was something I should have got done before my holiday really.
Also did some tidying up work at another place.

I thought you left all those kind of decisions to your OH? Surprised she let you decide on the lighting in the first place?
Hope the bulbs you ordered are brighter.

That was good that the dentist visit was so short and was relatively cheap. Hope everything OK now.
My crown still not quite right. Not sure it ever will be, but at least it only bothers me now if I try and eat something the wrong way, and then only momentarily.
Still a bit sensitive to cold too.

That sounds like a good Farm shop, where you can get everything you need.
Thanks for the date of IAC. Presumably that means Ant is now back on track?
Looking forward to The Apprentice tonight.

Evening Emptybox.

Going to bed in a few minutes.

I remembered, this morning because o/h is off today and taking me to the dentists she wanted me to make her brekkie so we had 1 of the big thick Sainsbury's hot dog sausages with tinned tomato toast and tea, so she was ok with the the trip out.

I would imagine it's too late for mowing, even here the ground is no longer going to dry out.

Well o/h looked after all the house internal stuff but the lighting and power distribution was left to me, i didn't put the flush LED lights in a particular place just arranged them to look good on the ceiling, every fitting has a 5w lamp which is pretty efficient really, all my lamps in the whole place are LED as they are supposed to last 27 years, led's don't go but the electronics controlling them may do of course.

The new lamps are the same wattage as the others but the colour changes which will make them brighter at no cost.

I don't understand why your crown is sensitive, that can't be right surely, but if it was sensitive with the temporary fitting then it is going to be the same after.

Enjoyed the Apprentice, what a bunch of clowns they are, i would dump half a dozen of them.

That was nice of you, making your OH brekkie.

Think the crown is sensitive along the gum line, where it meets the original tooth. Because they take all the enamel away from the old tooth, but there isn't a perfect join.
I'm now using sensodyne toothpaste, but seemingly it takes at least a month of using it, before the sensitivity goes.
TBH the old tooth was slightly sensitive to cold in the first place.

Quite enjoyed The Apprentice. Don't know how they could be expected to do tours of Bruges when they'd never been there?
But they could certainly have done more research.
That idiot promising a pub crawl without talking to his project manager should have been the one to be fired IMO.

Evening Emptybox.

Not bad here, decided to make the pickle as i had nothing to do anyway.

weather was ok, light rain though when it said it would be dry, 12c with 17 winds.

I see IAC starts in January as well, super.

Made a lot of shallot and cucumber pickle.

Then cooked a piece of brisket, i then put spuds in the oven for baked spuds and made gravy with the stock i cooked the brisket in, will have the other half of the brisket cold on bread with some of the pickle.

The new lamps arrived this morning, have ordered one of those house steps with support, not expensive but will need them to fit the lamps, we have some but the support is very low so not really good enough.

HMRC rang, they are trying to see how they can use the money they have in 1 sytem to ay the bill in the other system, they said they will try for 2 weeks and ring me.

I have a feeling they will have to send me the money so i can pay, their system doesn't seem to allow funds to be transferred, it's hard to believe really, it only arises because they have stopped me paying them with DD and i no longer have to use self assessment, what a mess, they must have millions with the same problem, no wonder it's hard to ring them.

Had an onion/mushroom  Omelette for brekkie, yummy. 

If your tooth is sensitive doesn't that mean that the nerve is exposed somewhere, thats the only thing that can make is sensitive isn't it.

Yes, what a fiasco, tours of somewhere you have never been to, why didn't they get someone from Bruge to do it.

And Segway was a joke, 1 3 hour walk.

Emptybox, I hope you are having a nice birthday

Hicky, as I'm an accountant doing people's tax returns I can understand your problem. They have one computer system which deals with self assessment and a different computer system which deals with the PAYE system (which is used for employees and pensioners). The two computer systems don't really talk to each other. So I have come across similar situations to yours and it can be a bit of a hassle (and it shouldn't be necessary) to get things sorted out but they do get it sorted out eventually.

And I pity anyone who has student loan repayments where the loan has been paid off. The Student Loan Company are in a mess and there are thousands of people who have overpaid and are trying to get it back. HMRC collect the repayments to pass over to the SLC. There are different systems for collecting through the payroll and through self assessment. I have a client who was paying through both because she's both employed and self-employed. She paid it off in November 2016, had to pay some £500 in her self assessment tax bill in January this year, tried to get it back from the SLC, made formal complaints against them due to not hearing back from them, it was finally sorted out and she's just been repaid.

And the story isn't over yet. Because of the weird system the tax that she will have to pay this coming January currently includes over £1100 for student loan repayments even though it's been paid off. There's a section of the HMRC in East Kilbride which deals with contacting the SLC, asking them if the repayment figure should be changed, if the SLC say yes then they get it adjusted which in this case should get it zeroed.

It's a known fact that the SLC computer system and the HMRC computer system are incompatible with each other and it's impossible at this time for the process to be automatically dealt with. It's also a fact that the East Kilbride section of HMRC which deals with this is cut off from everything else. No-one can contact them, not even the self assessment section of the HMRC. I was talking with one of the HMRC officers in the self assessment section about this. I described this as something out of Dickens with Bob Crachit working for Ebebezer Scrooge.

Hi El Loro, thanks for the Birthday wishes.
I was working as usual, but treated myself to a big fry up for supper, and a bottle of beer. Living the high life eh?

Hi Hicky.
It was a lovely day here, sunshine and clear blue skys.
Got 4 places finished for the season. That's probably the last time I'll need the mower this year.

Found some evidence of mice under the bonnet of the van; seeds under the bonnet headlining.
I've got the sonic deterrent under there, but it obviously hasn't worked, so I've had to resort to traps. Caught 2 mice this morning, and have set the traps again tonight.
I know you don't like animals being killed Mollie, and I never go out of my way to do that, but I can't have mice eating away at the electrics of my van.

I wish you luck with your dealings with HMRC. If an accountant like El Loro has problems with them, I'm not sure what your chances are.

That's good that your new bulbs arrived. Yes, you don't want shoogly steps when you are fitting them.
I bet your family and neighbours will appreciate all that pickle you have made.

Don't think there's any exposed nerves as such. When they take away the enamel the dentine is exposed, and that can be sensitive because it allows access to the nerve through tubules. The active ingredient in Sensodyne toothpaste blocks these tubules and makes the tooth less sensitive. At least that's what it's supposed to do, but there's no evidence of it reducing the sensitivity in my tooth yet.
IMO they should design these crowns so that they properly cover and protect the dentine, but for some reason they don't seem to.

Watched Bargain Hunting Brits in Blackpool then Rich House Poor House.
I assume when you say "IAC starts in January as well", you mean CBB?

Evening EL Lord & Emptybox.

EL Lord, I think they will have to send me the money as they don't look as if they can transfer the money between the system that holds it and the system that wants it, this has actually been going on a long time, since they stopped me sending them money each week by DD, early August when they sent me a rebate as i had overpaid, then they said they would send me an up to date position of the funds but it seems they are stuck, they said a couple of weeks ago that they would sort it, now they want another 2 weeks so not really sure whether i owe them money or not, will have to wait for the next phone call.

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

Had a nice brekkie of sausages with fried mash and tinned spaghetti over it.

I have just made a Spag Bol with Tagliatelle, yummy, with thingi cheese over it.

Didn't do much today because of the weather, 10c but quite some light rain, not much sun, winds 21 with gusting of 40+.

Have packed cae 1, this one should be going direct to Oz, just so we don't have to drag it around as i'm not good with cases in big airports as you have miles to travel, plus i can't rush as i get breathless.

Packing case 2 which will go to Singapore with us, and our back packs will go aboard.

Glad the mower jobs are done with, it's all very damp from now on.

Those mice love your vans don't they, amazing, i suppose the only thing that would stop them eating the electrics is feeding them.

I don't understand the crowns on the tooth really but would have thought it would cover what is needed, i suppose they don't go below the gum line so maybe thats the problem.  

Love Rich house Poor house.

I typed the wrong word, meant DOI, silly me, it's back after being off for 3 years, back on ITV, https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvand...ineup-professionals/

Thats the Jungle on the 19th, with Scarlette Moffatt Hosting.

Emptybox

Glad to hear you treated yourself a little with your fry up and beer.  And I hope you don't feel a day older.

How annoying your crown is still not right. With any luck, with more time, it might still settle.

That is good you too have been getting the nice weather.

Poor little mice...whilst I know you can't have them eating the wires on your van, couldn't you get some humane mouse traps, and then you take them over the fields and let them out?

Hicky

glad you got that tooth sorted so easy and cheaply.

The farm shop sounds great.

Hope you are pleased with the new lamps.

Sounds like you are well organised with the cases, but with such a long trip you need to be.
What a nightmare HMRC are. As El Loro says, my accountant says the same!

I have had a really difficult few days, the meeting was complicated, and surprise, surprise, complicated by HMRC problems! Endless reading and forms. I am glad it is the weekend so I can catch up with stuff at home and not be interrupted by endless phone calls and emails about setting up this employer stuff.  Have hardly had chance to watch tv. I am so glad son came with me to the meeting, as he is going to do most of the forms for me.

I did enjoy the Apprentice as daughter and I went to Bruges. Our Segway tour was great, fortunately nothing like their's was. And we weren't rushed out of the choccie shop!

Am watching Gogglebox, not happy  with rest of tv tonight though, far too much football!

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.

Another nice sunny day here, but very cold.

I didn't go out to work, but did work in my own garden.

I raked up the bulk of the leaves, then mowed the grass, then I did a bit of cutting back in the bed at the back of the house.

Then to finish up I washed my van. So not such an easy day after all.

Hicky. Pasta for brekkie? Par for the course.

You are well on your way with the packing I see.

Oh, Dncing on Ice in January? Are they not doing a winter CBB?

Mollie. Thanks for the Birthday pic.

Yes, I'd thought of humane traps, but they might be too big to go under the bonnet. I'll look into it.

I couldn't release them over the fields though, they'd just come back.

I could take them a ride in the van and release them in a customer's garden I suppose.

Sorry you are having so many complications setting up as an employer for your private carers. I would have thought it would be easier if the carers were self employed, then they could worry about that side of things?

I'd remembered that you'd had a segway tour, but hadn't remembered that it was in Bruges. Did you visit the same chocolate shop?

Watched Eight Days That Made Rome.

Hicky, at least you should get your money back from HMRC.....eventually.

By the way if any of you get a phone call from HMRC saying that you are being investigated for tax evasion or that they are getting a court judgement for unpaid tax, just beware that it's a scam. They seem to target different parts of the country, a couple of weeks ago it was my area. Apparently I was being done for tax evasion. I know of other local people who got similar calls. I think they are currently targeting north Wales. Never ring back on the number they give, never give them any personal information. If you have any doubts wait several minutes after such a call before ring the real HMRC 0300 200 3300 (you'll need to tell them your national insurance number). (If you happen to do self assessment tax returns then it's 3310 instead of 3300.

Anyone can get such a call as the scammers ring anyone.

Evening All.

Not a bad day here, 9c but cloudy and no wind.

Had a cold brisket with home made cucumber/shallot picke.

Made some cup cakes as 2 grandsons coming in the afternoon with 1 of my lads, i let them put the ready made icing on with the sprinkles.

Raked some more leaves up in the garden, mainly from the Oak tree close by and overhanging, will have to get it pruned in the winter as it blocks the sun from my raised beds and greenhouse.

Ha a Ribeye steak with halved baby mushrooms, some spice and mustard.

Mollie, The new steps i ordered arrived today so all set now, might wait till after Holiday just in case.

As you say, what an awful week sorting all that stuff out, crazy what you have to do.

I went to Belgium often but never stopped at Bruge, but i do love Belgium.

Enjoyed The Apprentice, pity they messed up the Segway section of it, i would have demanded a refund, it was a joke.

Saw Gogglebox, it was ok.

Emptybox, Sorry i missed your Birthday again, even forgot it after i was reminded, it must be an age thing.

If you put the leaves onto the grass then mow it can't you keep the shredded mixture as it is ideal for using as a mulch or bagging for next year, it would make lovely compost.

CBB back in January, https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvand...e-up-rumours-latest/

EL LORO, Yes, have to be careful what you say these days, with email scams phone scams, it's getting very hard to stay safe.

The first time they rang we used a prearranged security code, but the last time they were only giving out info and were not collecting any info, they were more concerned they were talking to me than the other way.

I had no problem until they stopped collecting the money via DD, any idea why they stopped this, it does seem that they can't cope with people being in credit, but for government departments it seems incredible that they can have so many separate parts of a company, i have the usernames/codes to get into about 4 departments but in each one i couldn't reach the section i wanted so i rang them once and told them i was lost in the sections, they said try and sign in and i'll tell you if you are in the right place, she said just try any, i did that and she told me that one was ok, but she also knew what other area's i had tried to sign into, they had a record, but there are so many isolated departments it's crazy.

I was very confused when i found out years ago the the National Insurance department have no idea that the NI collected from the workers has no contact with the NI department and even the addresses used when collecting the money doesn't get passed to the NI department, what a dreadful system, I don't know how many system computers there are but it must have been designed before the ARK.

both xxx

Emptybox

glad you got a nice sunny day again, sounds like you used the opportunity to keep busy outdoors too, even though you did not go out to work.

Yes you could take the mice in your van to release them, but not sure your customers will be too pleased with you if you point them towards their gardens.

I think the carers decided to be employed by me, rather than self employed as they have second jobs.

Our Bruges segway tour was brilliant because it was just me and daughter following one guy round and he took us all round the main sites, and we stopped at places of interest, which he told us facts about when we stopped. There are lots of choccie shops there, and all look similiar, so aren't sure if we had been in that particular one.

Hicky

I bet your grandsons enjoyed helping with the cupcakes.

Not good if the tree is blocking your light to your greenhouse and beds, so a prune will be needed soon.

Yes good idea not to take any risk with new steps before your hols, best to keep that till you are safely home from your hols.

What a nightmare HMRC are if even the NI computers aren't linked up.

Thanks for the scam phone call warning El Loro. So scary now, so many scams.

Enjoyed X factor, especially Harry Styles doing rock.

Went to Cardiff for a bit of shopping, really busy there though, as forgot rugby was on with Oz today, so didn't stay too long.

I did manage to get mum an elf hat to match her jumper though, and our niece a little Santa dress and Elsa mug as it is her birthday next week.

OH's friend from work has to go back to India next week, so OH got him a tie pin with the Welsh and Indian flags joined together, and a Welsh cap for souvenirs.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening all.
Another nice sunny day here.
Was thinking of doing more things outside, but got sidetracked doing computery things.
It was very cold outside anyway. Think there was a high of 6 or 7 degrees, and it's only just above freezing now.

Thanks for the scam warning El Loro. I'll look out for it.

Hicky. I don't take much notice of my Birthdays nowadays anyway. Didn't even realise it was on here. I don't have it noted on Facebook or Twitter.
Perhaps in a couple of years I might celebrate, when I reach one of the big numbers?
I'm sure the Grandsons appreciated your cupcakes.
Hope you enjoyed your rib-eye steak? Sounds great.

I dump the raked up leaves round the back with all the other garden rubbish, so it all breaks down over the years, so I can use it as compost if I need to.
The mower doesn't pick up the leaves well anyway. It leaves lines of shredded leaves. I did my own grass, to get it finished for the season, but it left too much of a mess really, so i wouldn't have left a customer's lawn looking like that.
But as it's just mine, it doesn't matter.
Glad your new steps came.

Mollie. Yes, I guess it suits the carers better, if you employ them.
Sounds like you might have visited all the chocolate shops in Bruges?
At least you managed to get a few things, even though Cardiff was busy with the rugby.

X Factor was OK, but too many blokes on it. In fact I think there was only that girl from the Scottish group?
Must have been doing the washing up when Harry Styles was on, as I can't remember what he sang?
Afterwards I watched the Terminator Genisys film, starring Emilia Clarke.

Re HMRC computer systems. Those affecting people include one for self assessment tax, one for PAYE/employers/employees & pensioners, one for student loan repayments which go through the self assessment tax rather than through payrolls, one for class 2 national insurance (the fixed amount for the self-employed), and one for tax credits. None of which really talk with each other ither than the student loan and class 2 NI which tells the self assessment what to collect but the self assessment one can't talk back.

both xxx

Emptybox

don't blame you getting sidetracked on pc stuff instead of outdoors if it was only 6 degrees!

Cooler here today too.

Well I guess we did visit a fair few choccy shops in Bruges.

Hope you enjoyed your saturday sphag bol.

Went to Weatherspoon for brekkie, very nice, had bagel and cream cheese, beans, tomato, hash brown, veggie sausage, mushroom. Feel full for the rest of the day now.

Hicky

hope you are having a good Sunday, I am sure you will be having some unusual menu as usual.

I saw this article and thought it might be useful for you forthecoming break.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem...eds-know-travel.html

Thanks El Loro for the HMRC hints again.

Am off to look after mum now for the afternoon.

Have a good day both xxx

Evening All.

Not a bad day, 8c but the wind is coming from a cold place, sunny all day, winds 20 decreasing.

went for Brekkie, got some bacon ribs for tonight, just had them, very nice, too many really, but we managed.

Just did a bit of sorting out in the greenhouse for next spring, getting the big tubs ready, need to see what i am going to grow.

Mollie, Yes, the little ones enjoyed icing with this non setting stuff, and putting the sprinkles on, problem is it makes them Hyper.

I'll be in Oz while they are filming the Jungle this year, IAC, so if you see a strange face peeking out from the trees don't be frightened.

You got some nice stuff from Cardiff then, that will look good on your mum.

Thanks for the link, some useful tips.

Emptybox, Yes, pretty cold last night, not as cold here as you though.

I see they had snow on the Pennines.

I only buy Ribeye now as i got fed up with Rump as if is too easy to get an awful one.

Didn't realise the mower didn't pick up the cut leaves, is that normal?

Hi EL Loro, it is as if the hmrc computer system has been added to in all departments bit by bit using software from different companies so they don't talk as they are incompatible.

Maybe what they are doing to help the problem is do away with certain computer systems and try to merge other systems, that way more sections will talk.

Evening.
Frosty start and very cold today. No more than 3 degrees. But nice sunshine anyway. 
Went to the supermarket as usual.

Hicky. Well done getting the tidying up in the greenhouse done. That's a job I'll need to get down to I suppose. Just got the old tomato plants to clear away really.

The mower will pick up some leaves if they are not too thick on the grass, but not if they are carpeting the lawn.
We'll have to keep an eye open for you appearing in the Jungle.

Mollie. That was a great filling brekkie from Wetherspoons.
Yes, I enjoyed my Saturday Spag Bol and beer.
Hope you are not too tired out after looking after your Mum this afternoon.

Looking forward to the X-Factor, then I might watch Howard's End?
Roast chicken thighs, potatoes and curly kale with gravy for supper.
(well, will be when I've cooked it)

Evening Emptybox.

Pretty cold this morning, just above freezing, 2c rising to 8, cloud with no wind.

Had eggy toast with melted cheese for brekkie.

Made a curry using a left over half chicken, found a bag of peppers in the fridge so cut them up added onion and fried them then added the container of sauce i bought and put the chicken pieces in, leave legs etc on the bone, but take the meat off the carcase.

Made more shrimp Vol-Au-Vents, yummy, am now eating some curry with veg rice.

Will have to get the train home from Gatwick when we come back as couldn't sort a plane out, will have to go from Gatwick to Euston then change for Liverpool, the Gatwick train is after 3am, but i have booked 1st class from Euston.

All my plants are cleared now, very little i can do, quite a bit of pruning to do but you should wait till after the bad weather so you can see what was damaged in the winter, so will wait till Feb or March, the same with the vines.

Picked more leaves up, got lots of them dried so will have to start shredding them, could cover the raised beds with it.

I'll have to record the Jungle, what a pain, and strictly as well, good job i get the new recorder.

The jungle site is 813 km from Sydney, a 9 hour car ride, but they have security so you couldn't get to the site.

You need a sit on mower for the big jobs and you could fit a leaf collector system.

Hi Hicky.
A frosty start then a little light snow, but it dried up very quickly. But it was very cold all day. No more than 3 or 4 degrees.
It's really not worth working outside in that.
The forecast for tomorrow is a little warmer, so hopefully I'll get some work done then.

That sounds a lovely curry.  
The travel arrangements for getting home from London seem every bit as complicated as getting across to the other side of the world?
Yes probably better to leave the pruning till better weather arrives.
It's all very well recording all those series while you are away, but when will you find the time to watch them?

I use a customer's ride on mower at one place, but I'd need a trailer to transport it. Plus it gets the job done in less than half the time, but uses twice the amount of fuel as a push one, so wouldn't be cost effective. The longer it takes me to cut grass the more I get paid.

Watched the Children in Need 80's music special on BBC1. Quite nostalgic, even though i was a teenager in the 70's.

  both xxx

Emptybox

that is good you had sun yesterday, even though it was cold.

We had rain again yesterday and it was timed for when we took the dog a walk, so we had to shove her in her doggie pram so we could dash back home.

I too watched HOwards end after x factor. Slow moving at first, but looks like it could improve. REally enjoyed x factor especially as Lloyd was voted most popular. (the lad local to us who has connections with son's drama). What a great voice he has, pity i was a bit too slow getting a photo with him when he was standing right in front of me!

Did you manage to get any work done today? It was so sunny today, even most of my washing dried. Cold here too, around 8 degrees highest.

Hicky

It is always worth paying the extra for 1st class on the train especially after a long journey. I love it when we go 1st class, we take advantage of the free drinks/snacks. Some stations have 1st class lounges too with free food/drinks too.

I believe the "jungle" is in a national park in the hills of New South Wales, so pity it is a bit far and too secure for you to take a peak.   If you happen to go to the Gold Coast for a few days, you could go to Versace hotel to spy on them there though!

Yes I guess you will miss out on our good tv shows whilst away. Maybe you could catch up on some of them online whilst you are away though?

Had to catch up on the vat today, lucky son does a lot of it now, as we are really late because we have been sorting this employer stuff out. Also did 3 washloads for mum and got them out early on the line, then 2 loads for us, but of couse I still have another full basket to get through yet!

watched Corrie then a drama on bbc2 at 9 which was quite good.

Post office tomorrow with the vat and a little girl Santa outfit to post to our niece that I got from Primark. It is a little Santa dress with tights and a Santa hat for £10, so not a bad price.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.
Quite a bit milder here today. Reached the heady heights of 11 degrees mid morning. And quite sunny too.
Got a couple of jobs done. mainly cutting back and tidying up, and raking up leaves.

Pity you had rain the day before yesterday, and had to make a run for it with doggie in pram. Glad it was sunnier yesterday.
I agree about Howards End. The first episode seemed slow, but the synopsis of the next episode might be better.
Oh yes, I remember Lloyd on X-Factor. One of the few memorable blokes, because he does have a good voice.

Well done getting your VAT done, with the help of your son.
I'm sure your niece will like the Santa outfit, although it's surely a bit early for that yet?

The A Word again tonight.

Evening Both.

Warmer today 12c but cloudy and dry, light winds of single figures.

Did a bit of work in the garden, it's always easy to see things that need doing.

Had dippy eggs for brekkie as o/h fancied them so did 6 between us, i use that little eggy thing that goes in the pan and tells you how soft/hard they will be, it works a treat, you have to allow for how big the eggs are though, we only get XL.

Just had some chicken sandwiches with cucumber pickle with shallots, yummy.

Had an email of MIL, she loves the jam and pickle i sent her.

Gave my neighbour 2 jars of pickle this morning.

Mollie, I tried to sort flights from London, but it's hopeless, they must stop everywhere, looked at more flights from JFK but thats hopeless as well, so had no option but to use the trains, couldn't get a direct one, so have to change, will see if we can get the second case sent back from New York with UPS to save the messing about.

I think even NSW is too far to go, pity, that hotel you pointed out would be handy.

I will mist some tv programs, might be able to see some though, as you say, with the laptop it could be done.

I can see you are far too busy these days, it's so much work for you, you will be tired out.

£10 is a good price for that Santa outfit, she should like that.

Emptybox, No point in you working if the weather is bad, don't blame you.

It's hard to leave the pruning tll early spring as i like to get it out of the way, will have to be strong.

As you say, it's hard to watch many recording, i seldom do, but as long as i have them i will be happy.

Yes, you have a point about time spent on cutting grass, as you say it won't pay.

I see you had some warmer weather today, and got a couple of jobs done.

both xx

Milder here too today, but drizzling, so not a day to peg washing out or to take dog out walkies.

Emptybox

that's good you got a few jobs done.

That sounds good if Howards End does get going next week, I like a nice drama for Sunday evenings.

Yes Lloyd is a good singer, he acts too, he worked on the same scheme my drama lad worked on and was up for an award for acting the same night my son was up for an award.

Thought I'd send the Santa suit early so she has it nice and early ready for the school Christmas parties.

And look what arrived yesterday just for me,....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleev...mas%2Bdress&th=1

Channel 5 are showing Christmas films in the day now and have been for some time, and the Christmas channel is too. I have been listening to the Christmas music channel.

Enjoyed the 4 years olds, then A word. The things those 4 year olds come out with is so funny.

Hicky

your dippy egg thing sounds like it worked a treat.

That's nice your MIL enjoys your jam and pickle.

Good idea to see if you can get the case sent separate as you have to go by train.

Yes that is the trouble in Oz, all the places of interest are a flight apart from each other!

Well the VAT I thought we had done was not done when I checked it! We just could not get the statement/invoices to balance. OH had muddled them due to the agency being ages late paying one of the invoices. But eventually got it off to the accountant around 3pm.

Accountant also agrees with my figures to do with mum's care, so have to ring council tomorrow and tell them so. (they calculated it different and wanted me to cut the carers' pay which I wont' do).

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Mollie.

Didn't do much today, warmish 11c just cloudy all day, winds nothing.

Filled the info in on the banking site to say where i will be.

Had bacon and tomato on toast for brekkie.

Just had poached smoked cod with 2 pouched eggs and microwave fries.

Have put all the paperwork we have into A5 envelopes so we can see straight away what we are after.

Going to get some cash out for Singapore and Australia so we have a start, o/h can buy it from work.

Son said he will arrange for case-1 to be picked up for Oz, and he said we can send case-1 & 2 back to save traipsing it around.

Thats a blow, if the accounts don't tally.

So accountant and you think the council figures are wrong, hope they sort it.

It would be a shame to cut the carers pay, but a business has to be run correct, where did the pay figures come from?

Hi both.
Cloudy and damp here today, and colder than yesterday. Frost in the air tonight.

Hicky. I had a boiled egg myself this morning. I just usually leave them in for 4 minutes after the water starts to boil. However if the egg is bigger they're sometimes not done enough. What's that gadget you are talking about?

That's good that your MiL emailed to say she liked your jam and pickle.
Sounds very complicated organising for your cases to be sent around the world. Glad your sone is able to do some of the arranging.

Mollie. Pity you got the drizzle yesterday.
I don't think there's any hope for you with this Christmas malkarkey? Watching Xmas films and listening to Xmas music already?
Pity there's been some mix-up with the VAT and your carers' pay. Hopefully you'll get it sorted out.

Apprentice tonight.

both xxx

Hicky

good idea to sort all your paperwork into folders as it is so important on a trip like this.

Can you pm me the itinary for your hols and where you are staying as I'd love to follow your hols in real time.

When my friend's son went to Oz, we followed his flight on flightradar24. It is great, you can track the flight with a map in real time and photos of the terraine they will be flying over too. Maybe your grandkids would like to do that? You just type in the flight number and there it is.

That will be a great help for son to sort your case out.

Not sure where the wrong payment figures came from, don't think they really understand. I was reading up paying tax on 2 jobs as my carers will have this, and one site says HMRC systems have trouble calculating the correct tax for more than 1 job, so one job only normally stops all the tax and then it usually has to worked out at the end of the tax year. No surprise there then.

Emptybox

I don't eat eggs, so don't worry about how long to cook them for. I do like baked beans though. Sounds like Hicky's egg gadget might be of use to you though.

You are dead right, no hope with me and Christmas stuff now as I am well into it. In fact I liked my dress so much I ordered another one, as it was only £8.99.

Here it is...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Women...s&th=1&psc=1

And I found something rather fetching that might just be for you? ...it is manly and has extra large pockets too, handy for the odd tool.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uidea...christmas+mens+hoody

Been trying to help sort the carers and this complicated tax thing out again today. Need to set all the paperwork out now, timesheets, contracts etc.

Did food shopping as daughter too busy with her studies to help. 

Had veggie burger on brioche roll with onion, cherry tomatoes, cheese and mayo, delicious.

Enjoyed Apprentice, I think that Elizabeth is hilarous , especially chasing those chickens.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.

At least that Hoodie is honest about itself, when it's described as an "Ugly Christmas Unisex 3D Printed Hooded Sweatshirt".

I think Elizabeth is great on The Apprentice as well.
Doubt she'll last till the end though?

Evening Both.

Didn't do much outside, might get the gardener back to sort a few bits out, nothing urgent though.

Have ordered the taxi for the airport.

Had a hot dog for brekkie, 2 of the long thin sausages we got from the farm shop, very nice too.

Then been good during the day, have just made Vol-Au-Vents, shrimps and white sauce.

Mollie, How o i pm you? the itinerary is an A4 sheet, i could email it if i had your email.

That sounds an interesting idea following the flight on you phone.

It's hard to believe how complicated a simple thing like tax can be.

Emptybox, Time when after soft boiled eggs is a bit of Russian roulette, size has to be calculated, but it's actually probably the weight that controls the cooking time.

This is the timer i use: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Colou...;keywords=egg+gadget

For extra large eggs i use the line between medium and hard, medium should be ok for medium sized eggs if you want them soft, as all uk eggs are safe now they no longer need to be well cooked like it used to be.

I'm not keen on Elizabeth, she is like a Matron from the old days, i find her far too overpowering, can't see her lasting much further as she doesn't get on with people.

Hi Hicky.
Not bad day here at all. Not frost in the end up (because it rained overnight), but a dry sunny day. Cold though.

Got a job done. Pruning, tidying up and hedge cutting.

If you put your itinerary in the 'Moll's Op' dialog on here, which is now just called 'Private Messages' (hover mouse over your username in the top right of the page), then I could see it as well.
I don't plan to follow it as closely as Mollie, but I would be interested to see it.

That looks an interesting egg timer, and cheap too.
I like the middle of the yolk to be soft, but just going hard round the edge. But difficult to get right. Specially as I buy the 'mixed' sizes of eggs, as they are cheaper.

No I like Elizabeth. She seemed to struggle at the beginning, but now she's decided that she must be forceful. And boy can she be bossy!

both xx

Hicky

hope you can get the gardner to sort your bits and pieces.

That would be great if I could see your full itinery.

The flight tracker is great fun. My OH is now following his friend's flight to Mumbai. (the one he has been working with). He just said he could see it taxi-ing on the runway.

Emptybox

thanks for explaining to Hicky how to PM. Hope he can work it out ok.

I think it should be safe for me to put my email addy in there for him to send the itinary, as it is not public at all there is  it?  

Yes Elizabeth is real bossy and like a matron, but so funny because she is OTT.

Glad you had a sunny day, so got a job done.

Sun and showers today. Still busy sorting the best way for the carers to divide their hours out, and the paperwork to go with it.

My friend came for her fave cheese and tomatoes on toast and a few coffees.

Watching "Murder on the Blackpool Express" quite amusing.

Goodnight both xxx

emptybox posted:

Hi Mollie.

 

At least that Hoodie is honest about itself, when it's described as an "Ugly Christmas Unisex 3D Printed Hooded Sweatshirt".

Oooopppss, oh dear, sorry sounds like I am insulting you now, as not only did I think it was a "mens" one, which it wasn't if it was unisex, but also I never realised it was called "ugly".

So if you prefer I can look again to find a more suitable manly and not ugly Christmas jumper? They even do a Christmas suit if you prefer a more formal attire?

*mollie* posted:

emptybox posted:

Hi Mollie.

 

At least that Hoodie is honest about itself, when it's described as an "Ugly Christmas Unisex 3D Printed Hooded Sweatshirt".

Oooopppss, oh dear, sorry sounds like I am insulting you now, as not only did I think it was a "mens" one, which it wasn't if it was unisex, but also I never realised it was called "ugly".

So if you prefer I can look again to find a more suitable manly and not ugly Christmas jumper? They even do a Christmas suit if you prefer a more formal attire?

Yeah.......I wouldn't worry about it Mollie. I'm sure your time could be better spent by counting the hairs on your dog's back, or something like that.

Yes that dialog PM can only be seen by the three of us and Olly.
And I'm sure Olly willnae blab.

Evening Both.

I went into the pm area but can't see where i post the itinerary, if i press new post it says i need vip, maybe the pms are for vips, couldn't see where to post anything.

I couldn't even see any of the old posts we did.

If you both can do what you want me to do so i can follow same, need to know what to click. I did the firest bit on my name at the top of the page and selected private message, then i could see what i was supposed to click.

My shopping arrived as usual, so thats sorted.

Had a bacon roll for brekkie, and a chilli been with veg rice for tea, far too much for me, getting a bit of space in the freezer now. 

Didn't do much as weather was cool at 9c with rain threatened and sunny spells, light winds of 8-13.

I thought my backpack seemed a bit big for the plane so asked o/h, she said she didn't get it for the plane it was for the short holiday in the summer we couldn't go on, so have had to order one from Argos.

Got some spends today for Singapore and Oz.

Mollie, will try and get the gardener for an hour next week, nothing urgent though.

Emptybox, You can't use any type of timer to soft cook various size eggs, there is no way that can work, there is no 1 time does all.

The problem is, when 1 person is forceful the others get trodden on, L.S won't have that, and i can't see her changing.

It says i should have a hip replacement card for the airport security, never had one, have got an x-ray picture of the hip.

Hi Hicky.
Dull and drizzly here today, so no good for work.

If I hover over my username (top right), and click on 'Private Messages', it takes me to a page where you can start a new PM thread, but only now if you are a VIP.
But you can still see the old threads there, including the 'Molls' Op' one.
I've just made a post in there to make sure we can still use it, so see if you have a notification for that.

If you still can't see the Moll's Op thread it's possible you deleted it for some reason, because you are definitely still included on it.
If you can't find it on here I could try sending you a direct link to it on Twitter, but as you've stopped following me on Twitter for some reason, I can't now send you a PM on there.
If you only wanted to send your itinerary to Mollie, you could send it to her by Twitter PM, provided you followed her on there.

Pity your existing backpack is too big for hand luggage on the plane. Hope you can find one the right size for not too much.
Maybe your doc could provide a hip replacement card for you? But probably an X-ray would be enough to convince the security bods that it wasn't anything suspicious.

Not too bothered about the timing of eggs TBH. As long as the white is solid, I'll eat it no matter what the yolk is like. I don't dip soldiers into it.

Children in Need tonight. I'll probably dip in and out.

Hi Emptybox, sorted, have added it under your last post in the pm, can you get it to Mollie as i can't get on her messages, got on your because you had a new post.

both xxx

Hicky

Emptybox has well described how to send the PM . I could see in the top right of this page that I had one message after Emptybox posted in it, and when I went in there, the Mollie op thread was still there with Emptybox's post and I posted in it no problem.

I so hope we can somehow get to see your agenda.

Just noticed you don't follow me either on twitter now, so we can't pm that way as Emptybox suggested.

HOpe your new back pack from argos suits you.

That is interesting about the hip op thing and security, would never of thought of that. As Emptybox says, perhaps the doc can give you a card.

Emptybox

shame it was too wet for work.

A lovely day here at last, so got the washing out and it nearly dried.

Went to the carvary for tea, very good value for under £5, such a good variety of veg and huge yorkshires!

Watching Gogglebox tonight.

Goodnight both xxx

Hicky posted:

Hi Emptybox, sorted, have added it under your last post in the pm, can you get it to Mollie as i can't get on her messages, got on your because you had a new post.

I've got it ... hooray!! 

thanks xxx

Evening Mollie

Not too bad a day, 9c with rain sun and slight wind.

O/H reminded me that my piece of belly pork in the fridge was overdue to be cooked, i decided to cook it at 7pm, 30 mins on 200c then 2 hours on 140, had it tonight with baked spuds and gravy.

Went out for brekkie, while there i booked a meal for dinner tomorrow at 12.30 pm at the Greave Dunning, just to save buying and cooking.

Was on Skype to my lad in Oz, he sorted a few bits out, i also booked room in the Manchester Airport Lounge, so we have somewhere to hang about.

He only moved into this flat Friday, has got the stuff he needs as it was unfurnished, ha has stuff in storage as well, he is renting out his new penthouse suit as it's not near enough to his work.

Looking forward to Strictly tonight and IAC tomorrow.

My new case came, have got it packed all ready, but it always leaves stuff to go in that are in constant use.

What do you think of the itinerary, we will be with my lad in Hawaii, he's getting married on the beach, that will be a 1st, he said the service lasts 10 minutes, that will do me.

both xxx

Hicky

We too went out for brekkie. We went to the Weatherspoons again. I had porridege with blueberries and a bagel and cream cheese, very nice. Good idea to book for Sunday lunch out. I looked up the pub you are going to, and see you get 2 Yorkshires with your Sunday lunch. That is good, when we go to the carvary, we always have 2 or 3 Yorkshires each as we all love them.

Good job you got the pork cooked before it was too out of date.

I think your itinary is fantastic! In case you didn't see it, I posted this in the PM section.

New York...How exciting, I bet it will be a nice place to be for Christmas. Probably have snow too.

What a great itinary it sounds. Not long to go now.You will have to PM us again when you have details of the New York hotel as that is where you will be for Christmas.

That is nice your lad told you a few more things on skype. It will be a lot more relaxing in the booked lounge at the airport for you, especially as you have to check in so early on these international flights.

Wedding on the beach in Hawaii... that is great, as is the fact it only lasts for 10 minutes!

Emptybox

day off work today as it is Saturday? Hope you enjoyed your sphag bol and beer tonight.

Am watching x factor now, hope Lloyd does well.

Goodnight both xxx