Evening both.
Mostly dull today, with a little sun and a little rain. Suppose it was quite mild? I didn't need a fleece anyway. Just wore my leather jacket to Sainsburys this afternoon.

Got the mower filled with oil and petrol and it started on the second pull. I left it running for about 5 minutes and shut it off. It started first pull the next time, so all seems to be well so far. The grass was wet, so I didn't try doing any mowing.
I should think it's lighter because the deck is thinner metal, so perhaps more likely to rust.

I don't need it to last for years anyway. Even the Honda ones that i had years ago (when they were affordable) only lasted for a maximum of four seasons. And I always had to coax them through the fourth season before they finally conked out.
The first Mountfield lasted four seasons as well before it fell apart (literally). The second one lasted two years before I hit a stone with it, but it's still going as the spare. The last one only went one and a bit seasons, but that cost £400.
So as long as this one does a couple of seasons I'll be pleased, and anything more will be a bonus.
But if you think a domestic one does perhaps 30 hours work in a whole season, and my ones do that in a week. So a season with me is like 30 years for a domestic mower.
Course, knowing my luck, it'll conk out after a week.

Hicky. That's great that you've got your TV connections fixed. Worth taking time and trouble over.
That was good that your garden fork came as well.
Good luck with your hospital pre-op appointment tomorrow. Perhaps you'll get a meal out as well.

Mollie. Thanks for the B&Q club info. Not sure I'll be a frequent enough customer though?
Yes always better to avoid a court if possible, as they might well make a decision that suits nobody.
That's nice that it was warm enough for dog walk and snacks on the seafront.

No, I didn't even try with that Agatha Christie thing. I watched The Durrells and then Good Karma Hospital.

Evening Mollie.

Been to get my eye assessment done, but because they put drops in the eyes i can't see the text on screen so will just type for now till they settle down.

anyway, 13c today, sunny with light 4 to 9 winds.

Got my hair cut at usual place, called in Carr Farm for a few more Toms and some beetroot.

The result from eye tests is that i need an urgent hospital appointment for the AMD as it just about wet and Cataracts are not the priority at the mo as they wouldn't help.

Got my feet appointment tomorrow for my toe nails.

Called in for a takeaway on the way home, got curry beef and chips, heaven.

Have found some great recipes on video for more Spring rolls, and for Vietnamese ones.

I'll get back online when i can see your post.  

Didn't see your post Emptybox, it was on a new page, but i didn't see it, will get back when i can read it.

Hi Hicky.

A nice dry day here. Some warm sunshine for a while as well. Up to the low teens in temperature.

Got 3 places mowed. The new mower worked well. You can tell it's flimsier than the previous one, but is working well so far.

The only thing is it cuts lower than the previous one, so might not be suitable for very long grass. But I could use the spare one if I get a job where the grass has got out of hand.

Pleased so far anyway.

That's a bit limiting, if the eye drops they give you stop you seeing.

Sounds a bit worrying if you need an urgent appointment for your AMD? But must mean they think they can do something about it? Hope you get the appointment soon.

At least you got a takeaway and a haircut out of the day.

Watching The Island. It's quite interesting this year, with them split into a rich group and a poor group. It's yet to emerge who will be the best at survival.

Evening Both.

Had a rest on the bed to see if eyes would become c,earer, they are a bit better now.

Mollie, Yes, i miss going to B&Q but now i haven't got the landrover i am pretty stuck, i am going to try walking to the local small supermarket, it's not very far so i shouldn't have a problem walking there.

I miss the butty wagon, we did go during the winter, we popped in while at a local shop.

Glad you got to the seafront, chips and mayo sound good.

Meant to tell you, a couple f gangs of robbers / burglars was climbing over the back fences on my neighbours houses, it looked like 2 groups of 4 fellers, they were running out from different houses, we had police cars, vans dogs, helicopters last night, i was checking my dashcams that are in my font room and side window, got beautiful pictures of them all in HD 1080p, i loaded the video's 4 off onto a usb stick to see what they look like on a 55" all dancing and singing TV, wow, it's the same as watching a film on the tv, fantastic, one of my neighbours has 4 CCTV camera's around his bungalow and he captured them as well, they have got 5 of them, i might let the police know if they want to try and identify more they can see my videos.

Emptybox, Glad your mower seems ok, i wouldn't worry too much about rusting, it takes a long time to rust through and it only carries on rusting if the metal never dries out so if it gets wet try to put it in the wind before you store it, it's the storing of stuff that rots it, dry metal never rusts.

I suppose, as you say, you use domestic mowers to do a professional job, thats the biggest problem, do the pro ones weigh too much to carry?

Very pleased with the new tv splitter, i started from scratch that way i only had myself to blame if there was a problem, it took about one and a half hours, but considering it was made more difficult with not being able to focus, but watching the video of connecting the 'F' plug to the satellite dish cable was a good idea, this splitter does single channel satellite or aerial cable joining, probably because the new aerials are digital these days.

I don't understand when you say the new mower cuts lower, i thought you set the cut hight with a handle on the side.

Yes, a bit worrying about my eye, i need injections in it, but the way my sight is that is priority for now, he said doing the cataracts wouldn't help at the mo.

I am recording the Island as i get bored watching those programs, i get frustrated that they are so incapable of doing anything. 

both xxx

Emptybox

glad to see you are pleased so far with your new equipment. Long may it continue. Gosh that was a quick start back with you getting 3 lawns cut already .

Hicky

sorry you have to get an urgent appointment, so let's hope they don't leave you waiting too long for it.

HOpe the foot appointment goes ok tomorrow.

I think your takeaway was well deserved after your hospital appointment.

Hope your eyes have cleared ok by now.

A much warmer day today, sat outside with the dog for while and got lots of washing dried.

Daughter made some nice carrot and potato soup for tea. she adds chicken to hers, and I add a nice big spoon of Phyly to mine. I had some toasted cheese and pickle bread with it that I got from tesco.

My voice is still all croaky, and now son and OH have sore throats too.

About time proper spring came so we can knock these bugs on the head!

Am watching the new series of Plebs. I like this show, so funny.

Anyone else watch it?

Goodnight both xxx

Evening Mollie.

Rain here this morning, 11c cleared up this afternoon, winds of 9.

Just had bacon and beans on toast for brekkie, didn't do anything outside, put the tomatoes from the greenhouse to the summerhouse as it's warmer.

Strange this morning, usually with my bad eye when i wake and close the good one the bad one shows a big patch of like black are in the middle, this morning when i did the same i had a big circle of white with a little black edge, never had that before, also i can see a lot better that yesterday, wonder what they did during the testing.

My feet appointment went well, no problems, she said i have lovely skin on my feet.

Just heated a few of the Samosa's a made the other day and froze, also had some of the chicken from the Sunday roast that was over, 1 breast, made a dip to have it with, it was Soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil and a little chilli, it was ok.

Sorry to hear you all have sore throats, not nice at all.

Carrot and potato soup is nice, if you add Celery and other veg you can end up with a very tasty soup, of course the seasoning is a major part as well.

Haven't watched Plebs, i'm sure i looked one day then moved on as it looked a bit stupid, i could be wrong.

Evening Velvet Donkey.

Thank you for the comment, shining diamonds is such a compliment, wow.

We have been chatting on here for quite some years now and keep each other company online.

Just remembered, you know all the parts i ordered for the 6 way Satellite digital aerial signal replacement.

Well, on looking through a shelf in a non clothes wardrobe, i came across a bag of parts left over from when we moved into the bungalow, and as i was going to make all the leads for the tv's from the dish and aerial i bought the spare parts, well i have just found 20 of the F plug components and 11 of the F type adaptors from female to push on, a;so other digital adaptors, so i now not only have all those parts spare but i now add to the list by 4 of the F type plug and 4 of the F type adaptor, oh dear, the problem was that i never really associated the Satellite gear with the Aerial gear, didn't realise that on the digital signals it's all the same gear.

Evening all.
Back to wet and cold today. I didn't even venture outside.
Got my end of year accounts done, so that's out of the way.
Spent ages trying to hunt down a discrepancy between my written records and the computer ones. Turned out I had forgotten to enter one payment of £36 on to the computer for some reason. Only a small error, but took ages to track down.
But that's why I still write things down as well.

Velvet Donkey. Thanks for those kind words.
Hope we don't seem antisocial, sticking to this corner of the forum?

Hicky. Gosh, that must have been frightening/exciting, all the activity round the gangs of burglars. Thank goodness they didn't try to break into your house (they didn't did they?).
At least it sounds like the Police took an interest, which is surprising nowadays.
Certainly I think you should show the police your footage, if there's an opportunity to do so. That's good if they've caught some of them
You'll have to make sure that any stuff you have in sheds or gazebo are locked up.
Have you security lighting outside?

That was nice of the foot place to compliment your feet.
Any word on when you may have your eye op? I wouldn't fancy injections in the eye, but hopefully they will be painless.
Strange that the drops they gave you seem to have improved things.

A pity you bought all that TV stuff only to find you already had a lot of it in a drawer. Yes they seem to use those F-connectors for terrestrial and satellite installations nowadays, only the plugs on the TV are different. Perhaps the F-connectors are thought to be more secure or waterproof?

I've never actually handled a professional mower, but I suspect they would be heavier and more robustly constructed than a domestic machine. It's the price that stops me getting one.
The old Mountfield blade could be raised to 90mm for long thick or mossy grass. This B&Q one will only go up to 75mm. Not sure if that'll be a problem yet, as I haven't cut enough places to find out. It wasn't in the 3 I did yesterday. But I do have a few places which are very mossy, which I used to have to cut on the second from the top setting on the old machine. So I suspect this one will have to be raised right up.

Mollie. Glad you had some warm weather today. Certainly a contrast to up here, where it was very cold again.
Your daughter's soup sounds yummy,with or without chicken.
Sounds like your sore throat was a bug then, if the family are getting it. But the stress would have worsened it.

I've watched Plebs in the past. It is quite funny....but a bit silly as well.
Tonight I watched the last in the series of 'Come Home'.


 

Evening Emptybox.

Heavy cloud today, 12c dry with winds of 9.

Just had Salmon and fried eggs for brekkie with toast.

Potted the Tumbling tom tomatoes into the 2 hanging baskets, have put them in the summerhouse/manshed, will bring them out when weather permits, so lovely to see all the buds opening on the trees.

Had a delivery, my last order, Sweet Paprika powder, 3 x 100g, should last a lifetime, yours, and the Spring Roll sheets came, 4 x 12.

Made the filling for Spring rolls, wow, Prawns, mushrooms, carrot, rice noodles, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, onion, celery, of course there is a few ingredients to add to that.

The filling wasn't a problem, but making them was, I made some using the Filo pastry wrappers, that was bad enough but my Spring roll wrappers came, they are made using rice, wow, has anyone ever used them before, you have to immerse in hot water, it goes without saying i lost quite a few, 3 in all, when the wrapper softens it becomes sticky, to itself so unless you can keep it flat you end up in a mess, i got the hang of it after a while but one problem is, it is clear so i couldn't see it, i used all the mixture up and i made 8 with the rice ones.

I had 2 of each for tea, very nice though, will have more tomorrow.

Can you number the entries of incoming payments or whatever so you can use the same number when you enter the payment from the book into the computer, i know how frustrating it is we had the same problem when i was doing the vat for the company i was at, i did it on my home made accounting program and the boss did it in his book, you can guess who was right.

Yes, always keep a paper copy, those that relied on computers years ago, many went bust when it crashed and they didn't have a hard copy.

I used to keep a copy of the program data, and the files were on a special drive with battery backup in case of power failure.

The Lads that charged through the back gardens were most probably trying to escape the police, they just climbed over fences, they wouldn't be too pleased if they came over my fences as they have the spikes on the top, i do have securing lighting around the bungalow.

Yes, waiting for an appointment, but first i have to get in touch with the docs to see if they have received the letter from my visit the other day, and if they have sent it on to the hospital.

i don't fancy a needle in the eye, but i've had dozens of needles in my life another one won't matter.

The Aerial equipment had to change when they went digital which is the same as the Satellite cables and connectors, i knew the 'F' connectors were used on the satellite but never connected that to the new Aerial system, i ordered loads of connectors because i was going to make up all the cables in the bungalow, we have 4 Satellite dual points and 5 Digital Aerial points, i was making different lengths of cables from 5m to 15m which is a lot of cables and a lot of connectors, i even bought an adaptor which is Satellite to the old Aerial socket, also i bought male to male and female to female adaptors, in case i needed them.

The 'F' connector screws onto the aerial cable, with a clockwork direction thread to get it on, but the socket end of the connector to screw onto the female connector is also a right hand thread but when you turn that it unscrews the end you just put onto the cable, a dead loss, bad idea, but if you use the adaptor you just turn the adaptor into the F plug and then push it onto the female socket, so with not screwing it onto it the connection stays secure, i then covered all the connectors in the self amalgamating tape which secures and waterproofs them.

Hi Hicky.
Cold cloudy and misty here today. Not actually raining, but the grass stayed damp and the temperature never got into double figures.

I did one job this afternoon. But it's one where I use the customer's own mower, so my new one wasn't getting clogged up with wet grass.
I did it mainly because two of the jobs I did on Monday are his pals, and I didn't want him coming up at the weekend and getting jealous that I'd done his pals and not him. 
(politics even comes into gardening )

That's good that you could get your toms into the hanging baskets.
Things are further behind here. Not so many buds to be seen yet. The daffodils are starting to come out now though.

That's nice that you got your delivery of sweet paprika. Good that you cleared up whose lifetime it would last for.
The spring rolls sound delicious, but yeah it must be difficult for you to make them, with your eye problem.

That would make sense to use the same numbering on paper as on the computer, then you would easily see when the discrepency starts. I hadn't thought of that before.
I back up all the business files on the computer on a daily basis, so not worried about losing data. It's just a habit really, of keeping everything on paper as well. And also a way of cross-checking.

Ah right, so the gang were already being chased by the police. I was surprised that the police were responding so quickly. Usually they are only bothered if someone is speeding, or using a phone while driving. Ordinary domestic crime doesn't often interest them nowadays.

When I was re-cabling my satellite dish I had to use F-connectors, and am not really a fan, for the same reason you mentioned. When you screw them on to the connector they tend to unscrew from the cable. I guess if you had a proper crimpimg tool that wouldn't be a problem.

Supervet and Benidorm tonight by the look of it.
Not sure what I'm having for supper tonight? I'll decide when I go downstairs in a minute. Chips and something probably.

Velvet Donkey -  thank you for your comment.

Yes I love these 2 here, they are my best buddies, even though I have never met them. We do care for each other and try and help each other day. We have been going through ours ups and downs together for years now. We started in the old C4 forum. Did you go therer?

And of course if anyone else pops in here, we always make them welcome.

both xxx

Didn't get chance to post yesterday, stressed about sorting the probate stuff, but had a thick head and cough kept me awake most of the night. OH and son have it now too.

Roll on the summer, I am fed up of the germs now. And when I took the dog out today, the cold wind was back again. So that warm spring didn't last long.

Emptybox

glad you eventually got those accounts done. Gosh that drives me mad too when you have to spend so long trying to find an error!

I missed that "Come Home", was it any good? Yes Plebs is rather silly, but I found it a good silly.

That's good you managed to get a job done and without getting your brand new mower dirty too. Well I never did, I didn't imagine politics came into play for gardnerers.

I saw Supervet too tonight. He is just amazing what he does, as were those dogs tonight in how quickly they adapted to wheels and just having 3 legs.

HIcky

that is interesting how the visit to the hospital seemed to help despite proper treatment not starting yet. Wonder what the drops did to do that? Hopefully this is a good sign that when you start real treatment, it will be a great help. HOpe you get an appointment soon. Best to chase the docs up in case they don't get round to getting back to you.

How nice to be told you have good skin on your feet.

Handy you found that old bag of parts lying around.

Yes it is just lovely to see all the spring buds coming out now, all we need is a bit of sun so we can get in our swing chairs again to enjoy it.

Well done making the spring rolls, sounds a bit too complicated for me to make.

Gosh that burglars and police story is interesting. Good job you have the spikes and lighting in your bungalow to put them off your place.

We all had a take away pizza for tea tonight, as didn't feel like cooking for 5 with these horrid germs and cough. It was real nice and Wednesdays are buy one, get one free. So me and daughter shared one and the lads and OH have one each. Me and daughter have salad with ours, but the lads just prefer more pizza.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi Mollie.
Pity your cough is keeping you awake.
Yes, I can't wait for Spring proper either.

Found a message on my answer phone this evening (hadn't noticed it earlier), asking if I would keep a garden tidy over the summer.
It will just suit me as there'll be no-one at home.
I did occasional jobs for the old couple that lived their, but they've had to go into a home, so their son wants me to keep it tidy till they rent it out or sell it.
I'll phone him back tomorrow.

I always have a whole pizza to myself and a salad on the side.
Mind you those are pizzas from the supermarket.

Yes a real pity on Supervet, when that dog need it's leg amputated.

Evening Both.

A rather cloudy day here a Thursday with no sun at all, 10c with a wind of 9.

Didn't do a lot, walked the garden checking on what is in bud, buds showing on the vine, shoots on the Kiwi, all fruit trees in bud, my veg seem ok under the big cloch, didn't plant the beetroot as it was a bit cool to be sitting out planting.

Had sausages and tomato for brekkie, midday had a type of cracker with shrimps and crab on, yummy.

For tea decided to have 4 more Spring rolls, very nice, have put 4 into the freezer.

Have been watching more videos of spring roll wrapper making and the making of Chinese vegetable packets, also very nice and easy.

I have 22 recipes in my book now so i can have quite a mixed  selection of foods to cook and eat.

Mollie, Nothing worse than a cough to disrupt your sleep, hope that soon goes, but stress won;'t be helping the sleep.

I was wondering that, i did have about 3 types of drops, not sure what they did, but the next day i sure could see better, it's not bad now in fact.

I'll be getting the covers off the swing and the 2 outside benches soon, might have to wait till the end of the month.

You can't beat BOGOF on Pizza.

Emptybox, Does the customer get you to use his mower to save money or to save your mower?

I need more practice at making the wrappers for Samosa, Spring rolls, Nacho, etc, but i will succeed before long.

I would always advise keeping an independent paper record of everything.

Yes, exactly, the problem with the F connector, solved if you connect it to the push-on adapter because then you don't have to screw it onto a device, you just screw the adaptor into the F connector.

I was a bit confused with the new Supervet on c4, i have already seen it, yes, after all that work the cancer spread in the dogs leg, amazing how they carry on as if they don't notice the leg has gone.

Thats ok getting the job to look after the garden, could be lost business though when they sell up.

both xx

Emptybox

that's handy you have a new job with no one at home. Certainly a good start to the new spring season for you.   Aaaww what a shame the elderly couple had to leave their own house to go into a home though.

at you eating a whole pizza to yourself. Sometimes I do too. The supermarket ones do tend to be smallish though.

Yes it was sad when the vet knew he couldn't save the doggies leg.

Did you manage to do any gardens today?

Hicky

glad to hear the veg are doing well under the big cloch.

You are doing well to have that many recipes in your unique recipe book already. Glad you are enjoying the spring rolls.

What good news the eye is not so bad now, be sure to tell them when you go in that their drops did it good.

You have such perseverance, I am sure you will get your wrappings right in the end.

Yes dogs are amazing how they adapt to 3 legs or a wheel replacement.

Watched the Indian school. Shame none of them were able to get the grades they neeeded.

Not a bad day today, got washing dry, but the wind was still so cold.

Roll on the spring sunshine. And let's hope you can use your swing and benches soon. I love my swingchair and wait with baited breath for the warmer weather to come so I can use it.

Me, son and OH still coughing .Such a nuisance.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Cold, cloudy and drizzly today. Only about 5 degrees and colder in the wind.

I phoned the guy about the garden this morning. He wants to meet up to discuss it. I'm not a fan of meeting up. Not sure why he couldn't just make an arrangement over the phone? But I suppose if I have to.
It'll only be something like an hour a fortnight anyway, I should think?

Went into town intending to cut some grass, but when I got there it was raining.
I thought I'd have a look anyway, but when I looked through the gate I could see the grass had already been cut. Then I realised I could hear a mower, so I looked over the wall to see a fellow merrily mowing. Well, not "merrily" because it had started raining.

This was the place that I had problems with at the start of last year, if you remember. Where this other gardener, who does the rest of the garden, cut the grass a couple of times before the householder got him to stop.
Last year the householder assured me that the gardener had cut the grass without permission, and they'd been out at the time, and he really wanted me to do the grass and this other guy to do the rest.
Well he's at it again this year. And the householder's car was there this time, so he can't claim he didn't know.
I guess I'll go back in a couple of weeks to see what the situation is. But the fellow would have to be particularly dense to make the same mistake this year, so possibly the householder doesn't want me any more?
They only needed to give me a phone call.

Hicky. Sounds like you've got quite a collection of recipes now.
That's great that you've got buds on all your trees, and your veg is coming on and protected under the cloche from any late frosts.

Not really sure why the customer gets me to use his mower? His previous gardener used it, so I think he just presumed I would too?
In fact when his original one conked out he went out and bought another one, even though I was quite happy to use mine in the meantime.
He also provides the petrol, and pays me by leaving envelopes of cash sellotaped to the handle of the mower.
(I didn't ask him to, that's just what he does)
He's never there either, so my kind of customer.

Oh yeah, I see the Supervet was a repeat. I hadn't noticed that. Don't think the whole series is, because there have been some celebrity clients which I'm sure I haven't seen before? Strange.

Mollie. Glad you seem to have had some reasonable weather at least. Even if it was a cold wind.
Hope you and family soon get over your coughs.
Yes I buy gluten free pizzas now, which are particularly small, but very expensive.

Watched Location tonight followed by the two comedy progs on BBC1.
Still watching a lot of the Commonwealth Games when I can.

Evening Both.

Raining for most of the day, dried up a bit in the afternoon, didn't do any work outside, 7 to 9c light rain, cloud and light winds of 3 to 6.

My shopping arrived, didn't need to order much this week as i have a store which should last me a year.

Had some of a Gammon shank that o/h brought home for brekkie, was going to make something for tea but decided to look in the chest freezer, which is getting pretty full, have put a pack of frozen cabbage in now so i have most veg in there now, i saw a selection of meals i have made but decided on the Prawn Laksa Soup, added more water, some chopped green chilli, some chilli powder, a touch of turmeric, some sweet paprika, very nice too, i really am stuck for choice.

Rang Docs, they received the letter from the eye clinic thingie, just got to wait to hear from the hospital, it's only about 1 mile away or so.

Mollie, Yes, very pleased with all the recipes, at the back of the book i have short recipes of meal side dishes or snack, i have enough now so i can make most if not all of the recipes, i can just pick 1 and have a go, and of course they make meals for at least 2 portions.

I think the eye has gone back to what it was, but i can see quite well, if i look through the bad eye though straight lines have a curve in them still.

Glad you got your washing dry, last time o/h put some out it started to rain, April not a good time for getting ti dry.

Sorry to hear son and o/h still coughing, hope it clears soon.

Emptybox, Thats 2 strange events, a customer wanting to meet up and a gardener cutting your customers grass, not sure what you can do, i would advise giving him a ring to check how the land lies, you can't lose anything by it.

The customer that leaves your money on the mower must be one of the old school, they always like to deal in cash.

I was disappointed with the Supervet being an old one so i watched something else, have got all my stations now.

both xxx

Emptybox

oh dear only 5 degrees yesterday, hope it warmed up a bit more today.

Not warm here either, I keep looking at my new spring flowery tops I am looking forward to wearing, but am still stuck in the thick jumpers for now.

Pity you have to meet up with the guy before you take over the new job. I know it is nerve racking meeting strangers. Let's hope it is worth the effort when you get the job.

Gosh this rival gardner certainly means business, by foul means or fair! I suspect he was there and started before the householder had time to think. Let's hope that is not a job he has nicked off you now! Why don't you ring the householder and expain when you came to do their job, it had been done, so do they still require your services?

Leaving wages on the mower handle! Now that is a unique way to pay your employees. But I guess as long as you get the cash on time, it doesn't matter how it is done.

Why are you eating gluten free now? Is it supposed to help your condition?

Hicky

Pity the rain prevented you going in the garden today.

No wonder you didn't need to order much shopping if you have enough for a year!

Thats good the docs have the letter now, hope you get a date soon. How handy that hospital is only a mile away. Pity the eye has gone back to what it was. Let's hope they can give you a supply of those eye drops as they did you so much good.

You'd make a great chef now with your little recipe book.

You did well working out how to get all your stations back again.

Not too bad weather wise here today, drizzly half the day, then drier, but still jumper and coat weather.

We went for a wonder round the auction rooms again, not much of interest for us this time though. They seemed to have quite a lot of Costco stuff eg jumpers, and quite a few cars this week.

Watched Corrie, now watching Gogglebox.

Me and the family still have this cough and cold.

Just eating small portions and lots of fluid, as every time I eat, the cough comes back!

Think we will go to costcos tomorrow.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Rainy again here this morning. Dried up a bit this afternoon, but still misty and damp.

Went to Lidl. No nasty smell this time, and I managed to find everything I needed, but the way they've got it organised isn't very logical, so I had to go up and down the aisles a couple of times to find everything. Mind you, that doesn't take long as it's a small store.
They had some gardening stuff including a small petrol mower for £139. But it would be far too small to be any use to me (only 42cm blade).

Hicky. That's good that you've got such a choice of food in your freezers.
Handy that the eye hospital is so close, when your appointment eventually comes.

I know I should really phone the householder, but I'm not keen on phoning people either.
As I say, it was the same situation last year as well, so it might well work itself out.
At least I know which day it was mowed, so I can safely leave it a fortnight before I have another look.
I can understand that if this guy is doing all the other gardening at this place that he would want to do the grass as well. The owners won't be bothered, as long as they are getting it done.

Mollie. Pity you are still having to wear warm jumpers.
On Monday I was in my sun hat and shirt sleeves for a while, but since then it's been back to heavy fleece jacket and woolly hat. Think it's supposed to warm up from tomorrow though.

I'm not eating strictly gluten free. Only bread, pasta and pizzas. I read that it is supposed to help my condition, but on the occasions when I have had ordinary bread, it hasn't had much of an effect. So I'm not sure it makes any difference?
But I have gluten free spaghetti for my Saturday spag bol nowadays, and I don't get the symptoms on a Sunday that I quite often did before.

Pity there wasn't much of interest at the auction this time.
Good idea taking loads of fluids while you have this cough.

Watched 'The City and The City' again tonight. Quite a strange story, but intrigueing.

Evening Both.

A rather nice day here, forecast said cloud all day, so wrong, had glorious sun all day, had over 15c, my thermo in garden says 18c with no wind, great.

Got my beetroot planted and put all the toms in the sun, hope they appreciate that.

Had bacon and tomato sandwiches for brekkie, o/h laft me half a chicken, didn't know what to make for tea, have added double cheese burger to recipe book.

I wanted a recipe that could use some of the last batch of Yoghurt i made so decided on the Butter Chicken one, it really should use raw chicken but why waste half a cooked chicken.

BGT on at 8pm tonight, must watch that.

didn't watch the National horse race, and i knew who got pole on F1 because my F1 computer program has all the times of the drivers when they race, have a feeling Mercedes should do well tomorrow.

Mollie, Sorting the cable connections on the aerial cables reminded me of when i was in Singapore, with being in the Signals and Cipher equipment and communications for all the Far East, one of our jobs was to check the cable drum integrity, we could test if there was a problem by doing a pressure test, the cables had lead under the armour, the cable was about 4 to 5 inches thick, it had probably many hundred twisted pair of phone wires, if we left the drum too long, mind you some were 8 or 10ft high then the drum could get eaten, we sometimes found a drum had disintegrated and the cable coils were resting on the floor, all that was left was the paint the wood had been eaten, not sure what did it but it was a big job to re-roll it onto a new drum, mind you we had a lot of drums in the park.

That cough is sure a pain, but why do you cough when you eat, whats the link there?

BGT on tonight at 8pm, should be good.

Why does the auction room have Costco gear, does Costco dump it or is it returns.

Emptybox, I made this tonight, Butter Chicken.

Butter Chicken Recipe | Delicious Butter Chicken By Our Grandpa for Orphan Kids

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

This is the new recipe i'll make next week.

Double Cheese burger | Best Cheeseburger Recipe By Our Grandpa | Grandpa Kitchen

both xxx

Emptybox

hope the weather was better today than yesterday for you.

Pity the cheap Lidl mower wouldn't of done for you and your needs. We have bought a few electrical things from there, and they have all been good.

Don't blame you not being keen on phoning your client, I hate phoning about things too, and my kids are even worse! HOpefully you can work it out and get there to do the grass before the rival gardener.

Well I guess if the gluten free version on Saturdays seems to be preventing your symptoms, nothng to lose as long as you like the taste.

Hicky

Hooray, you got some sun at last, so managed to get a few things done in the garden. And at last we too got some sun. So much so, at last I put one of my new  spring tops was on,  and the coat and jumper off this afternoon. Then sat on the swing chair in the garden.

Yes indeed, you dont want to be wasting chicken, so a good job you managed to use it in your butter chicken recipe. I see you are still making good use of the Grandpa recipes.

You certainly did some interesting work whilst in Singapore.

How is your eye today?

We think the auction has all the stuff that Costco has used for display and maybe their end of line stufff.

We went to costco today and they had lots of free food samples, so can't complain. All the family like going there to try their samples.

Watched and really enjoyed BGT, then Keith and Paddy doing Grease, so funny. Anyone see it? Emma Willis and Stacey Solomon were on it too.

Couldn't get to sleep with this damn cough last night, got up for an extra pillow in the end. So annoying. Good job I was able to sit in the sun today for a rest. HOpefully that will help shake this horrid cold off. Son has lost his voice now and can only whisper.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
Nice day here, fair amount of sunshine and up to about 12 degrees. Very different from Yesterday.

Went out and did one of my big grass cutting jobs (2 hrs).
Gave me a chance to properly put my new mower through it's paces.
The good - Made a good job. Didn't take any longer than last mower. Started easily. Used same amount of fuel as last mower.
The bad - The back wheels are not as large and are more plasticy than previous one, so drive on mossy bits not as positive (tends to slip more).
The Briggs and Stratton engine does not have the 'poke' of the Honda depite on paper being more powerful (163cc rather than 160cc, 9.8Nm rather than 9.2Nm). It complained more on thick or mossy grass. I've noticed that with B and S engines previously.

Hicky. Great that you got good enough weather to get some planting done in your garden.
I like Butter Chicken, so might look at that video. Never thought I'd see 'Grandpa' making Cheese Burgers? They've probably got an Indian twist though?
That's intersesting about your cable work in Singapore.
Must have been something pretty voracious that could eat away a wooden drum?

Mollie. Sorry to hear the cough is still affecting your sleep.
That's good that you could shed your layers (I did too this afternoon), and use your swing chair.
That's good that your family made good use of the Costco samples. Bit like an up-market food bank?

I don't really want to get in a race to cut the grass at this place with another gardener. I prefer to keep an eye on it. I wouldn't cut the grass now without knocking on the door and seeing what the householder wants. But it is annoying that we are going through this whole rigmarole again this year, when I thought it had all been sorted last year.

Watched BGT but didn't watch the Keith Lemon thing. I was watching Alice Roberts on Viking York on CH4+1.

Evening Both.

Not as nice today, no sun just cloud, rain came later, 13c wind winds of 12.

Had the last piece of salt cod for brekkie with bacon and toast.

O/H suggested i make a roast dinner for when she got in from work at 2pm, so that used up some of the day, just had Lamb, roast spuds, mash, cabbage steamed and sliced fresh carrot and gravy.

Had a wander around the garden to see how the land lies, all looking ok, got some more leaves from the tree tubs, can see more now i've taken the black covers off, haven't decided what to put on the tubs, need something that looks ok, the real pond material is a bit dear.

Have ordered a 2LB bread tin, need to use up some of this flour stock, o/h got me some yeast.

The Butter Chicken i made yesterday gave me 2 portions to freeze after i had tea, so all good.

Just seeing what to make this next week, each time i make a meal it gives me 3 days of food and it soon stacks up.

Mollie, Yes, if o/h puts whats left of a chicken or other foods in the fridge she doesn't usually take it back out, i'm not a lover of chicken at times by when it's spiced up i can eat it, i have loads of food in stock because with the chest freezer i can make use of Costco now and buy in bulk and i don't really need to buy any basic foods for meals

Sounds like you enjoyed your trip to Costco, and the family.

I don't think i have room for more food stock, not for a while anyway.

I wasn't impressed with BGT, a bit boring, and can't stand that clown of a judge.

Watched a bit of Paddy and Keith but it's just far to stupid for me to watch, had to change station.

I was thinking about what you said about you coughing when eating, i thought that some food is going the wrong way and of course that would make you cough to get it back out.

Emptybox, You would think that they could put a decent set of wheels on the mower, but at least you managed to do what was needed.

Yes, to eat a massive cable drum, the sides of the drum are 3" thick to take the weight of the cable, and if the drum was only 8ft high thats a lot of wood, i can't remember what it was that ate it, only a mite of some sort though as they left the paint.

It seems that there are a lot of insects that eat wood in Singapore, types of beetle borers and termites.

I remember catching a small snake and was going to keep the skin to send home, i put the skin in a safe place so the insects could eat the flesh and leave the skin, but, i forgot about it and when i went to get the skin they had eaten that as well.

I was quite surprised that the Double cheese burger is not really as spicy as expected, it only has some chilli flakes the rest is normal stuff like salt, pepper, herbs, the sauce is mayo, ketchup, chilli sauce, lemon juice, salt, white vinegar, pepper, and on the burger it has sliced lettuce, tomato and onion, my mouth is watering all ready, but watch the video.

both

Emptybox

glad you got the good weather so could have a good test of the mower.

Pity you did not manage to get just good points for it.

Overall do you think it is ok so far for the price paid?

Yes good idea for customer relations to just keep an eye on this job, but I still hope you get in there first!

Hicky

I bet your OH was glad for a nice cooked roast dinner waiting for her on her return from work.

Do you make your own bread or use a bread maker? I love the smell of home cooker bread (and the taste of course!).

Yes handy you have the chest freezer now as Costco is so good for buying in bulk.

I remember houses in Oz used to have termite problems unless treated. Gosh that tale about the snake is just yuck!!

There is certainly a lot of filling on those burgers.

Yes the cough and the eating is strange, but my throat is odd, as since i had that op, I think the tubers are narrower, or just muddled.  The skin under my chin is still dead, so much so I could shove a knife in it and not feel anything. (not that I am going to try that though!).

Well after yesterday's lovely sunny day, it was real rainy here. Shame it would of been nice to have at least 2 days of sun on the trot.

Did anyone watch Antiques Roadshow, this little flower thing looked like nothing much and ended up being worth £1 million!

Didn't do much today as weather was so bad.

Goodnight both xxx

Hi both.
A lovely warm sunny day here.
Just went for my paper this morning. 
Had a bit of a wander in the garden in the warm sunshine.
Also did a big pile of ironing.

Hicky. I'm sure your OH appreciated a roast meal when she came in from work.
If they've got all these wood eating insects in Singapore, must be difficult to build wooden houses and the like?
What were you planning to do with the snakeskin, supposing it hadn't been eaten?

Mollie. That's a pity your op has left you with throat problems and a susceptibility to coughs. But I bet you're still grateful for it.
Yes, I think my mower is pretty good for what I paid for it. As long as it lasts that is. I'll be annoyed if it falls apart within a couple of months.
Shame you got rain today. But next week is supposed to be good.

I didn't watch Antiques Roadshow. £1 million?
Found a story on it.
https://www.standard.co.uk/antiques-roadshow-viewers-left-stunned-after-rare-faberge-flower-ornament-is-valued-at-one-million.html
Just wish I could find something like that.

Evening Both. :

Not too bad today, could be better mind, 14c light cloud, some sun, winds of 10 to 15.

Had an unusaul brekkie, Shrimps and sliced tomato on fresh bread, made a rather nice sandwich.

Had a call from the Docs, needed to pick p an envelope, it was to ring the hospital to get in the queue for them to check my eye, i'm hoping it is urgent as non urgent is running at 28 weeks.

Ordered my repeat prescription online, not sunny enough to put the toms out today.

Decided to have a go at the Double Cheese Burger, made the burger, made chips, made the sauce, only used 250g of mince, added some onion in though, wasn't sure what would hold the burger together as it didn't seem to have any egg in it, anyway, it made 6 burgers, cooked 2 and froze 4, used my chipper for the chips, i like short ones so cut spuds in half, never like to peel spuds either, the burgers fell to bits in the pan, but it didn't matter as they were going over a plate of chips, it reminded me of a fantastic meal i used to get in Belgium at a restaurant called Jerusalem, they had the real Donna meat, real slabs of pork on a massive pole, they sliced it off like they do here but then they put it under a row of grills on the wall and fry it and chop it using a strange tool, when finished it is put over a plate of chips and you had all these rather lovely spicy sauces on the table, i remember it well.

Mollie, A roast dinner is about the only meal we have together, her dietary foods and mine are not really compatible.

I've never made bread but with all the flours i have i need to use some up, the tin hasn't arrived yet, i think it's going to be hard without a food mixer but i'll try.

If the skin under your chin is dead, that means the nerves are dead, i wonder if there is something dead by the area that opens and closes for air or food, that would cause you to cough as if anything goes the wrong way you automatically try to cough it up, it's a safe guard, it can't be a coincidence.

No, i watch Antiques road trip, or put your money were your mouth is, the road show is too boring.

Emptybox, I was going to send the snakeskin home to my mother, every day in Singapore you see a new type of creature or insect, with being in the cipher department i could get hold of the boxes that held the code reels for the far east, I used to empty the boxes as they had come from London, they were then sent to various countries by boat, the captain handled them, noone else. they were very strong cardboard boxes and i could label them and fill them with clothes etc and send them home, they only measured about 6" x 6" x 12" but they wouldn't burst open as they had been made for the War Office, no-one ever questioned me about them, probably because they were cardboard.

Someone had told me that if i put the snake outside the insects would eat the flesh and leave the skin and bones, but i forgot about it, my bad.

both

Emptybox

that is brilliant summer arrived for you, hope it lasts more than a day though.

As you like the mower so far, fingers crossed it lasts you well now.

You are right, they are still predicting a mini heatwave, let's hope they are right, my swingchair and summer dresses are waiting. And of course, your t shirts and sun hat.

Thanks for the Antiques link. Fascinationg how such a small decorative thing is worth so much! 

Hicky

another very unusal brekkie I see. In comparison, you make my bit of toast and marmite I have each morning sound dead boring.

When you rang for the appointment did they not confirm it was an urgent one? You don't want them messing that up as the ordinary appointments are so long to wait.

Glad you enjoyed making your burgers (and eating them I expect!). When were you in Belgium? When me and daughter went to Bruges, I loved their fries and mayo. So crunchy and yummy.

I guessed you and wife normally ate separate as you said she is not keen on spice. What type of food does she normall eat? I too rarely eat what the rest of the family do as I am the only veggie in the family. We do share veg though. 

Yes interesting theory about my food coughing. I never thought before how if the skin is dead, then other nerves inside the skin could be damaged. After the op, I used to lose my breath from my throat a lot in the night especially when I had a cold, but over the years it has eased to what it was.

It would certainly be difficult making bread with no bread maker or mixer, but I am sure you would be the on to manage it.

That is interesting about sending the boxes home. How many do you reckon you sent home ? And what did you usually put in them?

Not a bad day today, not very sunny but the washing dried fine.

Son's birthday so we went a nice walk round Cardiff Bay. It is lovely there, lots of places to eat out. We went to Nandos. They sell £40 worth of gift voucers for Nandos from Costco for £34, so we used those. I had a beanie burger, mixed grain salad, and mash and we shared halumi, and sweet potato wedges.

Cough easing, but stil annoying me at night.

Watched the Queens Garden, what a lovely programme, now watching Plebs.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Not as nice today. Colder and windier with some spitty rain. We did have some sunny spells as well though.

Met up with the guy about the job. Only took about 5 mins so still not sure why he wanted to meet, but i suppose he's just one of those people that like to know who they are dealing with. There's not much work anyway, so will only take an hour a fortnight until the place sells.
Also got another of my big grass cutting jobs done.

HIcky. Hope you don't have to wait a long time for your eye appointment.
Pity your burgers fell apart in the pan, but I'm sure they tasted fine anyway.
That was a bit naughty, using the cipher boxes to send personal stuff home? Hope MI5 don't monitor this thread.
I guess your mother could have made a belt out of the snakeskin or something?

Mollie. That's good that your cough is easing a bit, although it still must be annoying.
That's nice, having a Nandos meal for son's birthday.

I watched The Island and then 'Kiss Me First'.
I recorded the Queen and David Attenborough to watch later.

Morning Both.

Rain all morning, 14c no sun, winds of 21 to 14.

Didn't do a lot, made an omelette for brekkie, got a call from the hospital go to see them Monday, for 9 out of 10 in takes 28 weeks.

Was going to make Spring Rolls so i cooked the Belly Pork to add to the filling, then o/h said i could use a pack of stirfry veg she hadn't used so sliced up the pork, the crackling we shared, oh, so lovely as well, have used half the pork and half the veg to make the filling, then made 7 Spring Rolls, better this time as i had made the filling less wet, will go back after i post and do 4 of them in the Wok.

I have made a recipe list at the back of the book to make it easier to find what i fancy, i've got 80 pages and the list has 80 entries, i have to list the short recipes at the end of the book, they aren't full meals so they aren't in the front.

Got an appointment for Monday at Arrow Park Eye hospital, the Optician that i first saw just rang me to see if i had been to the other eye place that was going to do the cornea graft, i told him where i was going now and why.

Mollie, When i rang the hospital for an appointment i am talking to a receptionist and they aren't privy to any details, they had already received all the details but it goes to the consultant, i mentioned it was urgent but she said it was nothing to do with her she just checked my age address and codes i had on the letter.

O/H normally makes all her own food, think she just has one meal a day, cooked meal, she does a lot of stir fry's, she has a lot of prawns and fish, has a lot of veg as well, we each have a big drawer in the big fridge freezer, she also like a lot of salad stuff.

I don't remember how often i sent the boxes home but as the clothes etc at the time in Singapore cost almost nothing i just kept filling them and sending them, underclothes weigh almost nothing so must have send lots of them, also sent her stuff to wear as silk cost nothing either.

Happy Birthday to your Son, that was nice having a walk around Cardiff Bay, very nice, don't blame you finding somewhere to eat, yummy.

Emptybox, Glad the weather let you get some more grass cutting done.

It's funny with the boxes from Singapore, all mail was stamped with the red seal, secret so we weren't allowed to take any paperwork out of the office/bunker for security reasons, all paper that went into the waste bins was collected on a Friday and before we could go home at night we had to get the RMP's to monitor us burning the paper from each bin, think i've told you before, it's very hard to burn paper and we had to stay until every last piece had turned to dust, also until the flames stopped and the smoke stopped, it was really a pain in the bum.

I have a feeling the code reel boxes came from the UK in a big box so didn't have any secret info on them so i could take them, can't remember if i asked or not now.

I did tell you about the food serving hatches in the camp, they had about 7, so i was in my element, only had brekkie from the English, also i could take as much as i wanted as it was self service, what i life i had.

My Tea, just made these Spring rolls, will put the rest into the freezer for now.

both

Emptybox

pity your sunny weather didn't last, but at least you got a big job done. How was today? Did you get any jobs done? Glad the meeting with the new client went well and was only 5 mins long.

I think you will enjoy the Queens garden show. Is your heating all off now? I bet you haven't got much oil left after such a cold winter have you?

Hicky

thank goodness the hospital realised yours was an urgent appointment, and you can go Monday.

Well done on making the spring rolls, they are looking good now. A very arty photo that is too with the pretty flowers and white jug.

Sounds like your recipe book is coming on well, you have a good choice of recipes already.

Its handy you and OH have a nice big drawer each in the freezer, so that makes it easier for you to locate your food. With there being 5 of us, I often find it hard to find what I want, or forget what I do have.

I bet your mum was thrilled to recieve her boxes especially if they were silk. That must of been so boring just watching paper burn! Yes I can imagine you enjoyed the job of the self serve brekkies.

Dull damp day even though it didn't rain too much. Mainly did paperwork, still quite a lot to do tomorrow, can't be late paying my accountant's invoices as I so need her.

I did go and meet son in tescos during his uni lunch break, he had sausages in a bread roll with grated cheese and a hot choccie and I had a bowl of veg soup and half a wholemeal roll. (only ate half of it as I am cutting down on lunch to try and lose weight for wearing my summer clothes).

Watched the adults in primary school on C4, quite interesting.

And then watched my recordings of Karma hospital.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Very windy and rainy here most of the day with only a few sunny spells. It's getting milder, but certainly not warm yet.
Too wet to do any work.

Hicky. That's good that you've got your eye appointment so quickly. Just hope they can do something for you.
Glad your Spring Rolls turned out well.
Your time in Singapore has certainly given you many great memories, even though it was probably hard at the time.

Mollie. I've watched the Queen and David Attenborough now. It was much more than just those two, as we saw Harry a lot, and Angelina Jolie.

It's still chilly here in the evening, so I've still got the heating on a little, but I'm hoping to turn it off, if this promised hotter weather ever arrives up here.
I've only got a little fuel left as you say, it's down below the level that I usually order more. But unfortunately the price of oil is still high, so I might have to turn the hot water side off as well, and just use the electric immersion heater for hot water, until the price comes down. I'm playing it by ear.

That was good that you got a break from paperwork to meet your son in Tesco for some food.

I watched The Yorkshire Vet, then 'Paradise Hunters' on CH4.

Evening Both.

Warm today, 20c quite a lot of sun, winds 15.

Had a tine of toms with 4 long sausages for brekkie, did the sausages in the wok.

Got a message from the Docs to book in to see the COPD nurse, thats on the 8th May.

Planted some seeds for Cucumber and Tomato into 9cm pots for something to do, garden seems ok for now.

Ordered a new B&D Workmate WM301 used to have one at the last house but put it in the skip when we moved, they do come in handy though.

Made more Spring Rolls, finished the pork strips and mixed veg i had, made 11 of them, had 4 for tea, made a dip of BBQ sauce, Tomato sauce and Chilli sauce, very nice as well, have put all the rest in the freezer, the ones i cooked tonight i did in the oven to save them getting too oily.

Mollie, I took the Spring Rolls picture on the dining table, the only place i could find without clutter, we don't use the table unless we have guests.

The drawer each is in the Fridge side of the fridge freezer, i have a few shelves, the fridge side is plenty big enough.

Evening meal in the camp was amazing, with 7 food queue's to get food from, i really was in my element, you can imagine, we had every Nationality in the camp so i even went to a couple of the hatches for some of each, i could mix Gurkha with Chinese and Indian foods, i didn't have English after brekkie.

Don't blame you meeting your lad in Tesco, you get a snack at the same time, his sausage sandwich sounds good as well.

Emptybox, My time in the Army really was a pleasure, apart from the money, which meant i got 25 shillings a week instead of the £25 i was earning, but the training i loved, getting home from Catterick was a challenge as the fare for the Coach was £5 so i had to use my own money to fund it, the time abroad was fantastic, even had 2 weeks holiday on the Island of Penang 500 miles away, i must have had the best job in the Army, i never did any guard duties, i was exempt all duties, my only Boss was a Captain, there was only about 5 of us in the Bunker, one was an Electronics guy who mender the cipher equipment, i was the Captains Clerk, what a job.

Pity you still have that wet weather, Ireland is sure haviing some awful rain.

both xxx

Emptybox

Shame it was too wet to work yesterday.

Hope you got a warmer/drier day today, especially as the old oil is well down now. Is an emmersion heater a lot more expensive than oil for the water? I thought emersions were real expensive to use. We have one here, but we only use it as a back up if gas went wrong.

Yes I guessed you would enjoy the Queens garden show for several reasons. And one of them being Angelina.

Hicky

glad you got the sun today, we did too, it felt real warm in the garden and I wore my sundress for the first time this year. I enjoyed reading my book in the sun inbetween pegging out the 8 washloads. 

Is the COPD nurse going to check out your inhaler meds to see if it still suits you? I think you said the one dose a day suited you didn't you?

You have really got into making your spring rolls now. The dip sounds like it would be real tasty with all those different flavours too.

Now I can see where your taste for a variety of foods started from with 7 queues and different nationalities to choose from. Your army tales are so interesting, sounds like it was all good fun for you.

It was so nice to be able to shed the jumper today at last. Nice and warm and sunny all day, but not stuffy as we had a nice breeze.

Watching the GP show now, but can't find much else to watch after Corrie. In case you haven't seen it, a lady on the GP show says she has had age realated macular degeneration since 2010. I think that is what you have Hicky? The injections helped her over the years she said. The doc said central visiton is affected, and people with it get difficulty in middle vision eg. reading, seeing faces, but not outer visiion. Wet is due to new blood vessles he said and is treated with injections and dry is due to the build up of deposits back of eye.

Had macaroni cheese and veg for tea. The Lidl macaroni cheese is my fave pre-made one. OH and son had corned beef and other son had a chicken bake from Greggs with their veg.

Daugher had gone to Cardiff so she ate out at Tim HOrtons,We have been there a few times, some nice food/coffee and not expensive.

http://timhortons.co.uk/menu.php

They opened a couple of these recently in Cardiff, not sure if they have many in the UK as they are Canadian.

Goodnight both xxx

Evening both.
Windy and cloudy this morning, but turned into a nice sunny afternoon. I saw 20 degrees at one point on my van's thermometer.
Got quite a few jobs done.

I've been able to turn the heating off tonight. But I can always turn it back on again if it turns cooler.

Hicky. Why did you throw away your old Workmate? Did you think you wouldn't use one again?
You must be a dab hand at making those Spring Rolls now.
Sounds like you actually had a great time in the military. Pity the pay wasn't good.

Mollie. That's good that you got to read your book in the sunshine.
I should think the immersion heater is more expensive than using oil, but I pay for my electricity by direct debit every month, whereas I have to buy the oil in 500 Litre batches, so it's better if I can wait till the price is lower, before I buy the next batch, as it can make a big difference.
Didn't realise we had any Tim Hortons in the UK. I thought they were just in Canada.

I watched the Zoo programme and then Benidorm.

Evening Both. :

What a lovely day here, 20c sunny with hardly any wind.

Had another of my home made burgers with hash browns and fried eggs.

Put all the plants out to get some sun, planted more spring onions for something to do, not going to make food today as i have such stocks all ready so decided on another 4 spring rolls from the bag in the freezer and made some more dip and chopped up some of the green chillies.

Got the letter from the hospital, it could take 3 hours so will have to check with them whether i should take o/h or not, 3 hrs is a long time to sit around plus you have to pay for parking.

Will have to do my shopping list tonight, needs a bit of thinking though, probably won't be going to Costco just yet so need to get the meats from Sainsbury's, wanted some pork mince but o/h said she doesn't think they sell it.

My neighbour opposite died today, her C had come back and she had double pneumonia, the family had just got home from the hospital and they had to call an ambulance as the o/h of one of the daughters must have been either ill or else he fell, oh dear. 

Mollie, 8 washloads, omg, thats like a B&B amount.

The COPD nurse usually checks if your lung volume of air in and out has changed since the previous test, i would like to know how you can tell if you still need the inhalers, it is better just having them once a day of course.

I saw the GP's show and the person with the AMD condition, interesting, yes, the centre is blurred so one eye is fighting the other so really i am just reading with the good eye which means i have no distance facility because i can't focus can i.

Some nice snacks in that Tim Hortons, very tasty, never heard of them though.

Emptybox, Glad to see you got some warm weather at last, great stuff, that will let you catch up on the jobs.

What temperature control have you got over the heating?

Talking about Spring Rolls, the Blue Dragon rice wrappers are not meant to be cooked, they are for making Summer Rolls, i need to look deeper into this, they did cook well in the oven from frozen though, i did 180c for 30 minutes and they were fine.

Yes, the military pay for me was 25 shillings but i had to send half home, it was taken out and sent to my Wife at the time, so i got 12 shillings and 6 pence, which was 62.5p a week, to buy my toothpaste soap, etc.

Here's some pictures from this morning.

both

Emptybox

so glad summer arrived and you even saw 20 in the van! All helps to give you chance to get some work done. Let's hope you don't need the heating on much at all now.

Oh yes I see why you would go for the emersion, as you have to buy so much oil at once. So hard for you to decide when to buy though with how much oil prices keep changing.

How did you know about Tim Hortons? Like HIcky,  I had never heard of it till daughter said they had opened one in Cardiff. And they have quickly opened another 2 after that first one in Cardiff now.

Hicky

I bet you enjoyed your burger.

Good idea to get the plants out in the sun whilst you have chance.

Yes worth checking if your hospital is actually 3 hours, as sometimes they send these standard letters out but the time varies. I think it is ridiculous how they are charging patients and their visitors in hospital car parks in England. Hospital car parks are all free here as Wales has a labour government and they refuse to charge for hospital car parking. 

Your poor neighbours, how horrible, losing a family member, then having to call an ambulance for another one.

Let's hope your lung volume is ok. Yes as you say, wonder what they measure it against to decide if you need an inhaler? Or maybe it is just a preventive as you have had problems in the past?

Glad you saw the GP show as that lady with the eye problem was very interesting as was all the info the GP concerned told us.

Your garden in the spring sunshine photos are lovely. Have you been on the swingchair yet? I have been on the rocking bench we have so far but we haven't bothered yet to get out the swingchair cushion and sunshade as they say the sun isn't going to last that long.

It got to about 19c today, which was lovely as not too hot sitting in the sun, which I definately did and enjoyed reading my book.

After yesterday's big wash day, I got away with only one load today, So nice that again it dried so quickly.

Got lots of food shopping from Lidl today, so glad we got it from there as it was about £25 cheaper than going to a different supermarket. And the quality is just as good if not better.

Am watching Location Location and not sure what else after as can't fnd much.

Goodnight both.

Let's hope we get more nice weather tomorrow. xxx

Hi all.
A lovely sunny day here today, and no wind either which helped to make it a good work day. Temp up about 20 degrees again I would think.

Got quite a few jobs done again. I've only got a few more now that I've got to get started for the season. I'll do a couple tomorrow, then I've only got a few up in the hill farms, which are always a bit behind. Hopefully there'll be a nice day next week to allow me to do them.
And next week I'll have to start going round for the second time.
It never ends from now on.

Hicky. That's good that you got some spring onions planted, and ate some of your stock of food.
You garden is looking good in the sunshine.
If the hospital is only a mile away, would it not be better for your OH to drop you off, then you can phone when your appointment is over?
I'm sure I've seen pork mince in Sainsburys?

What a shame that one of your neighbours succumbed to cancer. And not good that the family had to endure another ambulance drama at the same time.

I've really got no temperature control at all over my central heating. No room thermostats, only the individual controls on the radiators, which have a scale from 1 to 5 and also a frost setting. Even if I set them all to 1 the boiler would still come on and burn some oil, so I find it's better to just turn the timer to 'off'.
The boiler still comes on twice a day to heat the hot water, but that seems to only use a little oil over the summer.
But I may not have enough oil left even for that, so if I think it's getting dangerously low, I'll turn the boiler off completely until the oil price is more reasonable (if it ever is).

That National Service pay doesn't sound overly generous?

Mollie. Glad you got a chance to sit reading in the sun again today.
The visitors car park at my local hospital is free for 4 hours I think; but after that they issue a fine, so if you were needing to be there for more than that I guess you'd need to get a bus or a taxi, as it is out in the countryside.

I follow a girl on Youtube who is a Canadian living in the UK, and she has said that Tim Hortons was one of the Canadian things she misses. I didn't really know what it was though.
That's great that you were able to save on your food shop at Lidl.

I watched Location then 999: Emergency.

Evening Both.

Not bad today, 14c but sunny with only a 9 wind.

Realised that this warm weather, dry also means the trees have been using water from the saucer, had to give them some so decided to fix all the pipes that need repairing after the changes i did in the Autumn, got them all done and did a manual override test, will have to check the times in the morning, the timer computer with the time showing is correct, still after 6 months, great.

Had bacon and chilli slices for brekkie on bread, was going to make some Shumai prawn & pork dumplings for tea but had too much to do so will make some more dipping sauce and have some home made Samosa and spring rolls, seeing i have quite a lot.

Got my shopping so have plenty of ingredients to make meals, pork sausage meat, pork mince, beef mince, turkey mince.

It's getting a bit like the selection of food i used to get in Singapore apart from the Gurkha food hatch, can't remember what they had but i'm sure i ate it, on checking it seems that it is very close to Indian and also Chinese, probably with a small variation.

I remember that when i had fish no-one would sit by me, of course at the time it was dried in the sun and stunk to high heaven, which didn't bother me, i loved it. 

Mollie, I will get O/H to drop me off, forgot to ring them, could ring Monday morning though.

I haven't uncovered the garden furniture yet, must be time though, probably do it tomorrow, fancy a swing in the sun.

Minimum day temperatures here for the next 10 days is 12c so thats ok, night min is 7c.

Thats quite a saving on your shopping from Lidl, you have to save what you can as long as it's as good then fine, well worth it.

Emptybox, Yes, as you say, once you start cutting either grass or hedges etc it's an ongoing job, just as well, imagine if you only had to cut them once a year.

Yes, was thinking of getting o/h to drop me off, but will i be able to see to ring her afterwards, because at the last optical appointment i couldn't see at all well because my eyes has been subjected to light etc and the pupils opened wide, i wouldn't have been able to ring home.

Yes, o/h found some pork mince, never looked before probably why she hadn't seen any.

If i remember right, any boiler system has to have 1 radiator that you can't turn off, unless thats just the new boilers, the one that stays on is usually in the bathroom.

It would be interesting to know how much the oil costs for heating, if Electric is about 14.37p a KWH, and gas is 3.80p a KWH and the oil cost per KWH seems about similar to gas, i saw a rate of 4.3p per KWH.

Surely a thermostat control could be fitted to the boiler, it's just a boiler whatever supplies the heat to heat the water, can't understand why you have no control, that is what is costing the most, the boiler doesn't know how hot the house is.

both xxx

Emptybox

so glad you got the good weather so you can get on with work, yes your busy time has just begun. Let's hope the weather is kind this season.

That is a nuisance you have no temperature control over your heating. No sign of oil prices coming down then?

Gosh I thought Scotland too would have completely free parking at hospitals. As you say some could easily be there longer than 4 hours if needed treatment.

Should of guessed you had heard from Tom Horton because of a Canadian. Looks like from what I see in Cardiff, it will catch on here now. Think they have some in Scotland too.

HIcky

good job you realsied the water needed sorting for you trees.

You are definately well stocked up now your shopping came.

Don't blame them not wanting anyone to sit by you if you had real smelly fish!

Yes nothing like a good swing in the sun. I got one in again today.

I am hoping for many more to come now with summer round the corner.

Couldn't you ask a member of staff at the hospital eg receptionish to ring for you on your phone, seems a bit mean to send you off whilst you can't see! At our hospital we have volunteers to help with stuff like this on main reception.

Went to the auction today, lots of stuff there today.

I fancy a coat and am just hoping not many bid for it, but it was quiet there today as it was a nice day, many didn't bother going. So if not many bid, I might be in with a chance.

Nice and sunny again, did a bit of sunbathing on the swing bench again.

Watched Gogglebox and Corrie.

Goodnight both xxx