The very latest

This morning I saw some of the contractors preparing the road. They were removing the cats eyes. In a while there was a lorry draw up at the side of my home. I decided to go out and see just what was happening. I first of all asked him if everything was going according to schedule. He told me that it was just about on course. He then said to me that the traffic went by very fast. I concurred saying that it was supposed to be a 40mph. speed limit. I did remind him though that where the 30 mph stsrted the z bend meant that vehicles did have to slow down a lot. I guessed he was in charge of the singnage as in his lorry were plenty of signs. It rather confirmed this when he made the comment that folks were using the Jolly Common short cut. He told me that he kept telling them that the road was not suitable as it is just wide enough for one vehicle. I then told him that the Sea Lane road was also not good which he readily agreed. He then asked me if the A52 went through Grantham. I told him that it came from Derby and it was the main route to Skegness via Grantham. I also told him that the A52 ended at the traffic light s on Victoria Road opposite the Book in Hand Public House.
 I asked him if he was local. He told me he was not but came from Doncaster. Well not Doncaster really but Selby but he told me most had never heard of selby. I immediately infirmed him that I knew where Selby was and it was about 10 miles from York. As a Fireman on British Rail we had plenty of jobs to York and sometimes we did stop at Selby. He seemed impressed.
 Anyway I asked him what was going to happen next week and if the road to Skegness would be open next Friday. He assured me that the road would be open because the Council had refused permission for them to work after Thursday next week due to the Bank Holiday. He told me it was because of the caravans being towed. He told me that they wished to perhaps go back on Wednesday after the Bank Holiday but he thought that also would not be possible. I then asked him if the back road to Alford would be open. He told me that they hoped it would.
 What he told me then was what had been rumoured for a while. He told me that as far as he coul see most of the repairswere where the Olympic Torch was being carried. I did tell him that I thought no Torch was passing here but was not sure. I thought it was going to Thurlby. He did tell me that the Torch was going through Mumby. We will wait and see, it is going through Mumby though. More soon.

Better

The weather has been better these last couple of days, yes it has been dull at times but the sun has also shone so I am not complaining especially as it hasd been much warmer.
 I managed to get to Sutton to get my Pension and my weekly gear. I noticed that on my travels to the diversion the road had several markings. I guessed that this meant that the A52 is NOT being resurfaced but is only goig to be patched up. Fancy, closing the road for nearly 3 weeks just to do several patches. If this is so, I will be writing to the Highways Department and tell them just what I think.
 Mind you this is nothing compared to my mate in Skegness. I guess that the winter population is approaching 20.000 and in the summer months up to 200.000. My mate has informed me that the Post Office in the Co-op in the Hildreds Centre has given notice that the Post Office will close by December 31st. 2012 at the latest. There is just one other Post Office and that is on Burgh Road. My mate has informed me that the shop is increasing it's capacity to cope with the increase of business.  I just can't believe it. I told my mate that with the demise of the Post Office the shops in Hildreds would almost certainly see their income fall as people would normally get their money and generally spend a little in the nearby shops. we will have to wait and see.
 I have taken a couple of photos of the peas and strawberries in my polytunnel. I hope to post them tomorrow. More soon.

Reprieve

Today we have had a sunny day, it was sunny all day fromfirst light until now which is after 6.00pm.
 I had every intention of doing my washing tomorrow but then at lunchtime the weather man came on and informed us that tomorrow and tghursday would be mainly cloudy on or near to the East Coast. Oh well I thought, I will do my washing immediately then. Without delay I collected all that wanted washing and put the machine on. The cycle takes about 1 hour to complete. I managed to get the clothes pegged out by 3.00pm and some of it was dry within the hour. All was dry and bought in by 5.30pm. My old Railway overalls being the last to dry.
 I was surprised to notice that I had three strawberries in my polytunnel. Although not completely ripe, I tasted one and it was nice and sweet.
 The tomatoes enjoyed the warm weather today and thank goodness, I have at last another 2 courgettes just showing. With the cold weather they have taken ages. Mind you, they have made a showing, more than can be said about my carrots. Still no showing yat.
 It also has been slow going with my Asparagus, today with the sun and warmer weather I did pick 6 spears. All I have been picking is the odd one. I have promised the neighbour with the chickens some Asparagus and I hope within the next few days to hjave a picking for her. I will be getting a few more eggs off her on Thursday. Let us hope I can give hera few spears of Asparagus.
 Regarding the road closure, I have been told that it is possible to get to the next Town so tomorrow, I will try to get into Sutton and get my State Pension, my T.V paper and some skimmed milk.
By the way, I have produced more solar power todat than the last 3 days put together. Don't suppose I will do 1/2 as much over the next 2 days. Such is life. More soon.

More dull weather

My best Pal called to see me the other day. He told me he was changing his Caravan from a 2 Berth to a 3 Berth. The reason he gave me was that 2 Berth was not really big enough for him to have a shower in comfort. He told me he used to go to the local shower on the Camp Site but it was too cold  for him. I certainly I would readily agree with him as it has been so cold and windy as well as being so dull. These last 3 days we have not seen any sun whatsoever. My Pal told me that he had kept a diary for most of his life and this year, apart from March has beeh one of the dullest and coolest for many years. I must admit that the Hawthorn trees which the blossom is commonly known as May blossom is not in flower yet and it is coming to the end of May. If it suddenly gets sunny and warm, things will catch up though.
  The next door neighbour has just come back from a holiday in Cyprus. She complained of the cold and very windy weather. North easterly off the sea so it is cold. She told me that she managed to get to the local town but there was quite a detour.
 The Postman also saw me and told me that he had to turn round and go a long way to get to the village. I suppose we will have to get used to this until the end of May. I may try tomorrow to go for some food, drink and my Pension. More soon.

New date

Today I saw the Postman, he told me that because of the work further up the road had taken longer than originally thought, the work would not start here until Monday at the earliest, therefore the road is not closed. Just as well really as my best Pal came to see me this afternoon. He told me that he was changing his caravan, originally he had a 2 berth tourer but is changing it for a 3 berth. He told me that the firm would bring the New Caravan and site it, take the old one away and if everything was packed up in the old van, they would transfer all to the new one so that the disruption would be minimal. No doubt he will tell me all when he calls next time.
 I had a letter from Vauxhall informing me that a vehicle recall was necessary for my car. I went down to my local garage and saw the owner and showed him the letter. I did not think he could do the alterations nad he confirmed this. He told me that Thurlby Motors was the nearest. I said to hm I was not impressed with the. Surprisingly he agreed with me and told me that he dealt with a Dealership from Grimsby. This really is too far for me. The work carried out, will be free of charge but would take approximately 4 hours. As the road closure means that a normal trip to the Dealership would only be less than 3 miles but with the road closure the distance and time would be almost 5 times further. I thereforehave decided to wait until the roads are once again open.
 As Spring Bank holiday is now the first week in June this year to coincide with the Queens Jubilee, I hope that the work will be completed before the end of May. The date is the 31st and to be honest I don't expect it to be completed any earlier.
 I saw Richard the Farmer, he was spraying his wheat field. He waved to me and then pulled up and we had 10 minutes talk. He told me that although the wheat was looking good, what we wanted was some warm dry weather. Just then a tractor pulled up on the pull in outside my home. Richard told me it was his Brother and suggested I go and talk with him for a few minutes. We had a pleasant chat for 10 minutes or so. They are two very nice Farmers. His Brother, I think has more to do with pigs while Richard is the arable man. Mind you, they will trim next doors hedge for them. They are truly helpful country Farmers. More soon.

Update on road closure

This morning I went to get my Pension called in and got my What's On T.V. then went shopping. I was a little early for my skimmed milk so went to LIDL for some bits and bobs then went back to the place where I get my milk. I know most of the peolple who work there so went straight to the man who stacks the milk on the refrigerated shelves. He was having is morning snack. I told him that as I had been earlier and the fridge counter was almost empty, I guess the milk had been delivered. He told me he was still waiting for the delivery. We talked for about 10 minutes and one subject was the closure of the A52 in several places this year. I told him I couldn't understand why in 2012 the road would be closed for almost 3 weeks. I did tell him that the roads were closed from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Mondy to Friday. In years gone by, there were a team of guys following up with the materials needed and no roads were closed at all. He told me that this was due to Health and Safety. I just looked at him and muttered that the Country had gone mad. He went to see if the milk had been delivered, yes it had so I had 4x2 litres. That only left 2x2 litres as they only deliver 6 cartons maximum any day. Still I now have enough to see me through until late next week. When I see my neighbours I will ask them if it is possible to get into the local Town for essential foods. More soon.

Are things worse?

I have been wanting to see my Postman for these last few days because I had some plants for him. By a stroke of good fortune, as I went out the front door he was outside delivering mail. He told me that last week the delivery to his sorting office was late, but he didn't know what was going to happen this week as the Main Road was being closed.
 This afternoon there was a letter pushed throught my letter box stating that the Main A52 in our village was closed to all traffic from May 17th. to May 31st. The closure will be from 9.00am until 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Heaven alone knows what we will be able to do. The reason for closing the road is Resurfacing the carriageway. The reason given is Highway surface failure.
 I just can't believe it. Several years ago it  was the normal practice for a vehicle to spray tar on the worn surface, stone chippings were then spread on and then were pressed into a loose position. It was then up to the vehicles to drive at no more that 20mph. to give the chippings a solid base. I will ask my neighbour tomorrow, or when I see them next as to what will happen to us? It ststes that every effort will be taken to minimise the disruption and inconvenience. I don't think they realise that living in the country there are almost no facilities at all.
 Of course I will keep anyone who is interested updated. More soon.