Another hot day

Today has once again been too hot for me, muggy as well. The postman came to bring post, he is a gardener and was also complaining about the heat. Some vegetables are beginning to wilt because not only the lack of rain, but also the intense heat.

I have taken 3 photos and hopefully I will have them posted on the same blog. One is spot the butterfly, it was taken a couple of days ago. It is of a Painted Lady butterfly. They come from the continent and are a little early this year. There is also a photo of some of my pretty flowers. It is a cottage garden variety of flowers. These include Erigerons, Scabious, Antirrinums, Aquilegias, Pot Marigolds, Pinks, Californian Poppy and Spirea shrub. Not forgetting my greenhouse with an update of my grapevine. I personally think there are far too many bunches of grapes on the vine but as this is my first attempt I must take notice of my Italian friend. He told me to leave all of them on. I have thinned some out though as a few were too small. They look quite large but I can assure you that they are only the size of a garden pea. I will keep all informed as to how they progress. I must admit that I am a little concerned because of the lack of rain. Only time will tell. By the way it was him that gave me a cutting of the grapevine.

Tomorrow, I go to have my eyes photographed. This is to do with diabetes. They put drops into your eyes to enlarge your pupils so I may not write a blog tomorrow as seeing is not as good for several hours after. Will update when possible.

Too hot for me.

Well these last few days have been so oppressive and to be honest I have not felt 100%.
I have a flare up of Ulcerative Colitis and I am due to see my consultant on Tuesday of next week. I am wondering if the time is near when I will have to go and have surgery No doubt the consultant will give me more information when I see him. This Wednesday I go to have my eyes photographed. It is called Diabetic Retinopathy Screening. I have also been invited to take part in a study research . I am inclined though not to take part as it was the National Health that has been the cause of my illness. I will though give it serious thought though. I will keep all informed.
My garden is suffering through the lack of rain and intense heat. For the fist time I have noticed my broad beans wilting in the heat, also the runner beans are not setting. It is common knowledge that runner beans do not like the weather too hot. I took a photo of my shallots today, they will be posted probably tomorrow. They are usually ready on the longest day of the year, give a few days. This year because of the late frosts they will not be ready for a week or so. I have a few ready and they are drying off but they were in the polytunnel.
I have covered my cherries with netting, the one in the orchard, they will soon be ready, certainly not nearly as many as last year but should still get quite a few. More soon.

Hot

No wonder things are not growing as they should this year. Last Saturday the temperature was 13c with gale force winds, more like early March. The last couple of days it has been very hot. Today, one of the water companies in England has warned of hose pipe bans, a similar one has been issued in Scotland. I have several water buts and save all the water I can. I have to water my polytunnel every other day when it is hot. My friend has set up a pressure washer so that I can get water from a large water butt. I can not recall how much water it holds, but it is a lot. He also fitted an electiic plug and maade a lead of some 5 metres. I then have the pipe and pressure washer in the polytunnel. I then can adjust the flow to suit. It saves me lots of time and energy.

I am still learning just how this system works. I hope that the photos will be published with this blog.

Firstly I hope that you can see that I have the odd tomato beginning to ripen, however I have had many of the flowers on the Gardeners Delight fail to germinate. I mentioned this to a nurse who takes my blood and bloodpressure regular. I mentioned it to her and she informed me that her neighbour had told her the same is happening to her tomatoes. I always give her some tomatoes each year, she told me that there were plenty of flowers on. We will wait and see. My plum tomatoes are doing well. You will also notice that the climbing french beans are beginning to produce fruit. They need plenty of water and if they get it, they will produce plenty of fruit. I hope to set some seeds soon so that I get french beans in the autumn

Now to roses. The rambling rose was set as a cutting 2.5 years ago. The pink ones was 3 years ago. This is a tip for anyone who reads this. When you prune your roses in autumn, don't throw them on the compost heap. Any rose that you wish to have more of just stick some cuttings in the ground. They will come true to the variety and you will get a very high germination. Lets see what tomorrow brings.

Nice day

Todayhas been a very nice day. I had a haircut this morning, then dug a foot of potatoes up from the polytunnel. Although they do not crop as heavy as outdoor ones they are so much earlier. Alos as I live alone, there is more than enough for me. The photo shows 1 root and the weight was just under 2 lb. 500gms. Also I managed to pick over 8oz 250gms of strawberruies. I will not eat them as my colitis is not good. I will try to make some Strawberry jam. Also shown but not very good I must agree are some raspberries, I will add a few with the strawberries to help the jam to set. I have also shown a few climbing french beans with a cabbage, this was set last autumn, it is called Advantage F1. You can set them almost all year. Set in late autumn they will give you some vegetable when there is nothing much about.
I went this afternoon to the dentist. I had a tooth crack slightly. It is due to my colitis, I am losing all of my minerals including calcium. Well the dentist looked and said to me that he could fill it for me as it was so small. I readily agreed and he did it there and then. It took no more than a few minutes to do and when I went to the receptionist she asked me for £48.70. Well I think thet was the amount she asked me for. I informed her I did not have that amount of money on me as I was astounded at the cost of the treatment as it is the National Health. As I came home I was working it out just how much it cost a minute. I guessed I was in the chair for 6 minutes and that meant the cost per minute was well over £7.50 a minute. About £500 an hour on that rate. Just about what a footballer would get. It was almost 50% of my weekly pension. I paid most of the money and informed her that when next I was in the area, I would pay the remaining £20. She seemed happy at the suggestion so I will go and pay up sooner rather than later. Such is life. More about my garden soon.

This fickle English weather

Well how can one describe the weather we have had recently. On Saturday it was 13c 54f. Gale force winds. I wondered why a lowloader with a car on suddenly stopped outside my front. I soon discovered why. He got out of his cab, went and shifted a large branch that the wind had broken off the Ash tree. Also there were squally showers in the morning.
On Sunday it was just a little warmer, just as dull as Saturday but the wind was not quite as strong hence the temperature of 15c was recorded. What a change today, a lovely sunny day with only a few whispy clouds and the temperature around 20c. I have also picked a few raspberries and strawberries from outdoors. Some people think that strawberries will not ripen here in England. How wrong can anyone be, they are generally ripe for Wimbledon, mine are about a week later this year. This was due to the cold long winter and poor spring.
Broad beans are also shown, I set them in modules in early January indoors, then when the weather gets warmer transfer them to the greenhouse, still keeping them in modules. I try to set them outside in the middele of February but this year it was early March. I set 2 types one is Express and the other is Green Windsor. I have tried several times to set Broad Beans in late Autumn. Some varieties can be sown this way but I have found that they are attacked by insects and are not as good as the way I set them now.. They are just about ready now. Also ready are my climbing French Beans, the seeds are Fasold but Cobra is good too. I set them in pots in early March indoors then transplant them out in early April in the greenhouse. To be honest French Beans the climbing type are not nearly as good outside but in a polytunnel or greenhouse are great.
My new potatoes that I set in the polytunnel in February are now producing large tubors. I hope to take a photo of 1 root soon. The variety is Arran Pilot. I find that they are the best tasting also the best for the area. I always try to get my produce early each year as this is when they are at their most expensive in the shops. I do have the odd tomato ripening but for the first time I have had a lot that have not germinated. This is Gardeners Delight. I also grow small plum and large plum tomatoes. They seem to be better. I grow them because there are less seeds so there is less chance of getting seeds under my denture plate. These tomatoes are planted as seeds in early January. This way I get them early each year, generally before the end of June.
By the way, I am not always successful with early sowing. This year for the first time my runner beans were caught by the heavy frosts in late May. Although I covered them up with fleece, the tops must have got damp as the frost killed the tops I rekon this has meant that they will be about 2 weeks later this year. I grow Enorma, they are not good for a prolonged crop, Scarlet Emperor, a great old favourite and Painted Lady. They are so reliable. I always set some more seeds about now next to the beans that are climbing up thr sticks. This generally means a continuation of runner beans well into October. If the weather is kind, then early November. More about my garden next time.

Gardening etc.

Today has been a very cool day for the end of June. Temperature around 13c 54f.
So being in the garden has not been possible also there have been squally showers with a keen northerly wind. I have a polytunnel which is 15ft long by 10ft wide.In early February I set some Little Marvel peas. I have been harvesting them for the last 14 days. All are more or less finished now. I am saving some seeds for next year though. I also set quite a few Arran Pilot seed potatoes in late February and I have been eating them since the middle of May. I set 4 seed potatoes in my Greenhouse that is 16ft by almost 8ft. These were ready first about a week sooner than the polytunnel potatoes. However I think I will be eating these for at least 3 weeks. I intend to take photos of my produce when the sun shines. I have now ready broad beans, these were set in pots in early January, planted out in late February. It has been a cold winter so I could not put them out earlier. Even then it was not really warm enough as they had been in the greenhouse for about 3 weeks. I have in my greenhouse a grape vine. These are coming on nicely. This is my first year of fruit, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. My friend gave me a cutting a couple of years ago. Last year I trained it across the greenhouse and was surprised to see that there are at least 24 bunches of grapes. So here's hoping. They are seeded grapes but very sweet. My friend gave me a bunch last year out of his greenhouse. I also have tomatoes and climbing french beans. The first tomato is just beginning to ripen. I am just beginning to harvest a few beans. I set the tomatoes seeds in early January. I hope to take a few photos so that I can show the progress.
Soft fruit is also beginning to ripen, raspberries and strawberries some are ready to be picked. Gooseberries are also beginning to ripen. I have one desert gooseberry. It turns a dark red when ripe. More soon when hopefully it will be a little warmer.

So what of now.

As you can see I have bought my skills of my catering carreer to my own home. I have made my own bread ever since I have lived here, that is over 17 years. I am pleased as to how they look and I hope you agree with me that they look professional. These photos were taken immediately they were taken out of the oven. I have an ordinary domestic oven. It is a Canon LPG oven as I am not on the natural gas area. I make up 1.lb of strong plain flour. I think that is approx. 420grms. I add a teaspoon of salt a small amount of olive oil. About a thimble full only. It only gives a little moisture. Yeast about 2 onz. app 50grms. It is not essential that you have an exact amount of yeast. I use fresh yeast whenever possible, however dried yeast will suffice. One sachet should do. I also use 1 teaspoonful of dough softener. This can be obtained from Claybrooke Mills. They are on the internet. I then put 10 fluid ounces of tepid water in a jug, approx 280 ml. Pour it into my food mixer. I have a Kenwood stainless steel mixer. I then add ingredients and turn on the mixer. It is important that you pour water in first. Perhaps not pouring all of the water in leave just a little. It is not possible to say exactly how much water to use as different flours and even different weather makes a difference. When it is mixed, I guess after 1 minute, turn the mixer on speed 2 for a further 2 minutes. Look to see if the dough is nice and soft. The softer it is the better your bread should eventually be. Now let it rest for at least 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size. The longer it takes the better the bread will eventually be. When it has doubled in size, again switch on the mixer and turn it to speed 2. Again leaving it on for 2 more minutes. When the time is up, take dough out of the mixer. I then proceed to knead the dough for a minute or two to get the feel of the dough. If I am making loaves, I divide the dough into 2 equal parts, knead one then make it ino a shape as if you are making a swiss roll. Roll the dough to a shape, fit it in a 1.lb loaf tin then put it in a proover to proove. I have made a prooving cabinet, it is just a cardboard box, fitted over the oven top. I then get a saucepan and fill it with water, turn a gas hob on and let the steam help them prove. Turn the oven on, I have mine set at regulo 6 or 7 no higher. When the bread has risen sufficiently then bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. They should be done by then, if you think they are not, just give them another 3 minutes maximum. If you wish to make rolls as I have also pictured, then when you take the dough out of the mixer. divide the dough into 14 portions. It is not easy to start with so perhaps you should weigh them. Then get one in each hand. make circular motions with your hands until the bread forms a ball. Do this with all the rolls. Then get a rolling pin and roll them to about 1/2 inch thickness makin them as round as you can. I have a large baking tray that I can get 8 on it, I also have a small tray that holds 6. I am lucky, I have a double oven so that I cook both of them at the same time, 6 in the small oven and 8 in the larger oven. They take about 12 minutes to cook. It depends on the heat but do not leave them in longer than 15 minutes. If you do, they will tend to dry out and will not be moist. Hope that is clear to anyone who wants to bake bread. It is a very cheap way of making your own bread. Supermarkets strong plain flour is good enough and a lot cheaper than the proprietry brands, I find no difference in the taste at all. More about me and my life as it is now soon.

Health matters

As mentioned before. I had Ulcerative Colitis. Whay I did not say was that for 20 years or so prior to that I had been taking medication for hypertension.
One day I was summoned to thje surgery where a Doctor informed me thjat my condition was serious and that we had to keep a close eye on it. I asked him if taking Atenonol for a prolonged period had caused this Colitis. He informed me that there were no ill effects whatsoever with Atenonol and it was a very good drug. I mentioned to him that ALL drugs had side effects. He again told me that as far as they knew, there were no side effects with the drug.
To my horror about 6 years later I was watching BBC News 24 and there was an announcement that went something like this. "The most common cause of type 2 diabetes in the elderly is caused by so called beta blockers used to control hypertension, so if you are on one of these drugs, next time you visit your G. P ask him to change to a different drug. I immediately went dowen to see a G.P. the one I originally saw had left the practice,and asked him to take me off ther drug. He informed me that this could not be done immediately as I would have to be weaned off them. I went for 1 month on 50mg and then 1 month on 25 mg then nothing. I was then asked by my Consultant (Colitis) if I would have my gall bladder removed as this was not helping my cause. When I went for my pre med. I was informed that I had glucose in my urine. In other words diabetes. The thing that makes me angry is that the Doctors knew about the dangers of using Atenonol for some time but they did NOTHING at all. However my consultant wrote it on my records that my diabetes was induced. So instead of spending a little more on the medication on me regarding hypertension, now it is costing them a lot more. I also have cateracts in both my eyes and with the medication I am taking for colitis. A toxic drug used to combat cancer, my immune system is not good and my blood situation is also not good. It was with these things in mind that I unfortunately decided to give up golf in 2006. I gave my equipment to a guy who also had hypertension on the assumption that he would take up golf. Needless to say he has let me down. The equipment was Ping golf clubs. Powercaddy trolly and everything needed to play golf including about 6 dozen brand new golf balls. Such is life.
So since I finished playing golf, I have spent my time in the garden. I have a greenhouse a polytunnel several raised beds, a small friut cage with plums cherries strawberries gooseberries raspberries and strawberries. I can't eat many strawberries as they start my colitis off.
I try to grow vegetables early sos much so that for the last week or soo I have been eating peas out of my polytunnel. They grow much taller than outdoors. I grow little marvel early peas. I have found them to be best. I also grow climbing french beans . The two types are fasold or cobra. They crop about 10 times better than outdoor ones. Different to runner beans, they will not set in a polytunnel or greenhouse. Too hot for them. I also grow new potatoes in the greenhouse and polytunnel. I always aim th get them ready for early May. This year was no exception. However outdoors, everything is a little later than last year. My broad beans are not quite ready although I have had a taste. Photos will be posted showing garden produce. More to follow.

More golf

Well I have found a new persuit and of course I have to be careful not to let pleasure detract from business. I did not and it was in September 1985 that I played golf again. In October, I entered a charity competition, it was only local. I actually won the competition. I was to hold the shield for 1 year, then the next year hand it back and receive a silver cup. Mind you only a small cup. This did not happen though as the next year the competition was cancelled. It has never been played for since, so I have a shield. It is the only tangible thing I have that I actually won. I did win the Whyte & Mackay trophy in 1991. I gave it to my mother for safe keeping. As I have mentioned before, she was an invalid. Well she lost her balance and went all her length, smashed the plinth which was onyx, destroyed completely the figure of a golfer on the top. I was a little sad, but I know I won. I also won a litre of special Whyte & Mackay whisky plus I think £27 voucher. I have won several club competitions but you obviously do not keep the trophies, your name is however posted on the honours board.
Trade was steady during the intervening seasons and the landlord sold the property to another person. I was a little disappointed that I was not given the oportunity to buy the property. But that is life.
As you know my lease ran ouy in 1989. The new owner came to see me and i told him that I just needed 3 more years. He agreed but an increase of 300% was agreed to.
So at least my plans were begining to come to fruition. It was my intention to retire at 60 and play golf, mind you the best laid plans do not always go to plan.
I still had a few years to go and all I was really doing was marking time. I was tired of catering, remember I was still working 7 days a week in the summer, doing all of the baking and cooking, my health was not as good as it could have been. So I decided to lighten my workload even further. I only opened at lunch time and closed about 3.30pm. No I did not play golf, the only day I played was on a Thursday and that was after 5.00pm.
The next couple of seasons went by O K and finally in January 1993 I vacated the property. I had for the last 9 moths prior to me leaving, bought a plot of land, had a small bungalow built on it so I had somewhere to live. It was also near the golf course.
Ray, my friend found a small business for me as I was only 56. It was a kiosk on a car park by the sea front. Yes it was time consuming but what a change from what I had been doing. I was selling drinks and snacks, beach gear but never inflatables. I refused to sell them as they were potentially a death hazzard. I wanted to be able to sleep at nights.
With people coming in their cars, it was a different type of customer. In general very very nice people. I would sometimes go up to the kiosk which was about 8 miles away and I would forget to have a shave. I used to say it was designer stubble.
In 1995 I went to hospital and had a routine operation. Somebody once told me that if at all possible, never have an operation if possible as your body will then attack your weakest point.
Yes it did with me, I was diagnosed with an illness called Ulcerative Colitis. Nobody knows what causes it, there is no cure although there ars some good mediacations. Unfortunately, I was intolerent to all the medication known so that was not good.
It made my mind up for me and so in late autumn 1997 I sold the kiosk and decided to retire early. I was still playing golf but an attack of colitis meant that I had to spend time in hospital. This was annoying more than anything else.
I started to play in the Seniors Open competitions. There were plenty available within 75 miles. They were a good day out. None better than Spalding Golf Club. To get in there was difficult, but was an excellent day out. I guess I played in at least 50 opens but managed to win 1. That was Laceby Manor . I think it was in about 1995. I did enter the 2s competitions and if I had one, then you was paid sometimes in cash. The cash just about paid for your day out. Besides that, you met so many nice guys, all of similar age.
Anyway that was how I spent my time for the next 5 years or so. More to follow

Work and play

So now I had something to look forward to besides work. Yes, golf. I went with Ray on wednesday after May Day Monday for the first time. Remember I had not been anywhere at all only working. Anyway we arrived at the Golf Club about 10.00am. It was dull and misty but it was one of those days that when the sun broke through it would be hot. Well Ray had golf clubs and was showing me how to hit the ball when a young lad shouted that the practice area was over the other side. It was the club professional. Ray went and told him that we came here to join. Well after a few words, he went into the Secretaries office and found our application forms, asked us if we had any money. Ray had his cheque book and he paid for both of us. He also paid for me to get a part set of clubs a bag and shoes plus balls and tees etc. We went then to the practice ground and was there for about 1 hour. The friend who got us the forms arrived at the course and asked us if we would wait for a few minutes, he would show us the Golf course. Wee he said to me "Get a card and you can put it in for your handicap." I had never hit a golf ball before in my life.
I went round the course with Ray too, I do not know how I managed to walk the last 2 holes. I was completely shatytered. When it came to adding up my score for the round, I had managed to do the 18 holes in a magnificent 186. I still have the scorecard to this day. It did do somebody good though. A lady at the club who worked behind the bar heard me telling somone about my first round. She took up the game stating that if I could do that for the first time and eventually get down to a single figure golfer, sher was prepared to have a go. I am pleased to say that she has enjoyed every moment of golf.
We only had 2 rounds of golf before the season. I said that work would come first and pleasure second. By now I had also changed my car. A Jaguar XJS V12 Coventry Climax engine. Not new but a real mover. It was also a real petrol eater. It held 20 gallons and if I had air conditioning on then I could get 11 miles to the gallon Otherwise 13. With it being an automatic, there was no way I could economise at all. It was however a door opener. Wherever I went you was treated with a certain amount of respect. I had the car for about 4 years. It was long enough for me. It certainly made me realise that you need plenty of money to own a car like that.
Anyway with me not having to spend money on Freddie, I found that I could manage well without doing too much work. Mind you with the miners going on strike and eventually the closure of the mines, trade was certainly a lot less. Luckily though, inflation during the last few years was in double digits. With my rent being held, costs of food was going up and the profit was good. I needed less staff and I found out that I was making just as much profit with less work and less staff. Also I was only doing bread rolls for the restaurant . I was doing all the baking of pies though. The profit was there with me doing them. I used to make steak pies. I would get a tin of stewing steak. ( I bought them by 10 case lots) Get a 12" tin plate and put pastry on the base, spread the meat out and cover with pastry. When baked I would serve up at 6 portions. It cost me in meat and pastry about £1.20 so 20p each portion. I can not recall just how much the meals were charged but I guess £1. 75 so you can see the profit margin was good. It is a shame that more people do not do this sort of thing now. It is so much better and so much cheaper than buying a ready made pie. I used to sell lots and over many many seasons too.
Anyway I could not wait for the season to end. In September, Ray and I went to play golf. we played most days during the autumn and winter months. It was ages before I broke the 100 barrier for the first time, it did not bother me as much as Ray. Eventually I began to get a little better and by the start of 1985 season had got a handicap. 28. Yes 28 shots.
In May, I went to play in the early evening with Ray, some members were a player short. Ray suggested I go and play with them. It was a competition, I did not know much how to go on but I went round in 88 shots, less my 28 handicap. Tghat meant I went round in a nett 60. I won the competition. I was immediately dropped 4 shots. So now I was off 24.
This was it though. as I did not play again until September 1985. Ray had now started another business, found another woman, which I was pleased for him, so he was not going to play a lot of golf from now on. This I was little sad because he enjoyed his golf and his woman wished him to carry on playing golf. But that is life. More next time.

A new Lease

So entered 1979. As I said before, it was my intention to try to get a longer lease. Well I met with the Landlord. Made this suggestion. I wished to have a 10 year lease fixed rent but I would upgrade the place. Firstly installing modern windows upstairs, installing central heating and converting 2 room s into a flat. I would also pay for the costs of a new lease. Surprisingly enough, this was agreed. I could not wait to get it finalised. When it was done, I arranged to have new windows fitted, not the best but good enough. I then with Freddie knocked two rooms into one large flat and when it was done had central heating installed. I was happy with the deal I had done. Mind you, I did not realise just how good a deal it was. remembering that foe the next few years inflation was in double digits. My rent was fixed at £1000 a year for the next 10 years. Yes I had to replace windows and central heating plus the alterations to make a flat. I still knew I had made the right decision.
Trade was also good and I managed to purchase more equipment. About this time, Freddie who was still at college, failed his exams and was refused entry back the following Autumn. I decided that we must do something else to supplement my income. I decided to bake my own bread rolls selling bread, cakes pies and rolls etc. to the general public. It was a success but it was beginning to take toll on my health. In the summer, it was 7 days a week and in the winter, although it was quiet in the week at week ends it was hectic.
The situation got no better, but in 1983 a guy came in and asked me if I knew anything about microwave ovens. I called Freddie and said to him just go and he will show you all you need. If there is anything you want to know and he can not help you, just ask me.
At Easter he was let down by a baker so asked me if I would supply him. I readily agreed, we soon became very good friends. I was still purchasing equipment. I could see that I would not be able to supply all who wanted my bread rolls. I had only told Freddie this around October 1983, I informed him that we had firm orders for at least 100 dozen bread rolls that was without any othe orders. I then ordered another lot of equipment which cost me in excess of £3000 when Freddie came and told me that he had decided to leave. I was not sorry, however I was a little angry, I informed him that he knew he was going to leave and he let me spend all that money on equipment. I decided there and then to close the bakery department. I wrote to Customs and Excice and deregistered for VAT. Sold the equipment for less than half what it had cost me just a week or so before. This was just after Christmas in 1984. I then had a few weeks rest, I felt a lot better for that. My friend who I had helped with the microwave, he was called Ray, he then had split up with his wife came every day to see me. Another friend then suggested that we take up golf. Ray informed him that he had been a member of a golf club in Derbyshire. The guy arranged for us to have the proposal forms which he had them proposed, seconded so that all we had to do was to go to the Golf Club and pay. This we did on Wednesday the day after May Day 1984. So now, for the first time in my life, I was about to do something that I had always wanted to do but would not neglect my business. Let play commence. More to follow.

A surprise

So now it was going to be a battle to see if I could stay in business.
Well my Accountant arranged for the Solicitor to visit me. He was a young guy and informed me that almost certainly I would be successful.
A meeting was arranged for all concerned to meeet at the Landlord's Solicitors office. To my surprise he suggested to the landlord that there was no case and suggested that a new lease should be agreed. After several meetings it was finally agreed and at last I had some sort of security. A lease. Details were to be negotiated but at least I could plan ahead for the coming few seasons. Eventually it was agreed that a new lease would be granted and that it would start from February 1st 1975 to January 31st 1980. I agreed to this and a rental of £900 p..a was also agreed upon.
In May time a young lad who worked across the road at a corner shop came to see me and asked if I wanted anybody for a season. I said I might be. He bought a young boy, I offered him a job and money was talked. Later that day he came and asked if there was any other jobs going as I had offered this boy more than he was getting. I told him I could not offer him a job as it was not right to take staff from a fellow businessman. I suggesteed though that when he was not needed at the corner shop, he could help me. This he did .
It worked out well for me. My father suddenly passed away and I had to go to Grantham to see to things with my invalid Mother. The lad who I called Freddie came and looked after my dog. I had a Jack Russell. I was not a dog lover but when I first went there, rats were a problem. It go rid of the cats. The dog lived almost 21 years but had a mind of it's own.
Well in 1976 Freddie came and worked for me in the kitchen. He was going to college in Boston so it suited everyone. Unfortunately, his home life was not perfect and seemed to spend more time at mine than at his own home. I think he called every day, he would come in and ask what I had to eat that day. I just told him to get what he wanted, he would take the dog for a walk then watch TV. I would say about 10.00pm that it was time for him to go home. This was a daily routine.
1976 season was certainly a decent year. For the first time I had some money. I bought a Datsun 120Y Called Nissan now. It was an estate car. In those days, there were no rear wipers so that after a few miles in wet weather, visibility through the rear window was impossible. I was not happy.
I was beginning to get a few fellow businessmen call and we started to have morning meetings, what you would call, putting the world to rights. It seemed to be that once you was in business for about 10 years you were accepted. I was not accepted yet but was well on my way. With the prices gradually increasing, I was beginning to make a little money. I bought a small terraced house in Grantham and rented it out. That was fine until I let it out to someone who would not pay, would not get out and let the place go to ruin. Such is the case for not really trusting your fellow man. I did get him out in 1982. A lesson learned in deed. However before that there were a few more things happening.
In 1977 it was consolidation so I saved a little money and bought more machinery. Mainly Hobart, I considered this to be the best. Work in the kitchen was beginning to seem easy. I guess that was because I was planning ahead and in general, the staff were constant. New staff always seemed to make it harder as they had to fit in with the others. I bought a dishwasher, that made things easier, I also bought an automatic washing machine. I thought that was great, taking money while the washing machine was doing the tea towels and hand towels. I then started to form a plan, I wanted to f get a long lease so that I could plan for my eventual retirement. I had to tread carefully, the Landlord was a funny person. I thought that eventually I would suggest that if a further 10 years lease was given. I would at my expense replace the old sash windows with a modern design. Put central Heating in and knock 2 rooms upstairs into a modern flat. This I had to go to work on. It would take some time I knew that.
So to 1978. As I told you the Datsun was not good so I bought a Toyota Celica. This was in August. In September, my sister contacted me and told me that there was a good terraced house in Grantham on sale for £3400. I told her that I had just bought another car so I could not afford it. She told me she would take the keys back to the Estate Agents. This was the norm years ago.
After due consideration I contacted Rod the Estates owner and informed him that my sister was bringing in ht ekeys to the property. Could he inform her that I would be over later that evening abd she should hold on to the key. He readily agreed. I saw the propery made an offer of £3250. which was agreed. I now had to go to see the Bank Manager.
I went to see him and asked him if I could have an overdraft facility. I informed him that I may not need the facility but wanted to be sure as I had just purchased a new car. What an idiot he was. He suggested to me that I take a personal loan on the car. I asked him if he was working for my benefit or the Bank's benefit. That didn't please him I pointed out that I may not need to borrow any money. With that he said to me. "What would you do if I refused you" I just said I would go elsewhere. He did however get me to take out a personal Pension. But I got what I wanted. So now I had to decide what was going to happen to this property. It wanted upgrading and modernising. The cost was £6600 and my Mother informed me that she wished to live there. So that was it and work was to commence as soon as was practible. That was the winter and spring project of 1979. More to follow.

Back to the story

Now it is 1972. What a year to start with, the miners strike and Ted Heath deciding that a 3 day working week is what we have to put up with. Of couse eventually it had to come to a head. Unfortunately, the miners chose a militant leader after Joe Gormley. How can you have a union dictating what the general public have chosen. Eventually the inevitable happened and now we have no Coal Fields to talk of. I find it so disappointing especially as it was widely known that we have at least 300 years of coal ready to be utilised. No mines now though as most have been decomissioned, what a watse of eresources.
Another thing that disappointed me greatly is the use of Natural Gas. This was really an offshoot of Oil. The Government informed us that there was enough Natural Gas to keep the general public supplied with a cheap heating system for the next 50 years. That was when the extration rate was about 60%. More fields were found and the estimate was that there would be sufficient for the next 75 years. This was too good to be true for the Government. In their wisdom they decide to build gas cooled reactors to produce Electricity. Is it me or is this sheer folly? To waste a finite resource to produce electricity is lunacy especially as we had enough coal to last for 300 years.
Now we are importing gas and the oil has more or less run out. How disappointing is this?
This did not help me a lot during 1972/3. We had the gas converted and to be honest it was more efficient and the pressure did not drop. It certainly did when we were on the gas being produced locally.
Trade was not good in 72 but progress was being made regarding my Accountant and the cost of my living at the premises.
In early 1973 my Accountant came to see me and that Inland Revenue had finally agreed new terms for the cost of living for me.
Also the season was an improvement on the last year. I was starting to save some money. I would need it for Inland Revenue had not had a penny from me foe Income Tax since I started working for myself.
I was always getting mails from them, but I had so many, I just ignored them. Well one day I just reminded him that I had received another demand for a tax bill. He said to me I must pay this bill immediately. He then quoted what the local Tax Official informed him. He said, "Tell your client to pay this bloody bill immediately. What has been agreed between him and his former Accountant has nothing to do with you so tell him to pay up."
Well I did and almost immediately I found myself getting tax demand for the next few months. 5 in all. It left me broke again. Having sold my car I had nothing to sell so I just had to spend nothing.
Believe it or not. I then received a letter from the old Accountant. My Accountant told me to ignore it. I did to my dismay, the horrible Accountant then sent me a bill. "For ignoring Princilals time" I can not remember how much it was, but it would be for about £25.00 My accountant thought it very bad of him. About 3 years later he passed away. I did not show any remorse. To be honest all I thought was that he would not show such disregard to any other innocent businessman.
It was around this time when VAT was introduced. 8% for a start. The annual turnover was £5000. The only self employed that did not register were window cleaners and the like. My overheads were in the region of £4000 so it was not possible not to register. Really all we were doing was collecting taxes for the government. This went on for the next 14 years or so when the starting point was raised to about £20.000
So in 1974 it was a consolidation season. I saved every penny could, paid off what I owed and bought a Van. Bedfort 5cwt. I now had transport once again so I could go to Cash & Carry occasionally, never in the season as it was 7 days a week . It is good though to have a little freedom and a sense of independence. It was not a bad season but towards the end of the season, the landlord came to see me and told me that she wished me to leave the business at the end of the year.
Another fight with my back against the wall was looming. At least my Accountant had found me a good Solicitor. Let battle commence. More about this next time.

I digress

These are photos of my garden. They are just for a special guy who has helped me a lot with this blog.
The first is of my Asparagus bed the other 2 are of my runner beans and new potatoes. Please note that it is not rainy and the ground is bone dry. He he Blog will be back to normality Monday

1970 and 71

During the next 2 seasons all I seemed to do was work hard to stand still. My rent was £1000 a year. I found out much later that this was exhorbitant, the rates were based on your rent so that again was high. However I was gaining experience as to how to run a business. I found out that once you had been using a company for over a year, they seemed to realise that you were a little more reliable and would help more if possible.
When I first started, I had to order one week for the next week so if you omitted anything you were stumped. the second season though was a little better. The part owner of a delivery company contacted me and said that if I wished to have a top up. he called into town every Saturday during the season. His name was Herbert and we became good friends, if ever he had any offers he would always contact me.
Staff was always a headache but gradually I started to find the odd one that would work with me each season. I found a pastry cook and a woman who would mind the till. She was not good to the staff but she made sure that every penny was accounted for.
The season seemed to go a little better than the last one. I presumed that it was because I was becoming a little more proficient at what I was doing. I had worked for a Nationalised Industry, a Private Company quoted on the Stock xchange and now for myself. I definitely know which is the easiest and which is the hardest.
I was told of a good Accountant so in 1971 I took the books to him so that he could tell me just how I was doing. I had very little saved but I had started to accrue catering equipment so I was happy.
What an idiot I was. The Accountant was a disgrace. This is true what I write. I asked him to let me know how I had done as it was my first venture into business. To my horror, he sent the accounts straight to Inland Revenue. He had charged me 33% rent 33% rates 50% heat and 50% fuel. He had me earning about £20 a week. This was before I had took a penny for myself. I had a restaurant and was working every day from 8.00ap to 10.00pm except Wednesday which I closed at 4.00pm during the winter.
I didn't know what to do. It must have been my lucky day as the man from the local Arcade came to see me. He immediately said to me "What's up boy, it looks as if you've lost a £ and found a shilling. I told him of my plight, he informed me that he knew somebody who would help and not to worry. About 2 hours later, this man came in, introduced himself to me as the Arcades mans friend and he was an Accountant. He asked for my accounts. Took them off me, told me not to worry and he would be in contact.
It was a few weeks before I heard anything from him. We sat down and he informed me that firstly he would have to renegotiate the way my private rent, rates, heat etc was charged. He just said the old Accountant had charged me as if I was a corner shop, but it was wrong.
In the meantime I had to sell my car, borrow some money to carry on but managed to do it. Mind you it made me realise that being in business was not going to be easy and making sure that you have a good Accountant is vital. I did not worry though as the new Accountant kept me informed as to how things were going. It seemed as if he was beginning to get a far better deal for me regarding my living expenses as I was working all hours god sent. so at least I could look forward to 1972. Well perhaps. The miners were causing trouble. To be continued.

A new beginning

So it is the early days of January 1969. I have had to wait because the coast was cut off due to snow. Yes that is correct. They say there is never any snow much on the coast but over Christmas and the New Year it was bad. However as soon as I arrived the weather changed and all of January was fine and sunny, cool yes but that is only to be expected in January. I managed to get all the exterior painting done, all of the interior ready for the opening day of 1st February.
At last the day arrived and you can guess, it snowed heavily once again. During the next fortnight the weather was bad drifts in the street up to 3ft. Not a good start to my adventure into business.
My opening times were every day from 8.00am until 10.00pm except Wednesday, I had an early day off. I used to close at 4.00pm. Mind you I was only 32 at the time. The customers were mainly young ones, they would not spend much but at least it gave me some idea as to what to expect , or so I thought.
It was the same sort of routine every day, I started to try to get some staff sorted, not easy when you have never had to do it before. I managed to get a cook for the season only, she said she would help me to get started. How greatful I was too. I also had a couple of youngsters so all was slowly taking shape.
From taking about £15 in a day, Easter hit me like a ton of bricks. Queues everywhere, no organisation, staff not knowing what they were doing and me running around like a headless chicken. It had to be sorted. Thank goodness it was only for 3 days. I decided to number every table. Believe this, I was the first person in the town to get organised like that. I told staff they would be responsible for the tables I alloted to them and no others. I then told them that when an order was placed it was to be put under the pile so that each order was worked on in rotation. Now at last I felt as if I was getting somewhere and that I could look forward to the next holiday Spring Bank Holiday. No May day, not yet introduced.
Now Spring Bank Holiday is far busier than Easter, it lasts for a whole week and it is the busiest week of the year. Of course I was not prepared for this, but I at least made a better fist of it than Easter and all considered I was satisfied. There were still trains running though and at teatime all seemed to congregate at the same time and all want fish and chips. Hopeless of course I could not supply that amount in such a short space of time. Times without number customers would come to the counter, pay for the tea and bread and butter, apologised and said they had to catch the train back home. This way I stumbled through my first season at the seaside. As soon as I saved any money, it was immediately put to good use purchasing some more equipment to aid the service to the general public.
The season ended abruptly, as soon as the children went back to school the season ended. The first week in September. To try to stretch the season a little longer there was a Carnival Week, this was supposed to give youngsters a chance to participate in games, but most were back at school. The Parade on the following Saturday was good though and did bring a certain amount of visitors in. But that was that. The Caravan Parks closed the second week in September, well most of them anyway. it was then back to struggling to make a living. It certainly had been a baptism of fire for me and I was sure that I would be far better prepared for the next season. So it was relaxing and planning for the 1970 season. To be continued.

A new start

So now I have left the Railway, yes with a lot of memories. but a new beginning for me. I bought a car. Ford Anglia.
Starting a new job for me and I suppose for most was so strange. Especially as I was management. I have tried hard to remember exactly the hours the women worked and I think it was this Every morning it was 7.45am and at 12.30 to 1.00pm lunch then 1.0pm to 5. 15pm Monday and to 5.00pm the rest of the week. making it 44 hour week. Things were made more tricky though. In the next 4 years the weekly hour worked was reduced from 44 to firstly 42. 75 reduction of 15 minutes a day then a further 15 minute reduction to 41.25 hours a week. Thankfully I resigned my position before any further reductions in hours was suggested.
Being a member of staff, we occasionally had to work on a Saturday morning, this was not bad as I was used to working very unsocial hours. We never received any pay for this service though but my manager informed me that the bonus at Christmas woiuld be a pleasant surprise. Of course there was a recession on. To be honest I think that there has been loads of recessions. When I eventually went into business there were plenty of recessions. The first with Ted Heath and the 3 day week. The two miners strikes. the eighties and nineties. But that is for later.
Suffice to say. I think it was Jim Callaghan who was the P M and he put a block on any increases in pay. I think he was the last P M that said so much in cash and not a percentage. I have always believed in everybody getting the same sort of increase. If you get say £5 increase then all seems to be fair. If they say a percentage increase of say 3% . This is O K if you are on say £30.000 but of you are on £10000 then it is not so good. The gap between the higher and lower paid just gets wider.
Anyway there was a way to get round pay restraints even those days. Just as well really as the bonus that we all expected to get was not as good as most thought. I was pleased as it was the first bonus I had ever had in my life.
I must admit that I found it most difficult to adjust to work in a factory, to be on ones feet most of the day, try to get the best out of the workers and reach the targets, but gradually things became easier.
Pregnancy seemed to be the main problem, working with young women you are going to get the odd pregnancy but you seemed to lose several of the same machinists at the same time, not a lot one could do but there were always plenty of young girls wishing to work in the shoe factory as it was well paid. Piece work but rewarding work.
It was after I had been there about 2 years that there was a possibility tha I might have a chance of working for myself wityhin the next 18 months. I used to go out drinking a lot, also smoke a lot, I decided to cut these down, told nobody why and started to save up just in case.
I eventually was given the green light to make a decision to start my own business around October 1968 with me moving to the coast in January in 1969.
I asked to see the M.D and informed him of my intentions. I was surprised in his remarks to me. He said. " I will not try to persuade you not to leave, you have far more courage than I have. We know you and you know me. If it does not work out come back and see us." I was really moved although the M D was a gentleman and always insisted we called each other by our christian names.
So after being there from June 1964 to the end of 1968. I finally went to work for myself . A huge risk but one I was prepared to take. More to follow.

A few facts.

I thought I would tell a little about life during and after the war before I go on to working in the Shoe Factory.
It is a fact that almost every household in the U. K. had a button tin. Buttons were taken off every garment that was beyond use and saved. Also every paper bag was saved, I am not talking of carrier bags. I am talking of small paper bags. Nothing was thrown away. Greaseproof paper was saved from lard, margarine and butter papers. All of these were not as they are now. They were ordinary greased papers. String was saved also. In fact everything that could be saved as saved. A lot of the greased proof papers were used for the making of puddings like Spotte Dick and Jam Rolly Polly. The old fashioned way of making Jam Rolly Polly was to make pastry as if you was going to bake it. Instead it was steamed. Wrapping it in the greased proof paper, then wrapping it in a cloth and boiling it for about 2 hours. We always had it with cold milk. it was nice. Spotted Dick was made in the same sort of way. This was always served with butter and sugar. Those were the days. I was reminded many years later in the restaurant I ran when this man said to me ."Can you remember the old fashioned Jam Rolly Polly." I of course told him I did. He then told me that his mother always cooked his family which was large, a Jam Rolly Polly in the copper with the boiling of the whites. He said it was the only thing that was large enough to fit enough rolly to feed us 6 kids.
Even to this day, I still collect paper bags and string. I do not collect the foil covered greased papers though. I am still using some old pyjama pieces as dusters and cleaning cloths though.
It may seem strange but old habits die hard. Nothing ever went to waste. Even to potato peelings and vegetable leaves and tops. They were put into a bin in the street and collected to feed the pigs. I wonder what Health and Safety would say about that now?
Next time I will get back to when I start work in the Shoe Factory. To be continued.