Yesterday I finally finished my driveway, I am pleased the way it looks. While I was out the neighbour came to see me with her paving brush, yes she had bought one. She is pleased with the way it cleans the moss out of the blocks but once again said it was so labour intensive. Still that is my driveway completed and should last until the spring next year.
Today, I lifted the potatoes out of my polytunnel, I will be honest and say that I was a little disappointed, there was an awful lot of potatoes that were so small. I did not realise how unwell I was, it is obvious to me that I had not given them sufficient water. I do now feel somewhat better. My consultant has given me some extra medication and for now it is helping me.
Anyway back to the potatoes, the ground was bone dry, so it was obvious to me that I had failed in looking after the potatoes, they were first early potatoes, Arran Pilot. They do keep well in the ground as a rule and are excellent boiling potatoes, but I only managed to get a few lbs of potatoes. I was lucky as my friend bought me a sack of potatoes ther last time he came. He will not be calling next week as hopefully he is having a new energy saving boiler fitted. Different to me though, I had to pay but had it fitted within about 3 weeks he has been waiting since the late winter. I hope for his sake they do get and do the job, they should start on Wednesday November 3rd. Will keep you informed of the progress, or lack of it. Now I will tomorrow, go ansd water the polytunnel so that when I set my produce, the ground will be well prepared. I guess that is it for today, just to say although it was dry and mild, it was just like night all day. A typical late November day. Tomorrow should be brighter . Let's hope so.
P.S.When I went outside the front door yesterday morning I noticed some rose cuttings, I immediately set them, let us hope at least one grows. They are cuttings from a beautiful yellow rose with an old fashioned scent. Wonderful. My neighbour confirmed that they were cuttings from the yellow rose. Here's hoping. More soon.
Friday 29 October 2010
Thursday 28 October 2010
Mundane matters
Now back to the present.
Tuesday morning it was cold and damp, I went to get my pension, called into the local supermarket to get milk, bananas etc. then across to the newsagents to pick up my weekly T V paper. When I left the shop, it was only raining slightly so I decided to go for a hair cut about 3 miles away. the barber had been on holiday to Mexico for a fortnight so my hair certainly needed cutting. There were a few waiting so I was in there about 45 minutes. When it was my turn he told me about his holiday, apparently it was an all in holiday in a complex in Mexico. He told me that even to have a drink you never touched anything, when your glass was empty, it was automatically topped up. Nothing was spared, he told me that one day they had lobster with champagne, he did say though that the day trips were expensive, even so he told me that he spent over £5000 .00p As long as you enjoyed it I remarked, he said it was great and wanted to go again but not next year. I guess it was just too expensive and he had to save up. Anyway I duly paid, £3.80 which I guess is about the cheapest haircut in England.
I went then to the local butcher, I have not used him before, I went in and a woman was buying some cooked ham. When it was my turn I asked for 6 slices of cooked ham. It really looked great the woman who was serving me cut off all the excess fat before weighing it. I remarked that she must have known I could not eat much fat. She told me that she did this for each customer as her Mother was a diabetic. I said that I too was a diabetic. I then asked if she had any loins of pork, she wanted to know if I wished a joint, I said no I wanted boneless loin chops. What she said next surprised me. She looked at what was in the window display then told me that they were no good for me as they had too much fat on them. Away she went and after about 3 minutes came back with a butcher holding a complete loin over his shoulder. It was the leanest loin I have ever seen. I thought I had better order a few, so I asked for 12, while the butcher was cutting them I asked if they had any English Lambs liver, yes was the reply so I asked for 4 small slices. The pork loins were duly given to the woman who wrapped them and put them in a bag, with the ham and liver, I asked for 8 links of sausage, the best quality, I then asked if she had any best end of neck of Lamb(crown roast) the reply was we have no lamb until Thursday. I then asked if she had any sirloin steaks, again the reply was no, not until Thursday. I was surprised but she told me that until recently they had 2 deliveries a week Tuesday and Thursday, now it was only Thursday, so had to get used to ordering enough. I thanked her for looking after me, left then called at the local veg shop. It was the one I gave some plums to but they did not recognise me, thank goodness. I picked up a January King cabbage, a large one and asked the lady how much, 50p was the reply. I was delighted so off I went back home. I weighed the cabbage, it was 2kg just over 4 lb. Value for money I would say.
As for the ham, it is fantastic, the lambs liver was beautiful, the sausage is not bad at all. I had liver and sausage yesterday and today. Before anybody comments, liver is dreadful once it has been frozen, hence the 2 meals in 2 days. Tomorrow I will have roast ham. I have put all the pork in the deep freeze so will not be having them for some time but if they taste anything like they look, they will be nice. That's it for today. More soon.
Tuesday morning it was cold and damp, I went to get my pension, called into the local supermarket to get milk, bananas etc. then across to the newsagents to pick up my weekly T V paper. When I left the shop, it was only raining slightly so I decided to go for a hair cut about 3 miles away. the barber had been on holiday to Mexico for a fortnight so my hair certainly needed cutting. There were a few waiting so I was in there about 45 minutes. When it was my turn he told me about his holiday, apparently it was an all in holiday in a complex in Mexico. He told me that even to have a drink you never touched anything, when your glass was empty, it was automatically topped up. Nothing was spared, he told me that one day they had lobster with champagne, he did say though that the day trips were expensive, even so he told me that he spent over £5000 .00p As long as you enjoyed it I remarked, he said it was great and wanted to go again but not next year. I guess it was just too expensive and he had to save up. Anyway I duly paid, £3.80 which I guess is about the cheapest haircut in England.
I went then to the local butcher, I have not used him before, I went in and a woman was buying some cooked ham. When it was my turn I asked for 6 slices of cooked ham. It really looked great the woman who was serving me cut off all the excess fat before weighing it. I remarked that she must have known I could not eat much fat. She told me that she did this for each customer as her Mother was a diabetic. I said that I too was a diabetic. I then asked if she had any loins of pork, she wanted to know if I wished a joint, I said no I wanted boneless loin chops. What she said next surprised me. She looked at what was in the window display then told me that they were no good for me as they had too much fat on them. Away she went and after about 3 minutes came back with a butcher holding a complete loin over his shoulder. It was the leanest loin I have ever seen. I thought I had better order a few, so I asked for 12, while the butcher was cutting them I asked if they had any English Lambs liver, yes was the reply so I asked for 4 small slices. The pork loins were duly given to the woman who wrapped them and put them in a bag, with the ham and liver, I asked for 8 links of sausage, the best quality, I then asked if she had any best end of neck of Lamb(crown roast) the reply was we have no lamb until Thursday. I then asked if she had any sirloin steaks, again the reply was no, not until Thursday. I was surprised but she told me that until recently they had 2 deliveries a week Tuesday and Thursday, now it was only Thursday, so had to get used to ordering enough. I thanked her for looking after me, left then called at the local veg shop. It was the one I gave some plums to but they did not recognise me, thank goodness. I picked up a January King cabbage, a large one and asked the lady how much, 50p was the reply. I was delighted so off I went back home. I weighed the cabbage, it was 2kg just over 4 lb. Value for money I would say.
As for the ham, it is fantastic, the lambs liver was beautiful, the sausage is not bad at all. I had liver and sausage yesterday and today. Before anybody comments, liver is dreadful once it has been frozen, hence the 2 meals in 2 days. Tomorrow I will have roast ham. I have put all the pork in the deep freeze so will not be having them for some time but if they taste anything like they look, they will be nice. That's it for today. More soon.
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Part 2.
So now my brother in law Jim was Farm Manager to the Belton Estate owned by Lord Brownlow. (Edward Cust)
Things were no different workwise as he had been in charge more or less from the day he started. It did mean though that they had to move into the village where the Farm House was situated. Next door lived the Canon of Grantham retired I should say, living in the samehouse was the Archbishop of Canterbury's Sister. The front door of the Farmhouse was at right angle to the next door.
It was something of a surprise when one day Jim noticed the Archbishop of Canterbury was next door. It appeared that he occasionally came up to the village to visit his Sister. He came incognito and had, as far as anybody could tell, no police protection. By the way. His name was I think Ronald Runcie. He was the Archbishop who performed the wedding ceremony at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
One day my Sister and Jim were out in the back garden, the Archbishop was there and started a shortish conversation, stating how nice the roses were looking and the runner beans looked nice. Jim gave him some runner beans. When they went back indoors, my Mother who was staying there stated she had no intention of meeting him.
A couple of mornings later. my Mother in her dressing gown went to the front door to get the milk in, Youv'e guessed it as she was about to pick the milk up the next door opened. Archbishop was about to do the same, get the milk. He looked up to see my Mother. just said,"Good morning" My Mother replied and he then remarked, "Lovely day isn't it?" My Mother said yes and hurriedly closed the door. She then realised that she had been seen by the Archbishop of Canterbury in her dressing gown.
I was invited to Christmas every year and it was our job, Jim and I to feed the cattle, they did not take them into the sheds until early January. It was good, I enjoyed riding on the rear of a tractor, then on the trailer, slinging out lots of hay for the cattle to feed on. In January they were bought into the sheds for calving. The herd size was about 120. Every bull calf was castrated. They just put a ring round it's testicles and they rotted off. When the bullocks were about 18 months old, they were sold for slaughter. The female calves were kept. All they were interested was getting the herd larger, it was just a store cattle herd. If a calf died, Jim would milk the heifer and of course use it. I found out also, that for every calf born a subsidy of £100 was paid. I do not know if this was for bull calfs too.
I was there regular during the winter months and enjoyed most of it although it was hard work.
Now this incident happened during the spring when I had started to work so was not going over to see them.
According to them this is what happened. There was a a firm from Scandinavia, I think from Sweden, but not sure. Anyway they were over here testing the land to see if there was any oil available underground. They had been in this country for several months and around Lord Brownlow's grounds was to be the last check. According to Jim, they laid a long cable then fired a sort of charge and then the results were checked by computer. Remember the sensitive area? Well when the saw all these vehicles with foreign number plates phoned the Grantham Police and asked them to investigate. They duly did so and immediately noticed that the special tax discs that allowed them to stay in this country had run out. They were due to leave the country within the next week to go to the Carribean. This was postponed
The Police immediately impounded all of the vehicles. This included the managers cars as well as the trucks, about 8 vehicles in all. They were told to put them in the Farm yard and Jim was instructed to make sure the gate was locked. The outcome of it all was the firm had to pay all of the Road Tax Licence and also fines. The total was in excess of £2500. This was about 1984. They eventually left for the Carribean about 3 weeks late.
Back to more mundane matters tomorrow.
Things were no different workwise as he had been in charge more or less from the day he started. It did mean though that they had to move into the village where the Farm House was situated. Next door lived the Canon of Grantham retired I should say, living in the samehouse was the Archbishop of Canterbury's Sister. The front door of the Farmhouse was at right angle to the next door.
It was something of a surprise when one day Jim noticed the Archbishop of Canterbury was next door. It appeared that he occasionally came up to the village to visit his Sister. He came incognito and had, as far as anybody could tell, no police protection. By the way. His name was I think Ronald Runcie. He was the Archbishop who performed the wedding ceremony at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
One day my Sister and Jim were out in the back garden, the Archbishop was there and started a shortish conversation, stating how nice the roses were looking and the runner beans looked nice. Jim gave him some runner beans. When they went back indoors, my Mother who was staying there stated she had no intention of meeting him.
A couple of mornings later. my Mother in her dressing gown went to the front door to get the milk in, Youv'e guessed it as she was about to pick the milk up the next door opened. Archbishop was about to do the same, get the milk. He looked up to see my Mother. just said,"Good morning" My Mother replied and he then remarked, "Lovely day isn't it?" My Mother said yes and hurriedly closed the door. She then realised that she had been seen by the Archbishop of Canterbury in her dressing gown.
I was invited to Christmas every year and it was our job, Jim and I to feed the cattle, they did not take them into the sheds until early January. It was good, I enjoyed riding on the rear of a tractor, then on the trailer, slinging out lots of hay for the cattle to feed on. In January they were bought into the sheds for calving. The herd size was about 120. Every bull calf was castrated. They just put a ring round it's testicles and they rotted off. When the bullocks were about 18 months old, they were sold for slaughter. The female calves were kept. All they were interested was getting the herd larger, it was just a store cattle herd. If a calf died, Jim would milk the heifer and of course use it. I found out also, that for every calf born a subsidy of £100 was paid. I do not know if this was for bull calfs too.
I was there regular during the winter months and enjoyed most of it although it was hard work.
Now this incident happened during the spring when I had started to work so was not going over to see them.
According to them this is what happened. There was a a firm from Scandinavia, I think from Sweden, but not sure. Anyway they were over here testing the land to see if there was any oil available underground. They had been in this country for several months and around Lord Brownlow's grounds was to be the last check. According to Jim, they laid a long cable then fired a sort of charge and then the results were checked by computer. Remember the sensitive area? Well when the saw all these vehicles with foreign number plates phoned the Grantham Police and asked them to investigate. They duly did so and immediately noticed that the special tax discs that allowed them to stay in this country had run out. They were due to leave the country within the next week to go to the Carribean. This was postponed
The Police immediately impounded all of the vehicles. This included the managers cars as well as the trucks, about 8 vehicles in all. They were told to put them in the Farm yard and Jim was instructed to make sure the gate was locked. The outcome of it all was the firm had to pay all of the Road Tax Licence and also fines. The total was in excess of £2500. This was about 1984. They eventually left for the Carribean about 3 weeks late.
Back to more mundane matters tomorrow.
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Something different
I think all that read my blog will know that I used to have a cafe/restaurant at the seaside. Definitely seasonal. In the summer months, 7 days a week from dawn till late. However during the winter months I did nothing. November , December ,January was completely free of work. October and February was only limited week end work so I had plenty of time on my hands.
I used to go to visit my Mother and Sisters in Grantham about once a week. When I first started to visit she worked at the Electricity Board. Much before it became a PLC. She was divorced and she was an office manager, she met this fellow who was also divorced, he was the stores manager. Well eventually they got married. A couple of years passed then my brother in law was asked by his father if he would like to be farm foreman on the Belton Estate. Lord Brownlow's home(Edward Cust). Belton House is where he lived with his wife Shirley. The farm was about 25000 acres, there was arable, store and woods which there were deer. Store cattle meant that all they were interested in was enlarging the herd. Any bull calfs which was about 50% of the calfs born, were castrated and when thet reached about 18 months were then sent to be slaughtered.
Anyway my brother in law agreed and soon the moved into a cottage, very near now to Belton Woods Golf Course. It was a nice south facing cottage and my sister soon got into the country ways. She had chickens and ducks too. Jim, that was my brother in laws name, was very good at meeting people and was very popular. It was not long before he was getting his potatoes from one farmer, my sister was given a small pig from another, he also went out with his men when a tree had been blown down, chain sawed the tree into usable logs, would then share the logs between the farmers and his father and themselves.
He actually met Diana Spencer before she became Princess. He was on his usual run around to see what was going on when he saw a small group of people. He went to investigate, certainly did not readily notice her. He was always diplomatic and just asked them if all was O. K. Diana asked him what he was doing on the estate. Jim replied that he might just be asking the same question about the group. She replied that that were here for a few days as guests. She also said. "By the way I like your snazzy hat." He then made a remark like I hope you have a nice time, by the way I am the farm foreman and left. Princes Diana had a sister who lived just a few miles away so she was up that way on more than one occasion. It was suggested that Prince Charles also came this way but we do not have proof.
t was during the time that he was foreman that I started to take my Mother out to their home, it was on my way back to the seaside. He suggested that sometimes I might like to go shooting, I said I might but to be honest was not keen. He did show me round the farm, it was huge. I think they had a 40 acre field, it was immense. They grew Oil Seed Rape, this was just becoming popular, a little Wheat but mostly Barley. Of course they had every contraption you would want. The corn drier was a godsend, he would dry the corn for the farmers around, this made him so popular as the drier the corn is the better price they get.
Well eventually his father retired. I think I will tell more tomorrow as it goes on a little.
I used to go to visit my Mother and Sisters in Grantham about once a week. When I first started to visit she worked at the Electricity Board. Much before it became a PLC. She was divorced and she was an office manager, she met this fellow who was also divorced, he was the stores manager. Well eventually they got married. A couple of years passed then my brother in law was asked by his father if he would like to be farm foreman on the Belton Estate. Lord Brownlow's home(Edward Cust). Belton House is where he lived with his wife Shirley. The farm was about 25000 acres, there was arable, store and woods which there were deer. Store cattle meant that all they were interested in was enlarging the herd. Any bull calfs which was about 50% of the calfs born, were castrated and when thet reached about 18 months were then sent to be slaughtered.
Anyway my brother in law agreed and soon the moved into a cottage, very near now to Belton Woods Golf Course. It was a nice south facing cottage and my sister soon got into the country ways. She had chickens and ducks too. Jim, that was my brother in laws name, was very good at meeting people and was very popular. It was not long before he was getting his potatoes from one farmer, my sister was given a small pig from another, he also went out with his men when a tree had been blown down, chain sawed the tree into usable logs, would then share the logs between the farmers and his father and themselves.
He actually met Diana Spencer before she became Princess. He was on his usual run around to see what was going on when he saw a small group of people. He went to investigate, certainly did not readily notice her. He was always diplomatic and just asked them if all was O. K. Diana asked him what he was doing on the estate. Jim replied that he might just be asking the same question about the group. She replied that that were here for a few days as guests. She also said. "By the way I like your snazzy hat." He then made a remark like I hope you have a nice time, by the way I am the farm foreman and left. Princes Diana had a sister who lived just a few miles away so she was up that way on more than one occasion. It was suggested that Prince Charles also came this way but we do not have proof.
t was during the time that he was foreman that I started to take my Mother out to their home, it was on my way back to the seaside. He suggested that sometimes I might like to go shooting, I said I might but to be honest was not keen. He did show me round the farm, it was huge. I think they had a 40 acre field, it was immense. They grew Oil Seed Rape, this was just becoming popular, a little Wheat but mostly Barley. Of course they had every contraption you would want. The corn drier was a godsend, he would dry the corn for the farmers around, this made him so popular as the drier the corn is the better price they get.
Well eventually his father retired. I think I will tell more tomorrow as it goes on a little.
Monday 25 October 2010
Funny period
This week end was not the best weather wise. Saturday it rained and on Sunday, it was supposed to be mainly dry but on the coast we had intermittent rain showers, the ground never managed to get dry. This morning as it broke daylight the temperature dropped. I went into the garden to pick some carrots, they were muddy because of all the rain we have had, I have a couple of small stainless steel containers which I let get full of water so I can wash my veg. Well this morning, the first time this winter there was a thin film of ice forming. I guess that is it for the runner beans, I think the tomatoes in the greenhouse will be O K though.
I forgot to mention it but on Friday, my friend bought me another block paving cleaning tool. I could not use it over the week end so I thought I would explore the net for another car. I did so with a couple of web sites. I wrote to one and then phoned the site, but although they said they would get back to me, they didn't do so. However this morning I had a phone call and a nice guy spoke to me. I told him what car I wanted and he told me that he would find out when the car would be available, I also informed him that I wished to part exchange my car. A Peugeot 207 G. T. 150 HTP. Thuis was about 10.15am.
Several hours later he contacted me again. I summised that he had problems as he had been so long. The upshot of it all is that no car will be available until January next year. It seems that no cars are being produced, well he told me this, without a firm order. I guess that is the way the situation is at present. Anyway, he offered me a fair price for my old car. Although they do not take cars themselves they use agents who have contacts.
Later he sent me an e-mail with all details concerning the car, I have decided to purchase the car, when it is ready, sometime in January next year so I have tonight written a cheque for £350.00p as a commitment to purchase so now the car will be ordered. Now I must wait and see what happens next.
As to my cleaning of my driveway, well the remainder of it., I managed to get about 30 minutes of work done. This is plenty for me. Mind you, I can see the difference the new cleaner does. Will probably have to do it again early spring next year. Something different tomorrow.
I forgot to mention it but on Friday, my friend bought me another block paving cleaning tool. I could not use it over the week end so I thought I would explore the net for another car. I did so with a couple of web sites. I wrote to one and then phoned the site, but although they said they would get back to me, they didn't do so. However this morning I had a phone call and a nice guy spoke to me. I told him what car I wanted and he told me that he would find out when the car would be available, I also informed him that I wished to part exchange my car. A Peugeot 207 G. T. 150 HTP. Thuis was about 10.15am.
Several hours later he contacted me again. I summised that he had problems as he had been so long. The upshot of it all is that no car will be available until January next year. It seems that no cars are being produced, well he told me this, without a firm order. I guess that is the way the situation is at present. Anyway, he offered me a fair price for my old car. Although they do not take cars themselves they use agents who have contacts.
Later he sent me an e-mail with all details concerning the car, I have decided to purchase the car, when it is ready, sometime in January next year so I have tonight written a cheque for £350.00p as a commitment to purchase so now the car will be ordered. Now I must wait and see what happens next.
As to my cleaning of my driveway, well the remainder of it., I managed to get about 30 minutes of work done. This is plenty for me. Mind you, I can see the difference the new cleaner does. Will probably have to do it again early spring next year. Something different tomorrow.
Friday 22 October 2010
Nothing boring I hope
Today, my friend came and finally fixed the gas fire, he fitted some aluminium backed tape to seal the flue, he also mended my clock and then fitted my new sign to the outside wall, I say new, I have had it since I moved here 17 years ago. My best friend who was here this week had a man who was very good with his hands make it. Unfortunately the man is no longer in this world.
Now an update on my securities(shares). I originally had 5 they were Severn Trent, United Utilities, both of these I have now sold. National Grid, Aviva and Vodafone. The proceeds of the two sales made a small profit, not enough to buy a car, but I am looking into the purchase of a new car.
I do not think I have mentioned it before, but for the last couple of times I have bought cars over the internet. Really this was sort of forced on me. When I wanted to purchase my last car, a Peugeot 207 G.T. I went to a Peugeot dealer. I had a Hyundai coupe 2 ltr. It cost me just over £16,000 20 months prior. I unfortunately had an operation and found it very hard to get in and out of the car as it was a sports type. Well I went to see this rep. A nice mature guy, I told him what I was after and he told me they did not have one in stock but the only thing he could tell me was that it went like"Shit off a shovel". He asked me what I had got to part exchange. I laugh now but was not happy at the time. He looked at the car and remarked what a lovely colour it was, then said something like."I can't even think to give you a price for that, you see we will not be able to sell it here and all we will do is sell it on. I will have to ask the boss." Out came the proprietor, took a cursory glance and said the allowance would be about £8500. Now bear in mind the car I wished to purchase was over £14,500 and I was going to have leather seats the cost was another £700. The rep was a little embarrassed and told me he would ring me later at my home and see what he could do. True to his word he did ring but with no improved offer. So I went online. I eventually got another £500 trade in although the company did not generally do that sort of thing. I also saved around another £1500 on the purchase. The only draw back is that the cars are what is know as pre registered. This means that I was the second owner although the mileage was delivery mileage only.
Well I am now looking to change my car, I will keep all informed as to what is happening. It will be interesting to see just how much I will save. More soon.
Now an update on my securities(shares). I originally had 5 they were Severn Trent, United Utilities, both of these I have now sold. National Grid, Aviva and Vodafone. The proceeds of the two sales made a small profit, not enough to buy a car, but I am looking into the purchase of a new car.
I do not think I have mentioned it before, but for the last couple of times I have bought cars over the internet. Really this was sort of forced on me. When I wanted to purchase my last car, a Peugeot 207 G.T. I went to a Peugeot dealer. I had a Hyundai coupe 2 ltr. It cost me just over £16,000 20 months prior. I unfortunately had an operation and found it very hard to get in and out of the car as it was a sports type. Well I went to see this rep. A nice mature guy, I told him what I was after and he told me they did not have one in stock but the only thing he could tell me was that it went like"Shit off a shovel". He asked me what I had got to part exchange. I laugh now but was not happy at the time. He looked at the car and remarked what a lovely colour it was, then said something like."I can't even think to give you a price for that, you see we will not be able to sell it here and all we will do is sell it on. I will have to ask the boss." Out came the proprietor, took a cursory glance and said the allowance would be about £8500. Now bear in mind the car I wished to purchase was over £14,500 and I was going to have leather seats the cost was another £700. The rep was a little embarrassed and told me he would ring me later at my home and see what he could do. True to his word he did ring but with no improved offer. So I went online. I eventually got another £500 trade in although the company did not generally do that sort of thing. I also saved around another £1500 on the purchase. The only draw back is that the cars are what is know as pre registered. This means that I was the second owner although the mileage was delivery mileage only.
Well I am now looking to change my car, I will keep all informed as to what is happening. It will be interesting to see just how much I will save. More soon.
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Quickie
After the last blog, I think it best just to write a quick note.
Yesterday, my friend from Derbyshire came to see me, his wife dropped him off and then came back later. We had a good old talk about old times. I did mention to him that as he is in his mid 70s I was surprised that he had bought a tourer caravan, also he had to buy anothe car as the one he had was really not powerful enough. I said to him that most people would think about getting rid of their tourer, not beginning to start touring at his age. He then reminded me that his wife is over 20 years younger than him. I said no more. We went out in the garden and I gave him some tomatoes, cooking apples and a bunch of grapes. His wife then arrived and time seemed to fly by, it was almost dark when they left. It was nice to see him again. His wife was enthralled by the grapes and tasted them, commenting on their sweetness and how juicy they were. I said that the longer they were left on the vine, the sweeter they became.
Today has been a very cold day for October, I think my friend and his wife will be making their way back home. Caravans are not the warmest places when it is cold. More soon.
Yesterday, my friend from Derbyshire came to see me, his wife dropped him off and then came back later. We had a good old talk about old times. I did mention to him that as he is in his mid 70s I was surprised that he had bought a tourer caravan, also he had to buy anothe car as the one he had was really not powerful enough. I said to him that most people would think about getting rid of their tourer, not beginning to start touring at his age. He then reminded me that his wife is over 20 years younger than him. I said no more. We went out in the garden and I gave him some tomatoes, cooking apples and a bunch of grapes. His wife then arrived and time seemed to fly by, it was almost dark when they left. It was nice to see him again. His wife was enthralled by the grapes and tasted them, commenting on their sweetness and how juicy they were. I said that the longer they were left on the vine, the sweeter they became.
Today has been a very cold day for October, I think my friend and his wife will be making their way back home. Caravans are not the warmest places when it is cold. More soon.
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Glass of sherry part 2
This is a long drawn out story, I hope I do not bore anyone.
Soon after my father died I thought it would be prudent to purchase a property close to where my Mother was living, with the thought of eventually moving back to be near to her. Things did not work out that way though as I never went back at all to live.
Anyway I bought this property and my Mother and I went down cleaning and modernising the property, the aim was to let it furnished. Well one day while we were down at the property, a man knocked on the front door I went to see who it was, he asked me what I was going to do with the property. I informed him that I would be letting the property furnished. He told me that his daughter would be interested and could he bring her to see me. Well eventually we agreed a price and so I had a tenant. All was well for about 18 months then one night during the season she informed me that she had been offered a council house so decided to leave but knew someone who wanted the property to rent. I told her I was not happy at letting anyone have the property without first interviewing them, she assured me that all would be well. Stupidly I agreed mainly because I could not get over there for about 3 months. For the first couple of monthe rent was paid O K then all of a sudden, nothing, I eventually had to take him to court ans he did not appear so formal posession was granted. I was out of pocket with rent arrears ans court costs of around £1000. This was in the early 80s. To cut a long story short, the first time I went to visit the property was in September, I had just had my dinner at my Mothers when there was a knock on the door. It was the gas man he asked me if I had anything to do with 33 the property I had. I told him I was the owner, he said he wanted to gain access to read the gas meter. I walked down with him and told him that I was owed a lot of money, there were several catalogue demands for money. He went in and the first thing he said to me was that he thought the windows were frosted glass, then he could see that it was just filth. He eventually looked round, read the meter and said something that surprised me. " This man is not going to get away with this, I will make sure that when we find him, and we will because he will need gas or electricity wherever he goes, you will be given his address." I naturally didn't expect to hear anymore but my Mother rang me up several weeks later with the address of the man. He was now living in Boston. I contacted my solicitor, I managed to get about £25 off him then nothing. I decided to leave the debt on the books just in case he ever won the pools. The Lottery was not then conceived. Well after the dabble into rental properties I decided to sell. It was on the market for several weeks, but to be honest the place was in such a state. It cost me £50 to have the place cleared of furniture and carpets. One day out of the blue, I was at my Mothers, I used to go once a week in the winter months, she told me that a couple from over ther road asked her if I would consider renting out the property to her daughter becuse she had to move out of her rented accommodation as there was a compulsory purchase on it. My Mother informed them that almost certainly I would not but if her daughter came to see me then I could tell her myself.
The next week the daughter came to see me, asked if she could view the property, said it was just what they wanted, 3 bedrooms and they would be happy to clean the place as long as they could rent it. I told her that I was not prepared to rent the property but I was perepared to let her and her husband purchase the property, I being the guarantor and the rent they would normally pay would be the mortgage. I told her to inform her husband that I would give a favourable fixed interest of 4% per annum. The rates around then were about 9%. I gave her my phone number and told her that if she agreed, I would then arrange for both parties to go to my solicitor and draw up the contract. Her husband readily agreed and so we went to my solicitor. He tried to talk me into getting a better deal, I informed him that I was satified and that the mortgage would commence 2 weeks from the signing of the contract. The 2 weeks was to give them time to make the property habitable. My solicitor did, however insist that before they signed he would want proof that they had taken out an insurance policy covering either party if one of them died.
When all was done, Joan and John were so greatful and could not stop grovelling, I told them that I was happy to get rid of the property.
Her parents, who incidentally were very very nice, quiet reserved people, came over the road to see my Mother, they asked if I would go over and see them. When my Mother told me, I knew what was going to happen. I said to my Mam, that I did not wish to go but she insisted that I did. So over the road we went, I knocked on the door. I thought they were going to kiss my feet. They invited us in and asked if we would have a glass od sherry with them. I was about to say no when my Mother nudged me, so I politely said yes please. For the second time a bottle of sherry was opened especially for us, once again a decent quality of sherry. The mother did the talking stating that they all would be eternally greatful as Joan and John would never ever be able to afford a property under normal circumstances. I just told both that I was only to happy to get the property off my hands and this way helped 2 people.
These two insisted in calling me Mr as Joan and John did, I said I prefered to be called by my christian name, but they thought I was a cut above them. This was nonsense of course.
The final outcome was that about 3 years later Joan's husband John who was along distance lorry driver collapsed and died in one of the service stations. Her solicitor told her that although she had the money from the insurance, he suggested that she put the money in a Building Society and get more interest than what she was being charged. She told me that she sent the solicitor away with a flea in his ear as I had been goodness itself to her.
A few weeks later she was diagnosed with angina and sold the property to live with here eldest daughter. Sorry if it has been a bore.
Soon after my father died I thought it would be prudent to purchase a property close to where my Mother was living, with the thought of eventually moving back to be near to her. Things did not work out that way though as I never went back at all to live.
Anyway I bought this property and my Mother and I went down cleaning and modernising the property, the aim was to let it furnished. Well one day while we were down at the property, a man knocked on the front door I went to see who it was, he asked me what I was going to do with the property. I informed him that I would be letting the property furnished. He told me that his daughter would be interested and could he bring her to see me. Well eventually we agreed a price and so I had a tenant. All was well for about 18 months then one night during the season she informed me that she had been offered a council house so decided to leave but knew someone who wanted the property to rent. I told her I was not happy at letting anyone have the property without first interviewing them, she assured me that all would be well. Stupidly I agreed mainly because I could not get over there for about 3 months. For the first couple of monthe rent was paid O K then all of a sudden, nothing, I eventually had to take him to court ans he did not appear so formal posession was granted. I was out of pocket with rent arrears ans court costs of around £1000. This was in the early 80s. To cut a long story short, the first time I went to visit the property was in September, I had just had my dinner at my Mothers when there was a knock on the door. It was the gas man he asked me if I had anything to do with 33 the property I had. I told him I was the owner, he said he wanted to gain access to read the gas meter. I walked down with him and told him that I was owed a lot of money, there were several catalogue demands for money. He went in and the first thing he said to me was that he thought the windows were frosted glass, then he could see that it was just filth. He eventually looked round, read the meter and said something that surprised me. " This man is not going to get away with this, I will make sure that when we find him, and we will because he will need gas or electricity wherever he goes, you will be given his address." I naturally didn't expect to hear anymore but my Mother rang me up several weeks later with the address of the man. He was now living in Boston. I contacted my solicitor, I managed to get about £25 off him then nothing. I decided to leave the debt on the books just in case he ever won the pools. The Lottery was not then conceived. Well after the dabble into rental properties I decided to sell. It was on the market for several weeks, but to be honest the place was in such a state. It cost me £50 to have the place cleared of furniture and carpets. One day out of the blue, I was at my Mothers, I used to go once a week in the winter months, she told me that a couple from over ther road asked her if I would consider renting out the property to her daughter becuse she had to move out of her rented accommodation as there was a compulsory purchase on it. My Mother informed them that almost certainly I would not but if her daughter came to see me then I could tell her myself.
The next week the daughter came to see me, asked if she could view the property, said it was just what they wanted, 3 bedrooms and they would be happy to clean the place as long as they could rent it. I told her that I was not prepared to rent the property but I was perepared to let her and her husband purchase the property, I being the guarantor and the rent they would normally pay would be the mortgage. I told her to inform her husband that I would give a favourable fixed interest of 4% per annum. The rates around then were about 9%. I gave her my phone number and told her that if she agreed, I would then arrange for both parties to go to my solicitor and draw up the contract. Her husband readily agreed and so we went to my solicitor. He tried to talk me into getting a better deal, I informed him that I was satified and that the mortgage would commence 2 weeks from the signing of the contract. The 2 weeks was to give them time to make the property habitable. My solicitor did, however insist that before they signed he would want proof that they had taken out an insurance policy covering either party if one of them died.
When all was done, Joan and John were so greatful and could not stop grovelling, I told them that I was happy to get rid of the property.
Her parents, who incidentally were very very nice, quiet reserved people, came over the road to see my Mother, they asked if I would go over and see them. When my Mother told me, I knew what was going to happen. I said to my Mam, that I did not wish to go but she insisted that I did. So over the road we went, I knocked on the door. I thought they were going to kiss my feet. They invited us in and asked if we would have a glass od sherry with them. I was about to say no when my Mother nudged me, so I politely said yes please. For the second time a bottle of sherry was opened especially for us, once again a decent quality of sherry. The mother did the talking stating that they all would be eternally greatful as Joan and John would never ever be able to afford a property under normal circumstances. I just told both that I was only to happy to get the property off my hands and this way helped 2 people.
These two insisted in calling me Mr as Joan and John did, I said I prefered to be called by my christian name, but they thought I was a cut above them. This was nonsense of course.
The final outcome was that about 3 years later Joan's husband John who was along distance lorry driver collapsed and died in one of the service stations. Her solicitor told her that although she had the money from the insurance, he suggested that she put the money in a Building Society and get more interest than what she was being charged. She told me that she sent the solicitor away with a flea in his ear as I had been goodness itself to her.
A few weeks later she was diagnosed with angina and sold the property to live with here eldest daughter. Sorry if it has been a bore.
Monday 18 October 2010
Glass of sherry part 1.
For the next two blogs, I will tell you how I was given a glass of sherry.
My parents lived in the same town as me but as my father was about to retire, they decided to return to their home town. Within a week he unfortunately had died, so sudden it was but it was the way for him to go, however my mother was devastated. Well about a month after he died she asked me if I could go to the local bank in my town and get my late fathers money out of the bank. I of course told her I would go to the bank and see what I could do.
I duly made an appointment to see the Bank Manager, on the appointed day I arrived and the Manager met me and invited me into his office. The next thing startled me, he said,"At last we meet, I have been waiting for so long to meet you, I have heard so much about you." Seeing I was at a loss he then informed me that his son worked for me and had often talked about the place and things that happened. I then informed him that his son only told me that he worked in a bank, not that he was the Manager. He then asked me to call him Harold, I naturally told him to call me by my christian name. He then enquired what I wished to see him about. I informed him that my late father had an account with his bank, a sum of about £95. I then asked him if I could withdraw the sum for my mother. He told me that this was not the usual way to do it but as he more or less knew me through his son said that he would arrange it there and then. He went to the door asked someone to come in. I gave him the passbook and he left. Harold then said to me,"Let's have a glass of sherry." I was surprised but agreed, he went to his safe, unlocked it and bought out a bottle of sherry. I can assure you it was not the cheap stuff, also it was unopened. He broke the seal and proceeded to get two glasses and pour a generous portion to both glasses. We passed the next 10 minutes or so talking pleasantries, eventually the man who had the passbook knocked on the door, was invited in and handed the book and contents to me. He then left and Harold and I spent a further few minutes together before I made my excuse and left, never to go into that bank again. I still smile when I think of it. Most people who are offered a glass of sherry are asking for a loan of large proportions, here was I asking to close an account. I can assure you that this was true. I have, today my best friend here for a few days with his wife. I only today told him the story. He found it incredible. The next time I was offered a glass of sherry was totally different. It is a long story which I hope to tell tomorrow.
My parents lived in the same town as me but as my father was about to retire, they decided to return to their home town. Within a week he unfortunately had died, so sudden it was but it was the way for him to go, however my mother was devastated. Well about a month after he died she asked me if I could go to the local bank in my town and get my late fathers money out of the bank. I of course told her I would go to the bank and see what I could do.
I duly made an appointment to see the Bank Manager, on the appointed day I arrived and the Manager met me and invited me into his office. The next thing startled me, he said,"At last we meet, I have been waiting for so long to meet you, I have heard so much about you." Seeing I was at a loss he then informed me that his son worked for me and had often talked about the place and things that happened. I then informed him that his son only told me that he worked in a bank, not that he was the Manager. He then asked me to call him Harold, I naturally told him to call me by my christian name. He then enquired what I wished to see him about. I informed him that my late father had an account with his bank, a sum of about £95. I then asked him if I could withdraw the sum for my mother. He told me that this was not the usual way to do it but as he more or less knew me through his son said that he would arrange it there and then. He went to the door asked someone to come in. I gave him the passbook and he left. Harold then said to me,"Let's have a glass of sherry." I was surprised but agreed, he went to his safe, unlocked it and bought out a bottle of sherry. I can assure you it was not the cheap stuff, also it was unopened. He broke the seal and proceeded to get two glasses and pour a generous portion to both glasses. We passed the next 10 minutes or so talking pleasantries, eventually the man who had the passbook knocked on the door, was invited in and handed the book and contents to me. He then left and Harold and I spent a further few minutes together before I made my excuse and left, never to go into that bank again. I still smile when I think of it. Most people who are offered a glass of sherry are asking for a loan of large proportions, here was I asking to close an account. I can assure you that this was true. I have, today my best friend here for a few days with his wife. I only today told him the story. He found it incredible. The next time I was offered a glass of sherry was totally different. It is a long story which I hope to tell tomorrow.
Friday 15 October 2010
Unpleasant surprise
I didn't mention it yesterday but something unpleasant happened.
I had just dished up my main meal, pork chop with apple sauce, potatoes, runner beans and marrow, when the phone rang. I thought sod it, had I started to eat I would have ignored it but as I had just dished up I decided to answer it. A voice on the other end asked to speak to me, I told the man I was the person. He then asked me some security questions which I answered correctly. I then told him to stop for a minute as I was going to put my meal in the oven.
Then the questioning started. Well first he asked me if I had ordered a ticket for the cinema. I told him I had not. He then told me that he thought my credit card had been compromised. I was amazed and told him so. I informed him that I had not used my card for about 3 months, and then I only occasionally use it. He then asked me several questions regarding purchases, to be honest I could not remember most of them. One was about a sports shop in USA another was a grocery store in China and the final one was for another cinema ticket in I think London. I told him that I had authorised no transactions of that nature. He then informed me that they would be contacting the police. He went on to say, they expected some sort of fraud was attempted as they noticed I did not use my card too often. He also told me that I was not liable for any expense and that the only product that had been authorised was the first cinema ticket. All the rest had been declined. He then asked me to destroy the card and a replacement would be sent out in about 3 weeks.
What disappoints me is this. I am careful with any invoice and old ones are put through a cross shredder, I always take my name and address off any mail and shred them. I try to leave nothing that is of use to anybody. I mentioned that I tried to be careful to the man from the credit card company. He just informed me that they were getting more and more professional at this sort of thing. Oh well, have a nice week end. More soon.
I had just dished up my main meal, pork chop with apple sauce, potatoes, runner beans and marrow, when the phone rang. I thought sod it, had I started to eat I would have ignored it but as I had just dished up I decided to answer it. A voice on the other end asked to speak to me, I told the man I was the person. He then asked me some security questions which I answered correctly. I then told him to stop for a minute as I was going to put my meal in the oven.
Then the questioning started. Well first he asked me if I had ordered a ticket for the cinema. I told him I had not. He then told me that he thought my credit card had been compromised. I was amazed and told him so. I informed him that I had not used my card for about 3 months, and then I only occasionally use it. He then asked me several questions regarding purchases, to be honest I could not remember most of them. One was about a sports shop in USA another was a grocery store in China and the final one was for another cinema ticket in I think London. I told him that I had authorised no transactions of that nature. He then informed me that they would be contacting the police. He went on to say, they expected some sort of fraud was attempted as they noticed I did not use my card too often. He also told me that I was not liable for any expense and that the only product that had been authorised was the first cinema ticket. All the rest had been declined. He then asked me to destroy the card and a replacement would be sent out in about 3 weeks.
What disappoints me is this. I am careful with any invoice and old ones are put through a cross shredder, I always take my name and address off any mail and shred them. I try to leave nothing that is of use to anybody. I mentioned that I tried to be careful to the man from the credit card company. He just informed me that they were getting more and more professional at this sort of thing. Oh well, have a nice week end. More soon.
Thursday 14 October 2010
Poor weather
Over the last few days the weather has been dull and cool. Living on the east coast it is also breezy. I was therefore surprised when I took a cloer look at my tomatoes, primarily in the polytunnel. I think I mentioned it but I had a tomato grow in the corner of my polytunnel, I do not know how it got there but decided to let it grow. I did not stake it up or bother with it until it started to show signs of flowering. I then watered it regular. It certainly had lots of tomatoes on it and today, I picked over 1 kg off the plant. All ripe and there are plenty of green ones on so if the weather stays good, more will be picked. Unfortunately for me, they are not the type as I have dentures and the seeds get under my plate. I grow plum tomatoes, they have very few seeds inside them. Generally they are grown for making pasta sauce.
I grow a few cherry tomatoes and I knew that I had several ready so I decided to take a few round to my neighbour. She was pleased and insisted I had another lot of eggs. I then asked her if the pigeon racing season was over. She confirmed that it was over and that her partner had arranged for somebody to dispose of a lot of birds. I only suggested that perhaps they could put them in an auction. I just thought what a waste.
I am still getting the odd runner bean and I mean odd. Today I picked 4, there are a few more on and weather permitting will get another feed or two. I also went tonight to pick a few beetroot, I have done well with them but the late setting was not really a success. Still I have had a taste. More soon.
I grow a few cherry tomatoes and I knew that I had several ready so I decided to take a few round to my neighbour. She was pleased and insisted I had another lot of eggs. I then asked her if the pigeon racing season was over. She confirmed that it was over and that her partner had arranged for somebody to dispose of a lot of birds. I only suggested that perhaps they could put them in an auction. I just thought what a waste.
I am still getting the odd runner bean and I mean odd. Today I picked 4, there are a few more on and weather permitting will get another feed or two. I also went tonight to pick a few beetroot, I have done well with them but the late setting was not really a success. Still I have had a taste. More soon.
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Short of steam
This is really for a guy who is interested in Railways.
As anyone who has read my blog knows that I used to work on the British Railways, and to be honest a very very happy time of my life.
These two stories are completely true. I am not hiding anything at all but being short of steam was a stigma on one's ability.
I was with a regular driver who was a great guy, we had been rostered together for several months on what was called the iron stone run. We used to go about 5 miles up the main line and pick up our goods train. This consisted of 27 27ton wagons. This was the maximum load as it was a loose coupling(no brakes on the wagons) and stopping was the reason for the restriction of the load. Well we used to go along the main line till we got to a branch line to Boston, Louth and then Immingham. We never went there though. We used to go about half way and then change over, we would have about 50 empty wagons and the Immingham crew would then take the iron ore to Appleby Froddingham. Well this night we had gone to Louth and then waited for ages for the men with the empties to arrive. When they did, we saw what engine number it was so we knew we were in for a tricky journey home. The men got off as soon as they could and off they went. I looked in the firebox, said to my mate Billy." F**k me Billy we are in trouble, just look at the state of this fire." He took one look and then said to me. "Can you get us to the next signalbox." I assured him that if he took it steady I would make sure we would get there. He stopped at the signalbox and went to see the signalman and asked him to get in touch with control. They were the men who were supposed to make sure all went smoothly. Eventually he came back, while he was gone I did a little cleaning of the clinkers in the firebox. He got on the footplate and said to me."Well that's told them. I told them the state of the firebox and that it was impossible to continue without doing some cleaning of the firebox. Control asked me what number the Loco was and if it was 63923. I told him guess again and you are wrong." I laughed and he could see I had been busy. He asked me if I could get to Boston. I said I could but then must clean the fire a lot more. He told me that he had informed Control that this was going to be my objective. Well we eventually arrived at Boston. While my Driver was getting water into the tank, I was cleaning out the fire. Eventually we started out and limped home to Grantham. Nothing was ever mentioned about the incident ever.
The second time was different. We had a job where we signed on at 5.00m and prepared the steam engine, then went with 5 coaches to Newark as empty coaching stock. only to start back to Grantham as the Parly leaving Newark at 7.30am. Well when I looked at the fire, it was almost out, we had next to no steam, my driver, who was not my regular driver went mad. I told him not to worry, I would manage as I had been a fireman then for about 7 years. We eventually got to Newark and I will admit we were struggling for steam but I knew that I had just about got it all under control. Roger, the Driver looked at me looked in the firebox and told me to put a lot more coal on. I told him no, leave it to me and all will be O K. He then went stupid and ordered me to put more coal on. I looked at him and just said. " On your head be it, you have now completely f****d the fire up. We will now not get to Grantham without being short of steam and I hope you are satisfied. I hold you completely responsible for this," Needless to say we stopped about 5 miles short of Grantham. When we arrived at Grantham. another engine backed on , this was the normal way. The train then proceeded to London. We went into the loco. My driver immediately went to the loco foreman's office. The foreman came out to see me. I then told him everything that had happened. He just said to me."O.K I will say it is a lot of bad coal." Again nothing was ever said about it.
Footnote though, I was informed a few weeks later, the tannoy system went into overdrive that morning we were late. The annoucer informed all the passengers who were waiting that there would be a delay as the engine was short of steam. Such is life.
Finally the days of steam, when we went to King's Cross or York to that matter. the train always had 13 coaches on. Now with the advent of electric. 10 coaches are the norm . Is this progress?
Yes times are quicker now but there have been several improvements in tracks too. We had the fastest train from London. It was the White Rose. King's Cross to Grantham 105 miles in 100 minutes. Most were 105 minutes maximum and going through Peterborough was a speed limit if 20mph. Oh well more another day.
As anyone who has read my blog knows that I used to work on the British Railways, and to be honest a very very happy time of my life.
These two stories are completely true. I am not hiding anything at all but being short of steam was a stigma on one's ability.
I was with a regular driver who was a great guy, we had been rostered together for several months on what was called the iron stone run. We used to go about 5 miles up the main line and pick up our goods train. This consisted of 27 27ton wagons. This was the maximum load as it was a loose coupling(no brakes on the wagons) and stopping was the reason for the restriction of the load. Well we used to go along the main line till we got to a branch line to Boston, Louth and then Immingham. We never went there though. We used to go about half way and then change over, we would have about 50 empty wagons and the Immingham crew would then take the iron ore to Appleby Froddingham. Well this night we had gone to Louth and then waited for ages for the men with the empties to arrive. When they did, we saw what engine number it was so we knew we were in for a tricky journey home. The men got off as soon as they could and off they went. I looked in the firebox, said to my mate Billy." F**k me Billy we are in trouble, just look at the state of this fire." He took one look and then said to me. "Can you get us to the next signalbox." I assured him that if he took it steady I would make sure we would get there. He stopped at the signalbox and went to see the signalman and asked him to get in touch with control. They were the men who were supposed to make sure all went smoothly. Eventually he came back, while he was gone I did a little cleaning of the clinkers in the firebox. He got on the footplate and said to me."Well that's told them. I told them the state of the firebox and that it was impossible to continue without doing some cleaning of the firebox. Control asked me what number the Loco was and if it was 63923. I told him guess again and you are wrong." I laughed and he could see I had been busy. He asked me if I could get to Boston. I said I could but then must clean the fire a lot more. He told me that he had informed Control that this was going to be my objective. Well we eventually arrived at Boston. While my Driver was getting water into the tank, I was cleaning out the fire. Eventually we started out and limped home to Grantham. Nothing was ever mentioned about the incident ever.
The second time was different. We had a job where we signed on at 5.00m and prepared the steam engine, then went with 5 coaches to Newark as empty coaching stock. only to start back to Grantham as the Parly leaving Newark at 7.30am. Well when I looked at the fire, it was almost out, we had next to no steam, my driver, who was not my regular driver went mad. I told him not to worry, I would manage as I had been a fireman then for about 7 years. We eventually got to Newark and I will admit we were struggling for steam but I knew that I had just about got it all under control. Roger, the Driver looked at me looked in the firebox and told me to put a lot more coal on. I told him no, leave it to me and all will be O K. He then went stupid and ordered me to put more coal on. I looked at him and just said. " On your head be it, you have now completely f****d the fire up. We will now not get to Grantham without being short of steam and I hope you are satisfied. I hold you completely responsible for this," Needless to say we stopped about 5 miles short of Grantham. When we arrived at Grantham. another engine backed on , this was the normal way. The train then proceeded to London. We went into the loco. My driver immediately went to the loco foreman's office. The foreman came out to see me. I then told him everything that had happened. He just said to me."O.K I will say it is a lot of bad coal." Again nothing was ever said about it.
Footnote though, I was informed a few weeks later, the tannoy system went into overdrive that morning we were late. The annoucer informed all the passengers who were waiting that there would be a delay as the engine was short of steam. Such is life.
Finally the days of steam, when we went to King's Cross or York to that matter. the train always had 13 coaches on. Now with the advent of electric. 10 coaches are the norm . Is this progress?
Yes times are quicker now but there have been several improvements in tracks too. We had the fastest train from London. It was the White Rose. King's Cross to Grantham 105 miles in 100 minutes. Most were 105 minutes maximum and going through Peterborough was a speed limit if 20mph. Oh well more another day.
Tuesday 12 October 2010
Driving
As mentioned in my last blog, I now tell all how I got my driving licence.
All who live in the U.K. and are over 70 will know that everyone had to do National Service as soon as they reached 18 years of age. I say everyone, not quite correct as firstly a deferment could be arranged for apprentices until they had qualified so they went into the forces at 20. 5 years was the norm for plumbers, electricians joiners etc. So they were aged 20 when they did their N.S. There was also what is called a reserved occupation. This was in general Miners, who worked on the coal pits and Railwaymen which I was one. Unfortunately for me there was a special dispensation that meant all railway lads who attained 18 had to go into the forces for 2 years. Just my luck, about 8 months later, war was declared on Egypt over the Suez Canal and all recruitment from the Railway was halted, never to be reintroduced again. However about 4 years later conscription was abolished.
Now to me and the forces. I had to go for an induction, was asked what service I wished to serve. I wished the RAF. I was given the Army, asked for a home or overseas posting, I requested a home posting. Finished up in Hong Kong. Asked also what profession I would like to persue, I replied the railway in the Armed Services. I was sent to do Field Engineering. What that was I had no idea.
Well I was sent a rail warrant to appear at Worcester on I think 13th October. I duly arrived, it was nice there but it was just a holding depot, after 14 days I was sent with lots of other lads to Aldershot. A proper garrison town. We would be there for 13 weeks basic training and we would be taught how to drive a lorry. A so called 3 ton lorry. I think it was commonly known as a Bedford bull nose. We were allotted an NCO each and had to be taught from scratch. I had never sat in front of a car let alone a lorry. It was strange to me and to be honest hated almost every minute of it.
First I spent a lesson being taught where everything was and how it worked. I must tell you drvers now that the old lorries had to be what was called double de-clutched. That was after you put it in gear and started moving, when you wanted to change gear, up or down you first had to dip the clutch put the gear lever in neutral again dip the clutch and select the gear you needed then engaged gear and lift the clutch. You must not attempt to change down from 2nd to first gear as it was not possible to do so. It may sound hard but it isn't really and one soon got used to it.
There were 4 routes and we had to pass each route before we could progress to the next route.
Route 1 consisted of getting in the lorry, starting it getting it in gear and then get it moving changing up to second gear but no higher. This was done on an oval shaped piece of ground about the size of a football pitch, there were several oil drums making sure that you kept to a reasonably straight line.
When your tutor was satisfied, you moved on to route 2. This was in general going through sort of scrub land with several tracks, you did however go on a piece of public road for about 50 metres. This route was to teach us how to use the gears, how to steer and how to miss pot holes. I make it sound easy but we only had about a 2 hour session at most.
Eventually I progressed to route 3, this was through the local villages, yes there were country roads but the traffic was very sparse. Unfortunately my tutor was taken ill and so for a few days just did nothing at all. I eventually was seconded to another NCO. this was not a lot better as his vehicle kept breaking down. I never progressed from route 3.
Route 4 was going along the main A road into Reading driving through the main thoroughfare.
Once you had passed that you was given a proper driving test by civillian Driving Examiner who passed you if he thought you was a competent driver.
Well I did not know this, but those who did not pass route 3 was deemed to have failed the course. I do not know what should have happened to me but somebody must have noticed that I had lost so much time being taught by no fault of mine that they decided to leave me where I was.
I was duly sent home on Embarkation leave, went to Barton Stacy and then to Southampton, where I went on thr troopship Empire Fowey, which was incidentally a German luxury liner, confiscated duting the war and converted to a troopship. We were on our way to Hong Kong. I guess we were fortunate that our new C.O. was also travellig on the same ship, he arranged for us R.Es (Royal Engineers) to go upon the bridge where the Captain informed us that this was indeed a most modern ship and it did not have a wheel but just buttons. He pressed on and we went to port, then another and to starboard.
Enough of this though. We eventually arrived in Hong Kong, finised up on the mainland and off to the New Territories. We were about 40km from Kowloon the mainland capital.
Well after getting settled in I was given a driver to go with. He was a great lad from Manchester, he taught me lots. We now had a Bedford QL. These had a gear lever to the left and rear of you, so you could not look to see where the gear stick was you had to feel for it. After a while all was O K. I was with him for about 3 months and his time came for him to go home to England as his 2 years N.S. was about up. I was then given a tipper lorry. I was not allowed to drive but given a supervisor he drove I think you would call it a catterpillar He admitted that he was useless at driving lorries. He would be at home on a grader and things like that.
I was just lucky, one night in late autumn after heavy rains a road had been partially washed away, well to be more precise, much of the infestructure. I was immediately summoned and told that I had to go with my tipper to help out and that my supervisor would accompany me.
Off we went to somewhere I would never find again but we were there for about 5 days. All I did was drive to a quarry, have my tipper filled up with rubble drive down to where the rubble needed tipping, reverse, tip and go back and repeat the operation. I must have done the trip, at least 30 times when this officer said to my supervisor. "I will go with him this time." I just though he wanted to see what we were doing. Anyway I went down as usual and did my normal thing, when I got back, my supervisor was waiting and the officer just said to him "You can go back now I am giving him a licence." He just turned to me and said "Keep well into the side" He then left and that believe it or not was how I got my driving licence.
All I had to do was get a clerk who worked in the admin offices to give me a form stating that I was a qualified driver, I then could send to the Ministry of Transport and apply for a full British Driving Licence. This I did a couple of years later. To be honest I was not really capable of driving for quite some time. Driving a large lorry to a small car was totally different.
Well so now you know how I managed to get my driving licence. It is the truth. More soon.
All who live in the U.K. and are over 70 will know that everyone had to do National Service as soon as they reached 18 years of age. I say everyone, not quite correct as firstly a deferment could be arranged for apprentices until they had qualified so they went into the forces at 20. 5 years was the norm for plumbers, electricians joiners etc. So they were aged 20 when they did their N.S. There was also what is called a reserved occupation. This was in general Miners, who worked on the coal pits and Railwaymen which I was one. Unfortunately for me there was a special dispensation that meant all railway lads who attained 18 had to go into the forces for 2 years. Just my luck, about 8 months later, war was declared on Egypt over the Suez Canal and all recruitment from the Railway was halted, never to be reintroduced again. However about 4 years later conscription was abolished.
Now to me and the forces. I had to go for an induction, was asked what service I wished to serve. I wished the RAF. I was given the Army, asked for a home or overseas posting, I requested a home posting. Finished up in Hong Kong. Asked also what profession I would like to persue, I replied the railway in the Armed Services. I was sent to do Field Engineering. What that was I had no idea.
Well I was sent a rail warrant to appear at Worcester on I think 13th October. I duly arrived, it was nice there but it was just a holding depot, after 14 days I was sent with lots of other lads to Aldershot. A proper garrison town. We would be there for 13 weeks basic training and we would be taught how to drive a lorry. A so called 3 ton lorry. I think it was commonly known as a Bedford bull nose. We were allotted an NCO each and had to be taught from scratch. I had never sat in front of a car let alone a lorry. It was strange to me and to be honest hated almost every minute of it.
First I spent a lesson being taught where everything was and how it worked. I must tell you drvers now that the old lorries had to be what was called double de-clutched. That was after you put it in gear and started moving, when you wanted to change gear, up or down you first had to dip the clutch put the gear lever in neutral again dip the clutch and select the gear you needed then engaged gear and lift the clutch. You must not attempt to change down from 2nd to first gear as it was not possible to do so. It may sound hard but it isn't really and one soon got used to it.
There were 4 routes and we had to pass each route before we could progress to the next route.
Route 1 consisted of getting in the lorry, starting it getting it in gear and then get it moving changing up to second gear but no higher. This was done on an oval shaped piece of ground about the size of a football pitch, there were several oil drums making sure that you kept to a reasonably straight line.
When your tutor was satisfied, you moved on to route 2. This was in general going through sort of scrub land with several tracks, you did however go on a piece of public road for about 50 metres. This route was to teach us how to use the gears, how to steer and how to miss pot holes. I make it sound easy but we only had about a 2 hour session at most.
Eventually I progressed to route 3, this was through the local villages, yes there were country roads but the traffic was very sparse. Unfortunately my tutor was taken ill and so for a few days just did nothing at all. I eventually was seconded to another NCO. this was not a lot better as his vehicle kept breaking down. I never progressed from route 3.
Route 4 was going along the main A road into Reading driving through the main thoroughfare.
Once you had passed that you was given a proper driving test by civillian Driving Examiner who passed you if he thought you was a competent driver.
Well I did not know this, but those who did not pass route 3 was deemed to have failed the course. I do not know what should have happened to me but somebody must have noticed that I had lost so much time being taught by no fault of mine that they decided to leave me where I was.
I was duly sent home on Embarkation leave, went to Barton Stacy and then to Southampton, where I went on thr troopship Empire Fowey, which was incidentally a German luxury liner, confiscated duting the war and converted to a troopship. We were on our way to Hong Kong. I guess we were fortunate that our new C.O. was also travellig on the same ship, he arranged for us R.Es (Royal Engineers) to go upon the bridge where the Captain informed us that this was indeed a most modern ship and it did not have a wheel but just buttons. He pressed on and we went to port, then another and to starboard.
Enough of this though. We eventually arrived in Hong Kong, finised up on the mainland and off to the New Territories. We were about 40km from Kowloon the mainland capital.
Well after getting settled in I was given a driver to go with. He was a great lad from Manchester, he taught me lots. We now had a Bedford QL. These had a gear lever to the left and rear of you, so you could not look to see where the gear stick was you had to feel for it. After a while all was O K. I was with him for about 3 months and his time came for him to go home to England as his 2 years N.S. was about up. I was then given a tipper lorry. I was not allowed to drive but given a supervisor he drove I think you would call it a catterpillar He admitted that he was useless at driving lorries. He would be at home on a grader and things like that.
I was just lucky, one night in late autumn after heavy rains a road had been partially washed away, well to be more precise, much of the infestructure. I was immediately summoned and told that I had to go with my tipper to help out and that my supervisor would accompany me.
Off we went to somewhere I would never find again but we were there for about 5 days. All I did was drive to a quarry, have my tipper filled up with rubble drive down to where the rubble needed tipping, reverse, tip and go back and repeat the operation. I must have done the trip, at least 30 times when this officer said to my supervisor. "I will go with him this time." I just though he wanted to see what we were doing. Anyway I went down as usual and did my normal thing, when I got back, my supervisor was waiting and the officer just said to him "You can go back now I am giving him a licence." He just turned to me and said "Keep well into the side" He then left and that believe it or not was how I got my driving licence.
All I had to do was get a clerk who worked in the admin offices to give me a form stating that I was a qualified driver, I then could send to the Ministry of Transport and apply for a full British Driving Licence. This I did a couple of years later. To be honest I was not really capable of driving for quite some time. Driving a large lorry to a small car was totally different.
Well so now you know how I managed to get my driving licence. It is the truth. More soon.
Monday 11 October 2010
Footnote.
I forgot to mention it. As I have mentioned it before, I have been cleaning my driveway which is block paved. I have a tool that has a sortof wire brush, just wide enough to go between the gaps of the block paving. Well I guess I have worked too hard, I wondered what was wrong when the moss and weeds were not being removed. I looked at this tool and I had worn the wire bristles down to nothing at all. I will, if I remember take a photo to show the brittleless tool. Eventually must get another one as I have about 10% of my driveway to finish.
Something different
Today I will tell you something different. As all will know, well those who read my blog, if there are any regular readers, I usde to have my own business. The last of these was quite different to my other one. This was more relaxing, the only drawback was that being 7 days a week in the summer months it was also a long day. I was well over 55 when I started. I used to get up at the kiosk about 8.30am.It took the best part of 30 minutes to get there from home, I used to leave anywhere from 5.30pm to about 6.30pm. So by the time I got home, the day was over and ir was soon to think about sleep.
I certainly enjoyed working up there though. On more than one occasion, I would get up at about 5.00am have a shower and something to eat then go into the garden and look after my vegetables, flowers and get rid of the weeds. Sometimes I would get carried away and forget the time so would have to move sharply to get opened. I would sometimes forget to shave. If anybody asked me I just said it was designer stubble.
I guess that the last year I was there I realised that it was time to move on. I had 2 such occasions that made my mind up for me. The first was when a few young boys came up to me and asked me if I had any skittles. I looked at them and thought for a moment then suggested that surely they could make some skittles to have some sort of game. They were all about 10 and very nice, pointing out that skittles were a sort of sweet. I laughed and thanked them so much for informing me.
The second was different. This woman came into the kiosk and asked me if I had any fishing nets. I replied that indeed I had they were 75 pence each and if they did not serve their purpose then her money would be returned. The woman looked a little peeved and told me that the shop down the road was selling them for 49 pence. I naturally informed her that it looked as if she would have to go back to the shop down the road. The reply was not what I expected. Her actual reply was this. "Well he says they are 49 pence each but he hasn't got any left. I immediately replied "Well my dear if I had none left mine would have been 40 pence each." Anyway she eventually bought a fishing net for her grandchild. I thought it was not good of me to say a remark to her like that, although at the time I was quite pleased that I thought of a retort like that. I think tomorrow I will talk about how I got my driving licence.
I certainly enjoyed working up there though. On more than one occasion, I would get up at about 5.00am have a shower and something to eat then go into the garden and look after my vegetables, flowers and get rid of the weeds. Sometimes I would get carried away and forget the time so would have to move sharply to get opened. I would sometimes forget to shave. If anybody asked me I just said it was designer stubble.
I guess that the last year I was there I realised that it was time to move on. I had 2 such occasions that made my mind up for me. The first was when a few young boys came up to me and asked me if I had any skittles. I looked at them and thought for a moment then suggested that surely they could make some skittles to have some sort of game. They were all about 10 and very nice, pointing out that skittles were a sort of sweet. I laughed and thanked them so much for informing me.
The second was different. This woman came into the kiosk and asked me if I had any fishing nets. I replied that indeed I had they were 75 pence each and if they did not serve their purpose then her money would be returned. The woman looked a little peeved and told me that the shop down the road was selling them for 49 pence. I naturally informed her that it looked as if she would have to go back to the shop down the road. The reply was not what I expected. Her actual reply was this. "Well he says they are 49 pence each but he hasn't got any left. I immediately replied "Well my dear if I had none left mine would have been 40 pence each." Anyway she eventually bought a fishing net for her grandchild. I thought it was not good of me to say a remark to her like that, although at the time I was quite pleased that I thought of a retort like that. I think tomorrow I will talk about how I got my driving licence.
Thursday 7 October 2010
Lovely day
Today has been one of the nicest days in ages, warm and sunny, the temperature around 21c much higher than the average for early October. Unfortunately I did not have much time to enjoy the weather. First my friend came and eventually sorted the flue on the gas fire. Well we think we have cured it. This took us about 2 hours. I think I mentioned it but if not, well here it is again. A couple of days ago my clock which is battery operated started to lose time. I naturally thought it was the battery that was getting low. I changed it but the same thing happened. I then changed the battery for a third time, just in case it was a faulty battery. No joy at all. In fact the clock just stopped altogether. My friend took a look and thought the internal mechanism had ceased to function, but thought a replacement interior could be bought. I hope so as it was bought by my 2 sisters as a house warming over 17 years ago. I have looked after it with loving care ever since. My friend remarked how pristine it looked.
This morning I turned my radio on. God almighty what a noise. I always have a daily news programme on, this was on full volume and nothing like my news channel. I tried in vain to change the channel but to no avail. It is a digital radio with several pre set channels. This has happened before but not to the extent that it was impossible to alter the channel at all. I bought it about 4 years ago from Lydl, it is a smart looking radio. I hope that something can be done. We live in hopes. It will be at least 14 days before I will know.
After an early lunch my friend left because he knew I had an appointment to have my flu jab. It was at 2.17pm in the local village about 10 minutes away. I duly arrived at the new venue. We have never been there before, and I was about 10 minutes early. I saw first a woman who I see regular at the surgery, she had a few words with me and informed me that the flu jab included swine flu too. Then I registered with a young woman and was then greeted by another woman who told me to see the nurse who was waiting. I of course knew her well, again we had a few words and I told her this was the best organised flu jab I had ever been on. She was pleased. After the jab I asked her where to go. I was surprised when she told me to go into the next room where tea and coffee was being served. I didn't believe her for one minute but to my surprise several people were in fact drinking and there was a large plate of assorted biscuits. I did not stay though but went out straight away. By the time I was in my car starting to go back home the time was just 2.17. The time I should have had my jab. I found it almost unbelievable as each year until this year the queues would be about 40 deep and out in the open and the time between arriving and having the flu jab would be in excess of 30 minutes. I used to call it a cattle market. This was brilliant. I hope that next year will be equally as good.
As the weather was so nice, prior to going for my flu jab I decided to put my washing machine on thinking that when I got home, it would be ready to peg out. I actually had to wait for about 30 minutes, they did not dry completely but enough to iron my tea towel and a few odds and ends. I changed my bed too hoping that the weather would be good tomorrow. Unfortunately this is not so, but Saturday and Sunday is promising so I will wait. That is enough of rubbish from me for now. More soon.
This morning I turned my radio on. God almighty what a noise. I always have a daily news programme on, this was on full volume and nothing like my news channel. I tried in vain to change the channel but to no avail. It is a digital radio with several pre set channels. This has happened before but not to the extent that it was impossible to alter the channel at all. I bought it about 4 years ago from Lydl, it is a smart looking radio. I hope that something can be done. We live in hopes. It will be at least 14 days before I will know.
After an early lunch my friend left because he knew I had an appointment to have my flu jab. It was at 2.17pm in the local village about 10 minutes away. I duly arrived at the new venue. We have never been there before, and I was about 10 minutes early. I saw first a woman who I see regular at the surgery, she had a few words with me and informed me that the flu jab included swine flu too. Then I registered with a young woman and was then greeted by another woman who told me to see the nurse who was waiting. I of course knew her well, again we had a few words and I told her this was the best organised flu jab I had ever been on. She was pleased. After the jab I asked her where to go. I was surprised when she told me to go into the next room where tea and coffee was being served. I didn't believe her for one minute but to my surprise several people were in fact drinking and there was a large plate of assorted biscuits. I did not stay though but went out straight away. By the time I was in my car starting to go back home the time was just 2.17. The time I should have had my jab. I found it almost unbelievable as each year until this year the queues would be about 40 deep and out in the open and the time between arriving and having the flu jab would be in excess of 30 minutes. I used to call it a cattle market. This was brilliant. I hope that next year will be equally as good.
As the weather was so nice, prior to going for my flu jab I decided to put my washing machine on thinking that when I got home, it would be ready to peg out. I actually had to wait for about 30 minutes, they did not dry completely but enough to iron my tea towel and a few odds and ends. I changed my bed too hoping that the weather would be good tomorrow. Unfortunately this is not so, but Saturday and Sunday is promising so I will wait. That is enough of rubbish from me for now. More soon.
Wednesday 6 October 2010
This and that
Yesterday was a lovely day and i spent some of the morning cleaning my front driveway which is mainly block paved. Thanks to being in the EEC we are no longer allowed to use Sodium Chlorate which in May this year was banned from use. I tried on several occasions to get some on the web, but all had removed the product well before the May deadline. It is now much harder to clean the paving. generally there is a build up of moss and weeds between the paving. Anyway while I was working, my next door neighbour came to see what I was using. This is a proper wire brush, on a broom type handle, the wire being about wide enough to fit between the gaps of the paving. She was impressed. I mentioned it to her that as she had an petrol driven grass cutter, perhaps her partner could see if there was anything on the web that could fit on her mower. As
I informed her, if it was swept with a mechanical brush there would be no need to clean the paving. This providing it was brushed regular. I then remarked that the block paving on supermarkets and coulcil places were kept clean that way. I then mentioned to her, that if I had my way again I would never have block paving done. She readily agreed and commented that it was labour intensive to keep clean and tidy.
In the afternoon, I ached from doing block paving, I went to pick the cooking apples. I mentioned it before that they were large. I weighed 3 of the larger apples and they weighed 1 kg. Far too large really, I then severely pruned the cooking apple. I have probably mentioned it before , it is a Bramley. This is a cooking apple, something that most on the continent will not be familiar with. It is used only for culinary purposes. Apple pies and crumbles, baked apples and apple sauce. It is perfect for these as they boil down to a fluffy pulp. Well, as most will know I am a diabetic so I can not or I am not supposed to have apple pies or apple crumble with any sugar. bramley apples are very very tart and need sugar. Well I will not have many apples next year. Mind you, they are excellent keepers. This year, I had my last Bramley apple in May, using it for apple sauce to go with pork. They are much sweeter when they have been in store.
Today was wet to start with so nothing was done at all. It did brighten up later and I went out for a short time to do more block paving. I now have about 40% of the driveway comlpeted. Tomorrow though, nothing will be done as my friend will be here hopfully getting my flue cleaned and later I go for a flue jab.
Just a note as to why no blog for a couple of days. Two words. Ryder Cup. It took up all of my spare time mind you it was exciting, it would not have mattered who had won it was a great weekend and more due to the rain. Golf was the winner. Now we wait for another 2 years. I only hope that I am still around to see it. More soon.
I informed her, if it was swept with a mechanical brush there would be no need to clean the paving. This providing it was brushed regular. I then remarked that the block paving on supermarkets and coulcil places were kept clean that way. I then mentioned to her, that if I had my way again I would never have block paving done. She readily agreed and commented that it was labour intensive to keep clean and tidy.
In the afternoon, I ached from doing block paving, I went to pick the cooking apples. I mentioned it before that they were large. I weighed 3 of the larger apples and they weighed 1 kg. Far too large really, I then severely pruned the cooking apple. I have probably mentioned it before , it is a Bramley. This is a cooking apple, something that most on the continent will not be familiar with. It is used only for culinary purposes. Apple pies and crumbles, baked apples and apple sauce. It is perfect for these as they boil down to a fluffy pulp. Well, as most will know I am a diabetic so I can not or I am not supposed to have apple pies or apple crumble with any sugar. bramley apples are very very tart and need sugar. Well I will not have many apples next year. Mind you, they are excellent keepers. This year, I had my last Bramley apple in May, using it for apple sauce to go with pork. They are much sweeter when they have been in store.
Today was wet to start with so nothing was done at all. It did brighten up later and I went out for a short time to do more block paving. I now have about 40% of the driveway comlpeted. Tomorrow though, nothing will be done as my friend will be here hopfully getting my flue cleaned and later I go for a flue jab.
Just a note as to why no blog for a couple of days. Two words. Ryder Cup. It took up all of my spare time mind you it was exciting, it would not have mattered who had won it was a great weekend and more due to the rain. Golf was the winner. Now we wait for another 2 years. I only hope that I am still around to see it. More soon.
Monday 4 October 2010
Quiet times
Not a lot has been happening lately. I did forget to mention it but on Thursday while the gas men were here a robin somehow flew into the bathroom. We managed to open the window and out it went none the worse for it's experience.
In the garden, I have managed to pick and store all of my eating apples. Sunset they are called, supposed to be a northern type of Cox's Orange Pippin. Better suited to the weather. My Bramley apples are huge and I gave some to my next door neighbour, the one who supplies me with eggs. The neighbour on the other side caught hold of me on Saturday informing me that she was going away on holiday and could I inform the postman where to leave her mail. She has no letterbox in her door, can't understand why though. I did manage to see him today and inform him so all will be O k with mail. Incidentally she is going to Australia for 1 month. Missing the poor wet weather we are having.
Contaced my friend tonight arranging for him to look at my gas fire, he will be here on Thursday, I informed him that he must be early morning as early afternoon I have a flu jab. Hope he gets here early Thursday morning, he seems to think it will be an easy job. We will wait and see. As far as I know the central heating is working O K and I was pleased I chose British Gas to install the appliance as it was done to my satisfaction. See what tomorrow brings.
In the garden, I have managed to pick and store all of my eating apples. Sunset they are called, supposed to be a northern type of Cox's Orange Pippin. Better suited to the weather. My Bramley apples are huge and I gave some to my next door neighbour, the one who supplies me with eggs. The neighbour on the other side caught hold of me on Saturday informing me that she was going away on holiday and could I inform the postman where to leave her mail. She has no letterbox in her door, can't understand why though. I did manage to see him today and inform him so all will be O k with mail. Incidentally she is going to Australia for 1 month. Missing the poor wet weather we are having.
Contaced my friend tonight arranging for him to look at my gas fire, he will be here on Thursday, I informed him that he must be early morning as early afternoon I have a flu jab. Hope he gets here early Thursday morning, he seems to think it will be an easy job. We will wait and see. As far as I know the central heating is working O K and I was pleased I chose British Gas to install the appliance as it was done to my satisfaction. See what tomorrow brings.
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