Friday 29 June 2012

Mopping up

Yesterday saw more than 1" of rain in just over 1 hour.
 My Sister rung me from Cromer just before 3.00pm informing me that in Grantham it was dark but dry. Where she was it was nice but breezy. I told her that here it was dull and looked like rain. Within 20 minutes it started. Large spots at first but it gradually got heavier. before 4.00pm thunder started. It didn't stop thundering for about 30 minutes. It was a constant rumble, not too much lightening. I didn't think but really I should have taken photos. The rain was very heavy, the gutterings could not take the volume  and standing water was all over the place. Soon after 5.00pm it ceased. When I eventually managed to venture out, my garden was waterlogged  and water was lying about 3" deep near my back door. My front driveway was also standing in water in places. My drain was partially blocked but eventually I managed to get the water to flow away.
  I was lucky although today, my garden is still under some water, still that is nothing compared to many in our area. What has made the situation worse is the very wet weather the last 2 months.
  Look North is just on about the flooding now. It seems as if Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire were badly hit. I guess we were fortunate here. Let us hope that we will now have more seasonal weather. I feel sorry for the Traders at the Seaside. the weather this year has been very poor. I haven't yet been to see the Couple who took over my business. I really must make an effore in the next week or so. They will tell me just how trade has been so far this year. More soon.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Olympic Torch

Well, that was something to miss I am sure. Well we didn't see a thing at all. The biggest disappointment was that the bus carrying the Olympic Flame  might just have been in a covered wagon. The side windows were blacked out.
  First to go by was a Police Car with Union Jack Flags and flashing lights, no noise thoug. Then there was the blacked out bus and 2 other buses and that was it. My newest neighbour put her head out of the Motorhome and just said to me. "Is that it" I just told her I thought so. I asked if they were going away for a while as the electric had been plugged into the mobile home. She told me they were going away next week for a few days. I did mention to her that it was a pity that the flame did not bother at all as there is an Infants School here. Luckliy enough though the School had arranged for the kiddies to be taken to Mumby, the next village where the Olympic Flame was being displayed.
 All my neighbour said was that we are a forgotten village. I told her this was so, until it came to Taxes, we were then part of the paying system.
 The upheaval has been immense.
 I had a delivery of my medication this afternoon. It was not the regular guy but a nice man all the same. He told me that he went to the local Pharmacy especially early as he knew that the flame was going through Sutton. This would be around 10.00am. He went in at 8.45am. As  you would expect the road was closed. He went to see the local Policeman and told him he had to pick up medication for patients. All the Policeman would say is that the road is closed until after the torch has gone through.  He told me that he had to park a fair way away and then collect the prescription medications. He had to do several trips. On arriving at his Van the last trip. he found he had been blocked in so it took him quite some time to start his round.  Like most of us, we thought that the organisation could have been better
  Still at least we now have approximately 3/4 of a mile of decent road surface and hopefully no more road closures. Mind you, it took the best part of a months closure to get the road repaired. More soon.

Monday 25 June 2012

Old Story

What I write is hard to believe but it is true.
 When I first went into business, I catered for the youngsters more than doing a restaurant style menu.
 It was at this time when I met this old man.
 I used to open daily at 8.00am and close at 10.00pm. My daily routine was as soon as I closed I put the chairs on the tables, swept up then mopped the floor.
  It was one night about 10.30pm while I was standing outside the cafe waiting for the floor to day. It was a Marley tiled harlequin patterned floor. As it was I guess late July. I say this because it was darkish, so the  floor didn't take long to dry.
Anyway this Gentleman came up to me, he would be in his 80s. He asked me if I had any tobacco. I told him unfortunately no, but I did sell cigarrettes and if he wished a packet and I would willingly get him one. He declined my offer. He then told me he was staying with his, either Daughter or Son just a few doors away. Incidentally I knew his Grandson more than his Son/Daughter.
 What he told me next took me by surprise. He told me that he, as a young Man was employed as a Chauffeur. He told me that he asked his Employer if he could get to Lincolnshire as it was his Mother's Birthday the following day. He told me, to his surprise his Boss told him yes and then said he could take the car. This was from London to Mablethorpe, around 160 miles. His Boss reminded him to  make sure that he had enough petrol as there were very few Filling Stations away from London. He told me that he was the FIRST person to drive a car in Mablethorpe. He said lots came to see his motor as it was a novelty in rural Lincolnshire.
  Then he told me something else. He told me that as a youngster the telephone was just becoming available to ordinary people. Not that there were many telephones available. He told me he said to his Mother when he was a young lad. "One day people will not only talk to one another across the oceans but they would be able to see them too." He said all  he got for his troubles was a clip around the ears and was told not to talk bloody rubbish.
  We had about 10 minutes talking and to be honest, I was very interested. Unfortunately I never saw him ever again.  More soon.

Friday 22 June 2012

Summoned

Following my blood tests I was summoned to go to my local Surgery. Mind you it was almost a week before they could  fit me in. In the meantime I went to Hospital for my review. The old Nurse who dealt with these cases has retired so I saw a nice young Nurse. She was very pleasant. I informed her that I had been summoned by my Surgery. She told me that the blood results as far as those concerning her were good.
  Off I went this evening and went to see a Doctor who is now working part time, I like him and he is one of the old crew. He told me I was low in Iron, Ferritin, to be precise. I told him that as the local Butcher's had still not been refurbished since the fire. It was not easy to get Lambs Liver. They have just started io refurbish the premesis. Anyway soon I will be picking broad beans so that will hopefully ease the iron deficiency.
 My Best Pal came to see me yesterday, as today it was a very poor day with more rain than dry periods, no sun either. We had another thunderstorm too. He told me that his caravan neighbour was on the High Street in Sutton when the bolt of lightening struck the Methodist Church.  He said it put the fear of God up him.
 My Pal is going back home for a week or so hoping that the weather will get better. He hopes then to get back here.
  Just heard on the local Television that vegetables will be expensive as they are late and not growing as they should be.  The Farmers say that food prices will increase because of the weather.This gives me some hope as my vegetables are not as they should be. More soon.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Road closed yet again

This morning about 8.30am I set off to go to Louth Outpatients at the Hospital. There was a nice young assistant there and she was helpful. By the way, I was directed to another department and on arrival there was an elderly woman there who was a volunteer. I gave her my name anf jokingly asked her where the tea and coffee was. She told me that she would make me a drink after she found out if I was allowed one. I told her I was pulling her leg and really didn't want a drink. She stopped by me and we talked for several minutes before she went to her place waiting for the next patient. I saw one of the Nurses around and she came over and had a word. When I was called in the first thing the Nurse told me she was sorry to keep me waiting. I informed her that I was early and my appointment was not for another 4 minutes so there was no need to aploogise. All went smoothly and left the car park at 10.10am.
 I decided to go back the way I went but instead of turnig the way to me village I would carry on to Sutton and fill up with fuel, then I could pay the few odd pence I owed them. When I got to the turn off I usually take, there was a sign. I didn't take much notice as there are loads of signs informing one that there will be delays on June 27th, because of the Olympic Torch. Anyway I stopped and pulled in an old bakery. I walked back to read the sign and it read that Sutton was closed on the A52. I then had to go back home the normal way. This was a bind really as the lenght of the road to my turn off to my village has been resurfaced and a speed limit of 20mph. was in force. There were loads of cars, vans and lorries using this road which is only a B road. Anyway I reached my turn off and went to my A52 junction. there in front of me was a sign. Road Closed. However while I was reading this notice a van and a car sped by so I turned onto the main A52 and proceeded to follow them. I guess we had gone no more than 50 yards when there were cones across the road, the van turned off onto a single track road, the car just pulled up to the cones. I recognised the workman who was sitting on a chair reading ignoring all traffic. I got out of my car and i think he recognised me because as soon as I told him that I lived 100 yds up the road he just told me that he would let me through then. As I turned to go to my car, the driver of the red car, a woman asked me if she could get to Mablethorpe this way. Itold her the road was closed and I lived a little way up the road. She then asked me how to get to Mablethorpe. I didn't get chance to answer her. The man shouted. "Follow the diversion signs." The woman told him she had, but I knew this was not true. Anyway I rushed back to my car and noticed another 2 vehicles trying to get through. I was waved through and the others had to turn round. I don't know if the 2 ladies ever got to Mablethorpe.
 When I got in and changed clothes, a habit that was dung into us as kids, as soon as we got home, off with the best clothes and on with the working clothes. Well as soon as I had changes, checked mail and sorted the junk mail I went to put junk mail into the recycle bin. As I went out, there was a workman walking down. I asked him if the road was going to be closed tomorrow. He told me NO. Today they had to finish as the Council had told them to hurry up as the Olympic Torch was coming this way. He then asked me if this was true. I told him what I truly think. I said to him "Do you honestly think that there will be runners from Sutton all the way to here? There are no houses and it is desolate. If there were runners running every bit of the way, it would take weeks to travel through Lincolnshire alone." I told him that I expected to see a load of hangers on travelling on a bus with several other vehicles following. If the torch is carried through our village, which I don't believe is, it will just be where the village is populated. Where I live, there are about 6 houses and then a gap of almost 1/3 mile until you get to the main part of the village. We will wait and see.
 Incidentally, there was no top dressing put on the road, yesterday they remarked the road and today they were reinstating the cats eyes. What I will do one day is try to give a rough measurement of just how long the road replinishment is, because  the road was closed for almost 4 weeks. More soon.

Monday 18 June 2012

Poor weather

Over the week end the weather has been in general poor. On Friday while my Pal was here we had several heavy showers and a thunderstorm. such was the power of the storm that the Methodist Church at Sutton was struck and was set on fire.
  When my Pal was here he told me a story about Walkers Crisps. They had initially informed him that theywould not supply him and his Brother who had a General Goods round  and he must use one of their suppliers. One day he told me he saw a Salesman for Walkers. He asked him why they were not prepared to supply them direct. The Salesman then informed him that if he took 1000 cases then they were prepared to supply them. Reluctantly he agreed to have the 1000 cases. He told me that when the big van arrived it took a while to get them all in his warehouse. I readily agreed with him. This then bought to mind Coca Cola. There was apolicy that discounts were for I thnk 10, 20 30 40 and 50 cases. It was not much I think in old money 3d  discount for each 10 case so 1/3d off for 50 cases. I asked the driver what was the maximum discount. He told me that there was an extra discount for 200 cases but it was only for the independent retailers who in general sold their own pop but carried coco cola as a service. I got on top the Manager at Lincoln depot, He came to see me, he was a well dressed man with a dickie bow. He always wore a dickie whenever he came to see me. The long and short of it was that I was the first to get the discount for 200 cases and they made this rule that anybody who was prepared to purchase 200 cases in one drop could get the maximum discount.
 This would be around 1972. I can remember on more than one occasion in the winter months, there would be a phone call asking me if I required any coca cola. If I said no they would just tell me that they were giving Mablethorpe a miss that month. generally they would deliver once a month in Winter and every 14 days an the Summer Months. More soon.

Friday 15 June 2012

Results

Today my best Pal called to see me, we talk for ages, it is some time since he has managed tio get to see me. When he rang up today, I had the pleasure of telling him that the workmen had finished. Well finished is not the word I would use but for now they havd done what they have needed to do and have left. There are quite a few things to do and I am sure that the road will be closed for at least one more day.
 My Pal was just about to leave when the phone rang. I suggested to him that it would be his wife. It was not but it was the Surgery. I expected some news which was not good. True to my expectations I was informed that the Doctor had received my Blood Test results and they were abnormal and that an appointment would have to be made. The earliest pre booked slot was next Friday at 5.40pm. I made her laugh saying that it was past my bed time, anyway the appointment was made so that next Friday I will be going to the Surgery.
 Earlier this morning I went to see my mate in Skegness, on the  way there were several signs saying that on June 27 the Olympic actions were taking place and delays were to be expected. I mentioned this to my mate and he told me that there were several notices in Town saying several roads would be closed. Let us hope that on June 27th the weather will be better. It has been another poor day weatherwise and tomorrow does not talk of being any better. Still there is always a silver lining. It is that the hose pipe ban has been lifted. More soon.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Scenic Route

Today I went to the Surgery in Mablethorpe. I headed north and the workmen were there, to be honest the road was closed and it was not good to carry on but there were many workmen and one was waving me on. HJust as I got near the tipper decided to unload some of his chippings, I turned in a little but the man sill waved me on. I managed to squeeze by but caught a sign with my wing mirror. It knocked it back so that when I had cleared the workmen I decided to stop and pull the wing mirror back into place. Don't ask me how I did it but got out og the car and trapped my left hand in the door. The pain was quite acute. I was sort of painfully laughing all the way to Mablethorpe.
 When I had booked in the Nurse that I gave the tomato plants to came and saw me. It was nice of her she thanked me of course then we went to the usual subjects that we talk about. Her Grandson, her parrot and dogs. I asked her about my registered Doctor. I hadn't seen him for ages, she then told me I would nopt be seeing him again as he had taken early retirement several months ago. She then told me she had taten her NHS Pension as she was now 62. She told me that she also took her State Pension and had her Bus Pass, incidentally something that I do not posess. She told me she had been with the NHS for 32 years and that her Pension was good. She said that now she only works 3 days a week and looks after her Grandson Thursday and Friday. She told me that she paid tax on the full amount that she earned as a Nurse.Mind you I am not surprised at all.
 Anyway she left and soon enough I was called in to see a nice lookig slim young Nurse. She took my BP which was a little higher than last time but she didn't seem too bothered. I just told her that I felt O.K. After the bloods we shared pleasantries and I left. Called at LIDL for some chicken thighs, a few bananas and bits and bobs. Then went to the locl place where I go regular. The first man I saw was this John who last time commented on my Footplate Overalls. We had 10 minutes chat I got a skimmed milk then went to get my State Pension. Bought my T.V paper and went into the small expensive supermarket, bought some gammon ans a block of Ice Cream. Then to get home. The main road is closed so off I went by the sea road. When I got to Sea Lane turning it told me that it was closed. That didn't surprise me one little bit. I had to travel to the next village and then double back on the main road to where I live. As I approached the homeward stretch. There was a man sitting down with a look of YOU WILL NOT PROCEED FURTHER. I got out of my car, went to him and explained that I only lived about 150 yds up the road. He asked me if I was further than a certain place. I told him I was but only about 20 yds. He then took away the barrier and told me that I might have to leave my car and walk a little to my home. Thank goodness this did not happen. I could see that they were working some 100 yds further up beyond my home. I managed to get home and garage my car safely. Mind yo my hand was hurting as it is now, not so much thank goodness. That will teach me to be more careful. More soon.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Correction

I must confess that yesterday the workmen did arrive and do some work. Not near me but a hundred yards or so further up. Today I saw a couple of road rollers going up so when I saw my neighbour I asked him if the road was still closed and the workmen were there. He confirmed that the road was still closed with diversions and the workmen were in fact there.
 I should also tell you that the yellow things hanging up in my greenhouse are in fact sticky papers for catching small bugs.
 A couple of days ago I went to fill my washing machine with my dirty washing. Included in this was some dusters. Well I call them dusters but in fact are old pieces of winceyette pyjamas. It was when I was putting them in I thought of the way we were bought up. They call austerity now, but to be honest the younger element have no idea of how to economise at all. We used to watch our Mother tear up our pyjamas up once they were no longer of any use, make several dusters and to be honest, they do a brilliant job. My Mother also used to use her worn out vests for floor cloths. These vests were made of a sort of mixture of cotton and wool No doubt I will remember the name of the material at a later date. Anyway, these made brilliant floorcloths. There must be something said for learning at an early age for these were taught to us kids when we were very young and to be honest I don't throw anything away if I think it  has a final use.
 Today has been a little better thank goodness mind you my central heating was once again on and this is the middle of June. The talk is that bad weather is forecast for the week end. More soon.

Monday 11 June 2012

No Workmen?


I have not noticed any workmen on the main road today. Mind you the weather has not been good at all. In fact most of this month has been poor.
As you will see I have posted a couple of photos I took yesterday when the sun did shins e for a while. The garden has suffered somewhat with the gale force winds we have had, but most of all I have noticed that most of the flowers have stared to come out at the same time. They look nice if only a little windswept.
I like my Brother in Law have had a most disappoining year with vegetables. I know what some will think. It is that my carrots have failed to germinate at all outside. I have set up to 5 packets of seeds. It seemed to be either too hot or far too cold and wet. Even in my polytunnel there have not germinated as they should. It is the same, well almost with beetroot. My Brother in Law is just the same. When we set the seeds, they came up but it was far too cold and they have just sat there waiting for some nice weather.
 I had also wondered about my runner beans however my Brother in Law complained about the state of his. It was raining last Friday as most days recently but I told him that we would go and look at his plants. I realised what was wrong as soon as I saw his beans. I told him mine were exactly the same but noticed he had one plant that looked well. He told me that he had set another in his greenhouse and recently planted it outside. I then told him that I too had done this and what we had done was to get them started in the greenhouse early then plant them out but the weather has been too cold, so next year we will do things later.
 I also took a photo of my grapes, they look O.K. but have thinned them quite a lot so that I have about 18 bunches only.  Let us hope that tomorrow brings a little warmer weather and some sunshine. I am not very  optimistic as the forecast for the whole week is not good at all. More soon.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Holiday over

With the extended holiday over, this morning I decided to take the tomato plants to the Nurse at the local surgery, also go and thank the Chemist for getting my old medication which has not been available for over 6 months and to be honest I have struggled. I also went to the Post Office to take a few asparagus spears, I only took my Pension Card with me not expecting to get my money. To my surprise I walked in and went straight to the counter. I remarked how surprised I was because with it being an extended holiday I expected a queue. The woman behind the counter told me that she too was surprised. Anyway I got my money and went to the paper shop, bought my T.V. paper also got a Birthday card for my Great Niece who will soon be 5. On my way back, the Fish Van was there, the man spoke to me. Of course I replied but thought, no way will I be going there again.
 I then went to the Surgery, I asked the receptionist if it was possible to see the Nurse in person. To my surprise she informed me that she was not there today. I was somewhat taken aback, with that the other receptionist came over to me. I asked her if it was correct that she should be here today, she concurred and told me that she had been sent to Mablethorpe but would make sure she would get the tomato plants.
Before I went out the doorbell rang, it was the Postman, he said he had noticed my tomato plants and guessed that some were for him. I was pleased he had rung, by the way I told him he was very early as I expected him to have lots of mail after the long week end holiday. He had with him some circulars. I told him I had opted out. He told me that a man had lost his job for not delivering these circulars and although he knew I had opted out, this should only last a year. I told him just carry on as I can easily put them in the recycle bin. I certainly didn't want him to get into any trouble on my behalf.
 Tomorrow I go to Vauxhall Dealers to have my car sorted. I don't expect any trouble at all. I certainly won't be causing any, by the way it states that it will rain so I will just sit and wait until the work is completed. More soon.                                                                                                           

Friday 1 June 2012

Car Booked in.

I had originally intended to go to see my mate in Skegness, but he had to go to the reguistrars to pick up his Mothers Death Certificate so I decided to go to Thurlby Motors to book the car in for the Safety Recall.
 I arrived about 9.30am. I immediately was directed to the Service Department. I at once noticed the Woman behind the counter. It was the Woman who had agreedm with Mr. Broughton accusing me of telling lies. I was polite and handed her the letter with the details, she seemed to know all about it. She then asked me several questions including my address and telephone number. I told her I did not have an e-mail address. After what seemed an age I asked her why all these questions. She replied that as I was a new customer she was inputting all the details so that the next time it would all be there. I told her in no uncertain terms that I had no intention of ever spending a penny here after the way I had been treated. I mentioned Broughton and told her that to be called a LIAR was a disgrace and I would never forget the way I had been treated. I then informed her with a smile that I had managed to put one person off a purchase and I would have been a loyal customer had I been believed but by the arrogance shown to me, this would never happen.
 She did not really know what to say except that the car had been delivered to me. what that had to do with the windscreen cracking I had no idea. Anyway I have the car booked in for next Thursday at 9.00am. She told me that it should take no longer than 30 minutes. let us hope this is correct as I don't want to be waiting there for ages. Mind you, the rest of the staff seem to be very pleasant.
I have no plans for the coming Holiday but I hope the weather is kind to all that are participating. More soon.