Today I have been picking up plants that will not last the winter such as calendulas or marigolds as they are generally known. Antirhinums plus a few weeds. The reason I have done this is that tomorrow the garden waste bin will be emptied for the last time this year. It will be April nexr year when the collection will recommence. Mind you, I will not be prepared to pay for this collection if they decide to charge for the service. To be honest, I think this will happen as the finances are being squeezed. I don't think people on benefits will be looking forward to paying towards the Council Tax. I have always paid in full for the services.
When my mate called a few weeks ago, my Italian friend also called. Later my best Pal came too. Typical I suppose. No visitors for ages then 3 the same day.
Anyway, my Italian friend was full of it when he came to see me. As my mate was also here he pulled out a leafleet and asked my mate if he had Solar Panels. My mate told him he had, the Italian then asked him how much it had cost him. My mate told him and then my Italian friend smiled and told him that his had cost nothing. He then told us that he had FREE electricity to use. I told him that it was firstly, subject to the sun producing electricity and secondly during the times that the sun was below the horizon he would not be producing any electricity at all and what he was using in his home would have to be paid for. I think he thought that if he was producing 4 kilowatts an hour, if he was using say2 kilowatts, then he would have the extra to use at a later date. I told him that he could only use what the system was producing at any time and what was spare was being sold to the Electricity Company and the supplier of the Solar Panels would get the payment. He knew that part. I then told him that my mate had received in excess of 10% of his outlay so far this year and there were a few weeks to go.
I will try to go to visit him and his wife well before Christmas to try to explain better to him. Incidentally his wife is not too good but I think she will grasp the system more readily than he does. More soon.
Wednesday 31 October 2012
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Back in business
Thank goodness for that, after several days of more or less inactivity, I finally think that all is now fixed.
Over the last few days I have been working in the garden. With the high winds there were plenty of leaves on the ground so I have picked up almost 2 black bin liner bags of leaves, just about enough to bury in the ground where I plant my runner beans. I did pull them up the other day, well not exactly because I have put a couple of bean plants in my polytunnel near the door just to see if I can get a few early runner beans. Mind you I don't know why really because I was looking in my diary and noticed that I had my first taste of beans on July 15th. I just have enough left for another 2 meals taking me to the 1st. November. Well over 3 months of beans. I can't understand why most people don't grow some. Even if they just have 4 bean sticks in a wigwam shape, the yield would be good.. Anyway I have once again dug up a couple of plants and put them in pots, large pots because the roots are large. These pots I have put into my greenhouse. Whether I move them into my garage is debatable. Will give it some thought. I think I mentioned it many moons ago that it was my Italian friend who first did this and he told me that the runner beans were stronger that way. I did try it but found that they were a little later in producing fruit. More soon.
Over the last few days I have been working in the garden. With the high winds there were plenty of leaves on the ground so I have picked up almost 2 black bin liner bags of leaves, just about enough to bury in the ground where I plant my runner beans. I did pull them up the other day, well not exactly because I have put a couple of bean plants in my polytunnel near the door just to see if I can get a few early runner beans. Mind you I don't know why really because I was looking in my diary and noticed that I had my first taste of beans on July 15th. I just have enough left for another 2 meals taking me to the 1st. November. Well over 3 months of beans. I can't understand why most people don't grow some. Even if they just have 4 bean sticks in a wigwam shape, the yield would be good.. Anyway I have once again dug up a couple of plants and put them in pots, large pots because the roots are large. These pots I have put into my greenhouse. Whether I move them into my garage is debatable. Will give it some thought. I think I mentioned it many moons ago that it was my Italian friend who first did this and he told me that the runner beans were stronger that way. I did try it but found that they were a little later in producing fruit. More soon.
Thursday 25 October 2012
No change
On Tuesday I went to do my ususal shopping and also had my haircut. It really was a dismal day and my solar production was less than 1 kilowatt. Yesterday was far worse. My second worst day I have ever had, just 90 watts. Still nothing one can do about the weather.
Today my mate cvame to visit me. He has adjusted my gates to the property. For many years I left the gates permanently open and it was not until a man selling LPG made a comment about the rusty gates that I did something about it.
First my neighbour managed to free the gates then my mate gave me some Hammerite paint and today altered the fitting so now they are a lot better. Not 100% but I am sure he will suggest something to put that right. I am pleased how they look right now.
My mate after having a cuppa fitted my new router for my broadband but sadly, there is no improvement at all. I have since he left for home, checked my speed and unfortunately it was 0.2mbs per second when I would expect something like 4.5mgws per second. Iwill give it a few days just to see if the router settles down but I'm not holding my breath at all. I only hiope that it is B.T with a line fault that is to blame, otherwise it will cost me a call out charge. Oh well such is life. More soon.
Today my mate cvame to visit me. He has adjusted my gates to the property. For many years I left the gates permanently open and it was not until a man selling LPG made a comment about the rusty gates that I did something about it.
First my neighbour managed to free the gates then my mate gave me some Hammerite paint and today altered the fitting so now they are a lot better. Not 100% but I am sure he will suggest something to put that right. I am pleased how they look right now.
My mate after having a cuppa fitted my new router for my broadband but sadly, there is no improvement at all. I have since he left for home, checked my speed and unfortunately it was 0.2mbs per second when I would expect something like 4.5mgws per second. Iwill give it a few days just to see if the router settles down but I'm not holding my breath at all. I only hiope that it is B.T with a line fault that is to blame, otherwise it will cost me a call out charge. Oh well such is life. More soon.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Golf
The Guy who used to work for me many years ago rung me last night. I must be honest and say he does ring me faily regularly. I asked him how things were and he told me that he had been playing golf at Wentworth in September. It was by invitation only and was Charity Competition. The cost per person was £200 but he was given four tickets for £400.
His Daughter has a boyfriend who is a golf professional so he was one who went. He also knew a colleague who works for the Company he works but is in a different area so he and a friend wished to go.
He told me that caddies were provided.
He did contact them earlier asking if it was possible to book a meal but was informed that meals were only served to Club Bembers only. He then asked if he could get a breakfast there because it was a long way from the West of England to Wentworth. He was then told to go and see the Secretary upon arrival. This he did and a breakfast was provided. The Secretary also informed him that the greens had been lost and that a regenerastion programme was in progress so that they were not to the highest of standards.
Well they all played their rounds and surprisingly the Club Secretary greeted them when they had finished their round of golf and asked them how they had got on. My ex employee told him that the day was good but unfortunately the greens did spoil their day a little. He was somewhat surprised at his reply. He informed him that if he contacted him next April, he would arrange a day of golf, free of charge with once again 4 caddies.
When he got home he decided to e-mail the Secretary just to see if he had meant what he said. The Secretary confirmed that this offer was bona fide. So he is looking forward to a day out at Wentworth.
Whether it is true or not, he did tell me that a round of golf at Wentworth would cost in the region of £250.
I did tell him that the trilby tour was on Sky later. He did tell me that he looked at entering that competition but the cost of £250 was just a little too high for what it was worth. Mind you, since it started in 2007, the competition has gone from strength to strength. More soon.
His Daughter has a boyfriend who is a golf professional so he was one who went. He also knew a colleague who works for the Company he works but is in a different area so he and a friend wished to go.
He told me that caddies were provided.
He did contact them earlier asking if it was possible to book a meal but was informed that meals were only served to Club Bembers only. He then asked if he could get a breakfast there because it was a long way from the West of England to Wentworth. He was then told to go and see the Secretary upon arrival. This he did and a breakfast was provided. The Secretary also informed him that the greens had been lost and that a regenerastion programme was in progress so that they were not to the highest of standards.
Well they all played their rounds and surprisingly the Club Secretary greeted them when they had finished their round of golf and asked them how they had got on. My ex employee told him that the day was good but unfortunately the greens did spoil their day a little. He was somewhat surprised at his reply. He informed him that if he contacted him next April, he would arrange a day of golf, free of charge with once again 4 caddies.
When he got home he decided to e-mail the Secretary just to see if he had meant what he said. The Secretary confirmed that this offer was bona fide. So he is looking forward to a day out at Wentworth.
Whether it is true or not, he did tell me that a round of golf at Wentworth would cost in the region of £250.
I did tell him that the trilby tour was on Sky later. He did tell me that he looked at entering that competition but the cost of £250 was just a little too high for what it was worth. Mind you, since it started in 2007, the competition has gone from strength to strength. More soon.
Thursday 18 October 2012
Unpleasant surprise
In October 2011 I filled up with LPG as the Company informed me that it would probably go up for the winter months. The cost was 42pence a litre. This October the same thing happened, I once again topped up with LPG and the cost was 48.5pence a litre. Yesterday I had a letter from the Company informing me that world prices of LPG had shot up so from that day, LPG would be increased by a further 5pence a litre. That is an increase of over 27% in a few days over a year.
The Government are complaining that the Utilities have put their fuel prices up by around 8% and are looking at ways to help the consumer. I am as cettain as night follows day that they will do nothing at all to help those poor unfortunate people such as I who don't have the option of using natural gas as we are not on the gas pipe route. I am not alone. I would guess that there are over a million of us who have no natural gas available. Still we are in a minority so nothing will be done. If one complained all they would say is that we get the winter fuel allowance.
This afternoon I had to go for my flu jab. The weather was nice and fine and thankfully there were not too many people queueing. I, unfortunately got amongst a few old people with walking sticks so had to wait a little while. Still that is it for another year. More soon.
The Government are complaining that the Utilities have put their fuel prices up by around 8% and are looking at ways to help the consumer. I am as cettain as night follows day that they will do nothing at all to help those poor unfortunate people such as I who don't have the option of using natural gas as we are not on the gas pipe route. I am not alone. I would guess that there are over a million of us who have no natural gas available. Still we are in a minority so nothing will be done. If one complained all they would say is that we get the winter fuel allowance.
This afternoon I had to go for my flu jab. The weather was nice and fine and thankfully there were not too many people queueing. I, unfortunately got amongst a few old people with walking sticks so had to wait a little while. Still that is it for another year. More soon.
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Bits and bobs
Yesterday I went as usual to get my Pension and also went to the bottle bank to put a coffee jar in the glass bin. Unfortunately for me I left my car door open and not thinking just put the jar in the container and as I turned to get into the car, it started to move the wind had made it go forward. I went running after the car but thankfully there was a puddle of water and that slowed it enough for me to get in the car. I then went to put my repeat prescription in the local dispensary. I went to the window and asked them if they could help me. I told them that when I went last month for my diabetes check the head Nurse informed me that my B.P was high and if I agreed she would double my dosage to 100 mgs a day. I agreed but nothing had been done.
The head of the dispensary informed me that unfortunately they had no connection on their computer but when connection was restored she would enquire for me.
Imagine my amazement when around 1.30pm. the door bell rang, as I went to answer and was trying to think who it could be but was shocked to see the delivery man of my prescriptions. I told him what had happened. Normally I hand in my repeat prescription and get the medication the following day which is good but to receive it the same day was fantastic.
The mention of having no connection was and is a sore point with me. I, once again have difficulty with my broadband speed. I rung yet again the technical department, which is free phone but one seems to get a differeng person each time.
This guy was, as all of them have been nice and helpful. I explained that I have been having trouble for several weeks and the last time I was told that they were going to start from the beginning and I would have no connection for a few days but after 10 days all would be well.
He asked me if I had rebotted my router. I told him that I had not and was informed that I must leave it turned on at all times. I then gave him my download speed which I had tested it was 0.1mgs just about dial up speed. He then asked me to wait while he checked my line. After a couple of minutes he casme back and told me that the line spedd to my home was good but the speed showing from my router was 0.1mgs. He then told me that he had done all he could and I also had done everything and the last resort was to replace my router free of charge although I was just out of warranty.
So now I wait for the new router with cables and filters, I have informed my mate who will, hopefully be here next week so he will replace the router.
Finally the guy told me that if this does not work then they would have to get on to B.T to check to see what id wrong with the line. Mind you, it is only these last few months that I have had any trouble, so I hope that a new router will solve the problem. Here's hoping. More soon.
The head of the dispensary informed me that unfortunately they had no connection on their computer but when connection was restored she would enquire for me.
Imagine my amazement when around 1.30pm. the door bell rang, as I went to answer and was trying to think who it could be but was shocked to see the delivery man of my prescriptions. I told him what had happened. Normally I hand in my repeat prescription and get the medication the following day which is good but to receive it the same day was fantastic.
The mention of having no connection was and is a sore point with me. I, once again have difficulty with my broadband speed. I rung yet again the technical department, which is free phone but one seems to get a differeng person each time.
This guy was, as all of them have been nice and helpful. I explained that I have been having trouble for several weeks and the last time I was told that they were going to start from the beginning and I would have no connection for a few days but after 10 days all would be well.
He asked me if I had rebotted my router. I told him that I had not and was informed that I must leave it turned on at all times. I then gave him my download speed which I had tested it was 0.1mgs just about dial up speed. He then asked me to wait while he checked my line. After a couple of minutes he casme back and told me that the line spedd to my home was good but the speed showing from my router was 0.1mgs. He then told me that he had done all he could and I also had done everything and the last resort was to replace my router free of charge although I was just out of warranty.
So now I wait for the new router with cables and filters, I have informed my mate who will, hopefully be here next week so he will replace the router.
Finally the guy told me that if this does not work then they would have to get on to B.T to check to see what id wrong with the line. Mind you, it is only these last few months that I have had any trouble, so I hope that a new router will solve the problem. Here's hoping. More soon.
Monday 15 October 2012
Autumn
To me it is always a sad time of year. Autumn means that my garden is slowly getting ready for the long winter months.
The weather forecast told of frosts, I went to pick the runner beans that were not quite ready but unfortunately for me, we have had no frosts so far. It was the same with my marrows. Well courgettes really. I let them grow into marrows. However this late in the year, I have had a few small courgettes. To be honest they would never have grown into marrows anyway so I have picked them.
My beetroot, what I managed to grow was lifted yesterday. Frosts tend to make them grow woody. They were small and I gave a few to the next door as a thank you for knocking some stakes into my ground to support some fencing. He has a big lump hammer.
I did managed, with difficulty I might add, to cut a point to 3X 6ft stakes. On Saturday we had heavy rain so the wood was wet through and to be candid, I have no suitable tools. Well no tools of quality. We'll leave it at that.
I cut down most of my asparagus ferns today and dug the ground over.
In the greenhouse I have pulled up some tomato plants but I still have a few plants with tomatoes on, some are ripening slowly.
I have looked closely at my grapevine. Almost certainly I will reduce the vine still further so that I have no more than 20 bunches next year. Well, that is my lpan at this moment of time. Hope I don't change my mind.
I do have a few cabbages in my polytunnel, also some cauliflowers but they don't seem to be progressing as well as I had hoped. I will keep my fingers crossed. Still I have plenty of carrots so at least I will have one fresh vegetable for most of the winter months. More soon.
The weather forecast told of frosts, I went to pick the runner beans that were not quite ready but unfortunately for me, we have had no frosts so far. It was the same with my marrows. Well courgettes really. I let them grow into marrows. However this late in the year, I have had a few small courgettes. To be honest they would never have grown into marrows anyway so I have picked them.
My beetroot, what I managed to grow was lifted yesterday. Frosts tend to make them grow woody. They were small and I gave a few to the next door as a thank you for knocking some stakes into my ground to support some fencing. He has a big lump hammer.
I did managed, with difficulty I might add, to cut a point to 3X 6ft stakes. On Saturday we had heavy rain so the wood was wet through and to be candid, I have no suitable tools. Well no tools of quality. We'll leave it at that.
I cut down most of my asparagus ferns today and dug the ground over.
In the greenhouse I have pulled up some tomato plants but I still have a few plants with tomatoes on, some are ripening slowly.
I have looked closely at my grapevine. Almost certainly I will reduce the vine still further so that I have no more than 20 bunches next year. Well, that is my lpan at this moment of time. Hope I don't change my mind.
I do have a few cabbages in my polytunnel, also some cauliflowers but they don't seem to be progressing as well as I had hoped. I will keep my fingers crossed. Still I have plenty of carrots so at least I will have one fresh vegetable for most of the winter months. More soon.
Friday 12 October 2012
Hectic day
Yesterday was a hectic day for me. I think I mentioned my mate was calling to do some work on my panels in the garden which are separating the neighbours garden from mine.
Well just after 8.00am. My Italian friend rung up and asked me if I would be in later that morning. As I hadn't seen him for a long time I told him he was welcome to call.
It was just before 11.00am when he called, I was a little sad because my mate hadn't arrived and there was talk of rain. About 5 minutes later he did arrive.
No sooner did he arrive when the phone rang again. This time it was my Best Pal, he wished to see me in the afternoon. I had expected him to call on me as the Caravan Site he is on closes at the end of October.
Well I got my mate to cut up some lenghts of wood in preparation to replace the rotting wood. The fence has been there around 17 years so I can't complain really.
My Italian friend told me his wife is not so good, she suffers from nerves and is frightened to be left alone. I know something of what she suffers from but she is alright with me.
Eventually he left, that meant that I could help my mate with fitting of the strenthening wood struts.
We managed to get all we needed to get done by 12.30pm. It was then time I got dinner for us. I had cooked the chicken earlier so all I had to do was get the vegetables cooked.
By the time we had dinner and I cleared up my mate just had time for a cuppa, it was then time for him to leave.
When he went out my Pal was just getting out of his car. Saying cheerio to my mate, in came my Pal.
Time seemed to go in a flash and it was soon 4.30pm. Time for him to leave. He did say that he hoped to get over just once more this year. Let's hope so.
Finally to update the mouse situation. I have now caught 8 so far.
Today I have been trying to secure my polytunnel. I will not know until a few weeks have passed because I don't know if there are anymore mice already in the polytunnel. More soon.
Well just after 8.00am. My Italian friend rung up and asked me if I would be in later that morning. As I hadn't seen him for a long time I told him he was welcome to call.
It was just before 11.00am when he called, I was a little sad because my mate hadn't arrived and there was talk of rain. About 5 minutes later he did arrive.
No sooner did he arrive when the phone rang again. This time it was my Best Pal, he wished to see me in the afternoon. I had expected him to call on me as the Caravan Site he is on closes at the end of October.
Well I got my mate to cut up some lenghts of wood in preparation to replace the rotting wood. The fence has been there around 17 years so I can't complain really.
My Italian friend told me his wife is not so good, she suffers from nerves and is frightened to be left alone. I know something of what she suffers from but she is alright with me.
Eventually he left, that meant that I could help my mate with fitting of the strenthening wood struts.
We managed to get all we needed to get done by 12.30pm. It was then time I got dinner for us. I had cooked the chicken earlier so all I had to do was get the vegetables cooked.
By the time we had dinner and I cleared up my mate just had time for a cuppa, it was then time for him to leave.
When he went out my Pal was just getting out of his car. Saying cheerio to my mate, in came my Pal.
Time seemed to go in a flash and it was soon 4.30pm. Time for him to leave. He did say that he hoped to get over just once more this year. Let's hope so.
Finally to update the mouse situation. I have now caught 8 so far.
Today I have been trying to secure my polytunnel. I will not know until a few weeks have passed because I don't know if there are anymore mice already in the polytunnel. More soon.
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Very quiet
These last few days have been very quiet, except for catching mice. To date I have caught 7 mice in my polytunnel. I have tried to make the polytunnel more secure so hopefully I will not be having any more visitors.
It has been reasonably sunny recently and where some places have had frosts, we here have just avoided them. This morning was as near to a frost as it can be but my runner beans have survived. There are a few beanlets on and if there are no frosts for the next 2 weeks I will probably get enough beans to have a meal every other day.
I have pulled my french beans up in the polytunnel, I have been pleased with what I had because it is the first time I have set them so late.
I do have a small marrow forming so keeping my fingers crossed I should get a couple of meals off it.
Soon it will be carrots and cabbage, I think I will have enough carrots for most of the winter, as for cabbage, there is no way I will have enough.
There was talk today of prices going up regarding fruit and vegetables because of the poor summer. I have been telling everyone that this would be so. According to my garden, fruit will be expensive and according to the local Farmer bread and pork will be more expensive as the wheat production is down by around 15%.
Typical, my mate is calling tomorrow, supposedly to help with some work. The weather tomorrow is forecast to be very wet. Still they have been known to be wrong, unfortunately it is generally when they forecast a good day and it turns out to be a poor day.
Still getting some tomatoes but will never get all ripe. I don't know why but they all seemed late this year. Still look forward to next year when perhaps the weather will be better. More soon.
It has been reasonably sunny recently and where some places have had frosts, we here have just avoided them. This morning was as near to a frost as it can be but my runner beans have survived. There are a few beanlets on and if there are no frosts for the next 2 weeks I will probably get enough beans to have a meal every other day.
I have pulled my french beans up in the polytunnel, I have been pleased with what I had because it is the first time I have set them so late.
I do have a small marrow forming so keeping my fingers crossed I should get a couple of meals off it.
Soon it will be carrots and cabbage, I think I will have enough carrots for most of the winter, as for cabbage, there is no way I will have enough.
There was talk today of prices going up regarding fruit and vegetables because of the poor summer. I have been telling everyone that this would be so. According to my garden, fruit will be expensive and according to the local Farmer bread and pork will be more expensive as the wheat production is down by around 15%.
Typical, my mate is calling tomorrow, supposedly to help with some work. The weather tomorrow is forecast to be very wet. Still they have been known to be wrong, unfortunately it is generally when they forecast a good day and it turns out to be a poor day.
Still getting some tomatoes but will never get all ripe. I don't know why but they all seemed late this year. Still look forward to next year when perhaps the weather will be better. More soon.
Friday 5 October 2012
Requested eggs
I had to go next door to ask if she had any eggs. I had told her when I took some plums roud that soon I would like a few eggs. However she had forgotten. That must have been almost 3 weeks ago.
When she opened the door she told me that they had been away for a week. They had been to New York. I naturally asked her if they went alone. She told me that they had and they got married. Whether in New York or here I do not know but I will find out.
She then told me that she meant to let me know. Her Parents were going to live at her place and look after the (children) and cats as well as the chickens. Someone from the next village was looking after the pigeons. Children in brackets is because they have the brains of a child, one is about 18 the other is I guess in her 30s.
Here I was thinking I had got the sack for the first time in my life when it was obvious I would not be able or willing to look after the two mentally handicapped people. let alone the cats, who I don't care for. So I did not get the sack after all. It would have been the first time in my life had I got the sack.
I caught another mouse and hoped that this would be the last one but this morning I went in the polytunnel and found that the piece of KitKat chocolate biscuit had been eaten but the trap had not gone off so there is at least one more mouse waiting for me to catch.
It has been more like Autumn today, no sun at all and rather cool. I hope that we don't get a frost for the next couple of weeks because I do have quite a few of small runner beans forming and if it stays frost free I should get several more meals out of them. Here's hoping. More soon.
When she opened the door she told me that they had been away for a week. They had been to New York. I naturally asked her if they went alone. She told me that they had and they got married. Whether in New York or here I do not know but I will find out.
She then told me that she meant to let me know. Her Parents were going to live at her place and look after the (children) and cats as well as the chickens. Someone from the next village was looking after the pigeons. Children in brackets is because they have the brains of a child, one is about 18 the other is I guess in her 30s.
Here I was thinking I had got the sack for the first time in my life when it was obvious I would not be able or willing to look after the two mentally handicapped people. let alone the cats, who I don't care for. So I did not get the sack after all. It would have been the first time in my life had I got the sack.
I caught another mouse and hoped that this would be the last one but this morning I went in the polytunnel and found that the piece of KitKat chocolate biscuit had been eaten but the trap had not gone off so there is at least one more mouse waiting for me to catch.
It has been more like Autumn today, no sun at all and rather cool. I hope that we don't get a frost for the next couple of weeks because I do have quite a few of small runner beans forming and if it stays frost free I should get several more meals out of them. Here's hoping. More soon.
Wednesday 3 October 2012
Meat
My Best pal called to see me today, sad to think that there won't be many more times he calls to see me this year. I think he will be going home for good before the end of October.
As usual we put the world to rights, well we think we could do better than those in charge anyway. What surprises us is just how wasteful people are today. Not just today but over the last 25 years. To economise is a word that most people under 50 don't seem to understand at all. They think they do but unfortunately have no ideas how to cut down on expense.
I told him about one incident that happened over 25 years ago. I used to visit my Mother once a week in the winter months after my Father died in 1975. I guess this happend around 1984.
We used to call in at a local butcher's shop which was on the private housing estate. He gradually found out that I was also in business so used to talk about things that fellow businessmen would understand. He took us into his preparation room where he made his sausages, pork pies and hams etc. He told me that each Thursday he went to the local Cattle Market to bid on anything that took his eye. There was an Abattoir nearby so when the aminals were sold, they were then sent to the abbatoir and once suitably prepared were delivered to his shop. He told me that beef was always left to hang for at least two weeks. Generally I didn't go to Grantham on a Thursday. However once it was unavoidable. We called in as usual and a retired Butcher was there. He knew my Mother but addressed her by Mrs. My Mother called him by his christian name. He asked us what we would like and my Mother asked for Best End of Lamb. Now more commonly known as Crown Roast. This started him off talking about when he was a young butchers boy. He said he had to cycle to a big house quite a way in the country which had a long driveway. He told us that a titled Lady lived there and he always went there with fear and dread. He said that he had to use the tradesman entrance but when he went there the Lady informed the person answering the door to tell him to goto the main front door. He had to doff his cap and call her My Lady. He told us that when it was the cut of lamb that we asked for she told him exactly how she wanted it and that he would personally take it to her for inspection and if it was not as she asked, it would be refused and he told us he would be in trouble.
What he did next was a surprise. He just told us that he would do the lamb the same way as the Lady of the House requested. He proceeded to skin the lamb then remove all the fat he could see then cut the bones to about half the size of what you would normally get. Finally he weighed the lamb and informed us how much it was and gave it to us. It certainly looked fantastic. We thanked him and left. When we got home I just said to my Mother that this was value for money as we did not pay for the skin, fat and much of the bones. My Mother looked at me and grinned. She hadn't given it a thought.
By the way, the best end of neck of lamb was beautiful. We never did tell the Butcher what his part time assistant did for us with the meat. More soon.
As usual we put the world to rights, well we think we could do better than those in charge anyway. What surprises us is just how wasteful people are today. Not just today but over the last 25 years. To economise is a word that most people under 50 don't seem to understand at all. They think they do but unfortunately have no ideas how to cut down on expense.
I told him about one incident that happened over 25 years ago. I used to visit my Mother once a week in the winter months after my Father died in 1975. I guess this happend around 1984.
We used to call in at a local butcher's shop which was on the private housing estate. He gradually found out that I was also in business so used to talk about things that fellow businessmen would understand. He took us into his preparation room where he made his sausages, pork pies and hams etc. He told me that each Thursday he went to the local Cattle Market to bid on anything that took his eye. There was an Abattoir nearby so when the aminals were sold, they were then sent to the abbatoir and once suitably prepared were delivered to his shop. He told me that beef was always left to hang for at least two weeks. Generally I didn't go to Grantham on a Thursday. However once it was unavoidable. We called in as usual and a retired Butcher was there. He knew my Mother but addressed her by Mrs. My Mother called him by his christian name. He asked us what we would like and my Mother asked for Best End of Lamb. Now more commonly known as Crown Roast. This started him off talking about when he was a young butchers boy. He said he had to cycle to a big house quite a way in the country which had a long driveway. He told us that a titled Lady lived there and he always went there with fear and dread. He said that he had to use the tradesman entrance but when he went there the Lady informed the person answering the door to tell him to goto the main front door. He had to doff his cap and call her My Lady. He told us that when it was the cut of lamb that we asked for she told him exactly how she wanted it and that he would personally take it to her for inspection and if it was not as she asked, it would be refused and he told us he would be in trouble.
What he did next was a surprise. He just told us that he would do the lamb the same way as the Lady of the House requested. He proceeded to skin the lamb then remove all the fat he could see then cut the bones to about half the size of what you would normally get. Finally he weighed the lamb and informed us how much it was and gave it to us. It certainly looked fantastic. We thanked him and left. When we got home I just said to my Mother that this was value for money as we did not pay for the skin, fat and much of the bones. My Mother looked at me and grinned. She hadn't given it a thought.
By the way, the best end of neck of lamb was beautiful. We never did tell the Butcher what his part time assistant did for us with the meat. More soon.
Monday 1 October 2012
Early Autumn
These last few days have reminded me that the summer is over. I really should have taken notice of the mice in my polytunnel. By the way, I caught another one this morning so tomorrow I will buy some chocolate of some sort. Cheese on a mousetrap is a myth. They will not touch it. Chocolate or anything sweet is what they go after.
Friday I did just a little more in the ditch, I didn't do too much as the ground is now a little damp. My shoes were picking up the mud. Anyway I have decided to call it a day for now.
This morning I went to have a look to see if the rubbish had been removed from the ditch that I had piled up on Friday. I only looked because yesterday it was windy but I noticed that there was smoke from the field where the large pile of rubbish was. I was surprised, well amazed really. There wasn't a thing there only ashes, everything had been burnt. The rubbish from the ditch had also been removed.
I was somewhat surprised when I went to pick my runner beans. I managed to gather just over 1/2 lb and if the weather lasts. that is no frosts, I will be getting runner beans for another 3 weeks or so.
My Sister rung me at the week end with news that her Daughter, my Niece has had notice to quit from her home that she rented. The Landlord was in financial difficulties and has been forced to put the property on the market. It is a worrying time as she has 2 young girls and the eldest is now at infants school in the local village where she lives. Not far from Grantham and she wants her to stay there. I doubt if this will happen. Such is life. More soon.
Friday I did just a little more in the ditch, I didn't do too much as the ground is now a little damp. My shoes were picking up the mud. Anyway I have decided to call it a day for now.
This morning I went to have a look to see if the rubbish had been removed from the ditch that I had piled up on Friday. I only looked because yesterday it was windy but I noticed that there was smoke from the field where the large pile of rubbish was. I was surprised, well amazed really. There wasn't a thing there only ashes, everything had been burnt. The rubbish from the ditch had also been removed.
I was somewhat surprised when I went to pick my runner beans. I managed to gather just over 1/2 lb and if the weather lasts. that is no frosts, I will be getting runner beans for another 3 weeks or so.
My Sister rung me at the week end with news that her Daughter, my Niece has had notice to quit from her home that she rented. The Landlord was in financial difficulties and has been forced to put the property on the market. It is a worrying time as she has 2 young girls and the eldest is now at infants school in the local village where she lives. Not far from Grantham and she wants her to stay there. I doubt if this will happen. Such is life. More soon.
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