Over the last 36 hours or so we have had over 3" of rain and today has not been that good either. We have had a little drizzle and naturally very dull but the strong winds have subsided somewhat. The weathermen say that we will have to wait until Saturday to see any real improvement in the weather.
Late last night I had a phone call from ASDA informing me that my new spectacles were ready to be collected. I plan to go over next Tuesday.
The lad didn't go to work again this morning as he had overslept. I hinted to him that he might catch a later bus to work but if he did I don't know. I of course will find out. I showed him just how much damage the winds and rain did to my garden, he had told me that some of his plants were ruined. I then showed him mine and told him that a lot would recover but not look quite as nice as they had prior to the winds and rain.
I was watching the T V, on BBC when a trailer for Wimbledon appeared. It was always known as Strawberries and Cream many years ago when I was young. In fact my Mother used to say that there would be no strawberries for the next fortnight because they would all go to Wimbledon. This, remember was in the late 40s to early 50s when there was no Supermarkets, fridges etc. so saving stuff was out of the question. I now realise that the seasons are much earlier for I grow a few strawberries, mainly for the lad if truth be told and my strawberries have more or less finished. I also have a few raspberry canes, they too have been fruiting for a couple of weeks and are past their best . My Mother used to moan about the raspberries as she used to say that while they were on holiday the raspberries would be ready and she used to go on holiday in early July.
Mind you how things have changed, I was a National Service person although I worked on what was then called a reserved occupation. This meant that in case of War we had no option but to carry on working for British Railways. However B.R. as it was called had a special dispensation that in time of peace all lads working on the Railway had to do their 2 years National Service. I, actually wass in the Army when the U.K and France declared War on Egypt over the Suez Canal. All the lads due to go in the Armed Forces for the 2 years National Service from B.R. was suspended and the lads a little younger then me never did their National Service. I do believe though that around 1960 National Service was abolished.
The Army though did me a favor because they taught me to drive. They gave us a form to send, once we had been demobbed to what is now DVLA and they sent us a British Licence so that we could now drive a vehicle in this Country although I had passed my Driving Test in Hong Kong.
Now I am getting to how things have changed. In 1960 I decided to go mobile but could not afford a decent 2nd hand car so I bought a Van which was about 2 years old. It was a Ford Thames 100 E side valve petrol with 3 forward gears and one reverse. In 1960 and for several years after there was a speed limit on all vans of 30mph. This didn't matter if you was on the main A roads that was the maximum you were allowed to go but if you had a car, apart from the Town restrictions which was generally 30mph you was allowed to travel at what speed you liked as there was no maximum speed limit. How things have changed. More soon.
P.S. Thanks K.E. for the kind words you have sent me, actually I had a quiet day.
Thursday 29 June 2017
Wednesday 28 June 2017
Memory loss again
I forgot to post my blog yesterday.
By the way my Sister has just rung me to wish me a Happy Birthday, she was on the phone for about an hour, she is with a cable firm with free phone calls. I have attained the age of 80 years.
Now back to normality, the lad called round just before 8.00.am. to let me know he wasn't going to work today because of the weather, it is raining hard and has been ever since early evening last night. It will do some good but it is also windy and cold too.
I went down to the greenhouse on Saturday morning to find that my cucumber plant had collapsed completely. As I am a complete novice at growing cucumbers I didn't realise that the weight of several cucumbers could drag the plant down but it did have about 4 well developed cucumbers on it. I looked at it on Sunday after lifting it and tying it up and I think it will survive. Whether I get any more cucumbers is a guess. It does however have a couple of cucumbers on that are more or less ready to be picked. That will mean at least 7 cucumbers off the plant so if I get no more I have done better than expected.
I had arranged the lad to come round on Saturday morning so that we could go to the local Garden Centre also he could have dinner with me. I had picked the gooseberries off my bush so I could give him a gooseberry crumble. I had originally asked him to get round somewhere around 10.45.am but he asked me if he could get here at 10.00.am. Naturally I told him that this was fine. Anyway soon after 10.00.am. he arrived and after showing him the garden and what we had planned to do we got the car out and as the back way had been closed told him that we had to go to Sutton-on Sea to get to the Garden Centre. All went well but when we got to the Village called Bilsby I noticed that the back road to my Village was once again open so I told him that we could go that way back home. When we got to Alford we turned right to go to the Garden Centre which was about 4 miles away but when we got to the turnoff to the Garden Centre this road was closed and it informed us to follow the directions. It took us miles out of our way and we finished up in Withern, a small Village several miles away but I realised that there was a turning to the Garden Centre but as we approached the turn off it once more said road closed. I told the lad that it was time to go home as there was no way to get to the Garden Centre. With that the lad noticed a sign saying."Open as usual". I asked him where he had seen the sign and maneuvered the car so that I could see better and sure enough there was a small hand written sign and there was space enough for vehicles to get onto the side road so off we went, it was only about 2 miles to the Garden Centre. It was open but not busy at all so when I went in and ordered some compost I did mention that it was not easy to get to them, she reflected that they had seen a huge drop in customers. Anyway we got the compost we needed and I told the lad we would not take the long way round back home but go through Mablethorpe. It was indeed a lot quicker back home but it took us well over an hour of driving when it would normally take no more than 30 minutes there and back but at least we did get some compost. More soon.
By the way my Sister has just rung me to wish me a Happy Birthday, she was on the phone for about an hour, she is with a cable firm with free phone calls. I have attained the age of 80 years.
Now back to normality, the lad called round just before 8.00.am. to let me know he wasn't going to work today because of the weather, it is raining hard and has been ever since early evening last night. It will do some good but it is also windy and cold too.
I went down to the greenhouse on Saturday morning to find that my cucumber plant had collapsed completely. As I am a complete novice at growing cucumbers I didn't realise that the weight of several cucumbers could drag the plant down but it did have about 4 well developed cucumbers on it. I looked at it on Sunday after lifting it and tying it up and I think it will survive. Whether I get any more cucumbers is a guess. It does however have a couple of cucumbers on that are more or less ready to be picked. That will mean at least 7 cucumbers off the plant so if I get no more I have done better than expected.
I had arranged the lad to come round on Saturday morning so that we could go to the local Garden Centre also he could have dinner with me. I had picked the gooseberries off my bush so I could give him a gooseberry crumble. I had originally asked him to get round somewhere around 10.45.am but he asked me if he could get here at 10.00.am. Naturally I told him that this was fine. Anyway soon after 10.00.am. he arrived and after showing him the garden and what we had planned to do we got the car out and as the back way had been closed told him that we had to go to Sutton-on Sea to get to the Garden Centre. All went well but when we got to the Village called Bilsby I noticed that the back road to my Village was once again open so I told him that we could go that way back home. When we got to Alford we turned right to go to the Garden Centre which was about 4 miles away but when we got to the turnoff to the Garden Centre this road was closed and it informed us to follow the directions. It took us miles out of our way and we finished up in Withern, a small Village several miles away but I realised that there was a turning to the Garden Centre but as we approached the turn off it once more said road closed. I told the lad that it was time to go home as there was no way to get to the Garden Centre. With that the lad noticed a sign saying."Open as usual". I asked him where he had seen the sign and maneuvered the car so that I could see better and sure enough there was a small hand written sign and there was space enough for vehicles to get onto the side road so off we went, it was only about 2 miles to the Garden Centre. It was open but not busy at all so when I went in and ordered some compost I did mention that it was not easy to get to them, she reflected that they had seen a huge drop in customers. Anyway we got the compost we needed and I told the lad we would not take the long way round back home but go through Mablethorpe. It was indeed a lot quicker back home but it took us well over an hour of driving when it would normally take no more than 30 minutes there and back but at least we did get some compost. More soon.
Thursday 22 June 2017
Coffee
The other day I gave next door a cauliflower and she did say that when I next went round, which is rarely, she would give me a coffee.
The lad had told me a few days ago that he was to get another chair and when it came he would ask me round to see it so this morning he stopped to see me and told me he would call round later to show me his chair.
This afternoon he duly called, I first took him to eat a few strawberries, most have now finished, also a few raspberries. I do not have many but they are lovely. We then went to look at the greenhouse where I asked him if he would like a few remaining radish which he told me he would. He looked at the progress of the grapes I then told him I would take a cucumber off to give to his carer. When we went back to the kitchen I asked him if he would like a tomato which I had bought from Morrison's to which he replied he would like a tomato. I also gave him a few slices of cucumber and put them in a bag for him so that he could take them to work in the morning.
It was then off to his place to look at his garden first. He told me he had done for the first time some weeding which I praised him. He had watered his garden well and when we went in the greenhouse this too had been watered well. His tomatoes and cabbage look fine. He had also told me his broad beans were about ready, I naturally told him that I didn't think they would be ready yet but when I looked I told him that they would be ready within a week.
His carer was fetching the washing in so I told her that I had a cucumber for her, she told me that she would give me a special coffee a little later.
Then it was off to his bedroom where the chair was. It is a large chair with a thing that lifts up so that you can have your legs up. Also it is so comfortable. I was allowed to sit in the chair and indeed it was very comfy. He showed he his sound bar and his T.V. but soon it was time for us to go to the kitchen where the carer had made me a special coffee. I would have prefered the lad to make me an ordinary coffee which he had but I was given this coffee. To be honest it would not bother me if I never had another special coffee again.
Her young Grandson was there, I guess he is about 5 or 6 but was very talkative. It is a few years since I last had seen him. He certainly is very a confident young lad.
I stopped there for about 30 minutes and then it was time for me to leave and get back home but not before the carer told me the cauliflower that I gave her was very nice. It should have been nice for it had been grown in the polytunnel with no insecticides at all.
Yesterday I had gone to Grantham to have my eyes tested, I also called to see my Sisters but my eldest Sister didn't call but it was nice to see my youngest Sister and her Husband. The first thing her Husband asked me to tell him what a plant was. As soon as I saw it I told him that it was almost certainly an Oil Seed Rape plant, they do spread but at first glance they look like a cabbage or broccoli seedlings. Incidentally i had given him 3 broccoli plants to grow on. He told me that as soon I had gone the plant would be pulled up.
After a coffee and a chat for about 45 minutes it was off to ASDA to have my eyes tested. I got there early because they do other tests before the Opthalmist begins his test. The lady who tested me was very b nice and I told her that I would most likely need another new pair of glasses. She suggested that I peruse their range so I asked her to show me, with this she took me to the range that looked as near to the pair I was wearing and picked up a pair and as soon as I put them on she told me they looked good and suggested that I look in the mirror which I must admit they looked fine. I asked he to save them for me and she told me the price was £80 but if I wished I could have 2 pairs for about £110 but she added that I would probably not need 2 pairs. She put them aside and told me to wait for the Opthalmist to call me.
I guess I had to wait for about 10 minutes. He was a pleasant guy who gave me a thorough examination which he then confirmed that my eyes had deteriorated slightly and a new pair of spectacles was needed. I informed him that I had already selected a new pair. He told me that I was on the ball.
Out we went into the main area and soon the lady who had tested me asked me to come to the fitting area. She went to mark where the reading section of the varifocal was needed and asked me how I would like to pay, I naturally paid by cash and then she told me that they would be ready in 7 to 10 days. She then asked me if she could give me a hug and told me she had thoroughly enjoyed her time with me. I wonder what some of the people who are having eye tests are like.
With that I left to go home, it was a tiring day. Incidentally I had called at Morrison's to see if they had any herring, no such joy so I bought a small piece of smoked haddock, just under £3. To think it was a very cheap meal many years ago. it was nice all the same. More soon.
The lad had told me a few days ago that he was to get another chair and when it came he would ask me round to see it so this morning he stopped to see me and told me he would call round later to show me his chair.
This afternoon he duly called, I first took him to eat a few strawberries, most have now finished, also a few raspberries. I do not have many but they are lovely. We then went to look at the greenhouse where I asked him if he would like a few remaining radish which he told me he would. He looked at the progress of the grapes I then told him I would take a cucumber off to give to his carer. When we went back to the kitchen I asked him if he would like a tomato which I had bought from Morrison's to which he replied he would like a tomato. I also gave him a few slices of cucumber and put them in a bag for him so that he could take them to work in the morning.
It was then off to his place to look at his garden first. He told me he had done for the first time some weeding which I praised him. He had watered his garden well and when we went in the greenhouse this too had been watered well. His tomatoes and cabbage look fine. He had also told me his broad beans were about ready, I naturally told him that I didn't think they would be ready yet but when I looked I told him that they would be ready within a week.
His carer was fetching the washing in so I told her that I had a cucumber for her, she told me that she would give me a special coffee a little later.
Then it was off to his bedroom where the chair was. It is a large chair with a thing that lifts up so that you can have your legs up. Also it is so comfortable. I was allowed to sit in the chair and indeed it was very comfy. He showed he his sound bar and his T.V. but soon it was time for us to go to the kitchen where the carer had made me a special coffee. I would have prefered the lad to make me an ordinary coffee which he had but I was given this coffee. To be honest it would not bother me if I never had another special coffee again.
Her young Grandson was there, I guess he is about 5 or 6 but was very talkative. It is a few years since I last had seen him. He certainly is very a confident young lad.
I stopped there for about 30 minutes and then it was time for me to leave and get back home but not before the carer told me the cauliflower that I gave her was very nice. It should have been nice for it had been grown in the polytunnel with no insecticides at all.
Yesterday I had gone to Grantham to have my eyes tested, I also called to see my Sisters but my eldest Sister didn't call but it was nice to see my youngest Sister and her Husband. The first thing her Husband asked me to tell him what a plant was. As soon as I saw it I told him that it was almost certainly an Oil Seed Rape plant, they do spread but at first glance they look like a cabbage or broccoli seedlings. Incidentally i had given him 3 broccoli plants to grow on. He told me that as soon I had gone the plant would be pulled up.
After a coffee and a chat for about 45 minutes it was off to ASDA to have my eyes tested. I got there early because they do other tests before the Opthalmist begins his test. The lady who tested me was very b nice and I told her that I would most likely need another new pair of glasses. She suggested that I peruse their range so I asked her to show me, with this she took me to the range that looked as near to the pair I was wearing and picked up a pair and as soon as I put them on she told me they looked good and suggested that I look in the mirror which I must admit they looked fine. I asked he to save them for me and she told me the price was £80 but if I wished I could have 2 pairs for about £110 but she added that I would probably not need 2 pairs. She put them aside and told me to wait for the Opthalmist to call me.
I guess I had to wait for about 10 minutes. He was a pleasant guy who gave me a thorough examination which he then confirmed that my eyes had deteriorated slightly and a new pair of spectacles was needed. I informed him that I had already selected a new pair. He told me that I was on the ball.
Out we went into the main area and soon the lady who had tested me asked me to come to the fitting area. She went to mark where the reading section of the varifocal was needed and asked me how I would like to pay, I naturally paid by cash and then she told me that they would be ready in 7 to 10 days. She then asked me if she could give me a hug and told me she had thoroughly enjoyed her time with me. I wonder what some of the people who are having eye tests are like.
With that I left to go home, it was a tiring day. Incidentally I had called at Morrison's to see if they had any herring, no such joy so I bought a small piece of smoked haddock, just under £3. To think it was a very cheap meal many years ago. it was nice all the same. More soon.
Tuesday 20 June 2017
Heat
As of the most of the Country we had an unexpected heat wave after some cool weather. This of course meant that we did not have a gradual rize in temperature.
On Sunday morning I went out to put something in the recycle bin when I noticed that my door bell plunger, I don't know what else to call it, was on the floor. When my mate fitted it he told me that it was self adhesive and would be fine. what we didn't expect was so hot a temperature.
I decided foolishly to try to get it working again. To be honest my hands are not as supple as they were and my eyes are not 100% either. Anyway I picked the door bell up, naturally it was in pieces but not broken, fiddling about for about 5 minutes I managed to get it put together once more but when I pushed the button to get the bell to ring. Nothing, so once again I dismantled the bell only to notice that the battery was missing so I went outside and started to look for the battery. I found it eventually about 4 yards from where the rest of the bell had finished. Before I started to put the bell together I had originally found some glue from an old carton which incidentally had more or less gone solid but with the gentle persuader, a hammer I managed to get enough glue to do the job.
Unfortunately for me, by the time I had assembled the bell once again I was spreading the glue all over the place. It is a type of glue that needs about 30 minutes to get stiff enough to stick. When it does stick it is great.
I guess I tried to stick it all the outside wall a little too early for I went to check it and found the bell, not this time broken but all the same it was on the floor. I just looked and started to laugh for I was completely covered with the glue which is not able to be washed off by soap. The ideal thing is turps but of course I have none..
Eventually I did manage to get the thing installed but unfortunately there is a rubber seal that I found impossible to fit properly. No doubt my mate will look at it and pass some comment which in all honesty I deserve it.
By the time I had completed the job well over an hour had lapsed, still it works after a fashion. Whether it will work after some heavy rain with the wind off the sea is a different matter.
I have the odd black fly myself on the half flattened broad beans, my new potatoes are also not up to my usual standard. This is of course due to the weather, we have had next to no rain in several weeks and the ground is once again like concrete.
About a week ago the cucumbers were so tiny about an inch long but with the hot weather and copious amounts of water they look fantastic. I have 4 growing nicely, 3 af them will be ready about the same time. I guess in about 4 days time. They are about a foot long but need to thicken out yet. The tomatoes have begun to look a little better now and I hope to get my first tomato before the end of the month.
Tomorrow I have to go to Grantham, not looking forward to it at all for they say it once more will be very warm o hot, different to today which is believe it or not a little on the cool side, a north east wind and no sun at all. I have to go to Grantham for I have an appointment to see the Opthalmist to have my eyes tested. I will definitely need new spectacles. I will be seeing a different guy this time for the guy who I had seen for these last 2 years is no longer based at Grantham. Still I should get on with him fine I suppose. More soon.
On Sunday morning I went out to put something in the recycle bin when I noticed that my door bell plunger, I don't know what else to call it, was on the floor. When my mate fitted it he told me that it was self adhesive and would be fine. what we didn't expect was so hot a temperature.
I decided foolishly to try to get it working again. To be honest my hands are not as supple as they were and my eyes are not 100% either. Anyway I picked the door bell up, naturally it was in pieces but not broken, fiddling about for about 5 minutes I managed to get it put together once more but when I pushed the button to get the bell to ring. Nothing, so once again I dismantled the bell only to notice that the battery was missing so I went outside and started to look for the battery. I found it eventually about 4 yards from where the rest of the bell had finished. Before I started to put the bell together I had originally found some glue from an old carton which incidentally had more or less gone solid but with the gentle persuader, a hammer I managed to get enough glue to do the job.
Unfortunately for me, by the time I had assembled the bell once again I was spreading the glue all over the place. It is a type of glue that needs about 30 minutes to get stiff enough to stick. When it does stick it is great.
I guess I tried to stick it all the outside wall a little too early for I went to check it and found the bell, not this time broken but all the same it was on the floor. I just looked and started to laugh for I was completely covered with the glue which is not able to be washed off by soap. The ideal thing is turps but of course I have none..
Eventually I did manage to get the thing installed but unfortunately there is a rubber seal that I found impossible to fit properly. No doubt my mate will look at it and pass some comment which in all honesty I deserve it.
By the time I had completed the job well over an hour had lapsed, still it works after a fashion. Whether it will work after some heavy rain with the wind off the sea is a different matter.
I have the odd black fly myself on the half flattened broad beans, my new potatoes are also not up to my usual standard. This is of course due to the weather, we have had next to no rain in several weeks and the ground is once again like concrete.
About a week ago the cucumbers were so tiny about an inch long but with the hot weather and copious amounts of water they look fantastic. I have 4 growing nicely, 3 af them will be ready about the same time. I guess in about 4 days time. They are about a foot long but need to thicken out yet. The tomatoes have begun to look a little better now and I hope to get my first tomato before the end of the month.
Tomorrow I have to go to Grantham, not looking forward to it at all for they say it once more will be very warm o hot, different to today which is believe it or not a little on the cool side, a north east wind and no sun at all. I have to go to Grantham for I have an appointment to see the Opthalmist to have my eyes tested. I will definitely need new spectacles. I will be seeing a different guy this time for the guy who I had seen for these last 2 years is no longer based at Grantham. Still I should get on with him fine I suppose. More soon.
Thursday 15 June 2017
First time this year
Yesterday I had an appointment with the dentist, I had originally cancelled my appointment with the Dentist I had because of his attitude to me regarding the new dentures. She did grind then down somewhat. She told me she came from Romania and to be honest was a lovely looking lass. She then told me that if it needed any adjustments just ma an appointment and she would see me as soon as possible. They are a littl akward at the moment but I will persevere.
Before my appointment I arranged to go to Lidl, it is only about 200 yards away. As usual, as I got there early the store was easy to get round but when it came to the check out it was back to normal, I did ask a guy who worked there if it was the only check out open, his answer was to confirm what I had expected. I did give myself plenty of extra time for the wait to get the goods paid so I was well in time for the Dental appointment.
While I was waiting I got talking to an Old Lady, I guess there would not be much difference in age to me. One thing made me think was she told me her Father was a prisoner of war in germany and she didn't see her father until she was about 5 years of age. We went on to discuss the food we had during and after the war and she told me she still loves dripping plus lard with a little salt. We didn't eat the lard but my Mother used to save the lard from the Pork to use in the pastry. I told her about the jam roly poly. To those who have no idea of what it is, we had it like this, my Mother used to make pastry then roll it out and put jam in it as if you were making a swiss roll. when it was rolled up it was covered with lard, butter margarine or any greased proof paper to seal it. It was then wrapped in a cloth and steamed for about 90 minutes. We had it with milk not custard.
When I was in business I had on as a sweet baked jam roll, some think that is the same as roly poly, anyway this man told us that it reminded him when he was young, he was one of 6 children and his Mother used to make a Jam Roly Poly every Monday and used to boil it in the copper the same time as she was boiling the whites, this saved time and money too.
When I got back home I checked to see if I had enough fresh vegetables out of my garden, so with potatoes, garden peas(out of the polytunnel)cauliflower and some broad beans I managed to have plenty for yesterday. Today with the weather being hot I decided to have a cold salad but I did boil potatoes cauliflower and peas early to let them go cold. I did have some onions lettuce and radish in the greenhouse so with the cucumber I had a nice ham salad. Incidentally I have at least 2 more cucumbers growing nicely. I hope my mate enjoys them when his are ready. More soon.
Before my appointment I arranged to go to Lidl, it is only about 200 yards away. As usual, as I got there early the store was easy to get round but when it came to the check out it was back to normal, I did ask a guy who worked there if it was the only check out open, his answer was to confirm what I had expected. I did give myself plenty of extra time for the wait to get the goods paid so I was well in time for the Dental appointment.
While I was waiting I got talking to an Old Lady, I guess there would not be much difference in age to me. One thing made me think was she told me her Father was a prisoner of war in germany and she didn't see her father until she was about 5 years of age. We went on to discuss the food we had during and after the war and she told me she still loves dripping plus lard with a little salt. We didn't eat the lard but my Mother used to save the lard from the Pork to use in the pastry. I told her about the jam roly poly. To those who have no idea of what it is, we had it like this, my Mother used to make pastry then roll it out and put jam in it as if you were making a swiss roll. when it was rolled up it was covered with lard, butter margarine or any greased proof paper to seal it. It was then wrapped in a cloth and steamed for about 90 minutes. We had it with milk not custard.
When I was in business I had on as a sweet baked jam roll, some think that is the same as roly poly, anyway this man told us that it reminded him when he was young, he was one of 6 children and his Mother used to make a Jam Roly Poly every Monday and used to boil it in the copper the same time as she was boiling the whites, this saved time and money too.
When I got back home I checked to see if I had enough fresh vegetables out of my garden, so with potatoes, garden peas(out of the polytunnel)cauliflower and some broad beans I managed to have plenty for yesterday. Today with the weather being hot I decided to have a cold salad but I did boil potatoes cauliflower and peas early to let them go cold. I did have some onions lettuce and radish in the greenhouse so with the cucumber I had a nice ham salad. Incidentally I have at least 2 more cucumbers growing nicely. I hope my mate enjoys them when his are ready. More soon.
Tuesday 13 June 2017
Forgot
I will get back to garden matters later but first I must tell you that I had every intention of posting last Friday, on Thursday I was into the general Election so stayed up most of the night watching the results.
My Best Pal rung me early Friday morning to see if I was available, I never refuse him unless it is for an appointment or something similar. He duly arrived at his usual time in the afternoon. The first thing he informed me was that he had bought an Air Fryer and no sooner had he bought one his extended Family wanted a couple so he had to get a further 2. He then told me he was thrilled with the cooking of chips and other things amongst them sausages. I did tell him that it was thanks to my mate that I had one for he told me they were great, you need next to no oil so having chips is a relative healthy option as it uses hot air.
By the time he had left it was way past my teatime so I hurried to get my meal, no sooner had I eaten when I dropped off and the next thing it was after 7.00.pm. Too late for me to go Online so here we are today after a few days off writing.
That cauliflower was cut last week, in fact I am eating it now and it will last for another 3 or 4 days. The cucumber is called Burpless, my mate gave me a cucumber a few years ago but he wont spend money on a decent variety, this is the best tasting cucumber I have had. I bought the packet for I think less than £2 and there are several seeds left, if they germinate next year it will be a bonus. I just set 2 seeds and both germinated well. I gave my mate one cucumber plant and I sowed mine in the greenhouse as soon as it was safe to do so. As you can see they grow just like shop bought cucumbers, incidentally I don't suffer from indigestion eating all the outer skin too. It is very tasty and tender too.
The lad went to work yesterday but swe me ant told me that his broad beans had black fly. I told him to see me as soon as he got back from work and we would go and see what we could do.
He duly called around 3.00.pm first we looked at my garden, him eating plenty of strawberries but looked at my broad beans, he did see the odd black fly something that I had obviously missed for I check them every day. After a quick drink it was off round to his home, he told me that they had been busy preparing more raised beds so we had a quick look then it was to his broad beans. Naturally it is ME that takes the insect killer spray round to his. To be honest there were lots of black fly on his broad beans so I gave them a good spray and told him to see me if there were any more. We then went to look ta his plants in the greenhouse, I immediately told him he wasn't watering them enough. It was obvious to me that he had not watered his plants for at least a couple of days. We also watered the plants that I set for him outside but there is a hedge so I have told him to water them regular too. While we were watering the carer appeared so I asked the lad to go and ask her if she wanted a cauliflower. Of course she wanted one so when we had finished watering I told the lad to come back to mine and I went to get a bread knife to cut the cauliflower. To be honest it was almost twice as large os the one I had but I noticed that the next one was more than ready. I guess that within the next few days I will cut it and hopefully get it in my fridge. By the time I had seen the lad back to his place, once more I was late having my evening tea.
I go to the Dentist tomorrow morning, that is why I can't have my mate here, next Wednesday I have an appointment at ASDA to have my eyes tested it is almost a year since I last had them tested. More soon.
Tuesday 6 June 2017
Supermarket
Yesterday I went to the local Supermarket early as the forecast today was not good, in fact it said that later on yesterday would be poor too but it wasn't that bad.
Arriving soon after 8.30.am. the place was not busy at all. I went and bought what I needed and hurried to the check out. Not that I needed to hurry as there was only one checkout open and there were a few queuing.
A gentleman stood behind me so I got talking to him. The first thing we discussed was the weather and the rain that should begin later that morning but I told him that the rain would not be there and when it came it would be fragmented, which indee it was.
I then told him that this was typical for it was so easy to get in but not so easy to get out of the shop. He then pointed to an automated check out and told me he tried it once but when he asked for assistance the assistant was rude to him so he told me he would never use it again. I then told him about Aldi in Louth, I had to go to Hospital so called in the Supermarket there and let him know that the service was fantastic, also the parking for cars was so wide about the same width as a disabled parking bay. He then told me that when LIdl was closed for refurbishment some of his colleagues went to Louth and informed him that they would not be calling at Mablethorpe again.
Eventually we moved up fot the young lad on the checkout was having a bit of trouble, mind you we two didn't mind because we were passing the time by chatting away.
Eventually it was my turn, I remarked that he was having a trying time of it but we would not use the automated checkout. He then remarked he was worried because he thought the machines would eventually be installed throughout the store and he would be out of a job. We both said in unison if that happened we would not be calling again. He smiled and seemed assured.
This morning I rose early and went out to check just how much rain we had overnight. I found that the water butt was only just 1/2 full and at that time it was dry.
eventually around Noon it started to rain and as of now early evening it is still raining so at least I will have sufficient water in my butts to see me through for some time. More soon.
Arriving soon after 8.30.am. the place was not busy at all. I went and bought what I needed and hurried to the check out. Not that I needed to hurry as there was only one checkout open and there were a few queuing.
A gentleman stood behind me so I got talking to him. The first thing we discussed was the weather and the rain that should begin later that morning but I told him that the rain would not be there and when it came it would be fragmented, which indee it was.
I then told him that this was typical for it was so easy to get in but not so easy to get out of the shop. He then pointed to an automated check out and told me he tried it once but when he asked for assistance the assistant was rude to him so he told me he would never use it again. I then told him about Aldi in Louth, I had to go to Hospital so called in the Supermarket there and let him know that the service was fantastic, also the parking for cars was so wide about the same width as a disabled parking bay. He then told me that when LIdl was closed for refurbishment some of his colleagues went to Louth and informed him that they would not be calling at Mablethorpe again.
Eventually we moved up fot the young lad on the checkout was having a bit of trouble, mind you we two didn't mind because we were passing the time by chatting away.
Eventually it was my turn, I remarked that he was having a trying time of it but we would not use the automated checkout. He then remarked he was worried because he thought the machines would eventually be installed throughout the store and he would be out of a job. We both said in unison if that happened we would not be calling again. He smiled and seemed assured.
This morning I rose early and went out to check just how much rain we had overnight. I found that the water butt was only just 1/2 full and at that time it was dry.
eventually around Noon it started to rain and as of now early evening it is still raining so at least I will have sufficient water in my butts to see me through for some time. More soon.
Friday 2 June 2017
Busy yesterday
Yesterday morning I rinsed out a couple of light weight summer shirts, then had my breakfast. As soon as I had finised I the made some pastry by hand to make a steak pie which I fancied for my dinner. Not that I would eat it all in one go in fact it would last me at least 5 times. While that pastry was resting I started to prepare my dinner getting the new potatoes scraped. I then decided to make my pie. As soon as I had made it I then weighed out my bread mix. I now have found out just how to use dry yeast and started to make a batch of bread rolls. This of course takes time. I use my Kewood Major mixer with the dough hook on and leave it mixing for about 20 minutes. I then take the dough out of the mixer, let it rest for a little, while I clean the mixer. I proceed to weigh the rolls out and mould them. I prepare a baking sheet, with greasing the base so they do not stick. I then pin the rolls, place them on the tray and put them in a home made proving cabinet. I then went out and watered the greenhouse and polytunnel. Then it was back to see if the rolls were ready to bake in a pe-heated oven. Not quite so I had to wait another 10 minutes or so before I put them in the oven for between 20 and 25 minutes. As soon as they were done I put them on a rack to cool, the time was marching on because I had an appointment at the Surgery for a blood test.
I managed to get a shower and shave before it was time to go. My appointment was for 10.55.am. I managed to get there about 5 minutes early, had my blood test came back, finished preparing my dinner(lunch to posh folks) then it was soon time for me to cook my ipe together with my vegetables.
While I was having my dinner I heard to postman drop some mail in my door but I fogot to look at it until 2.00.pm. One was the cheque for my Solar, I was just under £50 less than the corresponding quarter for last year. I did tell my mate I was about 100 kilowatts down on last year but I don't think he believed me. Anyway off I went to the Bank to put the cheque in. There were a couple of folks ahead of me but I think they were businessmen for they took an age, there is only 2 counters there but only 1 is generally in operation.
While I was waiting a young fella came and stood behind me but after 5 or so minutes decided to use an automated deposit which tkaes cash and cheques. I have no idea how it works so didn't even look but I noticed the lad trying to smooth out £10 notes. It is obvious that the first thing you have to do is insert your card which I never carry on me but the young fella had. After watching him for about 5 minutes struggling I went to him and suggested that he iron the note flat, he grinned and told me he was having difficulty working the machine. I then saw him withdraw his card, insert it again and try to get the machine to work.
Eventually it was me to be served, I told the lass on the counter that my transaction was simple. She looked at me and told me she was pleased because it had been hectic. When I had one I saw the fella behind me but he saw the Manageress and informed he that the machine was not working properly. I didn't know the outcome for I left to go home. It had been a busy day for me. More soon.
I managed to get a shower and shave before it was time to go. My appointment was for 10.55.am. I managed to get there about 5 minutes early, had my blood test came back, finished preparing my dinner(lunch to posh folks) then it was soon time for me to cook my ipe together with my vegetables.
While I was having my dinner I heard to postman drop some mail in my door but I fogot to look at it until 2.00.pm. One was the cheque for my Solar, I was just under £50 less than the corresponding quarter for last year. I did tell my mate I was about 100 kilowatts down on last year but I don't think he believed me. Anyway off I went to the Bank to put the cheque in. There were a couple of folks ahead of me but I think they were businessmen for they took an age, there is only 2 counters there but only 1 is generally in operation.
While I was waiting a young fella came and stood behind me but after 5 or so minutes decided to use an automated deposit which tkaes cash and cheques. I have no idea how it works so didn't even look but I noticed the lad trying to smooth out £10 notes. It is obvious that the first thing you have to do is insert your card which I never carry on me but the young fella had. After watching him for about 5 minutes struggling I went to him and suggested that he iron the note flat, he grinned and told me he was having difficulty working the machine. I then saw him withdraw his card, insert it again and try to get the machine to work.
Eventually it was me to be served, I told the lass on the counter that my transaction was simple. She looked at me and told me she was pleased because it had been hectic. When I had one I saw the fella behind me but he saw the Manageress and informed he that the machine was not working properly. I didn't know the outcome for I left to go home. It had been a busy day for me. More soon.
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