Tuesday 31 October 2017

Sorted eventually

Just as it was getting dark I went out into the kitchen/ diner and noticed that my electronic ignition was flashing so I went to feel the radiators and found then coolish so I turned the thermostat up but nothing happened.
 Early Friday morning I decided to ring up British Gas as I am on Level 1. This includes a free service but if anything happens to the boiler or thermostat I have to pay £60 but no more.
 Anyway after about 25 minutes the young lass told me that someone would be calling between 9.00.am and 1.00.pm. so I waited. the time lapsed and nobody called so just before 2.00,pm. I rung up again but I had to wait for about 10 minutes. I told the young Lady that I wished to be put through to a Manager and explained what had happened but she then told me that it would be best if she dealt with the situation. To be honest she did a great job because after a few minutes promised me that somebody would be with me today.
 About 3.30.pm. the telephone rang it was the engineer informing me that he would be at mine within 30 minutes. Soon after 4.00.pm. he arrived. He told me he would do the service at the same time. He noticed the fault but when he tried to locate it the boiler decided to fire up so he had to check all to see if he could find the fault. About 5.00.pm he told me he had not the time for any further investigation but told me he would contact his colleague who would be here on Saturday. True to form he arrived early Saturday morning and proceed to investigate further  and eventually told me that it would probably need a new fan so he proceed to dismantle the machine which was not easy. After a further 20 minutes or so finally had the fan out but when he went to his vehicle noticed he had not the replacement fan because my boiler was rather new. He then got in touch with Worcester to check what fan he needed, they concurred so he ordered the replacement fan but told me he would have to come back on Monday to fit it. He reassembled the boiler which was working well and left  before 10.30.am.
 The lad came round and I told him I have been busy with the engineer but had got the dinner more or less ready. We had planned to get the tree grease on the dozen fruit trees. He is a lot more nimble than I am and got on his hands and knees to do the job, at least it was not cold and t was also dry.
 After a port and lemon which he loves we then went out and dug a load of young strawberry plants, 36 in all. We then went round his garden painted his tree with the tree grease and while he was getting his watering can full I raked the garden nice and level. I then showed him where to put the plants, I then set them and he then watered them in. I told him that there was nothing more to do with them until next Spring.
 We then went back to mine, he played on the Computer whilst I prepared dinner. To be honst I was feeling rather tired because I had been up and down Friday and had been on my feet all of the morning.
 After dinner he told me he would go home and download some games, to be honest I was pleased because I felt tired. More soon.

Thursday 26 October 2017

To continue.

The lad from next door came home with another parcel, it contained a pair of heavy boots and another pair of trousers. He told me he was pleased with the boots but yesterday I had no intention of seeing him but I was outside when the bus dropped him off. He called me to say he had a poorly toe, his boots were not as good a fit as he had hoped. I told him that they needed bedding in and he agreed.
 My mate from Skegness has been  a less than regular visitor this year. He came to see me on May 17th. and the next time was on September 13th. Why you may ask the gap but it was because he will only visit me on a Wednesday and it clashed with both his and my appointments and he will not visit me during the School Holidays because the traffic at Butlins is at times chaotic.
 I wanted him to come to see me about a vinyl flooring I wished to have down in my dining, kitchen  part but all he kept saying over the phone was the best thing was floor tiles. He, of course has them fitted but only because he managed to get a load FREE. I told him I was not interested in fitted tiles. Anyway he eventually came to see me, I had put off the quoting of a vinyl floor because I wished to give him the opportunity of doing to job himself. So when he came I told him what I wished, he suggested something that I didn't quite agree with but then he told me he didn't think he could do the job because his knees were playing up. He had complained a few times about the difficulty of getting up after being kneeling on the floor. I then made him promise that e must see a Doctor for he could possibly be in a wheelchair within the next 10 years. He did promise me that he would go and see a doctor, I then told him that his knees must be bad for it was the first time he had told me he could not do a job.
 After he had left I went straight to the shop in Alford and arranged for a survey which happened the next day. The young Man told me that the shop would contact me the next day(Friday) with a price. Unfortunately my telephone was faulty for that and the following day but the shop rung me on Monday and the job was completed by Friday the same week.
 I wished to get the work done well before the colder weather arrived. Anyway I then decided to buy a Roberts Radio that is solar, electric and DAB. We had talked over the phone but I decided to wait for him to visit me and set it up. However the other week when I rung up there was on the answerphone on but a couple of days later I had an e-mail informing me that he was not well at all.
 Last Saturday I rung up to get no reply but about an hour later the phone rang, it was my mate, he sounded rough so I did not wish him to be on the phone too long, his Partner was there looking after him so we only had less than 10 minutes chat. On hanging up I then decided that he would not be here for at least 2 or 3 weeks so I decided to set the Roberts Radio up myself which I did very easily.
 The lad will, hopefully be here on Saturday so that he can put tree grease on my fruit trees also his Pear tree and then we hope to go and plant some strawberry plants in his little garden which he had dug, he came round to show me what he had done so I told him we would take my easy to use rake and smooth the ground before we set the strawberry plants. More soon.

Monday 23 October 2017

Forgot

I have had approaching 3 dozen cucumbers, these are the latest, I had 3 but gave one to my Postman friend. These are at least getting smaller, just under 12" long.
 On Thursday the lad from next door came round, his Carer had gone out and would be back on about 20 minutes. He carried a large bag with him and told me that he had been given from Butlin's a new set of clothes because on Monday he was changing jobs and going to Environment. He then took the things out, there were 3 T shirts, a couple of pairs of trousers  2 jackets, one was lightweight and the other heavyweight He also had a sort of waterproof coat together with a wooly hat. He was thrilled with the new set but added that he had to take the old set in but there was no need to have them cleaned as they wold do that there.
 He then told me that on Saturday he was going to have his flu jab and would be round as soon as he could. I had planned to go to the local garden Centre mainly to get some more John Innes No. 3 compost.
 Saturday morning spot on 10.00.am the door bell rang, it was the lad, he told me that it was not this Saturday but next Saturday he was having the flu jab. I had originally told him that we would have Chicken but as he had told me he didn't know exactly when he would call I told him that we would have sausages beans and chips, followed by a damson and apple crumble. Naturally I had to stone all the damsons so that he didn't swallow any.
 So off we went to the Garden Centre, as soon as we entered the main road we had problems, not with the car but the road. Every 50 yards or so there was a ramp and there were about 8 vehicles in front of us going at no more than 5 miles an hour, mind you that was fast enough for the state of the road. I told him that we would not be coming back this way although it put about 7 miles on the journey.
 When we got to the Garden Centre it was quite busy, the first thing I told him was that we would look to see if they had any John Innes No. 3 which they did have so it was off to go inside. I told him that it was large and he could get lost, immediately we entered there was Christmas goods everywhere but we went straight through looking for seeds which I found quite easily. We picked a couple of packets then I told him I would show him the tree selection, this was outside and while we were there a Lady came and asked if they had any Apricot trees like that advertised on Gardener's World. I told her that they certainly would not have that Apricot but if she wished an old apple tree there was one available and it was called Ashmeads Kernel but she didn't seem to want to know about that.
 Then it was back into the main area and I asked the lad if he could find his way out and he told me definitely not for he would get lost. As I have been there about 4 times before I knew more or less my way round and took him to the sign that said Pay Desk and way out. I did see that they had some Barley Sugar sweets so picked up a couple of packs, put them and the seeds and told the lass that I would have 6 of the Compost. I paid and she gave us a ticket which we had to give to the lad outside so that he could load my car.
 After waiting several minutes the lad told me that he was over the far side of the car park loading some gear in a car. Eventually he came back and told me that it was all or nothing for he had been idle for about an hour then everybody wanted him, he loaded the car and off we went.
 When we got back I told the lad that I would open the gate so that he could get the wheelbarrow to transfer the compost 2 to the greenhouse and the other 4 to the polytunnel.
 He went to play on the computer while I prepared the dinner, first cooking the crumble and then cooking the sausages in the George Foreman grill. I then had 10 minutes with the lad but soon it was time to cook the chips in the Air Fryer, it really is a great machine. I have to thank my Pal for this as he told me all about them and he got me a second hand one, It was a lot cheaper than a new one but it was also dirty.
 It takes from cold about 20 or so minutes to cook chips, the only thing you have to do is give the chips a good shake after about 10 minutes, I drop the sausages in  about 5 minutes before the time is up just to get them hot once more the fat or most of it has been got rid of by the George Foreman grill. I gave him a bread roll for he loves to make a chip butty. I told him the when I was in Hong Kong in the Army the NAAFI which was run by the Chinese there were no rolls but if you wished to have a chip butty it was made with a couple of slices of bread and was called a Chip Banjoe, well that is what the Chinese guy used to shout when it was ready. Enough for today more soon.

Tuesday 17 October 2017

A So So few days

On Friday morning I rung British Gas to make am appointment to have my LPG boiler serviced.
 What a palaver, when I managed to get through the guy tried to get in to the system but try as much as he could he had no joy. I was kept in the dark for some time and I kept asking him if he was still there but he just confirmed and told me he was still trying. Eventually after some 15 minutes he asked me if I could be put on hold which I agreed. Another 10 or so minutes passed then he came back on only to inform me that he had no joy and would take my phone number so that he could ring me back at 4.00.pm. Needless to say no phone call was made.
 I had planned to go to have my haircut on Monday early so off I went to arrive at the Barbers shop just after 9.00.am. only to find it closed so I went into the cafe next door to have a coffee, off I went to the counter and was asked if I wanted a milky coffee which I said yes, I was then requested tio sit down. Soon after a coffee arrived and I asked how much it was and was told £1.60.p which I duly paid. It was a sort of froffy coffee but although it was piping hot was too strong for me personally but I did manage to drink it. Anyway ir was off next door to the Barbers only to find it still closed so I decided to go back home but on walking back I noticed another Barbers shop with the lady sitting down. I walked in and told her I had been to the other Barbers but she was not open. She told me she was pleased that I had given her the chance to cut my hair.
 In all honesty she cut my hair as near to how I wished it to be far better than I have had it cut for these last 10 years or so. When I came to pay she told me it was £4 but I gave her exactly the same as I would have paid at the old Barbers and told her that I would certainly be back. She then gave me her card with the opening times and I made my way home.
 I decided to call British Gas once more. To be honest it was not a whole lot better but I did manage to get an appointment for a service. For a start the lad told me that they had problems logging into the system. Believe it or not I was once more put on hold but not for that long. I let him know that I was not happy with the service and he asked me if that was a formal complaint but I told him it was not but it must be noted which he did. Eventually he gave me a date. Monday 21st. of November. I told him I would consult my diary for  I had several appointments. Immediately noticed and let him know that Tuesday was the 21st. of November and Monday was the 20th. He corrected himself and confirmed that the service would in fact be on the Monday between 8.00.am. and 1.00.pm. I reluctantly agreed but I though to myself. I am paying £132 for level 1 and have to wait well over a month for a service. I doubt very much if I will be renewing my contract next year. More soon.

Thursday 12 October 2017

Solar Radio

A couple of days aga I ordered a Roberts Solar DAB plus mains radio. Today it came and I read the instructions and read that it recommended Nicab batteries which were supplied. It also stated that to charge plug into the mains but it would take about 7 hours to charge. I was surprised to see that it had been fully charged within the hour so tomorrow I will see if I can get it to work.
 I must admit that the cucumber plant has been a headache, so much so that I gave my mate the remaining seeds for I have had well over 30 cucumbers off the one plant. This morning I went into the greenhouse and saw that I have one more ready although it is a bit curly, another will be ready within a couple of days that is straight and about 14" long, a further small cucumber is about 6", I don't know whether I have an unusual plant or if this is a norm for Burpless Cucumber.
 I am still picking a few runner beans but I don't think I will attain my goal of eating runner beans into November as there are a few left on the plants. However I have done well with my climbing french beans. I set the seeds late July and wondered if I would get any at all but today I picked enough for another 3 meals and there are quite a few beans still forming.
 A couple of days ago I dug up the marrow, I did have a small one forming but with the recent cold weather it just dropped off the plant but I managed to use it as a courgette. All in all I have done fair with marrows although the season started late but I do have one marrow left which I will start eating at the week end. The biggest disappointment is my leeks, without fail all have bolted and gone to seed. The only thing I can think of is the weather for I have used the same seeds for years, Musselburgh.
 The lad e-mailed me yesterday and asked me to look at his tomato plants but as I had watered them on Monday I told him they would last. He said he would see me on Friday, if he comes round there will be a few alpine strawberries for him and one or two raspberries those of the late variety. Today we have seen some sun unlike the last few days, it has been dull and just a little rain but the ground is wet enough anyway. More soon.

Tuesday 10 October 2017

Oh Dear!!

Yesterday I don't know why but I suddenly thought about my car and the renewal of my Tax although I don't have to pay any as my car is zero rated and was registered before April this year. In fact it was registered in September last year.
 I decided to ask at the Post Office when I got my State Pension which I did. I was informed that I must register my car for tax although I don't pay any, each year and she asked me when it should have been registered. I told her that it was first registered on September 1.st. last year, she told me that it must be registered and if I didn't could face a fine. I told her that I would probably call next week and off I went to the Co-op. to do my shopping.
 I picked up some plums milk and pudding rice and off I went to the check out but when I placed one of my 2 x4 pints of milk it started to leak so I hurried to swap it. When I came back I asked the Woman at the check out if she had a cloth, I know her well and she is nice but after looking for a cloth for a while decided to give my some paper wipes. I made a good job of cleaning the conveyor belt so it looked like new. I then asked the Woman on the check out where she had been for I had not seen her for some time. She leant over so nobody could hear her and told me that they had been messing her around and she had been working afternoons but preferred morning work but added that she would be here at the same time next week.
 Off I went back home and after doing a few odd jobs decided to look at the Registration Certificate, this replaces the old Log Book. That gave all you wished to know about the car for it was a cardboard sort of paper folded up with the details of the vehicle on the left but on the right hand side it gave a list of ALL previous owners, when they bought and when they sold also it gave the recorded mileage. There would sometimes be as many as 8 different owners but remember this there was no MOT in those days.
 Back to the new Certificate and there in one section it did say that each year it must be registered even if DVLA did not send a reminder, in my case they did not and I could do that at a Post Office or Online. With that I thought I would go immediately back to the Post Office and get the deed done.
 It is typical when one is in a hurry for I had put my dinner on thinking I would only be 20 minutes. Eventually I was served and the lass noted I was back again. I gave her my Registration Certificate and she started to put the information in the Computer, then she asked me if I wished to register it for a 12 months which I told her that I would like it to the end of September but she then let me know that she could not back date it. I told her that it was alright because it would make no difference. All she told me was that she was not that sure. I will wait ans ee what happens next if anything. More soon.

Friday 6 October 2017

Visitor

My Best Pal rung up to see if I would be in that afternoon and I confirmed I would so he came to see me.
 before he called I went out and picked  some runner beans french beans then I went into the greenhouse and picked several tomatoes which are still going strong because of the sun which has still some power in it.
 Some time ago I cut some pieces of the old rose bush, I don't know what it is called but it has some dreadful thorns but the scent of the rose is fantastic. It is also a very dark red colour. My late Mother had it when we lived at Grantham she then dug it up when she moved and once again when she finally moved that bush went with her. When she died I decided to dig the bush up and set it in my garden. It must be well over 60 years old and became woody with a declining flower performance. Anyway I took several cuttings well over 2 months ago. To be honest I wondered if they would take, the lad told me more than once they had died but I kept watering and nurturing them and gradually I noticed some very small shoots appearing. Then on Gardener's World the Presenter told us that if we decided to take cuttings of rambling roses to be patient as they would take many months to get established. I decided to pot one of the cuttings that began to show signs of life but also noticed there were no roots on the cuttings at all.
 I told my Pal that his Wife must not move the cutting from it's pot until late Spring at the earliest. I had taken a couple of cuttings from a Weigela called Bristol Ruby and they had taken well. So much so that I decided to dig up the old Weigela up and plant the young plant in a different place. I noticed the other day it had flowered so it is happy.
 I told my Pal that she could plant that out as soon as she wished. Together with a few eating apples he was well stocked up. We had a good old natter, I half expected the lad to call for he e-mailed me to tell me he was not at work for tomorrow(today) he was going on holiday and would call to see me before he left.
 the bell rung soon after 9.00.am. this morning and it was him, we went to check to see if there were any strawberries in the polytunnel, which there were and he ate them up we then went to see if there were any raspberries ripe which indeed there were so he ate them up and told me they were very nice.I gave him a few plum tomatoes and he left saying he would e-mail me when he was on Holiday.
 This afternoon I went to have my flu jab, I go to Mablethorpe because it is more rganised so it is not crowded. In fact I arrived at the Surgery about 2.55.pm. My appointment was for 3.02.pm. The logest wait was to book in and that was only for about 3 minutes. I was then told where to go and no sooner had I at down when the Nurse called me in. We passed pleasantries and she let me know it was some time since she had seen me. I had my flu jab and left, got in my car and looked at the time, in fact I had my flu jab a little before I was due to have it and that I was leaving the area just about the time I was due to have it so I was very pleased. I then went back to Sutton to book a blood test which I duly did for the first day of November so I made my way back home. More soon.

Tuesday 3 October 2017

Short visit to Ford

This morning I decided to go to the Co-op for my milk and a few other things. On getting in the car I tried to change from my C.D. to radio. No such joy so off I went to do my shopping and when I had finished decide to call at Ford once more. On entering the Showroom I first saw the man who to be honest was pleasant enough but had no idea how us old folk struggle with the new technology. I then noticed the guy who I had first seen so I told him what my problem was, he then said to me he would come out and have a look.
 On looking at the radio he then told me that they are very sensitive and just to touch the buttons lightly but very quickly. He then set it up once more but I had a far better idea of how to use the radio once he had shown me.
 I thnked him and went off to the local warehouse where I call pretty regularly when I am in the area. I had decided to buy some potatoes but as I went round I noticed that they only had  25 kg. bags and to be honest as one gets older, well I do anyway the weight seems to get a little heavier. I did, however get a bag and rested it on the top of the trolly and after getting a few bits and bobs went to the checkout. I know the lass well and we had a few minutes talk, nobody was waiting to be served then off I went to the car. All I had to do was to sort of lift the bag and slide it into the boot and off I went home.
 I had decided to get the car in the garage first then lift the bag of potatoes out which I did, mind you not without a bit of a struggle but managed to get the bay into my extension.
 With the thought of lifting the potatoes I managed to forget to call at the surgery to make \n appointment for \ blood test at the end of the month at the request of someone. I will be going for my flu jab in Mablethorpe on Friday so if I remember I will call fist at Sutton and make an appointment for nearer the end of the month for the blood test.
 I managed to pick another marrow yesterday but almost certainly that will be it for this year but I am still getting runner beans and my climbing french beans are producing plenty of beans so I should have enough for a week or so, they are protected because they are in my polytunnel. More soon.