Thursday 29 March 2018

Aldi.

Last week I ordered a Steam Mop and it arrived last Thursday. When I opened the box, all the items were in sealed bags and when I eventually assembled the Steam Mop I could not get the floor plate to fit at all. I don't know why I looked in the box but at the bottom was a piece of plastic, it turned out to be part of a lug that had been broken off. I decided to email Customers Service at Aldi and explained that I would try to stick the piece to where it had been broken and if I failed I would travel to skegness to exchange it for a replacement.
 About 2 hours later I had a phone call, it was from Customers Service at Aldi. I explained what I intended to do but not only would I stick the two pieces together but I would wait at least 24 hours and give it a repeat performance so that it may be a few days before I had any results. She then told me that the nearest store was Louth but I corrected her letting her know that it was Skegness. At first she could not find the store but eventually did. She told me she would check to see if skegness had any in stock and the answer was they had plenty. She wished me well but reminded me that it had a 3 year warranty anyway.
 I checked on Sunday morning but it was a failure so I planned to visit Aldi in Skegness early Tuesday morning so that hopefully there would be few in store so that a swift replacement would happen.
 I arrived at Skegness store just before 8.45.am. It was raining so there were few in store that included the Staff. I saw a young Man at the checkout and went over to him and explained all that had happened. He told me not to worry and started to go to find another one but a customer approached the checkout so I asked him if I should go with him but he told me if I wished I could do my shopping so out I went and collected a shopping trolley and proceed to do my shopping.
 I guess it took about 20 or so minutes to get what I wished, the store was still very sparce of customers so it was great for me. When I arrived at the checkout a couple were waiting to pay but the young Man recognised me and let me know he had seen me. When it came to my turn to check my goods another colleague arrived and said something to him, I think it was about a tea break. He must have said something to her because she replied to him "Don't shoot the messenger". She was getting ready to open another checkout but before she could start he asked her to go and fetch a Steam Mop so off she went. It took less than a minute and offered me the box. I looked at her and just said. "Will you take it and put it in the car just outside".The look on her face made me laugh she put her arms around me and laughed heartily saying that she thought I was serious.  The young man suggested I pay for the goods which I did then he told me all I had to do was write my address, telephone number abd the fault. He would fill in all the other details. I thanked them both very much and came back home.
 I am not 100% healthy so I did not even assemble the Steam Mop until late in the afternoon and didn't use it until the next day. It worked very well.
 I then emailed once more Customers Service and informed them what happened, back came a reply that it was noted on their fault site.
 To be honest I could not fault Aldi both the Customers Service side and the Staff at Skegness, it was a pleasure going into the store.
 As it is approaching Easter I will be taking a few days off so I wish all who bother to read my blog a Happy Easter. For my part I have just seen the lad from next door and gave him a couple of Easter Eggs, 1 for him and 1 for the other one who has severe learning difficulties. needless to say I instructed him to give the package to his Carer, she will make sure they get them on Easter day. More soon.

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Fencing

Saturday morning before 10.00.am, the lad from next door came round to assist me with the fencing panel repairs. We started soon after and I had in plan that we do a couple of panels cleaning out the leylandii cuttings out of the bottom then have a drink. Doing the remaining panel and then while the lad played on the computer I would get dinner ready. I gave him a choice so we had Home Made Steak Pie with chips and peas with some gravy which he loves. Also I had a bread roll for him because he always makes a chip butty when he has chips.
 It took about an hour to get the dinner ready. I had before hand prepared the Blackberry and Apple crumble so it only had to be cooked. I did that at the same time as cooking the Steak Pie. Just before it was ready I called the lad and he was at the table in no time. After the meal it was his job to make the coffee while I washed the pots.
 We then went into the T.V. room to drink the coffee and watch the qualifying of the Grand Prix. After that we went on to do more work round next door with the panels. It is not possible for me and the lad to lift the panels out of the concrete bases so I had to make the best of it. together we managed to repair quite a few panels and I had to saw more wood but while I was doing that I asked him to dig a little of his garden so that we could plant some seed potatoes.
 We had to go to and fro from my home to his place, in the end we had a lot of wood, saw hammer nails and steps but eventually we completed the work.  Getting round to planting the seed potatoes was easy and took no time at all. I had told him that I wanted him to sow some seeds, mainly brussel sprouts and cabbage so as soon as we had brought the things we had used back to mine we went to the greenhouse where I had prepared a couple of trays for the seed to be planted. I supervised him sowing the seeds then looked at my watch, it was 4.15.pm. I told him we would call it a day and as soon as we got indoors he suggested we have a coffee, I agreed and it was my task to get his tea. I had told him it was going to be fish and chips, this would take about 30 minutes so while he made the coffee I buttered a couple of bread rolls and got working on the meal.
 No sooner had we sat down for the meal when his mobile went, it was an email from his Carer letting him know that they had arrived back home. I have never seen him eat his food as quickly as that but he was told off several weeks ago for staying late but I had told the Carer that I would give him his tea but it made no difference to him.
 Anyway he enjoyed himself and yesterday he came round to assist me a little also we took round 6 broad bean plants as the ones that I had grown originally for him  6 had perished. I have never known The Sutton Broad Beans to be affected by the weather before but it was something of a one off, hopefully.
 The daffodils although severely affected by the severe gale force winds are now in flower, about a month later than last year. More soon.

Thursday 22 March 2018

More cleaning

This morning I decided to give the shed a good clean. As I took the majority of things out I noticed that there were a couple of holes where the vermin had gnawed their way into the shed although there was no signs of recent guests.
 I managed to bung the holes up and made a reasonable job of it all but it took me well over 90 minutes.
 I had no sooner had a coffee and sat down when the doorbell rang. It was the Postman who I hadn't seen for a while. We had a good 5 minutes chat and he told me that he had to get his Holidays in before April but he had done the spring Cleaning. He had bought me some Estima seed potatoes, I like Estima and what I intended to do is put them in compost in a couple of large bags to see what sort of volume I get.
 No sooner had he gone when the doorbell rang once more, it was Hermes the delivery for Aldi. I had ordered a Steam Cleaner and another hand trowel. I gave the lad the other one I had ordered because it was better quality than the one I had originally gave him.
 I decided to assemble the Steam Cleaner but when it came to fit the floor cleaner foot I couldn't get it to fit, I don't know why I did but I looked in the box it came in and at the bottom was a little bit of plastic. I realised that it was a lug that had broken so I did no more I went Online and contacted Aldi to inform them what I intended to do. I let them know that I proposed to use the Gorilla Glue to see if I could stick it so that it would work but I would keep them informed.
 A couple of hours later the phone rang and it was Aldi Customer Service, the lass had received my email but I explained to  her what I intended to do but added that if it stuck alright today I would give the lug piece another piece of glue and leave it for a further 24 hours. I then asked her if it failed could I take it to the Aldi Store in Skegness for a swap. She then looked on her screen and told me the nearest place was Louth but I told her this was not so. She asked if Skegness Aldi was new, I told her it was about 5 months old but it was lovely.
 She eventually found the Store and checked to see if they had any in stock telling me they had plenty. She then commented on how I was trying to solve a problem and that it was good adding that if it didn't work I was to contact her and take it back to Skegness for a replacement adding that it had a 3 year warranty. So now I will wait and see if I can repair the machine, apart from that little thing it looks great. More soon.

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Busy and tired

Yesterday I had for me a busy day. I did my usual duties like preparing for my mid day meal then it was off to the Surgery to place my repeat prescriptions in the place provided. Near to the surgery is a Council Car Park and there is a glass recycling collecting point so I called there to put a bottle(port) and a couple of jars. The Port I bought last year  so don't get the idea that I drink heavily. In fact I only have a drink of Port and lemon when the lad calls. It consists of about 20% Port and 80% diet lemonade.
 After getting rid of my glass I went to the Newsagent to get my weekly Magazine for T.V listing. Then off I went to the Co-op to get my milk  and another bottle of Port, some Ginger cake mix and some diet lemonade. Then it was off to Lords the warehouse where I bought a couple of jars of Mincemeat and a cabbage then back to my home.
 I placed the goods in their relevant places then I prepared to make some Bread Rolls. This takes me about 90 minutes maximum from starting to completion. By the time I had completed the task it was approaching 1.30.am so I had time to clean the windows which were once more filthy due to the severe winds and blizzard conditions we had over the week end.
 By the time I had cleaned the windows I then put on my vegetables to cook and took the Domestic waste ready to be collected today. I noticed that the lad next door had cleaned the car because of the soapy water that was running down to the drain.  No sooner had I got back inside when the doorbell rang. It was the lad so I showed him the damage we had once more to the fencing and went out the front and told him that they would require some medial repair. I asked him if he could help me lift out a fencing panel, they are 3' but I could not lift it out of the concrete posts alone. We managed to lift it out and immediately noticed the panel was worse than I had expected. Bear in mind they have been there for over 20 years. I told him I was soon going to get my dinner and he told me that when I wanted to put the panel back he would be in his bedroom playing on his XBox and would come round and help me.
 After my dinner I decided to go straight away out and start on the fencing panel, no sooner had I started when the lad came round. I was surprised and pleased for it was not straight forward. Where we had taken the fencing panel out was a lot of dead Leylandii and I asked him if he could fetch the wheelbarrow and fill it with the dead branches. While he was doing this I was taking off the rotten wood and preparing for a new piece of wood which I had already cut. He came back and assisted me with the fitting of the panel. We managed to get the panel back in place and he noticed that there were others that needed repairing.
 We finished up doing 2 other panels and there was plenty of cut twigs and branches that had to be removed. I told him that there was a huge pile to burn and he looked at me and suggested that there would be a lot more for there will be at least 3 more panels to repair. This is scheduled for Saturday.
 When we had done it was approaching 3.00.pm. I suggested to him that we had a Port and Lemon which his eyes lit up. I also suggested that if he wished I would do him a chip butty. He told me that it would be nice so naturally I peeled the potato whist he did for the first time do the Port and Lemon. I did soak the chipped potatoes for about 10 minutes then dried them off put them in a large bowl and poured enough oil to cover them and it was off to the Air Fryer for about 20 minutes. I buttered him a bread roll, asked him if he wanted a coffee which he said no and soon the chips were done. He gave me about 4 and the rest he made his butty and ate  what was left individually. He told me he would soon go for he had to update some things on his XBox so about 3 30.pm. he left for home.
 No sooner had he gone when the phone rang. It was the last thing I needed for my legs were swollen and I was tired being at it for the most of the day. It was my Best pal calling to say he would not be coming down this week as they were recovering from the bad weather they had had but added he would get down as soon as he could and would ring me so that he could come round to see me.
 He kept me talking for about 40 minutes so I had reluctantly to let him know that I would have to go and give my legs a rest. By the time I had finished the phone call it was tea time. More soon.

Friday 16 March 2018

Short Straw

On Monday I had to visit the dentist early so that it made a visit to the hairdresser not possible. Tuesday is the Auction day so I planned to go to have my haircut on Wednesday.
 So early Wednesday morning I set off intending to call at the local filling station to get some petrol which I did get. On leaving I hadn't gone far when I saw a large number of vehicles waiting as it happened to join the main road. It took about 10 minutes to get on the main road and a further 10 minutes to travel some 150 yards to the free Car Park. I had noticed last time I went there that people were going to the ticket machine so this time I did check and it informed us to get a ticket. To me it is a waste of money for it is FREE parking all day.
 After getting the ticket and displaying it in my car, off I went to the Barbers Shop which is only about 200 yards away at most but as I approached the place was in darkness and I saw pinned to the front door a notice that the shop would be closed for the week due to holidays and an apology for any inconvenience caused. So it was off back home but to be honest the return journey was not bad. It had taken me at least 30 minutes to travel 6 miles at most including fuel but less than 15 minutes to get back home.
 The disappointment didn't stop there. I had asked my mate if he could to call at the local Builder's Merchants for some battens. He emailed me informing that he had bought 10 but the lengths were smaller than last time. He told me in metres but I am in my 80s and I am not conversant in metres which he knows too well.
 When they arrived I noticed that they were a lot smaller, the original lengths were about 14' 6". These looked nothing like the length that I had required for I need to get at least 2x6' lengths. When I measured them to my horror I saw that they were less than 12' long, that means that I can only get one length. The most disappointing thing is my mate knew that the minimum lengths I required were 6'. When I emailed him to let him know that they were not suitable all he informed me was that the Suppliers only did that length. I was surprised my mate didn't inform me prior to ordering. I know for certain that if if the lengths were not suitable for him he would not have bought them. So now I will try to get some small pieces in to try to get the fit somehow but not this week as the weather forecast for the weekend is poor. Not that it has been good lately for the last 2 days it has been cold dull and wet at times. I hope to get the lad to help me with some panels which have to be lifted ou for some have buckled like a bow. Needless to say I will try to do my best, at least they will be better than they are now. These things are sent to try us.
 So next Monday I intend to go to have my haircut, weather permitting. More soon.

Tuesday 13 March 2018

Cold and wet

Yesterday was a horrible day yet again with it being very dull and dark all day plus rain on and off all day. To make matters worse it was cold, the temperature never went above 4.7c which is around 40 degrees fahrenheit. far below what one would expect for the middle of March. needless to say my garden is still waterlogged.
 On Saturday the lad came round but the weather was not good with rain at times but I had promised him that we would plant out his Broad bean plants we also put into his garden a few Shallots. I did have a look at the Greenhouse and apart from one pane of glass the damage was not as severe as I had thought. As I am no longer stable for I get dizzy I told him that I could not get on a pair of steps and place some polythene which I had taken round. Whether they will fix the pane which is the top of the Greenhouse is a guess but I did tell him that I would try to fix the odd side panel which was damaged. As I had done most of the work I was tired and forgot to take the pots and tray back to mine.
 Yesterday I asked the lad to bring them round to me and this lunch time he did. We went out and looked at my fencing at the front and noticed that some panels had began to bow so that it the next job.
 I had expected a LPG delivery yesterday but that didn't happen so just before 4.30.pm. I rung them up and the guy who answered was apologetic and checked to see when I would definitely get my delivery. He told me Wednesday but I informed him that I had to go out that morning because I had let them know I would pay cash. He told me not to worry because he didn't expect me to do a sudden move. He then went  on to tell me about his experiences when the Beast from the East arrived. He told me he lived in Boston and for 2 days things were at a standstill there but he did manage to get to work on the Friday. I told him that we were all in the same boat.
 I went to get my State pension and asked the lass there if they had been affected by the weather she told me they were closed for 2 days. I didn't tell her I was housebound for 4 days.
 The weathermen say that the cold East winds were coming back at the weekend, surely not as bad as it was for it is the middle of March. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. More soon.

Thursday 8 March 2018

Wood

With the fencing being severely damaged in parts I decided to email my mate to see if he could go round to the local Builder's Merchants to order some wood. I did go Online but they wished you to register and I thought if my mate could manage with the help of his partner I would let him order the wood. I did tell him not to worry for I would have gone to the Builder's merchants on the way to Mablethorpe but they are rather expensive.
 My mate emailed me this morning to let me know he would try to get and order the wood I needed so with that I have no need to call at the Merchants on the way to Mablethorpe on Monday. I have a Dental Appointment first thing Monday.
 before that I will have the lad round on Saturday but the weather forecast is for rain but we will set his broad bean plants and have a look at the greenhouse, I do have a little polythene so I will give them that but according to the lad there are quite a few glass panes shattered with the severe gales and snow of last week.
 I of course will have more idea of the damage when |I go round with him, I told him to be round at mine at 10.30.am. on Saturday but will tell him, if I see him to make it 30 minutes later because we will not be able to do a lot.
 The weather does not get a lot warmer, today we had rain but a little further North they had snow, things are back to where they were several years ago with the first signs of daffodils coming into bud. It was always known that Daffodils were flowering mid March into mid April followed by Tulips. I am sure that once more I have lost all of my Tulips so I will never grow them anymore in the garden. I was sent free about a dozen Tulip bulbs which I set in a large tub and kept it in the Polytunnel, they are now beginning to show through and if it gets warmer will be flowering by the end of the month or early April.
 I am getting the Greenhouse prepared for the coming Summer but there is no sign of the seed potatoes I planted several weeks ago. What we could do with is a prolonged spell of dry warm weather. I guess that is wishful thinking. More soon.

Tuesday 6 March 2018

Clean up

After the severe gales and snow we had last week. Sunday was the first day I was able to go and inspect the fencing. I had expected some damage but not quite as much as there was. 3 panels had been damaged to certain degrees. I had to saw more wood to make them temporary stable but I must order some more wood but at least it will make them safe for now.
 The lad  told me that the greenhouse had been severely damaged with several pane of glass broken so I told him I would check it on Saturday when he comes round.
 today was the lads Birthday he is I think 29 although he doesn't look it. yesterday I gave him a card with some money inside. He told me they were going out for a meal today.
 This morning the doorbell rang, it was the Carer inviting me to go with them for a meal to celebrate the lad's  Birthday saying that it would cost me nothing. I had to inform her that I was expecting a delivery and I did not know exactly what time it would be at mine. Yodel do not give a time but they do inform you asd to how many drops there are before he gets to you. As it happened I could have gone for just before lunch my parcel arrived. Anyway it was so nice of her to offer. I did tell her that she was doing a great job looking after the 2 with learning difficulties. The female has improved a lot for when she first went there she said nothing at all and played with her doll. Now although she does not talk well the Carere and the lad can understand her and some of the words I also understand.
 I  did manage to do a little in the garden but to be honest it is very wet and will probably be a couple of weeks before I plant seeds. More soon.

Thursday 1 March 2018

Nice surprise

The weather in general these last few days has been horrendous but in Lincolnshire it has been particularly bad but not according to the News. It spoke about most other areas suffering and it was not until last night that it mentioned the Military had to be called in to Lincolnshire to assist with the help in regard to getting helpers and Nurses to the local hospitals. Later it was stated that many motorists were stranded in Lincoln. This morning it did report on most of the main roads in the county were closed in places. This was caused by the severe winds blowing the lying snow off the fields  closing many of the main roads. Nearly all of the Schools were closed.
 The Carer came round to see if I was O.K and asked me to go round for a coffee which I gladly accepted. I saw the lad and he told me he had a text message informing him that the remainder of this week he would not be required to go to work. Not that he could do anyway for the buses had stopped running, the refuse service was also cancelled and in general a report was given out that unless the journey was really necessary you should stay at home.
I asked the Carer if she had enjoyed her time in Australia and she told me she had thoroughly enjoyed her stay but not the travel. I asked her if she would go again and was surprised when she told me she was going again but had asked the Travel Agent to see if a different journey to Australia could be done. She would like a break for the travel of 20 hours was too much.  She added that her Husband did not go with her because he wished to upgrade but it was too expensive for both of them. He was also this week on a Course because he is changing his place of work. He s also a Carer in a Nursing Home.
 I was given a coffee and with the  2 others which she Cares for we had a nice talk. The lad wished me to see his new T.V. which I did some time after we had a coffee.
 Off I went to his room and was allowed to sit in his posh chair which has a raised platform that allows you to have your legs raised which suits me fine. His T.V is very modern and he has bought a what I will call a typewriter which means he can use his T.V, as a computer receiving and sending emails. He can also get Netflix and Films. To be honest it was all too much for me to digest but it looks great. He did show me the command he could give by voice and showed me how it works.
 Eventually I had to leave because it was well after my dinner time but it was nice to think the Carer did think of me. Before I left I did tell the lad that hopefully a week on Saturday if the weather was nice we would sort out his Greenhouse and he could have a bit of dinner.
 I was pleased to get back home and immediately began to prepare my dinner and the rest of the afternoon did nothing except order some more bird seed because I have fed them at regular intervals every day since it turned much colder. More soon.