Early Friday morning I was awoken by the sound of thunder. This was about 4.00.am. as it got worse I decided to get up at about 4.50.am. It had been raining but the ground was not completely wet but as the day broke the rain got a little heavier and the thunder was continuous. As it got lighter the rain got heavier so when it had finally stopped it was about 9.00.am. and when I checked my water butts most were full or almost full.
I had a delivery of LPG around 3.00.pm and it was a female who was delivering so I asked her if she had been awoken by the thunder but all she told me was that it didn't bother her much at all. I then asked her if they had the rain, again she didn't seem bothered saying that they had the odd shower. I told her my water butts were about full. She was surprised at that because she looked at the ground and I must admit it was once more dry.
Around 5.00.pm. we had a repeat performance of thunder lightning and heavy rain. The rain was so heavy at times that my Sky Satellite could not send a picture and when I got up Saturday morning I could see that we had. I guess about 2" of rain over the 24 hour period.
I sat down to watch the qualifying of the Hungarian Grand Prix but all of a sudden I lost power. I decided to go outside in the garden for about 10 minutes and when I came back indoors I decided to contact the powers to be. It is a 3 digit number and when I got through it is automated but eventually I did get through to an answering service informing me that they knew of the problem of a power outage and the time expected to reconnect was at 3.30.pm. This meant I was not able to produce any electricity from my Solar Panels. However just before 3.00.pm. the power was restored.
About 5.30.pm. I had a phone call, it was from the company that supplies electricity. It was a female who apologised for the break in supply and asked if i had been connected yet. I let her know that I was once again with power and told her that originally I was given a time of reconnection that was easily beaten and that made me happy. She told me that she was very pleased adding that the engineers had managed to rectify the fault a lot sooner than expected. This is the first time I have ever been contacted because of a power problem, it was nice of them to contact me. More soon.
Monday, 30 July 2018
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Increase
I went to check my LPG bottles and noticed that the needle had informed me that I had run out of over half so I went and contacted Calor to ask for another delivery, first requesting the price increase. I was informed that with the delivery charge it would cost me for 2x47kgs. of LPG would cost me £121.68p. I then let the receptionist that in the last 2 years LPG had increased by over 20%. She concurred saying it was bad.
The Government has always stated that they try to keep the fuel price increase to a minimum but if it had been Mains Gas or electricity I am sure they would have done something about it, but of course users of LPG for heating and cooking are in a minority so there is no pressure at all. Unfortunately those who live in the country do not have the opportunity of using mains gas which is a shame.
Things are getting serious over the lack of rain, many vegetable farmers are complaining about the drought and naturally vegetable prices will inevitably increase over the Winter period. As for me and the stored water, I do have sufficient for about 2 weeks but I have been using it sparingly only watering the tomatoes in the greenhouse and using water only on those few plants I have in the polytunnel. I have been watering the tubs with Dahlias in. I decided to buy several dahlia tubers early this year and to be honest I have been very pleased with the display so far. I noticed that the bees love the flowers because whenever I go up that way I notice many bees on the flowers.
I am watering my runner beans and to be honest, although they are slow I am getting enough means for a meal every day, sometimes I have sufficient for a couple of meals a day. As I am low on ferritin iron to us old fashioned folk, runner beans are full of iron so I like to eat at least a portion each day for as long as they produce. I hope to get enough to eat for at least 2 more months.
heat is a problem but yesterday we had a breeze which made it a little more bearable. The day before was dreadfully hot so I sympathise with all who live in large towns or cities, it must be dreadful. Over the next few days it forecasts that we will get some rain. We keep fingers crossed. More soon.
The Government has always stated that they try to keep the fuel price increase to a minimum but if it had been Mains Gas or electricity I am sure they would have done something about it, but of course users of LPG for heating and cooking are in a minority so there is no pressure at all. Unfortunately those who live in the country do not have the opportunity of using mains gas which is a shame.
Things are getting serious over the lack of rain, many vegetable farmers are complaining about the drought and naturally vegetable prices will inevitably increase over the Winter period. As for me and the stored water, I do have sufficient for about 2 weeks but I have been using it sparingly only watering the tomatoes in the greenhouse and using water only on those few plants I have in the polytunnel. I have been watering the tubs with Dahlias in. I decided to buy several dahlia tubers early this year and to be honest I have been very pleased with the display so far. I noticed that the bees love the flowers because whenever I go up that way I notice many bees on the flowers.
I am watering my runner beans and to be honest, although they are slow I am getting enough means for a meal every day, sometimes I have sufficient for a couple of meals a day. As I am low on ferritin iron to us old fashioned folk, runner beans are full of iron so I like to eat at least a portion each day for as long as they produce. I hope to get enough to eat for at least 2 more months.
heat is a problem but yesterday we had a breeze which made it a little more bearable. The day before was dreadfully hot so I sympathise with all who live in large towns or cities, it must be dreadful. Over the next few days it forecasts that we will get some rain. We keep fingers crossed. More soon.
Monday, 23 July 2018
DUKW
With the tragic news that many had perished travelling on a lake in the USA , The transport being a DUKW.
As those who follow my blog know that I moved down to the Coast in early 1969. Among the attractions at the seaside was a coupe of DUKW, they offered trips out to sea from the beach. At the time I though it was hazardous for the visibility of the driver was limited and they were large. Many youngsters were playing with the sand on the beach, I think they only operated for a year or two. Years later I mentioned this to another fellow businessman who had forgotten about the DUKW. There were the odd boat also giving trips at that time ubt as time passed it looks as if there are no attractions on the beach these days, I don't even know if there are donkey rides for kiddies.
The last two days have been dreadfully hot and like many others my produce in the garden is suffering. The soil in the polytunnel is like desert sand dry and parched. I had a few peas on but the went to seed very quickly. The carrots did not germinate at all outside but I did set a few seeds in the polytunnel and they germinated well. I am giving them water each day as I am looking after 4 climbing french beans. Outside my kidney beans are doing fine as are the lads next door. I went round to see his garden on Saturday and looked at his kidney beans. I pointed out that he should tell his Carer for soon they would have enough beans for a meal. In his greenhouse his tomatoes look very good with plenty of tomatoes on but none ready yet. As for mine I am picking a few up but I did plant mine a week or so earlier then we planted his. This was mainly due to two factors. The first being that my greenhouse has stronger glass and secondly the Beast from the East damaged his greenhouse and it is only the last month that the Carer,s Husband fitted some plastic to make it more like a greenhouse. He is looking after his garden well. The weather does not help too much as all are crying out for water and somewhat a little cooler weather. I guess we are never satisfied.
By the way, according to my profile this is the 1000th. post. I never thought firstly that I would live for that long and secondly I didn't think I could write so many posts. More soon.
As those who follow my blog know that I moved down to the Coast in early 1969. Among the attractions at the seaside was a coupe of DUKW, they offered trips out to sea from the beach. At the time I though it was hazardous for the visibility of the driver was limited and they were large. Many youngsters were playing with the sand on the beach, I think they only operated for a year or two. Years later I mentioned this to another fellow businessman who had forgotten about the DUKW. There were the odd boat also giving trips at that time ubt as time passed it looks as if there are no attractions on the beach these days, I don't even know if there are donkey rides for kiddies.
The last two days have been dreadfully hot and like many others my produce in the garden is suffering. The soil in the polytunnel is like desert sand dry and parched. I had a few peas on but the went to seed very quickly. The carrots did not germinate at all outside but I did set a few seeds in the polytunnel and they germinated well. I am giving them water each day as I am looking after 4 climbing french beans. Outside my kidney beans are doing fine as are the lads next door. I went round to see his garden on Saturday and looked at his kidney beans. I pointed out that he should tell his Carer for soon they would have enough beans for a meal. In his greenhouse his tomatoes look very good with plenty of tomatoes on but none ready yet. As for mine I am picking a few up but I did plant mine a week or so earlier then we planted his. This was mainly due to two factors. The first being that my greenhouse has stronger glass and secondly the Beast from the East damaged his greenhouse and it is only the last month that the Carer,s Husband fitted some plastic to make it more like a greenhouse. He is looking after his garden well. The weather does not help too much as all are crying out for water and somewhat a little cooler weather. I guess we are never satisfied.
By the way, according to my profile this is the 1000th. post. I never thought firstly that I would live for that long and secondly I didn't think I could write so many posts. More soon.
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
Heat
As one gets older, I for one cannot stand the extremes of temperature, that is too hot or too cold, it has been uncomfortable for me these last few days. This morning however was near normal temperatures.
the dry weather has played havoc with my garden. In the polytunnel the soil is like a desert and I now have to peel my potatoes. Mind you I have been eating this seasons potatoes for over 2 months. The peas have been plentiful but small pods, also they have gone dry quickly so all it means I will have some peas for next year. they are Little Marvel and are a Heritage pea so most don't stock them.
I have just enough runner beans for a couple of days but they are slow to grow. As for the broad beans, I did plant some Green Windsor, 12 in all but the strong to gale force winds damaged some of them, that is after I did tie them to stakes. I will have about 3 meals so I can't grumble. I have set a few seeds in the polytunnel and they have germinated so hopefully I will get a taste later in the year.
I am surprised at the progress of the kidney beans, there are several small beans on them and I guess within a week or so a taste will be had.
naturally with all the hot dry weather my plum tree has been shedding fruit but I will still have sufficient for me and enough to give some away.
I don't know what happened but I lost all and was taken back to the main page but eventually I found my way back after what seemed an age.
Next Tuesday I go to Louth Hospital for an appointment regarding my Ulcerative Colitis. The time is at 11.40.am. so I expect to be there for ages. I also had a wait for the delivery of my repeat prescription, I received it late yesterday afternoon, I had visions of going to the surgery for I had run out of one of my medication but I was able to take my medication this morning.
I checked my blog and noticed that this post will be my 999 post. I don't know just how long I will continue for I have run out of ideas but I will definitely get to my 1000 posts. More soon.
the dry weather has played havoc with my garden. In the polytunnel the soil is like a desert and I now have to peel my potatoes. Mind you I have been eating this seasons potatoes for over 2 months. The peas have been plentiful but small pods, also they have gone dry quickly so all it means I will have some peas for next year. they are Little Marvel and are a Heritage pea so most don't stock them.
I have just enough runner beans for a couple of days but they are slow to grow. As for the broad beans, I did plant some Green Windsor, 12 in all but the strong to gale force winds damaged some of them, that is after I did tie them to stakes. I will have about 3 meals so I can't grumble. I have set a few seeds in the polytunnel and they have germinated so hopefully I will get a taste later in the year.
I am surprised at the progress of the kidney beans, there are several small beans on them and I guess within a week or so a taste will be had.
naturally with all the hot dry weather my plum tree has been shedding fruit but I will still have sufficient for me and enough to give some away.
I don't know what happened but I lost all and was taken back to the main page but eventually I found my way back after what seemed an age.
Next Tuesday I go to Louth Hospital for an appointment regarding my Ulcerative Colitis. The time is at 11.40.am. so I expect to be there for ages. I also had a wait for the delivery of my repeat prescription, I received it late yesterday afternoon, I had visions of going to the surgery for I had run out of one of my medication but I was able to take my medication this morning.
I checked my blog and noticed that this post will be my 999 post. I don't know just how long I will continue for I have run out of ideas but I will definitely get to my 1000 posts. More soon.
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
Appointment
Yesterday morning I travelled to Skegness to my mate's home as he informed me that he and his Partner would take me to Skegness Hospital. I was pleased especially as I would have had difficulty finding the place but when he took me in I was impressed not because of the size but also the cleanliness and the friendliness of the staff.
After being called in to have my BP taken and drops in my eyes I eventually saw the Doctor. He was very friendly also and after inspecting my eyes told me what I knew that I had indeed cataracts in both eyes. What he said next surprised me for he then let me know that he would put my name forward for the operation, first doing the right eye and about 6 to 8 weeks later having the left eye sorted. He, of course informed me that there was risks which I knew and after signing the consent form told me that the operation would take place within 18 weeks but first I would have to travel to Boston to have my eyes measured.
I left I guess about 45 minutes later where both of them were waiting for me and we went back to their home.
With the drops in one's eyes your vision is affected for about 4 hours so I was made welcome in their home and my mate stopped with me talking of things past. Eventually about 12.30.pm. I let them know that I felt sufficiently comfortable to drive so I left them. I told them that I was calling at Aldi, which is on the way back home and a detour was only a few hundred yards out of my way. It was hectic there so I only called to get the essentials. coffee was the main thing I required I also picked up some milk, frozen cod in batter and some ham pieces then it was off home.
When I arrived home it was my first job to get my dinner prepared and to cook it. Whilst it was cooking I picked some peas out of the garden. Although they are plentiful the pods are small. I also picked a few broad beans. I only set about 12 seeds, one of which I intend to let them go to seed so that I will have enough seeds for next year.
By the time I had picked the vegetables my meal was more or less ready. After having my meal I then went to water some plants and then rested.
I didn't realise just how tired I get. I recall my late Mother telling me that she was worn out after I went to see her. I couldn't understand why because I did most of the work preparing the meal but now I do. I guess it comes to us all after attaining the age of 80 and we must accept it. The outcome of it was that I was too tired to even go Online. So yesterday was a blank day for the computer.
Tuesday was taken up by picking the blackcurrants off the bush then taking them individually off the stalks and putting them into 3 containers. It took me ages to do and I got fed up with doing them. This morning I decided to take them out of the cartons and put them into one large bag so I decided to weigh them just to see how I have done. The weight was approaching 4lb. which did surprise me.
Finally for now I have just picked the first outside runner bean, there are several more which will be ready shortly, also the tomatoes are beginning to ripen in the greenhouse. I don't think I shall be buying any for the foreseeable future. More soon.
After being called in to have my BP taken and drops in my eyes I eventually saw the Doctor. He was very friendly also and after inspecting my eyes told me what I knew that I had indeed cataracts in both eyes. What he said next surprised me for he then let me know that he would put my name forward for the operation, first doing the right eye and about 6 to 8 weeks later having the left eye sorted. He, of course informed me that there was risks which I knew and after signing the consent form told me that the operation would take place within 18 weeks but first I would have to travel to Boston to have my eyes measured.
I left I guess about 45 minutes later where both of them were waiting for me and we went back to their home.
With the drops in one's eyes your vision is affected for about 4 hours so I was made welcome in their home and my mate stopped with me talking of things past. Eventually about 12.30.pm. I let them know that I felt sufficiently comfortable to drive so I left them. I told them that I was calling at Aldi, which is on the way back home and a detour was only a few hundred yards out of my way. It was hectic there so I only called to get the essentials. coffee was the main thing I required I also picked up some milk, frozen cod in batter and some ham pieces then it was off home.
When I arrived home it was my first job to get my dinner prepared and to cook it. Whilst it was cooking I picked some peas out of the garden. Although they are plentiful the pods are small. I also picked a few broad beans. I only set about 12 seeds, one of which I intend to let them go to seed so that I will have enough seeds for next year.
By the time I had picked the vegetables my meal was more or less ready. After having my meal I then went to water some plants and then rested.
I didn't realise just how tired I get. I recall my late Mother telling me that she was worn out after I went to see her. I couldn't understand why because I did most of the work preparing the meal but now I do. I guess it comes to us all after attaining the age of 80 and we must accept it. The outcome of it was that I was too tired to even go Online. So yesterday was a blank day for the computer.
Tuesday was taken up by picking the blackcurrants off the bush then taking them individually off the stalks and putting them into 3 containers. It took me ages to do and I got fed up with doing them. This morning I decided to take them out of the cartons and put them into one large bag so I decided to weigh them just to see how I have done. The weight was approaching 4lb. which did surprise me.
Finally for now I have just picked the first outside runner bean, there are several more which will be ready shortly, also the tomatoes are beginning to ripen in the greenhouse. I don't think I shall be buying any for the foreseeable future. More soon.
Friday, 6 July 2018
Heat
I don't know if it a good thing or bad thing but the extreme heat of the sun in the polytunnel has seriously affected the runner beans in there. It seems as if the runner beans can't take up sufficient moisture to make the beans grow. I must admit though I have had enough beans for this week. The lad will be round tomorrow and I have saved well enough for us to have plenty.
I have also picked some peas out of the garden, although I have noticed the length of the pods are not as long as in previous years but we will have plenty. Also the potatoes in the polytunnel have more or less gone past the scraping and I will soon be peeling them. I have also lost a lot of plants in the garden due to the lack of water. I obviously can't water my garden as it is so large, anyway I need the water for the greenhouse and polytunnel.
On disappointing note Calor have sent me the latest price increase. It has increased by almost 7p a litre, I did have a conversion table on how many litres there were in their 47kg bottle but the increase is but the increase is about £7 for a delivery of 2x47kg. bottles. Thank goodness I do not use much at all in the summer months, just hot water and cooking. I guess they will lose a few customers. I will use electricity as much as I can, especially as I have solar panels.
With my mate coming last week and fitted a printer cartridge today I finally decided to write to a couple. They send me a Christmas card every year and were good customers when I was up at Seaview Kiosk. They wore last year that they had sold the caravan so I have written to them with an invitation to visit me if they come down to the area. It is 20 years since I last saw them although they have called years ago.
I don't seem to have any motivation to go Online but as I am approaching a milestone I will persevere. The milestone is I am approaching 1000 posts on my blog, I am well into the 990s so I must keep going. More soon.
I have also picked some peas out of the garden, although I have noticed the length of the pods are not as long as in previous years but we will have plenty. Also the potatoes in the polytunnel have more or less gone past the scraping and I will soon be peeling them. I have also lost a lot of plants in the garden due to the lack of water. I obviously can't water my garden as it is so large, anyway I need the water for the greenhouse and polytunnel.
On disappointing note Calor have sent me the latest price increase. It has increased by almost 7p a litre, I did have a conversion table on how many litres there were in their 47kg bottle but the increase is but the increase is about £7 for a delivery of 2x47kg. bottles. Thank goodness I do not use much at all in the summer months, just hot water and cooking. I guess they will lose a few customers. I will use electricity as much as I can, especially as I have solar panels.
With my mate coming last week and fitted a printer cartridge today I finally decided to write to a couple. They send me a Christmas card every year and were good customers when I was up at Seaview Kiosk. They wore last year that they had sold the caravan so I have written to them with an invitation to visit me if they come down to the area. It is 20 years since I last saw them although they have called years ago.
I don't seem to have any motivation to go Online but as I am approaching a milestone I will persevere. The milestone is I am approaching 1000 posts on my blog, I am well into the 990s so I must keep going. More soon.
Monday, 2 July 2018
Sorted.
As I had a couple of letters confirming my appointment at skegness Hospital for Tuesday 10th. July. The time being 9.00.amThe second one informed me that I could not drive to the appointment so I asked my mate if he would take me to Skegness hospital. I would travel to Skegness and park nearby and he could take me to Hospital at the appointed time. He told me there would be no problem at all and I could park on his driveway, but if it is possible I will park on the road nearby for it means he has to take the car off his drive so that I can put mine there. I bet there are double yellow lines to prevent me from parking.
I have been advised that my sight will not be fit to drive for at least 4 to 6 hours after the drops have been administered so that they can examine the rear of my eye thoroughly.
The lad told me that the Couple from next door had won a pigeon race. I normally ask how they have got on but it was not until Friday last week that I saw the Man, I asked him how he had got on and confirmed the lad's comment. He told me he was satisfied with the result. I told him that I would have been over the Moon. With that he admitted he was feelin the same for it had been 2 years since he had won anything. I reminded him that his father who had been racing pigeons for many years had NEVER won anything at all. He confirmed that. I guess it was his father that got him into racing pigeons. More soon.
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