First of all I must apologise to all who read my blog for forgetting to say this. A Happy New Year and many of them.
The other day I had a reminder informing me that although I have a vehicle that is zero rated for VED(vehicle excise duty)I still had to register it each year but I could do this at the Post Office but would have to take my MOT. certificate. I could also register online but I have a dreadful Epson printer/photo copier and scanner but it has been a waste of money as I have never been able to print on it and I was worried that I would have to scan some documents then print them off.
Anyway I went to get my Pension and at the same time took this renewal letter with the MOT. certificate and also for good measure my Motor Insurance. I was surprised when I gave the teller all the relevant forms only to be informed that all that was required was the renewal form. She touched her computer a few times printed the relevant details stapled them to the document stamped the said paper then told me that it was all done and that was it for another year. It was quicker than getting my weekly State pension.
Later today I had mail, among a lot of circulars was my debit card replacement as my old one runs out this month. With this new one there is an added feature, it is called Contactless payments. I didn't read all but it seems that those Companies participating with this system one can pay for small sums up to £20 without bothering to swipe the card. I don't suppose for one minute I shall ever use it as I NEVER go to the hole in the wall and collect money. I only use my debit card either through PayPal, online or over the telephone when I am ordering a refill of LPG. I let them store my card number in a secure unit so I don't have the bother of reading the 9 digit number each time.
That was the total sum of my excitement today, I did also get a few seeds that I had ordered, so soon I will be setting some geranium seeds that I ordered together with some vegetable seeds. The reason being that whenever I have ordered geranium plants they have been disappointing and have not really done much good. By the way the seeds cost me less than £2.00 a packet. I will let you know how successful I have been. More soon.
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Monday, 5 January 2015
A New Year is upon us.
I was surprised that anyone bothered to read my blog but I was pleasantly surprised that a certain person whose initials are K.E. wish me seasonal greetings. I am touched by this and thank him so much for his kind remarks.
Now that the festivities are over and to be honest I am mainly because I put on a little weight, no good for me at all. I am now watching once more what and how much I devour.
I am also starting to think about this coming year regarding the garden. The other day I went out and dug up a gooseberry bush. It had been frosty earlier but the ground had thawed sufficiently for me to dig it up. The main reason for doing this was the thorns on the bush were dreadful. I do have a couple of other bushes and although the thorns are nowhere as prolific they are not a dessert fruit and are very sharp unless you let them on the bush for quite some time. If I don't protect the one outside the fruit cage the blackbirds eat them.
I have ordered some more seeds and seed potatoes. Also on New Year's Day I set 3 dozen broad bean seeds in pots and put them in my greenhouse. I also set s few seed potatoes in my polytunnel, not that I had many to set. I think I set 9 in all. I also tried something I have never done before. I have set 6 shallot s in pots and left them in the greenhouse and at the same time set 4 in the ground in the greenhouse. I will use them as spring onions in the late spring taking them well before they swell up to start to make the shallots.
I suppose we get much worse weather this winter but at least the darkest days are behind us, thank goodness. I must say that the mornings don't get any lighter until after the first two weeks in January.
More soon.
Now that the festivities are over and to be honest I am mainly because I put on a little weight, no good for me at all. I am now watching once more what and how much I devour.
I am also starting to think about this coming year regarding the garden. The other day I went out and dug up a gooseberry bush. It had been frosty earlier but the ground had thawed sufficiently for me to dig it up. The main reason for doing this was the thorns on the bush were dreadful. I do have a couple of other bushes and although the thorns are nowhere as prolific they are not a dessert fruit and are very sharp unless you let them on the bush for quite some time. If I don't protect the one outside the fruit cage the blackbirds eat them.
I have ordered some more seeds and seed potatoes. Also on New Year's Day I set 3 dozen broad bean seeds in pots and put them in my greenhouse. I also set s few seed potatoes in my polytunnel, not that I had many to set. I think I set 9 in all. I also tried something I have never done before. I have set 6 shallot s in pots and left them in the greenhouse and at the same time set 4 in the ground in the greenhouse. I will use them as spring onions in the late spring taking them well before they swell up to start to make the shallots.
I suppose we get much worse weather this winter but at least the darkest days are behind us, thank goodness. I must say that the mornings don't get any lighter until after the first two weeks in January.
More soon.
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Christmas
I can remember this man saying to me when I was in business some 30 years ago. that as one got older the years seemed to fly by. He was approaching 70. Unfortunately he didn't make the three score and ten. I do believe though he was correct as this last year has flown by and I am well into my 70s.
As for Christmas I always stay here and have it alone, this is for a few reasons, the main being that I am susceptible to ill health and it can be annoying. I also have to watch what I eat.
This year though I am having a meal that I really should not have but hang it I am having it.
I will have my usual breakfast of I think porridge, either that or cereals. For my main meal I have bought a duckling It was on offer at Lidl and cost £6.99p which was very good value. With the duckling I will have apple sauce which I have just made, sage and onion stuffing, I have cooked the onions ready to make early tomorrow morning. I will have boiled potatoes, and a variety of vegetables to choose from. Carrots, cabbage, sprouts, leek and from the freezer peas and broad beans. I will probably have 3 other vegetables. I also bought some back bacon which I intend to cover the duckling so that the skin on the legs do not dry up. Perhaps a little on the breast also. I haven't had bacon for years so will look forward to having a taste of back bacon.
For my sweet, yesterday I went to the Co-op and bought a Christmas pudding for £2 a 454gm or as I wish it a £1lb. I thought it was good value for money. I bought also 2x4pts. of skimmed milk, a few apples and a piece of ham to boil which I did yesterday. In fact I had boiled ham for my dinner today which was very nice. I have a raspberry roulade in my freezer but I don't think I will have that for tea Christmas Day, probably Boxing Day.
I will probably have a lightish tea which will include boiled ham, probably as a salad.
Wishing anyone who reads this A Happy Christmas. More soon.
As for Christmas I always stay here and have it alone, this is for a few reasons, the main being that I am susceptible to ill health and it can be annoying. I also have to watch what I eat.
This year though I am having a meal that I really should not have but hang it I am having it.
I will have my usual breakfast of I think porridge, either that or cereals. For my main meal I have bought a duckling It was on offer at Lidl and cost £6.99p which was very good value. With the duckling I will have apple sauce which I have just made, sage and onion stuffing, I have cooked the onions ready to make early tomorrow morning. I will have boiled potatoes, and a variety of vegetables to choose from. Carrots, cabbage, sprouts, leek and from the freezer peas and broad beans. I will probably have 3 other vegetables. I also bought some back bacon which I intend to cover the duckling so that the skin on the legs do not dry up. Perhaps a little on the breast also. I haven't had bacon for years so will look forward to having a taste of back bacon.
For my sweet, yesterday I went to the Co-op and bought a Christmas pudding for £2 a 454gm or as I wish it a £1lb. I thought it was good value for money. I bought also 2x4pts. of skimmed milk, a few apples and a piece of ham to boil which I did yesterday. In fact I had boiled ham for my dinner today which was very nice. I have a raspberry roulade in my freezer but I don't think I will have that for tea Christmas Day, probably Boxing Day.
I will probably have a lightish tea which will include boiled ham, probably as a salad.
Wishing anyone who reads this A Happy Christmas. More soon.
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Chore completed
I finally completed my painting. I saw the young man from next door about a week ago and he told me he would like to help me with my painting.
I didn't tell him I had done most of the work but told him that he could come round on Saturday which he duly did.
I didn't tell him before hand that I would cook him a dinner so when he arrived I told him what I intended to do and he asked me if I could ask his carer if it was possible. I call her his carer but she looks after him at her home, she also has another woman with learning difficulties but she is not capable of doing anything much at all.
Anyway all was settled and I told him that he could paint the hallway for a start while I was preparing dinner. I put a dust cover down, just as well because he managed to paddle some paint on the carpet but I managed to clean it all up.
I showed him how to use the paint pad and then I started to get dinner ready. I had already in the over a joint of shoulder of pork I also added a few shallots. I then made some pastry so that I could use a few blueberries up that I had originally saved for my mate. I was going to make him a pie as a surprise for Christmas. However I made him a couple of small pies. I also asked him what vegetables he would like. He told me he was not bothered as he liked all vegetables so I did carrots, sprouts and peas.
I then went to see how he was getting on. Surprisingly well considering. I showed him a couple of things he had missed but all in all he had made a decent job.
The next thing was the kitchen. I decided that I would be much quicker than him so I suggested that I do the painting while he moved al the things in my way. He did this willingly and I started to paint the walls. I guess that it only took about an hour to complete the kitchen and while I was cleaning the paint brush and pad etc. I asked him if he could clean the top of my cupboards. I later checked and he had made an excellent job of that.
I put on the dinner and by the time we had cleaned and cleared up the meal was more or less ready.
I gave him roast pork with apple sauce, the cooked shallots the boiled potatoes and vegetables. I also made him some gravy. It looked very nice but to be honest, the pork was nowhere near as good as the other ones I used to give my mate a meal. The crackling didn't crackle much, the pork was not good, too much fat but what was had was very nice.
I finished my meal a couple of minutes before him so I made some custard. By the time he had finished the custard was ready and the pies that I had cooked earlier were just about right for eating.
I left him to eat it while I started to do the washing up. I must admit that he did finish his pudding a couple of minutes before I had done the pots and pans. What he did say was that when he got his own flat he would get a dishwasher. I told him that this was not necessary as he could wash up as he went along.
I then made him a mug of coffee. He told me he had enjoyed his dinner a lot, much nicer that where he had been on holiday. He had been to Morocco. He told me that the food was not good, the weather was also not good and the water in the swimming pool was not really warm at all. He also had been sick. Mind you the hotel was given a thumbs up. He told me he had a room to himself that included a shower an toilet. Later his carer who went with the family told me that he was sick because he went to the sweet trolley too many times.
Soon after his coffee I told him it was time to go home. I did walk round with him but they had gone shopping so we went back. I turned on the T.V and found a channel where they were showing the traffic Police in action. This he enjoyed very much. I went to check after 15 minutes to see if the car was back, each time after that as soon as there was a break for adverts he kept checking. Just before 4.00pm they were back and I saw him back home. He told me he had enjoyed it very much. Anyway now my home has now had my spring clean albeit in December. More soon.
I didn't tell him I had done most of the work but told him that he could come round on Saturday which he duly did.
I didn't tell him before hand that I would cook him a dinner so when he arrived I told him what I intended to do and he asked me if I could ask his carer if it was possible. I call her his carer but she looks after him at her home, she also has another woman with learning difficulties but she is not capable of doing anything much at all.
Anyway all was settled and I told him that he could paint the hallway for a start while I was preparing dinner. I put a dust cover down, just as well because he managed to paddle some paint on the carpet but I managed to clean it all up.
I showed him how to use the paint pad and then I started to get dinner ready. I had already in the over a joint of shoulder of pork I also added a few shallots. I then made some pastry so that I could use a few blueberries up that I had originally saved for my mate. I was going to make him a pie as a surprise for Christmas. However I made him a couple of small pies. I also asked him what vegetables he would like. He told me he was not bothered as he liked all vegetables so I did carrots, sprouts and peas.
I then went to see how he was getting on. Surprisingly well considering. I showed him a couple of things he had missed but all in all he had made a decent job.
The next thing was the kitchen. I decided that I would be much quicker than him so I suggested that I do the painting while he moved al the things in my way. He did this willingly and I started to paint the walls. I guess that it only took about an hour to complete the kitchen and while I was cleaning the paint brush and pad etc. I asked him if he could clean the top of my cupboards. I later checked and he had made an excellent job of that.
I put on the dinner and by the time we had cleaned and cleared up the meal was more or less ready.
I gave him roast pork with apple sauce, the cooked shallots the boiled potatoes and vegetables. I also made him some gravy. It looked very nice but to be honest, the pork was nowhere near as good as the other ones I used to give my mate a meal. The crackling didn't crackle much, the pork was not good, too much fat but what was had was very nice.
I finished my meal a couple of minutes before him so I made some custard. By the time he had finished the custard was ready and the pies that I had cooked earlier were just about right for eating.
I left him to eat it while I started to do the washing up. I must admit that he did finish his pudding a couple of minutes before I had done the pots and pans. What he did say was that when he got his own flat he would get a dishwasher. I told him that this was not necessary as he could wash up as he went along.
I then made him a mug of coffee. He told me he had enjoyed his dinner a lot, much nicer that where he had been on holiday. He had been to Morocco. He told me that the food was not good, the weather was also not good and the water in the swimming pool was not really warm at all. He also had been sick. Mind you the hotel was given a thumbs up. He told me he had a room to himself that included a shower an toilet. Later his carer who went with the family told me that he was sick because he went to the sweet trolley too many times.
Soon after his coffee I told him it was time to go home. I did walk round with him but they had gone shopping so we went back. I turned on the T.V and found a channel where they were showing the traffic Police in action. This he enjoyed very much. I went to check after 15 minutes to see if the car was back, each time after that as soon as there was a break for adverts he kept checking. Just before 4.00pm they were back and I saw him back home. He told me he had enjoyed it very much. Anyway now my home has now had my spring clean albeit in December. More soon.
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Journey
This morning I went to see my mate who has been staying at his Partners since he had his fall. He certainly would have difficulty looking after himself.
I had rung him up over the week end to see if it was possible to see him and he said that would be nice.
I travelled with a very low sun in my eyes for most of the way but I managed to get there just before 9.30am.
I didn't have time to knock on the door as it was opened by his Partner, hardly a word was spoken which I thought was immature, anyway I went into the sitting room and found him sat in the chair with a sort of sling on his arm to support him. I did ask his Partner if he was being a model patient and she told me no. With that she hurriedly left and went into another room.
I found it far too cold in there for me but to be honest I like my place nice and warm. My mate seems to have his place too cool for me also so perhaps it is me that likes it nice and warm.
He told me what he had to go through with regards to the NHS. He eventually finished up in Queen's Medical in Nottingham after first calling at the Cottage Hospital in Skegness, they sent him on to Boston which his Brother took him. After several delays with the operation he was operated on Wednesday and allowed home on Friday.
His Partner dashed in once more, didn't say a word and dashed out again. I immediately though to myself if she had a bad back, she was doing brilliantly dashing around. I stayed for about 30 minutes, thanked her for allowing me to see him, mind you what she doesn't realise that I have helped her more than she would ever help me.
Solar panels were fitted in her property several months ago. It was thanks to me and my insistence that her Partner tell her that it was a great deal. We both had solar panels fitted when the price was high. I had noticed that the price had been reduced such a lot and a 4kw. system was about 50% cheaper than a 3.kw. system was when we had ours fitted.
I must admit that when I informed him he told her that it was a good price and she would benefit substantially by having the system installed. Each time he came to visit me I kept asking him if she had done the deal and had solar panels fitted. He kept saying that he told her and it was up tom her to have the system installed.
Well eventually she decided to have the panels, of course my mate organised everything and to be honest, the difference in efficiency of the panels now to what they were when we had them fitted is substantially better.
Once they were installed she insisted that nobody knew about it. Why I don't know?
All I now know is that I will not bother to bother with helping her again as it is not worth it.
I then went to Morrison's, a place that was strange to me, to be honest it was a lot larger than I expected but just like the one at Grantham, no herring was to be had, they had a small but well laid out fish stall with different varieties of fresh fish but unfortunately not what I needed. I didn't get so much but when I went to the check out I was surprised to see each till was manned and there was no queuing at all. When it came to getting out of the Supermarket it took me some time to find my way out of there. First I took the wrong turning and finished up in the restaurant area eventually turning around and eventually finding my way out.
I don't think I will be calling at Morrison's very often. More soon.
I had rung him up over the week end to see if it was possible to see him and he said that would be nice.
I travelled with a very low sun in my eyes for most of the way but I managed to get there just before 9.30am.
I didn't have time to knock on the door as it was opened by his Partner, hardly a word was spoken which I thought was immature, anyway I went into the sitting room and found him sat in the chair with a sort of sling on his arm to support him. I did ask his Partner if he was being a model patient and she told me no. With that she hurriedly left and went into another room.
I found it far too cold in there for me but to be honest I like my place nice and warm. My mate seems to have his place too cool for me also so perhaps it is me that likes it nice and warm.
He told me what he had to go through with regards to the NHS. He eventually finished up in Queen's Medical in Nottingham after first calling at the Cottage Hospital in Skegness, they sent him on to Boston which his Brother took him. After several delays with the operation he was operated on Wednesday and allowed home on Friday.
His Partner dashed in once more, didn't say a word and dashed out again. I immediately though to myself if she had a bad back, she was doing brilliantly dashing around. I stayed for about 30 minutes, thanked her for allowing me to see him, mind you what she doesn't realise that I have helped her more than she would ever help me.
Solar panels were fitted in her property several months ago. It was thanks to me and my insistence that her Partner tell her that it was a great deal. We both had solar panels fitted when the price was high. I had noticed that the price had been reduced such a lot and a 4kw. system was about 50% cheaper than a 3.kw. system was when we had ours fitted.
I must admit that when I informed him he told her that it was a good price and she would benefit substantially by having the system installed. Each time he came to visit me I kept asking him if she had done the deal and had solar panels fitted. He kept saying that he told her and it was up tom her to have the system installed.
Well eventually she decided to have the panels, of course my mate organised everything and to be honest, the difference in efficiency of the panels now to what they were when we had them fitted is substantially better.
Once they were installed she insisted that nobody knew about it. Why I don't know?
All I now know is that I will not bother to bother with helping her again as it is not worth it.
I then went to Morrison's, a place that was strange to me, to be honest it was a lot larger than I expected but just like the one at Grantham, no herring was to be had, they had a small but well laid out fish stall with different varieties of fresh fish but unfortunately not what I needed. I didn't get so much but when I went to the check out I was surprised to see each till was manned and there was no queuing at all. When it came to getting out of the Supermarket it took me some time to find my way out of there. First I took the wrong turning and finished up in the restaurant area eventually turning around and eventually finding my way out.
I don't think I will be calling at Morrison's very often. More soon.
Thursday, 4 December 2014
News
I had to go the Surgery in the next Town this morning for my 3 monthly tests. Just before I was about to leave the telephone rang. It was from my Mate's Partner giving me the latest news. It was good news as he had the operation and it was a success and hopefully would be out of Hospital in the next couple of days.
I was a little more prepared this time and asked her if I could have her telephone number so that I could contact the. I was grateful that she informed me that this was no problem. So now I will be able to contact them with the notion of going over to see him when he feels a little better.
So off I went to the Surgery. I saw the Nurse almost immediately. I have had her services before and we got talking about the situation about the lack of Doctors and Nurses in Lincolnshire. I learnt a lot including that if it wasn't for her Husband working in the area, she would have definitely left Lincolnshire. She stated the obvious, lack of good Schools, lack of transport with the state of the roads. No large shops and so on. I then asked her what her Husband did. She told me that he was an Agricultural Analyst or something like that. She told me that they would like to live in Yorkshire but Agriculture was not so prevalent in that County.
I did have one piece of good news. For the first time in ages my B.P. was satisfactory.
I then went to have my hair cut. The Barber is talkative, even more so this morning. There were 3 other in front of me and I was in there for over an hour. Still I did get it cut and will manage now until 2015. More soon.
I was a little more prepared this time and asked her if I could have her telephone number so that I could contact the. I was grateful that she informed me that this was no problem. So now I will be able to contact them with the notion of going over to see him when he feels a little better.
So off I went to the Surgery. I saw the Nurse almost immediately. I have had her services before and we got talking about the situation about the lack of Doctors and Nurses in Lincolnshire. I learnt a lot including that if it wasn't for her Husband working in the area, she would have definitely left Lincolnshire. She stated the obvious, lack of good Schools, lack of transport with the state of the roads. No large shops and so on. I then asked her what her Husband did. She told me that he was an Agricultural Analyst or something like that. She told me that they would like to live in Yorkshire but Agriculture was not so prevalent in that County.
I did have one piece of good news. For the first time in ages my B.P. was satisfactory.
I then went to have my hair cut. The Barber is talkative, even more so this morning. There were 3 other in front of me and I was in there for over an hour. Still I did get it cut and will manage now until 2015. More soon.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Disturbing news
Yesterday I went to Grantham to see my Sisters. This is the last time I will get over there this year, hopefully.
I called at Morrison's and was a little disappointed at the display and selection. I didn't get any Herrings which was a disappointment. I also looked for some Ham to boil but it was not of the quality and price I wished.
I did get some cheap fuel though from ASDA. which was far cheaper than round here. In fact some 7p a litre in some places.
I had just walked in my home when the phone rang. Something that rarely occurs. It was from my Mate's Partner. It was not good news. He was supposed to be at mine on Wednesday but his Partner informed me that he would not be here that day as he had taken a fall and had suspected broken elbows in both arms and that he had been taken to Hospital but there was no qualified Doctor there who was suitable to perform the operation so that later that day or the next day they had hoped that the operation would happen.
To be honest I was completely taken aback and didn't even ask for her telephone number so that I could keep informed as to the state of his well being.
What I will do if I hear nothing, next week I will take a ride over to Skegness and find out that way. Obviously I do have my Mate's telephone number but it seems to me that he will not be able to look after himself properly for a while even when he is allowed out of Hospital.
To compound matters his Partner informed me that she was unable to drive as she was suffering from severe back problems and has been having treatment for about a year. More soon.
I called at Morrison's and was a little disappointed at the display and selection. I didn't get any Herrings which was a disappointment. I also looked for some Ham to boil but it was not of the quality and price I wished.
I did get some cheap fuel though from ASDA. which was far cheaper than round here. In fact some 7p a litre in some places.
I had just walked in my home when the phone rang. Something that rarely occurs. It was from my Mate's Partner. It was not good news. He was supposed to be at mine on Wednesday but his Partner informed me that he would not be here that day as he had taken a fall and had suspected broken elbows in both arms and that he had been taken to Hospital but there was no qualified Doctor there who was suitable to perform the operation so that later that day or the next day they had hoped that the operation would happen.
To be honest I was completely taken aback and didn't even ask for her telephone number so that I could keep informed as to the state of his well being.
What I will do if I hear nothing, next week I will take a ride over to Skegness and find out that way. Obviously I do have my Mate's telephone number but it seems to me that he will not be able to look after himself properly for a while even when he is allowed out of Hospital.
To compound matters his Partner informed me that she was unable to drive as she was suffering from severe back problems and has been having treatment for about a year. More soon.
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