This morning I went out as usual to let the chickens out and noticed the car was in the drive. So they are back. To be honest I am not sad because the chicken run is so muddy and my wellies are filthy.
It was the 13th. November when she bought me the garage key so that I could access the food for the chickens. For a week I had the same routine, let them out around 8.00am. go and give them some of my bird seed around 11.00am. and again about 2.00pm. then shut them up when it got dark about 4.30pm. I didn't get an egg for the first week then last Friday I was surprised because I found an egg. The Saturday was a bad day but on Sunday it was even worse. I didn't produce 1 watt of solar but I did get 2 eggs. On Monday after an early frost it was a sunny day and I got another 2 eggs. Tuesday was similar and to my amazement I had 3 eggs. This morning I opened up and didn't expect to find any eggs so I was not disappointed.
Whether it was because I was taking my wild bird seed and feeding them this extra each morning and afternoon I don't know. I do know that the chickens went mad each time they saw me and eagerly gobbled up the wild food I bought for them. By the way, there is always plenty of food available for them with copious amounts of water.
Now I can get back to my routine of taking my time and not dashing out and hurrying back so that I could listen to Radio 4 extra which has comedy programmes each weekday at 8.00am. More soon.
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Friday, 21 November 2014
Painting
Over the last few days I have been painting, not a lot but a small amount each day. So far I have done all the gloss paint in my hallway, my bathroom, my bedroom, my T.V. room and the kitchen diner.
Each morning I go and let the chickens out, have my breakfast then get my main meal ready and I am ready to do some painting.
I generally paint until about 10.30am. then I go and take the chickens some of my wild bird seed. They really do love it and when they see me coming they all rush to the door and wait for me to give them the tit bits.
I have checked daily for eggs but to no avail. I did notice though yesterday that the coops were getting very dirty.
After further painting I decided to clean the coops out so I went to get some straw cleared the dirty mess out and made it look much nicer.
I then went back home, this time not feeding them any tit bits.
Soon after my mid day meal I decided to feed the chickens with my wild bird seed.
As usual they were waiting for me. I went and checked the coops and to my surprise there was 1 egg. Whether it was because there were pristine conditions I doubt it but at least I have been rewarded with an egg. More soon.
Each morning I go and let the chickens out, have my breakfast then get my main meal ready and I am ready to do some painting.
I generally paint until about 10.30am. then I go and take the chickens some of my wild bird seed. They really do love it and when they see me coming they all rush to the door and wait for me to give them the tit bits.
I have checked daily for eggs but to no avail. I did notice though yesterday that the coops were getting very dirty.
After further painting I decided to clean the coops out so I went to get some straw cleared the dirty mess out and made it look much nicer.
I then went back home, this time not feeding them any tit bits.
Soon after my mid day meal I decided to feed the chickens with my wild bird seed.
As usual they were waiting for me. I went and checked the coops and to my surprise there was 1 egg. Whether it was because there were pristine conditions I doubt it but at least I have been rewarded with an egg. More soon.
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
No eggs
Each morning I let the chickens out around 8.00am and shut them up as soon as it gets dark around 4.30pm.
It has been generally miserable with little sun and to be honest I am a little disappointed that so far I have not seen an egg and to be honest I now don't expect any. Still they seem pleased to see me. I go each morning around 11.00am to give them some of my wild bird seed as a tit-bit. They certainly gobble it al up. Most afternoons I go again to give them some more.
The ground is getting very muddy though and I will not be sad when my chores are completed. I think it is early next week when they get back home.
Last night I was watching T.V. and saw a notice with LR 20. It immediately bought back to me when I first started in Business. As I have informed all who read my blog I started with the local youngsters. I was told that I must have a Juke Box and Pin Table too. This was to attract the teenagers.
The guy who supplied the Pin Table and Juke Box used to call about once a month to empty them. We worked on a 50% each. They didn't earn me a lot of money. Eventually I got rid of them both but not before I got to know the guy quite well.
I was informed that he was very good with electronics and had a good education. His Mother was a retired teacher. He might have been good with electronics but was not so good when it came to Business. He came often to see me and thought I was making a fortune. Each time in the Summer months I would be busy. Mind you in the Winter months I did very little.
Anyway he decided to rent a seaside café/snack bar at the North end of the town. He was fortunate because the gas pipe was being laid to the Thedlethorpe very near to his café and this lasted for about 18 months.
To be honest we did get a few workers come for lunch regularly.
You learnt a lot by just listening. Remember I told you his Mother was a retired Schoolteacher. Well she smoked and to be honest I never saw her without a cigarette in her mouth.
The workmen would chuckle when talking about (Fagash Lil) this is what the nicknamed her. They would talk among themselves saying they couldn't stand much more of it. Her serving tea with a cigarette in her mouth.
Needless to say he didn't make much money from that venture.
Not to be daunted he told me his next foray was to buy a small boat to take holidaymakers on trips out to sea. When I saw the tiny boat I asked him how many would it carry. 4 including the operator which was going to be himself. I didn't like to disappoint him but knew he would never make a go of it.
On one of his many days on the beach, he drove his estate car on the sand. It was a Volvo. According to customers who came in for lunch. They had been entertained regally. According to those who were there, the tide came in and when the guy tried to move the car, it had settled in the dry sand and could not move. He managed to get several people to help try to get the car shifted but to no avail. The tide got into the cab but he was lucky that the engine was not submerged. It still cost him a lot of money to get it sorted.
The next thing was to rent a filling station with a repair garage attached.
I had someone come to see me and he said he looked filthy with his greasy hair and dirty finger nails.
I didn't see too much more of him and lost contact. A few years later I found out he had passed away. I guess he would have been in his 60s. More soon.
It has been generally miserable with little sun and to be honest I am a little disappointed that so far I have not seen an egg and to be honest I now don't expect any. Still they seem pleased to see me. I go each morning around 11.00am to give them some of my wild bird seed as a tit-bit. They certainly gobble it al up. Most afternoons I go again to give them some more.
The ground is getting very muddy though and I will not be sad when my chores are completed. I think it is early next week when they get back home.
Last night I was watching T.V. and saw a notice with LR 20. It immediately bought back to me when I first started in Business. As I have informed all who read my blog I started with the local youngsters. I was told that I must have a Juke Box and Pin Table too. This was to attract the teenagers.
The guy who supplied the Pin Table and Juke Box used to call about once a month to empty them. We worked on a 50% each. They didn't earn me a lot of money. Eventually I got rid of them both but not before I got to know the guy quite well.
I was informed that he was very good with electronics and had a good education. His Mother was a retired teacher. He might have been good with electronics but was not so good when it came to Business. He came often to see me and thought I was making a fortune. Each time in the Summer months I would be busy. Mind you in the Winter months I did very little.
Anyway he decided to rent a seaside café/snack bar at the North end of the town. He was fortunate because the gas pipe was being laid to the Thedlethorpe very near to his café and this lasted for about 18 months.
To be honest we did get a few workers come for lunch regularly.
You learnt a lot by just listening. Remember I told you his Mother was a retired Schoolteacher. Well she smoked and to be honest I never saw her without a cigarette in her mouth.
The workmen would chuckle when talking about (Fagash Lil) this is what the nicknamed her. They would talk among themselves saying they couldn't stand much more of it. Her serving tea with a cigarette in her mouth.
Needless to say he didn't make much money from that venture.
Not to be daunted he told me his next foray was to buy a small boat to take holidaymakers on trips out to sea. When I saw the tiny boat I asked him how many would it carry. 4 including the operator which was going to be himself. I didn't like to disappoint him but knew he would never make a go of it.
On one of his many days on the beach, he drove his estate car on the sand. It was a Volvo. According to customers who came in for lunch. They had been entertained regally. According to those who were there, the tide came in and when the guy tried to move the car, it had settled in the dry sand and could not move. He managed to get several people to help try to get the car shifted but to no avail. The tide got into the cab but he was lucky that the engine was not submerged. It still cost him a lot of money to get it sorted.
The next thing was to rent a filling station with a repair garage attached.
I had someone come to see me and he said he looked filthy with his greasy hair and dirty finger nails.
I didn't see too much more of him and lost contact. A few years later I found out he had passed away. I guess he would have been in his 60s. More soon.
Thursday, 13 November 2014
A job again
My mate called yesterday, it was nice to see him but he still isn't 100% yet.
Anyway we had a lovely meal of roast pork. Incidentally I went to Lidl on Tuesday and I didn't go for any meat but they had some medallions of pork on offer. £5.99 for 1kg but if one bought 2 packs the cost was down to £8 for the two so I bought a couple of packs.. There were 9 medallions in each pack. I was so impressed that when I arrived back home I went to the neighbour who has the chickens and told her about the offer. I also sent my mate an e-mail.
When he was here I asked him if he saw my mail and if he had bought any. He told me that some time ago they had the medallions on and they were very nice so he told me he would go the next day for some.
This morning I waited for a delivery of LPG. Incidentally the woman who took my order was not the best and I wondered if my order had gone in. I rung up, gave my Account name, that meant nothing to her and she asked me for my name and address. I told her that if she found my Account, all the details were there. Anyway I gave her the details and told her I wished to have 2 bottles. She asked if I needed 4. I told her I had 4 but only needed 2 as they were the only ones empty. After what seemed an age she then asked how I was going to pay. I told her that if she had accessed my Account all the details were there. She then decided to find the account. Eventually she informed me that she had found it and that all was O.K. and the delivery would be the next day.
I wondered if it had gone through because the delivery is generally in the morning. However this afternoon a delivery was made. I mentioned the palaver I had when ordering, he told me that the girl worked in Accounts and was just filling in. He had wondered who it was because the paper work was a bit awry.
A little later the lady from next door came to see me, she bought a few carrots and the garage key so that I could feed the chickens. She then told me she had bought 2 packs of medallions of pork and remarked how nice they looked. They work out at about 45p each piece, ideal as there is virtually no fat and no bone. She then told me they were going as soon as she got the rest in the car. About 10 minutes later they were on their way to Morocco, well I think that is where they are going.
She had asked if I would shut the chickens in at night as well as letting them out each morning, plus feeding them. I certainly don't mind letting them out in the mornings. It is somewhat of a pain waiting for them to go to roost in the evening. There is always one that waits until it is more or less pitch black before it goes in. Still I managed to shut them up for the night. Will be up early tomorrow to let them out. Certainly much earlier than they are used to as sometimes it is after 9.00am. before they are let out. More soon.
Anyway we had a lovely meal of roast pork. Incidentally I went to Lidl on Tuesday and I didn't go for any meat but they had some medallions of pork on offer. £5.99 for 1kg but if one bought 2 packs the cost was down to £8 for the two so I bought a couple of packs.. There were 9 medallions in each pack. I was so impressed that when I arrived back home I went to the neighbour who has the chickens and told her about the offer. I also sent my mate an e-mail.
When he was here I asked him if he saw my mail and if he had bought any. He told me that some time ago they had the medallions on and they were very nice so he told me he would go the next day for some.
This morning I waited for a delivery of LPG. Incidentally the woman who took my order was not the best and I wondered if my order had gone in. I rung up, gave my Account name, that meant nothing to her and she asked me for my name and address. I told her that if she found my Account, all the details were there. Anyway I gave her the details and told her I wished to have 2 bottles. She asked if I needed 4. I told her I had 4 but only needed 2 as they were the only ones empty. After what seemed an age she then asked how I was going to pay. I told her that if she had accessed my Account all the details were there. She then decided to find the account. Eventually she informed me that she had found it and that all was O.K. and the delivery would be the next day.
I wondered if it had gone through because the delivery is generally in the morning. However this afternoon a delivery was made. I mentioned the palaver I had when ordering, he told me that the girl worked in Accounts and was just filling in. He had wondered who it was because the paper work was a bit awry.
A little later the lady from next door came to see me, she bought a few carrots and the garage key so that I could feed the chickens. She then told me she had bought 2 packs of medallions of pork and remarked how nice they looked. They work out at about 45p each piece, ideal as there is virtually no fat and no bone. She then told me they were going as soon as she got the rest in the car. About 10 minutes later they were on their way to Morocco, well I think that is where they are going.
She had asked if I would shut the chickens in at night as well as letting them out each morning, plus feeding them. I certainly don't mind letting them out in the mornings. It is somewhat of a pain waiting for them to go to roost in the evening. There is always one that waits until it is more or less pitch black before it goes in. Still I managed to shut them up for the night. Will be up early tomorrow to let them out. Certainly much earlier than they are used to as sometimes it is after 9.00am. before they are let out. More soon.
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Autumn arrived
This morning as it got light the frost arrived, so much so that my bird bath was iced up, so this is definitely Autumn.
I did expect this because believe it or not I had a strawberry more or less ripe, and I picked it yesterday and gave it to the young man next door. He told me it was nice.
A couple of days ago I went and checked the flowers in the garden. I was surprised that I had a scabious plus a lavender together with what you might expect such as roses, polyanthus, plenty of marigolds a few geraniums plus pelargoniums. also a few antirrhinums.
Yesterday I finished the last of the cucumbers they have been one of the big successes this season. I still have a few tomatoes left but they will not go into next year as I have managed to do the last few years.
For the first time I can remember, I didn't hear or see a firework on bonfire night or mischievous night come to that. It does seem as if Halloween is becoming more popular that November 5th.
My mate is still suffering after going to the West Coast with his Partner to see her Brother. He did ring me last Sunday but sounded rough. I did ask how his Partner's Brother was progressing. He told me that he was walking a little but couldn't talk. I told him that it was good that he was mobile and that his speech would eventually return but like any Brain injury it will take time.
I will be looking after the chickens next door for about 12 days from late next week so I will have a part time, unpaid job for the following 12 days. I think it is 12 days that they are going for. The young man is excited and told me the temperature where they are going was 32c today. Far too warm for the likes of me though. More soon.
I did expect this because believe it or not I had a strawberry more or less ripe, and I picked it yesterday and gave it to the young man next door. He told me it was nice.
A couple of days ago I went and checked the flowers in the garden. I was surprised that I had a scabious plus a lavender together with what you might expect such as roses, polyanthus, plenty of marigolds a few geraniums plus pelargoniums. also a few antirrhinums.
Yesterday I finished the last of the cucumbers they have been one of the big successes this season. I still have a few tomatoes left but they will not go into next year as I have managed to do the last few years.
For the first time I can remember, I didn't hear or see a firework on bonfire night or mischievous night come to that. It does seem as if Halloween is becoming more popular that November 5th.
My mate is still suffering after going to the West Coast with his Partner to see her Brother. He did ring me last Sunday but sounded rough. I did ask how his Partner's Brother was progressing. He told me that he was walking a little but couldn't talk. I told him that it was good that he was mobile and that his speech would eventually return but like any Brain injury it will take time.
I will be looking after the chickens next door for about 12 days from late next week so I will have a part time, unpaid job for the following 12 days. I think it is 12 days that they are going for. The young man is excited and told me the temperature where they are going was 32c today. Far too warm for the likes of me though. More soon.
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Last runner beans
A few days ago I had the last of my runner beans that I set in the polytunnel. I had about 20 meals in all so not a disaster by any means. My peas did nothing though and the broad beans which I set at the same time as the runner beans have so far produced nothing at all. I must admit though there are a few pods on. Whether they will grow to produce any edible beans is purely guesswork.
My mate hasn't been here for a month. He was due to call a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately his Partner's Brother suffered a stroke so not surprisingly he took her to see him. He lives on the West Coast. I was pleased to learn that the stroke was not as severe as they first thought and gladly it seems as if he is making good progress. It will take time though.
He rung me up when he arrived home and I immediately asked him if he was O.K? I asked him this because he sounded rough. He told me he thought it was by travelling such a long distance.
He didn't answer my calls on Saturday last week which was unusual but I had a call on Sunday. He did sound poorly and told me he had lay on his Partner's couch all the day before. I told him I didn't expect him over here this week but of course would be welcome.
I normally ask him to get some milk for me but I told him I would get the milk myself. Just as well for he didn't manage to get here this week at all. I only hope he is improving well and that next week he will be here.
I have been collecting leaves that have blown off the many trees that surround me. In fact these are early this year, even more surprising as it has been a very mild Autumn.
Finally for now. My American friend who moved home recently has settled in well. I knew it would be the best move he had made. He joined the Camera Club and now has become the Treasurer. This will give him a added interest. This can only be positive and I am happy for him. It will certainly keep him busy. More soon.
My mate hasn't been here for a month. He was due to call a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately his Partner's Brother suffered a stroke so not surprisingly he took her to see him. He lives on the West Coast. I was pleased to learn that the stroke was not as severe as they first thought and gladly it seems as if he is making good progress. It will take time though.
He rung me up when he arrived home and I immediately asked him if he was O.K? I asked him this because he sounded rough. He told me he thought it was by travelling such a long distance.
He didn't answer my calls on Saturday last week which was unusual but I had a call on Sunday. He did sound poorly and told me he had lay on his Partner's couch all the day before. I told him I didn't expect him over here this week but of course would be welcome.
I normally ask him to get some milk for me but I told him I would get the milk myself. Just as well for he didn't manage to get here this week at all. I only hope he is improving well and that next week he will be here.
I have been collecting leaves that have blown off the many trees that surround me. In fact these are early this year, even more surprising as it has been a very mild Autumn.
Finally for now. My American friend who moved home recently has settled in well. I knew it would be the best move he had made. He joined the Camera Club and now has become the Treasurer. This will give him a added interest. This can only be positive and I am happy for him. It will certainly keep him busy. More soon.
Friday, 24 October 2014
Correction
I must first correct myself. On my last blog I said it was well over 50 years ago, that is incorrect. It was well over 40 years ago.
Now to other things.
Yesterday I looked at my guttering and noticed a weed growing so I thought I would investigate. My mate had put some protective stuff on so that leaves would not congregate and block the downpipe. Anyway I went to get some steps and looked into the guttering. I was shocked at just how much moss had gathered and had clung to this gauze type of material.
I decided there and then that I must clean the guttering. I started out the front and was lucky that one piece of guttering was relatively clean but the other was well clogged up. I cleaned it up and noticed the lady next door, the one with the chickens.
I knew they were going on holiday to I think Morocco next months for about 10 days. She called out and asked me if it would be alright if I looked after her chickens for that time. Obviously I said yes.
Incidentally I don't know if I mentioned it but they are going out for Christmas Day lunch for the first time. She actually asked me if I would like to join them, it was nice of her to ask but I declined as I am not confident that my illnesses would allow me to have a decent time of it. Still I did appreciate the thought and thanked her for thinking about me.
Now back to the guttering. I then went round the rear of the property. Almost all the gutters were badly affected and it took me some time to clean them. I finished up with nearly 50% of a wheelbarrow full of moss and debris. Mind you I made a mess taking the stuff out and so today I had to start to clean the facia and guttering's. I have done all the rear UPVC gutters, downpipe and facia. They certainly look a lot better so that now all I have to clean is the front which I may do tomorrow. More soon.
Now to other things.
Yesterday I looked at my guttering and noticed a weed growing so I thought I would investigate. My mate had put some protective stuff on so that leaves would not congregate and block the downpipe. Anyway I went to get some steps and looked into the guttering. I was shocked at just how much moss had gathered and had clung to this gauze type of material.
I decided there and then that I must clean the guttering. I started out the front and was lucky that one piece of guttering was relatively clean but the other was well clogged up. I cleaned it up and noticed the lady next door, the one with the chickens.
I knew they were going on holiday to I think Morocco next months for about 10 days. She called out and asked me if it would be alright if I looked after her chickens for that time. Obviously I said yes.
Incidentally I don't know if I mentioned it but they are going out for Christmas Day lunch for the first time. She actually asked me if I would like to join them, it was nice of her to ask but I declined as I am not confident that my illnesses would allow me to have a decent time of it. Still I did appreciate the thought and thanked her for thinking about me.
Now back to the guttering. I then went round the rear of the property. Almost all the gutters were badly affected and it took me some time to clean them. I finished up with nearly 50% of a wheelbarrow full of moss and debris. Mind you I made a mess taking the stuff out and so today I had to start to clean the facia and guttering's. I have done all the rear UPVC gutters, downpipe and facia. They certainly look a lot better so that now all I have to clean is the front which I may do tomorrow. More soon.
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