Last year in February I purchased a Karcher Pressure Washer. I used it and let the lad from next door play with it also and to be honest it was great.
With the dry Summer we have had I had not used it at all this year but with the recent rain I decided yesterday to go and water my polytunnel as it was like a desert. I plugged it in and fitted the hose turned on and started. I must admit that it had a peculiar smell but put that down to water but after using it for much less than 5 minutes it gave up. I felt the casing and to be honest, although it was warm it was not unusually warm. I did notice a smell though and thought that the motor had failed.
I decided to go Online and found the helpline and sent an email informing them what had happened but I made an error in the purchase date putting 1917 instead of 2017.
This morning I had a reply asking me many questions but on a second reading it was not too difficult to understand. Among things they requested was the number beside the serial number which I had given They also wished to know the date and receipt of the purchase. The coupling and the rate of electricity I used.
I did reply informing them that I had registered the product Online in February last year but could not say if it was Currys or Argos where I purchases the product. I answered what they wished and sent the reply. This was about 10.30.am. this morning.
I was just having my DINNER, this is what I call my midday meal when the phone rang. It was Karcher they asked me a couple of questions and said that they had a swap programme for these sorts of happenings. He told me that the swap would be made next Wednesday, which I confirmed I would be available but then told me that it must be in a box. Obviously I do not have a box of that size so I have wrapped it in a sack that contained bird seed. So now I will wait for an email informing me the time slot for a swap.
I must admit that Karcher have been first class, first in replying to me almost immediately, secondly in the swift way that they decided to swap my Karcher Pressure Washer for a replacement.
Bank Holiday is upon us once more and Sunday the forecast is not good let us hope that the forecasters are wrong. More soon.
Friday, 24 August 2018
Wednesday, 15 August 2018
Text message
I had a phone call from my youngest Sister's Husband. He asked me if I had received a text message. I told him I had not checked so he informed me that my eldest Sister's Husband had just died. He also told me that his body was accepted and would go to research so I assume there will be no funeral.
I will await my youngest Sister's email to inform me as to what will happen. I presume there will be a Memorial Service at some time.
My Brother-in-Law did happen to talk about his garden and the produce or the lack of produce. I concurred with him and we left it at that. I did turn on my mobile and sure enough there was a text message. I very rarely turn on my mobile for I have difficulty writing messages because of my sight.
As for me and my garden, I have had a very poor harvest of potatoes, they are plentiful but so small with the lack of rain. Those in the polytunnel were acceptable but those in tubs and sacks have been disappointing. My runner beans too have been poor producing hardly enough for me to have a couple of meals a day. Also with the heat my climbing french beans have more or less ided off. I did sow some broad beans for a late harvest but they too failed. I do have plenty of fruit although the apples are rather small compared to previous years but it looks as if I will have more than enough plums.
It is still muggy and hot here but we are promised near normal temperatures from tomorrow.
The lad from next door told me last week he was going to College last Friday so I saw him on Saturday and asked him how he had got on. His reply was that he had not done well so I asked him what was wrong. I think he was given a times table starting with a 5 times. I told him that this was easy and let him know that if it started with an odd number such as 3x5 or 5x5 then the figure would end with a 5 but if it started with a 2,4,6,or 8 then the answer would end in a 0. We will see how he gets on this Friday. More soon.
I will await my youngest Sister's email to inform me as to what will happen. I presume there will be a Memorial Service at some time.
My Brother-in-Law did happen to talk about his garden and the produce or the lack of produce. I concurred with him and we left it at that. I did turn on my mobile and sure enough there was a text message. I very rarely turn on my mobile for I have difficulty writing messages because of my sight.
As for me and my garden, I have had a very poor harvest of potatoes, they are plentiful but so small with the lack of rain. Those in the polytunnel were acceptable but those in tubs and sacks have been disappointing. My runner beans too have been poor producing hardly enough for me to have a couple of meals a day. Also with the heat my climbing french beans have more or less ided off. I did sow some broad beans for a late harvest but they too failed. I do have plenty of fruit although the apples are rather small compared to previous years but it looks as if I will have more than enough plums.
It is still muggy and hot here but we are promised near normal temperatures from tomorrow.
The lad from next door told me last week he was going to College last Friday so I saw him on Saturday and asked him how he had got on. His reply was that he had not done well so I asked him what was wrong. I think he was given a times table starting with a 5 times. I told him that this was easy and let him know that if it started with an odd number such as 3x5 or 5x5 then the figure would end with a 5 but if it started with a 2,4,6,or 8 then the answer would end in a 0. We will see how he gets on this Friday. More soon.
Monday, 6 August 2018
Cancellations.
I don't know if it just me or others go through this.
About a month ago I had an appointment for me to attend the Outpatients Department in Louth giving a date in late July. A couple of weeks later I had another letter stating that "Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to change your appointment to another date". This was late August. I must admit that in general most appointments are altered.
I have just come off the phone, it was British Gas calling. Incidentally I had a recorded phone call on Saturday confirming my appointment for this Tuesday 7th. August. The operator was very nice and apologised first saying that they had just been informed that due to heavy workloads of breakdowns my appointment for tomorrow has been cancelled. She then checked the availability of appointments and told me the earliest appointment would be October 1st. No wonder British Gas is not performing well but she did add that because of the inconvenience caused they would compensate me with a £30 cheque. This is very nice and unexpected.
Now to other serious matters. I think I wrote about my Brother-in-Law having prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. My youngest Sister rung up on Saturday giving me the latest on him. Itis not good, the Doctors wished him to go to a Hospice for the remainder of his life. The Doctor told his Wife(My Sister) that it could be days or at most weeks for him to live. My Sister told me that his vital organs are packing up and he looks yellow due to his liver failing.
They have arranged for Macmillans Nurses to attend also some other organisations to attend to give my eldest Sister aid, she is 85, her Husband is 88 so of course she will not have the energy to do what she did many years ago. I expect to get a call anytime informing me of his demise and that the funeral date has been set.
I do have several appointments due, I have the Hospital on August 28th. Surgery appointment on September 3rd. and I have my preoperative medical on September 11th. so as you can see my appointment book is rather full. I keep my fingers crossed that this sad day will not clash with my appointments. More soon.
About a month ago I had an appointment for me to attend the Outpatients Department in Louth giving a date in late July. A couple of weeks later I had another letter stating that "Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to change your appointment to another date". This was late August. I must admit that in general most appointments are altered.
I have just come off the phone, it was British Gas calling. Incidentally I had a recorded phone call on Saturday confirming my appointment for this Tuesday 7th. August. The operator was very nice and apologised first saying that they had just been informed that due to heavy workloads of breakdowns my appointment for tomorrow has been cancelled. She then checked the availability of appointments and told me the earliest appointment would be October 1st. No wonder British Gas is not performing well but she did add that because of the inconvenience caused they would compensate me with a £30 cheque. This is very nice and unexpected.
Now to other serious matters. I think I wrote about my Brother-in-Law having prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. My youngest Sister rung up on Saturday giving me the latest on him. Itis not good, the Doctors wished him to go to a Hospice for the remainder of his life. The Doctor told his Wife(My Sister) that it could be days or at most weeks for him to live. My Sister told me that his vital organs are packing up and he looks yellow due to his liver failing.
They have arranged for Macmillans Nurses to attend also some other organisations to attend to give my eldest Sister aid, she is 85, her Husband is 88 so of course she will not have the energy to do what she did many years ago. I expect to get a call anytime informing me of his demise and that the funeral date has been set.
I do have several appointments due, I have the Hospital on August 28th. Surgery appointment on September 3rd. and I have my preoperative medical on September 11th. so as you can see my appointment book is rather full. I keep my fingers crossed that this sad day will not clash with my appointments. More soon.
Monday, 30 July 2018
Quite a surprise
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.
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.
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.
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