Life!

Up with the lark (well 6.45) as it was a beautiful day.  Used new turkish towel which covered me in light down and bits.  So washed them both - excellent drying day.  Walked for an hour and a half on the moor - contour round from small road car park and back along tramway. Heard 2 cuckoos.  First of the year.   Then went to see Mary at last.  Stayed for coffee. A visitor talked non stop at the resident she was visiting.  We heard every aspect of her life.  Still I can never think of anything to say. Got home at 12 and washed all dog towels and fleeces from back of car. Spent a couple of hours enjoying sunshine on patio. Have moved table and chairs nearer door into more sun. Got the sun lounger out too -has a mind of its own!  Had jacket potato for lunch. In afternoon cleaned out back porch including many spider nests (complete with spiders! ). Eventually my nerve gave out so left the last couple.  Walked for over an hour in Parke later. Played with suki and let her play in the river q

Awake at 6 so got up nice and early.  Walked suki and had breakfast by 8. Struggled to get old tv down the stairs.  Eventually balanced it on the stairlift and accompanied it down while Mike operated the chair. Then used wheelchair as a wheelbarrow to get it to the car.  Then passing guy put it in the front seat for me.  Had good journey down to Devon.  Satnav said A303 was quicker so went that way. Arrived about 12.40. Drive looks amazing.  Put car in car port at last!  Had a snack and then set up the laptop susie has given me.  Very pleased with it although very small ram and storage.  Should be good for Abel and cross stitch program.  Struggled in with tv. Walked suki in Parke.  Attempts to visit Mary afterwards were thwarted yet again - this time by road closed for hedge cutting.  Paid for drive when I got back using telephone banking. Then set up our old tv. Works well so good job all round and struggle was worth it.    Had pizza for supper which jayne had left in freezer.

Usual morning routine of dog walking, church, breakfast and ringing.  Bought some nice baguettes from delice de France for lunch.  Muffie and Pete came round midday.  Rang my first qp of surprise major in hand on an inside pair (3-4). Church sitting in the afternoon.  Checked off another report year against middx membership database.  1994-95. Lorraine cooked us roast dinner and we finished off raffle wine and then had cocktail made with prosecco. Watched endeavour.

A lazy start - although once I got going I was busy.  Washed bedding including duvets.  Took Suki for short walk as going off with dog minders later.  Met a look-alike boy dog in Wendell park.  Owner asked if I wanted puppies!  Messed around for most of the morning as so well prepared for meeting. Gave Monica a lift to Heston. We rang third in striking competition which we won despite monica going wrong and throwing Mary. I had to sort them out! Won bottle of dry german wine in raffle. Tried it later and it was very good. Last time of taking the minutes. No one volunteered as assistant secretary so position left vacant. Suki meets a handsome boy!

A colder day today with rain overnight.  I had another productive day.  Invoice for clothing had been emailed to me so I costed everything up and prepared labels ready for the bags when the box arrived.  Went to hygienist at 11.45.  When I got home clothing had arrived and I was able to quickly bag it up.  Everything in order.  Paid the invoice on-line, and also paid Devon gardener.  Went to ringing in the evening - not in the QP so took my pile of magazines and got them all read while the QP was going on (they didn't get it - couldn't ring Double Grandsire at all!).  Only rang in one touch in the evening - which was good for wrists and arm.  Had lovely lamb burgers again in pub.  Mark Gosden over for the weekend - rang in QP and stayed to practice and pub.  Gave him a lift to Hammersmith on way home.  Went to bed with ovaltine and whisky (which I have taken to drinking neat to accompany the ovaltine rather than putting it in it).

Hot and sunny today.  Mike went to work.  I gave suki a nice long walk in acton park.  Wrote out all the certificates for Saturday's agm and updated database.  Sent off remaining new member pack and letter to cofunds. Drove over to kensal green and had lunch with susie.  Sat in the garden drinking pinot grigiot and eating salad and humous etc. Had a good catch up.  Came away with dell latitude laptop which she wanted to get rid of. After walking suki, mowed the lawn and did the ironing.  Then watched csi with bottle of raspberry cider and a cheese roll. Lorraine dropped her car key down the loo and it flushed away.

Couldn't really get going today.  Apex came to look at fence - two rotten posts. Not sure if they will fix it under warranty.  Picked up new batch of middx certificates.  Went ringing handbells at guy's with Mike in evening.  Useful practice but didn't score anything.  Then had lovely meal at Cotes. Steak frittes followed by praline crepes.  Red wine and pudding wine to wash it all down. 

A lovely hot sunny day.  Quite productive.  Updated church website and embedded a powerpoint presentation using skydrive which worked well.  In evening took Tony to chalfont only to find there was no practice.  So had a pint in the pub and then went back to Tony s for a cup of tea.  Somewhat wasted evening.

Quite a pleasant day weather wise although not as warm as weekend.  Sorted lots of things out,  approved proof for certificates,  unlocked Morgan computers account,  made 5 portions of veg thai green curry and 5 portions of veg soup using up all veg except cabbage from last week's box.  Had soup and crusty bread for lunch.  Made inroads into paperwork.  Rang a peal of Kent royal at guy's in the evening.  Tortuous journey home as fire at Shepherds Bush so no central line.  However for the first time ever a 272 arrived at the same time as me at the bus stop which was a blessing. 

Another lovely sunny day although not as cloudless.  Usual routine of dog walking then 8am communion.  Walked suki up to monica's for 12.30 Chiswick ringers lunch.  Nice enough to sit in the garden.  Left at 3 - mike dropped me and suki off and went to ring for wedding at Chiswick.  He took suki out later.  I spent rest of day working on membership database.  Reports now checked back to 1995-6. Finished The Janus Stone.  Have now read the 4 Elly Griffiths books in the order 2 1 4 3. Didn't detract too much.  LtoR: Mary, Mike, Roger, Geraldine(hidden), Monica, Eddie, Charlotte, Andrew, Margaret, Nick, Geoff(back of head)

A beautiful sunny day.  Mike dropped me and Suki off at Chiswick Roundabout at 8 am (he went off to ring QPs in Newbury area) and I walked to Richmond from Kew Bridge.  It was pointed out to me last night that if I did that I would miss out the great oxbow of the river!  It was much better.  Walked slowly along the Thames Path and arrived at jewellers at 9.57 - they opened at 10 am.  Took advantage of community toilet scheme to use toilets in House of Fraser!  Back by tube - walked up to printers to look at certificate proof - only to find they are shut on Saturdays.  Got home and mowed lawn then put out washing and spent rest of the afternoon finishing off computer organising and housekeeping project.  Then did ironing and watched CSI.  Later set up internet access and DVD player on TV - all working well.  Very pleased.  Had crusty bread, cheese, chorizo and pickles for supper followed by lardy cake.  Watched Lewis with a glass of wine.

Mike in to work again today so up early. Had shower and took Suki to Acton park - slow amble round while she did her own thing.  Failed to ring a handbell peal of Yorkshire with Steve, Hamish and Margaret on tenors.  Got back to hot freshly baked bread which I had put on to bake before going out.  Had hot crusty bread with some delicious Shropshire Blue cheese for lunch.  Carried on working on organising computers in the afternoon - removing as much as possible from the laptop and putting it on the hard drive.  Then arranging new hard drive with just the current stuff so that old hard drive can be put away as back up. /Qp of London at Barnes - trippy with huge fire up towards the end but still got it.  Wrists done in so didn't ring much afterwards.  Lovely lamb burger in pub.  The round plus food cost £67.

Woke early so got up and had shower etc and put recycling out. Very windy with intermittent showers.  Went for bracing walk on moor with jayne and suki.  Did the contour round from snall road car park and back along tramway route.  Then went for coffee at parke.  Had latte and cheese scone.  It started to rain but we sat there stoically!  Got back and I packed my bag and drove home.  Reasonably good journey.  Caught up with 2 weeks of archers.  Got home at 4 and took suki out for walk in Southfields.  Then set about setting up new television.  Got filthy from the dust taking old stuff down.  Previous TV fell off the bed whilst I was struggling with the big heavy stand and cables etc.  Was hoping to take it to Devon to replace dodgy one down there but possibly it will now be broken.  Spent some time trying to find a table that would be solid enough but eventually had configuration with which I was pleased - at least for the time being.  A proper unit would be nice though.  Very pleased

Slept well - first time I have been able to have the window open during the night.  Only got up at 8.  Wet and windy again!  Took Suki to Parke and had a nice walk - top path through woods (which I did twice because Suki dropped the ball at the beginning and I only noticed at the far gate), then the road, then back by the river.  Rang Tracey House and restrictions still in place until at least Monday so unable to see Mary this trip. Got back and settled on bed to do computer stuff.  Magnolia looking magnificent out of the window at the moment - it will soon be a pain in the neck when all the petals fall off, but is fabulous now. Rowena took suki out at 4 for an hour and a half. Morgan computer arrived so spent a happy time loading avg and zone alarm and then removing everything from laptop to hard drive. Watched csi in evening with jayne and had pizza and garlic bread. I drank bkack cherry cider and jayne drank wine. Both finished with a scotch. Drive really coming on now.

Had an even longer lie-in this morning and only got up at 7.30. Slightly regretted drinking quite so much scotch last night (4).  Had porridge and blueberries and took Suki up the moor again.    Much brighter day but still very windy.  Kept to reasonably flat ground - went from tourist centre car park out towards quarry then veered right to meet tramway - then round back through the quarry.  Spent the rest of the day making cushions from the tapestry and cross stitch which had been hanging around for some time.  Quite stressful but happy with the end product, especially the elephant.  Also patched Lorraine's bag. I had fillet steak for lunch which I had got cheap from the butchers in town. Met Rowena in the park at 4 and she took Suki for a walk so I went and browsed in the library for a while and read the paper there, then mooched around some shops before going back to collect Suki at 5.  When I got home Jayne had just arrived back so we had a long chat with a cup of tea.  We had

Had small lie in and got up at 7.15.  Not raining but cloudy.  Had porridge and blueberries and then took suki out. Went up to the moor - bracing!  Walked from small road car park RHS in the direction of Bovey then contoured round on good path and reasonably firm ground until I met the small road, then across and up to meet up with usual path via large cairn.  Good to put more bits together.  Very windy and rained occasionally.  The drive is coming on and bricks now go across to the garage.  Each one is hand laid by the boss man.  Finally wrote letter to council re Mary's council tax and posted it with pile of junk mail being returned and card for Mary.  Walked Suki to post office then carried on past library into field and then up footpath on rhs of field, over the road and up footpath into Parke.  Had forgotten how pretty that path was and also how long it was.  Made a good loop to come back through Mill Marsh park which was longer than the usual loop and didn't involve crou

Got up early again and took Suki for a walk in Parke.  Still raining but beginning to ease off and too warm for the number of layers I had on.  Came back and had porridge with blueberries and a cup of tea then off to ringing.  Ordered some duck eggs from Rowena.  Graham's sermon was accompanied by powerpoint presentation including this amazing (if slightly disturbing) video of a young american boy reciting the books of the bible  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhVrcV6WmfQ .  Bought some stuff at the fair trade stall after church and then went home and assembled the garden furniture then did the ironing watching more CSI.  Burnt my trousers which was a bit annoying!  Had nice lunch of stir fried vegetables and cheesy garlic bread. Then spent an hour or so trying to ring Norwich S Royal on handbells on Abel before taking Suki out for her walk. Still raining so went to parke again.  Slipped on mud - it is extremely muddy and slippery at the moment.  Tried to stitch tapestry to front

Kaiser schmarn mushroom Got up early and drove to shaptor woods. Always a gamble as there is only room for one or two cars to park but I was lucky-probably because it was early and raining and in the low cloud!  Horrible road too as single track and winding.  But worth it for the lovely walk.  Saw a mushroom growing out of a tree which reminded me of kaiser schmarn. Got back and had porridge and coffee then went shopping to Newton Abbot with jayne.  Looked at more clothes and shoes than I have looked at for a long time.  Also got some touch up paint from halfords and hard drive from pc world.  Looked at tvs and laptops but didn't buy one. Had coffee and two cakes each in sainsbury cafe.  Very slow service.  Poured with torrential rain all day.  Took suki for short walk in afternoon and took her with us in the evening to the Cromwell where we had a meal and drink.

The new garden table and chairs Got up early to wash my hair and take Suki out for a walk in Parke before setting off for Trago mills at 9 am.    We had vegetarian cooked breakfast in the cafe there which was delicious and very filling.  Then had a happy couple of hours shopping in Trago (where I managed to scrape the bumper of my car slightly on the car park kerb).  I bought a garden table and 2 chairs for the patio area where I intend to use my pink barbecue and sit out with coffee etc when it is warm enough.  Also bought some bits and bobs including some pink sandals and a pink fleece.  Went to the pet bit to get something small and squeaky to replace the mouse which Suki had managed to find and destroy the other day.  Nothing really suitable but I bought 3 squeaky balls and gave her one when we got home.  She spent the rest of the day squeaking it non-stop! I put the washing out on the new rotary line for the first time.  I don't think the hole is really deep enough and

Got Mike off to work early then walked Suki and by the time I got home Jayne was up and ready to leave.  We set off for Devon at 9.50 - and then again at 10.10 as I realised a little way down the road that I had not got my rucksack with my purse, computer etc and had to go back for it.  A reasonable journey down with a few minor delays - all flagged up by Live Services (which went off once but otherwise was well behaved).  Arrived in Devon at 1.35 - to find drive dug out and hard core down, with piles of fine gravel all over the place.  Parked on the road.  I rustled up spinach and ricotta tart (made by Lorraine) and stir fry veg and then we sorted ourselves out and went for a walk to Parke.  Jayne popped in to hairdressers to make appointment on the way - while I dodged the traffic warden waiting for her on the road.   Apparently they are getting very hot on parking tickets at the moment, which is long overdue as everyone parks on the double yellow lines making it very difficult for v

Didn't make much inroads into the paperwork. Don't really know where the time went today.  Made up makeshift beds for Hugo and Chris Cooper who are staying on Friday after Barnes ready for ringing day on Saturday with Mike.  Went for supper at Tas in borough high street with Caroline and pru. Very good as usual.  Pouring with rain when we came out.  Meeting jayne at turnham green from Heathrow so decided to go home and get car then read book in car until she arrived at about 11. Lovely to see her again.  Had glass of wine and went to bed.

Went walking with maryanne and susie. Picked susie up from her house then followed bizarre route on Satnav with lots of traffic but got to greyhound in Wigginton 9.45 so ready to walk at 10. Pouring with rain to start but soon dried up and almost sunny.  Lovely walk.  Got slightly disorientated at one point but found our way back to route ok. Had ham eggs and chips in very dog friendly pub for lunch.  Dropped susie off at acton central which was much better than ploughing on to kensal green and back.   Went ringing with Tony to chalfont st giles in the evening.   Made a very long day.

Got up at 6.30 as awake.  Had breakfast before walking suki as news more interesting. Bought map updates for tom tom which took over an hour to downloaf but very pkeased with price. £38 for 6 updates over next 18 months. Went to Chiswick after walk in southfields park. Ordered more certificates for middlesex and spent my £10 raffle prize voucher in posh deli on rustic bread,  olives and posh quiche.  Had bread and olives with Spanish cheese,  serano ham and chorizo which I had brought back with me from Majorca.  Walked suki in acton park in afternoon and met up with Lee and Emma.  Then sorted out compost.  Forgot to put gloves on and hit my fingers on side of bin while trying to mix the compost up with hoe. Washed all the food bins out which smelt foul after keeping food in them for 5 months.  Made good inroads into paperwork today too. Went later to ringing as not in quarter.  Apparently a good one of plain bob minor for Jackie.  Didn't go to pub. Had glass of wine at home and upl

Got up early, walked dog and had washing done and hanging outside before going to 8 am service.  Nice and sunny although cold at first.  Spent the day catching up on stuff, paperwork etc and sorting out photos on blog which had been uploaded via phone and thus not editable at the time.  Very productive.  Mike walked Suki in the afternoon so that I could carry on.  Ate chocolate brownies Amanda had sent over - yummy.

Rained hard all night but dry in the morning although quite cloudy.  Had lovely warm seeded baguettes for breakfast while watching more csi. Then watched a film (Jack Reacher) while Amanda gave me a pedicure.  Relatively good flight home - even got a window seat. Track failure meant all trains cancelled when we arrived on platform but luckily train left about 15 minutes after we arrived.  Some delays on the journey too. Finally got in at 8 pm. Suki pleased to see me. Mike had eaten so Lorraine and I shared some chips from the chip shop.

This morning finished off the book I started yesterday -prisoner of birth by Jeffrey Archer.  We went to the market in the morning.  I bought some pink cut offs and some cheese and sausage to take home.  Lorraine bought a top and trousers and a necklace.  We bought Amanda some plants to say thanks for having us. After buying them we queued for ages to get a roast chicken from the stall. Only one man doing it all. But it was lovely and sunny so we didn't mind - and at least they did actually queue!  Had lunch of bread cheese pate and olives in the garden.  Sun very hot and decided to spend afternoon just sitting in the garden again.  Amanda and Lorraine carried on tidying up the garden and planting things.  Got quite cold and windy later.  Lorraine went in pool again and stayed in much longer this time.  In evening Amanda gave us both a hair cut.  I had quite a lot off the length.  Had thai take away and watched csi all evening. Amanda and Lorraine at the market choosing plants

Sam had the day off today.  Pool is full ready to go.  Amanda and I went shopping in the morning.  Then I made veg kebabs. Washed all garden furniture and by 13.30 sitting in sun with a beer waiting for barbecue to be ready.  Food was great.  Sat in the sun in the afternoon drinking strawberry daiquiris made by Sam which were amazing.  Lorraine tried the pool which was icy cold.  Everyone else decided against.  Sam put up hammock from Thailand and tried it out.  Lovely lazy day reading my book and doing nothing.

Got up late-9.30 when I heard Sam go off to work. Hot and sunny again.  Went to carrefour and got some things for the garden and a pink mini barbecue. Had hagen daas milk shake.  Then to leroy merlin for pool stuff which had not been stocked at carrefour.  Lovely crusty bread with cheese pate and olives for lunch.  Then helped Amanda in the garden mowing the growth and setting up the pool. Hard graft for 4 hours but amazing transformation!  Well earned lemon shandy followed. 

Set off at 7.20 for Stansted.  Arrived and checked bag in by 10 and went for breakfast (my second) at frankie and bennies.  Usual ill tempered jostling at the departure gate but otherwise flight ok. Landed 3 pm local time.  Lovely and sunny and hot. Amanda was there to meet us and we were soon at her apartment drinking lemon shandy. Very pleased to see that this time I have a bedroom to myself. Went off to magaluf later for sun, sand, sea, sangria and Sam!   Got a bit cold in the breeze but great to sit by the beach in the sunshine drinking sangria and eating olives chips bread and alioli. Went off for a coffee and sit in the warm. Saw drunk people being sick in the street and exposing themselves.  Apparently common behaviour of tourists!  Then to tartan's bar with sam and amandas friends.  Then back and watched a film on their huge tv screen -  we bought a zoo.   Finally to bed at 1 am. Amanda, the beach and my Sangria Jug of Sangria! The beach - from the ba

Took suki to stover on the way home.  Accident on m5. Journey took 4 hours rather than 3. Satnav still said was fastest route.  Home by 3.30. Grabbed a light lunch then unpacked everything and found we had left mattress tube behind.  Texted Gill and Martin to post it.  All sorted by 4.15. Then went to tesco, downloaded archers omnibus and packed for Majorca.  Mike took suki for walk.