Another day

 Good morning all.  I’m a bit late but I do have an excuse.  Don’t ask how I managed it but I fell out of bed and successfully destroyed my room. Fortunately the boys have resembled everything while I showered. But I do have a few extra bruises and a thundering headache.  I think I will just take it easy and try and stay vertical. Have good day

 To day is leftover day Denzil is back at work and James has already made a cottage pie and soup so we will not be going hungry.  The weather is grim and dull but a days rest has sorted Dans pulled muscle.  He is back to his bouncy self. Have a good day and enjoy the leftovers 

 Good morning. Curtesy of our chef we had a fish extravaganza on Christmas Eve starting with tempura battered king prawns, soft shell crab and bread crumbed scampi with tartare sauce. Followed lobster wellington with saffron and Parmesan vellute and watercress and rocket salad dresses with cucumbers and dill dressing. _ . Yesterday  we were treated to a full roast beef meal with Yorkshire pudding parsnips peas roast potatoes glazed carrots and a reduced red wine sauce and just in case that wasn’t enough some pigs in blankets. . / James managed all this single handedly all I had to do was and be served Today it is miserable and wet but we have enough leftovers for an army. Have a good day and emoy your leftovers.

Happy Christmas one and all.  Have a lovely day and enjoy all the goodies.

 Good morning all. You will be pleased to hear that I phoned Marjorie and things are looking up for her the boiler man is coming today so hopefully she will have heat and hot water. The covid should be passed it’s peak but I know she is worried about her other half.  With any luck he may get away symptom free. With the transmission being so aggressive I don’t thing many will get away with it but hopefully it will be very mild and if you are fully vaccinated you won’t end up in hospital. Today we are kicking off with our fish extravaganza before tomorrow’s very English roast beef.  Dan has hurt himself and we think he has pulled a muscle the only sign is he doesn’t like going down stairs. But he happy enough to jump into your bed. So nothing serious we hope. I see that Chrissie has made the tough choices and is going to have the chemotherapy I’m sure it will give her the very best chance of full remission. I for one will be pleased to see the back of this year which has be...

 Good morning all.  It’s warmer here this morning and I sincerely hope it’s warmer in France for poor Marjorie. Marjorie I hope you are tucked up warm in bed and drinking plenty, no not the wine.  I also hope you don’t feel too rotten I have heard that the omicron is like a bad cold if you have been vaccinated.  Is this true?  I know you to be a super practical person but does your guest accommodation have a separate heat source? I know from our camping days you know how to deal emergency situations.  I wish I could be of some use to you all I can do is wish you well. The boys have gone out on a last minute run to get a few last minute bits and pieces so Dan is howling pitifully. Denny did her stuff yesterday and as she too has a houseful of adults we had a good moan about the Christmas nonsense.  It is lovely for children but at our age it has lost some of its lustre. Elaine rang me yesterday and she has cracked a tooth and is in pain but very fortuna...

Good morning all -1ºC this morning a sudden drop in temperature. Thank heaven for the heating which is roaring away merrily as is the gas fire. My fish arrived yesterday and is safely in the freezer so I think we are all set. Denny is due any moment and I think my room is the messiest one so I had better give it a bit of a tidy.  I think I need to adhere to a good motto "don't put it down, put it away" I am a great one for dumping stuff instead of putting it away so I end up with clutter everywhere.   James cold seems to have largely cleared up which may be due to the large doses of vitamin D we are all taking in the hope of staving off the winter woes.  In many ways, I'm glad I had no grand plans for the holidays so there was nothing to ruin but I do feel sorry for those who were hoping to see family and friends and have had their plans ruined yet again. Tomorrow we will start getting things out of the freezer and have a final check for anything we are missing like ...

 Good morning all.  The good news is that James is negative and much improved so just a cold.  And apparently large doses of vitamin D hammer colds as well.  I was concerned as Denny is due tomorrow and I didn’t want to give her covid for Xmas. Today we have a mushroom risotto on the menu chef has also made a bucket of cream of vegetable soup which has one seedless scotch bonnet and it will blow your head off.  Fortunately we are used to spicy food and its a great way to lose veg which is on the blink. James and I talked through the roast beef meal with regard to timings.  This is where a double oven really comes into its own. The only difficulty is getting it all ready at the same time.   That’s about it there is no weather to speak of just dull and dismal.  Have a good day and I hope your plans are coming together.

 Good morning all. Sorry about yesterday but it’s very difficult to write when nothing is happening. James is under the weather he either has a cold/flu/omicron who knows anyway if Christmas gets postponed it really doesn’t matter.  I will be quite happy with scrambled eggs on toast or a bowl of soup.  There is so much food in the house it’s not as if we will go hungry. James made a big toad in the hole with lashings of gravy for supper which required minimum effort for the cook.  Today my vegetable box is due as is some of the fish but most of it can be dealt with the fish in the freezer and the veg is mostly roots so will last indefinitely.  I had intended to get the beef out of the freezer on Wednesday so it has plenty of time to defrost.  However I will see how James is feeling and it might get pushed forward to new year.  Flexibility is the name of the game. Just as well it’s only us. Well that’s were we are at just treading water.  Have a go...

 Good morning all no sun today just murk and gloom.  However it is getting colder I think I would like a white Christmas as we don’t often get one. I got buried in the latest book by Kerry Daynse called the dark side of the mind.  It fascinating but shows just how broken the penal system is and how loaded it is against women and those with mental health problems. Anyway I’m delighted she is working hard to make things better.  It isn’t a heavy read as it is full of humorous anecdotes. I had a long chat with Tak and she is dealing well with her grief and she didn’t burst into tears once. Let’s hope she is on the road to recovery. Though it does take a long time small steps are the best we can hope for. Now here is an idea if you have refused to be vaccinated for no valid reason and end up in hospital with covid should you be presented with the full bill for your care?  Kind of like if you don’t have insurance and your house burns down it’s your problem. Don’t vot...

Good morning all its a misty morning just damp and dull. Yesterday was the usual sort of boring day but we did have a good laugh at lunchtime.  Lunch was bits and pieces from the fridge as James was making a lovely French onion soup for supper.  In the bits and bobs were some rollmops which Denzil had bought for me as I am the only one who likes them.  The dogs were in attendance in case there were any titbits to be had.  Tubby announces his presence by giving you a very gentle nudge on the leg just to remind you. dan announces himself by loudly chewing a dry old bone as if to say this is all I have poor me. however, Tubby was extremely keen to try my rollmops.  I explained he wouldn't like them but he persisted so I gave him a piece fully expecting him to spit it out, but no, he came back for more.  At this point, Dan thought he was missing out and came to ask for his share.  I reminded him he doesn't like fish but he was insisting so I gave him a pie...

 Good morning all.  It’s a sort of nothing day weather wise but we are being threatened with a snow bomb.  So far all the threats seem to have fizzled out to nothing. Yesterday was history day so much of the history I learned has proved to be untrue and filtered through the lens of Hollywood.  YouTube has some really interesting stuff.  I learned that Nelsons sailors were fed 5000 calories per day and were better fed than the general public of the time.  It makes sense as the work was hard and physically demanding. Denzil explained quantum entanglement to me in words of one syllable.  He has always been a physics buff.  I remember as a child he asked me to explain something about black holes that he had read in a Stephen Hawkins book.  I had no idea and suggested he write to the author and just address it to the university.  Can you imagine his delight when he received a reply with an explanation and a further reading list? The internet ...

Good morning all.  I made an effort yesterday with the quantum stuff and I can confirm I am none the wiser it just doesn't make sense to me. I am still finding it hard to believe a chunk of metal can fly and a concrete boat floats.  And Australians should have headaches as they are upsidedown. Concerning the Christmas feast, I have a mixture of traditions one grandmother was from Vienna and the other English. In Trieste, Christmas trees were sold late at night in the market do the children never saw them until they returned from midnight mass and they appeared like magic. All the preparation were done behind the scenes so it was a huge surprise.  Christmas eve's supper was always fish and this tradition I have kept.  So supper on Christmas eve is Tempura prawns and soft shell crabs to start with, followed by lobster wellington with a parmesan and saffron sauce and a rocket and watercress salad. Relatively light but very tasty. Christmas day is going to be roast beef ...

 Good morning all we seem to have hit a warmer patch it’s pretty dull but tolerable. Yesterday was education day.  I watched a couple of the Royal institution lectures. One on the latest research on consciousness which was fascinating and actually made sense to me.  Then one on virology which kind of blew my mind when I realised that we are not the dominant organism they are. I know organism isn’t an accurate term as the battle is still raging as to wether they are alive or not.  Anyway I feel more up to date.  The problem with science is that it moves so fast and scientists are beavering away digging for answers. There is still so much we don’t know or understand. I am bracing myself to have a look at quantum theory of which I have zero knowledge.  I will have to look for something designed for idiots.  In the meantime I need to change my bedding so that will occupy me for a while. This weekend James and I are going to work on the Christmas menu and w...

 Good morning all it’s another no weather day and milder than it has been.  As usual I have been watching too much TV a large proportion of which is American.  Please tell me that the past tense of the verb to drag is dragged not drug!  It really grates with me ever time I hear it. I had a chat with Tak and sadly she is still in pieces but she is opening the cattery for Christmas so that will take her mind off things. James is doing something exotic with pineapple and filo pastry.  I shall wait and see what turns up. In the mean time I must go and get a coffee as I am gasping. Have a good day and make sure you are taking your vitamin D.

 Good morning all it’s chilly but not doing anything no rain, wind etc.  and I am sleeping so well I do hope it lasts.  I am now wondering if the counsellor did me more good than I realised.  I can only say it was like mental spring cleaning and a lot of rubbish binned.  By the way I chose the counsellor with great care and checked her credentials.  I believe anyone can call themselves a counsellor but she was the real thing. I had a good day yesterday ringing around various friends as I am largely house.bound it good to keep in touch even if it is only by phone.  I have watched so much American crime drama and Judge Judy I feel ready to take the bar exams. Today James and I are clearing the fridge for lunch there are lots of bits and bobs which need eating up which is fine by me.  I used to love it when my mother said there was nothing for tea and she then produced an assortment of things which ended up being a feast. Well that’s about it for thi...

 Good morning all another brilliant night’s sleep I’m really enjoying this.  I hope it lasts and isn’t just a passing phase. While chatting to Denny she mentioned that several of her other customers had been laid low by the booster nothing specific just generally feeling lousy.  I believe it is called antibody building which saps your energy and given that I had both flu and the booster at the same time I really should have made the connection.  Anyway I am feeling much better than I have been for what feels like ages. James went to town and made a wonderful roasted tomato soup which I guzzled 2 pints of.  I know the quantity as I have a pint mug.  For supper we had a macaroni cheese.   This morning is cold and dull but dry at the moment.  I was glad to hear that Marjorie is getting her building work finished despite the nasty weather.  However I think the Covid is going to ruin a few Christmas plans so I’m glad we have made none and just int...

 Good morning all it’s bright and sunny this morning but I have been sleeping.  I think I am catching up on all the lost sleep.   I had a real surprise yesterday a card and long letter from my cousin.  We are not close but I found an old phone number for her so I thought I would give it a try.  Much to my surprise she answered so we had a long chat which was lovely.  She has had her share of bumps in life but has remarried and is happy what more can you ask for?  It makes such a pleasant change to hear some good news.  I watched a lot of rubbish TV yesterday and was amazed at the the number of perfume advertisements which make no sense to me. Perfume is such a personal choice and different scents are different on different people.  Someone once sprayed me with channel number 5 which made me smell as if I had been sprayed by a Tom cat. Definitely one to avoid. Well time is marching on and I need to get on with something constructive.  I h...

 Good morning all.  I slept like a baby last night and feel so much better for it. I had my last counselling session yesterday and I’m pleased it only took 3 sessions to unscramble my negative spiral. I had got myself into a dark place with no exit that I could see fortunately being made to unpick what was underlying it allowed me to see the exit and now I feel able move move forward. I’m very pleased I took action when I did sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. This is what my chef made for my supper.  It was a prawn and mussel curry with an onion Bahji and a cucumber and mint rarità and basmati rice. All made from scratch.   Denzil brought home a chicken bought for £1 which has gone into the stock pot I foresee a lovely chicken soup and two very happy dogs. As I am on picking over duty I had better go and make a start not to mention my cup is empty.  Have a good day and stay safe and warm it’s miserable outside.

 Good morning all it’s 3am and I am still wide awake.  No doubt when I finally keel over I will sleep until lunch time.  I seem to have become nocturnal. We had a nasty storm here yesterday with lashing rain and strong winds but it could have been worse it could have been snow. James is doing well in the kitchen and did some lovely sticky pork ribs with home made coleslaw.  I believe he has made a big pot of cream of vegetable soup so that will be on the lunch menu. Well I’m going to put my head down and hope to sleep. Have a good day and stay safe and warm.

 Good morning and it’s only just morning.  I was up and awake at 4 but fortunately fell back asleep.  The coffee fairy had been and though it might be a bit cool I don’t mind. I have drunk lots of cold coffee and tea in my time. I wore myself out yesterday cleaning both myself and my room. Considering it is the smallest room I seem to generate the most mess.  It is nice to have things close to hand but it doesn’t make for a lovely tidy room. The weather today is wet cold and sunless. Definitely a day for staying indoors. It’s a good day for an audiobook and sit still painting my nails.  It’s the sitting still I find difficult as I am a real fidget. I hope you guys are all doing well and revving up to the festive season.  I thought I would decorate with copious dog slobber this season who knows it might catch on. Tomorrow Denny is due so she will no doubt take down the decorations along with the cobwebs and dust. I also have a meeting with the counsellor whi...

 Good morning all sorry about yesterday but I got embroiled in some computer stuff  which required some rusty skills. So as you can imagine there was a lot of hit and miss.  Anyway all was accomplished just as lunch hit the table. Then with a full belly and addled brain I fell fast asleep. James had his tooth done and he is pleased with the results. Denzil is back at work having had his flu pneumonia and booster vaccine yesterday.  His biotechnology degree makes him very pro vaccine. Now it’s just James to go.  The boiler got a good bill of health so touch wood all should be good over the winter months. My plan for the day is to sort myself out and as I now have long hair it takes forever to dry not to mention wash. However once done it stays tidy which I like. I seem to have become nocturnal but I am grabbing sleep when I can.  No doubt I will find myself on an even keel at some point. Have a good day all warm and safe

 Good morning one and all.  It is another freezing cold day but no snow yet.  At the moment I have a British Gas engineer checking my boiler over so hopefully there will be no problems over the holidays. James is having the first of two visits to the dentist today and another crown fitted so I think he will be on the soup diet. I spent a large proportion of yesterday hooked on a Ruth Rendell mystery with more red herrings than a fish shop. The cable TV was out for most of the day so thank goodness for books which don’t crash. I am trying to avoid the news as it all seems to be bad and I don’t require any further doom and gloom I’m quite good at making my own. Well that’s about it for today another long tedious day but at least I am warm and comfortable when so many are not. Stay well and warm.

 Good morning all it’s perishingly cold and still pitch black thank goodness for central heating.  Of late I have been plagued with phone calls about loft insulation.  However yesterday I got my own back and when I was asked what type of insulation I had I told the guy I had 10 inches of sheeps wool.  Sudden stunned silence I laughed and said “that’s foxed you” and put the phone down. Obviously sheeps wool was not on his script. I had a good session yesterday with the counsellor and off loaded some excess baggage and I am feeling considerably better in myself.  However, I am still sleeping very badly and feel exhausted most of the time. Anyway I feel I am making progress which is the best you can hope for. Having been awake since stupid o’clock I now feel drowsy so I am going to try and get some shut eye. Have a great day and wrap up warm and stay well.

Tak’s dogs were pleased to have her back  Good morning it's another cold one but no frost.  Somehow, it feels right to be cold as we head into December. Last nights supper was interesting I had a freeze-dried japanese curry which was actually very tasty considering you just had to add 150 of boiling water and followed it with a packet of freeze-dried strawberries dipped in chocolate.  Thanks Tak. Today I have another session with the counsellor which makes me nervous so I slept little last night.  Anyway, I'm sure I feel better for last weeks session so I am hopeful.  I have been spiralling downwards for some time now it's time to make some changes. Have a good day and take care of yourselves.

Good morning all it is another very cold start and we have quite a wind blowing.  I had a Tesco delivery yesterday with lots of Xmas stuff that won't go off and things we don't usually have like a box of quality street.  My panettone is safely stashed for breakfast on Xmas morning.  I have a large wedge to dunk in my coffee while I drive everyone mad with loud Xmas carols as I prep the sprouts.  I think this year Denzil has some time off over the holidays so that will be nice. I was reminded last night of how in life things seem to work out.  When I was about 14 and just realising I was becoming a woman, not a child I had been summoned to be a mechanics mate by my dad.  Probably bleeding brakes or something a job which at that age filled me with joy.  He sent me into the garage to get him a one-inch metal screw.  I just thought the poor old fool had lost it all screw were metal so I selected a suitable length screw and brought it to him.  He ...

 Good morning all and it is a very frosty one but no snow.  Actually I quite like snow but only for a day or two once it goes to slush I hate it. The dogs love it and go crazy charging around the garden and eating mouthfuls. I am still sleeping  very badly which leaves me feeling pretty knackered but hopefully I will doze off after lunch.  Like most mammals I sleep well on a full stomach. I thought I would share one of my favourite photos with you This is Shiona myself and Sandy out for a days shoot. Shiona couldn’t bring her dogs as they are terriers but Basso and Yoda had a fabulous day so many happy memories. Just to fill you in on the dog’s job.  Once the shooting is over they collect any dead birds but should a bird be wounded the dogs are sent immediately to fetch them rather than leave them to suffer.  Basso had such a soft mouth he could retrieve an egg without damage. It is important that they don’t damage the birds as they are destined for someone...

 Good morning all.  It is jolly cold but the sun is blazing which at least makes it cheerful. Denzil has a weeks holiday so that will be nice. I spent most of yesterday reading which was nice and restful. Tak is on her way back from Tokyo and she has been upgraded to business class so it should be a comfortable flight.  However, it is still 12 hours in the air which I don't envy her.  When I used to fly to Lagos it was 72 hours Heathrow to Rome, Rome to Tripoli, Tripoli to Kano, then Kano to Lagos and these were propeller planes not jets.  I was 6 years old and it felt like forever. Plans for today are to finish my book and I might just indulge myself and start a new one. Have a. Lovely peaceful day and enjoy the sun if you have been blessed

 Good morning one and all.  It is very cold here but no frost.  I have been jabbed and I was very impressed with the efficiency of the service.  They have it down to a fine art and we're processing people at a rate of knots.  I hasten to add this was not my GP surgery who would struggle to free themselves from a wet paper bag. Now here is a little nugget that has raised my spirit immeasurably. The counsellors parting words to me were “It has been a privilege to speak to you” I don't think anyone has ever paid me such a compliment and it has been ringing in my head since then. Isn't it amazing how one word can make such a difference? I have no real plans for the day it feels like a good book day.  Sadly there is no Rugby to watch but I have a Ruth Rendle which I am eager to start. Look after yourselves and wrap up warm and stay away from the covid which is on the march again.

 Good morning all.  I'm off to have my booster this morning.  Which I hope will be the last and I should be safe. The lobster is for Xmas eve and there will be no turkey we are having beef instead.  None of us really like turkey but we all love beef so it seems like a good idea. I am making tracks with the counsellor's suggestions and I hope that this will solve my problems.  At least I have a direction to follow instead of wallowing in self-pity which is not very helpful. Tak is due back from Tokyo on Sunday and will need some time to get over the jet lag then I hope she will come and visit. Well, I can't dither around I have to get ready to go out.  Keep safe and warm it's freezing outside.

 Good morning all. Today it is all good news.  I had an appointment with a counsellor who very quickly untangle my problems and helped me see the wood for the trees. I have another session next week which I am looking forward to.   Then more good news my energy was supplied by green energy who have gone bust. However, they owe me money which the new supplier is going to honour.  It's not peanuts but nearly £800 so that is a relief.  So as I am flush I have ordered a lobster Wellington for Christmas  It looks good and comes with a saffron and Parmesan sauce I hope it tastes as good as it looks. Well that is today's news and I am shattered so I am going to catch a bit more sleep if I can.  Have a great day and hope you too have good news.

Good morning all.  I know I'm late again but Dennie left me to sleep this morning and I did need it as I was very tired.  James brought me a cup of coffee and he has made a lovely oxtail stew for lunch yet another of my favourites. You can hardly believe this but the dogs spent some time in the wardrobe last night as the idiots were letting off fireworks again.  The sooner they stop selling them to the public the happier I shall be. I'm glad you liked the stocking.  I must say I was pleased with the final result. I hope the child likes it as she is unicorn mad at the moment and her nickname is fish hence the letters E are fish in her name.  So it really is very personalised. Well, it's time I got on with something constructive and it must be time for more coffee.  Have a very good day.  I am having my booster on Friday and Denzil is taking me so not only do I have a personal chef but also a chauffer.

 Good morning all. Late again but I didn’t get to sleep until 5am so I am grabbing it when I can.   Thanks for your comments on the nails.  All my life I wanted lovely nails but they chipped and cracked and split. They also had to be kept short and regularly got scrubbed in iodine several times a day so they were a disaster.  Suddenly for no apparent reason they are growing very strong and all but un breakable so I am making the most of the novelty.  At this length they make for some interesting typos. Angela sent me the photos of the Xmas stocking now it is finished. Y I hope they are pleased with the results.  The white dots are actually sequins and pearls which are quite sparkly as they wanted some bling. The sun is shining here but it is cold.  Have a good day and stay safe and warm

 Good morning all late again following a rough night my sleeping patterns have gone to hell at the moment.  It is lovely and sunny but very cold thank goodness for central heating. The rugby weekend was finished off with a win for Ireland so Marjorie is happy and just to put the icing on the cake the England Ladies thrashed the USA 89/0 it was a massacre.  It isn't often the USA are annihilated by the UK.  As you can see I did my nails silver but now I can't decide if I love it or loath it.  It is certainly eye-catching.  Comments, please. Well James is busy in the kitchen and my cup is empty so I will keep this short. Have a good day and stay safe.

Good morning all.  First, let me thank you all for your kind comments it's nice to know you are all there if I need you. Marjorie, who I actually know personally, rang me and we had a very fruitful chat on the phone.  I have an appointment with a counsellor on Wednesday which I hope will help me to see the wood for the trees. Yesterday was a Rugby day so I was glued to the TV for hours and hours.  Apparently, an overdose of rugby isn't fatal but the adrenalin overdose gives you a lovely headache. I watched Italy, England, Wales and France win their matches by paper-thin margins. It isn't often that all the teams you support win their games and today I need to support Marjorie as Ireland are playing.  They had an epic win against the All Blacks last week which is quite something.  My love of Ruby is inherited as my Dad played for a welsh team and I was brought up on rugby.   My Dad could really have used a son but I was the next best thing so I knew the...

 Good morning all.  You will be pleased to know that I have taken action and booked a session with a counsellor.  I am between a rock and a hard place and find myself unable to make a decision.  I know that I will have to make the decision myself but I hope for some help to clarify the situation. I would ask you for help but you know me and I am looking for an unbiased person.  Once I have had a chat with her I will fill you in. Sorry to be so cryptic but I think this is the least worst option. On a brighter note, it's rugby today so I will be glued to the TV.  In the meantime, I am going to paint my nails silver. Have a good day and stay well.

Good morning all sorry to have been off the wires for a couple of days but I kind of hit a brick wall of self-pity and didn't really want to whine and winge.  Nothing much has happened in the interim the lads have kept me fed and watered but I hate being a burden. Most interestingly Tubby decided I needed attention and spent most of one day keeping me company.  He is usually only interested in me if I have something edible to offer. Dogs are extremely perceptive.   James is on a cooking spree which is great as he is bursting with ideas especially after watching master chef he now wants to poach lobster tails in butter!  I suggested any time he wants to buy the lobsters to go ahead. Suddenly they ceased to be a priority.  Anyway, it's fun to see him get excited by recipes I remember the feeling. This year will be the first when I have not been in charge of the Christmas feast which is a pretty weird feeling but I am pretty useless as I get out of breath jus...

Good morning all.  It's another dull sort of nothing day but I keep reading we are in for some very cold weather but then again we were threatened with heat waves that never materialised. The best weather forecaster is still a window and a quick look outside. I got my phone call from the pharmacologist and in a very thick Indian accent, she read me my prescription asked if it was correct which I agreed she thanked me and put the phone down so that was a total waste of time.  We had another big load of fireworks last night and though Tubby hid and Dan turned down toast and pate they were not hysterical which was a bonus.  The spray seems to help but it isn't a cure.  The interesting thing is that both dogs have been exposed to gunfire and not batted an eyelid it must be something peculiar to fireworks which we probably can't hear. I did a very good impression of a vegetable yesterday and binge-watched Picard.  I like Patrick Stewart as an actor and have always li...

 Good morning all. It is a bit damp and dismal this morning but not that cold.  I had a fabulous day watching the rugby and as luck would have it all the teams I support won their games so very satisfying. James is still down and lived on tins of tomato soup. However the calming spray seems to have had a good effect on Tubby. He didn’t even hide last night so fingers crossed we have a solution. This morning I am manning the phone waiting for the clinical pharmacologist to call and hopefully get my medication sorted out.  I am still extremely breathless if I try to do anything but fine if I sit in a chair.  Anyway we will see what they have to say.  As far as I can see the only function of my GP is to sign prescriptions. At least I am sleeping better which is a blessing. I am like a child I get very crabby when I’m tired. I’m planning my Christmas donations which I do instead of cards it just seems a better use of the cash.  I think I might do the Red Cross ...

Good morning all I'm late again I seem to be in a different time zone at the moment and am sleeping really well so I am not complaining.  I didn't get to sleep until very late as I think I was like an over-excited child following the rugby.  To see Ireland beat the All blacks was a real treat they played their hearts out from the first whistle to the last second and thoroughly deserve their win.  I should think Marjorie was jumping around the house with joy.  I imagine that much Guinness was consumed last night. Poor Tak was still imprisoned in a hotel room and so missed her mothers funeral.  I can only imagine how awful she must feel.  I rang her husband to make sure all was well with him.  He is of course furious with the arrangements which excluded her. Just as well he stayed here or blood would have been shed. There were fireworks last night but they were very far away and didn't really bother the dogs too much Dan only spent a short time in the wa...

 Good morning all. Sorry to be late again but I have been dead to the world for about 12 hours my tiredness finally caught up with me. I also have some humble pie to eat I booked my booster for yesterday but missed on the confirmation letter that it was booked for the 27th so I had a fools errand yesterday. Anyway at least i know now where the place is in Strood and how to get there. Note to self read all of the letter not just time and location. James still has a very sore throat but he has made a curry for lunch.  There were no fireworks last night but I bet there will be some tonight and lets hope the calming spray works. I really wish fireworks were not on sale to the general public. They cause so many problems and there are always children who get burned it seems crazy to me.  Besides a professional firework display is always so much better. Well, I am gasping for some coffee so I am off to fill my mug. Have a good weekend and stay safe and well.

Good morning all.  I have ordered the RSPCA bed spray for Tubby in the hope of settling him when there are fireworks.  There seem to be thousands of preparations available and it is difficult to know which one to choose.  His hysterics are a relatively new phenomenon it has only been in the last three years that he has developed this terrible fear. Dan just sits in the wardrobe for about 10 minutes while he regains his composure and then wanders off untroubled. I slept a bit better last night I opened up my door and dropped the temperature in my bedroom to 11ºC which was much more comfortable.  I am off to get my booster this morning but I am unclear if it will take a fortnight to become active.  It would seem logical that it will take that long for your body to manufacture the antibodies. Poor James has a really sore throat this morning I do hope he is not coming down the something.  I lived on his extremely nice cauliflower cheese yesterday and was quite ...

 Good morning all.  Thank goodness there were no fireworks last night. Tubby hid but at least he wasn’t hysterical.   I on the hand had a lousy night I am sleeping very badly at the moment and getting progressively tired. Annabeth we have tried your suggestions but Tubby is in flat out panic and won’t even take a treat.  In the end it seems best to try ignoring him. So far he has removed all the electrical sockets in his effort to dig through the wall.  It is pitiful to watch. Good news from Chrissie it seems that all has gone according to plan and hopefully she will not need further treatment. James has made us some cauliflower cheese which we will have with some bacon for lunch. I got a phone call from the GP surgery yesterday to discuss my medication.  When I inquired if she was the clinical pharmacologist.  She said she was not and would need to talk to someone and would ring me back.  I think it was another cockup as I never heard another wor...

Good morning all yet another rough night but I am wide awake so I will type until Dennie gets here.  Yesterday was a pleasant enough day until it got dark at which point Tubby, anticipating the fireworks, went and hid. Dan is a bit more chilled and only needed the wardrobe for a short time. The Christmas stocking is now dry and going in the post.  Angela has promised me a photo of the finished article which I will happily share with you. Anyway, as you can imagine I am breathing a huge sigh of relief. I haven't really done any sewing so I have had time to get a bit more Latin done and now I am noticing just how much Latin is still in everyday language. I am gradually accumulating little goodies for the festive season.  Naughty sweets which are normally forbidden and some packs of parma ham which is so useful for filling in gaps or sudden hunger onset! The only problem is that I have to remember that I have hidden them away. I do also like to have a big bowl of fruit avail...

Good morning all so sorry to be so late but I was up most of the night and then lay in this morning.  I hope you have read Chrissie's blog its good to see she is doing well. Did I get a phone call from the doctor? No of course not I sat like a lemon from 8am until 3.30 then decided to phone them only to be told no he wasn't going to phone but the clinical pharmacologist would be calling me next Monday.  I carefully put the phone down before I let rip with a string of expletives that would make a sailor blush. I don't know why I expected any different.  Anyway, while I was manning the phone I have booked my booster jab for Friday morning and Denzil has volunteered to take me. I was just settling down for the night when I received a text from Heathrow as Tak was waiting for her plane to take her to Tokyo as her mother had just died and she asked me to keep an eye on her husband Chris.  He has stayed behind to babysit the dogs.  Apparently, it is all a big mess as ...

 Good morning all.  We have a very red sky this morning which I believe means rain, well that is better than snow.   I had a lovely day yesterday curled up with a book or two.  There was lots of stew for lunch which just needed nuking in the microwave so zero effort was required.  Dan seems to have come to terms with the fireworks but Tubby was in a flat out panic.  I babysat him for a while and decided to be strict with him and made him do various things like lie down and give me his paws etc.  It did seem to distract him as I think he thought I was definitely the greater threat and I heaped plenty of praise for getting things right but it did feel really mean.  I suppose it was the equivalent of a sharp slap for someone having hysterics.  I do hope that that is the worst of it over for a while no doubt we will get some more for the new year. I actually have an appointment with the GP this morning only because I have ordered some predni...

Good morning all. It is another cold start but at least there is no frost. Last night the fireworks went on for ages and poor Tubby was going crazy trying to get in the bath.  I read in the paper this morning that someones beloved spaniel died of sheer fright. It doesn't surprise me, it is the huge air bombs that rattle the windows which are the problem.  If didn't know they were fireworks I too would be in the wardrobe. Well, I am flu vaccinated now I have to get round to the booster shot.  I think I will give it a week for my immune system to deal with one invader before I challenge it with the second. It is interesting that they now think they have a medication to treat covid, wouldn't that be nice? James made a huge stew yesterday and there is tons left so I think today will be a stew day not that I mind I like stew. All very quiet here but that is better than drama so I shall enjoy the peace and quiet and curled up with a book and an endless supply of tea and coffee....

Good morning all.  It is a bit warmer today but still very dull and overcast. I got most of what I wanted to be done yesterday but my room is still a bit of a tip.  James went off to Macndes and restocked our coffee supplies for Christmas. As we are all adults in this house we do very little for the festive season except eat ourselves stupid.  No one likes Christmas cake so no point in making one.  Denzil is the only one who likes Christmas pudding so I will get a small one for him. Last night was a nightmare with the fireworks and two dogs in meltdown.  Dan finally settled once he was in the wardrobe and I shut the door but Tubby was searching for a place he considered safe and ended up in the bathroom behind the toilet.  It is really upsetting to see them so distressed and no doubt tonight will be just as bad. I hope your building work is going according to plan Marjorie but will it be done by Christmas?  I guess that is in the lap of the gods. I hav...

Good morning all. Well, it is done and sopping wet but pinned on the board drying out. Which means it should be dry to post off next week.  The colours look a bit dull but that is because they are wet once dry they should brighten up.   I am much relieved that it is done it is always more pressure if you are doing something for someone else and there is still work to do to make it into a stocking. Today I am going to devote to myself and wallow in the bath change my bed etc.  If I have enough energy I might even tidy my room which looks like a bomb has exploded in it.  All the sewing gear is scattered far and wide and needs to be put away.  I think I am going to have a break from sewing for a while. James has organised steak, mushrooms and chips for lunch.  The dogs have been walked so most of the chores are done. Well, that is my plan now to put it into action writing about it is so much easier than doing it!  Have a good day and keep warm it is ...

 Good morning, it is really dull this morning with no lovely bright sun.  I am on the final stretch of the embroidery and hope to get it wetted and blocked then I can relax.  I am booked in for my flu jab on Saturday and I think on balance it would be better to have it even if it knocks me back a bit. The real thing would probably be fatal so I am going ahead with it. Then once that is done I can arrange the booster. It is all a bit of a dilemma.  I think we are some way off having this virus beaten. I am going to keep this short as I need to get on while I feel human as I tend to fade as the day wears on. Have a good day yourselves stay warm and stay well.

Good morning all.  It is perishingly cold this morning and they are forecasting snow but it is bright and sunny.  Keith came yesterday and did his final clear up of the garden until spring next year.  A fair amount of the leaves are down now but the winter storms will take care of the rest. I managed to get some sewing done and hopefully a couple of days should see it finished and I can get it blocked and sent back to Bristol.  At the moment it is my main priority as I know time is of the essence.  I also need to do something about myself I could use a 10,000-mile service having been a slob for a week.  I will have to see how much energy I can muster.  I know this sounds obvious but I hate feeling so washed out and struggling to do just minor things. Well,  that's my plan such as it is I am going to fill my coffee cup and go and make a start on the sewing.  I know I will feel better if I get at least some of that done. Have a good day and sta...

Good morning all.  It is a lovely bright start to the day but it is very chilly at 6ºC.  I am feeling a lot brighter in myself so hopefully, I have turned the corner. Chef has made a lovely fish pie for lunch today and I must say I am looking forward to it which is a good sign. My good friend in Hastings now has her sister in law to keep her company and the last time we spoke she seemed to be coming to terms with her loss. I think she has been amazed at just how many friends she actually has.  It isn't until it hits the fan that you realise just who your friends are. Today I really must get on with some sewing as I am aware time is passing and Christmas is coming.  I have not been able to concentrate but today I will give it a go even if it is only for a short while. Well, that's my plan such as it is now a bucket of coffee and getting stuck in.  Have a good day and stay warm.

 Good morning it is Monday, isn't it? I have lost track of time what with clocks changing and all that.   The soup du jour is French onion with gruyere topped with crusty bread.  My chef is definitely doing very well.  I am so lucky to be so well cared for.  I am rattling with pills but hopefully improving. I made it up and down the stairs yesterday and today I will do two trips.  My stairs are like mount Everest as they are very steep so making the journey is about as much exercise as I can manage. My friend who lost her dog is making progress we managed a chat without her bursting into tears.  Given she is less than a week post a total knee replacement she is doing well. I don't really have much news it is just a case of muddling through as best I can. Chrissie is coping admirably which is good news and I hope the rest of you are ok.   Stay safe and well.

 Morning all.  Yes, I'm still alive but only just.  I have been poleaxed buy something. Not covid but some other nasty. Denzil became concerned and rang the respiratory nurse who has succeeded in kicking my GP into touch and ordered some meds.  As I was not eating I have been force-fed buckets of sweet tea so I am being well cared for. Then just to put the tin lid on things my very good friend who had a total knee replacement at shoinas instance called the vet and had her dog put down.  She lives alone and her dog was her life she is now in pieces.   Personally I blame the vet this dog should have been put out of it's misery some time ago.  Just because you can keep it alive doesn't mean you should.  It was blind with a heart condition and paralysed back legs and 16 years old.  Anyway not being able to help in any way I have sent flowers and let her cry bitterly on the phone. What else can you do for a broken heart? Ok, I am running out of ga...

 Good morning all.  First some good news Chrissie is through her surgery and not feeling too sore. I on the other hand feel like death warmed up. I think I slept most of yesterday and now feel guilty as I should have got on with the embroidery.  My hearing aid is on the table as I have ear ache so I am giving it a rest for a couple of days and hope it all settles down. I have an appointment for my flu vaccine on the 6th of November at 11.21 not 20 or 25 but 21 how daft is that. Anyway at least it is booked. James has gone off to do the shopping and hopefully get some mackerel fillets for lunch.  I am now going to get stuck in to the embroidery while I still feel vaguely human. Have a good day stay safe.

Good morning all. It is still pitch dark so I have no idea what sort of a day it is going to be according to the forecast it should be dry. I had a minor technical success yesterday I manage to pay a cheque into the bank using just my iPad.  Now I'm not sure what to do with the cheque itself I guess I will just file it in case of disaster. Dennie is due any minute and for once the house is none too bad.  James did us proud with a shoulder of lamb for lunch which he slow roasted which rendered most of the fat.  We were so stuffed after lunch we only had a tomato sandwich for supper and I could quite happily have done without that. The dogs who did a little clearing up were a bit confused by the mint jelly  "Why is the dessert with the meat course?' Well Dennie is here and chaos reins so I will close and get out of her way.  Have a good day and be safe

Good morning all.  Is it me or is life getting more difficult by the time you get hold of a human being your frustration levels are so high you want to scream at them.  My sarcasm levels are off the charts and it's easy to see how people lose it and start hurling abuse. Marjory, you have my empathy drowning in  bureaucracy is infuriating and it isn't even possible to just throw in the towel you have to battle on.  May I suggest that copious amounts of chocolate are called for and to hell with the consequences? I believe today is Chrissie's scheduled surgery I do hope that things work out well for her and at least that will be one hurdle dealt with. I am struggling with my embroidery at the moment it is proving much more difficult than I anticipated but I must soldier on and get it done. James is cooking a boned and rolled shoulder of lamb today which will make a nice change from chicken.  It is in the oven slow-roasting now all we need are some vegetables to go ...

Good morning all there is something wrong with my blog on the computer it has taken me ages just to get this up  and working but it keeps freezing. Fine it seems to have cleared.  I have just waited one hour 10 minutes on hold to get through to my GP receptionist.  I need confirmation of my medical status to renew my blue badge.  Sadly it will have to be collected from the surgery on Friday as they don’t have any postal facilities.  It just goes from bad to worse.  I asked if the print off could be e mailed but apparently not.  Is it any wonder casualty is filled with people with minor complaints.  I am now seething with irritation so I will close before I disappear into an endless rant.   Have a good one I am going to drink some coffee and let my anger subside.

Good morning all and many thanks to Annabeth I have found a place close by that will suit me fine so it is on next weeks to-do list. I spent quite a while yesterday embroidering I have been set quite a challenge as it is by no means easy.  sorry about the shadow but you can see that it is going to be quite complex. I have just about finished the big F so onward and upward. Once that is done I have to add more bling before I can post it back to Bristol. I also need to factor in the three days it will take to dry once it has been blocked. I am going to keep this short as I need to make a start with the good morning light not that there is any sun just cloud and I believe we are in for lots more rain. Have a lovely peaceful Sunday 

Good morning all.  I think I am turning into a bear and going into hibernation, all I want to do is sleep.  Perhaps I am just so relaxed with both boys at home I know there is nothing for me to do, who knows, but I am going to make the most of it while it lasts.  Denzil goes back to work tomorrow but it has been lovely to have him home for a fortnight. I really must get on with my embroidery as this is a commissioned piece and time is of the essence.  I made a start yesterday but had to stop when the sun was blinding me.  Of course, the sun is very low at this time of the year and though I need good light the sun in my eyes is not so good. I really must get my vaccine sorted out but as I seldom leave the house I feel pretty secure. Who knows I might even get a letter calling me forward if I can't find a walk-in venue. I will keep this short and sweet as I must get on and make the most of the daylight so it's time to fill my coffee cup and make a start. Have a lo...

Good morning all or is it nearly lunchtime?   I slept in very late this morning but I was awake for several hours in the night but refused to get up and finally fell back to sleep just when I should have got up. First I texted Chrissie to see how she is doing and as you would expect she is pretty nervous but hopefully it will all soon be over and she can concentrate on getting well. Angela has sent me back the Christmas stocking so that I can add some more bling and get the name of the child embroidered.  Then it can go back and her seamstress can finish it off.  I really need to get it done as time is marching on so I will get it mounted up and make a start this morning as we have beautiful sunshine.  It is however jolly cold outside so indoor work is ideal. James has the base of a mushroom risotto made so I guess that will be for lunch.  I put a meat order in yesterday which includes a big chunk of beef rib which can live in the freezer until the festive ...

Good morning all it is very autumnal today with lots of rain forecast and the temperature has plummeted. Yesterday was gorgeous once the morning rain had passed and it was really quite warm. Has anyone heard from Chrissie she must be getting nervous as I believe her surgery is due on the 26th?  Anyway, I do hope she is getting all the support she needs.   My good intentions to phone the chemist got forgotten yesterday and I am going to take Annabeths advice and look for a walk-in centre as waiting to be called may never happen.   I had a nice chat with Angela yesterday and the Christmas stocking will be on its way back to me so I can finish the embroidery.  She has organised a seamstress to finish the job and has chosen some suitable materials for the backing.  I will have to ask her for a photo of the finished article.  It's a pity she lives some 3 hours away which makes meeting up a bit difficult. James is making a cabbage and bacon extravaganza...

Good morning all.  We have started the day with a downpour but the sky is clearing so it might yet turn into a good day.  Keith came yesterday and cut back loads of shrubs which had put on a lot of growth over the summer months. He also trimmed up my bay trees so they look nice and are not obstructing the paths.  He only has two more visits then he packs up for the winter. Today James has made a sort of chorizo and vegetable stew for lunch and after his shopping trip yesterday we have a fridge full of bits and pieces ideal for the odd sandwich or two. Following on from the comments yesterday I was sorry to hear of Marjorie's family all down with the covid hopefully it will just be a mild attack and not land any of them in hospital.  It is us older folks who are at significant risk.  Anyway with winter coming and not having had my booster I am being particularly careful.  Today I think I will chase the chemist regarding my flu vaccine as I don't want that ei...

Good morning all I am up very late having slept like a log for a change.  Today is the first big blow of autumn and there are leaves falling everywhere.  Soon the trees will be just bundles of sticks and all the beautiful colours will be gone.  Next door but one has a holly tree that is loaded with berries I'm not sure if this means we have had a good summer or we are in for a hard winter either way it is a picture at the moment. It might be blustery and damp but it is much warmer than it has been with blasts of sunshine. Dan came home from the groomer looking very beautiful and smelling delicious but completely exhausted.  He guzzled an entire bowl of water ate a large supper and then lost consciousness.  I must say the ability to just lay down and pass out is something I have always envied dogs. They also wake instantly no wandering around in a daze as they come to. As the covid numbers are high at the moment and I haven't had my flu or booster shots I am bein...

Good morning all. I woke this morning to a tiny bit of good news overnight I have been promoted to the Latin Safire league as I finished in the top three of the gold league. Talk about little things please little minds! Anyway I now feel I need to make some sort of decision do I plough on or should I switch languages. My Italian grammar could do with some brushing up as I do write in Italian to my cousin and he replies in English so we both get to practice.  I have done a minimum of an hour a day of Latin for the last month and I have no intention of becoming a Latin scholar. Dan is off for a day of pampering/torturing as he is having his hair cut we think it is pampering he thinks it is torturing. The groomers say he is a fidget so he is good practice for the students.  Anyway, he will come home exhausted and smelling like a fairy. We have the last of our frozen red mullet for lunch today and I have a fennel bulb to prepare and can't decide whether to cook it or do a salad. E...

Good morning all.  I had a very rubbish day yesterday as I had a banging headache almost the whole day.  I'm afraid I did a very good impression of a vegetable I managed to do a bit of my Latin but I was making loads of silly mistakes so I put that away.  I really didn't like the light so no embroidery got done.  Talking of the light it is very noticeable that the days are getting shorter, it is only just light now at 7.45. Dan had a bit of a limp after his walk but he is fine this morning both he and Tubby are prone to going crazy when they have acres to run in. I had a quick scan of the headlines this morning and it is all bad news as usual with dire warnings about the coming winter.  Nothing like it to set you up for the day with a healthy dose of doom and gloom! There are times I envy the dogs for their lack of concern. So long as they are safe warm and fed that is about all they care about. Well, I have no real plans for the day just a quiet Sunday with lot...

Good morning all. It's a cold morning down to single figures but with just light clouds so we might be in for a decent day. Denzil's face has subsided by itself so it was probably an insect bite I myself had a couple of mosquito bites but the culprit is now deceased. I am a devil with the fly swat.  It is one of the drawbacks of open windows, I really must have a word with the spiders they are not doing their job! Yesterday we ate really healthily clearing up the curry sauce with some chips for lunch and a bacon and egg sandwich for supper. I'm sure all the health gurus would be very impressed and it was of course calorie-free. I had a long chat with Sandy on the phone only to hear that since we last spoke she has lost 4 very dear friends.  I guess this is something we all have to look forward to as we and our friends get older.  Anyway, she was pleased I was still alive. I watched some cosmology program yesterday and was devastated to learn that the sun will burn out in ...

 Aren't we lucky, sometimes we fail to see what is on our doorstep?  This is one of several local parks showing off its autumn colours.  It is very popular with anglers, dog walkers and horse riders as it covers a significant area. Apparently, we are also finally going to get a Lidl store despite strenuous efforts by Asda to stop it.  I for one am delighted as I am not a fan of Asda. Now the only thing we are missing is a decent hospital. The current hospital dates from 1902 when it was a naval hospital.  Since then they have bolted on various structures but it really isn't fit for purpose and hasn't been since I worked there many years ago. We really do seem to have things backwards perhaps they should open surgeries in the supermarkets! Denzil woke up with a fat face yesterday which is really quite swollen. He has given it 24 hours but it is still very swollen this morning so I hope he is going to seek some medical attention today though his chances of seeing ...

Good morning all it is still pitch dark at the moment but if yesterday is anything to go by it should be a lovely day. James survived his dental appointments but there is still work to be done.  We all enjoyed the soup and Denzil and I had a pasty each.  Our local baker makes lovely pasties for which I have a passion. He makes them with puff pastry so they are more like stuffed croissants than true pasties but delicious nonetheless.  I set myself some rules yesterday to stop me from getting completely carried away.  The rules are only one hour of Latin and only one hour of the wretched stem stitch in the morning when the light is good. I am having a problem with my iPad in that it refuses to install an update so I will have to have a trawl on the internet and see what I can do about that. My computer skills are severely limited so I really have no idea what I am doing. Dennie has made the house all sparkly and the laundry is up to date even the window cleaner came....

Good morning all. Today is going to be a busy day, Dennie is due any moment and the kitchen looks as if a bomb has exploded.  James did a full roast chicken dinner for supper last night and the detritus is scattered far and wide.  He is off to the dentist for one of two appointments today so it will be up to me to sort things out. I carved all the meat off the bird last night so I can get the carcass into the pot this morning and I have a butternut squash so I will make some soup for him in case he has a sore mouth. Tubby was off-colour yesterday and refused any food but he was eager for his morning dental stick so hopefully whatever it was has passed. It is now light and it looks like a lovely day ahead anyway Dennie is here the carcass is in the pot and I need to get going.  Have a good day and stay safe.

Good morning one and all.  It is cold and dull so far this morning but it warms up later in the day when the sun breaks through the clouds. I had a quiet day yesterday and have tried out a new shampoo which doesn't sound very exciting but I have had a persistent fine rash on my forehead for weeks which I treated with an antihistamine cream.  Then I remembered that my dad had developed an allergy to sulphates in shampoo and it suddenly dawned on me it might just be the same thing.  I bought a sulphate free shampoo and the rash is subsiding nicely so I think I may have found the cause.  Fortunately, the rash isn't itchy just ugly and a nuisance. I also made a decision to abandon looking at the Latin league tables and have concentrated on revising from the beginning to try and make sure the 550 words I have learned actually stick.  At this stage in my life, I am very well aware that I suffer from Teflon syndrome [nothing sticks]. James has defrosted a chicken so I ...

Good morning all.  Please feel free to congratulate me on finishing in the number one slot in the silver league which took me until midnight.  I managed it by a whisker and now find myself in 5th position in the gold league.  It could be worse at least it's not bingo! Now, whether I can maintain my enthusiasm is another matter. Needless to say, I have woken with a thundering head that is totally self-inflicted and no one to blame but myself. I think I will treat myself to a quiet day and give the grey cells a rest. Today we don't have any weather it is calm cloudy and cool in fact it is down to 9ºC which is quite chilly. The house has a lovely smell of slowly cooking onions which James will make into onion gravy for our Cumberland sausage ring and mash. Not much to report this morning so I think I will get more coffee and head to the bathroom and see if I can soak away my headache.  Have a good day and stay safe and warm.

 Good morning all.  I am very late this morning but I woke at 4 and didn’t get back to sleep for ages.  As you know I am a bit nuts so I spent some time keeping the top slot in the league.  Well what else can you do when everyone is asleep and you are wide awake? I have no idea what the chef has planned for today but I’m sure it will be good.  I think we still have loads of diced chicken which needs cooking. The weather is very misty and autumnal but I like autumn and watching the leaves change colour before they are all blown down by the storms.  I also love fresh snow but only for a few days.  The dogs love snow and go mad chasing each other round the garden. I hope we are not in for a hard winter especially with gas prices rising.  I am lucky that my house is very well insulated so hopefully I will not have problems keeping warm. My GP surgery has call me for a flu vaccine but I’m not sure I will live long enough to make an appointment so I thi...

Good morning all.  The weirdest thing happened yesterday morning I woke up with a word bouncing around in my head.  It was Nuvolari which is the name of a famous Ferrari driver of the 30's which is before I was born. Now, where did that come from? goodness only knows what my brain was up to while I was asleep. You might wonder at my keenness to learn Latin but I think there is a history to this. When my parents came home from Nigeria they rented a cottage in Wiltshire.  I was moved to yet another primary school just in time to sit the 11+ I had done half of it and passed when they moved to Surrey where they had finished their exams so the school didn't know what to do with me.  They solved the problem by putting me in the second year of the secondary stream and my friends went into the first year of the grammar stream where they learned Latin and I did not. To this day I resent their decision as my mother had demonstrated how useful a knowledge of both Greek and Lati...

Good morning all.  Well, there is good news and not so good news.  The good news is that after considerable work I made it to the top of the leader board. However, this morning when I checked I was back down to 3rd so not such good news.  Anyway, it amuses me and I guess I must be learning.  I do have the advantage of medical terminology most of which is either Latin or Greek-based. Today James has the bit between his teeth and is cooking up a storm.  I bought him a Japanese deep fryer so karaage chicken is on the menu. However, I have some deboning to do first so I will be very popular with the dogs. I had a long chat with Elaine yesterday and she has had her fair share of problems of late with a sick horse and a dying father in law and a distraught husband. Sadly these problems befall us all at some point. Anyway, sometimes it helps to offload to a sympathetic ear. Well, that's your lot for today I am off to improve my league position and bone some chicken thi...