My wife decided to clean out under the sink ... good thing too as we discovered a long-standing leak which had dripped all over the shelf. Plumber on standby tomorrow but I think I've fixed it with a quick trip to Screwfix. Will need to check though!
Your markets sound like Safeway here. I haven't been in since all hell broke loose around here, and I'll try to avoid it for the duration.
At my store (Trader Joe's) we're limiting admission to 40 people when the doors open. The first hour (8-9 am) is for seniors. After that it's on a one person out, one in basis.
It's probably fruitless to ask at a store like you describe, but do they have staff available to shop for customers who can't manage the store? One of my managers brought me a shopping list the other day, and I filled the order, brought the receipt to the customers' car and took their card inside to finish the purchase. Everyone was happy.
I ventured to the further away, but infinitely preferred, combination of supermarkets (one of the budget variety, one less so, but usually has what I'm after) yesterday and managed everything on my list bar the one variety of washing powder which doesn't set me itching and one pint of milk! In more usual times, I'd've nipped back to the first one for the pint of milk and then gone and checked the other two possible places on the High Street for the washing powder but decided both could wait for another trip.
What I really appreciated was the longer walk there and the virtually empty bus on the way home. Last week's venture to the nearer to home supermarket had been a less productive trip, even when supplies had more or less returned to usual levels.
I probably should look at work e-mails, but as I'm not actually working from home, just been asked to stay at home for now, the motivation is kind of minimal... and there are other colleagues I'm in touch with who are obsessively checking so will tell me if there is anything vital. Anyway, technically we're on holiday from tomorrow and this week has been a deep-clean week for the few left on site apparently.
Our happy little Coop is able to take orders by phone and then have them ready for payment (they are working with head office on being allowed to take payment by phone) and collection either by the customer or one of the community volunteers who, armed with gloves and sanitiser (courtesy of a local distillery) will deliver to those who shouldn’t go for their own shopping.
I am avoiding the supermarkets I usually use - mostly because that requires a car journey, and also they are either too crowded for me to feel safe, or the queues are too long. People are able to queue at 6ft spacing, under the eye of the staff member at the door, but forget about that once they get inside, and are searching for the things they need.
I am fortunate in that there is a Sainsbury's Local (biggish convenience store) and a (smallish) Co-op supermarket both on my route to the 'big park' where I take my early morning constitutional.
As the Co-op carries a bigger range of vegetables (although not always in stock) I join the queue there on my way home, usually on a Wednesday. So far, at the time I arrive, I am no more than 10th in the queue.
As milk (1x2pt skimmed and 1x4pt semi) in addition to vegetables is more than my backpack - and my back - can manage, I go to Sainsbury's a couple of days later for dairy produce and, if I time it right, a small, uncut, wholemeal loaf. The last couple of times there has been no queue there at that time in the morning.
We always used to have our milk delivered, in glass bottles too, until he gave up in about 2012. Then we moved house. Placed my first order again this week, delivery Tuesdays and Fridays but by today the Tuesday milk is off!
We used to ave our milk delivered, but our milk consumption became very erratic once the kids grew up and spent more time away from home, so it was either no custard on our pudding, or huge rice puddings three days in a row.
Apart from which, we had a south facing house and in the summer the milk was often 'off' by the time I got home from work.
It was with some regret that we decided that it was more sensible just to nip down to the shop and buy it as we needed it.
What I'd really like is the half-pint carton of milk I used to be able to get in the 1980s! I end up freezing most of the occasional pint I buy as I use so little - usually for visitors' not drinks.
Yes, well, that's not happening! Think I'll not bother with milk for the time being.
We still have the same milkman we’ve had for 20 years, they deliver eggs too.
My milk delivery (used for 20 years, was Dairy Crest, now owned by Muller I think) could not deliver either my eggs or my cheddar this week. But corner shop had both.
Our milk delivery is 3 times a week and always keeps, but it arrives about 4am.
I haven't had milk delivered since we lived in Belfast, when we got a pint twice a week. Even that was often more than we needed - we only really used it for putting in tea.
I've been very lazy today - done nothing but mess about on FB and the Ship (and had a nice phone chat with my brother), but I'll head out for an amble shortly, and later on cook supper (salmon with potatoes, green beans and possibly carrots).
I lead such an exciting life ...
Over on the Scottish thread, it's been proposed that we raise a glass at 6 o'clock today to @Stercus Tauri, who should have been arriving from over the Pond today for a holiday, but for obvious reasons isn't. If those of you south of Hadrian's Wall would like to join in, you'll be most welcome.
We used to ave our milk delivered, but our milk consumption became very erratic once the kids grew up and spent more time away from home, so it was either no custard on our pudding, or huge rice puddings three days in a row.
Apart from which, we had a south facing house and in the summer the milk was often 'off' by the time I got home from work.
It was with some regret that we decided that it was more sensible just to nip down to the shop and buy it as we needed it.
Ours is delivered at 4:30am and they let you be as erratic as you want.
My day so far:
Awake at 5am or so, not having slept until past 2am. Got up sometime after 6, had coffee and prepared my porridge (it's the only way I regularly consume milk, and the rolled oats hold more if it soaks for an hour or so - my stand against osteoporosis).
Then out for my morning walk. From door back to door, via the track round 'the big park' takes just under 45 minutes.
Stop off to buy milk and a few other bits on the way back. Yippee! They have some frozen blueberries at last .
Eat my porridge, shower & change. Have a cup of tea, and work out a menu for next week, based on what I have already in the house.
Open up the growhouse as the sun has come out and is shining straight on it. Pootle on the 'puter for a while.
Stare into the fridge seeking inspiration, then concoct a frittata from odds and ends of leftover veg for Mr RoS's lunch. I have managed to maintain a supply of eggs - mainly by not letting him have any at breakfast.
Decided that I couldn't last much longer on 3 hours sleep, and went for a zizz, then had a late lunch of cold frittata sandwich.
Read some emails - notably one from Mr RoS's sister, who we only intermittently keep in touch with. Have been wondering how she is, but do not have her email address. Or not until now. She doesn't have ours, either, so sent the email to our son. She is ten years older than Mr RoS, so just over 80, and living in Canada, so our infrequent snail mail communications lag a bit behind current events.
Which brings us to now, when I should reply to her, and to a few others who have emailed in the last week or so. They will all be thrilled to hear of our exciting life.
Oh, and it will be baked potatoes with tuna and sweetcorn for dinner, with a green salad. Rhubarb crumble for pud. This year's rhubarb will soon need picking, so I need to use up the couple of kilos from the bottom of the freezer, where they've been since 2018.
The an exciting evening listening to The Archers, possibly watching a bit of TV - probably in a separate room from Mr RoS - we have very different TV tastes. Or possibly continuing an ongoing project of compiling an index of my recipe collection, listed according to main ingredients.
I am getting increasingly frustrated at not being able to remember in which book, published or hand-compiled, any particular recipe is located.
This may well be a life-long project.
Then an exciting evening listening to The Archers.
The Archers is (?are) bizarre as, of course, it's recorded some time in advance. Ambridge is therefore a totally Covid-19-free zone at present, people are meeting up as normal and planning Easter jollifications. Apparently the virus will arrive in a month's time: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52084510. But who knows what things will then be like outside Borsetshire?
Today I woke up at 7am and got up, fed the dogs and had a cup of tea.
Followed by a long, luxurious bath.
Next I walked Echo to the woods and round the local tracks. Then I dropped him off and took Tatze a walk through the local park - not a soul about.
11am coffee and breakfast, a banana and muesli. Time on the Ship.
12 noon Skype chat with my five friends. The lunch for the dogs and lunch for me. Eggs on toast for me. Another walk for one dog and then the other.
Followed by some washing and cleaning, then a trip to the shop. Very civilised, markings on the floor for lining up. One-in-one out and lines on the floor at the tills.
Jigsaw time - I’ve got to the hard bit now! 5pm Skype chat with my family.
Then a meal - very healthy salmon and veg. Dogs tea time and play time. 7pm another Skype chat with my friends. Now time on the Ship.
I will go to watch the TV at 9pm and bed at 10pm.
Tomorrow will be much the same but with a zoom Pilates lesson at 2pm. Oh - and the Church of Fools service! We heard about the resurrected CoF on April 1st, very apt!
I experienced my first Zoom Pilates session this morning. I think I prefer it to my usual class, exercising in the comfort of my own home.
I’m also singing more than normal as in addition to the online Rock Choir sessions I’m loving Gareth’s Great British Home Chorus. Only tricky thing is that we sing I’m Still Standing in both choirs with completely different arrangements.
Lots of neighbours out clapping again this evening, so uplifting.
Now, if we could just get hold of half a dozen eggs ...
We've been lucky so far with eggs: the butcher/green-grocer who does phone-and-pick-up had no problem supplying them.
This evening's applause was more fun than last week: what a difference the clocks going forward made! Last week it was dark (and so foggy we couldn't see each other), but tonight it was still light with the remains of a sunny day, and several more people about.
Ambridge is therefore a totally Covid-19-free zone at present, people are meeting up as normal and planning Easter jollifications.
I am concerned that this social isolation/social distancing way of life is embedding itself in my psyche, as it seems to be the normal way to live now. So much so, that I am startled whenever the people of Ambridge start planning outings, or group activities. My initial reaction each time is “But you shouldn’t be doing that”.
I can't figure out how on earth are they going to explain why Ambridge gets CV19 so long after the rest of the country.
I had been expecting the pandemic to be ignored, and never referred to, in the same way they dealt with the monstrous floods that devastated that part of the country just over a month ago. Or slot in a few "topical inserts" between now and the first case that they introduce.
On top of the current stories they are running, it is going to make the programme a pretty miserable listen!
The applause seemed a bit less voluble than last week round here, in spite of the fact that
the noise of applauding and cheering was augmented by the raucous calling of herring gulls.
I had to give up on earrings in a job where they weren't allowed because the chance of being assaulted was high, plus nickel allergy made all my fun earrings unfunny.
Nickel allergy sucks. But it makes a fine excuse for telling one's husband that you simply must wear 18 carat gold (nothing less for me) or sterling silver!
The applause seemed a bit less voluble than last week round here, in spite of the fact that
the noise of applauding and cheering was augmented by the raucous calling of herring gulls.
... Nickel allergy sucks. But it makes a fine excuse for telling one's husband that you simply must wear 18 carat gold (nothing less for me) or sterling silver!
It does indeed - and made all the worse when you're a flute player. As you say, though, it does lend class to one's jewel case!
I discovered my nickel allergy in the summer of '76 (remember the heat?), when I was at a week-long orchestral summer school, and my chin and lower lip turned into a weeping, itching mess.
I solved the problem by putting a strip of sellotape on the offending bit of metal.
I discovered mine when some hypo-allergenic earrings (ha) did the same to my earlobes. So did 14 carat gold. 18 (at least from Vietnamese sources!) is fine. I think they cut it with copper, which is no problem for me.
I have the same problem, though, with glass jewelry my son made which has cheap nickel fittings on the back of it. A massive coat of clear nail polish and I'm okay again.
My nickel allergy stopped me wearing jeans for years, as they gave me weepy itchy scabs near all the rivets and the button. It means belts are a problem as most buckles contain nickel, and most watches: I wear a huge oversized-on-me watch with a fabric strap across the back, the only option I can find, but haven't found a fitbit that doesn't have a bare metal back. I try to wear necklaces on nylon, leather or cord strings, or strings of pearls. But got out of the habit at the job with a high risk of being assaulted. I haven't found sellotape or nail varnish works that well.
Electrical supply company inspector came yesterday and signed off the work. He was very interested in the solar tiles, not having seen them before. Water company inspector also came and rubber-stamped the sewerage connections.
Just when we'd given up all hope the Building Inspector arrived, full of apologies for being late - he was due on Monday! However, his tardiness meant we could give him the stuff for the electrical and sewerage stuff. Out of hearing of the builder he commented that the work was of a much higher standard than he usually sees; he moved to this area from Essex a year ago and has been shocked at some of the local building practices.
What a relief. All that remains is decorating and snagging, then we move appliances into position, re-jig kitchen and tackle the garden damage.
Five weeks only to get to this stage, mainly because we had the foundations already which saved us at least two weeks.
Ambridge is therefore a totally Covid-19-free zone at present, people are meeting up as normal and planning Easter jollifications.
I am concerned that this social isolation/social distancing way of life is embedding itself in my psyche, as it seems to be the normal way to live now. So much so, that I am startled whenever the people of Ambridge start planning outings, or group activities. My initial reaction each time is “But you shouldn’t be doing that”.
I'm finding myself thinking that quiz shows (to which I've become quite addicted since I moved back ) must have been filmed quite a while ago, as the contestants and quizmasters are merrily hugging one another and shaking hands ...
I must do something constructive today: laundry is beckoning, but as S. is having a work meeting via Zoom or Skype in the kitchen, I don't want to go blundering through there to the utility room until she's finished. Maybe an amble would be a better idea - the laundry can wait until later.
... Nickel allergy sucks. But it makes a fine excuse for telling one's husband that you simply must wear 18 carat gold (nothing less for me) or sterling silver!
It does indeed - and made all the worse when you're a flute player.
Oh, a good excuse for a gorgeous silver headjoint, though.
Having had positive GP feedback on the first set of scrubs, I’ve had requests from the whole surgery practice for fun sets made from random pieces of different fabrics. A great way to work through my stash!
@Piglet - yes the quiz shows have been filmed some time ago, some are even on repeats to fill the schedules. If you attend recordings they are usually some time in advance, barring a few topical shows. The Now Show is being recorded remotely. For stuff that's been filmed now, there's Socially Distant with Susan Calman and apparently she's still recording the voice over for the last few episodes of The Great British Menu.
I discovered my nickel allergy in the summer of '76 (remember the heat?), when I was at a week-long orchestral summer school, and my chin and lower lip turned into a weeping, itching mess.
It took me a couple of readings of your post to make it clear to me that you weren't confessing to having a lip piercing!
I've been going to our local Tesco's once a week, first thing in the morning, and have been able to get pretty much all we need. This week I encountered for the first time the one way system and the whole floor marked into boxes to ensure social distancing. They've done it very well. I gather the local Aldi, which I know is cheaper and seems to have had fewer problems with supplies, hasn't done this and it's impossible to do the social distancing round the store.
I whizzed out early to post a letter and the sunshine was glorious. I've had virtual morning coffee with a friend and am due to take part in a Zumba class via Zoom (henceforth no doubt to be known as Zoomba) soon, followed by virtual coffee and catch up with classmates. We have a virtual wine tasting with friends this evening so I'm not sure I'll make the Church of Fools service but am looking forward to hearing how it goes.
I do wonder how all this will change the look of online classes, online medical consultations, online meetings including church ones.
Oh yes... laundry... >contemplates changing spare bed linen<
Funerals are bad enough, without having snow (or no mourners) as well.
I've only done a couple of graveside funerals - at one, it rained so hard that the grave had about 6 inches of water at the bottom, and the other was on the hottest day of the year.
Vested, in a seemly manner, in cassock, cotta, and scarf, I was almost ready to collapse into the grave myself. The deceased wouldn't have minded - he was a good friend.
Day 17 of supposed COVID-19 and I no longer have chest pain, though I am still slightly short of breath. All 3 of us still have the cough though! Less fatigued too; I’ve phoned both a student and a colleague.
Some strawberry plants have arrived in the post so I’m going to have to supervise my son digging up the flower bed for me tomorrow.
... Nickel allergy sucks. But it makes a fine excuse for telling one's husband that you simply must wear 18 carat gold (nothing less for me) or sterling silver!
It does indeed - and made all the worse when you're a flute player.
Oh, a good excuse for a gorgeous silver headjoint, though ...
Many years later, D. bought me a silver-plated flute, which I still have (well, it's in transit), but it needs fairly major TLC - replacement pads on most of the keys. As I haven't played it for years, I'm not sure I could justify the expense, but part of me would still like to have a flute, and maybe tickle it occasionally.
I have ambled, and in a fairly robust exoneration of Murphy's Law, it started to rain as soon as I put my snout and one trotter over the threshold ...
Many years later, D. bought me a silver-plated flute, which I still have (well, it's in transit), but it needs fairly major TLC - replacement pads on most of the keys. As I haven't played it for years, I'm not sure I could justify the expense, but part of me would still like to have a flute, and maybe tickle it occasionally.
Oh I hope you do - I’ve only been playing for about 5 years and wish I’d started earlier. I found a great teacher, 10 mins walk from me, and then a flute ensemble that has a training section that welcomes new and rusty players, getting us ready for the main one.
Well, I intended cycling down to the allotment to weed the area designated for spud planting next week, but the bike’s rear tyre is as flat as a proverbial, and I didn’t realise this bike has different valves to my old bike (currently hiding behind junk at the back of my garage) so don’t have a pump. However, tomorrow the nice bike shop will deliver both pump and inner tube (I suspect a leak) so that’s really helpful (my car has a flat battery - I have a flatness theme!).
So, this afternoon I’m decanting my home brew 2018 Chateau daisydaisy from the demijohn into single serving bottles (15 bottles sounds quite good!) saved from the bar where I help out, and doing the next stage of the 2019 vintage. I honk now is the time to defrost grapes from both years to get the next brew going.
I was thinking chuck it over the side, but that was Bad Piglet having her say ...
Have been spending a very frustrating hour or so trying to order an Indian takeaway for supper via Just Eat; having clicked in the entire order and put in my (Canadian) bank details*, the bloody thing wanted to verify them, including a Canadian phone number, which I obviously no longer have. There was swearing.
I really don't understand it; I've been able to order things from Amazon with the same details. Isn't technology weird?
However, S. came to the rescue, and the food should be delivered in about an hour.
* I was about to go and open an account here when we got locked down.
I'm finding myself thinking that quiz shows (to which I've become quite addicted since I moved back ) must have been filmed quite a while ago, as the contestants and quizmasters are merrily hugging one another and shaking hands ...
-
Mastermind Australia now has an on-screen message at the front of the show which says that the episode was filmed prior to social distancing.
Did any of you (Brits) watch Have I got News for You last night? I thought they really did rather well, under the circumstances; it's one of the shows I missed the most when living abroad.
As S. (bless her!) managed to get a couple of lamb shanks yesterday, they're now merrily doing their thing in the slow-cooker, with carrots, onions, a few tomatoes and Moroccan-style spices, and will be joined later by a tin of chickpeas and some toasted cashew nuts.
I don't think I've done Moroccan-style before, and the spice mix was a bit arbitrary, but there's quite a nice aroma emanating from the kitchen. Will report back later.
Laundry is also happening, and will be followed by Iron Ing; it would have happened sooner, but S. was using the clothes-horse. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Comments
At my store (Trader Joe's) we're limiting admission to 40 people when the doors open. The first hour (8-9 am) is for seniors. After that it's on a one person out, one in basis.
It's probably fruitless to ask at a store like you describe, but do they have staff available to shop for customers who can't manage the store? One of my managers brought me a shopping list the other day, and I filled the order, brought the receipt to the customers' car and took their card inside to finish the purchase. Everyone was happy.
What I really appreciated was the longer walk there and the virtually empty bus on the way home. Last week's venture to the nearer to home supermarket had been a less productive trip, even when supplies had more or less returned to usual levels.
I probably should look at work e-mails, but as I'm not actually working from home, just been asked to stay at home for now, the motivation is kind of minimal... and there are other colleagues I'm in touch with who are obsessively checking so will tell me if there is anything vital. Anyway, technically we're on holiday from tomorrow and this week has been a deep-clean week for the few left on site apparently.
I am fortunate in that there is a Sainsbury's Local (biggish convenience store) and a (smallish) Co-op supermarket both on my route to the 'big park' where I take my early morning constitutional.
As the Co-op carries a bigger range of vegetables (although not always in stock) I join the queue there on my way home, usually on a Wednesday. So far, at the time I arrive, I am no more than 10th in the queue.
As milk (1x2pt skimmed and 1x4pt semi) in addition to vegetables is more than my backpack - and my back - can manage, I go to Sainsbury's a couple of days later for dairy produce and, if I time it right, a small, uncut, wholemeal loaf. The last couple of times there has been no queue there at that time in the morning.
Apart from which, we had a south facing house and in the summer the milk was often 'off' by the time I got home from work.
It was with some regret that we decided that it was more sensible just to nip down to the shop and buy it as we needed it.
Yes, well, that's not happening! Think I'll not bother with milk for the time being.
Our milk delivery is 3 times a week and always keeps, but it arrives about 4am.
I've been very lazy today - done nothing but mess about on FB and the Ship (and had a nice phone chat with my brother), but I'll head out for an amble shortly, and later on cook supper (salmon with potatoes, green beans and possibly carrots).
I lead such an exciting life ...
Over on the Scottish thread, it's been proposed that we raise a glass at 6 o'clock today to @Stercus Tauri, who should have been arriving from over the Pond today for a holiday, but for obvious reasons isn't. If those of you south of Hadrian's Wall would like to join in, you'll be most welcome.
Ours is delivered at 4:30am and they let you be as erratic as you want.
You and the rest of us!
My day so far:
Awake at 5am or so, not having slept until past 2am. Got up sometime after 6, had coffee and prepared my porridge (it's the only way I regularly consume milk, and the rolled oats hold more if it soaks for an hour or so - my stand against osteoporosis).
Then out for my morning walk. From door back to door, via the track round 'the big park' takes just under 45 minutes.
Stop off to buy milk and a few other bits on the way back. Yippee! They have some frozen blueberries at last
Eat my porridge, shower & change. Have a cup of tea, and work out a menu for next week, based on what I have already in the house.
Open up the growhouse as the sun has come out and is shining straight on it. Pootle on the 'puter for a while.
Stare into the fridge seeking inspiration, then concoct a frittata from odds and ends of leftover veg for Mr RoS's lunch. I have managed to maintain a supply of eggs - mainly by not letting him have any at breakfast.
Decided that I couldn't last much longer on 3 hours sleep, and went for a zizz, then had a late lunch of cold frittata sandwich.
Read some emails - notably one from Mr RoS's sister, who we only intermittently keep in touch with. Have been wondering how she is, but do not have her email address. Or not until now. She doesn't have ours, either, so sent the email to our son. She is ten years older than Mr RoS, so just over 80, and living in Canada, so our infrequent snail mail communications lag a bit behind current events.
Which brings us to now, when I should reply to her, and to a few others who have emailed in the last week or so. They will all be thrilled to hear of our exciting life.
Oh, and it will be baked potatoes with tuna and sweetcorn for dinner, with a green salad. Rhubarb crumble for pud. This year's rhubarb will soon need picking, so I need to use up the couple of kilos from the bottom of the freezer, where they've been since 2018.
The an exciting evening listening to The Archers, possibly watching a bit of TV - probably in a separate room from Mr RoS - we have very different TV tastes. Or possibly continuing an ongoing project of compiling an index of my recipe collection, listed according to main ingredients.
I am getting increasingly frustrated at not being able to remember in which book, published or hand-compiled, any particular recipe is located.
This may well be a life-long project.
Followed by a long, luxurious bath.
Next I walked Echo to the woods and round the local tracks. Then I dropped him off and took Tatze a walk through the local park - not a soul about.
11am coffee and breakfast, a banana and muesli. Time on the Ship.
12 noon Skype chat with my five friends. The lunch for the dogs and lunch for me. Eggs on toast for me. Another walk for one dog and then the other.
Followed by some washing and cleaning, then a trip to the shop. Very civilised, markings on the floor for lining up. One-in-one out and lines on the floor at the tills.
Jigsaw time - I’ve got to the hard bit now! 5pm Skype chat with my family.
Then a meal - very healthy salmon and veg. Dogs tea time and play time. 7pm another Skype chat with my friends. Now time on the Ship.
I will go to watch the TV at 9pm and bed at 10pm.
Tomorrow will be much the same but with a zoom Pilates lesson at 2pm. Oh - and the Church of Fools service! We heard about the resurrected CoF on April 1st, very apt!
I’m also singing more than normal as in addition to the online Rock Choir sessions I’m loving Gareth’s Great British Home Chorus. Only tricky thing is that we sing I’m Still Standing in both choirs with completely different arrangements.
Lots of neighbours out clapping again this evening, so uplifting.
Now, if we could just get hold of half a dozen eggs ...
This evening's applause was more fun than last week: what a difference the clocks going forward made! Last week it was dark (and so foggy we couldn't see each other), but tonight it was still light with the remains of a sunny day, and several more people about.
It's nice being back at civilised latitudes!
I am concerned that this social isolation/social distancing way of life is embedding itself in my psyche, as it seems to be the normal way to live now. So much so, that I am startled whenever the people of Ambridge start planning outings, or group activities. My initial reaction each time is “But you shouldn’t be doing that”.
I can't figure out how on earth are they going to explain why Ambridge gets CV19 so long after the rest of the country.
I had been expecting the pandemic to be ignored, and never referred to, in the same way they dealt with the monstrous floods that devastated that part of the country just over a month ago. Or slot in a few "topical inserts" between now and the first case that they introduce.
On top of the current stories they are running, it is going to make the programme a pretty miserable listen!
the noise of applauding and cheering was augmented by the raucous calling of herring gulls.
Nickel allergy sucks. But it makes a fine excuse for telling one's husband that you simply must wear 18 carat gold (nothing less for me) or sterling silver!
There was applause plus fireworks round here!
I discovered my nickel allergy in the summer of '76 (remember the heat?), when I was at a week-long orchestral summer school, and my chin and lower lip turned into a weeping, itching mess.
I solved the problem by putting a strip of sellotape on the offending bit of metal.
I discovered mine when some hypo-allergenic earrings (ha) did the same to my earlobes. So did 14 carat gold. 18 (at least from Vietnamese sources!) is fine. I think they cut it with copper, which is no problem for me.
I have the same problem, though, with glass jewelry my son made which has cheap nickel fittings on the back of it. A massive coat of clear nail polish and I'm okay again.
Just when we'd given up all hope the Building Inspector arrived, full of apologies for being late - he was due on Monday! However, his tardiness meant we could give him the stuff for the electrical and sewerage stuff. Out of hearing of the builder he commented that the work was of a much higher standard than he usually sees; he moved to this area from Essex a year ago and has been shocked at some of the local building practices.
What a relief. All that remains is decorating and snagging, then we move appliances into position, re-jig kitchen and tackle the garden damage.
Five weeks only to get to this stage, mainly because we had the foundations already which saved us at least two weeks.
Lightbulb goes <ON> ...
I should have guessed why. Oh well.
But what I can't be sure of, is, do they put nickel into knee, hip, etc. replacements? Because if they do, I'm sunk.
A range of alternative materials are available for (e.g.) hip replacements (read down the page a little) so they should be able to avoid your allergies.
I must do something constructive today: laundry is beckoning, but as S. is having a work meeting via Zoom or Skype in the kitchen, I don't want to go blundering through there to the utility room until she's finished. Maybe an amble would be a better idea - the laundry can wait until later.
Having had positive GP feedback on the first set of scrubs, I’ve had requests from the whole surgery practice for fun sets made from random pieces of different fabrics. A great way to work through my stash!
It took me a couple of readings of your post to make it clear to me that you weren't confessing to having a lip piercing!
I've been going to our local Tesco's once a week, first thing in the morning, and have been able to get pretty much all we need. This week I encountered for the first time the one way system and the whole floor marked into boxes to ensure social distancing. They've done it very well. I gather the local Aldi, which I know is cheaper and seems to have had fewer problems with supplies, hasn't done this and it's impossible to do the social distancing round the store.
I whizzed out early to post a letter and the sunshine was glorious. I've had virtual morning coffee with a friend and am due to take part in a Zumba class via Zoom (henceforth no doubt to be known as Zoomba) soon, followed by virtual coffee and catch up with classmates. We have a virtual wine tasting with friends this evening so I'm not sure I'll make the Church of Fools service but am looking forward to hearing how it goes.
I do wonder how all this will change the look of online classes, online medical consultations, online meetings including church ones.
Oh yes... laundry... >contemplates changing spare bed linen<
Funerals are bad enough, without having snow (or no mourners) as well.
I've only done a couple of graveside funerals - at one, it rained so hard that the grave had about 6 inches of water at the bottom, and the other was on the hottest day of the year.
Vested, in a seemly manner, in cassock, cotta, and scarf, I was almost ready to collapse into the grave myself. The deceased wouldn't have minded - he was a good friend.
Some strawberry plants have arrived in the post so I’m going to have to supervise my son digging up the flower bed for me tomorrow.
I have ambled, and in a fairly robust exoneration of Murphy's Law, it started to rain as soon as I put my snout and one trotter over the threshold ...
My good friend Mr E Bay helped me purchase a replacement.
It arrived TODAY...and has just been installed. Now all I have to do is to dispose of the old one...
Well, I intended cycling down to the allotment to weed the area designated for spud planting next week, but the bike’s rear tyre is as flat as a proverbial, and I didn’t realise this bike has different valves to my old bike (currently hiding behind junk at the back of my garage) so don’t have a pump. However, tomorrow the nice bike shop will deliver both pump and inner tube (I suspect a leak) so that’s really helpful (my car has a flat battery - I have a flatness theme!).
So, this afternoon I’m decanting my home brew 2018 Chateau daisydaisy from the demijohn into single serving bottles (15 bottles sounds quite good!) saved from the bar where I help out, and doing the next stage of the 2019 vintage. I honk now is the time to defrost grapes from both years to get the next brew going.
It might have to wait until Better Times, unless the management let me put it into the yard skip.
Have been spending a very frustrating hour or so trying to order an Indian takeaway for supper via Just Eat; having clicked in the entire order and put in my (Canadian) bank details*, the bloody thing wanted to verify them, including a Canadian phone number, which I obviously no longer have. There was swearing.
I really don't understand it; I've been able to order things from Amazon with the same details. Isn't technology weird?
However, S. came to the rescue, and the food should be delivered in about an hour.
* I was about to go and open an account here when we got locked down.
Thank you!
Mastermind Australia now has an on-screen message at the front of the show which says that the episode was filmed prior to social distancing.
As S. (bless her!) managed to get a couple of lamb shanks yesterday, they're now merrily doing their thing in the slow-cooker, with carrots, onions, a few tomatoes and Moroccan-style spices, and will be joined later by a tin of chickpeas and some toasted cashew nuts.
I don't think I've done Moroccan-style before, and the spice mix was a bit arbitrary, but there's quite a nice aroma emanating from the kitchen. Will report back later.
Laundry is also happening, and will be followed by Iron Ing; it would have happened sooner, but S. was using the clothes-horse. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.