Ooh, poor you, Sarasa.
I hope you are feeling better soon, Piglet.
Congrats, Celtic Knotweed.
Good to hear you are enjoying yourself, The Rogue.
I’ve had a busy couple of days, mainly prepping for my essay, and I was at an online conference all today, where I presented my research in the afternoon. Mr Heavenly has gone to the beer festival in town, I could have got a ticket but I was unsure how tired/manic I would be after the conference. As it is I am fine.
Still to decide what I will cook for my dinner, possibly chicken in a garlicky, herby sauce.
Mrs Rogue timed me at four minutes and I spent longer in the shower afterwards.
That statement reads so differently without knowledge of the context. Arf arf, fnarr fnarr etc.
The feckin' parcel didn't turn up at all: I went to the post office at about 5 o'clock and it wasn't there. I felt rather sorry for the lady at the counter, at whom I really wanted to swear (but of course didn't).
While I'm cursing things beyond my control, the keyboard of my laptop appears to have died. I can access things with the mouse, but none of the keys seems to be working.
I don't need this. 😡
I did, however have a nice little amble beside the loch before getting my trotters tickled (and a lovely massage to my back and shoulders from the chair)!
Supper was cold ham, leftover coleslaw and tomatoes.
@Piglet have you tried pressing all the Fn keys? With your function lock key if you have one. Mine says Fn on it,, and is blue, and does all the things in indecipherable graphics on my function keys. I hope that made some sense....
My birthday outing yesterday was, I think, one of my best birthdays ever. It just would not have been possible prior to the NE Man's retirement. We visited two stone circles, Whitehill and Tomnaverie, both of which have panoramic views over the countryside. We heard a cuckoo at Whitehill and skylarks at Tomnaverie. The Culsh souterrain is quite short. We had to crawl in but could stand up after about 10 feet of crawling. It's amazing how close you can get to it before it becomes visible. We had a lovely lunch in Aboyne. We pulled over at the Queen's View over the Howe of Cromar. We have driven past it many times before without ever stopping. It's a spectacular view, made a bit fuzzy yesterday by a heat haze over the more distant mountains!
Today I am busy cooking for this weekend's influx of visitors.
I think my best birthday outing was my 6th, back in 1957, when My Old Dad took me for the first (but not the last) time to the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. For those who don't know, this is a splendid 15-inch gauge line, worked by beautiful steam locomotives, some of which are now 100 years old!
https://www.rhdr.org.uk/
ION, a rather grey day in Arkland the Calm, but there's less Wind, so not so much Dust flying about.
Tess Coe has been visited, ahead of the Ban Cauli Day weekend, but my Legs really would have preferred to have stayed at home, and are now aching in protest. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness from Tuesday's Pilates session...
Never mind. There is SCAMPI for lunch, and some nice CHEESE for later.
Off on my travels again. FlixBus to Manchester, then train to Smithy Bridge where my friend is picking me up. Party tomorrow for her 70th, then on to my brother's for the weekend. 🙂
Mrs Rogue timed me at four minutes and I spent longer in the shower afterwards.
That statement reads so differently without knowledge of the context. Arf arf, fnarr fnarr etc.
*giggles childishly*
Good to see you @Boogie and hope you have a great time with your friends and brother.
I've been to my Thursday aerobics class, followed by coffee with friends and a bit of shopping. We are out this evening with a group from our church; it's at someone's house and is a Bring and Share meal. The fuss that's being made about who's bringing what and who's giving a lift to whom has to be seen to be believed .
Glad you had a lovely birthday outing @North East Quine , though crawling into enclosed spaces however interesting, would be my worst nightmare not a treat.
Last day of walking holiday today. We decided to forgo the walk on offer as it didn’t sound that interesting and headed to a National Trust property instead where we had a lovely time.
Safe travels @Boogie and hope you are feeling better @piglet.
Many happy returns, NEQ - glad you had a lovely day! I think my best was probably my 40th, which was spent in Iceland and included a rare eruption of the Great Geyser. ❤
BF - I also have fine memories of the RHDR - a trip on it was de rigueur whenever we were visiting David's sister, and usually included lunch at the Pilot. ❤
After a madly busy day at work, I plodded up to the post office again, and the parcel had arrived (although I couldn't see why they couldn't have got it through the letterbox - it wasn't very big). It was part of the fixings for the bed, but still no fecking casters ... 😡
I'm going to go to Fork Handles on Saturday to see if they sell anything compatible; I assume I'd have to buy all eight, but at this point I'm past caring.
It's yet another glorious day - really, how long can it last?
I had contemplated making an omelette for supper, but have decided that the kitchen's too hot and I can't be bothered, so I think I'll be a total slob and phone for a pizza.
Update re: keyboard - now working; whether it was because I'd let it go to sleep and just woke it up again, or because I pressed the "esc" key I have no idea (it doesn't seem to have F keys, just a load of keys with assorted icons on them ... )
My sister’s birthday today, so I visited her in her care home. For once she was on good form. I normally spend an hour with her from 11, which is long enough, leaving when she is called for lunch at 12. Fortunately I arrived at 10.30 as at 11.45 she and a few other residents were taken by taxi for a pub lunch.( Nobody had warned me.)Later there was to be a tea party in her honour. It seems the care home is under better management as she is also being taken to church on Sunday.
This morning was grey and on the chilly side, but at 3pm when a friend arrived the sun came out and we were able to sit outside for three hours enjoying the garden and my new patio furniture.
Glad the keyboard is sorted @Piglet and hope the same can be said for the bed very soon.
Your afternoon in the garden sounds very lovely @Puzzler .
Bright sunshine here today and I'm out for coffee with friends this afternoon. Spaghetti bolognaise for tea. Lots to be thinking about after the Bring and Share supper last night.
We're now back home from our holiday. A very straightforward journey home as we were back in time for lunch after having had time for a stroll round the town before we left.
Sun Shine and Cloud again in Arkland the Withered, though They say there might be light Rain tomorrow. Well, of course there will - it's the Saturday of a bank holiday weekend.
I was cheered up this morning by news of my Neighbour S, who had a triple heart bypass op on Monday last. He's out of hospital already, and staying for a week or so with his son, before he returns home. Neighbour F, who passed on this information to me, had a knee replacement two weeks ago, and is today walking without crutches - truly, Arkland's Guardian Angels are doing a Good Job.
My Legs are still aching, so I've postponed Paint Ing until next week, when They promise us more fine weather. The Shining Hour was improved, however, by some tidying up/hoovering of the Car, along with topping up the windscreen washer reservoir, and checking tyre pressures.
All simple and quick tasks, you may think, but I did indeed spend an hour doing them!
Still warm and dry here, but a misty cloud cover. Drizzle forecast by 9, a downpour by midnight.
This morning to the solicitor to set up power of attorney, which will apparently take a year to be processed - though she can speed things up if Need Be.
Dinner will be liver'n'bacon with caramelised onion.
Work is quiet at the moment as the end of terms approaches; one of my modules finishes this week and the others next week. So I am taking the opportunity to do my own study of an afternoon and am currently in the process of writing an essay. Just over a thousand word in and if I do a little tomorrow morning I will be half way through it.
I'm in a very busy spot. Tomorrow is our charity concert so we have been busy rehearsing Rachmaninov. It's presentable, if not perfect. TBH apparently even some very great pianists don't play all the notes, so I think presentable and imperfect is about as good as it gets for amateurs like ourselves.
This evening was Captain P's school concert in which he starred as the letter G (his class were being the alphabet).
I had been expecting rain but we have had none today. As recorded on the tidy house thread, I am using a quiet weekend to have a good clear out. Not easy, as there is still too much stuff, despite all I have got rid of previously. I have packed three more boxes of books but my legs are aching now.
Just to cheer me on my way, I discovered a stash of cash in a letter rack!
I’m also trying to update Mr P’s estate accounts as I am not anticipating any more income from sales after two years. I can hardly believe I had the mental and physical energy to achieve so much, as I am certainly lacking in energy now. Tomorrow is another day.
@Firenze - my understanding is that if you do need to expedite a POA registration, it takes around two weeks - I was quite shocked when I learned it would normally take nearly a year!
We had a very enjoyable night out last night, only slightly marred by the fact it started raining shortly after we sat down to eat, and continued well after we got back to Linlithgow.
I was feeling a bit fragile today - rather too much grape juice - and have been vegging all morning. I really ought to get my act together and get dressed ...
Warm and overcast in Arkland the Sultry, but the Rain in the early hours of this morning has at least washed most of the dust off my Car.
Rubbish has been disposed of, a parcel collected from the Office, and a quick trip made to the village Co-Op. The latter is still suffering muchly from delivery problems, but there was at least Bread and BEER, along with a pack of DAMN JONUTS which I bought as a Ban Caulie Day treat.
SALMON FILLETS for Lunch - one of Tess Coe's specials, with Lemon & Parsley dressing. I note that they source these from either Norway or Scotland - today's are from Scottish waters, and are (or were) therefore Happy British Fish.
Salmon trout fillets and salad with salsa for lunch here - Mr Heavenly is feeling the effects of 3 evenings out this week and needed something healthy. I have spent several hours adding the next instalment to my essay (over half way now) and I am now relaxing with a cup of tea.
I made a small Expotition to Fork Handles to see if they might have had casters that would fit the bed, but sadly not. I'm going to have to phone bloody Argos again and see what's what.
They even had the nerve to send me an email today asking for a review of my recent purchase - and they got one!
In the politest terms possible, I told them I was sure it would be an excellent bed once I was in possession of all the casters, but in the meantime I couldn't give them more than a one-star review* as I haven't yet had the chance to find out.
* They only got one star because the site wouldn't let me give them none.
Hurrah for all good news - new job @Celtic Knotweed particularly
Boo for all bad news (followed by a sneaky prayer (castergate seems to be stretching out for poor @Piglet)
Glad to be in half term already. We have a little family trip away from Monday (here's hoping that the weather forecasts are deeply inaccurate!)
Made a proper lasagne today only for the littlest twanglet to announce she prefers Mr sainsburys budget pop and ping offering - why do I bother?!
A very pleasant trip into town to run various errands this morning. Our steampunk festival is on this weekend and the Market place was very busy which was so good to see. This afternoon we went and recce'd the walk we're leading for the Ramblers on Wednesday. It was ideal walking weather, unfortunately it looks that Wednesday might not be.
I tried phoning Argos again and got someone even more incoherent than the one before, but then I realised there had been mention of a "spare parts" bit of their website.
I headed there, and lo and behold, I could order them directly, and I did.
They probably won't arrive before I go away, but it'll be something to look forward to when I get back ... 🙄
Another day of decluttering yesterday, then my daughter rang and asked for a lift home, as she could get a bus back from the city to my house but needed a lift to her village. I had time to wash my hair and change- just as well as it turned into a tea and cake visit, then her husband, plus my granddaughter and boyfriend, came home and he opened his birthday presents. So a boring day had a lovely unexpected ending.
The decluttering will continue today after church and tomorrow too. Rain forecast.
Glad you have the caster's on order @piglet, what a palaver to sort out something that should be straight forward.
That sounds like a lovely end to the day @puzzler.
We're heading off to Milton Keynes shortly for a family gathering at my sister-in-law's house. Having driven back from holiday on Friday and gone out walking yesterday I'm getting a bit bored of the A46.
Last night’s tea was a very nice chicken casserole topped with scalloped potatoes. Mr Heavenly had forgotten about his desire for healthy eating by teatime and made peanut butter brownies, which we ate with strawberries for dessert, accompanied by a Romanian dessert wine we purchased at a wine fair a couple of years ago, from a genuine Romanian count (a German man, I think, he had married a Romanian countess and helped her claim back her lands after the fall of communism).
Sunny so far today, with sudden showers. Brownies for breakfast and then I will be heading off for a walk soon and will probably do some essay writing.
Shouldn't they be off doing Good Deeds and collecting badges?
I am, as you all know, a Piglet of Very Little Brain; today's brainlessness was manifest in my not knowing I was supposed to be reading the lessons. In my defence, I would usually check the list after choir practice, but I haven't been to one for a few weeks, and last time I looked it seemed to be far in the future ...
We did, however, have some cracking hymns (which I shall post about forthwith in Eccles).
Then brunch: poached eggs, smoked salmon and toasted rolls.
There has been rain (as forecast) but it's had the decency to fall overnight. Today is bright but very breezy.
I have had a virtuous morning putting a loaf in the breadmaker, and, unusually for me, assembling banana bread, currently in the oven.
- OK, slight update: there are a few splats of rain, and the banana bread is out and looking good.
Next up will be lunch of leftover roast pork and noodles. Afternoon a choice of reading, knitting, painting or sleeping - I know which two are likely to come out ahead.
Dinner, sea bass, griddled courgette and Jersey Royals.
The visit to Milton Keynes was cancelled as one of my husband's siblings couldn't make it and the point was to have all four of them there. By the time it was decided to call the meet-up off it was already too late to go to Mass or Meeting so we headed into town to take in the Steampunk festival instead. We had a lovely twenty minutes watching an excellent band in the Market Square and watching all the costumes on show. My husband has just headed back with his camera to take some photos and have a coffee in the square while listening to the band's second set.
Made a proper lasagne today only for the littlest twanglet to announce she prefers Mr sainsburys budget pop and ping offering - why do I bother?!
Reminds me of the time some years ago when I made a coq au vin from scratch rather than simply adding the sachet of sauce to the meat and vegetables (by far the easier option). Mr Nen's only comment was, "This is not as nice as the usual." I never made it that way again.
Sunshine and brisk breeze here. We've had the odd bit of rain over the past couple of days but not enough to be of any use to the garden.
I'm doing a roast this evening but we're having to eat early as Mr Nen is going out. I did consider doing the roast another evening this week but we've had a run of mucked up Sunday evenings recently, and it's a high point of the week for me (that great feeling of sitting down with a roast dinner, a glass of wine and no work tomorrow) which I refuse to miss out on yet again. I'm as flexible as I can be about meals and working round other plans but have come to my limit. I am not at all annoyed.
Last night's concert was a very successful business. We made a good job of the Vocalise, and the sonata mostly went well apart from that one wretched passage where we weren't even remotely together.
Today is Mothers' Day in France. I am now the proud owner of a new pizza stone. Some friends invited us round for lunch which was nice because it meant we didn't have to do anything.
After church it was back to the decluttering. Today’s section meant dismembering a number of ring binders and leather-bound notebooks between the recycling ( paper) and the landfill bins, via a journey down memory lane. I was so absorbed that I forgot my Sunday treat of cake , though I did have some yesterday, so probably just as well.
Tonight’s meal was my default Sunday option when I have no inspiration- pork chop with lots of veg.
Apart from doing a laundry load (I'm at the "strategic laundry" stage of pre-travel panicdom). I've had a Very Lazy Day; I think I'm still fighting off the (hopefully) tail end of the cold.
Weather was much as Firenze described: intermittent sunshine and showers, and a fairly persistent breeze.
Are you on leave this week @Piglet ? I know you said you're going away for some singing things - can't remember when or for how long. I hope you're well over your cold by the time you go.
It's fine here at the moment but with a brisk wind. We plan to cut our lawns today - not too short as they're struggling with the lack of rain, but the Lawn Treatment People are coming this week and some rain is forecast later. Our front lawns are in a particular state as they are grubbed into by badgers and, possibly, foxes as well. We have a badger sett not far from us, and one of our neighbours puts food out for them all every night...
Mr Nen and I will be heading to our new (to me) Pilates class later this afternoon and tea will be something easy, like jacket potatoes and bolognaise sauce out of the freezer.
We headed to the corner shop (aka Waitrose) for some bits and pieces and to get the car filled up with petrol before heading to a local garden centre to pick up some plants to fill the gaps in the back border.
We might head out to day three of the Steampunk festival later, but it looks like it might rain so maybe not.
Another bright but blustery day, with a likelihood of showers.
Exhilarating job of reading over draft Power of Attorney. Sign that off on Friday.
Options for the rest of the day fall into what I ought to do (housework) what I would like to do (garden, paint) and what I will probably end up doing - footling about on the iPad.
Dinner will be finger food - wings and corn on the cob.
Since arriving at St Pancras on the Eurostar LKKspouse and I have been getting reacquainted with England's Islington, Acton and Reading.
Thanks to those of you who advised on car hire. Our Nissan is easy to drive and our mobile phones link for the map and directions on the car screen. We have now got comfortable with the frequently changing speed limits, and the conventions of passing and giving way on the narrow streets with parked cars. We are impressed with the general level of politeness and acknowledgment of other drivers.
My sister in Sevenoaks moved to her downsize 3 bedroom bungalow six weeks ago and seems rather shell shocked by the sorting and disposing of household items that cannot be accommodated. We will go back to her home at the beginning of June and hopefully help out in some way before returning to Oz.
I was going to have an energetic Bank Holiday day doing some church cleaning (low down under pews parts others cannot do any more, places where the arachnophobes prefer not to venture,) but I made the mistake of announcing this plan at church yesterday whereupon I got told there was absolutely no need. I woke up still intending to go, but I fell asleep again and the best time to do these kinds of tasks uninterrupted had suddenly vanished. (I'm an early morning person - the one person likely to come in is, um, not.)
There really is a need as the cough I get in particularly dusty places has returned when I'm in church, I'm pretty certain the person who has been doing a couple of hours about once a month or so hasn't done the organ side of church at all, and I know I've not done any cleaning since the great building renovations started last August. But, I've now postponed it to Thursday when I go in to change the altar frontal over, and will just do the sanctuary hoovering and around the organ/choir stalls. Given I spend most of my time in church on the organ bench, I've asked that no-one cleans or tidies up around the organ, I do see it as my responsibility to do that area.
I appreciate I'm an unusual soul who actually enjoys cleaning when the mood is upon me, but this time, I had also wanted to have a good uninterrupted think whilst I was doing this - I'm aware tomorrow might well be the last time I see my current spiritual director. It's might as I know the main fact about their main work retirement, but not any more about the logistics yet... I'm also aware I think this was going to be a conversation I would've been initiating anyway. It's very much been the right person for the right phase of life, but I think given various other changes I'm thinking about, it may well be time to stop and find someone else. Though, who that someone may be is another matter altogether.
Oh well, a do my own cleaning Bank Holiday instead. I may potter out to the shops soon for some Bank Holiday treats as well.
I’ve finally cleared all the bookcases in Mr P’s study, though not rehoused or got rid of all the contents yet. I feel like doing something different but duty calls. Still lots of “ internal sorting” to be done. I might pop over to Aldi for a few bits and see what small boxes I can pick up.
Comments
I hope you are feeling better soon, Piglet.
Congrats, Celtic Knotweed.
Good to hear you are enjoying yourself, The Rogue.
I’ve had a busy couple of days, mainly prepping for my essay, and I was at an online conference all today, where I presented my research in the afternoon. Mr Heavenly has gone to the beer festival in town, I could have got a ticket but I was unsure how tired/manic I would be after the conference. As it is I am fine.
Still to decide what I will cook for my dinner, possibly chicken in a garlicky, herby sauce.
The feckin' parcel didn't turn up at all: I went to the post office at about 5 o'clock and it wasn't there. I felt rather sorry for the lady at the counter, at whom I really wanted to swear (but of course didn't).
While I'm cursing things beyond my control, the keyboard of my laptop appears to have died. I can access things with the mouse, but none of the keys seems to be working.
I don't need this. 😡
I did, however have a nice little amble beside the loch before getting my trotters tickled (and a lovely massage to my back and shoulders from the chair)!
Supper was cold ham, leftover coleslaw and tomatoes.
Today I am busy cooking for this weekend's influx of visitors.
That's lovely to hear!
I think my best birthday outing was my 6th, back in 1957, when My Old Dad took me for the first (but not the last) time to the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. For those who don't know, this is a splendid 15-inch gauge line, worked by beautiful steam locomotives, some of which are now 100 years old!
https://www.rhdr.org.uk/
ION, a rather grey day in Arkland the Calm, but there's less Wind, so not so much Dust flying about.
Tess Coe has been visited, ahead of the Ban Cauli Day weekend, but my Legs really would have preferred to have stayed at home, and are now aching in protest. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness from Tuesday's Pilates session...
Never mind. There is SCAMPI for lunch, and some nice CHEESE for later.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gocP8o4DoBxx3d2i8
*giggles childishly*
Good to see you @Boogie and hope you have a great time with your friends and brother.
I've been to my Thursday aerobics class, followed by coffee with friends and a bit of shopping. We are out this evening with a group from our church; it's at someone's house and is a Bring and Share meal. The fuss that's being made about who's bringing what and who's giving a lift to whom has to be seen to be believed
Last day of walking holiday today. We decided to forgo the walk on offer as it didn’t sound that interesting and headed to a National Trust property instead where we had a lovely time.
Safe travels @Boogie and hope you are feeling better @piglet.
BF - I also have fine memories of the RHDR - a trip on it was de rigueur whenever we were visiting David's sister, and usually included lunch at the Pilot. ❤
After a madly busy day at work, I plodded up to the post office again, and the parcel had arrived (although I couldn't see why they couldn't have got it through the letterbox - it wasn't very big). It was part of the fixings for the bed, but still no fecking casters ... 😡
I'm going to go to Fork Handles on Saturday to see if they sell anything compatible; I assume I'd have to buy all eight, but at this point I'm past caring.
It's yet another glorious day - really, how long can it last?
I had contemplated making an omelette for supper, but have decided that the kitchen's too hot and I can't be bothered, so I think I'll be a total slob and phone for a pizza.
Thanks anyway!
This morning was grey and on the chilly side, but at 3pm when a friend arrived the sun came out and we were able to sit outside for three hours enjoying the garden and my new patio furniture.
Your afternoon in the garden sounds very lovely @Puzzler .
Bright sunshine here today and I'm out for coffee with friends this afternoon. Spaghetti bolognaise for tea. Lots to be thinking about after the Bring and Share supper last night.
I was cheered up this morning by news of my Neighbour S, who had a triple heart bypass op on Monday last. He's out of hospital already, and staying for a week or so with his son, before he returns home. Neighbour F, who passed on this information to me, had a knee replacement two weeks ago, and is today walking without crutches - truly, Arkland's Guardian Angels are doing a Good Job.
My Legs are still aching, so I've postponed Paint Ing until next week, when They promise us more fine weather. The Shining Hour was improved, however, by some tidying up/hoovering of the Car, along with topping up the windscreen washer reservoir, and checking tyre pressures.
All simple and quick tasks, you may think, but I did indeed spend an hour doing them!
Lunch will be STEAK with POTATO SALAD.
I'm not quite all the way Through The Looking Glass yet...
This morning to the solicitor to set up power of attorney, which will apparently take a year to be processed - though she can speed things up if Need Be.
Dinner will be liver'n'bacon with caramelised onion.
This evening was Captain P's school concert in which he starred as the letter G (his class were being the alphabet).
Just to cheer me on my way, I discovered a stash of cash in a letter rack!
I’m also trying to update Mr P’s estate accounts as I am not anticipating any more income from sales after two years. I can hardly believe I had the mental and physical energy to achieve so much, as I am certainly lacking in energy now. Tomorrow is another day.
@Firenze - my understanding is that if you do need to expedite a POA registration, it takes around two weeks - I was quite shocked when I learned it would normally take nearly a year!
We had a very enjoyable night out last night, only slightly marred by the fact it started raining shortly after we sat down to eat, and continued well after we got back to Linlithgow.
I was feeling a bit fragile today - rather too much grape juice - and have been vegging all morning. I really ought to get my act together and get dressed ...
Rubbish has been disposed of, a parcel collected from the Office, and a quick trip made to the village Co-Op. The latter is still suffering muchly from delivery problems, but there was at least Bread and BEER, along with a pack of DAMN JONUTS which I bought as a Ban Caulie Day treat.
SALMON FILLETS for Lunch - one of Tess Coe's specials, with Lemon & Parsley dressing. I note that they source these from either Norway or Scotland - today's are from Scottish waters, and are (or were) therefore Happy British Fish.
They even had the nerve to send me an email today asking for a review of my recent purchase - and they got one!
In the politest terms possible, I told them I was sure it would be an excellent bed once I was in possession of all the casters, but in the meantime I couldn't give them more than a one-star review* as I haven't yet had the chance to find out.
* They only got one star because the site wouldn't let me give them none.
Boo for all bad news (followed by a sneaky prayer (castergate seems to be stretching out for poor @Piglet)
Glad to be in half term already. We have a little family trip away from Monday (here's hoping that the weather forecasts are deeply inaccurate!)
Made a proper lasagne today only for the littlest twanglet to announce she prefers Mr sainsburys budget pop and ping offering - why do I bother?!
I headed there, and lo and behold, I could order them directly, and I did.
They probably won't arrive before I go away, but it'll be something to look forward to when I get back ... 🙄
The decluttering will continue today after church and tomorrow too. Rain forecast.
That sounds like a lovely end to the day @puzzler.
We're heading off to Milton Keynes shortly for a family gathering at my sister-in-law's house. Having driven back from holiday on Friday and gone out walking yesterday I'm getting a bit bored of the A46.
Sunny so far today, with sudden showers. Brownies for breakfast and then I will be heading off for a walk soon and will probably do some essay writing.
I am, as you all know, a Piglet of Very Little Brain; today's brainlessness was manifest in my not knowing I was supposed to be reading the lessons. In my defence, I would usually check the list after choir practice, but I haven't been to one for a few weeks, and last time I looked it seemed to be far in the future ...
We did, however, have some cracking hymns (which I shall post about forthwith in Eccles).
Then brunch: poached eggs, smoked salmon and toasted rolls.
I have had a virtuous morning putting a loaf in the breadmaker, and, unusually for me, assembling banana bread, currently in the oven.
- OK, slight update: there are a few splats of rain, and the banana bread is out and looking good.
Next up will be lunch of leftover roast pork and noodles. Afternoon a choice of reading, knitting, painting or sleeping - I know which two are likely to come out ahead.
Dinner, sea bass, griddled courgette and Jersey Royals.
Sunshine and brisk breeze here. We've had the odd bit of rain over the past couple of days but not enough to be of any use to the garden.
I'm doing a roast this evening but we're having to eat early as Mr Nen is going out. I did consider doing the roast another evening this week but we've had a run of mucked up Sunday evenings recently, and it's a high point of the week for me (that great feeling of sitting down with a roast dinner, a glass of wine and no work tomorrow) which I refuse to miss out on yet again. I'm as flexible as I can be about meals and working round other plans but have come to my limit. I am not at all annoyed.
In Other News, there is Not Much Other News.
Today is Mothers' Day in France. I am now the proud owner of a new pizza stone. Some friends invited us round for lunch which was nice because it meant we didn't have to do anything.
Tonight’s meal was my default Sunday option when I have no inspiration- pork chop with lots of veg.
Weather was much as Firenze described: intermittent sunshine and showers, and a fairly persistent breeze.
Supper was risi e bisi.
It's fine here at the moment but with a brisk wind. We plan to cut our lawns today - not too short as they're struggling with the lack of rain, but the Lawn Treatment People are coming this week and some rain is forecast later. Our front lawns are in a particular state as they are grubbed into by badgers and, possibly, foxes as well. We have a badger sett not far from us, and one of our neighbours puts food out for them all every night...
Mr Nen and I will be heading to our new (to me) Pilates class later this afternoon and tea will be something easy, like jacket potatoes and bolognaise sauce out of the freezer.
We might head out to day three of the Steampunk festival later, but it looks like it might rain so maybe not.
Exhilarating job of reading over draft Power of Attorney. Sign that off on Friday.
Options for the rest of the day fall into what I ought to do (housework) what I would like to do (garden, paint) and what I will probably end up doing - footling about on the iPad.
Dinner will be finger food - wings and corn on the cob.
Today I'm being lazy (surprise, surprise!), but will probably amble along the street later to get something to turn into supper.
I don't really want to do a Tessie's shop before I go, so things are going to be cobbled together with what I have in the fridge and larder.
I also ought to do some Iron Ing of stuff I'm taking with me.
Thanks to those of you who advised on car hire. Our Nissan is easy to drive and our mobile phones link for the map and directions on the car screen. We have now got comfortable with the frequently changing speed limits, and the conventions of passing and giving way on the narrow streets with parked cars. We are impressed with the general level of politeness and acknowledgment of other drivers.
My sister in Sevenoaks moved to her downsize 3 bedroom bungalow six weeks ago and seems rather shell shocked by the sorting and disposing of household items that cannot be accommodated. We will go back to her home at the beginning of June and hopefully help out in some way before returning to Oz.
There really is a need as the cough I get in particularly dusty places has returned when I'm in church, I'm pretty certain the person who has been doing a couple of hours about once a month or so hasn't done the organ side of church at all, and I know I've not done any cleaning since the great building renovations started last August. But, I've now postponed it to Thursday when I go in to change the altar frontal over, and will just do the sanctuary hoovering and around the organ/choir stalls. Given I spend most of my time in church on the organ bench, I've asked that no-one cleans or tidies up around the organ, I do see it as my responsibility to do that area.
I appreciate I'm an unusual soul who actually enjoys cleaning when the mood is upon me, but this time, I had also wanted to have a good uninterrupted think whilst I was doing this - I'm aware tomorrow might well be the last time I see my current spiritual director. It's might as I know the main fact about their main work retirement, but not any more about the logistics yet... I'm also aware I think this was going to be a conversation I would've been initiating anyway. It's very much been the right person for the right phase of life, but I think given various other changes I'm thinking about, it may well be time to stop and find someone else. Though, who that someone may be is another matter altogether.
Oh well, a do my own cleaning Bank Holiday instead. I may potter out to the shops soon for some Bank Holiday treats as well.
Japes - if you're that keen on cleaning, may I send you my address?