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Someone I've known for fifty years annoyed me so much through conspiracy theories about 5G and COVID-19 and saying last year that Sandy should come off chemo and use bicarbonate of soda and meditation (yes, really) that I've cut off all contact.

Morning all from the boring borough. Next door got their change of use to a 6 person HMO. Bang goes our property value. Only option left is to air all his dirty laundry at the licencing application hearing. Doubt it will help but at least his behaviour will be a matter of public record. If the neighbour on the other side was a bit more aggressive we could go to court to get part of the extension demolished. Long shot and expensive if I did it on my own but with 2 party wall act violations on one ticket it may have been enough. "New" layout/module arrives today. Must get into the shed with the shop vac and do some more cleaning before it arrives. Too much stress these past few weeks. The property crap next door. My son off with a b*ggered back and on half pay and with his partner having been made redundant. SWMBO's work situation is still up in the air. Her office is reopening but she hasn't been called back. Not a good sign. My knee looks to have run out of juice and I'll have to go back to the specialist to see if another cortisone injection is worthwhile or if I'm now looking at a replacement. My work is getting stressful with the doubling of my team due to another reorganisation. The whole Covid thing. Etc, etc, etc. Bollards to the world. Sorry for the moan but it felt good. Late breakfast awaits. Coffee and at least one latte. Laterz

The DE area from on high this morning. and there's a Claud slipping past North box to wait in the old shed yard for its next duty.

My newly completed southbound 'Clayliner' train 6V53 is seen heading across the viaduct, above. Here the train is pictured sat in the goods loop behind the signal box. As previously mentioned, these wagons are built from N gauge Society plastic body kits, running on etched underframes from the 2mm Association. Below is a close up of a couple of the wagons which differ slightly from the more familiar 'clayhoods'. So I now have two full length china clay trains, albeit one depicts an empty train. The clayhoods are built from ex Parkwood body kits running on modified Farish underframes. And finally.... not a clay train but a block coal train. In my pretend world, I have imagined that Newton Abbot power station was still taking deliveries of coal by rail at this time. These 21 ton hoppers are plastic kits from the N gauge Society. Incidentally, I think it was this weekend that the layout was due to attend the Swindon Steam Exhibition. The layout is instead set up in a spare room at home running very well and providing lots of entertainment. In fact I purchased a new loco today, an unrefurbished class 50 from Footplate in Kidderminter in between trips on the SVR class 50 running day. This model shop has a large stock of N gauge.

I remain the go to person in the street. Thursday evening there was a frantic knocking on the door. It was the lady from next door but one. they were having aproblem with their upstairs bathroom toilet cistern. Water was shooting out all over the place. On arrival in the affected bathroom, I found Georgie (the cake maker) crying with laughter, whilst her younger sister Lucy was sitting on the toilet seat (she was respectable), with the cistern lid off and her hands trying to stop a jet of water from inside the cistern. Georgie was sent to switch off the water at the main stop cock and I investigated. It transpired the valve that controlled the refilling of the cistern was making terrible groaning noises, so the girls had gone out and bought a replacement valve and had attempted to refit it themselves. all had gone well until they unscrewed the valve. Then chaos did rain(sic). As you can see from the description they'd forgotten rule number one of plumbing, which is turn off the water before attempting any work. Still, it's all sorted now and I am assured of a suitable reward. Then, yesterday morning our next door neighbour asked if I could fix his lawn mower. 'It's the cable that allows me to use the powered drive. I've got a replacement.' I told him that was a mistake as he might not have identified the fault correctly. As it turns out I was right. Upending the mower revealed a complete lack of a drive belt. In fact not only was the drive belt missing, but so was the belt cover. this is designed to protect the belt form interaction with sticks and the like, so the absence of this probably accounted for why the belt broke in the first place. The other bit that I noticed was missing was the air cleaner housing and any form of filter. this probably accounted for the rather grubby and oil blown side of one half of the engine. All the parts are now on order and I'll fit them next week. This evening it was back on the water as I noticed a puddle forming on the driveway. The same neighbour's roadside stop tap has probably sprung a leak as the housing box is full of water and it's seeping onto the verge and drive. I've contacted Severn Trent to report the fault, as he and his wife are away until tomorrow. And finally, we have become grandparents for a third time with the arrival of a new granddaughter early this morning. They certainly turn them around in hospital these days. Born just after 0400 and home by 1130. (And a first child as well).

Meanwhile, back down at ground level our intrepid photographer got the same picture from the roof of the barn.

And the Squadron Leader is up and about. Decided to catch some of the action, or lack of, of the Collett waiting at the signal

A high level view of the forecourt tonight. and a WD starting away on the Down slow, and about to block both main lines as it trudges into the yards.

Congrats, Richard, more drain on the cake fund. Lunch with friend and his new friend went well, turns out she's a retired doctor, fiesty lady and good fun. Then visited another friend/ex-employee in hozzy as he's just had a new hip, he's doing well now, he looked a bit ill yesterday but it was only 24 hours post-op. As he was a theatre scrub nurse he now knows what it is like on the other side of the fence. Retirement is definitely kicking in now, I thought it was Friday all day.....

Photos taken on the Blyth and Tyne at the level crossing at South Newsham today. South Newsham relaying track Jan 86 J8507.jpg South Newsham 56133 down coal 10th April 91 C16897.jpg South Newsham Class 56 up empties 24th Oct 94 C19859.jpg South Newsham Class 5 44767 Santa special Newcastle circular 17th Dec 94 C19892.jpg South Newsham 56069 down coal 18th Feb 95 C19996.jpg David

Ey up! Light grey clouds covering the sky here. My eye inspection yesterday was painful..and my eyes still hurt. @ "contactcontact" lens waa used to help see into my eyes.. Contact Lens? Little sofy squishy thing.. nope a great brass item with a great lump of glass in it. Pah! More games off today due to Covids.. Me, I am umpiring a local derby and both teams need to win...wish me luck! Have as good a day as you can, make best use of your time. Positive thoughts to all ERs. Baz

Morning all, Another bright sunny day out there and outdoors might, just might, get as warm as indoors some time today. And today has been described by the lad - as big clean up day ready for the return of the management tomorrow. If there's any likelihood of a goodly rollicking for whatever we forget to do I shall simply draw attention to my recent hospital visit and plead some sort of excuse linked to that while Rob will inevitably - and regrettably very accurately - plead overwork and being extremely busy after a succession of 10hour plus working days. Can't win 'em all. Incidentally our surgery applied a policy of 'don't arrive early for your appointment' right from Day 1 and in any case the waiting area has been reduced to only two seats, 2 metres apart, so one usually waits outside unless seeing a doctor. Quite what will happen with outdoor waiting once the weather inevitably declines appears not to be at all clear to the frontline staff (or anybody else?). Additionally a lot of work - mainly blood tests but some other things - is being done out in the gazebo although it did survive the winds a few weeks back and whatever rain we've had since March so I suspect it will remain in use. I'm not entirely sure which of us got in first this week over the flu jab - me asking for it or Nurse Simone offering it but I think we spoke almost simultaneously. I can see herself going for the Tesco option if she gets half a chance as it's a lot more convenient that the surgery production line approach. Like the bear above (and CB in his blog) I think a lot of what is now happening with Covid is down to people not following the simple rules about trying to stop/mitigate its spread and looking after themselves in terms of masks and social distancing. The most worrying thing is not just the deaths but the fact that so far over 600,000 people have been left with what is now called 'long Covid' with various after-effects continuing for months afterwards in many cases and that seems to affect virtually all age groups over the 20 y.o. mark. On a happier note some of the wall drying is working and having a noticeable effect according to official readings taken yesterday using a probe instead of a surface meter but I suspect at least partial demolition of the cupboards and worktop in the utility is looking increasingly likely as a wall there is 'very wet'. Ah well, time (and no doubt the underwriter) will tell, and we were talking about possibly redecorating the utility in thew near future although it didn't really need it - until some of the skirting boards were removed. Have a good day folks and stay safe. PS I don't know what job Sir TH is doing but it looks like there's a distinct lack of procedures and poor division of responsibilities (and possibly poor training as well)

Evening all, School inspected today, nothing to report. Tomorrow morning will be out at the track for the first time in a fortnight, which will be interesting. We had Indian takeaway for dinner tonight, and incredible rarity in Oklahoma. I must say it was quite good, but the mango custard seems to in-fact be rice pudding with a hint of mango juice and loads of orange dye. As some may know, I’ve gone to the midland brigade, and yesterday I assembled a garden railway. Aaaaaand then promptly took it down and set it up inside do to the various undulations of my patio not being to the liking of the engine. No paneers were used or harmed. Next week is the hopefully socially distanced Homecoming Ball, (a significant part of high school in the USA) which should be interesting but I shall approach with caution. It’s downtown on the rooftop of one of the many Art Deco building a so should be very interesting from an architecture standpoint. stay healthy, Douglas

Good evening everyone There a queue at the butchers when I got there, but it wasn’t a big queue, only 2 people in front of me. But I did end up chatting (maintaining a social distance) to a good friend of mine who was my best man, he works there and has done since leaving school. He’s not changed much, gained a few pounds (haven’t we all?) and has gone a little grey, mind you, he still has hair, whereas I've not got much left now! But they do say that grass doesn’t grow on a busy street. According to the plaque between our house and the house next door, they were built during queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee year (1897) so 2 years time the house will be 125 years old. Goodnight all Brian

And out on our terrace yesterday...after a 45 year wait................ The parallel metal bits were put out a few days ago. Quite a bit of packing followed but more is needed. The 8ft oval, with passing loop and siding, ascends 1 in 40 from left to right (rain run-off!). Can't wait to get out there and join in. (Pic taken through door window.) Aaaaaaaaaaah....Chooooooooo.....

CJ Freezer told a story many years ago in Railway Modeller to the effect that if you got someone who was creating waves at a club there were two ways to deal with them:- 1) Ban them from the club. 2) Co-opt them onto the committee to deal with the problem that only they could see. The second method had two possible outcomes, according to CJF. Either they disappeared very quickly or you had just found a very hard working committee member who was very useful to the club and normally stopped rocking the boat very quickly.

I have been through that particular mangle on a few occasions and only got rid of the exhibition managers job by declaring 18 months in advance that I was resigning as I would be taking my own rather large layout and couldn't do both jobs. I did formulate 2 rules for the over 50's male (different to Billy Connolly's 3). These were. 1. Always attend the AGM or you may end up being allocated a job. 2. Never ask a question at an AGM because you will almost certainly end up with the job of sorting out the problem. Jamie

Imagine trying to share a domestic space with one. There is no room for discussion; if you don't believe you're either a sheep or part of the plot.

This could be a long one. Let’s just trim the list to: failed to provide a party wall notification. demolished shared chimney stack and blocked my flues without any permission. blocked neighbour’s right to light with the dormer. Parts of the loft and dormer over reach the middle of the party wall. Damage to back wall rendering across the boundary. ...

Two forms of steam power cross paths.

Morning all. It seems to be a rather pleasant morning. I watched (on Eurosport) a bit of the Le Mans 24 practice this morning. It looked damp and cloudy there. I got the map update for my car to download so if I need to drive to Russia the car is ready. I don’t intend to. The downloader utility that didn’t work (I sent off a complaint, got a phone call in reply ,from the Netherlands) was replaced by a new download that worked. My car can update its own operating system via WiFi or 4G but the maps have to be transferred by usb stick. Probably 30Gb would bend some people’s mobile data limit. When I got in the car there was a ding ding warning tone. Turned out to be a low key fob battery warning. I have one battery in that size so I have ordered some more in case the other fob starts to expire. It seems that the battery is now made to taste nasty to deter small children from eating them.

Morning everyone. Found work to be increasingly isolating and difficult at the moment. Not sure what's happening. The early part of the week was pretty good but yesterday and today seem to have gone significantly down hill. Not being included in certain emails for example. I also offered to print off some paper work for someone else and did so. No more than 10 minutes later, they came to me with the same paperwork and said they'd printed a copy off for me! There was no crossed wires. I've sent out some information through the system. Within 10 minutes the other person on the desk has sent out the same thing. This happened two or three times. Plus, they continue to send internal things externally. That same person also sends disruption messages for something that lasts less than 10 mins and affects just one train. Then had a bit of a go at me for not putting a message out! I didn't think it warranted it and have been taught that way. Hmm. I may as well be invisible. But hey, at least I get paid for it! However, on the up - ingredients components for coach lighting have arrived - couldn't be bothered to wait for the company I was going to use to get their kits together (been waiting months), so that's all ready for me. I bought enough to do 40 sets. I have two sets of 8, a set of 4 for definite. But I could potentially do another 8 coaches, although that's a fair bit of work as I took off the wipers from my intermediate S-Stock to help with running, so would have to screw them back in. But hey, that's the price of having coach lighting :P Plus, I'm on leave next week, having a good break down in the South West - first family holiday!

It's down below 20 this morning but we did have some much needed rain yesterday. I finally finished the majority of the scanning yesterday. Just had a lovely 40 minutes on the video chat with Emily and her mums. Shevis a really happy and interesting young lady with a developing personality. Such things lift the spirits. Off now to take the Volvo for it's air con fettling. Suitable reading matter is being taken. Ttfn. Jamie

And for all you fitness people out there.... here is Bradley Manor at the gym Just stretching the legs before starting work!

Push pull restricted services.

A late convert to Nellie possibilities, here is a quick rattle up I did, using a Heljan GW chassis. Based on a CR design, roughly,using the cab of a Nellie. I left the dome and filler cap as they were out of laziness although the dome should have been above the middle drivers. The dreadful finished state of it is due to a varnish bloom that I couldn't be bothered stripping off. As my layout is a model of Thurso, with the oft proposed branch to Scrabster present, but out of sight..., I am blaming winter storms and sea salt for the engines condition....

News this week... Tuesday had Mike Wild & Richard Watson from Hornby magazine over to take some snaps.. Took a few myself with the iPhone mind..however a 40 on a rake of MK2’s is worth a shot or two. Amazed at a gizmo Richard brought which consisted of a go pro on a motorised dolly attached to a 50m long zip wire. This enables super video footage with the camera keeping pace with trains. Watch this space. Meanwhile I’ve been under the frames the last few days wiring in the new Huddersfield curves..

Afternoon all... Lemme see, yesterday "man" came and built the shed base for us, shed kit will arrive next Friday, so we're now all ready for it also Jemma was over for dinner and we enjoyed some nice red Bordeaux and a TexMex take-out, strange combination but it worked for me - and THAT'S who matters, right!! Today, off to get a micro-SD card for the security camera, and will attempt to install that on the front outside to scan the garage and entry area, after lunch. Getting the card was more of a challenge than expected, easy enough to get to the computer store as it's only a mile away, however the entire population of nerds in the Twin CIties appeared to ALSO require something from the store Everyone suitably masked and social distancing per the markers on the floor, BUT, the line wound around most of the store, so a "simple" $13. purchase of a card took me 45 minutes! I ignored my own trusted advice - to whit, ordering online and picking up from the separate queue, since for some reason mostly attributed to I suspect old/senile I figured it'd be no problem to simply walk in and get the thing off the shelf myself, ON A SATURDAY, ARE YOU NUTS - NOT doing that again Later we're off to dinner with our travelling companions, more wine and food, excellent decision Started out at 7, hazy and overcast, expected to make 23, the skies unlikely to clear much apparently. OK - off to mount a security camera... enjoy the day.

Today's family WhatsApp.

Good morning everyone Late out of bed this morning, we both over slept so I guess we must have needed the kip. We will soon be speaking and wishing Amelia a happy birthday, she's 14 today, where does the time go? After that I'll head off to the workshop and carry on working on the turntable control panel. Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later. Brian

I am quite interested to know what media outlets have been scaremongering. I thought there was a period towards the end of the first lockdown period when there was a lot of irresponsible media coverage about “freedom” and various articles pointing out the alleged errors of experts which were often just a change due to more information. The only scary media (not your mainstream media) stuff I have seen is by those who try to deny Covid is real or minor and is a plot to control us . I think this is like the Y2K computer problem which was minor because people worked hard to prevent it. If you live in a low Covid infected area some of the advice may seem a bit restricting but I suspect it wouldn’t be a low Covid area if the national restrictions hadn’t happened. As someone observing from a position of shielding it wasn’t so much the relaxation of lockdown it looked as if some people just interpreted it as back to normal or “what can we get away with now”.

A few more...... From the late Matford storage box. It's pity that 08s were never used in the F.O.D. as it would have been nice to use it....but then again....! It was weathered by CK many moons ago.

Theres a lot out there enjoying this newfound power. Luckily still plenty of sensible ones. Its very difficult to plan to get somewhere at the right time even on a short journey. Earlier in the week I had to meet the owner of the property my brother is intersted in. Its a 15 minute journey. However I spent most of that stuck in a traffic jam next to Redhill station, made worse when a train arrives as everyone has to go out the narrow back exit down the steps, along the narrow pavement then press the pelican crossing button, just as the three way temporary traffic lights go green the pelican crossing goes red. Traffic backed up some way behind us. Quite a few people did not look happy and one couple were lost standing at the bottom of the steps from the station exit with their cases wondering where to go, as the signage is very poor. No doubt they didnt get any info form the Gestapo manning the entrances / exits from the station. The booking office has one set of doors blocked off and closed . I thought the idea was to have as many doors open to get fresh air in to enclosed spaces. The only doors left open had people just standing in the only open doorway but the Gestapo obviously werent interested in that. Today we are heading into Croydon but not by train. It will be by bus. This could well be the last meet up this year of our old model club friends. Just 5 of us with one coming down from Warrington, so that will be his last trip for a while. If we do head to Chester in a few weeks he may still not be able to come if there is a ban on non essential public transport. Chances are that we may cancel the hotel booking anyway. Just come back form the shed where Dulcote was applied to a few items

Good morning all, Still dull here and the sky has a pinkish tinge. The forecasts are for a mainly dry and sunny day. Once again a quick visit to Sainsbury's is needed two days after our main delivery as "we" have decided that something extra is needed. This is mainly for Joe as a "goody box" of supplies has been created for him to take to University tomorrow. Tonight we're going round for a farewell and good luck meal and we are complying with the rules with just six of us as Abbie is away until tomorrow. Made a mistake with the T de F yesterday as the last mountain stage was the day before so I missed it. Quite a lot of Rugby to watch today and tomorrow with the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup Quarter Finals. Don't think I'll fit them all in so will have to be selective. More tea now needed. Have a good one, Bob. P.S. Phoned the surgery yesterday about flu jabs and they haven't got the vaccine yet and don't know when they're getting it. Local pharmacy not doing jabs this year.

Simon, I could not agree more! Greetings one and all. This should be at the top but I can't work out how to put it there. I was at Stalag Surgery yesterday. I arrived in good time for my appointment and received a b*ll*ck*ng for turning up too early! I was left standing outside for nearly 10 minutes. We can't have too many people in the waiting room now, can we? I do not wish to tar all with the same brush but it does seem that there are people who relish power and the ability to wield it without limit. Of these, an inordinate proportion find themselves in the role of surgery receptionist. Fortunately the person with whom I had an appointment was quite the opposite. As befits nurses, she was kindness itself. This is a vital attribute when you are drilling a hole in your patient. I had intended to book my flu jab while I was there but the welcome with folded arms quite drove it out of my head. Oh well, another phone call where I press button 1 and hold on for 40 minutes as my ear grows ever more numb. I was given something to take home with me. It has been realised that you can't do urine tests ovet the phone so I must return to the fortress with a sample in good time for it to be analysed before the telephone diabetes clinic on Thursday. I had a letter inviting me to call the surgery to be given the result of my recent blood test but I consider that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Today will see the auxiliary fodder run. My joy is unconfined. Best wishes to all Chris

Congrats Granddad, you need to get them producing a bit quicker Richard, my 5 Grandchildren and 8 GREAT Grandchildren cost us a fortune at Christmas and Birthdays, haha. Well done on the Repairs mate.

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, 4.5 hours + 1 hour + 1.5 hours. Sleep.. Good for me.. Hmm T De F, big mountains down there, pretty Chilly too, and a bit of Argy. Took Ben the I want to play Collie, out who found a toy he'd left out before, therefore not doing as he was supposed to. Breakfast has been had, no carbohydrates were consumed. Ben the scaredy Collie, was then taken out again, he had just completed what he was supposed to be doing, when he ran back to the house. There was a loud noise, a tractor and cutter is demolishing the verges and anything else in its way. Shortly we shall head for the big city, a route has been planned, requirements worked out, and minimal contact nearness with pedestrian Cockwombles will be maintained. Before escaping out again. Time to.... Find bank books, masks, shoes...

A rather well cleaned-up bombsite! You need to add cheese and some butter to the grits, that is the best way to enjoy them.

My last Vampire test ten months ago registered 53, on the glucose scale, so I've got another two months to try to better that. Well. The evening has gone somewhat better, so no biccies, nor coffee breaks allowed at the MRC, some gangers work was done, and last weeks 430 fence posts, were painted. Nice to chat two other club members, one lady member who had to move house during covid lockdown, which caused more problems. With moving and lock down she needed to use the big South American river company for various items who kept delivering to the wrong house... We had a long chat while muddling. The other club member generously gave me a part completed Ks GWR rail car., a Hornby siphon G, and and revell kit cargo ship, who's hull is a fairly good match to the MacBraynes ferry I need to make for the layout, there are various other bits in the kit like onboard cranes that will be useful too. Goodnight Awl.

Right to Light would appear to be a civil matter and an injunction cpould be taken out against somebody whose building development deprives a roperty of k light it has enjoyed for a minimum of 20 years. injunctions of course mean legal costs. Congrats to HH and family. Finally I see that Polly is trying out a new form of inhaler in order to deal with her coughs and sneezes. Quite a clever thing by the look of it because it can obviously provide both direct and inditrect inhalation using those bits of metal it is sitting on to enable it to move about. All it needs is a flute wagon and it would be a brilliant addition to the household

Congratulations hippo Hope mum and little one ok Sounds like an excuse for cake

Afternoon awl, Having been conn'd into being fleet captain of a sailing section, which put me on the national committee, then I was asked to assist the chairwoman, the next news letter said I was vice chairman he? What? Where did that come from? the next meeting the chairwoman resigned... And I was acting chairman of a national association, so I did almost 4 years the first year ish acting and the 3 years of me being chairman. It's not something I enjoyed, I'm not an organiser, I was lucky after the first year, I got a very capable secretary . I've vowed never to an official post again, but I'm happy being a gopher.. Ah just noticed, someone has updated the interface between this keyboard and RMWeb, so the keyboard has stopped disappearing. The trip to Norwich went well, we got everything we wanted, getting to Barclays there was a professional cameraman, and there were half a dozen climate protesters. Five women dressed in widows weeds, sat on the floor, yoga hand pose, one man Rastafarian hair, banging a drum. Placards protesting Barclays investment in oil.. Since they are probably vegan as well, that will be wearing oil derived, machine made lace, shoes at least partly from plastics. And probably much of the rest of their clothing.. Everyone visiting the bank just ignored the protesters. Visit to every lidl helps, and home. SWMBO, took Ben the where have been Collie, out for his patrol while I mowed the jungle.. An eyelid inspection will follow before, the main meal.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Was a bit chilly first thing this morning but warming up nicely now, on the south facing back of the house. The treasurer for a society is retiring after many years service and the rest of the committee are discussing a suitable retirement gift. He is a GWR fan so a book on the subject was suggested, the problem is he has an extensive personal library that probably contains anything and everything that is suggested or available on the subject. He's not retiring until the next AGM in March so we've plenty of time. Thats it for now, be back later.

May Bear ask - how did the scrote violate the Party Wall Act? Any Legal Cover on House Insurance Policies, or perhaps no-win, no-fee? Personally, Bear favours a sledge hammer. Great for reducing stress too.

Went to Sainsbury's and whilst there picked up some liquid refreshment for myself that was on offer. Enquired at the in-store Lloyds Pharmacy about flu jabs and was told I'd have to book online but it would be October. Have now done so for me and The Boss for the 12th. Coffee now and then a visit to The Shed is planned.

This Little Bear was 84Kg when I banged out of work back in March, and now weighs in at 73Kg This is despite copious amounts of Cake. It seems all this DIY and Gardening is slowly making me waste away...... If only half the population weren't acting like complete cockwombles and actually took some notice of the rules and warnings. Maybe they'll take some notice when they, or someone very close to them, get a bad dose of The Dreaded C.v. Or then again, probably not. There's little doubt in my book that we're heading for another big score very soon. We must both go to the same Surgery....... Our local Boots (a small affair) have stopped taking Flu jab bookings; a call to the Surgery brought joy, however - which was somewhat of a surprise. In other news...... Sister Dracula "Down yer Gob then Up yer 'Ooter" is due between 8 and 9 this morning, followed by a day of deep joy cleaning. I'll have some excitement in the form of a someone ringing the doorbell at 3pm - I put a redundant Desktop PC Tower (less Hard Drive) on the local Freecycle (now called Freegle) website and after several weeks someone has come forward and politely** asked for it. It'll get it out of my way without it going into landfill. All I must try to do is block out how much it cost all those years ago ** It's a sad state of affairs when it seems an increasing number of people send messages with words like "I'll have it" when you've posted an Offered Ad. No you won't, I'd rather take a hammer to it than give it to a nob like you...... Others also seem to post Wanted ads. with a similar lack of politeness, such as "TV Wanted". Nope..... Still, on the whole it's a very useful way of getting rid of stuff that would normally end up in landfill, or Charity Shops won't accept, or you can't get the item to them.

Morning. Chilly 11c this morning, outside that is. Sunny and breezy, also outside. Some shopping to do this morning (veg stall only open on Saturdays) after my low-carb breakfast, A1c went from 52 to 36 in 6 months by low carbing only. Still only 3 CV cases here who were all returnees from the UK straight in to isolation so no community cases at all for over three months - life here is normal bar no tourists cockwombling about the place. Lunch with a friend planned, he has a new friend in tow, looking forward to meeting her and hoping it is the beginning of something nice.

Greetings all from Sidcup. the conservatory is finished - well apart from one bit that they need to stick on the roof next week (some kind of covering that goes over one of the outside roof struts) and they appear not to have left the keys for the windows. Bit overall we’re pleased with the look. We changed the way the doors opened, they no longer open to the side in front of the kitchen window but out to the back and we feel it works better. I guess the true test of how well they have done will be when it rains!! MiL who lives in Washington is now prevented from seeing Mrs Lurker and her sister for a weekend of being ladies who lunch (or perhaps lurch) and is thoroughly depressed ; Mrs Lurker is concerned but fairly helpless. in the meanwhile I have arranged a first pub visit in 6 months for next week- will we make it? good evening all!

I can do that..... Pictures taken yesterday morning - it got much worse as the day went on...... I understand that a food known as "Grits" is popular in the USA, particularly in the Southern States - and mentioned in that most excellent movie "My Cousin Vinnie". Well this Little Bear has been eating grit for several weeks now and has yet to see the attraction...... Today was Day One of Operation Clean the Lounge. I reckon a couple more days await In other news..... The second doorstep C-19 test is due at 8am tomorrow - all for data gathering for the ONS. I discovered today that the vouchers they give for my "inconvenience" can be used at quite a few retailers - the more useful being Amazon, B&Q, Ikea and....wait for it......Hobbycraft. I've a feeling B&Q will feature highly, bearing in mind the kitchen refit.