jamie92208

Will HH be joi ing the Scotsman and The Irishman or will our neighbours be drowning their sorrows. It could be interesting in the PMU(Bar) this morning. We wouldn't want HH to be too supercilious. Jamie

Morni g all from a still dark and wet Charente. The nurse has been but Beth wants to stay in bed for a little longer. Thus a quick visit to ER's. The market will be vusited then I mY well wander across to the shed. I need to convert a door from left hand to right hand hinging. I made a start yesterday so have a plan of action. Regards to all. Jamie

I think that 6' high side walls are now standard on bridges that cross live 25Kv overhead. Nice to see the pictures. Jamie

Do what we do and stack the wood on pallets each of which has a label showing when ut was stacked. We get ours in 1 metre lengths then chop each into 3 pieces to fit the stove. The log splitter is used for thick stuff from the garden. Jamie

I have actually passed both tests at basic level many years ago but SWMBO seems to have forgotten that fact. At that time Beth was having a long hospital stay so after the drying/ironing was completed I used to line the 3 teenagers up and hold a form if clothes ID parade. As I held up an object one or other would claim it and add it to their pile. They were then responsible for taking their own bundles upstairs. Whether they put them away I neither knew nor cared. I am working hard at retaini g the recently issued provisional for the washing machine. This morning Beth supervised the sorting of the contents of the washing basket and gave copious instructions as to which button etc to push and what fluids to put where. Several small errors were detected. I could not possibly comment as to whether or not these were deliberate. Jamie

Morning all from a slightly damp Charente. A very good Fish and Chip meal last night in good company. The nurse was hear just before 8 and Beth decided to go back to sleep afterwards. I had a quiet and leisurely breakfast then some domestic engineering. I have finally discovered where the floorbrush is kept. I have even got a provisional licence for the washing machine. Beth has now arisen and is having her breakfast whilst we watch the rugby. A good score. Regards to all. Jamie

As to sockets in bathroons. I seem to remember that electrocitions in the bath were quite common when I was a child due to people puttin electric fires on those racks that you put across bath's to put the soap on. The other cause was hair driers. Jamie

Back from the hospital we have come. A thoroughly p**sed off wife is now next to me on the settee. Despite having been a surgeons secretary she thought that she would have a 'walking boot' applied. No such luck, 4 more weeks in pot and 3 more weeks of the 8am nurse visits. It will mean that hopefully she will be able to use the new bathroom before she is out of pot. As to noises from above, we have our resident edible doormice aka gliss gliss. As to sockets in the bathroom, yes they are present here. Our bathroom heater is hard wired. No one has been electrocuted yet....... Jamie

Morning all from the Charente. Thoughts and prayers very much with John. Various other things are and gave happenned. Yesterday afternoon I took Beth to a ladies meeting and then having deposited her with her buggy set off north to Niort to a big DIY shed for plumbing fittings. The pman was to get what I needed then have a coffee on the station before returning for her ladyship at the agreed time. Slow traffic and multip,e small speed restricted towns put paid to that plan. However I did see a train while waiting at a level crossing. In the evening we binge watched 2 episodes of Doc Martin. Today we are waiting for the nurse who will also be giving both of us flu jabs along with Beth's anti DVT jab. The bed has been dust sheeted and the builder will be hear soon. This afternoon it is time to visit the hospital for a review of Beth's ankle then out for fish and chips with 4 friends. Regards to all. Jamie

One good home could be the Wesley Historical Society collection at Huddersfield University. That's where my late fathers archive is deposited. Jamie

Morning all from the Charente. Still dark and a bit damp here. Not a lot else to report apart from a trip to yet another DIY shed to get so e plumbing bits this afternoon. Thoughts very much with John and Sandy. Jamie

Morning all from a rather dark Charente. Not a huge amount to say except that thoughts and prayers are with John and Sandy. Also hope that Sharon gets some positive news. Regards to all. Jamie

Just to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you all John. Jamie

Evening all from the Charente. The house is quiet again. The girls have departed safely and are probably fighting the traffic on the M62 as I type. The builder has gone and the interior of the en suite is stzrting to take shape. Regards to all. Jamie

Evening all from a rather wet part of the Charente. The thunder has passed over but Orange gave us a weather warning. Much has been achieved today but this afternoon I had to go to a large village funeral. This was for the matriarch of the largest farming family in the village and the church was filled with as many people standing outside. I didn't stay for the interment and managed to get home before the rain started. I was able to pay my respects to Old Claude Marchet who has lost his wife. He's a lovely old guy who drives round the village each day at about 5 mph inspecting all their crops. he also makes some appalling rose wine that can only be drunk when laced with pamplemouuse syrup. I now have to crave indulgence from the lady of the awful awl. A most important event took place in that young Emily Lancaster (5.5 months and counting) was introduced to model railways in general and Lancaster (Green Ayre) in particular. Here are Rachel and Laura, plus young Emily watching a train go past. She was captivated by it and smiled broadly. Then there obviously had to be the staged photo opportunity. Me trying to be grumpy with Rachel and Emily and of course the layout sign in the background. Jamie

Apologies to followers of this thread that there hasn't been much to report recently. The day after the last post we discovered that Beth had a broken ankle and she is now well plastered and confined to various wheelchairs that allow her to access different parts of the house. Thus I haven't had much time to get to the shed. However for the last few days our daughter and her wife plus our only grandchild have been staying with us. Little Emily Lancaster obviously needed to be introduced to the hobby. She was captivated by the moving trains. My daughter Rachel is on the left. Obviously such an important visitor with the surname of Lancaster had to see the layout. As you can see I am trying very hard to be a grumpy grandad but don't think I'm quite succeeding. I am now instructed by Laura that I have to build a train set for her and Emily to play with as she had a deprived childhood with no train set to play with. Rachel of course cannot say that. Jamie

We used q very good and efficient solicitor to do the paperwork for the purchase of the MRC freehold. She did a very good job. She's now serving 8 years for defrauding client accounts. Jamie

Morning all from the Charente, which thanfully is 160 kilometres away from the nearest Ikea. The you gest and oldest females in the house have both been attended to, cared for, breakfasted and are currently getting dressed. The nurse gas been and the bilder is working inside today so I've dust sheeted the bedroom. Not a lot planned for today but I hope to get a photo of young Emily Lancaster watching metal things on Lancaster Green Ayre. Thoughts with John and Sandy, Debs a d Mr & Mrs Rick plus any others in need. Jamie

Morning all from a dry Charente. Sounds of a small person being entertained are drifting down from upstairs. Beth is still in bed and will be attended there by the nurse when she arrives. Then the girls oare off out and Beth and I will be heading for the market for coffee and chats. Sunday dinner will centre round a roast leg of lamb with plum crumble to follow. If the weatger is good this afternoon i may even get a little shed time in. Thoughts and prayers with John and Sandy. Regards to all. Jamie

John, I've just read your blog and as Bob has said am lost for words and seem to have something irritating my eyes. We are with you in spirit with prayers and thoughts for all of you. Jamie

Morning all from a grey and slightly damp Charente. This photo of sunrise was taken a few days ago whilst waiting for the nurse to arrive. Yesterday went well and the girls, including a very important 5 month old were collected from the airport. It was 25 degrees before we got back. Beth had made some Spag Bol so we all had a feast. Then it was time for grandparents bragging rights and a walk round the village. I rally am trying my best to show how grumpy I am. Anyway we are all breakfasted and will shortly be off on a shopping expedition , top of the list is a new toilet for the en suite. We are having discussions as to whether the electric buggy, the pushchair and said WC will fit in the back of the Volvo. Then the plan is lunch out before coming back here. Thoughts and prayers very much with John and Sandy. Good to see that John's sense of humour is surviving. Jamie

A lovely building in typical Midland style. John Patrick and I used details from it in designing Green Ayre. Jamie

Morning all from a sunny Charente. Up a little early today as there is much to do. I have to go to Limoges (2.25 hrs drive) to pick the girls up from the airport. This has meant that Beth will have to make her own lunch. Another 4 wheeler has been cleaned and brought from the shed to enable her to move hot soup around safely. I've been and got a bulged tyre changed on Beth's car and done various other tasks. Now a short break before hanging out the washing and setting off. I really hope that Sandy's treatment was worthwhile. Regards to al Jamie

Hope that things have gone well today Debs. I've only ever heard good reports about the Christie. My step dragon in law was treated there but I can cope with that. One of the consultants there is a Nooreen Alam. She grew up in the house at the back of ours and when she missed the bus to school used to come and knock on our door and ask for a lift as I worked next door to the school. She watched her mother get taken by the big C and as most of the family were Dr's went into the profession and became an Oncologist. If you run into her please give her my regards. Jamie

Good afternoon from a cloudy place that seems to be warming up. The builder is busy rendering the walls of the extension. I've cleaned my car out, fitted a child seat and done a tip run. Beth has been making Spag Bol in honour of the girls who arrive tomorrow. We had a What's App chat with Rachel and Emily. Grandpa and Nana are getting quite excited about seeing the little cherub. I hope that the radiotherapy gives some relief to Sandy. Jamie