Flying solo

chevalier

So GLAD to hear that CD has the most beautiful walk with you. What a lovely thing to hear.
chev

*Robin*

Good morning World! :hello:

Thanks to everyone who is keeping CD in their thoughts - second batch of antibiotics finished over twenty-four hours ago and no sign of high temperature returning, so hopefully the infection is dead and I can relax. Can't help thinking about little LP though; hoping O has taken him to her vet by now and he's not in pain..

Guess who got me up early because she couldn't wait to investigate our latest location? (Well, ok, CD did need to water the grass too). We're back in the centre of town outside m' mate's workplace again, plugged into his mains to replenish van's batteries - just in case we decide to take the weekend off and go to the sea-side (sorely missing sea-breezes and healthy ozone-laden air ).

Yesterday it was hotter here than at the Nest; locals were surprised we found it quite unpleasant, and I was disappointed when afternoon thunderstorms passed us by. Divo Four and CD are both sneezing with hay-fever, and I've had to dig out my long-unused inhalers (luckily they're still in date).

Took advantage of CD's early wake-up call to check the finances; turns out m' vague running total was happily nearly £2K out (ie. in my favour ). Bank balance was higher because I'd forgotten to count cash in from bringing over boxes of ciggies for a few friends (no profit of course, but Spanish prices were regarded as a handsome gift - no idea how much cheaper they were compared to the UK, but think tax must be much lower over there?).

The re-worked figures were a nice surprise, even though there was £350 on a CC which has now been paid off.
A letter from THEM said I don't have to worry about THEIR half-year contribution because the previous over-payment has covered it (thank you, Mr Accountant :T).
T1's rent and the pension from DH's employer have both gone in because it's a new month, but I still need to be careful with casual spending - repairs at homehome are going to be more expensive than expected (T2's Dad has damaged the guttering, presumably while cleaning it out - the whole lot will need renewing because it's a size/style no longer available. Haven't a clue how to split the cost of that to avoid 'betterment' - but reckon T2 should pay something as she's well-off enough to afford holidays abroad herself).
Also need to contact the owners of the huge house behind homehome - they've got a decorative ivy plant growing up the wall of our garage, which has forced it's way inside. Looks like the boarding that the gutters are screwed onto will need replacing too - hopefully their insurance will cover it, but they're not the easiest folk to deal with (despite being millionaires who could easily afford having a few new boards fitted - they spend most of the year swanning about on their yacht - this family always look down their noses at us; we're definitely the 'poor relations' in the area :cool:).

mcculloch29 wrote: »

So pleased to read this about CD! Go Turmeric!
I'm on that worldwide FB Turmeric group too. I must get myself back on to Golden Paste, it worked fantastically for a while last summer and autumn, then didn't, but after a longish break I feel ready to return to it.
TG the vet knew.. and yes, the stories of owners who have discovered GP too late are so sad, some beautiful animals lost recently, but in other cases, GP has given a lot of extra time.
I am now speculating which pan I can spare to be permanently yellow. I used up a lot of elbow power last year removing turmeric stains from my worktops, as well, before I figured out less messy ways of handling the GP.

Glad to read that both you and Missrlr are also GP fans, Mcculloch!
Wonder if it stopped working for you after changing brand? I had one batch that was disappointing, then a more knowledgeable friend tested the powder in water and said I'd bought some which was very low quality. Got some more from a different shop - that sorted out the problem.

As for yellow-stained pans, I've never had this issue; tend to use a non-stick one, then cook a dinner sauce in it after bottling up all the GP that scrapes out easily. It works; although the wooden spoon keeps it's yellowish tinge after washing up, the pan always cleans up fine.
Mind you, I've got a yellow finger from having to dose CD while she wouldn't accept her GP in a slice of ham.. Teehee, who cares? :rotfl:

Missrlr - thinking of you; hoping the physio does the trick!

Lucky, Dansmam, Sparky and Chev - am very grateful for all your good wishes re CD. :T

Lindens - thanks to you too, lovely to know you're still following Flying Solo. :T

Spends:
Gave Divo Four a tenner to stock up on milk and veggies (erm, and Indian sweets - long been a personal weakness which I choose to justify by the fact that my belt is now two notches tighter.. ).

*Robin*

Good morning Diary, :hello:

Had a visit from a lovely council employee yesterday, concerned in case camper-van's presence heralded the arrival of a large number of "erm, professional travellers" (think she meant Romany families).
She was very sweet, a dog-lover - spent half an hour cuddling CD while we chatted - before heading on her way with a smile, and the parting comment:
"I'm so glad you're respectable!** I was really quite worried about coming to see you by myself.. "
(**:rotfl:)

An hour later a very portly chap turned up, who nervously asked how long we were planning on staying?
"Why?" asked Ol' Mate, who was having a cuppa with us on his break.
"We're going to have a beer festival here tomorrow," the fellow replied.
Mate wasn't pleased, to say the least. Nobody had asked him, nor the owners of the neighbouring businesses, or presumably the council (as our earlier visitor would surely have mentioned it if they'd been granted a licence?).
Further questioning revealed an appalling lack of foresight and planning; they intended to put a marquee directly in front of Mate's premises where we were parked, but hadn't considered the impracticability of driving tent-pegs into the tarmac surface, or how to prevent their casks of real ale being stolen during the night..

We packed up and left at once, not wishing to become embroiled in an argument between beer-swillers and business owners which really is nothing to do with us!

The move at dinner time prompted a fish and chip supper rather than cooking for ourselves [£20 - ouch!], oh yes and another spend - fed up with brushing dust into the air, I've ordered a 12v vacuum cleaner [£28].

CD is still well; looking brighter by the day, so am happy about that. :T

*Robin*

Good afternoon Diary, :hello:

Well, the impromptu beer festival is a bit of a damp squib but CD and self are staying well out of the way anyway, not being keen boozers.
Didn't go to the sea-side either because A) our only mate close to the preferred destination has sold his farm and moved into a town-centre flat (therefore no longer has room for casual visitors in ruddy great vans). the alternative municipal camp-site is full this weekend.

Instead have borrowed DR's flat again, for a spot of secretary-type catching up with business emails (some of 'em are even my own :rotfl:). It's not the first time I've helped DR with his backlog, so isn't very difficult (keeps me out of trouble, lol).

Fantastic light-show during last night's thunderstorms; stayed up far too late enjoying it.

*Robin*

Dear Diary, :hello:

Sunday again. We've been motor-home residents for just over three weeks, during which we pulled CD through her crisis - that pretty much stopped all other productive activities while she was so ill - now it finally feels like we're settling in. Most items have found a 'home' within the van, although a dearth of drawers means far too much is simply piled into boxy cupboards (looks tidy enough on the surface though ).

Yesterday I almost made DR a decent profit on an issue he's been ignoring since I was here last.. But in the middle of the night he sent me an email backing out, so today I've got to change tack - sell my UK "classic" car instead of DR's - in order to avoid disappointing a very keen buyer.
End result will be extra funds in my summer budget - great as am slightly appalled at the rate I'm spending - but tbh DR needs the cash more.. Still, my old car is too hard for me to drive these days, it's deteriorating while parked up, eats money keeping it road-legal, and would cost DS4 a fortune to insure once he passes his test.. Much better to pass it on to an enthusiast who's got the energy to sort out the never-ending list of repairs - DS would rather have a cheap, modern run-around anyway.

Can claim a NSD for Saturday.

*Robin*

Hello Diary, :hello:

It's time to move: A car screeched to a halt next to CD earlier while she was sitting outside camper-van and I was washing up.. Two policemen leapt out, shot off along the footpath then returned with a bloke in handcuffs. Incongruously, they were all talking amiably as they got into the police car and drove away.
And just now a random drunk tried to come in - thank goodness I'd locked the door before getting into bed! :eek:
He's sitting on the grass outside, singing quietly to himself - sleep has fled of course..

Car selling negotiations are proceeding well; looks like old classic bangers are worth more than I'd thought. Good-oh. :T
Will lose nearly a month's worth of tax of course, or three if no refunds at all are permitted any more. Can't be helped. :cool:

Another NSD - two in a row! :money:

mcculloch29

Thank goodness he's singing, a happy, rather than dangerous drunk. Will be thinking of you. Hope sleep does come.

*Robin*

Good morning Diary and MSEers, :hello:

A sad anniversary today: I have been a widow for three years and almost two hours right now.. :A
Spent most of the night remembering DH's final hours while the drunkard sang out-of-tune ballads to the Moon (he'd wandered away by the time CD wanted to go out this morning - you're right, Mcculloch, he was a happy, harmless fellow after all. Am glad it didn't start raining though, or I'd have felt obliged to let him in).

DR has some lovely old-fashioned scented roses in his garden; am going to pluck the best and take them to DH's grave this afternoon, when Divo Four gets back from his latest money-making wheeze (he's on a panel of volunteers at the hospital; think they're investigating nutrition today. They make him eat some odd stuff, such as 'a typical office-worker's lunch' to see how his brain-power is affected. DS is part of the healthy-eater control group - normally he wouldn't dream of lunching on a white-bread cheese sandwich, crisps and cola yuk yuk).

satchmo1

Hugs, Robin, on this sad day x

missrlr

Oh Robin
Many hugs
You have done so well, achieved so much, through such horrid times.
Well done, you have kept going and made a fine job of it too.
Hugs