5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

Highdays

Hello - back again so soon!!

I should proof read better because in real life I know there is another 'u' in chauffeur!!

VJsmum - oh, I'm glad it's not just me! When we are young we are so desperate to be grown up but, blimey, sometimes it can be tough.

Today's pleasures:

1) A well-known store is offering a Coronation bouquet of flowers in red, white and blue featuring the Coronation rose (didn't know there was such a thing but, of course, there would be!) which is just right to congratulate SIL so that's sorted.

2) Noticed on the RVS website that they have spelled her name wrong. Eeek! Definitely not a pleasure but at least spotted and emailed them hopefully in time to get it spelled right on her certificate. Hoping it's just a typo and it wasn't her charity that sent it in wrong. Anyway, at least I saw it and hopefully it can be sorted in time.

3) To the garden centre and bought some herbs to go in the herb planter made by hubby, now complete and up and looks fab.

4) Been trying some new diet recipes this week just to ring the changes and have eaten some very nice meals with some more planned. Felt like I was getting into a bit of a rut and a long way to go yet so need to keep the interest up.

5) Trying to tidy the garden up a bit, not easy when it is covered in steel girders, old drainpipe and window frames, paving slabs, bricks, boys' goalposts and scooters chucked around and assorted stuff waiting for the next skip. Oh, and in between, lumps of very long grass and weeds. If Steptoe had a garden it would look like this, thank goodness we are not overlooked. Anyway, had a bit of a sort and tidy up and it's a bit more of an organised chaos now. 

Right, off to prep our lovely fishy diet tea,

Have a good evening. 

ampersand

From the Gog Magogs, but not for much longer.  It's turning pretty chilly up here and hwb can start bedwork early, when & gets back.

1. How did that happen?  &'s off to Twickenham on Saturday, to watch the Women's 6N final and likely to be the sole Allez les Bleues voice of the party.   

2. &'s NZ MP and office are fully on board with something, DG. 

3. Some tiptop emporium meat and fish rtc's last night.  Portions for one don't sell easily, I was told, but &'s buying them meant cabinet and chill spaces were cleaned down ahead of closing.  Welcomed by staff.

4. Happy chats with Spain this morning.  May well take water butts down next time.  We did chuckle at '3 tomato seedlings for £12' though !!!   Surely there can't be many takers?


5.  Was enjoying Alan Titchmarsh's 'Nobbut a Lad' earlier, when a kestrel plunged straight down not 5 metres away, paused and lifted away with something.  Couldn't tell what, a bit bigger than a field mouse though.
#
Thinking of a few people at present. 

mhagster

Lainey and VL hope you’re both okay. 

Hello! 

Just about to go and water my garden. There’s a bit of rain forecast tomorrow afternoon but things are looking a bit dry. 

Up early. 

Out to meet niece in her town. Friend had given me a second hand bike for great nephew so it went from my car to her car. Went for a child free breakfast. It was her turn to pay but I had a £10 voucher so we used that and it’s her turn to pay again the next time too😆. Nice to just have us time although it’s always lovely to have a young chap join us too. 

Walked to the beach near hers and then had  a mooch round the shops. But just mooched and didn’t buy. 

Stopped at my favourite beach on way back. Tide was way out. FaceTimed DD1 and chatted for half an hour. Didn’t realise tide was coming on so was on a bit of a sandbank and had to wade through water that hadn’t been there before! A bit of a waaaah moment 😳

Nice drive there and back…back was less busy. Blossom on trees, bluebells, green leaves on trees.

Hello doggy. I’m sorry I didn’t take you to the beach! 

Read, mini snoozette, read then went outside with my sun hat and read for a bit more. 

Had chicken Kiev for dinner with leftover veggies from last night. Chat with DD2 whilst it was cooking.

And manhandled more flooring downstairs and into my car as I have a tip appointment in the morning. 

 

Frith

It could have been a miserable day and yet...

Pleasures for today (Wednesday)

1) Not a bad sleep and a lie in! First in weeks.

2) Got general jobs done. Couldn't find the keys (house and car key on one ring) so checked usual places where we put them down plus trouser pockets. Eventually went outside to feed the cat (no one had locked the door overnight, which is quite normal in this house). There were the keys, out in the garden where I must have put them down whilst digging up and potting self seeded plants yesterday evening! Good job it didn't rain on the car key. 

3) The estate agent phoned and the lady who is buying my house wants to have a survey done next week. This will make me have a tidy up.

4) I have been/will be quite busy with election work and various tasks. Today was my free day to potter about and get a few jobs done... Off I went towards carpet town. There has been an occasional clunk from the car, which is a loose ball joint, picked up on one or two MOTs. 

On the outskirts of carpet town, a new and rather more metallic clunk. Still no real effect on the steering. Anyway, I proceeded gently towards the garage and they were able to get the necessary parts for the 20 year old car but it would take until 5.30. It was about 11.30 at this point. It was good of them to fit it in immediately.

5) I went to M and S as I had 6 hours to fill! Sat at a table, had some lunch, did some Arabic. I was first joined by an 83 year old lady (nowhere else to sit) who told me about her children, her driving and at some point, I realised she had the start of dementia. I asked where she lived (she told me she lived in carpet town) and she couldn't remember the name of the estate. Of course, I didn't press her on that. I then talked about my grandparents and she presumed they were still alive, which was actually quite nice so I didn't correct her but prattled on about them for a while.

She went home and I was joined by another lady! She was a bit younger and told me she had just sold her car as she can't drive and her husband died 8 months ago. So that was 2 nice chats that took me through the first hour.

6) I do wonder occasionally if I will like living in the new house, in a town (if it comes to pass that we ever move!) I decided to walk from M and S to the new house. It was over 2 miles but possible along the canal, then through a surprisingly interesting park where I saw swans, ducklings, a heron and possibly a water vole. I then had to cross a road but that went straight into another park, with a watermill. 

7) The house looked OK. I sat on the wall at the front for a bit and talked to next door's cat (we have met before).

8) Then I walked back again! I went back to M and S where the usual man was in the cafe. I said the car had broken and that I had spent the afternoon walking miles and he gave me a free pot of tea! 

9) I did some more Arabic in the cafe then saw another English teacher so went to speak to her for a bit. 

10) The car was ready just after 5; £212 and also needs a new front tyre... It does feel fractionally sharper in the steering. I saw some guys from the hotel and was so chuffed to have my car back that I did some enthusiastic waving.

11) Had chess this evening and have not long got back.

topsyturphy

Pleasures for last few days

1. Cuddles with my new dgs now nearly 3 weeks old
2.
lovely walks with doggy, just gives me some time alone.
3.The fabulous cherry blossom in the park near mums house.
4. Meeting my friend for coffee in said park.
5. Looking at the figures from my old pension and thinking about taking the lump sum and annual pension but not sure about the tax implications if I’m still working. I’m hoping it will help me get back on the property ladder then I don’t need to pay rent anymore.
6. Seeing dd and dgc for tea tonight - jacket spuds with cheese & beans or tuna - forgot how tasty a jacket spud is.
7. Enjoying my annual leave up north.
8. Went to a school reunion which was good although only about 25 people there.
9. Still waiting for a date for ds2 op - however he is now able to use a mobility scooter to get around and has a sense of freedom which is keeping his spirits up and the bonus I don’t have to push! 

Happycas

Good afternoon

Still chilly here but some brightness too.  

M hagster - I wish I was made of stern stuff like you.  I keep reading of you sitting in the garden and I feel frozen pegging out the washing ! I'm sure I was meant to live in a hot country!

Hope all is well, Lainey.

Back from our travels.

Went from caravan to Thirsk to meet two of my cousins who are here on holiday from Canada.  We've never met before but had a lovely evening and got on like a house on fire. It was so good to make the family connection.  We now have an open invitation to visit Canada.  Would love to go but can't imagine how much travel insurance would be for DH  with his many ailments!  Tempted to check though!

Am attempting a sort of budget for the year.  Pensions have gone up.  Not a huge amount but better than the other direction.  Won't know about gas/ electric until next month as our smart meter isn't smart enough to tell us! But so far we seem ok.  All the years of being frugal have made it second nature to us!

Have some summer bunting nearly finished so might do that later.

Stir fry for tea so nothing to do just yet

Happy chilly April everyone

ampersand

Sod that....long post gone again, even though up on The Gallops. 
#
.....and pouring.  Started with this, so will re-post, but that will be it for now.

Frith

Pleasures for today (Thursday)

1) A short sleep, but not too bad.

2) Off to floody city for a new tyre. Now that has made a difference to the steering!

3) Walked over the high footbridge (bleurgh) to the centre and had breakfast in the Columbian cafe I had been meaning to try for years. Had plantain, which I had  never tried before.

4) Waitrose after for a pot of tea and some Arabic.

5) HM dinners from the freezer.

6) I am projecting from the cinema as I type! It is the Marriage of Figaro this evening. 

mhagster

Hello. Me and my hot water bottles have just retired for the night! It’s like a winters eve out there! 

Up early. 

Was making a platter for a friend so had to go out and buy ingredients so it was nice and fresh. Made it in no time. She popped in to pick it up. 

Then I had an appointment at the tip to dump wood and carpets. Found a little toy rabbit that was all forlorn and on the ground covered in mud. It’s had a wash and needs a wee stitch! Couldn’t just leave it! 

Then home. Caught up on some watching. Then decided to go to beach with doggy. At this point was just a wee bit wet. 

Chatted to sister on phone. She’s on holiday. 

Nice drive there and back. Countryside is just lovely. Tide was out and really just us where we were. A few very distant doggies but nowhere near us. 

Then home again. I was putting off lifting flooring but I’ve done another room and the staircase. Just my bedroom to do. I think I’ll have to do it in stages. Anyway car is loaded and tip booked for first thing tomorrow morning. 

Then DD2 and The chap came over for tea which was nice. We had steak pie, honey roasted parsnips from the freezer and steamed veggies. They brought a chocolate cake for pudding and a lovely bunch of pink roses. Dog delighted to see them. 

But nice to see but also nice to wave them off! And oooh isn’t it quiet. 

Then put the dishes away as I waited for the kettle to boil to fill my bottles. 


meant to say happycas where my sofas are situated is a little sheltered area that doesn’t catch the wind. And I’m sometimes sat with a blanket on my knee or a jumper on…definitely not out in a bikini! ( heavens😆) just like getting a bit of fresh air in the garden. 

DundeeDoll

aw mhags your tale of the little toy rabbit reminds me of Bagpuss
For Wednesday (21000 steps)
1) a looooooong sleep in my own bed - bliss
2) a looooooong walk with the boys and DD2 in the nature reserve, back to phone call from aunt who wants to come up in August which meant i was a bit rushed and threw the 'bag of bits' back into the case unsorted
3) lovely train ride back - very sweet little girl 'looking for treasure' - a walk all the way up the train and back with dad, she came back empty-handed so I gave her a little notepad I'd picked up in Canada and was in my bag of bits
4) when i said 'Canada' the lady behind asked me where - turns out her daughter lives in Ottawa - then we got talking about Dorothy Dunnett - she's a fan but hadn't heard of the Dorothy Dunnett Readers Association so was able to pass on a very nice magazine to her (also from my bag of bits) - mum's got one too so we don't need two in the house
5) a fabulous evening at the Scotsman Hotel (not mse I'm afraid) for 'an Orkney evening' - the food was scrummy, and we had a talk about place names on Orkney (the organisation had given a grant to an academic to spend a week in the archives) then some singing and some Icelandic story-telling. 
And yesterday where I was back to mse good habits (and 31000 steps!)
1) packed myself a lunch from the breakfast table and made a flask of coffee
2) after finishing moderating (feel for you vjsmum) took myself on a walk of Fountainbridge, Tolcross, Lothian Road from a book of Edinburgh's 'hidden walks' bought by mum beginning of the week - had my lunch sitting by the canal though undercover as light drizzle all day then treated myself to a pot of tea at Bennett's (the book had rightly waxed lyrical about the insides) - and an 80 year old woman (did not look 80!) invited me to to join her. she has had a fascinating life
3) then Museum on the Mound - never been before - history of money - I broke the safe and claimed my prize
4) then did the old city walls walk - was too late to go in the Museum of Scotland to ask if i could see the bit of Flodden Wall in there but did rub Greyfriars Bobby's nose as one does (the statue not the skeleton!)
5) and another super dinner, this time the farewell meal at Ghillie Dhu. I sat next to my Man Utd friend, was delighted at the Everton and Southampton results (not that I'm keen to see either relegated, more that Leicester is now on a very shoogly peg - DrM texted that Monday's game is huge) and a lovely couple from New York - guess who has had an invitation to go for a week in October. Now wondering if I can then go onto Alabama...