Library

 I didn't have a lot planned for the day. It was bright, but quite nippy, and the forecast suggested it would be windy throughout the day. I had my usual Zoom call with the cousins. Sarah was unable to join as she was flying home from the Alps, and Simon (her twin) was somewhere in the outback visiting one of his children. Sam was suffering from a combined cold and hangover and got very little sympathy.

As I returned to the kitchen after the call, Zoe phoned. She had decided that she wanted a tall shelving unit for books to install in Ellie's bedroom. It was discussed at length with Di, and she went ahead. This meant that I was sent to Argos to collect the unit. It was a bit of a squeeze (being 180cm tall), but I managed to get it into the car. I then spent the next few hours putting it together and positioning it so that the girls could finish tidying Ellie's bedroom (they have been doing this for a couple of days, now). 

I left them to it and returned home to go for a walk and do some reading. Late in the afternoon, I started preparing dinner. We had invited Zoe to join us, so I went along to collect her. We had a lovely couple of hours as Di tucked into her salmon, and Zoe and I enjoyed a Chicken Bhuna curry.

Once we had taken Zoe back home, we settled down for a quiet evening.

Finding Fino

I was up at my usual time and settled with a coffee and the news. Di came down about 30 minutes later. I took the opportunity to get myself ready and head out for a pre-breakfast walk. It was a little grey, and there was a nip in the air, but once I had got underway, it was really quite pleasant. During my walk, my latest Jonathan Kellerman audiobook came to its conclusion. It was another very enjoyable read (if audiobooks count as reading). I had another book already lined up, so I switched over to that immediately. This is a totally different author and has moved my focus from 2024 LA to 1867 Brentwood.

I grabbed breakfast when I got home and then pottered during the morning. We had planned to go out for lunch with Chris and Maureen. We made our way to "Fino's" at Felpham, arriving just as they opened. This was a good move as it meant the car park was empty. Over the next couple of hours, we sat and chatted, putting the world to rights and updating ourselves on the latest news from our respective families. We chose from the lunch menu (rather than à la carte), and I started with some whitebait, which was followed by a Chicken Milanese with Spaghetti Pomodoro. To be honest, it was a little underwhelming. Di chose more wisely, selecting the lasagne, which she rated as delicious. 

When we left the restaurant, we stopped off at Zoe's. Di had resolved to sort out the mess in Ellie's bedroom. I picked up Zoe's driving license so that I could collect a parcel from the local shop for her. In the end, the license wasn't checked, and the parcel was handed over with little more than a cursory check on the addressee. I dropped the parcel back at Zoe's and came home, leaving Di with a cup of tea and a plan for Ellie's bedroom. I spent most of the afternoon in the Orangery with my iPad and Kindle. The Kindle didn't get switched on, however.

Rinse and Repeat

 For a Thursday, it was a case of rinse and repeat. Nothing was startling or memorable. The day started just before seven with coffee and the news. After some breakfast, I completed the week's shopping list, and by ten we were heading for Sainsbury's. Sainsbury's was very quiet (not just because Zoe wasn't there) and we completed our shopping quickly. As we left, we stopped to fill the car. We have been lucky. Though the prices have gone up, we have had no difficulty getting fuel, nor have we had to queue.

Back home, with the shopping packed away, I updated the accounts before we had some lunch. We then had our usual Kindle time. I realised, late in the day, that I hadn't had my usual walk. I will leave it for today and give my knees a rest!

Irrigation, Arigato

We had a quiet start to the day. Di had to get ready for her Pilates, and I had plans to sort out the irrigation this morning. She left as I went out to the garden. 

The first task was to install the new 2-port manifold to split the water from the tap between the hose and the irrigation system. That went remarkably smoothly. Next, I had to cut the existing pipe and install an elbow joint so that the pipe sat properly along the edge of the garage. The new length of pipe had been wound into a circle for a while, so I poured hot water through the pipe to straighten it out. Another elbow joint was fitted, and the system was complete. I did a test run. It worked. It didn't work well, though. The problem is that the original contractors had laid a dripline pipe. This has holes every 30cm and is designed to leak. We don't want that. We want the water to be taken to the specific pots where it's needed, and not just wasted among the slates and the cobbles.

I measured up the existing pipework and returned to the chap around the corner. I explained my problem, and he agreed that I need a completely different type of pipe. I have asked him to get one of his contractors to make contact so that I can see about getting it replaced.

We managed to get some Kindle time in the Orangery this afternoon. While there, we overheard some people examining the garden next door. It sounds as if they may be our new neighbours before long. It also sounds as if they have plans for a conservatory or Orangery.

Drip feed

 It was a bright and sunny start to the day. The forecast was very promising. I was up just before seven and started the day in my usual way with coffee and a trawl through the news. Di came down soon after, gasping for a cup of tea.

Zoe went into work for a couple of hours this morning to see how well her knee would stand up. She wasn't there too long, but I think she was relieved to see something other than her four walls.

Jasper had an appointment with the vet, so we plonked him in the carrier, and Di chauffeured him to Oving for his monthly jab. I stayed at home and, after updating the accounts, hung out the washing and waded through a pile of ironing. When Di and Jasper arrived home, Jasper took himself upstairs, and Di and I went to the local nursery and charity shop. I took the opportunity to go into the Irrigation Centre. There, the chap was most helpful, and I was soon clutching some pipe (to extend our current system) and some connectors and drippers. It was clear that the contractor we had used was not up to scratch, and I learnt more in 20 minutes from this chap than I did in a couple of days from the chaps who installed it to begin with. I just need to wait for the replacement 2-port manifold that I have on order, and I can hopefully finish the job properly.

When we got back home, Di headed out to the garden to potter, while I went for my walk. When I got back, I settled with my Kindle until it was time to start on dinner. All of the virtual paperwork has arrived from our energy supplier, so I spent a while filing this in the document management system.

Bargains

 I did not sleep well. I have no idea why, but I just seemed to doze throughout the night. By seven, I was up and about, making coffee and tea, and preparing to read the news. When Di came down, I grabbed my breakfast and then headed out for my walk. My second coffee would have to wait until I returned.

Di had gone to Zoe's while I was out. She was sorting out the washing and getting it out on the line, as these are the sort of domestic items that Zoe still can't manage. In the meantime, I had to sort out the garden tap, which sprays everywhere when connected to the hose. It turned out that the washer was missing from the connector. A new washer was fitted and the problem solved. The other problem we have is the manifold, which splits the water to the hose through one port and the irrigation through the other, has a gaping crack in it. I managed to find a suitable replacement from Amazon, and this should arrive tomorrow.

Di pottered in the garden during the afternoon, and I read in the Orangery. The phone rang. It was Zoe. She had heard from a colleague that sides of salmon had been reduced from £24 to £4.50; she asked the colleague to put three to one side for me. 

I drove to the store and asked for the colleague, and she presented me with three huge packs of salmon in exchange for some coins of the realm. They were much too big for the freezer, so I cut them down into 500-gram portions and froze them. We now have 6 Sunday lunches sorted out for the next few months.

Family

Happy Easter. May peace and kindness return to the world, and may you be content and healthy.

I managed a walk after breakfast, before starting on preparations for lunch with my wonderful family (of crocks). I prepared a nice leg of lamb, with parsnips, roast potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and sweetcorn (for Ellie). Zoe and Ellie arrived first, Di having collected them. Zoe hobbled in on crutches, her knee ligament still preventing her from getting around easily. Kim and Jon arrived soon after... Jon, having had a couple of days off with gout in his knee, and Kim arrived wearing a sling, having fallen up the stairs and dislocated her shoulder (which she subsequently relocated before spending 6-8 hours in A&E, yesterday). To complete the picture, Di is still awaiting a knee replacement. I think that Ellie and I should wrap ourselves in cotton wool in an effort to remain whole.

We had a lovely few hours as we demolished the Easter lunch. We chatted about everything under the sun, and I can't help but feel blessed to have such a wonderful (if damaged) family.

By late afternoon, everything was tidied away, and everyone had gone. We settled in the Orangery for a while, then migrated to the lounge to watch some TV later in the evening.

Boxcutter

Despite an excellent night's sleep, I was up before 6:30. I settled down with a coffee and the overnight news. I took Di a cup of tea, but didn't expect to see her until at least 8:00.

Being Saturday, I had my usual Zoom call with the cousins. We had a few no-shows, but we still managed a good chat. Tim revealed that he was off to Calahonda in a couple of weeks... so, as his unofficial travel consultant, I made several recommendations for trips he could comfortably manage from there. Checking my photo library, I discovered it was 2003 when we stayed in Calahonda. I suspect it has changed a bit.

Over the last week, we have had a number of deliveries. As a result, the Orangery had become a dumping ground for large cardboard boxes. It was time to recycle these. Out came the Stanley Knife (or boxcutter as they call it in the US) and bit by bit all of the boxes were reduced to a single stack of cardboard sheets that would fit in the bin. With that complete, I headed out for my walk. It was breezy, but pleasantly mild. My audiobook chattered away in my ears as I marched around my usual circuit. Meanwhile, Di had gone to Zoe's to trim her roses.

I arrived home after about 75 minutes, to be greeted by the domestic necessity to clean Jasper's litter tray. Clearing up, then spraying an Air Freshener, was a mandatory task before anything else was attempted.

After some lunch, I retired to the Orangery with my Kindle. Di arrived back just after I had sat down. She joined me with her Kindle. This was how we passed the afternoon, at least until I went to prepare dinner.

We have the family here tomorrow.

 

A quiet Day

 I was up before 6:30. It's frustrating, knowing that there is no reason to wake up and get up early, yet I find myself wide awake earlier than usual. I took Di a cup of tea and sat downstairs with a coffee and the overnight news. It was a couple of hours before Di came down, and I could go up to wash and dress.

It was wet and miserable, first thing, so I skipped my pre-breakfast walk.

The day has just been quiet, with a few chores to complete. The first was to clear and reorganise the "man cave" under the stairs. The new vacuum cleaner needed a convenient slot on the wall where it could be hung and charged. This meant that everything else had to be moved about. When this was done, I headed out for my walk. This was curtailed by bladder pressure caused by the surfeit of coffee I had consumed.

We had some Kindle time after lunch, though that was interrupted by Zoe calling to ask if I could configure her iMac to accept her new Bluetooth keyboard. I wandered to Zoe's and sorted the keyboard out. I took the opportunity, while there, to apply the updates that were outstanding for the machine. This took about 15 minutes, but everything is now up to date.

Study or Administerium

 I was up by 6:30, and as Diane was awake, I took her a cup of tea in bed. I sat in the kitchen, nursing a coffee and reading the overnight news. There was no hurry again this morning. We both enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before Diane headed off to the hairdresser's, and I went to my study to get on with some admin.

Lottie arrived to do her weekly clean (downstairs, this week). We offered our old vacuum cleaner to her, and she accepted it with the intention of passing it on to her mum.

I returned to my study and read through the SAGA documents in detail. There was nothing out of the ordinary, but I did update my checklists and my reminders. When I had finished all of the admin, I left for my walk. Soon after getting back, Di arrived home, and we grabbed a snack for lunch before raiding Sainsbury's. Once the shopping was stowed away at home, we sat in the Orangery with our Kindles until it was time for dinner.

Wakeup Call

I had set my alarm. I had a wake-up call for the first time in ages.  We had a delivery due today, and it was scheduled between 07:00 and 09:00. I decided I did not wish to frighten the courier by answering the door in my PJs, so I got up early, washed and dressed, made coffee, and waited. He arrived at about 7:30, but I was ready for him. 

Di had Pilates today, so she was up and about and ready to leave by 9:30. I was left to my own devices. I had some domestic stuff to clear and a review of the accounts now that we are on the cusp of a new financial year. It was gone midday before I was finished. I took the opportunity to go for my daily walk. The weather was a bit mixed. It was cool when the clouds drifted over, but pleasant enough when the sun broke through.

The post was delivered. The most interesting item was the package from SAGA with all of the last details of our forthcoming river cruise. I have skimmed through, but will read it in more detail tomorrow. It's all getting rather exciting.

Di arrived back, having stopped off at the vet to collect Jasper's meds, and at Zoe's to help with some cleaning and tidying.  After a snack and a tea, she joined me in the Orangery with her Kindle. For some reason, I wasn't in the mood to read, so I spent the time doomscrolling.

That's about it for today.

Gunwharf

We had a quiet start to the day. There was no pressing need to get going, so we had a quiet breakfast. While Di went to get ready for the day, I fixed the mounting for the new vacuum cleaner to the wall in the "man cave".

We set off for Portsmouth. Di wanted some Skechers (sandals) and the outlet shop at Gunwharf Quays has a vast selection. It was a bit grey as we drove to the car park, but the sun was trying to break through, and it wasn't long before we had a lovely sunny morning. 

We started our trip with a gentle wander around the whole complex, so that we could see what was available. We stopped in at various stores that caught our eye. There was a Charles Tyrwhitt outlet where I ordered a couple of new shirts, and a Crew Clothing outlet where we found a jumper for Di and a polo shirt for me.

Eventually, we found our way into Skechers. There was a good selection of sandals, and Di found two pairs that she liked. After trying on a couple of sizes of each, a decision was made, and we walked out clutching two boxes.

After a phone call with Zoe, we went straight back to Skechers to find a pair of trainers for Ellie. The selection wasn't extensive in Ellie's size, but we found a pair that we thought she would like.

With the shopping done, we strolled around the site. Away from the main drag, it was quite tranquil.

"Surely, there must have been a suitable restaurant for lunch?" You may ask. 

Well, it's funny you should say that. We did, indeed, sit down in the sunshine outside The Old Customs House and ordered their fish and chips and a nice cool drink.

We sat and chatted and watched the world potter by. Eventually, we stirred ourselves and, after a final walk around the shopping centre, we returned to the car and drove home.

We had a quiet afternoon with our Kindles.

Sparky

 I was wide awake by 5:00, and managed to stay fairly still until 6:00 when I got up. I drank my coffee and read the papers, then as the time climbed towards seven, I took a tea to Diane and got washed and dressed. I needed to be decent as we had been informed by the electricity company that they wanted to adapt our controls to add an Isolator. The chappie turned up at 7:45, but sat in his van on a weekly "Teams" call before coming in to us at 8:15. He settled down to his job (with a cup of tea). I had to leave him to it; I had an appointment for a blood test I had to get to.

I arrived early for the blood test, but was seen early. With an arm empty of blood, I drove home and pulled onto the drive just as the electrician was driving off. In the house, everything was working again. Things had gone smoothly/

After some breakfast, I updated the accounts, then as Diane pottered, I went for a walk. A new Jonathan Kellerman novel was playing through my AirPods as I marched around the estate. As I started on the final straight towards home, I bumped into Ellie, who was out with her friends on her roller blades. We had a chat and a cuddle, then I left her to play and went home for some lunch.

During the afternoon, we managed some Kindle time, but that was curtailed as we had to take Ellie for her weekly appointment in Chichester. Dropping Ellie and Di near the centre, I turned back and drove to John Lewis to collect the vacuum cleaner we had ordered. While I waited for it to be retrieved from the stores, I met up with Lottie and had a chat. (Lottie works for John Lewis several days each week.) 

I went back to collect Di and Ellie, and, dropping Ellie off, we headed home for a quiet evening.

A Quiet Sunday (Mostly)

With the clocks leaping forward one hour overnight, I forced myself to stay in bed until 07:30. Even Jasper seemed to have coped with the change, and gave us an undisturbed night. It looked like a lovely sunny morning, and the day looked promising. I had a lazy start, deciding not to have an early walk, but to go out later. We sat and read the news over breakfast and eventually stirred ourselves into action. I worked through some domestic chores and some filing, while Di pottered upstairs.

Chores completed, I set off for my walk. Clearly, I had not left sufficient time for my coffee to percolate through, as I had to divert home to "check the plumbing" after my first loop. Satisfied that the plumbing was working, I resumed my walk and finished my current audiobook (a new one is already downloaded and lined up to start tomorrow).

After a spot of lunch, we went to sit in the Orangery and read our Kindles. It had clouded over, and it wasn't as warm out there as it had been last week. Before long, unforecast rain was beating on the roof. It didn't last for long, but it did lower the temperature further.

After dinner, we walked around to Zoe's. Today was Ellie's birthday. She had been at Pete's for the weekend and only arrived home late afternoon. When we arrived, we found Kim was already there, having spent part of the afternoon with them. Ellie was very excited at the prospect of some more presents! Wrapping paper was ripped from boxes, and chaos erupted as she dashed between her presents, or should I say "rolled" as she charged around on her new roller blades. The peace we had enjoyed earlier was shattered. Ellie's friend Poppy arrived, and soon after, Aryana. It was all getting a bit frantic. We said our goodbyes and left them to it.

We returned to the tranquillity and peace of our own home.