Thursday 18th April 2024

 There is a reluctant tolerance happening in this image. Gingernut, sunning himself on top of the compost bin doesn't link Treacle. Treacle is always in our garden avoiding being chased by Gingernut. There is a regular sparring going on but this morning in the warm sunshine they both just avoided contact. We do worry about Treacle, her home next door has two dogs and another cat. That fact is probably why she spends so much time in our garden. But she's always restless and fidgety which possibly explains why she's so thin. I like her and she sometimes sleeps on my chest. Sadly though Gingernut can not stand her. Not long after this was taken he chased her out of the garden.

Wednesday 17th April 2024

 

I had a day off today. Initially I'd booked this as we'd planned to be on an alpaca keeper's day but had to change the date due to Julie being on a course. I kept my day off and just thought about a 'me' day. I'd planned to go to Dorset but in the end I got the train to Taunton, my first trip using my Senior Railcard. £7.30 return is brilliant, it would cost nearly half that just for parking if I'd gone by car. The main reason for visiting Taunton was to buy a suit for Ascot, which I did at Astaire's who I've used a few times. It needs altering so I'll collect in a couple of weeks. Lunch followed at the Museum cafe. I was minding my own business when a voice shouted "you shouldn't be drinking at lunchtime". This came from a chap pushing a bicycle. I thought it a little strange but replied "I only started today" and returned to reading my book. Five minutes later the bicycle chap came over to apologise, he thought I was his friend Paul, but realised his mistake and was too embarrassed to confess. But felt he had to. I found it all hilarious. None of that would have happened if I'd have been driving, no drink, no random conversation. I think train travel is the future. 

Tuesday 16th April 2024

 Oddly I didn't take any images today so instead an image of a giant finger in front of a small model of the Tyne Bridge, where my mate Heppy is working at the moment. I think the finger is pointing to where he'd been inside the bridge all day 

Monday 15th April 2024

 We played this nine men's Morris game tonight. I've had it for years, so many years I've no idea where it came from, it may even have been in the caravan in the 1970's. It's been ignored in the conservatory for years where it's recently received some water damage. Tonight though it was dusted off and three games in we'd just about mastered it. I like these simple to begin playing games with a hidden complexity.

Sunday 14th April 2023

Very nice day today. Quite unusual for us but we hosted friend Sheena and her sister Fiona. Lunch, gluten free lasagne followed by raspberries and cream, followed by a walk along Sand Bay, then back home for a cup of tea. Such a lovely day. The lasagne was a triumph, the M&S gluten free lasagne sheets were really good. Very tasty in fact. I'd even made a chocolate cake using a pre mixed gluten free pack. That worked a treat too. In fact the food worked beautifully. Lovely walk too in a very strong wind, that blew the cobwebs off wonderfully.  It's very good to be sociable and have a laugh more importantly. In the evening caught up with school friends Chris and Susan on WhatsApp. Nice end to the day indeed. Gingernut however was less impressed with guests in the house, looked really put-out. 

Saturday 13th April 2024

 

Really? I've managed to get to 60 without ever giving a single thought to replacement kitchens. Gawd it's dull thinking about home improvements. But that's what we did today. Yesterday we had a home visit to have the kitchen looked at, today we went into the showroom to check a few things. Yes to a stainless steel sink and a change to the worktop we looked at yesterday. So I think decision is made. Can we afford it, possibly not. Do I think we need a new kitchen, possibly not. Will it be a positive move, probably. And we don't even cook.

Friday 12th April 2024

Julie and Gingernut doing what they love best. Julie potting on seedlings and sowing seeds, while his lordship sits watching what's going on. Those orange ballerina tulips are fabulous too. They've been in the lawn for four or 5 years and now naturalised, disproving the theory that tulip bulbs don't last more than one year. What a lovely day too, sunshine, very little wind and about 18 degrees, the first day this year that it's really felt warm, properly warm. Lots of butterflies on the wing including my first orange tip. A day to stop and just unwind.