Well, that's a shame, was about to make a GOOD comment on Lover of Life. The posts are really good but, unfortunately there must have been a fair amount of spamming and comments are moderated. If followers are serious, why spam? It just ruins the enjoyment for serious blogger followers. Anyway, have just bathed the puppy and must go and change. More water on me than her.

Cheese and Apple Pie

As they say ' Apple Pie without Cheese is like a Kiss without a Squeeze!

For the pastry
200 gm wholemeal flour
50 gm margarine
50 gm lard (Trex)
3/4 tbsp iced water

For the filling
4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
75 gm Cheddar cheese (thinly sliced)
Finely grated rind of a lemon
half a tsp grated nutmeg
2 tbsps sugar

Combine all pastry ingredients until a firm dough is reached.
Grease a pie plate 20-25cm in diameter.
Cut 3/4 of the pastry and roll out to line the pie plate
Layer the apple and cheese on the pie case and sprinkle with nutmeg, lemon rind and sugar
Roll out the remainder of the dough to form a lid.
Dampen, seal and seal the edges
Brush the top with water and sprinkle with a little extra sugar
Place a baking sheet to heat in a moderate oven and place the pie dish on top of the hot sheet. This will help the pie base to be well baked. Bake for approx 45 mins.

Corn Chowder

I have used this simple recipe for more years than I care to remember. It was given to me by a friend from Durham.

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 tbsp flour
2 medium potatoes (part boiled)
8 fluid oz double cream
1 16oz can sweetcorn
8 fluid oz chicken stock
10 fluid oz milk

Fry onion in butter for a few minutes
Remove pan from heat and add the flour.
Set aside
Put potatoes, corn, milk and chicken stock into another pan and bring to the boil over a moderate heat.
Pour a little of this mixture onto the flour and onion mix and blend. Add the rest of the liquid. Put on low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper .
Add chopped chicken. Heat thoroughly.
Add the cream just before serving.
This is delicious with crusty bread for dipping.

Banana Cake

Ingredients

2 mashed bananas
4 oz butter
6 oz caster sugar
2 eggs
8 oz Self raising flour
Handful sultanas
Drop Almond essence
half a tsp olive oil

Cream butter and sugar
Beat in eggs
Fold in flour, olive oil and sultanas
Gently fold in bananas

Line a loaf ton with greaseproof paper

Cook at gas 4/180C/350F for approx 40 minutes. Check and give another few minutes if not cooked.

Apple Cake

Ingredients:-

7 inch square cake tin, greased with the bottom lined

Oven Gas 4 for 40 minutes, reduce to Gas 3 for a further 40 minutes

Mix all ingredients below together at high speed

8 oz Self Raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsps mixed spice
8 oz butter/marg
6 oz caster sugar
2 eggs
6 oz apple sauce

Thinly slice an apple, and after putting mixture into baking tin, place in slices and bake

Glaze whilst warm with honey and a pinch of mixed spice (approx 4 tablespoons honey and 1 tsp mixed spice)

The mixture can be divided between 2 loaf tins, and the baking time reduced.

Christmas Cake - last minute recipe

Here is a recipe I used just a week before Christmas. Very disorganised in 2006 but I must admit this is one of the best cakes I have ever made.

Ingredients

450g/1lb 2oz currants
250g/10oz sultanas
250g/10oz raisins
100g/4oz mixed peel (optional)
150g/6oz glazed cherries
50g/2oz ground almonds
50g/2oz chopped walnuts
350g/14oz plain flour
1 tsp mixed spice
Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste
300g/12oz butter
300g/12oz soft brown sugar
half a lemon
half an orange
6 eggs
Brandy (not the expensive stuff)

1) Soak the fruit in GENEROUS quantities of booze for at least 24 hours
2) Add nuts and cherries to the fruit. Stir well to capture any booze left at bottom of fruit.
3) Seive flour and spices into a large mixing bowl
4) Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy
5) Gently add beaten eggs to the mixture
6) Squeeze and add orange and lemon juice.
7) Fold flour gently into the mixture
8) Add fruit and nuts and mix well, but gently
9) Turn into 9 inch diameter baking tin, lined with greaseproof paper
10) Over wrap outside of tin with newspaper, making sure it is taller than the height of the tin. Fasten with string.
11) Bake in the centre of the oven at 150C/300F/Gas Mark2 for about 4 hours. Check that the cake is cooked by inserting a skewer into the centre. It should come out clean
Feel free to change the fruit, nuts, spices and alcohol to suit your own taste but keep the quantities the same. Do not amend the other ingredients.

Now, eat and enjoy - good job you did not make it sooner or it would be gone by now!

Christmas Pudding - easy-peasy

Ingredients:-

3 oz currants
4 oz raisins
3oz sultanas
3 oz dried apricots
2oz glace cherries
1 oz ground almonds
1 egg
3 spoons brandy
3 spoons milk
3 oz fresh brown breadcrumbs
1 medium carrot - grated
3 oz beef suet
3 oz dark brown sugar
3 oz plain flour
half tsp mixed spice
quarter tsp cinnamon
quareter tsp ginger
Juice and grated ring small orange
1 small apple peeled and chopped

Method
1) Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl, including the carrot and apple.
2) Mix the egg with brandy, orange juice and milk
3) Add to the dry ingredients and mix well. Should be a dropping consistency.
4) Cover and leave overnight.
5) Line and grease a 2 pint dish
6) Fill with mixture and cover with a double layer of greaseproof and fasten with string.
7) Add a foil lid and fasten tightly
8) Steam for 7 hours
9) Cool completely, wrap in foil to store.
10) Finally, to serve, steam for a further 3 hours

Dental Implants

Well here I am four weeks after that awful day when I had all my top teeth removed. I survived the pain and discomfort and am now feeling as though this 'temporary' plate is part of my life (no choice). Honestly though I have taken it as part of me and now am waiting for 17Th April when they will make a dent in the bottom set of teeth. At least I know what to expect and most importantly, how to deal with it. I have made a decision based on how I am coping, the economic situation and job insecurity. I am not going with the implants. I really feel such a fraud but apparently this does happen. I really cannot spend all that money in the present climate and not know how long my employment will be safe. I suppose I could just say 'sod it' and spend some of my savings but it is a long life that I hope to live and my magic ball is not working very well at present so I cannot see what all the eventualities are. I have to believe that I have made the correct decision. I also have to say that all the people that have seen me so far have commented on the natural appearance of this top denture. I must admit they are looking good and when the permanent ones are done, my dentist assures me that they will be even better. We shall see!

The bloomin' Credit Crunch

Like millions of you out there I fear for my job and way of life. There are many who are already in a real predicament and cannot see a way out of the depths of debt and joblessness. Where is it all going to end? Talk about a pit of despondancy.
I refuse to be dragged under beacuse of the greed of banks and other financial institutions and will now prepare myself for the next hill ( no, mountain) that has to be conquered. I have been doing this all my life and have always succeeded. Bootstraps and pulling up come to mind.
Watch this space!

More dental work at the Fresh Smile clinic

Have been very remiss of late due to additional dental work. Have not felt much like talking or writing for that matter. Happily, I am over the worst and feeling more like my old self.
On 6th March I had to prepare myself for the extraction of the remaining top teeth. I do tend to put things to the back of my mind until it becomes the inevitable. On this day I did everything I had to do before attending my appointment. Until I was actually in that dentist's chair reality did not dawn. Lot's of injections, numbness and fear. I can honestly say that the thoughts are far worse than the actions. I am well aware that I am a coward of the highest calibre and not ashamed to say so. Within 30 minutes all teeth were out and a temporary plate had been fitted. Of course I spoke like someone who had just drunk a full bottle of wine and slurred my way into reception to make the next appointment and pay the interim bill. Again 3 days of antibiotics and a bucket load of pain killers. So pleased I had invested in a liquidiser - pity it doesn't do Roast Beef and Yorkshire puddings.
It is now 10 days later and I have made friends with my upper molars - not yet best friends but we are becoming more than acquaintances. They have no choice but to come with me everywhere I go - no holidays for them.
I must have fairly good healing properties as within 3 days I was minus the pain killers and have not taken so much as an aspirin since.
All I want to say to anyone who has to go through this, it is not as bad as the imagination leads you to believe.
The most important message here is to select a good, efficient and caring dental practice who can cope with extremely nervous patients. Dr Zaman and his assistant were brilliant and not only that, the receptionst and Mrs. Zaman came in to talk to me whilst everything was happening. How good can it get?
I don't make another visit until 26th March at which point I will find out how long it will be before I can have the upper implants. I am not having any problems at present so will see how it goes.
Then we will commence with the lower teeth!
I hope to have all this over and done with before going away in August, but I may be too previous. Will let you know.

Beijing sightseeing - the fantastic Summer Palace

Chris had a bit of work to catch up on today so I walked into Tian-men Square, stopping off on the way for window shopping. I really did enjoy being out on my own. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Not at any time did I feel intimidated, just was extremely comfortable. There are not many places in the world that I can say this about. Only out for a couple of hours but it was good.
On my return to the hotel, Chris was ready and we took a taxi to the Summer Palace. What a place! I could visualise the lovely summer days and everyone just strolling along taking in the scent of all the trees and bushes set in the hillside. The views from the top are fabulous. We were blessed with a very clear sunny day ( although my finger-ends and nose were dropping off with the cold). There has not been any time during this trip that I have not enjoyed every sight, smell and feel of Beijing.
This was one of my favourite places and such a pity we were not visiting in the summer. One day is not enough to see the elaborate gardens, pavillions, towers and bridges that have been constructed. We are led to believe that much of the extension of the buildings and gardens was paid for when the Empress Cixi used embezzled navy funds for the projects.
I would love to come back here one day.

Sightseeing Great Wall of China - Badaling area

We managed to book a trip through the Dong Fang Hotel manager. It was a very early start and we knew it would be cold up there. Think it was minus 2 or 3 degrees when we left at 7.30 am. It took us until about 9 am to collect all the other tourists at different hotels around the city. At least we had a good look at the city from the coach. I'll never cease to be amazed by the number of bicycles and the way they manage to negotiate the traffic and the hugely wide junctions. All through the city of Beijing I was trying to take note of landmarks and road names in the hope that I would remember them for another day out. (By the way, it did not work)
Unfortunately on these trips it is a Government requirement that we take in one or two stops on the way. The first one being the Medical Centre where Chris and I were of the same mind. All we were there for was so we could have our blood pressure taken and be diagnosed with something we didn't have and then be offered some pills or powders of the 'natural' ilk to cure us. We decided not to be 'cured'. Our next stop was the Jade shop. More like a huge department store where you were followed around by at least one salesperson and almost forced to have your hand covered in a plastic bag so you could try on a bangle. I must admit the Jade was beautiful but oh so very expensive.
Next was lunch at the restaurant behind the Jade shop. A very good lunch too - but we still had not seen what we came for.
At last, we were off again to the Great Wall. This was the experience I had dreamt about since Chris first told me about the trip and I was determined to make the most of it.
When we finally stopped all I could think was 'How on earth do we get up there". Soon found out. The way up was on what I can only describe as electric sledges which were all individual. We were fastened in, just like on the rides at the fun-fair. It didn't look too safe but it was fine.
I was busily looking down and thinking 'this does not look too sturdy' whilst Chris was having fun with his camera.
Finally reached the part of the wall where we would begin the walk. We had a couple of hours and spent ages snapping as many views as we could - it was totally mind-blowing. Just a word of warning, this stretch of the Great Wall is very, very busy and it is difficult to make a lot of headway in some parts. There are so many budding photographers blocking the way - should not say anything as we were two of them.
It was freezing all day and the wind did not help. Chris ( photo above) looked as though he was suffering with the wind. He refused to buy a Davy Crockett hat before we set off! I was not too bad though looking extremely windswept. Regardless, I was in a place I never thought to see and the whole experience was brilliant. The sky was - dare I say it - China blue and as clear as a summer's day. Not a cloud to be seen. The thought passed through my mind of how dreadful it would be to go all that way and not be blessed with the great weather that we had.
Walking the Wall is quite strenuous so be certain you are properly shod before setting off. It's not the amount of walking but the fact that the Wall is up and down and quite steep in parts. Some of the steps are shallow but others are very deep so you can't get a rhythm going with your strides. My gosh, I knew I had calves by the time we finished.
Unfortunately the walk had to end and we returned to the coach extremely cold but exhilarated by all that we had seen.
Our guide was good enough to have us dropped off in the city as there were 4 of us on the bus wanting to try the traditional style Chinese dumplings. Being tourists where she left us was not really what we wanted - more of a fast food chain in the style of MacDonalds - never mind - we did try!
Tired as we were, the thought of more Chinese food drew us towards Wangfujing Street - how we found it I will never know, it appeared from nowhere. More food! It was fascinating and so very different. Just had to try more dumplings - deliciously deep fried which were a vast improvement on the 'fast-food' type. Had to try the Banana fritters as well - pleased I am not a calorie counter.

Repairing my Nissan Micra and notes for Breakdown cover

During the two awful weeks of freezing weather my poor little Nissan Micra has had to sit outside, totally unprotected. It never failed to surprise me by starting first time every morning. That is until, what should have been my normal 10 minute journey into work, took one and a half hours. Not due to icy roads, but due to flooding along my normal route. She certainly did not like that stopping, starting and crawling along in first gear. She responded by flashing a light at me. Thought at first it was the oil and topped up, but, I was wrong. Having read the hand book found it was something to do with the emissions. Now what do I know about such things? Zilch! Rang the local garage who were very helpful and gave me the number of a garage who could do the diagnostics.
When I spoke with them and asked if she was Ok to drive before I took her in to them was told 'Oh yes, 9 times out of 10. By the way, I was the 10th. She just would not start on the day I was due to take her to the garage. Anyway, as I had the incorrect level of Breakdown cover (which will be rectified on renewal, due shortly) the garage came and towed her away. Must admit they were really good and explained to me about the problem she had. It was the Throttle Body that had gone. Now normally, this part is in two pieces and the faulty separate bit could be replaced for about 100 pounds. Not so with the Nissan Micra, it is a full unit and cost more like 300 pounds with vat. Well, I couldn't just put a plaster on her and hope for the best so she had to have the part. She's OK now and hopefully will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
A week later:-
Next few days were strange driving. Always so reliable and now worse than it was before the expensive salve. She has gone back to the garage. Sure he thinks it's just because I'm a woman and don't know what I'm talking about. I have had difficulty starting it, if left to idle she cuts out. Have to pump the gas to give her any sort of revs. Doesn't like being in traffic and queueing - cuts out. She judders when idling and is much noisier than before. I am not happy. They will ring me tomorrow and let me have the verdict. I hope she plays up for them as well.

Beijing Sightseeing Day 2

After a very unsatisfactory non-sleep, was really looking forward to the day. Bath, breakfast and into reception to meet our new found friends. ' Ni hao' was as much as I could manage for a greeting but felt proud enough to have learnt a few words in preparation.
I'll never forget how easy it was to catch a taxi in Beijing. Spot it, arm out and in. How cheap they are out there compared to England! This was a visit to the Forbidden City and I still think about all the sights seen on the way. My mind can continually track back and re-live every amazing moment. I am almost sure that this is the trip that will stay with me for the rest of my days. Anyone can be a tourist, but this city is really special along with its people. This is when I regret not being more knowledgeable about the places we visited. So much history to delve into and analyse. You can see from the photo how many tourists there were. It was really difficult, if not almost impossible, to take clear photos, but we just took as many as we could for the experience.
After the Forbidden City we took a cab to Beihai Park. Absolutely gorgeous, even in the winter. I saw the most amazing displays of Chrysanthemums and wanted to take them all home, being an avid gardener.
The next stop was what we had all heard about and were impatient to try - the best Roast Duck restaurant in town. This was wonderful, the service was so good and the food even better. I can still taste it.
Our next venture was spur of the moment, a ride on the pedi-cabs down the hutongs. I couldn't stop laughing - probably nerves as it was quite hair-raising crossing the roads with this driver who pedalled like mad and very cleverly avoided the police. Apparently it is an offence to ride these on the main roads. We didn't care, it was new and exciting. Everything we did on this day was really memorable and even though it was only the second day we felt as though we had already seen such a lot.
We made the decision to book a trip to the Great Wall for the next day, through the hotel as the coach picked up outside.

Beijing in November Day 1

After all the hype of the Olympics in Beijing I never dreamt I would be travelling there.
My son booked a trip as my 60th Birthday present. Talk about excited. It was absolutely superb. Our hotel was so well placed we only had a 15 minute walk to Tian-men Sqaure.
I'm jumping ahead - let's do the journey - Manchester to Munich - not bad for a first leg. Munich airport is much more sophisticated than Manchester so the 5 hours we had between flights was spent eating etc in one of the outside restaurants. We could roam about without having to worry about returning to the airport as we were already there. It was a really good start to a long journey. I am the most boring traveller - spend half my time asleep and only wake for food and drink - that is on long haul flights. It is a long journey but passed quite easily and before we knew it we were landing in Beijing.
This is when it struck us how useless we were with the Chinese language. Trying to tell the cab driver where we needed to go was impossible. Fortunately my son rang his friend, Ji (4.30 am in England) and asked him to speak with the driver in Chinese. Thank goodness he understood and within three-quarters of an hour we were at the hotel. I was practically squeaking with excitement. This is when the sleeping on the flights becomes beneficial because I did not feel in the slightest bit tired. Just a bit scruffy and unwashed and more facial creases than normal.
This turned into a whirl-wind day - booked into hotel - part unpacked and was about to have a shower and change until my son knocked on my door and informed me that we were not in the rooms we had booked. Back to Reception where they verified that the rooms were incorrect. Just as we were about to leave Reception and be shown to new rooms a voice called "Chris" - my son's name. Lo and behold there stood two young Chinese girls. Just to inform you that my son has a Chinese business partner and he had passed on the info that we were travelling to Beijing and when we were arriving. One of the girls, Shen, had been at University in England at the same time as Ji and he had asked her to look after us for a day or two until we had found our way around. Speedily changed rooms, back to reception and out into Beijing with our guides. We went on foot on this occasion and I am so pleased we did. I love to walk around whenever possible. The feel of Beijing was good from the very start, it was Saturday and bustled with people, both tourists and locals. We strolled around trying to take visual note of where we were
in relation to the hotel. This was our first visit to Tian-men Square, so many groups of tourists with guides. Shen and her friend were explaining to us all the time about the history and events of this place. Because it was winter, the sun soon began to dip, it was freezing and all the lights were appearing at every side of us. So pleased that is not my electricity bill. Regardless, the whole effect took my breath away. We were originally going to find somewhere to eat, but quite honestly, by this time, Chris and I were beginning to feel a bit past our best. It was suggested that we book for the Chinese Opera that evening but I think Shen realised we were beginning to flag a little. We arranged that they should come to the hotel around 10am on the Sunday and have another view of the sights. Good idea to take note of the route on the way there as we left them in Tian-men Square and set off on they way back to the hotel. Proud of ourselves as we did not get lost. Ate in the hotel, visited the bar for a couple of drinks, then off to bed. Trouble was, by this time, new time zone, totally wide awake and unable to sleep.

Ouch - that hurt!

So pleased I don't have to speak this.
My top lip and cheeks are completely numb . All this for a 'new smile'. It has to be done and my advice to anyone with dental problems - get it seen to asap. Don't end up like me. Such drastic action and I have been petrified. I'm posting this to reassure those of you out there who are too afraid to visit the dentist. I have always been a nervous (fear of the unknown) patient but have been so lucky to have a dentist who gently processes us cowards. His staff are brilliant too - in fact I nearly squeezed ones hand to a pulp on Thursday. Hope she has recovered by my next visit.
I have another 3/4 visits before my 'new smile will be half complete - the upper half only. Then we start on the bottom ones. Second mortgage comes to mind!
When I was told that my gums would no longer support my teeth I cried and cried. Didn't do any good though. Now I have set my mind to the lengthy procedure and hope that by the Spring I will be able to add a new photo - taken rather closer- up than the one I have posted.
I will keep posting on this subject at each stage and hope it helps another scary-cat make a decision.
Top tip for anyone who has to have an extraction or multiple extractions like myself - salt water rinses. Keep a glass of salt water in the bathroom and use whenever you are in there. Use after brushing rather than the antiseptic mouthwashes on offer. It is a natural remedy and, believe me, it works and helps enormously with the healing process. Not sure if this is why I only used pain killers for 3 days as well as the prescribed antibiotics for 3 days. I have been very pleased with the results as my dentist was when I visited last Friday.
Friday was the day for the impressions, not very pleasant but completely painless. Also the colour of the dentures has been decided and I am really happy with the shade of white. Did not want to end up with an unnaturally dazzling smile. This colour has been matched with my teeth and will be very acceptable.

PINOSO, ALICANTE

As I said I have recently returned from Spain and am really feeling this English winter.
The town of Pinoso is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas and is only an hours drive from many of the main coastal resorts. That's one of the reasons I liked it so much. To have the seclusion and yet not be far from anywhere. This area is so beautiful and restful. I'm finding a huge difference here. Used to have so much free time and now that has been dispelled by the British way of life.
The winters were so different - set out in the morning dressed fully, socks, jeans and sweater and by lunchtime shed these clothes and exchanged for shorts and a t-shirt. Even three hours of bright sunshine in the afternoon gave such a boost. No SAD syndrome there.
I could walk for for miles and thought nothing of setting off to trundle the lanes into town for a bit of shopping. Could have driven but the walking was more pleasurable.
The town of Pinoso is so different to the coastal areas. Extremely Spanish and very friendly. Used to love practising my meagre Spanish language and became quite adept at making myself understood. It was surprising how many local people I spoke with who were desperate to practice their English on me. I used to have a laugh with the people in our garage - we would get our words confused and end up with a good giggle. So many words if said incorrectly could cause a completely different conversation to the one intended.
I really do miss it.
Now here we are in the coldest winter for over 10 years with snow to come during the back end of the week-end. Brrrrrrr!

Printer and Mama Mia and the Bankrupt Banks

Sun is shining, sky is blue but it's Oh so cold. Buttons thinks so too.

Cooked and took some food over to Dad's. Thought I would finish early and then have time to set up the printer and then relax and watch Mama Mia DVD lent to me by a work colleague.

No such luck. Wasted two hours on the printer - loaded fine and appears to be printing - without ink. Checked, double checked and triple checked the cartridges. Wonder if they have been damaged by the damp spoken of earlier. So cross. Gave up in the end.

Loaded Mama Mia - wouldn't play. Tried other DVD's - all played. Tosh!

Watched news - silly girl.
All those poor people in Israel. Why target the innocent? To see those children hurt and confused breaks me up. Will it ever end?

Oh and the banks! Billions more - taxpayers money of course. Do we have a choice? Our children and grandchildren will be paying for many years to come. A Bankrupt Banking System. What happens to the bankrupt man in the street?
Just heard about Ken Clarke - nuff said.

Did I mention my 'New Smile"?

Pinoso thoughts

100 million for a footballer! and I thought football was a game of skill. Hush my mouth - must be senile. Obviously I am not an avid fan though am not averse to watching the odd cup final. I would just rather see that sort of money spent on improving something that would help everyone, particularly the younger end. Create more facilities and open up opportunities for them.

The New Smile is coming slowly but surely starting 29th Jan - hope it is completed successfully and speedily or I won't be going anywhere.

Finally had a call from Spain - so pleased to hear news from that side. My other animals, Cristel, who has recently had her third birthday and is a beautiful Golden Retriever, Coco, my gorgeous little Shit-zu who will be two on 1st April and Ginger the cat (age unknown) are all fine and looking well cared for. I really miss them all so much. The house is still standing and all appears to be in order. Will sleep better tonight for that news. Anyone want a country house in Spain? Gorgeous area with loads of facilities. I do miss the Spanish way of life regardless of the euro. The tranquility, relaxed way of life and weather do not cost anything. This conversation has brought so many memories to the fore. Sitting on my friends solarium in the evening, chatting and drinking Rose wine from the Bodega ( that's gone up). The views are fantastic from there and I will add my favourite photo which shows how weather conditions can vary so much in Spain. Watching the sun set in winter is facinating. We used to guess where it would set on the
horizon - a little further to the right each day. The lengthening of the days could be seen clearly, dependant on the clump of trees or peak it finally rested behind.
Enough - it makes me feel sad.
Photos are of Cristel, Coco and Igor. Still hunting for Ginger. Igor is almost 20 years old and here with me in the UK. Also a view of the pool.

Nothing of note

Not a good start. Slept through alarms. Igor the black cat did not wake me. Oh - forgot - she only does that on Sundays. She could not decide to be in or out today and consequently went back and forth about 50 thousand time in the first half hour.
Traffic abominable - 30 mins for a 10 min journey.
Call from a friend - her computer will not work. What am I supposed to do from here? She has had a nerd in dealing with it - rascal took off her 'recover' program. I would sack him.
Uneventful day, worked, cooked etc. Spoke with landlady, renewal of contract due Feb though have asked her to solve the 'damp problem' upstairs. Says she will bring someone in to look at it. Hope she does because I really like it here and the animals have settled so well. Do not want to move for a long time.
What about the environmental madness re Heathrow Airport? So they want to destroy 700 homes including about 100 listed buildings. What about those with connecting businesses? What about the PEOPLE? Surely there are better places in the North of the country to create a 'hub'.
Why does everything happen south of Birmingham?

First Impressions?

Well that was a let-down. Had psyched myself up for days but all that transpired is that 5 at the top are coming out on 29th - then First Impressions - then remaining top with 'INSTANT' replacements. Have had so long to 'chew' this over I just want it over with. Have spent hours on the internet viewing 'befores' and 'afters', personal experiences, pain, sores and, God forbid, the inability to eat proper food for a while.
It's all down to Vanity you know. Can stand the pain but shall hide all the mirrors. Will I look worse or better? Will I be able to speak without sounding as though I have a lisp or a mouthful of marbles? Can't do with losing any weight - have only just managed to put 4 lbs back on in nearly 8 months. Will keep posting.

Spanish weather withdrawal symptoms

At least today was a bit more stimulating than 13th. Met a friend for lunch - she lost her partner a year ago. I should stop moaning and think myelf lucky. Just realised my workday has extended since I came back to England. Now that is sad!
I hate this time of year - really need a 'hot' holiday. I neeeeeeed some sun, now. Am having withdrawal symptoms. It will be at least another 5 months before I get to wear only one pair of socks and no vest. Visualise that - eh!
I'm bored. Need something challenging for the old brain (what remains of it). Intelligent conversation and stretching my capabilities would be a start.
Told myself at the beginning of the year that I would not let myself deteriorate - easy to do if spending time on ones own. Am succeeding so far but without commentators it's difficult to know if I'm just kidding myself.
Just heard the discussion on 'Green Shoots' political of course. What a load of old tosh. Listen to Gardeners World and they are using the same phrase. Prefer the gardeners anytime.
Work tomorrow - another audit - there are only three we could possibly have and would you believe that they have all been requested in the last three months. So far, so good.
Time to retreat and attack a few more pages of Rushdi's Midnight Children. Not sure if that will go on my favourites list