Afties all. As I sit here watching the rain thrashing down outside I wonder if anything else can go awry. 10:25 power cut. I have a number I can call as I am a priority service customer and I got a message to say that they were aware of the cut - which was very localised as only 446 houses were affected - but not to worry as their dedicated team was on the case and my power would be on at 13:24. I was not to worry if it flickered on and off for a while either. It only went off again once but whatever caused the power cut also fried VM and I had no TV or t'internet. That should be sorted by 15:50 and I could go on to their website (hello! I have no access because the router and everything else is failing to work). I dashed across the road to let Jack know but he had neglected to wear his hearing aids so despite my hammering on his front door and then his conservatory door there was no response. His next door neighbour was just getting back from the paper shop so he asked if there was a problem. I was able to fill him in on the power front and then made a last attempt to get Jack to hear me. Eventually I saw him through the glass - having had an 'eyeball' with Kitty through the window - and I was able to fill him in too.
Island - Jack is my ex cat sitter and Kitty is his cat who I looked after for him.
SGL, what a delightful surprise for you. I bet it really did bring a smile to your face. Hazel, I'm pleased to hear that your son will get that car problem fixed. Yvie, I'm sorry to hear you haven't felt too chipper and I'm glad my paving slab episode made you smile. I can totally empathise with your Firstborn as well as I used to get cross with people who assumed my work day was finished when I went home at 16:00. I think a lot of us have had a terrible 2020 so far.
(((HUGS))) And here is me, idling in the sunshine picking peas and flowers ( found an outbreak of feverfew behind the dwelling) , pulling nettles... admiring the flowers and getting three sheets and other washing dry in the warm wind. AND! My new cell phone came. My old one died last week.. this is the one I spent 3 hours on the internet with tesco about. Ordered it Friday and here it is. all of E30. Their cheapest phone. Got it sorted and working. Still feeling convalescent, but will get there. Still waiting to hear from my friend in Texas after Hanna. Just read re the UK cat who caught covid from its owner. Has happened in many countries. My family in Canada work with cat rescue and they are inundated with  cats dumped like that. . Hoping folk stay sensible. I keep putting the HOUSE FULL sign up here but then.... Think it is time I crashed for the night. Agree re 2020, but I have learned so much; many things I would rather not have known but... we learn more in dark times. Who would have thought at New Year. And people scoffing when they first used the word pandemic. Sixteen million cases so far and the death toll makes me weep. Time to look at flowers and let them heal. And to hope and do all we can in our small ways. Â
After heavy rain it is now hot an sunny. Had a wander up the garden everything is wet through . Today I have received my geranium order . Three Patricia and two Rosemoor .Very  pleased with them .
Thank you Island! Your story about drying your sheets over the gate made me smile. I couldn't do that here. 🤔 Hmmm well maybe when my nephew finishes my new gate for me. Trouble is, the top of my old gate is a proper poop perch so that is probably not a good idea. Hazel, I'm pleased for your son that the garage have picked iup the car so promptly. Lets hope they check all the suspension springs. The wind has played havoc here. One of my cosmos is actually growing at a 90° angle and is parallel with the ground. I've some nasturtium seedlings that are about 10cm high and I'm quite concerned about them too. Lovely geranium choices Ruby. I got one the other day called Foundling's Friend.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
Thank you, yes it was a lovely surprise and we really enjoyed the poppets visit. It's rained all day and so very windy. It's still raining now. Hope everything gets sorted soon with your sons car Hazel. That's a pretty one LB. I've got Johnson's Blue and a pretty pink one.....have no idea what it's called though. Both were cuttings from my mum's garden many years ago.Â
I did better on Uni Chall tonight but how is this for coincidence. The centre I go to in Wigan to get my bloods done is the Linacre Centre named like the Linacre college who participated tonight. Thomas Linacre, as well as being physician to Henry VIII was the Rector of Wigan Parish. The Centre used to be the Grammar School and is a Grade II listed building.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
Thank you Island! Your story about drying your sheets over the gate made me smile. I couldn't do that here. 🤔 Hmmm well maybe when my nephew finishes my new gate for me. Trouble is, the top of my old gate is a proper poop perch so that is probably not a good idea.Â
Ah but the area by the big gate is a sun trap in the lee of a second huge fuschia and also near where the rat run was when I moved in. So the cats are always around...I rarely see birds so near the house now. Sad but they are sensible creatures. This is a proper field gate. There was nowhere to put a washing line. All up to date with washing now and it is all sunfresh. Back to rumbling winds now. Wish I had more strength. My wee " vacation" has knocked seven bells out of me.Â
Posts
It's rained all day and so very windy. It's still raining now.
Hope everything gets sorted soon with your sons car Hazel.Â
That's a pretty one LB. I've got Johnson's Blue and a pretty pink one.....have no idea what it's called though. Both were cuttings from my mum's garden many years ago.Â