I’ve given myself a proper talking to, and I really am going to do better at keeping the blog up to date. I rarely seem to write about the events of the day these days, and that removes the diary element from the day’s writing.
I am trying to get that back.
This morning I rose sluggishly and dragged myself to the bathroom. They tell me that exercise is good for arthritis (yes,Clare Pooley, I’m looking at you as I write this) but I’m not sure that’s true. My knee and back seem definitely do not seem improved the day after I’ve been walking.
This handsome Robin is from February 2018, though he has been seen many times in later posts…
I breakfasted on a bacon sandwich (Julia hasn’t quite got the hang of meat-free Mondays) and a slice of toast and jam. This was a good start to the morning, though I’m not sure that a man on a diet really needs a slice of toast and sugar. It’s like offering an alcoholic a cocktail – no matter how you dress it up, the bad stuff is still at the bottom of it. Because I am weak-willed I ate the toast.
This is our fourth week of taking a different route to work on Monday. Julia works from the office on Mondays and we go through town. Unfortunately, part of the road is closed, and will be until May, as they repair a large chunk of Nottingham’s decrepit gas system.
The first gas supply in Nottingham was used on 14 April 1819, to light ten gas lamps in the city. Crowds came to gawp, being mesmerised by the miracle of modern light, and also terrified of a gas explosion. The Nottingham Gas Light and Coke Company provided gas for many years before being taken over by the corporation in 1874, which was in turn nationalised in 1949.
Sunset over Sherwood – February 2018
The mains in question are, like the ones replaced last year, from the 1960s. It surprises me they are so new, I thought they lasted longer than that. Anyway, they have lasted fifty years, and are now going to inconvenience me for the next four months.
If my 31-year-old self had set off walking at the same time as my 61-year-old self set off by car today it’s likely the walk we would have got to town sooner. The roads were very congested and the traffic was slow.
This congestion isn’t helped because there seem to be roadworks everywhere. Whether it’s using up budgets, inefficiency or bad luck, I do not know. Though I can hazard a guess.
After dropping Julia off I manoeuvred by a builders’ lorry which was blocking a road and, judging by the reaction from the builders, used several words they didn’t expect from a white-haired, bald old coot.
Late February 2018, we have a way to go before we can congratulate ourselves on a mild winter
Traffic was light on the other side of town and I was able to get to work in plenty of time to start packing. We had 21 parcels for the post, so it was a good thing I was in early. Several things happened this morning, some of which would be very amusing if I were the sort of person to publish gossip on his blog. But I’m not.
Someone came in from a local Sikh temple with the foreign coins and notes out of the various charity collections they have made.
After that it was time to close and spend the afternoon in errands. I shopped, took prescriptions to the doctors and made an appointment, then took my tyre to the garage. They will look at it and tell me if I simply need it reinflating or if I have damaged the (nearly new) tyre and need a new one.
A better Little Egret – February 2017 Blacktoft Sands
At home I washed up, blogged, watched TV, fell asleep, woke to eat vegetable stew and dumplings, watched TV, washed up, made sandwiches (tuna) for tomorrow and blogged. That’s what I’m doing now.
Well, I’m blogging and wondering at the the repetitive banality of my life.
To further labour the point I’m going to use some photos from previous Februaries.
Thomas Paine is from February 2016.
I was pleasantly surprised to see my name here, Simon! I might give advice but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good advice! 😀
I am confident you would not mislead me. 🙂
🙂
I am sorry that you didn’t pass on the gossip and the language that shocked the builders. We need some entertainment these days. Very nice egret picture.
Thank you. I’m in enough trouble with Julia as it is, without gossip and swearing.
Hopefully no new, new tyre needed!
Unfortunately it was damaged internally and isn’t safe to use.
Shame! At least you should now be safe 😊
Yes, I hate taking risks with things like that. Now I have a job, even if it is only part-time, I have money coming in every month – not like the days of self-employment when the money supply was less reliable. 🙂
Yes, not worth the risk. And all things being equal a tyre is only the cost of a few trips to a café….
I’m trying to work out if you have cheap tyres or go to expensive cafes… 🙂
At my local garage a tyre costs £50. Re cafés, I was thinking the cost for two people having both a drink and something to eat. For example, at Prêt, two drinks and a couple of sandwiches is going to be about £14.
£65 for my tyres and we tend to eat at cheaper places. 🙂 However, it’s a good way to work it out, and reduces the pain. I now have five good tyres again.
Yes, I find it helpful to think of costs in terms of how they relate to other purchases.
🙂 I’m going to use this method in future.
Excellent!
Excellent photographs and interesting diary entry with a bit of utility history included. It is good how you can take such a diversion. If you omit the jam you might get away with Julia’s breakfasts.
I refused marmalade this morning. It is the start of a new me. Though I was quite hungry by 11.00.
🙂
I spent most of the day feeling hungry… 🙁
That is a beautiful photo of the shore. When did you take that?
I took it on the same day as the others but I added the “Dramatic” special effect. Modern cameras are very helpful. 🙂