What are you doing today?

[LovelyLadyLux]

The bag I have is filled with rice but I think there are all varieties of dried beans etc that can be used. I'm a bit like RS here in that I have both gas and electric heat sources plus a small passive heater that I could use in a single room to keep it warm if both gas & electricity goes out. Always used to have a wood stove and loved it but they're banned now. Nothing worse than getting cold and not being able to get warm again.

Today I'm meeting mid-morning with a lady (Club President) re: potentially joining a group. It is a group for retired professional people and focuses on social activities. I think Golf is one of the main activities (hope not as I do not golf). I learned about this group at the pottery class where I met 2 other women who belong to one of these groups. Apparently these groups or Clubs are so popular there are five chapters in this city alone. I'm meeting today (joining is usually in September) to find out what all all else this group does and depending maybe I'll join however I'm only meeting with the President of one of the five Clubs.

There is apparently a monthly meeting with a speaker (apparently interesting) and nobody is allowed on joining this group to advocate for any special interest(s) or do any type of fund raising for anything which I see as a good thing. Nothing like joining a Club with the intention to do one thing and then find out there is lots of pressure to do something else you're not interested in.

Will see how it goes.

Weather-wise it is looking kinda blah out there but not raining OR (shhhhhh) snowing.

[Grandad]

Reading all your tales of woe over boiler troubles almost makes me glad that I don't have central heating! At least having a mixture of electric heaters, gas fires, an electric shower and an 'ascot' type water heater, means if one stops working, I can turn to another.

That is very true RS. Problem with most gas appliances today is that they also need an electrical supply so whether we have a gas OR electricity outage, appliances still won't work. An immersion heater is probably the one device not dependent on both energy sources. Sounds as if Kiya does not have one of those?

We do have an immersion as a hot water back up IF there should be a gas outage, which is most unlikely. We also have two convector heaters as further back up that are very efficient IF we have really cold weather and the CH is stretched to cope. We have a lot of glass that does not help when the outside temperature is very low.

[Mad Dilys]

On the other hand Grandad the front of this house had 4 windows, and even recently when the sun shines there is a big warming effect on those rooms. This week I've sat in the sun warm and cosy while it was freezing outside.

[Grandad]

I was supposed to go into town this morning but forgot and took my diuretic tablet so can't be away from the loo for about 4 hours.......too much information I know

At present Alexa is playing me songs from the fifties, right now 'Endless Love' by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. Not fifties music, she must have got it mixed up. I keep asking Alexa to repeat it, you can't beat the old ones.

[Horus]

Yesterday I picked up a nice little drop down table for my caravan off ebay, I was always finding myself just short of a little extra space when preparing a meal. This solved the problem nicely and fitted very neatly onto the side of the fixed fridge and as it drops down when not in use it takes up no space at all. All I need now are a couple of swing out support brackets to finish the job off (hopefully arriving by Friday) also from ebay, total cost about £25

[Grandad]

All I need now are a couple of swing out support brackets to finish the job off (hopefully arriving by Friday) also from ebay, total cost about £25

And some nice weather so you can get out and about again.

[Horus]

Never a truer word spoken, this Winter has really dragged on and I can't wait to get out and about again.

[Horus]

Just been informed that I am a winner on the Postcode Lottery! this is the third time in as many months, sadly its only ever a £10

[Grandad]

Just been informed that I am a winner on the Postcode Lottery! this is the third time in as many months, sadly its only ever a £10

That's £10 more than I have won in the Postcode Lottery.

[Horus]

Yes but it could have been third time lucky and £30,000 instead of just another tenner

[LovelyLadyLux]

Today, Saturday is bright and sunny. Colder 'n the hubs of the way down there place but, at least, the sun is shining and doesn't look like rain will be on the agenda.

Am thinking of cruising some of the garden shops. Still only have one begnoia tuber.

We can apparently plant peas this time of year here so I might go out and clear off part of the garden, tack up the netting and get the pea seeds into the ground IF the ground is workable. Not too sure what I'm going to be up to.

[Mad Dilys]

Today I am starting Spring cleaning.

I was forced into this by the latest appliance to fall by the wayside - my cooker!

I have a well recommended electrician coming on Thursday next to check out all the electrics in the house, to advise on any changes to be made and to Certify that all is OK if indeed it is.

I looked for the plug for the applicance and found it to be in an almost inaccessable position, in the back of a corner cupboard which has a mechanism that pulls out the shelves "round the corner" on the unit.

I removed all the contents of the cupboard and the shelving, which just lifts out. Unfortunately it looks as if the framework will have to be taken to pieces to reach the plug socket.

There are 4 plug sockets in the back of this cupboard. Two are not used but still had plugs in and turned on! I managed to turn them off but can't reach to remove them, the cooker plugs are out of reach.

There are 19 plug sockets in the kitchen

It's not just the number, it's their position which worries me. Doesn't look very professional.- for example, the only socket in my bedroom is in my fitted wardrobe.

What's waiting in the wings? Well from the movement underfoot and the sound effects, I think the carpets upstairs will have to come up and the floorboards inspected - at the very least.

So Spring Cleaning starts with the cupboard.

[Horus]

Sounds like you have a lot of remedial work on your hands MD As for the Spring cleaning, well as the weather starts to warm up my mind starts turning towards a real good cleaning session mainly outside as everyrhing is looking so drab.

[Mad Dilys]

Yes, Horus plenty in the pipeline. I think I will be here for the next year just getting the maintenance organised.

This house is 118 years old and should have regular professional care. Unfortunately it was virtually empty for 6 years with work being done by Bill the Bodger and his ilk, before I came here.

At least it's dried out now - hence the floorboard movement upstairs I reckon.

Obviously there is more to carpet laying than slapping it on the floorboards - there's been no preparation, I wonder if there is even any underlay.

What worries me is that my daughter said that it was "An expensive, specially treated carpet that would clean easily." Since I crawl up the stairs, I have occasion to view said carpet more closely than others. I have my doubts.

[Grandad]

With a small group of 8 we are going for lunch at Cote Brasserie, the French styled restaurant. Never been there before so a new experience for us.

[Mad Dilys]

Yum Hope you have a lovely time.

[Horus]

Give us a report when you get back

[LovelyLadyLux]

Went for a walk to the downtown park yesterday and saw one of the otters swimming about the marina. Then I came and finished sewing a quilt that will go to the daughter in Quebec.

[Horus]

No piccies of the Otter LLL?

[Ruby Slippers]

No piccies of the Otter LLL?

Never mind the otter - piccies of the quilt would be nice!