Car?

Haven't bought a car yet, but maybe tomorrow ;0)

Old boiler

We need a new car and now we need a new boiler. S'all go. Basically we have a 20 year old boiler that needs replacing so looking on the bright side we will now get a more effecient and environmenally-friendly boiler. And this morning I'm off to see new cars. In some ways I'm quite excited, I like cars but I'm still reeling from the news about my old car to be honest. I want to save up for my wedding and a new house, not pay out for a new car! It's been a funny couple of days...

Looking forward to the weekend. And who knows, I might have a new car by the time I blog again... here's hoping!

Bye bye bounce

Oh dear. My bounce has bounced away… we need to buy a new car. It’s a long and tragic story, but in a nutshell the guy that sold us the car ripped us off. He did enough to hide the problems (steam cleaning the engine etc), and whilst it’s true that the car is basically sound, lots of different things need replacing. Or to put it another way, it will cost more to fix it than the car is actually worth. I’m still reeling to be honest. I am basically an honest sort, and whilst I haven’t lived a blameless life, I’ve never ripped off or defrauded anyone. But that’s what has happened, we’ve been conned and now we have to pay. If you’ll allow me a moment of self-pity the timeline is this: someone goes into the back of me and writes my car off, after much stress we buy a new car, which subsequently has to go to the garage three times, and on the third time we get the news that repairs could cost thousands. So perhaps you’ll understand why I feel a little hard done by right now…

Doesn’t seem fair, does it?

We think we're going to buy a new car this time, rather than a used one.

Car drama

What a funny morning! And not all ha ha let me tell you… the big news is the car is in the garage. She was due a service which in my humbles should always done every year before winter really kicks in, but today driving into work she cut out twice with no warning. That’s not good thought I (I can be quite quick like that). Anyway, I think it’s a small electrical fault again and I’m hoping by doing the service at the same time it will iron out these niggles once and for all.

I’m not actually that stressed. I phoned Paul at Beekay Garage (Hammersmith) whom I thoroughly recommend for quality of work and service, who told me in his soothing and reassuring voice to bring the car straight in. So I’ve just dropped her off and come into the office and I await – anxiously – the assessment call that I should get around 2 this afternoon.

It’s the last day of the inspection! They are doing a feedback session this afternoon with our executive team which will give us an impression of how we did, but we don’t actually get formal notification till February. It’s like waiting for exam results! (They really liked all my stuff she says puffing up ever so slightly…)

This is my last day in the office. Tomorrow I will be working, but it will be from home and then I am off till next Thursday, working on Friday, but again from home and then it’s another bloomin’ weekend! This is very pleasing to me. Which could explain my cheerfulness. Even in light of car dramas I am just that little bit more bouncy than is strictly necessary on a clear but cold Thursday.

25 days to Christmas!

Jingle your bell

I am a cowbag. There is no other word for it. My irritating colleague is eating – again – crisps (again) and I want to scream. My intolerance for irritating assistants knows no bounds and it is all my fault. I am unreasonable and difficult, in short dear readers, I am a cowbag. We have at least tackled the whole ‘eating lunch / dinner / breakfast / elevenses / snacks / high-tea / tiffin / quick my blood sugar level is dropping’ whilst on the phone. Because to be honest, if I phoned up with a query and the person that answered the phone was eating in my ear, I wouldn’t be too happy. But then I draw your attention to my obvious and previously mentioned shortcomings as a human being. If you ask most people about me, they think I’m quite nice. Now, on my blog I reveal a darker side…

This weekend is Christmas weekend! We’re buying our tree from a farm in Kent and writing all the cards to be posted forthwith! Normally the tradition is December 1st, but of course we’ll be in gay Paris and buying a tree there and dragging it back to London will be impractical methinks…

I think we’ll take the dog with us when we get the tree (although he’ll have to stay in the car for fear of him cocking his leg!) but afterwards, we’ll take him to the woods. After which my weekend will consist of packing, laundry, eating some nice food and maybe a bit of gardening. Is it the weekend yet, is it??

Monday night football, on a Tuesday

I quite like American Football, I used to really, really like it but with age comes wisdom, lol. (Look, there's not many sports I don't like!) We (England) get the Monday night football highlights on a Tuesday and I must admit, it is fun to watch and I quite look forward to it if I'm in. I like the 49ers, Giants and Patriots. It's the New England Patriots tonight against the Philly Eagle's, a close game...

My partner has insisted I sit down, drink a glass of wine and let her cook dinner. As you can imagine I resisted for all of 0.00004 of a second. I will cook later on in the week but I have to confess to feeling a bit spoilt. Which is never a bad thing. But then as I may have mentioned once or twice, she rocks.

Today wasn't a great day at the office, but it wasn't as bad as yesterday, for which I am truly grateful. I guess we're so close to Paris now and the stress of the inspection has just meant I'm counting the hours till next week. We're only in Paris for 3 days but I have the whole week off.

Dinner is shortly to be served so I shall take my leave... smells gorgeous!

(Patriots won, I think they only need one or two more games to match the winning streak of the '72 Dolphins)

Good night

At home, in bed, drinking hot chocolate. Nice. I did do something useful today, I bought 4 Christmas presents. All for my partner. So that and the Euros did make me feel as if the day wasn't a complete waste. I also uploaded my photos from yesterday onto my new Facebook group. Another small achievement in a day otherwise filled with tumbleweed.

Tomorrow is another day of course, and I hope to approach it with more vim and considerably more vigour.

But for now, "to sleep, perchance dream..." the hot chocolate is kicking in...

Wasps win

I had such a great weekend, but I’m having a shit Monday morning! I’m not going to go into everything that has gone wrong this morning – why should you be depressed as well? But I want this day to be over or start over.

Anyway, the rugby yesterday was fantastic. It was my partner’s first game and luckily it was a very exciting one! 7 tries in all and we hammered the Falcons 35-12. Although Newcastle did score twice through Golding and Wilson (who was then sin-binned) and it’s always great seeing a player like Tait who unfortunately for the Falcons passed up a sure try by not passing and getting hovered up by the Wasps defence. If he’d flicked the ball out, I think it would definitely have gone over. Riki Flutey scored first for the Wasps followed by Sackey and Cipriani (man of the match) who got two a piece. It was bitterly cold but a great atmosphere. I ended up buying the Wasps European shirt and said a tearful goodbye to £50. My only comfort was knowing (a) it looked great! (b) rugby jerseys never die, they lose shape, fade, get torn but they last forever!

Yesterday evening we went upstairs for drinks with the boys. We were really hungry after the match – we hadn’t eaten since breakfast – so we picked up a burger and chips just before we got home. The boys had said they would be laying on a few nibbles, but I didn’t imagine it would be as impressive a spread as it turned out. They’d bought about 95% of M&S’s new party food range! At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat a thing, but I should have known that wouldn’t last and we both ended up tucking in. And it was so nice! I’ll be buying some of it for Christmas…

It was lovely catching up with them and we drank far too much wine*. Luckily my partner made me drink a pint of water before bed and I woke up fairly hangover free but still bloody knackered. Good night though, good weekend actually.

Now I’m bad temperedly making my way through the day, counting the minutes until I can leave. I bought my Euros this morning – that was exciting. But otherwise today, the world is very much conspiring against me… oh well, can’t have everything going my way, I’d be an ungrateful little sod otherwise!

* I must have been drunk, before falling asleep, I think I declared that I was going to buy my partner's 94 year old grandmother a Wasps' scarf...

S'all good

Today is a good day. I slept in and woke refreshed. I discovered I had more money in the bank than I thought. I didn't get my Euros as was my plan because the post office was closed but I can do that Monday. I had a great walk with the dog. There is live rugby on the TV - not highlights, a full match and it's great to see players like Smit and Burger again so soon after the RWC. Tonight the missus is out with a friend and not being as brave as her, the weather has put me off going out also, so I have beer, a nice meal and a new DVD to watch with my feet up. Today, is a very good day.

Tomorrow, rugby and drinks with friends in the evening. Yay!

Marker pens: not as safe as you would think

I made the mistake of sniffing a marker pen and it’s given me a headache. I was just surprised that it smelt because I thought they weren’t supposed to nowadays… health and safety and all that?

Smells like team spirit...

I started a new Facebook group a couple of weeks ago: Gay Premiership Rugby Fans. I wanted it to be a forum for REAL rugby fans that happen to be gay and who rather than support amateur teams, support Premiership teams. The reason for this was not to say one was better than the other but rather, to get people together for matches, car pool, watch games in the pub and get some healthy discussion – and probably some sledging – on the go. The group has 88 members, and yes, unfortunately I know that some of those that have joined know f*ck all about rugby and have joined for novelty value but I think the vast majority are there for the right reasons. Discussion is slow i.e. there is none! But Facebook groups are ten a penny, so I think people are waiting for it to prove itself. I’ve worked hard on getting photos and videos uploaded to make it more interesting and for people to have a reason to come back. I’ve also started to post about games I’m going to, and others will hopefully take suit. It’s very cool to be doing rugby stuff that has nothing to do with my old club. Not that there is anything wrong with my old club, but it’s fair to say I got pretty burnt out and I think there are too many cooks... some cooks who don’t even know the recipe but there you go...

Anyway, it’s been a lot of fun. If you’re on Facebook, check it out. If you’re not currently a Premiership rugby fan but would like to be – join. That way you might get to go to matches you wouldn’t have previously. And no, you don’t have to be gay! I just felt that there were quite a number of fan groups, and it would be nice to acknowledge that there are gay fans too!

I’m still in bed – working, but still in bed. I usually work from home on Friday’s but I have training this Friday, which I’m looking forward to as much as I look forward to going to the dentist. I do have to rouse myself at some point today, the dog needs more food and I have to pop to the bank. Otherwise I would be quite happy just staying in bed all day :0)

This weekend, we’re having dinner with friends on Friday night, Saturday no plans as yet, but Sunday we’re off to see Wasps take on Newcastle Falcons at home! Cips vs. Wilko! Should be a great match and I’m very excited.

Right back to what I’m paid to do before I fall completely behind schedule!

(The picture is of course, Mr. Jonny Wilkinson. His main sponsor is Hackett and I love this picture. He does look handsome, although he probably won’t look this good on Sunday after what will probably be a very bruising match against Wasps!)

Lovely day for a walk in the park

The first thing to say is that she’s not eating… give it time, seconds normally…

I really enjoyed walking the dog this morning. There were dog-walking pals in the park, but I avoided them because all of a sudden not having to talk to anyone or do anything other than walk – slowly! – was quite delicious. I did actually then see a friend I hadn’t seen in a while and we walked round together catching up. But for about 10 minutes the world was blissfully quiet and still.

However it seems to have left me a bit unprepared for the day, I got back home and forgot to clean my teeth (yuck!) and moisturise (less yuck, more irritating) so I had to make a pitstop in Boots to get toothbrush, paste etc. I’m working from home tomorrow so I’m looking forward to a lie in, not having to commute and wearing the most casual of attire after three days of being gussied up. (3 days and I haven’t even seen the bloody inspectors!)

(She’s eating again… lol!)

Update on the update

She's now found the biscuits... for the love of god somebody stop her...

Assistant update

She's still eating...

Old assistants and new babies

My assistant annoys me. But the last one did as well. So maybe it’s me? She never stops eating (2nd packet of crisps this morning). And she eats on the phone as well, which I need to do something about. She racist, particular races rather than a sweeping prejudice of everyone except her own race; Indian. She’s drippy and irritating. She tells boring stories and wants – bizarrely – to tell you everything about herself. Although she does appear to work hard and I can ask her to type something and be fairly secure in the knowledge that she will at least turn the paper over to check whether there is something written on the back, which was never guaranteed with the last one…

Maybe I’m the intolerant one? Maybe my prejudice is pointless, irritating people? It’s true that I wouldn’t want my daughter marrying a pointless, irritating person, if one came for a job I’d find an excuse not to give it to them. And frankly I don’t think pointless, irritating people should be allowed to marry – what does that do to the gene pool?! I suppose I don’t mind if they keep it to themselves, but it’s when I can’t avoid it and it impacts on my work, that’s when I get annoyed…

I was walking to my office from the car park this morning and there were two young men - fairly rough looking, spitting (is that a mating display?) and wearing trackie bottoms and baseball caps. One was moaning about his lot in life, I couldn’t really hear the details, just as well because I might have advised him to get a job. But as I drew level the other one said, “Want to come to my mum’s for a bit and have a cappuccino?” It was tea that got us through the war, but its fancy coffee that is providing solace for our young people… not exactly hard is it?

There are people everywhere today. 2nd day of inspection and we’re getting into the swing of things. I still haven’t seen the inspectors though. They’re upstairs and I’m downstairs and besides, I’m not on their interview list. It feels a little like safari on Africa, will you see the big 5? (There are 5 inspectors as well funnily enough.) I thought I saw movement by the lift this morning but it turned out to be the sandwich lady…

We saw our friends with the new baby last night and I was struck by how doltish some people are when visiting families with new babies. For example, I always thought that when you visited you took food (homemade is good, but even if it’s only milk, eggs, bread) because all of a sudden, as a new parent, you don’t have the time and energy to cook and get to the shops, especially in the first couple of weeks and months. You should offer to make tea for everyone rather than them having to wait on you. And if there is a job to do; washing up, taking out the laundry you just do it. Holding is good too. Babies love to be held, but that does rather mean spending large chunks of the day not being able to use your hands. So holding the baby whilst they have a potter, or go for a shower is great! Little things like that mean so much more than presents. I thought all this was common sense, but apparently not. People turn up wanting to share in the joy, which is great, but actually, without meaning to can be a bit of a burden.

However, knowing the calibre of readers of this blog, I realise none of you would be so thoughtless ;0)

What a random blog entry today? At least you can’t accuse me of being to predictable I suppose!

Wear a hat!

It’s very wet today. Luckily with the judicious use of a large waterproof jacket and my Wasps hat the damage was kept to a minimum, but other colleagues are drifting into the office squelching, sodden and wind swept. My chief executive greeted me, what news from the north Nanuk! As I said on facebook today; there’s no wrong weather just the wrong gear!

Yesterday was a lot of fun. Cold, but fun. We arrived at Leeds Castle and decided that we would visit the festive fayre first. I managed to spend money, without getting one single Christmas present which wasn’t the point at all. (Although I did get some heavenly bramble liquor that keeps out the chill, a picture that needs framing and two chicken tiles. Don’t ask…) Then we tried all the free food samples; brownies, cheese, crackers, biscuits, pheasant and venison pie etc., etc. After which we headed to the castle which was really interesting – I liked the medieval stuff, my companions liked the more contemporary history of the castle – and then for tea, the dog collar museum and the maze where C found the middle (a raised cairn) almost immediately and stubbornly refused to give us any hints as to how we could get there also. He gave in eventually and we raced to the centre where we waved at those still wandering aimlessly in the maze getting more and more cold. After the maze, we visited the grotto which I particularly liked and then we said hello to a barn owl and caught the land train back to the fayre, before heading to the gift shop and then the car. Just as it began to hail! We had a voucher for 20% off the entrance ticket which is £14 each (I think I found it on the Visit Britain) which for two adults was not to be sniffed at: £22.40 instead of £28. But seeing as the tickets last a year and you can come back as often as you like, and there is SO much to do there, it was good value even without the voucher. Not impressed with the tea facilities though – bring a flask!

We were though, quite glad to get home. Sitting on the sofa drinking hot chocolate while the rain lashed down outside was lovely!

Well the inspectors are in. It all feels very normal, in fact I haven’t even seen them yet. I am dressed considerably smarter than I normally am though, which is a bit depressing because I’ve got to keep it up for the full two weeks! I’ve only got two smart pairs of ‘office’ trousers…

Well things to do and all that. Apparently we’ve got to act normal while the inspectors are here, which prompted the question, I thought you wanted us to behave how we always do?!

Happy Sundays

It’s relatively early on Sunday morning. Irish music is floating through from the kitchen, there’s a strong smell of fresh bread and my partner has just bought me a coffee... not a bad way to start your day! We’re off to Leeds Castle – confusingly in Kent – today. Apparently it’s the “prettiest castle” in England. The castle and grounds are lovely and today they also have a Christmas fayre, so we’re going with two friends who have just moved to London. I’m very excited. I do like a good castle!

On Friday after a long week we went to my partner’s parents for dinner. It was a lovely evening. Her brother and his girlfriend were there also, just back from an African adventure where they were filming, and it was a relaxed and fun evening.

Yesterday we had a friend turn up unexpectedly for tea and biscuits. How lovely is that? In a world where everything is planned, put in diaries and consulted on, that you can knock on a friend’s door and end up having a gossip and chocolate biscuits. Then we popped along to the new coffee shop of which I spoke of with breathless excitement in a previous blog – the Blue Moon cafe. It’s lovely! I had two hot chocolates and a slice of passion cake which was bloody delicious. We worked on our Christmas planning: what to cook, who to buy presents for and what presents to buy, decorations etc. Very thorough, very organised... Christmas is very important to me, I like to do it properly!

Then we went next door to the little bookshop which turned out to be terribly awkward as my partner was ordering some books for me for Christmas! So I had to pretend not to hear what she was doing, and then I had to pretend not to say ‘it’s cheaper on Amazon!’ and she had to pretend not to reply (a little huffily I might add) ‘that’s why bookshops are closing!’ and I had to pretend to not concede that she had a point. It might just be easier if she went on her own next time.

In other exciting news we’ve booked somewhere to stay just after Christmas on our 2 week holiday! It’s a caravan park with static caravans in 17 acres of woodland, 7 miles from Bude. The caravans look fab; shower, toilet, heaters, kitchen, two bedrooms...

We’ve decided to miss NY’s and go on the 2nd or 3rd. It looks fantastic, and kudos to my partner, it was her who found it...

Right, I’m off. Enjoy your Sunday!

Welcome home

Morning all, and a very cold morning it is too. We caught up with a friend walking his dog this morning and so we walked round the park together – our dogs don’t really like each other all that much, but we humans get on famously. There was frost on the grass making it look like it had snowed and our breath looked like little chubby clouds.

Today I’m working as a domestic. Our inspection – as previously mentioned – is on Monday and our office and reception look a mess. So today I’m flicking round a duster, recycling everything that can be, and going to Homobase to buy house plants. I’m quite looking forward to it. I get so bored sitting at a desk.

My partner is back today; she’s only been gone two days but it’s been weird. The dog has been looking for her. He laid his head on the bed this morning and stared at where she would normally be and then gave a big sigh! I’ve bought her a lovely present. I can’t tell you what it is because there is a small chance she might read the blog today although she doesn’t as a rule. But it’s fab and it’s practical so you can’t say fairer than that. Of course, she may not like it in but if you buy presents, you must be bold and have a thick skin! (And not take it badly if people don’t like something.) I guarantee that they will love that you tried and when you do get it right you are a present superhero. How would that work? Instead of spidey web stuff shooting out of you wrist, it would be sellotape, instead of seeing through walls, you could look at a present and instantly know how much paper you would need and presumably you would have a sixth sense about what people really, really want… interesting…

The house looks nice, I did the laundry, the washing up and arranged my flowers (the ones sent to me by my bank!) – they filled 3 vases but look and smell divine. So all is well. The family will be reunited and we all have clean underwear. Even the dog. Nice.

I’ve decided on the basis of a 30 second televisual advertisement that I’m buying the new Alan Carr DVD. Still working on that materialistic streak… honest…

An inspector calls...

I’m feeling too calm. Our government inspection starts on Monday (for 2 weeks) and people are stressed and tense, but I’m not. I’m sort of, pensive. But I figure there isn’t anything I can do at this stage, so I’m keeping myself to myself and trying to be helpful as and when appropriate. But should I be more frantic? Not that I’m suggesting it’s going to help anyone or anything if I start running around getting panicky and shouting they don’t like it up ‘em Mr. Mannering, but still a little bit of hair pulling might be appreciated by my more anxious colleagues…

I’ve never been through an inspection before and I’ve never had my work judged to such an extent before either. Let’s hope it stands up to scrutiny otherwise there may well be gnashing of teeth and chewing of nails...

Black, one sugar and a custard cream please

Slept like a baby last night. Asleep before 9pm and then awake at about 6.30am. The good news is that it did me the world of good, the bad news is that I consequently didn’t see my partner last night, only saw her for a few minutes this morning and she’s off to Birmingham tonight and tomorrow :0(

I came home to a big box last night. A very big box. Someone had sent me a massive bunch of flowers. It was my previous bank! How strange is that?! Basically I left the Coop because I wasn’t happy with the customer service, so much so I made a complaint saying that among other things, they should implement new procedures to make it easier for those with disabilities such as dyslexia to bank with them. To my knowledge they’ve ignored that advice but I do now have a lovely bunch of flowers. So that’s ok then…

I’m basking in those few golden hours you have after you complete a big piece of work. The magazine for which I am the editor, is with the printers; the website which was out of date is now fully up to date, and two other smaller jobs I was juggling are also now done. Tomorrow or maybe even this afternoon more work will be thrown at me and I won’t be able to duck, but right now I’m feeling smug and fairly relaxed.

This weekend, we’re going to the cinema on Saturday and we’re off to Leeds Castle on Sunday with friends. I’m excited about both, but especially the Castle. I love all that. I shall be taking the camera because I’m making some Christmas cards this year and so I might be able to get some atmospheric ‘Christmassy’ pictures.

Now I think it’s time for a coffee and a biscuit. May you all have your own golden hour’s today!

Parcels

Hmmm so I was thinking about deliveries again and more specifically how many I receive. Parcels used to be a rarity, a treat almost, now I get on average one a week. I’m claustrophic and I don’t like idiots so worldwide interweb shopping is ideal. Damnit I can even shop and sit at the same time...

Today my new roaster arrived. I like good quality kitchen stuff. I don’t cook often but I do a fabulous roast and so I invested in a new roaster with lid (from the Antony Worrell Thompson range in case you’re interested). I’m expecting some Victoria Woods DVDs and the first Christmas present I’ve bought this year, oh yes, and some new clothes! So next month I am not allowed to shop online unless it is for Christmas presents because basically I just spend too much damn money. I have blogged previously that I worry that whilst I appear fairly unmaterialistic, and indeed, feel myself to have a very laissez faire attitude to most things, I buy far too many... well, things!

I would hate in ten years or so to have children that constantly want stuff and whinge when they don’t get it. So changes need to be made. And of course, these proposed changes have the added bonus of then not having to fret about being in for deliveries or worrying about how long they take to arrive, and having more money in my bank account at the end of each month is a bit of a no-brainer too...

Brrr...

What are we going to do when it gets really cold? I only ask because I'm not a wimp with the cold, could be my curves keep me warm, I couldn't say, but today I'm frozen. My feet and hands are really cold and it's 6 degrees. Ok, so that is cold, but it's not THAT cold. (Although wind chill isn't helping.) I wore my big jacket, my Wasps hat and my thermal gloves into work and I'm regretting taking them off even though I'm now in the office. Luckily it's a bright, sunny day which makes you feel better but it may be time to crack out the... well, how do I put this, if you were cool you would say, base layers, if you're everyone else you'd say thermals! There, I said it, I own thermals. I was hoping that I wouldn't need to wear them this early though...

Water, water everywhere... grrrr...

It may be a sweeping generalisation but why do overseas companies seem to deliver so efficiently and UK companies don’t? I often order from America, and late last night I ordered from Australia. I received an email early this morning telling me my order had already been dispatched. And yet I ordered something last Thursday (from England) and its still “processing” – actual delivery may take another 14 days! I have ordered from the US and England on exactly the same day before now, and the order from thousands of miles away arrived a week and a half before the one from less than one hundred miles away…

Anyway, there are far more important things to be fretting about, namely water coming through the ceiling. It’s a pre-existing problem (although last time they thought by doing the tiles around the bath that it would fix it, clearly not.) Anyway, I texted the owner of the flat upstairs last night and said in no uncertain terms that I want this fixed today. I think he wanted to take a more relaxed approach to the whole thing. But then he doesn’t have water pouring into his kitchen!

Our friend’s 40th was good fun this weekend. He seemed to have a great time, there was cheesy music, a large chocolate cake and he was surrounded by people that love him – what’s not to like?!

I better get on with some work, especially as I have to leave early to let the builder in who apparently will need access to our flat…

Do nothing

When my boss agreed to me home-working I'm not sure she ever imagined me working in bed eating a jammy dodger with the heating on. But such is the simple beauty of laptops and wireless broadband. But in my defence (do I need one, really?) I am doing a lot of work. I'm just a damn sight more comfortable than if I was in the office. (Just had a coconut biscuit, didn't enjoy it as much... )

We have decided we need a 'doing nothing' holiday. And so that's exactly what we are going to do. We're going to hire a caravan out of season in Cornwall in January, for two weeks, with the dog, and do nothing except crosswords, walking on deserted beaches, cooking, some exploring (not much, we wouldn't want to tire ourselves out), reading the books that Santa brought us and sleeping. There may be wine and real ale involved I couldn't possibly say... but we're tired. We're always on the go. Even our glorious holiday in Scotland (surely one of the most beautiful places on earth? Discuss.) was pretty full on, moving hither and thither (I love that expression). And no, in answer to that unspoken question, we are not going to house hunt. Yes, of course, if a brilliant but unlooked for opportunity arose and we were in 'hood, we would view somewhere, but we don't want to do, we just want to be.

This weekend I have to work on Saturday - they so rarely ask me, that I genuinely don't mind doing a bit extra and in the evening we have a friend's 40 birthday to celebrate. Talking of celebrating birthdays, Paris is just around the corner (Dec 3) my mum's 60th birthday present. I'm so excited and really looking forward to leaving from St. Pancreas. It'll be like the old movies, when stations were grand, imposing structures; gateways to adventure... not like now when they are grim and dirty; cold edifaces of practicality and frustration.

Anyway, I'd better crack on, if I do everything I'm supposed to, I might be able to have an afternoon nap!

(PS. Looks like the production company will be moving on the script early in the new year... how exciting!)

Sun and doves

We’re not going to buy the house. It’s just the wrong time for us :0(

Actually I’m OK about it, it does make sense to wait until next summer – after the wedding. And it’s always a mistake to be suckered into the mindset of ‘it’s this or nothing!’ there will be other good deals, and for anyone that knows Cornwall there are so many beautiful places to live it doesn’t really matter where we end up. I was a little bit emotional; this week I came very close to owning my own home and that’s very important to me *sigh*

We went to dinner last night: the Sun and Doves gastropub in Camberwell. The service was fantastic. So friendly; from making the booking on the phone, to ordering the food to saying goodbye at the end of our evening. I had smoked haddock with bubble and squeak and poached egg and my companion (i.e., my partner but food critics always say “my companion”) had butternut squash with goats cheese and sundried tomatoes… very, very tasty, especially mine but not particularly hot. It was like they had been freshly made and then there had been a really lengthy delay before it reached our table. That was a bit of a shame, but I genuinely enjoyed mine and it wasn’t till afterwards that my partner remembered she didn’t really like goat’s cheese and yet she'd enjoyed her meal! We had the tokens from the Indy – £10 for a main and a glass of rioja. I’ve never done the token thing before. I have to say, we really didn’t save anything! My meal was £7.50 and I would imagine a small glass of wine would be about £2.50 so actually the tokens seemed a little pointless and we didn’t feel we gained anything at all, except knowledge of a friendly, attractive (lots of interesting art on the wall) pub. I ordered a banoffee pie afterwards which was heavenly but did make me very full. So with that, an extra glass of wine and a bottle of water we actually spent what we would have spent anyway! I think if we do tokens again, we might try to ensure you get a little extra because I thought that was the point… but that aside, I think if you visit the pub you won’t be disappointed, you may even feel you’ve discovered something of a gem. Just make sure the food is hot!

Note to self

Further proof that fireworks should be banned (for private sale) – walking the dog in the park this morning; firework debris everywhere, bottles and cans of various cheap alcohol everywhere including broken glass, and a ruined park bench. Someone thought it was a good idea to set a firework off on a bench and it burnt right through destroying the seat of the bench. And God knows what contaminants are now in the air and soil, because what people also forget is how many chemicals are used in fireworks. No, actually, don’t ban them for private sale just make sure everyone that attempts to buy them has to do an IQ test.

My head is all over the place. I can’t stop thinking about the house in Cornwall, do we buy or do we not? Why can’t it be easy; why can’t I get a flash of inspiration; am I making it too difficult; is it really such a good idea to make endless pros and cons and options lists…? What is the worst than can happen?!

ARRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Be still my aching head. Some people say if you don’t know immediately, you shouldn’t buy it. Some people say, if you don’t take your time to make a sensible, rational decision you will buy in haste and suffer (usually financially!) at leisure…

I slept well as did my partner but she dreamt of mortgages and I dreamt of hammering things. This morning I swore when the alarm went off and ignored it for a further half an hour. In the shower I thought, note to self, the next time you drive 600 miles in a day, take the Monday off as well!

We watched Victoria Wood last night, Live at the Apollo and I was crying with laughter, we both were. I’m buying it on DVD because we didn’t see all of it. But I think it was just the thing we needed – sat there with tears rolling down our faces laughing our heads off and probably releasing a lot of pent up stress!

Well, did you buy a house?

Bloody fireworks! Why don’t people or groups get together and have joint displays? Instead for over a week, there’s not been a hour without bangs and whizzes and the dog’s nerves are all but shattered and to be honest, some of them have been so loud and deep (like explosions!) that my nerves are in bits as well... no, I’m not anti-fireworks but people don’t have a clue about how badly they affect animals.

Yesterday I drove over 500 miles and my partner did about 130. We felt the car was attached to our arse by the end of it. We got home at about 2am, exhausted and a bit delirious only to be greeted by our neighbours coming in from a night out, one of whom had been punched by a 14 year old Goth on a train which had cut him above the eye. Very surreal. Then the police turned up...

Shall I cut to the chase? Have we bought a house? Not yet... We’re giving ourselves a couple of days to weigh up the pros and cons. We saw two, one in Cornwall and one in Devon. The Devon one was completely unsuitable, but the Cornwall one ticked a lot of boxes... so watch this space...

We watched the sun set over Bude beach with the dog discovering he loves beaches! Then we went for dinner and headed home.

We've been so tired today, we only got out of bed a couple of hours ago!

This is what a feminist looks like

We're not really dog dressing up people. Sparkly collars, 'amusing' costumes, novelty t-shirts make us cringe. So why we decided to put a feminist campaign t-shirt on Pluto is anybody's guess. Anyway, he took to it quite well - tried to chew the sleeve a couple of times but otherwise put up with our childishness with bemused patience. The t's can be bought from the Fawcett Society and read, 'this is what a feminist looks like'.

Yesterday was Halloween and I lit candles in the garden, hung up a Happy Halloween sign, put a broomstick and inflatable ghost by the door and waited for the bell to ring. Pluto was particularly effective at giving the impression, with his deep excited bark, that he was indeed the Hound of the Baskervilles (although a little shorter than the original who appearead in the 1939 classic with Basil Rathbone).

We only had about 8 vistors. All of them hideous, twisted ghouls, witches and monsters, and one in a tracksuit that clearly felt that throwing on an old sheet was too much effort. By 7.30pm everyone was back home making themselves sick on cheap orange candy and we opened a bottle of wine.

I wish I'd given them more sweets now, I've got a novelty pumpkin head bucket half-full of lollies and marshmallows.

Looking forward to my lie-in tomorrow. Especially as we've got to get up at 4am on Saturday to go to Cornwall. I'm guessing it'll be another Sunday in bed...