A good mechanic and a nice piece of cake

What a domesticated weekend! We made bread, muffins, cakes and scones. Had family over for tea (and lots of cake), started on the big garden winter clear up and did some housework! I also watched a lot of rugby (see previous entries).

We also got the laptop wirelessly connected to the Internet. Ok, I say we, what I really mean is my partner. She was great and basically did all the work, including phoning our broadband provider when there were a few problems. I sat next to her making sympathetic and supporting noises. A tough job but somebody’s got to do it…

As it all kicked into life – the laptop saying, hey I can pick up the internet, the internet saying hello, I’m the internet would you like to go out sometime – a list of all the providers popped up with the prompt, which one do you want to pick? So we saw all the providers for our neighbours, and as there were 10 different choices, not just the neighbours upstairs and either side either. Their was even one that was unsecured so we could, in theory, just use the net without paying and presumably (although as you may have gathered I’m no expert) be able to see all of that persons internet files?! Naturally, we didn’t dream of doing that, well, not for long and just clicked on our provider and voila! The laptop is now truly mobile.

We were supposed to go to the cycle show and see Slighty’s Witcomb Bikes stand, but we didn’t make it in the end what with unexpected guests and a list of chores as long as your average inner tube. Apparently it went well though. They now have a 6 month waiting list. How fantastic! As I said in a text, in the sort of disposable ‘want it NOW!’ world we live in, how wonderful that people appreciate craftsmanship and quality and are prepared to wait for it.

We sent an email to a woman in Somerset who is selling land, which makes it even more imperative we see a mortgage advisor ASAP. It may come to nothing but for those of you that know me, you will appreciate I am a belt and braces sort and like having things organised and ready for when we do want to make a move…

Unfortunately I start off the week a little lame. (Even more so than usual.)Whilst clearing the garden yesterday I fell and banged my knees quite badly. I stopped work immediately, my partner ran me a bath and I rested for the rest of the afternoon – even using a crutch to take the weight off. I took painkillers and slept well and I think all that did make a huge difference although I am still sore. Ironically, tonight is my MRI scan. I have to move my legs and then they scan me as I move to see how bad the damage is. Think I might not tell them that I was carrying heavy stuff (a big no-no) and then fell on my knees because I’m a clumsy bugger.

By the way, before I sign off and throw myself into my work, I should say that I used Beekay garage in Hammersmith (near Ravenscourt tube) to get the car fixed last week. And so far I am very impressed. I am now booking the car in for a service. I liked the way they kept me informed and were so polite and friendly. When I asked for a quote for a service they told me they couldn’t give me one… I was a little perplexed, until they explained they check the car over for free and then call you and say this needs doing, this doesn’t need doing and then they give you a price and ask whether they can go ahead. In other words, they don’t do (or charge) you for work that doesn’t need doing. This seems to be both sensible and practical.

If you want reviews of garages, I think there is a website called the good garage scheme where real customers post their comments about the service and quality of work. For someone like me with no frame of reference with regards to garages or the work they do, and so who has to rely on trust, it’s really important to hear what other people think and have found using a particular garage. I’ve only used Beekay once, but I am impressed so far and will be using them again.

Why kids and dogs are a good mix...

I was in slow moving traffic around Clapham Common this morning when eventually we stopped altogether, I opened the window and my eyes slid over to the park where there were some resilient – fog, what fog? – joggers and a woman pushing a young child in a pushchair. Their chocolate Labrador was walking beside them. The Lab suddenly spotted a branch that had fallen from a nearby tree and pounced on it shaking it, jumping up and down and running in circles with this massive branch – complete with leaves – in its mouth. This reduced the child to hysterics who was literally rocking in the pushchair, squealing and laughing at the antics of his mad pooch. The dog seemed to take a lot of pleasure in this favourable reaction and shook the branch even harder. The mum strolled on laughing and smiling and I thought what a wonderful way to start the day? Pluto does this; he does crocodile rolls and then squirms on his back, or he picks up a stick and runs in circles and it never fails to raise a smile – no matter how tired, how rushed or even how fed-up I might be. And if fact, complete strangers will often stop and smile as well. Dogs’ rock. Children – although I don’t have any – seem to rock too. Well done them.

I need Microsoft office for my laptop and we need to hook it up (although wirelessly) to t’internet. So I’m not really getting to use it very much, although I have changed my screensaver twice and my wallpaper three times. It’s still shiny and fantastic though.

Victor the Vectra is well. The patient made a full recovery. Apparently all he needed was a new relay and I picked her up yesterday morning. (Victor is gender gifted; sometimes a he, sometimes a she.)

After I picked up Vic I drove down Biggin Hill way to go a meet the general manager and chairperson of an animal sanctuary that I am hoping to become a volunteer / trustee with. They were really nice and they have all sorts of animals on the farm, which is fantastic. They seemed to think my skills would be most useful and I’m spending the day their next week. I’m hoping to take Mr. Pluto with me as well, who has never been let loose on a farm to our knowledge…!

As I drove back I stopped off at a nice pub we’ve been to several times before in the village of Downe. I ordered lunch and sat by the open fire and read my book. It was bliss!

There was an 88-year-old in their with his wife and friend and he was talking about his time in the army. He was in the Royal Artillery and had served in the last part of the war (not sure where) before he was posted to Germany after their surrender. I thought he sounded really interesting – unless of course, it’s a bit like Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Horses, the same stories over and over! – but more interestingly it became apparent his wife had also been in the army and I was suddenly much more curious about her story. She must have served after the war (because she seemed a little younger), when there was still a seperate woman’s army. Unfortunately she didn’t say as much and I realised I was eavesdropping which is never an attractive habit. So I returned with relish to my steak and ale pie. There must be thousands of women who served in the women’s army, but you never hear anything about them…

After lunch, I went and bought some new crockery that had caught my eye a week or so ago when I was shopping with my mum. They had chickens painted all over them and I thought they were quite fun. I regretted not buying them when I saw them the first time. So I went and got plates, side plates and bowls and some big serving dishes in preparation for Christmas! Eventually I got home, walked the dog again and settled down to some work with odd sojourn into Facebook. A good day by all accounts…

Scotland match

I’m very sad that Scotland is out of the world cup – I am half Scottish after all. I thought Craig Smith’s bullocking run and Cussiter being brought on was the turning point, but it wasn’t to be sadly. The team did well, just not well enough. Parks was pretty good – fantastic penalty kick – but the confidence and brashness of Juan Martin Hernandez meant he was a shining star for the Pumas.

My laptop is arriving today. I’m very excited. Well, I’m being excited in a contained way because I have a horrible headache which is why I’m working from home. (If you're thinking, didn't she order that laptop ages ago? You're right. Except I ordered the wrong one! So that had to go back and I had to re-order the right one!)

Still got loads to do though, headache or no, so I’d better get on with it. Who knows, my next entry might be on the laptop!