22-Apr to 28-Apr 2012

Sun 22-Apr: Why doesn't my key fit the car on the right? Maybe something to do with the fact I'm too tight to pay out the extra £25k to buy it. Just finished the morning's pitch & putt round with another win to brother Andrew and his 5 iron. Then off for lunch at The Cross Keys in Upwood followed by the walk to Lady's Wood. After a quick trip to show the allotment to Andrew and Stephen they were off back to London. The end of a wonderful weekend.

Mon 23-Apr: Determined to finish the job of switching around water butts, pressed on in spite of rain this afternoon to replace butt 1 (which has a slight leak near the top) with the recently purchased replacement and to move butt 1 to replace butt 3, which needs a big split repaired before setting up beside the greenhouse. Of course didn't all go smoothly... had difficulty getting the repositioned butt 1 low enough to accept overflow from the smaller butt 2 and still get a watering can under its rather low tap. In the end dug a hole to put the watering can in when filling. Here's the result of a soggy and muddy hour or so. Bit apprehensive I'm going to find my solution up the spout if the hole I've dug fills with water!

Tue 24-Apr: After another kitchen related argument, and with the forthcoming holiday, loads of rain forecast and a huge pile of outstanding washing thrown in for good measure, this morning took an adventure into the world of washing machines. Tussled with the guide, put an 8lb load of bedding and towels in (the full 13lbs seemed too crammed), turned the programme dial to B and pressed the fast wash button... no explosion and all finished in just over an hour. The expert says I should have used programme D. Count that as a result! The allure of the local laundrette drying machines may beckon tomorrow. Will take me back to when I was single. So long as I have a good book in hand, I'm happy.

Wed 25-Apr: Jazz loves bin days. He thinks every household around has helpfully dragged out their bins for him to personally inspect. Here he is this morning in his own version of heaven. Didn't seem to mind it was cold and raining, every bin got examined, many got a jet of pee. He must have a bladder the size of the Albert Hall! After the walk, returned to another plastering session in the kitchen.

Thu 26-Apr: Proud of my son-in-law Chris. He gave up two days, including a Sunday, to work for free on DIY SOS helping extend the home of Tesco's mum of the year Julie Jones. Chris working two days equals a full week's worth of any normal mortal... the crew nicknamed him Superchip. He's not allowed to, and wouldn't anyway, publicise his involvement but here's the mention he got (CS Carpentry Contractors) today in the local newspaper. The programme will be on some time in Autumn.

Fri 27-Apr: Resumed squash with the grandsons this afternoon since the weather poor. I spun my racquet in the air and caught it, and here they are having a go. Connor managed it several times, but Sammy, having thrown the racquet in the air, kept running for safety. It's always a riot... both little misers seek every opportunity to save/gain money. Although Friday is Sammy's pay day, when he gets the dosh he's earned doing jobs throughout the week, he's worked out the squash vending machine is expensive so wanted to go to the newsagents for sweets and a drink. But he's got a bit to go to beat Connor... having set off and too late for me to do anything about it Connor informed me he hadn't brought his money cause "I've only got 70p and one silver coin and I need that to buy another skateboard ramp." So I stumped up for his sweets. At the end of the squash there was a scene reminiscent of a sharks' feeding frenzy... I dropped about £3 of loose coins from my squash racquet cover and the scrooges were on it in a flash. Something tells me not all the coins found their way back home!

Sat 28-Apr: Just arrived in the caravan in Hunstanton about 14:00 for a week's holiday. Here's the caravan for this visit... bigger but slightly less luxurious than normal and not backing onto one of the lakes, but not quite such a trek either. After a wander along the front and town centre we retired with a fish supper for me, jacket potato and banana fritter for Linda.