06-May to 12-May 2012

Sun 06-May: First morning at the allotment for over a week, lots to do and catch up on. Here's Linda's cold frame full of veggie goodies. The radishes are fantastic and I had some of the cut and come again greens at the bottom of this snap for my lunch on a cheese sandwich... delicious!

Mon 07-May: Flippin' 'eck, where's Holt Island gone? Normally we'd be having a wander around, hopefully a sit on our favourite bench in the sunshine overlooking the water meadow. But with the prolonged spell of rain not a chance... the whole island is under water. We've only had on visit so far this year, on the first day. Must do better!

Tue 08-May: Isn't that just typical! You spend all morning tidying out the garage and when you turn your back someone dumps a whole lot of stuff in there! Happily it's our new kitchen... yippee! Chris will be fitting on Friday and Saturday, the plasterer will be doing the two walls needing work next week... just need to get hold of the plumber to make sure he can do his bit on Thursday and we're all set!

Wed 09-May: Here's the latest technical addition in my quest to become everything Apple... an Epson Stylus SX535WD Airpinter. Quite pleased with myself... costs £150 from Apple, got it for £70 with free delivery. Will enable me to print wirelessly straight from my iPad... when I get the flippin' thing working! Spent over two hours fiddling with it, end result ironically being everything but the wireless iPad bit working. Even read the manual, for what use that was. Part of time spent making an attempt to sort out the mass of wiring at the back of my desk by repositioning the plug sockets... * Plan A: fix to wall (not approved by the domestic executive, having spent ages getting fixing holes level and having put holes in wall... maybe should have sought approval first). * Plan B: put on floor beside desk (not approved by domestic executive, too near radiator). * Plan C: reposition within desk, where shown in image (approved, but by then I was in a right mood!).

Thu 10-May: Here's Linda and me with our best friend... tonight's tea with grated cheese on top, two minutes in the microwave, all natural stuff and really really tasty. After a week of this diet we'll certainly be looking like Uncle Ben's Express Rice! Plumber capped off water supply in kitchen and took out the sink cabinet this afternoon ready for the kitchen units to go in tomorrow. So it's all microwave cooking for more than a week until the granite worktop is fitted and the plumber/electrician comes back to connect up the new sink and cooker/hob. Ironically, life seems to focus around the kitchen at present... more than it ever did when it was usable. Linda won't look at it in it's current state. If she must go in the kitchen she wears a hat over her eyes to restrict the view!

Fri 11-May: Today's one moment is a toss up today between a false moustache masquerading as an eyebrow and a newt. But having waited and hoped for the eighteen months since I dug the allotment pond that newts would make it their home, my excitement at finding one in the pond this morning wins out. Clearing out some blanket weed, I always check to see if I've gathered anything up that needs throwing back in... and there it was, a newt! Think it's a palmate newt, reasonably common. And it might just be a female laying eggs in the pond! And the false moustache? A few days ago texted Connor I'd accidentally lost an eyebrow up the nozzle when hoovering my head after a cut, and I'd stuck one of my false moustaches (yes, one of the many accessories to periodically amuse the grandchildren) on instead. When he turned up with Beth this afternoon to inspect progress on the kitchen I greeted him with it precariously stuck in position... the adhesive is a bit weak through overuse. Is it any wonder my grandchildren think I'm mad, but I consider surprising them an important part of my role in life.

Sat 12-May: On the first trip taking the remains of the old kitchen up to the dump, what should I spy but a bag of golf clubs in the for sale bay. And there was a credible five iron, nice weight and looking a sure fire winner. Even better for being named 'Assassin'. Had it for the princely sum of £1. Here's the rod that's going to send a lightening bolt through the pitch and putt competitors when Andrew and Stephen visit again early June and I get my revenge for the five iron blues. Must get a bit of practice in beforehand!