07-Oct to 13-Oct 2012

Sun 07-Oct: Here's the result of a couple of hours spent this afternoon clearing out the greenhouse, washing the glass, erecting the shelves and chasing out ants and snails. Now ready for all the cuttings I'm going to take to fill the redesigned back garden, and for us to sit in on sunny autumn afternoons.

Mon 08-Oct: The centre of St Ives is filled with the 900 year old Michaelmas Fair for the next three days, so we met the grandchildren this evening for a visit. Highlight was Connor and Paige having a go in the water balls, see an example here. Sammy didn't fancy the normal battle on the dodgems since they looked a bit speedy, but here's Connor with Chris ready to crash me to a pulp on the dodgems a few seconds before they started up. Sammy was right about the speed, OUCH!

Tue 09-Oct: With Sam unavailable, preferring the company of his four girlfriends, me and Connor spent a couple of hours late afternoon trying to make our fortune with his new metal detector. Here's the expert, along with our finds... a beer bottle top and 2p found in the first five minutes!

Wed 10-Oct: My daughter Becky, world class delegator!

Thu 11-Oct: Another classic text exchange with Connor.

Fri 12-Oct: Really fed up late this afternoon, having spent a couple of hours strimming the allotment, cleaning the chickens and composting... no time for digging, planting seeds or any other worthwhile activity. And here's the source of my woe, the strimmer used three times in four months. The first time the bump feed wouldn't work, second time the cover came off and the spring flew out, never to be found, and today while using the bush cutter (which vibrates like mad) the guard broke. So the heap of rubbish is going back to Argos for a refund of £130.

Sat 13-Oct: Mooching around Hyperion Auctions on Friday during their viewing period, spotted this box of what looked like paper bags and tins. Turned out to be a collection of rocks, ancient pottery and fossils. So this morning pitched up at the auction with the family's artifacts expert. Connor thought we should bid up to £32... we got it for £28, part coming from his Christmas money. Turns out there's over 50 items overall, so one happy boy!