A day without electric.

On Saturday morning we woke to discover we had no electric. That meant we couldn't even have a decent cup of coffee. We managed to have a lukewarm one from my jug I filled Friday afternoon that keeps water hot up to 8 hours.
Tony nipped downstairs to Margaret's to see if she had any power, she did not. However, Lynn at number 3 did.
Tony rang the National Power grid to ask if they knew why we had no power. The person on the phone said they were not aware of the problem but they would look into it.
Not long after a man rang back to ask a few questions then told us that somebody would be out within the next 2 hours or so to have a look.
I was so in need of a cup of tea but I wasn't going to get one.

You don't realise until you have no electric power how much you need it!
I could not use the computer, the hoover, the kettle, no heating, no food except cold, so no porridge for breakfast. I just stayed on the bed and did jigsaws on my iPad mini. At least until the battery ran out, then I couldn't do that anymore.

I decided the only thing to do then was to read. I am reading Linwood Barclay at the moment, I have just started one called "Trust Your Eyes" It is about a map-obsessed man who believes he must store the details of the city in his head, He goes on a virtual tour of the world then one day he sees a woman being murdered. When he tells his brother, his brother does not really believe him.
Linwood Barclay keeps you guessing to the last page I have already read four of his books and I have enjoyed every one so far.

Lynsey was thinking of us having no electric and went to Halfords and bought us a small gas stove. I could finally have a cup of coffee, this was at about 3 pm. I was so glad she had spent the time to go and buy it and bring it to us. At least she cares, she does love me really even if she won't let me give her a hug.
The electric was restored not long after Lynsey came I think it was about 4:15 pm. Tony began to clear up the kitchen and to prepare things for tonight's dinner.  I tidied up in the bedroom put my iPad on to charge and came into the office to use the computer. For some reason, the computer would not let me write a blog so this is going to be an extra long one.
 Yesterday afternoon I discovered a very small piece of tooth in my mouth, so small I didn't even know where it had come from. While eating my dinner, I found out! One of my teeth just suddenly crumbled all that is left is the back of it. I wouldn't mind but I only went to the dentist last week and got a clean bill of health. The dentist told me my hygiene was excellent and nothing needed doing. Huh, now I have to go back.

The garden life is thriving, the squirrels are calling everyday. There are always three or four about now because it is mating time. It amuses me to see one squirrel come down and wipe himself all over the fence, then a few minutes later another one will appear smell the fence then wipe itself all over the top to wipe out the scent of the last one. Then when the female appears it's time for a game of chase round the garden and round the tree. It makes me think of "The Benny Hill Show" and the music that played when they had the chases on there.

Squirrel has a sniff at the fence

Then he wipes himself all over the fence to scent mark.

 Has a sniff to make sure it's done right.

Then off he goes to eat some food.

Peanuts, Black sunflower seeds and suet. All his favourites.

Then he sees something he wants more...

Over on the shed windowsill, Hazelnuts...

Squirrel even liked the vegetable crisps.

This morning we called in at Mums to drop off a date and walnut loaf I had baked on Sunday for her, and to pick up a dog lead to take to Lynsey's for her cat Biscuit. Yes that's what I said her cat Biscuit.

While at Mums we attempted to take some photo's of her dog Oliver. The hard part of that is Oliver never keeps still long enough for you to catch him. Tony got better ones than I did so the following pictures are Tony's.

Oliver waiting for his ball throwing.

Oliver sitting to attention.

Please throw the ball for me.

Oliver is a very small dog but he has no trouble letting you know what he wants.

There is just one other picture I am going to put on (you will probably be glad, you must be getting bored by now).

We saw this while out driving and it amused us both.

The van itself wasn't what amused us but the right side underneath the word out...

It just made us chuckle!

Until the next time...

Hospital blunders and Handsome cats.

Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield never fails to amaze me.
Lynsey had an appointment there with the neurology clinic to see an epilepsy specialist a couple of weeks or so ago. She never received her appointment letter because it was sent to her old address in Hull. She found out about the appointment when she received a text reminding her of the appointment.
Today Lynsey received a letter from Pinderfields Hospital informing the family doctor the outcome of her recent visit. This was a copy of the letter the hospital had sent to her GP, in Hull, who she was with when she lived in Hull. This was after Lynsey had told them about not getting the letter because they had sent it to her old address in Hull, repeating her new address in Wakefield several times to make sure the hospital had the correct address. The hospital assured her they had, so why did it still go to Hull and not Wakefield???

The weather is not improving at all, it is still very cold, which makes me very cranky and makes me want to stay indoors. We have been out a couple of times when we had to just to go shopping or to put food out for the birds and squirrels, however, we have not stayed out for longer than necessary.

I had to go out today to buy a new printer, the one I had was playing up. It would print a few pages then it would refuse to load the paper. I would try for a few minutes before I could get the stupid thing to load more. I was beginning to get so annoyed with it, I was threatening to throw it through the window. Tony and I decided it would be better for all concerned if I invested in a new one. Currys had a sale on so we had a look there. I found one that I am very happy with. It was reasonably priced, took up less room on my desk and is more economical. It does not take cartridges the ink is in tanks which you refill from bottles. It said on the advert it comes complete with 2years supply of ink. Well! we shall see.

Lynsey's cats are still taking up most of her time, she treats them like children. Biscuit has grown into a very handsome cat, he gives Pepper a hard time trying to get him to play when all Pepper wants to do is sleep. Pepper finds some interesting hiding places so Biscuit has to make do playing with his toy rat instead.

Pepper hiding from Biscuit.

Biscuit taking it out on the rat.

A very handsome cat.

Pepper posing for the camera.

The squirrels are not visiting much the last few days, I think the cold weather is keeping them away. Although I did see one stuck to the side of the tree earlier in the week.

Trying not to be seen.

I got the impression he was camouflaging himself so the cat wouldn't spot him.

Until the next time... 

Singing in the new year.

The birds were singing in the new year in the garden today.
The Robin was leading, the Dunnocks close behind, followed by Blackbirds and a variety of Tit's. Even a little Wren was joining in. It was quite a band they had going. However the loudest of them all today were the Starlings. They were all over the garden, in bushes, trees on the shed roof, the flat roof and the school roof. Starling voices could be heard everywhere. They warbled at the top of their voices drowning out the rest of the birds.

Singing Starlings

The Starlings that were not singing were squabbling over food. They were fighting over peanut butter and suet, the fights became very heated at times.

Starlings fighting over food.

The Squirrels had a treat when they discovered the nutboxes filled with chestnuts and hazelnuts instead of the usual monkey nuts. I wonder how many sweet chestnut trees they have planted around the estate today?

 Squirrel finding a surprise in the nutbox

Squirrel rushing off to bury the surprise

I stayed in the shed as long as possible but the cold weather won in the end, I had to return to the flat before I really wanted to. The light was fading too so I really could not have stayed much longer. 

Tony had a hot water bottle ready for me by the time I got back upstairs,( he is good to me).

Well that's it the new year has started what it will hold is any ones guess, will we ever leave the EU? Will this be another bad year for celeb deaths? Who will press the button first, Korea, Russia or Donald Trump?

 Maybe it will be a good year full of peace and harmony!

Yes I know I've lost the plot again.

Until the next time....

The end of 2016.

This year has finally come to an end, it has not been a particularly good year, certainly not for the many celebrities who have passed on or their families. There will of course be countless other people who's passing has gone un-noticed by the general public, because they were not famous or infamous enough to be mentioned in the papers. Those are the ones that deserve our thoughts the most in my opinion, the everyday Joe's and Jane's that went about daily life in there own way, caring for their families and friends not for the fame or fortune that the stardom brought them. However that is just my opinion, I know the celeb's all had families that will miss them as well but how many fall outs will happen over wills?

Well now that is out of my system what else can I say about 2016?

The last few days have been bloody cold, in fact so cold I am writing this wearing pyjamas, a hooded fleece top, 2 pairs of socks and seriously thinking about getting a hot water bottle.

The frost in the garden allowed me to take a few shots I would not normally be able to get.

Cobweb on the dustbin

Glittering Holly Leaves

Frozen water in the Bird Bath

The birds were happy when the sun came out.

The Sparrow flexed her wings in the sunshine

The Robin sang to let the other Robin know this is his garden

There were two Robins in the garden so there had been a few squabbles over territory, the winner took to the bushes to let the birds in the area know he was the victor and the garden was his.


The weight loss my Dr suggested because of my high cholesterol seems to have gone by the by over Christmas, although I don't appear to have put on any weight. I will however return to the healthy eating starting tomorrow. (Notice how careful I am not to say I am on a d**t).

Christmas was pretty good as Christmas goes! Elvira came over and stayed the night, Lynsey came for the day. Tony cooked, we had something different this year.
We had a "Chindian". Lots of Chinese and Indian starters, a choice of two curries, there was a choice of desserts but nobody wanted them!!!
Tony and I decided to try the strawberry cheesecake, which was fine apart from the strawberries were still frozen. At least Elvira and Lynsey had a good laugh at the faces we pulled eating them.




Tonight we will not be staying up to see the new year in we will both be tucked up in bed where it is warm. We will leave the partying to the younger and dafter generations who don't mind being cold, wet and acting stupid just because it's a new year.

However I will wish you all a Happy New Year.

                                                                                       


Until the next time...

Death of a lens.

I had a twitch and dropped my Tamron lens. It was 18mm - 270mm, it was one of my favourite lenses.  It sits in the cupboard looking so sad and alone, smashed and beyond repair, the lens is dead! I really hate these twitches!

It costs £300.00 plus to replace my Tamron lens, to use Tonys words "BLOODY CHRISTMAS".

The weather is not good at the moment, infact the days just don't seem to get light. It has been foggy, cold and wet.

At least it gave me chance to take a few atmospheric snaps.

TREE IN THE FOG.

 A FOGGY DAY.

TRAFFIC IN THE FOG.

My trips to hospital are over until after the new year. Then I am back to Huddersfield for physiotherapy and to see Mr Foggerty.

Tony had a blood test last week then was called back in for another this week. His answer to that was, 

"BLOODY CHRISTMAS!!!".

Until the next time...

Doctors, Hospitals and Crazy Garden Life.

My time has been taken up with visits to Doctors, hospitals, physiotherapists and crazy garden life. That and all the other daily life happenings.

I have been to Huddersfield to see Mr Fogerty at the BMI Hospital with my shoulder. Apparently I have what is called "Impingement" in my right shoulder. This is incredibly painful, he gave me a steroid injection into my shoulder which he said would help with the pain. It didn't!!!
If you want to know more about this Mr Fogerty has a website you can look on
 shoulderelbowclinic.co.uk
 if you open this URL then click on shoulder impingement will come up in a list.

Mr Fogerty referred me to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for physiotherapy. I have been to see a very nice lady called Katherine there.
On the first visit she asked a few questions, asked me to show her how far I could move my arm into different positions, which didn't take long because I couldn't do most of them. Then she massaged my muscles in my shoulder which was painful but felt quite nice at the same time! After only a few minutes of this I could move my arm slightly more, which really surprised me.
Katherine then showed me how I could get the same effect using a tennis ball. This is so I could massage my muscles at home myself, which I have to do for 2-3 minutes 4 or 5 times a day. I am also supposed to put my hands into a pillow case up to the elbows then force my arms apart as far as I can using the pillow case to prevent me forcing them too far. I am not too good at this because my right arm is so weak the pillow case just falls off.
When I returned for the second visit Katherine said to just carry on with the exercises I had been doing, she said there was no point adding anymore as the muscles were still so tender and weak that it would do more harm than good.
I see Mr Fogerty again at the end of January if things are not improving it could mean an operation. So I am making sure I use the ball everyday and trying my best with the pillow case before I see Katherine at the beginning of January.

When I saw Dr Daru again my cholesterol was still sky high, although I had managed to loose about 6lbs in four weeks. Dr Daru wants to see me again in April by which time he expects me to have lost at least another 8lbs.  If my cholesterol is still high then he wants to put me on "Statins", another bloody tablet!!!

Now lets get to something more cheerful.
The garden has been lively, we have had four squirrels in the garden some days. We had three new baby squirrels who ran round the garden like lunatics. Tony kept a sharp eye out for cats, they get too close for comfort sometimes and have to be warned off with a mint imperial whistling past their ear.

At the bottom of the garden near the greenhouse.

By the nut box.

On the shelf at the bottom of the garden .

On top of the shed watching out for cats. 

On the shed window ledge.

On the school fence. 

Opposite the shed on the fence.

On the table at the side of the shed.

 The squirrels are coming everyday now I think it's the variety of nuts, they get hazelnuts, cobnuts, chestnuts, peanuts both in shells and no shells.

The birds are not left out either, they get mixed seeds, black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, suet nibbles, peanut nibbles, suet balls, peanuts and fruit. Then of course any left over bread, biscuits or cake. The squirrels do help with the sunflower seeds and cake.

There has been a lot of birdlife in the garden the latest return has been the Greenfinches and the Blackbirds.

Greenfinch on the water dish in the garden.

 Greenfinch in the hedge opposite the shed.

Wren in the hedge opposite the shed.

 Wren in hedge opposite the shed.

 Blue Tit on feeding station.

 Coal Tit ready for take off.

 Dunnock on the fence opposite the shed.

 Robin in the hedge opposite the shed.

 Blue Tit in the hedge opposite
 the shed.   

Robin in the hedge opposite the shed.

Hoglet looking for food in the garden.

















The hedgehog was taken earlier in the year but I found it when I was sorting some photo's out and just thought I would include it.

I hope that has given you something to read "Elvira", I will try to keep up but I am not promising anything!!!




Until the next time...