Car not working – nervous/anxious wait

The car battery died over the weekend and when we charged it the immobiliser active message came on and nothing’s working.

I’ve got Halfords outside now replacing the battery but I am so very worried that this won’t be the solution and I will need some diagnostics work actioned to fix the immobiliser. No idea how to deal with that if that happens and is the case. Will likely have to tow it somewhere and this battery replacement will have been a waste of £140.00!

I need the car at the weekend for camping – absolutely worried silly sat here typing this…I hate cars!!

**Update – it didn’t fix it – so yes, £140.00 wasted! He’s going to try and get another team to come and take a look**

**Second Update – got the RAC out as part of my insurance and expected to have to get the car to a garage but he got it going – can’t believe it, I am so relieved!**

Natasha is watching Game of Thrones

She started on Saturday night as a bit of a protest at me getting drunk in the bar I think – she got through two episodes and said it was okay

So tonight we sat down and watched x3 episodes – it was so good seeing it all again and seeing her enjoy it and take an interest and ask questions

It was so hard not to give spoilers as well.

She got very worried when Ned Stark was ambushed by Jaime Lannister and was relieved he wasn’t killed saying later they couldn’t kill him as he’s the main character…oh dear!! :-)

It’s going to be fun to re-watch these, I doubt I will keep up though as I need to work

Fat Boy Slim DJ Rave set over Zoom

Bit of a lazy day today, pottering around and not doing too much. Decided to then get things sorted for camping next week so was lugging stuff from the sheds to the living room and cleaning things and sorting them out. Productive.

In the afternoon I tried the car again and no luck whatsoever, just wouldn’t start. Tried all sorts of ideas from the internet but nothing worked. John came round and had some ideas but still no luck but appreciated the help.

So I was a bit fed up and distracted now and watched some of the England v West Indies cricket and started drinking.

Got things ready for the evening as FatBoySlim and Idris Elba were doing a DJ set from 8.00pm so I was all set at 7.00pm! Tash wasn’t interested so started watching Game of Thrones from Season 1 – Episode 1 and I stayed in the bar. I got a bit drunk!

The music was great and I texted John and invited him up and sure as anything he was up with some beers and we got wasted. The rave session was brilliant and we had a good time and then after that just YouTubed music and comedy sketches etc. Game up around 2.00pm I think, probably later, I was very drunk!

Collapsed on the sofa and then made it to bed at 4.30am…heavy head in the morning!!

Meal at Mum’s

Busy with work today and then me, Tash, Jack, Charlotte and Miles went to Mums in the evening

Charlotte and Miles stayed for an hour or so because they were off to see some mates but we stayed for dinner

Out in the back garden, which was fine, it was warm enough and Mum had made a real effort for us so it was great we were able to go in the end. We had postponed tonight with a view to celebrating Miles’s graduation but that fell through at the last minute as his parents couldn’t make it.

Anyway, this was great and Mum clearly enjoyed having us there – very nice and pleasant evening.

Stayed until about 10.00pm so made the most of it.

Wine tasting experience at Skylon, London South Bank

Worked in the morning, bit tired today because of such a long and drawn out day yesterday. But got things done so that was pleasing.

Downed tools around 1.45pm and made dinner and got ready. After we’d eaten Jack dropped Tash and I at the Parkway train station and we went to London for our wine tasting experience that Charlotte and Miles bought us for Xmas.

Walked from the station to South Bank – cut it fine and it was a long way – but we went through the very rich areas so that was nice. London was really quiet to what you’re used to, very similar to what it was like in Porto when we went, so much still closed. Eerie!

We were at the Skylon near the London Eye and we were entitled to x5 wines – all of which were lovely as you’d expect. We had a nice waiter and gradually the place got busier, it was really enjoyable afternoon and we loved it. Would definitely recommend it to others and would be happy to go again to be honest.

I couldn’t walk back to the train station, blistered feet! So we jumped in a cab (£17.00) and got an earlier train home.

Jack picked us up and we got cheesy chips from the kebab van and more wine sat on the patio to end a lovely day/evening.

Day on the beach…after a decent fry-up

Up early – in fact both of us needed a wee at 3.00am and the view was stunning.

The sky was completely empty of clouds but packed solid with stars, really impressive.

Anyway, got up at 8.30am and went through the usual camping morning routine…coffee and fry-up! I did well and was happy with bacon, eggs, tomatoes and fried bread. Set us up for the day ahead.

Made a decent packed lunch and then jumped in the car and made our way to Mudeford and actually went to Hengistbury Head, about 45 mins drive away.

Quite busy but parked and went wandering around and made our way to the Mudeford Sandbank which was where all the expensive beach huts are available to buy or hire.

Set up on the beach, had a few beers and just relaxed in the sun. Went for a walk and found a bar so was happy with that and just listened to my music etc

Walked back along the cliff-top of Hengistbury Head which was impressive and back to the car. Off to the chip shop and waited almost an hour for them to provide our order (not impressed!) and we drove to Southbourne Beach about a mile away and sat there to each sausage and chips. Very lively place that was…loads of youngsters about.

Very nice day and went home for about 8.00pm and just ate, drank more and played cards.

Up fairly late and then bed!

A really lovely and relaxing day all told

Camping down in Dorset

Packed up the car, finished what work we had outstanding and then drove down to Wimborne, near Bournemouth

The traffic down there at about 4.00pm was busy so it’s clear that things are getting back to normality gradually.

We arrived at the campsite, well it was a field, and set up – all done and dusted in abut 30 minutes, great going and sat and relaxed and drank wine, beers and gin.

The site is where Charlotte and Miles were last week and it was fine. Not busy but families playing cricket/rounders and such like. Bess was a good girl and not too much of a pain.

Nice weather to people watch and we played a few games and had spag bol for dinner.

Nice to be somewhere different for a couple of days.

Busy with Work

Been working with EdCo this week, been full on but enjoyable and happy to be busy

It does mean I’ve neglected working in my new business venture so I need to get back on track with moving things along there. 

Not much else to report, think I might be doing more work with EdCo but we’ll see what happens. 

Uni Parks and White Hart

Worked on jobs in the morning, very productive and enjoyable actually. Hedges cut, roses deadheaded, hose mended. Nice breakfast and then cycled down to wolfson college to go punting but the punt was missing. 

We then went to Uni parks instead and had our picnic, if a couple of beers and we then just snoozed. Had my speaker so had some tunes as well. Very chilled. 

Went into town to refund something and then back home before going to Garsington to get Bess and Bella

Matt and Nicky Henderson came round in the evening and we had a few drinks at ours but Matt was itching to get up to the White Hart so we went up there and had a couple more drinks. Eventful evening as some lads were there very drunk. It was fine though. 

Nice to see familiar faces up there. All the usual suspects!

Wedding Anniversary

Our 27th Wedding anniversary today. Gave Tash the usual things, card, chocs, red roses and fizz. Think she was pleased with those. 

Worked from 6.30am to catch up with things for this EdCo work is been requested to do. Very full on but happy to get on it. A couple of phone calls with Andrew and Jason and hopefully get more work out of this, we’ll see. 

Worked on other things later and it was good to be focused. Finished for the day and as Tash came home and started cooking. Made a lovely creamy mustard and mushroom sauce for our steaks and then cooked the steaks on the bbq. 

Stayed up in the evening and had quite a lot to drink

A nice day and evening

Day Two of Inventory Training

Surprised that Tash wasn’t hungover this morning but had coffee and read in bed to start the day.

She went off with Kerry and Zoe for a walk and I had my training again from 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Another decent day on it and I feel fairly confident with being able to complete the form and get going now – just need to plan all the requirements, paperwork etc and get going. Need to do it whilst it’s fresh.

I’ve been stressing about EdCo Support work all weekend and today was no different, really worried about it but I need the money!

Tash isn’t too happy with me regarding hiding the amount of tax I owe, I’ve not come clean with her about it either in terms of the amount, just need to hope and push for it to be up to date before I am asked to make further payments to HMRC!!

After the training we pottered around and got dinner on the go and also took Bess out for a walk and caught up with things.

Tash and Charlotte had been to Cotswolds for a walk and tea etc and brought me back some cheese and chutney so I look forward to tucking into that.

Discussed next actions for the business and I have a bit of focus now so fingers crossed!

Watched a film in the evening, Jack was a pain because he’s stressing about his car not working and then also booking a holiday and festival next month, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and he got angry with me.

Anyway, gave up in the end and went to bed early to prepare for a busy week ahead!

Day One Training for Inventory Business

Bit of a lie-in and then got myself ready for the training course today, and tomorrow!

It was a Zoom meeting with 8 other candidates and the trainer – Emma. It was okay but literally a PowerPoint run through and a few exercises. Had to introduce ourselves and it was a mixed bag, very much people starting out from fresh but with experience in the industry. Enjoyable and I recorded it all so I have that to fall back on at any stage I need it.

I did learn that I am not a good learner, my attention/memory span is appalling. I made loads of notes as well though.

So that was me from 10.00am until 4.00pm and then I went out to Sue’s, taking Jack, to catch up with Tash and that. Nikki was there too and they’d tucked into a lot of Prosecco and Tash was steaming drunk. We stayed for a number of hours and had some food for dinner and eventually left. Nik had given me some glasses for the bar so that was nice.

Came home, and then went out to the Plough as today was “Super Saturday” where all the pubs that wanted to could open. Took Bess and there were a couple of people we knew there but it was dead otherwise. Not busy at all and we chatted to Tim the owner and he was a bit down about it all.

Glad we went to show our faces and support and they will hopefully appreciate that gesture as well.

Came home and watched a film whilst Tash went to sleep…

Mum over for wet dinner…almost!

Mum came over in the late afternoon for dinner today and I set up to cook chicken korma. Tim went off to London so it was us normal family members and Miles.

I called Mum when setting up the table as Tash said she might prefer to be outside and she was right so I set up outside on the patio and as soon as I did it started raining!

I persevered and got the covers set up and blankets and all that and when Mum arrived it was raining hard! The kids looked horrified but we stayed out for about an hour until dinner was ready and then even Mum said, “Okay then, let’s go inside!” – so that was a relief and I was freezing! Actually, I’m exaggerating there, I was wet, not particularly cold I’d say.

Nice dinner and a few drinks – got a bit argumentative with Jack at the table that was a bit embarrassing but there you go.

Mum stayed until about 9.00pm and left, nice evening for her as she’d been away with Louise for a week.

Nothing much else after that, watched some TV and then to bed because of the training I have lined up tomorrow

New Adventure

I have been looking into working as an Inventory Clerk and the other week I went out with Clare Barnes and that was productive and I took the plunge today and signed up for a course this weekend - £399.00 so it better be good and worthwhile!

The idea is that I can learn this trade and get out and about as and when with this role. Looking on websites I think there is a huge amount of competition but we will see what happens.

Aside from that, a fairly productive day getting other things done that I wanted to address

Nothing much in the evening, dead time really – watched the Disney film Moana and that was enjoyable.

Things are all a bit slow at the minute…

Halfway though the year 2020

It’s been an absolute nightmare year and we’re only halfway though it!

Sat here working today but my work has dropped right down, looking to expand elsewhere so will see what happens with this Inventory idea.

But still sat in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic with little chance of it changing anytime soon although for some reason the Government are reducing the lockdown rules this Saturday – it’s being dubbed as Super Saturday – where pubs are open and all sorts – it’s going to be mental. Absolutely mental.

Black Lives Matter movement is still bubbling away but not too mainstream in the last week or so but there is a current theme to find anything remotely racist and look for it to be censored or removed from sketches in comedy shows or statues etc.

Donald Trump is still an absolute Loon!

Liverpool won the League…that sums up this year! To be fair, they’ve been excellent for two seasons and this year was well deserved, but don’t we know it?

Anyway, need to get back on track with things so will stop with this one now…more later