John's 2022 thread - Amongst good friends part Four

Please come along and post some comments, be it about books, life or to be honest, anything you like.

Hello everyone, this is my Eleventh year being part of this wonderful group. I am John, 59 years old and married to Karen for 38 years and counting. We have two lovely children, Rob and Amy. Rob lives with his Fiancee Louise, daughter Hannah who will be 12 in February. Amy married Andy in 2015 and they now have a cat called Combie and Elliott who was born on Star Wars Day. We also have a mad Cat called Felix and we love him, he is nearly three and a half.

Please come along and leave a message and let's see what fun we have.

I love books and currently have 2,908 books on my shelves, and this doesn't include my Cricket collection which stands at about 450 books. While reading I do enjoy the odd pot or two of tea.

CURRENTLY READING

I just love Big Books, these are my 1000+page reads so far with more to add.

1.Shogun by James Clavell, 1243 pgs
2.Gai-Jin by James Clavell, 1578 pgs
3.Noble House by James Clavell, 1435 pgs
4.War & Remembrance by Herman Wouk, 1171 pgs
5.Whirlwind by James Clavell, 1343 pgs
6.Centennial by James A. Michener 1100 pgs
7.The Covenant by James A. Michener, 1080 pgs
8.Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd, 1344 pgs
9.Homeland by John Jakes, 1138 pgs
10.Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, 1007 pgs
11.A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, 1474 pgs
12.Love and War by John Jakes, 1019 pgs
13.Texas by James A. Michener, 1508 pgs
14.My Life by Bill Clinton, 1000 pgs
15.Child of the Phoenix by Barbara Erskine, 1086 pgs
16.Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, 1059 pgs
17.The Journeyer by Gary Jennings, 1219 pgs
18.Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton, 1144 pgs
19.Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton, 1235 pgs
20.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, 1185 pgs
21.Wicked by Jilly Cooper, 1007 pgs
22.The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon, 1412 pgs
23.London by Edward Rutherfurd, 1299 pgs
24.The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, 1076 pgs
25.A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, 1391 pgs
26.World Without End by Ken Follett, 1111 pgs
27.Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, 1,015 pgs
28.The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer, 1,056 pgs
29.An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, 1,065 pgs
30.New York by Edward Rutherfurd, 1017 pgs
31.Hawaii by James A.Michener, 1130 pgs
32.The Company by Robert Littell, 1281 pgs
33.The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F.Hamilton, 1225 pgs
34.Spangle by Gary Jennings, 1276 pgs
35.Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell, 1024 pgs
36.Alaska by James A. Michener, 1073 pgs.
37.Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson, 1180 pgs.
38.Chesapeake by James A. Michener, 1132 pgs
39. 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster, 1070 pgs.
40. The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch, 1156 pgs.
41. The Neutronium Alchemist by Peter F. Hamilton, 1259 pgs.
42. The Naked God by Peter F. Hamilton, 1244 pgs.
43. The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy, 1104 pgs.
44. The Source by James A. Michener, 1032 pgs.
45. Against The Day by Thomas Pynchon, 1220 pgs.
46. The Stand by Stephen King, 1325 pgs.
47. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, 1006 pgs.
48. Harlot's Ghost by Norman Mailer, 1401 pgs.

BOOKS READ BY JOHN
1. Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton, PB - 253 pages.
2. A Class Act by Gervase Phinn, PB - 391 pages.
3. Too Many Reasons to Live by Rob Burrow, HB - 288 pages.
4. The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman, PB - 374 pages.
5. Death of a Dustman by M.C. Beaton, PB - 260 pages.
6. First Family by David Baldacci, PB - 659 pages.
7. Confessions, The Murder of an Angel by James Patterson, PB - 275 pages.
8. Back to School by Jack Sheffield, PB - 338 pages.
9. Shatter the Bones by Stuart Macbride, PB - 453 pages.
10. NYPD Red 5 by James Patterson, PB - 338 pages.
11. Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell, PB - 420 pages.
12. The Final Minute by Simon Kernick, PB - 392 pages.
13. School Days by Jack Sheffield, PB - 337 pages.
14. NYPD RED 6 by James Patterson, PB - 339 pages.
15. The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett, PB - 307 pages.
16. The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear, PB - 411 pages.
17. The Puppet Boy of Warsaw by Eva Weaver, PB - 313 pages.
18. The Sixth Man by David Baldacci, PB - 592 pages.
19. Dancing Over the Hill by Cathy Hopkins, PB - 434 pages.
20. Date with Deceit by Julia Chapman, PB - 420 pages.
21. The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun, PB - 215 pages.
22. Died and Gone to Devon by T P Fielden, PB - 345 pages.
23. The Shadow by James Patterson, PB - 378 pages.
24. Death of a Celebrity by M.C. Beaton, PB - 287 pages.
25. King and Maxwell by David Baldacci, PB - 591 pages.
26. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler, PB - 263 pages.
27. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch, PB - 357 pages.
28. Once in a Lifetime by Danielle Steel, PB - 341 pages.
29. Distant Images by Audrey Howard, PB - 475 pages.
30. The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce, PB - 354 pages.
31. The Partner by John Grisham, PB - 410 pages.
32. Red Roulette by Desmond Shum, HB - 310 pages.
33. Black Dog by Stephen Booth, PB - 514 pages.
34. Mystery in Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood, PB - 214 pages.
35. The Drop by Michael Connelly, PB - 418 pages.
36. The House Swap by Rebecca Fleet, PB - 340 pages.
37. Blindside by James Patterson, PB - 360 pages.
38. The Yellow Jersey by Ralph Hurne, PB - 285 pages.
39. A Crowded Marriage by Catherine Alliott, PB - 530 pages.
40. Death of a Village by M.C. Beaton, PB - 283 pages.
41. 61 Hours by Lee Child, PB - 493 pages.
42. Private Paris by James Patterson, PB - 411 pages.
43. From The Dead by Mark Billingham, PB - 468 pages.
44. The Perfect Match by Katie Fforde, PB - 389 pages.
45. Thurston House by Danielle Steel, PB - 407 pages.
46. A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow, PB - 211 pages.
47. The Confession by John Grisham, PB - 456 pages.
48. Promises, Promises by Erica James, PB - 429 pages.
49. Target Alex Cross by James Patterson, PB - 414 pages.
50. The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy, PB - 290 pages.
51. The Library by Bella Osborne, PB - 369 pages.
52. A Grave in the Cotswolds by Rebecca Tope, PB - 413 pages.
53. Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer, PB - 369 pages.
54. The Lilac Bus by Maeve Binchy, PB - 200 pages.
55. Return to Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood, PB - 214 pages.
56. Date with Betrayal by Julia Chapman, PB - 353 pages.
57. You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell, PB - 406 pages.

BOOKS READ BY KAREN
1. A Winter Cottage by Rachael Lucas, PB - 4.5 Stars.
2. Snowed in at the Practice by Penny Parkes, PB - 4.5 Stars
3. Back to School by Jack Sheffield, PB - 5 Stars
4. The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman, PB - 5 Stars
5. The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy, PB - 5 stars
6. Murder has a Motive by Francis Duncan, PB - 5 Stars
7. School Days by Jack Sheffield, PB - 5 Stars
8. Call of the Penguins by Hazel Prior, PB - 5 Stars
9. The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett, PB - 5+ Stars
10. Murder at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah, PB - 5 Stars
11. Life after Lunch by Sarah Harrison, PB - 4 Stars
12. The Truth About You by Melissa Hill, PB - 4.5 Stars
13. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, PB - 3.5 Stars
14. Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer, PB - 4.5 Stars
15. Longbourn by Jo Baker, PB - 4.5 Stars
16. Too Many Reasons To Live by Rob Burrow, HB - 5 Stars
17. Annabelle by M.C. Beaton, PB - 4 Stars
18. The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer, PB - 4.5 Stars
19. The Geometry of Holding Hands by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 5 Stars
20. Blotto and Twinks and the Ex-Kings Daughter by Simon Brett, PB - 3.5 Stars
21. A Proper Family Adventure by Chrissie Manby, PB - 3 Stars
22. Died and Gone to Heaven by T P Fielden, PB - 4 Stars
23. No Word of Blame by Georgette Heyer, PB - 4.5 Stars
24. The Pupil by Caro Fraser, PB - 4 Stars
25. The Black Dress by Deborah Moggach, PB - 5 Stars
26. The Tent, The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy, PB - 3 Stars
27. R in the Month by Nancy Spain, PB - 2.5 Stars (Utter Twaddle)
28. Murder on a Summer's Day by Frances Brody, PB - 5 Stars
29. Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Spry, PB - 5 Stars
30. Return to Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood, PB - 5 Stars
31. Festival at Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood, PB - 5 Stars
32. In Prior's Wood by G.M. Malliet, PB - 5 Stars
33. A Deception at Thorncrest by Ashley Weaver, PB - 4.5 Stars
34. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, PB - 4.5 Stars
35. Death and Croissants by Ian Moore, PB - 4.5 Stars
36. The Whitstable Pearl by Julie Wassmer, PB - 5 Stars
37. A Three Dog Problem by S.J Bennett, PB - 5+ Stars
38. A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver, PB - 5+ Stars
39. The Library of the Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick, PB - 5 Stars
40. Who Shot the Butler by Georgette Heyer, PB - 5 Stars
41. Death of a Cosywriter by G.M. Malliet, PB - 5+ Stars
42. Flying too High by Kerry Greenwood, PB - 5 Stars
43. So Pretty a Problem by Frances Duncan, PB - 5 Stars
44. A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall, PB - 5 Stars
45. The Library by Bella Osbourne, PB - 5+ Stars
46. The Countryman's Lot by Max Hardcastle, PB - 4 Stars
47. A Lady so Fair by Frances Duncan, PB - 4.5 Stars
48. A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, PB - 5 Stars
49. Death of an Avid Reader by Frances Brody, PB - 5 Stars
50. Miss Austen by Gill Hornby, PB - 4.5 Stars
51. Tiny Tales by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 4 Stars
52. A Countryman's Luck by Max Hardcastle, PB - 5 Stars
53. An Unfortunate Christmas Murder by Hannah Hendy, PB - 5 Stars
54. A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley, PB - 5 Stars
55. Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage by Emily Organ, PB - 2.5 Stars
56. Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Menuhin, PB - 4.5 Stars
57. Another little Christmas Murder by Lorna Nicholl Morgan, PB - 4.5 Stars
58. A Wedding at Christmas Chris Manby, PB - 4.5 Stars
59. The White Priory Murders by Carter Dickson, PB - 4 Stars

BOOKS BOUGHT IN 2022

JANUARY
1.The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths, PB.
2.The Midwife Murders by James Patterson, PB.
3.Texas Outlaw by James Patterson, PB.
4.The Bride of Almond Tree by Robert Hillman, PB
5.Sooley by John Grisham, PB.
6.The Russian by James Patterson, PB.
7.The Library by Bella Osborne, PB.
8.May Day Murder by Julie Wassmer, PB.
9.Murder on Sea by Julie Wassmer, PB.
10.The Whitstable Pearl Mystery by Julie Wassmer, PB.
11.Murder Fest by Julie Wassmer, PB.
12.The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy, PB.
13.Wagons West Missouri by Dana Fuller Ross, PB.
14.Otherland: River of Blue Fire by Tad Williams, PB.
15.Finding Hope at Hillside Farm by Rachael Lucas, PB.
16.Murder has a Motive by Francis Duncan, PB.
17.So Pretty a Problem by Francis Duncan, PB.
18.Behold a Fair Woman by Francis Duncan, PB.
19.Murder on the Downs by Julie Wassmer, PB.
20.The City of Tears by Kate Mosse, PB.
21.Longbourn by Jo Baker, PB.
22.Saying Goodbye to Tuesday by Chrissie Manby, PB.
23.The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow, PB.
24.The Jericho Trumpet by Olive Etchells, PB.
25.The Jericho Rose by Olive Etchells, PB.
26.Wainwright: The Autobiography by Hunter Davies, PB.
27.The System of the World by Neal Stephenson, PB.
28.The Confusion by Neal Stephenson, PB.
29.Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths, PB.
30.Tangled up in White by Peter Roebuck, HB.
31.Mad Jack, An Autobiography by Don Wilson, HB.
32.Letting Rip by Simon Wilde, HB.
33.The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer, PB.
34.Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer, PB.
35.Murder on the Pilgrims Way by Julie Wassmer, PB.
36.Why Shoot a Butler by Georgette Heyer, PB.
37.The 24-Hour Cafe by Libby Page, PB.
38.A Wedding at Christmas by Chrissie Manby, PB.
39.Disappearance at Oare by Julie Wassmer, PB.

FEBRUARY
40.A Proper Family Adventure by Chrissie Manby, PB.
41.Sweet Summers by J.M. Kilburn, HB.
42.The Sweetest Rose, 150 Years of Yorkshire County Cricket Club 1863 - 2013 by David Warner, HB.
43.21st Birthday by James Patterson, PB.
44.The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary, PB.
45. China by Edward Rutherfurd, PB.

BOOKS BOUGHT IN 2022

MARCH
46. Outbreak by Frank Gardner, PB.
47. L is for Lawless by Sue Grafton, PB.
48. A Hooded Crow by Craig Thomas, PB.
49. Australian Summer by Neville Cardus, HB.
50. The D'Oliveira Story by Basil D'Oliveira, HB.
51. Self-Defence by Jonathan Kellerman, PB.
52. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, PB.
53. The Village Green Bookshop by Rachael Lucas, PB.
54. The Night Fire by Michael Connelly, PB.
55. A Dedicated Man by Peter Robinson, PB.
56. A Necessary End by Peter Robinson, PB.
57. Close to the Bone by Stuart MacBride, PB.
58. Road to the Dales by Gervase Phinn, PB.
59. Cheer up Love by Susan Calman, PB.
60. Death in White Pyjamas/Death Knows no Calendar by John Bude, PB.
61. Sunrise by the Sea by Jenny Colgan, PB.
62. Private Rogue by James Patterson, PB.

APRIL
63. Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan, PB.
64. Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, PB.
65. Date with Betrayal by Julia Chapman, PB.
66. Down the Hatch by M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green, PB.
67. Five Hundred Miles From You by Jenny Colgan, PB.
68. A Wedding in the Country by Katie Fforde, PB.
69. A Cornish Summer by Catherine Alliott, PB.
70. The Island Home by Libby Page, PB.
71. Who wants to be a batsman? by Simon Hughes, PB.
72. Unguarded-my autobiography by Jonathan Trott, PB.
73. The Black Dress by Deborah Moggach, PB.
74. Death of the Black Widow by James Patterson, PB.

MAY
75. Lovers and Newcomers by Rosie Thomas, PB.
76. The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths, PB.
77. Kate Hannigan's Girl by Catherine Cookson, PB.
78. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin, PB.
79. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, PB.
80. The Coast-to-Coast Murders by James Patterson, PB.
81. Breakup by Dana Stabenow, PB.
82. Sofia Khan and the Baby Blues by Ayisha Malik, PB - Quick Reads.
83. The Kiss by Santa Montefiore, PB - Quick Reads.
84. Death and Croissants by Ian Moore, PB.
85. R in the Month by Nancy Spain, PB.
86. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, PB.
87. The First Lady by James Patterson, PB.
88. Death makes a Prophet by John Bude, PB.
89. The Tent, The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy, PB.
90. The Other Mrs Miller by Allison Dickson, PB.
91. everything is beautiful by Eleanor Ray, PB.
92. The President's Daughter by James Patterson, PB.
93. Over my Dead Body by Jeffrey Archer, PB.

JUNE
94. Blood Brothers by Josephine Cox, PB.
95. The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman, PB.
96. Predator by Patricia Cornwell, PB.
97. Sharpe's Fortress by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
98. The Noise by James Patterson, PB.
99. A Three Dog Problem by S.J. Bennett, PB.

JULY
100. Auschwitz, The Nazi's and The Final Solution by Laurence Rees, PB.
101. The Dying Day by Vaseem Khan, PB.
102. The Blood Road by Stuart Macbride, PB.
103. A Crowded Marriage by Catherine Alliott, PB.
104. Small Island by Little Train by Chris Arnot, PB (Birthday Present)
105. Never by Ken Follett, PB.
106. Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce, PB.
107. Tiny Tales by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
108. A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver, PB.
109. The Pavilion in the Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
110. Death of Anton by Alan Melville, PB.
111. The Incredible Crime by Lois Austen-Leigh, PB.
112. Riccardino by Andrea Camilleri, PB.
113. Betraying the Crown by T.P. Fielden, PB
114. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer, PB.
115. The Longest Winter by Alex Kershaw, PB.

AUGUST
116. We Don't Play it for Fun by Don Mosey, HB.
117. The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
118. The Keeper of Stories by Salley Page, PB.
119. The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Morgan, PB.
120. Death in Cornwall by G.M. Malliet, PB.
121. The Ninth Month by James Patterson, PB.

SEPTEMBER
122. Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon, PB.
123. The Girl in the Castle by James Patterson, PB.
124. A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall, PB.
125. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, PB.
126. the murder game by Rachel Abbott, PB.
127. Cold Wind by C.J. Box, PB.
128. The History of Worcestershire County Cricket Club by David Lemmon, HB.

OCTOBER

129. The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa, PB.
130. A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, PB.
131. Fear no Evil by James Patterson, PB.
132. 22 Seconds by James Patterson, PB.

NOVEMBER

133. The Judge's List by John Grisham, PB.
134. Red Notice by Bill Browder, PB.
135. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear, PB.
136. Another Little Christmas Murder by Lorna Nicholl Morgan, PB.
137. The Case of the Missing Bronte by Robert Barnard, PB.
138. A Little Local Murder by Robert Barnard, PB.
139. Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage by Emily Organ, PB.
140. Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Menuhin, PB.

DECEMBER

141. The Horsewoman by James Patterson, PB.
142. Dark Lady by Richard North Patterson, PB.
143. Exile by Richard North Patterson, PB.
144. Murder at the Theatre Royal by Ada Moncrieff, PB.
145. A Wedding in Provence by Katie Fforde, PB.
146. Blue Moon by Lee Child, PB.
147. Death of a Green-Eyed Monster by M.C. Beaton, PB.
148. A Mansion for Murder by Frances Brody, PB.
149. One More Christmas at the Castle by Trisha Ashley, PB.
150. Late Cuts by Vic Marks, PB.
151. The Girls by Bella Osborne, PB.
152. Good Cop Bad Cop by Simon Kernick, PB.
153. The Ullswater Undertaking by Rebecca Tope, PB.
154. Power Play by Danielle Steel, PB.
155. The Right Time by Danielle Steel, PB.
156. Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan, PB.
157. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, PB.
158. The White Priory Murders by Carter Dickson, PB.
159. Crete by Antony Beevor, PB.
160. Two-Way Murder by E.R.C. Lorac, PB.
161. The Chianti Flask by Marie Belloc Lowndes, PB.
162. Appetite by Ed Balls, PB.
163. Remainders of the Day by Shaun Bythell, HB.

JULY'S READING STATS

Books Read....................... 4

No of Authors.................... 4

New Authors...................... 1

Male Authors..................... 2

Female Authors.................. 2

Pages Read....................... 1,332

Daily Avg........................... 42.97

Book Length avg................. 333

Latest reading stats:

Books on shelves at 1-7-22 - 2,889
Books added in July - 16
Books read in July - 4

Revised book total - 2901

Pages to read at 1-7-22 - 1,185,351
Pages added in July - 6,711
Pages read in July - 1,332

Revised total pages to read - 1,190,730

Thread is now OPEN.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, John!

>14 figsfromthistle:, >15 jessibud2:, Thank you Anita and Shelley, i think you just got in before Shelley, Anita my dear.

Happy New Thread John!

Happy new thread, John! Give Karen a hug for me!

Happy new thread John!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, mate. Six years ago today we celebrated my birthday together in some style - happy memories indeed. I hope to see you and Karen again soon.

Happy new thread, John, and give my regards to Karen.

Hi John. It's line in the sand time, since I haven't visited for quite a while. I do hope that you and Karen are doing well, and please give Felix some serious kitty skritches.

Sending love and hugs.

Happy new thread, John! Greetings to all the family.

We had a visiting hedgehog in the allotment garden, made me think of you. Have you seen yours, lately?

>17 SandDune:, Thank you Rhian my dear.

>18 scaifea:, Thank you Amber my dear, i will give Karen a hug from you, from what she has said, today's shift has been one from hell and will need a hug.

>19 quondame:, Thank you Susan my dear.

>20 drneutron:, Thanks Jim mate.

>21 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, it was a night to remember, we were all dressed to the nines and showing how to celebrate. It will be lovely to see you all again mate.

>22 FAMeulstee:, Thank you Anita my dear and i will pass on your regards to Karen.

>23 karenmarie:, Hi Karen my dear, time seems to slip by and like you i have had to draw a line in the sand with some threads. We are both fine, plodding along as best as we can, lol and i will give Felix some serious skritches from you.

Sending love and hugs to you all dear friend.

>24 EllaTim:, Hi Ella my dear, thank you for the greeting, we saw a Hedgehog last night but no food was eaten but it had a drink. The Hedgehogs if they have been visiting have not taken any food for the last four days and prior to the cleared plate they have ignored the food after we had been back a week from our holiday. I leave the food down for two nights and then change it but that hasn't done the trick, they must be eating elsewhere.

We had a lovely Wednesday and Thursday with Elliott over for his usual overnight stay, On Wednesday we also had Hannah over. I cannot believe where the time has gone as Hannah starts senior school next Monday.

Yesterday i awoke with a little twinge in my back even though i had fresh patches applied on Thursday night by Karen. We had breakfast and then it was time to take Karen to work. I dropped her off and then parked up near to the store entrance and went into the store to do the little bit of shopping that we required. By the time i put the shopping bags in the boot my back was quite niggly.

I left the supermarket and headed into Wakefield to go to the bank to pay some money off the credit card, by the time i got back to the car i was in a bit of pain. I got home and unpacked and put the shopping away and then had a pot of tea sat on the garden bench. As i got up off the bench i felt a sharp pain and so made my way to the sofa and read.

I read so much and then tried to have a little stroll out into the garden but the pain was quite bad and so i returned to my reading. Later i had to use the toilet, as i tried to get up off the seat to pull up my underwear and jeans i got a sharp pain that made me wince and i sat back down. It is no fun being sat on the toilet for no other reason than you are in pain for 30 minutes before you can gingerly stand up and pull up your garments. Housework was cancelled for the day and reading and drinking tea took its place.

I managed to get in the car to pick Karen up from work but once back home i was told by Karen to sit down and rest, all in all, yesterday was not a good day apart from the reading. Today has been different again, i had a very slight twinge on waking up but after a pot of tea in bed, i have been OK but i have not done anything to aggravate my back.

>31 johnsimpson: I'm sorry your back is giving you more trouble. It does put a kink in the day/week/month.

>31 johnsimpson: Hoping you get some relief from that back pain.

Yep, hoping your back pain eases!

Hello, I have largely been absent from the threads for the last month. I spent a week with my mother and then came back to work. School started and I have been bogged down with the usual beginning of school year rush. It will let up in about 2 weeks, but it is getting harder and harder to cope with each year. Fortunately, I have a long weekend as it is a holiday here - Labor Day so I have some time to catch up. I want to bake cookies tomorrow morning and hope it will be sunny enough for me to spend one last day at the swimming pool before it closes. I got some reading done today and hope to get more done tonight and tomorrow.

>32 quondame:, Hi Susan my dear, i just took my normal meds plus one 400mg Ibuprofen and then slept in the spare bed so that i could sleep on my back without disturbing Karen. On Saturday morning i had a very small twinge that had gone by lunchtime and i have been OK since then, touch wood.

>33 thornton37814:, >34 drneutron:, Hi Lori and Jim, the patches, my normal meds and one 400mg Ibuprofen and a night in the spare bed sleeping on my back seems to have done the trick.

>35 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita my dear, i think a few of us have been missing over the last few weeks on and off, real life does tend to get in the way of coming on here.

I would imagine that the start of a new school year is always quite hectic but at least you have the holiday weekend to try and relax and get some baking and reading done. Yesterday Karen did some batch cooking and baking, i was her sous chef with the glamourous job of peeling everything. The results were worth it though, we had a lovely Sunday lunch, Apple and Strawberry sponge pudding with some to go in the freezer, Carrot and Coriander soup, Apple and Cinnamon muffins and a nice stew, three boxes put in the freezer and tonight's tea.

Hope you have a good holiday weekend my dear and we both send love and hugs dear friend.

As i type this, in just over two hours time we will know who our next Prime Minister will be, either Mad Lizzy or Dishy Rishi (others words not mine). Hopefully they will get on with trying to help get us out of the swamp of the vast energy increase and future horrendous increases.

Many businesses are already pondering whether it is worth continuing and getting into more debt or to close, many independent bookshops could disappear over the next few months along with many other small independent retailers. It put things into context when you read this, Book-ish based in Crickhowell in Wales posted on Twitter last week that to pay the monthly Electricity bill, they would have to sell 211 paperback books at a price of £8.99. This is before paying staff, the owner and other bills that come with running a business. If nothing is resolved by the new incoming PM and the expected rise in energy costs go up again in January, then i would not like to envisage how many books she will have to sell to pay her energy costs. Domestic prices are set to go up to over £5,000 in January and that is the standard cap, businesses do not have a cap on energy costs. An example of this is that the Chef Tom Kerridge had a cost of £60,000 and this has gone up to £420,000 for his restaurant, where do they think people are going to find the money from to pay these eye watering charges.

Thousands of pubs could shut, CAMRA, the campaign for real ale said for a pub to keep running, a pint of beer would have to rise to £20 but who would come in to pay these prices, it is just not sustainable.

Two hours to go now, lets see who it is, the odds are on the Thatcher wannabee, Truss getting the vote.

The result has been announced, Mad Lizzy Truss is our new PM and promises to sort out energy costs for the general public and future energy security, let's hope so.

Now we all sit and wait to see what policies she is going to produce, all businesses will be waiting with baited breath not least all small businesses which include all independent bookshops. Despite Covid, new independent bookshops have opened and most have prospered over the last few years, it would be very sad if we started losing them after all the hard work of the last two years.

Now this is all over i can concentrate on my reading, Karen, family and all my LT friends.

Finished book 42 this morning, Private Paris by James Patterson, PB - 411 pages.

30-8-22 to 5-9-22

We had a lovely and productive day, yesterday. We awoke with the alarm and i went downstairs to make us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed and while it was brewing, i let Felix out. We had our tea and then got up, washed and dressed before coming downstairs to get everything sorted out.

While Karen sorted out Felix's dishes, i made us a coffee and got our meds out before Karen toasted the crumpets and muffins for breakfast, the weather outside was not looking good as it was raining. By the time we had finished breakfast and had got ready to pop into Wakefield, the rain had stopped although it looked dull. I parked up and Karen got out and went into the Ridings shopping centre to pick up a couple of cards and to get some Coriander. Once Karen had got what she needed, she made her way back to me and then we made our way home.

Once home i put the washing out on the airer as the sun was shining, once this was done i was set to peeling the apples for the Apple and Strawberry sponge pudding. When this was done Karen got me to peel the carrots, some for the stew that she was doing in the slow cooker and the rest for the soup maker to make Carrot and Coriander soup. Once the Carrots were done i had to peel some potatoes for Sunday lunch. All in all we had a good day batch cooking as well as making Sunday lunch with some sponge pudding for afters.

We had a pot of tea when we were done and just relaxed before Karen put the veg on and put the Pork Escalope in the oven, we had lunch 45 minutes later. After we had eaten we went into the living room and i finished my drink off while listening to Johnnie Walkers 70's show. Halfway through the 70's show Karen made some fresh custard and we had it over some of the sponge pudding.

The rest of Sunday was spent relaxing, watching a bit of TV, reading and then listening to the radio.

Yesterday was a day of rest for me after dropping Karen at work. Once back home i made myself a pot of tea and then checked a few things on my phone. I made another drink before putting the radio on to listen to the first days play in this round of County Championship matches, the featured match was the Roses clash at Old Trafford, Lancashire Vs Yorkshire. Lancashire opted to bat first and until tea, it was Lancashire dominating. Luckily Yorkshire hit back after tea reducing Lancashire from 180 for 1 to 272 for 8 at close of play.

I finished my 42nd book of the year at lunchtime, just before Liz Truss was announced as the Tory party's new Prime Minister.

>43 johnsimpson: It's ever so confusing when I miss a day of posts. I get two very different Yesterdays!

>44 quondame:, Hi Susan my dear, it's alright Susan as i am easily confused regardless of what the day is, lol.

Tuesday was a nice day for me. We awoke with the alarm and got up, washed and dressed and went downstairs to get everything sorted out. Once Felix's dishes were done and i had got the kettle boiling and our meds out, Karen got breakfast ready and i made our pot of tea.

We had our pot of tea and meds before having our breakfast whilst watching BBC breakfast, Bojo gave his last speech on Downing Street as he left No 10 for the last time and was then whisked to RAF Northolt for a flight up to Aberdeen and then a 45 mile drive to Balmoral to officially resign to Queen Elizabeth. The new PM, Liz Truss made the same journey although she was delayed slightly by the weather, to accept Queen Elizabeth's invitation to become Prime Minister.

We finished breakfast and then i took Karen to work, i dropped Karen off and then i had a couple of cards to drop off and to pick up a dozen eggs from Tanya's farm. Sadly one of the cards was for Tanya, it was a sympathy card as her stepdad passed away on Sunday. I knew Andy from when i worked at Sharlston Colliery and then met up with him when i went to collect some eggs during lockdown, not knowing that he was Tanya's stepdad. He was a smashing bloke and sadly succumbed to Cancer at the age of 67.

After doing my deliveries and picking up the eggs, i made my way home and made myself a pot of tea and then read until it was time to put the radio on to listen to the cricket. I had a few more drinks and read and listened before i got on with the upstairs housework. After completing the housework i made a pot of tea and then had my lunch before listening to the cricket. I made a coffee in the travel mug for Karen and went to collect her from work.

We had a nice steady evening before heading up to bed with a pot of tea and doing a bit of reading before lights out.

See you haven't posted since you have a new monarch. I believe most Americans always thought Queen Elizabeth would outlive Charles. We never believed we'd see him on the throne. I haven't had time to watch much of the coverage. I tuned in briefly the evening of her death. I'm just too busy.

How are you doing John?

>39 johnsimpson: I agree, the situation when it comes to energy prices is worrying. Small businesses are in a bad position. I don’t know how the UK handles it, but here in Holland the biggest energy users get the lowest prices, big companies and so on. Small ones? Like small bakeries, (I love good bread), and of course the greenhouse growers. I hear people saying ‘what do we need flowers in winter for anyway’, so callous!

My condolences on Queen Elizabeth’s death. I’m an outsider of course but she seemed like a pillar of strength and much needed stability.

>47 thornton37814:, We were busy with Elliott on Wednesday and then just after i got back from dropping Elliott home as he had a dental appointment with Amy and went to pick Karen up from the hairdressers, i saw a bulletin on my phone that said the Queen was told to rest and was comfortable according to her doctors. The tone didn't sound too good. I told Karen when she got in the car and we made our way home and put the TV on.

The TV coverage was from Balmoral and the studio and as soon as they said Charles was with his mother and the rest were making their way up to Balmoral, we knew something was amiss and a momentous moment in our lives was about to take place.

When we got official notification that she had passes away, The BBC went into Mourning mode as operation London Bridge took over, everyone in a blacktie, and suit/dress. We were stunned to be honest and although a lot of the news was repeated constantly, the time just flew by.

Yesterday although i did the shopping and the housework, i had the TV on and at 6pm we had an address to the nation by King Charles III and he was magnificent. Again we watched TV all night and they showed some wonderful programmes about the Queens life that we had never seen, good old Auntie Beeb, when it comes to something like this they pull out all the stops and do a damn good job.

>48 EllaTim:, Hi Ella my dear, with the announcement of a lower price Cap and the help they are giving, i think we will be OK, things will still be tight but we won't get into debt because of it. I hope that the businesses are treated fairly although some are still closing as they cannot see a way through this. A business that makes nice ornamental glassware in Bath said that her bill was going up from £14,000 to £240,000, where do they get their figures from, hopefully they will survive if help is given.

Thank you for the condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Dutch Royal Family were one of the first to send messages of condolence, a great link between the two Royal Houses.

I'm sorry for your loss of a monarch who has been part of your world your whole life. I'm rather fond of your new one, not for any real reason, just that his almost exactly my age and has had to live with massive limitations and expectations as well as huge wealth and privilege.

Finished book 43 yesterday, From The Dead by Mark Billingham, PB - 468 pages.

5-9-22 to 11-9-22

For all my UK friends of a certain age who remember watching Grange Hill, Gwyneth Powell who played Headmistress Mrs Bridget McClusky, has passed away today.

The weekend was pretty good, After a pot of tea in bed on Saturday morning, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. Once Felix's dishes were done we got our breakfast ready, pot of coffee made and our meds out and a glass of juice. After breakfast i put the towels out on the airer and made us a pot of tea. shortly after Amy arrived with Elliott. She dropped Elliott off with us while she went to the hairdresser's.

We had a lovely couple of hours or so with him before it was time to take Karen to work. I put Elliott in his car seat and we took Grandma to work, after dropping her off i parked in the parent and child spaces and carried Elliott into the store, sadly there were no large trolleys so i could sit him in safely. I picked up a bag of Sunflower Hearts for the Goldfinches and my paper and then we went and paid before going back to the car and made our way home.

By the time we got home, Amy was home and she took Elliott while i fed the Goldfinches, if they finish this 4kg bag they will have got through 30kg of Sunflower Hearts this year. Amy and Elliott stayed for another couple of hours with Elliott fighting against having a nap before they left for home.

I made a pot of tea after they had gone and read for a while before putting a pizza in the oven for my tea. After i had eaten i read a bit more before coming on here and then made Karen a coffee in the travel mug and went to pick her up.

>56 johnsimpson: I am behind again, John, forgive me. I am glad to hear that you had a lovely weekend!

Queen Elizabeth II's death has hit me hard as well and I have absolutely no explanation for my reaction. As I told my mother, the best I could come up with is that she was always there - I am 60, so the queen was there before I was even born. I do hope that King Charles III will be a good king. He has a lot to live up to, something I am sure he knows.

I have been thinking of you, John and sending love and peace.

>57 alcottacre: I am the same age and she's always been the Queen. I love some of the outtakes that have been showing up: she seemed to be a fun-loving woman in her candid moments.

Hello dear John. Just catching up on everything here. I am also sad that Queen Elizabeth has passed. She has been the most constant and honorable of the world leaders and I loved her sense of humor.

>57 alcottacre:, Hi Stasia my dear, the Queen's death has hit many people hard and they have no explanation for it apart from, she has always been there, like you said. Seeing the various archive footage over the last week has also brought tears to our eyes and finding out from her children that she kept secrets from them e.g. The Bond piece for the 2012 Olympics and then the Paddington sketch for this years jubilee, she was always full of surprises.

We will be watching the funeral on Monday but not looking forward to it as the tears will be flowing. Charles has got off to a really good start but like his sister and Sophie, he must be absolutely knackered with everything he has had to do, they have lost their mother and mother-in-law yet have duties to perform.

Sending love and hugs to you and your family from both of us dear friend.

>58 witchyrichy:, Hi Karen my dear, we have also loved seeing archive film of the Queen from a young girl to just before she passed away and she had a wicked glint in her eyes. It was interesting to hear Prince Edward say that she was good at keeping secrets such as the 2012 Olympic sketch with Daniel Craig as Bond and the Paddington sketch for this years Jubilee.

Sending love and hugs to you, Bill and the furry friends from both of us dear friend.

>59 Berly:, Hi Kim my dear, like you, she has been a constant in our lives and it will take time getting used to a King but he has got off to a really good start. We are not looking forward to the funeral on Monday, tears will be flowing.

Sending love and hugs to you, Walt and the family from both of us dear friend.

Finished book 44 on Thursday night, The Perfect Match by Katie Fforde, PB - 389 pages.

11-9-22 to 15-9-22

This last week has been a good one BUT a sad one with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we have watched the various archive films on BBC 1 and the various ceremonies that the new King Charles III has had to perform. We have shed tears and still find it hard that our beloved monarch has gone to meet her beloved Philip.

Some of the poetry that has appeared on Facebook and Twitter has been moving and brought tears and yet in their grief, the children have had duties to perform and ceremonies to attend. The crowds that have queued to visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects to QE II have been phenomenal, as i type the current wait is 17 hours and the queue will soon be stopped to more visitors as they have to make sure that the last person to pay their respects is at 6.30 am on Monday morning.

Yesterday it came to light that David Beckham had shunned the opportunity to use the fast track VIP queue and joined the queue at 2am with the masses and it took him just under 13 hours, he was asked for and obliged to selfies and shared food and drink with those around him. Massive respect to him and some others such as newsreader Suzannah Reid and comedian Tim Vine who also did the same. There was a shorter and nearer queue for those with disabilities seen or unseen although that has now been closed.

We had Elliott for his usual Wednesday stay and i picked up Hannah from senior school on Wednesday. Wednesday was a good day as i got a call from Cars 2 to say that my new Motability car would be arriving but they have to keep it for four days to fully check it over. Because of the Queens funeral on Monday i will be picking the car up at 10 am on Tuesday, paperwork and my oneoff lump sum payment has to be done and then my four weekly disability allowance will cover the rental cost for the next 39 months until it is time to change again. I will be going off for a drive to get used to the automatic car as i have only driven one before for 24 hours.

Tomorrow Amy, Andy and Elliott are coming over for Amy's birthday lunch as it is her birthday tomorrow, 33 years old and she has chosen Curry for lunch which we are all happy with.

We had a lovely day on Sunday with Amy, Andy and Elliott over for Amy's birthday lunch of Hydrabadi curry, rice and naan bread with two types of cake for afters.

They arrived just after 11 am and after i had made us all a drink, we had a good natter and Elliott played with his toys. Elliott would not have a nap crotchety after lunch and eventually they left for home at 4 pm hoping he would fall asleep in the car.

After they had gone, we had a relaxing late afternoon and evening before going up to bed at 10 pm with a pot of tea and our books.

We had a lie-in on Monday morning and when the alarm went off, i went downstairs to make us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed. I opened the door for Felix to go out but he was only out for a few minutes before he shot in and raced upstairs. When i got up to our bedroom, Felix was snuggled up to Karen but moved when i was back in bed and laid full length on my legs with me stroking his ears, he loves this.

Once we had finished our tea, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. Karen did Felix's dishes while i made us a coffee and got our meds out and then Karen got breakfast ready. After Felix had some food he went out for a few hours, we had our breakfast while watching the early coverage of the Queen's funeral.

We got a couple of small jobs done after breakfast and then i made us a pot of tea and we got settled down ready for the funeral to start. What pagentry, something we do best, and the Grenadier Guards who were the pallbearers did a wonderful job throughout the day. Time seemed to fly by and apart from me keeping us watered and then the obligatory toilet visits, it was 5 pm and all the ceremonial bits were done and later in the evening, the Queen was laid to rest next to her beloved Philip in a private ceremony.

Goodnight and God Bless Ma'am, gone but never to be forgotten.

This morning i was excited to be collecting my new Motability car from the dealership, we had breakfast and then i took Karen to work. I dropped her off and then made my way home for a coffee before setting off for my 10 am appointment.

I made my coffee and sat out on the garden bench as it was a nice morning, i perused my phone and got a big shock. I saw a post that made me gasp, one of my old workmates, Frank passed away last night with his family around, i was devastated. Frank had been in hospital recently with back problems and eventually he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary. His last text that i saw seemed to find him in good spirits and he was looking forward to coming home, that was a couple of weeks ago, so seeing this news this morning was a massive shock, he was only 71. It made me think, i am 59 and i always thought Taz (that was his nickname) was indestructible, you never know what is around the corner. Looking at the messages to Julie's post (his daughter) and so many were devastated or in shock.

Frank was a pit top shiftman and his sidekick, Lynn, his best mate for over 45 years will be in shock, they were inseperable. After they both retired they had gone on holidays together, visits to London and the theatre together and always at each others houses. Frank and his wife Jean celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary a few months ago and the day after it was Jean's 70th birthday and the pictures they posted of the two celebrations were lovely and Frank was in top form and looking as he always looked. It will be a big funeral based on the messages posted and not all his old workmates are on Facebook, a day i am not looking forward to.

After the shock of seeing this news, i finished my coffee and got in my car and made my way to the dealership to sign the paperwork, pay my one-off fee and then was given a quick tour of the dashboard as it is different to my old Qashqai. I left the dealership and made my way to the Asda supermarket and went in to find Karen as i needed a hug. Karen was as shocked as i was when i told her the news, we had a hug and then i got back to the car, set up the bluetooth to link my phone for hands-free calls and then made my way to the Asda filling station and put some petrol in.

Once i had some fuel in the car i went for a drive to get accustomed to the car and decided to go down the motorway to Meadowhall shopping centre, this was a case of two jobs done in one, i got used to the car and picked up my Cricket magazine and a sympathy card for Jean and the family. By the time i got home, the car felt good to me and i am enjoying it already.

Congrats on the new car, John, but I'm also so sorry that you've lost a friend so suddenly. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts, friend.

>68 scaifea:, Thank you my dear Amber. Frank has been a good friend since i started work at Sharlston Colliery in 1979, always the life and soul of a party. One memory is of a Bonfire night party at the Colliery Welfare field and club, Robert was only just 11 month old and we went inside for a drink and then went to chat with Frank, his wife Jean and Lynn and his wife Susan, we hadn't noticed that Rob had leant forward and had his nose and mouth in the top of Frank's fresh pint of Tetley Bitter until Frank said, oh, what you doing little bugger, we all laughed and Rob had froth around his mouth, he obviously had a taste for Yorkshire Bitter.

>69 johnsimpson: HA! Oh, that's such a good story! So funny.

>70 scaifea:, Hi Amber my dear, glad you liked it, it was so funny and he went for a second slurp, lol.

I'm sorry for your loss of a friend. It can be such a shock when they seem to be doing fine with their treatment and then not.

>67 johnsimpson: Sorry you unexpectedly lost a friend, John.
Glad to see you finally got your new car!

New car, John, well done!

Sorry about your work friend, mate. I surprised myself by being very moved by the Queen's passing and was watching along from here.

I'm very sorry about the loss of your friend John. It's worse when it's so unexpected, isn't it?

Bittersweet day, what with the loss and the gain. I'm sorry about your friend.

>72 quondame:, Hi Susan my dear, this was the first time that i had heard of Frank suffering back pain and the lack of pain relief he seemed to be getting at Pinderfields Hospital surprised me. The next time he posted on Facebook, he was moving to Leeds General Infirmary and from what he posted, things seemed to be progressing nicely. Looking back now, there was obviously some other underlying serious problem that he had.

>73 FAMeulstee:, Hi Anita my dear, it was a double-edged sword on Tuesday morning, one minute i was excited about going to collect the car and having a coffee on the garden bench just killing a bit of time and then i just checked my phone and the first thing that appeared was his daughter Julie's sad message and i was devastated. I remember just saying oh no, not Frank, i was so upset.

Two days of driving about and i am loving the car and more so the fact that it is an automatic which makes things so much easier for me.

>74 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, after a four month wait my replacement motability lease car had arrived, i could finally get my hands on the hybrid petrol automatic car. After all the paperwork was done and my one-off payment made, i drove off to enjoy three years of driving a new make of car after 12 years of Nissan Qashqai's.

Frank's death really upset me, he was a character and since his passing i have been remembering some of the times we had at work and socially. If the messages received by his daughter, Julie and on the Sharlston Colliery Facebook group are anything to go by, there will be a really big turnout at his funeral as he was a well liked man with lots of friends from the Pit.

We both watched the Queen's funeral and we were also both surprised by how much her death affected us. It is probably because she was the only monarch we knew, she was always there in good times and bad and every Christmas Day.

>75 EllaTim: Hi Ella my dear, it was such a shock to read of Frank's passing, from what he posted whilst in hospital didn't sound too serious but looking back now, there was obviously something more serious underlying that was probably kept within the family. Whilst the Sharlston Colliery Facebook group has reported many deaths of our Coal mining colleagues, some older than Frank and one or two a little bit younger, his death was not one we thought we would see posted for many years and it has hit members very hard.

Even in retirement, Frank was still a fit man, his build had not altered much over the years and he still looked as fit and strong as in the days when we worked together and i think that is also part of why we are so devastated at his loss.

Sorry to hear about the passing of your work friend.

Congrats on the purchase of your new car.

>76 drneutron:, Hi Jim, it is amazing how emotions can change so quickly over a minute or so, from elation to sadness. Frank was a character at work and a hard worker and looked after his mates. We had some really good times from when i started as an apprentice in the Electric shop through to being qualified and then when i took redundancy to move on.

We only had one moment where things changed and i fully understood him, the miners strike of 1984/85 was a bitter one and after 47 weeks of being on strike, i went back for the final five weeks before it ended although at the time i went back, we didn't know it would end so soon.

Once we were all back at work, the first full week, Frank spoke to me when he had to but other than that i was blanked. After that week ended, everything was back to normal, it was his way of saying he didn't like what i did but he understood my reasons. We never spoke about it, it was done and dusted and we were workmates and friends, from that day right up to Monday night. I have always said that when i worked at the Pit, they were the best workmates i have ever had and that still stands.

Sending condolences on the loss of your friend and workmate. It is harder when it is a shock and the memories come flooding back.

I am happy for your new car.

Isn't that life: good and bad all rolled into one.

>81 figsfromthistle:, Hi Anita my dear, it was a bit of a shock finding out that Frank had passed away, his funeral is on the 14th October and we will both be going to pay our respects.

The car is lovely and i already like it, it is better for me that it is an automatic and i have already got used to it although i occasionally put my hand on the gear stick but i will stop this the longer i am driving.

>83 witchyrichy:, Hi Karen my dear, thank you for the condolences message, it was so unexpected and the fact that one minute i was elated and the next devastated was a bit of a shock. We always remember Rob taking a cheeky slurp of Frank's pint of bitter and then trying to have another. Frank always seemed immortal to me, a great bloke, good friend and a quality workmate.

The wait for my new Motability car has been worth it, i have quickly got used to it being an automatic and it will be a lot better for me.

We had Elliott for his usual Wednesday overnight stays, poor lamb had a little cold and it would seem that he has passed it onto me. On Thursday Amy and Andy came over to pick him up to save me a job.

Friday was my usual day, dropping Karen at work, doing the shopping that we required and then going into town to put a couple of cheques in our account. My one-off Motability payment was £899 and i got £600 back as the car was returned in excellent condition and they have also instituted a one-off £250 payment for picking up a new car, i think this is for the first new car under the scheme that has come in, i am presuming that in three years time when this one goes back and i pick up my next car, i won't get this £250 payment. In the end it makes it only £49 as my one-off payment, just the 39 payments of my disability allowance that automatically goes to them.

Once the banking was done i made my way to Frank's house to drop off a condolence card to Jean and the family. Once i had done this, i made my way home and unpacked and put the shopping away and then made myself a pot of tea and read for a while.

I later got on with the housework, i cleaned the bathroom and then dusted and vacuumed the living room, dining room and then did the kitchen before having some soup for my lunch and then read until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work.

We had a steady Saturday morning until it was time to take Karen to work, i dropped her off and then parked up and went into store to get a couple of things and my newspaper. One item was not available so i made my way to Sainsbury's supermarket and picked up the item and some Polo mints and then made my way home.

Once home i made myself a pot of tea and then read for a while before firing the laptop up and doing some stat work for another group. I had one or two more drinks before i warmed up my homemade curry for my tea. After my curry i made a pot of coffee and got on with more stat work before making Karen a coffee in the travel mug and going to pick her up from work.

On Sunday we had a pot of tea in bed after the alarm went off and we also had Felix's company after he came in. On Saturday night i went downstairs to let him in just after midnight and he was nowhere to be seen, even the rattle of his treats box failed to attract him. I went back up to bed knowing that he could get into the garage for the night and he has a bed in their as he likes to have an afternoon nap in the garage.

Once the tea was finished, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out and then we had breakfast. After breakfast Karen put the Cauliflower on to part cook before she transferred it to a large oven dish and covered it in a couple of pots of Cheese sauce and then added some grated Cheese and put it in the oven. I then peeled the Carrots and Potato's and Karen put them on. We were having Rob, Louise and Hannah over along with Shannon and her boyfriend, Jack for lunch. They all arrived at 12.30pm and lunch was served at 1pm.

Jack seems like a nice lad and paid Karen some nice compliments before lunch and then did the same after lunch about the meal and dessert. We all had a good chat but for some reason i was falling asleep so Karen told me to go for a nap. By the time she woke me up, they had all gone home, she told them that i was full of cold and had not slept well the previous couple of nights.

We had a nice Sunday evening, we caught up with Friday night's Strictly launch and also the first live show from Saturday night before watching Frozen Planet II. Then it was time for bed, we had a pot of tea each and read for a bit before lights out.

I have had a decent Monday so far, we got up, washed and dressed after the alarm went off and went downstairs to get everything sorted out. Karen did Felix's dishes while i got our meds out and made us a pot of tea, Karen got breakfast ready.

We had our breakfast while watching BBC Breakfast and Kevin Sinfield's latest challenge to raise funds for Motor Neurone disease research. The interview was done by Breakfast host, Sally Nugent and they also had MND sufferers, Rob Burrow, an ex-teammate of Sinfield at Leeds Rhino's Rugby League club, Doddie Weir, ex- Scotland and Melrose Rugby Union player and Ed Slater, Ex-Gloucester Rugby Union player who was diagnosed with MND in July at the age of 34. They also mentioned Stephen Darby who was the original MND member with Burrow and Weir, but could not be with them, he was a professional footballer and is married to England Lioness and Man City player, Steph Houghton.

Kevin's challenge is to run seven Ultra marathons in seven days starting in Edinburgh and calling in at places close to Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow and ending up hopefully at the Old Trafford football ground at half-time of the World Cup Rugby League final. In the past he has run seven marathons in seven days and 101 miles in 24 hours for his mate, Rob Burrow and Sally always tries to get Kevin to cry, it is a long running joke between them as when interviewed at the end of each challenge, he always says to her, i am not going to cry. With a team mate like Kevin, these four MND sufferers have someone covering their back and all are in awe of what he is doing for MND research. His challenges are always to take him to dark places as he knows these friends of his are going into dark places daily, knowing that at the moment there is no cure for them.
As always it brought a lump to our throats seeing the lads and listening to what Kevins is doing for them.

Before long it was time to take Karen to work, i dropped her off and then made my way to Thornes Park to collect some conkers for the corners of our windows. Whilst on holiday in Abergavenny in 2017, we walked out of the car park and saw a lady collecting Conkers and she told us that if you place them in the corners of your windows, they keep spiders away. Whilst we are not plagued by spiders, some big ones have appeared in the living room and Karen doesn't like them. We picked some and did as we were told and it worked and we have done it every year since. I went a week or so ago but they hadn't dropped so i thought i would see if they were on the ground. It took me only ten minutes to get what we required and then i made my way home.

Once home i made myself a pot of coffee and read before having a pot of tea and then going for a shower. After my shower i put the towels, flannels in the washing machine along with other dark washing and set it off. While the washer was going i fired up the laptop to try and finish the stats for another group. The washer finished and i put the washing on the indoor airer and then finished off the stat work. I had a couple of drinks while doing this and then made a coffee in the travel mug for Karen as she now finishes at 3pm on a Monday. I went and collected Karen from work and once home she went for a shower and i came on here to go through the threads and do some posting.

Karen has booked us in for our next Covid injection and also for our Flu jabs, she's on the ball with these things.

Morning all, it is a bit chilly here in Walton and showers are forecast. It is supposed to be much the same for the next couple of days and then on Friday we are expecting winds and heavy rain. The rain will be much welcomed by Yorkshire Water as the resevoirs are at very low levels after a prolonged dry spell since February and we still have a hosepipe ban.

I am listening to the last round of the County Championship Cricket season even though it is the end of September and temperatures are rather chilly. No CC cricket in the heat of August but playing right to the end of September, who thought that was a good idea, only the eejits at the ECB.

Stopping by to say hello and hoping your cold is better. We have finally gotten into more temperate fall weather and the hurricane will drop a few inches of rain this weekend. We could use it but it means moving some of my perennials in the next few days so they get rained in.

Love to the whole family!

>92 witchyrichy:, Hi Karen my dear, my cold is slowly getting better but the weather is quite chilly at the moment, today the max temperature was 13C/55F with the same expected tomorrow and Thursday. On Friday we are to have heavy rain and slightly cooler, same on Saturday but Sunday is to be the best day of the weekend and then temperatures to pick up from Monday with 18C forecast.

The country is desperate for rain and tonight on our local news, weather presenter Paul said that Yorkshire's resevoirs are currently at 32% full and we need months and months of rain to get to 100% full.

I did a bit of pruning this afternoon in the back border and have some bulbs to plant shortly, hope you get your perennials in before the rain comes my dear.

Hi John!

Belated condolences on the death of QEII. I read about David Beckham stood in the ‘regular’ line and was impressed. I do hope KCIII does a good job for you all.

I’m sorry about the Energy Mess and do hope that the government, under Liz Truss, can help both residential and commercial users.

Belated Happy Birthday to Amy.

Condolences on the loss of your friend Taz.

Congrats on your new vehicle.

Sending love and hugs to you and Karen and kitty skritches for dear Felix.

Finished book 45 on Wednesday night, Thurston House by Danielle Steel, PB - 407 pages.

15-9-22 to 28-9-22

We had Elliott for his weekly overnight stay on Wednesday, he was in good form all day, i went and picked Hannah up from High School and he was pleased to see his cousin. I took Hannah home later while Karen bathed Elliott and put him to bed.

Once Karen was back downstairs we just had time to watch Strictly Takes Two on the iplayer before The Repair Shop started. Every week the specialists do wonders with the items brought in, not least bookbinder Chris Shaw. This week he had a large family Bible from about the 1880's to work with, it had been recovered with maps referring to events in the Bible and it was in a bit of a state.

Using all his experience he got the newer covers off to reveal the original leather boards and then mended pages with Japanese tissue paper. Once all the mending was done he re-stitched the sections back onto the boards as they had been originally done. The lady who brought it in could not believe how it now looked and then Chris had a surprise for her. He had re-used the map covers as part of the slipcase to keep the Bible safe from undue damage.

Following The Repair Shop we watched Mary Berry and then Nadiya Hussain's cookery programmes.

Yesterday we decided to have a ride out so after Elliott and Karen joined me back in our bed, Elliott had woken up crying at around 2.45am and Karen ended up staying in bed with him. I went and made us a pot of tea and did Elliott's bottle and then went back up to bed so we could enjoy our drinks, Felix was also on the bed.

We finished our drinks and then Karen got washed and dressed before doing the same with Elliott, i also got up, washed and dressed and we all went downstairs to have breakfast. I did our meds and Karen did Felix's dishes before getting all our breakfasts ready. We all had our breakfast and then after a nappy change for Elliott and a toilet run for us, lol, we all got in the car and headed for Harrogate.

I got parked up in Harrogate quite easily and we had a wander before going into Costa Coffee for a drink, we both had a free coffee offer to use. Elliott had his juice and some mini Scotch Eggs and we had our coffee. Near to us was a table of books for sale with proceeds going to the Costa Foundation, i selected a couple while Karen had taken Elliott to the baby change room to change his nappy. Once they were back we left the coffee shop and carried on wandering around the town.

I ended up in Jespers stationery shop looking at their new look pen area and drooling over a few pens, lol. Elliott got a bit crotchety and Karen took him out, i found them in The Works store but he was still crotchety so we all came out and he went quiet. We wandered around until he fell asleep in the buggy, at this point we split up and i went to Imagined Things bookstore at their new premises. It is always nice to see and independent bookshop doing well and either expanding or needing bigger premises. I picked up a book and had a chat with a couple of the ladies on duty and then made my way back to Karen.

Karen was a bit thirsty so we made our way to Caffe Nero and Karen got us both a coffee and she also got a pastry for herself. Elliott had his juice and finished off his mini Scotch Eggs and tried a bit of Karen's pastry but he wasn't keen on it. After another nappy change, we made our way back to the car and headed to Amy and Andy's. We arrived at 3pm and had an hour with Andy before Amy arrived home. We had a few minutes with them all before we set off for home, we called into the Lidl store in Normanton for a few bits and then drove the short distance home, we had a really good day in Harrogate with Elliott.

>97 johnsimpson: " After another nappy change, we made our way back to the car and headed to Amy and Andy's. "

I do hope it is only a temporary affliction mate! (Only kidding).

Our County somehow managed to relegate themselves, I see. We are a bit of a laughing stock at the moment but then again so is the County structure.

>98 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, well i didn't like to make a big thing of the nappy's but i am at that age where dribbles occur, lol.

We have suffered throughout the season with a loss of players, obviously we want them to represent their Country but when Tests have finished we should have them back but for the ECB not allowing them and then organising a Seven match T20 tour in Pakistan at the end of the County Championship season. To add to this, pictures emerged of Joe Root playing golf over the last few days.

We have not played well to be honest and the Warwickshire v Hampshire game was exciting and what the CC is all about. Despite loss of playing time due to the weather, again, why are vital CC games played this late in the year, Warwickshire managed to get over the line with a fantastic bowling performance from Liam Norwell.

To top things off for us, we then find that our new overseas player for the next two years, Shan Masood, has been given the captaincy. Was this part of the deal to get him or a sop to assuage him seeing as he played for Derbyshire in Div 2 and now we are going to be playing in Div 2. No matter how good a player he is, he has not yet shone for us and yet he is made Captain, is this more diversity from Lord Patel. I just hope that it is a quiet winter in the Yorkshire camp.

>99 johnsimpson: Smacks of virtue signalling, John. I'm all for Shan Masood as he seems a very good batsman and an ideal partner for Adam Lyth but I do not think that an overseas player should captain the county unless he is not any longer playing international cricket.
I don't agree with the divisions system in cricket as it is artificial and little guide, in my humble opinion, to either who has the better players or the best teams. Northamptonshire stayed up but really if our First XI was available:
Lyth, Hill, Kohler-Cadmore, Root, Brooks, Bairstow, Thompson, Bess, Fisher, Patterson and Coad are the other counties beating us?
Root let us down really, although he has played a lot of cricket for England.

My German friends tell me that it is going to a long cold winter. I suspect that it will be a good winter to spend reading while wrapped up in an afghan.

Finished book 46 this morning, A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow, PB - 211 pages.

28-9-22 to 3-10-22

SEPTEMBER'S READING STATS

Books Read....................... 4

No of Authors.................... 4

New Authors...................... 0

Male Authors..................... 2

Female Authors.................. 2

Pages Read....................... 1,675

Daily Avg........................... 55.83

Book Length avg................. 418.75

Latest reading stats:

Books on shelves at 1-9-22 - 2,905
Books added in September - 7
Books read in September - 4

Revised book total - 2908

Pages to read at 1-9-22 - 1,191,576
Pages added in September - 3,701
Pages read in September - 1,675

Revised total pages to read - 1,193,602

>100 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, If you get the chance, try and read Chris Water's articles in the Yorkshire Post dated 30 Sept and 1st Oct, they make for interesting reading. My hopes for a quiet winter at Headingley might not happen.

On other major Cricket matters is the debacle of the Strauss report, the 15 member owned counties are being mobilised to make sure that the counties vote against the reductions in fixtures and as far as i am aware at the moment, eight will vote against the reduction and so they will have to go back to the drawing board, this is all because of the bloody 100.

Over the last two days both Buttler and Malan have had a moan about the number of fixtures, Buttler hasn't played County Cricket for Lancashire since 2018 and Malan has barely featured this season, both can shut their mouths, they are more interested in the Bish, Bash, Bosh money Cricket.

I am a member of the County Cricket Matters group and the members are up in arms about the Strauss report and the Buttler/Malan comments.

>101 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita, it is likely to be a long cold winter, more so for mainland Europe Countries than us as they tend to get really cold weather than we do but really cold weather apart, with the rising gas and electric prices, it is going to be long and cold.

Today we got a warning that we may have gas shortages, this means that to keep gas central heating going in households, the gas powered power stations that make electricity will have to close down or significantly reduce production of electricity. Last month three remaining power stations that can still use Coal have been put on alert and government money provided so that they can order enough Coal should they need to switch them on, they only need 12 hours notice but will be given 24 to 36 hours notice to fire up. It is going to be an interesting winter, i have a feeling that we could have one of our coldest winters in many years, i hope that i am wrong.

Hi, John. Adding my condolences for the loss of QE2 and your old workmate. The lengthof the queue to pay respects to the Queen was remarkable and touching. She’s been the one for all of our lifetimes, and even across the pond we felt connected to her.

As to your workmate, I understand the feeling. I recently lost one who had become a close friend over the years and fellow sports fanatic. He was much older than your friend, though, in his mid-nineties. 71 does seem way too young these days, especially for a man who was fit and healthy.

I’ve been enjoying the tales of young Elliot spending time with you and Karen. What a difference it makes when the little ones start talking and can get themselves around a bit.

I saw you read 61 Hours. How’d you like it? I thought that was a particularly good one in the series. Did you see the TV adaptation with Alan Ritchson as Reacher? We got a big kick out of it and can’t wait for the next season, which I read will be based on Bad Luck and Trouble.

Debbi and I send our hugs and love to you and Karen, buddy. I’m glad your back stopped acting up, and hope you have a good week.

>107 jnwelch:, Hi Joe, mate. Thanks for the condolences for both QE2 and my old workmate, Frank. The queues did not really surprise me based on comments we heard on national media and online, seeing David Beckham in the queue and going on a coffee and cake run for the people around him was uplifting. Sadly he got some criticism, he started queueing at 2am and was not shouting out look whose here yet if he had turned up at 9am with an entourage he would have got pilloried, the guy couldn't win, bless him.

We do love having Elliott for his overnight stays and he is so enjoyable to be with, he enjoyed his trip out to Harrogate last week.

I love the Jack Reacher books and 61 Hours was a nice taut thriller, very enjoyable, sadly we don't subscribe to any pay to view channels so i have not seen any.

On the last part it was good that my back had stopped acting up until today, i was in the bank paying some money off the credit card and dropped my bank card, my fingers couldn't seem to pick it up so i was bent down for longer than normal, i felt something ping and by the time i had taken a parcel back and picked one up for Karen and then got back to the car, i was in a lot of pain. Once home i made a flask of coffee and took myself off to bed to try and get some respite. I was just fit enough to pick Karen up from work but have been resting since then especially as i have to pick Elliott up in the morning.

Sending love and hugs to you and Debbi from both of us dear friend.

Last night after i had got into bed I interrupted Karen's reading to say that i hoped 2023 would be a better year for me, she asked me why and what was wrong with this year. I replied that to be honest i have had the "I couldn't give a toss attitude" to this year, the weather was against me early doors and then i got doing the front garden, mainly weeding but it was a big job as we had left the Dandelions for the Bees and the Veg beds got left.

We got busy with the Jubilee celebrations and then when the weather improved, it was too hot to be doing work. Also from the end of January we started having Elliott for his Wednesday overnight stays, this meant that Wednesday and Thursday were taken up as Elliott wanted Grandad and i take him home. Tuesday and Friday are housework days, once the Cricket season started, Rob wanted me to go and watch him playing so that was Saturdays done with, Sundays i wanted to spend time with Karen and occasionally we had the family over for Sunday lunch or Amy came over with Elliott if Andy was working all day. This only seemed to leave Monday and i like to keep that for me.

To add to my bad attitude i haven't read as much as i expected to so i cannot blame reading on the lack of work. Now we are in Autumn and the days are shorter, and the weather is not good, plus i don't want to get too cold outside and end up with backache although it doesn't take much for the back and neck to give me issues as today has proved. I will try and read more over the remaining days of 2022 to up my figures.

Overrall it hasn't been too bad a year in general but my va-va-voom has been sadly lacking.

>109 johnsimpson: I think the lack of va-va-voom is something a lot are experiencing. I think it's part of things beginning to return to some sense of normal after the pandemic. We've substituted other things in the place of some things and are now trying to determine which of the newer things and the older ones to keep and which need to go to help us achieve a balance.

>105 johnsimpson: I had exactly the same thoughts as you did when I saw Buttler's comments. What a brass cheek!
Top flight are playing 14 4 day games or 56 days of cricket per year - hardly earth shattering but still. How about the 18 counties plays each other each year but in 3 day games since most of the games are done in 3 days anyway? That is 51 days of cricket.
The hundred is a farce and should be kicked to the curb before it destroys the game nationally and T20 played as a TV covered Sunday league.

>109 johnsimpson: I have a little of your ennui about 2022 but it is certainly a better year for me than 2021 when I lost two of the people nearest and dearest to me.

>110 thornton37814:, Hi Lori my dear, i think you are right my dear, i am not the only one with a lack of va-va-voom and maybe the pandemic has made us look at things in a different perspective.

I think i need to keep a check on the weather and plan my days when i can do things especially when doing the concrete for the footings and then mixing mortar for the blocks. I could have painted the fence but once again apathy struck. I will have the veg beds ready to start production in spring, the fence will be painted and then i can get the front garden sorted out.

One thing i need to do is to put my phone down and ignore it, that is one of the things that seem to have kept me away from outdoor work and reading, playing Freecell is addictive but i do love it.

>111 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, we are on the same hymn sheet with how we would like the season to look and so do a lot of the CCM group members. Both Buttler and Malan should keep their mouths shut, they came to prominence via the County game and what they have become is because of them and yet they are so critical it is unbelieveable.

2021 was not a good year for you mate, thankfully we have not lost any family members for two or three years but the Sharlston Colliery group seem to have lost a number of old workmates. Later on the same day as Frank's passing was announced, another Sharlston lad passed away and he was only 58, seeing this makes you more aware of your mortality. These two deaths made four in the space of three weeks and i think it is about a dozen this year. I know that a lot of old lads are older than we think, we just forget how old we are so it comes as a surprise but three of the last four were, 67, 71 and 58, the other was 83. Sadly, like a lot of reunions, the numbers reduce with each passing year.

>113 johnsimpson: It is one of the vagaries of our existence going into its sixth decade that we hear on a weekly basis of a friend or schoolmate who are no more.

>114 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, you are so correct there mate, i have found out that a lass in our school year group passed away at the weekend. It seems that nowadays i only see old workmates at a funeral since we haven't had a reunion since November 2019 and the next one is down for Feb 2023.

We had Elliott for his Wednesday night stay, the little fella is so amusing and learns quickly. At home he knows which bin in the kitchen is for recycling and now here he has found the TV on/off button, knows when it is time to go for his bath and then bedtime read and a number of other things. Once he has been told once and shown what to do or where to go, he retains this knowledge and then just does it.

Hannah is really enjoying high school and when i pick her up and her friend Molly, i have to give out two sets of treats, Hannah likes KitKats and Molly loves Maryland Cookies.

I took Elliott back home on Thursday afternoon and while i was out, Karen did some baking. By the time i got back she had made three Parkin cakes and then did a bit of experimenting and made Parkin Flapjack. The Flapjack is a total success both with me and her work colleagues.

On Friday we were up early and just had time for a pot of tea before i took her to work for 8am, after dropping her off i parked up and went in to get the few bits that we needed. To be honest it really was a few bits as three items on my list were not on the shelves. I was done sooner than i expected and so once the shopping was in the car, i made my way home, unpacked and put it away.

Next job was to put the washing on the airer and radiators and then i had my vitamins and my cereal before heading towards town. First stop was the pharmacy to pick up our prescriptions and after a short wait i got them and then back into the car and i parked up at the back of the shopping centre. This was quite fortuitous as i bumped into an old neighbour once inside the shopping centre. Her first words to me were, i bet you don't remember me to which i answered, it's Maureen and she was surprised. They moved eight and a half years ago from a dormer bungalow to one on one level for her husband Roy. Sadly after three there, Roy passed away and she has been on her own for the last five and a half years and their children are living in the South of England where they went with their jobs. After a nice chat we parted with me promising to let Karen know we had spoken.

After leaving Maureen i made my way to the bank to do some banking and then back to the car and i made my way to Sainsbury's supermarket to get the items Asda did not have. I was successful thankfully and then made my way home for a welcome pot of tea.

I read for a while before getting on with the downstairs housework before resuming reading until it was time to make a coffee in the travel mug and go and collect Karen from work.

Finished book 47 a short time ago, The Confession by John Grisham, PB - 456 pages.

3-10-22 to 10-10-22

We awoke with the alarm on Saturday morning and i went downstairs to make us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed, while doing this Felix went upstairs. I took our tea up to bed and found Felix laying as close to the side of Karen as possible, obviously protecting her but once i was back in bed he joined me and stretched out on my legs.

We finished our tea and got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. Karen did Felix's dishes while i got our meds and vitamins out and then while i made us a coffee, Karen got breakfast out. We had our breakfast while watching James Martin's Saturday Kitchen and Felix went outside as it was a nice morning.

A couple of time i went out to the water butt and took some water out and put down the drain as rain was expected later in the day. We had a couple of pots of tea as the morning progressed and Felix eventually came back in and went up to the spare bed for a sleep. We had some lunch and not long after it was time to take Karen to work, i dropped her off and then parked up and went into the store to get my paper and some cigars.

Once i had my paper and cigars i made my way home and while the kettle boiled and my tea mashed, i emptied some more water out of the water butt. I spent the afternoon reading with Final Score on the TV in the background. I watched the evening news both national and local and then turned the TV off for the night. and then had a pizza for my tea. After i had eaten i continued reading for a bit before firing the laptop up to come on here and check the threads.

I made a coffee in the travel mug and went to collect Karen from work and once home we had a drink before going up to bed to read. We finished reading and i went downstairs to let Felix in, before i opened the door i put him some food in his dish, set the dishwasher and washing machine going and then opened the door for him. I had to shout and rattle the treat box before he appeared. I gave him some treats and told him off for being late, lol, and then went up to bed.

I again awoke with the alarm at 8.30am and went downstairs to make us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed, once again Felix went up to bed to protect Karen and once i back with the teas, he moved onto my legs and went to sleep.

We finished our tea and got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. Before Felix's dishes were done, we emptied the dishwasher and the washing machine, i put the bath towels into the tumble dryer and Karen put the rest of the washing on the airer and radiators. I made us a coffee and got our meds and vitamins out while Karen sorted Felix's dishes out and then toasted the muffins and crumpets for our breakfast.

We watched Saturday nights Strictly Come Dancing while we had our breakfast and drink but turned it off when Amy, Andy and Elliott arrived. We all had a drink before i helped peel the vegetables for Sunday lunch and then while everything was cooking, we chatted with them and played with Elliott. We had a lovely Sunday lunch before retiring to the living room and had a drink and chatted while listening to the radio in the background. Amy, Andy and Elliott left at about 4.30pm and after they had gone we finished listening to Johnnie Walker's 70's show and then finished off watching Strictly. When we had finished watching Strictly, Karen watched the last bit of Countryfile and then we watched Antiques Roadshow before it was time for Strictly: The Results show. After Strictly finished, Karen went into the kitchen to toast some muffins and crumpets and we watched Frozen Planet II. After it finished we turned the TV off and i put the radio on to listen to the Stephen Nolan show, we listened until 10pm and then i made myself a pot of tea and Karen took a pot of milk up to bed. We read while having our drinks and then i came downstairs to let Felix in, he was waiting at the door when i opened it and i put some treats down and went back up to bed.

I have done a bit of calculating and i am fast approaching 10,000 days of recording my reading and it will be good to see the figures on November 15th.

>121 johnsimpson: That is a very long time recording your reading, John.
At the end of this year I it will be 15 years for me.

ETA: I just notice it was 5,000 days for me last month, on September 8th.

>121 johnsimpson: I look forward to seeing that, John. I suspect that the book number will be OK but your page count impressive due to your penchant for reading chunksters.

I haven't visited in a while, John. Sorry to see the news about your workmate, Taz, and your lack of va-va-voom, although your new car might help a bit with that. I would imagine some of that draggy feeling might come from worry about what the energy problems and time will bring. It would be good if your government came up with some workable solutions. The energy problems here seem to be confined to the price of gas/petrol but as a lot of our power comes from water the on-going drought might change that.

>122 FAMeulstee:, Hi Anita my dear, when day 10,000 comes up it will be 27 years, 3 months and 15 days.

Congratulations on your 5,000th day of recording reading.

>123 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, both the book and page figures could have been a little better than what they will be but i am pleased with them.

The list of Central Contracts has been issued, how the hell does Crawley warrant one but Lees doesn't, it makes my blood boil. We need a pair of solid openers to get the team off to a good start and then one of them to keep going after the loss of the first wicket, i am sorry but Crawley is not one of them while ever i have got a hole in my bum.

>124 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, you are always welcome here however long or short between visits. It is Frank's (Taz) funeral on Friday and we will both be going to pay our respects, no doubt i will see a lot of old workmates there. Sadly the Sharlston Colliery group is losing members steadily with another old miner passing away at the weekend.

The draggy feeling and loss of my va-va-voom is no doubt down to the current energy worries and being exacerbated by the current No 10 incumbent and her ministers. We desperately need a General Election soon although if recent polls are to be believed, it will be a complete washout for the Tories. The Yorkshire Post on Saturday said the poll they had taken would see the Conservatives wiped out in Yorkshire and i think this could be repeated throughout the North of England.

On the plus side, i am loving my Hybrid Hyundai Kona and have quickly got used to it and am comfortable in it.

I do hope that your drought ends soon so that you don't end up with power issues, as for gas/fuel prices, these are ot going to move downwards much especially if oil production is cut, there are a select few countries and people who are making a lot of money out of this situation and it is not the everyday member of the public.

Monday was a steady-ish day for me, after dropping Karen at work i parked up and went into store to get some cigars and then got some cash out of the cash machine. Once i had got some money i had to go into Wakefield to take a couple of parcels back to Next for Karen and then i had to move across to the Ridings Shopping Centre to go to the branch of Superdrug that had a pharmacy to drop off a bag of empty Tablet foilstrips as they send them off to be recycled.

After i had been to Superdrug i made my way back to the car and headed to the Post Office in Crofton to pay this months Council Tax. Council Tax paid and i made my way home and had a pot of tea and finished my book. After finishing my book i selected another one and then got on with moving things out of the living room ready for the carpet cleaner coming the day after. Once i had moved everything that i could on my own, i vacuumed the carpet, moving the sofa and armchairs,

Once the vacuuming was done i had my lunch and then read for a short while before it was time to make Karen a coffee in the travel mug and then go and pick her up from work. I picked Karen up and we made our way to Eastmoor to have our Bi-Valent Covid jab, once this was done we made our way home and had a nice pot of tea.

We had a nice relaxing evening after we had eaten and i fired up the laptop to come on here and check the threads.

Yesterday we got up with the alarm, got washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. Karen did Felix's dishes while i got our meds and vitamins out and then while i made us a pot of tea, Karen got breakfast ready.

We had our tea, meds+vitamins and breakfast while watching BBC Breakfast and once we had finished, we moved the small cabinet unit and coffee table into the dining room along with the small table at the side of the fireplace.

I took Karen to work and then made my way home and had a pot of tea before moving the footstool and the cushions and then i split the sofa up, luckily for us it splits into three. Once this was done i got on with emptying the water butt and then i cleaned it out, as i was getting some water out of my water bin in the watering can, i lost my footing and ended up stuttering around trying to keep my balance and not getting wet, this later caused me a problem.

Once i had done the water butt, i had a coffee and then got on with the upstairs housework and bathroom. I finished the housework just in time to make a pot of tea and watch the lunchtime news both national and local. By the time they had finished i felt a little twinge in my back.

Aaron the carpet cleaner and his apprentice, Marcus, arrived just after 2pm, Aaron went through what he would be doing and i asked him for a quote for the staircase. At first it looked like i would have to call him out again and it would have been £60 as for the living room but he had a quick look and said they could do it along with the room and the total for both jobs would be £80, as luck would have it, i had drawn £80 out of the cash machine that morning. I left them to get on with it after making Aaron a pot of tea, Marcus didn't want a drink of anything, bless him.

I sat in the dining room for awhile before going outside to cut back my Bishop of Llandaff Dahlia before going back into the dining room. I called up the Dalesman magazine to take up the subcription off er they had sent to us and then had a coffee. While i was sat there, i could feel my back really starting to ache.

Aaron and Marcus finished the job at just after 4pm, when they had gone i put the telephone table back in the hall and connected the internet modem and phone back on and then made a coffee for Karen in the travel mug and then set off to collect her. I was in quite a bit of pain while driving to get Karen, i collected Karen and we made the short journey to the Aldi and i stayed in the car while she went in to get the bit of shopping we needed. Once Karen was done, we made our way home and unpacked and put it away, i made us a pot of tea and Karen inspected the carpets.

After we had our pot of tea, Karen made our tea and then we watched the news both national and local before we watched Strictly takes Two and then Bake off, i came on here for a short while before deciding that i needed to go to bed. I made our pots of tea and Karen took our books upstairs and we read for an hour before i came back down to get Felix in. I was in the spare bed with having to get up at 7am to go and get Elliott on Wednesday morning, this was ideal as i could lie on my back, i did put a pillow under the base of my back and by Wednesday morning, i didn't feel too bad.

>129 johnsimpson: Hi John! You have had a busy day. Glad to hear your back pain didn’t get too bad, after all.

>129 johnsimpson: I hope any back issues fade into the background for you.

>126 johnsimpson: You know my views on Crawley, John. Fellow wouldn't be anywhere near the team if we had anything to do with it, but to be fair Alex Lees had a winter tour and the whole summer too without setting the world alight. Jennings is a good pick for Pakistan and I have high hopes for Duckett this time around. Hopefully they will take Crawley out but Stokes, Key and McCullum seem to forgive him all his low scores in the hope that he'll produce that one innings in twenty that will "justify" their faith. Not good enough.

Have a good weekend and give my love to Karen.

Finished book 48 yesterday evening, Promises, Promises by Erica James, PB - 429 pages.

10-10-22 to 17-10-22

On Wednesday we had Elliott, once i had brought Elliott home we had a nice and steady day which was good for me as my back was still playing up a bit. Later on i went and collected Hannah from school and brought her home. Elliott and Hannah played together before Karen made tea for all of us.

When Karen took Elliott for his bath and bedtime, i took Hannah home.

Thursday morning was nice and steady again and we played with Elliott, Debbie came to do Karen's nails just after 12.30pm. I made us all a pot of tea and Debbie made a fuss of Elliott and he loved it. At just after 1.30pm i set off with Elliott to take him home.

I got back after spending some time with Andy and Elliott just before 5.45pm and we had a pot of tea before we had our tea.

>134 johnsimpson: I always love how having tea has a major place in your life, John.
This time I chuckled, reading your last sentence ... and we had a pot of tea before we had our tea. You probably ment diner ;-)

>135 FAMeulstee:, Hi Anita my dear, we are so confusing over here, i would normally start with Breakfast then later it is Lunchtime but then we call it Teatime in Yorkshire and then possibly have Supper. Occasionally Lunchtime would be called Dinnertime, we would rarely say we are going out to Dinner but say we are going out for a meal.

When i worked at the Pit we would have a break at 10am and this would be called Snap time and we would get our Snap (food) out of our Snap tin, bag or other container, again this was a Yorkshire and mining phrase.

To this end, we always have a pot of tea with our Tea even if we have had a pot of tea before we have our Tea, English is so confusing, lol.

On Friday 14th Karen went into work for 7am so that she could finish at 12 noon and then get changed so that we could get to the church in Sharlston for Frank's funeral. The turnout was as expected, the pews in the church were full, people were standing at the back of the church and some had to stand outside, luckily it was a nice dry day.

After the service, the family went to the cemetery in Streethouse to lay Frank to rest and then joined quite a few of us at the Cricket Club for Frank's wake. We gave the old lad a good send-off and caught up with old workmates. A group of us vowed to see each other again at the reunion in February unless we managed to see each other before then but we especially didn't want to meet wearing a Black Tie.

Sadly since the funeral we have been notified of the passing of two more Sharlston Colliery workers, our numbers are dwindling with each passing month/year.

On Saturday we had a steady morning, once we were up, i helped get everything sorted out before i left to go to the weekly market held in the carpark at the village pub and once i had picked up some fruit teacakes and a couple of iced buns, i made my way to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School to have a look around the antique fair, this is the first time it has been held since the beginning of March 2020. Sadly it was rather poor compared to previous years and the only thing i paid for was the entrance fee. I made my way home to have my breakfast.

I took Karen to work and after dropping her off i popped into store to pick up my newspaper and then made my way home and got on with the downstairs housework. Once the housework was done i had a pot of tea and read for a bit before watching Final Score for the football results. I had a nice evening before it was time to pick Karen up at 10pm.

Sunday was a day of relaxation for both of us, we watched Saturday nights Strictly Come Dancing before we peeled the vegetables for Sunday Lunch. After we had our lunch we listened to Johnnie Walker's 70's show on the radio before watching the early evening news both national and local.

We watched Countryfile, Antiques Roadshow and then Strictly: The Results Show and then Frozen Planet II.

On Monday i took Karen to work and once home i made a pot of tea and read, the rest of the day was spent drinking either tea or coffee and reading until it was time to pick Karen up from work at 3pm.

I also attended a friends memorial service today. We gave him a good send off but I will miss him. He was a colleague at the University and was a great mathematics teacher. He won several awards for his teaching. He and I were fairly good cooks and we would have great times with good food. He was born in the Netherlands in 1940 so he was a war baby with lots of experiences to tell us about while we ate wonderful meals in their house. He was a great fan of Orange football. I will miss his kind and passionate ways. And his cooking.

>140 johnsimpson: I find that I much more enjoy the radio than TV these days John and I very rarely watch the telly unless it is to watch my beloved football team lose again.

Love to you and Karen.

>137 johnsimpson: we call it Teatime in Yorkshire It’s called tea in South Wales as well John, and I habitually call our main meal of the day ‘tea’. Unless we’re going out, in which case it becomes dinner. But I never call the midday meal ‘dinner’ which my parents did, at least if it was a main meal. Unless it was school dinner of course!

In Kansas (in the heart of the USA) we called it dinner - when it was served at noon and supper when it was served in the evening. And, of course, there was no tea time!

Finished book 49 late this afternoon, Target Alex Cross by James Patterson, PB - 414 pages.

17-10-22 to 24-10-22

Last Tuesday was the usual day for me, i took Karen to work and once back home i had a pot of coffee and read with the news channel on the TV in the background. After lunch i got on with the housework by doing the upstairs.

For the third Tuesday in a row i was in a lot of pain with my back and neck, i looked back at what i had done and nothing jumped out at me as a trigger. After picking Karen up from work, we got home and had a drink of tea before Karen made our tea and then i went up to bed to lie down and rest up for the following day.

On Wednesday i picked Elliott up and brought him home, as we had done the Aldi shopping the day before, it meant that we had a nice steady morning with Elliott. I didn't have to pick Hannah up from school as she had a dentist appointment and so Rob picked her up and took her to the dentist.

On Thursday Elliott didn't wake-up until just before 7am, i went and made us a pot of tea and i made a bottle up for Elliott. Once we had finished our drinks we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs. Felix was sorted out and our breakfast was all sorted. After breakfast it was time to take Karen to the hairdressers for her appointment, I dropped her off and then we made our way back home. We hadn't been home long when Elliott came up to me and said dirty, i asked if he had pooped and he said, dirty. This was the first dirty nappy of his stay, and boy was it dirty.

After cleaning Elliott up and put him a clean nappy on, we then played and he had some juice. Karen messaged me to say she was nearly done and could we come and get her, as it was raining heavily i put his puddle suit on and we got in the car and went to collect Karen.

Once back home, i made us a drink and Karen gave Elliott some lunch and a short while later he went up to Karen and said Dirty, Karen lent down and had a quick sniff of his trousers and said you are dirty, to which Elliott laughed. This time it was Karen's turn for the dirty job.

Not long after the nappy change, i got everything into the car and Karen put his coat on and i took him home. I had a couple of hours with Andy and Elliott and Karen went to bed for a lie down as she was still suffering with her cold, as i type she is still not that much better.

Trying to get caught up on threads! I'm way behind for a multitude of reasons. Things should improve after tomorrow.

Friday 21st was a normal day, we arose with the alarm and got washed and dressed before coming downstairs to get everything sorted out. Karen did Felix's dishes and got breakfast out while i got all our meds and vitamins out and made us a nice pot of tea.

We watched BBC Breakfast while we had our drink, meds and breakfast and then it was time to take Karen to work. I dropped Karen off before parking up near the store entrance and went in to do the little bit of shopping we needed. Once shopping done, and in the car, i made my way home and unpacked and put it all away.

Shopping done and put away, it was time for a pot of tea and some reading for the next three hours. I finished reading and watched the lunchtime news and local news before getting on with the downstairs housework, by the time it was done i had enough time for a pot of coffee and a bit of reading before making a coffee in the travel mug for Karen.
I picked Karen up at 5pm and once home i made us a nice pot of tea and we watched the early evening news before making our tea. We had a nice steady evening ready for our trip out the following day.

The alarm went off at 7.30am and we decided to forego our pot of tea in bed, instead we got up, washed and dressed and went downstairs to get everything sorted out. Felix was done first so that he had time to go out for a short while and then while i got meds and the tea made, Karen got breakfast ready.

We got on with having our drink, meds and breakfast and then collected our belongings and put them in the car, luckily, Felix turned up at the same time and with a bribe of some cat treats, he went in and i locked up.

Once in the car and seatbelts on, we set off to Northallerton, a place we haven't been to for a while. We arrived and parked up in the George Hotel car park, the pay machine was out of order so we had to go to reception to pay and while i went back to the car with our ticket, Karen ordered two latte's and a plate of toasted teacakes. When we paid the bill, the car park fee was deducted as we had had something in the lounge.

We left the hotel and had a wander up the newly re-furbished high street, it was lovely to see that large square stone planters had been put up every 15 yards or so with solid oak benches set into the stone for visitors and locals to have a sit down and rest for a while. Set in the centre of the planters was a young tree which we will see grow and mature over the years.

We popped into one or two shops to have a browse and as we neared the Town Hall, a chap asked us where we were from and did we come often, we told him Wakefield and that yes we liked to pop over three or four time a year and then he gave us a Northallerton canvas shopping bag as a thank you for visiting the town, which we thought was really nice and handy.

Karen got a few items from the Yorkshire Trading Post and i picked up my copy of the Yorkshire Post along with my Cricket magazine. We continued to wander along and then came upon Costa Coffee, we went in as we had a free coffee each to collect. We had a nice drink and a rest before continuing along the High Street.

We crossed back over the High Street and Karen went into the Lakeland store to pick up a couple of catering items and i went into the independent Home Electricals store which was next door. Karen found me looking at Televisions, for some reason our TV seems to have developed a problem when it is turned on and we are hoping that the TV sees us out until the January sales at least, a new TV before Christmas is not in our budget. We saw a nice 43inch Samsung and as we have had Samsung TV's since 1994, there is no reason to change the maker. We always find it funny when we look at Samsung TV's as Robert used to call it Samsnug and it has stuck ever since, bless him.

We left the store and went into a charity shop to look at books, but the selection was poor, not their usual selection and we left empty handed. By this time, we had got back to the George Hotel and so made our way back to the car and headed for home via the nearby Tesco store. We popped in to stock up on some small tins of petit pois peas and their jars of baby carrots and peas. Once we had done, we got back in the car and made our way home.

Once home, i made us a nice pot of tea and let Felix out and we had a nice evening watching Strictly Come Dancing together.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day, the alarm went off and i went and made us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed and Felix decided to join us. We finished our tea and then got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out.

We had our breakfast of toasted muffins and crumpets along with a nice coffee before Karen got on with finishing mixing the ingredients for the Christmas cakes she was making, i was tasked with grating the oranges and lemons for the cake mixture and then juicing them.

Once i had done that, Karen asked me to mix the cake mixture as she added the flour as her hands were hurting her. While i mixed the flour in and made sure that no signs of white, was visible, i made my wish and as the mix had eased up, Karen made her wish. The mixture made three large loaf tins, two medium loaf tins and two tasting size loaf tins. Karen put them into the oven and there was room for another cake, i weighed out all the ingredients for a Yorkshire Parkin cake and when that was ready that went in the oven and Karen turned it on.

I made us a nice and well-earned pot of tea and we sat in the living room to enjoy our drink. We listened to Johnnie Walker's 70's radio programme and by the time this finished the cakes were done and we could them make a late Sunday lunch.

We had a nice evening watching Antiques Roadshow and then Karen went upstairs to watch a programme while i watched Jodie Whittaker's last outing as Doctor Who, it was a great 90 minute special and i will not spoil it for anyone. The rest of the evening was good, little did i know what the next week would bring for me, and not in a good way.

>150 johnsimpson: A cliffhanger post!

>151 quondame:, Hi Susan my dear, all part of the cliffhangar.

How are you doing John? Wishing you a good weekend!

Monday 24th Oct, we got up with the alarm, washed and dressed and downstairs to get everything sorted out. After we had breakfast i took Karen to work, i dropped her off and then set off for Slaithwaite Antiques Centre. Sadly i did not link my phone to the car withy google directions and ended up no where near where i was supposed to be. I decided to cut my losses and made my way home.

Once home i made myself a pot of tea and settled down to read, as i sat down i noticed a pain in my right foot. I had a look and saw that my toe next to my big toe looked red and angry and the nail bed looked bluish in colour. I seemed to recall either stubbing my toe on the safety gate or i dropped something on my foot. Later that night my toe and top half of my foot was red hot and Karen told me to go to the doctors to make an appointment to get some antibiotics.

Tuesday 25th Oct, up with the alarm and then washed and dressed and downstairs to get everything sorted out. After we had finished breakfast, it was time to take Karen to work. I dropped Karen off and then put some petrol in the car before heading down to the Doctor's. I explained to the receptionist what the problem was and i was informed that there were no appointments available that week BUT if i could go to Trinity Medical Centre on Saturday 29th Oct, i could be seen, the receptionist made me an appointment for 9am.

I left the Doctor's and popped into Wakefield to pick up a couple of things before making my way home, once home i made myself a pot of tea and read for a while. During the rest of the morning i noticed a problem when going to the toilet for a wee. If i thought i needed a wee and went straight away, no problem, if i was on my phone or reading and thought i will just finish what i am doing, by the time i got upstairs, it was if i had been drinking 8 pints and was absolutely desperate and then could do nothing as my senses thought i needed to poo. I will go no further on descriptions.

I did the upstairs housework in the afternoon and then later picked Karen up from work, i told Karen about trying to get an appointment about my toe and then about my toilet issues.

>154 johnsimpson: O yuck John, that doesn’t sound good!

Wednesday 26th Oct, i awoke with the alarm at 7am and got up, washed and dressed and went downstairs to make myself a coffee in the travel mug. While waiting for the kettle to boil, i got our meds and vitamins out, once the kettle had boiled, i made my coffee and left the house to get in the car. I set off to Monk Fryston to pick up Elliott, as i got off at the junction for the Selby road, i noticed quite a lot of traffic.

I ended up in a queue to get off the roundabout and across the opposite roundabout and then the short drive to the lay-by where i collect Elliott. I tried to ring Amy a couple of times to let her know that i could be a fraction late but got no answer. After 15 minutes traffic seemed to start moving quite rapidly and by the time i got to the next roundabout, i found out what was causing the delays. I truck had jackknifed and the road the truckers take to the industrial estate was blocked and so all traffic had to straight over the roundabout and follow the diversions. As i had to go straight over the same roundabout, that is why i was delayed. I got to the layby within the next five minutes and waited for Amy to arrive.

Traffic from Selby, Thorpe Willoughby, Hambleton and Monk Fryston was also delayed as truckers were causing delays getting around the left hand turn as per the diversions, as it is a tight turn for cars and vans. Amy eventually arrived about ten minutes later than normal and explained that she had forgotten her phone so knew nothing about the delays or me trying to phone.

I collected Elliott and we had a chat before we parted and i made my way home. On the way home i phoned Karen to let her know that i would be delayed and once home a pot of tea was waiting for me. While i had my pot of tea, meds and then breakfast, Karen gave Elliott some breakfast. We had a nice as i went to collect Hannah at 11.30am as she was on school holidays.

Hannah and Elliott played together during the day and then Karen made lunch for all of us. I took Hannah back home at 4,30pm and once back we had our tea before Karen took Elliott for his bath and then gave him his milk before reading him a bedtime story.

We had a nice evening before retiring to bed to enjoy a pot of tea and read before lights out.

Thursday 27th Oct, Elliott didn't wake up until 6.45am, bless him. Karen went and got him and brought him to our bedroom and i went downstairs to make us a pot of tea and Elliott's milk, Felix decided he wanted to go out.

Elliott had his milk and played with my watches and wanted books read, we managed to finish our drinks between all this. Once we had finished we got up, washed and dressed and then went downstairs. Karen got Elliott sorted out while i got our meds and vitamins out, made us a coffee and got breakfast out.

After breakfast Elliott played with his toys and at 11am i left to go to the Doctor's for my appointment with the practice pharmacist for my annual meds review. While having my meds done i mentioned the toilet problem and she said i should make an appointment along with one for my bloods to be taken.

I made an appointment for my bloods to be done but the receptionist said i would have to ring at 8am in a morning to get and appointment. I left not too happy but would do as requested. By the time i got home, Elliott was having lunch and so i made us a drink. An hour later i made a coffee in the travel mug and set off with Elliott to take him home. I had a couple of hours with Andy and Elliott so that Karen could have a nap and i got back just after 5.30pm. We had a steady evening.

Friday 28th Oct, the alarm went off and we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. We had our breakfast and a short time later i took Karen to work, I dropped her off and then parked near to the store entrance and went into store to do the little bit of shopping we needed. Once done i put the shopping in the car and made my way home and unpacked and out it all away. Once done i made a pot of tea and went into the living room and went on my phone.

I got onto the Sheffield Auction Galleries live auction to see where they had got up to, the lot i was interested in was number 1365, I came off the auction and read. Whilst reading i periodically checked the auction to see what Lot number they were on with and just before 2pm my Lot was due shortly. I saw how people were bidding both in the room and online, the Rosewood writing slope started at £10 and raced to £25 where it stopped, i pressed bid at £28 and then hoped the person before me would go to £30 but they didn't and i had won the Lot. With fees it came to £36.38 which i was happy with and i would have to go to Sheffield on Monday to collect it. I bid through Saleroom .com and they sent me a note and invoice if i wanted to use their delivery service, the total was for £49.99, no way was i paying just about £50 for delivery when the auction hose is only 45 minutes away from me.

I did the downstairs housework and then read until it was time to make Karen a drink and go and pick her up. We got home and had a drink before Karen made the tea for us, we had it watching the early evening news. By 7.30pm i wasn't feeling too good so Karen packed me off to bed, she brought me a pot of tea. Unfortunately the toilet problem struck twice in the space of 30 minutes, both times i needed to pee but the mind and body wanted to poo. On the second occasion, Karen was coming upstairs and could see that i was nearly in tears with pain and i said if it happens again, to call and ambulance and get me to accident and emergency as i couldn't stand this any longer.

Luckily that was the end of that and i managed to drop off to sleep and had a fairly pleasant night.

Saturday 29th Oct, the alarm went off as usual at 7.30am and i went downstairs to make us a pot of tea, Felix went up to join Karen while i made the tea. I had some of my tea before getting washed and dressed and then i finished my tea before setting off to Trinity Medical Centre to see someone about my toe.

I saw a lovely lady who immediately saw that it was infected and sent a prescription for antibiotics to the centres pharmacy for me, i said that this was the least of my problems and would be going up to the drop in centre. She asked what the problem was and i told her, she said it didn't sound like a Prostate issue, more likely to be a constipation/blockage issue and my body was reacting badly. She told me to use laxatives, and Dulcoese and drink plenty of water but if things stayed the same or got worse to ring 111. I started the antibiotics when i got home and the laxative routine that night.

Sunday 30th Oct, we had a lie-in planned to take advantage of the extra hour but this did not really happen as Karen awoke at 7.50am and nudged me to go and make us a pot of tea in bed. We had our drink and Felix joined us on the bed.

Once we had finished our tea, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get things sorted. Once everything was done, we had our toasted muffins and crumpets and set up iplayer so that we could watch the previous night's Strictly Come Dancing. I was still troubled with toiletting but the severe pain had eased, my back was taking the brunt of things.

We had a nice steady day, we had lunch and listened to the radio before later watching some TV.

Monday 31st Oct, we were up at 6am as Karen had to go in work for 7am, i made us a pot of tea while Karen got washed and dressed and then once it was made, i went and got washed and dressed. I took Karen to work, dropped her off and then made my way home. Once home i had a coffee before making a pot of tea, having my meds and then breakfast.

Just after 9am i set off to Sheffield Auction Galleries to pick up my auction win, i arrived just after 10am and within ten minutes i was back in the car and made my way home. Once home i had a good look at the writing slope and was pleased with my purchase.

I made myself a pot of tea and then read, managing to finish my book. I made a coffee in the travel mug for Karen and went to pick her up from work at 1pm. We got home and while Karen made us a sandwich and brought the cakes and biscuits in and we had lunch. Just before 3pm i said i felt a bit tired and was not that much bothered about watching I Escaped to the Country, so i went to bed for an hour while Karen watched the programme. Karen woke me up after she had washed her hair and was going to dry it, i popped to the toilet and (sorry about this) i managed to have a good poo and was elated. The phrase "beware what you wish for" came to mind later. I didn't feel too good later on and did not want anything to eat, Karen packed me off to bed as she said i looked awful and she dealt with the Trick or Treater's.

Karen brought me a pot of tea but i did not feel too good, Karen came up to bed at 9.30pm as she was tired and at 10pm she told me to go next door as i was snoring. I had a reasonable night once i had dropped off to sleep.

Tuesday and a new month, we got up with the alarm, got washed and dressed and came downstairs to sort everything out. We had breakfast, our meds and a pot of tea and then it was time to take Karen to work. After dropping Karen off, i made my way to the Shell fuel station and put some petrol in the car and then went into Wakefield to go to Barclays bank to pay off the small amount owing on the credit card. Once i had done the banking i made my way home via the Doctor's as i had to drop off our repeat prescriptions.

Once home i made myself a pot of tea and put the heating on to keep warm. I was coughing quite a bit, a mucus cough and felt horrible. I had no energy and didn't try to read as my concentration was wayward. Mid-afternoon i cleaned the bathroom as Karen had asked me to and then made her a coffee in the travel mug and went to pick her up from work.

I managed to eat a bowl of Porridge and we watched Great British Bake-Off before i went up to bed. As is normal on a Tuesday night, i sleep next door and this i did. During the night had a number of coughing fits and this went on until 5am and then i managed un-interrupted sleep until the alarm went off at 7am.

I'm sorry that your body is being troublesome and hope the issues have already faded back to the levels you feel no need to report or soon will.

Up with the alarm at 7am on Wednesday morning, quickly got washed and dressed and then downstairs to make myself a coffee in the travel mug. While the kettle boiled i got our meds and vitamins out and then i made my drink, i re-filled the kettle ready for Karen to come down later.

I set off to the lay-by just outside Monk Fryston to collect Elliott from Amy, no traffic problems this morning. I parked up at the front of the lay-by as a large Audi SUV was parked at about the two thirds position. Just before 8am i got a phone call from Amy, i thought she was reporting that she was running late but it turned out that she was behind the SUV and was there room behind me but in front of the SUV, i told her there was enough room and suddenly she appeared. I used an old mining area saying to Amy by asking if she had shit the bed, meaning she was early and it was unexpected. It turned out that Elliott had been up since 6am and then Amy realised that his car seat was not in the car. As she was putting the seat in the car, Elliott knew he was going to see grandad and sat in it before she could get it in the car.

We had a bit of a chit chat and then we both got back into our cars and set off to the roundabout where we go our separate ways. I got home and Elliott had dropped off to sleep, i unpacked everything out of the car and by the time i got back to the car, Elliott had woken up. I kept Elliott amused as Karen was taking a call upstairs from work Occupational Health, the call was very useful as the report made it plain that Karen suffers from Arthritis and has issues that stop her being able to be assigned to the Click and Collect section when required. The chap also stated that the meds Karen takes are not suitable and she needs something a bit more powerful that will help ease her Arthritis and this is for the Doctor.

Mid-morning i had a little cough and noticed a slight pain in my stomach, sadly this pain gradually increased and by nightfall it felt like a knife was slicing through me.

I collected Hannah and her friend Molly from school, we then went back to see mum and get changed and Molly went across the road home, i have a KitKat bar for Hannah and a small bag of Maryland Cookies for Molly. Once Hannah was changed, we made our way home and Hannah was excited to see Elliott. We had a lovely time for three hours, tea was made and then it was time for Elliott to have his bath and i took Hannah home.

Karen decided to bring Elliott down after his bath and read his bedtime story while he had his milk but Elliott was having none of this. Karen told me that he picked up his books and his bottle of milk and went towards the stairs, as far as he was concerned, story time and his milk was done in his bed, so Karen followed, i chuckled when she told me.

When we went up to bed, after we had finished reading i was lucky that i sleep on my right side as my ribs and stomach were too painful to rest on.

On Thursday morning Elliott slept in until 6.45 am, bless him. Karen heard him stirring and went to get him while came round and then got out of bed, dressing gown on and went downstairs to make us a pot of tea and bring Elliott a bottle of juice. Felix went upstairs and joined the throng but by the time i got back upstairs, he wanted to go out, away from Elliott's attention.

We finished our pot of tea and then Karen washed and dressed Elliott and then left him with me while she got washed and dressed and then it was my turn. While i was getting dressed, Felix had come back in and was escaping Elliott again by joining me and wanting serious stroking.

I got downstairs and Karen had got Elliott's breakfast out and a fresh drink and i helped Karen get ours sorted. My cough was still with me but had changed from a mucus cough to a dry cough and the pain in my ribs and stomach was really painful when i did cough. We had a steady morning, we had to pop to Asda to change a pair of slippers for Elliott for a bigger size. Elliott walked into the store holding both our hands and enjoyed himself.

Once home Karen put his slippers on and he loved them, he played with his toys before Karen made him some lunch. At 1.30pm he brought me my walking stick and coat as he knew he was going home, i got his things in the car along with the travel mug of coffee for me and then i put Elliott in the car. While i took him home and had some time with Andy, Karen was going to have a nap as she was feeling quite tired.

I had a nice couple of hours with Andy and Elliott and when Amy came home i had a chat with her before i left for home.

On Friday we got up with the alarm and quickly got washed and dressed before coming downstairs to get everything sorted out. We had breakfast and then i took Karen to work, i dropped Karen off and then parked up near the store entrance. I went into store and did the bit of shopping we needed and then once the shopping was in the car, i made my way into Wakefield to do some banking.

Once the banking was done i went into Boots the Chemist to get a bottle of Surgical Spirit and once i had this, i made my way back to the car and headed for home. I unpacked and put the shopping away before making myself a pot of tea. Karen had told me to ignore the housework today and rest up so that i did not exacerbate the pain in my ribs and stomach.

I have to say that apart from my rib and stomach pain from coughing, i am on the mend but don't want to jinx it too much. It seems that we have had some virus that has been going around and all this coupled with an infected toe, having my Flu jab, seemed to have combined to make me feel awful.

My toilet issues seem to have been alleviated, thankfully, i must admit i did get a bit worried at one point. My toe has healed well and is back to normal and the rib and stomach pain has eased quite a lot today although i will not lie on my left side for a day or two as they feel tender when i lean against that side.

Apart from the above issues, the thing that really affected me was my total apathy, days when i had no interest in reading, my phone or even the TV, this is not me. I have got my reading mojo back mainly in part due to the book i am currently reading. I am reading The Library by Bella Osborne and when i have to put the book down, i don't really want to as it one of those that you just want to read and read. Karen has read this and did not tell me that i would get emotional at times with the story, it is that good.

>164 johnsimpson: Glad you are feeling a bit better, John. A nasty virus, that one. But The Library seems to help you get over any leftover apathy. Take care, and take it easy.

>165 EllaTim:, Hi Ella my dear, apart from a nasty dry cough which exacerbated my ribs and stomach pain in the early hours of this morning, i am fine. I am more pleased that my reading mojo is back, as that was annoying me that i didn't have the inclination to pick it up.

I finished The Library by Bella Osborne, just after lunch and i have to admit i shed a tear, the story was wonderful and is emotional in places with an emotional ending, well worth a read in my honest opinion.

A part of me will be glad to see the back of 2022 as various things have caused me to be away from here for short periods and my reading has not been what i wanted it to be. 2023 will be a good year i am sure, not least that i will turn 60 in July and we have booked a few days away for that.

Sending love and hugs to you and Marc from both of us dear friend.

Finished book 50 last Monday, The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy, PB - 290 pages.

24-10-22 to 31-10-22

Finished book 51 just after lunch today, The Library by Bella Osborne, PB - 369 pages.

31-10-22 to 7-11-22

OCTOBER'S READING STATS

Books Read....................... 5

No of Authors.................... 5

New Authors...................... 1

Male Authors..................... 2

Female Authors.................. 3

Pages Read....................... 1,800

Daily Avg........................... 58.06

Book Length avg................. 360

Latest reading stats:

Books on shelves at 1-10-22 - 2,908
Books added in October - 4
Books read in October - 5

Revised book total - 2907

Pages to read at 1-10-22 - 1,193,602
Pages added in October - 1,312
Pages read in October - 1,800

Revised total pages to read - 1,193,114

On Saturday morning the alarm went off at 7.30am and i got up, put my dressing gown and slippers on and went downstairs to make us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed, By the time i got back to our bedroom with the teas, Felix was laid out at the side of Karen in protective mode. As soon as i was back in bed, Felix decided to join me and got himself comfortable on my legs.

We finished our tea and got up, washed and dressed and then went downstairs to get everything sorted out. While Karen cleaned and re-filled Felix's dishes, i put the kettle on and then got our meds and vitamins out. Karen then got breakfast out and i was sent out to collect and drop off a parcel at our local shop and while doing this i picked up my usual Saturday copy of the Yorkshire Post. I left the shop and went up to the Pub to visit the Saturday morning market, this is now up to 18 stalls selling various produce as well as crafts and gifts. The local mobile Fish Merchant also comes along and now there is a Pet food van that has taken a spot.

My visit was to the lovely bakery lady to pick up eight large Currant Teacakes, six large Breadcakes and a couple of large Iced-Buns. I was done and dusted within five minutes and then got back in the car and made my way home for a nice pot of coffee.

I had my coffee and then my meds and vitamins before having my breakfast, all this while watching James Martin's Saturday Morning. After finishing my breakfast i separated the sections of my newspaper and read the Sports section before going outside to check my water butt. Once back inside i made us a pot of tea and while Karen watched TV, i read for a bit.

After another drink, Karen had something to eat before she got changed ready to go to work. I took Karen to work, dropped her off and then walked into the store to pick up a couple of items. Once i had got and paid for my shopping, i made my way back to the car and made my way home. Once home i made myself a coffee and read for a bit before putting the TV on to watch Final Score, the BBC's Football service, i listened to the presenter and two pundits talking about the games that were being played alongside the First round of this season's FA Cup.

A couple of drinks and my lunch later and Final Score finished, i watched the early evening news both national and local before turning the TV off and i fired up the laptop. I had an hour or so on the laptop before i put my Pizza in the oven. Twenty minutes later my Pizza was ready and i had a late tea followed by some Parkin, a mince pie and a cake bar. I made myself a pot of tea and got back on the laptop for the next couple of hours before it was time to make a coffee in the travel mug for Karen.

I went to pick Karen up from work, i parked up and listened to the Stephen Nolan discussion and phone-in programme until Karen got in the car. We made our way home and once home, i made us a nice pot of tea and finished off what i was doing on the laptop. At 11.10pm i put the kettle on to make myself a coffee in the travel mug and i made a nice pot of tea for Karen. Fifteen minutes later i left the house, locking up and got into the car and set off for the Woodman Inn at Kirkburton to pick Robert up at midnight.

Robert had been invited to the wedding Of Katie Craig and Sam Peel, the day would have been too much for Louise although we would have had Hannah for them. I linked my phone to the car to use it for directions as i have not been to the Kirkburton area for nearly 40 years and obviously in the dark, you cannot see much. I got parked up in the car park and Messaged Rob to say that i had arrived, while sat in the car, Katie's brother Tom came across to me and gave me a hug and asked how i was, I told him i was OK and asked how the wedding of his sister had gone, he said it was a really good day and it must have cost his dad a fortune. I said to him, tell me about it even though it is Seven years since Amy and Andy got married and i still remember the day as if it was yesterday and i still can't listen to a couple of songs from the day without getting tearful, lol.

Rob joined me a few minutes later, he had a quick word with Tom, saying he would see him at the Cricket Club AGM on Monday night. We set off for Ossett and 30 minutes later i dropped him off. Rob gave me £10 to cover fuel and coming out late, bless him, i refused but he wouldn't take it back saying i had saved him a fortune on a Taxi fare, i think it would have cost him somewhere near £50 if he had called a professional Taxi rather than Dad's Taxi, lol. I left Rob and mde my way home, getting into bed at 1.15am.

On Sunday morning, Karen awoke just before 8am, 30 minutes before the alarm was due to go off and asked me to go and make us a pot of tea. I did as i was told and a short time later brought our pots of tea up to bed with Felix in tow. Once i was back in bed, Felix got himself comfortable on me and after demanding stroking, he settled down and went to sleep.

We finished our tea and got up, washed and dressed and then went downstairs to get everything sorted. After putting a load of washing on, Karen started prepping the Venison Chunks and she set me off with peeling the Parsnips and Carrots. All this is for when Geoff and Linda come for a meal on Friday night. After sealing the Venison, she put it all in the slow cooker and then chopped up the parsnips and Carrots into chunks and added stock and herbs and other bits and pieces and set it off cooking. Once this was done and all the implements were put in the dishwasher, we got on with getting the meds and vitamins out, i made us a coffee and Karen Toasted the Currant Teacakes and a couple of muffins for our breakfast.

We had our breakfast while watching Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing and when that had finished, we both read for a little while. The washer finished and i put the towels outside on the rotary airer as there was a nice breeze and the sun was out. We had a pot of tea before i peeled the vegetables for our lunch. I noticed that it looked as if it was raining and dashed out to get the towels off the airer, the towels were still damp but the breeze had done its job and we finished them off in the tumble dryer. Karen put the vegetables on and put the meat in the oven to cook and we had lunch just after 2pm.

We put all the plates and cutlery in the dishwasher along with a couple of other items and set it off and then we had a drink and listened to the 70's show on Radio Two. Halfway through the 70's show, Karen warmed up some Sticky Toffee pudding while warming a tin of custard up and we had pudding for afters. When the 70's show finished i turned the radio off and thirty minutes later put the TV on to watch the early evening news and the local bulletin before we watched Countryfile and then Strictly Come Dancing: The Results Show, when this finished we watched Escape to the Chateau and i fired up the laptop. I started to update my thread and when the programme finished we turned the TV off and put the radio back on and listened to the Stephen Nolan Show on Radio 5 Live until it was time to go up to bed.

Your thread is making me hungry! Do you ship sticky toffee pudding to the US? Some of the other things sound good like that venison with veggies in the crock pot, but the pudding is what is calling to me.

>173 thornton37814:, Hi Lori my dear, if you spent some time here you would be hard pressed to stay hungry with the various delights to be had. Sticky Toffee pudding is my favourite, if we eat out and it is on the menu, i will have it.

We are looking forward to the venison stew with Geoff and Linda, it is currently Venison season so we will get some more for the freezer before it has all gone. We will need to have a trip out to Ilkley, Skipton or Harrogate to find butchers that stock Game.

Four weeks on Friday we are going away for a couple of days up to the Lake District, we will call into the famous Tebay Motorway Services as it has a massive award winning Farm Shop and we will probably find some Venison in their Butchery department. We are staying overnight in Penrith which is a nice Cumbrian market town, it is a few years since we last visited so it will be nice to pay it a call.

Sending love and hugs dear friend.

Monday was a steady away day for me, after taking Karen to work, i got back and read along with a few pots of tea. After picking Karen up from work, we had a pot of tea and then i took her to the garage to show her how full the chest freezer was and why the Venison stew would not go in.

Karen got everything out and realised that we can eat from the freezer for the next two weeks and just about make enough room for any Christmas things, more especially the Turkey Crown that we need to get.

We finished sorting the freezer out and had another drink before making our tea which we had while watching the main and local news. We had a nice, pleasant evening.

Tuesday morning we were up with the alarm, we got washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything sorted out. We had our breakfast and a short time later, i took Karen to work. I dropped her off and then went to the filling station to put some petrol in the car before making my way home.

Once home i made myself a coffee and picked up my book and read for a couple of hours or so. I had one or two more drinks before having my lunch and then i got on with the upstairs housework. After the housework wad done, i just had time for a drink before going to the Asda store for my optician appointment, my eyesight had changed slightly and so i got a new prescription and then went to look at the frames available. I picked out two frames and they made a note on my file as i could not order them because i am only six and Karen wants to see them before i make a decision which will be done on the 14th.

I picked Karen up from work and we had a pot of tea before she made our tea which we had while watching the main and local news. We caught up with Strictly Takes Two and then watched the Great British Bake Off semi-final. Once the GBBO had finished i went for a shower, after i had my shower i was drying myself when i noticed that my infected toe looked as though it was leaking. As i dried it and had a look, i noticed that the skin to one side looked like a blister that had been pierced and with the water had gone white. I nicked the skin off and noticed a mark on the nail, as i scratched it off delicately, the nail lifted up from the left, the nail had died off and came out of the nail bed easily but right at the right hand side it was hinged. I asked Karen to get the nail clippers and clip it for me as my ribs and stomach were a bit tender when i bent over. Karen recoiled and said she hated nails and i had to suffer a bit of pain and do it myself. Underneath the nail looked fine and hopefully the nail will grow back, no pain at all.

Wednesday morning and i awoke with my alarm and quickly got washed and dressed and made my way downstairs and put the kettle on to make a coffee in the travel mug. While waiting for the kettle to boil, i got all our meds and vitamins out and then when the kettle had boiled i made my coffee.

I left the house, locked up, got in the car and set off for the lay-by at Monk Fryston to pick Elliott up. Amy was running a little late but i just listened to the radio in the car. Amy arrived and transferred Elliott from her car to mine and then we had a little chat before we parted and set off our separate ways.

I got home with Elliott and brought him into the house with Karen waiting for him, i gave him to Karen and then went and got his bags out of the car. He had some breakfast and i got on with my pot of tea before having my meds and vitamins and then my cereal.

After we had both finished breakfast, Karen changed Elliott's nappy and then we got into the car and went to the Aldi in Featherstone. By the time we got there, Elliott had fallen asleep, he had been up since 6am, bless him. Karen went into the store to do the shopping and Elliott stayed asleep, i read until Karen got back to the car. Once the shopping was in the car, we set off for home and Elliott awoke just as we got into Walton.

We unpacked the car and then i brought Elliott into the house, i played with him while Karen put the shopping away although i had to take the freezer stuff into the garage. Karen made us all a drink while i emptied the waterbutt.

We all had some lunch and about 30 minutes later, i set off to pick Hannah and her friend Molly up from school. We went back to her house, Molly made her way home and we went in so that Hannah could get changed. Once Hannah was changed, we made our way to ours and she was excited to see Elliott. They played together while we had a pot of tea. Karen made tea for us all and then a short time later took Elliott for his bath, i took Hannah home.

By the time i got back, Karen was not downstairs, Elliott had had his milk and story but would not go to sleep, it was about 7.45pm when finally he dropped off and Karen came downstairs.

Sounds like a busy day!! Just trying to get back onto LT and say Hi! to my friends. : )

Yesterday marked 10,000 days since i started noting down my reading, in that time i have read 1,338 books (no re-reads), 395 Authors - 226 Male, 169 Female, and a total of 613,759 pages. Onwards and upwards to one million pages, by the numbers of pages i read each year, i estimate another 15 years to get there.

I am always a few days behind so to try and catch up i will try and summerise to get up to date.
Thursday - We had a steady morning and after lunch i took Elliott home, i spent a couple of hours with Andy and Elliott before making my way home.

Friday - I took Karen to work and then popped into the store to pick up the essentials only. Once home i put the little bit of shopping away and had a pot of tea or two and read until lunchtime and then got on with the downstairs housework.

I picked Karen up from work and we had a pot of tea and then we both got changed and got everything out of the fridge ready for Karen to cook when Geoff and Linda arrived. I collected them and we had a really lovely evening, the food was good and the chat and drinks helped towards a lovely evening.

Saturday - Once we were up and downstairs, we got everything out and then i popped out to the post office in Crofton to post a small parcel for Karen and i picked up my newspaper. We had breakfast and pottered about until it was time to take Karen to work. Once back home i made a pot of tea and read, this was the pattern for the rest of the afternoon. I warmed up my homemade curry and had that before firing up the laptop to come on here. I made Karen a coffee in the travel mug and went to pick her up from work.

We awoke with the alarm on Sunday morning and i went and made us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed, once we had finished, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get everything out and have breakfast. Once we had finished breakfast, we got in the car and headed over to Andy and Amy's to have lunch with them. Elliott was very surprised and excited when we arrived and we had a lovely few hours and a nice lunch.

We left them around 4.30pm and once home i made us a pot of tea and we watched Strictly Come Dancing on the iplayer before the results show came on. After the results show had finished, we had some toast and marmalade before watching Escape to the Chateau and then listened to Stephen Nolan on radio 5 live until we went up to bed to read and have a pot of tea.

>178 johnsimpson: It's great to have such good records.

I didn't start recording until 2007 and have read 3611 books, not counting re-reads, in that time. 2510 in the last 10 years, again not counting re-reads because I'm going by LT "Your books" counts, which is the only nearly complete list I have since I joined in 2017.

>181 quondame:, Hi Susan my dear, your reading stats are very impressive my dear. If my reading in the first 16.5 years matched my reading since i joined LT at the very end of 2011, i think i would be at around 2,000 books read and be quite close to my million page target. This year has been a challenge with my reading and i will just saunter along to the end of the year, i may reach 60 books read by then but i am looking forward to a far better reading year in 2023.

Hi John. Thinking of you and sending all good wishes as the holidays approach.

John, we have managed to win one World Cup (Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid and Jos Buttler in particular did us proud) and now let's see if Southgate's conservative strategy will bring football "home".

Wishing you and Karen well, dear fellow.

>183 Whisper1:, Hi Linda my dear, thanks for stopping by and the good wishes dear friend.

>184 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, one world cup win out of three so far, let's hope that the Wheelchair Rugby League boys can do it tomorrow night and then it is down to Southgate's men.

Wishing all the Cranswick Clan well mate.

>186 johnsimpson: Wheelchair rugby league? I haven't heard of that to be honest, John. How do they tackle each other?

Finished book 52 on Monday afternoon, A Grave in the Cotswolds by Rebecca Tope, PB - 413 pages.

7-11-22 to 14-11-22

>187 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, Wheelchair Rugby is both exciting and brutal, a tackle is made when a cloth ribbon attached to either shoulder is taken off, the players have a number of these ribbons on their lap, they are attached to them with velcro. England beat Wales in their semi-final 125 to 22, scoring 22 tries in the process. A conversion is by way of placing the ball on a kicking tee atop a block and 'kicking' with their hand. It is well worth a watch, 80 minutes of brutal, adrenalin fueled excitement.

Hi John.

>178 johnsimpson: Wow. Just, wow. Impressive that you’ve been recording your reading for 10,000 days. I’ll look forward to being here to congratulate you on one million pages read in 15 years. *smile*

Sending love and hugs to you, Karen, AND Felix, and the fur boy gets kitty skritches, too.

>190 karenmarie:, Hi Karen my dear, i hadn't realised how to close to 10,000 days i was until the end of October, it is amazing how quickly time passes by when you are enjoying yourself reading.

The last week has been pretty good, on Monday Karen had a look at the frames i had selected, as i said before, i am only six and have to have her check they suit me, lol. Luckily, she was quite pleased with my choices and now i just have to wait for them to come back with the correct lenses in them. Prior to this, we used the staff double discount week to get a few things for Christmas and with the new Asda rewards, Karen redeemed £20 from the card that we had collected, all in all it was a worthwhile shopping trip.

Tuesday is normally a housework day, but my ribs were causing me a bit of pain and so i was instructed to rest as i would be picking Elliott up on Wednesday morning. The day was spent reading and drinking tea.

I collected Elliott on Wednesday morning and the little lad was not feeling very well, both him and Amy had not been well since Monday. Once home he just wanted Grandma to cuddle him and i took over while Karen had her nails done by Debbie. Occasionally Elliott went into the dining room to see what was going on.

When Debbie put foil on the end of Karen's fingers, he wanted some and Debbie obliged, and he was chuffed to bits and kept showing me his finger. In a break, Debbie took Elliott for a cuddle and he was quite happy. After Debbie had gone, we had a pot of tea and then i made a coffee in the travel mug and went to collect Hannah from school.

During the morning Elliott occasionally smelled a bit and on four occasions Karen checked him to see if he had pooed and it was only a fart. While i was out collecting Hannah, the farts turned out to be the prelude to a BIG POO and poor Karen had to deal with it.

When i got back with Hannah, she went into the house and i had a couple of things to do, when i got into the kitchen, Elliott made a beeline for me and wanted picking up. He had a nasty, chesty cough and tried to cough, nothing much happened and Karen said she had just given him some Calpol. A minute later he coughed and was sick, all over himself and me, luckily i still had my coat on, we were both covered and the floor copped for some. Karen sent Hannah up to the bathroom to run the bath, i undressed Elliott and passed him to Karen. I cleaned my coat as best as i could, then i swilled his clothes in the sink to get the residue off and then put them in the washer. I cleaned the floor and then managed to get my coat off, took everything out of the pockets and put it into the washer.

Elliott came downstairs in his pyjamas and an hour later he went up to bed, i took Hannah home after we had eaten and by the time i got back, Elliott had only just dropped off to sleep. We watched a bit of TV before we retired to bed with a pot of tea and our books. At around 2.30am, Karen heard Elliott and went in to soothe him and stayed with him in bed.

Thursday morning and Elliott and Karen joined me at 7am, i went and made us a pot of tea and a bottle of juice for Elliott. Once we had finished our drinks, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to sort everything out and have breakfast. Elliott didn't eat much and again just wanted cuddling.

We set off to the Aldi in Featherstone and by the time we got there, Elliott was asleep and only woke up when Karen had finished the shopping and was getting in the car. We got back and unpacked and put it all away and then i made us a drink and he cuddled up to me before he swapped over and went to Karen.

I took Elliott home after dropping Karen off in Wakefield where she was meeting up with best friend, Tina. I told Andy how he had been and he just wanted to cuddle with Daddy. I stayed with them until Amy came home and then i made my way home.

On Friday i took Karen to work and then did the usual Friday shopping before getting home, unpacking and putting it away and then having a pot of tea. I read for a while and then had my lunch before getting on with the downstairs housework. Once the housework was done i had a coffee and read until it was time to make a coffee for Karen in the travel mug and collect her from work.

You have been having a time with sickness lately, John. I hope everyone is on the mend and you are all in good health for the rest of the year.

Just popping in to say Hi! : )

>194 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, this last five weeks have not been good health wise and just as we thought we were done with everything, Karen hasn't been well since Saturday and yesterday morning i started to feel unwell.

Karen was in work for 7am and i picked her up at 1pm to take her to her hospital appointment regarding Carpal Tunnel surgery. I dropped her off and stayed in the car and even though i had a rugby shirt, sweatshirt and a furlined hoodie on, i still felt cold.

Once home Karen sent me up to bed and once i was comfy, i fell asleep until Karen woke me to give me a pot of tea. I remained in bed for the rest of the evening and fell asleep again until Karen came up to bed with a pot of tea for both of us. My back and neck ached but my patches were due to be changed last night and after i had finished my pot of tea, i was packed off next door so that i could sleep on my back.

I feel a lot better this morning although i do have a slight sniffle and Karen is the same and she has just said her throat feels a bit sore. Not again, i hope.

>195 Berly:, Hi Kim my dear, thanks for stopping by dear friend.

Finished book 53 yesterday morning, Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer, PB - 369 pages.

14-11-22 to 21-11-22

>196 johnsimpson: Good to see you on the mend a little, John.

>196 johnsimpson: Seems like you are doing better. My cold has lingered since early October. I think it's going to be a tough winter. Lots of pots of tea and good books beside cozy fireplaces seems like a good plan.

>199 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, the mend has ground to a halt, i have a head cold again and Karen is the same, we are not happy bunnies.

>200 witchyrichy:, Hi Karen my dear, we were doing a bit better but we now have a head cold each, we are not happy bunnies. We are of a like mind in that this cold bug and virus is going to linger, thank goodness for tea and books.

A nice pot of tea, John! Sometimes a bit of ginger added will help for a cold.
Wishing you both speedy recovery!

>203 EllaTim:, Hi Ella my dear, i love a bit of ginger and anything that will help with getting rid of the cold is good to me. Karen appears worse since she came home from work three hours ago. It just seems that we appear to be just about clear and then we get caught again.

On Tuesday i felt a lot better than i had the previous day which pleasantly surprised me, i had a steady morning before doing the upstairs housework. By the time i had finished i was worn out and i felt a bit more than a sniffle. I picked Karen up from work and once home we had a pot of tea before we made our tea. By bedtime i felt quite bunged up and sniffy.

On Wednesday morning i was up with the alarm at 7am and quickly washed and dressed before making my way downstairs to boil the kettle and making a coffee in the travel mug. I nudged the thermostat up a degree so that the heating came on so that when Karen got up about 20 minutes after i left the house, it would have warmed up a bit for her.

I got to the lay-by just outside Monk Fryston and parked up waiting for Amy and Elliott to arrive. I was just about to ring her as it was nearly 8.25am when she pulled up behind me. Amy had let Elliott sleep until 7.40am as he was not himself, he had a runny nose and was a bit fretful. Once Elliott was strapped in, we had a quick chat before we got back in our cars and headed to the roundabout and went our separate ways. I got back just after 9am and Karen gave Elliott some breakfast and i had mine along with a pot of tea and my meds and vitamins.

After breakfast, Karen changed Elliott's nappy and we got in the car and went to the Aldi in Featherstone, once parked up, Karen took Elliott with her while i went next door to the B&M store to pick up some coffee. A short while later Karen and Elliott came out of Aldi and while i put him back in the car, Karen put the shopping in the boot and we were soon on our way home.

After a morning of heavy rain, the Sun came out and by the time we were parked on our drive, it was nice a warm. We got Elliott in the house and then i brought the shopping in and Karen started to unpack and put the shopping away. Elliott had his drink bottle and put the TV on before playing with his toys, i took some shopping items into the garage to put in the freezer. Once we were done, i made us a pot of tea and then went to empty some water out of the water butt.

We had another drink a bit later on and then i made a coffee in the travel mug and went to Rob's to pick up some parcels from Louise to be posted, Louise was starting with the bug we have had. I posted the parcels and then went onto Hannah's school and got parked up and waited for her and Molly to come to the car. Once the girls were in the car we headed back to Hannah's, Molly made her way home and Hannah went in to get changed out of her school uniform. Once Hannah was re-dressed we made our way home and she played with Elliott.

Karen made tea for the them before we had our tea and then Elliott wanted to go upstairs as he was wiped out. Karen bathed Elliott with some help from Hannah and i tidied up his toys and then i took Hannah home.

Take care of yourself buddy.

>204 johnsimpson: Another fan of ginger here!

>206 PaulCranswick: will do Paul, not much we can do, what a pair we are. At least we have our overnight break to look forward to a fortnight today, looking forward to calling in at Tebay services to peruse the wonderful Farmshop and gift shop before going into Penrith to explore before possibly wandering to small market towns before heading back into Penrith for our room for the night. The following day we are going up to Carlisle and then possibly Keswick or Kendal, we haven't decided yet.

Have a good weekend mate.

Finished book 54 on Monday morning, The Lilac Bus by Maeve Binchy, PB - 200 pages.

21-11-22 to 28-11-22

I hope you are all back to good health soon, John, especially for your anticipated excursion.

>209 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, sadly we are both still bedevilled by a tickly cough but this won't stop us enjoying our night away.

Since my last post about what goes on in our daily life, quite a bit has happened, some really good and one bit not so good. I find that there are three bits of luck, good luck, bad luck and pillock and on the 24th Nov, i had pillock. I was making us a pot of tea, the timer went off and i went to mash our tea, i was squeezing the tea bag with a spoon against the side of the mug when i felt a pop and knew it was the right hand ribs. By bedtime it was a tad uncomfortable but as the days have gone on it is extemely painful especially when i cough, it doubles me over. As of today, i got up and not a lot of pain but has the day has wore on, it has got more and more painful, i will have to contact the doctor on Monday as it is now ten days since it happened and no sign of it easing.

On the 26th, even though i had painful ribs, the leather suite needed cleaning which i did but then rested, on the Sunday we did a few small jobs and Karen did some baking.

On the 28th i needed to oil the Oak furniture in the living room and i also cleaned the front windows before doing a bit of reading and having my lunch. The following day i took Karen to work and then got home and had a pot of tea before making a coffee in the travel mug and then i set off to Selby. I got to Amy's at just after 11am after a detour into the town to pick up my Cricket magazine. Amy was just finishing a work call and then she was heading to work and then from there heading to Newport, South Wales with two colleagues for a work seminar on the Wednesday. Because of this and with Andy working, we were having Elliott from Tuesday until Thursday afternoon. I had lunch with Andy and Elliott and at 2.30pm i set off from Selby with Elliott to pick Karen up from work.

We collected Karen after she had done the shopping in Aldi and then made our way home. That night Elliott was so tired that by 6pm he wanted to go to bed and by 7.15pm he was sound asleep. We didn't hear a sound from him until 7am the following morning.

On Wednesday morning, Elliott joined us with Karen into our bed and i went and made us a pot of tea and some juice for Elliott. After we had finished, we got up washed and dressed and came downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast we took Elliott to the garden centre near Featherstone to look at the Christmas displays and the singing Reindeer, he was not amused with them. After this we went to the coffee shop for a drink before making our way home.

After we all had lunch, it was time for me to make a drink in the travel mug and go and collect Hannah and Molly from school.

Dropping by to say hello John, after a bit of an absence from LT. Sorry to hear that you've both been in the wars. I hope you've been enjoying the football though? I agree with you about the wheelchair rugby though - we happened on it by accident and it was incredible.

>212 SandDune:, Hi Rhian my dear, thanks for stopping by and after your LT absence. The bugs still have a little bit of a grip on both of us and my right ribs seem to be getting more painful by the day. I have seen some of the football but to be honest it has not really grabbed me, it is a summer competition.

On Thursday morning, Elliott woke up just before 7am and joined us, i went and made a pot of tea for us and a bottle of juice for Elliott. After we had all finished our drinks, we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to get breakfast sorted out. After breakfast i popped out to pick up our prescriptions and while i was out, Elliott donned an apron and was introduced to the art of biscuit making.

By the time i got home he was really enjoying himself, Karen got the step out for him so that he was at the right height and he loved mixing the ingredients. I made us a pot of tea and once the biscuits were ready and had cooled down sufficiently, we all tried one, as you do.

We had some lunch and although Elliott was tired, he fought it, i made a coffee in the travel mug and got Elliott's things into the car and then put him in his car seat. We set off for home and by the time i got to the next village, Elliott was asleep. We got to Selby and parked up and i rang Andy, and a minute or so later, Amy came out to get Elliott out of the car. As soon as i parked up, Elliott woke up although he wasn't fully awake and stared up at mummy, wondering why she was getting him out of the car as she is normally at work.

I had an hour with them all before making my way back home.

On Friday morning i popped into Wakefield to do the banking while Karen did the ironing as she wasn't in work until noon. Once back home, i made us a pot of tea and before long it was time to take Karen to work. I dropped Karen off and then went into the store to do the little bit of shopping we needed. Once i was done i got back in the car and made my way home and unpacked and put the shopping away before making a coffee.

After my drink, i got on with the downstairs housework and once i was done, i had my lunch before getting on with some reading. I picked Karen up from work at 8pm and once we were home we watched Strictly Come Dancing on catch-up and we voted for the couples dances that we liked.

Before long it was time for bed and my ribs were uncomfortable but i did manage to get comfortable on my right hand side.

We awoke with the alarm at 7.30am on Saturday morning and i went and made us a pot of tea, Felix joined us on the bed. I didn't say anything, but my ribs felt pretty good with only an odd twinge. We finished our tea and got up, washed and dressed and went downstairs to get everything sorted out.

Once everything was done, Karen sent me up to the village market at the pub car park to order some fruit tea cakes, bread cakes and a couple of Iced Thumbs for Christmas, and i picked up some fruit tea cakes for Sunday morning. I got back home and had my coffee and meds before Amy arrived to drop Elliott off, while she went for her hair cutting. I had my cereal while Elliott had some more breakfast.

Amy got back earlier than she expected and i made us all a drink before Karen made some lunch. Not long after, it was time to take Karen to work. I dropped Karen off and then went into the store to pick up a couple of bits and my newspaper, before making my way back home.

Once home i made a drink for Amy and myself before we got the Christmas Decorations out of the loft. We had another drink and at this point Elliott was getting crotchety and fighting sleep, so Amy decided to set off for home, in the hope that Elliott would fall asleep in the car.

After they had gone, i watched a bit of football before making a drink and picking my book up. I read for an hour or so before i made myself some Bacon and Baked Beans for my tea. After i had eaten, i fired up the laptop and came on here for a while before resuming reading until it was time to make Karen a drink in the travel mug and then going to collect her from work.

After picking Karen up from work, we made our way home and i made us a pot of tea before we put iPlayer on and watching Strictly Come Dancing: The Results and found out that Kym and Graziano had been voted off at the quarter final stage.

Wow John, what a test match in Rawalpindi! Brave team and brave captain.

Harry Brook also looks the part.

>215 johnsimpson:
I just have to ask - What are fruit tea cakes, bread cakes, and mostly what are Iced Thumbs? I am curious.

I make fruit cakes for Christmas and Gingerbread cakes, but these are items I have never heard of. Are they local types of holiday food?

Hi, John. Sorry to hear that your ribs have been giving you trouble. II’m glad you’ve been getting some quality time with Eliot. In catching up, I learned that it’s possible to have tea before and during Tea. Now I’m looking forward to the answers to Benita’s questions.😀

Have you got any snow John? We have quite a bit here.

Finished book 55 last Tuesday, Return to Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood, PB - 214 pages.

28-11-22 to 6-12-22

>217 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita my dear, the Fruit teacake, Bread Cakes and Iced Thumbs are all bread but shaped. A Fruit teacake is a Bread Cake with Currants in, both are round and about six inch from edge to edge and an Iced Thumb is about eight to nine inch long with Glace icing on top. To eat and Iced Thumb, slice it in half length ways and we usually put butter and then Jam on, because of the Glace Icing, they are sticky to eat.

Fruit Teacake
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Iced Thumb or Finger
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Yorkshire Bread Cake
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>223 johnsimpson: The Yorkshire Bread Cake looks suspiciously like an uncut hamburger bun. Or maybe a square dinner roll (as contradictory as that hits the brain).

>223 johnsimpson: The fruit tea cake looks familiar but not the iced finger or thumb - those must be local specialties.

>223 johnsimpson: Mr SandDune’s family (from Halifax) would call your ‘Yorkshire teacake’ just a ‘teacake’. Confusing to me when I first met them as to me a teacake was absolutely something with currants in. At the time I’d have probably called your Yorkshire teacake a bap although probably now I’d just call it a roll. And I’d call your ‘iced thumb or finger’ an ‘iced bun’. Reminds me I haven’t had one of those for ages - I was quite fancying one the other day.

>223 johnsimpson: Hi John - Middle photo a Long John here in U.S....?

Finished book 56 yesterday, Date with Betrayal by Julia Chapman, PB - 353 pages.

6-12-22 to 13-12-22

>219 SandDune:, Hi Rhian my dear, we have only had a bit of a dusting of snow but we may get some by the weekend.

We had a lovely overnight stay in Cumbria last weekend, we set off from Walton on a bitterly cold morning and to be honest, the temperature stuck at -1C all day. We had a brief stop at Rivington services on the M61 before a decent stop at Tebay services on the M6.

Our stop at Tebay was planned as we wanted to visit the celebrated farmshop and giftshop. We had a coffee and shared a couple of slices of cake and watched the Ducks on the frozen pond. The view from where we were sat was spectacular and we felt very relaxed. After we finished our drinks and cakes, we made our way to the farmshop and then through to the giftshop. We picked up a couple of items before making our way back to the car and headed for Penrith, a market town in Cumbria.

We had been told that parking was in the Sainsbury Supermarket car park but that we needed to register the car to avoid parking charges. We parked up and then walked the fifty yards or so to the Premier Inn we were staying in and registered the car before making our way into the town.

We both popped into the Card Factory shop to pick up a Christmas card for each other and then we continued our wandering. We went into one or two shops before i found an independent bookshop, i went in there while Karen went into a gift shop with a fantastic display of Christmas ornaments and gifts. Karen came out at the same time as i came out of the bookshop, she said she had been very good and restrained and i said the same. We continued our wanderings and i picked up some more books from charity shops before we went into Costa Coffee for a drink and to get warm.

We had our coffee and then made our way back to the car to get our luggage for the night, on the way we called into Hallmark card and giftshop and picked up a nice little ornament and we chatted with the owner. We left and as we were making our way back, we spotted a restaurant that looked nice, Karen went in to see if we had to make a booking. It was a good job she did this, with it being Christmas party time we needed to book a table and we were lucky to get one at the time we wanted.

We checked into the Premier Inn and once in our room, Karen unpacked the clothes for Saturday while i made us a pot of tea. We had a nice couple of hours before we went to the restaurant for our meal. After we had eaten, the food was very good, we called into the supermarket as Karen needed some Gaviscon and we ended up with a couple of books, lol.

As we have stayed in Premier Inns before on many occasions, we knew the room would be good, nice and warm with a very comfortable bed. We had a good nights sleep and went we awoke, i made us a pot of tea before we had breakfast in our room. We got washed and dressed, packed our case and checked out of the hotel and got in the car and set off to Carlisle.

It was bitterly cold again and once again the temperature remained at -1C until we set off for home seven and a half hours later. It was a short drive but with freezing fog to contend with, we kept to a steady speed. I managed to get parked up in the Lanes shopping centre car park which was ideally placed for the city centre.

We left the car park and made our way to the shopping level and then started our wanderings. We called into a couple of shops before we left the shopping centre and out into the pedestrianised area where the Christmas market was. We had a quick look and picked up some Coconut macaroons before moving up the street. We called into W H Smiths where i picked up a newspaper and a 2023 diary, we left and wandered further up the street, calling in one or two shops before making our way back down to the Christmas market. Karen decided that she needed a drink and a toasted teacake so we called into Costa Coffee.

We had our drink and Karen had her toasted teacake before we left to have a good look around the Christmas market. We spotted a familiar stand that sold Toffee Vodka that we have had before and we made a purchase after trying a few samples of other flavours. After our purchase, we wandered around before heading off down another street of shops. We popped into one or two before i spotted the quaint antique shop fifty yards from Carlisle Cathedral. We called in and i ended up with a nice fountain pen before we left.

We called into the Cats protection charity shop where i picked up a couple of books and a notebook. We decided to head for the market hall and on the way we spotted two fantastic butchers, Karen went in a picked up a couple of items. The market hall was OK but the best thing about it was Santa and his Elves, and Mary the Faerie and Karen took a photo of me with Mary, she was on stilts, i will try and post this photo.

We continued wandering around and picking up a few bits and more books before we went into a cafe and had something substantial to eat and a good drink before we made our way back to the car and headed for home.

By the time i was back on the M6 heading home, the temperature was dropping and we also had freezing fog to contend with and for the next 60 miles, my speed never went above 50 miles per hour, mostly less than this.

>230 johnsimpson: >231 johnsimpson: It must be really cold in much of Europe. My friend (from Florida) who lives in Berlin was complaining earlier today about having to walk somewhere with the equivalent of 27 degrees Fahrenheit (which is getting close to -3 Celsius according to the online conversion I used). Glad you all head a good trip even if the weather conditions were less than ideal.

>232 thornton37814:, Hi Lori my dear, the recent cold spell is due to a blast of cold air from the North and Russia. The coldest spots have been in the Glens of Scotland with the lowest recorded so far being -17.3C i Braemar and during the following day the temperature never got above -10C.

Dropping in to say hello. Glad you had a nice trip. Those coconut macaroons sound delicious.

I quite enjoy perusing antique stores. Congrats on finding a fountain pen.

>234 figsfromthistle:, Hi Anita my dear, it was lovely up in Cumbria but cold, the Coconut macaroons were delicious and now instead of getting four for Six Pounds, i wish i had gone for eight for Ten Pounds, as they are now all gone.

I love finding new antique shops and getting a pen is a bonus although i have purchased three Kaweco Skyline sports that have all arrived this week. One was the latest in the collection series in Sage, another was a Cult Pens exclusive in transparent Gold and the third was a Galen Leather exclusive in Sapphire. Two have been put to one side for Christmas with inks to go with them and the Sage i am using filled with the nearest i could get to Sage.

I made it back to Kansas for the Christmas holidays. Once again, it seems that I will be playing the piano for the annual Christmas program. I don't mind doing it, but wish that I had a bit of lead time to rehearse.

I am at my mother's and my mother(86 years old) is finally failing. She is very weak, and I am going with her to see her heart specialist on Tuesday. She had some hear surgery done a month ago, and doesn't seem to me to be making much progress towards recovery. She is a Long Covid patient as well, and has had reoccurring ear infections since the spring of 2021. She doesn't feel good and isn't much fun to be around. I don't think this is going to be the Best Christmas Ever, but I am glad to be here.

It has been very cold here. Day time temperature today was below 32 degrees F and tonight it will be below zero F. No snow on the ground yet, but snow is forecasted for Wednesday. Tomorrow I have to go to the county courthouse and pay the taxes on the house. And of course, there is always baking. Today I baked a gingerbread cake for Christmas present for the Minister of our church. Tomorrow I will do one for the Post Master. I am enjoying the time in the kitchen.

Thank you for the pictures of the pastries and the explanations of what they are. They sound interesting to make - and to eat.

Everyone here is complaining about the price of keeping the houses heated, but our price increases are nothing compared to yours. Even so they are significant. My sister has cut back on heating her house while she is at work, and on Friday decided to stop her cable TV so that she would be able to keep the house warm. The electrical rates went up here because of agreements made to pay back bills from the Big Freeze debacle that happened in February 2021. This was when the Texas power grid couldn't keep up with demand and houses went unheated in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Kansas Power & Light Co. that supplies power to this part of Kansas was part of that debacle and rather than raise rates a huge amount to cover the damages and the purchase of power back then, the companies prorated the cost over a period of 5 years starting in January 2023. That combined with the War in the Ukraine is making the cost of heating jump a great deal.

The strikes in the U.K. have been in the news here. Strange times for us all. Stay warm!

John, I send all good wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday.

>236 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita my dear, i am glad that you made it to Kansas and will spend Christmas with your mom, i am sure the piano playing will go very well. We are sorry to hear about your mom's health and from what you have said, it is good that you are able to spend time with her. As our parents get older, time spent with them is very well spent, the only other thing i would add, is that if you have any questions about family and photos, ask them now and write any information about photos on the back, this is something that Karen did with her mum, sadly i lost my parents too early, dad was only 62 and mum was 66, 32 and 27 years ago and so i never thought to ask questions or write down who the folk on the photos, were.

After freezing temperatures, we have had a warm front come up from southern Europe and Africa and so we have gone from zero C to 15C today and then the rest of the week will be 9C. The cold weather has only gone temporarily apparently, we could start to feel the cold again from Christmas Day with the possibility of another Beast from the East.

We are keeping close tabs on our heating costs with our smart meter and we make sure that the living room is well heated and we keep the doors to the stairs and dining room closed to keep the heat in. The current base costs for gas and electric is £2,500 per year and we are receiving £400 from the government via our energy supplier over a six month period, come January, base costs are expected to go up to £3,000 and we will have four months of the £400 left to go towards the monthly bill. Where we are going to find the extra £500 over the year is anybody's guess, add to this that mortgage rates have gone up again to 3.5%, food costs are still rising and then in March we will get the 2023/24 Council Tax bill and that could go up dramatically, we pay this over ten payments. We have a water meter which when we took it on saved us £450 per year, we went from £71 per month over ten months down to £32 a month and then after six months they re-assessed us and the bill went down to £21 a month and now this has gone back up to £26 and we use around 64,000 litres per year, an average household is estimated to use 90,000 litres.

The strikes are continuing, tomorrow the nurses are on strike between 7am and 8pm, later in the week the Ambulance service are coming out on strike, on Friday and Saturday, the postal service are on strike and with the backlog of post, we may get Christmas cards into January. I get the bookseller magazine and on Saturday i received the 2nd and 9th of December issues, so i am still an issue behind. The postal strike is not just about money but conditions and a loss of jobs, these jobs will be replaced by new staff on 20% lower pay, so we fully back them. To be honest we back all the strikers as this Tory government has no idea how the average man and woman in the street live. When people on the minimum wage are having to use food banks and people having to take advantage of heating hubs, why is this happening in the 21st century in a country that is supposed to be the 5th or 6th richest nation in the world.

We have pared down Christmas a little bit but we will have the family for lunch and most presents will be for Hannah and Elliott, most of all, it will be a Family time as it should be, back to how it used to be before full blown commercialization took hold.

These are strange times indeed my dear, like us, stay warm dear friend and enjoy your time with mom and we wish you both a very Merry Christmas.

>237 Whisper1:, Hi Linda my dear, thank you for your Christmas greeting and we both wish you a very Merry Christmas my dear friend.

Karen was asked to work Sunday (yesterday) instead of her normal working day of Monday and so we took advantage and went to York to do the last bits of Christmas shopping. York was very busy, it being the first day of the Christmas school holidays and the Christmas market was in full swing, it ends on Friday.

Once we had got parked up we made our way into the centre of York and first stop was Costa Coffee for a nice drink before we started perusing the shops and market. I picked up my cricket magazine and then we popped into Marks and Spencer's and Karen managed to get some fresh Turkey gravy.

Karen was still feeling stiff and sore from her fall a week ago at work and so she went to Browns department store cafe for tea and a scone while i popped off to do some shopping on my own. Once we got back together we wandered around the market and i picked up a nice piece of jewelry for Karen and we also picked up a couple of Pork Pies. we finished off our shopping and then as Karen was feeling sore and tired, we went back to the car and made our way home.

Once home we had a nice pot of tea and then Karen started to wrap some presents while we caught up with a couple of programmes that we had missed. Although we both know some of our gifts to each other, we do have a couple of surprises each that will be nice to see on Christmas morn. I gave Karen a couple of my recent Kaweco pen purchases and bottles of ink to wrap as i am in no immediate hurry to ink them up and use them, i did keep the Sage Kaweco sport and the sage coloured ink i got and inked the pen up and have used it, it is lovely to write with and the ink is a lovely match.

>238 johnsimpson: Strange days indeed back home, John.

Better news in Pakistan of course. Looks like we have found a spinner and he plays with such a boisterous spirit. Five-fer on debut at 18 - wonderful stuff. Duckett and Brook fully justified my advocacy in their favour, but I am still not convinced by Crawley and I would have liked to have seen Jennings get a go in that last test.

Great world cup final too mate.

Enjoyed reading about your trip up to Cumbria and I heard rumour that a certain lady near and dear to me may stop by your place sometime soon.

this is the photo i promised of me with Mary the Faerie in Carlisle Market.

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I woke up this morning to SNOW! We had an unexpected, and not forecasted, snow last night. It was wet and heavy. It is cold - in the 3-"s F. The temperature is due to drop tomorrow and high's will be in the single digits Fahrenheit starting on Wednesday all the way through Christmas Day. Snow is forecasted for Wednesday night and Thursday, so I hope to get lots of baking done.

>242 johnsimpson: - That's a tall Martha Faerie! 😀

We've had an unexpected side effect of the sudden thaw here John. Numerous water mains have burst locally and we've had no mains water since lunch time yesterday, apart from about an hour this morning.

>243 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita my dear, unexpected snow, we have not seen any snow as yet with us although we did see snow on the mountains in Cumbria. After yesterdays 15C, we have been down to 9C and that has to be the figure for the rest of the week and then from Saturday it has gradually to get cooler and by next Tuesday we will be down to 4C.

>244 drneutron:, Hi Jim, mate, i am six foot four and just about came up to her chest. I was going to put my arm around her waist but i would have been stretching upwards.

>245 SandDune:, Hi Rhian my dear, oh no, burst water mains and no water. Last week there was a leak 30 yards down from us, water was coming through the kerbstone and the water board came out. Luckily i saw them arrive and quickly filled the kettle up and a couple of flasks so that i could at least have a pot of tea, it was a good job i did this as they never let anyone on the street know that they were cutting the water off to mend the leak and some of my neighbours got caught out.

I hope that they sort it out quickly so that you get water back on and the heating on.

>241 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, it was a great call from Stokes and McCullum to blood Ahmed and he proved his worth even though he took the youngest capped player off Closey. Like you, i would have given Jennings a go, Duckett is loving the freedom he has been given and i am pleased for him.

A 3-0 series win, never been done before by anyone, the camaraderie in the camp must be something to behold.

We had a nice trip up to Cumbria and will go back up again but for a longer period so that we can see more places.

A certain lady close to you has been in contact with Karen and i think she is coming over tomorrow afternoon, she will see a difference in the little fella from last Christmas.

>249 johnsimpson: It is tremendous to behold. I see Ben Compton is in the runs in South Africa again and has passed 2,000 runs for 2022 with a double century for the Mountaineers there. He has also picked up his scoring pace and he could be the anchor needed to allow the rest of them to play. I would persevere with young Ahmed who looks a real prospect and seems to have a really positive mentality. We need to find someone to come in for Jimmy and Stuart Broad in the medium term.

My squad for NZ would be : Stokes, Duckett, Compton, Crawley, Pope, Brook, Root, Northeast, Roland Jones, Robinson, Wood, Ahmed, Leach, Anderson, Foakes // Jack Haynes, Ben Brown and Liam Norwell on standby.

I must say that the BBC sports personality of the year shortlist is a bit bemusing and certain sports seem to be getting a rough deal. Now curling and gymnastics are worthy sports but this is a personality award surely and the two ladies nominated simply do not have the profile to win a public vote. How on earth is it that we have a reigning world heavyweight boxing champion with two stoppage wins in the year and he cannot even make the list. It is ludicrous and another sign of political correctness in the BBC. We all want fair representation but is it really representative of interest in sports that on a ten person shortlisting committee they have 7 ladies?

>242 johnsimpson: I always though fairies were small. That is one tall lady! Your temperatures sound positively balmy compared to ours, John. We have air coming in from the arctic and snow - not what we are used to.

>250 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, mate, i agree with you on Compton, can score freely but can anchor an innings when required, a perfect foil for someone like Duckett, Pope, Root and Stokes.

I would have hoped that looking for replacements for Anderson and Broad should have been going on for a while now even though Anderson still looks impressive.

As for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist, it does seem to be female weighted, as for Fury, last year he was annoyed to be on the list as he said he has no interest in awards, maybe with him saying this, he would have been on the list.

Hani came over this afternoon and Elliott loves his Dinosaur and it has been added to his collection and he has it in bed with him.

>251 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, whilst Fairies are supposed to be small, Mary here is on stilts and she looked so impressive. Karen wasn't sure if Mary the Faerie was a Drag Artist but i assured her that Mary was definitely a full blooded female.

Our temperatures are now back to the December average at the moment although after the cold spell, it does feel nice and warm. I hope that the snowfall is not excessive or going to be prolonged for you. I think that there is a chance we may get some snow before New Year but i am not counting on it.

I visited the Doctor last week about my ribs and she said it was an intercostal injury and because of the meds i already take, she couldn't give me anything and they would heal over time. I can report that they are healing nicely.

Yesterday i re-built the wooden Christmas tree from last year and it is in pride of place on the house front wall, all lit up and the baubles are on. Sadly in the process of re-building, i smashed my left thumb with the hammer. I gave it a good bash and pushed the nail inwards which caused a cut and blood was everywhere and also pushed the skin at the top of my thumb up which is forming a large blood blister, it is very sore, and as with everything, i keep catching it.

I picked Elliott up this morning and he has had a lovely day and Hani was surprised at how big he has grown since she saw him last Christmas. He gave Hani lots of cuddles and kept smiling at her while she was here.

>252 johnsimpson: Hani sent me a few images via whatsApp of Elliott who was apparently quite taken with her handbag! I'm really happy that you guys got together and it hopefully won't be too long before I join them.

I hadn't realised about Fury rubbishing the awards and that would be an influence.

>255 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, Elliott loves handbags, mainly to have a root around them and he was very taken with Hani and enjoyed his cuddles. Hani couldn't believe how much he had grown in the last year and what a bonny lad he was.

It will be nice to see you in person mate once you have found a property with enough space for your books and future purchases.

Karen did the last bit of baking this morning, biscuits with the help of Elliott before i took him home. Once i got back we had a nice pot of tea and watched a bit of TV before Karen wanted to set the table, to get this job done with. Karen is working tomorrow on her normal shift of 9am to 5pm and then Saturday she is working 11am to 7pm, so i will be in charge of making sure the Turkey Crown is cooked and all the veg prepped. No doubt i will have a full list of what i have to do.

Glad the ribs are healing. Now you gotta work on that thumb!! Ouch! Take care and enjoy the holidays!!

>258 Berly:, Hi Kim my dear, thanks for stopping by. The ribs feel great, only a very slight twinge but so much better than making a slight move and being in so much pain. I could not believe i had walloped my thumb, as you can imagine, once i had hit it, the air was a bit blue.

The thumb is still tender and i keep catching it and on top of that, although Elliott has kept loving it better, he has grabbed it twice but not on purpose. We will enjoy Christmas with all the family around the table and having a really good lunch and a chat before present opening.

I hope that you and the family have a wonderful holiday season and we both send love and hugs dear friend.

Happy Christmas from my Christmas gnome!

Best Holiday Wishes to you and your family, John!

Hi John! Sending love and hugs to you and Karen and kitty skritches to dear Felix.

>164 johnsimpson: >242 johnsimpson: I love The Library and am heading down to pull my copy off the shelf. Thanks for the wonderful memory. The picture is lovely! I am glad to see you up and enjoying the holidays despite all the health issues of late. Sending lots of healing energy your way.

Meanwhile, I have been offline most of the month, busy baking, crocheting, traveling, and reading but didn't want to let the end of the year pass without wishing my LT friends good blessings!

>260 SandDune:, Thank you Rhian my dear.

>261 quondame:, Thank you Susan my dear.

>262 karenmarie:, Thank you Karen my dear.

>263 witchyrichy:, Thank you Karen my dear, i hope you enjoy/enjoyed The Library and i thought the good folk on here would like the photo of me with Mary the Faerie.

We enjoyed our short trip and will go up to Cumbria again as we would like to have a good wander around Keswick, Kendal and Ambleside. I have an ulterior motive to visit Ambleside as that is the home of Fred's bookshop, Fred ran it first until his retirement and his able assistant took it on and now the able assistant has retired and his able assistant has taken it over, keeping it within the staff who love the book business.

I hope you got lots of Crocheting done, lots of baking (Making me think of the goodies that Karen baked), travelling and reading done. Sending love and hugs to you all dear friend.

I am still doing Christmas baking. Today it is pie crust dough for two pies for tomorrow. Tonight I have the church Christmas program and will give out the rolls and gingerbread cakes I have been baking.

It has been very very cold here. We have snow on the ground so it looks and feels like Christmas. This morning it -6 degrees F when I got up but it will warm up to 10 degrees F today. Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 20's. That will feel positively balmy. The super cold weather has put a strain on the power system and some places have had rolling blackouts, but we have been lucky here and have not had that problem. The wind has gone down today so it makes it much easier to heat the house.

I am loving all the Christmas music on the radio!

A steady day for me really, we got up with the alarm and got washed and dressed and came downstairs to sort everything out. Once Felix was fed and watered, we got our breakfast ready and watched BBC Breakfast while we had it and then Karen got the beef all ready for the slow cooker and set it off.

Time for another drink before it was time to take Karen to work, i dropped her off and then went into store to get my paper and then home to wait for Debbie to arrive to pick up some drink that is only available at Asda but is selling in other shops (how we are not sure) for anything up to £25 for a 500ml bottle, at Asda it is £2 but sells out rapidly.

I had a coffee and checked my phone and played Freecell and then her post drop through the door, this was a surprise as i thought they were on strike yesterday and today. Debbie arrived at 12.50pm and at the same time, Amy's best friend Danielle appeared with presents for them as she didn't know what her husband Jamie had arranged with Andy. Debbie gave me what she owed us and told me to give the change to Elliot for Christmas, £4 for him.

I had another drink and then went to the Walnut Tree filling station to pick up a parcel that Karen didn't expect to arrive in time for Christmas, it is for Hannah. Once back i made a pot of tea and got Karen's presents down and wrapped them all up, they are now under the tree.

After i had done i had my lunch and then fired up the laptop to come on here and send Christmas greetings to all my LT friends. I am finishing up this message and my coffee and then will make a coffee in the travel mug and go and pick Karen up from work, she finishes at 7pm and so we will have a good bit of Christmas Eve to ourselves.

Make sure you leave something out for Santa and the Reindeer's and go straight to sleep to make sure that he leaves you some lovely presents, but only if you have been very good, lol.

I will be setting my 2023 thread up on the 26th as it is special to me as i first came on here on 26th December 2011.

Happy Christmas, John!

Happy Christmas, to you and Karen, and all the family John!

Malaysia's branch of the 75er's wishes you and yours a happy holiday season, John and Karen.

>271 alcottacre:, >272 EllaTim:, >273 PaulCranswick:, >274 Berly:, Thank you Stasia, Ella, Paul and Kim for the Christmas greetings.

We had a lovely Christmas Day, the day began when the alarm went off and i went downstairs to make us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed. While waiting for the kettle to boil, i put the Turkey Crown in the oven. We were joined by Felix, who got himself settled on Karen until i arrived and once i was back in bed, he got laid out on my legs and had a nap. We finished our tea and got up and came down stairs, Karen toasted the fruit teacakes while i made us a coffee and we had our meds. After we had eaten breakfast, we opened our presents to each other before going back upstairs to get washed and dressed.

Once we were washed and dressed we came downstairs to begin the cooking process, Karen cooked the cauliflower until it was just cooked before transferring to a large dish and then covered with Cheese sauce and some grated cheese before it went into the oven. I was just a helper, washing certain things up or getting things out of the fridge and freezer.

Amy, Andy and Elliott arrived just after 11am, and once they were in the house, coats off, i made us all a drink. Elliott was quite excited when he saw the bag of presents and he still had some presents from home to open. In between chatting with them, Karen and I continued keeping an eye on the cooking process and getting tureens out fot eh vegetables.

Rob, Louise, Hannah and Shannon arrived just before 12.30pm, and the girls were more interested in Elliott than anything else. By this time we were getting to the business end of lunch preparation and even Rob was called upon to help his mum. By 1.00 pm the tureens were being filled with vegetables and put into the top oven to keep warm, i did the mashing of the potatoes, a good sprinkle of white pepper and plenty of butter was added until i had nice, creamy mashed potatoes. Shortly afterwards, everyone was told to come to the table and between me, Karen and Amy, all the tureens, gravy boats and small dishes of mint sauce and Cranberry jelly were put on the table, drinks had been got and we settled down to a family Christmas Lunch.

Everyone had their fill and we needed a break before dessert was had, Karen portioned out some of the leftover vegetables and made sure that we had enough for lunch the following day. We adjourned to the living room and once we were all together, more presents were passed around and opened. By the time the presents had been opened, we all had room for some dessert, and we all had some of the two Cheesecakes on offer, Karen and I also had some Cheesecake and saved Christmas pudding for the following day.

After more chat and cuddling of Elliott, the kids started to leave, Rob,Louise, Hannah and Shannon went first and then Amy, Andy and Elliott departed, the little man was tired out, he had been fighting sleep for most of the afternoon. After they had all gone, we did the clean up and set off the dishwasher for the last time, and then we had a drink and went into the living room to watch a bit of TV.

Today is my 11th Thingaversary, how time flies when you are amongst a fantastic group of friends.

Happy Thingaversary!! Mine is this month too. 2008, so 14 years. So glad there are so many wonderful people here. Like you. : )

>278 Berly:, Always lovely to see you here Kim my dear, one of these days we will meet up in real life. I will be starring your 2023 thread soon.

Happy Thingaversary!

>280 thornton37814:, Hi Lori my dear, thanks for the Thingaversary greeting.

Finished book 57 for the year yesterday, You and Me Always by Jill Mansell, PB - 406 pages.

13-12-22 to 27-12-22

Congrats on finishing book 57, John! Happy New Year to you and Karen and kitty skritches for dear Felix.

>283 karenmarie:, Thanks Karen my dear.

Time to close down the 2022 threads, please join me on my 2023 thread to follow the fun, tea and books.

Happy new year my friend. Give my love to Karen too.