New Year's Eve

I did nothing much this morning, apart from a load of washing which I hung our and got dry, a load of dishes and made a nice loaf of bread. My back is really painful so I keep having to stop and lay down. At 11.30 our son in law, daughter and youngest Grandaughter came round to pick up me and no 2 son and take us to Horsey gap to see the seals. We were lucky to get such a great day for it. We did a 4 mile walk along the sand dunes in the sun. I just had a banana for lunch which I took with me and for dinner we had toad in the hole with cauliflower, carrot, sprouts and mashed potato and gravy. Ice cream for pud. 

Lazy day

I have done nothing much today, I did go into the garden and spent around an hour and a half pulling weeds up. I filled my huge bucket up twice but you can't see where I have been. No 2 son went to the climbing centre this morning while H rode 31 miles on his turbo trainer. This afternoon no 1 son came round and had a go on the trainer, he thought it was good and did 7.2 miles. I made spaghetti bolognase with quorn mince for dinner but I didn't have any as it seems to upset my stomach. Tomorrow my daughter,son in law and no 2 Grandaughter are coming round to pick up son and me and we are going to look at the seals. 

When I was gardening I found 6 Lilly beetles ( killed 5 ) 1 got away!! I also saw 2 ladybirds. 

Tuesday

We have had another fab day. A nice lie in, a leisurely breakfast, watched an old film and after lunch our son took us to Sheringham park in his camper van. We had a lovely walk as far as the gazebo and back. We had home made soup for lunch and turkey stew for dinner. We were going out for a bike ride tomorrow but the forecast is for 40 mph winds and if that's the case we will give it a miss.    

Monday

I had an awful night, my back is so painful. I just sat about till it was time for me to get ready to go out on my bike with my daughter. I didn't want to go but I knew if I didn't, she wouldn't. My back was alright on my bike but hurt when I got on and off and when I wanted a drink. However I am glad I did it. Son and I had salad for lunch but H had a turkey sandwich. We all had melon for afters. I sat all afternoon because it hurts to move. I cooked the 2 men a cheese and mushroom omelette with chips and peas. I just had a few chips. I was supposed to go to work tomorrow but I have had to cry off, I told my boss I will not go back until next Monday, hopefully I will be better by then. 

Missed a day!!!

Yesterday was so busy that I didn't have time to blog. There were 11 of us for lunch and tea so I hardly had time to sit down. Every thing went well and we had a lovely day. We had some wonderful presents and in the evening we played games. 

Today the big clear up began!!!! I have done loads but this afternoon we took a break and went to Cley for a walk along the beach to blow the cobwebs away. It was raining here when we left, dry when we arrived had a lovely walk although I have a bad back, and the weather was lovely, mild dry and no wind. When we arrived back home it was still raining and Daughter said it had rained all afternoon here. So we were really lucky. We had turkey curry for dinner ( surprise, surprise ) 

Christmas Day

I managed to lay in bed till 6.30 this morning and then I put on a load of washing before eating breakfast. We sat and watched Christmas songs till our son came down before getting ready to go out on our bikes. We asked him if he wanted to come with us, but we were on road bikes and he didn't bring his home this time but he has a mountain bike here. So H and I went off for a short ride, we did almost 21 miles (20.9) and because there was no wind and the roads were empty it was great, we did it at 16.3 miles an hour. When we got back we had a coffee, then I prepared lunch. Son and I had a salad and H had a bacon sandwich. This afternoon I made a fresh fruit salad for tomorrow, and also the stuffing for the turkey which will be going in the oven when I go to bed, I always start it the night before because it big and being fully stuffed it takes some cooking!!, the bird weigh's 7.5 kilos. For dinner tonight we had fillet steak, stuffed mushrooms and chips. It was lovely. It will be a busy day tomorrow, everyone should be here by 11 and then for us Christmas begins. 

Thursday

We got up just after 5 am, had our breakfast and went to Asda. We were there just after 6 and it was really busy, they had most of the checkouts open but I still had to queue behind a couple of people with laden trolleys. We went from there to our butchers in Hevingham to get our turkey and loads of other stuff, sausages, steaks, bacon, ham, pork pies, sausage rolls, etc etc. Even after all the shopping and driving we still managed to be home again by 8.10. We had a coffee and then I got stuck into the     housework it's great, the whole house is sparkling. I even had time to watch a Christmas film this afternoon. At 6.10 pm no2 son arrived home for the Christmas holidays and was just in time for tea. We had lasagne, potato wedges and salad, it was nice. I am now going to relax and watch my soaps. My turkey is huge!!!!! 

First day of hols went well

I have had a good day, we laid in till 7 and after breakfast had a coffee. When the washing was done I hung it out and we got ready to go out on our bikes. It was hard work because it was so windy but we enjoyed it. We were out 2 1/2 hours and didn't see another cyclist!!! We rode 38.7 miles on a course with lots of nasty uphill drags in it. We feel as if we have had out excersize. When we got back I filled our bird feeders and got the washing in while H made us a cup of soup, cheese on toast, coffee and got me a mince pie. For dinner tonight we are having pizza, potato wedges and peas. It was cooler today but it was wall to wall sunshine all the way round our ride. The sky was a beautiful blue and if you got out of the wind you could feel the heat from the sun. I have hung up all the Christmas cards we have got so far and they look nice.

Holidays have begun.......

I was busy at work today so it went quickly. I did 17 dozen bunches of carrots, 4 sacks of sprouts and a box of leeks. I then helped to wash and pack everything and it was time for me to leave off. I came home with my wages and Christmas gifts and I don't have to go back until next Tuesday so I have 6 days off. It was milder today, less wet but more windy, I was almost blown over twice. I was also given some lovely vegetables. H says we will go out on our bikes tomorrow so I hope the wind has dropped. He made a nice loaf of bread today and tonight we had pork chops with cauliflower, carrots and potatoes with a nice slice of new bread and butter. 

Work

It was really busy today at work today. I had to fill 9 boxes with loose carrots and then do bunches till the men came to pick them up. Well I only had time to do 14 bunches and they turned up and it was coffee break. I then had to pick sprouts till lunch and I did two and a half sacks. They are really tight on the stalks and I broke 4 of my nails!!! I am so annoyed, it's always the same at Christmas, I always have rubbish nails. I spent all the afternoon trimming leeks and did 9 boxes. It was an awful afternoon the wind was blowing a gale and it was pouring with rain. I got home cold and wet. My cup of tea and my bath warmed me up. We had spaghetti bolognase for dinner and the good news is tomorrow is my last workday till after Christmas.

Sunday

We both came down at 6 ( our daughter had worked 2 hours by then ) we had our breakfast, I had porridge for a change. A little later we had a coffee and H got ready to have a ride on Zwift island. I needed eggs so at 9.30, when Nature farm was open I went out on my mountain bike to buy a dozen and a half large ones ( they are lovely eggs ). It's only a 3.1/2 round trip and I was going well beating some of the times I had done before. Well I got within a half a mile from home and I don't know what happened but my bike suddenly stopped dead and my " rear mec " was jammed in my wheel!!! The back wheel would not move so I had to carry my bike the rest of the way home. It seemed to get more and more heavy the further I went and by the time I got home my arms and back ached. Anyway H says he has fixed it for me so I will try it on my next day off. We just had cheese and biscuits for lunch with a coffee and a roast tonight. When I got back with my eggs I made some cocoanut and choc chip buns, and as you can see by the photo H couldn't even wait for them to cool right down.

My poor legs

Saturday

We were up before 6, I put on a load of washing, we had our breakfast and we went shopping. I was in Asda by 7 and out by 8. I also went to tesco to get some dates. By the time I got home it was 8.37, I had to unpack and put every thing away and also hang out the washing while H sorted out our bikes ready for our ride. We then changed into our cycle gear and rushed to the garden centre where we were meeting our daughter and son in law to go for a ride. Much to my surprise we arrived first.H and J went off to ride 50 miles, while L and I were going to ride 30. We had done 5 miles when L got a puncture in her rear tyre!! Well we are hopeless, neither of us had a pump, but even if we had I don't think it would have made any difference!!!! We haven't a clue. However it was our lucky day, 2 young men stopped. ( on bikes ) and within minutes they had her wheel out, new tube in, pumped up and job done. We were so grateful. The wind was really too strong for us and it was hard work, we only managed 15 miles an hour. We were back ages before the men so we had a cup of tea and a mince pie while waited.    I normally get L some carrot tops for her rabbit if I know she is coming round but I went nowhere near the carrot bed yesterday so I just gave her Jake the peg!!! When they left we had a bath and then a chicken mayo sandwich with a glass of wine. We watched a " midsummer " and I cooked dinner, pork and veg. Now I am watching strictly come dancing.

Friday

I had to go to work again today!!! I haven't worked on a Friday for ages. The good thing about it is, we leave off 2 hours earlier so I was home by 2.20. My cup of tea was waiting for me just the same. I took cucumber sandwiches and hardly had time to eat them we were so busy. I picked 2 and a half sacks of sprouts and was on leeks for the rest of the day. I managed to trim 11 boxes. When the boss lifted them he cut the bottoms off a couple so tonight we have got roast chicken with leeks, carrots, cauliflower and potatoes. Because I worked we couldn't shop and I am running out of all sorts !! We have no fruit, hardly any milk no yogurt etc etc. I will be going bright and early in the morning. Tomorrow I am having a ride with my daughter which I am looking forward to, I hope I will be able to keep up with her. I think my knees will be ok they weren't too painful at work.

Thursday

It was a busy day at work, I had to do 20 dozen bunches of carrots and I had to fork them all up!! Because there are lots that are with fangs or twisted, too small etc. I feel as if I have dug up half a field. I had to go down at 12.10 to help wash and pack everything and by the time that was done I only had time to pick a sack and a half if sprouts before it was time for me to go home.we just had eggs for tea tonight with hot mince pies and squirty cream for pud. ........... This is one of my odd carrots I called it Jake the peg, with his extra leg.

Work

I went off to work after packing my bag etc and it was very mild even in the middle of the field. I had to do 96 bunches of carrots and I had to fork them all up as well. Then I walked to the leek bed and trimmed 11 boxes before the men came for me to help wash and pack them. We had almost finished I was carrying a box full of leeks out to the washing area, I caught my foot in a loop of hose pipe and I fell over onto a concrete edge. I have a huge ' egg ' come up on my left knee and a long gash on my leg under my right knee, and that is through 2 pairs of trousers! I also hit my chest on the box I was carrying so I am pretty sore all over. Anyway it happened at3.30 so I came home. I felt much better after soaking in the bath. We had chicken curry for dinner which was nice. 

Tuesday

I have had a nice day. We went out on our bikes this morning and rode 28 and a bit miles at 16 miles an hour, we were pleased with that in December. We came home had a shower and some lunch and then we went to Sprowston garden centre on our way to my middle brother and sister in laws. It was a nice afternoon and good to catch up with them face to face rather than emails for a change. I bought them and us a Poinsettia, ( I hope I can keep mine till Christmas ) I am not very good with them. We exchanged gifts, had a cup of tea and a biscuit and the time flew by. I told H we would have to have a late dinner because I had to cook the chicken etc. Well he came up with a brilliant idea. !!!! So we bought fish and chips on the way home !!!! Now I have chopped up the chicken and made a curry with it which we will have tomorrow and I won't have to cook after a long day at work. 

Monday

I was working today so I packed some sandwiches ( cheese and tomato ) and off I went. When I arrived the boss told me we were busy today and I was pleased because it makes the day go quickly. I had to pick 3 boxes of loose carrots, 72 bunches of carrots and 11 boxes of leeks. Then I had to go weeding so we couldn't have been that busy. I was weeding for an hour and a half. Oh, I also had to pick some sprouts, we had a customer who wanted 100 !! So I had to count them as I picked them 

( I gave them 103 for good measure.) when I got home H had made a nice loaf of bread and my cup of tea was waiting for me. We had salmon, jacket potato and mushy peas for dinner and now I am going to watch my soaps.

Sunday

We were up at 6, I put on a load of washing and we had our breakfast. H then got ready to go out on his bike with our son in law. They met at 8.15 and rode 52 miles. When he came back, it was around 11 am, he was frozen and his hands were numb. He says in future, if it's under 4 degrees he is not going out. While he was gone I cleaned the whole house, sweeping and washing floors, vacuuming and dusting, polishing and clearing up loads of rubbish and putting it all away. I also hung the washing out but it got wet because it rained and I didn't see it start. Our daughter came round this afternoon to deliver Christmas cards and have a chat. We had a cottage pie for dinner which I made with quorn and it wasn't too bad but I like meat. It's work for me tomorrow so I will try to get an early night. I am now going to watch strictly come dancing.

P s

In my kitchen I have a hanging fruit basket which is a great idea if you are short of work top space. My middle brother made me this macrame hanger years ago, it's been washed loads of times and still looks good. I used to have a blue bowl in it but just changed to green to match the kitchen.

Saturday

Today I decided to ice my cake, it was raining outside so we couldn't bike which was a shame because we had planned to go out with our daughter and son in law. Anyway I used 1 egg a little lemon juice and icing sugar. When it was done I smoothed it over with a hot damp pallet knife and then sprinkled it with edible stars and snowflakes. I didn't waste the egg yolk, I made melting moments with it. 3 oz sugar 4 oz butter 4oz Sr. Flour and a few drops of vanilla essence plus porridge oats to coat  them....cream flour and sugar add essence blend in the flour and roll in porridge oats. This makes 18 to 22 biscuits when I put the balls on my baking tray I flatten them slightly.

Day off

We both got up at 6,I put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea while H sliced off the bread and made the toast. After breakfast we dressed and went to Asda. We also went to M & S where I bought a ' meal deal ' for dinner this evening and a few Christmas bits and pieces. When we came back we had a coffee, I read my TV magazine and then we got ready to go out on our bikes. We rode 26 and a half miles. It was horribly windy again so we were pleased with our effort in the circumstances. We had cheese and biscuits for lunch and a glass of our M&S wine. I haven't done much else today apart from washing my hair and making a loaf of bread. My washing was almost dry when I brought it in. 

Thursday

I went to work at 8 as usual and had to pick 6 dozen bunches of carrots, 2 boxes of loose ones, half a sack of sprouts and then leeks till the men picked me up to help wash and pack everything. All this took until 2 o'clock when I had to trim 3 more boxes of leeks and finish off the day with an hour of weeding. As I walked in the door the phone rang and it was my daughter just ringing up for a chat. After that I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had  potato wedges, grilled tomatoes with cheese on top, mushrooms poached eggs and bread and butter. H had yogurt with honey on top for pud and I had a mince pie........... At work they gave me a cauliflower, I think they gave it to me because it was too big to fit in a box ,!!!......

Wednesday

I was at home again today so I put up a few more Christmas decorations and tried out my new fork. H rode 15 miles on his turbo thing and then got ready to go out on a bike ride with me. We did 41 and a bit miles and I am really worn out. It was too windy for me ! When we got home we had an egg sandwich, a cup of soup and a hot mince pie with squirty cream. I just sat about all afternoon too tired to do anything. I cooked dinner at 5 pm, quiche, roast cubed potatoes and mushrooms. ...................... A PICTURE OF MY BIRTHDAY FORK

Today's blog

I have had a lovely day. After breakfast I just sat and read till no2 son got up. Then I made him some flap jack to take back with him this evening. Then we all got ready and went to Cley near Holt for a walk through the salt marshes and along the beach by the sea shore. It was a lovely walk (2.91miles). On the way there we called in at the garden centre to get my birthday present, a garden fork. It's a really good one and just what I wanted. At Cley we had our lunch, H had a cheese and ham toastie, I had a tomato,basil and cheese toastie and son had a jacket potato with coleslaw. We all had side salad and 2 cups of tea and it was all very nice. For dinner this evening I cooked fish, chips and peas with rice pudding for afters. Our son left at 7.15 to go back to London and I came up to watch my soaps. 

Yesterday's blog !!!

I fell asleep last evening before I had blogged!!! It was just one of my usual days, work, was harvesting beetroot, carrots and leeks, strawing and weeding. Lunch was chicken sandwiches and dinner was spag' boll. When I woke up to go to bed I checked my phone only to find a sad message from our no 1 son, they lost their beautiful dog Ollie. He has been going downhill for a while but it's still a shock, he was a lovely dog.

Sunday

I have had a really lazy day. After my bowl of porridge I hung out my washing and it was so mild outside I stayed out pulling up weeds till our son got up. I went and washed up a few things and he made me a coffee. I wrapped more pjresents and when H came home from his bike ride with our son in law I made some soup for lunch. When my washing was dry I brought it in and 2 minuites later it was raining. Our son went to the climbing centre this afternoon and I put the chicken in the oven with some potatoes to roast we had it with mash and green veg. For pudding we had stewed blackberry and apple with custard. The men then watched a film so I have come upstairs to watch the ' jungle '.

Saturday again

I thought it was Saturday all day yesterday, I am losing the plot!!! I had porridge for my breakfast for a change, did a load of washing, hung it out and managed to keep it on the line long enough to get it dry. We had bacon sandwiches for lunch and I wrapped some more of my presents. I have only 3 more to get. I went to the post office this morning to post a card to my brother in New Zealand and I posted all the rest of my cards while I was there. I love Christmas. We have been sent 3 cards already. We had toad in the hole for dinner with mashed potato broccoli carrots and gravy. H and no 2 son are watching a film( mad max ) in the lounge so I have come upstairs to watch strictly come dancing. Today has flown by.

Busy day

First we went shopping, came home for a coffee and then changed to go out on our bikes. We did 36 and a bit miles but only slowly. It's the first time I have been out for ages. The wind was far too strong for me!! As soon as we got back we had a quick lunch of cheese and biscuits, a shower and were off to the hairdressers. When we arrived home we had a cup of tea and a nice paella for dinner. After that I  went into the kitchen and made a carrot cake. I finally managed to sit down at 8.15 pm. No 2 son is coming home tonight so that will be nice.

My birthday

I packed cheese and tomato sandwiches for my birthday lunch with an apple. I can't believe how busy I was at work!!! First I had to pick and trim3 boxes of turnips then pick 2 boxes of loose carrots. After that it was bunched carrots, I was supposed to do 120 bunches of them but when I had picked 72 bunches I was taken down to help wash and pack every thing. After that I had to walk back as far as the leeks and trim them till lunch (4 ) boxes. We had lunch and then it was back up the field for me to finish the bunched carrots(48 ) and then 3 more boxes of loose ones. I was taken down again for washing and packing and the day was over. When I got home no 1 son had been round with my present, a super rear light for my bike and my daughter in law has sent me a huge box of Dahlias. I love them and only have one in my garden this year. Our dinner was washed down with champagne so I expect I will be asleep in front of the TV tonight. 

Wednesday

I packed my cucumber sandwiches and my bottle of water and went to work. I had to pick a box of loose beetroot, 4 boxes of loose carrots and 48 bunches.. Then I trimmed 4 boxes of leeks and went to the yard to wash and pack them all. After that I went back to the rhubarb bed and carried on laying straw. It was quite windy and my eyes are full of straw. When I got home I sat down with my cup of tea and the doorbell went, it was our daughter with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a bag full of presents. Tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 77. I will have to change the title of my blog.!!! After a nice soak in the bath I made a nice spaghetti bolognase for dinner.

1st December

I was at home today and it was nice. After a leisurely breakfast H and I popped out to get a few things, my tele' magazine, some eggs, some wild bird seed, a few more cards and some wrapping paper. When we got back home I changed into my cycle shorts and rode 20 miles on the turbo trainer, it was really hard work., H then had his turn and he rode 40 miles, I don't know how he does it. I so wanted to ride outside today but it was too wet. Then when it was too late the sun came out...!!!.. H went into the loft to get out our Christmas tree, I can't believe it, it's the first time it's ever been out before the 18 th. We had chicken, chops, fried onions and chips for dinner tonight and ' dippy eggs ' for lunch.

Wet and windy Monday

I was up at 5.50, put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea. I had my breakfast, packed my lunch and my bag and went to work. It was wet, windy and very muddy. I had to pick 4 dozen bunches of carrots and then trim leeks. I did 11 boxes when the men came along with the tractor and trailer to pick up the leeks and me so we would wash them all before lunch. I then packed them all, so the boss sent me off to straw more of the rhubarb. It was dreadful, as soon as I put the straw on it all blew off again. I struggled on until 2.30 but then I gave up and came home. The boss said he will see me Wednesday, so I am looking forward to being at home tomorrow. I had a cup of tea when I got home, then a nice bath which warmed me up nicely. It's left over cottage pie tonight, so a nice easy tea.

Sunday

We both got up together and had our breakfast. We also had a coffee and I did a load of washing but I put it all in the tumble drier because it began to rain. I forgot to say yesterday that I did one of my least favourite jobs. I only do it twice a year. Once in June and again at Christmas time. What is it? It's defrosting the freezer!! It was so frozen up I have now got so much more space I wish I had done it earlier!  This morning I put the marzipan on my cake and it went on really well. I have wrapped 2 more presents and while H was on his bike I wrote out 20 Christmas cards. He did 31 miles at 20 and a half miles an hour. We had a ham and salad sandwich for lunch with a cup of hot chocolate and a mince pie. I have made a cottage pie for dinner tonight, a change from a Sunday roast. Added to the mince is  a fried onion, chopped carrot, diced mushrooms, frozen peas and 2 oxo cubes. For pudding we are having baked apples, H is having custard on his and I am having squirty cream. I hope to wrap a couple more presents as well.

Saturday

 We went for our weekly shop this morning ( I spent loads of money ) and when we came home I hung out yesterday's washing before getting stuck into the housework. I had intended to put the marzipan on the Christmas cake but when I unwrapped it I thought it looked a bit dry, so I pricked it and dripped a couple of tablespoons of brandy over it. Now I will do the marzipan tomorrow when the brandy has soaked in. I wrapped 3 Christmas presents this afternoon so it has all begun!!! We will soon have to get the tree out of the loft. We had a ' meal deal. ' from M & S for our dinner, chicken in wine, potatoes and mixed veg. It was lovely.

Christmas shopping

As soon as I had eaten my breakfast I got ready to go Christmas shopping. I left home at 7.30 to drive to my daughters, left my car at hers and she drove us to Chapel field. We left hers at around 8.10 and were in the city by 8.30. We arrived back at hers at 3.30 and we had walked miles. We bought so much we had to go back to the car 3 times to drop parcels off. My feet ache, when I have finished writing this I am going to soak them. We had coffee and a mince pie while we were waiting for Pandora.s to open and when we went back there was a huge queue. We also stopped for lunch, got our second wind and carried on. It was far too hot in all the shops, I don't know how anyone can work in them. When I came home my new stool had arrived and H had assembled it, it looks nice.

Thursday

Today was much the same as yesterday. I took beetroot sandwiches to work instead of tomato ones but apart from that it was same old same old. 1 bag of sprouts, 4 boxes of loose carrots, 3 boxes of leeks and then all washing  and packing. When it was all done I spent the rest of the day strawing the rhubarb. When I left off I was given my wages which is handy because my daughter and I are in the City all day tomorrow doing our Christmas shopping. This morning I forgot to get anything out of the freezer for dinner tonight so we had to have a make do meal, jacket potato, mushy peas and ham and pineapple pizza. I am looking forward to the City tomorrow, we usually shop till we drop with coffee and lunch thrown in.

 

Wednesday

It was leeks first this morning, I had trimmed 6 boxes when Andy came to pick them up at 9.50 and we  had our coffee break before washing them. After that I had to pick 96 bunches of carrots and harvest the rest of the butternut squashes. I think I should have done that last week before the frosts. We had our lunch and I walked back to the rhubarb bed to carry on with strawing it up. I did that till gone 3 and then I had to wash the squashes which took till home time. When I got home H told me I could have my Apple Watch now and not wait till my birthday!!! We had eggs, sausages potato wedges etc for dinner. 

Tuesday

I have had a really good day😊First I should explain that my work watch has stopped. I think it just needs a new ,battery but I have had it ages, replaced the battery twice and probably could again but it's so scratched I thought I would have a new one. I was going to buy one from Asda. H said he would buy me one for my birthday ( which is next week ) Well I was expecting a cheapy but guess what? He has bought me an apple sport watch it's fabulous. I chose a silver one with a white strap. We went from the Apple Store to John Lewis where we had a coffee and I bought a bar stool for the kitchen. It's nice, all smokey Perspex and Crome. It's being delivered on Friday. H says I can't have my present till my birthday!!! So I told him the stool is part of his Christmas present and he can't sit on it till Christmas Day. When we got home we had a tomato, ham and lettuce roll with a packet of crisps for lunch, then H rode for an hour on his turbo trainer and when he had finished I went on it for 42 minuites. After my shower I cooked dinner, spaghetti bolognase and stewed apple. Roll on Thursday week. I would have put a photograph of my watch on this page but H has put it back in the box!!! It's work for me tomorrow.

Monday

Today for my lunch I took tomato and ham sandwiches with mustard on one slice of bread and mayo' on the other. They were really tasty. I had to do 16 bunches of beetroot, 48 bunches of carrots and 6 boxes of leeks. It was all muddy work. One of the men I work with is on holiday this week so it was just Andy and me, we took everything down to wash and pack,then I had to walk to the new rhubarb bed and begin to straw it up. When I left off at 4 I opened the car boot with the remote key but try as I might I couldn't unlock the car. What a nightmare!!!! I rang H and he told me how to unlock it manually but I was unable to do it. Andy, bless him, crawled into the boot, pulled the back seat down and managed to reach the back door handle and open the door. It set the alarm off of course but as soon as I switched the car on it was ok. I was nearly an hour late home and I was frozen through. For dinner we had a chicken and chillie pizza with chips and peas. H says I need a new battery in my key. I took a photo of my feet at work I scraped the mud off one so they could compared.

Snowy Sunday

It's Been a chilly day and I have been quite lazy. I had porridge for breakfast, made a loaf of bread and put the dish washer on. H used his turbo trainer in the morning and rode 30 miles while I went for a walk to see if I could find some sloes so I could make sloe gin. I think I have left it a bit late and should have picked them in October. However I found a couple of bushes with some on, came home, washed them and it's all done. 1 cup of sloes pricked with a pin, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of gin. It all fitted nicely in a large coffee jar with room to shake it up daily. We had home made soup for lunch and pork with veg for dinner, Apple and custard for pud. My loaf of bread turned out well and now I am watching strictly come dancing results. ........ This it the picture that greeted me when I opened the blind this morning.

Wet Saturday

I put on a load of washing this morning but there was no hope of getting it dry so I will tumble it in the morning on cheap electric. After breakfast I vacuumed all upstairs and caught up with all the ironing. It was a cheese and pickle sandwich for lunch, then this afternoon we went to our daughters so H could help sort out our son in laws winter bike. While we were there L sorted out my Facebook for me which is great so I posted a photo just to see if I could work it and it did work!!!! We are having oxtail stew for dinner, I bought an oxtail from my butcher and added loads of veg. I don't know what it will taste like but in the kitchen it smells lovely.

Friday

We went shopping first thing, I only spent £61. It's because we are going to live off things I have in the freezer this week, I want to empty it as much as I can so I can defrost it and fill it with nice things for Christmas. At 9 o'clock we went to Cooks blinds to collect the new blind for our kitchen. I then changed and went on the turbo trainer while H put the blind up. I did 14.7 miles in 55 minuites. H then did one hour and managed 20.7 miles in the time. Then at 4 pm we left home to go to the hospital, I saw the Doctor he talked about my eczema and gave me a prescription for cream and moisturiser,  on the way back we called in at the surgery to drop the papers off, went from there to the chip shop to get tea and we were indoors again at 6 o'clock. How good is that? 

Thursday

Work again, I had my breakfast,packed my lunch, made the bed etc and went to play in the mud for 8 hours. I had to pick 60 bunches of beetroot, 120 bunches of carrots and then I was supposed to pick 4 boxes of loose carrots but the men came up and did them before I had a chance. I had to pick a basket of sprouts instead and then 8 boxes of leeks. We just had time to wash and pack them all before it was my home time. For dinner tonight we had fried liver,fried onions, chips and bread and butter. Daughter rang this evening, they are all fine and we are popping round to see them on Saturday. Next Friday she and I are going Christmas shopping, l can't wait!! We love Christmas. Tomorrow H and I will do our weekly shop and later we are going to collect our new kitchen blind which is now ready.

Wednesday

It was work for me today, I managed to get the washing done and hung out before I left and when I got home H had got it in and it was all nice and dry. I had to pick 30 bunches or beetroot, 96 bunches of carrots and then leeks. I managed to trim 6 boxes before they took me away to wash and pack them. After everything had been washed and packed I had to go back into the field and pick the first sprouts of the season. I picked 2 sacks and spent the rest of the afternoon weeding. When I arrived home I had a letter from the hospital and have an appointment for Fridey, it's regarding my byopsy results, I will be glad to go but it's very short notice. I have a hair appointment for Friday but I will have to cancel it in the morning. I had cucumber sandwiches at work and for dinner tonight we had chicken curry. 

Tuesday

This morning we didn't get up till 6.15. We both had toast and tea for breakfast and then a coffee. I made the bed, did the ironing and a bit of dusting and we got ready to go out on our bikes. We rode 39.1/2 miles. When we were about half way round it began to drizzle, we carried on and when we were around 8 miles from home  I got a puncture in my front wheel. H soon mended it by replacing the tube with another. ( he found a flint in my tyre ). By the time we got back home it was raining harder and the roads were wet and I was pretty muddy. We came in, had a shower, H cleaned our bikes and I made some vegetable soup for our lunch. I read a few chapters of my book before getting dinner. Lasagne with roast, stuffed tomatoes. 

No 2 son rang last night, he is well and busy running etc. He is coming home again in 3 weeks. I thought ' the jungle ' was good last night, Lady Jane really shew everybody what she is made of, I think everyone expected her to fail the ' bush tucker ' trial, I know I did. Well done her.

Work day

Toast for breakfast, I packed cucumber sandwiches for lunch and we had chicken and veg tonight. At work I had to pick 30 bunches of beetroot, 48 bunches of carrots and 4 boxes of trimmed leeks. Then I had to go down with Andy to wash and pack everything.we sorted out the various orders and filled up 12 sacks with fertiliser from a huge sack and fertilised the two beds of rhubarb which took till the end of the day. I have to go in again on Wednesday.

On Saturday I was looking forward to the ' Inbeetweners ' second film, well I watched it and I have to say I was very disappointed, I thought the first one was funny but this second one didn't even make me smile.

Sunday

We both got up at 6.15 this morning, I did my usual load of washing and had a bowl of porridge for my breakfast. Later we had a coffee then H put my bike on his turbo trainer for me to have a ride because we thought it was too windy to do a road ride. I managed to stay on it for 51 minuites and rode 16.3 miles so I have ridden 70 miles this week. Today's miles were the hardest by far. We had cheese on toast for lunch and H rode 100 k which is just over 62 miles!!!! I do not know how he does it. I hung my washing out and it was nearly dry when it rained so I had to put it into the tumble drier to finish it off but it smells lovely all fresh air. I cooked one of our ' road kill ' phesants for dinner, it was lovely, I cooked it in a casserole dish with an onion and it was nice and tender. We had apple and custard for pudding and I am stuffed.

Saturday

We have had a nice day, I had porridge for breakfast, a big mug of tea and half an hour later a cup of coffee with a biscuit. We changed and went out on our mountain bikes off road. It's my favourite ride and I loved it although it was really a tad too muddy. We are so pleased we did it because it has now poured with rain and it will be far too wet now to do it for ages. Later no 1 son came round to look at his dad's turbo trainer and try it out. We all had a coffee and a bun. Some bad news today, our son in law came off his bike, he has a lump on his head, sore shoulder cut knee etc. Also ripped cycle 3/4s. Then our daughter pranged her car. She is fine but the car is poorly. I am looking forward to this evening because it's the film ' The Inbetweeners 2 ' and I haven't seen it yet. I hope it's as good as the first one.

Friday 13th

I have not enjoyed today at all. We did the shopping and when we got back I unpacked and put every thing away while H packed up his computer and key board to take back to Apple because it's not working. I think it's the key board. Well trying to get it back into the box was like a Chinese puzzle to start with!!! but finally we managed. We parked in the forum car park and walked to the Apple Store in Chapelfield. They said they could fit us in at 1 pm and they would text us when they were ready for us. It was only 9.25 and we didn't want to lug the computer about for over 3 hours so we took it back to the car. ( they wouldn't keep it for us !) we then walked down to w h smith so I could buy my next years diary and from there to John Lewis for a coffee and a look round. We thought we would have the coffee first, sat at a table, checked the phone, message from Apple, we will see you now!! Left our coffee, rushed back to the car, picked up computer and back to the Apple Store. When we arrived we sought out the same man we spoke to the first time, only to be told there had been a mistake and they weren't meant to call us, our appointment was still one o'clock. I was most annoyed and said we were fed up with carting this huge box around so this time they agreed to hold the computer for us. So off we went again, first to M & S for a ' meal deal ' ( put it in the car ) and then to giraffe for lunch. We loved our meal there last time but this time were very disappointed, our bacon was cold and so was H's sausage. We won't be going there again. When we left there we went to Debenhams to look at furniture. We arrived at the fourth floor and got a text from Apple, they were ready for us, ( 12.15 ) so back we went. We were told to go to the counter and someone came out of the back to help us. The first thing he asked was, where is the computer!! YOU HAVE IT!!! Well it is Friday 13 th. what else did we expect! However it all went well after that, they found our box tested the key board, found it faulty and replaced it with a new one. We just had cheese and biscuits for tea with a glass of wine. I feel I have totally wasted a day and had to pay car parking for the pleasure. To be honest I am feeling quite depressed at the moment and could just sit and cry for 2 pins...... A photo of lunch.

Payday again

Today was a lovely day at work, the weather was lovely and I was busy so the day flew by. I had to pick 40 bunches of beetroot, 84 bunches of carrots, 3 boxes of loose carrots and 7 boxes of trimmed turnips. All this was done by lunch time so we then washed everything and after it was packed I joined the men trimming celeriac. While they cut a few greens I harvested butternut squashes and we all spent the last hour washing them and laying them out on pallets to dry in the greenhouse. I had cucumber sandwiches for lunch and tonight we just had scrambled eggs on toast. I was still hungry so I had an apple and a banana . We are shopping in the morning.

Wednesday

We decided to go for a bike ride this morning and planned to go at 10 which left plenty of time to get the washing done and hung out, a loaf of bread on the go, beds made and the house tidied before we left. We were going to ride 41 miles but things didn't work out as planned. The wind was really strong so our ride was taking longer than we had planned. As we wanted to be home to get the bread out when it was done we thought we would take a short cut. Well we were going along nicely when we caught up a cyclist ( woman ) pushing her bike along the road. We stopped to ask what the problem was, a puncture in her rear wheel. She had no spare tube so H gave her one of his , took her wheel out and sorted it for her. Another biker also stopped and offered help. This made us even later so we took yet another short cut and ended up with only 37 miles. We were 15 minuites late for the bread, it's ok but the crust will be chewy. When we got back we had soup and a choc chip bun and for dinner tonight we had a summerset pork pie, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and roast squash. 

Tuesday

I didn't wake up this morning till 7.45 !!! This is unheard of for me, even on holiday I am up before 6.30 and consider it a lay in. H got up at 6.30 and I hadn't heard a thing. He had stacked and started the dishwasher, had his breakfast and washed up all the saucepans. After my breakfast of tea and toast we had a coffee and watched a film he had recorded. I hung out the washing ( got it dry ) and we went to the chicken farm for eggs,then to the shop for my tv magazine. H did a turbo session while I made sandwiches for our lunch. ( chicken, cheese and ham with tomatoes )  This afternoon I fiddled about with my new Facebook account but I will have to wait for help because I don't really have a clue. For dinner we had eggs, bacon, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, fried onions, chips and bread and butter.

Monday work

It was a horrible day in the field,wet and very windy. I had to pick 30 bunches of beetroot, 96 bunches of carrots and 8 boxes of leeks. I then spent the rest if the day weeding. The day was made worse by the fact I forgot my Walkman!! So it really dragged on and on. I had chicken sandwiches for lunch and we had chicken, mash, carrot, cabbage and gravy for dinner. Before no2 son left to go back to his today he set me up a ' Facebook account ' the only trouble is, as he isn't here I have no idea what to do with it!! I will have to wait for him to come back to show me what to do!!!

Sunday

We got up around 6.30 and had our breakfast, I did a load of washing and made a loaf of bread . We waited for our son to get up and then we went out on our bikes. We did 16.8 miles in one your and were quite pleased with ourselves. When we.came back I had a shower and made some date and walnut flapjack for no 2 son to take back with him tomorrow and then some soup for our lunch. H made a huge bowl or pop corn which was lovely. No 1son came round in the afternoon for a while which was nice. We had roast chicken for dinner, it was yummy. I missed 'strictly come dancing ' results because we watched Jurassic World in 3D so I will have to find out who was voted off tomorrow on catch up tv.

 

Yesterday

I forgot to blog!! I had a nice day, I was at the butchers by 8 am where I picked up a Christmas order list. I must get it filled in and take it back. We ordered a blind for the kitchen the day before and I went there next to pay a deposit. It should be ready by either the end of this week or the beginning of next. It will be great when it's up, the kitchen will be finished. I made soup for lunch which was nice. L and J called round in the morning so we had sausage rolls, coffee and cake. In the afternoon the men worked out on the turbo trainer getting loads of miles in ( I read my book ). Fir dinner we had steak, chips, corn on the cob and peas. 

Wet Friday

It's been a miserable day, dull and damp. We went to Asda ( £86.90 ) and later went out ag ain to order a kitchen blind. We also went to the City dump and dumped an old television, toaster, DVD player etc. As it was pouring with rain there was nobody there, a first for us. While we were out we went to the range to get a picture frame and some car cleaning things. At 4 pm I had to go to the dentist for my half yearly checkup. All was fine so no more till May. We had a cheese and ham sandwich for lunch and I made a nice pasta meal for dinner. ...... Fried onion, garlic, peas, 2 eggs, tin of tomatoes, shell pasta,cheritsao sausage  and a shake of chilli powder. I grated cheese over the top and it was nice. No 2 son is coming home this evening so I have made a carrot cake. It looks nice but I haven't tried it yet.

Thursday

It was another wet start at work and the land is very sticky. I had to do 60 bunches of carrots and then leeks. I did 3 boxes before I was picked up to go to the yard to wash and pack them. After that I walked back up the field to harvest 2 boxes of loose carrots and 4 more boxes of leeks. Then back to the yard to prepare the orders and back yet again to get celeriac and fennel. There was just time to wash and pack it all before hometime. No work again till Monday but the forecast isn't good for cycling this weekend. Today was our grandsons graduation, we were sent some lovely photos of it all. We had a nice chicken curry for dinner. I took this photograph of a carrot which I think looks like a really cool dude.

Wet Wednesday

It was work for me so I did all the usual things and off I went in the rain. When I arrived I put on all my wet weather gear and walked up the field to pick 50 bunches of beetroot and 72 bunches of carrots. I then walked back to the yard and washed 3 boxes of butternut squashes. I laid out all the bunches of beet and carrots to be washed and when one side was done I turned them over. The boss then said there wasn't really anything else for me to do so I came home. I was home by 10 past 12.  H was on his turbo trainer and only one more mile to do to make it 40 miles which he did in under 2 hours. We had soup and a coffee and I pealed a load of apples that we brought home yesterday. They are lovely apples, they were all in bags outside a house with a note saying ' please help yourself '. It's great when you are on a bike you see so much more than if you are in a car. I forgot to say on Saturday when we cycled we found another pheasant, the poor thing was still warm when we picked it up. So now that's free meat and free pudding.

 

Nice day

This morning I managed to lay in till 6.33. I did a load of washing and had my breakfast. After a coffee I hung out the washing and did all my ironing up to date. We then got ready to go out on our bikes. We had a nice ride. We did 41 and a bit miles, the sun came out and it was lovely. We had a shower and cheese and biscuits for our lunch with a ' cup a soup '. For dinner I made a liver casserole which was nice. 2 fried onions, mushrooms, fried liver dipped in flour. A load of peas and some sweetcorn and then I added stock popped it into the casserole in the oven for 45 minuites. There is enough for us to have it again tomorrow and it's lovely with a bit of mash.

Foggy Monday

The fields I work in are right beside Norwich airport and today it was so peaceful because there were only 2 planes that landed while I was there and no helicopter's at all,it was too foggy. I had to pick 30 bunches of beetroot, 60 bunches of carrots and then 4 boxes of leeks. After that I had to plant broard beans. I was supposed to plant 13 rows right across the field. Andy joined me later on and he did 3 rows so I only had to do 10 which was lucky because by the time we had finished it was time for me to go home. I now feel rather stiff so I am going to relax in front of the t v.

Lazy Sunday

We got up late, put the dishwasher on and a load of washing and had our breakfast. When the mist was gone I hung out the washing and got it all dry. I spent quite a bit of time in the garden and have almost filled my brown bin again. No 2 son rang this afternoon, he was just back from France, he's had a good holiday with plenty of good climbing. I have eaten far too much today, loads of chocolate left over from trick or treat. Hopefully I will get back on track tomorrow.

Saturday

It's been a good day for us. First we managed to lay in bed an hour longer than usual then we managed a bike ride even though we had got my middle brother and his wife coming to dinner. We had cheese and biscuits for lunch and for dinner we had salmon tartlets with salad, beef in wine with chestnut mushrooms and shallots, with roast squash, mashed potato, carrots, cauliflower and peas and for pud I did blackberry crumble and custard. Coffee and mints followed and there was plenty of wine in between. It was lovely to see them and catch up. They both look well, they are just back from a holiday in Shrlanka so they are both a nice colour. Our eldest Grandaughter said she was going to carve her pumpkin into a pug this year and I think she's made a pretty good job of it.

Friday

We went shopping as usual and I spent £ 87.59. I didn't have to buy any veg for the weekend because I brought plenty home from work. I was also given some cooking apples so we have desert as well. It was too wet to cycle today so we got on with housework and, hopefully, we will be able to bike tomorrow. We had salmon sandwiches for lunch and pork slices and veg for dinner. We opened a bottle of wine as its Friday and also made a nice loaf of bread. H worked out on his turbo trainer and rode 40 miles at 20 miles an hour. You have to have tried it to appriciate how hard it is, I have only managed 5 miles so far and that was hard.

Pay day

I took cheese and pickle sandwiches today for a change but I prefer my cucumber ones. There was nothing much for me to do at work,I picked 3 boxes of loose carrots and 5 boxes of leeks. It was weeding after that, but I hadn't been doing it for long when I got a message to say I had to pick 2 more boxes of carrots and then go down and wash and pack everything. That helped to pass a bit of time before I went back on the weeding. We had spaghetti bolognase for dinner. No more work for me till Monday so the weekend starts here.

Wednesday

I had to work today so I spent the day stuck in the mud and getting wet through. I had to pick 50 bunches of beetroot, 72 bunches of carrots and 6 boxes of leeks. I went down to the yard at 12.30 and after lunch I helped wash and pack the veg then spent the rest of the day weeding. I was glad when it was home time. I took tomatoe sandwiches for lunch and we had eggs and beans on toast for tea. It's work for me again tomorrow. 

A grand day out

At 8.30 this morning I had to have a blood test to check my b p tablets are still the right ones for me. Then at 10.30 our daughter and youngest grand daughter came round and we all went to visit Baconsthorpe castle. It's well worth a visit if you haven't been. It was built in the 14 th century, has a moat, and a large lake which had 7 swans, some geese and a couple of ducks. At the back of the castle is a 'permitted walk' which I would like to try, either in the summer or if I had my wellies. When we left there we went to lunch at the Itteringham pub, the Walpole arms. It really was a lovely meal I would recommend it to anybody. H was the only one to have a starter, it was some chicken liver thing, l tried it and it was yummy. Phoebe had beer battered fish and chips, Louise and I had pulled lamb skinny chips and salad and H had a steak and bacon burger with chips. We all had drinks and as we weren't driving, H and l had a glass of wine. Phoebe was too full for pudding but H had ice cream and Louise and I had some lovely apple and almond thing with ice cream. We came home for coffee. 

As tea time we were still full so we just had a cup of tea and I had an apple.

Monday

It was work today and tomato sandwiches for a change. I had to pick 35 bunches of beetroot, 60 bunches of carrots and 6 boxes of leeks. I had done 4 1/2 boxes when they came and told me it would be enough. I had to spend the rest of the day weeding monster nettles out of the next bed of leeks. It's a horrible job but someone has to do it, I came home with a sore back, stiff neck and a headache. The cottage pie was just as good this evening as it was yesterday. No work for me tomorrow and our daughter is going to take us out and I am treating us to lunch.

Winter time begins

The clocks went back last night and it was a really cold start to the morning too. We tried to lay in but gave up in the end and had an early breakfast. We went along the track on our bikes this morning but it was a bit too muddy so we cut our ride short and only did 19 miles. It was a nice sunny day and when we got home I went out again to pick up some chestnuts, I was only gone 10 minuites and I got loads. We had bacon sandwiches for lunch and cottage pie for dinner. I made a huge pie so we will be having it again tomorrow. A photo of sheep in the sunshine beside the track.

Saturday

This morning we went to Holt as soon as we had eaten our breakfast and I had hung out the washing.H bought two pairs of gloves for cycling because he suffers from cold hands and dead fingers in the winter. I bought another salt seller and pepper pot. I dropped my pepper and I do that every time I have about 5 salts and the only thing we have salt on is chips.! I also bought a huge lump of ' black bomber ' my favourite cheese. We had a coffee and a snack before driving home again. We had a cheese and beetroot sandwich for lunch and spaghetti bolognase for dinner.......I posted photo by mistake and don't know how to get rid of it

Friday

I have had a lovely day, we went shopping as usual and then we went out on our bikes and rode 20 miles at 16.5 miles an hour. We showered and changed and went off to Fakenham for a belated aniversary lunch. We called in at a pub called the Bull. We had a glass of cider and I had soup of the day for my starter which was leek and potato with a lovely hot granary roll and butter. H had chicken wings with salad. He had ham eggs chips and peas next and I had turkey pie with new potatoes and veg. It was all very nice, we were both too full for pudding but managed a coffee and mint. We then had a wander round the shops and H bought me a nice new doormat for the kitchen. I was still too full tea so we just had a cup of tea ,H had a yogurt and later I had a scoop of ice cream.