Last day of 2018.

I got up at 6.30 and put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I hung the washing out when it was done and we had a coffee. Our son got up this morning and is feeling much better thank goodness. Ha had some breakfast, homemade soup for lunch and fish pie for dinner. We had green veg with the pie, asparagus, green beans, sprouts and peas. H turboed this morning but I went out on my bike on my own. I did the same ride as the 2 of us did yesterday. Yesterday’s took us 1 hour 32 minutes and 56seconds . So I thought I would try to beat the time and try to do it in under an hour and a half. I tried really hard and smashed it. It took me 1 hour 20 minuites and 47 seconds. I am so pleased with myself. Mind you it was really hard work. My washing got almost dry outside so that was a bonus.  This year has gone so fast!!
I have kept a record of the miles I cycle each year since 2005 and this year is the most I have ever done in a year. 3, 442. 24. I told H I am going to try to do 4 thousand miles next year but it’s an extra 600 miles which is a lot. I plan to start tomorrow by doing 20 miles on the turbo trainer.
           🎉🎊HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎊🎉

Sunday 30th December.

I got up at 6 o’clock and made myself a bowl of porridge for breakfast H got up at 7. We had  a coffee and I sat and read for a while. H went outside and cleaned the car while I washed up the big things and tidied the kitchen. When H had finished the car,(it looks nice) we had another coffee and got ready to go out on our bikes. It was just H and I because our son has the flu and is quite poorly. He has spent the day in bed. We went along the track and as we started out it began to rain!! We haven’t had any for a week now and it wasn’t forecast so we were disappointed but we had only gone a mile and it stopped. We did 17.2 miles and our average speed was 11.2. When we got home we had beans on toast for lunch with a cup of tea. This afternoon we watched a film that H found on u tube. It was rubbish! Our son has had nothing to eat all day! But he is drinking plenty of water. He is supposed to be back at work on Wednesday but I can’t see that happening. I had a bath and washed my hair and for dinner H and I had sausages,chips, grilled tomatoes, peas and eggs, it made a nice change. We are still eating nuts and chocolate washed down with wine! I think the sooner it’s all gone the better.

Saturday

I got up at 6 and put on a load of washing. H got up at the same time and we had our breakfast. Next we had a coffee and then just sat and read till son came down. I vacuumed downstairs and hung out the washing, it’s windy out there but I don’t think there is a lot of dry out. We all had a coffee and H went upstairs to turbo. He did 62 miles! I swept the kitchen floor and then read my book. I got lunch and we did nothing much all afternoon I  got the washing in and it’s much drier than when I put it out.  Our son has spent all afternoon in bed, he is not feeling well. He has a nasty cough but feel rough with it. He doesn’t want any dinner!! I cooked a spaghetti bolognese but he was having his with a jacket potato as he doesn’t eat spaghetti. I have made far too much for H and I but as I had taken the mince out of the freezer this morning I had to cook it. I will have to eat the rest tomorrow. There is the biggest load of rubbish on television you can possibly imagine! Everything is a repeat!!

Yesterday!!

We got up early and went grocery shopping. We had our breakfast before we went and I also put on a load of washing. As soon as we were home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee. He also put on a loaf of bread. We just sat about watching rubbish u tube clips till our son got up and then I got on with a bit of clearing up ( like finishing a box of dates, half a bottle of wine and some festive biscuits!) we then all got ready to go out on our bikes. It was the first time I had ridden outside since my 80th birthday! We were very pleasantly surprised by how good the track was after all the rain we have had in the last few weeks. We rode to Reepham station where we had a drink, the men coffee and me an apple juice. They have repaired the bridge at Whitwell station so it can now be used but have closed the bridge before that one at Lenwade. We used a small detour which was fine. When we got home we had lunch, cheese and biscuits for H and I and a salad for our son. I sat and read my book all afternoon, it’s one my lovely sister in law bought me for Christmas and I can’t put it down! It’s called ‘ The Olive Tree’ by Lucinda Riley and I am loving it. For dinner we had fillet steak with mushrooms,peas and chips. H said it was the best steak he had ever tasted. It really did melt in the mouth. I sealed them in the frying pan and then grilled them but must have got the timing perfect which I always think is hard with fillet steak because it’s such a big lump of meat. I would have written this yesterday but I was writing an email earlier and just managed to finish it before my battery died.

Thursday.

I got up at5.34 and had my breakfast, I packed my lunch, dressed, made my bed, and got ready to go to work. I had to trim leeks all morning till 12.30 and then pack some till home time.
H made me a coffee when I got home and when I had drunk it I made a salad for our son who was out at the climbing centre. H and I sat and watched a ‘Columbo’ and after my bath I went into the kitchen to cook dinner. I made a turkey stew but it stuck to the bottom of my pressure cooker. All the bits that  weren’t stuck were lovely but that meant there wasn’t as much as there should be!! Luckily there was just enough. I am not going to work again till Wednesday. I was supposed to go next Monday but I told the boss that I didn’t want too because I had arranged to go out. He has never had me in on New Year’s Eve ever before so I had assumed he wouldn’t want me and have made other arrangements. Tomorrow Son and I hope to go out for a bike ride.

And now it’s all over for another year ( Boxing’s day)

We had a nice day and loads of lovely presents. All went well with my Christmas dinner, the turkey was cooked to perfection, dinner was on time even though I rode a ‘ Christmas 10’ on my bike in the morning. After dinner son and I went for a walk, we also played a game of crib which he won!! I went up at 7.15 pm to watch my soaps but mainly to rest my back which has played me up a bit over Christmas. It was nice and pain free when I was laying flat but the trouble then was that I was so comfortable that I fell asleep and missed them. H had turkey sandwiches for lunch, son had a turkey salad and I just ate a few bits of turkey because I am still feeling full from yesterday. Guess what we are having for dinner tonight? A roast again with leftover turkey 😄😊😄. Tomorrow I have to work so I have just sliced all the meat up and put it in freezer bags but before I froze it all I gave the 2 men a choice for tomorrow’s dinner, fillet steak or turkey stew and must admit I was very surprised when they both choose the stew.!!

Sunday. Nearly Christmas 🎄🍾🎄🦃

We both got up at 6.15 and had toast and tea for our breakfast. When we had done we got ready to go to the butchers. We were there before 8 and it was nice and quiet both inside the shop and on the roads. It was pouring with rain. I got our turkey and our daughters. I also bought sausage meat, chippolatas, bacon and fillet steaks. From the bakery end of the shop I bought 2 sausage rolls, a pork and Stilton pie and a giant shortcake. When we got home our son was just getting up. We all had a coffee and at 10 I went for a ride upstairs. I did 23.1 miles in an hour and a quarter. I had a shower and then our daughter came round to collect her turkey and brought us loads of presents to put under the tree. We had a cup of tea and she and I sat and talked till H had finished his ride, (he went up after me) we had another cup of tea and a sausage roll and then we got a message to say that James, who was moving Chloe and our grandson, had arrived with another load of furniture. The house Chloe has bought is just round the corner from us. So daughter, son and I all went round to have a look at the house. It’s very nice and has a decent sized garden which is unusual in new properties. I am so pleased they have now got their feet on the property ladder. I then sat about for most of the afternoon,H was watching rubbish on tv so I read some of my book. For dinner tonight we had gammon, peas and chips followed by stewed apple and ice cream. I did a load of washing this morning as usual but I wouldn’t hang it out so hopefully I will be able to tomorrow. 

My Mother would never hang out washing on a Sunday and she wouldn’t shake a rug either, it’s the Lords day. But I don’t think the Lord could less wether or not I am shaking mats and hanging out washing, I think he had much more important things to worry about.

Saturday

I got up at 7.20 !!! I had toast for my breakfast and a cup of tea. Next we had a coffee and then I dressed and hung out yesterday’s washing, it was so nice to see the sun. I stayed out in the garden for a while and did a bit of clearing up and some weeding and pruning. When I went in H had stopped his ride, he was going to ride 100 km ( 62.5 miles) he had only done 24 and a bit miles but said he didn’t feel like it so he gave up. He then changed the turbo over for me by putting my weight and height in and I had a ride. I did 22.3 miles and my average speed was 18.4 mph. It was quite hilly. I had a shower and then lunch. H had soup and I had cheese and biscuits. We both had a mince pie. No 2 son was coming home this evening and said he would be home for dinner but might not be home till around seven. If H eats that late it upsets his nights sleep so I decided to make a stew. H and I had ours at 5.30 and son got home just after 7. The stew was delicious, stewing steak with onions,carrots, peas, potatoes,parsnips, turnip, celeryand leek. The meat was really tender and melted in the mouth. This afternoon I did some cleaning up and lit my festive candles. I also lit a candle under one of my perfumed melts then I forgot it had melted wax in the top, moved it and tipped melted wax over my new table cloth!! Son looks well, he had to come home via the A12 rather than the M/A 11because of accidents.

Friday

We both got up at 5.45, I put on a load of washing while H put the kettle on and sliced off the bread for toast. We had our breakfast and then went shopping. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee. Then at 8.30 we went to Reepham so I could get a few special beers 🍺. On the way home we called at the garden centre because H wanted some thick wellie boot socks. I bought a table decoration for the dining table and some birthday cards. We called into a cafe for a coffee and then came home again. We had cheese and biscuits for lunch and later on a glass of wine. I vacuumed the whole house and made up our sons bed because he should be home tomorrow. Next I got changed into my cycle gear for a turbo ride but for some reason the program didn’t load! H kept trying all to no avail. So I dusted, had a shower and cooked dinner. We had mince with onions, carrots,peas, courgette and tomato purée, a dash of red wine and an oxo cube all poured over a jacket potato. I will try again tomorrow to have a ride.

Last day at work before Christmas 🎄😊🍾

I got up at 5.40 and put yesterday’s washing into the tumble dryer. I made a pot of tea and had my breakfast ( egg). I packed my lunch, made the bed, dressed etc and got ready to go to work. First I had to pick 5 sacks of sprouts, it took me till 10 o’clock. I had my coffee break and then walked up to the carrots. I had to pick 20 bunches of purple ones and 156 bunches of orange ones. Also 3 boxes of loose carrots. I did the purple 20 first and then a box of loose. Next I began the orange bunches, I had done 120 bunches when the men joined me, they did 2 more boxes of loose and helped me finish the other 36. By then it was 12.50 so I got ready to go home. My boss gave me a Christmas present which I will open on Christmas Day and a nice bonus as well. I am really lucky. This morning I weighed myself and I was the same as last week, 133.4 lbs. I was pleased with this because I had toast for my breakfast every day. I had a coffee when I got home and a slice of corned beef. I had a bath and for dinner we had sausages, eggs, tomatoes and chips. I don’t have to go to work again till nex Thursday 🎉🎄🎊🍾.

Wednesday.

 I got up at 5.30 and put on a load of washing. I had toast for breakfast with a cup of tea. I packed my lunch, dressed, made the bed and got ready to go to work. When I got there we were really busy! I had to bunch carrots and did 24 bunches of purple ones and 120 proper ones before 10 am. We had our coffee break and then the body sent me to beetroot where I had to pick 80 bunches. Each bunch has 5 beetroot so that was 400 beet and each one had to have the leaves tidied up, they took me ages. I had been told to go back to carrots for another 24 purple bunches and then to carry on with orange bunches but by the time I had done the purple I only had time for another dozen. When I got home I had a coffee and a slice of corned beef. Oh, and a banana. At 2 o’clock the window men came and fitted a new bathroom window, it looks lovely and now matches the rest of the house. When they left I had a shower and we watched tipping point. For dinner tonight we had steak with a jacket potato, broccoli and cauliflower. I have to work again tomorrow.

Tuesday, one week to Christmas 🎄

I got up at 6.05 , put on a load of washing and had my breakfast, buttered toast. I dressed , we had a coffee and I hung out the washing. At 8.45 the gas man came round to service our boiler. While he was here I spent some time clearing up the garden. When he left H went up to turbo. We had our lunch, cheese and biscuits with pickles and hot chocolate. Then at 2 pm I went up to turbo. I did 25.3 miles. (23.7 in an hour and a quarter). It was a nice steady ride.
In our back garden I have a yew that  I have been pruning  into a ball but when we have the conservatory put up it will be in the way so this morning we thought we would dig it up. It’s not very big but the roots are unbelievable!! They went under the lawn for yards, under the paving slabs and way up the garden. We dug a huge hole where I wanted it put but I very much doubt it will survive. It’s taken me years to get it as it is but if it dies I will have to do another one, I have some more seedlings in the garden. For dinner tonight we had steak and kidney pie with new potatoes and cauliflower cheese. I have to work tomorrow.

Monday.

I got up at 6, made a pot of tea and had a slice of toast for my breakfast. I packed a tomato, a slice of cheese and a bottle of water, sorted my work bag, dressed, made the bed and went to work. I had to walk sthaight up the field and pick 16 bunches of purple carrots and 36 bunches of orange ones. The men came along just in time to save me walking all the way to the leeks we all rode down on the trailer. We all trimmed leeks till 9.30 whenwe went down to wash and pack everything. The boss was waiting with the van doors open so we could load it up and he went straight off to deliver it. That’s nice fresh veg in the shops on a Monday morning. We had our coffee break and I went back to the leeks and carried on trimming. Andrew joined me and later Andy also after he had harvested some cauliflowers, kale, turnips and fennel. We went back to the yard at 12.15 to wash it all. The men went for their lunch and I packed leeks till it was my home time. When I left off I met my sister in law and we exchange Christmas gifts. She is looking well. As soon as I got home H made me a coffee and for my lunch I had the leftover chicken pasta from yesterday. I didn’t do much this afternoon because after dragging my feet out of mud for 5 hours I am exhausted. I had a nice soak in the bath and for dinner we had pork chops, new potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli.

Sunday.

I got up at 6.40 and put on a load of washing, I had toast and tea for breakfast and then we had a coffee. I hung out the washing and made the bed. H went up to do a 100 km ride and I made some icing for my Christmas cake and then iced it. To make my icing I had to to use an egg white which left me with a yolk, so when I had finished the cake I made some melting moments which only need a yolk. They turned out well. I cooked some beetroot and when they had cooled I peeled, sliced and pickled them ready for Christmas. I wrote the last of my Christmas cards and brought my diary up to date. When H had finished his ride we had a coffee and a pot noodle for lunch. I got my washing in, it’s as dry as it gets this time of year. This afternoon we listened to Christmas songs and carols with a bottle of bubbly ( thanks to daughter) I had a shower and cooked dinner. We had chicken, sausages, cauliflower carrots etc with stewed apple and ice cream for pudding.
Now H cooked dinner last evening it was a recipe he had seen on u tube. When I went shopping he had asked me to get a jar of hot dog sausages, a tin of new potatoes, a courgette and some fetta cheese
We already had butter. His kitchen tools were 2 frying pans a spatula and an egg slice. He had to use the egg slice to slice everything so it was all the same thickness. He sliced 2 pieces of butter one for each pan, sliced the potatoes and put them in the pan to brown, added the sliced sausages, in the other pan he fried the courgette. When it was almost done he crumbled some of the fetta cheese over the potatoes, tipped in the courgette gave it all a stir and shared it evenly on to 2 plates. It was really tasty and we will certainly be having it again. It’s work for me tomorrow.

Saturday

I got up at 6.50 and put on a load of washing, I had toast again for breakfast, I am trying a week of toast to see how it affects my diet, weight and allergies. If I don’t gain weight I will carry on because I love toast but I have a horrible feeling that I will gain weight. I hung out the washing when it was done and we had a coffee. I dressed, made the bed and we went to the chemist to collect my prescription. I have been given 60 pills and have to take 2 a day. Plus I can reorder this twice more so it doesn’t look as if I am expected to get over the itchy spots any time soon! It says on the leaflet amongst other horrible things ,to speak to your doctor before taking the medication if you are elderly!! Well I am 80 , the doctors is closed ! But as he prescribed them for me and knows my age I am assuming they will be ok, unless he is trying to cut his workload be killing me off!! We had a coffee and a mince pie, I did all our ironing up to date and then changed into my cycle shorts and had a ride on the turbo. Today it was a flat course which I prefer. I did 22.3 miles. The first 20 miles I did in under an hour. When I had done we had a cuppa soup and H had a can of spaghetti bolognese on toast and I had a slice of corned beef. We had a glass of wine 🍷 and sat and watched rubbish on tv. Next I iced my Christmas cake, it doesn’t look anything special but I wanted to make my own royal icing this year rather than use the packet stuff which we aren’t too keen  on. It’s nice when you just take  it out and pop it onto your cake all smooth put it doesn’t taste very nice. Mine is just roughted up and plain but will taste much better.
H saw a recipe on u tube that he thought looked good and he wanted to try it so I bought him the ingredients yesterday and we are having it for dinner tonight....... 1 can of new potatoes, 1 jar of hot dog sausages, and one courgette plus’s butter for frying and a small amount of feta cheese.you use an egg slice to slice butter, sausages courgette, and potatoes and simply fry it all !!! He is going to do it
This evening and I will keep out of the kitchen. I will review the meal tomorrow. I will be going up for the finals of S C D  this evening at 6.30.

Friday

 I forgot to say yesterday that my weight was 133.4, last week it was 133.8 so even though it wasn’t much it’s a step in the right direction.
This morning I got up at 6.12 and put on a load of washing. H was already up, had made the tea and toasted my bread. We had our breakfast and went shopping. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee and ,at last, I could taste it! I was so pleased I treated myself to a mince pie too. I hung out the washing and swept the garden path. When H went up to turbo I swept and washed the kitchen and toilet floors etc and vacuumed all downstairs. I dusted and tidied up then we had our lunch. After lunch I changed into my shorts and went up to turbo. It was hard work, there was a nasty hill which I went up 2 or 3 times and I didn’t like it so I ended up only doing 19 and a bit miles. I had a shower and wrapped some presents. We had paella for dinner tonight with patatas bravas, millionaires cheesecake for dessert and a glass of wine.
Today is the first day I have had any energy since the first of December, it’s been great.

Thursday

I got up at 5.32 and had a slice of toast with butter and marmite washed down with a cup of tea. I packed a tomato and a slice of cheese for my lunch With  a litre of water. I dressed, made the bed, and got ready to go to work. I had to do 50 bunches of beetroot and then trim leeks. Andy picked me up at 10 o’clock and we had our break before washing parsnips, celeriac, turnips,carrots and leeks. As soon as they were washed I left Andy to pack them and I went back to trimming leeks. He came back for me at 12.30 and we washed my leeks and I packed some of them and when it was 1 o’clock I dropped everything and came home. H made me a coffee and I had the last 2 slices of corned beef. Later on in the afternoon I rang the doctor to sort out my rash. I am getting some more pills. I am now going up for a bath and for dinner tonight we are having chicken curry. I don’t have to work again till Monday which is a bonus. This afternoon I wrapped 4 Christmas presents so I have made a start. H and I are having our conservatory as a Christmas present from each other so that’s one I won’t have to wrap.

Wednesday

I got up at 5.37,put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch, dressed, made the bed , hung out the washing and then helped H de ice the car and went to work. We were supposed to wash and pack a whole load of leeks that Andy trimmed yesterday first but all the water was frozen up !! So first I had to pick a sack of sprouts and then join Andy on trimming leeks. We had to do that till the leaves on the beetroot thawed out. We did 10 bunches each when they did and 6 golden ones. We then went for our coffee break and after that I spent the rest of my time bunching carrots. I had to do just 12 bunches of purple carrots and then do orange carrots. I was joined by Andy for the last half an hour and we went down at 12.45 with 18 dozen bunches. My rash is back with a vengeance!!! When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a tub of cottage cheese for my lunch. I played scrabble for most of the afternoon, had a bath and cooked dinner. We had pork chops with potatoes, cauliflower,  broccoli and gravy. I have to work again tomorrow and next week I might have to work 4 days!! When I got home I took a pill and my rash is fading already, I will have to contact the doctor again because my pills are running out!

Tuesday

 I got up at 5.36 and put on a load of washing. I had my breakfast, dressed and read my book till H came down 2 hours later. We had a coffee and I hung out the washing before getting on with some housework. I put up my wooden Christmas tree 🎄 and all the cards we have received so far. We had another coffee and h went up to ride on the turbo while I prepared the vegetables for soup for lunch. We had our lunch at 12.45 and then H sorted out the bike on the turbo for me to have a ride. He has to put the seat down and change the pedals, then he has to put my height and weight into the computer to make it right. I did 23.6 miles and in the first hour I did 19 miles. The time before when I rode I did 19.2 miles in the first hour but I am still not feeling 100% after my cold and I still have the rash!!! I had a shower, and a cup of tea then I cooked dinner. We had salmon with a jacket potato and baked beans. I have to work again tomorrow.

Monday

I got up at 5.40 and had my breakfast 🍳 I packed my lunch, tomato 🍅 and cheese 🧀 with a bottle of water 💦. I dressed, made the bed and went to work. My back was still hurting and I am still coughing but my rash had gone. I had to walk to the top of the field and dig up and do 15 bunches of purple carrots and 48 bunches of orange carrots. Next I had to pick 6 bunches of orange beetroot and 20 purple ones but Andy joined me on them and we did 10 bunches each. Then we had to just trim one box of leeks so we had enough for this mornings orders. We went to the yard and washed them all plus a box of celeriac that Andy had trimmed. We had our break after which I had to walk back to the leeks ,Andy joined me later and we were told to be back at the yard at 12.15 to wash and pack them. We did another 9 boxes. As soon as they were washed the men went for their lunch and I packed 9 bags of leeks for one customer and began on an order for 30 5 kilo bags but I had only done 4 when it was time for me to go home. When I got in I had a coffee and just sat about with my sore back. We opened a bottle of my birthday bubbly and later I had a bath. When I took my clothes off I was horrified to find I was covered in a rash again!! It’s red hot but not itching at the moment. We had quiche for dinner tonight with potatoes and peas.
My bosses wife came back from their house in France last Thursday and arrived back after I had left off so I didn’t see her till this morning. Anyway she wished me a belated happy birthday and gave me gift tokens for a meal in a hotel restaurant. How lucky am I!! I have to work again on Wednesday

The mundane life of an 80 year old. Sunday

Only 16 more days to Christmas.!! I got up at 6.15 and put on a load of washing. I made a pot of tea and had my breakfast. When it was light and had brightened up a bit I hung out the washing on my nice new linen line. H came down an hour after me this morning and had stripped the bed and brought the sheets etc down with him so I put on a second load  but when that one was done I put it straight into the tumble dryer. I feel rubbish again this morning, I haven’t been well since I have become 80 I hope this isn’t what it’s going to be like from now on! H had this cold after me, he is completely better and has ridden his bike 4 days in a row doing around 200 miles. I haven’t the strength to get on the bike and my back is bad. When he had finished his ride this morning he had a cheese sandwich with beetroot. I had the same minus the 🍞 bread. I sat about all afternoon doing nothing much, got my washing in and it’s dry. I put the chicken in the oven and prepared the veg. I had a soak in the bath and I feel a bit better than I did this morning but I will be glad when my back improves. One good thing happened today, I found out who gave me the amerthyst pendant for my birthday with no gift tag on it. It was H’s Spanish teacher!!! We had roast chicken for dinner with veg. I have to go to work tomorrow, I hope I feel better than I do today.

Saturday

I got up at 6.15 after quite a good night considering how rubbish I feel. I had my breakfast and a coffee. As soon as it was light I hung out yesterday’s washing. When I came back in H had made me another coffee!! I wrote another dozen Christmas cards and then got dressed so I could walk to the post office to post them. It was nice to get some fresh air but now my back is painful as well as my throat and all my itches. When I got home I sat about till H had finished his 62.5 miles on his turbo trainer!! Then I heated the rest of yesterday’s soup and we had it for lunch. I looked out of the window when I was heating the soup and saw that my line had broken and my washing was all over the place! Only my 2 jumpers were on the lawn and they were dry and perfectly clean. The rest of the washing was hanging on the roses, in the shrubbery, and dangling on a short bit of lin. I got it all in and then H and I put up a new one. Luckily I had a spare. We had a glass of wine and I read my book.
It was pie for dinner with potato wedges and cauliflower cheese. We had apple and custard for pudding.

Friday

I didn’t wake up till 6.21!!! I woke H and went down, put the kettle on and also a load of washing. H came down, sliced off some bread and we had our breakfast. As soon as I had done I cleaned my teeth,dressed and we went for our weekly shop. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee. We had it with a mince pie. It’s another wet day!! I read my magazine and H went up to turbo. I made my first batch of soup of the season, we had it for lunch and it was delicious, there is enough left for us to have it again tomorrow. After lunch I set up our Christmas tree and decorated it. It looks nice. We had a glass of wine I vacuumed upstairs and then had a shower and washed my hair. For dinner tonight we are having paella and patatas bravas. With a pot of tea., I am still coughing and itchy. It’s getting on my nerves!!

Thursday..

I got up at 5.34 and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch, dressed etc, sorted my bag, made the bed and went to work. I had to walk to the carrots first and bunch 48 carrots and 8 bunches of purple carrots. After that it was 4 boxes of loose carrots and the men took me down to the yard to wash everything. It all took ages. When it was all done it was almost noon. I walked to the beetroot,picked 4 bunches and carried them to the leeks. I sharpened my knife and trimmed. 3 boxes before hometime. When I got home we had a coffee and a plate of cheese and biscuits. There was a ring at the door and it was Daughter with 2 bottles of bubbly!! She couldn’t stop so we only had a quick chat on the doorstep, ! She went to S W this morning and had lost half a pound. She was pleased with this after the week she’s had, as am I with the weight I have lost. This week I am 133.8 last week I was
134.4. When she left I walked into the lounge and the phone rang! I said , well at least we know it’s not daughter but it was!! She had forgotten to tell me something. At 3 o’clock we had a cup of tea, watched tipping point, had a bath and then I will cook dinner. We are having a minced beef sauce with over a jacket potato. The sauce is very tasty with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, broccoli,carrots and peas.

Wednesday

I got up at 5.30 and had 2 eggs for my breakfast. I packed my lunch, made the bed, dressed etc and got ready to go to work. In the shed where I put my wellies etc on was a banner when I arrived (happy 80th birthday) cards and chocolates on my chair plus last weeks wages. A nice welcome.
I had to go with Andy first and we trimmed leeks till coffee break then I had to walk to the carrots and pick 60 bunches of orange ones and 12 bunches of purple ones. Next it was a walk to the beetroot and I did 6 bunches of golden beetroot and 50 bunches of purple beetroot. I had only done 30 bunches when Andy arrived so we then did another 10 bunches each. When we had done Andy looked at his watch and it was 12.55 and time for me to go home. When I got home H made me a coffee and we tried my milk tray. I had a slice of stollen with my coffee it was yum. I wrote a few Christmas cards, we had a cup of tea, watched tipping point and then I had a bath. For dinner tonight we had mushrooms, tomatoes, chips and a cheesy garlic bread. I have still got a rash! And a dreadful cough. I hope I get some sleep tonight because I have to go to work again tomorrow.

Mundane life of an 80 year old

I got up at 6.30 and put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I hung the washing out when it was done, we had a coffee and I made the bed and did the ironing. It was a lovely sunny morning but not much wind. At 10 o’clock we got ready to go out. First we went to Morrison’s for a few things, we haven’t tried it before. From there we went to Taverham garden centre and went into a little tea shop at the back for a coffee and a scone. I forgot to say that we had only been out for a few minutes when it started to get a bit misty and a few miles further along the road it was a thick fog. We called in at the chemist on the way home. As soon as we were back I got my washing in again because there was no dry at all. I made us a cup of tea and we tried a slice of Morrison’s Stollen. It’s really delicious, we are both hooked. This afternoon I wrote several Christmas cards,had a shower and then a builder came round to to see about the pad he has to put down for our conservatory. When he left we had dinner which was salmon, jacket potatoes and a cauliflower cheese. My rash seems worse again today! I expect I will have to go back to the Doctors! I am going back to work tomorrow!!

The mundane life of an 80 year old.!! Monday.

I managed to lay in bed till almost 7. Today is my 80 th birthday 🎁. I have had a lovely day even though I still feel under the weather with a horrible cold which has made me really deaf! I’ve had some wonderful gifts with so much thought put into them. I have the most cards I have ever had. I had my usual egg for breakfast, tea and coffee. I haven’t really done much, mainly because of the weather. Our eldest son came round after he left off work and our other son went climbing this morning and now he has left to go back to London. It’s been lovely having him home for the weekend. I had salad for lunch and H had a bacon butty. I had a bath and then cooked dinner we had steak pie, potatoes and beans with a glass of Birthday wine.

Sunday.

I finally got to sleep around 4am.!! I was coughing so much my stomach muscles really ache. The good news is that my rash is easing up. I put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I hung the washing out even though it was rather dull but there was a very strong wind. We had a coffee and all just sat about till lunch time. Son and I had salad but H, who now is getting the dreaded cold didn’t want anything. However I made him a hot chocolate which he had with a mince pie. After lunch I rang my boss to tell him I would go back to work tomorrow but he wasn’t there so I left a message on his answer phone. He rang me back later and said I still sounded quite bad. Andrew was supposed to be on holiday next week but the boss had got him to change it to the following week in case I wasn’t back. As it’s my birthday tomorrow he said I need not go in I can enjoy breakfast in bed.( I don’t know who he thinks is going to get it for me 😆.) Anyway I don’t have to go to work till Wednesday now. It will be the first time I have ever had my birthday off when it’s not on a weekend. Our daughter and son in law came round with champagne, a dozen white roses and a balloon plus a bundle of cards which I will open tomorrow. I have already had my amber necklace. She also brought me a beautiful plant from our grandson and his partner. When they left I had my bath and cooked dinner. We had a strange meal for a Sunday! We had oxtail stew. I bought an oxtail from my butchers and cooked it quite slowly it was nice. I missed S C D yesterday but I have just watched the results.
Tomorrow I will be 80 !!

December 1st

Today is a red letter day for our family because our eldest granddaughter is getting married. The wedding was at Banham zoo. I got up at around 5.40 and had an egg for my breakfast. I put on a load of washing and when H came down we had a coffee. I did a bit of tidying up and at 9 went to the florist for our buttonholes. When we got home our son was up so we all had a coffee and then we got ready and at 11.30 we left. We arrived in plenty of time so had time to chat with other guests. The bride,groom and bridesmaid all looked amazing, the ceremony was lovely and the reception was great. We all had a lovely time and it all went so well. The food was delicious and there was loads of wine and bubbly for the toasts. Everyone was so friendly so the atmosphere was really good, music was great and the speeches gave everyone a surprise because the groom announced that our Grandaughter was 3 months pregnant!! Her sister was so excited when she heard the news (on Thursday but had to keep it secret) burst into tears bless her. She can’t wait to be an auntie. She shew me a load of baby gro’s on her phone and she had found one printed with Brussel sprouts which would be ideal for wearing at Christmas!! The baby isn’t due till June! Because I made the cake I was given a gift which is an afternoon tea for 2. There was also a thank you card in which she had written that I will be able to go out and eat cake that someone else had made. When we got home H made a pot of tea and he and son watched a film while I went upstairs to watch I’m a celebrity. I have had a really lovely day despite my itches .