Last day of the year.

I got up at 5.20 and put on a load of washing. I had egg 🥚 on toast for breakfast with a mug of tea. I hung out the washing when it was done and H and I went to Asda . I unpacked as soon as I got home and read my tele magazine. We had a small coffee and I made the bed while H got the bikes out of the  garage. As around 9.40 we all got ready to go out on our bikes. We did 48 and a bit miles off road. We went from ours to Reepham, just doing a short road bit from Whitwell. Then to Aylsham railway station for a coffee and then on to Wroxham station. We turned round and went back to Aylsham station where we had another drink and H had a toasted tea cake and I had a bowl of cheesy chips.  After that it was the 16 miles home from there . It was a nice day to do it, the track was in fair condition, only muddy in a few places and we had a lot of sun. When we got home I made a pot of tea and got the washing in. Now I am cooking dinner, we are having sirloin steaks with mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and leeks. I am going up for my soaps when I have finished my dinner.
           HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Back to work, Monday

 I got up at 5.50, put on a load of washing and had a duck egg on toast for breakfast with a cup of tea. I packed my lunch, made my bed, dressed etc, hung out the washing and got ready to go to work. H went out front while I was hanging out the washing to scrape the ice off the car and turn it round for me but when I went out he said we had a problem. There was a light on on the dash. We got the book out to see what the light meant and it would have been one of three things! He tried the easy thing first while I was ringing my boss to tell him I would be late. Anyway we struck it lucky and solved the problem. I went off straight away and arrived at work at 8.03. The boss was pleased to see me because we were very busy. He said if I couldn’t have got the car started he would have sent his wife to pick me up! I had to go straight to leeks . I trimmed 4 boxes before the men joined me and we had to have 5 for the first delivery so we all filled another and went to celeriac for 20 kgs of them. We had our break and then washed and packed parsnips, carrots 🥕 ( bunched and loose, orange and purple) leeks and celeriac. As soon as we had loaded the 2 vans so the boss and his wife could deliver them we all went back to leeks and trimmed them for the rest of the morning. When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a mince pie and a load of chocolate, nuts etc. Our son went out for a walk and when he came back he got ready and went climbing. When he got home at 6 o’clock we had dinner. It was chicken, potatoes, cabbage cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, leeks and swede with gravy. It was all very nice. I don’t have to go to work again till Thursday so tomorrow we are going on a long bike ride.

Sunday

I got up at 10 past 6 and made a bowl of porridge for breakfast. For some reason it was far too thick!! I could almost have cut it up and eaten it with a knife and fork! It was horrible. I also had a mug of tea . I just sat and read my book after that till everyone else was up then I did a bit of clearing up. We had a coffee and I made the bed. H got ready to ride his normal 100 km upstairs and I got sons and my bike out of the garage ready for us to go for a bike ride. We decided that as it’s been dry for a couple of days we would try the railway line. It was pretty good, a bit muddy in places but we enjoyed it. We did 19 and a half miles. As soon as we got home I made son a salad, H some turkey sandwiches and then sent no 1 son a message to tell him we were home because he said he was coming round. I had a turkey sandwich and made more for son and daughter in law. When they arrived I made a pot of tea we all had a chat and they were here for a while. When they left I had to cook dinner, cottage pie. I fried an onion, then added the mince and cooked it with a chopped carrot and some peas. Added the stock and then cooked some veg. The potatoes for the top. Son is off potatoes so I also cooked a cauliflower. My daughter suggested it and it worked well. I also cooked carrots and sprouts.when it was all cooked I mashed the potatoes and spread them over half, then mashed the cauliflower and spread it on the other end, covered it all in grated cheese and popped it under the grill to brown off, it was nice and son said his end of the pie was very nice. We had yogurt for pudding. Tomorrow I have to go to work.

Saturday

I got up at 6.15 and put on a load of washing. I made a pot of tea but waited till H got up before having my breakfast because I wanted toast. I hung the first load of washing out and then did a second load. I hung that out too. We had a coffee and I got the bins in and H and I got our bikes out of the garage. At 9.30 we got ready to go out on our bikes with our daughter and son in law. We met them at 10. We did a road ride.25. 22 miles. It was very enjoyable. My bike suddenly seized up with about 8 miles to go.we struggled to see what the problem was but it turned out to be a little “ pin” that links your chain together. It was coming out and catching on my pedal. H, who is brilliant had a link remover in his backpack and a spare link so he was able to repair it! When we got home we had cheese and biscuits for lunch (son was out climbing) with some Christmas chutney. I got my washing in but it was still quite damp, there wasn’t much dry out. Son had a salad when he came home and I made a turkey stew for dinner. I had 2 tangerine’s and an apple for my pudding. H poured me a glass of wine. I will be glad when all the Christmas stuff has gone and I can get back on my diet. My will power is nil! Son says he and I are going to try Marriotts Way tomorrow as we have had a couple of days with no rain it might have dried out a bit.

Friday. (Dip day)

I got up at 7.15 after a pretty good sleep, put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea and a bowl of porridge for breakfast. When the washing was done and son was up I put it all in the tumble drier and dried it. We all had a coffee and I made the bed, took the rubbish out then I took the bin to the front ready for tomorrow. I took 3 fillet steaks out of the freezer for dinner tonight and cut the rest of the meat off the turkey carcass and froze it. As 12 o’clock we all got ready to go to Cromer. I put my swimsuit on under my clothes and we were all ready at 12.15 so off we went. After we had parked we went to Mary Janes for chips and went to sit overlooking the sea to eat them. Our daughter, son in law and youngest granddaughter plus their 2 dogs joined us. When we had finished our chips we went onto the beach and walked along for a bit till we were away from the where most of the people were and then we took our top clothes off and 3 of us ran into the sea. It was really strange, by the time we got up to our hips none of us could feel our legs! Daughter and I dipped right in up to our ears but son dived over backwards and went right under.! I am so pleased with myself, it’s something  I’ve always wanted to do  but it’s all to organised now with hundreds turning up and we didn’t want to be on tv. So we waited a day and did it on our own. We all enjoyed it and plan to do it again next year. When we got home we had a cup of tea and a glass of Christmas wine. I had a bath and washed my hair. Next I cooked dinner, fillet steaks ( which were delicious) jacket potatoes, peas and salad. My back is so much better than yesterday but not right. I am now going to watch Corrie.

Boxing Day ( Thursday)

.I got up at 6.15 and made a pot of tea. I couldn’t face porridge so H cut me off a slice of bread and I had toast. I have done very little all day apart from eat, because my back is so painful. I tried doing a bit of clearing up in the garden because that normally helps but it poured with rain so I had to go in. I wasn’t able to garden long enough. For lunch I made vegetable soup. Son is now not eating potatoes so I couldn’t put any in. It seemed a very smooth soup. I sat all afternoon doing nothing H had his exercise on the turbo. For dinner tonight we had turkey 🦃 again, with veg and gravy. For dessert we had cold Christmas pudding with ice cream and cream. Tomorrow we are going to the seaside!

Christmas Day

I got up at 3.30 to put the turkey in the oven but went back to bed till 6 o’clock. I put on a load of washing and had porridge for breakfast. When everyone else got up we opened our presents and all had a glass of Buck’s Fizz. Our daughter, son in law and youngest granddaughter all came round baring gifts. Our dinner was good and everything came together at the right time. Our grandson and his partner came round this afternoon so that was great, they were just off for a walk when they left us. Normally I would have gone with them but my back is playing up a bit so I rested. I think it’s feeling better already. For tea H had a turkey sandwich and son and I had salad with sliced turkey. I was too full for a slice of Christmas cake. Oh at dinner time we had Christmas pudding, H and son had cream on theirs but I had gravy as usual. Sons pudding was gluten free. I am watching Emmerdale but I am going down when it’s over to watch Gavin and Stacey with the others.
Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

I got up at 6.15.! It was nice to sleep a bit longer than I usually do but I really wanted to get up earlier today because I had to go to the butchers. I put on a load of washing.I was almost ready when H got up, I told him I was just off and he insisted on going with me. So then I had to wait for him to get ready etc. Anyway when we got home he had his breakfast and made us a coffee. It had stopped raining and the sun came out so I hung out the washing. I had checked my phone and no more rain was forecast. I got my bike out of the garage ready to go for a ride with no 2 son, the sky turned a bit dark but it was very windy so I thought it would blow over. WRONG! The next minute it poured and my washing got soaked. We waited another hour and everywhere was very wet so we had our lunch before riding. H was riding upstairs. Son and I just did 15.5 miles on the road but is was so wet and muddy we were filthy when we got back. The bikes had to be hosed down! When we got back we had just missed no 1 son and his wife who had been round with our Christmas presents. We didn’t know they were coming, it’s a good job H stayed at home. I had a shower and watched a bit of tv before getting dinner. We had sausages, bacon, eggs with roast carrots,sweet potato, mushrooms, cauliflower and sprouts. We had a magnum classic for dessert and a cup of tea. I am now going to watch Eastenders.

Monday.

I got up at 5.30, had tea and toast for breakfast, packed my lunch, put on a load of washing and a load in the tumble dryer. I sorted my work bag etc and got ready to go to work.   It was a great journey into work because there was hardly any traffic on the road. When I got there the boss said we were busy. I was pleased because the time goes so quickly then. I had to get 36 bunches of carrots and 3 boxes of leeks before the men reached me and I was on the last leek as they drove up. We went to the wash pit and washed and packed my carrots and leeks, their celeriac, swedes and parsnips then had our break. After break we packed it all put it in the 2 vans, one for the boss to the deliver and the other for his wife to do the honour ‘s. We went back to the top of the field for 3 boxes of purple beetroot, 1 box of golden beetroot and 5 boxes of swedes. We took it all back to the yard, washed and packed it and it was almost time to go home. The homeward journey was awful, so busy. First I couldn’t get out of the works gate, then I couldn’t get over the Cromer road it was so busy. It was the same at all my junctions and it took me over twice as long as usual to get home.When I got home son had gone to the City. H made me a coffee and we had some lunch. I sat and read most of the afternoon, we had a glass of wine. At 4 I made a pot of tea. I had a bath and then cooked dinner. We had gammon steaks, potato wedges, sweet potato wedges, peas, mushrooms and eggs. It was stewed blackberry and apple with cream for dessert. I don’t have to work any more till next Monday.

Sunday.

I got up at 5.30 and put on a load of washing. I had porridge and a mug of tea for breakfast. I then just sat and read my book till he others got up . H made me a coffee and I emptied the dishwasher and put everything away. As 10 o’clock we popped to the shop because we didn’t have enough dishwasher tablets to last over Christmas. When we got home H and son had a coffee but I didn’t because son and I were going for a walk. H didn’t want to come because he’s not keen on walking. He had an hour on the turbo instead. We had a very nice walk around Ringland hills. It was pretty windy but we were sheltered in the woods. It was very wet and muddy underfoot. On the way there we had to drive through a huge flood and we passed loads of fields that were underwater. We saw no other walkers while we were out. When we got home I got son a salad for lunch and H and I had a bagel. Later on we all had a glass of wine and I put the meat in the oven and prepared the vegetables. I had a chat with our daughter about a few upcoming events. She Hasán nasty flu like thing at the moment so I hope it’s gone for Christmas. For dinner tonight we had roast pork with mashed and roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots,broccoli and leeks with gravy. Pineapple for pudding. We also had a pot of tea. I just went downstairs and caught H and son eating chocolates off the Christmas tree! Tomorrow I have to go to work.

Saturday.

I got up at 5.50 and so did H. We both had porridge and tea for breakfast. He also had 2 slices of toast. I put on a load of washing and the tumble dryer. As soon as I had cleaned my teeth I dressed and went to Tesco’s to get the things I forgot to buy yesterday.I got home and I unpacked and put everything away and H made us a coffee. He then went up to ride 50 miles! While he was up there I vacuumed all upstairs, then all downstairs. I made a beef stew for dinner tonight and washed the kitchen and toilet floors. I sorted our bins out and folded the dry washing and put it in the airing cupboard. I dusted and put up the cards the postman brought. I had a text from no 2 son to say he was on his way and a phone call from no 1 son to say he was going to cycle round as the sun was shining. H finished his ride and we had a coffee. No 2 son arrived, looking well. I made him a salad and H and I had liver pate on French toast. When son had finished his, he got changed ready to go for a run 🏃‍♀️ but before he left no 1 son arrived. He said it was very muddy! His bike and boots were covered in mud. H made us all a drink and I cut the Christmas cake. When no 1 left no 2 went for his run and I went upstairs for a bike ride. I did 12.5 miles in 37 minutes so my average was 20.3 mph. I had a shower and son came back from his run, he had done 3.5 miles in 28 minutes. So we have all had some exercise today. H and I had a glass of wine, H opened the crisps! He thinks it’s already Christmas! The beef stew was delicious, it was pineapple for pudding.

Last Friday before Christmas 🎄.

I got up at 5.50 and put yesterday’s washing into the tumble dryer. I had toast and marmite with a mug of tea. As soon as I had done I got ready to go to Asda. It was busy and I was in there ages. It was pouring with rain and H came looking for me with an umbrella ☔️ to shelter me on the way back to the car. When we got home we unpacked and put everything away. We had a coffee, I read my magazine and then wrote a list with all the things I should have bought today but forgot. I wrapped my last 3 presents and we had another coffee. Next I stripped the bed and unwrapped the new duvet set. I made the bed up again and struggled putting the duvet cover on but it looks nice. I hung up some more cards that we received in the post, one was from New Zealand. For lunch we had French stick with butter, ham, cheese and mustard, and a cup of soup. H went up for a ride on zwift and I iced the Christmas cake. When he finished his ride I changed to have a ride. I did 21.4 miles. When I finished I had a bath, washed my hair and we had a glass of wine. Next we watched tipping point and I cooked dinner. We had fish and chips with buttered French stick. No 1 son rang to say he will pop round tomorrow with our Christmas card and no2 son is coming home tomorrow morning, he was coming this evening but it’s still raining where he is so he thought it would be better in the light. I have just seen a picture of our daughter and it looks as if she has sprouted antlers for Christmas 🎄 I guess she must be helping Santa pull his sleigh!!!

Thursday. .

I got up at 5.30 and put on a load of washing and yesterday’s into the tumble dryer. I had my breakfast and packed my lunch, sorted my work bag, made the bed, dressed and got ready to go to work. I took Christie, James and Nova’s Christmas presents with me because I was calling in at theirs on my way home. When I got to work there was already a list laying on my chair of what I had to do.
168 bunches of carrots, 65 bunches of purple ones and 8 boxes of leeks! I got on well with the orange carrots and had done 144 bunches when the men came up to join me. I was pleased when I found out they were going to stay and help. It took ages to do the purple ones because they were all twisted and full of fangs.  We went down for our break because it was 10.25. I had to walk to the leeks after that and I had done 2 boxes when Andy joined me, Andrew was left in the yard to wash everything. When we finished the 8 boxes of leeks it was 12.30 so we had time to lift and trim 70 celeriac. When I left off the boss gave me my wage packet with my 4 days pay which is handy, that extra days pay at Christmas. Then he gave me my Christmas card and inside was £120 Christmas box. Next I went to our granddaughters where our daughter, both granddaughters and our great granddaughter were. I had a cup of tea and a cake and a cuddle with the most gorgeous baby 👶🏻. When I got home H made me a cup of coffee and I had a bath. We watched tipping point and I cooked dinner. We had liver, fried leeks and potatoes. I have tomorrow off but I have to work Monday.

Wednesday.

I got up at 4 because I had a dreadful stomach ache. I didn’t bother to go back to bed because I knew I wouldn’t get back to sleep. I put on a load of washing and had a slice of toast. I had to pack my lunch etc. for work but I wasn’t sure I would be able to stay. The boss sent me to trim leeks on my own. I had to walk back for break and then walk back again afterwards. I had to smile, it was like being made to sit on the naughty step for the carrots I did wrong yesterday. Then he told me he would have me in to work on Monday! I was hoping to have that off. When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a slice of corned beef and a mince pie with it. I just sat all afternoon doing nothing because I feel so tired. After tipping point I had a bath and cooked dinner, chicken curry. I am watching my soaps next but I don’t hold out much hope of staying awake. I have to work again tomorrow.

Tuesday.

I got up at 5 o’clock and put yesterday’s washing in the tumble dryer. I had tea and toast for breakfast, packed cheese and tomato with a bottle of water for lunch. I just sat and read my book till 7 and then I dressed, made the bed and went to work. I had to do bunched carrots, the boss had lifted 4 rows on a new bed ant I had to do them. Well it was a nightmare! They were so thick with mud I couldn’t see what they looked like. I found hundreds of marked and blemished ones which I left behind. I only did 108 bunches in 2 hours which is slow for me. The trouble is the boss went up on his tractor, lifted them and drove off again, he didn’t check what what they were like. When I got back to the yard I told him I wasn’t happy with them and he said I should have gone back to the old ones! I said I hoped de would come to see me and what they were like, and he said he couldn’t be everywhere at once, but he had been sitting in the bungalow. Anyway I laid some of them out to be washed and then we all had our break while we were having it the boss washed my bunches I had laid out and they are awful! I think we will have to throw them all away!! We all went back to carrots where the men picked 11 boxes of loose carrots and I picked 132 bunches of carrots off the old bed and a box and a half of loose ones. We went down and washed everything, packed a few up and it was time for me to leave off. When I did I want to meet my sister in law to exchange Christmas gifts. I was cold and muddy so I didn’t hand about but came straight home. I had a splitting headache too. H made me a coffee and I sat and read my book. I had a slice of corned beef and a mince pie. We watched tipping point and I had a bath. I cooked dinner , we had jacket potatoes, cauliflower and carrots with smoked cod. I have to work again tomorrow.

Monday.

I got up at 5.30 and put on a load of washing. I had tea and toast for breakfast and packed celery and cheese for my lunch. I was going to hang the washing out but it was too dark for me to see up the garden path. I made the bed, dressed etc and got ready to go to work. I had to walk to carrots first but only needed 24 bunches of orange ones and 12 bunches of purple ones. As soon as they were done I had to walk to leeks and trim them till the men came to collect me. I had trimmed 2 and a half boxes. We all went down to the yard and washed the turnips and celeriac the men had trimmed and my leeks. I laid out the bunched carrots for washing and we had our break. After that I had to walk back to leeks and trim them for the rest of the morning. The men joined me and we had done 16 boxes by home time. When I got home H made me a drink ( soup) and I had a mince pie. H had rubbish u tube on tv so I sat and read my book. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had Cornish pasties, corn 🌽 on the cob and grilled tomatoes. Tomorrow I have to go to work again. I can’t remember the last time I worked on a Tuesday. I don’t think I will be able to ride my bike at all this week! H hung the washing out for me and I got it in at 2 o’clock. It was still very wet so I will tumble it in the morning.

Sunday.

I got up at 6.30 and made porridge for breakfast with a cup of tea. H got up at 8 o’clock. I went to the garage for the stepladder so H could get our Christmas tree out of the loft. As soon as he had had done it I put it all together, untangled the lights and decorated the tree. When it was done ( it took over an hour) I carried the vacuum cleaner downstairs and vacuumed everywhere. It took ages to get all the little bits of tinsel cleaned up. H was on the turbo. When he finished we had our lunch , coffee cheese straws and a mince pie. This afternoon our daughter and son in law came round, we had a cup of tea and a chat. We won’t see them again till Christmas morning. When they left H and I watched a Columbo, I had a shower and cooked dinner. We had ribeye steaks chips and peas. Tomorrow I have to work.

Saturday

I got up at 6.20 and put on a load of washing. I had toast for breakfast with a cuppa. I hung the washing out when it was done and I also hung out yesterday’s. We had a coffee and H got the bikes out of the garage. He gave them a bit of a wipe down and checked the tyres etc. We had to leave home at 9.15 because we were meeting Hs Spanish teacher because she wanted to go for a bike ride. She said she hadn’t been on her bike for ages. We did 16 miles altogether but only 7 with her. Because H and I cycle such a lot we are quite fit, but we were happy to ride along slowly with her. The trouble was it was a cold morning and going so slowly I got really cold. She was boiling! We had to walk up 2 hills! I was freewheeling up some. When we left her we were able to go faster and I warmed up a bit. When we got home I made us a coffee and we had cheese straws and a mince pie for lunch. After that we put the bikes away and I did a bit of clearing up in the garden. I got the washing in, had a bath and washed my hair. I cooked dinner , chicken and leek pie with cabbage, carrots and potatoes. I forgot to say that on our way home a sparrow hawk shot across the road in front of us with a blackbird clutched in its claws. I think we took it by surprise because it almost dropped it’s prey, landed on the floor in front of us, let it slip and then both flew away. So the lucky blackbird was safe, but the poor hawk went hungry. Now I am watching the final of S C D. Soon it will be dancing on ice.

Thursday.

I got up at 5.30 and had tea and toast for breakfast. I packed my lunch, dressed, made the bed and then watched tv till it was time for me to go to work. Before I had my breakfast I weighed myself and was pleased to find I had lost over a pound. Last week I was 135.4 lbs and this week I am 133.8 lbs. when I got to work I had to pick48 bunches of carrots and 16 bunches of purple ones. Luckily Andy joined me as I got to the purple ones so he forked them up for me. We were both so cold 🥶 my hands were freezing and I struggled to tie the string. Next we were supposed to pick 10 boxes of kale but when we got to it it was frozen and full of ice so we dragged the fleece off the turnips and trimmed 2 boxes of them. We went back to the kale and it had melted enough for us to shake it off. But because of that it took us longer to harvest. We went back to the yard and it was coffee time. Next  we had to pull up 3 boxes of parsnips, 6 boxes of loose carrots, 2 more bunches of carrots and 3 boxes of leeks. We just got it all done and it was my home time. When I got home I walked in and the first thing I smelled was popcorn! H had made a bowl full. He made me a coffee and we had it with the popcorn which was still warm ( and yummy). We watched tele and I slowly warmed up. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had chicken curry. I don’t have to work again till Monday, but I will be working 4 days next week.

Wednesday.

I got up at 5.40, and put on a load of washing and then I had toast and tea for breakfast. I sat and watched tv till 6.50 then I packed my lunch, made my bed, dressed and hung out the washing. My eye still looks horrible! I hope it clears up soon, it actually looks worse today. H got up at 7.15 , he said he overslept! He warmed the car up for me and scraped the ice off and I went to work. I had to go with Andy and we had to pick 20 bunches of beetroot. Then 96 bunches of carrots and 12 bunches of purple ones. Oh and a box of loose beetroot.  We took them all to the yard and I laid out the bunched beet ready for washing and we had our break. After break I had to walk to leeks and trim them. I did 4 boxes before Andy joined me. At 12.20 we had to go to beetroot and pick 3 more boxes of loose beetroot. When I got home I H made me a coffee and after I had washed and changed we went to the post office to collect a parcel. When we got home we had a glass of wine and watched tipping point. I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had fish cakes jacket potatoes and baked beans, all washed down with a big mug of tea. I have to work again tomorrow.

Tuesday

I got up just before 6 and put on a load of washing. I made porridge for breakfast and a pot of tea. As soon as the washing was done I hung it out right away because it was really windy and was supposed to be raining by 11am. H got up at 7.15 and had his breakfast. When I cleaned my teeth and brushed my hair I noticed that I must have a burst blood vessel in my left eye! It’s awful, all the white of my eye looks like a red lump. It doesn’t hurt but it feels peculiar. We had a coffee and at around 10 o’clock he went up to turbo. While he was up there I did some dusting and put up the Christmas cards that we have received so far. I put the marzipan on the Christmas cake and then made some beetroot soup. It was very nice, the first time I have tried beetroot in a soup, it also had an apple, an onion and a potato plus herbs and spices. When H finished his ride he had a shower and then the soup and a coffee. At 2 o’clock I had a ride on zwift. I did 4 laps of the Greater London flat. (31.6 miles) my average speed was 19.6 mph. I had a shower when I had done and then made a pot of tea. No 1 son came round because he wanted me to print something off for him. He had a coffee and a chat  but then it was his and our dinner time so he had to go. For dinner tonight we had quiche with potatoes and cauliflower. I baked apples for pudding and we had them with ice cream. I got my washing in at 11am and 5 minutes later it was raining. Tomorrow I have to go to work.

Monday.

I got up at 5.30 and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch and sorted my bag, dressed etc and sat and read till it was time for me to leave. The boss gave me a list when I arrived and all it said was 20 bunches of beetroot, 10 bunches of purple carrots and then leeks. It was blowing a gale all morning and we had pouring rain and at one point a hail storm. It was freezing cold and such hard work just managing to stand up and walk. Because of all the rain the fields are like a bog! I was really glad to get home. H made me a coffee and I had a slice of corned beef. I just sat watching tv all afternoon trying to get warm. I felt better after a bath. We watched tipping point and then I cooked dinner. We had pasta in a beef sauce. I now have my pj’s on and I am going to watch my soaps in comfort. We wanted to go out on our bikes tomorrow but the forecast is rubbish! I think I will have to do a few miles tomorrow upstairs. I must also make my Christmas present list so I can see who else I have to buy for. I am not doing very well so far.

Sunday.

I got up at 7 after I had heard H moving around. I put on a load of washing and made porridge for breakfast with a cup of tea. I hung out the washing and we had a coffee. H went up to turbo and I vacuumed upstairs. I got out my wooden Christmas tree 🎄 and put the wreath on the wall at the front. Since we had a new door I can’t hang it there. H got my bike out of the garage and put my wheel back in for me before he went upstairs. I got ready and went out on my bike. I did 17.19 miles. To make sure I had done my 81 miles for the week. When I added it up I had done just over 84 this week. It wasn’t very nice, the wind was very strong and the sun was low making in hard to see where I was going at times . I stopped at the crab house and bought a crab for my lunch. When I got home H was still riding, I put my bike away and did some work in the garden till H tapped on the window to let me know he had finished. I put my garden tools away and by the time I got indoors he had made us a coffee. We had some soup. I haven’t done much this afternoon, just had a bath and washed my hair. For dinner tonight we had haddock, chilli potato wedges and baked beans. I put too much chilli 🌶 on the wedges!🥵 😄. We had a cup of tea and a yogurt. I am now going up to watch S C D results. Tomorrow I am going to work.

Saturday

 I got up at 5.10 and put yesterday’s washing into the tumble dryer. When H got up  stripped the bed and put on a load of washing. I had porridge for breakfast with a cup of tea. I wrote some more Christmas cards , hung out todays washing and filled my peanut feeder. We had a coffee and I got our bikes out of the garage. We got ready to go out on our bikes. We were going to ride what we call our 26 . It’s quite hilly and we were on mountain bikes with knobbly tyres so we thought we would do well if we could do it in 2 hours and when we got home it had taken us 1 hour and57 minutes.  As we were turning into the car park at the back of our house my back tyre went down! How lucky was that, we could have been miles from home and it would have been horrible changing it on the side of the road. H took my wheel out and I put the bikes away. As soon as I had washed my hands I got lunch, we had cheese and ham rolls with a cup of coffee. A banana for dessert. I got the washing in and tumbled it for a few minutes just to air it and we made the bed up again. We had a glass of wine and I had a bath and cooked dinner we had a steak and onion pie with potatoes, carrots and cauliflower. I only just finished mine in time to go up and watch strictly come dancing. I hope the weather won’t stop me from going out on my bike tomorrow. I only have to do 17 miles to get my 81 miles for the week. If it’s wet I will have to ride indoors. H mended my puncture and it’s stayed up .

Friday.

I got up at 5.50, put on a load of washing and then had my breakfast. As soon as I had finished and cleaned my teeth I went up and dressed and we went to Asda. I bought 6 bottles of wine and got 25% off. When we got home we unpacked and put everything away and had a coffee. I read my magazine. At 9.45 we went to Aylsham so H could go to the bank. I went to the post office and posted a card to New Zealand and bought some stamps for my cards. I also went to the butchers and bought some chicken breasts in a satay sauce. We went to the greengrocers for some fruit and then home calling in at the chemist on the way for my boss pills. When we got home I made lunch which was ham and cheese in a French stick 🥖 with butter and mustard. As soon as we had done H went up to turbo. While he was up there I vacuumed all downstairs, swept and washed the kitchen and toilet floors. When that was done I went outside because it had stopped raining and I cleared a small border under the conservatory windows. It was full of bedding begonias. I put them in at the end of May and they lasted till the frost we had at the weekend. They have been a picture and so pretty for so long. When H finished I went in and had a turbo myself. I did just over 20 miles in just over an hour. When I finished I had a shower and a glass of wine. H made a pot of tea and we had a cup later.
My phone is not working! It’s a bit of a pain because our daughter is in London and one of our sons is on holiday and it’s only my phone that is connected to our printer so now we can’t print things. I cooked dinner which was chicken and chips. If my phone is not working in the morning I will have to make an appointment at the Apple store.

Thursday.

I got up at5.50 and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch, dressed, made the bed and went to work. Our car wasn’t frozen up at all but when I got to work ( 7 miles away) everything was frosty. The puddles were iced over and the grass was white. I had to pick 12 bunches of orange carrots and 32 bunches of purple carrots. Andy joined me after he had cut a few cabbages. Next we had to harvest 6 boxes of loose carrots and 6 boxes of parsnips. By the time we had done that it was five past ten so we had our break. When we had done we had to wash all the bunched and loose carrots and the parsnips. After that we went to leeks where we had to trim 8 boxes which we thought we would struggle to get but when we had done it was only 12.35 so we checked Andy list for the afternoon and it said 49 celeriac so we went there, dug them out and trimmed them. I love the smell of them. We went back to the yard and I went to the shed where I took off my wellies, plastic trousers and coat and the boss gave me my wages and I went  home. When I got home H made me a coffee and we had a slice of fruit loaf. I had a nice soak in the bath which warmed me up. For dinner tonight we had potato wedges, cauliflower, peas and cheese and onion pasties. It was just yogurt for pudding. Work on Monday again for me.

Wednesday.

I got up at 5.35 and put on a load of washing before having tea and toast for breakfast. I packed my lunch , made my bed, dressed, hung out the washing and went to work. I had to go with Andy right away because a customer wanted 10 boxes of Kale and 20 bags of turnips. First we picked the kale while our hands were clean and next we trimmed all the turnips. We took everything down to the yard and washed it then packed it. By the time we had finished it was break time. After break I had to walk to beetroot and do 30 bunches. Then on to carrots  🥕 Andy joined me and we did we did 90 bunches. We had to take them to the yard and wash them all, by the time that was done it was time for me to go home. When I got home H made me a coffee and we had cheese and biscuits for lunch we had a glass of wine and then a cup of tea.i sat all afternoon feeling shattered, work takes it out of me. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had bacon,eggs, potatoes and cauliflower. This was because I forgot to take anything out of the freezer this morning. But it was delicious so it didn’t matter. I also got the washing in fairly dry. I have to work again tomorrow.

My 81st birthday 🎂 😊

I have told everybody today that I can’t believe I am 81! I only feel 80! 😆 I have had a lovely day. I got up at 7 am after a really good sleep 💤, over 7 hours which it really long for me. I made porridge for breakfast and opened my cards and presents when H got up. We had a coffee and he went up to turbo. I did a bit of clearing up in the garden and then made some date scones which turned out well. When he finished we had a coffee and then I heated up yesterday’s leftover soup for our lunch. When I had eaten mine I went up to change so I could turbo. I did 10 miles when our  no1 son and his wife arrived. I had to stop. H made us a cup of tea and we had scones. They were here for quite a while so when they left I carried on with my ride and did another 11 miles. I did 21.2 miles av 19.8 mph. When I finished I had a nice soak in a bright pink bath that smelled gorgeous thanks to my youngest granddaughter and her bath bomb. Next I cooked dinner, we had lasagna and peas. No 2 son rang to wish me happy birthday 🥳 so my day is complete. We enjoyed a glass of Spanish wine thanks to our grandson and his partner. And an after dinner chocolate thanks to our daughter who is trying to fatten me up! Tomorrow I have to work.

Monday

I got up at 5.40, put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch, dressed, made the bed and got ready to go to work. I bought a new work bag  on Friday because the zip had gone on my old one so I transferred all the rubbish I take with me from the old bag to the new. Rubber gloves, paracetamol, antihistamine tablets, tissues, rubber bands etc etc.
When I got to work the boss said nobody wanted much today, so I just had to pick 20 bunches of beetroot, 24 bunches of carrots and then trim leeks. I had done 2 boxes of leeks when Andy came to pick me up. We had to go to the yard cutting 10 fennel on the way down. We washed and packed everything and loaded it into the van so the boss could deliver it. We had our coffee break and both went back to the leeks and trimmed them for the rest of the morning. I think we did another 12 boxes.  When I got home H made me a coffee. Our son had gone for a walk so I got straight on with making some soup for our lunch. The soup was nice, onion and sweet potato with a bit of celery.  This afternoon son and I played crib, I won the first game! He won the second so we had to have a tie breaker and he won!😕. When we finished I prepared the veg for dinner, made a pot of tea and cooked dinner. We had sausages, ribs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, fried onions and potatoes. We had blackberry and apple ‘stew’ for pudding with ice cream and fresh cream. Our son is going back to London this evening so I am waiting till he’s gone before I have my shower. I have to work again on Wednesday.

Sunday.

I got up just after 7 and put on a load of washing. I had a cup of tea but nothing to eat I was still full from last night. We had a coffee and when the washing was done I hung it out.
H went up to turbo so I vacuumed all downstairs. When I had done I began to write my Christmas cards. I write letters in lots of them so it takes ages for me to write them all but I have made a start. When H finished his ride I went up and changed so I could turbo for an hour or so. I found it hard work! I had the window wide open but there was no wind at all so I was far too hot. I rode 22 miles so I have started my December miles. We were having mutton for dinner and I like to cook it slowly so I put it in the oven at 2 o’clock . I had a shower and H and I had the rest of the pork pie for our lunch. Son had gone climbing. I wrote a few more cards and then put all the roasties in the oven. I peeled potatoes for mash and apples for stewed apple with blackberries. When son got home I cooked the veg, made a pot of tea and poured the wine. So for dinner we had. Lamb with mint sauce, mashed potato with turnip, cauliflower and sprouts, roast potatoes, roast carrots and gravy. With our blackberry and apple we had ice cream and squirty cream. I am now going to watch S C D results. We were out yesterday so I missed it . Tomorrow I have to work.

Saturday

I got up at 10 past  six and had my breakfast. As soon as I had done I went up and dressed so we could go shopping. After Asda we went straight to our butchers where I ordered our Christmas turkey 🦃,our steaks, sausages, bacon, sausage meat etc. I also bought meat for the weekend and some to fill the freezer. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee. I sat tend drank mine while I read my magazine. Next I emptied the dishwasher and put everything away. Our son got up, had his breakfast and then we all got ready to go out on our bikes. We went to Whitwell station, got on the road to pass the bridge and back on track and round the back of Reepham school to the station. We had a cup of tea and son had a slice of avocado 🥑 and courgette cake. It sounds awful but was delicious. The track was pretty muddy so we were in a right mess when we got home. I cleaned myself up a bit and got lunch, H and I had pork pie with sauce and olives, and son had a salad. When we had finished H and I had a bath and relaxed till it was time to get ready to go out for my birthday meal. We went to the newly vamped Rat Catchers in Cawston. We sat at the bar and our other son and his wife arrived next and then other six all arrived together. We all had a drink and were shown to our table. We all had starter, main course and a dessert, it was all very nice. We are all stuffed! When we left the Rats it was a clear sky and as there are no street lights in the area you could see the stars well so on the way home we drew into a lay-by and we all got out to do a bit of star gazing. It was amazing, we saw Taurus ♉️, the seven sisters, the plough and O’Ryan’s belt. The temperature was down to 1.5 degrees c. Our car was covered in frost. When we got home I went up to watch I’m a celebrity. I have had a nice day.

Black Friday

Today has been a great day. I got up at 6.15 had tea and toast for breakfast and then a small coffee. I put on a load of washing, made the bed and then dressed ready to drive to our daughters because we were going to the City to do our Christmas shopping. I left home at 8.23. We always go on Black Friday, it’s becoming a bit of a tradition. It started a few years ago with 2 of us( daughter and me) and we met another for lunch. But this year there were 5 of us, me, Daugter, 2 granddaughters and great granddaughter all wearing our Christmas jumpers. We got several comments! First we went to Costa for drinks and mince pies, then we shopped till 12.30 when we lunched at Jarrolds. After that more shopping and not arriving back at daughters till 3.30 ish.  We had a welcome cup of tea and then our youngest granddaughter gave me a manicure 💅🏻, it was lovely and she did a marvellous job. My nails look really nice and my hands feel great. When I left there it was around 4.45, I went to the chip shop and took fish and chips home for our tea. They were delicious. I walked 5 and three quarter miles today! So hopefully I worked off some of my lunch! When we had finished dinner I had a shower and watched my soaps.

Thursday.

I got up at 5.35 and put all yesterday’s washing into the tumble dryer. I made a pot of tea and had toast for breakfast. H got up at 6.20and had porridge. I packed some cheese and tomatoes with my bottle of water, dressed, made the bed and went to work. It was raining again! I had to do 22 bunches of beetroot, 30 bunches of carrots and 18 bunches of purple carrots. Next I trimmed leeks till the men picked me up so we could wash everything. We had our break and Andrew went off gardening and Andy and I packed 10 bags of turnips and he asked me where the golden beetroot were. Oops! I had forgotten to pick them! We had to go back past them on our way for more leeks so we stopped and picked 8 bunches. We trimmed 7 boxes of leeks, lifted 4 boxes of parsnips and harvested 12 fennel. It was time for me to go home. H made me a cup of soup for a change from coffee and I had a slice of corned beef. I had forgotten to get anything out of the freezer for dinner so we had sausages because I had 4 in the fridge. We had them with potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and garlic bread. I had a bath and washed my hair, after dinner I varnished my nails ready for Black Friday and got my Christmas jumper and trousers out of the wardrobe all ready for a quick getaway if I oversleep.

Wednesday

I got up at 5.20 and put on a load of washing. I had tea and toast for breakfast, packed my lunch, and quietly read my book till it was time for me to leave for work. The reason I sat quietly was because H said last night, if I don’t get up wake.me up at 7. Well  at 7 he was still fast asleep 💤 . I decided to leave him and go to work. On the way there I went through some floods! The boss said he had had an inch of rain overnight! The fields were running with water. I had to do 40 bunches of beetroot, 72 bunches of carrots 🥕 where Andy joined me. We kept getting stuck in the mud almost every step. Andy got both his feet stuck at the same time and by the time he had pulled his right foot out his left foot and leg were so deep there was only 4 inches of his wellie above the mud. I tried to pull him out but it was impossible. I had to get a spade off the trailer and he had to dig himself out. I was falling about laughing 😂. We also had to pick 12 bunches of purple carrots. We took everything to the yard, stacked it all on the barrow and had our break. Next we had to go back and harvest 22 celeriac, 25 fennel and 4 boxes of leeks. There was no way we could trim the leeks the boss had lifted it was far too sticky so we pulled them up off the next 8 rows. Because I had been laughing at Andy he thought he would get me back by picking me up and planting me in the mud where it was really gooey. But before he could drop me in it his foot suddenly went in (deep because of our combined weight) and he fell over! I had a nice soft landing, on top of him! Neither of us could get up, me because I was laughing too much and him because he was stuck in the mud again. We took everything to the yard, washed and packed it all and it was time for me to go home. When I got home(wet through) H was waiting for me at the door. He said he got up at 8.05, the heating coming on woke him up. We had a coffee and a buttered crumpet. I didn’t do much all afternoon because I was too knackered after fighting the mud for 5 hours. We watched tipping point, I had a nice soak in the bath and then chicken curry for dinner. I have the joy of work again tomorrow.

Tuesday

I got up at 6.30 and made a bowl of porridge for breakfast with a cup of tea. H got up an hour later. I did all my ironing, swept the kitchen floor and vacuumed upstairs. At 8.30 our son in law came round  to fit a kitchen cupboard. Well not just to fit a cupboard but to more or less make one in situ. It was an odd space by the back door and not a standard size. Well he has  done a fantastic job, it matches the rest of the kitchen and looks great. While he was here I had to go up to the  pain cave where I rode 31.1 miles. It took me just over an hour and a half. When I finished I had a shower and got lunch. We had salmon sandwiches, a mince pie and a coffee. When H had finished his he went up for a ride he was on a different course to me and his was really hard work. He had a shower and I made a pot of tea and we had a cup with a ginger biscuit. We watched tipping point and I cooked dinner. We had pork and apple burgers, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, peas, cauliflower, potatoes and garlic bread. So tasty! Tomorrow is going to be wet and I have to go to work.

Monday.

I got up at 5.30 and had my breakfast of tea and toast. I packed my cheese, tomatoes and water, dressed, made the bed and then sat and read my book till it was time for me to go to work. My back is not quite as painful today thank goodness.
I had to pick 30 bunches of beetroot, 30 bunches of carrots and 12 bunches of purple carrots. I had just finished packing them up when the men arrived. We loaded the trailer and went to the yard to wash and pack everything so the boss could go delivering. We all had our break and then Andrew went off gardening while Andy and I drove back up the field to trim leeks. We did 14 boxes before it was time for me to leave off. When I got home H made me a coffee and then he made some pop corn.
I listened to the Archers played 2 games of patience, made a pot of tea and read my book till it was time for tipping point. When that was over I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had fried liver with fried  onions, potatoes, cauliflower and carrots. I am going up for my soaps at 6.30.
I have to work again on Wednesday.

Sunday.

I got up at 5.15 because I have such a pain in my back I couldn’t sleep. I sat and read my book till H got up then we had our breakfast, porridge and tea. I had put on a load of washing and when it was light I hung it out. We had a coffee and I emptied the dishwasher and put everything away. H got our bikes out of the garage and made a loaf of bread. Also while he was out the front he washed the car. As 10 we got ready to go out on our bikes. H said we would try the track but if it was too wet we go onto the road and ride there. The track was surprisingly good so we stayed on it. It was nice to ride off road again, we haven’t been able to for a while. We got as far as Whitwell station but could go no further, the bridge was closed and is for the next 5 weeks. We went down some steps to the road and did a bit of a detour and then back onto the track and home. After about half an hour into our ride the weather deteriorated and, first a mist came down, became thicker and ended up as a drizzle. We did just over 19 miles which was enough to make my weeks miles up to just over 80. I got my washing in as soon as we were home and it was about the same as when I put it out. I put our bikes away and We had a coffee and a bagel with cheese for lunch also a mince pie. My back is so painful! It hasn’t been as bad as this bad for ages. I had a soak in the bath and laid on the sofa all afternoon. For dinner tonight we had baked potatoes, fish cakes, mushy peas, cauliflower and carrots. We had a cup of tea and now I am upstairs watching S C D results and trying to get comfortable.

Saturday.

I was going to lie in this morning but H got up at 6 so I did too. We both had porridge and tea for breakfast and then a coffee. We both sat and watched a bit of news on tv and when H went upstairs to turbo I went upstairs, dressed, made the bed and began to do some housework. When we buy something new H always keeps the boxes! So today while he was out of the way I managed to dump 4 of them. The kettle box the toaster box, the cafetière box and a saucepan box. 2 were on top of the kitchen cupboards and the other 2 were on the floor in the bedroom. I washed up the big things and cleaned the kitchen. I went to watch H a couple of times, he did so well, 100 k in 2 and a half hours! When he finished we had a coffee and a toasted bagel with butter and marmite. This afternoon I thought I had better go up for a ride so H set the machine up for me changing it to my weight and height. I rode for  exactly an hour and a half and did 30. 7 miles. I got os hot 🥵 I had to put the fan on for the first time. When I finished we had a glass of wine and a bowl on cashew nuts. I had a bath and washed my hair before cooking dinner. We had chicken and chips with grilled tomatoes. I cooked it all in my acti fryer it was quick, easy and delicious. I made a pot of tea and H had yogurt for pudding but I had fruit. Now I am watching S. C. D. There are only 6 contestants left.

Friday

I got up at 6 o’clock and put on a load of washing and had tea and toast for breakfast. As soon as I had done  I cleaned my teeth, dressed and we went to Asda. ( I spent £134.27) ! When we got home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee. We had a mince pie with it with squirty cream on top. I read my magazine, made the bed and did a bit of housework till it was time for me to get ready to go to Cawston for their monthly luncheon club. There I meet my sister in law and 5 of her friends. We all caught up with the months news and gossip, won the quiz,( I didn’t contribute much) and had a very enjoyable lunch. The local Bobby attended to give help or advice to anybody who needed it and 2 from our table won prizes in the raffle. I will not be going to the December gathering because it’s a Christmas lunch ‘proper’ and as H won’t come with me I don’t think it’s fair on him. He was fine yesterday while I was only gone for a couple of hours, he had a light spin on the turbo but the Xmas lunch lasts all afternoon. When I got home I poured us a glass of wine and we had it with a bowl of cashew nuts. We watched tipping point, had a bath and I cooked dinner. It was quiche with mushrooms, tomatoes and patatas bravas, I had a small portion because I was still full up from lunch! At 7 pm I went up for my soaps, fell asleep and missed them. I can’t believe I did that because I had done nothing much all day.

Thursday

I got up at 5.30, put on a load of washing and had tea and toast for breakfast. I packed my work snack, dressed, made the bed and got ready to drive to work. I had to 36 bunches of beetroot and 8 bunches of golden beetroot. Next I walked to carrots and picked 48 bunches then to purple carrots for 24 bunches of them. Andrew arrived just in time to fork the purple ones up for me which was a bonus. We went down and had our coffee break and after that I walked to leeks and trimmed them till home time. When I opened the front door I could smell popcorn! H had made us a bowl full. He made me a coffee and then showed me the butter dish which he had broken! I read a bit of my book, we watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had pork steaks, eggs, grilled tomatoes, peas and chips. H had yogurt and I had an apple , a banana and some grapes. We also had a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit. There is no more work for me till Monday, tomorrow is my date with the Cawston luncheon club.

Wednesday.

I got up at 5.30 and had my breakfast, tea and toast. I packed my tomato and cheese 🧀, filled my bottle and my lunch was sorted. I dressed, made my bed and then sat and read my book till it was time for me to leave for work. It was quite a nice day for working outside, there was no wind or rain and it wasn’t too cold. The field has dried up a bit so it was easier walking about. I had to pick 30 bunches of beetroot, 72 bunches of carrots where Andrew joined me. 12 bunches of purple carrots and then Leeks. We had to go back to the yard for 10 o’clock. We had our break after we had unloaded the trailer and after break I had to walk back to the leeks.i have walked 3.1 miles today, all in the mud so I am glad it’s dried up a bit. I had to trim leeks till home time, Andrew joined me after I had trimmed 3.5 boxes. When I got home H made me a cup of coffee and toasted me a crumpet. I didn’t do much this afternoon, we watched tipping point, I had a bath 🛁 and cooked dinner. We had pasta in a beef sauce. It was delicious. Fried onion, chorizo, mince, diced carrot and cauliflower tomato purée and seasoning. H had yogurt for pudding but I had fruit 🍇grapes . Banana 🍌, and an 🍎 apple. Now I plan to watch my soaps but I don’t know if I will manage to stay awake.!

Tuesday.

I got up at 6.05, made porridge for my breakfast and a pot of tea. I sat quietly reading my book till H came down at 7.05, an hour after me. When he had finished his breakfast he made us a coffee and I stacked the dishwasher. I dressed, made the bed and brought the vacuum cleaner downstairs so I could hover up. I left the lounge till H went upstairs and flicked over it then. I swept the kitchen floor and then cleaned the oven and both the fridges. We had another coffee and also a cup of soup for lunch. At 1.30 I went upstairs to ride on the turbo trainer. I did 30.7 miles and my average speed was 19 mph. I am quite pleased with that, it was hard work and the sweat 😓 was dripping off me! I just hope it’s doing me some good. When I finished I had a shower and made a pot of tea. I had a ginger biscuit with mine. We watched tipping point and then I cooked dinner. We had rib eye steak ‘s with potato wedges , peas and roast cauliflower. Tomorrow I am going to work again so I hope it’s nice and dry like today. This morning we had quite a hard frost.

Monday.

I overslept! I didn’t get up till 6.05! I put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea. I had tea and toast for breakfast, I dressed, packed my lunch, made my bed and got ready to go to work. I didn’t have time to hang the washing out because it was only just done as it was time for me to leave.
I had to do 6 bunches of beetroot, 12 bunches of carrots and 12 bunches of purple carrots. Then I had to trim leeks till 9.30. Andrew joined me on the leeks and at 9.30 we washed and packed everything and loaded it into the van for the boss to deliver. We had our break and then I had to walk back to the leeks and trim them till home time. Andrew had to trim 5 boxes of turnips before joining me on
leeks again. He was telling my all about his mum who is in hospital. She has been in for 2 weeks now. The hospital are looking for a home to put her in for respite care.
When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a slice of cake. I listened to the Archers and a play. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and then I cooked dinner. We had breaded cod, jacket potatoes, baked beans and cauliflower. When it was 6.30 I went up for my soaps and ‘I’m a celebrity’..I have to work again on Wednesday.

Sunday.

I got up at 6.30 and put on a load of washing. I made a pot of tea and a bowl of porridge for breakfast. We had a coffee and I finished knitting the hoodie I was doing, then I began the nightmare of sewing it up. It was like a Chinese puzzle! I had to leave it at 9.45 to get ready to go out on our bikes. We had a nice ride doing the same as we did last Sunday but we did it 2 minutes faster. When we got home we had a coffee, I put the bikes away and had a slice of cake. I changed out of my cycle gear and dusted downstairs. Next, after I had washed my hands I finished sewing up the hoodie. We had a bath and for dinner we had we had a sausage and onion pie  🥧. It was nice and I liked making it, I love mixing the sausage meat with the fried onion and raw egg, squidging  it through my fingers. Anyway it turned out nice and tasted delicious. We had it with potatoes, cauliflower and carrots. I had fruit for pudding, H had yogurt. I went up for S C D results.

Saturday. 0

I got up at 6.30, put on a load of washing and had a cup of tea. H waited till H had finished in the kitchen before I made my porridge. After breakfast we had a coffee and H went up to turbo. While he was upstairs I swept and washed the kitchen floor, wiped all the cupboard doors and cleaned the worktops. I had a coffee and then washed the toilet floor, cleaned the toilet and wiped all the walls down. I made the bed and H finished his ride so I made him a coffee. He played chess ♟ while I got cheese and biscuits for lunch. This afternoon we watched a film and I read a bit of my book I had a shower and cooked dinner. We had spaghetti bolognese. I went upstairs to watch strictly come dancing 💃 and when it was over I went back down again because there was nothing else I wanted to see.

Friday.

We got up just after 6am and both had toast for breakfast with a cuppa. I put on a load of washing, dressed and we got ready to go shopping. We posted a letter for our son that came to ours by mistake. Asda was quite busy this morning, I bought a few Christmas things, chocolate coins for the tree, a bottle of wine and some chocolates. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away while H made the coffee. I hung out the washing and read my magazine. When I had finished I did all the ironing up to date, made the bed and then made a ‘boiled’ cake. While I was waiting for it to cool enough for me to add the eggs and flour I swept the kitchen floor. I got the wheelie bin in and put all 3 of them in order. I pulled a few bits of rubbish out of the garden and we had another coffee. I did a load more housework, baked my cake which has turned out nice. And we had lunch, soup. This afternoon I read a chapter of my book and then I went up to turbo. I did 32.6 miles in an hour and 1 hour and 40 minutes. It was quite hard work but I am pleased I did it. We had a glass of wine and watched tipping point then I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had steak pies with potatoes and cauliflower. I have spent most of today thinking it was Saturday! I had to rush to get my washing in because it began to rain, it’s half dry.Now I am watching my soaps.

Horrible Thursday

 I got up at 5.45 and had my breakfast. I packed my tomato, cheese and bottle of water, dressed and made my bed. I sat and read a chapter of my book until it was time for me to go to work. It was raining when I left home at 7.25 and it was still raining at 1.22 when I got home. It didn’t stop once and I was wet through to my skin and cold too. First I had to walk to the beetroot and pick 18 bunches of golden beetroot. Then 45 bunches of purple ones, the tops are all rotting off and they are hard to bunch. After that I walked to carrots and picked 48 bunches of orange ones and then Andy joined me and we did 14 bunches of purple ones. We took everything down to the yard and had our break. After break I had to walk to leeks and trim them and that’s when the real trouble started! It was so muddy I just can’t describe it. Every time I put my foot down it sunk in halfway up my wellie boot. Andy joined me and as he is about two and a half stone heavier than me he was sinking in even deeper. Then when he carried the full boxes out, the added weight made it almost impossible. I lost count of the times he fell over! It made it seem a very long morning. As soon as I got home I took all my wet clothes off and wrapped myself in my cosy dressing gown in front of the fire with my hands wrapped round a cup of coffee. We had cheese on toast for lunch because I was feeling so hungry. I didn’t move off the sofa all afternoon till after tipping point when I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had pork sausages, chorizo, mushrooms, tomatoes, patas bravas, fried onions and eggs. H had yogurt for pudding and I had an apple, a banana, an orange and a few grapes. Tonight there is nothing only football on itv so I will be reading my book.
I don’t have to work any more till Monday thank goodness.

Wednesday.

I got up at 5.35 and put on a load of washing. I had toast and marmite with a mug of tea for breakfast.  I dressed, packed my lunch, made the bed and just had time to hang out the washing before I left for work. I had to walk to the carrots and do 12 bunches of purple carrots first. I had to fork them all up. They were all forked and twisted so I had to dig loads before I had enough. Next it was orange carrots 🥕 and they were nice to bunch. I did 120 bunches of them by the time Andy came to pick me up. When we got to the yard we washed the turnips and parsnips that he had done and it was time for our break. After that I walked to the beetroot and picked 33 bunches. The leaves are going off fast so it’s a job to bunch them, they keep falling off! From there I walked to the leeks, I saw a beautiful deer 🦌. I startled it as I turned the corner of of some trees and it bounded off. I also saw a heron  and loads of pheasants and partridges. Andy joined me on leeks and we trimmed them till it was my home time. When I got home H made me a coffee and I got the washing in, dry! It was so nice to have a dry day at work. However I think I will be working in the wet again tomorrow. We had chicken curry for dinner tonight, H had a yogurt for his pudding but I had a banana and an apple.

Tuesday

I got up at 7.30 which is a great lay in for me. I had my porridge and a mug of tea and before I had finished my tea H brought me a coffee. I hung out yesterday’s washing and made the bed. I dressed and went outside to pull a load of rubbish out of the garden. I have almost filled my garden rubbish bin. When I went back in I made us a coffee and after that H went up to turbo. I got on with my knitting but at 11.40 it began to rain so I rushed out to get the washing in. I was surprised to find that most of it was dry. When H finished we had a cup a soup and cheese and crackers for lunch. At 1.50 I went up and got ready to have a ride on the turbo . I managed to do 20 miles so I only have another 60 to do this week. When I finished we had a glass of wine 🍷 and then I went up for a bath and to wash my hair. For dinner tonight we had chicken drumsticks 🍗 chips, corn on the cob, fried onions and cauliflower. I have to work again tomorrow but I think it might be a dry morning for once.

Wet Monday.

I got up at 5.30 and put on a load of washing. I made a pot of tea and had toast and marmite for breakfast. I dressed, packed my lunch, made my bed and read my book till it was time for me to go to work. It was a horrible morning and rained most of the time I was there and it was quite cold with it. I had to pick 40 bunches of beetroot, 36 bunches of carrots and 12 bunches of purple ones, then I joined the men who were trimming leeks. They had already done Kale, celeriac and fennel. We had to have 3 boxes of leeks and then go to the yard to wash and pack everything. We had our break and Andrew went off to do a gardening job and Andy and I went back to leeks and trimmed them till 12.30 when we went to the yard again and washed them all. I bagged  some up till it was my home time.  When I got home H made me a coffee and I had my usual corned beef but I felt really hungry so I had a bowl of cornflakes. I think it was because I had been cold and wet for 5 hours. I sat and read all afternoon but I was so tired I kept falling asleep and dropping my book. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had giant baked potatoes, baked beans and fish cakes. I also roasted some chestnuts and we had them as well. I am not working tomorrow but I don’t think the weather is going to be good enough for us to go out on our bikes.

Sunday.

I got up at 7.15 and made porridge for breakfast with a mug of tea. I sat and read my book 📖 till H got up so I didn’t make noise and disturb him.when he got up we had a coffee and then I emptied the dishwasher and put everything away. I made the bed and dressed and vacuumed upstairs. I read a bit more of my book till H said it was time to get ready to go out on our bikes. We had a good ride and did 31.31 miles. We were so lucky, there were so many showers floating about but we missed them all. In places it must have just stopped and the water was still running down the road. As soon as we got home we put the bikes in the garage and before the kettle had boiled for our coffee it was raining here! We had scrambled eggs on toast for lunch with a mince pie and squirty cream for pud. We watched a Columbo this afternoon, had a bath and then had dinner. It was beef Wellington with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and cauliflower. I have been trying to ride 80 plus miles a week and it’s worked for the last 5 weeks. When we got home today and after I had put the bikes away I added up my miles for the week and I had done 79.51 miles!!! If I hadn’t put my bike away and if it wasn’t pouring with rain I would have just ridden round the block to make it up. It was less than half a mile short! I will have to try harder next week. I have to work tomorrow.

Saturday.

I got up at 5.50, put on a load of washing and made porridge and tea for breakfast. We had a coffee and H went up to turbo. I did a bit of clearing up , made the bed and hung out the washing and I put yesterday’s out as well. At 10 I had a coffee and a mince pie with squirty cream. I filled the bird feeders, scrubbed out the bird bath and refilled it. H didn’t finish his ride till nearly midday 🕛, when he did we had toasted bagels with butter and marmite and a coffee. We watched a bit of tele’ and at 2 I went up to turbo. It felt really hard work and my knees were really stiff and sore! I can walk upstairs ok but going back down is agony! I did 26.4 miles in an hour and 25 minutes so it was much slower than yesterday. When I finished we had a glass of wine ,I did a few rows of my knitting and then H ran me a bath. We had a cup of tea and watched a Columbo. When it was over I cooked dinner. We had steak with chips and peas and mushrooms. H had yogurt for pudding and I had an apple and a banana. My washing was drier than I expected, it had just hung there all day, there was no wind but it was in the sun. Now I am watching strictly come dancing 🕺.

Friday.

I got up at 5.30 and put on a load of washing and yesterday’s into the tumble dryer. We had our breakfast and got ready to go to Asda. I was pleased to see they had got their Christmas jumpers in and I bought a really nice one I like it better than my last years and that was my favourite up till now. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away. H made the coffee and I sat and read my magazine. When I had done I got the bin in, made the bed, changing all the bedding and did all the ironing up to date. We had another coffee and I cast on the stitches for the first sleeve of the little jacket I am knitting. For lunch we had a red onion and chive bagel with cheese, and a cup a soup. I sat and wrote my weekly email to my sister in law and then I got ready to have a ride on the turbo trainer. I did an hour and seven minutes and rode 21.8 miles which worked out an average of 19.5
MPH. When I finished I had a shower and a nice glass of wine. We watched tipping point and the chase and then I cooked dinner. We had steak pies with potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and leeks. We had strawberries and cream for dessert, they were yummy, a better flavour than in the summer!
Now I am going to watch my soaps and do more knitting.

Thursday

I got up at 5.30, put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. Tea and toast. I packed my lunch, dressed, made the bed and got ready to go to work. It was raining when I left home and was still raining when I left off. First I had to wade up the field to the beetroot where I picked 20 bunches of them and 8 bunches of golden ones. Next I sloshed to the carrots and picked 24 bunches. I also had to pick 16 bunches of purple ones. I got a lift back to the yard on the back of the tractor 🚜 and we washed all my stuff and the parsnips and loose carrots the men did. We packed it all and had our break. After that Andrew went out on a gardening job and Andy and I were given another list of things to do. 18 fennel, 18 celeriac, a Romanesque, and 3 boxes of leeks. We got stuck in the mud so many times on leeks, it made it such hard work! Andy almost lost his wellie! We took it back to the wash pit washed and packed it and it was my home time. As soon as I got home I washed and changed because our daughter, 2 granddaughters and great granddaughter were coming round. H made a fabulous, huge bowl of popcorn and when they arrived H made us all a drink. They have named our great granddaughter well! Her middle name is Joy and she really is. Such a happy baby. When they left we watched tipping point, had a bath and I cooked dinner. We had a huge baked potato each with my mince and fried onion topping and grated cheese. It was very tasty. Now I am going to watch my soaps.

Wednesday

I got up at 5.40 and had my breakfast of tea and toast after putting on a load of washing. I packed my lunch, dressed, hung out the washing, made my bed and got ready to go to work. I had to do 20 bunches of beetroot, 12 bunches of purple carrots and72 bunches of carrots 🥕. Andy joined me and we took everything down to the yard and washed it all. We had our break and then I walked to the leeks and trimmed them for the rest of the morning. When I got home H made me a coffee and I did a bit more knitting. I have finished 1 ball of wool so I must have done a quarter of it because it takes 4 balls. We watched tipping point and I had a nice soak in the bath. For dinner tonight we had duck legs in orange sauce with potatoes, carrots, leeks and cauliflower. It was a very nice meal. I also roasted some chestnuts. I have to work again tomorrow.

Tuesday and a trip to the seaside 🌊🌊

I got up at 6.30 and put on a load of washing before making tea and porridge. I had my breakfast and finished the book I was reading. H made me a coffee and then I dressed, made the bed and swept the kitchen floor etc. At 9.30 we got ready to go out. First we drove to the chemist so I could collect my prescription. It says on my prescription allow 48 hours before collection. I put it in at 8.30 Friday morning so at 10.15 today I thought it would be fine! But no it wasn’t ready. Luckily the shop was pretty empty so they sorted it out for me but I had to wait around 10 minutes. From there we went to Aylsham, parked and walked to the bank. We were parked quite away away so I set my ‘ strava ‘ on walk. We had a coffee and walked back to the car. I paused my ‘ strava ‘ and we drove to Sheringham. I started ‘Strava’ again and we walked to the chip shop got fish, chips, mushy peas and a cup of tea. Paused it again till we finished and started it again outside the shop. We walked down-to the sea which was amazing, huge waves crashing on to the rocks, so powerful, but stopped me from having a paddle. We walked along the front and back to the car stopping at a few shops on the way. I bought 3 canisters that match my kettle, microwave and toaster, a pair of fingerless mitts for H, and best of all a knitting pattern and some fabulous cashmere wool to knit a jacket for our great granddaughter. But when we got to the car I forgot to stop my strava! We were halfway home by the time I remembered! I think we walked about3 miles but it said almost ten!! From there we drove to the Ratcatchers where we had wine and coffee and I paid a deposit for a meal we are having at the end of the month. When we got home I had a shower, made a pot of tea and watched tipping point. I cast on the stitches for the back of the jacket and began to knit.

Monday.

I got up at 5.30 and had tea and toast for breakfast. I packed my lunch, made the bed, cleaned my teeth, dressed and sat and read my book till it was time to go to work. When I got there I was surprised to see Andrews car wasn’t on the car park, he is always the first one there. When I got to the shed the boss told me that Andrews Mum was back in hospital and Andrew had been up all night so he had told him not to come in but get a rest. It’s the second time she has been rushed to hospital recently, she is 86 so it’s not good. So there was only Andy and me at work and we were quite busy which was good because it makes the time fly past. I have to go again on Wednesday. When I got home H made me a coffee, he had one as well and we both had a choc chip bun. I wrote a couple of emails, watched tipping point and had a bath. I washed my hair, wrapped it in a towel and cooked dinner. We had chicken curry which was nice. I had fruit for pudding. My boss said he might be asking me to work an extra day a week soon and it will be Fridays and asked if that would be alright . I told him I could do it but I can’t work on Black Friday because I am out for the day.( hopefully with my Christmas jumper on.)

Sunday.

We got up at 6.20 and bot had porridge and tea for breakfast. I put on a load of washing and when it was done I hung it out while H made a loaf of bread.  We had a coffee and got our bikes out of the garage ready to go for a ride. I did a bit of clearing up, emptied the dishwasher and put everything away then we got ready to go for a ride. We had a nice ride, just doing 16.6 miles. This means I have done over my 80 miles I like to do in a week so I am pleased. When we got home we had a coffee and an egg custard and later for lunch we had cheese and biscuits. I had a shower and after that I watched cheesy Christmas films on tv. For dinner tonight we had fish cakes, jacket potatoes, mushy peas and a slice of bread and butter. My blogs seem to be getting shorter and shorter. Tomorrow I have to go to work.

Saturday.

I managed to stay in bed till 6 o’clock! My best lie in since the clocks changed. I put all yesterday’s washing into the tumble dryer and had porridge for breakfast. H got up at 7. After breakfast we had a coffee and then I cleared up the kitchen. H went up to turbo and I watched the Rugby 🏉. It was very disappointing but South Africa 🇿🇦 were the better team. So well done them. When it was over I vacuumed all downstairs, swept the kitchen and toilet floors and dusted throughout. I had a coffee and when H finished his ride I heated up the rest of the soup I made yesterday and we had it for lunch. I read a bit of my book and H poured us a glass of wine. When I had drunk mine I changed to have a turbo. I just rode till H came up to see how I was getting on and then I stopped. So I did 16.7 miles altogether but I did the first 10 miles in 28 minutes and 41 seconds which I was really pleased with. When I finished I had a bath 🛀, watched tipping point and cooked dinner. We had quiche with potato wedges and mushrooms. As soon as I had finished mine I went up to watch strictly come dancing.

Friday 1st of November.

I got up early as usual and put on a load of washing. I had tea and toast for breakfast and when we were ready we went shopping. When we got home I unpacked and put everything away, then I emptied the dishwasher and put all that away as well. H made us a coffee and I read my magazine. At 10 o’clock he went up to turbo because it was raining. We had planned to go out on our bikes. While he was doing that I made some jam tarts and some choc chip buns. For lunch we had home made soup, it was very nice. This afternoon I had an indoor bike ride. H ran me a bath when I had finished we had a glass of wine, watched tipping point and then had dinner. Pizza with a salad and strawberries and yogurt for Pudding. I have done 50 miles on a bike this week so far and 2 days left to do 30 more which is only 15 miles each day but the weather is not looking good for tomorrow so I might be upstairs again.

Thursday.

I got up at 5.10 and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch and read my book till H got up . I cleaned my teeth, dressed, put the rubbish in the bin , made the bed and went to work. I had a huge list waiting for me. 144 bunches of carrots, 32 bunches of purple ones, 50 bunches of beetroot, 16 bunches of golden beetroot and then tomatoes. I was so pleased I managed to get it all done.
When I left off I went round to our granddaughters where our daughter was baby sitting our great granddaughter. She is the happiest baby  👶🏻 and never stops smiling and laughing. I left just before 2 pm because they had to pick up ‘mummy’ who had to go into work to see what she will be doing after her maternity leave is over. H made me a coffee when I got home. He had painted another door! I read my book till it was time for tipping point. After that I had a shower and cooked dinner. We had sausages, burgers, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and potato wedges. After that I watched my soaps

Wednesday.

I got up at 5.10! I had been awake since 4.15 and was fed up with laying there. I put on a load of washing and made a pot of tea. I had toast and marmite. I packed my lunch , dressed and hung the washing out. I sat and read my book till it was time for me to go to work. I made the bed just before I left. The boss gave me a list and I had to pick 40 bunches of beetroot, 12 bunches of purple carrots and 72 bunches of carrots 🥕. I was so pleased that I had just finished them all when they came to pick them all up. We had our break and then I had to walk to leeks. I trimmed 3 boxes before Andy joined me and we managed to have 8 before it was my hometown. When I got home I had a coffee and a slice of corned beef. I got the washing in and it was dry. I read a bit of my book, made a pot of tea and we watched tipping point. I had a bath and cooked dinner, we had fish and chips. It was M& S breaded cod and Acti-fry chips. It was nice. H had a yogurt for pudding and I had 4 plums and an orange. I hope I can keep awake for my soaps.

Tuesday.

I got up at 5.15 and had porridge for breakfast with a cup of tea. H didn’t get up till 6.50. We had a coffee and I emptied the dishwasher and put everything away. I did all the ironing and a bit of general clearing up. H got the bikes out of the garage and oiled the chains and checked the tyres. We put our cycle gear on and cycled to Aylsham along the track but missing out the loop. H went to the bank and then we biked home again but stayed on the road. It was 28.6 miles, so enough for us to get our exercise. When we got home we had a cheese sandwich with celery and a cup of soup. I put the bikes away and the next minute we had a shower of rain. I read my book this afternoon, watched tipping point, had a bath and cooked dinner. We had a chicken and mushroom pie with carrots, cabbage and cauliflower. I have had a very nice day.

Frosty .Monday.

I got up at 5.30 but I had laid awake since 4.40. I put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch. Made the bed, dressed etc and got ready to go to work. H de-iced the car for me. I had to pick beetroot, carrots and purple carrots then trim leeks. The men joined me on leeks and when we had enough for the first deliveries we went down to the yard to wash and pack it all. Before we began the boss told us to have our break first. When all the washing was done I went back to leeks and trimmed them for the reas of the morning. I was having a hair cut at 1.30 so I had to get changed. It’s always difficult changing at work, there is nowhere to go that’s private. I ended up changing in the back of my car! Anyway I had my hair cut and was home by 2.20. We had a cup of coffee and I got my washing in. H said he had a nightmare this morning. He went for a ride, got a puncture and couldn’t fix it so had to walk home. I don’t think he was very far away. We watched tipping point, I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had pork chops, potatoes, cabbage and cauliflower. I have to work again on Wednesday.

Sunday and British summer time has ended.

I got up at 6.30 and then put my back to 5.30. I put the washing machine on and the tumble drier and when the washing was done I hung it out and filled both my lines. It was only 3 degrees when I got up but a lovely clear blue sky. We both had porridge and then a coffee. We got our bikes out of the garage and H wiped and oiled the chains. I did a bit of clearing up, emptied the dishwasher and put everything away etc and at 9 o’clock we both got ready to go out to meet our daughter and son in law so we could all go for a bike ride. We stayed on the road because the track was pretty muddy. H and I did 26 miles but the other 2 did well over 30 because they cycled to ours and back to theirs as well. It was a really nice ride. When we got home we had a coffee, a plate of cheese straws and then a glass of wine 🍷. We watched a Columbo, I got the washing in, all nice and dry. I had a bath, washed my hair and cooked dinner. We had beef with mushrooms, peas, cauliflower and carrots. Apple and ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow I have to go to work. I am so pleased England beat New Zealand in the Rugby.

Saturday!

I got up at 6.35 this morning, an hour later than yesterday. Yesterday as soon as I had eaten my breakfast I went to Asda for the weekly shop. I went on my own because we were expecting our new washing machine and waiting for a phone call. It’s a good job I did because they rang while I was out to let us know when it would arrive. After we had unpacked and put everything away I vacuumed throughout and dusted all downstairs. We had a coffee and at 11 o’clock I got ready to go to Cawston for their monthly luncheon club. On the way home I called in at Taverham garden centre. When I got home I was so pleased to see our old washing machine had gone from the front of the house where we had dragged it to in the morning because it meant they had been and delivered the new one. H had plumbed it in etc so we read the instructions and did our first load. When it was done I put it all in the tumble dryer and did a second load.
Today H had a turbo and rode 65 miles. I did yet more loads of washing and drying and this afternoon I had a turbo ( after a glass of champagne) ! I only did 37 miles! It was such hard work and took me 2 hours. Tomorrow we hope to go out with our daughter and son in law for a ride so I really hope it’s not raining! At least we will get an extra hour in bed! For dinner tonight we had a sausage and onion patty. It was very tasty. I fried the onions mashed them up with the sausage meat then mixed in an egg ,salt and pepper, wrapped in in pastry and baked it. H said there was far too much but he ate it all. For pudding we had apples and blackberries, stewed and with custard.

Thursday.

I got up at 5.30 made a pot of tea, toasted my bread and had my breakfast. I packed my lunch, cleaned my teeth and read my book till 7 o’clock. I went up and dressed, made the bed, sorted my bag and went to work. I walked to the beetroot and did 8 bunches of golden beetroot and 33 purple bunches. Then I walked to carrots and picked 29 bunches of purple carrots and 84 bunches of orange ones. Andy joined me on the proper carrots and we managed to finish them by 10. We went down to the yard and had our break. After that I had to walk to leeks and trim them. I did 2 boxes when Andy came to join me. We had to have 8 boxes altogether. We finished them at 12.45 so we just had time to harvest 20 celeriac before I left off. Now I am off till Monday. This afternoon our daughter and granddaughter came round, daughter brought her m t bike wheels and H changed her tyres for some lighter ones so she will find it easier on the road. We all hope to go out together Sunday morning. When they left we watched tipping point, had a bath and I washed my hair.
Before I went to work this morning I checked the weather forecast and it said it would be raining from around midday. In our field it began to rain at 8.10 and was still raining when I left off at  one o’clock! I think it’s still raining now!

Wednesday.

I got up 5.30 and had tea and toast for breakfast. I sat and read my book till it was time to pack my lunch, make my bed , dress and go to work. It was frosty when I got up, the second frost this month. I had to go with Andy and first we trimmed 5 boxes of Turnips, then we went to the beetroot and picked 40 bunches of them. Next it was bunches of carrots, 72 bunches of orange ones and 12 bunches of purple ones. We took everything down to the yard and the boss helped us to wash it all and pack it so he could go delivering. We had our break and then I had to walk to leeks while Andy  went to cabbages, cauliflowers, and broccoli. He joined me at 12.25 for the last half hour and gave me a lift to the yard. I have to go again tomorrow. In the field today we saw 2 deer, a hare and loads of pheasant’s. By 10 o’clock it had warmed up nicely and I had to take my coat off. When I got home
H made me a coffee and we both had a slice of cake which finished it off. We watched a film this afternoon and then tipping point. I had a bath and cooked dinner. We had bacon, sausages, pork and apple burgers, fried tomatoes and eggs. It was yummy.

Tuesday.

I slept really well last night I think walking around must be quite tiring. I got up at 7.45 and had porridge for breakfast. Then I sat and wrote yesterday’s blog, it took ages because I had so much to say and I only write with one finger. H and I decided to turbo today because it was pretty chilly this morning. We had a coffee and he went up for his ride. Half an hour later he came back down and and said he couldn’t log in to the program. He didn’t want to go out so I decided to work in the garden. I filled my garden rubbish bin so it can go out on Friday. I went in to prepare our lunch, we had soup and a slice of cake. Then our no 2 son rang and told H what to do to log in and it worked! So he rode for an hour and set it up for me so I had a ride as well. I did 21.8 miles, av17.2mph. I had a bath, a cup of tea and cooked dinner. We had leftover mutton with mashed potato, cauliflower, broccoli and gravy. Yogurt for pudding and then a glass of the French wine that my boss and his wife gave us. It is really nice and we prefer it to the champagne we had at the hotel yesterday. Tomorrow I have to go to work so things will be back to normal.

Yesterday, a most wonderful day!

We got up at 6.40 and had our breakfast. Just after 8 the door bell rang, we were expecting a package 📦 because we had ordered some coffee pods which were coming on that day and also our grandson was coming round with a card ,I thought it might be him on his way to work. I went to the door and it was the postman with a special delivery! A card from the Queen! What a wonderful way to start the day which got even better as it went on. When our son was ready to go back to London we went with him stopping at a mcDonalds on the way for coffee and fries. When we arrived at his flat and taken up his luggage etc. We set out, walking through St Katherine’s docks and were lucky enough to see the Queens barge tied up there. ( it’s a pity she wasn’t on board, I could have thanked her for our card! ) we walked past Tower bridge and London Tower to catch the tube to the embankment. We then walk through Trafalgar Square and to the National Art gallery. We spent an hour or so there before it was time to walk down the strand to the Savoy Hotel where we were having afternoon tea. We were introduced to our waiter who asked us if we were for a special occasion. I told him it was our diamond wedding and next he came out with a bottle of champagne 🥂. I asked if our “tea“included the champagne because he had given us a menu and the one with champagne was much more expensive. He said no it wasn’t included but it was with his complements! The meal was fabulous,  first mini quiches 2 avocado with shrimp and 2 with coronation chicken. Next we’re the sandwiches, 2 cream cheese and cucumber, 2 egg and cress, 2 coronation chicken, 2 ham and lettuce and 2 smoked salmon with lemon mousse and Mayo on sour dough bread. After that we had quails breasts with champagne mushrooms in a juniper jus and pomegranate seeds. After we had finished our first pot of tea they brought a second and then out came the scones and cakes. I was so full I couldn’t eat any but H had a fruit scone with butter jam and cream. They gave us a ‘doggy bag’ with our spare scones and cakes to take home. Then after all that our waiter came out with another plate, on it was written Happy anniversary and there was another small cake which we cut in half and shared. There was a lady playing a grand piano while we ate, it was all wonderful. While H was collecting our coats I rang son to say we were about to leave and when we came out he was there to meet us. All this was extra special for us because the Savoy was where we spent our honeymoon! Our family didn’t know this when they booked it for us, they booked there because the Ritz was fully booked. We walked from there round Covent  gardens and then Victoria Park where we sat 60 years ago. We caught the tube back to Tower Hill and walked back to our sons where we had a drink and a sit down before it was time to leave. He then came with us on the tube to Liverpool Street station where we caught our train ( first class carriage) home to Norwich. At the barrier our granddaughter was waiting for us, shew us where her mum was parked and our daughter drove us home.
We were treated to the whole day by our 3 wonderful children and we will remember for the rest of our lives. We feel so lucky to be blessed in this way and also that we were fit and healthy enough for all the walking etc. A truly wonderful day.
Also when we arrived home our coffee pods were here, our card from our grandson and the regular post.

Sunday.

I got up at 7.30!  I had a cup of tea and a coffee a little later. I had a banana for breakfast and hand washed the cycle gear I wore yesterday. I hung it on the line and then went upstairs to ride for 10 miles to make up my miles to 80 for the week. I ended up doing an extra 3 and a bit . So 83. 7 this week. When I finished I had a shower and dressed. Son spent the morning at the climbing centre. When I finished my ride I found out it had been raining and my washing was wet. I left it out anyway and when I got it in at 5 , much to my surprise it was as good as dry. For lunch I made some vegetable soup and it was delicious, it’s ages since I have made any. This afternoon our daughter, son in law and granddaughter all came round and brought us a bottle of champagne 🍾 with our own personal label. It says Geoffrey and Jean, diamond wedding 1959/ 2019. Then they handed us a gift and when we opened it, it is from all our 3 children and their spouses. It is for afternoon tea at the Savoy ( London) tomorrow and first class rail tickets home in the evening. Our son who lives in London is taking us and taking us to the station after our tea and our daughter is meeting us at Thorpe station and driving us home. We had roast lamb for dinner with roast and mashed potatoes, carrots,cauliflower and broccoli. It was stewed blackberry and apple for pudding with ice cream. It was all very nice. Our eldest son, who had to work a 12 hour shift today, 6 to 6, came round on his way home. He brought us a card and we were able to thank him as well for our lovely surprise for tomorrow.

Saturday.

I got up at 6 o’clock and H poured me a cup of tea. Because he was up first he had made it. Before I had finished it he brought me in a cup of coffee! I waited half an hour before I made and ate my porridge. I went up and dressed, made the bed and took all the rubbish to the bins etc. We both sat about reading because we didn’t want to wake son. We had the tv on quietly so we could watch the rugby. H decided to turbo so went up and son came down to see the match. I made my porridge at half time. When it was over son and I got ready to go out on our bikes. I got mine out of the garage and he brought his downstairs. We had a nice ride, it wasn’t as muddy as I expected it to be after all the rain we have had. We had a cup of tea and a cake at Reepham station and cycled home again.
As soon as I got in and had washed my hands I sorted lunch. H had a bacon sandwich while son and I had a salad. I washed out my cycle wear by hand and did a bit of mending. I made a chocolate sponge cake and some flap jack. I had a bath and then cooked dinner. We had steaks 🥩, chips, mushrooms, cheese topped tomatoes, peas and sweet corn. Ice cream for pudding. I went up to watch S C D. and then a film.

Friday.

We got up at 6.10 and had our breakfast, dressed etc. I put on a load of washing and we went to Asda for our weekly shop. From Asda we went straight to our butchers ( Clarke’s of Hevingham ). I bought some lovely meat and when I asked for a shoulder of lamb they came out of the cold store with a whole sheep on their shoulder and butchered it . It was fascinating to watch. Their sausages are delicious and so are their burgers, we love the pork and apple ones, they are the same size when they are cooked as when you put them in the pan. When we left there it began to rain and on the way home it poured, out wipers struggled to cope with it. We decided not to go out on our bikes. After we had unpacked and put everything away we had a coffee, the rain stopped and the sun came out so I thought I would hang out the washing. I opened the W/mc door and a flood of water gushed out! What a nightmare! H fiddled about with it and we Dad a light come up to Sarah it was a problem with the motor. We have had it over 4 years so it’s not worth repairing which would probably cost half the price of a new one so we ordered another. The only problem is it’s not coming till Friday.😐 I wonder how many bags of washing I will have by then. We had cheese and biscuits for lunch with a cuppa soup and I went up for a ride on the turbo. I did 25.3 miles. I had a shower made a pot of tea and watched tipping point. For dinner tonight we had salmon, baked potatoes and baked beans. I went up to watch my soaps and fell asleep 💤. No 2 son arrived home so I went downstairs for the rest of the evening and forgot to write my blog.

Thursday.

I got up at 5.30, put on a load of washing and had my breakfast. I packed my snack and water, made the bed, dressed and read my book till it was time for me to go to work. I had to pick 48 bunches of beetroot, each bunch has 5 beetroot in it so that’s 225 beetroot. Next it was 18 bunches of golden beetroot (90 beet). After that Andy joined me and we pulled 20 bunches of purple carrots and 75 bunches of orange ones,( there are 8 or 9 carrots in each bunch, so that would be a lot of carrots!)
Andrew was out gardening for the day. We had our break and then I had to trim leeks. I told the boss I had really struggled to pull them up yesterday so he lifted 2 rows for me which really helped. Andy joined me after I had done 2 boxes and we ended up with 8 boxes when it was my home time.
On Monday it is our diamond 💎 wedding 💒. I don’t know where 60 years have gone.! Anyway when I left off the boss and his wife gave us a card and a bottle of French fizzy wine and a card, and Andrew and Andy gave us a card. How kind and thoughtful. When I got home I quickly washed and changed because our daughter, 2 granddaughters and our great granddaughter were all coming round. They brought us more cards ♥️ we had a cup of tea and a biscuit 🍪 and our youngest g /daughter sorted out my phone for me so I am back on strava, she also sorted a problem H had with his computer! Our great granddaughter is simply gorgeous, she doesn’t stop smiling and gurgling, she is almost 4 months old and such a happy baby. When they left we watched tipping point, had a bath and cooked dinner. We had pork chops, grilled tomatoes with cheese, potato wedges and peas.

Wednesday.

I got up at 5.35 and had buttered toast and tea for breakfast. I packed cheese and a tomato with a bottle of water for my break. I dressed etc so I was ready for work then I sat and read my book till it was time to go. The boss gave me a list which said 40 bunches of beetroot, 12 bunches of purple carrots and 72 bunches of orange ones. He said I would get help later. I did the beetroot and the purple carrots and started on the orange ones and the boss came up to help me! The two Andrews came next and we finished them in no time. They had harvested swedes, turnips, fennel, parsnips, loose carrots and celeriac so there was loads to be washed. We washed everything and then had our break. We then all went back to the fields and I had to go to leeks and the men cut cauliflowers, broccoli, cabbages etc and when they had done they picked me and my leeks up and we went back to the yard, washed the leeks and packed everything we had done this morning. It took till 12.30 so I spent the last half hour picking tomatoes. When I got home H made me a coffee and I had a bun with it.  I sat in the lounge all afternoon reading my book, H played chess against the computer and won! We watched tipping point, had a bath and I cooked dinner. We had sausages, pork and apple burgers, tomatoes and eggs. It was yummy. Now I am going to try to stay awake for my soaps. The story lines get more ludicrous each week in all of them.